Chapter 1274: I Am Jade, the So-Called Immortal Poet!
Chapter 1274: Chapter 1274: I Am Jade, the So-Called Immortal Poet!
Ning Fan did not hurry to leave.
He was very curious about how the roasted chestnut elder, who seemed to be the Purple Rose Celestial Emperor, would deal with those who came to provoke him.
The ruffians were still smashing the elder’s stall, but he ignored everything, not even glancing at them.
It was a sort of indifference! Like humans walking without caring how many specks of dust are on the ground, everything happening in front of him couldn’t affect the elder in the slightest.
Although the elder gave no response, the karma caused by these unruly ruffians grew heavier and heavier!
When that karma accumulated to a certain extent, it seemed as if countless invisible hands reached out toward the ruffians.
Then, suddenly, the ruffians became dazed. Their bodies inexplicably shattered, transforming into wisps of starlight, flying into the elder’s roasted chestnut pot, becoming the new batch of chestnuts.
Ugh.
Vaguely perceiving what had happened, Bai Ling began to retch.
[Senior, senior brother! These, these chestnuts, they’re terrifying, disgusting! Could it be that this whole pot of chestnuts... is all made from people? Did we eat...?]
"..." Ning Fan patted Bai Ling’s back, seemingly wanting to ease her discomfort. His expression was helpless; for a moment, he didn’t know how to comfort this fastidious girl.
To Ning Fan himself, eating a few roasted chestnuts made from living people wouldn’t make him feel nauseous. After all, he had eaten worse things along his journey... But for a girl inexperienced with the world, this level of ingredient was indeed too overwhelming.
"Interesting, if the younger generation didn’t see it wrong, these people turning into chestnuts wasn’t because the senior made a move." Ning Fan’s eyes flashed with azure light as he looked at the pot of chestnuts and asked.
"As you saw, I indeed didn’t act. It was the order of karma in the world maintaining me on its own. Even if I die here, even if I no longer exist in the world, my karma cannot be easily touched." The elder’s tone was calm, as if stating a fact. This time, he no longer treated Ning Fan like air, for the azure light in Ning Fan’s eyes had aroused a bit of interest in him.
Their gazes met, one pair of eyes weathered by years and another pair of bright eyes flashing with azure light.
This time, Ning Fan did not feel the deep pressure akin to the River of Time from the elder’s eyes, clearly, the elder deliberately restrained his intimidation.
"You are not far from completely opening the Third Gate of Tianren; what you lack is just an opportunity. So, how much did you understand from all that happened just now?" The elder’s eyes narrowed as he asked.
"I only understood some parts but could not grasp it fully." Ning Fan pondered for a moment before answering truthfully.
"That’s quite good. I initially thought those who intruded here were just a ripple, but perhaps it’s actually a storm that is unknown. Can’t calculate, indeed still can’t calculate; among heaven and earth, it seems only the Holder Cultivator’s variables are the hardest to compute, interesting, interesting..."
The elder chuckled self-deprecatingly, his entire person, along with the chestnut stall, suddenly turned into purple starlight, dissipating little by little in the original place.
Moreover, at the instant the elder disappeared, there seemed to be an invisible hand swiping over the entire trial space, erasing all traces of the elder’s presence here.
Almost the moment the elder’s traces were wiped away, the chaos caused by the disturbance at the chestnut stall in the market suddenly calmed down.
The onlookers in the market, one by one, looked dazed; after a while, their gazes cleared but all had a feeling of bewildered loss.
"Why are we all gathered here?"
"I remember there was a spendthrift in the market who bought many things with silver, bought snacks, bought sugar figures, bought kites, yes, lastly they bought... bought something, but what was it..."
"Can’t remember..."
"Hmm? Was there ever a stall here? Whoever sold anything here..."
"See, must’ve remembered wrong?"
In an instant, the observers entirely forgot what happened here, forgetting there was ever a chestnut stall, ever a roasted chestnut elder.
Even Bai Ling forgot everything that transpired earlier, no longer recalling eating some extremely disgusting chestnuts.
Thus she no longer retched but was a bit bewildered.
[Senior brother? Why did I suddenly retch just now? Eh, why do I have a bag of chestnuts in my hand?]
The sweet and fragrant chestnut aroma filled her senses, and Bai Ling instinctively wanted to peel one and try it.
But Ning Fan waved his hand to stop her.
"These chestnuts, you still shouldn’t eat them..."
[Eh? Really can’t eat? Not even one? Why?]
"Because... because I’m hungry, I want to eat all the chestnuts." Ning Fan didn’t plan to tell Bai Ling the truth.
[Pfft, Senior brother can’t even lie well... Though I don’t know the reason for senior brother’s lie, since senior brother said so, I won’t eat them then. These, all for senior brother.]
Bai Ling handed the chestnut paper bag to Ning Fan.
Ning Fan glanced quickly, only to find the number of chestnuts in the paper bag was wrong.
It wasn’t the number the elder previously gave Bai Ling; the full pot of chestnuts that disappeared along with the stall had unknowingly flown into the paper bag.
"Previously, this Senior said I wasn’t worthy to eat his chestnuts, yet now he gifts me a full pot of them..."
Ning Fan’s expression suddenly turned peculiar, feeling as if he was being tested and acknowledged by a senior expert—what was this all about?
And these chestnuts...
No matter how he looked at it, the ingredients seemed like ordinary chestnuts, but after witnessing that scene, how could Ning Fan not know that each chestnut in the paper bag was actually an unlucky spirit who, due to various reasons, came to provoke the Roasted Chestnut Elder?
[So, just now, how much did you understand?]
[I only understood a little, but couldn’t comprehend it.]
In his mind, the earlier conversation with the elder came to mind unintentionally.
The elder asked him if he understood how a living person could turn into a chestnut.
He said he understood a little; this transformation of the living into chestnuts altered not just their form but their existence.
Because a living person’s existence truly transformed into chestnuts, no matter how Ning Fan looked at it, he could only see a pot full of chestnuts.
This part he could understand, but he couldn’t comprehend the mystical techniques involved in altering existence.
Such alterations of existence were truly profound, far beyond what Ning Fan could currently comprehend and master.
Yet even so, being able to see the crux of the matter was enough for the Roasted Chestnut Elder to look favorably upon Ning Fan.
Thus, the elder rewarded Ning Fan with the full pot of chestnuts that were of no use to him, acknowledging Ning Fan’s existence.
"A person’s existence can be gained, lost, maintained, or altered..." Ning Fan seemed to have an epiphany.
Then he peeled open a chestnut, his expression calm, and fed it into his mouth.
He cautiously comprehended the Purple Star Dao hidden within the chestnut, but no longer dared to rashly explore its essence—it was indeed an extremely reckless and dangerous act.
...
After wandering for a while, Ning Fan and Bai Ling found a ’guest inn’ to stay.
Shi Gandang said that one could find lodging north of the market, so Ning Fan came as well.
But who could explain why there wasn’t a single proper inn in the entire Wind Barbarian Market, only a bunch of Qin Building and Chu Pavilion establishments?
Ning Fan couldn’t forget the look of surprise and hesitance from the madam of the so-called ’guest inn’ when he brought Bai Ling in to stay.
"Um, honored guest, our store has a rule: no bringing your own ’drinks’..." Yes, that’s how the madam reminded him at the time.
[Bringing drinks? Did we bring any drinks? What a strange rule.] Bai Ling clearly didn’t know she was the ’drinks’ being referred to.
"Two rooms, I won’t short you on the money." Ning Fan replied indifferently, handing the madam a small piece of Heavenly Dao Silver.
"So, you’re the one from the market legend..." The madam’s eyes lit up instantly, realizing a fat sheep had entered her establishment.
In an instant, the madam didn’t mind Ning Fan breaking the rule by bringing his own drink, since that small piece of Dao Silver was enough for him to enjoy this inn’s drinks a million times over.
However, Ning Fan had no intention of enjoying this inn’s drinks.
This led the madam to mistakenly believe that Ning Fan only wanted to drink his own wine.
Night deepened.
Ning Fan sat cross-legged in the room, occasionally eating a chestnut while meticulously comprehending its mystery.
Bai Ling stayed in the room next door, even though it was next door, the two rooms were actually connected, with no restrictive barriers, evidently the madam considered that Ning Fan might "accidentally enter" his female companion’s room at night, so she specifically removed the restriction between the two rooms.
From Bai Ling’s room, came the occasional sound of chess pieces being placed, reaching Ning Fan’s ears.
Clearly, even after wandering all night, Bai Ling didn’t plan on resting early, not forgetting to finish the game record she hadn’t completed today.
The sound of the chess pieces, so serene, so peaceful, inexplicably attracted Ning Fan’s entire spirit, making it difficult to concentrate on comprehending the profound Daoist methods.
Such an occurrence was rare in Ning Fan’s cultivation life; few things could disturb his heart. Even a mountain collapsing or the earth cracking wouldn’t be as captivating as the light sound of chess pieces.
That little sound of the chess pieces was not a Heart Demon, but more than a Heart Demon, causing Ning Fan to unconsciously reach out and place his hand on his chest.
Yes.
In his heart, there was always a Heart Demon he was reluctant to sever...
But the root of that Heart Demon was the paper crane, so why, at this moment, did it resonate with Bai Ling here...
"Bai Ling, who exactly is she... The Fried Chestnut Senior told me that human existence can change, so could this be seen as a kind of hint..."
"Moreover, the Senior mentioned an opportunity, the chance to open the Third Gate of Tianren... Such a senior expert, every word and action can’t be aimless. Could it be that he’s hinting that the opportunity to open the Third Gate is on Bai Ling..."
His thoughts gradually became difficult to calm.
Fortunately, the sound of chess pieces falling into place quickly soothed Ning Fan’s thoughts.
"Can playing chess really be so joyful..." Ning Fan started to ponder this question seriously.
...
Northern Barbarians Kingdom, the next day.
Shi Gandang was indeed a well-informed individual. Even if Ning Fan hadn’t used Voice Transmission to inform where he was staying, by dawn Shi Gandang still managed to find the way.
"Hehe, how did the Senior rest last night? I heard that the Senior spent lavishly to win a beauty’s smile yesterday. With such a huge expense, I guess you must have had some rewarding encounters last night..." Shi Gandang showcased an expression that "all men understand," winking at Ning Fan.
Ning Fan felt both speechless and unwilling to explain much to Shi Gandang. He simply raised his hand and pointed at Shi Gandang’s collar.
Shi Gandang froze, only then noticing a trace of lipstick on his collar...
"...You seem to be the one who gained a lot, aren’t you?" Ning Fan said, speechless.
"Hehe, no matter how much I gained, it’s nothing more than some ordinary makeup, it’s embarrassing to show Senior." Shi Gandang awkwardly wiped the markings off his clothes.
A while later, Ning Fan shared breakfast with Bai Ling who had just woken up.
During this time, Shi Gandang rented a unique Northern Barbarians Kingdom Six-Winged Snow Eagle from the market to fly to the venue of the Dao Fruit Conference.
Ning Fan rode on the snow eagle’s back, hovering in the air, overlooking the scenery of the snowy country in all directions. Beside him, Bai Ling had already wrapped herself in a thick cloak and veil, still fearing the sunlight.
[Hey, where are those chestnuts?] Bai Ling was still thinking about that package of sweet-smelling chestnuts.
"Already finished..." Ning Fan.
[Were they delicious?]
"Not really."
[Oh...] She still seemed quite eager to try them.
"Next time we encounter chestnuts for sale, I’ll buy some for you." Ning Fan said helplessly.
By evening, the snow eagle landed at the foot of a towering snowy mountain.
"This mountain is the North Pole Mountain, the sacred mountain of the Northern Barbarians Kingdom. Legend has it, ancient treasures are hidden within this mountain, but no one has actually seen them. It’s probably just an untrustworthy tale. However, real realm chess cultivators treat this mountain as the holy land of chess masters. Whenever the Northern Barbarians Kingdom holds the Dao Fruit Conference here, many chess masters come from afar, though it’s unclear what they’re really after." Shi Gandang explained as he untied the ropes for the snow eagle to fly back to the market, introducing the snowy mountain to Ning Fan.
"My master, Stone Ghost True Person, is currently awaiting you on the mountain. Please visit the mountain, Senior." Shi Gandang said respectfully.
"North Pole Mountain, huh..." Ning Fan showed a contemplative expression. The snowy mountain in front of him was quite similar to the Mini North Pole Mountain in Ziwei Beiji Palace, except for the difference in size.
Besides that, Ning Fan also felt a certain inexplicable throbbing from this real North Pole Mountain.
The spirit blood within him resonated subtly when he set foot on North Pole Mountain...
Perhaps, there really is an ancient treasure hidden within this mountain.
Contrary to Ning Fan’s pensive expression.
Bai Ling now completely appeared like a pilgrim in demeanor and presence.
North Pole Mountain is considered a sacred ground in the minds of all true realm chess masters. As a chess master, she couldn’t hide her excitement.
[There should be many strong chess players on this mountain, I really want to compete with them! I wonder if with my current chess skills, I have the chance to defeat those graded chess masters...] Bai Ling eagerly anticipated dueling with strong chess masters, yet felt a bit insecure and lacking confidence.
Thus she turned to Ning Fan, internally pleading, [If I face others in a duel, could I have Senior Brother watch over me?]
"Oh? You want me to guide you?" Ning Fan asked in surprise.
[How could it be! Watching a game silently is a chess master’s pride, how could I force Senior Brother to do something he doesn’t want...]
Actually, cheating doesn’t make me feel guilty at all, because I’m not a chess master. Ning Fan thought to himself.
[For some reason, just having Senior Brother by my side makes me feel at ease, and my concentration becomes unparalleled. Previously, no matter how focused I was on practicing records, I would always get slightly distracted; but these days with Senior Brother accompanying, for the first time I am utterly immersed...]
So my recent inability to focus, has all shifted to you, hasn’t it? Ning Fan smiled knowingly.
"Alright, if you face someone in a duel, I’ll watch your back." Ning Fan promised.
[Thank you, Senior Brother, you are truly a super good person!] A historically unprecedented huge ’good person’ card smacked right onto Ning Fan’s face.
...
Before climbing the mountain, he didn’t feel it, but once entering North Pole Mountain, Ning Fan realized that this mountain hid endless worlds, fundamentally impossible to see its end.
Because the mountain was so vast, teleportation formations were built everywhere on the mountain for those entering to transfer.
Under Shi Gandang’s lead, Ning Fan used dozens of star region-level long-distance teleportation formations, barely transferring to the halfway point of North Pole Mountain.
"This is the outer field of the Dao Fruit Assembly. Those Masters who haven’t received an invitation mostly gather here to watch the excitement from afar. To taste the North Pole Dao Fruit, one must reach the summit and enter the inner field of the assembly with an invitation." Shi Gandang looked toward the towering summit, filled with envy.
"You and your master didn’t receive an invitation?" Ning Fan asked, surprised.
"Senior, don’t jest. Only the close friends of the ’Northern Barbarian God’ could possibly receive an invite. My master has no acquaintance with that Northern Barbarian King, so naturally, he wasn’t invited." Shi Gandang said regretfully.
"Northern Barbarian God?" Ning Fan was somewhat intrigued by those words.
But he didn’t continue with the topic, instead, turning his head to look in a certain direction.
In that direction, the aura of two Immortal Emperors was slowly approaching.
"Hahaha! Brother Zhang has finally arrived! Fourth Brother, did you see? How could I be wrong? As long as Brother Zhang received my message, he wouldn’t miss the appointment!" Stone Ghost True Person came with a wide smile towards Ning Fan (Zhang Dao), surrounded by the powerful aura of the Nine Tribulations Immortal Emperor.
Behind the Stone Ghost True Person followed another Nine Tribulations Immortal Emperor, who was referred to as the "Fourth Brother".
When Ning Fan saw the appearance of this "Fourth Brother", he was suddenly startled.
Just felt that this guy looked awfully familiar!
Isn’t this guy the Quasi-Saint under the command of the Northern Sea True Lord—Immortal Stone?
"Excellent, excellent! Didn’t expect the Hakun Holy Sect to have such a righteous hero, willing to risk life and death to come merely upon receiving a friend’s letter! Facing such a hero, I must compose a poem to express my inner joy!" The Nine Tribulations Immortal Emperor referred to as "Fourth Brother" opened his mouth to compose, but couldn’t get a line out for a long time, clearly limited in poetry skills.
"Uh, this Fourth Brother of mine has a somewhat... straightforward personality, forgive him for possibly amusing you, Brother Zhang." Stone Ghost True Person said awkwardly.
He then remembered he hadn’t introduced this Fourth Brother, quickly introducing him to Ning Fan and "Fourth Brother".
"This, I’ve often mentioned to you, is my bosom friend, the chief senior disciple of the Weituo Protector of Hunkun Holy Sect, Brother Zhang Dao!" Stone Ghost True Person introduced Ning Fan to Fourth Brother.
"This is my elder brother Immortal Stone, known by the Daoist title Stone Immortal Zhenren." So, it was indeed Immortal Stone! It was truly him!
"Nonsense! My Daoist title is clearly Poetic Immortal Zhenren! Hold on, hold on! Inspiration is coming up!"
Ignoring Stone Ghost True Person’s adamant blocking, Immortal Stone, without further ado, recited his new poem.
"What a North Pole Mountain,
It’s f***** great!
Assembly held on mountain top,
I’ll also come for a stop.
Zhang Dao, great warrior,
Man stout, bird also stout.
Dare not stand straight up,
Fear of poking the sky men!"
"Hahaha! Excellent, excellent! Fifth Brother, quickly fetch a pen, and paper! Transcribe elder brother’s masterpiece immediately, frame it as a memento!" Immortal Stone laughed out loud.
Stone Ghost True Person only felt utterly embarrassed, wishing he could dig a hole and bury himself.
"Let Brother Zhang... amuse you, my Fourth Brother has but this little hobby in life, but his talent is limited, alas..." Stone Ghost True Person said with shame.
Praised as "Man stout, bird also stout, fear of poking the sky men," Ning Fan remained expressionless, seemingly not at a loss for words by Immortal Stone’s masterpiece.
After all, he had already encountered the real Immortal Stone in the Zidou Illusion Realm, and heard his poem once.
Confirmed through the poetry, it was indeed him.
But because of this, Ning Fan increasingly felt a certain indescribable sense of destiny.
He killed Immortal Stone twice in the North Heaven, only to later encounter the true Immortal Stone himself in the Saint Heir’s trial...
"So my meeting with Bai Ling in this world, indeed, has a certain destiny..." Ning Fan gazed at Bai Ling on the side, deep in thought.