Even a brilliant figure like Ancestor Juelei could only go to Mi Tian Valley in a desperate gamble, only to meet a tragic end within it.
What secret within the Abyssal Heavenly Pool could counter the might of a Profound Heaven Spirit Treasure and help cultivators ascend to the upper realms?
Ning Fa initially found it impossible, but after considering the message left by Ancestor Bing Chen of the Ice Phoenix Clan, he felt it wasn't entirely out of the question.
This was because the Abyssal Heavenly Pool was suspected to be a remnant from a battle between two True Spirits that fell into their Human Realm.
Such an item left behind by terrifying existences might indeed possess the ability to counter the power of that Profound Heaven Spirit Treasure.
After all, judging by Ancestor Juelei's message, that Profound Heaven Spirit Treasure was not complete.
Lu Caifu saw Ning Fa's shocked expression and didn't find it unusual. After all, she had reacted the same way when she first heard the news.
However, she didn't know that Ning Fa possessed far more detailed information than she did.
Speaking of which, a strange expression appeared on Lu Caifu's pretty face.
"However, it seems that Ancestor Tianyi wasn't the only one to obtain information about the special divination for the Abyssal Heavenly Pool.
High-level demons in the Cloud Break Mountain Range seem to have also sensed something. Otherwise, the ancestor of the Three-Eyed Heavenly Ape Clan, Yuan Ming, wouldn't have personally come out, bringing so many high-level shapeshifted demons with him.
I even feel that Kailandir, the Spirit Transformation Cultivator from the Sea Race, is likely not here in Cangyuan solely to pursue fellow Daoist Ning. The real reason is probably also related to the Abyssal Heavenly Pool.
I have a premonition that other powerful forces from the cultivation world might also send people here this time."
At this, Ning Fa was genuinely surprised.
What Lu Caifu said next astonished him even further.
The woman looked at him and smiled faintly, "I've been very interested in the Nine Dragons Sea for a long time, especially Fu Ling Hall.
Throughout its long history, Fu Ling Hall has produced many brilliant figures, such as the recent Yan Yuan Daoist, who almost single-handedly annihilated the powerful Zi Yin Immortal Dynasty.
To think that I would now witness the current Hall Master of Fu Ling Hall in person. I am truly fortunate.
Especially fellow Daoist Ning, who, like the founding ancestor of Fu Ling Hall, Ancestor Juelei, possesses the extremely rare Five Elements Thunder Body."
Upon hearing this, Ning Fa could no longer maintain his composure. His pupils contracted as he stared at the woman.
Things were indeed as he had predicted. This woman had known his identity for a long time and had directly confirmed that he possessed the Five Elements Thunder Body.
However, Ning Fa quickly regained his calm.
This day was bound to come sooner or later.
After all, if he wanted to break through to higher realms, he would have to fight and seize opportunities. This would inevitably lead to him revealing his strength, thus attracting the attention of these top forces and allowing them to discover his secrets.
Fortunately, this day hadn't arrived too early. With his current strength, he was confident that he could hold his own even against a Spirit Transformation Cultivator.
Judging by Lu Caifu's attitude, she didn't seem to have any ill intentions, but it was almost certain she had her own agenda.
Lu Caifu carefully observed Ning Fa. Seeing that he quickly regained his composure, a hint of admiration appeared in her beautiful eyes. She continued, "Fellow Daoist Ning, there's no need to worry too much. In fact, a significant part of the reason I've come to discuss this with you is your current status as the Hall Master of Fu Ling Hall and your potential due to the Five Elements Thunder Body."
Ning Fa secretly thought, The main point has arrived. He immediately said in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist Lu, there's no need to beat around the bush. Just say what you want to say."
Lu Caifu smiled, "Let me be straightforward. Our Qianyuan Merchant Alliance wants to cooperate with you.
Even when you eventually return to the Nine Dragons Sea and take charge of Fu Ling Hall, our Qianyuan Merchant Alliance can provide substantial aid to help the weakened Fu Ling Hall develop.
Of course, this aid isn't free. We hope that when necessary, fellow Daoist Ning and Fu Ling Hall can do some things for us."
Hearing this, Ning Fa's eyebrows shot up as he looked at the woman.
His mind raced, and combining this with the actions of Great Qin and Tianwu in the Nine Dragons Sea all along, he couldn't help but frown.
"Are you saying you want to develop our Fu Ling Hall into a subordinate force of your Qianyuan Merchant Alliance, to fight against the Tianshu Alliance in the future?"
Lu Caifu smiled approvingly, "It's indeed much easier talking to a smart person.
Yes, fellow Daoist Ning can understand it that way.
Of course, I prefer to call it a cooperative relationship. I believe this is a mutually beneficial situation.
After all, with Yan Jingchen of Lei Prison Mountain rising in power, his status in the Tianshu Alliance will only grow. Given the irreconcilable conflict between your two factions, he certainly won't let Fu Ling Hall off the hook.
And we happen to not want the Nine Dragons Sea to have only one voice. Therefore, we don't want to see established underground forces like Fu Ling Hall disappear."
Ning Fa couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this.
Great Qin's ambition to conquer the Nine Dragons Sea is indeed unyielding.
He had known before that the Great Qin and Tianwu, two major cultivation worlds, had played a significant role in the rapid collapse of the powerful Zi Yin Immortal Dynasty, providing substantial support to forces like the Tianshu Alliance.
Now, they were offering support to underground forces like Fu Ling Hall, seeking to create trouble for the Tianshu Alliance.
The core principle was to prevent the emergence of another unified power in the Nine Dragons Sea.
It seemed that the once-powerful Zi Yin Immortal Dynasty had indeed put considerable pressure on Great Qin and Tianwu, making them fearful of another Zi Yin Immortal Dynasty appearing.
Thinking of this, Ning Fa couldn't help but laugh, "Did you also provide funding to Yuanshou Ancestral Court and the Demon Sea Alliance?"
Lu Caifu naturally understood Ning Fa's meaning, and she chuckled in amusement, "Fellow Daoist Ning is indeed very astute. That is indeed the case.
However, the aid we plan to provide to your Hall this time will exceed the level of aid given to them. This is likely also due to you, fellow Daoist Ning.
To be frank, neither our Great Qin nor Tianwu wishes to see a second Zi Yin Immortal Dynasty emerge in the Nine Dragons Sea."
The power that could be unleashed by integrating the imperial dynasty forces of a great immortal cultivation world was truly terrifying.
In reality, for our Qianyuan Merchant Alliance, there was an even more important reason: we wanted to do business.
After all, we started as merchants, and the Tianshu Alliance has been strictly guarding against us, making it difficult for our influence to penetrate.
Furthermore, there are many resources in the Nine Dragons Sea that we urgently need, so we cannot give up.
If fellow Daoist Ning is interested, then after this matter at the Abyssal Heavenly Pool concludes, we can discuss the terms in detail. What do you think?"
After speaking, Lu Caifu's beautiful eyes stared intently at Ning Fa.
Ning Fa, meanwhile, appeared to be in thought.
In fact, cooperating with the Qianyuan Merchant Alliance was equivalent to acting as a spy for the Nine Dragons Sea. While this wouldn't matter much to Ning Fa, as he wasn't exactly a cultivator of the Nine Dragons Sea, he couldn't do it.
This was because the Fu Ling Hall and the Heavenly Evolution Sect were actually one entity, merely operating in the open and in the shadows respectively.
If he agreed to cooperate with the Qianyuan Merchant Alliance, he feared the Heavenly Evolution Sect would be the first to refuse him.
Although the Heavenly Evolution Sect had always been independent within the Tianshu Alliance and did not take orders, they were always uncompromising when facing external enemies. They detested internal strife even more than the Taichu Gate and the Pure Sword Sect.
And this external enemy did not solely refer to other races like the Sea Race or the Demon Race, but also included other forces outside the Nine Dragons Sea.
Moreover, Ning Fa did not wish to become a subordinate force to any other power, even the mighty Qianyuan Merchant Alliance, so he could not agree so readily.
However, he also couldn't simply refuse, as the Grand Elder of the Qianyuan Merchant Alliance was present.
Ning Fa feigned contemplation for a moment before slowly saying, "This matter indeed has significant implications. I will need some time to consider it. Also, I haven't returned to the Nine Dragons Sea in a long time and am unsure of the current situation there."
Lu Caifu was unaware of Ning Fa's inner thoughts, but she appeared very confident, chuckling softly, "I believe fellow Daoist Ning will make a wise choice."
The banquet concluded, but the revelry in Zhenyou City did not.
This was because the cultivators of Cangyuan, who had waited so long in despair, had finally welcomed their savior, and how could they not be ecstatic?
Therefore, the high-ranking officials of Cangyuan also took the opportunity to hold a celebration, allowing the people of Cangyuan to vent their joy and also to express their gratitude to the assisting cultivators from Great Qin.
Furthermore, Hermit Xuyuan vaguely revealed that the Spirit Transformation Cultivator, Venerable Ling Jun, would personally intervene to coordinate the battles between Cangyuan and the other factions, at the very least recovering some of the occupied territories. This made the cultivators participating in the celebration even more excited.
Meanwhile, Ning Fa met with Ji Lianxing at his residence.
"Ning Lang, I followed you wholeheartedly, you can't just abandon me after enjoying yourself, can you?"
The charming and seductive Ji Lianxing said to Ning Fa with affection, walking towards him step by step. As she moved her lotus-like steps, her dress slowly slid down.
Ning Fa gently caressed her fair, jade-like face with his right hand and chuckled, "This will be the wisest thing you've ever done."
With that, Ning Fa kissed her passionately, and their figures gradually merged into one.
After Ji Lianxing fell into a deep sleep, Ning Fa sat up, his face etched with thought.
The Wushi Demonic Palace and the Yuan Cha Gate were threats that could not be ignored.
Although the mysterious and unfathomable Hermit Tianyi had expressed his goodwill towards him in public, it was impossible to rely on that as his protection, especially against top demonic sects like the Wushi Demonic Palace and the Yuan Cha Gate.
The key issue was that these two major forces had branch sects in Cangyuan. From the information he had gathered in recent days, these two forces, along with the Taiqing Sect, intended to increase their personnel and influence in Cangyuan, which would be even more troublesome.
Especially with the threat of the Sea Race, given their attitude of wanting him dead immediately.
Now that they knew his origins were here, even if he wasn't afraid, it was inevitable that they would use methods to deal with his sect and family in the future.
Therefore, upon thinking of this, Ning Fa had made up his mind completely to have his sect and family leave through the teleportation array in the Profound Fire Sect ruins.
As Ning Fa was pondering, his expression suddenly changed. He flipped his right hand and took out a special white circular token. Blue Lightning's voice transmitted from within.
Upon hearing this, Ning Fa couldn't help but smile. It was truly a case of "speak of the devil and he shall appear."
Blue Lightning informed him that Meng Ruoqi had completely repaired the teleportation array and had already tested it. The teleportation array could be activated at any time, which was naturally excellent news for Ning Fa.
Ning Fa really wanted to go and see it himself, but with so many top experts from Great Qin present, and that Spirit Transformation Cultivator, he didn't dare to act rashly.
Three days later, a group of Great Qin cultivators, along with several great cultivators from Cangyuan including Ning Fa, galloped south.
In addition to them, there were also the demons from the Cloud Break Mountain Range, and these people were heading towards the Cloud Wasteland Great Marsh.