"Currently, Taichu Gate has two Nascent Soul cultivators openly appearing. Besides Wen Yuchen, there's also Lord Liyang.
Pure Sword斋 also has one Nascent Soul cultivator, and she is a mid-stage Nascent Soul sword cultivator named Lord Xuanyi.
His strength places him among the top tier of powerhouses in the entire Human Realm.
Furthermore, from what I know, the Nascent Soul power behind these two major sects should be more than just these three. Otherwise, the Great Qin and Tianwu cultivation worlds wouldn't be so wary of the Nine Dragons Sea.
Besides that, the Nine Dragons Sea also has three Nascent Soul rogue cultivators.
One of them is Fairy Linghua of Xihua Island, who is right here. Another is the half-demon Nascent Soul cultivator we encountered earlier.
The last one's identity is mysterious, with very little intelligence available. All that's known is his name: Lord Yunxiu.
However, it's rumored that his strength is exceptionally high, second only to Lord Xuanyi among the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Nine Dragons Sea."
After Luo Feixuan finished transmitting her message, Ning Fa, though his heart churned, maintained a calm expression.
On the other side, Old Monster Tiansheng looked at Wen Yuchen and Fairy Linghua with some apprehension and said, "How did you know I came here?"
Wen Yuchen smiled calmly. "We not only know that fellow Daoist Tiansheng came here, but we also know you're here to find young friend Ning regarding the Abyssal Heavenly Pool matter."
"What! You know about this!?" Old Monster Tiansheng's face immediately showed surprise.
Wen Yuchen smiled, then looked at Ning Fa, his eyes revealing a sharp glint. "Young friend Ning, I didn't expect that you, the new Hall Master of Fu Ling Hall, would come from the Cangyuan cultivation world, and have such profound fortuitous encounters, even possessing the secret of the Abyssal Heavenly Pool."
Fairy Linghua stared intently at Ning Fa, asking with some impatience, "Young friend Ning, does the secret within the Abyssal Heavenly Pool truly concern ascension to the upper realm?"
As soon as she spoke, Wen Yuchen and Tiansheng's gazes also fixed on Ning Fa, their breathing becoming somewhat rapid.
Luo Feixuan also looked at Ning Fa with surprise, finally understanding what Ning Fa meant by having big trouble on his hands. It turned out to be such an important secret.
Facing the scrutiny of three powerful Nascent Soul cultivators, Ning Fa's expression was only slightly grim, and he remained silent for a moment.
At this moment, Old Monster Tiansheng sneered, "Young Ning, although I don't know how you managed to hire Tianbao, he might be strong, but he can't possibly contend against so many of us Nascent Soul cultivators joining forces. Naturally, he can't protect you!"
After speaking, he looked at Wen Yuchen and Fairy Linghua, his meaning clear.
Wen Yuchen and Fairy Linghua exchanged glances and nodded slightly.
Both of them were early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators. In terms of cultivation and strength, they were at most on the same level as Tiansheng, or even slightly inferior.
Since Tiansheng had been miserably defeated by Tianbao, they naturally wouldn't be a match for Tianbao either.
Therefore, facing Ning Fa, who was protected by Tianbao, their only option was to join forces.
Seeing the three Nascent Soul cultivators showing signs of allying, Ning Fa's gaze flickered, and he secretly transmitted a question to Tianbao: "Fellow Daoist Tianbao, can you handle these three?"
Tianbao's expression remained calm. "I can barely handle these three, but the additional reward you need to pay must include Star River Dew.
Alternatively, I can take you and escape. That way, you might not need to pay extra."
Ning Fa nodded.
However, this time he neither wanted to fight nor escape. He still wanted to talk to them.
After all, he couldn't keep running away. If this matter continued to escalate, other Nascent Soul cultivators might swarm in. A proper solution was necessary.
And he already had a plan for how to resolve it.
Just as he was about to speak, a slightly aged voice echoed in everyone's ears: "Fellow Daoists, please wait a moment. Give this humble one a moment."
Wen Yuchen, Fairy Linghua, and Tiansheng, the three Nascent Soul cultivators, all changed their expressions simultaneously and looked behind them.
After about six or seven breaths, a streak of escaping light sped towards them.
Soon, an old Daoist priest riding a large gourd arrived before them.
He wore a patched Daoist robe, his hair was slightly gray, and his appearance was refined and handsome. He was none other than Hermit Tianyi.
Ning Fa looked at him in surprise. He hadn't seen this person in a very long time.
The last time he saw him was after completing a transaction with Hermit Tianyi, where the old Daoist pointed out the location of a special place within the Moon Glow Heavenly Forbidden. He hadn't seen the old Daoist since then.
Later, with the arrival of Great Qin cultivators, he learned that Hermit Tianyi's identity was actually that of a Nascent Soul cultivator from Great Qin's mysterious force, Tianhong Hall, and moreover, an extremely rare fifth-tier diviner.
And undoubtedly, his appearance here now was clearly also for the matter of the Abyssal Heavenly Pool.
Hermit Tianyi first smiled at Ning Fa, then looked at Tianbao with some surprise before turning to the three Nascent Soul cultivators, Wen Yuchen, and bowed with a smile, saying, "Fellow Daoists, it has been a long time."
"Old Daoist Tianyi, you've actually come too," Old Monster Tiansheng said, his brow furrowed, his eyes showing undisguised apprehension.
Wen Yuchen and Fairy Linghua also had slight changes in their expressions. Fairy Linghua said with a hint of solemnity, "Fellow Daoist Tianyi, are you also here for the Abyssal Heavenly Pool matter?"
"That's right, it's precisely because of this matter that I hope there can be a proper resolution," Hermit Tianyi said with a smile.
"Now the secret of the Abyssal Heavenly Pool is with this kid, but he's currently protected by Tianbao.
Since Tianyi, you've arrived, the four of us joining forces will ensure victory.
Let's capture this kid first, and then we can discuss how to divide the secret of the Abyssal Heavenly Pool."
Old Monster Tiansheng's eyes flickered as he spoke.
Hermit Tianyi, however, shook his head. "That's not quite right. I met young friend Ning a long time ago, and we hit it off immediately. How could I draw my sword against him?
Moreover, you might be underestimating fellow Daoist Tianbao. If he were to act recklessly, I'm afraid the four of us combined wouldn't be his match.
And young friend Ning is by no means an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator. Even without fellow Daoist Tianbao's assistance, it wouldn't be easy for you to capture him."
So, resorting to force is the worst possible option. As I've said, I'm here to seek a proper solution, so please allow me to discuss this with young friend Ning first."
Upon hearing this, Wen Yuchen and the other two Nascent Soul cultivators exchanged glances.
At this moment, Hermit Tianyi had already flown close to Ning Fa, but with a flash of golden light, Tianbao blocked his path.
"It's alright, fellow Daoist Tianbao," Ning Fa said, also flying over.
Hermit Tianyi sized up Ning Fa from head to toe, and couldn't help but sigh:
"I never expected that so much time would have passed since I last met young friend Ning.
Young friend Ning is indeed a person of great fortune, possessing such an opportunity."
Ning Fa clasped his hands together, "Senior Tianyi, may I ask what the proper solution you mentioned is?"
Hermit Tianyi's expression also turned serious, "Young friend Ning, you've seen the current situation. News of your obtaining the opportunity in the Abyssal Heavenly Pool has already spread.
It's likely that before long, all Nascent Soul cultivators in the Human Realm will know.
And this concerns ascending to the upper realms. I fear these fellow Nascent Soul cultivators will not give up easily.
At that time, even with the assistance of fellow Daoist Tianbao, your situation will be very difficult."
"So, Senior Tianyi, are you suggesting I hand over what I obtained in the Abyssal Heavenly Pool to avoid disaster?" Ning Fa narrowed his eyes.
Hermit Tianyi nodded, then shook his head.
"Actually, I don't know exactly what you obtained in the Abyssal Heavenly Pool, young friend Ning. However, based on my previous divination, you should have obtained a special treasure.
This treasure should be able to break through the weak points in the barrier between our Human Realm and the Spirit Realm. This should be much more stable than the inter-realm passages those Nascent Soul cultivators were looking for before.
If it is such a treasure, young friend Ning can not only use it yourself, but you can also share it with others.
In this way, why don't you share this treasure? We old folks can explore it for you first."
Upon hearing this, Wen Yuchen and the other three Nascent Soul cultivators were all moved.
Ning Fa's eyes also flickered. Hermit Tianyi's words happened to align very well with what he had originally planned to say.
At this moment, his expression turned serious, "I want to confirm first, are my clansmen alright?"
Hermit Tianyi immediately replied, "You can rest assured about this. Before I came to see you, I had already protected your clansmen. They are safe right now."
Ning Fa listened and looked at Hermit Tianyi with a slight tremor in his expression. He believed that Hermit Tianyi would not lie to him about such a matter.
Hermit Tianyi's words indeed indicated that the other Nascent Soul cultivators had originally intended to act against his clansmen, but Hermit Tianyi had stopped them.
He immediately clasped his hands together and thanked him solemnly, "Thank you, Senior Tianyi, for your intervention."
Hermit Tianyi also said with a smile, "Actually, I don't want to take credit for this. Mainly, I was afraid that if you became enraged, you might destroy that treasure, and then all our hopes of ascending would be completely dashed.
Also, please rest assured, young friend Ning, we won't let you share this treasure for nothing. You don't need to be polite with us old folks. Just say what you need, and consider it compensation for sharing this treasure."
After speaking, Hermit Tianyi looked at Ning Fa with anticipation, as did the other three Nascent Soul cultivators.
If this could be resolved this way, they would also accept it.
After all, Ning Fa was protected by Tianbao. If they were to force the issue, and Tianbao ended up severely injuring them, it would be a loss that outweighed the gain.
Ning Fa's expression was solemn, as if he were seriously contemplating. The surroundings became very quiet for a moment, with the several Nascent Soul cultivators staring intently at Ning Fa.
Ning Fa suddenly sighed, "Senior Tianyi is indeed a divine strategist. I did obtain a special treasure in the Abyssal Heavenly Pool.
However, whether it can truly break through the weak points between our Human Realm and the Spirit Realm, I am not sure myself."
As soon as Ning Fa finished speaking, the breathing of the four Nascent Soul cultivators suddenly became rapid.
Then, Ning Fa clapped his right hand in front of him, and amidst a flash of spiritual light, a dark blue stone tablet the size of a palm appeared.
At first glance, it seemed unremarkable, but its surface had dark blue clusters of light like stars, even slowly rotating, with subtle light lines connecting them.
The Nascent Soul cultivators instantly projected their powerful divine senses towards it. As their divine senses entered it, they immediately felt as if they were falling into a vortex.
It was as if they were in a vast and boundless starry sky, with countless stars flickering in and out of existence, their movements seeming to contain the Great Dao of heaven and earth, making these Nascent Soul cultivators feel their souls sinking into it.
For a moment, the four Nascent Soul cultivators looked somewhat dazed, as if their souls had left their bodies.
Even Tianbao, who was usually calm, couldn't help but show surprise on its face. It stared intently at the stone tablet, its eyes filled with confusion.
Luo Feixuan was the first to recover. She looked at the stone tablet with a look of horror.
Next was Hermit Tianyi. He looked at the dark blue stone tablet with a mixture of shock and elation, as if it were a supreme treasure.
After more than ten breaths, Wen Yuchen, Fairy Linghua, and Old Monster Tiansheng gradually regained clarity. At this moment, their faces were noticeably pale, and they couldn't hide their fear.
"What exactly is this treasure?" Hermit Tianyi asked excitedly, while the others also showed surprise after their initial shock.
Although they didn't know what this treasure was, there was no doubt that it was an extraordinary supreme treasure.
It perfectly matched the description Hermit Tianyi had just given of a special treasure capable of breaking through the weak points between the two realms.
Seeing the expressions of these Nascent Soul cultivators, Ning Fa knew that his plan had likely succeeded by more than half.
He said solemnly, "Senior Tianyi, this is the secret I obtained in the Abyssal Heavenly Pool.
Senior might not know, but the Abyssal Heavenly Pool is actually a small grotto-heaven cultivated by a powerful figure in the Spirit Realm. His name is Ancestor Yuan.
However, because Ancestor Yuan was fighting a fierce enemy, this small grotto-heaven accidentally fell into our Human Realm, losing contact with that senior."
Ancestor Yuan's senior also has two subordinates who remained in this small grotto-heaven, one named Si Chenxing and the other named Xuan Ling.
The true realms of both of them should have already reached the Void Refinement stage, but because they are in our Human Realm, they were suppressed to the Nascent Soul stage.
After losing contact with that senior, animosity arose between these two, with both wanting to contend for ownership of this small grotto-heaven.
Xuan Ling's strength was slightly greater, suppressing Si Chenxing, and Si Chenxing, during Xuan Ling's slumber, secretly opened the Abyssal Heavenly Pool. His actual objective was to use us trial participants to deal with Xuan Ling.
As I possess the Five Elements Thunder Body, I was chosen by Si Chenxing and bestowed with a treasure of great destructive power.
Because of my Five Elements Thunder Body, I was able to slightly activate it.
Finally, in the Abyssal Palace, after Xuan Ling was heavily injured by the local restrictions for killing us trial participants, I used this treasure to slay Xuan Ling.
Of course, although that treasure was extremely powerful, it was later reclaimed by Si Chenxing, so the seniors need not worry."
Ning Fa spoke with four truths and one lie, and the brilliance of it was that what he said was basically the truth. Even if Ling Yuqing confronted him directly, she wouldn't be able to find fault.
Ling Yuqing definitely couldn't see his Source Crossing Heavenly Book, so understanding it as a treasure bestowed by Si Chenxing was perfectly fitting.
And the fact that he possessed the Five Elements Thunder Body should not be a secret among these Nascent Soul cultivators, so being chosen by Si Chenxing for this reason was also very reasonable.
The reason he portrayed Si Chenxing as so powerful was to instill fear in these Nascent Soul cultivators. After all, he was someone chosen by Si Chenxing, which also related to his subsequent claims.