Chapter 679: Setting Off

"Ning—Zhuo?" Seeing Qing Chi chewed on these two words, her gaze fixed on Unlike Ning Zhuo.

Unlike Ning Zhuo sighed and walked slowly before her.

The Ghost-People girl, who had been tense and guarded, followed her inexplicable and intense inner feelings as Unlike Ning Zhuo approached, taking the initiative to put down the wooden stick in her hand.

Unlike Ning Zhuo reached out his palm, gently grasped Seeing Qing Chi, and pulled her away from the corner.

Unlike Ning Zhuo pulled Seeing Qing Chi to the bedside to sit down, then greeted others to find a place to sit.

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

Unlike Ning Zhuo turned to Seeing Qing Chi and said with guilt in his heart: "I know you have many doubts, it doesn't matter, I will tell you everything."

He narrated from the beginning, how he happened upon the battlefield in the river, happened to play the role of Jiao Ma, and was then misunderstood by Qing Yan.

Then, entering the City Lord of White Paper, and in his exchanges with the City Lord of White Paper, discovering that he might be the savior.

Then, Unlike Ning Zhuo upheld his mother's layout, complying with Heaven and responding to fate, gathering the power to destroy the century-long scheme of the Lord of Wangchuan Mansion.

Finally, taking a risk, experiencing life and death many times, and winning narrowly!

After hearing this, the crowd felt amazement, sorrow, awe, and melancholy lingering in their hearts, transforming into countless sighs, yet all remained silent.

Seeing Qing Chi shook her head: "I remember nothing. But—I feel that what you said is right."

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

The Ghost girl covered her chest with one hand: "When I heard that Jiao Ma had died, my heart immediately tightened, as if it had been pierced through by ten thousand iron needles."

"When I heard that my father, Qing Yan, had died by self-detonating his Golden Core to cover us, the endless sorrow almost made me unable to breathe!"

"So, my feelings for you are not real, just because I have always mistakenly thought you were Jiao Ma?"

Unlike Ning Zhuo nodded, subconsciously shifting his gaze, not daring to look into Seeing Qing Chi's eyes, but then he gathered his courage and apologized sincerely: "You are in this situation now, and I bear a major responsibility. I am sorry!"

Seeing Qing Chi's expression was hesitant: "Should I hate you?"

She shook her head immediately: "I still feel that you are the person closest to me in this world! This feeling makes me unable to hate you."

"I can feel your sincerity."

"And as you said, this grand situation started with the Lord of Wangchuan Mansion, and we are nothing but the evolution of the mortal world's fate, the human tribulation aimed at the Lord of Wangchuan Mansion. We are all helpless, and this cannot be blamed on you."

"The Qing family was meant to protect their homeland. Since we took advantage of the opportunity laid out by the Heavens to build a cultivation army and gained such great benefits, we naturally have to pay the price. How can there be a reason in this world to enjoy without paying?"

"However, you must guarantee that Jiao Ma was not killed by you. And my father was not deliberately designed by you."

Unlike Ning Zhuo immediately raised his finger and made an oath in public.

Seeing Qing Chi shook her head: "We must set a Divine Contract, only then will I believe you."

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

Unlike Ning Zhuo nodded and agreed immediately: "No problem."

The crowd did not have a divine contract document in their hands, but that did not matter; the White Paper Xiancheng certainly had them. This kind of Divine Contract was usually used for buying and selling and was not rare at all.

Having temporarily pacified Seeing Qing Chi, Unlike Ning Zhuo instructed others: "When the contract document arrives, I will also reach a contract with you."

"Regarding what I just said, the truth about the entire White Paper Xiancheng suffering from the ghost tide, it must not be spoken out."

"At least for now, we must absolutely not reveal a single bit to the outside world!"

This was also specifically mentioned by the Buddha-Doctor Meng Yao in her jade slip message.

It was mainly because this matter was too big; although it was true, Unlike Ning Zhuo was ultimately only a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and being too prominent would bring a lot of trouble.

Especially since Unlike Ning Zhuo still had to head to the Myriad Phenomena Sect's headquarters to participate in the upcoming Flying Cloud Assembly.

Unlike Ning Zhuo needed to take this opportunity to enter the cave dwelling his mother owned before she died and take all the relics to save Meng Yao. Therefore, he did not want to cause any extra trouble at all.

Previously, the Qingjiao Army had concluded an alliance with the City Lord of White Paper and was one of the two decisive forces in the Yin-Damp Black Wet Marsh.

Unlike Ning Zhuo was also the Deputy City Lord of White Paper Xiancheng.

Added to the factor of the Myriad Phenomena Sect—all these caused the White Paper Xiancheng side to attach great importance to Unlike Ning Zhuo's request after it was delivered.

One day later, more than ten contract documents were gathered and quickly sent to the sacrificial military camp.

Arriving with these contract documents was also Chef Lao.

Chef Lao was skilled in dark cuisine and was a spirit chef of the Virility-Strengthening Courtyard; the spirit food he made had greatly enhanced Unlike Ning Zhuo's soul foundation.

He had once almost been beheaded for public display, and it was all because of Unlike Ning Zhuo that he survived.

To him, Unlike Ning Zhuo was his life-saving benefactor!

"Young Master Unlike Ning Zhuo, your identity and story were specifically told to me by the City Lord's clone."

"Hearing that you are setting off in a few days to head to the Flying Cloud Kingdom to participate in the Flying Cloud Assembly, this old man is thick-skinned and has come to ask you for a future!"

Chef Lao brought his luggage and took the initiative to defect to Unlike Ning Zhuo.

Unlike Ning Zhuo did not hesitate and agreed immediately: "Having you here to help me, Chef Lao, is truly a happy event. How could there be any reason to reject a worthy person?"

In fact, the moment he saw Chef Lao, he immediately understood the latter's intention.

The City Lord of White Paper had once saved Chef Lao's life, so previously, even though the City Lord of White Paper's clone knew Chef Lao was wronged, when she came to the prison and demanded Chef Lao plead guilty to stabilize the army's morale, Chef Lao agreed!

It was only through Unlike Ning Zhuo's hand afterward that Chef Lao no longer needed to seek death.

Chef Lao was so grateful that he didn't even care about his own life, and Unlike Ning Zhuo had a very good impression of him.

A more critical point was that Unlike Ning Zhuo immediately associated this with the City Lord of White Paper's intention.

The City Lord of White Paper specifically told Chef Lao about this and promoted Chef Lao's action of defecting to Unlike Ning Zhuo; naturally, there was a political intention.

"From her perspective, she naturally doesn't know about the Lord of Wangchuan Mansion's century-long conspiracy, doesn't know that the Lord of Wangchuan Mansion was defeated and needs to rest and reorganize, and won't come to target the City Lord of White Paper in the short term."

"Because of external pressure, she still hopes to cooperate with me. On one hand, relying on the Qingjiao Army's combat power to guard the city; on the other hand, it is that I can provide her with the most suitable Yang energy."

This brings us to the Yin-Yang One-Qi Pot.

Unlike Ning Zhuo had kept this treasure a secret until now, and the measure of never exposing it had benefited him immensely at this moment.

"It is precisely because the City Lord of White Paper still needs our side that the alliance was concluded. She arranged for Chef Lao to come over as a gesture of goodwill, and at the same time, used Chef Lao as a link between the two sides, a key contact person."

Although Unlike Ning Zhuo was only sixteen or seventeen, he was precocious and mature; life in the Fire Persimmon Xiancheng had trained his political talent.

He savored it carefully and secretly praised the City Lord of White Paper's choice of person; it was truly excellent!

Looking at the entire White Paper Xiancheng, who else could be more suitable than Chef Lao to act as a medium for the two sides?

Unlike Ning Zhuo used up the contract documents that very day.

With more than ten contract documents signed, the hearts of the crowd were further stabilized.

Seeing Qing Chi stared at Unlike Ning Zhuo, her expression complex: "Now, I can believe you."

Unlike Ning Zhuo looked at her and scanned the others present, especially the few Qing family cultivators: "My sincerity, everyone has seen it."

"My mother left a message in the jade slip, instructing me to take Miss Seeing Qing Chi with me on this trip."

"She has the ability of divination and said that if Miss Seeing Qing Chi stays here, she fears there will be a worry for her life. Going with me, there will be extraordinary improvement."

"Everyone, I swear on my reputation that I will take good care of Miss Seeing Qing Chi and do my best to let her recover her strength and grow rapidly!"

"This is what I owe her."

"Please, Miss Seeing Qing Chi, please everyone, give me a chance to make amends!"

Having said this, Unlike Ning Zhuo stood up, cupped his fists at Seeing Qing Chi and the others, and bowed.

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

Qing An and other core high-level members hurriedly stood up, not daring to accept Unlike Ning Zhuo's bow.

"How could we dare to trouble Young Master Ning with such a great bow!"

"It truly shames us."

"If it weren't for Young Master Ning's repeated protection on the battlefield, we would have died in battle long ago!"

"Our Qing family can have its current status thanks to Young Master Ning's promotion all the way. We are not people who don't know what's good for us."

"Now that we have even signed a Divine Contract, even without—can we still not trust Young Master Ning's character?"

Qing An and the others all expressed their agreement.

This was also within Unlike Ning Zhuo's expectations!

First, Unlike Ning Zhuo's combat power is extremely strong, which they have all witnessed with their own eyes.

Second, Unlike Ning Zhuo has a powerful background. He is the Vice City Lord of the White Paper Xiancheng, and the Myriad Phenomena Sect is supporting him.

Third, Unlike Ning Zhuo is indeed the heroic youth who saved the White Paper City Lord and destroyed the century-long conspiracy of the River of Oblivion Prefect! This incomparably illustrious battle record,

had long since made the entire Qingjiao Army worship him!

Fourth, Meng Yaoyin's past good deeds and sacrifices, and Wen Ruanyu's promotion of her by erecting a giant paper-man statue, had long made the cultivators of the Underworld Tide Black Wet Swamp and the entire White Paper Xiancheng respect and love Meng Yaoyin. Who is Unlike Ning Zhuo? He is Meng Yaoyin's son! Therefore, the cultivators' trust in Unlike Ning Zhuo had a very strong innate foundation.

Unlike Ning Zhuo finally looked at Seeing Qing Chi: "Miss Seeing Qing Chi, what are your thoughts?"

Seeing Qing Chi stared into Unlike Ning Zhuo's eyes, and after a moment of silence, nodded slowly.

The Ghost-clan girl who had lost her memory was overly quiet, no longer as active as before, which made Unlike Ning Zhuo's heart ache, firming his resolve to treat her well.

His guarantee to the Qing family was not false; it came entirely from the bottom of his heart.

After successfully persuading Seeing Qing Chi and the others, Unlike Ning Zhuo immediately made arrangements to set off early tomorrow morning.

"So urgent?" Jiao Masheng's father was surprised, his face full of reluctance.

Unlike Ning Zhuo shook his head: "With Luo Si here to preside over the big picture, I am very relieved. Moreover, I need to attend the Flying Cloud Assembly, and the sooner I go, the better."

"Delaying until now has already made me feel a bit anxious."

Unlike Ning Zhuo's prestige made everyone immediately accept this arrangement and stop trying to persuade him otherwise.

By the day of the official departure, Wen Ruanyu also arrived to join them.

He had served in the White Paper Xiancheng for a long time, and since such a major event had occurred this time, he had not returned to the sect for a long time, so he should return to report on his duties.

As for Yang Sanyan, he would temporarily replace him and sit in the Myriad Phenomena Sect's station in the White Paper Xiancheng.

This arrangement had another layer of consideration, which was that Yang Sanyan had a tough temperament, and relying on his natural talent, his combat power could reach the Nascent Soul level,

which would greatly facilitate his efforts to fight for subsequent benefits for the Myriad Phenomena Sect.

The White Paper Xiancheng had suffered heavy losses after the great war, leaving behind a large blank space of benefits. Especially the Soul-Devouring Sect this time, which had actually secretly joined forces with the River of Oblivion Underworld side, leading the White Paper City Lord to directly eradicate the Soul-Devouring Sect's station in the city.

After all, Wen Ruanyu had served in the White Paper Xiancheng for a long time, and his various interpersonal relationships were intricate and complex, some even very close. At such a moment of benefit distribution, it was really not suitable to fall out.

Yang Sanyan was just right.

Not to mention the undercurrents of game-playing caused by the new round of benefit division in the White Paper Xiancheng, just say that Unlike Ning Zhuo led everyone to board the Ten Thousand Mile Wandering Dragon.

Everyone exclaimed in wonder.

Even Wen Ruanyu, this Golden Core true disciple, joked with Unlike Ning Zhuo, saying that he had a rich family background to possess such a luxury item.

Sun Lingtong took everyone for a tour, and Unlike Ning Zhuo assigned cabins to everyone.

There were many cabins in the Ten Thousand Mile Wandering Dragon, and most of the basic facilities still needed to be built. Suddenly having a few more people was more than enough to accommodate them.

The Ten Thousand Mile Wandering Dragon only traveled for two days before returning to the mortal world.

Unlike Ning Zhuo and Wen Ruanyu got off the Ten Thousand Mile Wandering Dragon and walked to the Prefect's Iron Tablet Pass.

This is the border of the Flying Cloud Kingdom.

On the horizon stood a dark iron city wall stretching for a hundred miles, with the three characters "Iron Tablet Pass" carved on the wall like an axe and chisel.

The city walls were all cast from Dharma-eating iron, difficult for ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators to break. The battlements on the wall were embedded with three thousand armor-breaking crossbows, the crossbow bolts huge and flashing with cold light.

The garrison general was an old one-eyed general, very steady and cautious, who checked several times before finally confirming Wen Ruanyu's identity.

The majestic city gate opened wide, and the garrison general let the two in.

Upon entering, Wen and Ning did not linger and directly used the teleportation array within the pass.

Wen Ruanyu did not need to pay the teleportation fee, while Unlike Ning Zhuo paid a large sum of spirit stones.

When the array patterns lit up, the earth veins rumbled, and the magic array spewed out a purple-black beam of light. In the beam of light, Wen and Ning slowly disappeared from where they were.

The teleportation array of the Jiugong Xiancheng lit up and then immediately extinguished.

Wen and Ning slowly walked out of the teleportation array.

oCO

They had already crossed nearly ten thousand miles and arrived at a majestic city.

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

Neither Wen nor Ning had the leisure to visit this immortal city.

The two came to another teleportation array, and Wen Ruanyu stepped forward to express their request to go to the Myriad Phenomena Sect's headquarters.

The responsible cultivator said to them: "You two are lucky; this batch of teleporting cultivators has already been waiting for three days, and as of now, there happen to be exactly two spots left."

Teleporting from here to the Myriad Phenomena Sect's headquarters is far more than a million miles. Therefore, the teleportation cost is enormous.

Yet, the Flying Cloud Assembly is known to everyone in the entire Flying Cloud Kingdom. Many cultivators are actively heading to the Myriad Phenomena Sect's headquarters at this time to seek opportunities.

Wen and Ning joined in and set off immediately.

The magic array erupted with thunder light, and golden thunder light shot into the sky, directly piercing through the firmament and entering the void.

Unlike Ning Zhuo did not know how much time had passed, only feeling that his eyes were filled with golden light, and even closing his eyes was of no use.

By the time he felt his feet touch solid ground, he had already reached his destination.

Leaving the hall where the teleportation array was located, Unlike Ning Zhuo followed the crowd on foot and came to the square.

"Myriad Phenomena Sect!" Wen Ruanyu's expression was complex, with excitement and nostalgia.

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