Chapter 538: Taking Action
Chapter 538: Taking Action
Chu Ning turned his gaze toward a group of people over a hundred zhang away.
There were nearly a hundred of them, but at a glance, the only Golden Core cultivator among them was a gray-robed burly man leading the group.
Among the rest, there were about twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators, with the majority being in the Qi Refinement stage.
Perhaps aware of their overwhelming disadvantage against the purple-robed Xu Clan cultivator, these cultivators didn't attempt to flee.
However, as they looked toward Xu and his group, their eyes reflected a mix of fear and determination.
The gray-robed man at the front and the two dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators behind him wore particularly resolute expressions.
Xu, the purple-robed cultivator, noticed their defiant gazes and sneered coldly.
"Hmph, so it's just a measly Mid-stage Golden Core cultivator causing all this ruckus lately. I thought it would be someone more formidable. I seem to have overestimated the situation."
His voice turned menacing as he continued, "Leave this one to me, Liao City Lord, deal with the rest. Don't let any of them escape."
Upon hearing this, City Lord Liao Wanliang burst into loud laughter.
"Rest assured, Fellow Xu. If even these insignificant foes escape us, our cultivation would have been for naught."
As Liao Wanliang finished speaking, the gray-robed man on the other side also shouted, his voice carrying a determined edge.
"Fellow cultivators, I know not all of you are from the Star Plume Sect. I am Xie Cheng from the Xuanling Sect, and beside me are cultivators from the Xuanling Sect and Liuyun Valley.
Years ago, the Star Plume Sect took advantage of our sects' internal strife to seize control of the resources in Beichuan. Now, they are trying to wipe us out completely.
I, Xie Cheng, know that death may await me today, but we will fight the Star Plume Sect to the bitter end. Fellow cultivators, please spread word of what transpires here today so that justice may be served."
"Shut up! Attack!"
The purple-robed Xu cultivator, infuriated by Xie Cheng's bold declaration, summoned a yellow flying sword and rushed toward them, taking the lead in the assault.
Seeing this, the gray-robed man in the distance roared with determination.
"Cultivators of our sects, let's fight with all we've got!"
"Fight! Leave nothing behind!"
As he shouted, the hundred-strong group behind him brandished their various magical artifacts with fervent cries.
Perhaps it was their collective resolve to fight to the death that caused their auras to surge with unprecedented intensity.
On the other side, Xu's group wore expressions of sheer terror, their faces paling as their courage deserted them.
This bizarre turn of events left the Xuanling Sect cultivators bewildered.
Even the purple-robed Xu cultivator, who had been about to rush forward, paused, a sense of unease washing over him. He turned back and was stunned by what he saw.
Every cultivator behind him, including the several Golden Core cultivators like Liao Wanliang, wore looks of agony and horror, as if they were being subjected to a powerful suppression.
However, there was one exception—a lone figure who stood out from the rest with his calm demeanor.
"Was he there in our group just now?"
Xu's eyes narrowed as he studied the young man's face, a question forming in his mind.
But that matter was quickly forgotten as Xu's attention snapped back to the young man. He was stunned by what he saw, his eyes widening in fear.
For in that moment, he didn't see a person but a blazing inferno.
No, it was as if he had become fire itself.
Xu clearly witnessed flames erupting from the young man's body, forming concentric circles of fire that devoured everything in their path, reducing cultivators to ashes.
"Nascent Soul cultivator!!!"
Xu finally realized the gravity of the situation, his eyes widening in shock as he blurted out those words.
Liao Wanliang and the other three Golden Core cultivators also came to the same realization, their faces contorting in fear.
"Spare us, Senior! We are not from the Star Plume Sect!"
Liao Wanliang, the once-arrogant City Lord, pleaded as he struggled against the overwhelming spiritual pressure bearing down on him.
But his plea went unanswered as the flames rushed toward him, consuming him before he could even gather his Golden Core's power.
All of this transpired within the span of a single breath.
Terrified, the purple-robed Xu cultivator turned and fled, only to have a crimson spirit sword appear, slicing through the heavens and earth as it sped toward him.
Its speed far outstripped his own flight art.
Sensing the immense power emanating from the crimson spirit sword, Xu knew he stood no chance against it. Desperation laced his voice as he cried out,
"Senior, you're not from the evil cult, are you? Why are you attacking the Star Plume Sect? Don't you fear the might of our sect's Great Cultivators?"
As he finished his plea, the purple-robed Xu cultivator saw the crimson spirit sword accelerate even further, causing his pupils to dilate in horror.
"Noooooo!"
In a last-ditch attempt, he brandished his yellow longsword to block the incoming attack, but it was like an insect trying to stop a chariot.
The fire spirit sword cleaved through the yellow longsword, shattering it into several pieces.
In the next moment, the crimson sword pierced through Xu's dantian, only to whirl around and gracefully return to Chu Ning's hand, disappearing from view.
After just a few breaths, out of the dozens of people present, only Chu Ning remained standing tall, unmoved from his original position.
The gray-robed burly man, Xie Cheng, and his companions, who had been prepared for a deadly battle, were now stunned and motionless. They couldn't believe that the life-threatening crisis had been averted in an instant.
It took a while for Xie Cheng to snap out of his daze. Filled with gratitude, he bowed deeply to Chu Ning from a distance.
"Thank you, Senior, for saving our lives!"
The other cultivators followed suit, expressing their gratitude with respectful bows.
"Thank you, Senior, for saving our lives!"
Chu Ning flashed a few times and appeared before the group. Xie Cheng, sensing Chu Ning's aura more intensely now, wore an even more reverent expression.
"As expected of a Nascent Soul cultivator. I couldn't even sense your true cultivation level. I wonder who this Senior is and why he suddenly came to our aid."
In that moment, Xie Cheng, despite the relief that the Star Plume Sect cultivators were defeated, felt a greater burden. If it had just been the purple-robed cultivator, they would have had the courage to fight. But after witnessing Chu Ning's display of power, he knew that they wouldn't stand a chance if Chu Ning decided to act against them.
Moreover, Xie Cheng realized that Chu Ning's intervention didn't necessarily mean he was an ally. Many Nascent Soul cultivators were eccentric and unpredictable, acting on a whim. And the fact that Chu Ning appeared so young yet had reached the Nascent Soul stage was highly unusual.
Xie Cheng didn't dare speak casually, afraid he might anger Chu Ning unintentionally. The others, following his lead, could only glance at Chu Ning with reverence.
"Are you from the Xuanling Sect?" Chu Ning's voice broke the silence.
"Yes, Senior. I am indeed from the Xuanling Sect," Xie Cheng replied respectfully.
"Good. Then I've come to the right person," Chu Ning said, a faint smile appearing on his face. He casually set up a restrictive spell, enclosing himself and Xie Cheng within it.
Xie Cheng looked at him, puzzled, to which Chu Ning explained, "Your sect has Nascent Soul cultivators, right? I was asked by a fellow cultivator from your sect to return an item to you. I've been searching for your sect for quite some time. A few days ago, I heard from the Listening Wind City Lord about the plan to exterminate your sect, so I tagged along."
"You were entrusted with delivering an item to our sect?" Xie Cheng asked, surprised. "Do you know our sect's elders, Senior?"
Chu Ning shook his head. "I've never met them. This item is the legacy of one of your sect's cultivators who passed away thousands of years ago. I stumbled upon his cave abode long ago and gained some opportunities. Now, I'm fulfilling his last wish by returning his possessions to your sect, and I also have some inquiries."
Hearing Chu Ning's words, Xie Cheng fell silent for a moment before speaking with reverence. "Senior, you saved our lives, but this matter is crucial. Our Xuanling Sect has been oppressed by the Star Plume Sect for years, so we must be cautious. Please forgive me for not bringing you directly to our Nascent Soul elders."
As he spoke, Xie Cheng carefully observed Chu Ning's expression. Noticing a slight furrow in his eyebrows, he quickly added, "How about I settle my companions first and then return to the sect to report this? After that, I'll come back and respond to you, Senior. What do you think?"
Chu Ning gave Xie Cheng a glance. "If I truly had malicious intentions, I could've captured you and performed a soul search to learn everything. Let's do as you suggested. Where should I wait, and how long will it take?"
Relieved, Xie Cheng said, "In a month's time, I'll meet you at the Xie Family Spirit Pavilion in Illusion Moon City's northeast district."
"Alright!" Chu Ning replied. He took out a blank jade slip and imprinted the black key he obtained from Divine Dream upon it, along with the restrictive spell he had learned. Divine Dream had given away treasures, but this key was to be returned to the Xuanling Sect. It seemed to hold great importance.
Chu Ning knew that the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Xuanling Sect would likely recognize it and meet with him because of its significance. As for the restrictive spell, even if they couldn't undo it immediately, they could gradually dispel it over time. It served as a sign of his connection to Divine Dream.
Chu Ning handed the jade slip to Xie Cheng and said, "Give this to your sect's Nascent Soul cultivator. They should understand its meaning. Now, I shall escort you out of Listening Wind City's range."
Xie Cheng was overjoyed. "Thank you, Senior!"
Chu Ning lifted the restrictive spell and summoned a spirit boat, carrying the group as they flew away.
(End of Chapter)
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