Chapter 425: Chapter 423: After the Great Battle

Above the Eastern Sea, a scene of slaughter unfolded.

Ning Daoran wasn’t idle; after dealing with Jing Tiancheng, he pressed forward again, relentlessly hunting down Sangyu Country cultivators and eliminating more than a dozen Golden Cores and hundreds of Foundation Establishments before finally halting.

The evening breeze howled, and the great battle lasted until deep into the night.

When he released his Divine Sense again to scout the area, he found it deserted for tens of miles around; he had reached the point where there was no one left to kill, so he turned back to Half Moon Island.

“Whoosh~~~”

In the sky, a blood-colored figure streaked past.

True Monarch Qing Lin!

A chill ran down Ning Daoran’s spine, but by this time, the gravely wounded True Monarch Qing Lin had one side of his body severely burned, missing an arm and a leg, and even the movement of his internal organs was clearly visible. If it wasn’t for the robust physique of a Nascent Soul Cultivator, an ordinary cultivator would have been beyond salvation with such injuries.

Clearly, this was the handiwork of Lin Tiannan, True Monarch Qi Xing, and others!

“Ning Daoran?”

True Monarch Qing Lin abruptly stopped mid-air, his eyes brimming with intense killing intent.

“Oh?”

Ning Daoran had also noticed this severely injured Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator. Weighing his chances of victory, he flicked his palm, and a Spiritual Treasure Level weapon appeared–the Extermination of Immortals Divine Crossbow!

“Hmph!”

True Monarch Qing Lin’s mouth twitched. Knowing his severe injuries and significantly damaged Nascent Soul, there were no guaranteed odds of killing Ning Daoran at this moment. On the contrary, if he got dragged into a fight here, it was very likely to attract continued pursuit from Lin Tiannan and others. Besides, with his heavy injuries dragging on, there was a high possibility of falling back to the early stages of Nascent Soul.

“Today, I spare your life, Just wait!”

True Monarch Qing Lin spat out a threat and exploded with Nascent Soul Spirit Pressure in an instant. He twisted his form and activated Instant Teleportation Divine Ability, disappearing immediately.

Ning Daoran frowned slightly, withdrew the Extermination of Immortals Divine Crossbow, and continued back to Half Moon Island.

…

Late at night, numerous fires lit up Half Moon Island, as countless Xia Country cultivators gathered.

“Young Friend Ning!”

Amidst the dimness, Lin Tiannan appeared, saying, “Seeing that you have safely returned, that’s good.”

“Indeed.”

Monarch Ling Fu, True Monarch Qi Xing, and True Monarch Liu Yun, the three Nascent Souls also appeared. True Monarch Qi Xing asked, “After the battle commenced, Nephew Ning pursued them out. How was it later?”

“I killed some Sangyu Country cultivators, nothing much to boast of.”

Ning Daoran soared forward, respectfully presenting Jing Tiancheng’s head from his Storage Bag to Monarch Ling Fu, saying, “Senior Ling Fu, I promised to avenge Fairy Lin, and though Jing Tiancheng was cunning, I managed to follow and capture him. Now his head is offered as a sacrifice for Fairy Lin. Please mourn in serenity, Senior.”

“Young Friend Ning, your thoughtfulness is appreciated…”

Monarch Ling Fu swept her hand and stored Jing Tiancheng’s head into her Storage Bag.

“What happened here afterward?” Ning Daoran asked.

“All went smoothly.”

Lin Tiannan said, “Demon Lord of Forgotten Love, Iron Wood Demon Lord were killed by us along with their Nascent Souls. However, True Monarch Qing Lin blasted open a corner of the Ten Directions Forbidden Array using a life-bound item, and under the cover of Purple Flame Demon Lord, he fled. Purple Flame Demon Lord was constantly monitored by Shen Building Master and later also returned. This battle has now settled.”

“Oh…”

Ning Daoran nodded. As for what followed, he didn’t ask further; those were decisions for the high echelons of Xia Country’s Cultivation World. Being merely the Flowing Flower Island Master, he wasn’t involved in making decisions.

Of course, he was not interested in inquiring either. Always a free spirit, if he got entangled in high-level decisions, he’d likely be unable to disengage.

However, this battle had deeply wounded Sangyu Country, not only losing peak Golden Cores like Jing Tiancheng and Huo Canzi but even Iron Wood Demon Lord and Demon Lord of Forgotten Love, two great Nascent Souls were killed in the formation. Although True Monarch Qing Lin escaped, he too was gravely injured and unlikely to recover quickly. It’s just a pity that Master Honglu escaped.

…

In the early hours.

Ning Daoran returned to Flowing Flower Island.

In the sky, numerous Xia Country cultivators continued to return to Flowing Flower Island, with Half Moon Island only serving as a temporary position, while Flowing Flower Island was Xia Country’s true frontline position.

“Uncle Ning!”

Huang Yiyi led a group of island cultivators to welcome him and seeing Ning Daoran unharmed, her face lit up with joy.

“I’m fine.”

Ning Daoran smiled, “It looks like this grand battle is finally about to end. Prepare to reboot the business in Liu Hua Square, given there are a lot of Independent Practitioners staying on the island now. Perhaps we should reopen the square tomorrow. Keeping a lively atmosphere is quite beneficial for Flowing Flower Island.”

“Yeah, sure!”

Huang Yiyi nodded with a smile.

Ning Daoran returned to his Cave Mansion and began seclusion.

Firstly, he refined the Storage Bags he had obtained. Huo Canzi’s Storage Ring did not contain anything notable; as a Fallen Nascent Soul, he knew the mission was highly perilous and likely left his treasures for his descendants.

Jing Tiancheng’s Storage Bag contained several items: three Magical Treasures, more than ten Spiritual Artifacts, and various Spiritual Medicines and materials. It was a considerable assortment–a testament to the foundations a venerable ancestor should possess.

Unfortunately, the inheritance of the Falling Star Array was not among them.

After performing a Soul Search, Ning Daoran understood. The three Array Flags and three Array Plates of the Falling Star Array came from a Secret Realm passed down from the Ancient Era, which Jing Tiancheng had explored. Although he had refined this Array, he was clueless about the secrets of the Array Path; he could only use it.

Thus, Jing Tiancheng did not possess the inheritance of the Falling Star Array, which was rather regrettable.

Ning Daoran felt somewhat helpless. Given this situation, he could only use the most time-consuming and labor-intensive method–tracing back the heritage of the Array based on this set up. However, should he actually manage to decipher it, it would be a good thing, just like the unique inheritance of the Water Cloud Golden Bamboo Sword Formation–impressively formidable.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

During this half-month, Ning Daoran’s fame spread far and wide. The tales of his narrow victory over Nascent Soul Huo Canzi in the fifth duel, and his pursuit and slaying of Jing Tiancheng for revenge on behalf of Fairy Lin Baoping, were now widespread. His name had become that of a legend, soon to be featured in various storybooks and legends.

He might even see himself in shadow puppet plays before long.

To all this, Ning Daoran remained silent.

But one thing was certain; when he traveled to Sangyu Country, he would have to assume a different identity. Venturing as either Ning Daoran or Independent Practitioner Jianjia in Sangyu Country would be too dangerous, as the entire nation might mobilize to eliminate him!

He faced the mirror, changing his appearance continually until he settled on a suitable one.

After the transformation, he became a young cultivator with a resolute gaze, slightly prominent cheekbones, and a handsome appearance, completely different from before. Even his Divine Soul and Mana aura were altered by the Unmoving Ming King Divine Technique, making him unrecognizable as his former self.

Furthermore, he gave this new persona a new title–Master Qiu Shui.

This name, in memory of his dear Junior Sister Han Bing…

…

Months later, after a prolonged tug-of-war between the two nations, Sangyu Country could no longer withstand the pressure. They actively sought peace, inviting the high echelons of Xia Country’s Cultivation World to a place called Shattered Star Reef in the Eastern Sea for peace talks. Sangyu Country expressed its willingness to become a vassal state to Xia Country, which would henceforth be its suzerain–albeit with many conditions, suggesting nominal vassalage but significant autonomy.

However, the Xia Country side had its considerations as well. With consecutive devastating wars in the cultivation world, Xia Country had suffered greatly and was in dire need of recuperation. Sangyu Country’s willingness to submit and provide a substantial tribute was indeed the best outcome.

A few days later, at Shattered Star Reef.

Lin Tiannan, True Monarch Qi Xing, and True Monarch Liu Yun, the Three Nascent Souls, attended the peace ceremony, and Ning Daoran was also invited, holding a very high status within Xia Country’s Cultivation World at this time.

At noon, several Sangyu Country treasure boats appeared from the east.

An elderly man with white hair and beard gracefully emerged, introducing himself as Master Ju Ding–a highly respected elder in Sangyu Country, holding a status comparable to Wang Lang’s former position in Wei Country, a real senior statesman.

Ning Daoran frowned.

Purple Flame Demon Lord did not attend, likely fearing he might be killed. After all, following the battle at Half Moon Island, the Great Cultivators of Xia Country were quite incensed and eager to vent their anger on Sangyu Country’s cultivators. If Purple Flame Demon Lord appeared, the probability of him being publicly executed to appease the masses was not low.

“Gentlemen, this is the national decree from our Sangyu Country.”

Master Ju Ding bowed deeply and respectfully presented the national decree.

Lin Tiannan stood straight, received the decree, and glanced at it. It was consistent with the previously agreed terms. He asked, “I wonder, since Sangyu Country lost those five duels, have they brought the concessions they owe?”

“They have indeed been brought.”

Master Ju Ding clapped his hands, and instantly two extremely attractive Golden Core Middle Stage Female cultivators walked forward, retrieving items from Storage Bags and presenting them one by one.

“Please have a look.”

Master Ju Ding said, “Three Spiritual Treasures, twenty Magical Treasures, plus ten million Spirit Stones are all here. Now that the national decree has been signed, our Sangyu Country is now a vassal state of your country. Every ten years, we will tribute a batch of gifts to your country. This contract once signed will never be breached, and we also hope that your country will abide by its promises, never setting foot in Sangyu Country, and allowing us a peaceful and stable domain.”

“Agreed.”

Lin Tiannan nodded, accepted the national decree, and left with his group.

The two parties did not engage in much formality, and after the peace talk was concluded, each went their way.

…

Flowing Flower Island.

True Monarch Qi Xing bid farewell and returned to Liangyi Sect, while True Monarch Liu Yun once again went into hiding.

The Liu Hua Square reopened, and business was even better than before.

Ning Daoran entered seclusion once more, but within a few days, Lin Tiannan arrived at Flowing Flower Island with Chen Liang.

“Young Friend Ning.”

Lin Tiannan got straight to the point, gesturing towards Chen Liang, who was holding a tray with treasures and a Storage Bag, and smiled, “Young Friend Ning played a pivotal role in the border battles. These are the tribute gifts from Sangyu Country. I, myself, have selected a Fourth-tier Middle Grade Spirit Treasure, the Cold Dragon Stone Plate, plus five hundred thousand Spirit Stones for you. I hope you won’t find them disparaging!”