: Buddha Alleviates Hardship

Ning Zhuo once again took out the Misty Orchid.

"Miss Lin, this is my first time leaving my hometown to travel."

"I passed by Misty Hidden Mountain and wanted to climb high to see the view. Turning a corner, the mountain mist cleared, revealing the changing clouds and rosy sky at the horizon, the rising sun, the solemn mountains, and the winding rivers."

"I saw a cliff and found several Misty Orchids. Shrouded in a light mist, they swayed gently, as if a new world was beckoning to me."

"I picked these Misty Orchids and held them in my hands, feeling an unprecedented sense of beauty. The world is so vast, and life is so wondrous, all contained within the mountains, flowers, and plants."

"Just like my journey to seek knowledge far and wide, though the road ahead is long and endless, it is also filled with countless opportunities. For this, my heart is full of anticipation."

"That day, when I saw you at the back mountain of Great Contest Peak, the feeling was so similar to when I climbed the mountain."

"Miss Lin, your elegance and purity are beyond compare to the Misty Orchid. But privately, I feel that picking flowers in the mountains that day and meeting you later seems like fate, a connection across time."

"Perhaps the Misty Orchid was merely passing through my hands to meet you. Heroes appreciate each other, and beauties sympathize with one another—this must be the reason."

Lin Shanshan couldn't help but be captivated by Ning Zhuo's words.

His praise was full of romance, not vulgar in the slightest. By expressing his "sincere feelings," he resonated deeply with Lin Shanshan.

A sense of envy welled up in Lin Shanshan's heart.

After all, in her twenty-one years of life, she had only occasionally gone out with her father to visit friends. She had never truly left the sect to venture out on her own.

The beautiful feeling of traveling alone that Ning Zhuo described moved her deeply.

Seizing the opportunity, Ning Zhuo stepped forward and offered her the Misty Orchid.

By the time Lin Shanshan realized it, she found herself already holding the Misty Orchid in her hands.

She sighed softly, moved by the moment, and said, "I didn't know about your experiences before, but now that I do, I understand your intention. I will accept this Misty Orchid."

Ning Zhuo laughed heartily, "Thank you, Miss Lin, for indulging my whims!"

Ning Zhuo invited Lin Shanshan to sit down again and poured her tea.

He said, "I feel like I've known you forever, Miss Lin. Looking back on our first meeting, I still feel it was arranged by fate, a destined encounter."

"The matter of Li Jingqing and Han Zhou has given me much inspiration."

"Li Jingqing cooperated with your sect, purchasing medicinal herbs and selling them in large quantities. My Ning family also has similar needs."

"Perhaps through the two of us, we can bridge a connection that benefits both sides."

"Oh?" Lin Shanshan showed a hint of surprise, not expecting Ning Zhuo to suddenly bring up such matters.

Although Lin Shanshan had been sheltered by her father and senior brothers since childhood and was not deeply involved in affairs, she was still a disciple of a major sect and had received relevant training from a young age.

She immediately shifted into a serious mindset, the faint blush on her face fading as she assumed a solemn expression. After carefully considering her words, she gave Ning Zhuo a positive and affirmative response.

According to Ning Zhuo, his family possessed Nascent Soul-level combat power, which could not be taken lightly and required equal treatment.

Even Lin Bufan himself would treat the matter with seriousness.

Moreover, the Ten Thousand Herbs Sect itself lacked combat strength and had always been open to recruiting external cultivators. They would not make the foolish mistake of turning friends into enemies.

Ning Zhuo took the opportunity to propose inspecting the Ten Thousand Herbs Sect's goods and exploring ways for both sides to cooperate.

After a brief conversation with Ning Zhuo, Lin Shanshan indicated that she could not make many decisions on her own and would need to report the matter first.

After bidding farewell to Lin Shanshan, Ning Zhuo began his cultivation.

He took out a meditation mat, sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and focused inward, examining himself.

The Divine Sea, the Upper Dantian!

Sure enough, he saw many traces of Hardship and Cold Intent gathered together, swirling like clouds or mist, bleak and miserable.

The Hardship and Cold Intent were restrained by Buddhist light, never seeping into or spreading through Ning Zhuo's Divine Sea from start to finish.

What accomplished this was precisely the My Buddha, Heart Demon Seal!

This magical treasure saves others by turning them into demons and saves oneself by turning into a Buddha. Externally, Ning Zhuo could act as a heart demon, exerting a subtle, latent influence. Internally, it could guard his mind, ensuring the purity of his thoughts.

Once the Hardship and Cold Intent entered Ning Zhuo's body, it immediately triggered the My Buddha, Heart Demon Seal's automatic protection.

All the intent was collected by the Buddhist light, restrained and tightly controlled, waiting for Ning Zhuo to handle it personally.

Ning Zhuo exerted all his effort, barely managing to draw out a fraction of the My Buddha, Heart Demon Seal's power.

Instantly, Buddhist light surged in his Divine Sea, continuously grinding away the Hardship and Cold Intent, transforming it into a pure, harmless insight that flowed into Ning Zhuo's heart.

"The aura of hardship and cold, the Hardship and Cold Sutra..."

Ning Zhuo's understanding of the Hardship and Cold Sutra rapidly deepened!

"Mastering the Hardship and Cold Sutra allows one to greatly strengthen themselves through suffering and hardship. As the saying goes: 'No pain, no gain,' and 'Hardship precedes ease.' Also, 'When Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it first tests their resolve, exhausts their muscles and bones...'"

"An excellent cultivation method is a reflection of the principles of heaven and earth."

"I've learned so much, so much."

After digesting all the Hardship and Cold Intent, Ning Zhuo's understanding of the Hardship and Cold Sutra had deepened significantly.

Overjoyed, he sent a voice transmission to Sun Lingtong with the good news.

When Sun Lingtong wasn't going out, she stayed inside the Thousand-Mile Wandering Dragon. This mechanical dragon was worn by Ning Zhuo as a belt.

Upon receiving Ning Zhuo's joyful news, Sun Lingtong was also happy for him: "With the My Buddha, Heart Demon Seal, doesn't that mean you can take advantage of those bald monks?"

"They try to enlighten you with their techniques, but you end up learning from them secretly. Wonderful, truly wonderful!"

Ning Zhuo said, "Not just me. If I lend you the My Buddha, Heart Demon Seal, you can do it too."

Sun Lingtong nodded: "Interesting. If there's a chance in the future, I'd like to try."

Ning Zhuo added, "Isn't there an opportunity right now? You can disguise yourself as someone else, take the My Buddha, Heart Demon Seal, and confront Han Zhou."

Sun Lingtong said, "Can I? If my identity or my relationship with you is discovered, wouldn't it affect our plans?"

Ning Zhuo sighed: "Big sister, don't I know your temperament? Making you stay inside the Thousand-Mile Wandering Dragon all the time is too much to ask."

"Big sister, you've always helped me. Back in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, it was one thing. But now, traveling outside, you still have to sacrifice your own desires for my sake—I don't want that."

"Even if we're discovered, it doesn't matter. We can just think of another way."

Sun Lingtong suddenly understood: "I see."

"You just talked to Lin Shanshan about cooperation to find another path. You want to exchange benefits for the Fetal Breath Spirit Ship?"

"But that's an inheritance treasure—the cost won't be low."

Ning Zhuo smiled: "We'll take it one step at a time."

Sun Lingtong giggled: "Good, good. You really are my disciple."

"To be honest, I've been feeling quite stifled. Ever since coming to Ten Thousand Herbs Valley, I've been itching to do something."

"I'm going out to steal—a lot! Hahaha."

Ning Zhuo: "Huh?"

Sun Lingtong added: "Don't worry, little Zhuo. First, I know my limits. After all, it's someone else's territory—I won't take risks and get caught easily. Second, I really can't stand that Li Jingqing. Dealing with him will also vent some of your anger."

Ning Zhuo nodded slightly: "Big sister, be careful. I don't want to have to bail you out of Ten Thousand Herbs Sect's prison."

Sun Lingtong couldn't wait. She slipped out of the Thousand-Mile Wandering Dragon while invisible, her short legs carrying her outward.

Ning Zhuo transmitted his voice: "Big sister, take the My Buddha, Heart Demon Seal with you."

But Sun Lingtong waved her hand: "Later! I want to have some fun with Li Jingqing first!"

Clearly, compared to fighting, she enjoyed the thrill of stealing even more.

"To be targeted by Big Sister Sun..." Ning Zhuo silently mourned for Li Jingqing.

Origin Mountain.

Lin Shanshan went to the study and reported the matter of cooperation with the Ning family to her father, Lin Bufan.

Hearing that the Ning family possessed Nascent Soul-level combat power, Lin Bufan also took it seriously.

He pondered and said, "You can engage with him further and show him our sect's substantial resources. Tomorrow happens to be the day we distribute goods—a perfect opportunity to display our sect's strength. Don't make promises easily. The specifics of cooperation will have to wait until the investigation results come back."

Lin Shanshan nodded.

Lin Bufan glanced subtly at his daughter, as if casually asking, "What do you think of Ning Zhuo?"

Lin Shanshan smiled: "He treats people sincerely. I can feel his genuine feelings—like the morning sunlight."

"He is also open and upright. This can be seen from how he dealt with Li Jingqing and Han Zhou."

"What's even more commendable is his humble and upright nature. Even though he has a Golden Core-level trump card, he still cultivates diligently, constantly improving himself. Such diligence is rare for someone of his background."

"From this perspective, it's completely normal that he possesses greater spell-casting skill than I do at such a young age."

"Oh, and he's very mindful of repayment. He even said he'd give me a spirit talisman."

Lin Bufan couldn't help but take a light breath.

Suddenly, he regretted having arranged for Lin Shanshan to receive Ning Zhuo.

The words were already spoken, and it wouldn't be good to retract them now.

Lin Bufan thought for a moment and said, "Distance tests a horse's strength, time reveals a person's heart. Hearing your words, I've developed quite a favorable impression of this junior Ning Zhuo. But first impressions must be handled with care."

Lin Shanshan smiled: "Father, I understand. You've taught me these principles since I was young. I also know that the information about Ning Zhuo and the Ning family is only what he said—none of it has been verified. That's the first point."

"Second, even if it's all true, your daughter won't compromise the sect's interests just because of personal fondness!"

"Father, reminding me like this seems like you're underestimating me."

"Hahaha!" Lin Bufan stroked his beard and laughed heartily. "Good, good. Your father was overthinking."

"My daughter knows what's important! Not like Jiu'er, who's still muddle-headed at his age, obsessed with that cup of wine!"

Lin Shanshan took the opportunity to say: "Father, even though Big Brother is confined, every time I visit him, he asks about you."

Lin Bufan snorted coldly: "An old man? I'm not old!"

"Besides, does that kid have the heart for that?"

"Go on, stop trying to plead for him while I'm in a good mood."

Lin Bufan waved his hand repeatedly.

Lin Shanshan pouted and had no choice but to say: "Father, I take my leave."

(End of )