Translated By – DemonKiller
Checked and Edited By – Livewidsmile
Proofread By – DemonKiller
Please do not host our works anywhere else without our permission.
Chapter 0424: The Conspiracy of the Spiritual Vein
"So that was the case. No wonder my Rainbow Fall Sword Sect's Grand Elder Taoist Xi perished because of it." Ning Cheng could glean from that one sentence that Tan Yun at least had an inkling of who was behind all this; as such, he also decided not to conceal this matter.
"Actually, the news of Shattered Canopy Mountains containing the Spiritual Vein is real."
As Tan Yun spoke, her eyes were carefully scrutinising Ning Cheng. When she saw Ning Cheng's calm expression, she couldn't help but ask in doubt, "Did you already know about this matter?"
Ning Cheng gave a smile, "The elders of my Rainbow Fall Sword Sect might be old, but they are not idiots. If the information about the Spiritual Vein was false, then how could my Rainbow Fall Sword Sect dispatch four Grand Elder Taoists investigate it?"
"Yes. However, the fact is that many already know about the news that the Shattered Canopy Mountains containing the Spiritual Vein. At the same time, there is actually no one who knows where exactly that Spiritual Vein is located. The Shattered Canopy Mountains stretch out for several millions of miles and is one of the three largest mountain ranges within the Tian Continent. Moreover, Natural Restrictions and caves of monstrous beasts are everywhere within the Shattered Canopy Mountains. It is definitely not easy to find a Spiritual Vein concealed within a Natural Array Formation." Tan Yun acknowledged it and spoke.
"If that is the case, then I don't know why Senior Apprentice Sister Tan wants to look for my help."
"This time, there is someone who is fairly confident in finding the approximate location of the Spiritual Vein within the Shattered Canopy Mountains. When the time comes, there would definitely be many people who would want to snatch it, for this reason, I hope to cooperate with Sect Master Ning to get a slice of the pie."
Ning Cheng gave a smile, "Senior Apprentice Sister Tan, I'm just a cultivator at the early stages of Sea Opening Realm. While you are a cultivator at the 1st Level Sea Opening Realm, which is even lower than me. Even if I have the capability of killing ordinary Crucible Transformation Cultivators, how could you think that we would be able to snatch that Spiritual Vein from the hands of so many people? Moreover, doesn't your Great Change Island have many Crucible Transformation Cultivators among your ranks? Even if my relationship with Senior Apprentice Sister Tan turns into that of long-term friends, I would never believe that Senior Apprentice Sister Tan would show more confidence in me compared to the Crucible Transformation Cultivators from your own Great Change Island. After all, one would naturally be more inclined to trust their own people."
Ning Cheng had nothing to hide. This was a fact, even if he were even more powerful, at most, he would be equivalent to a Crucible Transformation Cultivator. The Great Change Island would definitely have a lot more powerful cultivators among their ranks. So why would Tan Yun bring trouble on herself by asking for his help? Why would she choose to share such an enticing benefit with someone like him? Therefore, he decided not to ask her about the person who she said was capable of divining the location of the Spiritual Vein.
Tan Yun seemed to know that Ning Cheng would definitely bring up this kind of questions. Therefore, she spoke up with a sigh, "The truth is I did not want to divulge any information of this in my academy. If my father, the Academy Head, was still in the academy then let alone the Red Star Sword Faction, even if Jian Jun had an even fiercer backing, my Great Change Island would still be able to force the Red Star Sword Faction to hand over Jiang Jun."
"Unfortunately, I cannot make those old geezers listen to me. I can only depend on myself to accomplish my revenge. Furthermore, I would have to share most of the Spiritual Vein, if we managed to obtain it, with the academy's Crucible Transformation Elders……"
Tan Yun did not continue; however, Ning Cheng already understood what the opposite party meant. The Great Change Island seemed to be not a monolithic entity unlike what he previously thought, so although Jiang Jun killed Tan Yun's little sister Tan Yushan and was even presented with ironclad proof, the Great Change Island was unexpectedly still unable to force the Red Star Sword Faction to hand over Jiang Jun. This showed that there was definitely something odd going on at the inside. Tan Yun's cultivation was also not up to par, so since the academy did not reach an agreement internally over this matter, it would be normal for her to feel powerless.
Once Tan Yun requested the elders within her academy for help in acquiring the Spiritual Vein; first, let alone if they could obtain the Spiritual Veins, even if they were able to get it, a majority of it would go into the pockets of the academy and the elders. Tan Yun wanted to take revenge with her own hands; as such, she had to obtain the Spiritual Vein by herself.
However, Tan Yun's words also somewhat disappointed Ning Cheng. He had hoped that when he decided to attack the Red Star Sword Faction in the future, the Great Change Island might provide him with some help, at least from the side. Nevertheless, he did not expect the Great Change Island to turn out this fragile from the inside.
If any of the Red Star Sword Faction dared to kill his Rainbow Fall Sword Sect's disciples. Combined with ironclad evidence, Ning Cheng definitely would do everything in his power to force the Red Star Sword Faction to hand over the culprit. Even if the other party chose not to hand them over, he would definitely, at the very least, issue a public statement to completely annihilate the Red Star Sword Academy in the future.
In contrast to his side, the Great Change Island was indeed weak. No wonder Tan Yun had to forcefully advance to the Sea Opening 1st Level. She had to take revenge for her little sister, for that she could only rely on herself.
Seeing Ning Cheng somewhat disappointed, Tan Yun continued with her words, "Your cultivation is higher than mine own, and are already equivalent to a Crucible Transformation Cultivator. This time, although I am the one who brought this news, you can be the main force. Regardless of how much of the Spiritual Vein we manage to obtain, I only want one-third of it, you can keep the rest of it."
"I see. You spoke about someone who can find that Spiritual Vein. How did you come to know about that?" Ning Cheng already had decided to collaborate with Tan Yun. Tan Yun, at least, was not corrupt at her heart nor was she greedy, only asking for a third of the share. If she spoke about dividing the rewards equally, then perhaps Ning Cheng would not have agreed to it.
"How I came to know about it, I would not be able to tell you. What I can tell you is that it is the Tian Continent's Foremost Array Formation Grand Master Wu Mao. This time, three Crucible Transformation Cultivators sought him out; currently, they are preparing to collaborate to seek out that Spiritual Vein. After they found it, they would divide the Spiritual Vein into five portions, out of which Wu Mao would take two. As far as the cooperation between us is concerned, we only have to follow them in secret." Tan Yun spoke out in affirmation.
"Good, then I agree to it. When are we going to leave?" Ning Cheng spoke as he could feel that Tan Yun was not lying; at the very least, what she spoke contained the scent of truth.
As for this person called Wu Mao, Ning Cheng had already heard of him as being the foremost Array Formation Grand Master of the Tian Continent. He understood that he could already arrange Rank 9 Array Formations. Moreover, his strength was also quite high, with his cultivation at the Crucible Transformation 4th Level.
"We should go now, and conceal ourselves within the Shattered Canopy Mountains. After Wu Mao arrives with the others, we can then proceed to track them in secret." Tan Yun spoke without hesitation.
Shattered Canopy Mountains, as its name suggested, this vast mountain range covered up almost everything.
[TL Note - Shattered Canopy Mountains (盖零山) can also be interpreted as Canopy Fragment Mountain, which can be transliterated to 'A canopy that covers almost everything below it.']
Some rogue cultivators roamed around looking for lower-levelled monstrous beasts and spiritual grasses within the Shattered Canopy Mountains' edges. Beastly roars emerged from time to time coming from the deeper areas of the mountain range. At the same time, Ning Cheng's Spiritual Consciousness started to get severely restricted within this area.
After Ning Cheng arrived here, he finally understood why the top-levelled cultivators were not able to find the Spiritual Vein in this place. From the looks of it, wanting to find Spiritual Vein in an area like this was extremely difficult.
It apparently was not the first time for Tan Yun to come to the Shattered Canopy Mountains. Being familiar with the place, she was able to lead Ning Cheng to the specific position in just a day's time. At the same time, they also did not encounter any monstrous beasts along the way.
"We'll be hiding in here." Tan Yun stopped in front of a massive swath of thistles and spoke.
"How do you know that they would come through here? The Shattered Canopy Mountains are simply too vast. If they do not come here, wouldn't all our work be in vain?" Ning Cheng asked in doubt.
"They will surely be going through this area, from the news that I obtained they would be meeting at the entrance of the Blind Gorge. The entrance to the Blind Gorge lies in front of our hiding spot. Our cultivations currently are slightly worse, so we have no choice but to hold our breaths and conceal ourselves in this spot. We cannot be too close to the actual meeting point."
After saying that, Tan Yun took out a pill and handed it to Ning Cheng. "This is a Form Changing Pill. It can help in changing a person's appearance and aura for twelve hours. This pill is something scarce, so once those people locate the Spiritual Vein, we can then go and grab it before leaving. As long as you are able to stall them for a dozen breaths, I have enough confidence to harvest a part of the Spiritual Vein, before we meet up at our previously agreed place."
Form Changing Pills were Rank 7 Pills and were something very precious for someone like Tan Yun. However, Ning Cheng currently had a bottle full of it inside his storage ring. Nevertheless, he still accepted Tan Yun's Forma Changing Pill and spoke, "Will you be using talismans to make your escape?"
Tan Yun nodded, "Yes, I can only escape alone. I believe that once the Spiritual Vein appears, those people would primarily focus on the Spiritual Vein; as such, there is a high chance that there would be a brief period where they would not focus on you. That would be the best moment for you to make your escape. Of course, if you feel that I would not be able to accomplish it, then you can also choose to withdraw right now."
"No need for that, I have already agreed to it. Since I will be the one to take claim of the larger portion, then, of course, the risk that I would have to shoulder would also be comparatively large." Ning Cheng spoke out without hesitation. He possessed the Twin Wings of the Heavenly Clouds; therefore, if several Crucible Transformation Cultivators decided to besiege him, and if he was not able to make his escape, then he should really go and find soft tofu to bash his head with and commit suicide.
After Ning Cheng and Tan Yun concealed themselves under the patch of thistles, the surroundings once again returned to their previous tranquillity. As the day passed, there wasn't a single person's shadow that arrived at the Blind Gorge pointed out by Tan Yun. Even monstrous beasts did not pass through there.
The second day passed by, even the third day passed by but Ning Cheng was still not in a hurry. Not to say about hiding for three days, if Ning Cheng had to hide in this location for 30 days, he did not mind it. However, Tan Yun found it somewhat difficult to bear it. It was reasonable to say that someone would come over the next day. However, it was already the third day and was approaching the fourth day. If they haven't arrived by this time, then wasn't it possible that Wu Mao and the others had already left?
Just when Tan Yun was about to send a sound transmission to Ning Cheng, Ning Cheng immediately made a hand gesture, causing Tan Yun to quickly give up on her idea of sending a Sound Transmission. She even held her breath. Tan Yun soon discovered that there was an additional layer of concealment over her body. She immediately realised that Ning Cheng did not have much faith in her Concealment Technique, thereby helping her by putting on an additional layer of concealment over her.
Ning Cheng honestly did not have much faith in Tan Yun's Concealment Technique. They were currently very close to the Blind Gorge, while he could detect a slight bit of Tan Yun's aura that overflowed outside. He also did not want to engage against four Crucible Transformation Cultivators at this moment.
After a few breaths, two Taoist shadows descended at the entrance to the Blind Gorge. After these two Taoist shadows landed, they immediately swept out with their Spiritual Consciousness.
Feeling the powerful Spiritual Consciousness, Ning Cheng felt a slight pang of danger in his heart. Luckily, he helped Tan Yun by placing an additional layer of concealment over her. At this time, Ning Cheng did not have the time to observe the appearance of these two cultivators or their cultivations. Although he did believe that they would not discover his Spiritual Consciousness, he did not want to do such a meaningless thing. Observing the opposite party when they already had their attention focussed, if they ended up discovered, then it would only be their loss.
The two Spiritual Consciousnesses apparently did not care about such a matter as they swept through a broad swath, including the area where Ning Cheng and Tan Yun were hiding, before quickly recalling them back. These two people did not have to wait for long when another Taoist shadow descended. The three of them then exchanged a few words with each other, before another Taoist shadow landed after an incense-stick worth of time.
After the four of them met up, they only exchange a handful of words before they immediately entered the Bling Gorge.
Ning Cheng did not follow them immediately. Instead, he sent a Sound Transmission to Tan Yun. "You will have to wait for some time before following me inside; don't go beyond ten steps from me. At the same time, you better not use your Spiritual Consciousness to track those four people, just track my movements."
Actually, Ning Cheng very much wanted to make Tan Yun walk away from this place. He would be able to track them by himself, but he also knew that Tan Yun would not only not leave, but it would also become an issue of trust between the two of them.
"Yes, I know." Tan Yun replied without hesitation. She secretly rejoiced that she decided to look for Ning Cheng's help. Although she had confidence in her Concealment Methods and her cultivation, if she had not brought along Ning Cheng, even if not found hiding in here, she wouldn’t be able to track the previous four people.
Ning Cheng cautiously used his Spiritual Consciousness. Although he currently possessed the cultivation of Sea Opening 3rd Level, his Spiritual Consciousness, however, was not on the same level as the Spiritual Consciousness of other Sea Opening Realm Cultivators. Moreover, because of the Mysterious Yellow Formless Cultivation Method, his Spiritual Consciousness had changed into something almost formless and invisible. Tracking the four Crucible Transformation Cultivators, as long as he was careful, there would be no problem.
However, what made Ning Cheng a bit surprised was that he knew one of the people within the group of four. It was a beautiful looking woman, Sang Jiezhu of the Floating Snow Palace. This Sang Jiezhu was the Seventh Palace Master of the Floating Snow Palace. She was the one who came following the one from the Severing Emotions Dao Sect to forge a relationship with him. This woman wanted Yin Kongchan to marry him.
Among the other three, one was a middle-aged cultivator, with his cultivation at the Crucible Transformation 6th Level along with a short and thin looking man, with his cultivation at the Crucible Transformation 5th Level. However, it was the fourth person that caught the attention of Ning Cheng. A cultivator with a red face held a compass in his hand. He also possessed the cultivation of Crucible Transformation 4th Level. Ning Cheng could guess from this person's gestures and his continuous actions of throwing out Array Flags, that this person must be none other than the Tian Continent's Foremost Array Formation Grand Master, Wu Mao.
Translated By – DemonKiller
Checked and Edited By – Livewidsmile
Proofread By – DemonKiller
Please do not host our works anywhere else without our permission.
Chapter 0425: What's The Matter
Although there seemed to be a certain distance between Wu Mao and the others; however, what made Ning Cheng somewhat puzzled was that the Spiritual Consciousness of these four people rarely paid any attention to the surrounding situation.
Ning Cheng quickly understood what was going on. This Sang Jiezhu trio was helping Wu Mao with their Spiritual Consciousness. Although these three were not Array Formation Masters, Wu Mao still needed the assistance of their Spiritual Consciousness. With just the Spiritual Consciousness of Wu Mao alone, it was still not possible to divine the location of the Spiritual Veins.
Knowing that the remaining three people had no choice but to assist Wu Mao with their Spiritual Consciousness, Ning Cheng felt his courage grow slightly. He not only began carefully tracking Wu Mao and the others with his Spiritual Consciousness but also observed Wu Mao's gestures and the Array Flags that he threw out from time to time with his Spiritual Consciousness.
As time passed, Ning Cheng became more and more admiring of Wu Mao's abilities. This person was far better than he was regarding arranging Array Flags or understanding Array Formations. Moreover, the compass in Wu Mao's hands was probably not a simple one. With his Array Formations providing a supplementary effect, he would be able to zero in on the principal direction in which the Spiritual Veins lay concealed.
Ning Cheng immediately immersed himself into Wu Mao's Cloth Array Methods wholeheartedly. He unexpectedly even felt a hint of enlightenment. This Spirit Seeking Grand Array was a lot more complicated than the vast Mountain Protecting Grand Array.
At this time, Tan Yun suddenly caught hold of him. Ning Cheng felt startled in his heart and immediately stopped. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and knew that Tan Yun bore no killing intent towards him; as such, had not instinctively struck out.
Tan Yun did not dare to send out a Sound Transmission, nor could she open her mouth to talk. Instead, she hinted at Ning Cheng with an anxious look in her eyes.
Ning Cheng already understood the meaning from Tan Yun's look, that is, he was currently too close to track them. However, Ning Cheng actually felt his heart turning a little jumpy, he had a feeling that it was probably not because he got too close during tracking.
Ning Cheng did not continue with tracking them. The four people who had jointly arranged the Array Formation in front of them were getting farther and farther away from Ning Cheng. After a full hour, Ning Cheng beckoned Tan Yun to carefully follow him out to their original position.
"Huff…." Ning Cheng slowly sighed, before speaking in a whisper like voice, "I will have to thank you for your help just now."
He had ended up sinking into the Cloth Array Method employed by Wu Mao and for a moment forgot what he came here to do. If not for the sudden interruption from Tan Yun, he might not have been able to wake up that suddenly. Wu Mao was an Array Formation Grand Master; moreover, he was inside one of the Array Formations that he set up. Even if Ning Cheng duo were just tracking them, if continued in that manner, they would have undoubtedly discovered him. There was also the case that he felt a little bit frightened with Wu Mao's methods, that was because Wu Mao actually added a carefully hidden Contact Array within his Spiritual Seeking Array Formation.
If he continued to follow Wu Mao's Cloth Array, as long as Wu Mao completed the Contact Array, Wu Mao would be the first one to discover him.
"It's all right. I felt that we were tracking that group a bit too close." Tan Yun could not detect the Contact Array.
"Your luck truly is good. It is not the issue of being too close, but that Wu Mao person is truly cautious. In the Spiritual Seeking Array that he is setting up inside, he even added a concealed Contact Array. Once his Contact Array is completed, we would have surely been discovered."
Tan Yun's complexion changed immediately, and was only able to speak up after a while with a little fear in her voice, "Fortunately, I came to ask you for help; otherwise, I might have not even known how I ended up dead."
"Don't worry, since I could detect his Contact Array, then it would absolutely be impossible for him to want to deceive me." Ning Cheng gave a sneer as he spoke.
Wu Mao's attainments in Array Formations indeed turned out much higher compared to his own; however, he had his own advantages. He did not have to rely on Cloth Arrays; at the same time, he could also avoid Wu Mao's Array Formations while tracking them.
"Junior Apprentice Sister Yan Ji, if you started cultivating in my Floating Snow Palace from the beginning, I guess you would have become one of the youngest Crucible Transformation Cultivators in the Tian Continent. Your qualifications truly are impressive" After observing Yan Ji's speed of absorbing Spiritual Qi and also her efficiency of transforming the Spiritual Qi, Yin Kongchan couldn't help but speak out with an emotion-filled voice as she held onto Yan Ji's hand.
Yan Ji quickly replied, "Senior Apprentice Sister Yin overpraises me. My qualification only improved because of some chance encounters in the past. Although my cultivation speed in the past was not slow, it cannot also be called outstanding."
Yin Kongchan nodded, "Whatever the cause, it is your own strength that matters in the end. What's more, you currently also have an outstanding appearance. If it continues like this for a few more years, you will certainly become famous throughout the Tian Continent. Junior Apprentice Sister Ji, I suggest that when the time comes for you to choose a master, then I hope that you choose the Seventh Palace Master. The Seventh Palace Master is currently out, she will definitely return with a bountiful harvest. We, as her disciples, would also be able to profit at someone else's expense at that time."
Yan Ji's complexion turned red as she spoke, "Senior Apprentice Sister Yin truly over-praises me. My beauty is too rough when compared to Senior Apprentice Sister Yin. As for choosing a master, would I be even qualified for such a thing by myself….."
Yan Ji's thoughts obviously were not what she was currently conveying through her mouth. When she spoke, her complexion was somewhat coy, as if she was embarrassed to say whatever she actually wanted to say.
"Junior Apprentice Sister Ji, what do you have to say? We will later be officially sisters from the same sect. If you have something to say, then just state it out directly." Yin Kongchan didn't like conversing with outsiders much. However, she had a naturally favourable impression towards Yan Ji.
Yan Ji's courage finally shot up a little and spoke, "Senior Apprentice Sister Yin, I, I actually want to inquire about a person from you….."
Yin Kongchan was a woman herself. When she saw Yan Ji's shy face and felt Yan Ji's heartbeat suddenly accelerating, she immediately knew what was going on. She gave a smile and spoke, "I don't know who that person is, but for him to make Junior Apprentice Sister Ji adore that fellow, that fellow truly was born with great luck."
Yan Ji also knew that there was no point in hiding her thoughts now, so she spoke up, "Senior Apprentice Sister Yin, I heard people say that you and Ning Cheng are quite familiar with each other. The person that I wanted to inquire about, is actually Ning Cheng, and where is he currently….."
"Him?" Yin Kongchan on hearing the two words 'Ning Cheng' suddenly felt somewhat absent-minded. An outline of an indistinct face appeared in front of her; however, the one thing that she could never forget about was the pair of eyes. The pair of eyes that looked at her. It was as if those eyes were looking straight into her heart. So much that she would even ignore his slightly inclined sword like eyebrows, and the straight bridge of his nose.
If one discussed his handsomeness, then she had met many young men who were far more handsome compared to Ning Cheng. However, Ning Cheng was the only one to leave an eternal impression in her heart, not because of his outstanding redeeming qualities, but because of his eyes. His eyes were like the windows to the starry sky, as if it could encompass virtually anything and everything within them. One would be able to see many things from his eyes as if there was just nothing in the world that could hide from the gaze of those eyes.
It's not that his eyes were windows to the actual starry sky, but rather a window to him alone. Because of having such a feeling, Yin Kongchan never dared to look into his eyes. That's right; she did not dare to look into his eyes. It felt like even her most profound thoughts in the deepest corners of her heart would lay bare if she glanced into Ning Cheng's eyes.
"Senior Apprentice Sister Yin….." Yan Ji asked once again. She had just asked if she knew where Ning Cheng currently was, and if Yin Kongchan had told that she didn't know about it, it wouldn't have mattered much to her. However, looking at Senior Apprentice Sister Yin's appearance being a little strange, didn't it mean that Senior Apprentice Yin might also have similar thoughts like her own? That shouldn't be possible, or was it?
"Oh, yes, I know Ning Cheng. Xu Yingdei from the Severing Emotions Dao Sect plotted against him because of which he had to escape far away from the Yi Xing Mainland." Yin Kongchan was not aware that Ning Cheng had not only returned but also had returned with a mighty Spiritual Might. She just knew about Ning Cheng ending up forced to go to the Sifting Orchid Star; however, she did not want to speak about this matter with Yan Ji. If she told this to Yan Ji, then it would bring no help for Yan Ji at all. The Sifting Orchid Star was just too dangerous. Although going there was easy, but coming back would prove to be extremely difficult.
"Xu Yingdei?" Yan Ji repeated those words once again. Although it had been a long time since she arrived at the Tian Continent; however, she did not know that Ning Cheng had come to the Tian Continent even earlier than her and therefore had never heard of the feats performed by Ning Cheng until a few days ago. Let alone her, even the cultivator groups from the Le Continent that came with and before her were aware that the Tian Continent contained even more dangers than their homes. As such, they rarely went out to look around. Thus it was only natural that most of them were still unaware of the matters relating to Ning Cheng.
"Yes, Xu Yingdei is the True Inheriting Disciple of the Severing Emotions Dao Sect. After this woman used Ning Cheng to sever her emotions, she also used that chance to plot against Ning Cheng…"
"Is Senior Apprentice Brother Ning all right?" Not waiting for Yin Kongchan to finish her, Yan Ji immediately interrupted her with a panicked voice, causing Yin Kongchan to be startled.
Yin Kongchan shook her head and spoke, "I don't know. I heard that Xu Yingdei's master Shi Qionghua managed to save Ning Cheng. Later, she and Ning Cheng became Dao Companions, before both of them left the Yi Xing Mainland."
"Senior Apprentice Brother Ning got married?" Yan Ji suddenly found herself going weak. She wanted to forcefully uplift her spirits but found it utterly impossible.
Yin Kongchan gave a sigh before grabbing Yan Ji's hand and speaking out softly, "Junior Apprentice Sister Ji, fate is something that is very difficult to change. If it were in your fate then it would happen; if not, then such a thing would never happen. Although Ning Cheng can be considered good, in the future, if we can get out of the Yi Xing Mainland, we might discover that there are a lot many better than him……"
Yan Ji tried to calm down her voice before speaking, "Senior Apprentice Sister Yin, you misunderstood my meaning….."
She was not looking for Ning Cheng to become Dao Companions with him; instead, it was because she must search for Ning Cheng. Senior Apprentice Sister Yin would never be able to understand what she meant.
Yin Kongchan gave another sigh; she wanted to very much say, "I did not misunderstand your meaning." However, she knew that these words would not be appropriate in this place.
"Senior Apprentice Sister Yin, I want to go into seclusion to attack the boundary to the Soul Sculpting Realm. Once I am able to reach the Soul Sculpting Realm, only then would will I come out to acknowledge a master." As Yan Ji spoke those words, she had already returned to her usual composure.
This was already the eleventh day for Ning Cheng and Tan Yun to continue tracking Wu Mao. Even though Ning Cheng's Spiritual Consciousness was dominating, he still felt tired. However, the Wu Mao quartet that they were following seemed to have forgotten the concept of being tired and was continuously throwing out Array Flags.
Ning Cheng's way of tracking was different from the methods others used to track. He not only was proficient in Array Formations, but he was also a Tier 7 Array Formation Grand Master. He not only could trace others, but he could also detect any kind of trace of Spiritual Scent from Wu Mao's Spiritual Seeking Array.
Even if a tiny bit of Spiritual Scent appeared in the Array Formation, Ning Cheng would immediately detect it.
At this moment, Ning Cheng suddenly caught an unexpected Spiritual Scent. This was not the Spiritual Qi Scent from Spirit Stones. Although it was a vague one, he could immediately determine that this definitely was the scent from the Spiritual Vein.
He immediately stopped, while his heart was madly beating in his chest. He did not expect that Wu Mao would actually possess such a great skill. He really was able to find the Spiritual Vein. Not only did he locate it, but also his speed of determining it was too swift.
Tan Yun on seeing Ning Cheng stop also stopped right behind him.
Ning Cheng did not move at all from his spot. The Spiritual Vein seemed hidden in the ground. Moreover, it was through this Spiritual Seeking Array that he was able to find a trace of this Spiritual Scent. Wu Mao could have definitely entered the ground following this faint scent and even locate the specific location of the Spiritual Vein. At this time, not to mention Wu Mao, if it were any other person tracking them, they would also be able to find the Spiritual Vein's position based on the hint of Spiritual Scent that they perceived.
Ning Cheng was waiting for Wu Mao to actually start looking for the Spiritual Vein, but found that Wu Mao didn't seem to have discovered it. He continued exploring ahead. Sang Jiezhu and the others apparently were not Array Formation masters and were not able to detect this faint Spiritual Scent from the Spiritual Seeing Array. As Wu Mao was still moving forward, the three of them also moved forward together with him.
What's all this about? Ning Cheng suddenly found himself frozen in spot. This Array Formation was something that Wu Mao had personally arranged, yet since he could discover the scent of the Spiritual Vein, there was no reason why Wu Mao could not detect it. Why was he behaving as if he did not find anything?
Translated By – DemonKiller
Checked and Edited By – Livewidsmile
Proofread By – DemonKiller
Please do not host our works anywhere else without our permission.
Chapter 0426: Who is the cannon fodder
This thought had just crossed Ning Cheng's mind when Ning Cheng suddenly understood something. Wu Mao wanted to take sole possession of the Spiritual Vein. After he found the location of the Spiritual Vein, he not only did not stop but also continued to lead the rest of the group. It showed that he did not have any intention to split the Spiritual Vein with the others.
Quite the cunning fellow; however, even if you were the most cunning fellow in this world, you still would have to drink this father's foot-washing water.
"What's wrong?" Tan Yun carefully asked with a Sound Transmission.
"That Wu Mao already found the scent of the Spiritual Vein; however, he is pretending to have not found it yet. This situation is truly the best for us. Once they walked away from this place, we can then grab it and leave….." Ning Cheng did not hide anything from Tan Yun. To do the dirty work of another villain, although Tan Yun and Ning Cheng were cooperating with each other, the thoughts of the two of them were not too distant from each other. Moreover, Ning Cheng also did not intend to pit himself against Tan Yun.
However, Ning Cheng's words had still not finished, when he suddenly stopped talking. He could vaguely feel that something was wrong.
Tan Yun was pleasantly surprised. Just when she was about to speak, she suddenly heard a sound transmission from Ning Cheng, "Senior Apprentice Sister Tan, I feel that something is wrong. If I were him, after I discovered the Spiritual Vein's scent, even if I want to monopolise ……"
Ning Cheng's words suddenly came to a pause before he immediately spoke up in affirmation, "Senior Apprentice Sister Tan, Wu Mao is a Tier 9 Array Formation Grand Master, with cultivation even higher than my own. After discovering the Spiritual Vein, he not only did not check the surrounding situation, he did not even sweep out with his Spiritual Consciousness, which already had intertwined with the Spiritual Consciousness of others. This is certainly not normal, huh……"
"What's the matter?" Tan Yun asked in a quiver. She could also feel that this matter was going extremely smoothly
"So that's why." Ning Cheng's expression turned cold.
He had always been wondering about the Spiritual Seeking Array that Wu Mao had been arranging all the way until now. Mainly since many pairs of Array Flags could be directly replaced by a single one. Initially, he did not care about it; after all, he was extremely confident in his Mysterious Yellow Formless. Something that helped him in triggering the part of his brain to solve things by itself. For others to be unable to compare to him, it was quite reasonable.
However, at this moment, he finally understood that he was indeed too arrogant. Wu Mao's unnecessary Array Flags, they were not arranged without any reason at all. It was something that he could trigger at any time, forming a Forbidden Space Array Formation in the shortest possible time.
As those thoughts linked with each other, Ning Cheng knew that this fellow had already discovered him and Tan Yun. It was just that Wu Mao and the others had not begun yet. Once he snatched up the Spiritual Vein from them, he could then focus on killing him and Tan Yun in one fell swoop.
There were many kinds of Forbidden Space Array Formations, with Wu Mao's Array Formation expertise; he would definitely be able to lock in Tan Yun from running away using talismans.
"Senior Apprentice Sister Tan. Do you believe in me?" Ning Cheng did not explain these things and directly asked.
Tan Yun spoke out without any hesitation, "Sect Master Ning, if I didn't believe in you, then I wouldn't have chosen to cooperate with you. It would be better to not ask such words again."
"Good, then I will have to ask Senior Apprentice Sister Tan to leave this place immediately as quietly as possible; at the same time, rush out of the Shattered Canopy Mountains at your maximum speed. Three months later, we will meet at the Heavenly Dao Public Square. If I managed to obtain the Spiritual Vein by then, I would ensure that one-third of it reaches Senior Apprentice Sister Tan." Ning Cheng spoke out bluntly.
Tan Yun also did not speak any nonsense before replying, "Okay, let's go with that."
Tan Yun did not even ask about the reason and agreed directly to whatever he said.
Ning Cheng also felt very satisfied with Tan Yun's attitude. He took out a jade bottle and handed it to Tan Yun before speaking, "This is a small gift for Senior Apprentice Sister Tan in light of our cooperation. Senior Apprentice Sister Tan's cultivation progress has been too quick, causing your foundation to become shaky. You would require the assistance of this thing to resolve it."
"Spiritual Enhancement True Nectar!" Tan Yun's Spiritual Consciousness immediately swept inside before she spoke out in a surprised voice. She initially intended to buy it from Ning Cheng, especially since her foundation was indeed unstable. She never expected that Ning Cheng would actually present it to her.
Tan Yun was not one who was fond of idle talk. Taking the Spiritual Enhancement True Nectar and partaking with a word of caution, she immediately began tracing her steps back the way she came in following Ning Cheng.
After Tan Yun left, Ning Cheng did not immediately start. He still kept observing the Array Flags left behind by Wu Mai. If he ended up surrounded by four Crucible Transformation Cultivators, although he might not die he would still lose a layer of skin.
After a while, Ning Cheng gave out a sigh. He discovered that he indeed hadn't been careful enough before. This Array Formation did not just contain a Forbidden Space Array Formation; once activated, it would also link up with a chain of concealed Annihilation Array Formations.
If he lost himself to carelessness, knowing that the other person already discovered his traces, combined with his heart not being calm enough, he would have never observed these minute details.
Once he went in to actually seek out the Spiritual Vein, Wu Dao would surely 'find' him, before the four of them besieged him. In that case, the Spiritual Seeking Array Formation laid out by Wu Dao, would also end up completely destroyed, causing the location of the Spiritual Vein to also disappear.
Such good insurance.
No, that's not right. Ning Cheng once again found a few problems with this thought. Wu Mao discovering him definitely was a fact. However, when it came to Wu Mao requiring him dead, why must he take off his pants to fart? Couldn't he just arrange a Destruction Array Formation?
Ning Cheng definitely was an intelligent person even before he started cultivating, not to mention with his present cultivation when he had already fused with the Mysterious Yellow Origin. In just a short time, Ning Cheng thought through what was going on.
The Spiritual Scent that he discovered a moment ago most likely was false, something that Wu Mao deliberately made him feel. However, the real scent of the Spiritual Veins, Wu Mao had already long since discovered it; however, Ning Cheng could not find it. As if everything was in wait for Wu Mao to begin. Once Wu Mao completed his arrangements, the Spiritual Seeking Array Formation that he set up would also disappear.
Although the Spiritual Seeking Array Formation set up by Wu Mao would disappear, but Wu Mao would already know the actual position of the Spiritual Vein. After 'taking care' of him, combined with the 'destruction' of the Spiritual Seeing Array Formation, Wu Mao could then use the excuse of being 'too tired' to 'return at a later date.'
The next time, he would definitely be the only person to come over. Wu Mao wanted to have sole possession of the Spiritual Vein, as for the others, they were just cannon fodders to be used when needed. Using the excuse of Tan Yun and him destroying his Spiritual Seeking Array, and then using the 'rightful' reason of going back to replenish his reserves, Sang Jiezhu and the others would also not be able to blame him.
Evidently, this Wu Mao had long since discovered Tan Yun and his traces. This person indeed was a crafty son-of-bitch, worthy of being the premier Grand Master of the Tian Continent. Not only was he crafty, but his machinations were also genuinely uncommon. Even if he just possessed an intelligent head, and not an Array Formation Grand Master himself, Ning Cheng knew that he would have undoubtedly fallen to his person's machinations.
Ning Cheng did not move from his initial position. However, his Spiritual Consciousness, which carefully tracked Wu Mao and the others, focussed on carefully searching the path behind him that he followed. He affirmed that the place that he walked through until now undoubtedly contained signs of the real scent of the Spiritual Vein.
At this time, Ning Cheng did not dare to keep following Wu Mao. Among the four people walking in front of him, only Wu Mao knew that someone was tracking them. If he remained motionless, then Wu Mao would also not be able to continue making up excuses to move forward. However, if Ning Cheng continued to walk forward, Wu Mao would eventually take the opportunity to say that someone was trying to follow them before immediately initiating the destruction of his Spiritual Seeking Array Formation in secret.
Because Ning Cheng's Spiritual Consciousness was carefully sweeping over the path behind him, Ning Cheng's understanding slowly started to solidify. After just a half an incense stick worth of time, Ning Cheng found a different location where the Array Flags were in a slightly offset position.
During the arrangement of Array Formations, it would not affect the overall situation if he placed a handful of Array Flags in a slightly offset position, which was because, once he laid out the Spiritual Seeking Array, one would still be able to deduce the general location. However, for an Array Formation arranged by someone on the level of Wu Mao, how could he arrange the Array Flags in this manner?
On reaching this location, Ning Cheng immediately set down his resolve. If this location did not turn out to be the real one, then he can only grumble to himself of being inferior to that wily old fox, Wu Mao. It would also mean that this Spiritual Vein was not fated for him.
As Ning Cheng retreated all the way to that location, he continued dropping several Array Flags. When he arrived at the site of this deviant Array Flag, he did not hesitate to place even more of his Array Flags around it.
At this moment, just as Ning Cheng dropped down the last Spiritual Guiding Array Flag, Ning Cheng immediately felt a vague Spiritual Scent. Ning Cheng's heart immediately filled up with ecstasy. He really had not guessed it wrong; it really was in this location.
Looks like Wu Mao still looked down on him. If he had not looked down on him, then this person would have definitely placed a few more Spiritual Guiding Array Flags to create more confusion. Making it even more difficult for the others to locate it.
If one wanted to turn someone into cannon fodder, one first had to think like cannon fodder. Ning Cheng affirmed that as long as he took this Spiritual Vein away, then Wu Mao would not be able to escape the role of cannon fodder. The other three were also not complete fools and would be able to guess with a 100% accuracy as to why such a thing happened.
Ning Cheng did not think of anything else. Putting away his Spiritual Guiding Array Flags, he used the Earth Escape Technique to immediately disappear from that location.
"Not good, we were being tracked." Wu Mao, on feeling that Ning Cheng escaped into the ground, immediately grew anxious. It was just as Ning Cheng thought, as long as Ning Cheng followed the fake Spiritual Scent that he planted, he would have been able to immediately expose Ning Cheng. Then pitting the others against each other, he could then make them kill Ning Cheng before destroying all his previous traces, using a 'just and upright' tactic.
However, to his astonishment, the person who followed them actually managed to find the actual location of the Spiritual Vein. How could he tolerate such a thing? He worked hard by himself, only to end up treated as bridal robes gifted to others.
"What?" Wu Mao's words immediately shocked the other three. The only reason why Wu Mao was willing to cooperate with them was due to the trio expending significant efforts to find the general direction of the Spiritual Vein. If someone tracked them, then wouldn't it be equivalent to them using bamboo baskets to fetch water?
However, the three of them did not think much, immediately following Wu Mao's lead to rush towards the location from where Ning Cheng disappeared. At the same time, the three of them also vanished underground, along with Wu Mao, using their own Earth Escape Techniques.
As for Ning Cheng, he sank deeper and deeper using his own Earth Escape Technique; at the same time, the scent of the Spiritual Vein also grew clearer. Ning Cheng also felt extreme anxiety in his heart, as he could feet that Wu Mao and the others were quickly catching up to him.
Author Note:
(Third update delivered, good night friends!)
Regarding the plot direction, requesting monthly ticket support if convenient.
This one, along with today, is the 12th day of three chapters; this number is genuinely minimal for us. Old Five is here to ask forgiveness from the patrons of the Good Fortune series. This volume of Yi Xing Mainland will be ending soon; as such, there will not be many updates. After leaving the Yi Xing Mainland, the real world will unfold.
The plot after entering the Heaven's Way is also the most crucial part of this book. After the unfolding, the number of updates will also increase. For me, this is a brand new world, just as I wrote the 33 Days in the Immortal World; however, this is very different from the 33 Days.
Because of the relatively short period between the two updates, Old Five does not feel right to ask for monthly tickets. However today, after this third update, I will have to request for a monthly pass if convenient, to create some momentum for The Gate of Good Fortune to enter into the Heaven's Way Arc.
Let this Old Five be the first to thank everyone with cupped fists……