https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-648-Eighty-Years-of-Happy-Cultivation/12946879/
Chapter 647: Returning to the Sect
Chapter 647: Returning to the Sect
"Huh, why are there so few cultivators around Jiuhua?"
As they hurried from the Zhenwu Alliance towards Jiuhua Mountain, Chu Ning and Cen Zijin passed by Jiuhua City at the foot of the mountain.
Looking at the obviously less bustling city compared to before, both Chu Ning and Cen Zijin couldn't help but stop.
It was well known that several decades ago, when Chu Ning returned to the Jiuhua Sect, Jiuhua City was still incredibly prosperous.
Disciples from various sects and wandering cultivators came and went, creating a lively atmosphere.
But now, the number of cultivators in Jiuhua City had decreased by at least eighty percent.
As Chu Ning observed further, he realized that there were hardly any Jiuhua Sect disciples in the city.
The wandering cultivators were scattered, and their numbers had significantly decreased compared to before.
As for the Jiuhua Sect disciples, only a few officials were present.
"Could it be that something happened to the sect?"
Chu Ning and Cen Zijin exchanged glances, and their eyebrows furrowed slightly.
Chu Ning's divine sense reached out, and he randomly found a place where several wandering cultivators were chatting.
Their intermittent conversation also reached his ears.
"Mountain Seclusion?"
From the unintentional conversation among the wandering cultivators, Chu Ning learned that the Jiuhua Sect had once again sealed off the mountain.
Moreover, this time, it seemed like the mountain would be sealed for a more extended period.
"Could it be that another fellow sect member has formed their Nascent Soul?"
Chu Ning and Cen Zijin speculated as they flew towards the sect.
Shi Xuerong, on the other hand, parted ways with them after entering the Yunxiao Alliance's territory and returned to the Guiyuan Sect.
Chu Ning flew towards the Jiuhua Sect while extending his divine sense to scan the surroundings.
As expected, he sensed that the sect's protective formation array was fully activated, indicating that the mountain was indeed sealed.
In this situation, Chu Ning didn't want to release his aura completely, allowing the sect members like Yu Changge to sense his presence.
His current cultivation was too powerful, and releasing his aura directly might affect the Nascent Soul formation process if someone was undergoing it.
So, he quietly entered the formation with the help of his identity jade token.
His divine sense subconsciously swept through, and he discovered that there weren't many active cultivators within the sect either.
The once bustling Jiuhua Sect now seemed somewhat quiet.
This state didn't seem like a Nascent Soul formation but rather an indication that something had happened within the sect.
However, Chu Ning was slightly relieved to sense that the numerous cultivators didn't exhibit any significant abnormalities.
"Let's go directly to find the Sect Master!"
After Chu Ning and Cen Zijin finished speaking, they flew straight towards Yu Changge's cave abode on the Ninth Heaven Peak.
Upon reaching Yu Changge's cave abode, Chu Ning didn't conceal his aura anymore.
He released his aura while taking out a sound transmission talisman and shooting it into the cave abode.
"Junior Brother Chu! Junior Sister Cen!"
As soon as the sound transmission talisman entered the cave abode, Yu Changge's delighted voice echoed from within.
The next moment, a figure flashed and disappeared, appearing outside the cave abode.
It was indeed Yu Changge.
What surprised both Chu Ning and Cen Zijin was that at this moment, Yu Changge not only had a head full of white hair but also looked several decades older.
Thirty years had passed since they last saw Yu Changge, and he seemed to have aged by several hundred years.
It was well known that for Nascent Soul cultivators of this level, several decades would hardly show any noticeable changes in appearance.
"Senior Brother Yu, what happened to the sect?"
Chu Ning immediately asked with concern.
At this moment, Yu Changge burst into laughter:
"Nothing, nothing at all! The sect is doing fine, and the two of you have returned safely. This is truly wonderful! Haha!"
As he laughed, Yu Changge loudly announced:
"The Supreme Elder has safely returned to the sect! From this day forward, the mountain seal is lifted!"
Yu Changge's voice echoed throughout the entire Jiuhua Sect.
The next moment, the previously quiet Jiuhua Sect became bustling with noise and excitement.
Many cultivators who were previously cultivating emerged from their cultivation rooms.
Some even flew into the air, their eyes filled with curiosity as they looked towards the Ninth Heaven Peak.
"All Jiuhua Sect cultivators, listen up! In two hours, gather at the Dao Ground to welcome the Supreme Elder's return to the sect!"
As Yu Changge spoke, the cultivators became even more lively and excited.
Many cultivators couldn't wait and immediately headed towards the Dao Ground.
At this moment, Yu Changge turned to Chu Ning and said:
"Junior Brother Chu, I'm so happy that I took the liberty of making arrangements. I hope you don't mind."
Chu Ning smiled and shook his head, deep in thought:
"Senior Brother Yu, did the sect seal the mountain because of me?"
Yu Changge nodded and sighed:
"Thirty years ago, you and Junior Sister Cen went missing in Demon Mountain. I went inside, but I couldn't find any trace of you.
So, when I returned to the sect, I immediately sealed off the mountain."
Chu Ning's eyes flashed slightly.
"What? Is there a sect power that wants to take advantage of our absence?"
"There's no need for that!" Yu Changge shook his head.
He then brought up the incident where Huo Junrui had led the distribution of various treasures to the Jiuhua Sect.
Continuing, Yu Changge said, "During the time when Junior Brother was missing, I thought it best for our sect to keep a low profile.
In the past hundred years, we've accumulated many resources, so it's a good time to let the disciples cultivate well.
Just in case something unexpected happens next."
As Yu Changge spoke, he smiled at Chu Ning, "Qin Changkong, the Yu brothers, and He Yuexian, several Vice Alliance Leaders, have all come to show their concern.
No sect has specifically made things difficult for us.
Junior Brother, you should remember that during the battle at Demon Mountain, not only did you display strength comparable to a Divine Transformation Cultivator, but you also saved all the cultivators.
These people still remember that favor."
Hearing this, Chu Ning finally breathed a slight sigh of relief, looking at Yu Changge's head full of white hair.
"But why, Senior Brother...?"
"This is all because of Supreme Elder, who is worried about you." With these words, several figures appeared before the trio.
It was Gong Yuyuan, Cheng Qinghui, Yuan Zhuo, and others who had rushed over upon hearing the news.
Cheng Qinghui, being a woman, was more sentimental.
At this moment, she continued to speak to Chu Ning and Cen Zijin, "When the Sect Master learned of your accident at Demon Mountain, his hair turned significantly white.
Within a year of returning to the sect from Demon Mountain, his hair had completely turned white.
I'm afraid the Supreme Elder doesn't know that the Sect Master rarely smiles these days."
After listening, Chu Ning felt a sense of guilt and said to Yu Changge, "I've worried Senior Brother and the others."
"There's no need for that, Junior Brother Chu. I'm just happy that you and your wife could return safely."
At this moment, Yu Changge burst into hearty laughter.
"Not to mention losing some years of longevity, I, Yu Changge, would willingly do so for this.
By the way, Junior Brother Chu, they say you were swallowed by a spatial rift and then found Cen Shimei. How did that happen?"
Chu Ning had no secrets from Yu Changge and the others, so he told them about how he had used the Gale Wind Saber to protect himself in the Void Space for thirty years and then accidentally entered a pocket dimension where he met Cen Zijin.
After listening to Chu Ning's story, everyone was amazed.
Yu Changge laughed heartily, "It seems that even Heaven couldn't bear to let a peerless talent like you perish. Heaven hasn't abandoned our Jiuhua Sect!
Hahaha, after this, I believe our Jiuhua Sect will flourish without any more setbacks!"
Everyone's faces lit up with smiles.
At this moment, Yu Changge turned to Chu Ning and said, "When you returned last time, I wanted to hold a welcome ceremony for you.
It would also allow the younger disciples to witness your brilliance.
But you were in a hurry to go to Demon Mountain, so it didn't happen.
Although your battle with the Yu brothers thirty years ago already amazed all cultivators,
they haven't had the chance to interact with you up close. So, let's go to the Dao Ground now!"
With everything arranged by Yu Changge, Chu Ning didn't refuse.
They immediately headed to the Dao Ground.
At this moment, within the Dao Ground, Ge Liuyang and other Golden Core Elders had gathered numerous disciples.
When they saw Chu Ning and Yu Changge's group arrive, everyone's gaze naturally fell on Chu Ning.
Their eyes held admiration, awe, and curiosity...
"Disciples of the Jiuhua Sect, Supreme Elder Chu Ning became the head of our sect's Pill Refining Pavilion two hundred years ago.
With his pill refining techniques, he became the foremost among the elders, and all our sect's pill refining methods were organized and perfected by the Supreme Elder.
When the Great Luo Sect challenged us, the Supreme Elder turned the tide, helping our sect gain entry into the Wolong Mountain and bringing back many of our sect's legacies..."
Yu Changge's voice boomed as he narrated Chu Ning's achievements.
From joining the Jiuhua Sect to bringing back the sect's legacy from Wolong Mountain,
to collaborating with the Tianyin Sect at Honghu Lake to repel the Demon Dao Alliance cultivators, helping the Cloud Soaring Alliance secure their territory, and obtaining the qualification to enter the Golden Spirit Seed Realm.
From Chu Ning's rapid Core Formation to his astonishment of many cultivators, to being swept away by a spatial storm in the Golden Spirit Realm and returning as a late-stage Golden Core cultivator,
to winning the title of the first Golden Core cultivator in the Cloud Soaring Alliance's internal competition, shocking everyone and greatly enhancing the Jiuhua Sect's reputation.
He spoke of Chu Ning's successful Nascent Soul formation, the Jiuhua Sect now having three Nascent Soul cultivators simultaneously after a thousand years.
Then, the conflicts with the Tianji Alliance and the Demon Dao Alliance, where Chu Ning not only shone on the front lines but also rushed back to the sect to aid in the crisis when the Great Luo Sect colluded with the Demon Dao Alliance and even had the support of Beyond World Demons.
And then, at the early Core Formation Stage, he established the reputation of being the first person to surpass a late-stage Nascent Soul Grand Cultivator.
Speaking of the Jiuhua Sect, Chu Ning repeatedly made its name known and rose to prominence time and time again.
At the mid-stage and late-stage Nascent Soul, Chu Ning's cultivation speed repeatedly surpassed everyone's imagination.
When Chu Ning reappeared as a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, he single-handedly defeated the joint efforts of the two late-stage Nascent Soul Yu brothers.
Within Demon Mountain, he fought alone against a Divine Transformation-ranked Beyond World Demon, saving all the late-stage Nascent Soul Grand Cultivators of the Western Alliance Continent.
As for himself, he was swallowed by a spatial rift.
Up until today, he has returned safely!
As Yu Changge narrated, the entire Dao Ground was filled with anticipation, and the Jiuhua Sect cultivators followed suit.
Those who had experienced it together had even more nostalgic expressions on their faces.
As for the numerous young cultivators, their gazes towards Chu Ning were filled with even greater reverence.
Even more people had fanatical worship on their faces.
"Fellow sect members!"
"Chu, from a small sect in the Eastern Holy Continent."
Facing everyone's gaze, Chu Ning slowly spoke.
His first words piqued the curiosity of many cultivators.
In fact, after Cen Zijin and others joined, many cultivators in the sect already knew about Chu Ning's background.
However, mainly some Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators, most cultivators were not aware.
So at this moment, their faces showed some surprise.
Chu Ning continued, "After coming to the Western Alliance Continent and joining the Jiuhua Sect, I also went to the Northern Cold Region and the Sky Curtain Continent.
The Jiuhua Sect is the most ideal sect I've ever stayed in or seen.
If you seek the Great Dao, this place will definitely be the best choice.
Of course, fellow sect members are also the hope for the sect's future prosperity."
At this point, Chu Ning paused slightly.
Then he continued, "I won't say too much, but I want to say that great chaos has already appeared in this realm.
In the future, many sects and cultivators may face the possibility of being destroyed.
I hope that fellow sect members will diligently cultivate.
At the same time, please rest assured that if this realm falls into chaos, our Jiuhua Sect will definitely be the safest place."
Chu Ning's words not only stirred the emotions of many Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Dao Ground but also caused some changes in Yu Changge's expression.
At this moment, Chu Ning didn't say more but instead offered some encouraging words.
Finally, at Yu Changge's suggestion, Chu Ning spoke, and the entire sect rewarded cultivation resources.
Naturally, this caused the entire Dao Ground to erupt in cheers.
After that, many cultivators dispersed, leaving only those at the Golden Core stage and above.
Chu Ning finally met Su Yuqing, Yuan Rongzhang, and others, seeing that some of them had reached the mid-stage or late-stage Golden Core, which made him sigh with emotion.
Even the little girl Su Kokke had successfully formed her Golden Core in these thirty years, which surprised Chu Ning.
In over a hundred years, she became a Golden Core cultivator, and her cultivation progress was not slow.
After Chu Ning had chatted with everyone, Yu Changge redirected the topic back to what Chu Ning had just said.
At this point, Chu Ning spoke about encountering a Divine Transformation-ranked Beyond World Demon in Demon Mountain.
"With the appearance of the Immortal Seeds, the Beyond World Demon sealed in Demon Mountain is restless.
Even a Beyond World Demon at the Demigod Realm has appeared in the Nine Evolution Spirit Mountain, and more and more signs indicate that.
Perhaps it won't take too long for this realm to fall into chaos again."
After listening to Chu Ning, Yu Changge's expression became more solemn.
"If there are indeed so many powerful Beyond World Demons, Nascent Soul-level and above cultivators still have the power to protect themselves.
But for Nascent Soul-level and below cultivators..."
Yu Changge's face showed concern.
"Of course, I still need to confirm this further.
This time, I captured a Beyond World Demon's demonic soul. I want to see if I can force it to reveal something and verify the authenticity of some information I obtained earlier.
Additionally, I have made plans for the safety of the sect's cultivators."
Chu Ning then told Yu Changge about his plan to craft the Ethereal Key.
Yu Changge was delighted to know that Chu Ning possessed such a secret technique.
When he heard that Chu Ning lacked two types of crafting materials, Yu Changge immediately took out a Storage Pouch and said, "When we came out of Demon Mountain, led by Senior Brother Huo, many cultivators gave our sect a lot of heavenly materials.
As a token of gratitude for saving your life, Junior Brother.
We've used some of the materials in recent years.
However, there are quite a few materials that even I, your foolish brother, don't recognize. Take a look and see if you have these materials."
As he spoke, Yu Changge poured out the materials from the Storage Pouch.
(End of Chapter)
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