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Chapter 190: Sensing Anomaly
Chapter 190: Sensing Anomaly
"All Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Thousand Islands are to participate in the Thousand Islands Sparring Competition three months later?"
On Swallow Peak, Chu Ning stood outside the array, his brows furrowed slightly as he held the Thousand Islands Token given to him by the messenger.
"We at Rainbow Island have no intention of vying for other resources. Must we take part in this competition as well?"
"Yes! Senior, the Alliance has decreed that this upcoming Thousand Islands Sparring Competition is crucial to the future development of the Thousand Lakes and Islands. There are important matters to be discussed with the seniors, and all Foundation Establishment cultivators must attend. As for the specifics, the Alliance Master has not disclosed them."
"I understand," Chu Ning acknowledged, casually waving his hand to dismiss the messenger.
Back in his cave abode, Chu Ning began pondering this matter.
A few years ago, when the Yin Spirit Veins began to appear one after another, the Thousand Islands Alliance had intended to organize a sparring competition.
However, due to Chu Ning's involvement, the Song and Li families encountered successive mishaps, and the competition never took place.
Subsequently, the landscape of the Thousand Lakes and Islands changed drastically. With the Song family's destruction and the severe loss of strength in the Li family following Li Yishan's death, the Chen family had won over the Cen and Bai families, effectively turning the Thousand Islands Alliance into their mouthpiece.
They did organize a sparring competition, but in essence, it was just a reshuffling of resources by the Chen family.
In recent years, with the Chen family calling the shots, the other families in the Thousand Lakes and Islands had no choice but to fall in line.
Given this favorable situation, Chu Ning couldn't fathom what the Chen family was up to.
Unable to puzzle it out himself, Chu Ning summoned Cheng Zuyuan and briefed him on the matter, asking, "Old Cheng, what do you think the Chen family is up to this time?"
Cheng Zuyuan, having spent a long time in the Thousand Lakes and Islands, had a better grasp of the situation despite his low cultivation level. Chu Ning felt that he might have insights that eluded him.
However, even after pondering for a while, Cheng Zuyuan couldn't offer any meaningful opinions.
Seeing this, Chu Ning instructed, "Then, during this period, go out and gather some information. If there's any news, report it to me immediately."
After Cheng Zuyuan left, Chu Ning decided to stop worrying about the matter. He had made up his mind not to get involved, regardless of the Chen family or the Thousand Islands Alliance's schemes.
For the next few months, he would focus on cultivating and improving his strength.
From time to time, Chu Ning would hear bits of gossip from Cheng Zuyuan, and he even ventured out a few times himself, picking up snippets of information. However, whether this information was true or false remained unknown.
The three months passed quickly, and the day arrived for them to assemble and depart for the Thousand Islands Sparring Competition.
Early that morning, as Chu Ning stepped out of his cave abode, he saw several people standing outside the large array.
Besides Jiang Hongguang, there were a few others whom Chu Ning didn't recognize.
As soon as he appeared, a middle-aged cultivator at the ninth level of Refining Qi approached and bowed respectfully, "I am Chen Qingyou from the Thousand Islands Alliance, here to welcome Senior Chu. I am responsible for liaising with you regarding your trip to the Island of Illusions."
"Oh?" Chu Ning was slightly taken aback and gave Chen Qingyou a curious glance. "Are you from the Chen family?"
"Yes!" Chen Qingyou nodded.
Hearing this, Chu Ning's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing that something wasn't quite right.
Why was the Thousand Islands Alliance being so courteous and going out of their way to send someone to greet him, and not just anyone, but a member of the Chen family?
As this thought crossed Chu Ning's mind, Jiang Hongguang, standing beside him, transmitted his voice, "Senior Chu, Rainbow Island is counting on you once again. I heard that this sparring competition will also affect the allocation of resources for the islands afterward. I'll be waiting here on Rainbow Island for your good news."
Hearing this, Chu Ning's brows furrowed slightly as he turned to Jiang Hongguang and transmitted back, "Fellow Daoist Jiang, aren't you coming with me?"
Jiang Hongguang shook his head, "This time, the Thousand Islands Alliance has only invited Senior Chu. I won't be attending."
Chu Ning's brows knit further, and he directly addressed Chen Qingyou, "Fellow Daoist Jiang is usually in charge of affairs on Rainbow Island. If it's a Thousand Islands Sparring Competition, why isn't he included?"
With a smile on his face, Chen Qingyou explained, "This matter is of great importance. The Alliance Master wishes to discuss it with the senior cultivators first before holding the formal Thousand Islands Sparring Competition. Therefore, Fellow Daoist Jiang and the others will be coming to the Island of Illusions a few days later."
"I see. Then let's go," Chu Ning said, though he remained standing in place, his eyes fixed on Chen Qingyou.
The latter wore a constant smile, giving nothing away.
Even under Chu Ning's sharp spiritual sense, he couldn't detect any changes in Chen Qingyou's breathing or heartbeat.
Chen Qingyou, feeling Chu Ning's gaze, was perplexed and couldn't help but ask, "Senior Chu?"
"Let's go," Chu Ning finally started walking toward the teleportation array. As he walked, he casually asked, "Why did the Alliance go to such lengths to send you to receive us? What's the reason behind it?"
Chen Qingyou shook his head, "I don't know, Senior. My instructions were simply to ensure a smooth reception and to not let others feel that our Chen family is truly looking down on everyone in the Thousand Lakes and Islands."
Chu Ning casually chatted and subtly probed, but in the end, he could only sigh inwardly.
It seemed that the Chen family had done a good job of keeping this matter under wraps, to the extent that even a ninth-level Refining Qi cultivator like Chen Qingyou was unaware of the specifics. Otherwise, he didn't believe that Chen Qingyou could be so tight-lipped, not revealing a single flaw even under his spiritual sense.
This time, the Thousand Islands Sparring Competition would primarily involve Foundation Establishment cultivators, with all of them being required to participate.
Such an unprecedented situation had sparked rampant speculation.
Among the various theories, two were the most prevalent.
One was that the Chen family had discovered a secret realm, an ancient site of a major sect, and they intended to gather the strength of numerous cultivators to enter it together.
The second theory suggested that after truly controlling the Thousand Islands Alliance for so many years, the Chen family intended to establish their own sect, bringing genuine order and management to the Thousand Lakes and Islands.
These two rumors were equally plausible within the Thousand Lakes and Islands.
After all, according to outside sources, the recent Thousand Islands Edicts had been issued by the Chen family, and even the other families were unaware of the true nature of the event.
As Chu Ning pondered these matters, he also began to secretly heighten his vigilance.
If it were merely these two issues, he could easily deal with them.
What he feared was that the Chen family had something else in mind, a hidden agenda.
Soon, the group arrived at the teleportation array on Rainbow Island.
With Jiang Hongguang seeing them off, Chu Ning and Chen Qingyou, along with the others, directly teleported away to the Island of Illusions.
As soon as he entered the Island of Illusions, Chu Ning could sense that the place was noticeably busier than usual.
In addition to the increased number of Foundation Establishment cultivators, there were also many more Qi Refining cultivators.
It seemed that even though the Thousand Islands Alliance hadn't invited Qi Refining cultivators, many had still come to witness the event.
With these thoughts in mind, Chu Ning took a step forward, intending to head towards the Thousand Islands Sect's training grounds.
"Senior Chu, we're first heading to the Thousand Islands Sect's smaller training grounds. This time, the discussions and sparring will take place at the Thousand Islands Sect," Chen Qingyou suddenly spoke up.
Chu Ning asked, puzzled, "Oh? I recall that the Thousand Islands Sparring Competitions are usually held at the larger training grounds on the Island of Illusions. Why has it suddenly been changed to the smaller grounds of the Thousand Islands Sect?"
Chen Qingyou respectfully replied, "The Alliance Master said that the initial discussions will take place at the smaller training grounds of the Thousand Islands Sect. When it's time for the formal competition, it will be held at the larger grounds on the Island of Illusions."
Chu Ning nodded noncommittally and then began to ponder silently.
"It feels like there's something odd about this Thousand Islands Sparring Competition. If we follow the adage that 'when something abnormal happens, there must be a demon at play'..."
Chu Ning's vigilance heightened once more, and his steps unconsciously slowed as he carefully observed his surroundings.
Then, Chu Ning noticed that many Foundation Establishment cultivators were emerging from the teleportation array and being led towards the Thousand Islands Sect by members of the Thousand Islands Alliance.
By the time Chu Ning reached the Thousand Islands Sect, he had seen several dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators enter the headquarters of the Thousand Islands Alliance.
Seeing this, Chu Ning felt somewhat relieved.
"With so many Foundation Establishment cultivators here, the Chen family shouldn't dare to cause any trouble. They wouldn't dare to go against all the Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Thousand Lakes and Islands, would they?"
As Chu Ning was deep in thought, a Foundation Establishment cultivator approached them outside the Thousand Islands Sect.
This person appeared to be in his forties, and his features bore a resemblance to Chen Jiasheng and Chen Xinming, whom Chu Ning had met before.
"This must be Fellow Daoist Chu. I am Chen Jiarong, and I have been entrusted by my father and brother to welcome all of you here. This gathering of all the Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Thousand Lakes and Islands is a rare occasion for our Thousand Islands Alliance. Please forgive us if there are any shortcomings in our hospitality," Chen Jiarong said with a warm smile, cupping his hands in a polite greeting.
Chu Ning returned the gesture with a slight bow and then, guided by Chen Jiarong, entered the Thousand Islands Sect.
Soon after, Chen Jiarong excused himself, stating that he had to greet the other cultivators, leaving Chen Qingyou to continue leading Chu Ning forward.
Although it was called the Thousand Islands Sect, the actual headquarters only occupied a small part of the island.
The entire Thousand Islands Sect was quite expansive, with various towers, pavilions, and halls.
The training grounds of the Thousand Islands Sect were located in the northwest corner of the island.
As Chu Ning walked forward, he continued to observe his surroundings while communicating with Ling Xiaobai, who was hidden in his sleeve.
"Little White, have you sensed anything unusual?" Chu Ning asked.
"No!" Ling Xiaobai's voice quickly replied.
"There's a large array in this area, but it's no different from the one before."
Even with his numerous means, Chu Ning never let down his guard.
Three months ago, when Chu Ning had first received the news, he had quietly come to this place, even allowing Ling Xiaobai to use her talent to enter the Thousand Islands Sect on her own.
In fact, he had made such visits periodically.
Hearing Ling Xiaobai say that there were no changes to the Thousand Islands Sect's array reassured him.
With so many Foundation Establishment cultivators gathered, if the Thousand Islands Alliance or the Chen family intended any mischief, it would most likely involve the use of formations.
As they approached the smaller training grounds, Chu Ning continued his conversation with Ling Xiaobai.
The latter also kept reporting that she hadn't detected anything unusual.
Just as Chu Ning was about to step into the smaller training grounds, Ling Xiaobai's voice suddenly sounded.
"Meow, something's not right! I sense a hidden formation nearby. There's a very powerful demon beast inside it."
Upon hearing this, Chu Ning's heart skipped a beat.
(End of Chapter)
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