Ning Fa pondered for a moment before saying to Ning Huarong and Ning An, "Let's go, I'll take you to your new residence."
Previously, Taichu Gate had designated a specific area for him within Zhenhai City.
Not long after, Ning Fa led Ning Huarong and Ning An to the southern part of Zhenhai City, to a small mountain range with excellent Spirit Vein concentration.
After letting Ning Huarong and Ning An choose their own residences, he headed straight for a Spirit Mountain at its center.
Soon, Ning Fa found himself in a quiet room. However, instead of immediately refining the Crimson Sunset Cold Flame, he first checked on Ying Xiao's condition in the Spirit Beast Bag.
Ying Xiao was still unconscious, but with the nourishment of Ning Fa's spiritual medicine, he had quietly recovered to the late First-grade realm.
This brought Ning Fa a surge of joy. At this rate, if he spared no resources in helping Ying Xiao recover, it might be possible for him to return to the Shapeshifting Realm within a not-too-distant future.
Ning Fa smiled slightly, then picked up the fiery red Purifying Bottle and began to refine the Cold Flame within it.
The entire quiet room was instantly filled with an astonishing chill, and a layer of ice crystals, as vibrant as the evening sunset, formed.
And so, time passed day by day.
Zhenhai City continued its accelerated construction. In addition to this, two more auxiliary cities were being built tens of thousands of miles away, one to the south and one to the north, to serve as strategic strongholds.
Every day, numerous cultivators arrived from afar, and the situation on the front lines grew increasingly tense.
Due to the Tianshu Alliance's strategic withdrawal, the Sea Race and Demon Race had effortlessly occupied vast territories. In a short period, the Five Spirits Sea, Leiming Sea, and Xuetting Sea had fallen into enemy hands, and the enemy's forces were now rapidly approaching Zhenhai City.
Soon, with only a few days left until the half-year agreement for the Shapeshifting Conference, Ning Fa emerged from his quiet room.
Outside, a cold and stunningly beautiful woman in a black dress, with skin as white as snow, was waiting for him.
"Changning, this is the intelligence from these past few days," Murong Zhaoxue said with a charming smile, handing Ning Fa a Jade Slip.
Ning Fa's Spiritual Sense swept over it, and his expression became thoughtful.
The Sea Race and Demon Race had also constructed another grand city tens of thousands of miles east of Zhenhai City and were gathering a large army. It was clear they intended to break through Zhenhai City and annihilate the main Human Race forces in the Nine Dragons Sea in one decisive blow.
At this moment, Ning Fa noticed Murong Zhaoxue's hesitant expression and asked curiously, "Zhaoxue, is there something on your mind?"
A peculiar expression appeared on Murong Zhaoxue's delicate face as she slowly said:
"These past few days, a rumor has suddenly emerged in Zhenhai City, and it's related to you.
It claims that you are actually a secret clan member of the Zi Yin clan, and even a core member with a very high status within the clan, potentially even vying for the position of Zi Yin Clan Leader in the future.
This rumor has spread widely, with many ordinary cultivators aware of it. It's clear someone is deliberately spreading it, and what's more, there's evidence."
As Murong Zhaoxue spoke, she produced a white, round bead – an Imprint Pearl. Ning Fa's Spiritual Sense swept over the Imprint Pearl.
Inside the Imprint Pearl was only a blurry image, showing the appearance of the Thunderwood behind him. This was clearly extracted from his previous fight with Ying Xiao.
Ning Fa couldn't help but frown.
"Changning, are you truly a Zi Yin clan member?" Murong Zhaoxue asked cautiously, observing Ning Fa's expression.
The matter of Ning Fa killing the Spirit Transformation Demon Cultivator Ying Xiao had already been announced and widely publicized by the Tianshu Alliance, as it could greatly boost their morale.
Therefore, Ning Fa's prestige was currently unparalleled. Even those close to him, like Murong Zhaoxue, couldn't help but regard him with awe.
Ning Fa didn't answer immediately, only wondering who was spreading this rumor.
Only the Tianshu Alliance and Su Wanwan should know about this.
Neither of them seemed to have any motive for spreading this rumor. If the Tianshu Alliance did this, it would be deliberately pushing him into opposition. Given his current displayed strength and the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant behind him, this would be an incredibly foolish move.
Moreover, the fact that this rumor surfaced just before the Shapeshifting Conference was about to convene was particularly noteworthy.
But soon, Ning Fa's eyes widened, and he already had an answer in his heart.
This matter was highly likely orchestrated by Huangfu Ziyue and her associates. Their goal was probably to make the outside world believe he was a Zi Yin clan member, making it impossible for him to clear his name.
Ning Fa felt a slight anger. He hadn't been able to contact Huangfu Ziyue for some time, and he suspected this was related.
"I am not a Zi Yin clan member. Zhaoxue, please keep an eye on this matter and inform me immediately if anything develops," Ning Fa said, his expression returning to calm.
"Understood, Brother Ning," Murong Zhaoxue replied obediently. Seeing Ning Fa's somber expression, she didn't dare to make any affectionate requests and gracefully rose to leave.
Three days later, Ning Fa left his Cave Mansion and flew towards the central Spirit Mountain of Zhenhai City.
Today was the day the Shapeshifting Conference was officially to be held.
Soon, he arrived at the mountaintop. There, a magnificent and towering silver-white palace was suspended in mid-air, emitting myriad rays of divine light.
Ning Fa's figure flashed, and he arrived before the palace gates, which were over a dozen feet high. He walked in with a calm expression.
The hall inside was extremely spacious, with dozens of jade chairs arranged in the center. Six or seven people were already seated peacefully.
Among those Ning Fa recognized were Wen Yuchen, Fairy Linghua, and Tu Li, the half-goat Shapeshifter with whom he had previously fought intensely.
The other individuals were unfamiliar, but judging by their unfathomable Spiritual Pressure, they were clearly also Shapeshifter cultivators.
Fairy Linghua and Wen Yuchen smiled warmly at Ning Fa.
Tu Li, however, looked at Ning Fa with an uneasy expression and was already internally lamenting his misfortune. He believed his strength was inferior to Ying Xiao's, and Ning Fa had killed Ying Xiao. This meant that if they were to fight now, he might also perish at Ning Fa's hands.
He had cursed Yan Jingchen countless times in his heart, feeling utterly betrayed by him for provoking such a terrifying enemy.
The other unfamiliar Shapeshifting Realm cultivators watched Ning Fa with keen interest, their gazes filled with curiosity and suspicion, clearly having heard the rumors about him.
Ning Fa didn't say much either. He casually found a chair, sat down, and closed his eyes to rest while waiting.
Over the next hour and more, more Shapeshifting Realm cultivators arrived.
Without exception, each of them scrutinized Ning Fa carefully, their expressions a mix of curiosity, suspicion, and apprehension.
Although these Shapeshifting Realm cultivators didn't believe Ning Fa could have killed a Shapeshifting Realm demon cultivator with his own divine abilities, they were convinced he possessed a treasure that posed a significant threat to cultivators at that level.
Soon, two more Shapeshifting Realm cultivators Ning Fa recognized arrived.
One was a middle-aged cultivator dressed in a dragon robe, with a pale golden complexion, exuding an aura like an earthly emperor. His powerful spiritual pressure made him stand out like a crane among chickens, even among the Shapeshifting Realm cultivators present.
The other was an elder with leopard eyes and an eagle nose, who appeared to have a fiery temper.
These two were none other than Yue Long, the vice-president of the Nine Immortals Association, and Old Monster Tiansheng.
Their arrival drew the attention of the other Shapeshifting Realm cultivators in the hall.
Yue Long and Old Monster Tiansheng merely scanned the hall before their gazes quickly landed on Ning Fa.
Yue Long's eyes shimmered with a dark golden light, openly displaying his interest.
Old Monster Tiansheng, however, strode towards Ning Fa with great swagger. He stood before Ning Fa, looking down at him, and said impolitely, "Kid, I've got my eye on this spot. If you know what's good for you, get lost."
Upon seeing this, the other Shapeshifting Realm cultivators in the hall became interested and looked over with amusement.
Wen Yuchen frowned, about to speak, when a golden light exploded before him.
He looked up and saw Yue Long staring at him coldly.
"What is this Nine Immortals Association up to?" Wen Yuchen thought angrily, but with Yue Long blocking him, he couldn't intervene directly. He secretly activated his communication artifact instead.
Meanwhile, Ning Fa listened to the extremely impolite words and looked at the provocatively challenging Old Monster Tiansheng.
He didn't get angry, instead pondering the purpose behind Old Monster Tiansheng's actions.
Seeing that Ning Fa had no intention of moving, Old Monster Tiansheng snorted, "Since you won't leave, then allow me to test your strength and see if you're truly qualified to sit at the same table as us Shapeshifting Realm cultivators!"
As he spoke, the old man raised his hand, a black light emanating from his palm, and pressed it down towards Ning Fa.
Seeing that the other party had indeed made a move, Ning Fa's expression also turned cold.
Brilliant lightning surged from his body and rapidly converged towards his right hand.
In the blink of an eye, his right hand had gathered dazzling lightning and a purple-black spiritual flame, which he unceremoniously sent to meet Old Monster Tiansheng's descending palm.
Silently, their right palms collided, creating waves of dazzling spiritual light.
To the shock of all the Shapeshifting Realm cultivators in the room, Ning Fa matched Old Monster Tiansheng's attack, not falling into a disadvantage.
Although everyone could tell that Old Monster Tiansheng had only used a casual strike, it was clear that Ning Fa hadn't used his full strength either.
This naturally astonished them; hearing the news was one thing, but witnessing it firsthand was another.
Old Monster Tiansheng was taken aback. While feeling wary, he was also furious.
His entire right arm instantly thickened by a circle, and mysterious demonic markings appeared on the skin of his exposed palm, exuding a heavy aura of malevolence. It was evident that Old Monster Tiansheng was now using his divine abilities.
At this moment, purple lightning erupted from Ning Fa's body, and his form changed drastically, as if he had transformed into a thunder god. He had also activated his Divine Firmament Manifestation.
Between their two palms, a distinct boundary seemed to form. One side was filled with black auspicious light, the other with purple lightning, each vying for dominance.
However, with Old Monster Tiansheng not holding back, the black auspicious light gained the upper hand, pushing forward.
But then, Ning Fa's eyes, like swirling vortices of lightning, spun rapidly. The mysterious thunder runes on his body began to flow at an incredible speed as he fully activated his Divine Firmament Manifestation.
A majestic aura emanated from him. The lightning radiating from his palm transformed into molten lightning, instantly increasing its power. Not only did it stabilize the situation, but it also began to push back the black auspicious light.
Old Monster Tiansheng let out a cold snort. The black demonic markings on his arm seemed to come alive, transforming into black pythons that exuded extremely pure demonic qi. They opened their massive jaws and lunged towards Ning Fa.
Ning Fa, however, showed a hint of a sneer. Without dodging or evading, he opened his mouth and spat out a pure golden lightning arc, radiating an aura of extreme yang and hardness.
It was his Evil-Repelling Divine Thunder, which had reached the peak of the fourth grade.
With several explosive sounds, the black pythons, under the golden lightning arc, vanished into wisps of black smoke with almost no power to resist.
The golden lightning arc, however, was relentless. In a flash, it transformed into a golden lightning python several feet long, which wriggled its head and tail and bit down towards Old Monster Tiansheng's right arm.
The demonic qi emanating from Old Monster Tiansheng's right arm suddenly intensified, engulfing the golden lightning python.
A series of violent explosions erupted from within, after which both the black mist and the lightning python disappeared.
However, Old Monster Tiansheng's complexion turned slightly pale. Although he practiced a top-tier demonic art, he had encountered his nemesis in Ning Fa.
For it was no exaggeration to say that in this world, it would be hard to find another person more threatening to demonic cultivators than Ning Fa, who wielded the peak fourth-grade Innate Supreme Wood Divine Thunder.
Seeing this, Ning Fa's eyes lit up, and he didn't waste the opportunity.
His right palm, which had been pushing forward, suddenly transformed into a sword, and he slashed out fiercely.
A sharp and majestic sword intent erupted, and a solidified lightning sword qi, like a streak of silk, suddenly shot out.
"Boom!"
With an explosive sound and flashing spiritual light, Old Monster Tiansheng was directly struck by Ning Fa's sudden sword strike and sent flying back several yards.
A clamor immediately erupted from the room full of Spirit Transformation cultivators. Some people couldn't help but stand up, looking over with shocked expressions.
If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they would have found it hard to believe that a Nascent Soul cultivator could actually confront a Spirit Transformation cultivator head-on, and even gain a slight advantage.
Even though Ning Fa was using the Evil-Repelling Divine Thunder, which was extremely effective against demonic cultivators, it was still an astonishing feat.
Old Monster Tiansheng's face had already turned as red as blood, looking utterly furious.
Although that last blow wouldn't have injured him, losing face so severely in front of so many peers was worse than killing him.
He rapidly ascended, rolling demonic energy emanating from him. Tentacle-like appendages formed from thick black demonic markings swayed erratically, exuding a terrifying aura.
Clearly angered by the loss of face, he flashed and charged towards Ning Fa.
At this moment, Yue Long also couldn't help but frown as he watched Ning Fa. Seeing that Old Monster Tiansheng seemed to have lost his mind, he was about to intervene.
But then, a clear and resonant sword cry suddenly echoed through the hall, instantly filling the grand chamber with brilliant sword light, blinding both eyes and spiritual sense.
A series of collisions followed.
When the sword light finally dissipated, everyone discovered that Old Monster Tiansheng had smashed through more than a dozen chairs and slammed hard into a jade pillar.
The once dense and violent demonic energy had become sparse and withered. Drops of blood slid from his palms, making him look extremely disheveled.
At this moment, a handsome middle-aged cultivator with a face as cold as ten thousand years of ice walked into the hall.
The newcomer was none other than Lord Xuanyi, the foremost Human Race cultivator of the Nine Dragons Sea.
His emotionless eyes swept over Old Monster Tiansheng and Yue Long, and he said indifferently, "In my Nine Dragons Sea territory, you dare to attack my ally so recklessly. Do you think our Tianshu Alliance doesn't exist?"
Upon seeing Xuanyi arrive, even Yue Long's expression changed slightly.
It wasn't because Xuanyi had attacked, but because judging from Xuanyi's sword strike, his strength had improved significantly since they last met over a hundred years ago.
And in that brief, half-hearted exchange over a century ago, he had already been no match for Xuanyi. This meant the gap between them now was likely even wider.