Chapter 167: A Turn of Events

Chapter 167: A Turn of Events

Even though they lived in the same cave, Ling Xiaobai hadn't seen Chu Ning for almost a month.

The little guy had been sleeping most of the time since his injury, hibernating in the cave.

Chu Ning strongly suspected that the little beast was getting stronger the more it slept.

"Whine!"

At the first sight of Chu Ning, Ling Xiaobai let out a startled whine.

Being highly sensitive to spiritual auras, it immediately sensed the change in Chu Ning's strength.

"I've successfully entered the Foundation Establishment stage!" Chu Ning explained with a smile, interpreting the little beast's reaction.

"Little guy, you'd better step up your game. If you don't advance to the second-rank soon, I'll leave you in the dust."

"Whine!" Ling Xiaobai whined pitifully in response.

Having formed a life contract with Ling Xiaobai, Chu Ning could easily sense the little beast's thoughts and feelings. He immediately understood what Ling Xiaobai was trying to say.

"Are you saying that if you hadn't been injured, you would've already broken through as well?"

Chu Ning said apologetically, "I've been so focused on my Foundation Establishment that I neglected our joint cultivation of the Mysterious Fate Technique, which must have slowed down your recovery."

Hearing this, Ling Xiaobai walked over and affectionately rubbed his head against Chu Ning's leg.

Chu Ning reached down and picked up the little beast.

"Let's go out for a bit, and when we get back, we can cultivate together. Now that I've reached the Foundation Establishment stage, I should be able to help you heal even better. It's a shame you can only eat one Heavenly Origin Grass. If you had a few more, your recovery would be even faster."

As he spoke, Chu Ning put Ling Xiaobai back into the spirit beast pouch and left the cave.

At this moment, Chu Ning didn't bother to alter his appearance or conceal his aura.

While a Foundation Establishment cultivator couldn't exactly walk with impunity in the Thousand Lakes and Islands, their status was certainly above that of an average Qi Refining cultivator.

Now that Chu Ning had successfully entered the Foundation Establishment stage, there was no longer any need for him to hide in the shadows.

As long as he didn't expose his life-saving techniques, he would be fine.

Using his flying arts, he soon arrived at the teleportation array.

The arrays in the various islands were managed and owned by the Thousand Islands Alliance.

The middle-aged cultivator guarding the array, who was around forty years old and at the fifth layer of Qi Refining, immediately stiffened when he saw Chu Ning.

He quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Senior. Where would you like to teleport to? I'll make the arrangements right away."

"Thousand Illusions Island," Chu Ning replied, taking out ten low-grade spirit stones from his storage bag. "Here's the teleportation fee."

The middle-aged cultivator's expression turned strange as he said, "Senior, you're joking. Foundation Establishment cultivators don't need to pay teleportation fees in the Thousand Lakes and Islands."

"Oh, is that so?" Chu Ning said, taking back the spirit stones.

He had just broken through and was unaware of this rule.

"Could it be that this senior has just advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage? There aren't any cultivators at this level on Flying Rainbow Island. You must be from another place and have just arrived in the Thousand Lakes and Islands. But it's strange that you came directly to Flying Rainbow Island." The middle-aged cultivator's mind raced with questions, but he dared not voice them.

Instead, he quickly activated the teleportation array.

Soon, Chu Ning stepped out of the teleportation array on Thousand Illusions Island, receiving respectful gazes from the two Qi Refining cultivators there, and made his way directly to the Cen Workshop.

At this moment, Chu Ning could feel the difference in how people treated him now that he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The Qi Refining cultivators he encountered along the way were all extremely polite and respectful, even going so far as to make way for him as he walked.

"It seems that in the Thousand Lakes and Islands, where there are no higher-level sects or cultivators, Foundation Establishment cultivators hold a very high status," Chu Ning thought to himself. "I hadn't realized this before because I had limited interactions with others. Now that I've broken through, I can truly feel the difference."

With these thoughts in mind, Chu Ning strode into the Cen Workshop.

The few shop assistants inside exchanged glances, their faces filled with surprise, before one of them, a seventh-layer Qi Refining cultivator, stepped forward.

"Welcome, Senior, to the Cen Workshop. How may we assist you today?"

Chu Ning scanned the unfamiliar faces of the shop assistants before settling his gaze on the one who seemed to be their leader.

"Take me to your boss," he said.

Although Cen Ziqin had previously told him to inform the contact on Misty Rainbow Island after he came out of seclusion, and that she would come to Flying Rainbow Island, Chu Ning felt that there was no longer any need for secrecy now that he had reached the Foundation Establishment stage.

He had only come to meet Cen Ziqin, and if he couldn't even muster the courage for that, he might as well give up on the path of cultivation altogether.

The shop assistant didn't seem bothered by Chu Ning's request and instead replied respectfully, "Of course, Senior. Please follow me."

The assistant didn't even mention having to announce his arrival first, clearly understanding that they couldn't afford to keep a Foundation Establishment cultivator waiting.

Chu Ning followed the assistant upstairs to the third floor, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

He knew that his sudden appearance would definitely startle Cen Ziqin.

Previously, he had only told her that he would be refining a batch of pills over the next two to three months and then attempt Foundation Establishment within half a year.

Now that she saw him, having already succeeded, she would surely be astonished.

Once again, they arrived outside the tea room he had visited before. The shop assistant asked Chu Ning to wait outside while he went in to inform Cen Ziqin.

Soon, the assistant reappeared and invited Chu Ning in. "Please come in, Senior. Our boss is waiting inside."

Seated behind the tea table was a man in his mid-forties, a stranger instead of the familiar figure he expected.

The man bore a vague resemblance to Cen Ziqin's second uncle, Cen Wenquan.

Chu Ning's reaction was swift, and though he was astonished, he maintained his smile.

The middle-aged man was equally surprised to see Chu Ning, but he quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Please take a seat, fellow Daoist. I am Cen Wenhao, the manager of this Cen Workshop."

"Manager Cen," Chu Ning replied with a polite bow.

His heart skipped a beat as he realized that this man, Cen Wenhao, was one of the four Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Cen Family and Cen Ziqin's second uncle.

However, Cen Ziqin had previously mentioned that this man and her fourth uncle, Cen Wenquan, often pressured her together.

With this in mind, Chu Ning casually asked, "I haven't visited the Cen Workshop in a while, and I'm surprised to find that there's a new manager."

Hearing Chu Ning's words, Cen Wenhao smiled and looked at him, asking, "It seems you're quite familiar with my niece, fellow Daoist. May I ask your esteemed name and surname?"

At this moment, Chu Ning couldn't quite grasp the situation, but since he had revealed his true appearance, he saw no reason to hide his identity any longer.

So, he calmly replied, "My name is Chu Ning. I can't say we're very familiar, but I have done business here a few times in the past.

The name 'Cen Xianzi' certainly left a deep impression on me."

"Chu Ning," Cen Wenhao repeated the name softly, then asked with a hint of confusion, "Could it be that Fellow Daoist Chu is a newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivator? I have interacted with many Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Thousand Lakes and Islands, but we haven't met before."

"Indeed, I've only recently advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage," Chu Ning nodded in confirmation.

Hearing this, a look of realization dawned on Cen Wenhao's face.

"No wonder! It seems you've been in seclusion for some time.

Otherwise, you would have heard some news about my Cen Family. Now that I manage the Cen Workshop, feel free to conduct your business with me as you would have with anyone else."

Chu Ning's heart sank slightly as he heard Cen Wenhao's words.

From his tone, it seemed that the news about the Cen Family was common knowledge outside.

And considering that Cen Wenhao had taken over the management of the workshop, it was highly likely that the changes were related to Cen Ziqin.

After all, while the Cen Family was known for their array formations, the name 'Cen Xianzi' was the most renowned in the Thousand Lakes and Islands.

Though these thoughts crossed his mind, Chu Ning's face remained impassive.

Instead, he continued calmly, "Well, I heard that this Cen Workshop offers some high-level talismans and pills for sale.

I was wondering if there are any suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators like myself.

And if you have any top-grade spiritual artifacts, that would be even better.

As you asked earlier, I am a newly advanced cultivator, so naturally, I'm looking for some items to protect myself."

"Of course, we do!"

Cen Wenhao smiled and said, "We have a variety of intermediate-level talismans and pills at the Cen Workshop. Just let me know what you're looking for specifically."

He then took out some pills and talismans for Chu Ning to inspect.

Chu Ning examined them and slightly furrowed his brows.

These pills and talismans were indeed of intermediate quality, but they were not crafted by him.

"I heard that the Cen Workshop has been selling talismans and pills of higher quality than those available elsewhere in the past two years.

These items you've presented, Manager Cen, don't seem to be of any particular note. Are you perhaps worried that I can't afford them and so you're reluctant to bring out your best goods?"

As Chu Ning spoke, a hint of displeasure flashed across his face.

Cen Wenhao's expression turned awkward for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Fellow Daoist Chu, you jest," he said. "If I had access to higher-quality items, I certainly wouldn't hide them.

It's true that we acquired a batch of high-quality talismans and pills some time ago, but they've long since been sold out.

However, these pills and talismans you see here are crafted by masters from the Chen and Shi Families, and their quality is undoubtedly among the best in the Thousand Lakes and Islands."

"The Chen and Shi Families," Chu Ning's expression turned serious as he heard these names.

These were the very same families that Cen Wenquan had attempted to join forces with.

Cen Wenhao, however, attributed Chu Ning's reaction to his mention of the superior quality of the talismans and pills, unaware of his true thoughts.

After some further discussion, Chu Ning ended up purchasing some intermediate-level talismans and pills.

As for spiritual artifacts, Cen Wenhao only presented some high-grade ones, and Chu Ning feigned a lack of interest.

In truth, if it weren't for his concern about arousing suspicion, he wouldn't have bought the talismans and pills either.

A quarter of an hour later, Chu Ning walked out of the Cen Workshop with a calm expression, his mind racing with thoughts.

"The Cen Family has encountered a setback, and it must be a significant one, likely related to Cen Ziqin," Chu Ning concluded.

Though he was almost certain of this, he knew better than to inquire about it from Cen Wenhao.

Even if he sought information elsewhere, his identity as a Foundation Establishment cultivator would make it difficult to do so discreetly.

After leaving the Cen Workshop, Chu Ning continued to explore the market, purchasing some spirit herbs before returning to Flying Rainbow Island from Thousand Illusions Island.

Soon after, Chu Ning altered his appearance once more and suppressed his aura to the seventh layer of Qi Refining.

He then re-entered Thousand Illusions Island and made his way directly to the Drunken Immortal Tower.

Though this establishment primarily catered to mid-to-late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, it was a bustling place where one could often overhear interesting tidbits of information.

"Brother Li, it seems that the Thousand Lakes and Islands have been rather turbulent lately!" remarked a skinny man.

A man with a long, horse-like face continued, "That's true. Two months ago, there were signs of discord within the Thousand Islands Alliance. Now, word has it that in the past month, three or four islands have discovered second-rank hidden spirit veins. Everyone in the Thousand Lakes and Islands seems to be stirring with excitement."

Among the three, an older man with some white hair, a seventh-layer Qi Refining cultivator, spoke up. "Fellow Daoists, please elaborate. I've been away for some time and am unclear about what has transpired."

"Brother Lu, allow me to fill you in," the long-faced man said, taking the lead in the conversation.

"This story starts two months ago with the sudden change in the Cen family. It is said that Cen Xianzi gained a lot of support within the family due to her successful management of the Cen Workshop over the past two years. During the family assembly, her supporters proposed that Cen Xianzi should become the new head of the Cen family."

Before the long-faced man could continue, the older man interrupted, his face filled with astonishment. "Cen Xianzi as the head of the Cen family? That would indeed be wonderful! She is the number one genius in the Thousand Lakes and Islands, known for her exceptional talent. At the young age of eighteen, she successfully reached the Foundation Establishment stage and is renowned as the top array master. I've also heard that she later learned how to craft talismans and refine pills, managing the Cen Workshop with remarkable skill. In recent years, the Cen Workshop has become the most prosperous business in the market."

"Indeed," the long-faced man agreed.

"When I first heard this news, I thought it would be a beautiful story if Cen Xianzi indeed became the head of the Cen family. However, things didn't go as smoothly as expected. After Cen Wenquan agreed to the proposal, Cen Xianzi made another request. It is said that she asked Cen Wenquan to step down from the Cen family."

The older man's face froze, filled with bewilderment. "Why would she do that? That doesn't seem right of Cen Xianzi."

"I know, right?" The long-faced man shook his head. "Apparently, it's because Cen Wenquan had intended to arrange a marriage between Cen Xianzi and Chen Xinming, the genius from the Chen family. But Cen Xianzi disagreed, and the two ended up in a dispute."

Hearing this, the older man shook his head in dismay. "How could Cen Wenquan, as the current head of the Cen family, agree to such a request?

"Of course, he refused," the long-faced man continued. "But then, Cen Xianzi insisted on taking away the Cen family's array formation heritage, which led to a fierce battle within the family. It is said that Cen Xianzi performed remarkably, injuring several Foundation Establishment cultivators before she herself was wounded and fled, disappearing without a trace."

At this point, Chu Ning's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and a chill ran down his spine.

At the other table, after the long-faced cultivator finished speaking, the older man frowned. "Where did you hear this news? Cen Xianzi is well-regarded in the Thousand Lakes and Islands. It seems out of character for her to do such a thing."

"We didn't believe it at first either," the long-faced cultivator replied.

"But later, Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Chen and Shi families confirmed that they were present on the day of the incident. The manager of the Cen Workshop has also been replaced by another Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Cen family. Cen Xianzi hasn't shown herself since then, and gradually, people started to believe the story."

Hearing this, the older man gave the long-faced cultivator a meaningful look. "What you say makes sense, Brother Li. It's true that whoever wins gets to tell the story. It's just a shame about Cen Xianzi, a true prodigy. I wonder what will become of her now..."

"Brother Lu, be careful with your words," the long-faced cultivator quickly cautioned.

The older man paused, looking slightly taken aback, and then changed the subject. "By the way, you mentioned earlier that the Thousand Lakes and Islands have been lively lately. What's that about?"

Chu Ning, who had been about to leave, decided to stay a while longer to listen.

"It's said that in the past month, four islands have discovered second-rank hidden spirit veins..." the long-faced cultivator began, but he was interrupted by the skinny man.

"Brother Li, your information is outdated. It's five islands now. Yesterday, Purple Bamboo Island also discovered a second-rank hidden spirit vein. I've also heard that several Foundation Establishment cultivators have proposed to the Thousand Islands Alliance to hold the Island Competition earlier this year."

"Why is that? Oh, I see. Those Foundation Establishment cultivators must have their eyes on the newly discovered spirit veins," the skinny man speculated.

...

Chu Ning sat for a while longer but didn't hear anything else of value, so he got up and left the restaurant.

However, instead of returning directly to Flying Rainbow Island, he teleported to Misty Rainbow Island.

He had now heard most of the news about Cen Ziqin.

Although Chu Ning knew that most of the earlier news was likely fabricated, he suspected that the later parts about Cen Ziqin clashing with her family and eventually fleeing with injuries might be true.

For the time being, he had no idea where to look for further information about her.

However, Chu Ning felt that the agreement they had made to meet on Misty Rainbow Island might be the only clue he could follow up on at the moment.

Using his transformation technique, he changed his appearance to that of "Liu Ping," the same disguise he had used during their previous meetings, and entered a medium-sized restaurant on Misty Rainbow Island.

He sat there for nearly an hour.

Then, suddenly, Chu Ning's eyebrows lifted slightly.

At that moment, a figure appeared at the entrance of the restaurant—a woman in her forties with an unfamiliar face.

As she entered, she scanned the restaurant, and upon spotting Chu Ning, her face lit up with delight as she hurried over.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end