Chu Xuan glanced over and saw two individuals, an elderly man and a younger one.

The elderly man was Ning Tai, who, despite his age, no longer showed the signs of decline that had marked him before. Though old, he appeared vigorous, with eyes that, though cloudy, still sparkled with hope.

Standing beside Ning Tai was a handsome young cultivator, clearly in the late stages of the Golden Core realm. Without needing further clarification, Chu Xuan quickly deduced that this young man was likely Ning Tai's grandson.

Rising to his feet, Chu Xuan gave a slight bow. "What a pleasant surprise, fellow Daoist Ning. I never expected to find you here at Heavenly Human Tower, enjoying the cuisine. Truly, it seems fate has brought us together. Is this person beside you...?"

Ning Tai beamed with joy. "Yes, indeed! This is my grandson, Ning Wangyuan! Wangyuan, quickly greet this senior, Fellow Daoist He. If it weren't for his fire bee, you wouldn't have had such a smooth journey, and you certainly wouldn't have been able to keep your shop."

Ning Wangyuan immediately bowed, his expression sincere. "Thank you, Fellow Daoist He! From now on, you will be my benefactor!"

Chu Xuan couldn't help but smile. Already calling him a benefactor? That was a bit premature.

Ning Tai continued enthusiastically, "We're here to celebrate at Heavenly Human Tower as well. Would it be alright if we joined you, Fellow Daoist? I hope we're not disturbing anything important you might be doing."

Chu Xuan smiled and nodded. "Not at all, please, take a seat. He Zhao, has the attendant bring over another chair."

"Yes, Master." He Zhao nodded respectfully.

Before long, Chu Xuan, Ning Tai, and Ning Wangyuan were enjoying their meals and conversing freely.

He Zhao stood quietly to the side, remaining silent. His cultivation was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, far beneath the level of these three, so he didn't dare to speak.

The conversation spanned a vast range of topics, from the distant south to the northern seas, covering every art and practice of cultivation. They even delved into the subjects of demonic talismans, evil pills, and poison insects. These topics, on the territory of the Divine Sword Sect, were typically regarded as heretical and dangerous.

Suddenly, Ning Tai chuckled. "Fellow Daoist, since you've come from the South Third Ring, you must have heard about a major event there, haven't you?"

Chu Xuan nodded. "Many people here at Heavenly Human Tower have been discussing it. I've heard something about the Eight Extremes Palace, yes? I've been delayed in the East Third Ring, so I'm not entirely clear on the details of what happened."

Ning Tai glanced at Chu Xuan a few more times, unable to discern any sign of deception, before continuing, "I also heard about it from an old friend who had just returned from doing business in the South Third Ring. Apparently, an ancient body-refining sect's ruins appeared in the South Third Ring.

"On that day, many cultivators were sucked underground, even some Deity Transformation experts couldn't escape. Later, some of the survivors who emerged spoke of strange and malevolent beings inside the ancient ruins. It's said that several Deity Transformation cultivators perished in the depths."

Ning Tai sighed, "Now, the South Third Ring is in utter chaos, with battles raging everywhere as everyone fights for territory."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly.

After all, Yellow Spring and Moon True Master had both perished in the Eight Extremes Palace. Black Wind True Master had never involved himself from the beginning, and that had allowed him to escape harm.

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As for White Bone True Master, he had probably been randomly transported to the South Third Ring. If not, the South Third Ring wouldn't be in such turmoil—it would have already been unified by Black Wind's overwhelming force.

Ning Wangyuan, curious, asked, "I've heard of the Eight Extremes Palace. They say it was one of the most prominent body-refining sects of the ancient world. It had eight sect inheritances, which should all have appeared by now, right?"

Ning Tai shook his head, "I don't know about that. My old friend didn't witness it personally, so his details weren't very clear."

At this moment, a laugh came from the next table.

"I know a little about the news of the Eight Extremes Palace's emergence!"

The voice was loud enough to immediately attract the attention of many cultivators.

Chu Xuan turned toward the source of the voice and saw a Nascent Soul cultivator with a full beard. He didn't recognize the man and couldn't tell if the person had used any form of disguise.

The bearded cultivator chuckled and cupped his hands. "I'm Zhang Ziheng, a cultivator from the South Third Ring. Had I not happened to be far from Desolate Island that day, I too would have been sucked into the Eight Extremes Palace!"

Some nearby cultivators whispered, "I've also heard that the Eight Extremes Palace is located beneath Desolate Island. This person's words should be true."

Zhang Ziheng sighed dramatically. "Indeed, there are malevolent beings inside the Eight Extremes Palace. They are called Corpse Demons by the Palace's former cultivators. The inheritance within the Eight Extremes Palace is incomplete, with only six gates available. Those who cannot obtain all of the inheritances are trapped inside, forced to fight the Corpse Demons until they die."

Ning Wangyuan was astonished. "But if no one has ever made it out alive, how do you know what's inside?"

Zhang Ziheng smiled. "Don't be in such a hurry, young friend. Naturally, there were survivors. But they didn't leave through the usual means. They escaped via a teleportation array."

The surrounding cultivators nodded in understanding. "Ah, that makes sense."

Zhang Ziheng laughed heartily. "I've also heard an interesting piece of news, and I thought I'd share it with all of you fellow Daoists."

The other cultivators leaned forward, eager to hear more.

Zhang Ziheng smiled knowingly. "I asked a few of the survivors who came out, and they all claimed that a Nascent Soul-level demonic talisman master named Liu Zhenxiong shone brilliantly inside the Eight Extremes Palace. He even severely wounded the Moon True Master, who is the ancestor of the Moon Society in the South Third Ring, in a one-on-one battle."

At this point, the cultivators all gasped in shock.

"A Nascent Soul cultivator actually managed to severely injure a Deity Transformation expert!"

Zhang Ziheng continued, "And the teleportation array, it was Liu Zhenxiong who repaired it. But, he charged a toll to everyone who wanted to use it. If they didn't pay up, they couldn't leave through the teleportation array. In the end, even a Deity Transformation cultivator was extorted by Liu Zhenxiong."

Ning Wangyuan and He Zhao both had their mouths wide open.

"What?! A Deity Transformation cultivator was extorted?!"

"That Liu Zhenxiong is incredibly bold!"

Ning Tai clicked his tongue in admiration, "This person is not only powerful but knows how to seize every opportunity to profit. Wangyuan, remember this kind of person—he'll live a long and prosperous life."

Ning Wangyuan nodded eagerly. He couldn't help but develop a deep admiration for the mysterious Liu Zhenxiong, the talisman master he had never met.

Chu Xuan also joined in the praise, "This Liu Zhenxiong is truly audacious! He even dares to extort a Deity Transformation cultivator! If it were me, I would never dare to do something so reckless."

Zhang Ziheng cupped his hands and then chuckled, "I run a spirit beast shop in the Western District of Neon Garment Market. Fellow Daoists, if you're ever free, do come by and show some support. My shop has great bargains, and many have purchased demonic beasts with mutated bloodlines. Don't miss out, come by when you can!"

The cultivators all collectively rolled their eyes and dispersed in laughter.

Chu Xuan also couldn't help but laugh. No wonder he was so eager to speak up earlier—it was just a clever attempt to promote his business.

Once the other cultivators returned to their seats, Ning Tai casually said, "Running a spirit beast business is quite lucrative. Does Fellow Daoist have any particular skills? You know, living on this Neishang Island isn't easy."

Chu Xuan nodded, "That's true. Without a shop, there's no way to earn spirit stones. Even if one has mountains of gold and silver, it'll eventually be spent. Unfortunately, I've already had someone check, and there are no shops currently closing down. Buying an already-operating shop is too expensive, and the owners might not even be willing to sell."

Ning Tai laughed heartily, "Those people are sharp, of course, they won't sell low-priced. But I do know a friend who is planning to move to the North Third Ring. He wants to sell his shop. He leased it for a hundred years all at once, and now there are still over fifty years left. I can help you negotiate, and I'm sure you'll be able to get it for a good price!"

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