“Ning Zhuo?” Qing Chi chewed on these two words, her gaze fixed on Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo sighed and slowly walked in front of her.

The previously tense and cautious Gui Ren Zu maiden, as Ning Zhuo approached, followed a strange and strong inner feeling and voluntarily put down the wooden stick in her hand.

Ning Zhuo extended his palm and gently grasped Qing Chi’s hand, pulling her away from the corner.

Ning Zhuo led Qing Chi to sit down by the bed, then gestured for the others to find seats.

Qing Chi stared blankly at Ning Zhuo, not saying a word.

Ning Zhuo turned to Qing Chi, guiltily saying, “I know you have many questions. It’s alright, I’ll tell you everything.”

He began his narration from the start, explaining how he stumbled upon the battlefield in the river, coincidentally impersonating Jiao Ma, and subsequently being misunderstood by Qing Yan.

Then, he entered Bai Zhi Cheng Zhu, and during his interactions with Bai Zhi Cheng Zhu, he realized he might be the savior.

After that, Ning Zhuo, following his mother’s plan and submitting to destiny, gathered the power to disrupt Wang Chuan Fu Jun’s century-long scheme.

Finally, he took a risky gamble, went through multiple life-or-death situations, and narrowly won!

After hearing this, everyone was filled with a mixture of emotions: astonishment, sorrow, awe, and melancholy. These feelings turned into countless sighs, but no one spoke.

Qing Chi shook her head, “I don’t remember anything. But—I feel what you said is true.”

Her eyes were already red, and tears streamed down her face.

The Gui Zu maiden placed one hand over her chest, “When I heard about Jiao Ma’s death, my heart immediately clenched, as if thousands of iron needles were piercing through it.”

“When I heard that my father, Qing Yan,为了掩护我们，自爆金丹而亡 (wèi le yǎn hù wǒ men, zì bào jīn dān ér wáng) sacrificed his Golden Core to protect us and died, endless sorrow almost suffocated me!”

“So, my feelings for you were not real, just because I mistakenly thought you were Jiao Ma all along?”

Ning Zhuo nodded, subconsciously averting his gaze, not daring to look into Qing Chi’s eyes. But then he mustered his courage and sincerely apologized, “You are in this situation now, and I bear a great responsibility. I’m sorry!”

Qing Chi’s expression was hesitant, “Should I hate you?”

She immediately shook her head, “I still feel that you are the closest person to me in this world! This feeling prevents me from hating you.”

“I can feel your sincerity.”

“And as you said, this grand scheme was initiated by Wang Chuan Fu Jun. We are merely the Human Tribulation, a product of Yang Qi’s destiny, targeting Wang Chuan Fu Jun. We are all caught in circumstances beyond our control, so this cannot be blamed on you.”

“The Qing family was originally meant to protect our homeland. Since we seized the opportunity of Cang Tian’s (Heaven’s) plan to establish a Xiu Zhen (cultivation) army and gained such great benefits, we naturally have to pay a price. How can there be a principle in this world where one only enjoys without giving?”

“However, you must guarantee that Jiao Ma was not killed by you, and my father was not deliberately plotted against by you.”

Ning Zhuo immediately raised his hand and made an oath in front of everyone.

Qing Chi shook her head, “We must establish a Shen Qi (divine pact) before I can believe you.”

The amnesiac Qing Chi displayed a meticulous and clear-headed side.

Ning Zhuo nodded and readily agreed, “No problem.”

Although they didn’t have any divine pact documents on hand, it didn’t matter; Bai Zhi Xian Cheng (White Paper Immortal City) would definitely have them. Such divine pacts were commonly used for transactions and were not rare at all.

After temporarily appeasing Qing Chi, Ning Zhuo instructed the others, “Once the pact documents arrive, I will also make agreements with all of you.”

“Regarding what I just said, the truth about Bai Zhi Xian Cheng suffering from the Gui Chao (ghost tide) must not be revealed.”

“At least for now, we must not disclose a single detail to outsiders!”

This was also a specific instruction left by Fo Yi Meng Yao Yin (Buddhist Physician Meng Yao Yin) in the jade slip.

The main reason was that this matter was too significant. Although true, Ning Zhuo was ultimately just a Zhu Ji (Foundation Establishment) cultivator, and being too prominent would attract a lot of trouble.

Especially since Ning Zhuo would soon travel to Wan Xiang Zong’s (Myriad Phenomena Sect’s) main mountain gate to participate in the upcoming Fei Yun Da Hui (Flying Cloud Grand Assembly).

Ning Zhuo needed to seize this opportunity to enter the Dong Fu (cave manor) his mother owned before her death, retrieve all her belongings, and use them to treat Meng Yao Yin. Therefore, he had no desire to create any extra complications.

Previously, the Qing Jiao Army had already formed an alliance with Bai Zhi Cheng Zhu, becoming one of the two decisive forces in the Yin Chao Hei Shi Zhao Di (Yin Tide Black Wet Marshland).

Ning Zhuo was also the Deputy City Lord of Bai Zhi Xian Cheng.

Coupled with the factors of Wan Xiang Zong, all these made Ning Zhuo’s request receive high attention from Bai Zhi Xian Cheng.

One day later, more than ten pact documents were gathered and quickly delivered to the Jidian Junying (Sacrificial Ceremony Military Camp).

Along with these documents came Chu Lao (Old Chef).

Chu Lao specialized in dark cuisine and was the Ling Chu (Spirit Chef) of Zhuang Yang Yuan (Yang-Strengthening Courtyard). The spiritual food he prepared had greatly enhanced Ning Zhuo’s soul foundation.

He was once almost beheaded in public, but was saved entirely because of Ning Zhuo.

For him, Ning Zhuo was his life-saver!

“Young Master Ning Zhuo, your identity and story were specifically told to me by the City Lord’s avatar.”

“I heard that you will be setting off soon to Fei Yun Guo (Flying Cloud Country) to participate in the Fei Yun Da Hui. I shamelessly came to seek a future with you!”

Chu Lao brought his luggage and voluntarily came to pledge allegiance to Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo did not hesitate and immediately agreed, “Having Chu Lao help me is indeed a joyous occasion. How could I reject a worthy talent?”

In fact, the moment he first saw Chu Lao, he immediately understood the latter’s intention.

Bai Zhi Cheng Zhu had once saved Chu Lao’s life. Therefore, when Bai Zhi Cheng Zhu’s avatar, knowing that Chu Lao was wrongly accused, came to the prison and demanded that Chu Lao plead guilty to stabilize the morale of the army, Chu Lao agreed!

It was Ning Zhuo’s intervention later that saved Chu Lao from having to seek death.

Chu Lao’s gratitude and willingness to repay kindness, even at the cost of his own life, deeply impressed Ning Zhuo.

More importantly, Ning Zhuo immediately thought of Bai Zhi Cheng Zhu’s intentions.

Bai Zhi Cheng Zhu deliberately informed Chu Lao of this matter and strongly facilitated Chu Lao’s move to join Ning Zhuo, which naturally had political motives.

“From her perspective, she naturally wouldn’t know about Wang Chuan Fu Jun’s century-long conspiracy, nor that Wang Chuan Fu Jun suffered a major defeat and urgently needed to recuperate, so he wouldn’t target Bai Zhi Cheng Zhu again in a short period.”

“Due to external pressure, she still wishes to cooperate with me. On one hand, she uses the combat power of the Qing Jiao Army to defend the city; on the other hand, I can provide her with the most suitable Yang Qi.”

This brings up the Yin Yang Yi Qi Hu (Yin Yang One Qi Pot).

Ning Zhuo had kept this treasure a secret until now, and his never-before-exposed actions were immensely beneficial to him at this moment.

“It is precisely because Bai Zhi Cheng Zhu still needs our side that she would form an alliance. Her arrangement for Chu Lao to come over is a gesture of goodwill, and also to make Chu Lao a link and a key contact person between both parties.”

Although Ning Zhuo was only sixteen or seventeen years old, he was intelligent and precocious, and his life in Huo Shi Xian Cheng (Fire Persimmon Immortal City) had honed his political talents.

He carefully considered it and secretly praised Bai Zhi Cheng Zhu for her excellent choice of this individual!

Looking at the entire Bai Zhi Xian Cheng, who else could be more suitable than Chu Lao to serve as an intermediary between the two parties?

Ning Zhuo used up all the pact documents that very day.

Once more than ten pact documents were signed, everyone’s hearts became even more settled.

Qing Chi stared at Ning Zhuo, her expression complex, “Now, I can trust you.”

Ning Zhuo looked at her, then scanned the others present, especially the few cultivators from the Qing family, “Everyone has seen my sincerity.”

“My mother left a message in the jade slip, instructing me to bring Miss Qing Chi on this trip.”

“She has the ability of divination and said that if Miss Qing Chi remains here, she might face danger to her life. With me, she will experience extraordinary improvement.”

“Everyone, I swear on my honor that I will take good care of Miss Qing Chi, do my best to help her recover her strength, and grow rapidly!”

“This is what I owe her.”

“Please, Miss Qing Chi, please give me and everyone here a chance to make amends!”

At this point, Ning Zhuo stood up, cupped his fists to Qing Chi and the others, and bowed.

Qing Chi sat blankly, staring at Ning Zhuo, clearly moved.

Qing An (Qing Peace) and other core high-ranking members hurriedly stood up, not daring to accept Ning Zhuo’s bow.

“How dare we receive such a great bow from Young Master Ning!”

“We are truly ashamed.”

“If not for Young Master Ning’s repeated protection on the battlefield, we would have already perished!”

“Our Qing family’s current status is largely due to Young Master Ning’s constant support. We are not ungrateful people.”

“Now that we have even signed a Shen Qi, even without it—could we still not trust Young Master Ning’s character?”

Qing An and the others all expressed their agreement.

This was also within Ning Zhuo’s expectations!

Firstly, Ning Zhuo’s combat power was extremely strong; they had all witnessed it firsthand.

Secondly, Ning Zhuo had a powerful background. He was the Deputy City Lord of Bai Zhi Xian Cheng, and Wan Xiang Zong was supporting him.

Thirdly, Ning Zhuo was indeed the heroic young man who saved Bai Zhi Cheng Zhu and thwarted Wang Chuan Fu Jun’s century-long conspiracy! This immensely brilliant achievement had already made the entire Qing Jiao Army revere him!

Fourthly, Meng Yao Yin’s good deeds and sacrifices in the past, and Wen Ruan Yu’s (Gentle Soft Jade’s) promotion of her by erecting giant paper effigies, had long made the cultivators of the Yin Chao Hei Shi Zhao Di, and the entire city of Bai Zhi Xian Cheng, deeply love and respect Meng Yao Yin. Who was Ning Zhuo? He was Meng Yao Yin’s son! Therefore, the cultivators’ trust in Ning Zhuo had a very strong inherent foundation.

Ning Zhuo finally looked at Qing Chi, “Miss Qing Chi, what are your thoughts?”

Qing Chi gazed into Ning Zhuo’s eyes, silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

The amnesiac Gui Zu maiden was excessively calm, no longer as lively as before, which pained Ning Zhuo and strengthened his resolve to treat her well.

His assurances to the Qing family were not false; they came entirely from his heart.

After successfully convincing Qing Chi and the others, Ning Zhuo immediately made arrangements to depart first thing tomorrow morning.

“So urgent?” Jiao Ma’s biological father was surprised, his face full of reluctance.

Ning Zhuo shook his head, “With Luo Si (Luo 思) managing the overall situation here, I’m very much at ease. And I need to participate in the Fei Yun Da Hui, the sooner the better.”

“The delay until now has already made me a bit anxious.”

Ning Zhuo’s prestige caused everyone to immediately accept the arrangement and no longer try to persuade him otherwise.

On the day of their formal departure, Wen Ruan Yu also rushed to meet them.

He had served in Bai Zhi Xian Cheng for a long time, and with such a major event occurring, he hadn’t returned to the sect for a while, so he ought to go back to report his duties.

As for Yang San Yan (Yang Three Eyes), he would temporarily take over and be stationed at Wan Xiang Zong’s outpost in Bai Zhi Xian Cheng.

This arrangement also had another consideration: Yang San Yan had a tough disposition and, relying on his talent, his combat power could reach the Yuan Ying (Nascent Soul) level.

This would greatly facilitate him in securing future benefits for Wan Xiang Zong.

Bai Zhi Xian Cheng suffered heavy losses after the great war, leaving behind a large number of empty interest zones. Especially since Shi Hun Zong (Soul Devouring Sect) secretly colluded with Wang Chuan Di Fu (Wang Chuan Underworld) this time, Bai Zhi Cheng Zhu directly eliminated Shi Hun Zong’s outpost in the city.

Wen Ruan Yu had, after all, served in Bai Zhi Xian Cheng for a long time, and his network of connections was intricate, some even very close. At this moment of interest distribution, it was truly unsuitable to fall out with anyone.

Yang San Yan was just right.

Setting aside the undercurrents of power struggles in Bai Zhi Xian Cheng, triggered by a new round of interest division, Ning Zhuo led everyone onto the Wan Li You Long (Ten-Thousand-Mile Roaming Dragon).

Everyone gasped in admiration.

Even Wen Ruan Yu, a Golden Core True Disciple, joked with Ning Zhuo, saying he was wealthy to possess such a luxury item.

Sun Ling Tong (Sun Spirit Eye) led everyone on a tour, while Ning Zhuo assigned cabins to them.

The Wan Li You Long had many cabins, and most of the basic facilities still needed to be built. Suddenly, a few more people joined, but there was more than enough space for them.

The Wan Li You Long traveled for only two days before returning to the Yang Jian (Mortal Realm).

Ning Zhuo and Wen Ruan Yu disembarked from the Wan Li You Long and walked towards Fu Jun’s Tie Bei Guan (Iron Stele Pass).

This was the border of Fei Yun Guo.

On the horizon stood a hundred-li-long Xuan Tie (Mysterious Iron) city wall, with the characters “Tie Bei Guan” carved into its ramparts as if by axe and knife.

The city walls were cast from Shi Fa Tie (Law-Eating Iron), difficult for ordinary Yuan Ying cultivators to breach. Three thousand Po Gang Nu (Armor-Breaking Crossbows) were embedded in the crenellations, their enormous arrows gleaming with cold light.

The defending general was a one-eyed old veteran, very steady and cautious. After several checks, he finally confirmed Wen Ruan Yu’s identity.

The gates of the mighty pass opened, and the general allowed the two to enter.

Once inside, Wen Ning (Wen and Ning) didn’t linger but directly used the teleportation array within the pass.

Wen Ruan Yu didn’t need to pay the teleportation fee, while Ning Zhuo paid a large sum of spirit stones.

As the array patterns lit up, the earth veins rumbled, and the formation spewed out a purple-black pillar of light. Within the light pillar, Wen Ning gradually disappeared from their original spot.

The teleportation array in Jiu Gong Xian Cheng (Nine Palaces Immortal City) lit up, then immediately extinguished.

Wen Ning slowly emerged from the teleportation array.

They had traversed nearly ten thousand li, arriving at a magnificent city.

The layout of this city was clearly arranged according to the Jiu Gong array, with nine hundred and ninety-nine floating black towers in the sky, emitting a faint mysterious light.

Neither Wen Ning had the leisure to explore this immortal city.

The two arrived at another teleportation array, where Wen Ruan Yu stepped forward to express their request to go to Wan Xiang Zong’s main mountain gate.

The responsible cultivator told them, “You two are lucky. This batch of cultivators has been waiting for three days, and now there are exactly two spots left.”

From here to Wan Xiang Zong’s main mountain gate was far more than a million li. Therefore, the cost of teleportation was enormous.

Moreover, the matter of the Fei Yun Da Hui was well-known throughout Fei Yun Guo. Many cultivators were actively traveling to Wan Xiang Zong’s main mountain gate at this time, seeking opportunities.

As soon as Wen Ning joined, they immediately set off.

The formation emitted lightning, golden lightning shot up into the sky, directly piercing through the firmament and entering the void.

Ning Zhuo did not know how long had passed; he only felt a dazzling golden light before his eyes, and even tightly closing his eyes was futile.

When he felt his feet on solid ground again, he had already reached his destination.

Leaving the hall where the teleportation array was located, Ning Zhuo followed the crowd on foot to the plaza.

“Wan Xiang Zong!” Wen Ruan Yu’s expression was complex, filled with excitement and nostalgia.

The accompanying cultivators had already let out exclamations, excitedly praising and discussing.