Chapter 912: Irreconcilable as Water and Fire

Chapter 912: Chapter 379: Irreconcilable as Water and Fire

Guiyuan Sect, it’s the first time Chu Ning has come here.

Seeing the grandeur of this sect, Chu Ning couldn’t help but feel slightly shocked.

This Guiyuan Sect is built amongst the peaks of Guiyuan Mountain within the largest Spirit Mountain of the Cloud Peak Mountain Range.

In terms of workmanship, it might not surpass that of Ice Island Immortal City.

But the heritage foundation of this sect is far beyond comparison to Ice Island Immortal City.

For this once-in-a-century grand event within the alliance, Guiyuan Sect evidently has made early preparations.

Chu Ning and Cen Zijin had just arrived at the Mountain Gate with Tang Xuan when a cultivator immediately guided them to a special reception area.

On a Spirit Mountain that stretches dozens of miles, there are numerous courtyards, and Chu Ning and his party were arranged into a courtyard that directly hung the Jiuhua Token.

Tang Xuan began explaining to Chu Ning and the others.

“Because major events within the Cloud Peak Alliance are mostly discussed inside this Guiyuan Sect, cultivators from various sects come here frequently.

Guiyuan Sect has conveniently arranged a fixed courtyard for each sect on this mountain.

The next time you come, you don’t actually need guidance from others, you can just come directly.”

Chu Ning realized this in his heart and slightly nodded his head, his gaze flashing slightly as he scanned over a nearby courtyard.

“Daluo Sect?”

Tang Xuan looked in the direction of Chu Ning’s gaze and calmly replied:

“The courtyards of each sect are generally divided by location, Daluo Sect is one of the sects closest to us, so their courtyard is adjacent to ours.”

Chu Ning nodded slightly and was about to speak when several Escape Lights flew over from the front.

They landed in front of Daluo Sect’s courtyard.

There were four in the opposing party, besides a Nascent Soul Cultivator, there were also three Golden Core Cultivators.

Chu Ning was greatly surprised to find a familiar face among them.

Ao Xuan.

Despite Ao Xuan being at the Early Stage of Golden Core Cultivation, it greatly surprised Chu Ning.

“Huh, this person was severely injured by me during the competition in Jiuhua Sect.

At that time, Daluo Sect’s cultivators determined that his cultivation regressed, and would never be able to form a Golden Core.

Unexpectedly, he entered the Golden Core Stage, even earlier than Lu Jiakang.

It seems Daluo Sect indeed invested some effort in him.”

As Chu Ning saw Ao Xuan, Ao Xuan naturally saw Chu Ning too.

This Daluo Sect’s genius cultivator’s face initially showed a trace of bitterness and pride, as if telling Chu Ning, he remembers the severe injury from years ago, but even so, he already advanced to Golden Core.

In the next moment, Ao Xuan’s proud expression vanished completely, replaced by sheer horror.

A resentful gaze mixed with intense jealousy.

Even his facial expression turned slightly sinister.

Evidently, Ao Xuan had also realized Chu Ning’s Golden Core Late Stage cultivation.

Chu Ning, at this moment, instead showed a calm expression; Ao Langtian in the Golden Core Late Stage had died by his hand.

Ao Xuan, merely an Early Stage of Golden Core Cultivator, really didn’t catch his attention.

At this moment, Chu Ning focused his gaze on the Elder leading Daluo Sect.

Although this person seemed younger than Tang Xuan, his aura was even stronger compared to Tang Xuan.

Evidently, this person’s cultivation was not below Tang Xuan’s.

As Chu Ning was observing, this person spoke first:

“Old Ghost Tang, I heard you nearly fell into a heart demon, instead of resting at Jiuhua Mountain, why are you out here?”

Upon hearing this, Tang Xuan’s expression remained unusually calm.

“Old Ghost Du, your Daluo Sect spends all day hoping others have misfortune, it’s no wonder you’re declining.”

Hearing Tang Xuan’s reply, Chu Ning’s heart was slightly moved.

The surname Du indicated this person was likely one of the two famous Nascent Soul Cultivators in Daluo Sect, Du Xianming.

When I first joined Jiuhua Sect, I heard he was about to break through and advance to the Middle Stage of Nascent Soul.

No wonder his aura was stronger than Tang Xuan.

Regarding Daluo Sect knowing about Tang Xuan’s heart demon backlash, Chu Ning wasn’t too surprised.

Jiuhua Sect indeed has many disciples, and it’s inevitable that they might speak carelessly when outside.

As for Ao Langtian’s death, only those above Golden Core within the sect knew, it naturally wouldn’t spread to Daluo Sect’s cultivators.

Upon hearing Tang Xuan’s words, Du Xianming snorted coldly.

“Just recruited some external cultivators, really think you’re something special.”

Saying this, Du Xianming’s gaze fell on Cen Zijin beside Chu Ning.

Then turned to Chu Ning, doubt on his face.

Evidently, he was quite unfamiliar with Chu Ning.

At the side, Ao Xuan seemed to have slightly moved his lips, appearing to transmit something to Du Xianming.

After listening, Du Xianming’s face showed a flash of surprise.

Tang Xuan, at this moment, turned to Chu Ning and Cen Zijin:

“Let’s go, just ignore them.”

Saying this, he led the two directly into the courtyard.

Not far away, Du Xianming and the others also turned and returned to their courtyard upon seeing this.

Although each sect’s courtyard is adjacent, every courtyard has a restriction.

Du Xianming led a few people into their courtyard, no longer transmitting, turned his head towards Ao Xuan and asked:

“You mean, this cultivator named Chu Ning was merely a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator decades ago during your conflict.

“And in the short span of a few decades, he directly became a Golden Core Late Stage Cultivator.”

Ao Xuan immediately nodded, a look of resentment evident in his eyes.

“Indeed, if it weren’t for him injuring me back then, I would have already formed my Core.

Even if he turned to ashes, I would still recognize him.”

“Is there truly someone with such outstanding talent within the Jiuhua Sect?” Du Xianming murmured to himself.

“His name is Chu Ning, is he the Golden Core Elder from Jiuhua Sect who recently returned?”

Whispering to himself, Du Xianming’s eyes couldn’t help but flicker slightly.

At the time when the Spirit Realm at Hong Lake Entrance opened, he was in secluded cultivation, and it was another Nascent Soul Cultivator from Daluo Sect leading the team.

He didn’t participate, so he didn’t recognize Chu Ning either.

Now, hearing Ao Xuan mention Chu Ning’s name, he immediately linked it with the other news they received.

Jiuhua Sect has a Golden Core Elder who returned after many years away.

However, the people of Daluo Sect didn’t know that the returning Golden Core Elder was a Golden Core Late Stage Cultivator.

Upon hearing this, Ao Xuan immediately spoke up:

“Master, previously, he went from Foundation Establishment Late Stage to Golden Core Formation in a short time, which was acceptable.

But after being away for so many years, he came back having progressed from Early Stage to Golden Core Late Stage.

You think… could he have acquired the Gold Spirit Seed?”

“I have this suspicion as well.”

Du Xianming said solemnly at this moment.

Upon hearing this, Ao Xuan’s expression became even more unpleasant.

The jealous look contorted his entire face slightly.

Du Xianming then spoke again:

“Regardless of whether he did or didn’t, this man surely has fortune on his side.

It’s fortunate that he seems to have just entered the Golden Core Late Stage not long ago.”

As he spoke, his gaze shifted to a middle-aged cultivator among the four Golden Core Cultivators with an ordinary appearance.

“Daoping, during the competition, you have a high chance of encountering him.

If there’s an opportunity, severely injure him, and don’t let him have a chance to obtain the Tree of Myriad Laws Spirit Fruit.”

The middle-aged cultivator named Rong Daoping was a Golden Core Late Stage Cultivator from Daluo Sect, his cultivation even surpassed that of Ao Langtian, now at the Golden Core Late Stage Peak.

Yet he was typically low-key, and his reputation within the Cloud Peak Alliance was not as prominent as Ao Langtian.

Du Xianming’s reason for bringing four Golden Core Cultivators along, including Ao Xuan, an Early Stage of Golden Core Cultivator, was to try their luck.

If Jiang Cheng from the Primordial Sect doesn’t participate, then Rong Daoping has a chance to vie for the first place.

Even if Jiang Cheng does participate, Rong Daoping has the power to contend, though the odds aren’t fifty-fifty.

But there’s still hope at seventy-thirty.

Upon hearing Du Xianming’s words, Rong Daoping remained calm and merely nodded slightly.

At this moment, Ao Xuan showed a look of hesitation on his face, gritted his teeth, and spoke:

“Elder Du, do you think Chu Ning might know my father’s whereabouts?

The other sect cultivators who came out earlier hadn’t seen him; maybe the place Chu Ning transmitted to was farther away, so he might not have encountered him.”

Du Xianming shook his head upon hearing this, sighed lightly, and said:

“Nephew Ao, you need not think about this matter anymore.

Regardless of whether Chu Ning knows, even if he does, would he tell us?

Our Daluo Sect and Jiuhua Sect have long been in a situation of mutual hostility.”

Ao Xuan just nodded lightly upon hearing this, yet his expression showed a hint of unwillingness.

Seeing Chu Ning today was quite a shock to him.

Back then, they both entered the Spirit Realm, and Jiuhua Sect managed to have Chu Ning, who had disappeared for decades, return to the sect, whereas Ao Langtian’s fate remains unknown.

What’s even more stimulating is that Chu Ning has already advanced to the Golden Core Late Stage.

While Daluo Sect was discussing Chu Ning, in another courtyard, Tang Xuan was also seriously speaking to Chu Ning and another:

“Be cautious of the cultivators from Daluo Sect. It’s been years since we last saw Rong Daoping, yet he’s reached the Golden Core Late Stage Peak.

If Daluo Sect sends him to compete, you must be wary.”

Chu Ning nodded slightly, then after a brief contemplation, he turned to Cen Zijin and said:

“Master Tang, in this competition, why don’t I participate alone?

Zijin won’t register; if I can win first place, I can take her with me.

If not, there’s no harm.”

Cen Zijin didn’t fully understand, felt a bit surprised upon hearing Chu Ning’s words, but didn’t respond.

Tang Xuan nodded slightly in approval and said:

“Fine, although generally in such competitions, participants won’t strike to kill, and the alliance doesn’t allow serious injuries.

But given the grudge between us and Daluo Sect, it’s hard to say how the opposite side will act, so it’s best Nephew Cen doesn’t participate.”

With a temperament not inclined towards contention, Cen Zijin didn’t argue further upon hearing this.

She merely grew curious about the grievances between Jiuhua Sect and Daluo Sect.

Chu Ning then shared some of what he knew with Cen Zijin.

When she heard him speak of Daluo Sect coming to their doorstep back then, she understood why Chu Ning holds such high prestige within Jiuhua Sect.

Just after Chu Ning finished sharing things with Cen Zijin, a voice arose outside the courtyard.

“Is Fellow Daoist Chu here?”