Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 130 Calamity Begins in Southern Xinjiang

The power of the Nascent Soul stage is like a vast ocean, unfathomable.

Zhou Ning sat cross-legged on a huge rock on the back mountain, closing his eyes and looking inward.

In the dantian, the nascent soul sat cross-legged in the center, its hands forming a mudra, radiating a warm golden light.

The golden light was soft and warm, like the warm sun in winter, illuminating the entire dantian.

The nascent soul's face was exactly the same as his, only shrunk countless times, like an exquisite porcelain doll, yet containing world-destroying power.

He attempted to probe his divine sense into the nascent soul to establish a deeper connection with it.

The moment his divine sense touched the nascent soul, he felt a powerful force surging out from it, flowing along the meridians to his limbs and bones.

The feeling was like being completely immersed in a hot spring, with every pore on your body cheering.

"The Nascent Soul stage is indeed extraordinary."

Zhou Ning opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them.

He stood up, walked to the sword-training area, and drew his Qingfeng sword.

The sword gleamed with a cold light in the sunlight. He poured his Nascent Soul power into it, and the sword immediately shone with a dazzling golden light, several times stronger than when it was at the Golden Core stage.

He took a deep breath and slashed out with his sword.

A massive golden sword aura shot out from the tip of the sword, like a golden dragon, heading straight for a giant rock in the distance.

"boom!"

The sword energy struck the boulder, causing it to explode instantly, sending fragments flying and dust billowing everywhere.

A deep trench, several meters long and half a meter deep, was left on the ground.

Zhou Ning gasped.

The power of the Nascent Soul stage is at least five times stronger than that of the Golden Core stage.

"Not bad." Yan Chixia's voice came from behind.

Zhou Ning turned around and saw his master standing by the pine forest with his hands behind his back, his eyes filled with approval.

His expression remained calm, but the corners of his mouth seemed to be slightly upturned, revealing a barely perceptible smile.

"Master." Zhou Ning bowed respectfully.

Yan Chixia walked up to him, looked him up and down, and nodded slightly:

"The Nascent Soul stage has been completely stabilized. Next, we need to nurture the Nascent Soul and wait for the opportunity to reach the Deity Transformation stage."

Yan Chixia then said:

"I have already told Han Wei and Xuan Zhenzi about your breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage. They are both very happy for you. Han Wei said that the people of the North need you and hope that you can go there."

Zhou Ning asked, "What's happened in the north now?"

Yan Chixia shook his head:

"It's not that something happened, it's that the people want to see you. You've been slaying demons and protecting the people in the north, and they see you as their savior. It would be good for you to go and see them, and to reassure them."

Zhou Ning nodded: "This disciple understands."

He returned to his lodgings and packed his bags.

He brought along the Qingfeng Sword, the Bixie Sword, and the Hanshuang Sword, as well as a bag full of talismans and several pills to restore his true essence.

With everything prepared, he left Lanruo Temple and headed north.

The sky over the North remained overcast.

But unlike the last time I came, the stench in the air was much fainter.

Although the roadside vegetation is still withered and yellow, it has already shown signs of revival.

Occasionally, you might brush past a few birds and hear their clear chirping.

Zhou Ning could sense that the spiritual energy between heaven and earth was slowly recovering, and the land that had been polluted by the Black Mountain Demon and the extraterrestrial demons was being gradually purified.

Zhou Ning flew on his sword at a leisurely pace for a day, surveying the towns and villages he had previously visited. After confirming that everything was alright, he finally arrived at Qingfeng City.

The scene in the city was completely different from when I last came.

The streets were bustling with people, the shops were thriving, and the faces of the people were beaming with smiles.

At the city gate, several children were chasing and playing, their laughter clear and melodious.

Upon seeing Zhou Ning, a child recognized him and shouted, "Young Master Zhou is here! Young Master Zhou is here!"

The people gathered around, some bowing, some kowtowing, and some bringing eggs and fruit.

"Young Master Zhou, you are our great benefactor."

"Young Master Zhou, have you eaten yet? I have some stewed chicken at home, would you like to try it?"

"Young Master Zhou, do you take on apprentices? My son wants to learn your skills from you."

Zhou Ning quickly waved his hand.

"Fellow villagers, there's no need to be so polite. Exorcising demons is simply our duty. I appreciate your kindness, but I cannot accept the food; please keep it for yourselves."

The people refused to comply and insisted on stuffing the items into his hands.

Zhou Ning could not refuse, so he had to accept the gifts and then distributed them to the orphans and widows in the city.

Han Wei was patrolling the city wall when he saw Zhou Ning and quickly came down to greet him.

"Young Master Zhou, you've arrived!"

Han Wei laughed heartily and patted him on the shoulder.

"I heard you've broken through to the Nascent Soul stage? Congratulations!"

Zhou Ning cupped his hands in greeting:

"You flatter me, Lord Han. The people of the North are able to live in peace thanks to you and the brothers of the Demon Suppression Division."

Han Wei shook his head: "We only did our duty. The one who truly saved the people from suffering was you, Young Master Zhou."

The two walked and talked.

Han Wei told him that the remaining forces of the Black Mountain in the north had been completely wiped out, and the people were rebuilding their homes.

The Demon Suppression Division has established multiple outposts in the northern lands, monitoring the sky and the ground day and night to prevent the extraterrestrial demons from invading again.

"Young Master Zhou, do you think the extraterrestrial demons will return?" Han Wei asked.

Zhou Ning was silent for a moment, then said:

"Yes. But we don't know when they will come or how they will appear. All we can do is be prepared."

Han Wei nodded:

"You're right. I've already applied to the imperial court for more supplies and manpower to prepare for establishing a defensive line in the north. Although it may not be able to stop the extraterrestrial demons, it will at least buy the people some time."

Zhou Ning said, "Lord Han, please feel free to ask if you need my help."

Han Wei smiled and said, "I'm relieved to hear that."

Zhou Ning stayed in Qingfeng City for a few days, helping the people with some trivial matters and giving a few lessons to the guards of the Demon Suppression Division, teaching them the skills of slaying demons and eliminating evil.

The guards listened attentively, studied diligently, and made rapid progress.

On this day, he was meditating on the city wall when he suddenly felt the communication jade talisman in his arms getting slightly warm.

He took out the jade talisman and infused it with a wisp of true essence.

Yan Chixia's voice echoed in his mind: "Zhou Ning, come back. It's urgent."

Zhou Ning felt a chill run down his spine, quickly bid farewell to Han Wei, transformed into a rainbow, and rushed back to Lanruo Temple.

When we returned to the temple, it was already dark.

The main hall was brightly lit by candlelight.

Yan Chixia was standing in front of the incense table, holding a letter in his hand, his face solemn.

"Master, what happened?" Zhou Ning asked.

Yan Chixia handed him the jade slip.

"Sent by Xuanzhenzi. The rift in the Southern Frontier has reappeared. This time it's larger than before, and... something is coming out of the rift, similar to what's happening in the Northern Frontier."

Zhou Ning took the jade slip, unfolded it, and took a look.

The contents of the letter were consistent with what Yan Chixia had said, and it ended with a sentence:

"Master Yan, the situation is critical, please come immediately."

"Master, let's go quickly!" Zhou Ning said.

Yan Chixia thought for a moment, nodded, sheathed his longsword, and the two left Lanruo Temple, speeding towards the southern border.