Ning Fa, however, had no intention of giving these three any more time to linger. If he had the chance to kill them directly now, that would be for the best.
Therefore, he came up with his current plan: to feign injury and lure the three into a trap, rather than forcing his way into the Qige Mountain Range, which he was sure they had already fortified with restrictive formations.
Ning Fa believed that if these three saw him heavily injured, there was a high probability they would act without notifying the Tianli people and strike him down themselves.
After all, based on the information Ji Lianxing had previously revealed, Shen Xinlan and the others wanted to kill him not only because of their significant grievances but also because they were extremely covetous of the opportunities he possessed.
Therefore, they likely wouldn't want to share such a prime opportunity to exclusively possess his belongings with the Tianli people.
Of course, this was merely Ning Fa's speculation, and there was still a degree of risk involved, such as them still choosing to notify the Tianli people to join them.
But for Ning Fa, it didn't matter much. Now that his Five Elements Calamity Heaven Sword Array had been successfully cultivated, his confidence had greatly increased.
Even if the opposing forces were too strong and he was no match for them, he believed escaping wouldn't be too difficult.
Furthermore, he still had the top-grade Great Teleportation Talisman given to him by Hermit Xuyuan, as well as a fallback plan with Ning Daozhen.
At this moment, Ning Fa's expression shifted. He heard Ji Lianxing's Sound Transmission in his ear.
Ning Fa smiled and then got up, heading to the mountain cave's main hall. He saw everyone waiting there.
Ning Fa scanned the group and said solemnly, "Alright everyone, you can now proceed according to the previous plan and head to the Fangkun Mountain Range. Meet up with Ning Daozhen there, and he will help you return to Cangyuan."
Upon hearing this, the others couldn't help but show surprise. Xiao Pengyuan, while taken aback, let out a sigh of relief. Sang Wen, however, frowned and asked, "You're telling us to leave first? Aren't you going to let us stay and help you fight?"
Xiao Pengyuan immediately coughed and added, "Yes, Daoist Ning, we can also lend a hand."
However, his eyes darted away, clearly showing a guilty conscience.
Ning Fa shook his head. "Since I dared to stay here alone, I naturally have some confidence. Even if I'm defeated, I'll be able to escape safely.
To be honest, the opponents are all late-stage Nascent Soul Great Cultivators. If you stay here, you won't be able to help me much and might even tie my hands."
Hearing this, Sang Wen's frown deepened. Just as she was about to say something else, Ning Fa waved his hand, signaling her not to speak further.
"Alright, it's decided. Also, take Daoist Bai and Daoist Wen with you."
Xiao Pengyuan immediately patted his chest. "Don't worry, Daoist Ning."
Sang Wen, after giving him a deep look, sighed and nodded.
Soon, Sang Wen and the others got up. They were to head to the original cave and depart from here through the special blood spring Teleportation Array left by Ning Daozhen.
In reality, Ning Fa knew that the Teleportation Array in the Qige Mountain Range was still intact.
Because Huangfu Hong and the others, along with the Tianli people, would definitely not dare to destroy this Teleportation Array.
If they did, the other end of the Teleportation Array would surely notice, and Hermit Xuyuan would become vigilant and warn him through special means.
However, Ning Fa felt that since the Tianli people had already discovered the location, even if their forces were mobilized by him, they would likely be heavily guarded.
Therefore, he still had Sang Wen and the others return to Cangyuan via Ning Daozhen's route, which was also for their protection.
At this point, only Ning Fa and Ji Lianxing remained in the mountain cave.
Ji Lianxing's beautiful face, as delicate as fine mutton-fat jade, was filled with a pitiable expression. Her voice was soft and charming as she said, "Brother Ning, you wouldn't abandon me after I've served my purpose, would you?
Little sister is completely devoted to you now and even hopes to offer herself to you in the future."
Ning Fa couldn't help but look at her speechlessly. This woman had likely heard of his reputation for womanizing and was deliberately saying this to save her own life.
He said irritably, "My word as Ning Fa is always kept. As long as you honestly do as I say, I will naturally ensure your safety."
Upon hearing this, Ji Lianxing's peach blossom eyes curved into a smile, exuding charm.
Ning Fa ignored her and returned to the quiet room to prepare for the upcoming battle.
First, he communicated with Baili Ming.
"Daoist Baili, you should be able to make a move later, right?" Ning Fa confirmed again.
"Since you've promised to share some of the Soul Nurturing Divine Spring you obtain in the future, this old man isn't just willing to make a move this once, but even ten more times would be fine."
Baili Ming chuckled, sounding full of vigor. It was clear that after so much time, his soul power had recovered somewhat.
Ning Fa nodded. "That's for the best."
Although he was confident that after cultivating the Five Elements Calamity Heaven Sword Array, he alone, along with Blue Lightning and Little Ice, would be enough to kill Huangfu Hong and the other two.
However, with the assistance of Baili Ming, who possessed the strength of a Mid-level Great Cultivator, his chances would naturally be much higher.
This time, he was determined to ensure that none of these three escaped.
This was also one of the reasons he didn't let Sang Wen and Xiao Pengyuan participate. Baili Ming was also an important trump card for him, and it involved the Nine Immortals Association, so it was best not to reveal him unless absolutely necessary.
It was just a pity that Baili Ming was not his Heavenly Puppet, especially since his soul power was currently weak and he wouldn't act easily. To get his assistance, some price had to be paid.
However, Baili Ming had brought up this matter himself earlier. The price was that if Ning Fa obtained the Soul Nurturing Divine Spring in the future, he would have to share some with him.
This was because such a fifth-tier divine soul Spiritual Material was like a great tonic to him at this moment, and he naturally craved it.
At this moment, Ning Fa's eyes flashed, and he changed the subject, asking, "Daoist Baili, have you recalled anything about that terrifying Ancient Immortal from before?"
When Ning Fa had previously heard Ning Daozhen and Dan Hongzi talk about the Ancient Immortal, the Nether Abyss Heavenly Pool, and the Soul Nurturing Divine Spring, he had asked Baili Ming.
After all, this person was also an old monster who had lived for a long time and was previously in Tianwu. He should have some recollection.
Upon hearing this, Baili Ming paused for a moment, and his voice carried a hint of solemnity as he said, "This old man does recall some related records."
About thirty thousand years ago, a truly terrifying individual suddenly appeared.
First, he caused a bloodbath in Great Qin, with reports claiming he killed two Spirit Transformation Cultivators.
Then, this person came to Tianwu and also went on a killing spree.
In the end, it was the Nine Immortals Association of Tianwu and the Qianyuan Business Firm of Great Qin that took the lead, integrating the top forces of the two major immortal cultivation worlds to jointly deal with that terrifying existence.
After paying a great price, they finally managed to kill him.
However, as for who that terrifying existence was, what his name was, or where he came from, nothing has been passed down. Those major powers seemed to be very tight-lipped about it.
Now, hearing you say that, that terrifying existence must be the Ancient Immortal who emerged from that Ancient Immortal Island.
Tsk, tsk, I never expected there to be such a strange place next to your remote immortal cultivation world."
Upon hearing this, Ning Fa's gaze couldn't help but narrow slightly, and a hint of seriousness entered his heart. His desire to obtain the Soul Nurturing Divine Spring to cultivate the Moon Soul Crystal Core became even more urgent.
Such a terrifying existence made one feel immense pressure just hearing about it.
At the same time, in the cave in the upper layer of Black Wind Canyon, Huangfu Hong and Pei Nanshu were looking somewhat anxiously at a closed stone chamber door.
Not long after, with a creak, the stone chamber door opened, and Shen Xinlan walked out with a graceful gait.
Pei Nanshu immediately stood up and asked with a hint of urgency, "Fellow Daoist Shen, how is the situation?"
Shen Xinlan's delicate and pretty face broke into a smile. "By using my Spirit Sealing Great Method to attach a wisp of my divine sense to my disciple, I confirmed Ning Fa's current state, which is indeed as my disciple said.
It might even be worse. I feel that I could kill him alone."
Upon hearing this, Pei Nanshu and Huangfu Hong breathed a sigh of relief.
Huangfu Hong's eyes flickered as she asked, "Fellow Daoist Shen, you're not actually considering that, are you?"
"Hehe, of course not. Although that brat is heavily injured, his divine abilities are truly bizarre and powerful. It's safer for the three of us to act together."
Shen Xinlan chuckled lightly.
In reality, she had indeed entertained the thought.
However, she had only recently advanced to the late Nascent Soul stage. Facing the increasingly renowned Ning Fa, even if he was heavily injured, she didn't have much confidence. Otherwise, she would have really wanted to take him all for herself.
Pei Nanshu stroked his beard and smiled, "If that's the case, to avoid any further complications, let's set off as soon as possible.
We'll use the prepared excuse to stall the Tianli people. By the time they react, we should have already succeeded, and they won't be able to do anything to us then."
The three exchanged a smile and quickly left the place.
Ten days later.
On the edge of the Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain Range, demonic qi surged, and powerful savage beasts, as large as small mountains, would occasionally rush out from the depths of the mountain range and then roar towards the outside.
Now, the demonized savage beasts of the Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain Range had completely broken out of the mountain range and had begun to ravage the nearby Tianli regions.
Because the Tianli armies were all on the front lines with Cangyuan, they couldn't react in time, which only caused the beast plague to become more rampant.
At this moment, a faint, almost imperceptible light was flying towards the depths of the mountain range at a considerable speed in the low altitude of the Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain Range.
Not long after, this light arrived more than a thousand miles deep into the mountain range and stopped outside a tall peak shaped like a soaring spirit bird.
The light circled the mountain slightly before stopping at a certain spot. There was an inconspicuous cave entrance on the nearby mountainside.
The light paused for a moment before flying inside.
The interior of the cave was very spacious, covering over a thousand square meters, and the ceiling was dozens of feet high. In the vast hall, a person was sitting cross-legged.
This person was Ning Fa.
Beside him, a seductive and charming woman in a black dress sat with her head bowed, like a maidservant. It was Ji Lianxing.
Ning Fa suddenly opened his eyes, slowly got up, looked towards a seemingly empty corner, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Since you've come from afar, why not show yourself?"