Chapter 33: Daoist Kongsa

The Feiyu Tower was very close. Ji Ning swiftly slipped back inside.

According to the rules of the Dao Alliance, within the eight sacred cities, it was absolutely forbidden to fight within the restrictions of palaces and caves. Anyone who did so would be obliterated, body and soul!

"This guy is formidable, but I doubt he dares to challenge the authority of the entire Dao Alliance." Ji Ning breathed a slight sigh of relief once he was inside the Feiyu Tower. Even Li Xingong or the legendary Wanshen Daoist would not openly defy the Dao Alliance. The Dao Alliance's foundations were unfathomable; it was the most powerful force in the endless territories. Openly provoke them? Even the three Sovereigns had the power to do so, but they wouldn't.

"Quite a commotion."

"What's going on?"

Some guests and attendants inside the Feiyu Tower looked outside. Though Ji Ning's earlier battle with the gaunt man in gray had been brief, it had caused quite a stir.

Ji Ning, however, paid no heed to the stares of others. He was focused on what was outside.

"Whoosh."

In the distance, at the edge of the solidified space, a mass of black mist appeared, then coalesced into a figure.

He wore a magnificent black robe, with fiery red hair and eyes. His gaze was filled with malice and murderous intent as he stared from afar at Ji Ning, who had already taken refuge inside the Feiyu Tower.

Ji Ning stared back at him.

Their gazes clashed across the distance!

"You have some nerve, daring to kill my disciple, Kongsa." Daoist Kongsa stood calmly in the void, exuding an air of transcendence and tyranny—the confidence and dominance of one who had cultivated to such a profound level that he roamed the endless territories with few rivals.

"Kongsa?" Ji Ning's heart jolted upon hearing this.

The star map contained some records of the most renowned Daoists in the endless territories. Though not detailed, it gave a vague sense of Daoist Kongsa's power.

"Daoist Kongsa." Ji Ning, shielded by the Feiyu Tower's formations, spoke loudly, "Given your strength, you must be well aware of what just happened. Your disciple suddenly ambushed me, trying to kill me. I had done nothing to provoke him! Since he struck with such malice, you cannot blame me for retaliating. I merely struck with one sword."

"He ambushed you, tried to kill you, failed, and was killed by you. That's only natural." Daoist Kongsa stared at Ji Ning from afar, his gaze chilling to the bone. "But he was my disciple. Since you killed my disciple, I will naturally kill you. If you have the patience, stay in the Feiyu Tower for the rest of your life. The moment you come out, I will kill you."

His voice was calm.

But the killing intent within it was thick, leaving no room for negotiation.

"Hmph." Ji Ning's pupils contracted. He turned and walked away.

…

Some cultivators and attendants inside the Feiyu Tower watched the exchange between Ji Ning and Daoist Kongsa with curiosity.

"That white-robed Daoist is in trouble. He's provoked Daoist Kongsa. Given Kongsa's nature, he will definitely kill him."

"He's just unlucky."

"Kongsa's disciple isn't someone you can kill so easily!"

"That white-robed Daoist is quite skilled too. He's only a Second Step Daoist, yet he effortlessly killed Kongsa's disciple. That disciple had visited the Feiyu Tower many times, running errands for his master. He was at least a Third Step Daoist. In the blink of an eye, he lost his life, without even time to beg his master for help."

The cultivators and attendants discussed among themselves.

The attendants of the Feiyu Tower, in particular, spoke freely. They might be weak, but they were disciples of the Tianmu Sect. In Tianmu City, there was an iron rule: no one was allowed to harm a disciple of the Tianmu Sect. Even an Emperor would not dare violate this within the city limits. This was common to all eight sacred cities.

"Whoosh." Ji Ning stepped into the tower.

The cultivators and attendants turned their gazes to Ji Ning, and their chatter ceased.

Ji Ning's expression was grim, his brow slightly furrowed, clearly troubled.

Being targeted by Daoist Kongsa was indeed a major problem. However, Ji Ning wasn't truly afraid. He still had two talismans bestowed by the deceased Sovereign, containing the power of a Sovereign's attack. At worst, he could use one. But he knew their value—they were priceless. The Sword Sovereign had forged them at the cost of his life, knowing he was doomed. These two talismans were Ji Ning's lifeline for a long time to come.

Ji Ning would not use them lightly.

"Senior." The alien attendant who had served him earlier approached.

"By the way, I heard that the Feiyu Tower will hold a treasure auction in a little over a month?" Ji Ning suddenly smiled.

The nearby guests and attendants were secretly amazed. This Second Step Daoist could still smile in such a situation?

The alien attendant quickly replied, "Yes, Senior. In a little over a month, the Feiyu Tower will indeed hold a treasure auction. There will be many treasures this time, and the starting prices are lower than those in the market. You might get a good bargain." The low starting prices were a draw for cultivators.

"Since I'm trapped here by Daoist Kongsa and can't leave for now, and I'm bored anyway, I might as well attend the auction." Ji Ning smiled. "Give me a quiet room. I'll wait here for the auction in a month."

"Very well." The alien attendant nodded. "Please follow me."

The auction had some cheap seats.

There were also private rooms for those who wished to buy extremely valuable treasures while remaining anonymous. In a private room, no one would disturb you. That was the rule of the Feiyu Tower.

Watching Ji Ning and the alien attendant walk away, the guests and attendants buzzed with discussion.

"That white-robed Daoist is remarkably calm."

"Indeed. Knowing that Daoist Kongsa is watching him, he still leisurely attends the auction."

"In my opinion, he'll probably stay in the Feiyu Tower for a long time, afraid to leave."

…

Ji Ning paid no attention to the gossip outside. Soon, the attendant led him to a private room.

Daoists had infinite lifespans; it was common to arrive months early for an auction.

"Senior, in this private room, no one will disturb you unless you summon them. Not even Daoist Kongsa outside, nor anyone from the Feiyu Tower itself." said the alien attendant.

"I trust the Tianmu Sect." Ji Ning nodded. "Now, I have a task for you."

"Please instruct me, Senior." said the alien attendant.

Ji Ning nodded slightly, then said, "I want detailed intelligence on Daoist Kongsa—the more detailed, the better. All his secret techniques, his past battles with other experts, everything the Tianmu Sect can obtain."

The alien attendant was not surprised. She nodded: "The most detailed? It will be expensive—one hundred thousand cubes of chaos nectar."

"Fine, one hundred thousand cubes." Ji Ning nodded.

The more powerful the cultivator, the more expensive their intelligence.

The star map from the Mangya Kingdom contained introductions to almost all Daoists in the endless territories, but only general ones. Gathering such detailed intelligence was difficult.

"Please wait a moment." The alien attendant bowed respectfully, then withdrew.

Inside the private room.

Ji Ning was alone. He waved his hand, and Danbao and Su Youji appeared.

"Master, what's wrong?" Su Youji asked quickly.

"Why did you put us away earlier?" Danbao was also puzzled.

"We have some trouble." Ji Ning recounted what had happened. Su Youji and Danbao's faces changed dramatically.

Su Youji said worriedly, "From what you say, Master, this Daoist Kongsa is extremely formidable. What should we do?"

"Haha, no need to worry too much. We have food and drink here; why fret?" Ji Ning picked up a wine flask, poured himself a cup, and drank leisurely. He glanced at Danbao and Su Youji. "Don't just stand there. Sit down and drink with me."

Su Youji and Danbao were distracted, but they sat down anyway.

They drank for a while.

Knock, knock, knock. Someone knocked at the door.

"Come in." Ji Ning said.

It was the alien attendant. She handed a jade slip to Ji Ning and said respectfully, "Senior, all the intelligence on Daoist Kongsa is here." Besides trading treasures, the Tianmu Sect also dealt in intelligence.

"Mm." Ji Ning set down his cup, took the jade slip solemnly, and began to examine it. He tossed a storage treasure to the attendant. "You may leave now."

The attendant checked the storage treasure, then withdrew obediently: "If you need anything, Senior, please summon me."

Ji Ning nodded.

The door closed.

"Kongsa." Ji Ning held the jade slip, learning everything about Daoist Kongsa.

…