: Two Poems

Ning Zhuo arrived in the courtyard and saw Zhu Xuanji.

Zhu Xuanji was still dressed in his bright red brocade robe with black embroidered trim, his square face expressionless as he looked at Ning Zhuo, scrutinizing him up and down with a sharp gaze that seemed to pierce through to his very heart.

Ning Zhuo was well-prepared for Zhu Xuanji's uninvited arrival.

To be more precise, this was all part of his plan!

During the palace examination, Ning Zhuo had deliberately revealed many things.

For instance, in his initial match against Sun Lingtong, he used multiple floating hand mechanisms to severely injure the Golden Blood War Ape, Da Sheng. This prevented Sun Lingtong from deploying Yuan Dasheng later, causing her results to plummet sharply.

In this battle, Ning Zhuo demonstrated familiarity with the Golden Blood War Ape, Da Sheng. Observant individuals realized that Ning Zhuo knew much inside information.

After that, Ning Zhuo publicly used the Five Elements Spirit Conversion Disk without showing any process of unfamiliarity to familiarity, indicating his prior familiarity with this mechanism component.

In the most recent palace examination, he directly employed the Blood Path Diagram Board, revealing a deeper mastery of the Demonic Blood Tendon Technique!

These advantages were all utilized by him during the palace examination, contributing to his impressive results.

These were also baits Ning Zhuo intentionally tossed out. Many cultivators and factions took the bait, contacting him privately with high offers to purchase the information.

But Ning Zhuo rejected them all.

This bait was primarily set to hook Zhu Xuanji!

After Ning Zhuo resolved his bet with Ning Jiufan, Zhu Xuanji finally took the initiative to seek him out.

Facing Chief Constable Zhu again, the pressure Ning Zhuo felt was far less than during the Ciyou Garden incident.

By now, he had confessed his crimes, eliminated several flaws, and, most importantly, through various maneuvers and strategic moves, elevated his righteous identity to a new height.

He had become the clan leader of a branch family of the Ning Clan!

In a cultivation clan, this was a solid high-ranking position.

For a Qi Refining stage cultivator to become a branch clan leader was nearly unimaginable under normal circumstances.

But Ning Zhuo seized the opportunities fate presented, continuously leveraging the Molten Rock Immortal Palace and the palace examination to elevate his own value, ultimately making it happen.

Previously, Ning Zhuo had at most two identities: one as a young genius of the Ning Clan's branch line, and the other as the master of the black market. Back during the Ciyou Garden incident, Zhu Xuanji could have dealt with him quite easily.

But now, Ning Zhuo possessed a third identity—clan leader of the Ning Clan's branch family.

This forced even Zhu Xuanji to tread carefully.

Cultivators from demonic or heretical sects wouldn’t care about such things. But Zhu Xuanji was a righteous path cultivator and a member of the royal family, inherently respecting established rules. Especially now, when he needed to rely on the alliance of the Zhou, Ning, and Zheng clans to counter the Meng Clan and the Bukong Sect, helping himself compete for the position of Molten Rock Immortal Palace Lord.

Ning Zhuo was well aware that although his cultivation hadn’t changed, his status had risen significantly. His attitude toward Zhu Xuanji could now afford to shift slightly.

He clasped his hands in salute, first respectfully greeting Zhu Xuanji, then委婉地 indicating that his time was limited and hoping their exchange could be brief.

Zhu Xuanji laughed heartily, pointing at Ning Zhuo, "Just became a branch clan leader, and already putting on airs."

"You look exactly like someone getting above their station."

Ning Zhuo laughed along, "Chief Zhu, I’ve exhausted my efforts and strained every nerve to achieve this. If I don’t show off a little, wouldn’t that be a disservice to all my hard work?"

This candid demeanor反而 made Ning Zhuo seem sincere and unpretentious.

Zhu Xuanji had a rather favorable impression of Ning Zhuo.

On one hand, he felt a sense of accomplishment. He believed he had given Ning Zhuo a hand, steering this young genius onto the righteous path.

On the other hand, during the palace examination, Ning Zhuo had severely injured the Golden Blood War Ape, Da Sheng, causing Sun Lingtong's results to plummet—a clear merit.

Lastly, during the palace examination, whenever Ning Zhuo encountered Zhu Xuanji or Ning Jiufan, he voluntarily conceded defeat. Such an attitude greatly pleased Zhu Xuanji.

This was why—even though Zhu Xuanji had long realized that Ning Zhuo was withholding information and hadn’t revealed the full truth during his confession—he still waited until now to inquire.

Zhu Xuanji stared into Ning Zhuo's eyes, "Speaking of which, I haven’t thanked you yet. During the second round of the palace examination, I owe you for conceding."

Ning Zhuo hastily waved his hands, "Sir, you flatter me too much. I wouldn’t dare accept such praise!"

"My Five Elements Pawns are inferior in power and utility to your mechanical puppets."

"You hardly needed me to concede. I was going to lose anyway; conceding voluntarily just saved time and energy."

Zhu Xuanji clasped his hands behind his back, "Ning Zhuo, be honest with me. Does your Ning Clan want this Immortal Palace?"

"Let me be frank first: if the Ning Clan has such intentions, I can also lend my support, step aside voluntarily, and let you control this treasure!"

"Among the three great clans of Huoshi Immortal City, the Zhou and Zheng Clans have deep roots, while your Ning Clan comes from the North Wind Kingdom, with an unstable foundation. You are the ideal ally for the Southern Bean Royal Family to balance against local powers through central coordination."

Ning Zhuo didn’t hesitate in the slightest, immediately responding with a bitter smile, "Chief Zhu, since you’re being forthright, I’ll speak from the heart too. Personally, it’s not that I haven’t fantasized about it."

"But the Molten Rock Immortal Palace is too badly damaged. Just repairing its current state would come at a terrifyingly high cost."

"Our Ning Clan’s resources can hardly bear it."

"Even more frightening is that the palace examination is still ongoing, the beast tide is intensifying, and the Immortal Palace is bound to suffer more damage."

"Whoever obtains it will have to pay a huge price to restore it!"

"For our Ning Clan, I believe that helping you achieve final victory, establishing friendly ties with the royal family, is the most beneficial and safest direction for development."

Zhu Xuanji nodded and fell silent.

Ning Zhuo let out a soft sigh of relief.

He knew perfectly well that Zhu Xuanji had no real intention of yielding the palace lord position. Even if he did, Zhu Xuanji wasn’t in a position to yield it—there was still a third round after the second palace examination.

It would have been truly foolish for Ning Zhuo to show interest in the palace lord position.

Zhu Xuanji’s deliberate remark was merely to remind Ning Zhuo not to develop desires beyond his status just because he had become a branch clan leader.

He was also warning Ning Jiufan not to covet what he shouldn’t obtain.

This was similar to what Ning Jiufan had said to Ning Zhuo earlier in the room: "Some things can be said, others need not be. Remember, you are now the clan leader of our Ning Clan’s branch family."

Those words were directed at Ning Zhuo, but also at Golden Core cultivator Zhu Xuanji in the courtyard.

Much high-level communication was like this—gentle and implicit.

Satisfied with Ning Zhuo’s attitude, Zhu Xuanji finally got to the main point: "You must know why I’ve come to find you today."

Ning Zhuo sighed deeply and saluted Zhu Xuanji again. With his current standing, he could afford a degree of directness: "Chief Zhu, I did withhold some information before. There were indeed many things difficult to speak of."

"I had long anticipated today’s situation and, after much thought, prepared something."

"This is the most I can do."

With that, Ning Zhuo took a piece of paper from his robe and handed it to Zhu Xuanji.

Zhu Xuanji accepted it, unfolded it on the spot, and saw a poem written on it—

Alone, my shadow lingers among white clouds,

Clouds drift over distant mountains, the moon boundless.

Under the moon, we pledged a century-long vow,

Plans lie with man, success rests with heaven.

He frowned slightly, then relaxed, looking at Ning Zhuo and giving a slight nod.

Whether Ning Zhuo truly had an unbreakable contract with the Bukong Sect preventing him from speaking more, or whether he chose to retain some information for his own benefit, Zhu Xuanji accepted it.

Then, with a slight flick of his finger, he released a burst of magical power, igniting a flame.

The paper, tossed into the air, was quickly reduced to ashes.

Zhu Xuanji turned and left.

Lately, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit had been paying more attention to Zhu Xuanji.

When Zhu Xuanji arrived at Ning Zhuo’s residence, it immediately drew its notice.

The entire exchange between Ning Zhuo and Zhu Xuanji was observed by the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit.

Naturally, it also saw the poem on the paper.

It felt puzzled, "What does this mean?"

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit grew restless. After some thought, it decided to contact Ning Zhuo proactively.

"Young... young master, are you alright?" it feigned concern first, then pressed about the paper and the poem’s meaning.

"Don’t worry, I just used a small trick to send him away again."

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit continued pressing for the poem’s meaning.

Ning Zhuo: "Haha, can’t say, can’t say."

He then changed the subject, "Weren’t you wanting to bombard the Gourd Furnace Forest and directly destroy the Golden Furnace ruins? I’ve made up my mind to do it! It will happen soon. Be ready to answer my call at any time."

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit was overjoyed. It had been worrying lately about how to persuade Ning Zhuo to fire that shot.

Unexpectedly, Ning Zhuo, unable to withstand the pressure, had agreed.

After sending Zhu Xuanji away and placating the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, Ning Zhuo began summoning his subordinates.

Soon, Ning Xiangguo, Ning Xiangqian, Ning Chen, Ning Yong, and others gathered together.

Ning Zhuo showed them the Ning Clan plaque and ancestral tablets he had obtained.

Everyone was ecstatic.

"It’s done! The branch family is really happening!"

"Boss, you’re amazing!"

"Clan Leader, we can set up our own branch now!"

The atmosphere in the hall was fervent.

Ning Zhuo smiled, giving everyone ample time to express their joy.

Once the excitement died down, he addressed one person in the room, "Leader Gui Ke, is the intelligence I asked you to gather ready?"

Gui Ke was the leader of the Turtle Breath Gang, skilled at gathering information.

Ning Zhuo had specifically assigned him to work within the palace this time.

Gui Ke immediately responded, "The past words and actions of the Ning Clan members during this period have been mostly collected. While there might be some omissions, I’ve recorded all those who believed the rumors or even secretly promoted them, disparaging you, young master."

The atmosphere in the hall instantly turned solemn.

Ning Zhuo took a sip of tea, slowly set down the cup, and said, "Good, good."

He looked around at everyone, "My uncle lost his son. What he did is understandable. He wanted to use public opinion to achieve revenge for his son’s death."

"But among those branch clan members who followed him or were incited, many had ulterior motives."

"Even if they were just foolish, that’s enough to prove they aren’t suitable candidates for us to recruit."

"What do you think?"

Everyone remained silent, not daring to speak.

Ning Zhuo’s faint smile exerted a powerful psychological pressure on them.

Within a few breaths, Ning Chen’s back was slightly damp with sweat.

Ning Zhuo continued, "The matter of me establishing a branch family must be kept strictly confidential. I need to carefully investigate and see exactly who is disloyal, who isn’t on the same page as us."

Everyone hurriedly acknowledged understanding.

Although they had been eager to establish the branch family immediately, Ning Zhuo’s reason was perfectly justified and reasonable, leaving no room for objection.

"I have some tasks for you to do." Ning Zhuo took out a crystal.

It was the top-grade spirit crystal Zhu Xuanji had given him; the ice-attribute spiritual power inside had been used up.

Ning Zhuo ordered his subordinates to set up a formation, contribute their own magical power, purify it into ice-attribute spiritual power, and channel it into the spirit crystal.

Everyone accepted the orders and left excitedly.

The prospect of the branch family thrilled them. No motivation from Ning Zhuo was needed—they were eager to perform well, complete every task he assigned, and secure higher positions in the branch family.

Ning Zhuo kept Leader Gui Ke behind last, instructing him privately to have people closely monitor Zhu Xuanji’s movements.

The task of surveilling a Golden Core cultivator weighed heavily on Gui Ke, but he had no choice but to accept.

Only when Ning Zhuo was alone did he sigh softly.

His reason for striving to establish a branch family was solely to eliminate vulnerabilities.

Using the pretext of investigation to delay the branch family’s establishment was also to avoid implicating Ning Chen, Ning Yong, and the others.

Even with Ning Xiangguo, the mole, Ning Zhuo had developed some sentiment after working with him for so long.

Ning Zhuo didn’t know if he would succeed in what came next. For now, he needed to keep his distance from everyone. Just in case things went south, and he became a wanted criminal, he didn’t want to drag these people down with him.

(End of )