C21 A Storm Is Coming

"It's not the place for a conversation. Brother Ning Que, did you truly manage to refine all the Spirit Gathering Pills I requested?"

Jiang Qingyan found it hard to believe. It hadn't been that long, and the quantity of pills she had requested was substantial. If Ning Que's claim held true, the rank of his alchemist mentor must be astonishing indeed.

Ning Que didn't feel like explaining. With a flourish of his hand, rows of small bottles materialized from his ring and were meticulously arranged on the table.

"Check for yourself, the count should be accurate."

Ning Que cleared his throat subtly. Jiang Qingyan's eyes were wide with astonishment, her cherry lips parted in surprise. Catching a glimpse of Ning Xian'er's displeased look, he quickly averted his gaze.

Jiang Qingyan composed herself, opened each of the small bottles methodically, and inspected them. After a moment, she fell silent.

Perplexed, Ning Que inquired, "Is there an issue?"

"The count is indeed correct, and the quality of the pills is exceptional," she confirmed.

Jiang Qingyan let out a sigh, "Brother Ning Que, let's be honest, you didn't refine these pills yourself, did you?"

Caught off guard, Ning Que wondered why Jiang Qingyan was bringing this up now. But remembering her assistance with the Ning family's relocation and her courteous treatment of him, he decided to be candid. He smiled and admitted, "You're right, I didn't refine them. My master did it on my behalf."

Jiang Qingyan's reaction was more curious than surprised. "With such a master, why does the Ning family need to leave Oceanwatch City? If you asked for his assistance, surely someone of his caliber wouldn't even consider the Shadowsea Cult a threat."

Ning Que responded with a wry smile. If Ling Jing were not merely a soul but possessed his full strength, the Shadowsea Cult would indeed pose no fear. Alas, Ling Jing required Ning Que's body to act, and his own limited power restricted Ling Jing's capabilities. He had only just managed to hold his own against Liu Yunlong. Against a more formidable adversary, victory would be far from assured.

"My master has his quirks. When he accepted me as his disciple, he made it clear that he would intervene in nothing beyond my own life or death."

Ning Que racked his brain for a plausible excuse to deflect the question.

Jiang Qingyan's brow furrowed as she gave a slight nod of understanding. "Indeed, your mentor's prowess in alchemy is unparalleled in Aetheria. A person of such caliber wouldn't concern themselves with the fates of the common folk."

Ning Que offered an awkward smile, well aware of Ling Jing's alchemical expertise, yet puzzled as to how Jiang Qingyan had discerned it.

Seemingly reading Ning Que's mind, Jiang Qingyan chuckled. "Skyreach Tower once had an alchemist of the sixth grade, a standout among his peers. Yet even he couldn't have produced pills of such quantity and quality in so brief a time."

"Your teacher must be at least a seventh-grade alchemist. With a mentor like that, brother Ning Que, your future is bound to be stellar. Just remember not to forget about me when you reach new heights."

Jiang Qingyan cast a flirtatious glance, her voice sultry, causing Ning Que's heart to skip a beat as he quickly assured her, "I won't forget."

Pills and alchemists alike are categorized into nine grades. Given Ling Jing's nonchalant approach to pill refining, he might well surpass the seventh grade.

Determined, Ning Que resolved to seize the opportunity to accompany Ling Jing in search of the Waters of Genesis and master the Water Pill technique at the earliest chance.

After their discussion, Jiang Qingyan honored their previous arrangement, exchanging the Spirit Gathering Pills for soulstones at market value and placing them in a standard spatial ring. Ning Que pondered for a moment before handing it to Ning Xian'er. He already possessed the Abyssal Ring, which contained various soulstone items from Ning Chaoping. These soulstones would be better suited for her.

Initially reluctant, Ning Xian'er accepted the gift upon realizing Ning Que's insistence.

"Thank you for your immense kindness, Sister Qingyan. We should be on our way now. May our paths cross again if destiny allows," Ning Que said with a grateful smile, offering a respectful bow to Jiang Qingyan.

"What are you talking about? You've been such a great help to me; I really ought to thank you properly."

Jiang Qingyan spoke with grace. In comparison to the task of pill refining, using Skyreach Tower's merchant caravan to shield the Ning family's retreat seemed trivial.

While they were conversing, Ning Que noticed Jiang Lu approaching from a distance, heading straight for Jiang Qingyan and whispering in her ear.

Jiang Qingyan's expression shifted continuously—shock and solemnity played across her face. Their discussion was evidently confidential, prompting Ning Que to feel it was inappropriate to linger. As he turned to leave, Jiang Qingyan reached out and stopped him.

"Brother Ning Que, let me offer you a piece of information, on the house. I have a feeling you'll find it intriguing," she said with a charming smile. "It concerns the Hai family and the Shadowsea Cult."

"Please go on, Sister Qingyan," Ning Que urged, his brow furrowed. This revelation struck a chord with him; the Hai family and the Shadowsea Cult had been shrouded in mystery of late. He hadn't expected Skyreach Tower to have such extensive reach to acquire intelligence on them.

"The Hai family has discovered a water-based spiritual entity, the Aurorawater, near Starfang Isle," Jiang Qingyan confided, leaning in close to Ning Que's ear. Her warm breath caused a flush of heat within him, but it was the mention of the spiritual entity that truly sent a tremor through his heart.

"So that's the connection between the Hai family and the Shadowsea Cult," Ning Que mused, managing to quell the surge of amazement within him. Such spiritual entities were treasures rarely encountered, much like his own Waters of Genesis, which he had obtained only after enduring great hardships.

"Aurorawater, you say? There are fifteen known types of water-based spiritual entities, and Aurorawater is ranked twelfth—a truly rare find," Ling Jing's aged voice interjected, clearly taken aback by the news.

"What do you think, Brother Ning Que? If an opportunity arises, please inform your teacher. Skyreach Tower has an interest in this spiritual entity as well. Perhaps there's potential for a collaboration," Jiang Qingyan suggested with a knowing smile, patting Ning Que's shoulder.

"Sister Qingyan, I appreciate your generous offer. Such spiritual entities are not easily obtained by mere mortals. Rest assured, I will pass your message along to my teacher."

Ning Que wouldn't just blindly agree; instead, he adopted an air of detachment and chuckled nonchalantly.

To claim he was unmoved would be dishonest, but any plotting would require Ling Jing's strategic mind, as Ning Que himself couldn't exert much influence.

"Since Skyreach Tower is privy to this information, it's only a matter of time before other sects catch wind and take action. Oceanwatch City is certainly bracing for a storm."

Jiang Qingyan's gaze danced playfully as she offered a charming smile, then feigned a look of sorrow. "I won't see you off then. But once this storm has passed, you must promise to come back and visit me."

Ning Que nodded in agreement, then without further delay, he gathered his clansmen and they set off briskly towards the outskirts of Oceanwatch City.

"Elder Wu and the others should be nearing Strefsas City by now. As we previously arranged, they'll rest there until we rendezvous."

Ning Xian'er was riding alongside Ning Que, and with their small group, they made good time.

"Where exactly is Goldscale City that we're headed to?"

The southern sea region was a vast expanse of wilderness with few mountains, and the city's edge stretched into the horizon. Ning Que gazed out at the open plains, taking a deep breath and reveling in a profound sense of liberation.

Aware that Ning Que was not well-versed in the geography of Aetheria, Ning Xian'er retrieved a map from her bag and passed it to him with a smile.

"This is a detailed map I just purchased from Skyreach Tower. You'll understand as soon as you take a look."

Ning Que accepted the map, internally commending Xian'er for her thoughtfulness. Despite the horse's jostling, he studied the map intently. After a while, he folded it back up and exhaled deeply.

The map was indeed meticulous, detailing not just the terrain but also providing a clear depiction of the power divisions across Aetheria.

Aetheria was ruled by four great dynasties: the Igeseon Empire in the east, the Amoven Kingdom in the south, the Penia Dynasty in the west, and the Sky Devil Dynasty in the north.

Beneath each dynasty lay the influential families and sects with considerable power. Upon examining the map, Ning Que was struck by a sudden realization of his own ignorance, akin to a frog in a well. He had not expected the Shadowsea Cult, dominant in the southern seas, to appear as merely an ordinary sect on this map.

Clutching the map tightly, Ning Que resolved with fierce determination that one day, the Ning family would claim their rightful place on it.

Oceanwatch City was situated at the southernmost edge of the four great dynasties, and the Ning family's new destination, Goldscale City, remained within the Amoven Kingdom's domain. Yet, Goldscale was one of the kingdom's eight major cities, its size and population dwarfing that of Oceanwatch, and the journey between the two was considerable.

Ning Que couldn't help but wonder why Ning Chaoping had chosen this location for the family's new home. But then he considered Ning Chaoping's family-first mentality and concluded there must be sound reasoning behind his decision.

"The journey is long, and we've only just begun," Ning Que mused with a wry smile. Ning Xian'er maintained her composure, though a hint of concern creased her brow.

"Will the Patriarch and the others manage to get away in time?" she pondered.

"In a few days, the Hai family and the Shadowsea Cult will have other concerns and will no longer be preoccupied with the Ning family. They'll have ample time to make their escape," Ning Que reassured her with a smile, echoing Jiang Qingyan's prediction that the chaos stirred by the Aurorawater's revelation would soon engulf Oceanwatch, providing the perfect cover for their departure.

After traveling for half the day, Ning Xian'er signaled for the clansmen to set up camp and rest. Ning Que sat apart from the group, his solitude interrupted by the sudden appearance of Ling Jing, who teased him with a playful grin, "Kid, you've got patience. You've been eyeing that Aurorawater with such desire, yet you haven't breathed a word about it all day."

Stretching leisurely, Ning Que replied nonchalantly, "Desire is one thing, but surviving to claim it is another. The Shadowsea Cult could easily send someone to dispatch me. If I'm to have any chance at seizing it, it'll depend on whether you, my friend, have any tricks up your sleeve."

"Of course, there's a method. Such treasures of heaven and earth aren't simply acquired through brute force alone."

Ling Jing puffed out his beard, an air of arrogance about him. Ning Que was aware that he must have some knowledge about this water-based spiritual thing. Right now, with that smug look on his face, he was clearly waiting for Ning Que to ask for his help.