: Minor Competition Peak

Author: Gu Zhenren

Date: 2024-10-17

: Minor Competition Peak

As she looked at the young man in white before her, Lin Shanshan was filled with a peculiar feeling—one she had never experienced in her over twenty years of life.

"So it's Young Master Ning Zhuo. If you seek guidance, you should head to Yuanlai Mountain. Why are you in the back hills of the Great Competition Peak?"

Lin Shanshan tried hard to calm her emotions.

Ning Zhuo wore the Wandering Dragon Belt around his waist. Hidden within it, Sun Lingtong watched the scene unfold with amusement. Hearing Lin Shanshan’s question, he couldn’t help but mutter to himself, "Of course, he came here specifically after seeing you."

Based on the jade slip provided by Ning Jiufan and the bits of information he obtained from Meng Yaoyin, Ning Zhuo had set his travel goals. Misty Hidden Mountain was the first, and Ten Thousand Herb Valley was the second.

Back then, the Ning family had migrated as a clan, skillfully navigating through an underground river to evade the blockade of powerful enemies on the surface. The exit from that underground river was now the Ten Thousand Demon Cave guarded by Huling Jiu.

The arrival of the entire Ning family in Ten Thousand Herb Valley had caused quite a stir at the time. The Ten Thousand Herb Sect, a major faction in the valley, excelled in alchemy and healing. Exhausted and at their limit, the Ning family voluntarily stayed in Ten Thousand Herb Valley to rest for several days.

At that time, Meng Yaoyin suffered from unstable fetal energy. Fortunately, the Ten Thousand Herb Sect possessed a treasure called the Fetal Breath Spirit Boat, which saved her from danger. Meng Yaoyin had shared this experience with Ning Zhuo as a casual story during her lucid moments after becoming a Mechanical Buddha Physician.

Ning Zhuo’s primary goal for this trip was the Fetal Breath Spirit Boat. Additionally, he aimed to search for remnants of the Ning family’s daily life in Ten Thousand Herb Valley.

Sun Lingtong manipulated the Wandering Dragon Belt to traverse space and arrive at Ten Thousand Herb Valley. He and Ning Zhuo first sneaked out together, disguising their tracks while gathering local intelligence.

Thus, the two had a fair understanding of the Ten Thousand Herb Sect’s general situation. They knew that Lin Shanshan was the only child of the current sect leader, Lin Bufan, making her the young lady of this major sect. Though not part of the core leadership, her influence on the higher-ups was extraordinary.

After discussing it, Sun and Ning decided to stage this "chance encounter."

Divine Ability—Life Threads!

The moment Ning Zhuo met Lin Shanshan, he secretly implanted his divine ability into her. Then, using the My Buddha Heart Demon Seal, he subtly intensified her fondness for him.

Back when Ning Zhuo was at the early Qi Refining stage, he could already tap into a trace of the My Buddha Heart Demon Seal’s power, affecting cultivators like his uncle Ning Ze and the Three Ghosts of the Huang family, even resisting detection by Golden Core cultivators. Now, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator himself, and with Lin Shanshan only at the early Foundation Establishment stage, influencing her was effortless for him.

Ning Zhuo quickly clasped his hands in apology, explaining that he had come from this direction, intending to reach the Ten Thousand Herb Sect as quickly as possible. He claimed ignorance of the area being the Great Competition Peak and thus had mistakenly entered.

Lin Shanshan smiled and approached Ning Zhuo, assuring him it was fine.

"The Great Competition Peak hasn’t been a forbidden zone for years. The Ten Thousand Demon Cave hasn’t seen any demonic beasts emerge for a long time—it’s very safe now. There’s no need to worry too much."

"Our Ten Thousand Herb Sect has always welcomed outside cultivators like you. Our sect’s philosophy is to be inclusive and friendly to all."

Ning Zhuo immediately praised, "I’ve long heard of your esteemed sect’s reputation and have always admired it. That’s why I traveled so far to come here. To be honest, I was quite anxious, but your simple words have given me great comfort. I’m much less nervous now. Thank you, Miss Lin."

Lin Shanshan smiled. "You’re too polite."

"One can never be too courteous," Ning Zhuo replied naturally, retrieving a Misty Elegance Orchid from his storage belt. "This small gift is for you, Miss Lin. As a newcomer, I’d like to ask a small favor."

Lin Shanshan didn’t accept the orchid, only smiling. "What favor?"

Ning Zhuo said, "Since I’ve just arrived, I’m worried about accidentally trespassing into forbidden areas. Seeing that you’re a local cultivator, I boldly ask if you could guide me to the Minor Competition Peak."

Lin Shanshan nodded. "That’s a small matter. Just follow me. As for the gift, I won’t accept it."

As the young lady of the Ten Thousand Herb Sect, Lin Shanshan had seen many exotic flowers and rare herbs. This ordinary Misty Elegance Orchid held no appeal for her.

She immediately led the way for Ning Zhuo.

The two walked through the mountain forests, with Lin Shanshan slightly ahead, half a step in front. Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the grass and the shaded paths. A gentle mountain breeze rustled the leaves, accompanied by the clear chirping of birds and the murmuring of streams—a picturesque scene.

Lin Shanshan took the initiative to introduce the general situation of Ten Thousand Herb Valley and the Ten Thousand Herb Sect. Ning Zhuo pretended not to know, asking questions whose answers he already knew, successfully creating a relaxed atmosphere for conversation.

"Miss Lin, wait a moment," Ning Zhuo suddenly stepped forward, brushing aside a branch in her path.

Lin Shanshan’s好感 increased slightly, but under the influence of the My Buddha Heart Demon Seal, it grew at least tenfold!

Ning Zhuo’s witty and amusing remarks made Lin Shanshan enjoy the conversation, and she occasionally couldn’t help but laugh softly.

Lin Shanshan had been born when her father was already the sect leader. Though five years older than Ning Zhuo, now twenty-one, her life experience was far shallower than his. One had grown up in a sheltered environment, unaware of the world’s dangers; the other had lost both parents early, endured the harshness of life, and honed his eloquence.

From start to finish, the entire conversation was firmly controlled by Ning Zhuo.

Lin Shanshan remained completely unaware. It wasn’t until she led Ning Zhuo to the foot of the Minor Competition Peak and met a fellow disciple handling registrations that she suddenly realized—how had they already left the back hills of the Great Competition Peak? Why had time passed so quickly?

"Senior Sister Lin," the disciple greeted her promptly.

In front of others, Lin Shanshan composed herself, slightly stepping aside to reveal Ning Zhuo. "This young man has just arrived in our Ten Thousand Herb Valley. I met him on the way and brought him here. Please make proper arrangements for him."

The disciple smiled obsequiously. "Since Senior Sister Lin brought him, I’ll naturally handle it well. How about temporarily assigning him to Cave 328?"

He glanced at Lin Shanshan, seeking her opinion.

Lin Shanshan hesitated slightly. She had often helped outsiders settle in the Minor Competition Peak. Usually, the disciples would assign a better cave out of respect for her.

The Minor Competition Peak had about five hundred caves, numbered in order of quality, with lower numbers indicating better conditions. Cave 328 was mid-to-lower tier—typically assigned to cultivators of Lin Shanshan’s status, who held influence but no real power.

Normally, Lin Shanshan wouldn’t mind such arrangements. But this time, she felt differently. Ning Zhuo had left such a strong first impression that she couldn’t help wanting to help him more.

She knew that making a request would violate sect rules. Was it going too far?

My Buddha Heart Demon Seal!

Seeing her hesitation, Ning Zhuo acted decisively, activating a trace of the treasure’s power.

Lin Shanshan’s hesitation vanished. She spoke directly, "Is there a cave with a lower number available?"

The disciple was startled. He hadn’t expected Lin Shanshan to actually make a request. "If I recall correctly, this is the first time the young lady has done this," he thought, surreptitiously sizing up Ning Zhuo.

Seeing the young man’s jade-like white robes and extraordinary demeanor, the disciple grew even more curious. While speculating about Ning Zhuo’s identity, he said, "Of course, Senior Sister Lin. How about Cave 281?"

Lin Shanshan, already regretting her request, quickly nodded. "That will do."

After Ning Zhuo received the token, Lin Shanshan felt an impulse to accompany him further.

"What’s wrong with me?" she wondered, shaking her head inwardly and suppressing the urge.

Ning Zhuo sensed that pushing further would be counterproductive and let things take their natural course.

He bid farewell to Lin Shanshan and took out two Misty Elegance Orchids as gifts. Lin Shanshan waved them off with a smile, refusing.

The disciple inwardly sneered, "Just two Qi Refining-level Misty Elegance Orchids? Does he really think the young lady would want them? How shameless."

Little did he know, this was intentional on Ning Zhuo’s part.

Lin Shanshan didn’t feel slighted or looked down upon. Instead, she found Ning Zhuo simple-hearted, somewhat naive, and endearingly cute.

(End of )