: Rereading, Already a Character in the Book

2024-07-31 Author: Gu Zhenren

As the two sides faced off, on the verge of a fight, Zheng Hua quickly stepped in to mediate: "Everyone, please calm down!"

"Before the real battle even begins, internal conflict breaks out..."

"If word gets out, it would tarnish the Ning family's reputation."

Zhou Zeshen and others chimed in agreement.

Under everyone's persuasion, Ning Zhuo, Ning Xiaohui, and the mysterious Snow Soul finally reined in their auras and temporarily backed down.

When they sat down again, Ning Xiaohui and Ning Zhuo were already far apart.

Zhou Zeshen smiled and cupped his hands toward the mysterious Snow Soul: "May I ask for the esteemed senior's name?"

The mysterious Snow Soul, exuding a Foundation Establishment aura, raised his head and declared, "I am Ning Xie. In life, I was an elder of the Ning family, possessing the innate talent of Snow Soul Ice Essence. After falling in battle, I became a ghost cultivator. I emerged this time precisely for your joint operation."

Zhou Zeshen was puzzled: "Senior, as a Foundation Establishment ghost cultivator, your cultivation is difficult to alter. How will you enter the Immortal Palace in spirit form?"

The ghost cultivator Ning Xie replied, "That’s not difficult. I can attach myself to Xiaohui's spirit, temporarily merging with her."

"When Ning Xiaohui enters the Immortal Palace in spirit, I can be brought along."

"However, once I manifest and engage in battle, I can only last for thirteen breaths at most. Beyond that, I’ll be expelled from the Volcanic Immortal Palace."

Zheng Jian spoke up from the side, confirming: "We have already verified this situation."

It turned out he was in the know.

Zhou Zeshen's gaze darkened imperceptibly.

He sensed keenly that the Ning and Zheng families seemed closer than he had anticipated.

Outwardly, Zhou Zeshen cupped his hands, showing delight: "With Senior's assistance and the use of the Snow Soul Ice Essence talent, our chances of success have greatly increased."

Ning Xie snorted coldly: "Naturally."

Ning Zhuo also snorted: "Only thirteen breaths to act—what can you accomplish? Freeze the entire level?"

Ning Xie narrowed his eyes, visibly displeased: "Junior from the branch family, you’re right. I can freeze the surroundings and alter the battlefield. If you don’t believe me, I’ll let you experience it firsthand!"

Ning Zhuo chuckled: "Freeze your own allies? Did your brain die along with you?"

"If you have the skill, freeze the mechanical ape and the ghost-controlling puppet!"

"Ah, right."

"If you get enslaved by that puppet, it’ll be absolutely hilarious!"

"Nonsense!" Ning Xie shouted angrily, "You sharp-tongued brat! Keep it up, and I’ll tear your mouth apart!"

Ning Zhuo’s expression turned stern, his gaze dark: "Who’s provoking you?"

"I’m pointing out the biggest hidden danger here! I’m considering the overall situation, and you think I’m just picking a fight?"

Ning Zhuo pointed directly at Ning Xie without hesitation: "My concern is straightforward—can this ghost cultivator really be brought in?"

"Let’s not have him turn into a weapon against us later!"

Ning Xie trembled with rage, his spirit growing even paler. Just as he was about to speak, an elderly voice interjected: "Regarding this, I, the clan leader, can vouch."

Everyone’s expressions shifted.

Ning Xie immediately fell silent.

Then, the Ning family leader entered, fixing his gaze on Ning Zhuo with a smile that didn’t reach his icy eyes: "Ning Zhuo, you’ve considered this thoroughly."

"But you’re still too young, unaware of the intricacies of ghost cultivation and the depth of our Ning family’s heritage!"

Ning Zhuo cupped his hands calmly, meeting the clan leader’s gaze fearlessly: "If that’s the case, then this junior can only remain skeptical."

Then, he shifted his tone: "However, I still advise against acting so hastily."

"We currently lack solid intelligence."

"We can wait for the spell improvements and use the enhanced spells for reconnaissance."

"After all, the opponents are only two mechanical combat puppets. Once we understand their capabilities, their chances of winning are very low."

Zhou Zeshen inwardly cheered at the spectacle.

He hadn’t expected Ning Zhuo to stand his ground so firmly, directly confronting Ning family elders and even the clan leader.

"What level is he at? Only Qi Refinement third layer. Such courage!" Zhou Zeshen even felt a hint of admiration.

Zheng Jian and Zhou Zhu shared similar sentiments.

Zheng Hua thought to himself: "Ning Zhuo is young and impulsive, openly clashing with his own clan leader."

"Still, judging by his actions, it’s understandable."

"Now that he’s become the master of the black market, his influence has surged, achieving unprecedented success. It’s natural for him to be inflated."

"If I were him, I’d be even more arrogant."

"If this young man continues to develop, the Ning family will surely face internal strife again. We should support him vigorously!"

Hearing Ning Zhuo suggest further reconnaissance, Zhou Zeshen thought for a moment and added, "Forgive my bluntness, but I also think continued reconnaissance would be better."

"Intelligence is crucial! Especially in a battle like ours. More information could determine the outcome."

"Oh? Zhou Zeshen is clearly siding with Ning Zhuo?" Zheng Jian was taken aback by this development.

In Fire Persimmon Immortal City, the four major forces engaged in a complex web of rivalry, often maintaining superficial harmony.

Truly outstanding family disciples were highly sensitive to the relationships between other families.

Zheng Jian pondered briefly before speaking up: "Indeed, we began improving reconnaissance spells a long time ago."

"But it will still take some time to complete."

"In fact, our clan has long been procuring and borrowing relevant Enlightenment Charts."

"However, even with the charts, it tests the cultivator’s comprehension. Those with average aptitude may struggle to gain much from them."

Ning Zhuo spread his hands: "Then we can wait."

"I believe our improvement team is full of talent. Someone will surely grasp it, or we can wait until the three families finish enhancing the spells. Once we have reconnaissance results, we can tackle the challenge with full force and secure victory!"

"Speaking of Enlightenment Charts, I happen to have two. Perhaps I can contribute and share them with everyone."

"Shut up!" Ning Xiaohui nearly jumped to her feet, "The Enlightenment Charts were lent to you by the family for personal use. How can you share them with outsiders?"

The ghost cultivator Ning Xie also interjected, "Junior from the branch family, do you know nothing of family rules? You have no right to distribute these two Enlightenment Charts."

Ning Zhuo chuckled: "I was merely making a suggestion. Since Clan Leader is here, what do you think?"

The Ning family leader felt as if he’d swallowed a fly.

As the clan leader, he couldn’t react like Ning Xiaohui.

Moreover, he was facing members of the Zheng and Zhou families. Under the alliance of the three families, it was difficult for him to refuse outright.

In this situation, he was cornered by a junior like Ning Zhuo, unable to back down.

For the first time, the clan leader regretted his abrupt appearance, feeling it was somewhat rash.

Zhou Zeshen suddenly smiled and said, "If the Ning family is willing to provide two Enlightenment Charts, I will propose that my family also contribute two charts to share with the entire improvement team."

Zheng Jian opened his mouth to speak, but Zheng Hua preempted him: "Good! I can decide right now to offer our Zheng family’s Blazing Summit Steam Chart and Earth Furnace Eruption Chart for everyone to study thoroughly."

The Ning family leader laughed heartily, quickly trying to save face: "A few Enlightenment Charts are nothing for the Ning family to provide."

"However, even if someone comprehends something in a short time, it requires extensive practice and may not be usable in battle."

"Instead, it’s better to focus energy on specialized training, coordination, and building默契—far more useful than grasping new spells."

"This battle must proceed quickly!"

"I cannot disclose specific details, but I can tell you this matter concerns the Golden Core ancestors of all three families."

Everyone was startled.

The Ning family leader was warning everyone present: Do not consider this battle in isolation. Powerful external factors compel you to act swiftly!

The battle is merely a tool.

"If the battle isn’t the goal, then what is the real purpose?" Ning Zhuo sighed inwardly.

He had deliberately provoked and probed to extract more information.

Since the conflict between him and the Ning main family was already irreconcilable, Ning Zhuo no longer cared about superficial harmony.

His gains were substantial.

Not only did he gather a wealth of intelligence, but he also secured the opportunity to study four additional Enlightenment Charts!

And the secret revealed by the pressured clan leader—concerning Golden Core cultivators—was good news for Ning Zhuo.

While reading history, Ning Zhuo often came across cases where rulers or ministers, ignoring actual battlefield conditions, issued misguided orders, leading to disastrous defeats.

At first, he thought these people were foolish.

But as he grew older, especially in recent days, he deeply felt human limitations and gained a deeper understanding of their "foolishness."

Was it foolish?

Yes, but it was also shrewd, and often driven by compulsion and helplessness.

In reality, everyone has their own pressures and motivations, desires and fears.

These intertwined factors make what should be a pure battle impure.

Just as Ning Zhuo needed Yuan Dasheng to achieve a minor victory rather than a major one or a defeat, this hasty joint action by the three families stemmed from the mysterious decisions of their Golden Core ancestors.

In youth, reading books, we laugh at the mundane; rereading, we find ourselves characters in the book.

The world within the pages mirrors life beyond, a sheet of vast obscurity, yet cherished in its meaning!

Zhou Zeshen sighed: "It seems we have no choice but to proceed."

Ning Zhuo then looked at Zheng Hua: "Since it’s the will of the three families’ Golden Core ancestors, no wonder Ning Xie is being deployed."

"If the Ning family is doing this, surely the Zheng and Zhou families have also brought out some trump cards?"

Zheng Hua, an elder of the Zheng family, chuckled: "I was just about to mention that."

"One of our ancestors once strayed into the Ghost Market, losing half his life but gaining something in return."

"This technique is called the Ghost Martial Divine Weapon Forging Method. It consumes soul power to carve out a portion of the soul and forge a ghost divine weapon."

"Once mastered, you essentially possess a semi-natal weapon. Then, when entering the Immortal Palace in spirit form, you can obtain corresponding mechanical components in the first room."

At these words, everyone looked at Zheng Jian.

A hook-shaped magical tool hovered beside him. When he entered the Immortal Palace in spirit form, a corresponding wooden hook component also floated around him.

Zheng Jian quickly clarified: "Mine isn’t a Ghost Martial weapon."

(End of )