Returning to Familiar Ground, A Visit to Recruit Him

Three days later.

Two figures appeared, stepping through the air, at Cuiwei Lake and Bamboo Creek Island.

Looking at the familiar island and courtyard, Zhou Ning felt a pang of emotion; he had lived here for fifteen years.

Old Jia, Scholar Xu, Yuan Dahu —and the old friend who was shot dead by Guo Changying—

Without strength, even a peaceful death is difficult to achieve, unless one goes to a secular place devoid of Spiritual Qi.

Guo Changying flew to Steward Su's residence, tossed out her token, and announced in a resounding voice, "I am Guo Changying, an envoy of the Azure Mystic Sect. Tell Su Junsong that Zhou Ning has arrived!"

Su Changhe was shocked. Knowing Guo Changying's identity, he immediately sent out the highest-level signal talisman.

What shocked him the most was another person, Zhou Ning!

Zhou Ning in the sky. Although he had planted a vine Vine Puppet Talisman on Su Changhe, the man only subconsciously followed a few commands and taboos, and was no different from an ordinary person in his daily life.

The Steward Su, whom Zhou Ning had initially urged to treat with caution, now seemed to be nothing more than a minor Qi Refining cultivator, and Zhou Ning no longer bothered with him.

As for the other person, Spirit Lotus Root Woman Jiang Xi.

Zhou Ning scanned the area with his Divine Sense and found her in the innermost room of the mansion, her face covered by a veil to conceal her wounds.

This woman initially coveted his Pill Furnace, but after Zhou Ning became Alchemist, she pretended to come and ask him for advice on alchemy techniques.

Zhou Ning told her to use Thunder Plasma Liquid to refine pills.

Jiang Xi must have been burned in the furnace, her face was disfigured.

That can be considered revenge.

Hearing the commotion outside and hearing Zhou Ning's name, Jiang Xi trembled, her nails digging into the bedsheets, her heart filled with hatred, yet she dared not show herself.

She knew that Zhou Ning was now a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and could crush her with a single finger!

Jiang Xi felt remorseful. Ever since her face was disfigured, Su Changhe had stopped favoring her.

As for alchemy? Not a chance!

Su Changhe remarried a young woman, who, taking advantage of her youth, constantly ostracized him.

Jiang Xi's life was incredibly difficult.

If I had known this would happen, I should have left him sooner after receiving the betrothal gifts!

Zhou Ning's gaze swept across Bamboo Creek Island. Things had changed, and there seemed to be nothing left to reminisce about.

Soon, Azure Feather Eagle flew in from afar, carrying the Foundation Establishment members of the Su Household.

Su Junsong, Su Lixia, Su Yuanye, and a middle-aged scholar.

Zhou Ning could sense the man's profound Law Power, which was at least much more profound than his own. However, the Foundation Establishment Law Power in this world was condensed but not solid, merely superficial.

It is not as refined as the Land of Wei's Cultivation Method, which also have special effects.

"If we really fight, this person can't do anything to me," Zhou Ning thought to himself.

If he possessed the "Jade-Casting True Gold Talisman," he would surely be able to kill him.

However, the Su Household cultivators possess the foundation of a third-tier Spirit Vein, so they likely have many hidden cards and will be difficult to deal with.

Su Junsong maintained his refined and elegant demeanor, a smile playing on his lips, "Envoy of the Azure Mystic Sect, what brings you to my Su Household?"

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, I haven't yet congratulated you on your breakthrough to Foundation Establishment."

Zhou Ning looked at him quietly. This man was truly terrifying. Not only could he not show his joy, but he could also talk eloquently in front of his enemies.

As for Su Lixia, the woman in palace attire, she stared viciously at Zhou Ning, as if she were about to make a move at any moment.

Even if Zhou Ning gave her a hundred times the courage, she wouldn't dare to make a move.

To act in front of the envoy is tantamount to trampling on the dignity of the Azure Mystic Sect, and the entire Su Household will be buried with him.

Guo Changying tossed out a spirit contract, her tone leaving no room for doubt. "Sign it."

The terms she negotiated with Zhou Ning were tantamount to favoring Zhou Ning.

He who eats another's food is bound to him; he who takes another's money is bound to him. That's only natural.

Although Guo Changying disliked Zhou Ning, she hated the Su Household even more. If it weren't for the Su Household, her Guo Household wouldn't have been wiped out!

Several people watched "Spirit Pact" together.

Su Junsong remained silent, Su Yuanye displeased, and Su Lixia couldn't take it anymore. "We can't sign!"

These conditions are tantamount to surrendering our rights and honors, and ceding territory for personal gain. How dare a Foundation Establishment Rogue Cultivator subject the Su Household to such humiliation!

The middle-aged scholar said, "Sign it."

Upon hearing this, Su Lixia retorted indignantly, "On what grounds?"

Zhou Ning said, "Just because your Su Household tramples on cultivators!"

Holding the Azure Mystic Token, Guo Changying said, "Does your Su Household intend to defy the orders of my Azure Mystic Sect?"

The Su Household agreed.

Zhou Ning chose to sign the contract in the courtyard where he used to live, hoping for good luck.

Both parties signed a spiritual contract, promising not to interfere with each other, and the Su Household would transfer Little Willow Marsh within a month, send over earth vein spiritual objects, and set up an array.

Zhou Ning looked at the group of calm Su Household and said with a smile, "This is what your Su Household owes me."

Su Junsong cupped his hands in apology. "I offended you greatly back then."

Su Lixia said indignantly, "Yunjin lent you her Pill Furnace back then, and later, she even delayed her return home to ask the Duan Household to refine Pill Furnace for her. As a result, she was targeted by Daoist Mu, and you didn't report it at all!"

Zhou Ning remained silent for a moment, then said coldly, "If she were truly kind-hearted, why didn't she tell me I was caught in the middle? Everything she did was nothing but hypocrisy."

Su Junsong sighed and said, "Zhou Ning, you weren't born into Lineage, so you don't know the constraints within."

He looked at Guo Changying, seemingly trying to evoke empathy, but Guo Changying's entire family had been Su Household, so what was the point of her saying anything?

With his sharply defined eyebrows and piercing aura, Su Yuanye fixed his gaze on Zhou Ning and said, "You win this round, but the road ahead is long and arduous. I hope you can always have this kind of luck."

Middle-Grade Spirit Root, a lucky Foundation Establishment, a period of arrogance, and an inheritance of unknown origin—can he truly touch the path to Core Formation and Nascent Soul?

2

Zhou Ning did not reply and left with Guo Changying.

Outside Cuiwei Lake.

Zhou Ning took out the last three Snow Cherry Fruit.

Although Guo Changying came with ill intentions, she did indeed secure many benefits for him during these negotiations.

When traveling, the more friends the better. The Su Household was besieged by numerous forces precisely because they took the blame for the hired Daoist Mu.

Upon seeing this, Guo Changying was taken aback. Then, she raised an eyebrow, her delicate face displaying a hint of arrogance. "Zhou Ning, even if you try to please me, I will still kill you in the future. Who told you to kill my people!"

Zhou Ning never expected that his good intentions would be trampled on.

Upon hearing this, he sneered, "Back then, when I was holding a meeting with my brothers on the island, you killed more than a dozen of my brothers without saying a word. I will avenge this!"

"You!" Guo Changying glared at him hatefully.

"What do you mean, 'you'? I gave you the Snow Cherry Fruit because you were too hot-tempered, but you don't understand people's hearts!" Zhou Ning was too lazy to pay attention to her, released Flowing Plainness Boat, and prepared to leave.

Guo Changying's bright voice came from behind him. "Zhou Ning, you just wait and see. I, Guo Changying, have never suffered such a great loss at the hands of a cultivator of the same level. Next time, I will definitely teach you a lesson!"

Zhou Ning was amused and annoyed. He released the Azure Centipede Vine and mocked, "Who was it that was beaten so badly by the Daoist Mu that they ran away with their tails between their legs back then?"

Guo Changying's eyes narrowed; she recognized the item.

The unpleasant memory of being overpowered by Daoist Mu and forced to hand over the Red Iron Bamboo resurfaced in my mind.

She cried out in embarrassment and anger, "Zhou Ning!"

Zhou Ning stepped onto the Flowing Plainness Boat, and the boat shone brightly as it suddenly flew out.

Guo Changying, holding the Canglang Spear, wanted to give chase, but stopped in her tracks.

Her expression changed, and after a long silence, she murmured, "He actually managed to kill Daoist Mu— "

Two days later, we arrived at Bamboo Creek Island.

Jia Tingwan was safely inside the formation when she saw Zhou Ning's figure and was about to go forward to greet him.

Zhou Ning dismantled the Flowing Plainness Boat, his Movement Method revealing dark scales, his face expressionless. "You've come out, haven't you? I see you all."

A moment later, a flash of dark light appeared behind him, heading straight for his back.

Zhou Ning swayed, the Fallen Red Sword in his hand. He flicked the sword, striking the dark light.

However, it failed to deflect the sword; a powerful spiritual force surged from the hilt.

Zhou Ning activated the [Que Flowing Fire] Immortal Foundation, and his Law Power flowed through the sword, sending a beam of fire towards the dark light, causing it to retreat.

A figure appeared in the air; it was a young man with a cold face and slightly dark circles under his eyes.

Zhou Ning asked, "Foundation Establishment Late Stage?"

The man stared straight at him, his face stiff. "As expected of the recently renowned Alchemist Zhou."

Zhou Ning sensed another female cultivator hiding more than ten miles away, who was also in the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

"Who are you, and what is your purpose?" Zhou Ning asked. He didn't think he had offended this person. Could he be an assassin hired by the Su Household or Han Household?

The man tossed out a token and introduced himself, "Xiao Ci."

Zhou Ning didn't recognize it. He looked at the token, which had a bird engraved on it, and tentatively asked, "A crow?"

Xiao Ci was silent for a moment, then said in a cold, hard voice, "The Skylark."

"Oh, no offense, no offense." Zhou Ning had never heard of the Skylark Organization. "What do you want with me?"

"You may enter the Skylark and refine pills for us," Xiao Ci said succinctly.

Zhou Ning found it utterly absurd. He, a dignified second-tier Alchemist, was going to refine pills for them?

He declined, saying, "I don't like working, sorry."

With that, he flew directly towards the island.

Xiao Ci's cold, hard voice came from behind again. "Once you miss this opportunity, you'll never have another one."

Zhou Ning didn't bother with it. He would wait until he had set up the formation and installed the Spring of the Spirit Eye, then he could cultivate peacefully and sell pills. Wouldn't that be more comfortable than anything else?

Moreover, the fact that this person attacked him upon meeting him was clearly a test of his strength; who knows what he might need him for in the future!

They're acting all sneaky.

In this world, truly powerful forces don't need to hide; they can obtain the most resources by revealing themselves directly.

Xiao Ci watched helplessly as Zhou Ning entered the formation.

Knowing he had failed, he went to meet up with someone in a distant place.

She was a female cultivator in a flowing fairy dress, tall and slender with a very slim waist, but with a full and high chest.

Her face was cold and aloof, her voice indifferent. "Did you fail?"

Even when faced with such a stunning woman, Xiao Ci's gaze remained indifferent. "Hmm."

"How strong are you?"

"Good Divine Sense, good magical Law Artifact, ugly movement Movement Method, low cultivation level, not difficult to deal with," Xiao Ci said.

Yun Mei said, "Hmm, let's put him on the observation list for now, until his alchemy skills advance to the second level."

She then instructed, "The Duan Household has produced a child with Earth Spirit Root. Investigate whether it's true or not, then return and report back."

Xiao Ci: "Yes."

As he finished speaking, his figure gradually disappeared into the world.

Yun Mei looked towards Little Willow Marsh, where a green leaf- Law Artifact was slowly flying towards the island in the distance.

Her expression remained unchanged throughout. After a long while, she muttered to herself, "The Su Household, a third-tier Spirit Vein?"