: Exchanging Insight Diagrams

Author: Gu Zhenren

Date: 2024-10-19

Yuanlai Mountain, Training Ground.

Ning Zhuo was drenched in sweat, panting heavily as he waved to Lin Shanshan, signaling that he needed a break.

Lin Shanshan halted her offensive, took out a bottle of medicinal wine, and handed it to Ning Zhuo.

Ever since rumors started spreading, Lin Shanshan had stopped using the training ground on Xiaozheng Peak. To avoid gossip, she asked Ning Zhuo to secretly come to Yuanlai Mountain and use the training ground her father often used.

This training ground was not only of the highest standard but also secluded, making it the perfect place for teaching martial arts.

"What's this?" Ning Zhuo asked curiously, reaching out to take the medicinal wine.

Lin Zhuo explained, "This is Warm Autumn Wine."

"The main ingredients are Chi Dragon Fruit, Sunflower Blossom, and Heavenly Dew. It has strong nourishing and warming effects on the body and will definitely clear the cold energy lingering inside you."

Ning Zhuo was astonished. "This is Golden Core-level medicinal wine! It will surely dispel the Bitter Cold Energy within me."

"But it's far too precious!"

"Did someone return from Fire Persimmon Immortal City? Has your sect finally verified the information?"

Lin Shanshan shook her head. "The dispatched disciples haven't returned yet. I obtained this by requesting it from an elder in the sect under my own name."

"Personally, I trust you, Young Master Ning Zhuo."

"However, from the sect's perspective, we must have solid evidence and reliable intelligence. Otherwise, my father would be acting arbitrarily, which is not the best way to lead a sect."

"I understand," Ning Zhuo sighed. "Leading a sect is ultimately about leading people's hearts. Being overly domineering, even with good intentions, will cause you to lose support. Those in power should be approachable and benevolent, governing like a gentle spring rain that nourishes silently—that is the true way."

Upon hearing this, Lin Shanshan's eyes lit up, and she praised, "Young Master Ning Zhuo, your words echo my father's views. Perhaps the two of you will have much to discuss in the future."

Ning Zhuo quickly expressed that he had long heard of Lin Bufan's reputation. He admired Lin Bufan's governance skills, which he had witnessed through the prosperity of Wan Medicine Valley since arriving at Xiaozheng Peak.

"I know Elder Lin Bufan is extremely busy, and it's almost impossible for someone like me to meet him."

"I only hope that, through the opportunity of discussing cooperation between our two clans, I might have the chance to pay my respects to Elder Lin. That would be truly wonderful!"

Ning Zhuo very much wanted to leave a good impression on Lin Bufan.

After all, in the future, he might propose a transaction involving the Fetal Breath Spirit Ship.

Although he knew it would be difficult, he needed to at least meet and speak with Lin Bufan to determine if there was any hope for this option.

Lin Shanshan said, "Since Young Master Ning Zhuo plans to challenge Chang Yan soon, it's best to completely dispel the Bitter Cold Energy and fully recover to increase your chances of victory."

"Considering the travel time and schedule, the disciples should report back in the next few days."

"If you cannot defeat Chang Yan, you might miss the upcoming alliance negotiations."

"I'm giving you this wine both for our friendship and to seek greater benefits for my sect."

"Compared to the importance of our alliance, this bottle of Warm Autumn Wine is nothing."

Lin Shanshan persuaded Ning Zhuo to accept the medicinal wine with tactful and reasonable words.

Ning Zhuo nodded. "Miss Lin is right."

He uncorked the bottle and looked inside.

The Warm Autumn Wine was amber-gold in color, clear like the warm autumn sun, emitting a faint medicinal and fruity aroma that refreshed the mind.

Ning Zhuo first sent a mental message: "Boss, pay attention. I'm going to drink it."

Sun Lingtong nodded and immediately responded, indicating that she was watching.

Ning Zhuo then raised the bottle and took a small sip.

The wine was warm and smooth upon entering his mouth, with a hint of sweetness and coolness, like a mountain spring flowing down his throat.

A moment later, a strong warmth rose from his throat and quickly spread throughout his limbs. The warmth felt like spring sunlight, penetrating his skin layer by layer, dispelling the cold energy within his body. It was as if he were bathing in warm sunlight, incredibly comfortable.

The lingering Bitter Cold Energy in Ning Zhuo's body rapidly dissipated as the wine's effects spread.

Moreover, the tension in his muscles and meridians from the intense training also eased.

"Excellent wine," Ning Zhuo praised.

Lin Shanshan, however, felt touched and somewhat emotional. After a moment of thought, she said, "Young Master Ning Zhuo, when you travel to other places in the future, do not easily consume foreign substances."

"At the very least, you should inspect them first."

"My father always taught me that the world is full of dangers, and people's hearts are hard to discern..."

Ning Zhuo nodded. "If it were anyone else, I would inspect it. But I trust you, Miss Lin."

Lin Shanshan couldn't help but smile and shook her head slightly.

Ning Zhuo stretched his limbs. "After a sip of the medicinal wine, my fatigue has vanished. Let's continue, Miss Lin."

Lin Shanshan replied softly, "Alright."

The two continued their sparring.

Ning Zhuo focused intently, devoting himself entirely to the training. Every thought was dedicated to figuring out how to fight back against Lin Shanshan.

He was naturally intelligent and quick-witted. Compared to the complexity of mechanical arts, martial techniques were much simpler and clearer.

As a result, Ning Zhuo improved rapidly.

At first, he was completely suppressed by Lin Shanshan. Gradually, he began to counterattack occasionally. Now, the frequency of his counterattacks increased, and his defensive stances became more stable.

Lin Shanshan marveled inwardly at Ning Zhuo's intelligence, feeling increasingly impressed.

When the training reached Ning Zhuo's physical limit, they stopped again.

During the break, discussing Ning Zhuo's next opponent, Lin Shanshan proactively offered advice: "Chang Yan is a demon cultivator. His true form is an earth snake. He isn't poisonous but is highly skilled in earth-element spells."

"To increase your chances of victory, you must focus on wood-element techniques."

In the cycle of the five elements, fire generates earth, while wood restrains earth.

Using fire-element spells against earth-element techniques would be inefficient. However, using wood-element spells would be highly effective.

Lin Shanshan continued, "I noticed in your previous battles that although your five-element spells are fierce, upon closer inspection, they are not偏向 combat or killing. Instead, they seem more suited for crafting. Is that right?"

Ning Zhuo rubbed his nose. "Miss Lin, you've seen through it."

"The cultivation methods I practice come from the Molten Rock Immortal Palace and are primarily intended for crafting mechanisms."

"They are not particularly advantageous in combat."

Hearing that Ning Zhuo's techniques originated from the Molten Rock Immortal Palace piqued Lin Shanshan's curiosity.

However, inquiring about others' cultivation methods was impolite, so she suppressed her curiosity and returned to the previous topic. "In that case, Young Master Ning Zhuo, why not learn some wood-element spells from our Wan Medicine Sect?"

The Wan Medicine Sect naturally excelled in wood-element spells among the five elements.

Although their core wood-element spells were focused on planting, alchemy, or healing, the sect was large and well-established, with many wood-element spells偏向 combat techniques.

Ning Zhuo thought for a moment and said, "I will challenge Chang Yan in a few days. If I learn other wood-element spells, I'll need to adapt them. It's almost impossible to succeed in such a short time."

"So, Miss Lin, are you suggesting I study your sect's Insight Diagrams?"

Lin Shanshan nodded, feeling relieved at how easy it was to communicate with someone intelligent.

"Exactly," Lin Shanshan said.

"Our Wan Medicine Sect has twenty-seven wood-element Insight Diagrams."

"Twelve of them are related to the sect's three core techniques and cannot be shown to outsiders. However, the remaining fifteen could potentially be viewed and studied by you."

"Still, with limited time, I suggest you first select a few from the fifteen. Perhaps start with three and then focus on one. That might work."

Here, Lin Shanshan paused and added, "For others, such preparation wouldn't be feasible. But Young Master Ning Zhuo, your comprehension is exceptional, so success is truly possible."

Ning Zhuo rubbed his nose, feeling that Lin Shanshan had more confidence in him than he did in himself.

In truth, he had encountered Insight Diagrams before.

The Ning family's "Frost" and "Snow" Insight Diagrams were in his possession.

He had tried to comprehend them before but failed, finding no clues even after staring at them for a long time.

"If I fail to comprehend the wood-element Insight Diagrams this time, wouldn't I lose face?"

Despite this concern, Ning Zhuo agreed without hesitation.

This was an opportunity handed to him. If heaven offers it and you don't take it, you'll suffer the consequences!

Lin Shanshan had already prepared a jade slip and handed it to Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo scanned it with his spiritual sense and carefully selected from the fifteen wood-element Insight Diagrams.

After a moment, he made his decision. "I choose these three diagrams."

Thus, after the day's training, Lin Shanshan led Ning Zhuo to the library.

She presented her token to the elder guarding the library.

The elder, with a weathered and aged appearance, said, "According to the sect's rules, Shanshan, you are qualified to bring one person to the top floor, but only one book can be taken."

Lin Shanshan led Ning Zhuo up the stairs to the top floor, where they retrieved the "Ancient Tree with Entwined Roots Diagram."

After descending and completing the registration, Lin Shanshan took Ning Zhuo to visit her second senior brother and borrowed the "Mountain Night Listening to Waves Diagram."

Finally, they arrived at the back door of her residence.

"Young Master, please wait a moment. I'll be right back," Lin Shanshan instructed before entering the estate to seek an audience with Lin Bufan.

However, Lin Bufan was not home.

Lin Shanshan entered her father's study, searched for a while, and found the "Peeking at the Sky Under the Tree Diagram" on the bookshelf.

Soon after, Ning Zhuo and Lin Shanshan left Yuanlai Mountain and headed to Xiaozheng Peak.

Ning Zhuo, now in possession of three wood-element Insight Diagrams, took out his own "Frost Diagram" and "Snow Diagram."

Lin Shanshan was slightly surprised. "So, Young Master Ning Zhuo, you also have Insight Diagrams with you."

Ning Zhuo said, "I'm ashamed. Logically, these are family heirlooms, but I carry them with me to study when I have the chance. However, since leaving home, I've had little time."

"These two Insight Diagrams will serve as collateral and are entrusted to you, Miss Lin."

Lin Shanshan declined to accept them.

Ning Zhuo exclaimed, "Ah, I misspoke, haha."

"Fellow Daoist Lin, this time, as we spar and exchange insights, it is a testament to the growing friendship between our two families that we exchange Insight Diagrams."

Only then did Lin Shanshan smile and reach out to take the two Ning family Insight Diagrams.

(End of )