224: Hunting preparation

Jiang Ning naturally agreed to Flowing Water's terms.

Previously in Xuanhuang City, Flowing Water had helped him by delaying Marshal Marshal Xuan Hu, which allowed him to escape more easily.

The two extra Nascent Soul Tribulation Pills would be considered a repayment of that favor.

With the terms settled here,

two days later,

news also arrived from the Yingtong Merchant Guild.

The Yingtong Merchant Guild found a Loose Cultivator named Ember Dust Daoist for Jiang Ning, whose strength was at the Nascent Soul Stage - Early Phase. The Yingtong Merchant Guild said that he was about to enter the Nascent Soul Mid-stage.

Jiang Ning was surprised.

Cultivating to the Nascent Soul Stage and beyond was not just a matter of talent, but also a matter of the "Luck" and "resource limit" of this domain.

Most people would choose to establish a Sect, or become an Elder or Vice Sect Master in a large power.

Because only then could they integrate and concentrate resources to further their cultivation.

A Loose Cultivator at the Nascent Soul level was too rare to see.

After inquiring through the Yingtong Merchant Guild,

Jiang Ning finally understood the reason.

This Ember Dust Daoist was previously the Sect Master of a medium to large Sect, but due to the Tiance Military Prefecture, his Sect was destroyed.

He secretly bided his time, continuously cultivating.

Hundreds of years passed, but he never forgot the hatred for his Sect's destruction.

If he hadn't planned to hunt Marshal Marshal Xuan Hu this time, Ember Dust Daoist would have also sought trouble with the Tiance Military Prefecture after reaching the Nascent Soul Mid-stage.

Ember Dust Daoist had been cultivating with a determination to die.

His remaining life was only for revenge.

After learning this backstory, Jiang Ning felt a headache.

Was the Yingtong Merchant Guild making money from both sides?!

If he had known this Ember Dust Daoist, wouldn't he have gotten a death-seeking warrior for free?

Jiang Ning rubbed his forehead.

Nothing makes money faster than an "information gap."

He was purely paying a "brokerage fee."

Of course, without a powerful "guarantee company" like the Yingtong Merchant Guild mediating, Ember Dust Daoist would not have charged at the Tiance Military Prefecture with Jiang Ning.

It was true that Ember Dust Daoist wanted revenge, but he wasn't going to simply throw his life away.

"No business without cunning!"

Jiang Ning sighed with emotion.

The Yingtong Merchant Guild found an "outsider" here; if anything went wrong, the Yingtong Merchant Guild could directly disassociate itself, cleanly washing its hands of the matter.

And then it made a lot of money.

After sighing, Jiang Ning asked Flowing Water if they should begin, now that all the members were assembled.

Jiang Ning sent messages to the Linghuang Pavilion Revered Master and Yinyue.

As for Flowing Water and Ember Dust Daoist, they could simply meet directly.

Jiang Ning's plan was simple.

He would find a place, feign exposure to lure Marshal Marshal Xuan Hu there, and then initiate the hunting mode.

Of course, since it was a hunt, setting up "traps" was indispensable.

Formations and Spiritual Artifacts needed to be prepared in advance.

The location Jiang Ning finally chose was... the barren Gobi Desert at the border of the Xuanhuang Domain and the Cang Ling Domain.

Logically, it made sense for Jiang Ning to go to his "hometown" in the Cang Ling Domain to avoid the Tiance Military Prefecture.

The Tiance Military Prefecture thought so too, and their people had not withdrawn from that area.

One day later.

Jiang Ning saw Ember Dust Daoist.

He was dressed in a black robe, his long hair tied up, and his face was stern.

It seemed that nothing could stir his emotions except for revenge.

Even when he saw Jiang Ning, the "organizer," he merely nodded and then followed closely behind Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning: ... Three Nascent Soul cultivators traveling together, it was quite easy to pass through the Tiance Military Prefecture's border checkpoints.

Having chosen a location,

Jiang Ning prepared to set up the Formation.

Over half a month, Jiang Ning spent countless resources and finally set up killing Formations, maze, and illusion Formations.

"It's ready."

Jiang Ning closed his eyes, felt the Formation, and nodded.

At this moment, Ember Dust Daoist approached and took out a small "sand table" from his storage ring.

He uncharacteristically spoke at length, explaining, "This Spiritual Artifact is called the Domain Sand Table. It uses the principle of Sumeru containing a mustard seed. After entering the sand table, it's as if one has entered another domain.

And the owner of the sand table can control various factors within the domain, achieving both offense and defense."

Jiang Ning was stunned.

Good stuff!

Although he had just entered the cultivation world and had plundered many good things from the Tiance Military Prefecture, he still lacked some foundation compared to these veteran Sect powerhouses.

"I have already severed the connection. You can directly recognize it as your Revered Master with a drop of blood."

Ember Dust Daoist directly handed the sand table to Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning: "Aren't you afraid I'll covet your sand table?"

Ember Dust Daoist said indifferently, "As long as Marshal Marshal Xuan Hu can be killed and the Tiance Military Prefecture severely weakened, what does it matter if I give you this sand table?"

Jiang Ning felt a "death-seeking" will from Ember Dust Daoist.

He said seriously, "If the plan succeeds and I am still alive, I will definitely return it to you."

"It's a deal."

Only when speaking of "the plan succeeding" and Marshal Xuan Hu's demise did a smile appear on Ember Dust Daoist's face.

Jiang Ning grunted in acknowledgment.

He took the sand table and dripped blood onto it.

He quickly established a connection with the sand table.

He felt that this sand table was actually like a Small World, but not as complete as a Small World.

This was actually like a combined version of a storage ring and a Small World.

Inside, there was only a pile of sand.

But it could transform into hills, mountains, rivers, and even ice and snow, strong winds, lightning... truly a good item, according to Jiang Ning's will.

This sand table was no worse than his Bixiao.

Jiang Ning suspended the sand table in the air.

The sand table instantly expanded, covering the area of his Formation.

"Choosing this place was correct. The sand table doesn't even need to transform the terrain; the sand inside directly merged with this area, making it completely undetectable."

Jiang Ning observed with satisfaction.

Everything was ready.

Jiang Ning began to send messages to the Linghuang Pavilion Revered Master and Yinyue, asking them to come as soon as possible.

Jiang Ning and the others then began to close their eyes and adjust their breathing.

Making the final adjustments.

But before that... Jiang Ning had a bit of a headache.

He looked at the little girl and Xiao Bai, earnestly trying to persuade them: "Huanhuan, you and Xiao Bai go hide in the Yaoguang Immortal Palace. If you stay here, Revered Master will be distracted."

Shen Jinhuan said coldly, "Hehe... Couldn't you just put us in the Small World?"

Jiang Ning gave a wry smile.

This time, he truly didn't know what the outcome would be.

In case of any accident, the Small World might not be safe. Before the battle began, he had to properly arrange the little ones.

As for Xiao Hei in the Small World, he was still in a deep sleep. Waking him up now would likely cause him to be severely weakened.

Let him stay inside.

"Huanhuan, be obedient."

Jiang Ning had no choice but to speak with a sterner tone.

Xiao Bai felt that Jiang Ning was angry and tugged at Shen Jinhuan's arm, "Huanhuan, we can wait for Revered Master at Zhi Shui Palace!"

"No."

Shen Jinhuan stubbornly tilted her head up.

Her eyes were red, with tears welling up, but she just wouldn't let them fall.

Jiang Ning seemed to see the stubborn villainous supporting character he met when he first entered this world.

Headache... Jiang Ning gritted his teeth.

He waved his hand, knocking Shen Jinhuan unconscious.

He instructed Xiao Bai, "Xiao Bai, you must take good care of Huanhuan. If anything happens, wait until I return to talk about it."

"Don't worry, Revered Master!"

Xiao Bai nodded.

She changed her form and carried Shen Jinhuan on her back.

Jiang Ning looked at Flowing Water, "Flowing Water, I'll trouble you with them."

"It's all minor matters," Flowing Water said with a smile, "But I see that although your disciple appears docile on the surface, she is very delicate and sensitive inside. You should think carefully about how you'll explain it to her when she wakes up."

Jiang Ning: ... His head was already starting to ache.