Chapter 813 - 333: Void Abyss, The First Rank

Chu Ning also did not believe that the kind-faced elder beside him would voluntarily save a stranger like him.

Maintaining a calm expression, Chu Ning met Old Demon Qu’s gaze, then stood up and slightly cupped his hands.

"Elder Qiu is correct. Indeed, I was the first to arrive.

However, it was mere coincidence that I was nearby."

Old Demon Qu glanced at Chu Ning, who was neither arrogant nor servile, his gaze flickered slightly, but ultimately said nothing.

He also sat down beside him.

Seeing this, Qiu Qijun smiled faintly, said nothing, and continued to rest with his eyes closed.

The two Nascent Soul Cultivators positioned Chu Ning right between them on either side.

As time passed, occasionally one or two more cultivators arrived.

But every one of them was a Nascent Soul Cultivator.

In just one day, no less than six Nascent Soul Cultivators gathered here.

Upon arrival, some exchanged a few words with either Qiu Qijun or Old Demon Qu.

Others remained silent and casually found a spot to meditate.

At this moment, a Golden Core Cultivator arrived.

This person was a middle-aged Golden Core Late Stage Peak Cultivator.

Upon his arrival, his gaze swept across everyone, catching sight of Chu Ning sitting among the Nascent Soul Cultivators, a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Then he sat down at a distance.

Chu Ning naturally sensed the surprise in this person’s gaze, and couldn’t help but sigh softly in his heart.

In reality, the few Nascent Soul Cultivators who arrived later did not inquire about who came first or later.

Nonetheless, their gazes invariably swept over Chu Ning.

Among the Nascent Soul Cultivators, Chu Ning, being only a Golden Core Late Stage, appeared more conspicuous.

Chu Ning also thought of moving further away, but currently, there were Nascent Soul Cultivators not just in front, but on both sides and even behind.

If he changed his location, he couldn’t avoid passing by a Nascent Soul Cultivator.

After some thought, he abandoned the idea.

Since everything was peaceful now, it was best to maintain the status quo.

At this moment, groups of people flew in from both the east and the west.

From one side, a spiritual boat flew in carrying seven people.

There were two Nascent Soul Cultivators and five Golden Core Cultivators.

Among them, Chu Ning recognized one; it was the Young Sect Leader of Illusion Spirit Sect, Tantai Song.

Among the two Nascent Soul Cultivators, the leading middle-aged cultivator bore a considerable resemblance to Tantai Song.

Presumably, this must be the Sect Leader of Illusion Spirit Sect.

Chu Ning then directed his gaze to the group that arrived almost simultaneously from the other side.

This group flew separately; there were nine people in total, six Golden Core Cultivators and three Nascent Soul Cultivators, among whom Chu Ning recognized two.

They were indeed Shang Song and Shen Yu from Changkong Hall.

At this moment, the two were following an elder wearing a brocade robe and a golden crown.

It was apparent that this elder was the leader.

"Could this be one of the three Hall Masters of Changkong Hall? It is said they are all Nascent Soul Late Stage Cultivators."

Chu Ning’s heart trembled slightly.

Meanwhile, he paid attention to the others, and sure enough, saw expressions change on the faces of the cultivators when they saw the elder in brocade.

Even Old Demon Qu, who had arrived first and seemed dismissive of everyone, showed a more serious expression.

Chu Ning had a fair idea; his conjecture was correct.

While Chu Ning was observing the two groups, they were also assessing everyone already present.

Their eyes inevitably landed on Chu Ning.

Upon seeing Chu Ning, Tantai Song’s gaze showed a hint of confusion.

Shang Song, however, displayed a meaningful smile.

Seeing the smile, Chu Ning sighed inwardly.

Even though Shang Song said nothing, Chu Ning knew he misunderstood Chu Ning’s initial refusal to join Changkong Hall.

Chu Ning had guessed that Changkong Hall’s recruitment intention was related to Void Abyss, so he declined vehemently.

However, in Shang Song’s view, perhaps Chu Ning wanted to come to this so-called Void Abyss independently, hence the refusal to join.

"This misunderstanding is indeed substantial."

Chu Ning sighed in his heart, but soon felt relieved.

Once the true appearance and opening of Void Abyss unfolded, as long as he didn’t enter, there would be no problem.

At this moment, the elder in the golden crown and purple robe gazed at the cultivators and spoke slowly:

"After three hundred years, Void Abyss reopens. Many old friends are here.

However, new faces are just as plentiful.

It seems our Northern Cold Land has prospered in cultivation in recent years."

"Hall Master Lu, your Changkong Hall has been quite instrumental in this regard.

If you hadn’t established Ice Island Immortal City, enabling so many Loose Cultivator friends to obtain resources initially and cultivate peacefully.

Our Northern Cold Land might not have prospered."

The speaker was the Illusion Spirit Sect’s middle-aged Sect Leader.

His tone was calm, leaving it unclear whether his words were praise or criticism.

Having stayed long in Northern Cold Land, Chu Ning understood that in the eyes of Northern Cold Land cultivators, Ice Island Immortal City was not the sanctuary for Loose Cultivators as tales depicted.

Conversely, many believed the three Hall Masters of Changkong Hall exerted pressure to monopolize cultivation resources.

Resources that many Loose Cultivators accessed were partially distributed by Ice Island Immortal City.

How to evaluate this, well, is a matter for the benevolent and wise to see differently.