Chapter 963 - 403: Under the Gaze of All

Just when Shentu Ping wore a solemn expression.

Chu Ning, retracting his fist, maintained a serene expression on his face and spoke softly.

"Fellow Daoist Shentu, your body refining strength is indeed exceptional. If we continue to fight, it might be difficult to determine a winner. Do you think it’s necessary to continue battling?"

Upon hearing Chu Ning’s words, Shentu Ping’s solemnness turned into surprise, then quickly returned to normal.

He nodded slightly and said, "What Fellow Daoist Chu says is reasonable. There isn’t much point in continuing to battle."

After these words, Shentu Ping’s telepathy also reached Chu Ning’s ears.

"Fellow Daoist Chu, your body refining divine techniques are formidable; I am not your match. Thank you for showing mercy.

On behalf of Fellow Daoist Sang Pingnan from Daluo Sect, I was entrusted to take action against you, and this matter is now settled.

Rest assured, I will not interfere in your dealings with him anymore."

"Indeed, it’s the Daluo Sect." At this moment, a hint of coldness flashed in Chu Ning’s heart, but there was no trace of it on his face.

He just smiled.

Then, Shentu Ping cupped his hands and returned to his Flying Horse Demon Beast.

"Fellow Daoists, we will meet again in Cloud Peak City."

With these words, Shentu Ping drove the flying vehicle away without looking back.

Leaving behind the stunned members of Jiuhua Sect, and the pondering Tang Xuan.

Chu Ning then flew back and landed on Jiuhua Sect’s flying boat.

"Great Uncle Master, who won?"

A curious voice asked at this moment, it was Wang Ping, one of the accompanying Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"It was a draw," Chu Ning said dismissively.

Chu Ning did not directly expose Shentu Ping’s use of spiritual sense magical power.

Considering that he is indeed a Middle Stage of Nascent Soul cultivator, and Spirit Beast Valley has been close to Daluo Sect for hundreds of years. Although not friendly to Jiuhua Sect, they haven’t done anything directly hostile.

Moreover, in Tang Xuan’s previous introduction, this Shentu Ping, though slightly arrogant and self-absorbed, generally has a good reputation and is considered an upright person.

And from what he said later, this indeed seems to be true.

Since it wasn’t exposed in front of others just now, there’s naturally no need to mention it to others from the sect now.

To avoid making him think that he is two-faced.

Even so, this already made the cultivators from the sect smile warmly.

Chu Ning had only just successfully formed his Nascent Soul recently, while Shentu Ping from Spirit Beast Valley is a Middle Stage of Nascent Soul cultivator.

Previously, not many had heard of Chu Ning excels in body refining techniques either.

Shentu Ping was regarded as the top body refiner within Cloud Peak Alliance.

The fact that the two managed to fight to a draw.

How could it not make the sect members both surprised and delighted?

Tang Xuan looked meaningfully at Chu Ning at this moment, then turned to Gong Yuyuan and said:

"Let’s go as well. We shouldn’t be late."

Having said that, Tang Xuan started using telepathy with Chu Ning.

"Junior Brother Chu, it seems that Shentu Ping suffered a little loss just now."

"Did Senior Brother see clearly?" Chu Ning asked with some astonishment.

Tang Xuan laughed and shook his head.

"I just know a little about Shentu Ping, given his arrogance.

If the punch ended in a draw, he wouldn’t let it go easily; he would insist on determining the winner."

Chu Ning nodded slightly, then immediately recounted the incident to Xuan Xu Tang Xuan.

Tang Xuan, after listening, showed relief immediately and said:

"Given Shentu Ping’s character, when we meet again in Cloud Peak City, he will likely praise you once more, Junior Brother.

Your punch that prevented a hundred strikes in return has truly achieved its effect, and hasn’t set a strong enemy.

Such handling is the best, and it seems I was previously worried over nothing."

Tang Xuan’s face was full of smiles, and indeed he felt happy inside.

His lifespan is truly running short, in such circumstances, Chu Ning, this newly promoted Nascent Soul cultivator, not only has extraordinary divine techniques but also handles things wisely.

It certainly reassures him greatly.

The spiritual boat driven by Gong Yuyuan was fast, and the thousand miles distance was covered in no time.

From afar, Chu Ning saw a giant city ahead, and couldn’t help but feel emotional.

"In terms of architectural grandeur, this city is not at all inferior to Ice Island Immortal City.

After all, it was built with the combined efforts of numerous sects in the Cloud Peak Alliance back then, be it the Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivator count, or resources and financial means, it is unmatched by Changkong Hall."

Of course, when it comes to top combat power, Changkong Hall has three Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivators, which is beyond comparison to the current Cloud Peak Alliance.

Tang Xuan’s voice also transmitted at this moment.

"There is a restriction over Cloud Peak City, no flying is allowed, we must enter through the city gate."

"Yes, Master Uncle,"

Gong Yuyuan quickly responded, directing the flying boat to descend before the city gate.

Outside the city, cultivators were guarding and verifying identities, one of whom was a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Tang Xuan saw from afar, introduced to Chu Ning:

"This is Fellow Daoist Sun Zhiyuan from Celestial Sound Pavilion, a friend of mine."

Tang Xuan’s words had just fallen, Sun Zhiyuan was already coming over with a smile.

"So it is Brother Tang from Jiuhua Sect. We haven’t met in years; I hope Brother Tang has been well."

"Junior Brother Sun, you are personally welcoming today."

Tang Xuan cupped his hands towards Sun Zhiyuan, ready to introduce Chu Ning, yet Sun Zhiyuan had already looked over to Chu Ning and said:

"This must be Fellow Daoist Chu from your sect. Senior Brother Qu mentioned you quite often to me."

The Senior Brother Qu Sun Zhiyuan mentioned was the Nascent Soul Middle Stage cultivator from Celestial Sound Pavilion who once led Chu Ning and others into Cloud Peak Forbidden Land with Lu Yuezhang.

Chu Ning cupped his hands in greeting, "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Sun."

Sun Zhiyuan returned the greeting and led Chu Ning and the others inside.

"The sects’ territories within Cloud Peak City have been arranged. Fellow Daoist Tang, you can lead the team there.

Tomorrow morning, there’s a meeting in the main hall within the city. The two fellow daos are invited to attend punctually."

It’s unclear whether that cultivator with the surname Qu initially shared much about Chu Ning with Sun Zhiyuan.

Chu Ning felt as though the other party was constantly observing him.

"Alright, thank you, Junior Brother Sun." Tang Xuan replied, and then led everyone into the city.

The city was indeed huge, with numerous pavilions and courtyards; each courtyard was also quite distant from one another.

Upon entering the city, Tang Xuan led Chu Ning to the courtyard allocated for Jiuhua Sect.

This courtyard allocation for the sects was relatively fixed, with cultivators from Jiuhua Sect visiting regularly.

After entering, everyone did some brief tidying up and settled in.

Chu Ning settled into his small courtyard but raised his eyebrows slightly.

Although Cloud Peak City has arrays gathering Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, the spirit vein grade beneath is considerably inferior to that of Celestial Mist Peak within Jiuhua Sect.

Thus, there’s naturally some shortage in spiritual qi.

"I’m still unsure of the situation ahead; after getting a brief understanding from the council hall tomorrow,

If there’s a need to stay in this city for a while, it seems necessary to make some arrangements."

Chu Ning mused to himself.

He currently possesses the Five Elements Spirit Body, absorbing spiritual qi quickly, provided there’s enough spiritual qi to absorb.

The inadequate spiritual qi here is somewhat affecting his cultivation.

Moreover, spirit medicine in this place surely isn’t as convenient as within the sect.

Fortunately, Chu Ning has numerous treasures in hand, so he isn’t overly worried.

After a silent night, Chu Ning went together with Tang Xuan to the main hall in the city the next morning.

In a towering hall within the city, upon arrival, Chu Ning and Tang Xuan found a considerable number of cultivators present.

Furthermore, they were all Nascent Soul cultivators.

"Some minor sects have Golden Core cultivators in charge, who naturally don’t qualify to partake in discussions.

Once a decision is reached here, they just follow what’s decided."

As Tang Xuan walked into the grand hall, he used telepathy to explain to Chu Ning.

Chu Ning wasn’t surprised upon hearing this, since power rules in the cultivation realm.

Indeed, a discussion involving Nascent Soul cultivators doesn’t qualify those with Golden Core cultivation to participate.

Entering the hall, many glanced over; however, most eyes were on Chu Ning.

A year ago, Chu Ning’s formation of the Nascent Soul spread across many sects.

Sweeping his gaze, Chu Ning noticed numerous familiar faces.

Besides Shentu Ping, whom he sparred with briefly not long ago, there were Du Xianming from Daluo Sect, Lu Yuezhang from Guiyuan Sect, and Sun Zhiyuan from Celestial Sound Pavilion.

Yet, most faces were still somewhat unfamiliar to Chu Ning.

After all, Chu Ning previously had limited interactions with Nascent Soul cultivators within the alliance.

Then, Lu Yuezhang smilingly spoke:

"Fellow Daoist Chu, I’ve long awaited your arrival. When we parted years ago, I never imagined you’d be promoted to Nascent Soul cultivator within just ten years."

Chu Ning promptly smiled and clasped his hands towards Lu Yuezhang, saying:

"It’s all thanks to Fellow Daoist Lu and others’ protection back then, enabling Mr. Chu to successfully consume the Myriad Laws Fruit, otherwise, it wouldn’t have happened so quickly."

"While the Myriad Laws Fruit greatly benefits cultivators, the fact that you condensed your Nascent Soul rapidly reveals your extraordinary talent."

Lu Yuezhang spoke with laughter.

"Fellow Daoist Chu truly possesses exceptional talent."

At this moment, a loud voice suddenly echoed across the hall, coming from Shentu Ping.

The crowd hearing Shentu Ping’s sudden remark couldn’t help but glance over.

Simultaneously, their gazes bore a bit of a nosy curiosity.

Jiuhua Sect and Daluo Sect have significant rivalry, while Spirit Beast Valley’s Shentu Ping shares some connection with Daluo Sect, well known within Cloud Peak Alliance.

In their view, Shentu Ping seemed about to challenge Chu Ning.

Lu Yuezhang looked towards the voice, raising his brows lightly.

Yet, the next moment, Shentu Ping’s words surprised Lu Yuezhang and many Nascent Soul cultivators present.

"Everyone only knows that Fellow Daoist Chu’s cultivation progresses swiftly, but few know his remarkable achievement in body refining.

Earlier outside the city, I sparred with Fellow Daoist Chu on body refining divine techniques."

Saying this, Shentu Ping seemed deliberately coy, pausing subtly.

Upon hearing these words, the other cultivators showed intense interest, eagerly listening.

Especially Du Xianming; hearing Shentu Ping already engaged with Chu Ning, his face showed subtly a trace of delight.

Yet the next moment, Shentu Ping’s words stunned all cultivators present.

"In terms of body refining divine techniques, I am inferior to Fellow Daoist Chu."

"What?"

"Is this true?"

Shentu Ping remarked with subtlety, not explicitly stating he was defeated by Chu Ning.

Nonetheless, it shocked everyone within the hall.

Everyone scrutinized Chu Ning with noticeably more respect in their eyes.

Earlier, Chu Ning fending off attacks from Nascent Soul cultivators with Golden Core cultivation within Guiyuan Sect was known, yet many were aware those Nascent Soul cultivators didn’t exert their full strength.

So, although surprised by Chu Ning’s spell divine techniques, it was merely astonishment.

The most they thought was that after promoting to Nascent Soul, Chu Ning might be stronger compared to same-tier cultivators.

However, Shentu Ping’s remarks now prompted many cultivators to reevaluate Chu Ning’s prowess.

Being able to hold his ground in a body refining clash with Shentu Ping implies, coupled with spell divine techniques surpassing same-tier cultivators,

Even as an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, Chu Ning’s strength is unquestionably formidable.

"Naturally, it’s true. Is it possible I’m self-undermining?" Shentu Ping spoke again.

Chu Ning glanced at Shentu Ping, unexpectedly he publicly acknowledged this, and Chu Ning felt a bit more respect towards the middle stage Nascent Soul cultivator from Spirit Beast Valley.

As for Du Xianming nearby whose face drastically changed, he didn’t bother to acknowledge him.