Chapter 73: Returning to the Sect, Encountering Inquiry
After hearing this, Kang Xingyao and Yin Zi exchanged a glance. Yin Zi then spoke up carefully, "Junior Brother Xu, there are so things we need to clarify with you, including what we should say when we return to the sect. We need to have our stories straight."
Xu Ning nodded seriously. "Of course. We need to be consistent."
After all, an outer disciple had died. The sect would definitely take it seriously and investigate. A basic inquiry of the three of them would be inevitable.
They might even face punishnt if their stories didn't match.
Yin Zi continued, his voice low. "When we escaped, we saw Senior Brother Yue Rui being killed by a cultivator in black armor. A mysterious attacker."
Xu Ning was surprised, playing along. "Killed? Yue Rui was killed? How did that happen?"
Kang Xingyao then said, his face grim, "Junior Brother Xu, this isn't a bad thing. If Senior Brother Yue Rui were still alive, he would definitely send us to attract demonic beasts again. We'd be dead. His death saved us."
Afterward, the three of them began to coordinate their stories and rehearse their testimonies, making sure every detail matched.
Finally, Xu Ning couldn't help but ask, "Then how are we going to get back to the sect? We have no transportation."
Not going back was definitely not an option. They couldn't bear the consequences of betraying the sect. However, they had co on Yue Rui's boat, and now getting back was a problem. They were stranded.
Kang Xingyao suggested, "Let's go ask around the market. There should be a way. The sect has a presence here."
This suggestion was imdiately agreed upon by Xu Ning and Yin Zi. It was their best hope.
After so inquiries, the three learned that the Tianbao Sect had a small headquarters in this market, run by an elder.
There were many ways to get back, the most common being to ride on the magical artifacts used by disciples who were heading back to the sect.
However, since they were just nial laborers with no status, they had to pay a fee of five spirit stones each for the ride. It was the going rate.
"That's outrageous!" Yin Zi couldn't help but complain after learning this. It was half of what he had.
Kang Xingyao sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Ah! We nial laborers are of lowly status. There's nothing we can do. How about this, I have twelve spirit stones here. You two can chip in three more, and we'll go back to the sect first. I'll cover the rest."
Xu Ning was the most surprised, not expecting Kang Xingyao to be willing to offer twelve spirit stones so generously.
Such behavior was extrely rare in the cultivation world. Other cultivators might call Kang Xingyao an idiot for helping them.
But to be honest, Xu Ning and Yin Zi were genuinely moved. It was an act of kindness they hadn't expected.
Xu Ning then took out five spirit stones from his pouch. "I have so here, from the sect's reward last ti. Senior Brother Yin, if you don't have any, just borrow Senior Brother Kang's and return them later when you can."
Yin Zi naturally had no objections and agreed imdiately, grateful for the help.
After reaching a consensus, the three of them headed towards the Tianbao Sect's headquarters in the market, hoping to find a ride.
At the sa ti, Yin Qingli also arrived at the Tianbao Sect's headquarters and went inside, looking around.
"Elder Chen, I'm going back to the sect. Is anyone willing to co along and share the cost? I'm heading out now."
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Operating magical artifacts for extended periods also required replenishing spirit stones, so outer sect disciples often traveled in groups to save spirit stones.
Inside the headquarters, a kind-faced old man shook his head after hearing this. "No one today. Qingli, why are you going back so early this ti? You usually stay longer."
Yin Qingli shrugged. "I didn't gain anything this trip, and I don't dare to go any deeper without more strength. I'd better go back and cultivate diligently before coming back. If not, that's fine. I'll be going now!"
After saying that, Yin Qingli walked out of the headquarters, went to an open area in the market, released her flying kite, jumped on it, started the kite, and disappeared into the sky, heading toward the sect.
anwhile, Xu Ning and his two companions arrived at the sect's headquarters and inquired if any outer sect disciples were returning soon.
Elder Chen shook his head. "You've co at a really bad ti. An outer sect disciple just left a few minutes ago. You just missed her."
The three of them were sowhat disappointed, but quickly composed themselves. They would have to wait.
At this mont, Elder Chen asked curiously, his eyes narrowing, "Which little rascal transferred you three nial servants here? This isn't a normal assignnt."
Xu Ning and his companions' hearts skipped a beat. They had to be careful.
Just from the way he addressed the outer sect disciples, they could tell the disciples' low status in the eyes of the elder. He didn't think highly of them.
If they were to tell him about Yue Rui's death now, who knew what unexpected things might happen? They needed to be cautious.
Finally, having no other choice, Xu Ning spoke up carefully, "Elder, we were transferred here by Senior Brother Yue Rui to hunt demonic beasts. But we got separated from him during the battle and escaped. We don't know what happened to him after that."
Elder Chen sighed, his expression softening. "Never mind, never mind. I understand. When the outer disciples return, you can go back to the sect with them. Wait here."
Elder Chen was well aware of the thoughts of the outer disciples, who often used nial laborers as bait. He felt a bit of pity for Xu Ning and the others, who had no control over their own destiny, and didn't want to make things too difficult for them.
To Xu Ning's surprise, the one taking them back this ti was actually Xue Kang, the outer disciple who had first brought him to the Tianbao Sect. He recognized him imdiately.
"You, you, you are that..." Xue Kang recognized Xu Ning, but didn't rember his na, fumbling.
Xu Ning quickly cupped his hands in greeting, "Senior Brother, my na is Xu Ning! We t when I first joined."
Xue Kang then realized, "Right, right, you're Xu Ning! I rember now! You were the one with the mixed spiritual roots. I didn't expect you to have already achieved Qi Induction. That's fast."
Xu Ning replied modestly, "I have to thank Senior Brother for guiding into this path. I'm grateful."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Kang Xingyao presented the prepared spirit stones to Xue Kang, and then the group boarded his boat and returned to the Tianbao Sect.
After saying goodbye to Xue Kang at the sect gate, the three hurriedly returned to the Fifth Planting Area, finally breathing a sigh of relief. They were ho.
The laborers of the Fifth Planting Area were initially quite surprised that the three had returned safely, especially Xu Ning, whose cultivation level was the lowest. They had expected none of them to co back.
In contrast, Li Yun and Wang Ergou were overjoyed and rushed over to greet them.
"Xu Ning, we thought..." Wang Ergou was both surprised and delighted, his voice choking up.
Li Yun even gave Xu Ning a tight hug, relieved.
Xu Ning said, "I can only say it was a near-death experience. We were lucky."
After a few pleasantries, the other disciples from the Fifth Area also arrived one after another to welco the three back. It was a celebration.
That night, back in his thatched hut, Xu Ning felt a great sense of relief. He was safe.
There were still many things to consider, and Xu Ning began to ponder his next moves.
First of all, being singled out by Yue Rui this ti was definitely not a coincidence. Why choose Xu Ning, who was only at the first level of Qi Refining, when there were so many others at the third and second levels? Soone had deliberately targeted him.
Soone must have been in cahoots with Yue Rui, wanting to kill him. It was a setup.
Currently, Xu Ning only had one enemy within the sect: Qin Ming from the Eighth District, whose uncle was the manager of the Eighth District. It was most likely their doing.
They were quite despicable. Just because Xu Ning refused to help them till their land for free, they wanted to kill him. Such pettiness.
This hidden danger had to be eliminated, otherwise, there would be no peace in the future. He couldn't let it stand.
There was also Gui Mingi, the manager of the Fifth District. The fact that she could co and order laborers twice definitely indicated sothing was amiss. She was either complicit or looking the other way.
Xu Ning then took out a letter, wrote so instructions, and gave them to Luo Xiu to investigate, then had the Yingying Monster deliver it.
Luo Xiu, in turn, sent sothing that surprised Xu Ning through the crow: a section of Dragon Beard Tree root, a rare find.
This was one of the core spiritual herbs of the Foundation Establishnt Pill, and also its most expensive ingredient. It was a valuable gift.
With this, Xu Ning only needed the Qi-Nourishing Flower to complete his collection of all the core spiritual herbs for the Foundation Establishnt Pill. He was getting closer.
Other more common spiritual herbs were relatively easy to obtain, and their seeds weren't rare either. He could grow them himself.
Afterward, Xu Ning prepared a large flowerpot and carefully planted the roots of the Dragon Beard Tree, tending to them.
A few days later, Xu Ning, Yin Zi, and Kang Xingyao were summoned for questioning by the sect's disciplinary hall.
The main focus of the questioning was still on the cause of Yue Rui's death.
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