Yu Changge stood still, the wind clear and clouds light.

"But Fellow Daoist Ao seems rather rude. Is this the courtesy of the Daluo Sect?"

The black-haired elder laughed heartily once again.

"I just wanted to let all the fellow Daoists have a look at our Daluo Spiritual Boat. I heard that the Jiuhua Sect once also had a flying boat.

Its offensive and defensive powers were remarkable, but it wasn’t often seen, truly a regretful matter."

Upon hearing this, anger surged in Ge Liuyang’s eyes, unable to be suppressed anymore, he immediately shouted:

"Ao Langtian, don’t be so arrogant. It’s nothing more than a replica of our Jiuhua Star Luo Boat, what a worthless piece."

"Heh, Ge Liuyang, seems like after all these years you’re still the same.

Little skill, but a lot of hot air." Ao Langtian said coldly, standing on the flying boat.

Ge Liuyang’s expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and just as he was about to speak, Yu Changge raised his hand, interrupting him.

Looking towards the distance, he said solemnly:

"Elder Ge, there’s no need to argue, don’t let the other Daoists think our Jiuhua Sect doesn’t understand courtesy.

If Fellow Daoist Ao truly can drive this flying boat into our Jiuhua Sect’s mountain gate, then that’s also his skill."

Just as Yu Changge was speaking, Ao Langtian suddenly turned his head, glanced into the distance.

Then, his eyes flickered, yet he still lowered the flying boat outside the mountain gate.

Although Ao Langtian was arrogant, he wasn’t arrogant enough to think he could drive this flying boat and forcefully breach the Jiuhua Sect’s guardian grand array.

The Jiuhua Sect indeed suffered a great loss of strength due to numerous cultivators falling, and the sect was affected by that internal conflict.

However, the sect grand array wasn’t greatly damaged at the time, and was later repaired, its defensive capabilities recognized as one of the top three within the Cloud Peak Alliance.

Shortly after Ao Langtian and the Daluo Sect’s members descended, a few beams of Escape Light arrived from the distant horizon, landing in front of the mountain gate.

Leading the group was a white-haired, white-bearded elder, with a kindly face and an aura of transcendence.

Behind him were four others, three men and one woman.

The three men consisted of one dressed as a scholar with a smile on his face, one as a Daoist with three long strands of beard, and the last dressed in warrior’s attire, looking much like a mortal martial artist.

The female cultivator appeared to be around forty years old, dressed in a white palace gown.

All of them were Golden Core cultivators without exception.

The white-haired elder smiled and spoke:

"Sect Leader Yu, the alliance assigned us to come as witnesses, looks like we arrived on time."

"Well-timed, Fellow Daoist Peng, we’ve just arrived too." Ao Langtian seized the opportunity to respond as the host.

Elder Peng chuckled, then turned his gaze towards Ao Langtian’s group.

"Only three participants, didn’t expect Fellow Daoist Ao to bring over a hundred people."

Ao Langtian laughed heartily and said:

"Our Daluo Sect is a small sect, our disciples haven’t seen much of the world, brought them to broaden their horizons.

This is a perfect opportunity for them to directly observe and learn from the prodigies of Jiuhua Sect, lest they become frogs at the bottom of a well, thinking they’re from some great sect so impressive."

Several Golden Core Elders of Jiuhua Sect heard this, each with visible anger in their eyes.

Yu Changge glanced at Ao Langtian insipidly.

"Fellow Daoist Ao’s cryptic sarcasm is simply a show-off to my Jiuhua Sect.

But flaunting witty remarks before the disciples, what use does it have other than amusing others?"

Listening to Yu Changge’s words, Ao Langtian replied in amusement:

"Very well! Sect Leader Yu, truly living up to your reputation, liking everything to be said openly.

If that’s the case, then let’s skip the nonsense, let’s directly go to the venue, and prove ourselves by skill."

Yu Changge gestured invitingly to Elder Peng and the others.

The group then entered Jiuhua Sect’s mountain gate and flew toward the sect’s martial grounds.

Soon after, they arrived at Jiuhua Peak’s martial grounds.

...

Meanwhile, on Spirit Rock Peak.

Chu Ning slowly opened his eyes inside the cultivation room, a crimson and azure light flashing across them.

Then, they returned to normal.

"Foundation Establishment Late Stage!"

Chu Ning murmured softly, smiling as he stood up.

After the Flame Divine Wood Technique broke through the third layer to the fourth, another three months of arduous cultivation followed.

Utilizing many elixirs, Chu Ning finally broke through the middle stage, stepping into Foundation Establishment Late Stage!

"Earlier someone seemed to attempt to forcefully break into the cave mansion, seeing the array restriction fluctuating, the intruder’s cultivation isn’t low.

Probably a Golden Core Elder from the sect, wonder what urgent matter they have."

Chu Ning pondered silently, then walked quickly out of the cultivation room towards the array outside.

He naturally could feel it when someone intruded the cave mansion.

But at that time, he was at the crucial moment of breaking through Foundation Establishment Late Stage, and naturally wouldn’t bother with it.

Upon exiting the cave mansion, Chu Ning immediately saw Su Yuqing and Wang Ping standing outside.

The two were gazing towards Jiuhua Peak as if observing something.

They didn’t even notice Chu Ning coming out.

"Junior Sister Su, Wang Ping, why are you here?"

Chu Ning’s words made Su Yuqing and Wang Ping turn their heads in surprise.

"Senior Brother Chu, you finally emerged from seclusion!"

Su Yuqing exclaimed with joy, then displayed a worried expression and said:

"Quickly, come with me to the Jiuhua Peak martial grounds! Or else it’ll be too late."

Chu Ning listened to Su Yuqing’s urgent words, and couldn’t help but be slightly confused.

Then Su Yuqing directly stepped forward, grabbed Chu Ning’s sleeve, and pulled him outside.

"I know Senior Brother has many questions, come, we’ll talk while walking!"

Immediately, the three boarded a flying magical artifact heading towards Jiuhua Peak martial grounds.

Su Yuqing briefly described the matter to Chu Ning.

"You mean the Daluo Sect came up today to challenge? They’ve already ascended the mountain and reached Jiuhua Peak?"

Chu Ning, having finally understood the situation, asked solemnly.

Su Yuqing nodded, Chu Ning immediately said:

"You two follow later, I’ll go ahead."

With that, Chu Ning turned into a streak of azure light, heading straight for Jiuhua Peak.

With the magic robe and magic boots refined by Ge Liuyang, and Chu Ning having reached Foundation Establishment Late Stage, his Divine Wind Escape speed was truly astonishing.

Until Chu Ning’s figure disappeared into the sky, Su Yuqing finally reacted.

The next moment, she suddenly blinked.

"Just now I didn’t notice, seems like Senior Brother Chu has reached Foundation Establishment Late Stage, this is truly wonderful!"