Chu Ning was at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer and had cultivated the Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique, so his perception was naturally keen.
Although he was slightly surprised to see soone outside the courtyard at first, he quickly realized it was Qi Chongmao, who lived next door.
Qi Chongmao also saw Chu Ning and didn’t leave; instead, he waited at the courtyard gate.
"Senior Brother Qi!"
Chu Ning stepped forward and saluted; Qi Chongmao courteously returned the gesture saying:
"Junior Brother Chu, you’ve returned. I’ve been waiting for you."
Chu Ning was slightly surprised. Though Qi Chongmao was always amiable, with the deanor of a good fellow,
he usually didn’t interact much with him. Why would he suddenly co to find him today?
Thinking this in his heart, Chu Ning asked, "I wonder what instructions you have for , Senior Brother Qi."
Qi Chongmao smiled and pointed at the Iron Wire Vine on Chu Ning’s courtyard wall, asking:
"It’s not anything important; I just wanted to ask where you got such high-quality Iron Wire Vine, Junior Brother.
I noticed that your Iron Wire Vine grows quickly and well, so I thought of planting so in my own courtyard as decoration."
Chu Ning was taken aback; he hadn’t expected Qi Chongmao to seek him out for such a trivial matter.
Thus, he truthfully replied: "I got these Iron Wire Vine seeds from the back mountain.
As for why it grows fast and well, it’s because I was practicing the Accelerating Technique and Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill at the ti, so I cast quite a few spells."
Qi Chongmao appeared enlightened.
"That’s great, then. I’ll get so to plant later; with winter here, the courtyard looks a bit barren without so greenery."
After chatting casually for a few more monts, Qi Chongmao headed back to his own courtyard.
Watching Qi Chongmao leave, Chu Ning shook his head.
This senior brother didn’t seem to have just arrived; he specifically waited to ask about planting the Iron Wire Vine.
Though they had chances to et before, why had he never asked?
Hmm? Chu Ning pondered this, a touch of suspicion crossing his face.
Yes, the Iron Wire Vine had been planted long before, and the other had seen it previously.
He even praised it once or twice; why hadn’t he asked before?
Chu Ning was puzzled but, after thinking for a while, didn’t sense anything amiss.
After all, the Iron Wire Vine wasn’t anything special.
So he shook his head and walked into the courtyard.
Just as he was about to push the door open, Chu Ning’s pupils suddenly contracted.
Soone had been in his courtyard!
Because he grew Seven-Star Spirit Fruit in the courtyard, Chu Ning always made a small mark at the gate when he left.
He would tie a tendril of Iron Wire Vine, and if anyone opened the door, it would fall off.
Today, Chu Ning had been at the Market longer than usual and naturally wouldn’t forget this detail.
But now, the mark he made was gone.
Quickly entering the courtyard, Chu Ning surveyed his surroundings but found nothing amiss.
Activating his Spiritual Power to sense carefully revealed no one else in the courtyard, so Chu Ning swiftly headed to the backyard.
In the backyard, to conceal the Seven-Star Spirit Fruit, Chu Ning densified the Iron Wire Vine.
While it seed casually planted, the vines ford a secret path that Chu Ning typically used to access the Seven-Star Spirit Fruit’s location,
But upon entering, he didn’t proceed directly along the path as usual!
Instead, he first observed carefully, and then his expression slightly changed.
The Iron Wire Vine appeared normal, but judging by the flowers, so vines had evidently been moved.
Following the vine-ford path, he continued to the Seven-Star Spirit Fruit.
Chu Ning’s heart sank.
Soone had tampered with the vines near the Seven-Star Spirit Fruit.
Before he left, a petal was taken from a vine flower, originally pressed under a leaf, now fallen to the ground.
The Seven-Star Spirit Fruit had been discovered!
Realizing this, Chu Ning’s hair stood on end.
Having seen the Seven-Star Spirit Fruit auctioned at the Market today, he fully understood its value.
He also knew that once discovered, the fruit was surely coveted.
Qi Chongmao!
The na suddenly flashed in his mind.
The other had appeared outside his courtyard, seemingly for a while.
He most likely had just exited the courtyard.
Qi Chongmao probably intended to leave right afterward, but he returned during that ti.
So, he naturally waited to ask about the Iron Wire Vine.
Yet, having seen the Seven-Star Spirit Fruit, Qi Chongmao had said nothing, revealing his intentions.
Understanding this, Chu Ning quickly cald down.
Qi Chongmao had entered the Qi Refining Fifth Layer years earlier; their cultivation realms were comparable.
However, having entered the Qi Refining Fifth Layer earlier, Qi Chongmao’s cultivation was naturally deeper.
Chu Ning reviewed his own capabilities again.
In terms of spells, he only mastered the Thorn Technique and Vine Armor Technique, both instant casts.
He wasn’t sure about Qi Chongmao’s proficiency in these spells or if he practiced others.
He did have a few talismans: one Golden Sword Talisman, one Body Protection Talisman, and one Divine Movent Talisman.
Chu Ning regretted not buying more talismans at the Market.
Reflecting, he thought it unlikely Qi Chongmao would openly seize the fruit.
After all, the Sect strictly prohibited internal conflict among disciples.
This was why Outer Disciples couldn’t casually visit Servant Disciples’ quarters.
Initially, the main concern was that Qi Chongmao would take the Seven-Star Spirit Fruit if he left it unattended.
Of course, he couldn’t rule out the possibility of Qi Chongmao acting drastically.
During this half-day, Chu Ning stayed in his courtyard, never leaving the backyard, pondering every possibility.
The next day, Chu Ning used a Sound Transmission Talisman to call Qiu Shunyi to his courtyard.
He gave Qiu Shunyi so Spirit Stones to buy several talismans at the Market.
This Sound Transmission Talisman had been given to him by Mu Ling for easier communication, with several being gifted.
Though Qiu Shunyi found it odd, he gladly complied after Chu Ning gave a reasonable explanation.
In the following days, Chu Ning stayed within his courtyard, neglecting even the Ink Spirit Bamboo and Purple Ling Grass.
Both plants, unlike Spirit Rice, didn’t require constant vigilance.
Without attending the Spirit Field, he could not apply the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill, slowing quality improvent.
But Chu Ning was confident; with his current skill,
he could make up for the ten days lost with more frequent casting later.
During those days, Chu Ning practiced spells and the Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique by day,
and cultivated the Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique in the backyard at night.
Concerned that using the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill would affect the Seven-Star Spirit Fruit, he opted for ordinary cultivation.
As a result, progress in the Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique slowed.
In contrast, he beca much more adept with the Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique.
After seven days, Chu Ning noticed sothing unusual.
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