Hermit Xuyuan sighed again.
He was also very helpless in his heart. Originally, Ning Fa had temporarily put aside the grievances with the Pei Family, but who would have thought that Pei Nanshu would court death himself? This truly left him speechless.
Noticing Ning Fa's gaze, he naturally knew what Ning Fa meant, which made him even more helpless.
After thinking for a moment, he said tactfully, "These are special times. If Fellow Daoist Ning slaughters indiscriminately, it will be detrimental to your reputation.
In my opinion, it would be better to send all the members of the Pei Family to the front lines to fight and die on the battlefield. Perhaps that would be a better outcome."
Ning Fa's expression changed. Hermit Xuyuan's words clearly intended for the Pei Family cultivators to be cannon fodder.
Ning Fa thought for a moment and then said, "I can agree, but for the main members of the Pei Family, I need to plant a Soul Restraint on them, including Pei Ruiqing."
Hermit Xuyuan's face couldn't help but show a look of difficulty. In the end, he sighed and nodded.
He couldn't help but lament in his heart that previously, Pei Nanshu, for the sake of Pei Ruiqing, had not hesitated to oppress the Huayu Sect and the Ning Family for years, and he himself, for the sake of the bigger picture, had not stopped him too much.
And now, not only was Pei Nanshu dead, but Pei Ruiqing's life and death were to be decided by Ning Fa. He himself could not stop it for the sake of the bigger picture. This could not be said to be the unpredictability of life.
Upon hearing Hermit Xuyuan's agreement, Ning Fa couldn't help but show a slight smile.
At this moment, Hermit Xuyuan said with a solemn expression, "Fellow Daoist Ning, compared to the Wushi Demonic Palace or the Yuan Cha Gate, I am more worried about Pei Nanshu's friend from the Three-Eyed Heavenly Ape tribe, Yuan Gang.
His bond with Pei Nanshu is extraordinary, and the Heavenly Ape tribe has always had a fiery temper. If he learns that Pei Nanshu died by your hand, I fear he will not let this matter rest."
Ning Fa's eyes flickered, and his expression was calm. "When the soldiers come, we'll block them; when the water comes, we'll cover it. If Yuan Gang comes to seek revenge, I will face him."
Hearing the confidence in Ning Fa's words, Hermit Xuyuan stopped discussing the matter and asked again, "Did Fellow Daoist obtain the Thousand Soul Grass on this trip?"
Speaking of this, Ning Fa immediately said, "I did indeed obtain a Ten Thousand Year Thousand Soul Grass.
Fellow Daoist Xuyuan, please give me the recipe for the Soul-Bending Pill and the other materials. I will refine this pill myself."
Hermit Xuyuan couldn't help but be surprised. "Fellow Daoist Ning, this Soul-Bending Pill is a Fourth-grade High-grade Pill. Even a Fourth-grade Pill Refining Master would find it very difficult to refine.
And the main ingredient, like the Thousand Soul Grass, is very precious. If it's wasted..."
Hermit Xuyuan's words were very tactful, but he clearly didn't believe in Ning Fa's pill refining skills.
Ning Fa smiled. "Fellow Daoist Xuyuan, there's no need to worry. Since I said it, I naturally have confidence. I believe my pill refining skills are no less than any Pill Refining Master.
To be honest, the reason I could cultivate so quickly is largely due to my pill refining skills.
Moreover, I wouldn't joke about something like the Soul-Bending Pill. I will definitely be able to refine this pill."
Hearing Ning Fa's confident words, Hermit Xuyuan couldn't help but be slightly moved. Recalling some of Ning Fa's previous information, he still nodded.
With a wave of his right hand, a pile of spiritual materials shimmering with colorful light appeared in the air.
Ning Fa's eyes brightened slightly. He reached out and took all these spiritual materials into his storage ring.
At this moment, Hermit Xuyuan said solemnly, "Fellow Daoist Ning, I hope you do not publicize the matter of killing Pei Nanshu and the other two. After all, if it gets out, it will inevitably deal a blow to our morale."
Ning Fa nodded in agreement.
The two then discussed for several more hours, focusing on how Ning Fa and his group had destroyed the barrier in the Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain Range and the replica of the Nine Divisions World-Suppressing Pagoda.
Ning Fa also learned from Hermit Xuyuan about the current situation between Cangyuan and Tianli.
Thanks to their sabotage behind Tianli's lines, beast tides had erupted again in Tianli's rear, and the frontline army had retreated once more.
However, Ning Fa also told Hermit Xuyuan not to celebrate too early, as he briefly mentioned Zhuo Qing's situation.
After all, Zhuo Qing should not stay in Tianli for too long. Once she returned to the Nine Dragons Sea with her subordinates through that Ancient Demon Altar, the beast calamity in Tianli's rear would naturally cease to be a threat, which made Hermit Xuyuan very regretful.
Finally, Ning Fa got up to take his leave. His eyes flashed as he said, "Fellow Daoist Xuyuan, I gained quite a bit from going to Tianli this time and have felt the opportunity for a breakthrough.
Therefore, for the next period, I will be in seclusion and cultivation in Xuguo.
Of course, if the enemy's offensive is too fierce, I will come to assist."
Upon hearing this, Hermit Xuyuan's eyes lit up, and he smiled, "This is truly good news. Then I wish Fellow Daoist Ning a smooth cultivation. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask me."
Ning Fa smiled, and with a flash of escape light, he left the place.
Not long after, Ning Fa arrived at the central area of Tianyu City.
He saw a vast expanse of palace complexes, especially the grandest hall in the very center, which was majestic and solemn.
This was the Council Hall of Tianyu City, and also the frontline command center.
A silver light circled the east gate of the hall before descending, revealing Ning Fa's figure.
A bearded man in the Early Core Formation stage, guarding by the gate, saw that it was Ning Fa and immediately stepped forward, cupped his hands, and bowed respectfully, "Senior Ning, Senior Sang and the others are currently in Hall No. 3."
Ning Fa nodded and walked into the hall.
Before he had gone far, footsteps sounded from ahead.
He saw twenty to thirty cultivators emerging from the entrance of the main hall next to him, meeting Ning Fa head-on.
Most of these people were familiar to Ning Fa, such as Kong Li, Xu Yi, Biwu, Xiao Pengyuan, Canglei, Miaoyin, Yun Jing, Tian Fu, Li Yue, and others.
There were also some people Ning Fa had not interacted with before, but had seen in the files. They were all Nascent Soul Cultivators from some major sects of the Yunhuang Alliance.
Clearly, these high-level cultivators of the Yunhuang Alliance were gathered together, seemingly discussing something.
Everyone stopped in their tracks, looking at Ning Fa with various expressions.
Xiao Pengyuan said with a smile, "We were just talking about how you, Daoist Ning, displayed great power during the behind-the-lines operation. I didn't expect you to be here so soon."
"Well done, Junior Brother Ning," Cang Lei said, giving Ning Fa a thumbs-up and laughing heartily.
Biwu also smiled radiantly, saying, "Thank you, Daoist Ning, for achieving great merit for our Cangyuan."
True Lord Yun Jing stroked his beard and smiled, "I was wondering why I hadn't seen Daoist Ning for so long. So you were undertaking a secret mission to Tianli at great risk. Now that you have returned victorious, you have even caused the Tianli army to retreat a thousand miles. Daoist Ning's contributions are immeasurable."
"Daoist Yun Jing speaks the truth. Daoist Ning has achieved great merit for our Cangyuan this time, and we are truly grateful," Tian Fu said immediately.
Fairy Miaoyin's beautiful eyes shifted as she looked at Ning Fa, her gaze filled with unconcealed admiration.
The others also expressed their thanks, and although there was some flattery involved, it was also genuine.
During the time Ning Fa went to see Hermit Xuyuan, their group's mission to infiltrate and sabotage the Tianli rear had no longer been a secret. In the previous meeting, Xiao Pengyuan had already recounted the events, naturally astonishing the other high-level cultivators who were unaware.
In fact, over the past year or two, there had been considerable dissatisfaction among Cangyuan's high-level cultivators regarding Ning Fa's absence from the front lines. They believed he had a great reputation but did not contribute, while relentlessly dealing with their own people. Although they wouldn't say anything openly because Ning Fa was one of their own in the Yunhuang Alliance, facing the mockery of Nascent Soul Cultivators from the Righteous Path Alliance made them feel awkward, and they harbored some resentment towards Ning Fa.
However, after Xiao Pengyuan, an eyewitness, recounted the journey, they finally understood the crucial role Ning Fa played in this behind-the-lines operation. It could be said that without Ning Fa, their group would not have been able to destroy the barrier in the Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain Range, nor the refining of that Heaven-Piercing Spirit Treasure Replica. The latter, in particular, was extremely critical for Cangyuan. Therefore, any dissatisfaction some of these individuals had towards Ning Fa naturally vanished.
At this moment, Kong Li's gaze sharpened. He took a step forward, and as if shrinking the ground, he appeared about ten feet in front of Ning Fa. This renowned Great Cultivator asked with a hint of tension in his eyes, "How was it? Did you succeed?"
Not far away, Xu Yi, who had been calm, was also watching Ning Fa intently. Ning Fa knew what Kong Li was referring to. He smiled and nodded, his lips moving slightly as he transmitted a few words. Kong Li's face immediately broke into a smile, and his expression relaxed considerably. He opened his mouth as if to express his thanks, but ultimately did not, and stepped out of the hall.
Xu Yi also looked at Ning Fa in silence, then transformed into a beam of sword light without a word and left the hall as well. After these two departed, the other Nascent Soul Cultivators seemed to have no reservations and flocked forward, enthusiastically greeting Ning Fa. Their attitude even carried a hint of respect. After all, the current situation was clear. Although the Yunhuang Alliance had two other Great Cultivators, there was no doubt that neither Kong Li nor Xu Yi could compare to Ning Fa in status. Or, to put it another way, Ning Fa had now become the undisputed number one person in the Yunhuang Alliance, essentially the Grand Elder of the entire Yunhuang Alliance. Furthermore, in the foreseeable future, Ning Fa would be the number one person in Cangyuan. His every word and action would have a significant impact on Cangyuan. Therefore, it was natural for them to foster good relations with Ning Fa.
Fairy Biwu looked at Ning Fa, who was surrounded by the crowd, and a hint of emotion flickered in her beautiful eyes. She knew that the era when the Divine Heart Sect, He Yi Gate, and Heaven Sword Sect dominated the Yunhuang Alliance was long gone. For a considerable time to come, the Yunhuang Alliance would primarily follow Ning Fa's lead. Kong Li and Xu Yi clearly understood this as well, which was likely why they left first, perhaps not wanting to witness this scene.
After Ning Fa exchanged pleasantries with everyone, he looked at Cang Lei, whose face was beaming with a smile, and sighed inwardly, "Senior Brother Cang Lei, I have something to discuss with you." He then looked at Li Yue and said, "Daoist Li Yue, please come along as well." Although Ning Fa's expression was calm, Cang Lei sensed something unusual. The smile on his face vanished, and without asking further questions, he followed Ning Fa forward. Li Yue, on the other hand, showed no displeasure at Ning Fa's commanding tone and followed with a faint smile. Although Xiao Pengyuan had not mentioned that Ning Fa had killed Pei Nanshu and the other two, in Li Yue's view, with Ning Fa's current status, as long as he protected her, Pei Nanshu would not dare to do anything to her again.