Chapter 531: Celestial Palace
Chapter 531: Celestial Palace
"Chief Zhuo Dingcheng of the Greenwing Tribe greets the Immortal Master. Forgive me for not welcoming you from afar, please forgive me, Immortal Master!"
In a tent, Chu Ning met the leader of the Greenwing Tribe, Zhuo Dingcheng.
He was a spirited old man, nearly sixty years old.
Only then did Chu Ning realize that he was also Zhuo Huoyuan's father.
As soon as he heard that Chu Ning was an Immortal Master, the tribal leader's face immediately showed reverence as he knelt down.
After interacting with the various cultivators of the Greenwing Tribe, Chu Ning had become accustomed to this reaction.
Waving away the formalities, Yan Suyun then proceeded to briefly recount their previous encounter.
Chu Ning then expressed his desire to meet some cultivators from the Immortal Palace.
Upon hearing this, Zhuo Dingcheng immediately wore an expression of difficulty.
"Thank you, Immortal Master, for saving my tribesmen. May I ask why you wish to find the Immortal Masters of the Immortal Palace?
We do have connections with them, but unless there are special circumstances, we must not disturb them.
Otherwise, if they were to blame us, our entire tribe would be in danger."
Chu Ning frowned slightly upon hearing this, and he couldn't help but wonder inwardly.
"Why is this Immortal Palace so guarded against outsiders?"
It is common knowledge that in both the East Sacred Continent and the Western Alliance Continent, sect forces do not pay much attention to cultivators entering their domains unless they are extremely high-level cultivators.
Yet, at that moment, Chu Ning had only revealed his foundation-building cultivator base.
The fact that the chief before him was so guarded, even unable to discern his true cultivation level, was somewhat unexpected.
However, it also showed just how influential this so-called Immortal Palace was.
Of course, for Chu Ning, it was merely a matter of finding a suitable excuse.
"I accidentally entered the Celestial Grassland and have a few medicinal ingredients on hand. I wish to exchange them for some spirit stones or pills."
After hearing Chu Ning's words, Zhuo Dingcheng's face relaxed slightly.
"If that is all, I can certainly help convey your message.
As for whether the Immortal Masters of the Immortal Palace are willing to meet with you, that is not for me to decide."
Chu Ning nodded slightly in response.
Zhuo Dingcheng then said with an apologetic expression:
"Please wait here, I will go and send a message."
As he spoke, Zhuo Dingcheng left the tent and walked quite a distance before entering another tent. He scanned his surroundings before finally reaching into his pocket and pulling out an object.
It was clear that Zhuo Dingcheng did not want Chu Ning to see what he was doing.
However, he was unaware that Chu Ning, with his spiritual sense, could perceive his every move as if they were happening right before his eyes.
Zhuo Dingcheng took out a jade box from his pocket and opened it to reveal a white spirit insect inside.
He whispered something to the insect, and it spread its wings and flew off, disappearing into the sky in the blink of an eye.
Chu Ning was surprised by this and wondered to himself,
"This spirit insect is something I've never seen before. It seems that there are still many things I haven't encountered on the Tianmo Continent."
As these thoughts crossed his mind, he contemplated the idea of following the insect.
However, he quickly dismissed the notion.
If he were to follow the insect, he would undoubtedly arouse the displeasure of the cultivators from the Immortal Palace.
This so-called Immortal Palace seemed to hold significant influence, and as a newcomer, it was unnecessary to create such discord.
Zhuo Dingcheng soon returned to the tent, and Chu Ning took the opportunity to engage him in conversation.
He wanted to learn more about the Immortal Palace, but Zhuo Dingcheng was very cautious.
Each time Chu Ning inquired, Zhuo Dingcheng would apologize and explain that he dared not speak freely due to the Immortal Palace's rules.
Chu Ning saw no need to pressure a mere mortal, so he simply asked to be directed to a resting place where he could wait.
Upon hearing this, Yan Suyun quickly offered,
"Why don't you come to my residence, Immortal Master? Please allow me to express my gratitude for your lifesaving grace."
Chu Ning did not refuse and followed her to another tent.
It was apparent that Yan Suyun held a certain status within the tribe, as the size of her tent was quite substantial.
There were two beds, various household items, and numerous medicinal herbs and pots laid out inside.
As a former spiritual herb cultivator, Chu Ning's curiosity was piqued by the herbs, and he began to examine them. However, after realizing that they were all ordinary herbs devoid of spiritual energy, his interest waned.
Noticing his reaction, Yan Suyun said,
"These herbs are not as refined as those from the Immortal Realm, please forgive me for my lack of hospitality."
"Oh? You know about spiritual herbs?"
Chu Ning gave her a surprised glance.
"I've read about them in a medical book, but I've never actually seen one," Yan Suyun replied, a hint of regret in her voice.
As Chu Ning was about to respond, a little boy who had been rummaging through the tent approached them. With a hesitant look, the boy offered his hands to Chu Ning and asked,
"Immortal Master, would you like some flatbread?"
Chu Ning looked at the food in the boy's hands with surprise.
"Little Zhi, put that away! The Immortal Master cannot eat such things.
I'll go and prepare some mutton right away."
Yan Suyun hurried over to stop the boy.
However, Chu Ning smiled and reached out to take the food from the boy's hands. He looked into the boy's clear yet evasive eyes and said,
Chu Ning took a bite of the flatbread and washed it down with a mouthful of sheep's milk offered by the boy.
Perhaps it was because he hadn't tasted such mundane food in many years, or maybe it was the feeling of being grounded again after flying for so long. Either way, the simple food tasted extraordinary.
After finishing the flatbread, Chu Ning even felt his mood improve.
Seeing Chu Ning devour the entire flatbread, the boy's face finally lost its wariness, replaced by a smile.
The boy glanced at Yan Suyun before turning back to Chu Ning, as if mustering up his courage, and asked, "Sir Immortal, how can I become an immortal?"
"Little Zhi, don't speak nonsense!" Yan Suyun's face turned pale upon hearing the boy's words.
Immortals were revered and unattainable in the Sky Horizon Grassland, and she already felt incredibly lucky to have encountered one.
She pulled the boy away and repeatedly apologized to Chu Ning. "Forgive this child's rudeness, Immortal!"
"No harm done!" Chu Ning waved his hand with a smile and then turned to the boy, asking, "Why do you want to become an immortal? Can you tell me the reason?"
"I want to protect my mother!" The boy blurted out. "My father told me before he passed away that I'm the man of the house now and that I must protect her."
Yan Suyun, who had been anxious, now had tears welling up in her eyes.
Though Chu Ning had cultivated for many years, the boy's words would have touched anyone. Yet, he maintained his composure and simply nodded, saying, "That's a good reason. To become an immortal, you must first have a spiritual root. Your spiritual root is quite remarkable, and you are indeed suited for cultivation."
Chu Ning's words left Yan Suyun and her son stunned.
After a long pause, Yan Suyun asked in a trembling voice, "Are you telling the truth, Immortal? Can my son... can he really cultivate?"
The boy immediately knelt before Chu Ning and said, "Immortal, I'm willing to become your disciple. Please teach me the ways of cultivation."
Chu Ning smiled gently, waved his hand, and the boy stood up.
The boy looked at Chu Ning with a mix of surprise and joy.
Chu Ning shook his head and said, "Although your spiritual root is good, I cannot teach you the ways of cultivation. Doing so would only bring you harm. I haven't had any dealings with your Immortal Palace, but if they find out there's someone here practicing a different art, I fear they won't treat you kindly."
"Let's talk about this after I meet with the immortal from the palace," he added.
Before Chu Ning could say more, Yan Suyun pulled the boy away, saying, "Little Zhi, go play outside. Don't disturb the immortal's cultivation."
Ignoring the boy's reluctance, she led him out of the tent.
Chu Ning shook his head with a smile.
Then, he closed his eyes to rest.
The boy's spiritual root was indeed as rare and good as he had said—a rare Wind-attribute Spiritual Root.
Chu Ning wondered why the immortal from the palace hadn't discovered it.
When he met the immortal, he wouldn't mind mentioning it.
After resting for half a day, Chu Ning opened his eyes and looked outside the tent.
"A cultivator at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. Good. At this level, they should be able to provide some useful information."
With that thought, Chu Ning left the tent and rose into the air, approaching a figure flying toward the tribe.
The figure was a young woman with a charming face, wearing a green robe. She appeared to be in her twenties.
As she flew above the Green Wing Tribe, she was about to call out to the chief when she sensed another person appear before her.
"Are you the one from the Immortal Palace?" Chu Ning asked, bowing slightly.
The woman's heart skipped a beat as she followed the voice to Chu Ning, who was also a cultivator.
"Late Foundation Establishment stage! His cultivation is even higher than mine," she thought to herself.
"Greetings, I am Ling Fengjing from the Celestial Palace. I presume you are the cultivator that Chief Zhuo mentioned. May I ask your name and where you are from?" she inquired, bowing slightly in return.
Hearing the name "Celestial Palace," Chu Ning guessed that this must be the Immortal Palace the tribe members had spoken of.
He pointed to the tribe below, where everyone had gathered, curious about the two immortals. Chu Ning smiled and said, "I am Chu Ning. I accidentally stumbled into the Sky Horizon Grassland. Fellow Daoist Ling, may I have a word with you?"
Ling Fengjing nodded and landed in front of Zhuo Dingcheng's tent.
"Immortal Ling!"
Zhuo Dingcheng recognized Ling Fengjing and immediately bowed.
Ling Fengjing raised her hand to stop him. "Chief Zhuo, I have some matters to discuss with this Daoist Chu. You may continue with your work," she said.
Ling Fengjing entered the tent first and, after seeing Chu Ning enter, cast a spell to prevent eavesdropping.
She then turned to Chu Ning and said, "Daoist Chu, please tell me about your background and the spiritual pills you mentioned."
"I come from a small place that you may not have heard of. Why don't I show you the spiritual pills first?" Chu Ning said as he took out several items from his storage bag.
Ling Fengjing's eyes widened as she saw the pills, and they shone with excitement.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
