Chapter 617 - 612: Seeing Chu Xiu’Er Again

Chapter 617: Chapter 612: Seeing Chu Xiu’Er Again

In November, the temperature in the East Sea plummeted, and a vast, swirling snow began to fall.

In just a few short days, the entire East Sea was transformed into a boundless white world.

A month had passed since the battle between Ning Jiang and Xuanyuan Bi’an.

Over the past month, countless Martial Artists in the East Sea had been embroiled in heated discussions. Both the battle between Ning Jiang and Xuanyuan Bi’an and the appearance of Golden Cicada were considered earth-shattering events.

Even after a month, these intense, widespread discussions showed no signs of stopping.

And during this time, the Dragon God Celestial Palace had returned to the public eye.

"With the Celestial Treasure King’s return, he leveraged his connections to win over a dozen Kings in one fell swoop. What a grand move."

"The Celestial Treasure King never involved himself in the East Sea’s conflicts, always remaining aloof and independent. But everyone knew he was constantly cultivating his network, using all sorts of Treasures to build goodwill with numerous Kings. Now that he has called upon them, the Kings who owed him favors naturally have to repay those debts."

"That is the Celestial Treasure King’s brilliance. On the surface, he avoids all disputes, but in reality, he has used favors to build a vast web of connections. With these dozen-plus Kings joining and Golden Cicada overseeing things, the Dragon God Celestial Palace may not return to its former glory, but it’s enough to contend with the other two major powers."

"Indeed. Most importantly, the Dragon God Celestial Palace now has the Myriad Treasures Exquisite Tower for protection. If anything happens, they can just hide inside the Linglong Tower, and the other two powers will be completely helpless against them."

"The East Sea is now in a tripartite balance, and at the heart of it all is, inextricably, Ning Jiang. That young man is truly incredible."

The Chaos Alliance, the Other Shore Divine Sect, and the Dragon God Celestial Palace—this was the current tripartite balance of power in the East Sea.

Among these three great powers, the Other Shore Divine Sect was the strongest, while the Chaos Alliance and the Dragon God Celestial Palace were more or less evenly matched.

However, the Dragon God Celestial Palace’s advantage was the Myriad Treasures Exquisite Tower. If trouble arose, they could hide inside the Linglong Tower, making them virtually invincible.

...

Myriad Treasures Exquisite Tower.

’The situation in the East Sea has mostly stabilized. It’s time to head back to the Six Eastern Provinces!’

Ning Jiang’s gaze was distant.

Nearly a year had passed since he left the Six Eastern Provinces. During that time, his strength had advanced by leaps and bounds. He had gone from the Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm all the way to the Earth Martial Realm Peak, leaving him just one step away from the Heaven-Reaching Realm.

However, he could never stop worrying about the Six Eastern Provinces, because the people he cared about most were there.

SWOOSH!

With a flicker of his body, he officially departed from the Myriad Treasures Exquisite Tower.

He left alone this time, without any fanfare. Most people in the Dragon God Celestial Palace didn’t even know he was gone, assuming he was still in closed-door cultivation inside the Linglong Tower.

If the other two major powers learned of his departure, they would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to assassinate him.

Both powers now saw him as a thorn in their side and were eager to eliminate him.

Amidst the vast, falling snow, Ning Jiang’s figure shot through the sky, as fast as lightning.

To be safe, he activated the pearl gifted to him by the Undying Celestial King. A small, golden dragon coiled within it. The pearl could block all Divine Sense, and with it, no one could track his movements.

Three hours later, he officially left the Dark Sea Region.

There was no telling when the heavy snow would end; it seemed to fall endlessly. Day turned to night and back again, and a full seven days later, Ning Jiang officially entered the Meteor Sea Region.

This was the first region he had reached upon entering the East Sea. That first time had been a miserable affair; hunted by the Kings of the Seven Great Super Sects, he had ended up here, grievously wounded.

’I should go see Xiu’Er.’

A nostalgic glint flickered in Ning Jiang’s eyes. If he had one fond memory of the Meteor Sea Region, it was that little girl, Chu Xiu’Er.

An hour later, he arrived on Cyan Spirit Island.

A sweep of his Divine Sense quickly located the Chu Family’s residence.

Chu Xiu’Er was currently training in a courtyard. Her youthful face, not yet fully matured, was beaded with sweat. From her features, it was clear she was a budding beauty who, in a few years, would undoubtedly capture the hearts of countless Martial Artists in the Meteor Sea Region.

"Hah!"

With a sharp cry, Chu Xiu’Er thrust her sword forward. A wisp of Sword Aura condensed into a fine thread and shot out with astonishing power.

’That’s not right. What am I doing wrong?’

Chu Xiu’Er furrowed her delicate brows, lost in thought.

’This girl’s progress is quite fast.’

Ning Jiang observed from above for a moment and smiled. Chu Xiu’Er’s cultivation had already reached the Immortal Realm and was now just one step away from the Earth Martial Realm.

After all, her older sister, Chu Qingqing, was only at the Earth Martial Realm herself. At this rate, it was only a matter of time before Chu Xiu’Er surpassed her.

"Xiu’Er, that Sword Technique is incorrect."

An elderly man’s voice rang out from the side.

This man’s name was Zhou Rong, one of the top ten Sword Dao masters in the Meteor Sea Region. His Sword Technique was profound and unfathomable, and his strength had reached the Earth Martial Realm Middle Stage. He was the instructor Chu Xiu’Er’s father, Chu Hong, had hired for her.

"Elder Zhou, please enlighten me."

As a well-bred young lady with impeccable manners, Chu Xiu’Er asked in a clear, crisp voice.

"Watch closely. This move must be ruthless. You need a killer’s intent, or it will have no power."

Zhou Rong, also holding a sword, thrust it out. The resulting Sword Qi was even sharper and more vicious.

’Too rigid.’

But in Ning Jiang’s eyes, Zhou Rong’s swordsmanship was merely a Lower Grade Sword Technique. It couldn’t even begin to compare to his own Realm, not even reaching a tenth of the White-robed Swordsman’s skill.

This was to be expected, however. While Zhou Rong might be famous in the Meteor Sea Region, he was insignificant when compared to the entire East Sea.

SWISH.

Ning Jiang’s figure flickered, and in a single step, he landed in the courtyard.

"Xiu’Er, your Sword Technique is too rigid. It lacks spirit," Ning Jiang said, and his words made the diligently training Chu Xiu’Er freeze on the spot.

She recognized that voice!

Instantly, she spun around and saw him.

"Brother Ning!"

Chu Xiu’Er cried out, her beautiful eyes wide with shock. She had missed him constantly since he left and never imagined she would see him today.

"Oh, Brother Ning, I missed you so much."

Chu Xiu’Er rushed over to him. Ning Jiang patted her head and said with a smile, "Xiu’Er, that old man’s skills aren’t up to par. Just forget what he said."

"Okay."

Chu Xiu’Er nodded without the slightest hesitation.

After all, who was Ning Jiang?

Putting aside her personal trust in him, the recent earth-shattering events he had caused in the East Sea were enough to make her believe him unconditionally.

"You’ve got some nerve, boy! Saying my skills are lacking? I’d like to see what you’re made of!"

Zhou Rong snorted and swung his sword at Ning Jiang. But Ning Jiang didn’t move. He simply glanced at Zhou Rong, and the man froze in place, as if struck by lightning.