Chapter 319 - Immortal Seed

Chapter 319 - Immortal Seed

Chu Ning gazed at the snow-capped mountain ahead and released his spiritual sense to probe within.

"Hmm?"

Chu Ning murmured to himself as he sensed the mountain's noticeable weakening of his spiritual sense.

However, his spiritual sense was far stronger than that of an ordinary cultivator. Despite the significant reduction, he could still continue to probe.

As he delved deep into the heart of the mountain, nearly a thousand feet, the amount of spiritual sense he expended was equivalent to extending his reach by two hundred miles outward.

At the same time, it also allowed Chu Ning to detect an ancient formation restriction within.

"As expected, it's an ancient restriction." Chu Ning muttered softly.

Not only was it an ancient restriction, but Chu Ning also felt that it resembled the formation techniques recorded in the jade slip that Di Yan had given him, which originated from the Tianmu continent.

Hearing Chu Ning's words, Feng Yanzhang's face showed a hint of surprise.

"Senior, your spiritual sense detected the formation restriction?"

After Chu Ning nodded, Feng Yanzhang couldn't help but feel impressed.

"This Senior Li is indeed a Nascent Soul cultivator, and he might even be beyond the early Nascent Soul stage.

This mountain severely weakens spiritual sense; I tried probing earlier and could only scan about a hundred feet.

The weakest point of that formation restriction is over a thousand feet deep, and if I hadn't used some special methods, I wouldn't have known there was a cave mansion hidden here.

But now, Senior Li has easily detected it."

This also added a layer of wariness in Feng Yanzhang's attitude towards Chu Ning.

However, at this point, he didn't seem to have many choices.

He took the initiative to speak up:

"Senior, do you know the Earth Escape Technique? Do you need me to open a path first?"

"No need! Let's go in directly." Chu Ning shook his head.

He knew the Spirit Earth Shadow Escape Technique, and although this icy mountain appeared extremely solid, if Feng Yanzhang could tunnel through it, he wouldn't have any problems either.

As for the ancient formation restriction within the mountain, according to Chu Ning's estimation, it was meant more for concealment and isolation rather than offense and didn't pose a significant threat.

Since that was the case, he didn't need to worry too much and could just enter the formation directly.

Moreover, Bai Ling was still in his sleeve, and in case of any emergencies, he could always have Bai Ling help him break through the restriction.

Hearing Chu Ning's response, Feng Yanzhang took the lead and flew to the icy mountain. He then used the Earth Escape Technique to burrow into it.

Chu Ning followed suit and also used the Earth Escape Technique.

At this moment, they could clearly sense the difference in their cultivation and skill with the technique.

Feng Yanzhang had obviously cultivated an earth-attribute technique, but within this icy mountain, his speed wasn't much faster than theirs.

After reaching a depth of five hundred feet, he took out a treasure and activated a protective barrier around himself while using the shovel-like treasure to move forward.

Chu Ning, on the other hand, remained by his side without any effort, even as they approached the thousand-foot mark.

Feng Yanzhang couldn't help but feel amazed, but since he had already assumed that Chu Ning was a Nascent Soul cultivator, he didn't find it too surprising.

"Senior, this is the entrance, but as for how to break the formation, I'm afraid I'm powerless."

At this moment, the two of them arrived at a cave within the mountain.

Before them, a white door, resembling icy jade, blocked their path.

Chu Ning observed its shape and noticed that it was indeed different from ordinary cave mansions; it had the feel of a gravestone.

A layer of formation restriction covered it, and no matter how long they waited, the restriction's white light remained unaffected.

Chu Ning struck the restriction with several hand seals, carefully sensing its properties.

After spending some time probing, he gained a general understanding of the restriction.

"This formation restriction doesn't have any offensive power, but it integrates multiple formation techniques.

If I hadn't obtained the jade slip containing the formation techniques of the Tianmu continent from Di Yan, I might not have been able to decipher it."

Chu Ning thought to himself.

He wasn't surprised that Feng Yanzhang couldn't break it.

On the contrary, he was surprised that Feng Yanzhang had discovered this place, as the formation restriction was deeply hidden.

Now that he had a grasp of the formation's properties, breaking it wasn't a difficult task for Chu Ning.

He performed a series of hand seals, continuously casting one after another.

Each seal carried the energy of the Geng metal attribute, and as they landed on the restriction, the restriction visibly weakened.

Until finally, the restriction before them erupted with a dazzling white light, so bright that Feng Yanzhang had to close his eyes.

When the light faded, the restriction disappeared, and a jade stone slowly rose, revealing a pitch-black cave entrance.

"Friend Feng, you should be adept at dealing with places like this. Why don't you go first?"

Looking at the dark cave entrance, Chu Ning didn't rush in but instead suggested to Feng Yanzhang.

Feng Yanzhang didn't hesitate at the moment and took out a bead that emitted a soft glow, illuminating the cave for several yards as he went in first.

Having already scouted the cave with his spiritual sense, Chu Ning followed him into the cave without any hesitation.

In just two breaths, the jade stone reappeared, sealing the entrance once more.

The two turned back to look at the entrance, giving each other a glance, but they didn't seem too concerned.

Since they were able to break the formation restriction and enter the cave, they could naturally leave as well.

Both of them started to survey the entire cave.

Feng Yanzhang had referred to it as a burial ground.

However, contrary to Chu Ning's imagination, the cave wasn't as eerie and chilly as he had expected. Aside from the temperature being slightly lower than outside, there wasn't anything particularly uncomfortable about the place.

Moreover, despite being sealed for so long, the cave didn't feel stifling at all.

"As Feng Yanzhang said, it's a stretch to call this place a cave mansion," Chu Ning muttered softly, stopping after walking only five or six yards.

The entire cave was only about twenty yards in size, and at that moment, the two of them had reached the center.

Everything was within plain sight.

Aside from a withered skeleton sitting cross-legged at the innermost part of the cave, there was nothing else.

Upon seeing this, Feng Yanzhang's expression changed slightly.

If there weren't any treasures here, then his effort to bring Chu Ning to this place would be in vain.

Feng Yanzhang didn't believe that Chu Ning would be so kind as to help Feng Jingwen with the Earthfire poison if he gained nothing from this place.

Therefore, he subconsciously quickened his pace towards the skeleton.

"Be careful!"

At that moment, Chu Ning sensed something and suddenly shouted a warning.

Feng Yanzhang was also experienced, and he immediately realized something was amiss, so he retreated with his body.

However, at that moment, a white shadow rushed towards them.

Its speed was even faster than Feng Yanzhang's.

Just as Feng Yanzhang reached Chu Ning's side, the white shadow pounced on the two of them.

Without any hesitation, Chu Ning threw a punch.

The Geng Metal God-punch created several afterimages, directly hitting the white shadow.

But to Chu Ning's surprise, the punch passed through the white shadow without causing any harm.

This bizarre scene shocked Chu Ning.

He immediately pulled Feng Yanzhang with him as he quickly dodged to the side.

The white shadow pursued them relentlessly.

"Nascent Soul remnant spirit!"

At that moment, Chu Ning realized what the white shadow was.

His eyebrows furrowed slightly.

The white shadow opened its mouth, letting out a sinister laugh.

"Hahaha! Not bad, you're quite perceptive, kid.

It's been tens of thousands of years, and I've been trapped here by that guy for all this time!

Finally, someone has come in."

As the voice echoed, the white shadow gradually condensed into a human figure.

It was an old man with a face that exuded extreme cunning and treachery.

The white shadow's mouth moved again, and a piercing sound emerged.

"Which one of you will I take over? I can let the other one leave alive.

Otherwise, you will both die here!"

Hearing the word "take over," both Chu Ning and Feng Yanzhang's expressions changed slightly.

In the cultivation world, cultivators feared possession more than death, as it meant their bodies would be taken over by someone else.

Feng Yanzhang's face paled even further.

He could clearly sense that even though it was just a remnant soul, its cultivation was far superior to his own.

If the opponent chose one of them for possession, he would undoubtedly be in the most dangerous situation.

However, Chu Ning smiled faintly and said, "If you really have the ability to kill both of us, you wouldn't need to say that. You would have just attacked.

If you were in your prime, I would be truly afraid of you. But you're just a mere remnant soul,

and you've been consuming yourself here for tens of thousands of years..."

"Good! Then I'll destroy you first!"

The white shadow let out a harsh laugh and rushed towards the two of them again.

Chu Ning waved his hand, and in front of him, a transparent, almost invisible blade formed.

In the next moment, he pointed, and the blade slashed towards the white shadow!

"Your spells are useless against me!"

The white shadow laughed coldly as it saw the blade descending, showing no signs of dodging as it rushed towards Chu Ning.

At that moment, Feng Yanzhang stood still.

He saw that Chu Ning wasn't moving either.

Feng Yanzhang had just experienced that with his escape technique, at such a close distance, he couldn't dodge the white shadow.

If he tried to escape and created distance between himself and Chu Ning, it would be disastrous if the white shadow chose to attack him.

Just then, the white shadow collided head-on with the blade light emitted by Chu Ning's sword.

The confident white shadow remnant soul let out an incredibly shrill and miserable scream! The shadow, which had been flying forward, was now sent flying backward.

The entire white shadow seemed to have faded a few shades, and its face now wore an expression of shock and fear.

"What are you...?"

The white shadow seemed to want to say something more, but at that moment, Chu Ning once again condensed a blade light identical to the previous one and slashed at the shadow!

Blade God Technique!

After realizing that his opponent was a Nascent Soul remnant spirit, Chu Ning guessed that his spell attacks would be ineffective.

However, the spirit-slicing technique seemed to work.

As expected, after testing it, he didn't hesitate to use the Blade God Technique again.

Seeing this, the white shadow hurriedly tried to escape.

But within this cave, there was only so much space to maneuver.

And Chu Ning's Blade God Technique was incredibly sharp; where could the shadow flee to?

"Yaaah!"

Accompanied by another shrill cry, the white shadow faded even more, becoming almost imperceptible.

Then, it quickly condensed into a small human-shaped shadow.

At this moment, Chu Ning didn't cast the Blade God Technique again. Instead, he flashed to the side of the white shadow and appeared next to it.

As he did so, his body emitted a layer of faint, golden light. He reached out and grabbed the small white shadow.

With the Undying Vajra Technique active, Chu Ning wasn't afraid of any tricks the shadow might have up its sleeve.

"Speak, who are you? And how did you end up in this cave?"

Chu Ning asked calmly, his hand still clutching the small shadow.

"Trying to get information out of me, eh? Dream on!"

The small white shadow's face still wore an extremely cunning expression, but it also showed a hint of determination.

Chu Ning responded with a cold smile and tightened his grip.

Under Chu Ning's grasp, the white shadow seemed to be on the verge of dissipating.

Seeing Chu Ning's determination, the small white shadow finally cried out, "I'll talk! I'll talk!"

Chu Ning's fist, which had been about to tighten further, loosened slightly but didn't release the shadow completely.

Relief flashed across the white shadow's face, and its eyes darted about.

Then, it spoke to Chu Ning, "I know what you want to ask, but the matter is very complicated. You might as well listen to me, but he's not qualified!"

Hearing the white shadow's contemptuous tone towards him, Feng Yanzhang's expression froze, and he opened his mouth but didn't say anything.

Chu Ning's gaze fell on the white shadow, and after thinking for a moment, he tightened his grip slightly.

Ignoring Feng Yanzhang, he asked, "You mentioned something about a complicated matter, but for now, tell me, is there any treasure in this cave?"

"Treasure? What treasure could there be here? The reason that guy hid underground and couldn't leave was that he was badly injured in a fight, severely damaging his vitality, nearly destroying his body and spirit.

In that great battle, everything he could use was exhausted, even his natal magic treasure was damaged.

What treasures could be left here?

Oh right, the robe he's wearing is a treasure, but as for what's left in his storage bag, who knows?"

After the white shadow finished speaking, Chu Ning and Feng Yanzhang's gazes fell on the withered skeleton.

According to the shadow, the skeleton had been here for tens of thousands of years.

However, the white robe it wore showed no signs of decay, and the two of them had already suspected that it was a treasure.

At this moment, Chu Ning, still holding the white shadow, walked towards the skeleton with Feng Yanzhang.

"Fellow Daoist Feng, see what he has on him?"

The reason Chu Ning asked Feng Yanzhang to check in front of him and have the white shadow tell him what was there was so that Feng Yanzhang wouldn't suspect him of secretly keeping any treasures for himself.

After all, when it comes to wine and beautiful women, it's hard to refuse, and when it comes to wealth, it stirs the human heart.

If Feng Yanzhang really thought that he had gained something good here, even if Chu Ning could cure his wife's poison, he might still develop some extra thoughts.

As far as Chu Ning was concerned, it was better to be open about these things.

If there really were any treasures, he wouldn't mind sharing a piece or two with Feng Yanzhang.

Upon hearing Chu Ning's words, Feng Yanzhang was slightly startled.

He thought that Chu Ning was asking him to check because his hands were busy holding the white shadow.

So, he walked to the skeleton, first removing the white robe it wore, and then picking up a storage bag from its side.

In front of Chu Ning, he took out everything inside.

There were two spirit stones with extremely rich spiritual energy, seven or eight types of materials that were obviously meant for setting up formations, and several talismans.

In addition, there were also some jade boxes.

However, when Feng Yanzhang opened them, most of them were empty.

Only four jade boxes contained spirit pills, but when he opened them, the pills had lost their spiritual energy and turned into ash.

Obviously, too much time had passed, and even though they were stored in jade boxes and placed in the storage bag, they had lost their efficacy.

However, Chu Ning remained noncommittal, merely sweeping his gaze across all the items in Feng Yanzhang's hands.

"These two high-grade spirit stones are indeed rare and can't be considered entirely worthless. But, Fellow Daoist Feng, what I truly desire from this trip is the Cold Marrow Pearl. I wonder if you have a way to search for it."

"I'll start looking for it right now," Feng Yanzhang immediately replied.

"Don't even think about the Cold Marrow Pearl," the little white shadow scoffed.

"When we entered this cave, there were indeed several pieces of Cold Jade, all of which he used to make tombstones.

That fellow didn't set up any spirit-gathering formations here. Instead, the spiritual energy within this cave is even thinner than outside. How could the Cold Marrow Pearl possibly form under such conditions?"

Hearing this, Feng Yanzhang's face paled.

He immediately handed over all the items to Chu Ning, pleading, "Senior, these items are all yours. I hope you will show mercy to my wife."

Chu Ning glanced at the items in Feng Yanzhang's hands and, with a wave of his hand, effortlessly stored them away in his own pouch.

"Alright, I'll agree to your request, considering your deep love for each other, and the fact that we didn't leave here entirely empty-handed."

Hearing this, Feng Yanzhang's face lit up with joy.

"Thank you, Senior!"

"Let's go. We'll talk after we leave," Chu Ning said, waving his hand as he started to walk out.

Feng Yanzhang quickly followed.

Once they reached the cave entrance, Chu Ning cast a series of spells, swiftly undoing the restriction just as he had done before.

The little white shadow watched Chu Ning's familiar technique and its eyes darted about suspiciously.

"You're surprisingly adept at dispelling the formations of the Tianmu continent."

Chu Ning glanced at the little white shadow in his hand.

While undoing the formation, he had guessed that the person within the cave was somehow connected to the Tianmu continent.

Now, seeing the withered bones and hearing the little white shadow's words, he was certain that both the owner of the bones and the owner of the Nascent Soul remnant soul before him were from the Tianmu continent.

A glimmer of realization flashed in Feng Yanzhang's eyes, but he remained silent.

Soon, the two of them left the cave, using the Earth Escape Technique to tunnel out of the icy mountain.

At that moment, a playful laugh echoed within the cave, and Bai Ling's figure appeared.

She resumed her true form and entered the depths of the icy mountain.

Meanwhile, Chu Ning and Feng Yanzhang had exited the mountain and were taking some time to recover.

"Fellow Daoist Feng, let's not leave just yet. I want to ask him some questions first," Chu Ning said.

Feng Yanzhang was slightly taken aback but understood that Chu Ning was assuring him that he wouldn't try to hide anything regarding potential treasures.

Seeing Chu Ning's gesture, Feng Yanzhang immediately took the hint and said, "Alright, Senior. I'll wait over here."

He flew about thirty feet away and set up a barrier before sitting down to meditate.

Chu Ning was pleased with Feng Yanzhang's quick understanding of the situation.

However, he still set up his own barrier before turning to the little white shadow and saying, "Now, you can tell me about your origins."

The little white shadow seemed to understand that its life was entirely in Chu Ning's hands at this point, and so it obediently spoke, "He and I are both from the Tianmu continent and belong to two different sects among the nine major sects—I'm from the Blood Demon Sect, and he's from the Holy Sun Sect.

You could say we're rivals."

"The nine major sects of the Tianmu continent?" Chu Ning asked curiously.

"What cultivation level did you reach in your previous life?"

"Nascent Soul stage!" The little white shadow replied proudly.

"If it weren't for being trapped here for nearly tens of thousands of years, depleting my soul power, even a mere Nascent Soul remnant soul like me wouldn't be someone you could bully."

"Nascent Soul stage?" Chu Ning was surprised.

"If both of you were at the Nascent Soul stage, how did you end up suffering such severe injuries and falling here?"

"What do you know?" The little white shadow's tone was complex.

"Back then, there were more than twenty or thirty Nascent Soul stage cultivators gathered in this Northern Cold Region, from various continents.

If you include tenth-stage demon beasts, there were even more.

After a massive battle, many were severely injured or died. While our physical bodies and Nascent Souls were damaged, others suffered similar fates."

Chu Ning was astonished.

"There were more than twenty or thirty Nascent Soul stage cultivators alone? Why did you all gather here?"

"Why? It won't hurt to tell you," the little white shadow said with a mysterious laugh.

"But once you hear it, if you ever reach the Nascent Soul stage yourself, you'll only suffer more torment.

We came here for... the Immortal Seed!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end