https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-403-Striking-First-to-Avoid-a-Protracted-Fight/12550241/
Chapter 404: The Center of Attention
Chapter 404: The Center of Attention
As Shen Tu Ping's expression grew solemn, Chu Ning, who had just retracted his fist, maintained a calm demeanor and spoke softly.
"Fellow Daoist Shen Tu, your body refinement technique is indeed extraordinary. Our battle might not yield a clear winner anytime soon. Do you think it's necessary to continue?"
Hearing Chu Ning's words, Shen Tu Ping's solemn expression turned to one of astonishment, but he quickly regained his composure.
He nodded slightly and said, "Fellow Daoist Chu, you make a valid point. There's no need for us to prolong this fight."
After saying this, Shen Tu Ping's spiritual message reached Chu Ning's ears.
"Fellow Daoist Chu, your body refinement technique is indeed powerful, and I admit my defeat. I appreciate your restraint.
Senior Sang Pingnan of the Great Roaming Sect has some connection with me, and he had requested that I make a move against you. Consider our business concluded.
Rest assured, fellow Daoist, I will not interfere in matters between you and your sect from now on."
"So it's the Great Roaming Sect after all." A chill ran down Chu Ning's spine at this revelation, but he didn't show it on his face.
Instead, he merely smiled.
Shen Tu Ping cupped his fists and flew back to his demon beast, a winged horse.
"Fellow daoists, farewell for now. We shall meet again in Yun Xiao City."
With that, Shen Tu Ping turned and rode his flying carriage away without another glance back.
He left behind the bewildered members of the Nine Floret Sect and a thoughtful Tang Xuan.
Chu Ning flew back and landed on the Nine Floret Sect's flying boat.
"Shishu, who won just now?"
A curious voice piped up, belonging to Wang Ping, one of the many Foundation Establishment cultivators who had accompanied them.
"Let's call it a draw," Chu Ning replied nonchalantly.
He didn't expose Shen Tu Ping's use of spiritual power and magic earlier, considering that the latter was, after all, a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator. In the past few hundred years, the Spirit Beast Valley had been on good terms with the Great Roaming Sect, and while they weren't exactly friendly towards the Nine Floret Sect, they hadn't directly acted against them either.
Moreover, from Tang Xuan's previous introduction, although Shen Tu Ping was a bit overbearing and proud, he was generally considered upright and aboveboard.
And from what he had said just now, it seemed that this impression was accurate.
Since Chu Ning hadn't exposed him earlier, there was no need to bring it up now with the others from the sect.
No need to give them the impression that he was two-faced.
However, even so, the sect's cultivators couldn't hide their joy and excitement.
After all, Chu Ning had only recently formed his Nascent Soul, while Shen Tu Ping, the master of Spirit Beast Valley, was a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator.
Not many people knew that Chu Ning excelled in body refinement techniques before this, but Shen Tu Ping was known as the best in Yun Xiao Alliance when it came to body refinement.
The fact that they had fought to a draw was surprising and delightful news for the sect's cultivators.
At this moment, Tang Xuan gave Chu Ning a meaningful look before turning to Gong Yu Yuan and saying, "Let's go. We shouldn't be late."
As he spoke, Tang Xuan began to transmit his spiritual voice to Chu Ning.
"Junior Brother Chu, I think Shen Tu Ping might have gotten the worse end of that exchange."
"Did Shixiong see it clearly?" Chu Ning asked in surprise.
Tang Xuan shook his head with a smile.
"I know Shen Tu Ping quite well. Given his pride, if that punch had only resulted in a draw, he wouldn't have given up so easily. He would have insisted on determining a clear winner."
Chu Ning nodded slightly and proceeded to tell Tang Xuan about what had just transpired, including Shen Tu Ping's use of spiritual power.
After listening, Tang Xuan's face lit up with delight.
"Given Shen Tu Ping's personality, he'll likely praise you again when we meet in Yun Xiao City. Junior Brother, you've truly achieved the effect of 'one punch to save a hundred punches' without making an enemy of a strong opponent. This is the best outcome, and I was unnecessarily worried before."
Tang Xuan's face was filled with smiles, and he was genuinely happy.
With his lifespan almost at its end, he was greatly relieved to see that Chu Ning, the newly advanced Nascent Soul cultivator, not only possessed extraordinary abilities but also demonstrated maturity and wisdom in handling matters.
The spirit boat driven by Gong Yu Yuan was fast, and they soon arrived at their destination, a thousand miles away.
From a distance, Chu Ning could see a giant city ahead, and he couldn't help but feel amazed.
"In terms of grandeur and magnificence, this city is no less impressive than the Ice Fairy City.
After all, it was built by the Yun Xiao Alliance with the combined efforts of various sects. Whether it's the number of late-Nascent Soul cultivators or material and financial resources, it far surpasses the Long Sky Palace."
Of course, if we're talking about the top-tier battle strength, with three late-Nascent Soul cultivators, the Long Sky Palace is still unmatched by the current Yun Xiao Alliance.
At this moment, Tang Xuan's voice sounded out.
"There's a restriction in the sky above Yun Xiao City, so we can't fly. We'll have to enter through the city gate."
"Yes, Shibo," Chu Ning replied.
Gong Yu Yuan immediately steered the flying boat towards the city gate.
There were cultivators guarding the gate to check identities, and one of them was a Nascent Soul cultivator.
Tang Xuan recognized him from a distance and introduced him to Chu Ning.
"That's Sun Zhiyuan, a fellow Nascent Soul cultivator and a good friend of mine."
Before Tang Xuan could finish speaking, Sun Zhiyuan had already walked forward with a smile on his face.
"So it's Brother Tang from the Nine Floret Sect. It's been a long time since we last met. I hope you've been well."
"Brother Sun, it's a pleasant surprise to see you here to greet us personally," Tang Xuan said with a bow.
As he was about to introduce Chu Ning, Sun Zhiyuan had already turned to Chu Ning and said, "You must be Fellow Daoist Chu from your esteemed sect. Your name has been mentioned quite a few times by Fellow Daoist Qu."
The 'Fellow Daoist Qu' that Sun Zhiyuan mentioned was the mid-Nascent Soul cultivator from the Soundless Cabinet who had brought Chu Ning and others into the Yun Xiao forbidden area along with Lu Yuezhang.
Chu Ning cupped his fists in greeting. "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Sun."
Sun Zhiyuan returned the gesture and then ushered Chu Ning and the others inside.
"The residences for the various sects within Yun Xiao City have already been arranged. Brother Tang, please lead your group to your designated area.
There will be a meeting in the main hall in the city tomorrow morning. I hope you two will attend on time."
The city was truly massive, with numerous towers and compounds nestled within. Each courtyard was also spaced far apart.
After entering the city, Tang Xuan brought Chu Ning to the compound assigned to the Nine Floret Sect.
The allocation of such compounds among the various sects was relatively fixed, and the cultivators of the Nine Floret Sect would also visit periodically.
Once everyone had settled in, it didn't take long for them to feel at home.
Chu Ning arrived at his own small courtyard and frowned slightly after settling in.
Although this Yun Xiao City had array formations that gathered spiritual qi from the heavens and earth, the quality of the spiritual vein beneath it was far inferior to that of Tian Lan Peak in the Nine Floret Sect.
As a result, the spiritual qi here was somewhat lacking.
"I don't know what will happen next, but I'll find out more at the discussion in the main hall tomorrow. If I have to stay in this city for a while, I'll probably need to make some arrangements."
Chu Ning pondered silently.
With his Five Elements Spirit Body, he absorbed spiritual qi at an incredibly fast rate, but only if there was sufficient spiritual qi to absorb in the first place.
The lack of spiritual qi here would undoubtedly affect his cultivation.
Moreover, the spiritual herbs here were surely not as easily accessible as those in his sect.
Fortunately, Chu Ning had plenty of treasures on hand, so he wasn't too worried.
The night passed without incident, and early the next morning, Chu Ning accompanied Tang Xuan to the main hall in the city.
As they entered the massive hall, Chu Ning was surprised to find that it was already filled with quite a few cultivators.
And they were all Nascent Soul cultivators.
"The leaders of some of the smaller sects are only at the Golden Core stage, so they don't have the qualifications to participate in the discussions. Once things are decided here, they'll just follow suit."
Tang Xuan explained to Chu Ning as they walked into the hall.
Chu Ning wasn't surprised. After all, in the cultivation world, strength was everything.
It was only natural that Nascent Soul cultivators would discuss matters among themselves, excluding those at the Golden Core stage.
As the two of them stepped into the hall, many eyes turned in their direction.
However, most of the gazes were directed at Chu Ning.
News of Chu Ning's Nascent Soul formation a year ago had spread throughout numerous sects.
Chu Ning scanned the hall and recognized quite a few familiar faces.
In addition to Shen Tu Ping, whom he had briefly clashed with not long ago, there was also Du Xianming from the Great Roaming Sect, Lu Yuezhang from the Returning Origin Sect, Sun Zhiyuan from the Soundless Cabinet, and others.
Nevertheless, most of the faces in the hall were still unfamiliar to Chu Ning.
After all, prior to this, Chu Ning had very limited interactions with Nascent Soul cultivators within the alliance.
At that moment, Lu Yuezhang spoke up with a smile:
"Fellow Daoist Chu, it's been a long time. I never expected that in just ten years, you would become a Nascent Soul cultivator."
Chu Ning smiled and cupped his fists toward Lu Yuezhang, "Back then, it was thanks to Fellow Daoist Lu and the others for protecting me that I was able to successfully consume the Myriad Laws Fruit. Otherwise, I might not have progressed this quickly."
"The Myriad Laws Fruit is indeed beneficial to cultivators, but for you to condense your Nascent Soul so swiftly, it's clear that your talent is extraordinary."
Lu Yuezhang replied with a hearty laugh.
"Fellow Daoist Chu truly has exceptional talent."
Just then, a loud and clear voice rang out in the hall, belonging to none other than Shen Tu Ping.
Hearing Shen Tu Ping's sudden interjection, everyone turned to look, their eyes filled with anticipation for the impending spectacle.
After all, it was no secret within the Yun Xiao Alliance that there was some friction between the Nine Floret Sect and the Great Roaming Sect, and that Shen Tu Ping of Spirit Beast Valley had some connection to the Great Roaming Sect.
In the eyes of those present, it seemed that Shen Tu Ping was about to cause trouble for Chu Ning.
Lu Yuezhang furrowed his brows slightly as he turned toward the source of the voice.
However, the next moment, Shen Tu Ping's words surprised not only Lu Yuezhang but also the numerous Nascent Soul cultivators in the hall.
"Everyone knows that Fellow Daoist Chu's cultivation progress is exceptionally fast, but they may not know that he is also quite accomplished in the way of body refinement. Before entering the city, I had the honor of exchanging a few moves with him to test our body refinement techniques."
Shen Tu Ping seemed to deliberately pause at this point, creating a sense of suspense.
The rest of the cultivators, upon hearing this, wore expressions of great interest, eager to hear more.
Especially Du Xianming, a hint of undetectable joy flashed across his face at the news that Shen Tu Ping had already made a move against Chu Ning.
However, the next moment, Shen Tu Ping's words shocked everyone in the hall.
"In terms of body refinement techniques, I am no match for Fellow Daoist Chu."
"What?!"
"Is that true?!"
Shen Tu Ping's statement was rather implicit, as he didn't explicitly say that he had lost to Chu Ning.
Nonetheless, his words caused an uproar in the hall.
Everyone's gaze toward Chu Ning now carried a hint of added seriousness.
Previously, when Chu Ning withstood the attacks of Nascent Soul cultivators as a Golden Core cultivator, most people in the hall knew that those cultivators hadn't used their full strength.
So, while they were somewhat surprised by Chu Ning's magical abilities, it was just that—surprise.
At most, they thought that Chu Ning would be stronger than the average cultivator at the same stage after forming his Nascent Soul.
But now, Shen Tu Ping's words caused the cultivators in the hall to reassess Chu Ning's strength.
If he could hold his own against Shen Tu Ping in a battle of body refinement techniques and combine that with his exceptional magical abilities, then even as a Nascent Soul initial stage cultivator, his strength was not to be underestimated.
"Of course, it's the truth. Why would I belittle myself?" Shen Tu Ping spoke up again.
Chu Ning glanced at Shen Tu Ping, surprised that he would publicly acknowledge their exchange. He couldn't help but view this mid-Nascent Soul cultivator from Spirit Beast Valley with newfound respect.
As for Du Xianming, who was standing not far from Shen Tu Ping with a drastically changed expression, Chu Ning paid him no mind.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
