Chapter 54

Chapter 54: In the Name of Ninghua Sect

In the Cultivation World, once you expose yourself, you might draw the greed of powerful forces and invite death. Yet the slim Fellow Daoist before Li Qing Wen wanted to do the opposite and make her information public. Li Qing Wen wondered: [Is Ninghua Sect her enemy? Is she trying to draw their fire?]

He had worked in Linglong Pavilion for many years and had met people from all kinds of factions, but he had never heard of a sect called “Ninghua Sect.” He could not guess Shen Sang Ruo’s purpose, and it was not his place to try. He only needed to handle her commission well and satisfy her, so he said with a polite nod: “Linglong Pavilion will do as Fellow Daoist San You said.”

He dipped his brush and wrote out the name, then held up the paper to confirm: “Is it this ‘Ninghua Sect’?” Shen Sang Ruo checked and nodded: “Yes.”

Under her veil, a firm light flashed in her eyes. [If Su Xi Yu and the others can step out of the Ninghua Sect seal, this move will build momentum for the sect’s return.] She would let the world know there was still a sect called Ninghua Sect. Hidden by the flow of time and forgotten by the world, it would one day appear again before everyone’s eyes. She wanted Ninghua Sect to regain its old glory and stand once more at the top of the Cultivation World.

As for the Spirit Stones she earned from the auction, she would pay the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion for clues, and the rest would be used to rebuild Ninghua Sect. This was for Ninghua Sect and also for Daoist Wu Wei, because his fate was tied to the sect’s fortune. [Only by making Ninghua Sect strong can I save Daoist Wu Wei.] Even if the worst happened and Su Xi Yu and the others could not get out, this step would not harm them. After all, no one in the world even knew what kind of sect Ninghua Sect was or where it was. There would be no one to covet it or try to rob it. Letting Ninghua Sect become a legend that people heard of but never saw would not be so bad. It was another way to make the sect return to the human world.

“Fellow Daoist San You, please wait a moment,” Li Qing Wen said as he rose and stepped outside. He came back soon with something in his hand. He handed her a crystal card and said with a smile: “This is Linglong Pavilion’s VIP Card.” The card was carved from crystal and engraved with her alias, Mu San You. He explained, tapping the card: “Place your Divine Sense imprint on the card to bind it.” He added, pointing toward the front hall: “Next time, show this card when you enter Linglong Pavilion. We will know your identity and arrange priority service.” He finished, speaking in a steady tone: “After the auction ends, the card will display messages in time so you can come collect your Spirit Stones.”

Shen Sang Ruo accepted the Crystal Card and said calmly: “If I have more things to consign in the future, I will come find Fellow Daoist Li.” The words promised future cooperation. Li Qing Wen beamed so widely he could hardly close his mouth as he said: “Good, good, good, I will see Fellow Daoist San You out.” This meant more big sales for him, and he could not be happier.

After leaving Linglong Pavilion, Shen Sang Ruo set out again to look for the materials for the Frostheart Purifying Pill. Over the next few months, a name began to sweep through the Cultivation World. A sect famous for rare treasures suddenly appeared in rumors: Ninghua Sect. People who wanted to win treasures like those associated with Ninghua Sect nearly wore down Linglong Pavilion’s threshold with their footsteps. Attendance at Linglong Pavilion’s auctions hit a record high. The streets were packed, and the pavilion was surrounded by crowds so thick that not even water could pass. From then on, Ninghua Sect’s name spread far and wide.

Meanwhile.

In a place called Jade Tower City, Shen Sang Ruo planned to stop and rest for a few days. Jade Tower City was of medium size. Most people were Mortals, but there were some cultivation families who had ties to different sects and could still speak up a little in the Cultivation World. After leaving Linglong Pavilion, she changed back to her own face and figure to avoid anyone tracing her by how she had looked inside the pavilion. She put on another veiled hat. With such simple cover, most people would not notice her.

She found an inn, spoke with the innkeeper, took the room key, and was about to go upstairs when a man suddenly blocked her path. He was handsome and neatly dressed from head to toe in fine materials, clearly a different class from most people in the city. He looked like a Young Master from a cultivation family. If not for the red flush of his cheeks and the flirtatious look in his eyes, he would have had the air of a noble Young Master.

He leaned close, and the strong smell of wine washed over her as he drawled: “Hey, where did this little beauty come from?” The scent of his wine was not like the clean fragrance that clung to Feng He Yun. This sour reek made her feel sick.

He wagged his fingers and smirked, reaching out: “Beauty, don’t be shy. Come on, let this Young Master see your face.” With one pull he snatched off her veil.

The face beneath was like a blooming peony, with bright, clear eyes. She was dazzling. The man widened his eyes, then burst into greedy joy and called over his shoulder: “I’m telling you, Old He, you’re really not being fair. Hiding a beauty like this and not letting me share?” He failed to notice the cold light hidden in those clear eyes.

Shen Sang Ruo’s lips curled in a chilly, mocking smile as she studied him. [A spoiled dandy with backing in Jade Tower City, doing whatever he wants under his family’s protection.] His family likely had real power, enough to make him this bold. Inns were full of travelers from all places, not just locals. If he dared to tease a woman here, it meant someone would help him cover it up. He clearly took her for a soft persimmon he could squeeze at will. Too bad for him. She had plenty of strength and methods.

The innkeeper rushed over, sweating when he saw Tian Hao Tian causing trouble in his inn again. He hurried to scold and plead at once: “Young Master Haotian, what are you doing, stop now. This Immortal Maiden is not from the city, she is a valued guest.” When Shen Sang Ruo had paid for her room, she had laid down a High grade Spirit Stone on the counter and asked for the best room with no disturbances. Her bearing made it clear she was not someone to provoke.

The innkeeper could only hint over and over that her identity was not simple. If trouble broke out, Tian Hao Tian still had his father to shield him, but the innkeeper was just a common man and could not bear the fallout.