Although he was unable to extract the method of hiring the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant from Ning Fa, leaving Wen Yuchen with some regret.
However, Ning Fa's solemn declaration moved Wen Yuchen, and he said with great respect, "Daoist Ning, your understanding and righteousness are truly a blessing to our Human Race.
I, Wen, thank you, Daoist Ning. If you need any help from our Tianshu Alliance, please do not hesitate to ask. We will do our best to fulfill your requests."
Hearing this, Ning Fa's eyes flickered, and then he smiled, "I do have a few matters that require the assistance of your alliance.
Firstly, I need some top-tier pill recipes that can enhance the mana of Late Nascent Soul cultivators.
I know that pill recipes of this level are extremely precious, and I am willing to offer corresponding Spirit Stones or other Spiritual Materials in exchange."
Now that Ning Fa had advanced to the Late Nascent Soul realm, the few Nascent Soul level pills that enhanced mana he used before were no longer very effective. He needed to find higher-level pill recipes.
Although the Fu Ling Hall also had pill recipes of this level, there was only one copy.
For Ning Fa, who had always been accustomed to cultivating with pills, having only one type of pill was far from enough and could easily lead to drug resistance. Therefore, he had to prepare several types of pill recipes. Now was the perfect opportunity to bring it up.
Upon hearing this, Wen Yuchen was not overly surprised, as such top-tier pill recipes were what even high-level cultivators sought.
Without a word, he took out a blank Jade Slip, placed it on his forehead, and soon handed the Jade Slip to Ning Fa.
"Daoist Ning, here are two Fourth-grade top-quality pill recipes, both of which can enhance the mana of Great Cultivator level cultivators. Especially the Spirit Nurturing Pill, it can even have a certain mana-enhancing effect on us Spirit Transformation cultivators.
As for the reward, Daoist Ning need not mention it. This is a personal gift from me to you."
Ning Fa scanned the Jade Slip with his Spiritual Sense, and his face immediately lit up with joy.
This Jade Slip contained not only the recipe for the Spirit Nurturing Pill but also another recipe called the Spirit Marvelous Pill.
Judging by the descriptions, the effects of these two pills were even better than the one collected by the Fu Ling Hall, which made Ning Fa extremely happy.
After all, with the Source-Crossing Heavenly Book, and his current pill-refining skills, which were comparable to a Pill Refining Grandmaster, he would not, at the very least, refine Failed Pills. This would ensure that as long as he had Spiritual Materials, he could definitely refine the finished pills.
"Thank you, Senior. I have a second matter. I am preparing to forge an important treasure and am currently lacking some Spiritual Materials. I wonder if your alliance has any?"
Ning Fa said solemnly, and at the same time, he flipped his right hand and handed another Jade Slip to Wen Yuchen.
"Oh? Daoist Ning still needs Spiritual Materials?" Wen Yuchen could not help but be surprised.
After all, the last time Ning Fa handed over that Ancient Star Stone Tablet, he had severely "blackmailed" several Spirit Transformation forces, extorting a massive amount of resources from them.
There were no small number of top-tier Spiritual Materials among them. How long had it been since Ning Fa needed Spiritual Materials again?
As he took the Jade Slip, Wen Yuchen scanned it with his Spiritual Sense, and a look of astonishment appeared on his face.
"Blazing Yuan Fire Essence, the natal feather of a Late Shapeshifting fire-attribute Spirit Bird, Myriad Fusion Fire Liquid..."
The items listed in this Jade Slip were all top-tier fire-attribute Spiritual Materials.
Ning Fa smiled slightly.
As early as his first closed-door cultivation for practicing the Divine Firmament Manifestation, he had already asked Liuying to take the Heaven-Piercing Spirit Treasure Replica, the Five Flames Lamp, into the fire pool of the volcano on Xuan Ning Island to upgrade this treasure using the spiritual materials in the fire pool.
After so many years, Liuying had also given him a great surprise.
The Five Flames Lamp had not only advanced to a High-grade Spirit Treasure but also had considerable potential for further advancement because the effects of those spiritual materials had not been fully utilized.
If some top-tier fire-attribute materials could be added, perhaps according to the blueprint, the Five Flames Lamp could be upgraded into a true Heaven-Piercing Spirit Treasure, which was the Heavenly Flame Candle.
This was why Ning Fa needed these top-tier fire-attribute Spiritual Materials.
He had not considered this point during the previous transaction of the Ancient Star Stone Tablet.
In fact, the Spiritual Materials he was asking for now were not enough.
To forge the Heavenly Flame Candle, one of the main materials was of Fifth-grade top-quality.
However, Ning Fa already had a lead on that item; he could trace its origin by consuming the Fourth-Tier Origin Points from the Heavenly Book. The items he was asking for now were difficult to trace through the Heavenly Book.
Wen Yuchen's face showed a hint of hesitation, because although the items on the Jade Slip were not many, they were indeed extremely precious, and even their Tianshu Alliance found it difficult to produce them.
It wasn't that he was unwilling to part with them. After all, for this battle against the Sea Race and the Demon Race, their Taichu Gate and Pure Sword Sect had opened their sect's treasure vaults.
If they could gain the assistance of the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant, these Spiritual Materials and resources would be entirely worth it.
However, the problem was that the refinement of several important treasures in the Tianshu Alliance also required these Spiritual Materials, which made Wen Yuchen hesitate.
At this moment, a spiritual light flashed before him, and a Storage Ring flew over.
Wen Yuchen scanned it with his Spiritual Sense and could not help but show a look of astonishment.
The Storage Ring contained a staggering amount of Spirit Stones, as well as several top-tier Spiritual Materials of even greater value. These were rare Fourth-grade top-quality spirit ores, and most of them were fire-attribute.
"As I said earlier, my participation in this matter is what I should do as a cultivator of the Human Race, so I am not seeking any reward.
It's just that if my treasure can be successfully forged, I believe it will play a significant role in the future fight against the Sea Race, which is why I am making this request."
Ning Fa said with a faint smile.
Hearing this, Wen Yuchen's expression immediately softened, and he developed a good impression of Ning Fa. He nodded and said, "Since that is the case, I will accept these items.
I will gather these Spiritual Materials as soon as possible after I return and contact you then.
By the way, take this Lianxing Pan with you. This is a product of the Star Luo Palace, and it can transmit messages over extremely long distances."
As Wen Yuchen spoke, he put away the Jade Slip and the Storage Ring, and then handed a dark blue disk about the size of his palm to Ning Fa.
Ning Fa briefly checked it over before putting it away.
"Daoist Ning, your arrival is perfectly timed.
The situation on the front lines is critical. We request that you and Daoist Tianbao proceed to Sky Tower City to provide support.
That city is one of our three major strongholds on the front, and the Sea Race and Demon Race have amassed their armies to launch a fierce assault. The defenders of Sky Citadel are under immense pressure, especially with a severe shortage of high-level cultivators compared to the invading forces.
With the assistance of you two, I believe the situation can be greatly alleviated," Wen Yuchen said solemnly.
Ning Fa nodded. "Senior, rest assured. Daoist Tianbao and I will depart immediately. The forces of my Fu Ling Hall will also join the support efforts."
Wen Yuchen stood up and said with gravity, "The Tianshu Alliance will not forget your contributions, Daoist Ning, nor will we let you act without reward.
The Alliance has prepared a generous gift for you, which should be of great benefit to your cultivation."
With that, Wen Yuchen sent a private message to Ning Fa and then handed him a five-colored, thumb-sized round bead.
"Daoist Ning, with this Grand Spirit Pearl, you can enter the Spirit Taming Mirror Pool.
Given the urgency of the war, I must take my leave now."
After speaking, Wen Yuchen strode away.
Although the allocation of spots for entering the Spirit Taming Mirror Pool had been decided during the previous meeting, Taichu Gate had actually reserved one spot.
This was Venerable Jizhao's decision, intended as a means to sway Ning Fa.
After all, Ning Fa had already received a substantial amount of resources from the previous transaction involving the Ancient Star Stone Tablet, enough to make even Spirit Transformation cultivators envious. Venerable Jizhao feared that ordinary compensation wouldn't be enough to impress Ning Fa, hence this move.
Wen Yuchen hadn't expected Ning Fa to be so agreeable; he had agreed even before this reward was presented.
However, Wen Yuchen still gave Ning Fa this bargaining chip.
Firstly, Ning Fa's understanding and righteousness had earned his favor.
Secondly, without offering Ning Fa some benefit, he felt uneasy, worried that Ning Fa might go back on his word later.
Ning Fa examined the five-colored round bead in his hand, a hint of joy appearing in his eyes. He murmured, "This is quite an unexpected surprise."
Ten days later.
On the white jade plaza in front of the main hall of Fu Ling Hall on Dark Star Island.
The sky was overcast, with heavy, low-hanging clouds. Thousands of Fu Ling Hall cultivators had assembled on the plaza.
At the forefront were Murong Zhaoxue and two other Nascent Soul Elders. Behind them were over thirty Core Formation cultivators. Most of the rest were Foundation Establishment cultivators, with only a minority of Qi Refining cultivators.
In addition, there were two outsiders: Ning Huarong and Ning An.
The two had insisted on participating in the fight against the Sea Race, and Ning Fa had readily agreed, bestowing upon them life-saving artifacts before bringing them along.
No one spoke. The vast plaza was silent, the air filled with an atmosphere of solemnity and determination.
Every face was etched with seriousness, but deep within their eyes, flames burned.
The sword blades were not yet unsheathed, yet their sharpness pierced the heavens.
On the high platform, Ning Fa, the Hall Master of Fu Ling Hall, stood suspended in the air, his black robe billowing in the wind.
His gaze swept over every disciple in the hall, and he slowly began to speak.
His voice was not loud, yet it reached everyone clearly, like a thunderous bell, deafening and enlightening.
"Everyone!
Look at your feet – this is the land we have cultivated for generations!
Now, the Sea Race has come! They seek to seize all of this, to turn our homeland into their feeding ground!
We cultivators, enduring the elements and toiling for centuries, do so for longevity. But if our homeland is invaded, and we merely cling to life, watching as foreign races slaughter our kin, what are we but walking corpses?
In that case, what use is longevity?"
Ning Fa's gaze sharpened, his voice like a thunderclap, suddenly exploding in the sky above the plaza.
"Fu Ling Hall disciples, heed my command!"
"Draw your swords!"
"Follow me—and slay the Sea Race!!!"
Upon hearing this, the Fu Ling Hall disciples paused for a moment before erupting in earth-shattering cheers.
"Slay the Sea Race! Slay the Sea Race!!!"
Soon, Murong Zhaoxue summoned a massive, hundred-zhang-long, deep black Spiritual Ship, carrying the cultivators of Fu Ling Hall towards the southeast.
Ning Fa and Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant, however, departed ahead of them, heading directly for Star Origin Island in the Haoqiong Sea. He intended to use the cross-sea teleportation array there to reach the Five Spirits Sea.
Ten days later.
On Lingkong Island in the central region of the Five Spirits Sea, the foremost island in the Five Spirits Sea, directly governed by Heavenly Evolution Sect.
Within the island's transmission hall, which spanned over a thousand square meters, the spiritual energy of the teleportation array pulsed with light, and a constant hum filled the air.
The hall was packed with over a thousand cultivators, orderly queuing before dozens of teleportation arrays.
After the cultivators ahead were teleported away, the next batch immediately followed.
Around each teleportation array, there were circles of thick gray-white powder, which was the powder of spirit stones depleted after activating the teleportation array.
Judging from the accumulation of the powder, the spirit stones consumed had already reached an astonishing number.
Although numerous cultivators were being teleported away every moment, the number of cultivators in the hall did not decrease, as a continuous stream of cultivators entered from outside the hall.
Despite the large number of people, there was not much noise in the hall.
Everyone's expression was solemn, and although there was heaviness in their eyes, not many showed signs of retreating. Instead, they displayed a shared hatred and a heartfelt animosity.
Since the Sea Race and the Demon Race joined forces to invade, especially in the Five Spirits Sea, a large number of cultivators and mortals have suffered casualties.
This tribal war is significantly different from previous ones. The Sea Race and the Demon Race have completely abandoned the previous unwritten rules. Not only have they killed human cultivators, but they have also been slaughtering mortals on a large scale.
Millions of mortals have either died by the mouths of demonic beasts or by the slaughter of the Sea Race.
This is because the Sea Race, like humans, also values the refinement of magic treasures.
Many Sea Race cultivators, in order to enhance the power of their magic treasures, have been slaughtering mortals in large numbers, allowing their magic treasures to absorb the blood, flesh, souls, and even the emotions of fear and pain from these mortals to complete their advancement.
In the past, the Sea Race and the Demon Race would fear retaliation from the Human Race. Now, they have no worries and have completely transformed into butchers.
Since the war began, the tragic scenes of mortal cities being massacred have been spread through some imprint pearls. Even those with hearts of stone would become enraged and hateful upon seeing them.
Although there are still some who are greedy for life and fear death, hiding and evading the conscription of the Tianshu Alliance.
However, the vast majority of cultivators in the Five Spirits Sea, whether they are low-level rogue cultivators at the bottom of the cultivation world, small Qi Condensation families, or medium-to-large cultivation families and sects, have gallantly gone to battle.
Therefore, a large number of cultivators are coming to Lingkong Island every day now, using the teleportation arrays on the island to quickly reach the front lines to provide support.
The Heavenly Evolution Sect has also opened its sect treasury, activating numerous teleportation arrays without regard for the cost of spirit stones, sending wave after wave of reinforcements to the front lines.
At this moment, a cry of surprise came from the entrance of the hall. The slightly crowded area immediately parted, and a group of cultivators strode in with imposing momentum.
The leader was a majestic old man wearing a fiery red python robe, with an eagle-like gaze and a high nose. His beard and hair were all fiery red, and fiery red flames rolled around him, causing the surrounding air to distort slightly. His powerful spiritual pressure was like an abyss or a prison.
Although there were several Nascent Soul cultivators in the hall, they were instantly overshadowed in comparison.
This person was none other than a great cultivator at the Late Nascent Soul stage.
Behind him were nine other men and women, all wearing the same red robes. Each of them also possessed powerful spiritual pressure, at least at the Core Formation stage. They followed closely behind the old man, looking full of fighting spirit.
"It's Ancestor Nihuo! He's actually brought his disciples! This is great!"
"Who is Ancestor Nihuo? Why have I never heard of him?"
"You've only been cultivating for a few years, so it's normal that you don't know Ancestor Nihuo's name.
He used to be one of the top rogue cultivators in the Five Spirits Sea, and he was also a master artifact refiner.
But a hundred years ago, because one of his young disciples made a mistake, he was caught by an enforcement elder of the Heavenly Evolution Sect and was directly killed on the spot.
In his rage, Ancestor Nihuo took his disciples and moved to the Chiyang Sea, vowing never to set foot in the Five Spirits Sea again, and that the magic treasures he refined would never be sold to cultivators of the Five Spirits Sea.
Unexpectedly, now that the Sea Race and the Demon Race have invaded, Ancestor Nihuo has still resolutely brought his disciples to help. The Ancestor is truly righteous!"
A Late Core Formation cultivator, who looked like a middle-aged scholar with graying temples, whispered to a young man with a strong build and a naive look beside him, his face full of admiration.
"Senior Nihuo, it's wonderful that you've come too!"
At this moment, a burly man in his late Core Formation stage, wearing white armor and a thick beard, quickly walked over and cupped his fists towards Ancestor Nihuo.
This person was a Core Formation elder of the Heavenly Evolution Sect and the commander of the guards in the teleportation hall at this moment.
"Oh, it's Young Friend Xie.
I remember that the Light Splitting Axe magic treasure I refined a hundred years ago, when I was still in the Five Spirits Sea, was bought by you."
Ancestor Nihuo glanced at the man in white armor, let out a laugh, and then his expression turned solemn.
I heard the situation in Sky Tower City is critical now, so I rushed to bring my disciples to support. Please, Daoist Xie, activate the teleportation array to Sky Tower City for me.
Upon hearing this, the others in the hall showed even greater respect.
The allied forces of the Sea Race and the Demon Race were divided into three routes, attacking the Five Spirits Sea, Leiming Sea, and Xuetting Sea respectively. Their vast armies were like locusts, sweeping across and devouring all human territory.
Major cities like Sky Tower City were being heavily besieged, and the number of human cultivators killed daily in the city was astonishing.
Ancestor Nihuo, knowing this, still dared to go to Sky Tower City. Such heroic bravery deeply impressed everyone.
However, the man in white armor showed a wry smile: "Senior, you've come at an unfortunate time. The teleportation array to Sky Pinnacle City stopped working half a day ago."
Upon hearing this, Ancestor Nihuo immediately became anxious. Just as he was about to ask further, a clear voice came, "Oh, why did it stop working?"
From the innermost part of the hall, on a teleportation array that was clearly larger in size, a white light flashed, and two figures emerged.
One of them was a young man dressed in a black robe, with a handsome and refined appearance. His sword-like eyebrows were raised as he asked.