The White Paper City Lord specifically informed the chef elder of this matter, strongly facilitating his decision to seek refuge with Ning Zhuo, naturally with political intentions.
"From her perspective, she certainly doesn’t know of the century-long conspiracy of the Lord of Wanchuan, nor of his massive defeat, urgently needing to recuperate, and thus won’t target the White Paper City Lord again in the short term."
"Due to external pressures, she still hopes to cooperate with me. On one hand, borrowing the combat strength of the Qing Jiao Army to guard the city; on the other, I can provide her with the most suitable Yang Energy."
This brings us to the Yin Yang Qi Pot.
Ning Zhuo kept this treasure secret all this time, never revealing it, which has greatly benefited him now.
"It’s precisely because the White Paper City Lord still needs us that she’s willing to form an alliance. She arranged for the chef elder to come over as a gesture of goodwill, and also to make the chef elder a key contact person and link between us."
Though Ning Zhuo is only sixteen or seventeen, he is precocious and mature, and life in Fire Persimmon Immortal City has honed his political talents.
He tasted it carefully, secretly praising the White Paper City Lord for her excellent choice!
Looking over the entire White Paper Immortal City, who else could be more suitable than the chef elder to act as a mediator between the two parties?
Ning Zhuo used up the contract immediately that day.
Once a dozen contracts were signed, everyone felt further reassured.
Qing Chi looked at Ning Zhuo, her expression complex: "Now, I can trust you."
Ning Zhuo looked at her, then scanned the other people present, especially the few cultivators of the Qing Family: "You’ve all seen my sincerity."
"Mother left a message in the jade slip, telling me to bring Miss Qing Chi along on this journey."
"She has the power of divination and said Miss Qing Chi might face a life-threatening situation if she stays here. Accompanying me, however, she will experience extraordinary growth."
"Ladies and gentlemen, I swear on my honor, I will take good care of Miss Qing Chi, doing my utmost to restore her strength and help her grow rapidly!"
"This is my debt to her."
"Miss Qing Chi, everyone, please give me a chance to make amends!"
At this point, Ning Zhuo stood up and clasped his hands in respect, bowing to Qing Chi and the others.
Qing Chi sat there dazed, watching Ning Zhuo, clearly moved.
Qing An and other core members hurriedly stood up, not daring to accept such a great courtesy from Ning Zhuo.
"How could we trouble Young Master Ning to such an extent!"
"It’s truly shameful for us."
"If not for Young Master Ning’s repeated protection on the battlefield, we would have perished long ago!"
"Our Qing Family holds its current position all thanks to Young Master Ning’s constant support. We are not ungrateful people."
"Now, having signed the Divine Contract, even without it... how could we doubt Young Master Ning’s character?"
Qing An and the others all agreed.
This was within Ning Zhuo’s expectations!
Firstly, Ning Zhuo’s combat power is extremely strong; they’ve all witnessed it firsthand.
Secondly, Ning Zhuo has a powerful background. He is the Deputy City Lord of White Paper Immortal City, supported by the Myriad Images Sect.
Thirdly, Ning Zhuo is indeed the hero who saved the White Paper City Lord and thwarted the Lord of Wanchuan’s century-long conspiracy! This illustrious battle achievement has already inspired admiration for him throughout the Qing Jiao Army.
Fourthly, Meng Yaoyin’s past righteous acts and sacrifices, and Wen Ruanyu’s setting up of the paperman giant statue in her honor, have already made the cultivators of the Yin Tide Black Swamp, and the entire White Paper Immortal City, hold Meng Yaoyin in high regard. Who is Ning Zhuo? He is Meng Yaoyin’s son! Therefore, the trust the cultivators have in Ning Zhuo has a strong innate foundation.
Ning Zhuo finally looked at Qing Chi: "Miss Qing Chi, what are your thoughts?"
Qing Chi stared into Ning Zhuo’s eyes, and after a brief silence, she slowly nodded.
The ghost clan girl who lost her memory was overly serene, no longer as vibrant as before, which caused Ning Zhuo a pang in his heart and strengthened his resolution to treat her well.
His promises to the Qing Family were not empty words, but came from the bottom of his heart.
After successfully persuading Qing Chi and others, Ning Zhuo made arrangements to set off early the next morning.
"Leaving so urgently?" Qing Jiao’s father’s surprise was all over his face, showing clear intention to have them stay.
Ning Zhuo shook his head: "With Luo Si here overseeing, I am at ease. Besides, I need to attend the Feiyun Conference, so the sooner I go, the better."
"Having delayed until now already makes me a bit anxious."
Ning Zhuo’s prestige made everyone immediately accept this arrangement without further persuasion.
When the formal departure day arrived, Wen Ruanyu also came to join them.
Having worked at White Paper Immortal City for a long time, he had not returned to the sect after such a major event, so it was time to go back and report.
As for Yang Sanyan, he temporarily took over his position, stationing at the Myriad Images Sect’s site in White Paper Immortal City.
This arrangement also had another consideration, namely Yang Sanyan’s tough character and his ability to reach Nascent Soul Level based on innate talent.
This would greatly facilitate obtaining benefits for the Myriad Images Sect later.
After White Paper Immortal City’s great battle, significant losses were suffered, leaving a large empty area of interests. Especially since the Soul Devouring Sect was discovered collaborating secretly with the Wanchuan Underworld side, the White Paper City Lord had eradicated the Soul Devouring Sect’s site in the city directly.
Despite Wen Ruanyu being in office at White Paper Immortal City for long, with intertwined relationships and some close connections, this was indeed not the right time to turn against them.
Yang Sanyan, however, was just right for this role.
Not to mention the strategic undercurrents triggered by the new distribution of interests in White Paper Immortal City, Ning Zhuo led everyone onto the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon.
Everyone exclaimed in awe.
Even Wen Ruanyu, this Golden Core True Transmission, jested Ning Zhuo about his wealth, owning such a luxury item.
Sun Lingtong took everyone on a tour, and Ning Zhuo distributed the cabins among them.
The Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon had numerous cabins, with most basic facilities still needing development. The sudden addition of several people still left plenty of room.
After just two days on the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon, they returned to the Mortal World.
Ning Zhuo and Wen Ruanyu disembarked from the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon, walking towards the Prefect’s Iron Monument Pass.
This was the border of the Flying Cloud Country.
On the horizon stood an iron city wall stretching for a hundred miles, with the words "Iron Monument Pass" carved as if by an axe and chisel.
The city walls were cast entirely from Devouring Magic Iron; even typical Nascent Soul cultivators couldn’t breach them. There were three thousand Breaking Gang Crossbows embedded in the walls, each with enormous crossbow arrows flashing a cold light.
The commanding officer was a one-eyed old general, very calm and cautious, finally verifying Wen Ruanyu’s identity after multiple checks.
The Heroic Pass City Gate opened, and the commanding officer allowed the two to enter.
Once inside, Wen Ning made no delay, immediately utilizing the Transmission Array within the pass.
Wen Ruanyu didn’t have to pay for transmission, but Ning Zhuo spent a large amount of Spirit Stone.
As the array patterns lit up, the earth veins roared, and the array erupted with a pillar of purple-black light. Within the light column, Wen Ning and the others slowly vanished from their spots.
The Nine Palace Immortal City’s transmission array lit up and then immediately went dark again.
Wen Ning and his companion slowly exited the transmission array.
Having traversed nearly a hundred thousand miles, they had arrived at a magnificent city.
The city layout was obviously arranged according to the Nine Palace Formation, with nine hundred and ninety-nine Floating Black Towers in the sky emitting a faint mysterious light.
Wen Ning and his companion had no leisure to tour this Immortal City.
The two approached another transmission array, where Wen Ruanyu expressed their intention to go to the Myriad Images Sect’s main mountain gate.
The responsible cultivator told them: "You two are lucky, these transmitters have been waiting three days, and now there are just two slots available."
Transmitting to the Myriad Images Sect’s main mountain gate was much further than a million miles. Therefore, the cost was formidable.
Coincidentally, the Feiyun Conference is widely known throughout Flying Cloud Country. Many cultivators are seizing this time to go to the Myriad Images Sect’s main mountain gate, seeking opportunities.
With Wen Ning and his companion joining, they immediately set off.
The array burst with thunderous light, as a golden lightning pillar shot skyward, directly piercing through to the sky, entering the void.
Ning Zhuo didn’t know how long it had been, only feeling like he was engulfed in radiant golden brilliance, even tightly shutting his eyes proved futile.
Once he felt his feet grounded, Ning Zhuo had arrived at the destination.
Leaving the grand hall where the transmission array was located, Ning Zhuo followed others, walking onto the square.
"Myriad Images Sect!" Wen Ruanyu’s expression was complex, with both excitement and nostalgia.
The accompanying cultivators exclaimed repeatedly, admiring and discussing enthusiastically.