The meeting reached its end when a Spirit Transformation Cultivator, with a face full of coarse flesh and a build like a butcher, stood up and asked an unrelated question.
"Daoist Gu Zun, Daoist Yuanzun, you previously said we could study the Ancient Star Stone Tablet later. You won't be lying to us about this, will you?"
Upon hearing this, many Spirit Transformation Cultivators in the hall who had been silent all this time immediately sat up straighter, their gazes fixed intently on the two individuals seated at the left and right head seats.
Ning Fa's heart stirred; he knew what was going on.
At the last Spirit Transformation meeting, when they were discussing whether to proactively attack the Sea Race before their cross-realm passage opened, some newly arrived Spirit Transformation Cultivators had proposed viewing the Ancient Star Stone Tablet.
It was then that Ning Fa learned the matter of the Ancient Star Stone Tablet had already been leaked.
Even though it was something Ning Fa had made up, the Spirit Transformation Cultivators saw the mysterious Ancient Star Stone Tablet as related to ascending to the upper realm.
Naturally, this made those Spirit Transformation Cultivators extremely eager. Even the few newly arrived Rogue Cultivators among them were clearly here for the Ancient Star Stone Tablet, not for any sense of racial righteousness.
Venerable Jizhao had previously discussed this with the leading Spirit Transformation Cultivators from Great Qin and Tianwu. After some deliberation, he had verbally agreed.
Furthermore, in the time that followed, this was used as a condition to invite those reclusive Spirit Transformation old monsters.
The fact that so many Human Race Spirit Transformation Cultivators were gathered in the hall now was largely due to this.
At this moment, Yuanzun, the President of the Nine Immortals Association, who had not spoken much, chuckled lightly. "What we say is as good as gold. Signing this Pact of Taicang should put everyone's minds at ease."
As he spoke, Yuanzun flicked his right hand, and a pale golden scroll appeared in the air.
The expressions of the Spirit Transformation Cultivators from outside the three major cultivation worlds softened. Soon, a host of Spirit Transformation Cultivators signed their names on it, and the atmosphere became much more harmonious.
A strange glint flashed in Ning Fa's eyes. If these Spirit Transformation Cultivators knew that the matter of the Ancient Star Stone Tablet was something he had completely fabricated, would they collectively hunt him down?
He hadn't expected that the Ancient Star Stone Tablet he had presented back then would now become such a powerful tool for uniting the Human Race Spirit Transformation Cultivators.
The meeting soon dispersed, and Ning Fa followed the crowd out of the great hall.
Just then, a sound transmission suddenly reached his ear.
Ning Fa frowned slightly, then his expression returned to normal.
Before long, Ning Fa and the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant arrived at the summit of a spirit mountain several hundred feet high, southwest of Zhenhai City.
There was a pavilion here, and a tall, handsome, and extremely charismatic middle-aged cultivator was leisurely seated within. This person was none other than Gu Zun of the Qianyuan Merchant Alliance.
"Daoist Ning, Daoist Tianbao, please sit."
Gu Zun smiled, gesturing for them to sit opposite him.
Ning Fa sat down opposite him without ceremony. The Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant acted as if he hadn't heard anything, sitting cross-legged in the air nearby.
Gu Zun didn't mind. Instead, he carefully scrutinized Ning Fa from head to toe, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
Yet, with just a casual glance, Ning Fa felt immense pressure.
Ning Fa immediately realized that this person's Divine Soul strength was superior to his own.
This indicated that Gu Zun had likely also cultivated a Divine Soul Cultivation Method of no small caliber, as his own current Divine Soul strength should theoretically surpass that of ordinary Mid Spirit Transformation Cultivators.
Ning Fa immediately circulated the Moon God Art at full power. The uncomfortable sensation quickly vanished, and Ning Fa felt a slight sense of relief. It seemed Gu Zun's Divine Soul strength wasn't significantly higher than his own.
At this point, Gu Zun could no longer hide his surprise. His gaze returned to normal, and he sighed, "Only after seeing it with my own eyes do I realize that the outside world's evaluation of Daoist Ning is not an exaggeration, and perhaps even understated.
What surprises me even more is your astonishing Body Refining realm.
I also dabble in Body Refining, and my cultivation has reached the peak of Fourth-grade. However, it seems I'm still a step behind you. Daoist Ning truly has incredible fortune."
Hearing this, Ning Fa inwardly smiled.
He hadn't wasted the past five years. He had refined most of the vast essence he obtained from Ying Xiao, which had greatly advanced his Body Refining realm. He was now not far from the perfect Fourth-grade Body Refining realm.
Moreover, his current realm was based on the high standards of the Ancient Source Thunder Scripture. The robustness of his physical body now far surpassed that of some Fourth-grade peak Demon Cultivators with ordinary bloodlines.
"May I ask why Gu Zun has summoned me?" Ning Fa asked directly.
Gu Zun smiled slightly. "Daoist Ning, you should be aware of my intentions.
I am here for my unworthy great-grandson. I wish to form a marital alliance with Daoist Ning and request that you marry your beloved daughter to Gu Ying."
As he spoke, Gu Zun looked at Ning Fa with a sincere expression.
Ning Fa frowned slightly. It was indeed about this.
In fact, over the past five years, Gu Ying had visited his home several times, but Ning Fa had always turned him away without even meeting him.
He hadn't expected Gu Zun himself to come for this matter.
"I apologize, but I cannot agree to this," Ning Fa replied calmly.
His straightforward refusal caused Gu Zun's smile to stiffen. He frowned deeply and looked at Ning Fa.
"Does Daoist Ning truly not want to reconsider?" he asked again.
"If this is the only matter, then I don't think there's anything more to discuss. I'll be taking my leave," Ning Fa said.
With that, Ning Fa cupped his hands towards Gu Zun and gracefully departed.
The Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant beside him flickered slightly and also vanished.
Gu Zun watched in the direction Ning Fa had gone, his thick eyebrows furrowing deeply.
Not long after, a young man with an exceptionally handsome appearance, dressed in a white robe, emerged from behind him.
The man first bowed respectfully, then asked with anticipation, "Old Ancestor, did he agree?"
Gu Zun's expression had returned to calm, but his eyes were like a sea about to be swept by a storm. He said calmly, "He flatly refused. It seems very difficult to make him change his mind."
The young man immediately looked disappointed.
But Gu Zun gently stroked the teacup in his hand and said faintly, "Don't worry, he has no choice in this matter. Just wait patiently for a while longer."
With that, a smile of unknown meaning flickered across Gu Zun's face, and he instantly broke through the air and left.
Meanwhile, Ning Fa had returned to his residence.
He knew that directly refusing Gu Zun this time might lead to unforeseen consequences, but when it concerned his daughter, he would never compromise.
After some thought, he went into a secret chamber.
The arrival of the second wave of reinforcements from the Sea Race, along with Gu Zun's presence, had led him to make a decision.
In the secret chamber, a young man in a black and gold robe, with a handsome face but an arrogant demeanor, was bound tightly by several thunder chains.
Seeing Ning Fa arrive, the man gritted his teeth and glared at Ning Fa, as if he wanted to devour him alive.
Ning Fa, however, smiled. This young man was naturally the Spirit Transformation Demon Cultivator Ying Xiao.
Although only five years had passed, with Ning Fa supplying high-grade pills at any cost, this demon had recovered to the Mid Transformation stage.
This was mainly because he didn't need to undergo another Heavenly Tribulation during this process.
This gave Ning Fa confidence that he could restore Ying Xiao to the Spirit Transformation realm within a reasonable amount of time, provided he could first use Lightning Control on the demon and turn it into his Spirit Beast.
Ning Fa had been hesitant at first, as once Lightning Control was used, it would be troublesome to change it.
But the impending war had made Ning Fa resolute.
Ying Xiao, who had been raging and roaring at Ning Fa, suddenly felt a jolt of unease when he saw the strange smile on Ning Fa's face. "Kid, what do you want to do!?"
Ning Fa ignored him. He pointed his right hand forward, and amidst a burst of lightning, a mysterious five-colored thunder pattern appeared, symbolizing his Five Elements Thunder Body.
As Ning Fa's mind moved, the Innate Divine Ability rune representing Lightning Control above him lit up. A beam of radiance shot out, suddenly expanding and engulfing Ying Xiao.
Ying Xiao struggled frantically with a look of terror, but he was powerless to stop it.
Before long, a miniature pattern resembling a green Spirit Bird appeared on the surface of the rune.
At the same time, a strange soul connection appeared in Ning Fa's sea of consciousness. The feeling was peculiar, somewhat similar to his mental connection with Little Ice and Blue Lightning, but distinctly different.
"Kneel."
Ning Fa's eyes flashed as he said to Ying Xiao.
Ying Xiao was panting heavily. Upon hearing Ning Fa's command, he immediately knelt on the ground without hesitation.
After kneeling, he looked bewildered, his expression respectful yet his teeth gritted. "What exactly did you do to me!?"
Seeing this, Ning Fa smiled slightly. With this, he had gained another powerful helper.
"Remember, I possess the Five Elements Thunder Body. Following me is not a disgrace to you. In the future, I can even take you to the Spirit Realm. A broader world awaits you, so try to be happy."
Ning Fa smiled leisurely and then put him into the Spirit Beast Bag.
In the future, he could invest more resources to help him recover to the Spirit Transformation realm as soon as possible.
Just as Ning Fa was about to return to his cultivation chamber, he suddenly heard Little Ice's voice: "Master, Little Ice has something to tell you."
Ning Fa frowned slightly. Soon, a flash of ice light appeared before him, revealing a handsome youth in white armor with messy hair – it was Little Ice.
Years had passed, and Little Ice's cultivation had also advanced to the Mid Transformation stage.
Little Ice, usually quite playful, now had a rare look of seriousness, even a hint of anxiety.
"Little Ice, what's wrong?" Ning Fa asked.
Little Ice took a deep breath and said, "Master, the Ice Phoenix Clan seems to be in trouble. They've fallen into a major crisis."
"How do you know?" Ning Fa frowned.
Little Ice scratched his head. "I can't quite explain it. Just before you went to that Spirit Transformation meeting, I inexplicably saw some blurry images.
Uh, Master, why don't you just look directly? I'll share the scene with you."
After Little Ice finished speaking, an image appeared in Ning Fa's sea of consciousness.
The scene seemed to be in an ice valley. In front of them was a sculpture several feet in size, shaped like an Ice Phoenix, lifelike.
Dozens of people were kneeling in front of the sculpture. These people were dressed in robes with phoenix patterns, and most of them were stunning women.
At the front of the crowd was a cold and beautiful woman. Ning Fa recognized her; it was Bing Ning, the Young Master of the Ice Phoenix Clan, whom he had met twice before.
Bing Ning stood second in front of the group. Ahead of her was a middle-aged beauty with her long hair piled high and fierce phoenix eyes.
Clearly, these were all members of the Ice Phoenix Clan. The middle-aged beauty at the very front was likely the Spirit Transformation Ancestor of the Ice Phoenix Clan.
At this moment, the ordinary clan members all had looks of despair, and many couldn't help but sob.
Even the middle-aged beauty, the Spirit Transformation Ancestor, looked at the statue before them with a pale face.
Ning Fa soon noticed something was wrong. The surface of the Ice Phoenix sculpture was covered with many gray spots, almost enveloping the entire statue, leaving only the head relatively intact.
The scene ended here. Ning Fa couldn't help but frown deeply. Was this the trouble the Ice Phoenix Clan was facing?
"Little Ice, what's going on?"
Little Ice tilted its head. "From the inheritance information Ancestor Bing Chen gave me, the statue in the image should be the sacred image of the Ice Phoenix Clan.
It plays a crucial role for the Ice Phoenix Clan, even concerning their very existence.
It seems that sacred image is having problems now."
"Little Ice, are you trying to..." Ning Fa couldn't help but frown as he looked at it.
Little Ice sighed. "Master, I want to go back and help them.
There seems to be a way in the inheritance Ancestor Bing Chen left me to help them solve, or at least alleviate, this problem.
Master, you know that although Ancestor Bing Chen had considerable resentment towards the Ice Phoenix Clan, he never abandoned his identity as an Ice Phoenix clansman.
In the final message he left, he also asked the future inheritor to help the Ice Phoenix Clan when they are in danger.
Moreover, I have a hunch that I can gain some benefits from this, because that important inheritance needs the sacred image to be truly activated, which is crucial for my future advancement to Spirit Transformation."
Hearing this, Ning Fa immediately thought of the last time Bing Ning approached him to negotiate, wanting to take Little Ice away and offering generous compensation.
It seemed that, just as Little Ice said, the Ice Phoenix Clan wanted Little Ice to solve their sacred image problem.
Ning Fa couldn't help but hesitate. According to his original plan, he intended to wait until Blue Lightning advanced to Spirit Transformation before joining forces with Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant to raid the Ice Phoenix Clan's territory.
At this moment, Little Ice spoke again, "Master, haven't you always wanted your Tai Yin True Fire to truly advance?
I'm confident I can get the Spirit Transformation Ancestor of the Ice Phoenix Clan to agree to use her Natal Cold Flame to help you, but I also hope you'll let me go back with her and help the Ice Phoenix Clan."
As it spoke, Little Ice looked at Ning Fa with a pleading expression.
Hearing this, Ning Fa fell silent, then nodded.
Little Ice was immediately overjoyed. It then reached behind itself and produced an ice-blue feather. It tossed the feather forward, and it transformed into a streak of light and disappeared.
Three days later, while Zhenhai City was in a state of tense preparation, Ning Fa and Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant silently arrived at a desolate island nearly ten thousand miles north of Zhenhai City.
On one of the high mountains, two women were already waiting. One of them, a cold and beautiful young woman, was the Young Master Ice Phoenix, Bing Ning. The other was the middle-aged beautiful woman Ning Fa had seen in the image.
Now, feeling her up close, Ning Fa could clearly sense her powerful spiritual pressure, reaching Mid Spirit Transformation.
But Ning Fa clearly felt that this woman, like Venerable Jizhao, exuded a sense of approaching old age, clearly nearing the end of her lifespan.
Seeing Ning Fa, the faces of both women couldn't hide their joy.
The middle-aged beautiful woman even smiled and said, "Daoist Ning, you've finally arrived. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Bing Yi."
"Greetings, Daoist friend," Ning Fa replied, cupping his fists. Then, a white light flashed before him, and Little Ice appeared.
Upon seeing Little Ice, Bing Yi and Bing Ning immediately looked excited.
"This aura... it's definitely the Ancestor's successor! The sacred image is saved!" Bing Yi stared intently at Little Ice, murmuring.
Little Ice, however, said calmly, "I can go back with you and do my best to help you solve the sacred image problem.
But let me be clear first, I will still return to my master's side after this. And you must act and use your Natal Cold Flame to help my master's Tai Yin True Fire achieve a complete advancement."
The two women didn't react much to the first half of the sentence, but they were shocked by the second half.
"What? You possess the Tai Yin True Fire?" Bing Ning exclaimed involuntarily.
Without a word, Ning Fa summoned with one hand, and a small purple firebird flew out from his palm. It opened its mouth and exhaled a mouthful of ice-white flames, causing the void to instantly crystallize.
The two women stared intently at the firebird, unable to hide their envy.
The Tai Yin True Fire had an unimaginable boost for their Ice Phoenix Clan, but at this critical juncture of their race's survival, the Tai Yin True Fire was no longer important.
"Alright, once the sacred image problem is resolved, I will help you," Bing Yi said solemnly.
"No, you must start now.
When my master's Tai Yin True Fire truly advances, I will go back with you," Little Ice said to her, word by word.