Chapter 849 - 345: Return to East Saint (Part 3)

As he spoke, Chu Ning let out a soft sigh.

If the Cangxuan Spirit Turtle were still with him, it would have been a tremendous source of confidence for Chu Ning.

Even if he were to run into some life-and-death peril next, he could still ask it to intervene once or twice.

What Chu Ning had not expected was that, somewhere within this Boundless Sea, the giant turtle had vanished without a trace.

However, after that light sigh, Chu Ning quickly steadied his mindset again.

Now he was at least a Golden Core Late Stage Cultivator; along the way, aside from encountering that Nascent Soul Late Stage Cultivator in Northern Cold, he had rarely needed to rely on others.

He immediately carried Bai Ling and shot forward in Flying Escape.

At the same time, his Divine Sense spread out ahead.

There were no cultivators on this stretch of land at the moment, so he relaxed and flew in.

As soon as they left the region of the Boundless Sea, Chu Ning and Bai Ling immediately sensed the presence of Spiritual Qi.

Though it was a bit thin, it still made Chu Ning’s face ease with relief.

He had flown in the Boundless Sea for four months, exhausting all of his Thousand-Year Spirit Milk.

And he had consumed as many as twenty drops of Ten Thousand Years Spirit Milk.

This was with Bai Ling having transformed into her true form and hidden in Chu Ning’s sleeve, almost not spending any Magical Power.

Even with Chu Ning’s ample store of Spiritual Milk, he still felt a sharp pang of distress.

Now that Spiritual Qi was present, there was no need to expend resources like that.

Chu Ning scanned his surroundings while also sending out his Divine Sense, searching for traces of cultivators.

Having just arrived here completely in the dark, he still needed to find a cultivator to question and get things clear.

Chu Ning’s Divine Sense could already cover three hundred li; with one sweep, he immediately locked onto a target.

The East Ruishan Sect was a Small Sect at the northern end of the East Saint Continent, with only two Golden Core Cultivators.

Because resources at the northern end were not abundant, though there were a few Major Sects, these forces covered a vast territory, with their domains spreading more over the southern mountain ranges.

Between sects big and small, there was not much friction, and the sect lived quite well.

At this time, the two Golden Core Cultivators of East Ruishan Sect were at the sect’s gate discussing matters with other cultivators.

Standing in the center was a black-haired elder of about fifty, his features stern, clearly someone long accustomed to a seat of authority.

Beside him was a cultivator who looked even older, though his hair was still black.

His face was as calm as a still well, yet there was a trace of weariness in his gaze.

It seemed his age was not small.

At this moment, the two of them simultaneously halted, their faces showing expressions of shock and doubt.

"Sect Leader, Elder, what’s wrong?"

The other cultivators, seeing the two look like this, could not help but ask one after another.

The two ignored the questions from the side; the black-haired elder seated at the head was the first to speak.

"Senior Brother Li, you sensed it too?"

The elder addressed as Senior Brother Li, that older-looking cultivator, no longer wore that expression of unmoving calm; instead, his face turned grave as he nodded.

"What a powerful Divine Sense. This Divine Sense is extremely unfamiliar, and it’s actively probing toward this place without any attempt to conceal itself.

I don’t know if the visitor is hostile, or deliberately signaling goodwill."

After Elder Li finished speaking, the stern black-haired elder immediately turned to the gathered cultivators.

"You all return to the sect at once and instruct every disciple to be cautious, ready to activate the Sect Protection Array at any time.

Senior Brother, we’ll wait here and see which Fellow Daoist it turns out to be."

Elder Li nodded.

The other cultivators, hearing their exchange, all had slight changes of expression, yet did not dare slack off in the least and hurried back into the sect.

After a short while, two streaks of Escape Light flew over from the distance.

In the blink of an eye, they were already landing outside the Mountain Gate.

When they saw the newcomers’ faces clearly, the Sect Leader of East Ruishan Sect and Elder Li both showed slight changes of expression.

The newcomers were a man and a woman, both looking young, just over twenty years old.

The Female Cultivator wore a long yellow dress; judging from her aura, she was at the Early Stage of Golden Core Cultivation.

The male cultivator wore a white Magic Robe and was clearly a Golden Core Late Stage Cultivator.

As for the two of them, they were merely at Middle Stage of Golden Core Cultivation.

At once, the black-haired elder cupped his hands politely and said:

"I am Yue Qing of East Ruishan Sect, and this is our sect’s Elder, Li Liquan. Greetings to you both, Fellow Daoists. May we ask what business brings you to East Ruishan Sect?"

The newcomers were Chu Ning and Bai Ling. As the two cultivators of East Ruishan Sect were sizing them up, he was also sizing the two up.

Hearing the other party speak first, he likewise cupped his hands and replied:

"So it is Fellow Daoist Yue and Fellow Daoist Li. I am Chu Ning, and this is my companion, Bai Ling.

We passed by this treasured place by chance and are unfamiliar with the area. Upon seeing the two Fellow Daoists, we ventured to come forward and inquire.

We hope you two Fellow Daoists will not take offense."

Hearing Chu Ning’s courteous words and sensing no malice, Yue Qing and Li Liquan both secretly let out a sigh of relief.

"What is it that the two Fellow Daoists wish to learn about?"

"If it’s convenient, Mr. Chu would like to ask the two Fellow Daoists for a map." Chu Ning said.

He knew that even though East Ruishan Sect was just a Small Sect, it should still keep relevant maps prepared for its disciples.

Upon hearing this, Qiu Qing hesitated for a moment, but still agreed readily.

"Please wait a moment, Fellow Daoist. I’ll have someone fetch one right away."

Since the origins of the man before him were unclear, he naturally would not lightly allow Chu Ning into the sect.

Chu Ning did not mind.

Before long, Qiu Qing had someone bring out a Jade Scroll.

Chu Ning examined it carefully. The map was not complete, covering only some areas in the northern part of the East Saint Continent.

However, as he had already known, the Major Sects such as Jinyu Dock, Northern Palace, Soul Bone Sect were still present.

There were also detailed introductions of some smaller sects and powers.

Only, further south, not to mention reaching Cyan Creek Sect,

even the Yaochi Palace that Chu Ning had planned to first get some understanding of was not marked on this map.

After quickly looking through the Jade Scroll, Chu Ning cupped his hands toward Yue Qing.

"Many thanks for your gift, Fellow Daoist. I still have another question and would like to ask: how far is this place from Yaochi Palace?"

At Chu Ning’s words, a trace of bewilderment appeared on Yue Qing’s face, and he asked Chu Ning uncertainly:

"The place you speak of—do you mean Yaochi Palace on Little Yao Mountain?"

Chu Ning naturally noticed the look on the other’s face, yet he still nodded.

After listening, Yue Qing gave Chu Ning a strange look before speaking:

"Could it be that Fellow Daoist does not know? Yaochi Palace was destroyed a few years ago."

Hearing this, Chu Ning’s heart immediately jolted.