Chapter 258: Chapter 137: The Next Target, Changping Prefecture! Is Initial Ghost Escaping?_3
 

…

Da Feng Dynasty, Changqing Prefecture City.

Within the Changqing Prefecture Sub-sect, once the sacred land for alchemists of the former Da Feng Dynasty,

the bustle was still apparent.

However, the alchemists visible to the naked eye

all wore a look of concern on their faces.

The rise of the Luoshan Prefecture Sub-sect had put pressure on the alchemists of the Changqing Prefecture Sub-sect like never before.

The title of first place was something the Changqing Prefecture Sub-sect was determined to acquire.

The authority that came with the first seat was something the Changqing Prefecture Sub-sect coveted fiercely.

Yet, in the face of the competition from the Luoshan Prefecture Sub-sect,

whether the Changqing Prefecture Sub-sect could actually secure the first place of the Da Feng Dynasty’s sub-sects

had become an increasingly uncertain matter.

…

“Sect Master…”

In a slightly dimly-lit palace of the Changqing Prefecture Sub-sect,

Nangong Ming, the current Sect Master of the Changqing Prefecture Sub-sect,

was silently standing in front of a top-grade Yellow Level Furnace Cauldron.

The top-grade Yellow Level Furnace Cauldron was brought over from the Nangong Family.

However, Changqing Prefecture was where Nangong Ming, relying on his own abilities, had climbed up the ranks to the position of Sect Master,

without the slightest bit of help from his family.

Well, that’s what Nangong Ming personally believed.

“What is it?”

Inside the palace, Nangong Ming glanced at his Deputy Sect Master, Zhuang Hong, and asked him in a low voice.

“The results are in. A total of five major sub-sects have chosen to support our Changqing Prefecture Sub-sect,”

“while four major sub-sects have chosen to support the Luoshan Prefecture Sub-sect,”

“and two major sub-sects are still maintaining neutrality,” Zhuang Hong said, speaking softly with his head slightly bowed.

Upon hearing this, Nangong Ming couldn’t help but frown slightly, “So, the gap between us and the Luoshan Prefecture isn’t significant?”

Zhuang Hong continued to keep his head bowed, without uttering any further words.

“Is there a chance to win over those two neutral sub-sects?”

After a moment of silence,

Nangong Ming lowered his voice again and asked Zhuang Hong behind him.

Zhuang Hong silently shook his head, replying calmly, “It will be somewhat difficult. If we must win over those two sub-sects, we might need to pay a certain price…”

Following these words from the Deputy Sect Master of Changqing Prefecture,

the atmosphere in the palace gradually became more oppressive and tense.

“Pay a certain price?”

Nangong Ming muttered to himself, his normally composed face gradually darkened, “So, those two neutral sub-sects want to hold out for the best offer?”

If those two neutral sub-sects were the weakest,

even winning them over wouldn’t have a significant impact on the outcome.

But the issue is, those two neutral sub-sects

do not lag far behind the third-placed Jiangnan Prefecture Sub-sect or the fourth-placed Zijin Prefecture Sub-sect in terms of comprehensive strength.

And the reason those two sub-sects chose neutrality…

Besides wanting to observe for a while,

is probably more because they want to hold out for the best offer, right?

If the Luoshan Prefecture Sub-sect offers more, then those two sub-sects would choose to join them.

On the other hand, if the Changqing Prefecture Sub-sect offers more, then those two sub-sects would choose to join us.

Indeed, such a plan sounds quite good.

But don’t those two neutral sub-sects fear future retribution for their actions?

They might benefit in the short term,

but at the same time, those two sub-sects that hold out for the best offer could be planting a mine in their own ranks that could explode at any time.

Initially, there might not be any issues,

but as time goes on, as the Changqing Prefecture gradually cements its position as the first-rank sub-sect,

those two sub-sects that held out for the best offer, will ultimately pay a heavy price for their actions.

“We will pay the price.”

“Those two major sub-sects must be won over.”

After a long while, Nangong Ming spoke in a low voice.

Behind him, Zhuang Hong silently nodded his head.

Then they disappeared within the palace.

…

After the departure of the Deputy Sect Master of the Changqing Prefecture Sub-sect,

the vast palace was left with only Nangong Ming.

“Luoshan Prefecture Sub-sect…”

He murmured softly to himself,

then quietly walked towards the direction where a top-quality Yellow Grade Furnace Cauldron was placed.

After waving his hand, he released the Spiritual Fire within his body.

The Spiritual Fire, known as Earth Core Flame, was roughly of the lower Xuan Grade.

This flame, born from the earth, was exceedingly rare.

Compared to the most common Black Crow Flame, even a hundred Black Crow Flames would probably not match a single Earth Core Flame.

Of course, this naturally born Spiritual Fire

was also bestowed upon him by the Nangong Family.

The primary reason for Nangong Ming’s presence in the Da Feng Dynasty, at the Changqing Prefecture Sub-sect,

was that he wanted to prove himself.

He wanted to demonstrate his capability,

to show others that, aside from his identity as a direct descendant of the Nangong Family,

with his abilities, his talent,

he could still carve out a new world for himself.

This Luoshan Prefecture Sub-sect would be Nangong Ming’s first formidable opponent.

Similarly, this Luoshan Prefecture Sub-sect

would also become the first Sub-sect Power of the Wan Dan Sect to fall at his hands.

…

In the blink of an eye, several days had passed.

Qingshi City, Luo Family Ancestral Land.

Within a small courtyard emanating an ancient aura, in a mysterious chamber deep beneath the ground.

At this moment, a dense, scarlet aura was unfolding,

so concentrated it could solidify into substance, potent enough to corrode all things of this world.

It was slowly diffusing from within Initial Ghost.

[Click…]

[Click-click…]

The sound of corroded shackles breaking and falling to the ground echoed slowly.

Initial Ghost silently stood up, channelling the scarlet aura within its body that had accumulated over an unknown period and now possessed the ability to corrode.

It reached out to touch the cage forged of fine iron.

Then, with a slight effort from its arms,

the seemingly unbreakable fine iron cage was easily torn open.

Witnessing this scene, Initial Ghost couldn’t help but slightly squint its eyes.

The three scarlet pupils rapidly spun.

Even though Initial Ghost did not utter a word,

one could vaguely sense from its expression,

that it seemed very excited.

When thought about in reverse, this excitement is somewhat understandable.

Captured by a human inexplicably and then imprisoned in a cage hundreds of meters underground, the confinement lasted for several months, even a year at a time.

During this period, it was given nothing to eat or drink.

Now, Initial Ghost had relied on its own power to break free from the cage that held it captive. How could it not be excited?

…

Within the small courtyard, deep beneath the ground in the mysterious space,

strange and slightly excited cries were gradually heard.

After the excitement, Initial Ghost began to step by step move towards the exit of the cage.

Just as it was about to escape this gloomy and sunless imprisonment,

the surrounding Formation, which had accumulated to thousands and remained silently operational,

and the tens of thousands of Talismans affixed nearby,

were also trembling slightly at this moment.