Chapter 0427: The Competition for Spiritual Vein
Knowing that it was unavoidable for him to come face to face with the other three people, Ning Cheng immediately swallowed a Form Changing Pill. Even if the opposite party managed to guess who he was, he had to change his appearance and his aura. Guessing and surety were anyway two entirely different concepts. Ingesting the Form Changing Pill, Ning Cheng’s aura changed in almost an instant; at the same time, his appearance also changed to that of a middle-aged man with a beard.
As Ning Cheng sunk deeper and deeper into the ground, he also got a clearer picture of the vast Natural Concealment Array Formation that formed naturally underground. If it wasn’t for Wu Mao’s help, Ning Cheng felt that perhaps no one would be able to find this place.
Since the Concealment Array Formation emerged, it would not be much difficult for Ning Cheng to enter the Concealed Array Formation to find the Spiritual Vein. Since it would not pose much difficulty for him, then to Wu Mao, it definitely would be a lot simpler. If replaced by any other cultivator, Ning Cheng could have escaped into the Concealment Array Formation; however, in the face of Wu Mao, this trick most likely would not work at all.
“Kacha….” Ning Cheng directly brought out his Nirvana Spear. Without executing any needless moves, he shot his spear into the Concealment Array Formation and blew open an opening.
Even if this Concealment Array Formation turned out even more formidable, it did not have even a single defensive function. Not to mention Ning Cheng, even an ordinary cultivator would be able to break it open.
After the Natural Concealment Array Formation cracked open, an incomparably rich aura of the Spiritual Vein instantly overflowed out, causing the other people pursuing Ning Cheng to also feel it. The original three were initially rushing towards him just behind Wu Mao. Now that Ning Cheng broke apart the Concealment Array Formation, causing the aura of Spiritual Vein to overflow, not even one of them now wanted to follow behind Wu Mao. They immediately increased their speeds and shot towards Ning Cheng.
Ning Cheng saw a vast underground cavern emerge after he broke open the Concealment Array Formation. A Spiritual Vein appeared in front of him, in the shape of meandering mountain ranges. Although this was just an incomplete Spiritual Vein, from the strong Spiritual Aura coming from this Spiritual Vein, Ning Cheng affirmed that this definitely was not a Low-Grade Spiritual Vein.
However, this Spiritual Vein seemed to be broken into three sections. One of it had already disappeared leaving behind only some vague traces. As for the other two parts, one of them was over hundreds of feet long while the other one was only a few dozen feet long.
Ning Cheng did not hesitate for even half a moment before directly throwing out a single Array Flag, which shot towards the hundreds of feet long Spiritual Vein and encircled it, while he simultaneously started pulling it into his Miniature Word Ring as fast as possible.
“Boom-Boom-Boom….” While he pulled in the Spiritual Vein, great explosive noises erupted one after another causing the entire Shattered Canopy Mountain Range to shake violently.
“Buzz…..”
The others would undoubtedly not remain neutral against Ning Cheng when the Spiritual Vein was involved. A meteor-like killing light immediately shot towards Ning Cheng’s eyes.
Ning Cheng’s Nirvana Spear immediately shot out to block this killing light. An explosion sounded out. The impact force caused Ning Cheng to spew out a mouthful of blood. Even if that was the case, Ning Cheng still did not take even half-a-step back.
“Swish-Swish…..” Four figures almost simultaneously appeared around Ning Cheng, surrounding him on all sides. At this moment, Ning Cheng finally finished putting away the hundreds of feet long piece of Spiritual Vein. Only the few dozen feet long section of the Spiritual Vein remained in the underground space.
It was not that Ning Cheng did not want to collect the smaller portion of the Spiritual Vein; instead, he knew that he had no chance of obtaining it currently. If he took even a step forward, then he would end up facing the all-out assault from the others. The only reason he was able to collect the large piece, apart from being the one to arrive first, was all due to his proficiency in Array Formations. However, his current task was not to take away the remaining section of the Spiritual Vein. Instead, it was to escape from this predicament.
As for the remaining four people, Ning Cheng knew that they would confirm his identity eventually. After all, there were not many Array Formation Grandmasters in the Tian Continent. The level of Array Formations that he showed would never remain hidden for a long time; therefore, he did not even choose to hide his Nirvana Spear.
Even if the other party knew that it was Ning Cheng, there was just no alternative to it. For an ownerless object, it could only belong to those who could grab onto it.
In this place, if one’s strength were far stronger compared to your opponent, they would definitely be able to find trouble for the other party. Even if there was no justifiable reason, one could fabricate a reason to scheme against them. However, if one lacked the strength to crush the other side, then even if one got hold of substantial evidence, they would have to be patient. Just like the Great Change Island, in general, for its method of dealing with the Red Star Sword Faction.
Moreover, Ning Cheng had taken the Form Changing Pill; as such, the opposite party could only guess his identity but cannot be sure if he was Ning Cheng.
“Put that thing down and get lost.” Spoke the long-bearded cultivator. With the cultivation of Crucible Transformation 6th Level, he was also the person with the highest cultivation among them.
Ning Cheng noticed that Wu Mao, to block his path, intentionally or unintentionally, threw down some Array Flags. While Sang Jiezhu and that diminutive and emaciated looking Crucible Transformation 5th Level Cultivator stood a few dozen feet from the remaining piece of the Spiritual Vein. Although it seemed like they were intercepting him, Ning Cheng knew that once he ran away, Sang Jiezhu and that diminutive and emaciated looking cultivator would be the first to divvy up that smaller portion of the Spiritual Vein.
“It would be better to put that thing down. Brother Yu and I will definitely not attack you; otherwise, it would only be a dead end for you.” After Wu Mao threw down several Array Flags once more, he spoke out in a cold voice.
“Dream on, even if it is just a part of the complete Spiritual Vein, I will be taking it away…..” Ning Cheng knew Wu Mao’s thoughts, immediately shooting towards the last section of Spiritual Vein currently near to Sang Jiezhu and that diminutive and emaciated Crucible Transformation Cultivator.
“Courting death…” The long-bearded cultivator cursed out angrily. He did not expect Ning Cheng to be so bold and even so greedy. Not only did he not take out the several hundred feet long portion of the Spiritual Vein, he even pined for the other smaller section of the Spiritual Vein. It was taking shamelessness to the extreme.
Even Sang Jiezhu and that diminutive and emaciated looking cultivator standing on the side of the Spiritual Vein did not think that Ning Cheng would continue to try to snatch the remaining small segment of the Spiritual Vein.
The four of them were utterly infuriated, simultaneously shooting towards Ning Cheng to start fighting.
Innumerable lights of Magical Techniques shot towards Ning Cheng; however, just at the moment Ning Cheng closed in on the section of the Spiritual Vein, his body suddenly flickered before fading.
“Not good, he wants to escape…..” The diminutive and emaciated looking cultivator was the first to respond and immediately shouted out.
“Bang” Even if Ning Cheng was faster, under the premise of intentionally snatching the remaining portion of Spiritual Vein, he suddenly made a move to escape. However, he still had to suffer through a few True Essence lights that exploded onto his vest.
Ning Cheng spewed out a few mouthfuls of blood once again; however, he managed to completely disappear without even a trace left behind.
If Wu Mao hadn’t turned out to be stronger compared to him in regards to Array Formations, then even if Ning Cheng wanted to run away, he would never end up in such a state. Ning Cheng feared the Array Formations that Wu Mao arranged on the side, even more than fighting against the other three. If it were anyone else who laid down those Array Formations, he would not have cared much about it. However, when Wu Mao arranged those Array Formations, he couldn’t care if would not work.
Therefore, Ning Cheng would rather suffer through the attacks from the others, but also must escape. What’s more, he already saw that when he charged inside to grab the Spiritual Vein, Wu Mao had already sealed up the surroundings with his Array Flags. The only place that Ning Cheng could escape to was to return along the original path he followed. If he did not tread along the previous route, then he would have to face the collaboration of those four.
“It turns out to be a teleport. Fortunately, that person is severely injured. He definitely would not be able to make it far…..” The diminutive and emaciated looking Crucible Transformation 5th Level Cultivator called out in shock.
Not waiting for the diminutive and emaciated cultivator to finish, Wu Mao and the long-bearded cultivator immediately began pursuit.
“This is not a teleport; it is a Magical Weapon that allows teleport-like speeds. It is probably refined from the Twin Leaves of the Radiant Heavenly Clouds.” As Sang Jiezhu spoke, she immediately cut the remaining few dozen feet long segment of the Spiritual Vein into two halves.
“One half for each of us.” Sang Jiezhu finished speaking and had already put away the one-half of the segment of Spiritual Vein that she just bisected.
“Palace Master Sang sure must have better means, for you to unexpectedly not follow them.” The diminutive and emaciated looking Crucible Transformation Cultivator only gave a smirk and did not speak much with Sang Jiezhu, while simultaneously putting away his share.
Sang Jiezhu showed a faint smile, refusing to speak anymore. She then turned towards another direction and then disappeared without a trace. Although Wu Mao left, he had left behind a simple Entrapment Array Formation to temporarily hold them; however, it was unable to tie up someone like Sang Jiezhu.
How could she not understand the meaning behind the words of that diminutive and emaciated looking cultivator? This person knew that Ning Cheng hadn’t used teleportation. He just said that Ning Cheng teleported and then followed it up with the words implying Ning Cheng to be seriously injured. Ning Cheng currently also possessed the several hundred feet long section of the Spiritual Vein combined with the Twin Leaves of the Radiant Heavenly Clouds. If she owned the cultivation of Crucible Transformation 6th Level, she might be able to chase after him. However, if all three of them chased after him, then this fellow would take away the remaining few dozen feet long piece of Spiritual Vein.
As for Wu Mao and the long-bearded cultivator pursuing that fellow, one was an Array Formation Grand Master, and one possessed the cultivation of Crucible Transformation 6th Level. Of course, both of them were not willing to lower themselves to split the smaller segment of the Spiritual Vein among the four people. Therefore, they had no choice but to chase after Ning Cheng. However, for Sang Jiezhu, she felt delighted with just a few feet long segment of the Spiritual Vein.
The four of them came here only due to a partnership between them. Moreover, the other cultivator that managed to escape was also not someone that they could take lightly.
Wu Mao undoubtedly had already discovered the Spiritual Vein previously, but still pretended to not know about it. If it was not for that fellow who rushed in halfway through his plans, then the three of them might have ended up not only slaving for him, but also help in gifting Wu Mao with bridal robes.
…….
Ning Cheng did not make any mistakes. He quickly came out from the same exact location from where he had broken in when he found himself surrounded by an Entrapment Array Formation. As long as this Entrapment Array Formation could trap him for three breaths of time, the Wu Mao duo would be able to catch up to him.
Fortunately, when Ning Cheng entered the ground, he had already dropped down a few Array Flags. Although Wu Mao had indeed arranged an Entrapment Array Formation previously, Ning Cheng had also left behind a Chain Explosion Array Formation.
After throwing down a few Array Flags, explosion sounds immediately erupted and in merely two breaths of time, a gap opened up in Wu Mao’s Entrapment Array Formation.
With a gentle wave from the Twin Wings of the Heavenly Clouds, Ning Cheng disappeared through the opened gap. It was only at this time that Wu Mao and the other long bearded Crucible Transformation 6th Level Cultivator came out.
However, the two of them did not continue with the pursuit. The duo knew that a person who could wield the Twin Wings of the Heavenly Cloud this skilfully was someone they would never be able to catch up to even if their cultivations were higher. It was indeed a pity for them that as they pursued Ning Cheng, the two of them could not also partake in the smaller segment of the Spiritual Vein. The two of them genuinely turned out to be people who tried to fetch water using a bamboo basket.
Wu Mao’s complexion turned ugly to look at, “Elder Brother Yu, this person’s attainments in Array Formation might be inferior to mine, but he, at least, is also at the level of a Grand Master. When did our Tian Continent contain such a powerful Array Formation Grandmaster?”
The long-bearded cultivator at the Crucible Transformation 6th Level kept staring in the direction in which Ning Cheng disappeared before he gave a cold snort and spoke, “Brother Wu, if it weren’t for your selfishness, how could such a matter occur?”
Wu Mao knew that sophistry would not help in his case nor would it make any sense to use it, especially since the opposite party already knew about his schemes. He cupped his fists towards the long-bearded cultivator and spoke, “Brother Yu, I am in the wrong for this. I am willing to bring out a Rank 8 Entrapment Array Formation’s Array Disc as an apology to Brother Yu.”
The long-bearded cultivator knew that there was no other way to it. For Wu Mao, a top-level Array Formation Grandmaster, to behave in such a manner towards him, it definitely was equivalent to giving him enough face and respect.
He hesitated for a moment before speaking, “I don’t know who this person is. I only know that the Rainbow Fall Sword Sect has a very young Sect master called Ning Cheng. People say that he is proficient in Array Formations, while his cultivation is also not weaker compared to Crucible Transformation Cultivators. He even uses a long spear as his Magical Weapon. Moreover, I also am aware that there is a particular Rank 7 Pill that is available in the Tian Continent, called the Form Changing Pill.”