Chapter 1056
Unfamiliar Nascent Soul, Familiar Aura
The woman in palace attire standing beside the flying car also looked somewhat incredulous upon hearing what the other party suddenly said.
"His spiritual sense is even above that of Senior Brother Liang. Could this person be a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator? Aren't there supposed to be no other late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators in the Floating Cloud Mountains besides Zhao Wuling of the Myriad Spirits Sect?"
"Could he be a newly promoted late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator here?"
Hearing the woman's guess beside him, and gazing at the white light that had already disappeared into the distance, the white-haired old man immediately waved his hand and said:
"That's not necessarily true. Although this person's spiritual sense is a notch above mine, the gap between us isn't that big. He shouldn't be a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator."
I suspect he may have cultivated some powerful spiritual techniques to suppress me with his divine sense; he's probably just a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator at the peak.
These kinds of people are usually very powerful and not to be trifled with. We should focus on getting on our way and not bother with them anymore!
"Oh! Just a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator." Hearing the white-haired old man's explanation, the woman in palace attire breathed a slight sigh of relief.
".."
High in the distance, Li Xuanyi seemed to notice the slight unease on Song Qingming's face beside her, and softly asked:
"Junior Brother Song, was that person a Nascent Soul cultivator?"
"Hmm! This person's cultivation is probably no less than mine, but he doesn't seem to be a cultivator from our Floating Cloud Mountain Range. I wonder why he's here?" Upon hearing this, Song Qingming nodded slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes as well.
There are only a dozen or so Nascent Soul cultivators in the cultivation world of the "Floating Cloud Mountains," and almost all of them have dealt with Song Qingming. Given their close proximity, it's impossible for them to easily conceal their aura from him.
Moreover, the opponent's spiritual sense was not much weaker than his own, which shows that the cultivator in the escape light must also be a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.
The sudden appearance of such an unfamiliar Nascent Soul expert near "Red Cloud Mountain" also struck Song Qingming as somewhat strange.
Hearing that the person opposite was indeed a Nascent Soul cultivator, Li Xuanyi was somewhat surprised, and then said:
"This place is, after all, a necessary route to the cultivation world of the East Sea. Judging from the way they are in such a hurry, they may just be passing through."
"Hmm! I'm just a little curious, not worried about these things."
A few years ago, after Song Qingming advanced to the fourth-level mid-grade "Array Master", he strengthened the protective array of "Red Cloud Mountain". Even if a general late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator were to take action, it would be impossible to easily break through the array in a short period of time.
Moreover, Song Qingyu, a Nascent Soul cultivator, is stationed on the mountain, and Bai Yuxian and others from the sect are available to provide support at any time.
Even without him, Song Qingming doesn't need to worry about the safety of "Red Cloud Mountain" for the time being.
Hearing Li Xuanyi's comforting words, Song Qingming smiled slightly, quickly letting go of the worry on his face, and instead increased the speed of the flying boat beneath his feet.
".."
Not long after Song Qingming left, the white-haired old man and the woman in palace attire who had just brushed past him appeared on a high mountain not far from "Red Cloud Mountain".
Looking at the "mountain-protecting formation" operating in the distance, the white-haired old man then said to the woman beside him, "Junior Sister Hu, this should be Crimson Cloud Mountain!"
"What you said, senior brother, is correct. This should be the place. This place is known as the first market town on the east side of the Floating Cloud Mountains, and it is about the same location as marked on the map. It seems that it is correct."
According to what I had learned before, there are two Nascent Soul cultivators from the Free and Unfettered Sect here, namely Song Qingming and Song Qingyu.
However, both siblings only successfully formed their Nascent Souls in the last two hundred years; with their cultivation level, they are unlikely to be a match for Senior Brother Luo!
“Hmm! What you said makes sense. However, since we have been ordered by our senior brother, the sect leader, to investigate this matter, we must first check every place where there are Nascent Soul cultivators.”
The white-haired old man nodded slightly in response, then gently raised his hand and released a beam of spiritual light, which gathered in mid-air to form a black banner.
Then the white-haired old man quickly cast several spells, and suddenly bursts of black light emerged from the black banner. Immediately afterwards, seven or eight identical black banners shot out from it and stuck into the ground in front of him.
Before long, a circular magic circle appeared out of thin air beneath the "black banner," with a lifelike black tiger baring its fangs and claws carved in the center.
"I need some more time to cast a spell to investigate. I'd appreciate it if you could help me protect me, Junior Sister!"
Upon hearing the white-haired old man's instructions, the woman in palace attire immediately nodded slightly, then raised her hand and gently wiped her waist, sending out more than a dozen streaks of azure spiritual light.
After circling in mid-air a few times, the azure light quickly returned to her side, transforming into a dozen or so azure birds with outstretched wings and crossed legs.
"go with!"
Upon hearing the palace woman's command, the blue birds immediately flew in all directions and quickly disappeared from sight.
Upon seeing this, the white-haired old man beside him also began casting spells again, rapidly channeling spiritual energy into the black tiger in the array in front of him.
".."
Just as the white-haired old man was casting his spell, Song Qingyu and Huang Siyuan, who had recently bid farewell to Song Qingming, had returned to their respective caves at the summit of "Red Cloud Mountain".
Because he had promised Song Qingming that he would stay at "Red Cloud Mountain" to oversee things, Song Qingyu gave up his plan to go to the outer sea to find spirit stone mines and prepared to cultivate in seclusion in his cave for a period of time.
A few days later, Song Qingyu, who was in seclusion, suddenly noticed a commotion coming from the entrance of her cave. She quickly ended her cultivation, got up, opened the door's protective barrier, and went outside.
"Master, I just received a message from Ancestor Linrui, saying that he has urgent business with you!"
Upon seeing his master, Song Qingyu, the still somewhat inexperienced Song Shaoyu quickly bowed and handed over a communication talisman.
After receiving the "transmission talisman," Song Qingyu opened it and glanced at it. Her expression changed slightly, and then she flashed away in a flash, turning into a white light and leaving the spot.
Before Song Shaoyu could react, a familiar voice rang in his ears.
"I'll go down the mountain. If anyone looks for me again, just let Ancestor Siyuan know!"
After leaving the mountaintop, Song Qingyu passed through the "mountain-protecting formation" and arrived near a high mountain not far away, where she met Song Linrui and others who were leading a search party in the vicinity.
"Great-aunt, Ancestor!"
Upon seeing Song Qingyu arrive, Song Linrui and the others quickly stepped forward and bowed, then led her to an open space on the west side of the mountaintop.
This place was originally just a barren mountain with no spiritual veins, but when Song Qingyu and the others got close, they could clearly feel a strange spiritual energy from it.
Many trees had fallen around the flat ground, and there was a dark circular mark in the middle. When viewed from mid-air, it clearly looked like a man-made commotion.
After bringing Huang Siyuan here, Song Linrui finally spoke and reported, "Grandmother, two days ago someone reported to the law enforcement team that they saw strange phenomena in this area."
Later, I sent a team of cultivators to investigate, but they suddenly disappeared after they arrived and could no longer be contacted.
After learning about this matter early this morning, I personally led a group to investigate, and that's how we discovered this magic array.
The spiritual energy here is so strange, it doesn't seem like the work of ordinary cultivators. We're completely baffled, so we have no choice but to ask you for help."
Just as Song Linrui finished explaining, a look of seriousness appeared on his face as he looked at Song Qingyu, who was below the magic array. He quickly withdrew his escape light and landed directly on the ground mark.
After carefully surveying the surroundings, Song Qingyu turned around and asked, "Have the bodies of those missing cultivators been found?"
"Reporting to my great-aunt, I have already sent many cultivators to search in all directions, but we still haven't found them!"
"Grandmother, who could have done this? Could it be some evil spirit causing trouble nearby?"
Upon hearing Song Linrui's question, Song Qingyu shook her head and said, "There is no demonic energy left here, so it doesn't seem to be the work of demonic cultivators."
Moreover, judging from the marks on the ground, this person seems to have set up some kind of high-level magic array here. Someone with such ability is very likely to be a Nascent Soul cultivator.
However, I can't figure out what kind of magic array this is, and I don't know what their purpose is in coming here!
"What?! A Nascent Soul cultivator!"
When Song Linrui and the others found this place before, they discovered that the aura around them was very strange, unlike what an ordinary Golden Core cultivator could create. That's why they sent a message to invite Song Qingyu.
They initially thought it might be the work of demonic cultivators, but it turned out to be the work of a Nascent Soul cultivator. This caused Song Linrui and the others beside him to change their expressions.
"Grandmother, why would a Nascent Soul cultivator suddenly come here? Could he be after our Crimson Cloud Mountain?!"
"I can't answer that question right now. Let's talk about it when we get back!"
I'll leave a few people here to keep watch for now, and I'll invite a high-level formation master from the sect to come and investigate later.
Regardless of whether the other party is targeting us or not, you all need to be more careful in your actions recently.
Inform the law enforcement team to send more people to search the market and see if any suspicious people have infiltrated it recently.
Remember, this person is not someone you can easily deal with. If you discover anything unusual, immediately inform me!
After giving a few instructions, Song Qingyu immediately withdrew her gaze, then turned into a streak of light and returned to the nearby "Red Cloud Mountain".
Just as Song Qingyu's figure disappeared, a "blue bird" that had been hovering nearby suddenly took off and flew away, quickly disappearing into the air.
".."
Thousands of miles away in the sky from "Red Cloud Mountain", a red streak of light was moving rapidly forward. Inside it stood a man and a woman, who were the white-haired old man and woman who had left not long ago.
"Junior sister, where are we going next, and how far is it?"
"Hmm! The closest one to us should be the Xiaoyao Sect, but we still need to travel south for a few more days. However, the Chiyun Mountain group has already found our way, and it seems they have even alerted a Nascent Soul cultivator."
"Senior Brother Liang, do you think we should change locations first, so that the people from the Free and Unfettered Sect won't notice in advance and take precautions?"
"It's alright! I've already removed many traces. Even a level four array master wouldn't be able to tell anything for a while, so there's no need to worry about it."
After the white-haired old man finished speaking, he closed his eyes again and began to meditate on the flying chariot.
".."
-
Six months later, in the cultivation world of the "Eastern Phoenix Kingdom," in the Southern Continent, on a high mountain located east of "Cloud Dragon Mountain," a white beam of light flew from afar and landed on the mountaintop, transforming into a white flying boat.
"After more than two hundred years, I'm finally back. Junior Brother Song, this must be the second time you've escorted me home!"
Looking at the somewhat familiar mountains in the distance, Li Xuanyi, who hadn't been back for a long time, couldn't help but sigh.
Upon hearing this, Song Qingming, standing on the flying boat, immediately nodded and smiled, "Indeed, this is the second time!"
"However, when I brought my senior sister back last time, we hadn't really gotten to know each other yet, and I never expected to see you again on Jade Profound Island."
Back then, I wandered aimlessly throughout the Eastern Phoenix Kingdom in search of a sect. Luckily, I met my senior sister who came to the Southern Continent with me; otherwise, I don't know how much longer I would have had to spend.
"Heh! That's because they were wary of me back then and wouldn't tell me the truth."
However, it's thanks to your cautious nature that we were able to escape safely back then; otherwise, neither of us would probably be standing here now.
"Oh, right, Junior Brother Song, I promised to invite you to sit on the mountain for a while. Why don't you come back with me?"
"Ah! Well, if I go back with you now, Senior Li might misunderstand. Maybe we should just let it go for now!"
"I'll visit Yunlong Mountain after I've finished what I'm doing; that way, I can be more on the safe side."
When his senior sister Li Xuanyi disappeared, Song Qingming swore to Li Boying that he had nothing to do with it.
If he were to go back with her again, wouldn't that be tantamount to admitting that he was involved in what happened back then?
Although Song Qingming's cultivation level is no longer that of a mere Golden Core cultivator, he has nothing to fear from Li Boying and the Li family of "Yunlong Mountain".
However, since they were her senior sister Li Xuanyi's family, Song Qingming was unwilling to have any conflict with them in front of her, so he shook his head after thinking about it.
Upon hearing his answer, a bright smile appeared on Li Xuanyi's lips.
"Alright, I know what you're worried about, junior brother. I was just joking with you!"
When I get back, I will explain what happened back then to my grandfather properly, and I won't cause you any more trouble.
After Li Xuanyi finished speaking, she immediately raised her hand and released a flying boat, then flew up onto it.
"Junior Brother Song, take care!"
"Take care, Senior Sister!"
After bowing and saying goodbye, Li Xuanyi turned around and used magic to activate the flying boat beneath her feet. Soon, she transformed into a streak of green light and left the spot.
Watching the azure light gradually disappear from his sight, Song Qingming also urged the "White Bone Flying Boat" to change direction and leave. Soon, the surroundings returned to their original tranquility.
At the entrance of Yunlong Mountain, a beam of azure light slowly descended, and then Li Xuanyi, dressed in a white robe, appeared outside the restriction array.
"Who goes there? Please state your name, senior!"
Before Li Xuanyi could continue forward, several Qi Refining cultivators rushed out from the mountain gate and blocked her way, looking at her with wary expressions.
Seeing this, Li Xuanyi chuckled softly, shook the token in her hand, and her eyes shone like stars.
"Li Xuanyi of the Li family of Yunlong Mountain!"
".."
-
"Donghuang Kingdom", Wuzhou.
"Guyuefang" is the second largest market town in Wuzhou, under the jurisdiction of the Yuanying sect "Mingyue Sect".
Although the Mingyue Sect was not ranked among the top ten Nascent Soul sects in the Donghuang Kingdom, it was still a large Nascent Soul force that was not much weaker than the top ten sects.
Currently, there are still eight Nascent Soul cultivators in the sect. If they were placed in a small place like the "Floating Cloud Mountain Range" cultivation world, the "Mingyue Sect" would definitely be the undisputed overlord.
On this day, an inconspicuous blue flying boat slowly descended outside the market, and then a young man with an ordinary appearance, dressed in a blue robe, jumped down from above.
Seeing the many cultivators queuing to enter the market ahead, the man in the green robe merely glanced at them and walked past them, quickly arriving at the market entrance.
"Senior, may I ask where you are from?"
When questioned by the city guards, the man in the green robe did not answer them. Instead, he took out a token from his person and showed it to them.
"Oh! So you're a senior member of the Four Seas Business Alliance..."
Upon seeing the token that the man in the green robe took out, the city-guarding cultivator looked slightly surprised. He quickly cupped his hands in a salute and then respectfully placed it into the market.
After entering the market, the man in the green robe asked around and soon arrived at a tall building located in the middle of the street.
After glancing at the sign at the entrance, the man in the green robe strode inside.
A moment later, in a secret room on the second floor, the man in the green robe had just sat down when a plump, round-faced cultivator walked in with a smile.
Upon seeing the man in the green robe tasting the food ahead, the fat-faced cultivator quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Junior Yue Longshan, manager of Jin Yue Lou, greets Senior Song!"
"No need for formalities. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Long has arrived? Do you have any accurate information about what I asked for?" After putting down his teacup and waving his hand, Song Qingming calmly asked Yue Longshan.
Upon hearing this, Yue Longshan quickly replied with a smile, "Reporting to Senior Song, Elder Long has not yet arrived at Guyuefang."
However, senior, rest assured. I had already received a message from the elder and found out that Senior Liu of Mingyue Sect does indeed have a Precious Flame Pill.
However, Senior Liu is very busy, and this is all the information I have gathered so far. We will probably have to wait for the elder to arrive to learn the specific details.
I have just sent word to Elder Long that the senior has arrived, and I estimate she will be here soon!
"Please stay here for a while, senior. I'll have someone arrange accommodations for you right away."
"Okay! No need for you to trouble yourself. I can just find a place to stay. This talisman can be used to contact me anytime. When Fellow Daoist Long arrives, please let me know immediately!"
Faced with Yue Longshan's overtures, Song Qingming did not accept them. He left behind only a "transmission talisman" and then got up and left the secret room.
This time, Song Qingming came to the cultivation world of "Donghuang Kingdom" not only to send his senior sister Li Xuanyi back to "Yunlong Mountain".
Another important matter is that I want to inquire about the "Precious Flame Pill" here, to see if I can find this pill and complete the task given to me by Fire Phoenix.
The "Precious Flame Pill" is a mid-grade fourth-level spiritual pill. Although it is not considered extremely rare, it is still a mid-grade fourth-level spiritual pill, and it is not easy to refine.
Since taking over this matter from Long Feng, Song Qingming has been inquiring about the "Baoyan Pill" through various channels for the past few years.
Neither the "Floating Cloud Mountains" nor the adjacent "Eastern Sea Immortal Cultivation World" could Song Qingming find out any information related to this pill.
It wasn't until recently, with the help of Long Ziyun from the "Four Seas Business Alliance," that they learned of the existence of a "Precious Flame Pill" in the "Mingyue Sect" of Yuanzhou.
Upon receiving the news, Song Qingming quickly set off and arrived here.
However, he was not familiar with the cultivators of the "Mingyue Sect" and now he had to wait for Long Ziyun to come and help introduce them. He could only find a place to wait for a while.
Walking along the streets of "Guyuefang", Song Qingming glanced around aimlessly and soon spotted a restaurant nearby. He then walked over quickly.
Just as Song Qingming entered the restaurant, his divine sense suddenly detected a familiar aura, causing him to stop in his tracks.
As soon as Song Qingming turned around, the aura immediately dissipated and disappeared without a trace, leaving only the crowds coming and going and the bustling cries of vendors on the street.
"Strange, could it be that I'm imagining things?"
Although it was only for a moment, Song Qingming did indeed sense a very familiar aura, which immediately made his expression tense.
After glancing around with a somewhat puzzled expression, Song Qingming closed his eyes and released his divine sense once again, covering every corner of the street.
After searching for a while, he still found nothing, which made him frown as he stood there.
"Sir, are you here for a stay or a meal?"
Seeing that Song Qingming was standing at the door looking around but did not come in, the waiter in the restaurant smiled and took the initiative to ask him a question.
This also brought Song Qingming, who was immersed in thought, back to his senses. He quickly nodded to the other party and then followed the waiter upstairs to the second floor.
Once they reached the second floor of the restaurant, Song Qingming sat at the table and watched the waiter serve various delicious spiritual dishes. However, unusually, he did not rush to pick up his chopsticks.
He was still replaying the aura he had sensed at the door, and still couldn't quite believe it was just his imagination.
As a Nascent Soul cultivator, Song Qingming had never encountered such a perplexing situation in all his years of cultivation, and his expression couldn't help but become more solemn.
"Could it really be him?!"
".."
Just as Song Qingming was looking on with confusion, a man dressed in a black robe walked quickly toward the entrance of the market at the entrance of "Guyuefang".
The dozen or so city-guarding cultivators saw the newcomer but didn't sense anything unusual. They simply glanced at him and let him out of the city.
The black-robed cultivator had only just stepped out of the market entrance when he suddenly vanished, surprising several low-level cultivators who happened to witness this scene. They quickly rubbed their eyes in surprise.
(PS: It seems I didn't complete the task again today, my bad!) (End of Chapter)