In the past, the Holy Temple would have released some Thousand Soul Grass to major merchant guilds like theirs. However, in recent years, the Holy Temple's control over Thousand Soul Grass has become extremely strict, with very little ever being released.
Therefore, even though Ning Fa's offered reward was very tempting, they could only offer their regrets.
This was naturally very bad news for Ning Fa, but he was determined to get the Thousand Soul Grass. No matter what, he would not give up.
With that thought, Ning Fa looked at the others and said in a deep voice, "It seems everyone has had quite a few gains. Does anyone have any news regarding the ban on the Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain Range?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Lianxing's smile faded, and she said in a deep voice, "I'll go first. I used a little trick to get some information from the son of the shopkeeper of Kusa Merchant Guild, one of the seven major merchant guilds in the city.
Firstly, the news about the spies from Cangyuan attempting to sabotage the defensive formation of the Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain Range doesn't seem to be baseless; it appears to be true.
As for whether those spies have been caught yet, it's still unclear."
Hearing this, Bai Yueqiu and Xiao Pengyuan couldn't help but change their expressions. Even Sang Wen furrowed her delicate brows, clearly indicating this was very bad news.
Ning Fa, however, sighed, "I also paid a price and obtained similar information from the shopkeeper of another major merchant guild, Tuguo Merchant Guild.
In fact, the reason the Holy Temple directly sealed the outer perimeter barrier of the Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain Range was to apprehend those so-called spies within."
Since both of these major merchant guilds said so, it seemed the news was indeed true.
However, everyone knew in their hearts that no other cultivators from Cangyuan would be able to come.
But no matter what the truth was, it wasn't good news for them.
Because the shopkeeper's words revealed that this matter had also alerted the Holy Temple.
Even if they did catch those spies, the Holy Temple intended to completely seal the Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain Range for a period, until a decisive outcome was reached in the war between Tianli and Cangyuan."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the others turned grim. Xiao Pengyuan's eyes flickered as he said, "The ancient formation is divided into inner and outer layers. The inner perimeter barrier is the one that truly serves to intercept those Savage Beasts, and it's what we truly need to sabotage.
However, to achieve this, we must first pass through the outer perimeter barrier.
Although the defensive power of the outer perimeter barrier is not as strong as the inner layer, its alertness is extremely high. If we were to trespass, we would definitely be discovered.
Currently, the only known way to directly teleport to the inner area is through the Teleportation Array in Aisa City. Now that this path is cut off, I fear this matter may be impossible. Perhaps we should..."
Clearly, Xiao Pengyuan was already considering retreating, but he hadn't finished speaking.
Ji Lianxing's delicate brows furrowed, and she said with displeasure, "Why is fellow Daoist Xiao giving up so easily? We've only been here for a day, and perhaps we can find another way to get in?"
Ning Fa looked at her with some surprise, not expecting her to be so resolute. This somewhat changed his impression of her.
Xiao Pengyuan's expression stiffened, and he quickly laughed it off, "It's not that I'm insisting on retreating, fellow Daoist Xiao. I was just thinking that instead of waiting here, it would be better to return to the front lines and contribute something."
Bai Yueqiu nodded in agreement, "I also agree with what fellow Daoist Xiao said. It seems the Tianli people are already on guard, and this matter is indeed very difficult to succeed. I believe fellow Daoist Xuyuan won't blame us."
Ning Fa listened calmly and then turned to Sang Wen, asking, "Fellow Daoist Sang, what is your opinion?"
Sang Wen said calmly, "Although this matter seems very difficult now, we've finally managed to come here after all. We don't know if we'll have another opportunity like this.
I suggest we wait for a while and see if there's any change in the situation."
Ning Fa nodded in agreement, "Indeed, that's my opinion as well.
Furthermore, the Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain Range is so vast. I don't believe the Tianli people's arrangements are without any loopholes. At worst, we can explore their outer perimeter barrier bit by bit and see if there are any opportunities."
Ning Fa's determination surprised the others.
Ji Lianxing glanced at him, then smiled, "Actually, from the information I gathered, there are still some high-level Tianli cultivators in the city who are dissatisfied with the Holy Temple's sudden ban order."
After all, this is also their source of income. Perhaps we can find some breakthroughs from them."
Ning Fa looked at her with appreciation and then turned to Xiao Pengyuan and Bai Yueqiu.
Xiao Pengyuan immediately said, "What I said earlier was for everyone's benefit. Since that's the case, I will naturally do my best."
Bai Yueqiu shrugged, "Captain, you don't need to look at me like that. This humble one certainly won't be lazy either."
Ning Fa smiled and pondered for a moment, "Our cultivation levels are not low. If we constantly gather together, it will be quite conspicuous. From now on, let's meet every few days or when there is important intelligence. Everyone, act cautiously."
The others nodded, and then they left one after another.
In the following days, Ning Fa continued to gather information in the city and maintained good relationships with the major merchant guilds. He also contacted some high-level Tianli cultivators who were similarly unwilling to accept the ban.
However, these people didn't have many good solutions. Their plan was to wait for a few more years, until the situation eased up a bit, and then use their connections to sneak into the outer areas of the Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain Range.
Although this was a backup plan, Ning Fa couldn't wait for several years.
He had already secretly decided that at worst, he would leave the city and walk along the edge of the outer perimeter barrier of the Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain Range to see if he could find any loopholes.
One evening, Ning Fa walked out of a shop.
He looked at the city gate not far away, his eyes flashing. He had already decided to leave the city through this gate and investigate the Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain Range.
Just then, Ning Fa's expression shifted slightly, and he casually looked in a certain direction to his left.
He saw a young man in black robes, with a handsome and clear face, emerge from a grand and magnificent shop diagonally opposite.
He curled his lips and said with a look of disdain, "To think you Torun Merchant Guild claims to be one of the top three merchant guilds in Aisa City, yet you don't even have Snow Blossom Dew. You've truly wasted my time."
Behind him, a plump cultivator in the Early Core Formation stage, wearing a round hat, said with a fawning smile, "Senior Lin, you've come at an inconvenient time. Our shop actually has quite a bit of Snow Blossom Dew, and it's usually ignored.
However, a stranger cultivator came a few days ago and bought all the remaining Snow Blossom Dew in our shop.
But if Senior Lin waits another two months, our shop can procure some from other places."
"Two months? Fine, I hope you won't disappoint me again by then."
The young man in the black robe shrugged and walked off in another direction on the street.
"It's actually him..." Ning Fa was surprised.
Although the man had changed his appearance and physique, Ning Fa could tell at a glance that it was Liao Wuyin.
He had known this person for a long time.
This dated back to when the Huayu Sect fought against the Black Spirit Church. Liao Wuyin was a high-ranking official of the Black Spirit Church, and he was actually the vessel for the Black Spirit.
Later, during the great battle at Moon Reflection Valley, Liao Wuyin appeared and participated alongside another Ancient Spirit – Wen Xiuxin, the vessel for the Fire Worshipper.
He hadn't expected Liao Wuyin to survive the battle at Moon Reflection Valley, and now he had appeared in Aisa City.
Moreover, although his aura was hidden, Ning Fa could clearly sense that this person had also advanced to the Nascent Soul stage.
This wasn't surprising, considering he could be seen as an avatar of the Black Spirit. Such ancient monsters couldn't be judged by normal standards.
However, with Ning Fa's current cultivation and strength, such a strange Ancient Spirit wasn't much of a threat to him.
But the problem was, why would Liao Wuyin, representing the Black Spirit, appear in Aisa City?
Ning Fa's mind flashed with an idea.
Could it be that the rumors about the Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain Range's barrier being breached were actually Liao Wuyin's doing?
And was it possible that he wasn't alone, but with other Ancient Spirits, like the Fire Worshipper?
If so, why would they do that?
Thinking of this, Ning Fa became interested. He casually browsed the nearby shops, but in reality, his powerful Spiritual Sense was locked onto Liao Wuyin.
Liao Wuyin didn't seem to notice. He didn't linger in the city for long. When night fell, he left Aisa City directly through the north gate.
Not long after, Ning Fa followed him out. He didn't immediately pursue, but waited for a while before leisurely flying in the direction Liao Wuyin had gone.
After flying for over a thousand miles, Ning Fa suddenly stopped, looking ahead, his eyes gleaming.
About two hundred miles ahead, Liao Wuyin had stopped on a small mountain peak, seemingly waiting for someone.
Before long, another streak of crimson light flew over, revealing a slender and beautiful woman in a white dress. This woman was indeed Wen Xiuxin, and she was also at the early Nascent Soul stage.
The two were very cautious. Liao Wuyin cast a soundproofing barrier, and they seemed to be talking about something within it.
To avoid alerting them, Ning Fa did not forcibly break through the soundproofing barrier.
He pondered, hesitating whether to intercept the two directly.
Just then, Ning Fa's gaze suddenly sharpened.
Another streak of light flew onto the small mountain peak, revealing a handsome man in a blood-red robe.
Ning Fa was even more familiar with this person. It was his cousin, Ning Daozhen, also a reincarnated powerful being from the Blood Heaven Sect.
A look of surprise appeared on Ning Fa's face.
Things were becoming more and more interesting. He was very curious about what these two parties were meeting about.
Furthermore, he increasingly felt that the incident at the Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain Range was the work of these people, and they clearly had a plan.
Could it be that they also wanted to break the great formation of the Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain Range?
At this moment, Ning Fa's desire to act grew stronger.
Although these three were not ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators, Ning Fa was not alone either.
He still had Little Ice and Blue Lightning, and if necessary, Hei Yu and Baili Ming could also act. Capturing these three should be more than enough.
Just then, Ning Daozhen and the other two seemed to have finished their discussion. Liao Wuyin and Wen Xiuxin turned into two streaks of light and flew off in different directions.
Ning Fa's eyes narrowed, and he was about to make a move.
But at that moment, Ning Daozhen, who was still at the original spot, suddenly looked up in his direction.
A faint smile appeared on his indifferent face. He moved his lips slightly, and then Ning Fa heard his Sound Transmission.
"My dear cousin, it's been a while. Why don't you come over for a chat?"