Chapter 0551: Enemies Often Cross Each Other’s Path
Standing outside the Transfer Array’s altar, Ning Cheng felt amazed. Although he had not thought that he would die in this place, it had still taken him a few years to climb up to the altar.
Ning Cheng speculated that since the ten-year period had already passed, while he remained inside, it definitely had some connection to the Sea of Twilight. Whether he could get out or not, Ning Cheng did not want to stay any more inside this shithole.
Taking off his Mask-type Dao Artefact, Ning Cheng gave off a sigh. With his current appearance, he felt that there was no need to wear masks anymore, as he had truly transformed into an elderly person in both presence and aura. Even if an acquaintance met him, unless they carefully observed him, none of them would ever associate an old man like him with Ning Cheng.
Coming out from the depths, the experience changed Ning Cheng’s aura at its foundation. Whatever be the case, Ning Cheng carefully placed his Miniature World Ring into his Five Elements Array Formation that he had set up inside the Mysterious Yellow Bead. After completing all preparations, he then finally stepped on to the Transfer Array.
A bright white light flashed, and the next moment, Ning Cheng appeared at the periphery of the Sea of Twilight. Ning Cheng had just given out a sigh of relief and had not even looked around when another flash of white light erupted around him, and he disappeared. When the flash of light finally dissipated, Ning Cheng had already appeared somewhere within the starry skies.
Although he could not see anyone around, Ning Cheng immediately realised that it was the same place from where he had entered the Time Wilderness. He had not expected that even after the delay, this place would still send him out.
Ning Cheng did not remain standing in this place. Quickly bringing out his Celestial River Battleship, he immediately left with the quickest speed.
A few days later, Ning Cheng re-entered Striking Order Star Land and arrived at Lucky Heaven City. He wanted to head to the Grand Culmination Starry Skies; as such, he had no choice but to come to this place again.
Compared to ten years ago, there seemed to be a lot fewer people in Lucky Heaven City at this time. With Ning Cheng looking like an old Celestial Novice Cultivator, nobody paid any sort of attention to him in this city.
Ning Cheng did not go looking for a resting pen to rest; instead, he directly went to Lucky Heaven City’s Striking Order Starry Skies Trade Union
“Friend, are you looking for some information, or do you want to team up to make some money? Are you looking for something else? I can definitely help you with it.” Ning Cheng had not yet entered the trade union when a faint sound transmission entered his ear.
Ning Cheng’s gaze swept slightly and saw a very unremarkable and humble looking middle-aged man with a Celestial Novice Cultivation sitting at the foot of the wall.
When the middle-aged man with the Celestial Novice Cultivation saw Ning Cheng’s gaze sweep over him, he immediately waved a hand, indicating that the sound transmission came from him.
Ning Cheng walked over. Lucky Heaven City was a relatively safer area, and Ning Cheng did not think that someone would not choose to be so bored to try to stir up trouble using such means. In any case, the other party was only a Celestial Novice Cultivator; as such, Ning Cheng also did not care much about it.
Analysing this middle-aged man’s words from a moment ago, Ning Cheng understood a few things immediately. Most likely, this fellow worked in the shadows, trying to fish for some business outside the trade union. In other words, this fellow was a person who survived by living in the cracks of society. However, Ning Cheng did not care about it. He wanted to head to the Grand Culmination Starry Skies. Although Ning Cheng knew that it was a bit risky to inquire about such information from the trade union, it was something necessary. Moreover, he did not know any people in this place.
The Celestial Novice Cultivator, on seeing Ning Cheng come over, felt even happier in his heart. Just as this fellow was about to stand up, Ning Cheng waved his hand, took the initiative to sit down not far from him, and asked, “What you said a moment ago, can you really make those arrangements?”
The middle-aged fellow immediately affirmed, “Naturally; moreover, we charge a fee much more reasonable than the trade union, with much shorter turnaround time. I can definitely tell that you want to enter the trade union to inquire about something. However, no matter what you ask from the trade union, they would keep you waiting for a long time. What could you do about it? Oh yes, they would also charge you a lot more celestial coins. Friend, we definitely handle matters much more swiftly and with more commitment compared to the trade union.”
Without showing any approval or disapproval, Ning Cheng asked, “Do you know what happened after the try-outs in the Time Wilderness came to an end? I just arrived in Lucky Heaven City, and I didn’t have the time to inquire about any news, which is why I wanted to head to the trade union.”
The middle-aged man smiled but did not immediately answer Ning Cheng’s words. Instead, he asked, “Do you really want to go to the trade union to inquire about such news?”
Ning Cheng immediately understood what the other party implied and took out two hundred green coins and put them in the hands of this fellow, without answering.
The middle-aged man had initially thought that he would have to haggle a lot with Ning Cheng; he never expected that this person would take out two hundred green coins without even a word. However, this gesture definitely made him happy. He did not hesitate to put away the two hundred green coins and spoke out very carefully, “The Time Wilderness Tryouts ended a month ago. At the same time, Heavenly Emperor selected the top ten among the finalists who would then enter the Grand Culmination Starry Skies to participate in the finals. The top ten, respectively, were……”
Ning Cheng stopped the middle-aged fellow and asked, “When are they leaving? How do they intend to reach that place?”
“They naturally would ride the Starry Skies-class Battleship. I heard that they would have to cross several boundary interfaces within the void to reach the Grand Culmination Starry Skies. This definitely is not a simple matter. Besides, many people are going to the Grand Culmination Starry Skies this time. In addition to a large number of merchant house representatives, I heard that even our Heavenly Emperor would be going in person. As for when they are leaving, even I don’t know.” The middle-aged fellow answered very carefully.
Ning Cheng sighed, “I also want to go to the Grand Culmination Starry Skies. But it looks like I might not be able to obtain a ticket, ah.”
“What? Do you really want to go to the Grand Culmination Starry Skies?” The middle-aged Celestial Novice Cultivator felt shocked on hearing Ning Cheng’s words. No matter for what reason, for a Celestial Novice Cultivator wishing to go to the Grand Culmination Starry Skies, it definitely was not an easy matter.
“That’s right; I want to go to the Grand Culmination Starry Skies. That is why I wanted to go to the trade union. Can you do this? If not, then it is no use for me coming here.” Ning Cheng said while standing up.
The middle-aged Celestial Novice Cultivator also quickly stood up before he spoke with clenched teeth. “Senior, if you really want to go to the Grand Culmination Starry Skies, I don’t have a way to help you right away. I would have to report it to the higher-ups first, and the price may not be something low. However, you would need to pay me 100,000 green coins for the reporting fee. If you don’t believe me, you can come with me……”
Sensing that Ning Cheng was not an ordinary Celestial Novice Cultivator, the Celestial Novice Cultivator’s tone immediately turned respectful.
Ning Cheng waved his hand and placed a stack of green coins in the hands of the middle-aged Celestial Novice Cultivator, “These are 100,000 green coins. As long as you can help me obtain a ticket to the Grand Culmination Starry Skies, why would I bother over some celestial coins? However, if you lie to me, well, let’s just say that I have a way to find out.”
[Author Note: Celestial coins are the general term for starry skies’ currency; purple coins, green coins, blue coins and black coins are all celestial coins.]
The middle-aged Celestial Novice Cultivator excitedly clutched on to the 100,000 green coins. Ning Chong’s generosity had already gone beyond his expectations. There was no need for Ning Cheng to give out a reminder, he patted his chest and assured him, “You can rest assured that within three days, I will provide you with an answer. This is my communications talisman. If I manage to obtain something, I will immediately send Senior a message.”
“Okay, then I will wait for you for three days. If you can send me a message within three days, we will then meet here.” After Ning Cheng finished, he did not wait for the Celestial Novice Cultivator to answer before turning around and leaving, leaving the still-excited Celestial Novice Cultivator behind.
Ning Cheng did not go too far when he felt a Spiritual Consciousness scan his body. Moreover, this Spiritual Consciousness repeatedly kept a close check on him, which made Ning Cheng feel very confused.
He only had two enemies in Lucky Heaven City; however, neither Zhao Yanxiang not Lou Pingchuan could recognise him in his present appearance. Besides, it was already common knowledge that he had died in the Perpetual Moon Lake, something that Zhao Yanxiang had witnessed with his own eyes. If Zhao Yanxiang knew of it, then Lou Pingchuan would also know about it for sure. Such being the case, who else would bear a killing towards him?
Ning Cheng did not use his Spiritual Consciousness to retrace. Especially since his strength was still too low, and he had no intention to alert this fellow within the Lucky Heaven City.
While Ning Cheng tried thinking of ways to disappear, a Taoist shadow quickly rushed to his front and spoke up with a crisp voice, “Wait…..”
At this moment, Ning Cheng immediately recognised who this person was, it was the woman named Yue Juan. This woman’s older cousin Yue Yifeng, who was also her Dual Cultivation Dao Companion, had died by his hands. It was something Shen Qinyu explained after this woman made her escape that time. She mentioned that this Yue Clan had a mighty Talisman Dao and would not let him go. Ning Cheng had not expected that he would run into this woman this early; moreover, he also did not know how she recognised him.
In any case, Ning Cheng did not intend to chat with this woman. He quickly circled around her, while speeding up his pace.
“You stop.” Seeing Ning Cheng ignore her, Yue Juan shouted loudly while also accelerating to catch up to him.
Ning Cheng secretly cursed at his luck in his heart. He had only recently come out and almost immediately ran into trouble with this woman. Even if the two were unfamiliar with each other, she might have recognised that the ‘him’ now was Ning Cheng. Ning Cheng had died in the Perpetual Moon Lake, yet he appeared in the Lucky Heaven City, it would be weird if no one thought that he had some kind of a secret on him.
A cultivator who managed to appear one or two months later, even Heavenly Emperor Striking Order would likely take an interest in ‘talking’ to him.
Seeing Yue Juan catching up, Ning Cheng realised that today’s matter would not resolve in just a friendly conversation. He theorised that Yue Juan might have not recognised him at first, but Ning Cheng knew that since the other party already harboured some doubts, it would not turn out any different compared to if she actually recognised him or not.
Thinking of this, Ning Cheng did not hesitate to rush out of Lucky Heaven City. Since there was no way to resolve this matter peacefully, then he had to exterminate them completely.
Ning Cheng had his own principles that he stuck to; whoever wanted his life, he would not hesitate to fight back with all his strength.
Seeing Ning Cheng rush out of the city, Yue Juan raised her hand and threw out a message talisman before following him out.
After Ning Cheng left Lucky Heaven City, he immediately brought out his Celestial River Battleship and took control of it. If this woman dared to chase after him alone, then she cannot blame Ning Cheng for acting out of kindness.
Yue Juan did not continue chasing after Ning Cheng; moreover, she did not dare to chase after Ning Cheng.
In just a moment, a grey shadow descended near to Yue Juan.
“Big Brother Huangfu, why did you come alone, where’s Uncle Shang?” Yue Juan, on seeing this grey-robed cultivator, asked anxiously.
This cultivator showed a smile and spoke, “I saw Sister Juan’s urgent message and thought that something had gone wrong and immediately rushed over. What is going on? Why would you want Uncle Shang to come over?”
Yue Juan anxiously replied, “Big Brother Huangfu, I just saw a white-haired cultivator, that back and hair looked very much like that man I encountered in the Time Wilderness.”
“Is that the guy who killed Yifeng?” The male cultivator, called Huangfu by Yue Juan, asked.
Yue Juan quickly replied, “I suspect that he is the same person; otherwise, he would not have escaped from the city after seeing me.”
“Then what are we waiting for, let’s catch and kill him.” The male cultivator raised his hand and brought out a Celestial River-class Battleship; however, its grade was much higher than Ning Cheng’s knock-off battleship.
Yue Juan spoke out anxiously, “But there are only two of us…..”
“Haha…..” The male cultivator laughed, “Didn’t you say that he only had a Celestial Shatterer Cultivation at best? A Celestial Shatterer Cultivation does not even require me, Huangfu, to turn serious.”
Yue Juan felt anxious about Ning Cheng escaping. However, she then thought about the strength of her Big Brother Huangfu, the Yue Clan’s Celestial Scryer Premier Genius, and at a level of power that far surpassed Yue Yifeng. She finally nodded and spoke, “Okay, then let’s hurry.”
It was no wonder that Huangfu could dare to speak such words. He already possessed a cultivation that was half-a-step into the Celestial Bridge Realm; in a way, he was the most formidable person beneath the Celestial River Realm. Moreover, he also was the Yue Clan’s most focussed on the member, even the Striking Order Starry Skies’ Premier Genius, Cen Fei was not worth his attention. In his view, killing Ning Cheng with just a Celestial Shatterer Cultivation did not even warrant his full strength.