: Tasting the Bitter Water

Ning Zhuo shook his head: "Not very appropriate. Many people know about my needs now. If these cultivation treasures were stolen, I'd be the first suspect."

Sun Lingtong shrugged: "Then I'll just empty their entire storage. Problem solved, right?"

Ning Zhuo sighed deeply: "Stealing under the watchful eyes of Nascent Soul-level cultivators carries really high risks."

"But if there's truly no other way, we might have to resort to it."

"Enough, let's not talk about this anymore. Boss, please guard me."

Sun Lingtong nodded repeatedly: "Go ahead and meditate, Xiao Zhuo. I'll keep an eye on you."

Ning Zhuo then walked forward a few steps, arriving under the Hidden Spirit Willow.

The Hidden Spirit Willow seemed to sense Ning Zhuo, gently brushing his face with its branches a few more times.

Ning Zhuo smiled faintly, feeling the willow's welcome: "Oh willow, oh willow, have you missed me after just a few days apart?"

"I need to borrow your power again to help me taste the bitter water."

"Only when I grow stronger can I provide you with a better environment."

Sun Lingtong chuckled: "Little brother, you're quite amusing too. Why talk to a willow tree? Hurry up and drink the water."

Ning Zhuo turned back to look at Sun Lingtong: "Boss, I felt an immediate connection the first time I saw this willow. I can't help but communicate with it."

"Perhaps it's because I've been practicing the Cremation Prajna Spirit Liberation Sutra that I increasingly feel all things have spirit. Beings like the Hidden Spirit Willow, which can enlighten our wisdom, must possess even greater spirituality."

"It's just that it has no mouth or nose, unable to speak or gesture."

"To be honest, every time I talk to it like this, my heart can't help but calm down."

Sun Lingtong shrugged: "Well, that's not bad. Consider it your personal method for adjusting your meditation state, Xiao Zhuo."

Ning Zhuo stopped speaking, took out a meditation cushion, and sat down cross-legged.

He then retrieved a small jade vial containing a small amount of bitter water.

After regulating his breathing for a moment, Ning Zhuo fully adjusted his state. His heart was as calm as an ancient well without ripples, his mind perfectly clear.

Ning Zhuo uncorked the vial and slowly poured the bitter water into his mouth.

The moment the bitter water entered his mouth, Ning Zhuo found its bitterness indescribable!

This bitterness wasn't limited to taste alone; it struck directly at the depths of his soul. His throat burned, and his very spirit seemed to let out an unbearable wail.

As the bitter water slid down his throat, it seemed to transform into a cold current, rapidly spreading throughout his body. Ning Zhuo felt an icy coldness swiftly蔓延 from his stomach to his limbs, bringing an unprecedented chill and shivering.

His heartbeat accelerated violently, cold sweat seeped from his forehead, and his body trembled slightly uncontrollably.

His mind began to浮现 various sins, images of people he had hurt or wronged, and mistakes he had made in the past.

The Three Huang Ghosts, Ning Zhanji, Ning Ji, Ning Ze, Ning Xiaohui, Zhu Xuanji, Meng Chong, the Black Wind Tiger Demon, Deputy Mountain Fox God, Lin Shanshan...

The memories were so vivid, every detail lifelike, making it impossible for him to avoid or escape.

Whispers and sobs began to sound in his ears—voices he had once ignored, the voices of his deep-seated regrets and guilt.

An invisible pressure enveloped his entire body, as if countless hands were pulling at his heart, trying to drag him into an abyss of endless sin.

Sun Lingtong watched as Ning Zhuo's face contorted in extreme agony after drinking the bitter water, tears quickly streaming from the corners of his tightly closed eyes.

Sun Lingtong gritted his teeth, only daring to call out in his heart: "Xiao Zhuo!"

He was extremely worried, clenching his fists, but could only焦急 helplessly.

But the next moment, he heard Ning Zhuo let out a cold snort.

Under the Hidden Spirit Willow, the white-clad youth wore an expression as cold as ice. The previous pain and distortion seemed suppressed by solid ice.

Ning Zhuo slowly opened his eyes, his gaze unwavering.

He sneered inwardly: "All things in heaven and earth develop naturally, all competing! The path of cultivation may seem vast, the hundred arts of cultivation may seem numerous, but in truth, there is only one path."

"That is the path of striving for victory!"

"Whether it's the righteous path, the evil path, or the demonic path, strength comes first. Only with sufficient strength will people treat me kindly and speak to me amiably about rules and principles."

"If I had enough strength, I could have awakened Mother back at Fire Persimmon Mountain. Why would I need to run around everywhere now?"

"Strengthening my power is the prerequisite and foundation. How can mere bitter water shake my resolve!"

"Only by moving forward,不拘小节, constantly striving for victory, is the way I, Ning Zhuo, accomplish things!"

People are different from one another.

Facing hardship and poverty, everyone's feelings, choices, and reactions differ.

Some people draw strength from hardship and difficulty, continuously building their own power. They never waver in their resolve, believing everything is merely a temporary difficulty. As long as they are determined, even the greatest challenges are just tests in life.

Although Ning Zhuo is only sixteen years old, his成长经历 has been incredibly oppressive. He faced苛刻薄待, needed to constantly disguise himself, endured his mother's absence, underwent trials under Sun Lingtong's guidance, and exhaustively schemed how to deal with Golden Core and Nascent Soul level opponents.

And he himself is merely at the Qi Refining stage!

The Bitter Cold Sutra...

Han Zhou clearly stated that this sutra draws power from bitterness and cold to strengthen oneself, ultimately achieving self-liberation.

Hasn't Ning Zhuo's sixteen years been a continuous process of self-liberation?

Han Zhou was quite correct about one thing—Ning Zhuo truly fits the true meaning of the Bitter Cold Sutra.

The protection of the My Buddha Heart Demon Seal is only superficial. Ning Zhuo's true nature is exactly like this!

No matter how poor and humble I am, no matter how mountainous or sky-high the external enemies are, they cannot crush my will or break my resolve.

I regard it all as a whetstone, a muddy pond where a latent dragon awaits ascension.

The sharpness of a sword comes from grinding; the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from bitter cold!

So-called bitterness and cold are merely gifts of life.

And this bitter water, upon careful tasting, seems to have a slight sweet aftertaste.

Ning Zhuo not only stabilized his mind but used this to further temper his resolve.

The true meaning contained in the bitter water flowed like a great river within his heart.

Frost Fist, Old Cold Leg, Suffering Body, Laboring Strength, Pouring Bitter Water... various martial techniques were quickly grasped by Ning Zhuo, their essence mastered.

Once the essence was mastered, adapting them to his own body came naturally, without any obstacles!

When Ning Zhuo finished his meditation and stood up, Sun Lingtong immediately approached to inquire about his condition.

Ning Zhuo's eyes shone, his temperament having undergone a layer of transformation. He seemed entirely renewed, spirit uplifted: "Boss, I'm doing very well now."

He turned to look at the Hidden Spirit Willow.

On the Hidden Spirit Willow, only half a willow branch showed signs of withering.

The difficulty of the bitter water lay not in comprehension, but in how to endure the mental interrogation and impact, how to stabilize one's will, and smooth all negative emotions.

Sun Lingtong examined Ning Zhuo, somewhat surprised: "I also feel you seem to have changed a bit."

"How did the bitter water taste?"

Just as Ning Zhuo was about to answer, Sun Lingtong immediately raised a hand to stop him: "Don't say it, I'll try it myself. Hehehe!"

"Can't wait." Sun Lingtong rubbed his hands, smiling so much his eyes narrowed.

"Boss, I'll guard you." Ning Zhuo left the meditation cushion, giving his spot to Sun Lingtong.

After drinking the bitter water, Sun Lingtong's expression also changed dramatically.

"Hold on, Boss!" Ning Zhuo cheered for him inwardly.

Sun Lingtong indeed didn't disappoint him, quickly calming his expression.

A moment later, he slowly opened his eyes, looking disappointed: "Little brother, that Han Zhou isn't honest! He's算计 you!"

"These martial techniques themselves require the Suffering Body as a foundation."

"Frost Fist, Old Cold Leg, etc., all need bitter cold energy to emanate from within. First injure yourself, then deal with the enemy."

"The more the Suffering Body is struck, the stronger it becomes. But neither of us has bitter cold energy. Unless we specially cultivate the Bitter Cold Sutra, we won't have such法力真气."

Ning Zhuo nodded: "That's right."

"My Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art produces Five Elements法力. It's impossible to渗透 Five Elements法力 into the body's interior, into every joint. This would greatly damage my肉身. Although it could enhance the power of my fists and feet, it's very cost-ineffective."

"But Boss, you seem to have forgotten that I cultivate three techniques simultaneously. Five Elements法力 is only in my气海. My精海 contains the essence-blood power of the Demon Tainted Blood Sinew Art."

Sun Lingtong slapped his forehead: "Haha, I forgot about that. It's because you've been using Five Elements法力 in fights lately."

Ning Zhuo smiled.

He had already mastered the essence of the Bitter Cold Sutra's martial techniques and conceived various techniques compatible with the Demon Tainted Blood Sinew Art. He only needed to practice them secretly, ready to surprise others someday.

Small Strife Peak, Training Ground.

Ning Zhuo arrived as promised to meet Han Zhou.

Upon meeting, Han Zhou asked if he had drunk the bitter water.

Ning Zhuo replied that he had taken a sip, gained some insights, and asked for guidance today.

Han Zhou, with a surprised expression, sparred with Ning Zhuo.

Although Ning Zhuo didn't display any new martial techniques, he had developed better countermeasures against Han Zhou's Frost Fist, Old Cold Leg, and even Suffering Body. He was no longer as狼狈 as before, instead handling them quite从容.

After the spar, Han Zhou said in amazement: "Fellow Daoist Ning Zhuo, you already have a deep understanding of my various martial techniques, completely mastering them. It seems drinking the bitter water has greatly benefited you!"

Ning Zhuo smiled: "I have you to thank for your generosity in gifting it to me."

Han Zhou carefully observed Ning Zhuo's expression and demeanor, seeing his radiant spirit, and grew even more astonished. Superficially, he waved his hand: "You are qualified to use such a thing."

"Many cultivators, despite their strong combat power and high cultivation, aren't worthy of using this bitter water."

"I am now convinced that Fellow Daoist Ning Zhuo, you not only have extraordinary comprehension but also an astonishingly firm heart nature."

Ning Zhuo modestly declined a few words, then took out two Comprehension Diagrams.

They were the Rime Diagram and the Proud Snow Diagram.

"Brother Han Zhou, you gifted me bitter water earlier. I should reciprocate."

"These two Comprehension Diagrams come from my Ning Family. They are two ice and snow spells, which I lend to you for study."

"I have quite some understanding of the Bitter Cold Sutra. Using bitter cold法力 to activate ice and snow spells should be quite effective."

Han Zhou was momentarily stunned, then slowly reached out and accepted the two diagrams.

(End of )