Chapter 539: The Spirit Key
Chapter 539: The Spirit Key
In an unnamed mountain range within the Northern Chuan Kingdom, Xie Cheng rushed to his destination, stepping into a formation.
"Xie Cheng, why have you suddenly returned? And why have you asked us to meet you here? Has something unexpected happened on your end?"
Surprisingly, the formation was empty, except for a man and a woman, both with hair as white as snow, exuding an otherworldly aura. They were clearly Yuan Ying cultivators.
The male cultivator had reached the mid-Yuan Ying stage, while the female cultivator was in the early stages. Their faces wore worried expressions as they saw Xie Cheng's hasty arrival.
"Master, Mistress, something has indeed happened," Xie Cheng said, bowing deeply before them. Without waiting for their questions, he proceeded to recount the events that had transpired near Ting Feng City.
"A strange young Yuan Ying cultivator came to our aid and now wishes to meet with us?" The elderly couple exchanged a glance, their faces grave.
"Brother, could this be a ploy by the Xing Yu Zong to force our hand? Over the years, they have resorted to all sorts of tricks to lure out our Yuan Ying cultivators." The old woman's face was clouded with suspicion.
The white-haired man replied in a low voice, "It's hard to say, but if that's the case, they certainly didn't hold back. Sacrificing four Jin Dan cultivators, one of them even in the late Jin Dan stage. Xing Yu Zong is certainly committed to their scheme."
Having said that, the old man turned to Xie Cheng. "By the way, you mentioned that this person also has a jade slip for us, right? Let's have a look."
Xie Cheng quickly produced a jade slip and handed it to the old man, his face bearing a strange expression. "Master, that senior placed a restriction on the jade slip. I was concerned that it might be used for tracking, so I tried to examine it, and I found that the restriction on it is very similar to a type of inherited restriction of our Xuan Ling Zong. However, my cultivation is insufficient to fully understand it."
"Oh?" The old man's eyes widened in surprise as he took the jade slip. A look of delight crossed his face as he quickly scanned its contents.
"Sister, look! It's indeed our sect's restriction technique. Could it be that this person has indeed obtained the inheritance of our predecessor, as that fellow cultivator claimed?" The old woman took the jade slip from him, her eyes widening in surprise as she examined it.
The old man took back the jade slip and immediately began to unravel the restrictions within. But as he scanned it with his spiritual sense, he stood up abruptly, his eyes shining with excitement. "The Spirit Key! It's the Spirit Key!"
The old woman was equally startled by his exclamation and stood up as well, taking the jade slip from her husband's hand. As she examined it, her voice trembled with excitement. "It's really the Spirit Key! Husband, could the other Spirit Key be in this person's possession?"
"It's likely," the old man replied, his voice shaking with emotion. "This Spirit Key hasn't been seen since Elder Shen Meng disappeared thousands of years ago. Outsiders have almost no chance of seeing it. It appears that this fellow cultivator has obtained Elder Shen Meng's inheritance."
The couple's excitement also surprised Xie Cheng. "Master, Mistress, what is this Spirit Key that has you so worked up? I've never even heard of it."
The old man took a deep breath, calming himself. "It's normal for you not to know. Within the sect, only Yuan Ying cultivators are privy to this information. But now that our sect is in peril, and the Spirit Key has a chance to return to us, I see no harm in telling you about it."
As he spoke, the old man handed the jade slip to Xie Cheng and took out a black key-like object from his storage bag. It was identical to the one Chu Ning had recorded in the jade slip.
The old man then shared some information with Xie Cheng, causing the latter's face to light up with delight.
The three of them began to discuss the matter further.
...
Huan Yue City was a cultivation city located tens of thousands of miles away from Ting Feng City.
Unlike Ting Feng City, which was independent of any sect's influence, Huan Yue City fell under the jurisdiction of the Huan Yue Zong.
However, during his two months in Northern Chuan, Chu Ning had learned that sects that governed cities like this were usually affiliated with the Ling Yu Zong. But compared to the Ling Yu Zong, the Xing Yu Zong granted these sects more autonomy.
As a result, the city attracted quite a few loose cultivators.
For almost a month, Chu Ning had been staying in the city, assuming different identities.
"Also, while we're at it, let's see if we can find the materials needed to refine the Beast Spirit Ring, the Thunderfire Staff, and the Black Tortoise Shield."
With that, he began his search and, to his surprise, managed to gather one of the obscure ingredients required for the Black Tortoise Shield.
Although it wasn't a primary ingredient, it was still an unexpected bonus.
However, maintaining the identity of a Yuan Ying cultivator was too conspicuous, so after purchasing the necessary materials, Chu Ning left and re-entered the city as a Ji Dan cultivator.
As the appointed time with Xie Cheng drew near, Chu Ning made his way towards the northeastern marketplace.
Xie Family Spirit Pavilion wasn't particularly large compared to the other shops in the northeastern marketplace, but it had a varied selection of items.
In fact, Chu Ning had visited the pavilion earlier and hadn't noticed anything amiss.
Upon entering this time, Chu Ning went straight to the counter and asked, "Has Xie Cheng arrived?"
The shopkeeper was startled by the question, and after sizing up Chu Ning, who was currently at the Ji Dan cultivation stage, he hesitated before asking respectfully, "May I ask for your esteemed name, friend? We don't have anyone by that name here."
Chu Ning didn't waste any more time and immediately extended his spiritual sense, quickly locating Xie Cheng in the back courtyard.
"Xie, I'm here. Tell your people to lead the way."
Xie Cheng, who was in the back courtyard, suddenly heard a spiritual message in his ear and knew that Chu Ning had arrived. He immediately conveyed the message to the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper's face turned pale, and he respectfully said to Chu Ning, "Please follow me, senior."
Although he didn't know that Chu Ning was a Yuan Ying cultivator, the fact that Chu Ning could address the owner of the shop by name meant that he was no ordinary Ji Dan cultivator.
In the back courtyard, Xie Cheng only needed a glance to feel the oppressive aura in Chu Ning's eyes, immediately confirming his identity.
As for Chu Ning's unfamiliar face, Xie Cheng wasn't overly concerned.
It was common for Yuan Ying cultivators to alter their appearance and aura.
Even he, though he hadn't changed his appearance, had suppressed his aura to that of the Ji Dan stage.
After signaling for the shopkeeper to leave, Xie Cheng bowed to Yang Ning and said, "Xie Cheng, pay his respects to Senior Chu."
"No need for formalities. Let's get straight to the point," Chu Ning said, waving his hand.
Xie Cheng immediately replied, "Our sect's Yuan Ying cultivators are willing to meet with you, Senior. When would be convenient for you?"
Hearing this, Chu Ning felt relieved.
"Let's not delay. I'm ready now," Chu Ning said.
Upon hearing Chu Ning's words, Xie Cheng didn't hesitate and led him out of Huan Yue City without another word.
After traveling hundreds of li away from the city, Chu Ning found the Black Tortoise Shield too slow, so he released the Leaf Glider, a tree-leaf-shaped flying magical artifact.
Then, under Xie Cheng's guidance, they rode toward the distant horizon.
They flew like this for several days until, at Xie Cheng's direction, they descended toward a mountain peak below.
The mountain was tall and stood at the forefront of the mountain range, shrouded in mist.
However, with Chu Ning's eyesight, he could tell at a glance that the mist at the summit was maintained by an array, likely used to prevent detection.
"The Yuan Ying cultivators of Xuan Ling Zong probably chose to meet here temporarily. This mountain's spiritual energy is rather ordinary.
If Yuan Ying cultivators were to cultivate in such a place, they would likely spend more time and still not make much progress."
As Chu Ning thought about this, the mist ahead of them parted, and an elderly couple with white hair walked out. They were both Yuan Ying cultivators.
Their gazes fell upon Chu Ning, and the white-haired old man took the lead and cupped his hands in greeting, "You must be Fellow Chu. I am Master Han Song, and this is my wife, Fu Huiying. We've been expecting you."
Immediately after, the white-haired old woman, Fu Huiying, also bowed and greeted him.
"Greetings, Fellow Han and Fellow Fu," Chu Ning returned their greeting with a bow.
Master Han Song sized up Chu Ning and a hint of surprise flashed across his face.
"I've heard from my disciples about your impressive abilities, Fellow Chu. I didn't expect you to already be at the mid-Yuan Ying stage.
And given your youthful appearance, I must say I've never met anyone who has reached this stage at such a young age."
As Master Han Song spoke, Fu Huiying and Xie Cheng beside him also wore looks of astonishment.
Previously, Xie Cheng knew that Chu Ning was a Yuan Ying cultivator, but seeing his youthful appearance, he subconsciously assumed he was at the early Yuan Ying stage.
He never expected that Chu Ning had already reached the mid-Yuan Ying stage.
Hearing Master Han Song's words, Chu Ning smiled and replied,
"Fellow Han is too kind. You are but a step away from the late Yuan Ying stage, which is truly admirable, Fellow Han."
If Chu Ning's mid-Yuan Ying stage had surprised Fu Huiying and Xie Cheng before,
This moment, Chu Ning's words surprised Shi Hansong.
"This man can see through my cultivation with just one glance. He's truly no ordinary cultivator."
As these thoughts flashed through Shi Hansong's mind, his expression turned more solemn.
"Fellow Daoist Chu, your intentions were conveyed to me by my disciple earlier, and I have a general understanding of the matter. However, this matter is of great significance, and the array I've set up here, while not particularly powerful, does have some isolating effects. May I ask if you would be willing to step into the array for a detailed discussion?"
Chu Ning glanced at the clouds and mist ahead. With his expertise, he had already surmised their nature when Master Han Song and his wife appeared.
He knew that the primary purpose of this array was isolation, and its offensive power was not significant.
Of course, even if there was something within the array, with Bai Ling and the highly destructive power of the Mixed Cloud Fire Lotus, Chu Ning wasn't too worried about being trapped.
So, at this moment, he didn't hesitate and readily agreed.
"Then let's discuss it within the array."
As he spoke, Chu Ning took the lead and walked into the mist, even before Master Han Song could gesture an invitation.
Seeing Chu Ning's decisiveness, the couple glanced at each other.
"This man agreed to enter the array so readily, facing the two of us, who are Yuan Ying cultivators. His courage is truly remarkable, and his cultivation and abilities must be extraordinary as well."
With these thoughts in mind, Master Han Song's face remained expressionless.
He led Chu Ning into the array.
Upon entering, Chu Ning looked around the mountain, which appeared no different from its original terrain, and knew that his guess was correct. This place was probably just a temporary stop for the couple.
However, the next moment, Master Han Song took out a few objects from his storage bag and, with a flick of his wrist, a stone pavilion appeared, complete with a stone table, tea set, and other amenities.
Only then did Master Han Song turn to Chu Ning and cup his hands, saying, "Fellow Daoist Chu, this place is a bit crude. However, our sect is being targeted by the Xing Yu Zong, and we cannot easily expose our cultivation grounds. In this urgent situation, please excuse our temporary arrangement."
"Fellow Daoist Shi, there's no need to be concerned about such trivialities. As cultivators, we shouldn't be constrained by such matters. Let's get straight to the point and resolve the doubts in our hearts."
"Good! Fellow Daoist Chu is indeed straightforward." Master Han Song said, then asked, "Fellow Daoist Chu, earlier you had my disciple deliver a message that you possess the Spirit Key. May I ask if this is true or false?"
"So that thing is called the Spirit Key," Chu Ning muttered to himself.
Without too much hesitation, he reached into his storage bag and took out the black jade key that Elder Shen Meng had entrusted to him.
Even though they had already guessed as much, the sight of the key still brought a hint of delight to the faces of Master Han Song and his companions.
Chu Ning, too, was now curious about this so-called Spirit Key, which seemed to have a significant impact on the trio.
"Fellow Daoist Chu, may I have a closer look at the Spirit Key?" Master Han Song asked.
Hearing this, Chu Ning grasped the Spirit Key in his hand and smiled faintly.
"Fellow Daoist Shi, please excuse my boldness. To be honest, from the beginning, the identity of your so-called Xuan Ling Zong has only been mentioned by your words. As I am entrusted by others, I should be cautious. I hope you understand."
"Of course!" Master Han Song nodded slightly and also took out an object from his storage bag.
Chu Ning saw that it was another Spirit Key. To be precise, it had the same shape and opposite rune patterns as the one in his hand.
It seemed to be the other half of a pair.
Upon seeing this, Chu Ning's doubts about their identities mostly vanished, but he still didn't hand over the Spirit Key.
Instead, he took out the jade slip that Elder Shen Meng had left with the key and handed it to Master Han Song.
"Fellow Daoist Shi, as for why your sect's treasure ended up in my hands, you can find out by reading what your sect's Elder Shen Meng has recorded in this jade slip."
"It really is left by Elder Shen Meng!"
Master Han Song took the jade slip from Chu Ning, scanned it with his spiritual sense, and then passed it to Fu Huiying by his side.
He then looked at Chu Ning and asked, "So, Fellow Daoist Chu, you came here to deliver the Spirit Key and also wanted to obtain the True Spirit Manual from our sect, am I right?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
