Eternal Life: My Talents Can Refresh

Chapter 378 - 189: Detecting Anomalies

"Three months later, all Foundation Establishment cultivators will participate in the Thousand Islands competition?"

On top of Yanfeng, Chu Ning stood outside the array holding the Thousand Islands Order brought by the messenger, his brow slightly furrowed.

"Our Feihong Island has no intention of competing for other resources, does that mean we must also participate in this competition?"

"Yes! Elder, the alliance has issued a decree, this Thousand Islands competition is crucial for the future development of the Thousand Lakes and Thousand Islands.

The alliance has important matters to discuss with the elders, all Foundation Establishment cultivators must participate, though the Alliance Leader hasn’t specified the exact matter."

"I understand." Chu Ning responded, waving his hand to signal the other to leave.

Back in the cave mansion, Chu Ning began to ponder over the matter.

A few years ago, when the Hidden Spirit Vein began appearing, the Thousand Islands Alliance had planned to organize a Thousand Islands competition.

But later, due to Chu Ning’s reasons, troubles arose in both the Song and Liu families consecutively.

Thus, the Thousand Islands competition did not take place.

And then, with the changing dynamics of the Thousand Lakes and Thousand Islands, with the Song Family’s demise and Liu Yishan’s death causing a significant loss to the Liu Family’s strength.

The Chen Family allied with the Cen and Bai families, effectively making the Thousand Islands Alliance a stage for the Chen Family’s dominance.

They did organize a Thousand Islands competition, but to be frank, it was merely the Chen Family reshuffling resources.

In recent years, in this Thousand Lakes and Thousand Islands, the other families have been acting according to the Chen Family’s whims.

Under such favorable circumstances, Chu Ning couldn’t fathom what the Chen Family intended to stir up now.

Unable to figure it out himself, Chu Ning called over Cheng Zuyuan, explained the situation to him, and asked:

"Old Cheng, what do you think the Chen Family is up to this time?"

Cheng Zuyuan, having been in the Thousand Lakes and Thousand Islands for a long time, though not with high cultivation, seemed to understand many situations more clearly than Chu Ning.

Cheng Zuyuan pondered for a while but didn’t have any insights.

Seeing this, Chu Ning instructed:

"During this time, go out and gather more information.

Report back to me with any news promptly."

After Cheng Zuyuan acknowledged and left, Chu Ning decided not to dwell on it further.

He resolved that regardless of what the Chen Family or the Thousand Islands Alliance was plotting, he wouldn’t get involved.

In these few months, focusing on his cultivation and improving his strength was the right path.

With this mindset, Chu Ning continued his cultivation in the following time.

He occasionally received bits of news from Cheng Zuyuan.

Chu Ning himself also went out a few times, hearing some rumors.

As for whether these rumors were true or not, it remained uncertain.

Three months passed quickly, and it was time to gather for the Thousand Islands competition.

Early that day, Chu Ning had just stepped out of his cave mansion when he saw a few people standing outside the main array.

Apart from Jiang Hongguang, there were several others Chu Ning didn’t recognize.

As soon as he appeared, a middle-aged cultivator at the ninth layer of qi refining immediately stepped forward, bowed and said:

"Junior of the Thousand Islands Alliance, Chen Qingyou, welcomes Elder Chu.

All matters concerning Elder’s journey to Thousand Illusion Island will be coordinated by me."

"Oh?" Chu Ning was slightly surprised, casting a glance at the other.

"You are from the Chen Family?"

"Yes!" Chen Qingyou nodded in affirmation.

Upon hearing this, Chu Ning’s gaze flickered slightly.

He vaguely felt that something wasn’t quite right.

Why was the Thousand Islands Alliance being so courteous this time, arranging for a special reception, and it was even a Chen Family member.

Just as Chu Ning was turning over this thought, Jiang Hongguang beside him transmitted a message:

"Elder Chu, this time I must entrust Feihong Island to you again.

I heard this Thousand Islands competition also relates to the future resource allocation among the islands, I’m waiting for your good news on Feihong Island."

Upon hearing this, Chu Ning’s brow slightly twitched, he looked towards Jiang Hongguang and also transmitted back:

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, are you not going together?"

Jiang Hongguang shook his head, "This time the Thousand Islands Alliance only invited Elder Chu alone, I am not participating."

Chu Ning frowned slightly, then directly asked Chen Qingyou:

"Matters of Feihong Island are managed by Fellow Daoist Jiang. Since this is the Thousand Islands competition, why isn’t Fellow Daoist Jiang arranged to participate?"

Chen Qingyou responded with a smiling face:

"This time it is of great importance, the Alliance Leader wants to negotiate with the Foundation Establishment elders first, before holding the official Thousand Islands competition.

So Fellow Daoist Jiang and others are to come to Thousand Illusion Island a few days later."

"I see, alright, shall we set off then?" Chu Ning said, though his feet did not move, instead he kept staring at Chen Qingyou for a few moments.

The latter maintained a smiling expression, showing no discernible other emotions.

Even under Chu Ning’s keen Divine Sense, he couldn’t detect any change in the other’s breath and heartbeat.

Being gazed at by Chu Ning left Chen Qingyou a bit perplexed, causing him to ask in confusion:

"Elder Chu?"

"Hmm, let’s go!" Only then did Chu Ning begin to genuinely make his way towards the teleportation array.

At the same time, he casually asked:

"Why is the alliance being so grand this time, even having you come to receive me, what’s the reason?"

Chen Qingyou shook his head and replied:

"Junior does not know, my directive is to ensure proper coordination with you, so no one thinks our Chen Family is oblivious to the presence of others in the Thousand Lakes and Thousand Islands."

Chu Ning then engaged in some subtle probing through casual conversation.

Finally, he sighed inwardly.

It seems this time the Chen Family has indeed done well in keeping secrets, as even a qi refining ninth layer cultivator like Chen Qingyou has no knowledge of the specific matters.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t believe that Chen Qingyou could behave without giving anything away.

Even under his spiritual sense, there were no flaws to be revealed.

"Could it really be as the outside world suggests, that the Thousand Islands Alliance has discovered some secret realm and wants to unite so many cultivators together?"

Chu Ning pondered silently.

Recently, the contents of the Thousand Islands Order issued by the Thousand Islands Alliance were no secret in the Thousand Lakes and Thousand Islands.

This time, the Thousand Islands competition mainly involves Foundation Establishment cultivators, and all Foundation Establishment cultivators must participate.

This unprecedented situation has led everyone to speculation.

Among them, two theories are the most widespread.

One is that the Chen Family discovered a certain secret realm, an ancient major sect relic, requiring the concerted effort of many cultivators to enter.

The other is that the Chen Family, having truly controlled the Thousand Islands Alliance for so many years, intends to establish a sect, formally managing the Thousand Lakes and Thousand Islands.

These two rumors are equally prevalent within the Thousand Lakes and Thousand Islands.

But both have a certain degree of credibility.

After all, according to outside reports, this Thousand Islands Order was issued by the Chen Family, and even several other families do not know what is truly happening.

While Chu Ning considered these matters, he also began to secretly raise his guard.

If it’s merely these two things, he could completely cope with it.

Just afraid that the Chen Family has other intentions beyond this.

The group soon arrived at the teleportation array of Feihong Island.

In the courteous send-off by Jiang Hongguang, Chu Ning, Chen Qingyou, and others were directly teleported away towards Thousand Illusion Island.

Upon entering Thousand Illusion Island, Chu Ning could immediately feel that it was significantly more lively than usual.

Besides the increase in Foundation Establishment cultivators, the number of Qi Refining cultivators had also increased significantly.

It seems that although the Thousand Islands Alliance did not invite Qi Refining cultivators, many came nonetheless to join the excitement.

With this thought, Chu Ning started to head for the island’s training grounds.

"Elder Chu, let’s first head to the small training ground of the Thousand Islands Hall, as the competition discussion is held in the Thousand Islands Hall."

At this moment, Chen Qingyou suddenly reminded him.

Chu Ning asked with some puzzlement:

"Oh? I remember the Thousand Islands competition is usually held at Thousand Illusion Island’s major training grounds. Why the sudden arrangement at the small training ground of the Thousand Islands Hall?"

Chen Qingyou respectfully replied:

"The Alliance Leader said the discussion would first take place at the small training ground of the Thousand Islands Hall.

When the formal competition begins, it will be arranged at the major training grounds of Thousand Illusion Island."

Chu Ning nodded noncommittally, silently pondering again.

"This Thousand Islands competition is definitely strange. If the principle ’Unusual events often have demons behind’ is anything to go by..."

Chu Ning once again heightened his vigilance and slowed his pace considerably.

Carefully observing the surroundings.

Then Chu Ning saw many Foundation Establishment cultivators stepping out from the teleportation array, being led by the Thousand Islands Alliance people towards the Thousand Islands Hall.

By the time Chu Ning actually arrived outside the Thousand Islands Hall, he had seen dozens of Foundation Establishment cultivators entering the Thousand Islands Alliance’s residence successively.

Seeing this, Chu Ning felt slightly relieved.

"With so many Foundation Establishment cultivators, the Chen Family shouldn’t dare to do anything rash.

They surely can’t go against all the Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Thousand Lakes and Thousand Islands."

Just as Chu Ning was considering this, outside the Thousand Islands Hall, a Foundation Establishment cultivator stepped forward to greet him.

This person, appearing to be in his forties, had a face quite similar to the Chen Family Patriarch, Chen Jiasheng, and Chen Xinming whom Chu Ning had seen before.

"You must be Fellow Daoist Chu. I am Chen Jiarong, entrusted by my father and elder brother to welcome you all.

This gathering of all Foundation Establishment cultivators from Thousand Lakes and Thousand Islands is a rare event for our Thousand Islands Alliance.

If there is anything inadequately arranged, please forgive us, Fellow Daoist."

Chen Jiarong smiled warmly as he cupped his hands towards Chu Ning.

Chu Ning slightly cupped his hands in return, then, under the other’s guidance, entered the Thousand Islands Hall.

Chen Jiarong then stayed behind to greet other cultivators, while Chen Qingyou continued to lead Chu Ning further.

Though called the Thousand Islands Hall, the true Thousand Islands Hall was only a part of it.

The entire area of the Thousand Islands Hall was vast, filled with various pavilions and structures.

And the training ground of the Thousand Islands Hall was located in the northwest corner.

As Chu Ning walked forward, he continued to observe, simultaneously communicating with Ling Xiaobai hidden in his sleeve.

"Xiaobai, have you noticed anything unusual?"

"No!" Ling Xiaobai’s voice quickly responded.

"There’s a large array covering the entire range, but it’s no different from the previous array."

Even with many methods at his disposal, Chu Ning never let his guard down.

Three months ago, when Chu Ning first received the news, he had stealthily visited and even let Ling Xiaobai use his talent to enter the Thousand Islands Hall.

He would also visit discreetly every so often afterward.

Upon hearing Ling Xiaobai’s assurance that there was no change in the array of the Thousand Islands Hall now,

he was finally slightly at ease.

With so many Foundation Establishment cultivators gathered, if the Thousand Islands Alliance or the Chen Family wanted to pull anything off,

utilizing the array would be the most likely method.

As he approached the small training ground, Chu Ning continued to communicate with Ling Xiaobai.

The latter consistently reported no abnormalities.

Just as Chu Ning was about to step into the small training ground, Ling Xiaobai’s voice suddenly rang out.

"Hmm, something’s not right! I sense a hidden breath array here.

Inside is a very powerful demon beast."

Upon hearing this, Chu Ning’s heart skipped a beat.