"Fellow Daoist Cao, it's been a long time," Ning Fa said with a faint smile.
After all these years, Cao Xian had also advanced to the Core Formation Stage.
"Senior Ning... Senior Ning..." Cao Xian stammered.
At this moment, he had clearly noticed that Ning Fa was already a Nascent Soul Cultivator, and he was extremely shocked. A tempest raged in his heart; this was absolutely a significant piece of news.
Fang Yong of the Spirit Talisman Sect also finally confirmed it, wearing the same dumbfounded expression.
Just then, another buzzing sound echoed.
A teleportation array nearby erupted in white light, and a group of people emerged from it. Each of them exuded a powerful spiritual pressure, clearly high-level cultivators. The leaders were even at the Nascent Soul realm.
The group couldn't help but turn to look.
Ning Fa raised an eyebrow; he recognized a few of these people.
A woman in a blue dress, wearing a veil, with eyes like cold stars – this was Qi Ying, the Tan Master of the Huazhen Sect in the Yunhuang Alliance.
Another charming woman, adorned in a light phoenix-patterned gauze and possessing a voluptuous figure, was Madam Li from the Zhilán Merchant Guild.
And then there was a middle-aged cultivator in a white robe with a gentle demeanor, who had previously posed as a third-grade Pill Master of the Zhilán Merchant Guild and even debated alchemy with him – Wen Ran.
Ning Fa later learned that Madam Li and Wen Ran were actually both cultivators from the Huazhen Sect.
Now, all three of them had advanced to the Nascent Soul stage.
Besides these three, the leader was an elder with thick, dark green eyebrows and a stern expression, who was at the peak of the Mid Nascent Soul stage.
In addition to these four Nascent Soul cultivators, there were also ten Core Formation Stage cultivators.
It was clear that this entire group was reinforcements from the Huazhen Sect.
Ning Fa secretly thought how coincidental this was.
The Huazhen Sect was also the only sect among the many in the Righteous Path Alliance with whom he had deeper contact.
It was Qi Ying who had approached him back then, wanting him to use the Evil-Repelling Divine Thunder to refine the Gale Thunder Talisman. They had cooperated for a period, and Ning Fa had obtained many precious resources from it.
The Huazhen Sect cultivators first glanced at the Ice Spirit Palace cultivators, then all turned their gaze towards Ning Fa in unison.
Qi Ying, Wen Ran, and Madam Li all wore expressions of surprise and uncertainty, as they had all met Ning Fa before.
Ning Fa smiled and said, "Fellow Daoists, it's been a long time."
Qi Ying's eyes widened, and she said with disbelief, "You are really... Ning Fa? You're back?"
Ning Fa nodded with a smile, "I encountered some unexpected circumstances before and was trapped in another place. I also managed to successfully form my Nascent Soul, and only now have I finally returned to Cangyuan."
The Nascent Soul cultivators from the Huazhen Sect exchanged glances. Although the shock in their eyes slowly subsided, the turmoil in their hearts could not be calmed.
After all, their Huazhen Sect had noticed Ning Fa long ago and understood him more deeply than ordinary cultivators.
They knew very well that Ning Fa was by no means an ordinary cultivator. Now that he had successfully formed his Nascent Soul, he would likely become a great figure with significant influence in Cangyuan in the future.
Following that, the Huazhen Sect and Ice Spirit Palace cultivators exchanged pleasantries. Ning Fa also learned that the elder with the thick, dark green eyebrows was named Qian Hetong.
Although he was a Mid Nascent Soul cultivator, he was very polite to Ning Fa.
Afterward, Ning Fa cupped his fists towards the cultivators of the Ice Spirit Palace and the Huazhen Sect, his expression turning serious. "Fellow Daoists, I have been away for a long time and am concerned about the situation of my sect. I will take my leave first and will chat with you all in detail later."
"Fellow Daoist Ning, please go ahead. We will meet again later," said Mu Nianfeng, stroking his long beard with a smile.
The other Nascent Soul cultivators also spoke courteously.
As for the Golden Core cultivators, their eyes showed surprise. They had clearly noticed the unusual attitude of these Nascent Soul old monsters towards Ning Fa, a newly promoted Nascent Soul cultivator.
At this moment, Wen Ran, dressed in white robes, suddenly said, "Fellow Daoist Ning, there is a teleportation array in Tianyu City that can directly transmit to the Yunxi Mountain Range. Let Junior Nephew Cao take you there."
After speaking, he turned to Cao Xian and gave him a look. Cao Xian immediately understood and hurriedly said, "Senior Ning, please follow me."
Ning Fa nodded, cupped his fists to everyone again, and then left with Cao Xian.
The traditional grand hall fell into silence for a moment.
At this time, Madam Li, the enchanting woman, sighed, "I never expected that Fellow Daoist Ning not only didn't perish but has now successfully formed his Nascent Soul and returned. Fellow Daoist Ning's fortune is truly extraordinary."
The others nodded in agreement.
At this moment, Wen Ran wore a strange expression and slowly said, "Everyone, don't forget Fellow Daoist Ning's age."
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned, and some people's expressions changed.
Wen Ran slowly said, "As far as I know, when Fellow Daoist Ning went to Ancient Immortal Island before, he should have been around seventy years old. So, his current age is at most a little over a hundred and twenty.
Heh heh, I have never heard of such a young Nascent Soul cultivator. I'm not even sure if one has ever appeared in the history of Cangyuan.
And with Fellow Daoist Ning's astonishing potential and his long lifespan, it is almost certain that he will become a Great Cultivator in the late Nascent Soul stage in the future. Even challenging the legendary Spirit Transformation realm might not be impossible."
As soon as he said this, everyone was moved, and they all felt that Wen Ran's words were very likely true.
The Golden Core cultivators were even more astonished. After all, most of them had a lifespan of at least two hundred years or more, making them incomparable to Ning Fa.
After the cultivators from the Ice Spirit Palace and the Huazhen Sect left the grand hall, Fang Yong urgently took out a token and immediately sent a message to the Nascent Soul elders of his sect.
On the other side, Ning Fa had already followed Cao Xian to another grand hall.
Cao Xian kept stealing glances at Ning Fa, looking as if he had something to say but hesitated.
Ning Fa chuckled, "Fellow Daoist Cao, just say what you need to. I also have many questions for you."
Cao Xian first gave a wry smile, then said with genuine sincerity, "It's just that I was too shocked to see Senior Ning return. At the same time, I am also very happy, as Senior Ning has always been someone I deeply admire."
Ning Fa could feel the sincerity in Cao Xian's words. In fact, after seeing him again after so many years, any lingering dissatisfaction he had about Cao Xian being a spy for another sect had long since vanished.
He asked in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist Cao, it seems you've been stationed in Tianyu City all this time. You should have a good understanding of our sect and the Ning Family's situation, right? How are they doing now?"
Cao Xian hesitated slightly upon hearing this, then finally gave a wry smile. "As far as I know, the situations of both the Huayu Sect and the Ning Family are indeed not good, but they haven't reached a point of utter disaster.
Now that Senior Ning has returned, I believe these problems will naturally be resolved."
Ning Fa's expression immediately turned grim. It was the same as Wu Hong's explanation. He didn't ask any more questions, as he would find out soon enough anyway.
Not long after, Ning Fa, along with Cao Xian, used a teleportation array in another location to travel to a different grand hall.
After flying out of this hall, Ning Fa immediately turned to survey his surroundings.
He found himself on the mountainside of a lush, tall mountain. Looking out, he saw endless mountains stretching in all directions, with pure spiritual energy washing over him. It was clear this was the Yunxi Mountain Range in the northern part of Xu Kingdom.
A hint of excitement flickered in Ning Fa's eyes. After such a long time, he had finally returned.
At this moment, Cao Xian said, "Senior Ning, I'll lead the way. The Huayu Sect's mountain gate was moved a long time ago, so Senior probably won't be able to find it now."
Ning Fa's expression darkened upon hearing this, but he followed without a word.
As he flew westward, he observed the Yunxi Mountain Range.
He noticed that the Yunxi Mountain Range was now filled with various pavilions and buildings, even in places where the spiritual energy was thin. It was packed to the brim.
A thought flashed through Ning Fa's mind, and he quickly understood.
After all, the Yunhuang Alliance now only consisted of the Wu Kingdom and the Xu Kingdom, with their territories greatly reduced.
Being situated on the front lines, it was likely that many sects or families within the Yunhuang Alliance that had not yet been destroyed had relocated to the Yunxi Mountain Range.
Could this be the reason why the Huayu Sect was forced to give up its mountain gate location?
Thinking of this, a cold glint appeared in Ning Fa's eyes.
Before long, the two arrived before a mountain over two thousand feet tall.
Cao Xian said, "Senior Ning, this is the location of the Huayu Sect's mountain gate. It was originally called Hualiu Peak, but was later renamed Huayu Peak by the Huayu Sect."
Ning Fa narrowed his eyes and observed. Although this mountain appeared to be quite large, with a slight sensing, he immediately discovered that the spiritual vein here was at most Third-grade Low-tier.
Not only was the spiritual vein concentration extremely poor, but judging by Cao Xian's words, it seemed the Huayu Sect's territory now consisted of only this single peak.
Ning Fa couldn't imagine how this ordinary mountain with a sparse spiritual vein could accommodate a grand Nascent Soul sect like the Huayu Sect.
And how could it support the cultivation of so many Golden Core cultivators, as well as a Nascent Soul cultivator like True Lord Cang Lei?
Ning Fa was already beginning to grasp the troubles currently facing the Huayu Sect.
At this moment, Cao Xian respectfully said, "Senior Ning, when you have some free time, our Huazhen Sect's Uncle-Master Wen wishes to meet with Senior Ning. You can contact me then."
As he spoke, Cao Xian handed over a white, diamond-shaped token. Ning Fa took it and nodded at him.
Afterward, Cao Xian cupped his fists and flew eastward, a strange smile appearing on his face. He whispered, "Now this will be interesting."
Ning Fa looked at the Huayu Sect's mountain gate before him, unable to contain his surging emotions. He let out a long roar, his cry like shattered gold and cracking stone, piercing straight into the sky, even causing the wind and clouds to change color.
Immediately, numerous streaks of light flew out from the various pavilions on the mountain. Among them, several particularly powerful figures accelerated their speed and flew towards them.
Before long, five people had arrived in front of Ning Fa.
The group looked at Ning Fa before them, disbelief turning into excitement and overwhelming joy.
An elder with white hair trembled, "Junior Brother Ning... is that really you?"
This person was Ouyang Zhenhua, the First Elder of the Ouyang Family. After decades apart, he was now showing signs of old age, his face full of wrinkles and a look of weariness.
Another woman in a purple dress covered her mouth tightly with her hands, her eyes blurred with tears. She was Cheng Ziyi, Ning Fa's master.
And another tall, dark-faced middle-aged man couldn't help but have his eyes turn red.
He was the impartial head of the Law Enforcement Hall, Chou Zheng. His entire right arm was now empty, and a hideous scar stretched from his left eye to his right jaw.
At this moment, a beautiful figure trembled violently, tears streaming down her face like a spring. Her eyes held only Ning Fa, and nothing else. She then rushed into Ning Fa's embrace like a swallow returning to its nest.
Ning Fa embraced her, looking down at the beautiful face he had longed for. Tears welled up in his eyes as he said, "Susu, I'm back..."
This woman was his wife of many years, Cheng Susu.
Cheng Susu sobbed loudly, her tears soaking Ning Fa's clothes. She held him tightly, as if afraid he would disappear again.
Then she raised her tear-streaked face, looking at Ning Fa intently, cupping his face with her hands, and choked out, "Husband... you're finally back... Am I dreaming..."
Ning Fa gently patted her back and softly said again, "I'm back... I won't disappear again this time!"
Then he looked at the people before him, and the many Huayu Sect disciples who were rushing over. Overwhelmed with emotion, he shouted again, "I, Ning Fa, am back!!"
His voice echoed through the heavens, lingering for a long time.