: Finger Guessing Game (Combined)

Dazheng Peak.

Inside the Ten Thousand Demons Cave at the back mountain.

Ning Zhuo stood up, swaying unsteadily, and cupped his hands in sincere gratitude towards Linghu Jiu.

"Brother, I owe this opportunity entirely to you. This kindness, I, Ning Zhuo, will keep in my heart and never forget!"

"The Five Organs Temple Divine Spirit Technique"!

The complete technique had reached the Refining Void level. It was evident that the Five Elements Lord was an existence on par with the Three Sects Master.

Although the Three Sects Supreme Method Ning Zhuo cultivated came from the Three Sects Master, it currently only covered the Foundation Establishment level. However, the entire "Five Organs Temple Divine Spirit Technique" was now obtained by Ning Zhuo.

This gain was astonishingly immense!

Linghu Jiu shook his head with a smile. "My role was minimal; this is your fortune. You must know, to receive an ancient sage's legacy, one must first catch their eye. If they dislike you, they won't impart anything."

"Ning Zhuo, your ability to continuously receive the legacy shows this sage who taught you the technique holds you in high regard. That's the first point."

"Secondly, if your comprehension wasn't up to par, the sage would stop the transmission after imparting part of it, deeming you unable to grasp it."

"So, everything you've gained is due to your own capabilities. My role isn't as significant as you imagine."

At this point, Linghu Jiu looked at the two empty wine jars and sighed emotionally. "When I obtained the Lonely Sword Scripture, it only cost one jar of Melancholy Nether Brew."

"The technique you've acquired is priceless. Congratulations. Have you considered restarting your cultivation?"

But Ning Zhuo shook his head.

The Five Organs Temple Divine Spirit Technique was an ancient method, and Ning Zhuo hadn't even heard of the Five Elements Lord himself.

Ning Zhuo was well-read in classics and had knowledge of contemporary and previous generations' capable individuals and sages.

He was certain he hadn't come across the name Five Elements Lord. This indicated this figure must be from an even earlier era.

Ning Zhuo spoke frankly: "The main technique I cultivate comes from the Molten Rock Immortal Palace, originating from the Three Sects Master, and its grade is not inferior to this technique at all."

"I have a passion for mechanical arts, and the Three Sects Supreme Method is especially suitable for me."

"Moreover, this newly acquired technique is an ancient method, its style and terminology differ greatly from contemporary ones. Ancient spiritual energy was sparse, while today's is abundant. Ancient methods are likely inferior to modern ones."

Here, one issue was adaptation to the environment, another being that in the cultivation world, technique inheritance is orderly and constantly evolving.

Even if a sect is destroyed, a family slaughtered, the ancestors in the netherworld might still hold the knowledge. If a descendant with thin bloodline performs sacrifices, they might receive ancestral transmission.

Of course, the Three Sects Supreme Method also had flaws. Ning Zhuo only knew the Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining parts; the subsequent content still needed to be obtained from the Molten Rock Immortal Palace.

Additionally, the Three Sects Supreme Method's grade might not reach the Refining Void level. Although created by the Three Sects Master, not all techniques devised by a Refining Void level master necessarily reach that grade.

However, the Five Organs Temple Divine Spirit Technique only cultivated the sea of qi, while the Three Sects Supreme Method cultivated all three dantians. Just from this aspect, it was already far superior.

"I will use this technique as a reference; it will greatly aid my future cultivation of the Three Sects Supreme Method."

Ning Zhuo told Linghu Jiu: "This technique is called 'Five Organs Temple Divine Spirit Technique,' from the ancient sage Five Elements Lord. Brother Linghu, why don't we study it together?"

Immediately, Ning Zhuo began reciting the opening content of the technique.

Linghu Jiu quickly raised his hand to stop him. "Hold on, Young Master Ning Zhuo, this is your fortune, not mine."

"Techniques are not lightly transmitted!"

"This technique delves deeply into the mysteries of the five elements and isn't suitable for me either."

"I've already said, I only provided some Melancholy Nether Brew. Such a heavy repayment is unwarranted!"

Ning Zhuo was taken aback. "This..."

Lin Bufan's Nascent Soul level divine sense fluctuated violently: "Fool! Jiu'er, you fool!"

"In the past, the Five Elements Lord roamed the world freely, commanding the five elements like a celestial sovereign. This was his main cultivation technique. Even with its ancient style, it contains profound principles of the five elements."

"Even today, it holds immense value. In our sect, it would be a heritage to protect the sect!"

Lin Bufan grew anxious as well.

His divine sense spread to Dazheng Peak, and the first thing he saw was his own eldest disciple pouring Melancholy Nether Brew generously for this outsider Ning Zhuo.

And this kid Ning Zhuo didn't hold back either, gulping it down heartily, drinking with such gusto!

Lin Bufan felt his vision darken.

Then, he saw Ning Zhuo wanting to share the divine technique, only to be directly refused by Linghu Jiu. It made him want to rush to Dazheng Peak and give his eldest disciple a good thrashing.

"Who told you to be so noble? Is that how I taught you?!"

Lin Bufan focused on Ning Zhuo, still holding some hope.

But Ning Zhuo loudly praised Linghu Jiu's潇洒风度 (free and easy demeanor) and never mentioned sharing the divine technique again.

Lin Bufan's eye twitched: "This brat Ning Zhuo is really too oblivious."

"The Melancholy Nether Brew is one thing, but the Five Organs Temple Divine Spirit Technique..."

"I went with the flow, letting Ning Zhuo meet Jiu'er, never expecting such a huge advantage to be taken! Ah, what is this all about?"

Ning Zhuo also knew he had gained an enormous advantage this time.

He couldn't help but feel deeply moved: "First Lin Shanshan, now Linghu Jiu. The Valley of Ten Thousand Medicines is such a good place, truly my land of fortune."

He never expected such a tremendous harvest!

Originally, Ning Zhuo just wanted to meet Linghu Jiu to properly sound out this future Valley of Ten Thousand Medicines Sect Leader.

But then, his opportunity arrived.

"Ah, when fortune comes, you really can't block it."

Ning Zhuo wished he could immediately go into seclusion to carefully ponder the newly acquired divine technique. But leaving now would be awkward and improper.

Ning Zhuo restrained himself, took out Ice Jade Wine, filled Linghu Jiu's cup, and his own.

He sat down, raised his cup to Linghu Jiu, actively communicating, wanting to ask what Linghu Jiu needed, to see if he could fulfill it and repay this enormous debt.

Linghu Jiu straightforwardly said he had a fondness for fine wine. If Ning Zhuo ever had the chance to find some fine wine to gift him, that would be wonderful.

Ning Zhuo said he would remember this and invited Linghu Jiu to enjoy the Ice Jade Wine today.

"If really necessary, I'll just have my ancestor make some more. I just returned the Ice Heart Jade Pot to him."

Ning Zhuo's casual attitude towards Ning Jiufan made Linghu Jiu quite curious.

He immediately sighed: "Young Master Ning Zhuo, your relationship with your Golden Core ancestor is so close, truly enviable."

Ning Zhuo, feeling dizzy from drinking and grateful for Linghu Jiu's help in obtaining the complete divine technique, spoke truthfully: "Although I lost my parents young, faced others' harsh treatment, and my family treated me poorly, I have my mother's legacy and have made great progress with the Molten Rock Immortal Palace."

"Don't look at me being only at the Foundation Establishment level; in terms of combat power alone, ordinary Golden Core cultivators can't trouble me."

"My family's ancestor is no match for me."

"Of course, that was before. Now he has Granny Yuan by his side, he completely surpasses me!"

Ning Zhuo's cultivation was only Foundation Establishment, but his actual combat power exceeded his cultivation realm, reaching the Golden Core level.

Linghu Jiu showed a look of surprise, but not too much.

Because he himself was only at the Foundation Establishment level but also possessed Golden Core level combat power!

Ning Zhuo continued: "However, Ancestor Ning Jiufan has indeed treated me well. I managed to branch off the family with his support."

"He appreciates me!"

"Among all the Ning family's younger generation, I'm the only one who has stood out. It's not strange for him to treat me this way."

"In the future, when the ancestor passes, the vast family estate will still need me to inherit it."

"Hmph! Those insects in the main branch—how can the family be well-managed coexisting with them? Branching off is just my first step. Next, I'll work hard to manage and eventually absorb the main branch."

"By then, I will be the main branch. That will be the Ning family!"

Ning Zhuo rarely revealed his schemes and ambitious spirit.

Linghu Jiu raised his wine bowl, laughing heartily: "Young Master Ning Zhuo, such heroic spirit! A toast to you!"

They finished a bowl together. Ning Zhuo looked at Linghu Jiu: "To be honest, Brother Linghu, I envy you. I can only start from scratch, but you have a Nascent Soul level master who loves you like a son, and you'll inherit the great foundation of the Valley of Ten Thousand Medicines Sect in the future."

Linghu Jiu smiled wryly: "I've long been aware of my master's expectations. It's just that I'm inherently lazy by nature; taking care of these junior brothers and sisters already exhausts me. What I truly want is a life like a carefree cloud and wild crane."

Ning Zhuo immediately shook his head: "How can that work? Any kind of cultivation requires resources. The higher the cultivation, the more resources are consumed."

"Brother Linghu, if you want a carefree life like clouds and wild cranes, you must have strong power to guarantee it. Otherwise, a slightly stronger demonic cultivator could make your life worse than death."

"And to have strong power, you need a continuous supply of cultivation resources. Precisely because you want a carefree life, you must manage the Valley of Ten Thousand Medicines Sect excellently."

Linghu Jiu let out a soft sound of surprise, looking at Ning Zhuo with intense interest.

Ning Zhuo's face was flushed red, his drunken eyes hazy: "What's up?"

Linghu Jiu pointed at Ning Zhuo and laughed heartily: "Young Master Ning Zhuo, truly straightforward by nature. The more you drink, the more adorable you seem."

Ning Zhuo fell silent for a moment, trying hard to straighten his tongue: "Brother Linghu, we hit it off right away. You've helped me so much, giving your full support! How can I not repay you?"

"It's just that currently, my resources are meager. I have a few important treasures that are extremely crucial and cannot be used to repay you. I can only keep it in mind and plan to repay you later."

"Therefore, hearing your words earlier, I felt anxious and wanted to advise you. My words were somewhat..."

Linghu Jiu waved his hand, stopping Ning Zhuo's apology: "Boring. Young Master Ning Zhuo has become boring again."

Despite saying this, Linghu Jiu couldn't help but admire Ning Zhuo.

Even though Linghu Jiu knew well that the youth opposite him had unclear entanglements with his junior sister, he didn't hold a grudge against Ning Zhuo because of personal feelings.

He had his own perspective and could view Ning Zhuo correctly, recognizing that this young man was indeed outstanding.

Both in past achievements and in his inherent nature.

Hearing Linghu Jiu's 'boring' comment, Ning Zhuo decisively changed the subject: "Just drinking like this is indeed boring. Brother Linghu, do you know drinking games? Do you know how to play the finger-guessing game?"

Linghu Jiu: "I've heard of it and seen it as a novelty. It seems to be a kind of game."

Ning Zhuo found it strange: "Brother, a hero among drinkers, doesn't even know the finger-guessing game?"

Linghu Jiu smiled, his face bitter, complaining to Ning Zhuo about his love for wine having long made him a negative example. He was often criticized, punished with confinement. Under such circumstances, who would dare drink with him?

Moreover, he usually had to maintain the demeanor of the eldest senior brother to properly instruct his junior brothers and sisters.

He truly had no peers who were close friends, or rather drinking buddies, within the sect.

Outside the sect, Linghu Jiu's identity was special; he feared any misstep might implicate his master and sect, making others look down on them.

"An experience like drinking with Young Master Ning Zhuo is truly rare in my life!" Linghu Jiu sighed deeply.

"So that's how it is." Ning Zhuo's eyes shone. "Being able to drink like this with Brother Linghu is also an honor for me."

"Brother, please don't call me 'Young Master' anymore. Just call me by my name."

Linghu Jiu: "Hahaha, I won't stand on ceremony then."

He cupped his hands in salute: "Brother Ning Zhuo."

Ning Zhuo returned the salute, his tone elevated: "Brother Linghu!"

After changing their forms of address, their relationship grew closer.

Both were very pleased, couldn't help but raise their bowls, clink them together, and down them directly.

Lin Bufan: ...

Linghu Jiu put down his wine bowl, and Ning Zhuo immediately refilled it with Ice Jade Wine.

While pouring, Ning Zhuo said: "Since Brother doesn't know the finger-guessing game, let me teach you."

"It's actually very simple. We both extend one hand simultaneously, making gestures representing the numbers zero to five. At the same time, we speak, guessing the sum of the numbers represented by our gestures."

"Whoever guesses correctly wins. The loser is penalized with a drink."

Linghu Jiu asked curiously: "Huh? Then isn't this penalty more like a reward?"

Ning Zhuo was taken aback, then burst out laughing.

Lin Bufan saw his eldest disciple attentively learning the finger-guessing game and felt even more speechless.

Soon, Xiao Ju hurried to the Ten Thousand Demons Cave.

She carried the important task given by Lin Shanshan: to look after Ning Zhuo and Linghu Jiu, preventing them from fighting intensely, turning red-faced, and escalating conflicts.

But before she even entered the cave, she heard the sounds of the finger-guessing game.

"Six-six-six, who drinks first."

"Five champions, who drinks first."

"Hahaha, I lost." Linghu Jiu picked up the wine bowl and drank it dry, then rolled up his sleeves. "Let's continue."

"Six-six-six (Four joys and wealth)!"

"Seven cleverness (Nine linked rings)!"

Ning Zhuo suddenly widened his eyes.

He lost.

Linghu Jiu laughed heartily, raising his arm high: "Drink, drink up."

Ning Zhuo downed a bowl.

Xiao Ju stood at the cave entrance, witnessing this scene, her face full of disbelief, her mouth agape as if her jaw might drop.

"What's going on here?"

"Young Master Ning Zhuo and the eldest senior brother are indeed locked in a fierce contest, also red-faced, but there doesn't seem to be any conflict at all."

"They actually get along so harmoniously?"

Xiao Ju found it unbelievable, completely different from what she had imagined.

"Someone's coming." Ning Zhuo's divine sense had already detected Xiao Ju's arrival.

They let Xiao Ju in to report. Upon learning of Lin Shanshan's concerns, Linghu Jiu and Ning Zhuo exchanged smiles.

Linghu Jiu waved his hand: "Junior sister worries too much. Go on, go on."

But Xiao Ju didn't dare leave, still remembering Lin Shanshan's instructions. She worried that if she left now, and they ended up in conflict later, it wouldn't be good.

So she said: "How about letting Xiao Ju pour wine for you two gentlemen?"

Linghu Jiu thought for a moment and immediately understood Xiao Ju's intention: "Fine, you can pour the wine."

He and Ning Zhuo started "competing" again.

At first, they just sat on stone stools. Gradually, they stood up. Linghu Jiu rolled up his sleeves, placed one foot on the stone stool, and each time they played the finger-guessing game, he shouted freely and loudly.

Ning Zhuo leaned forward with one hand on the stone table, launching "strong attacks" at Linghu Jiu each time.

They drank three more jars of wine in a row, both unable to stand steadily. They sat on the stone table, arms around each other's shoulders, swaying their heads.

Linghu Jiu, in high spirits, started singing folk songs.

After listening to a few verses, Ning Zhuo learned them and joined in.

"Hahaha!" They laughed facing each other, both heavily drunk.

Linghu Jiu, with disheveled hair, paced madly inside the stone cave like a monkey. His long sleeves fluttered swiftly like the wind, extremely潇洒 (free and easy).

Ning Zhuo sat on the ground, head bowed, shoulders hunched, silent.

Linghu Jiu suddenly stopped, looked up at the sky outside the cave, and recited a poem.

Ning Zhuo immediately responded with a matching poem!

Linghu Jiu clapped his hands in praise: "Young Master Ning Zhuo, such great talent."

Ning Zhuo shook his head, smiling wryly: "What kind of young master am I? Compared to me, you are the young master."

"Young Master Linghu!"

He cupped his hands in a somewhat playful salute.

Linghu Jiu nodded proudly, "Hmm": "Young Master Ning Zhuo."

Ning Zhuo was already dizzy: "I'm just a little thief."

After joking, he could no longer hold on, collapsed on the ground, and started snoring loudly.

Linghu Jiu shook his head: "Little thief Ning Zhuo, what did you steal? My junior sister's heart?"

Xiao Ju's heart trembled violently, immediately looking at Linghu Jiu.

Linghu Jiu leaned against the cave wall, slowly sat on the ground, looked at the sky outside the cave, a melancholic expression appearing on his face.

He softly hummed the folk song and also fell into a deep sleep.

Xiao Ju: ?!

After a moment of