Chapter 12: A Stone Stirs a Thousand Ripples

The white witch felt her heart turn cold as she saw the power of the Rainwater Sword Domain Ji Ning had displayed. 'Is there any way out for me?' she thought. She immediately activated the secret arts of her sect, and all her flesh and blood essence, saturated with primal power, began to condense. A faint bloody glow even started to emanate from her entire body.

The twelve gu worms hidden in her Zifu began to stir restlessly, and the venomous insects in the insect nest she carried also grew agitated.

'Alas,' Ji Ning shook his head from afar. It seemed this woman was forced by Beishan Hu to fight to the death.

Ji Ning prepared to unleash the Waterfire Lotus and send this woman straight to the Yellow Springs.

Suddenly—

'We concede!' A deep voice rang out.

'Hmm?' Ji Ning looked up in astonishment. Beishan Hu in the private room above appeared very calm and even smiled at Ji Ning. 'I never thought I'd see such a genius as Young Master Ji Ning here today. You're only at the early Zifu stage in qi refining, yet you've already comprehended the Dao Domain. Admirable, admirable. Losing to Young Master Ji Ning, I, Beishan Hu, accept it wholeheartedly.'

The white witch also looked up at Beishan Hu in bewilderment. She clearly remembered how crazy Beishan Hu had been before, insisting she fight to the death to kill Ji Ning. Now, in the blink of an eye, before she had even conceded, Beishan Hu had conceded.

Because in this battle, she represented Beishan Hu, and the stakes were also put up by Beishan Hu. Since Beishan Hu conceded, the battle naturally ended.

'Whoosh.'

The white witch's elongated black hair quickly retracted, shrinking from over a hundred zhang back to its original length, reaching her hips.

'Young Master Ji Ning wins.' Lady Ziyi announced loudly. Her address for Ji Ning had changed; previously she had called him 'the cultivator sent by Beishan Baiwei,' but now she directly called him Young Master Ji Ning. Because she understood very well what it meant for a Zifu cultivator to comprehend the Rainwater Sword Domain.

The Dao Domain was generally a realm that only Soul Incarnate Daoists could achieve.

But for a Zifu cultivator to comprehend the Dao Domain—those who could do this were true monstrous geniuses, even reincarnated mighty ones. According to what she had heard, as long as such beings lived and practiced top-tier qi-refining techniques, becoming a Soul Incarnate Daoist was beyond doubt!

If Beishan Baiwei and Beishan Hu were treated with care because of their family backgrounds, Ji Ning before her was treated so because of his own terrifyingly monstrous talent.

You see...

Becoming a Soul Incarnate Daoist already made one a prominent figure. If one became an Immortal, even the Anchan Marquis's estate would actively court them. At that level, one could influence the overall situation in Anchan Commandery. Such a monstrous genius, as long as he lived, was a hundred percent certain to become a Soul Incarnate Daoist. As for becoming an Immortal? That possibility was also extremely high.

'Will Young Master Ji Ning continue the gambling battle?' Lady Ziyi also smiled at Ji Ning. As a fox spirit, her smile was full of seductive charm.

'Hahaha, with Young Master Ji Ning's Dao Domain revealed, who dares to fight?'

'We can't find another Zifu cultivator who has comprehended the Dao Domain. Going up would mean certain defeat.'

'Let the gambling battle end.'

'The spirit fruit wine from this gambling battle should go to Young Master Baiwei and Young Master Ji Ning.'

Laughter came from the various private rooms.

Since no enmity had been formed before, who would want to offend such a monstrous genius? Although some among these people were elite disciples of sects, many were Wanxiang Adepts. But crossing from Wanxiang Adept to Soul Incarnate Daoist was still very, very difficult. In fact, they did not know that Ji Ning's soul had already reached the 'divine sense' level. If they knew, they would probably be dumbfounded.

You see, relying on the Rainwater Sword Domain and divine sense, Ji Ning had even passed the divine ability test of the ancient being Three Calamities Daoist, who had existed since the creation of the world, and obtained the divine ability Star Picking Hand.

Of course, Ji Ning also knew that being such a monster was enough. The divine ability Star Picking Hand... he absolutely could not speak of it to others. Speaking of it would be seeking death! Of course, he could still use it. After all, he had shown himself to be such a monster, and even if he displayed extraordinary attack power, others would come up with their own explanations—for example, that Ji Ning had learned some divine ability, that his magic treasure was very special, that his realm was extremely high, and so on. In short, it was normal for a monster to do monstrous things.

'Young Master Ji Ning.' Beishan Hu, in the distant private room, spoke loudly with a smile, 'Beishan Baiwei and I have always been at odds. Any offense before was not directed at Young Master Ji Ning, but entirely at Beishan Baiwei. If I have offended you in any way, please forgive me. At the same time, I want to remind Young Master Ji Ning that Beishan Baiwei is a smiling tiger, very fake. Don't let him deceive you.'

Ji Ning looked up.

What a Beishan Hu!

Impressive!

Earlier, they had been so angry and red-eyed in their rivalry, but now, upon seeing Ji Ning display the Rainwater Sword Domain, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, instantly sobering him. He immediately said that his previous actions were all aimed at Beishan Baiwei to ease the relationship, and even tried to sow discord between Ji Ning and Beishan Baiwei.

'And as for Young Master Ji Ning entering the Rift Heaven Sword Sect... there is absolutely no problem.' Beishan Hu smiled. Earlier, he had arrogantly said that Ji Ning would never enter the Rift Heaven Sword Sect in his lifetime, but now he immediately went back on his word.

Ji Ning thought to himself that the young masters of the Marquis's estate should indeed not be underestimated.

'Beishan Hu, your skin is really thick. As for entering a sect, with my brother Ji Ning's talent, what sect can't he enter?' Beishan Baiwei immediately laughed. 'As for your sowing discord, who in all of Anchan City doesn't know your reputation, and who doesn't know my character?'

'Time reveals a person's heart. Smiling tiger, do you think I can't see through you?' Beishan Hu sneered.

'Oh, then I'll wait for you to see through me.' Beishan Baiwei shook his head.

...

Suddenly, from one of the private rooms above, a figure turned into a streak of light and flew down. The sealing formation had been removed, and the figure flew directly to Ji Ning's side.

'Hmm?' Ji Ning looked at the woman before him. She appeared to be a teenage girl, with a naturally noble bearing.

'Young Master Ji Ning, my name is Hu Shui. My grandfather is the leader of the Thousand Rivers Sect. With talent like yours, if you join our Thousand Rivers Sect, even the Immortal ancestor of our sect would probably take you as a disciple.' The beautiful girl, slender and with a hairpin in her hair, said with a smile, her voice very pleasant.

Ji Ning glanced at the girl named Hu Shui in surprise.

Thousand Rivers Sect?

What sect? Never heard of it. Well, he could count the number of sects he knew in all of Anchan Commandery on one hand. Coming from Swallow Mountain, his knowledge was a bit limited.

'Miss Hu Shui, your Thousand Rivers Sect doesn't even rank in the top ten among the sects of Anchan Commandery. Wanting Young Master Ji Ning to join your sect—ha, that's a bit presumptuous.' A black-clad man also flew down from above.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Figures flew down one after another, and even Beishan Baiwei and Hun Wuqi flew down.

Beishan Baiwei quickly sent a telepathic message to Ji Ning: 'Ji Ning, don't agree to join any sect for now.'

'Mm.' Ji Ning also understood the principle that haste makes waste. There were many sects in Anchan Commandery, and their alignments and relationships were complex... Choosing a sect was a major matter for him, so he had to be cautious.

Ji Ning looked at the various important figures. Some were from sects, others from tribes, cults, and so on. Some had only come to make friends with Ji Ning. Such a remarkable talent... they were happy to befriend him. As for jealousy? Perhaps there was a hint of jealousy in their hearts, but they understood that there were so many geniuses in Anchan Commandery. If they were jealous of everyone, there would be no point in cultivating immortality.

'Everyone.' Ji Ning quickly said, 'I have only recently arrived in Anchan Commandery. Joining a sect is a major matter, and I need to think it over carefully. I cannot make a decision in such a short time.'

'Oh, right. Such an important matter cannot be rushed.'

'Young Master Ji Ning, I am Meng Leshan of the Meng clan.'

'Young Master Ji Ning...'

They all began to converse. The memory of cultivators was astonishing, and Ji Ning quickly learned all their names. Many of them had not been very prominent earlier. Now that Ji Ning was getting to know them one by one, he realized how many hidden talents there were in Anchan Commandery.

...

'Ji Ning? Sword arts?' Fire Boy also chatted with Ji Ning for a while before withdrawing. As he walked out of Carefree Cave with his servants, he frowned in thought. 'Since he was reincarnated in Anchan Commandery, if he is a reincarnated mighty one, his past life should also have been within Anchan Commandery. But I haven't heard of any mighty one skilled in swordsmanship being reincarnated in the past few decades. Even if he was reincarnated, other Immortal friends should have come to guide him. Why would he take the initiative to join a sect?'

'Could it be that something went wrong with his reincarnation, and his past life wasn't from our Anchan Commandery?'

'Or is there another reason?'

Fire Boy pondered.

As a reincarnated Immortal, his current life was not long, and his memories of his past life were still vague. Only occasionally did a fragment flash by, or he would feel that something was very familiar. Although his past-life memories had not fully awakened, his progress in comprehending formations, the Dao, and so on, was still rapid. Clearly, there was an influence from his latent memories. As his strength grew, his memories would become clearer, until his past-life memories fully awakened.

Of course, a true mighty one could directly awaken his memories, but that was extremely, extremely difficult.

...

Beishan Hu stepped forward and exchanged a few words with Ji Ning, then traded a few barbs with Beishan Baiwei before leaving with his group of servants.

On the carriage.

Beishan Hu sat alone, frowning.

He recalled the scenes at Carefree Cave, starting from his first words with Beishan Baiwei. He carefully recalled... and kept thinking...

'I was just contending with Beishan Baiwei. How did I get involved with this Ji Ning? This person seems to have great potential. He might even influence the overall situation in Anchan Commandery in the future, and possibly affect whether my father becomes the Anchan Marquis.' Beishan Hu frowned in thought. There were several candidates for the next Anchan Marquis of the Beishan clan.

The stronger one's power and the more support one received, the more likely one was to become the Anchan Marquis.

'Alas!'

'For Beishan Baiwei to encounter such a monster, his luck is too good.' Beishan Hu gritted his teeth and shook his head.

...

After bidding farewell to Hun Wuqi, Ji Ning and Beishan Baiwei boarded the Nine Star Immortal Carriage together.

Inside the carriage.

The Whitewater Hound lay to the side. Beishan Baiwei and Ji Ning both sat. Beishan Baiwei was beaming with joy and said, 'Ji Ning, your display of the Rainwater Sword Domain this time truly stunned everyone. Didn't you see how Beishan Hu immediately changed his tune? I know him well. Although he is ruthless and arrogant, he changes his face quickly. That's one of his rare merits.'

'Stay at my place for now. My residence has plenty of guest rooms. After all, you've really made a name for yourself this time. There were many important figures at Carefree Cave, and news of this battle will soon reach the ears of many sects. There will definitely be many who want a genius like you to join their sect. Staying with me will give you some peace. Tomorrow, I'll give you some intelligence introducing all the major powers in Anchan Commandery, naturally including information on the sects, so you can make your choice.'

Ji Ning nodded with a smile: 'Thank you for the trouble, Brother Baiwei.'

...