Chapter 2 The Eight Immortals of the Black-White College

Above Anchan City, nine flood dragons pulling an immortal carriage halted above the Tianbao Mountain.

"Ancestor, wait a moment. I will go and investigate Ji Ning's background," Yüshen Gong said respectfully.

"Also, Ji Ning's mother is called Yuchi Xue. Buy intelligence on her as well," Xuanji Ancestor commanded calmly from the immortal carriage.

"Yes."

Yüshen Gong immediately flew down into Tianbao Mountain. After only a short while, he emerged, his figure flickering as he soared into the sky, reaching Xuanji Ancestor's side. He respectfully handed over a booklet with two characters—Ji Ning.

"Only Ji Ning's?" Xuanji Ancestor frowned.

"Ji Ning's mother, Yuchi Xue, was merely a minor figure at the Xiantian lifeform level, with no great deeds. The only thing worth recording is that she had a son like Ji Ning. Tianbao Mountain said that intelligence on Yuchi Xue is very scarce, all recorded in this booklet," Yüshen Gong explained.

Xuanji Ancestor nodded slightly.

Although Tianbao Mountain was an intelligence network spread across the world, it could not know everything like the heavens. They also needed careful investigation. Yuchi Xue and her family had fled in great secrecy back then, and even the Shaoyin clan had failed to hunt down the last few survivors. It was not surprising that Tianbao Mountain had not uncovered anything.

"Ji Ning? So young?" Xuanji Ancestor was startled at first glance.

His beloved Shaoyin Nong had cultivated for over a hundred years, though among Wanxiang Adepts, a hundred years was very young, as they had a lifespan of eight hundred years. But he never expected that this boy who killed Shaoyin Nong and the Fiendgod Xiangliu Fang, who had already comprehended the 'Sword Dao' domain, would be so young!

"Great potential, all the more reason to kill him!" A cold light flashed in Xuanji Ancestor's eyes. He quickly flipped through the booklet and finished reading it.

"Yanshan? Yishe Lake?" Xuanji Ancestor murmured to himself, then commanded, "Let's go to the Black-White College."

...

The Black-White College had long been on high alert. Mu Zishuo, Yu Wei, and Cangjiang Zhenren had taken the nearest teleportation array to the Chilong Mountain range, then from there to Anchan City, arriving very quickly. As soon as they returned to the Black-White College, they immediately reported the matter.

At this moment, in the main hall of the Black-White College, which also served as a reception hall for important guests,

figures sat in the hall. On one side sat eight immortals, including the black-robed, black-haired Diancai Immortal and Wufeng Immortal. Behind them stood the College Master Bihai Daoist and three third-generation disciples—Fire Cloud Immortal Yu Wei, Cangjiang Zhenren, and Mu Zishuo.

On the opposite side sat Xuanji Ancestor and Yüshen Gong.

"I think you all know why I am here," Xuanji Ancestor said calmly, his gaze sweeping over the immortals opposite him.

Eight Sanxian Earth Immortals.

Almost all the Sanxian of the Black-White College who were usually in seclusion, living in reclusion, or wandering outside had gathered here. Except for one Sanxian who had left this major world and could not return in time, the other eight were all present. The cultivators of the Black-White College were absolute geniuses and elites; they were only allowed to break through to the Yuan Shen Daoist level after mastering a complete Dao, and only allowed to break through to Earth Immortal after mastering at least two complete Daos!

Thus, the Yuan Shen Daoists of the Black-White College had combat power comparable to Sanxian.

As for the Sanxian of the Black-White College, each one was worth ten ordinary Sanxian from outside, all possessing top-tier Sanxian strength.

"Of course we know," the short old man Wufeng Immortal said with a grin. "Your Shaoyin clan's Shaoyin Nong was killed by my disciple Ji Ning, correct?"

"Correct," Xuanji Ancestor said coldly.

"Killed is killed. When youngsters venture out and take risks, life-and-death feuds happen. Dying due to inferior skill is common," the short old man said. "Such matters are only blamed on inferior skill. Generally, sects and tribes do not interfere."

In places like the Yushan Great Wasteland, many had died in internal feuds among Ji Ning's group, yet no sect had come to retaliate.

Xuanji Ancestor's gaze changed, becoming sharp.

"Even if Senior Xuanji dotes on this Shaoyin Nong and lowers himself to personally deal with Ji Ning, the Black-White College cannot stop it," the short old man sighed. "But I don't understand why Senior Xuanji has come to our Black-White College."

"Hand over Ji Ning," Xuanji Ancestor said coldly. "Then this matter will have nothing to do with the Black-White College. Otherwise, hmph!"

The faces of all the Black-White College immortals changed.

Hand over Ji Ning?

"Dream on!" the black-robed, black-haired Diancai Immortal shouted coldly. "Ji Ning is a disciple of our Black-White College. If he dies while venturing outside, we cannot blame anyone. But you want us to hand over Ji Ning? That is a fantasy! And I tell you, as long as Ji Ning returns to the Black-White College, your Shaoyin clan will not be able to harm a single hair on his head."

"Senior Xuanji, we respect you as a Celestial Immortal, but our Black-White College has been passed down through the ages and is not to be bullied," the short old man Wufeng Immortal also said coldly.

"Our Black-White College has its own rules. If a disciple dies outside, we cannot blame others. But once they return, they must be protected by the Black-White College," said the tall, burly man wrapped in chains, his voice rumbling, lightning flickering in his eyes.

Xuanji Ancestor's face darkened.

"Oh, so your Black-White College intends to be an enemy of my Shaoyin clan," Xuanji Ancestor said, his gaze sweeping over the immortals opposite him.

The Shaoyin clan was indeed powerful.

Far more powerful than Anchan's Beishan clan, with over a thousand Sanxian Earth Immortals alone, showing their formidable strength! But being powerful did not mean they could bully other forces at will. The Black-White College was located within Anchan City; who would dare to fight openly in Anchan City? The only outcome would be being hunted by the Grand Xia Dynasty!

As for fighting outside?

Every Sanxian of the Black-White College was top-tier, each worth ten ordinary Sanxian. If they focused solely on escaping, they would be even harder to deal with.

"It is not that we want to be your enemy; it is your Shaoyin clan that forces our hand. If our Black-White College cannot even protect its own disciples, what kind of college is it?" Diancai Immortal said coldly.

"In that case!"

Xuanji Ancestor stood up coldly. "Don't blame my Shaoyin clan then. Let's go!"

"Yes, Ancestor." Yüshen Gong followed beside him.

Just as Xuanji Ancestor was about to leave with Yüshen Gong, a voice suddenly sounded: "Brother Xuanji."

A hunchbacked old man walked in. He had white hair and drooping eyebrows, and entered leaning on a wooden staff.

Xuanji Ancestor was startled, then sneered: "Tuoshan? You're still alive?"

"How could I die before you?" the hunchbacked old man said with a smile.

"Senior Tuoshan."

The eight Sanxian of the Black-White College all stood up and bowed respectfully. Tuoshan Celestial Immortal was a highly renowned Celestial Immortal ancestor in the history of Anchan's Beishan clan. However, his lifespan was so long that many sects thought he had already died. After all, Celestial Immortal ancestors occasionally fought for their tribe or treasures, and after many battles, they would eventually fall.

"The Black-White College is the Black-White College of Anchan Commandery," the hunchbacked old man said, leaning on his staff. "Xuanji, you want to deal with its disciple. They cannot stop you. Why must you force them to hand over Ji Ning? If you have the ability, go ahead and deal with Ji Ning. Our Beishan clan will not interfere. But if you attack the Black-White College, that is crossing the line! Anchan Commandery is the Anchan Commandery of our Beishan clan!"

Xuanji Ancestor's face darkened.

Although the Shaoyin clan was stronger than the Beishan clan, the difference was limited. The Beishan clan was also a feudal lord, passed down from the age of the Fiendgods to the present. Who knew how many trump cards Anchan's Beishan clan had after such a long time?

"Fine, since you, Tuoshan, have spoken," Xuanji Ancestor nodded calmly. "I will not bother with this Black-White College. However, this Ji Ning must die! Whoever blocks me, I will kill. Fujun, let's go."

Xuanji Ancestor directly led Yüshen Gong out of the main hall.

Then they boarded the immortal carriage and quickly broke through the air, departing.

"Senior Tuoshan," Wufeng Immortal walked over, looking into the distance at Xuanji Ancestor riding away in the immortal carriage. "This Xuanji Ancestor is too arrogant."

"That's just his temper, like a madman," the hunchbacked old man laughed. "No need to mind him. But this Ji Ning... don't interfere too much. Xuanji Ancestor's killing intent is so strong; you cannot stop him. Alright, I should go. It's a pity, though. Ji Ning was a good seedling. Truly a pity."

With that, the hunchbacked old man left.

...

In another space, within the Water Mansion.

Ji Ning appeared in the main hall and immediately saw the yellow-furred bear and the black ox.

"Senior," Ji Ning began.

"You've caused a big trouble outside?" the yellow-furred bear said. "You were so urgent in ordering the people on Mingxin Island to relocate?"

"Yes, I've caused a big trouble," Ji Ning quickly said. "I have..."

The yellow-furred bear interrupted him: "I ask you, have you arranged everything in the outside world?"

"I have arranged it," Ji Ning nodded.

"Mm." The yellow-furred bear nodded. "I can feel the anxiety and unease in your heart. Your mind is too chaotic right now. Go to the Star Palace first. Read the Star Scroll more. After you calm your heart, come and tell me your matter."

Ji Ning was startled: "Read in the Star Palace?"

"Go," the yellow-furred bear commanded.

"Yes, Senior." Ji Ning did not disobey. Soon he arrived at the Star Palace.

Inside the Star Palace.

Outside the thatched cottage, Ji Ning carried books to the stone table, sat on the stone stool, and began to read, forcibly suppressing his anxiety. After killing Shaoyin Nong, parting with Jiulian, and arranging for the demon immortals of the Immortal Mansion to protect his tribe, thinking of the impending Shaoyin clan, Ji Ning's mind was filled with countless thoughts and was very restless.

"Today, Chang came to visit me..." Ji Ning's voice echoed in this small world. Each word was ordinary, but the connected sounds contained boundless magic, naturally calming Ji Ning, even gradually leading him into a deep state of quiet contemplation.

Tranquility.

Profoundness.

The restlessness in Ji Ning's heart vanished. He looked up at the stars in the sky.

Suddenly... rain began to fall from the sky, the raindrops like threads, drifting everywhere, also falling on Ji Ning.