: Zhu Xuanji: What's with this Bad Feeling?

2024-11-09 Author: Gu Zhenren

: Zhu Xuanji: What's with this Bad Feeling?

Ning Jiufan took a deep breath and approached the Spirit-Concealing Willow. He circled the tree several times, his spiritual sense spreading out, permeating the tree and the soil.

"The soil is fertile, the water nourishes, but the Spirit-Concealing Willow is like an old man nearing his end, already unable to absorb any more nourishment."

Ning Jiufan had identified the problem.

Ning Zhuo nodded with a sigh: "Exactly, it's too weak. Ancestor, do you have any good ideas?"

Ning Jiufan spread his hands: "This is a Golden Core level spiritual plant. Your ancestor here has too little expertise in spiritual plants; I dare not act recklessly."

Ning Zhuo immediately frowned.

Ning Jiufan added: "But that's alright. The most suitable person is right beside us!"

"I remember Sect Leader Lin Bufan is very skilled in cultivation and healing, only slightly lacking in alchemy."

"Moreover, his cultivation has reached the Nascent Soul level. Healing a Golden Core level spiritual plant should be very safe for him."

Ning Zhuo sighed: "But doing so will make the alliance contract between our clan and the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect even harsher."

Ning Jiufan shook his head: "If we can cure the Spirit-Concealing Willow, any cost is worth it."

Ning Zhuo also shook his head and sighed again: "It's not just the Spirit-Concealing Willow."

"I also need to purchase a recipe for a wine called 'Melancholic Netherbrew'."

Ning Jiufan asked: "Why is that?"

"Last time, didn't I ask Sect Leader Lin Bufan to allow me to visit Linghu Jiu? There..."

Ning Zhuo didn't hide anything, briefly recounting the event in the Ten Thousand Demon Cave where he and Linghu Jiu had a drinking contest.

Ning Jiufan couldn't help but let his eyes shine again: "Five Elements Divine Master? The 'Five Viscera Temple Divine Art'?!"

"You got a cultivation technique as high as the Void Refining level from just one drinking session?"

"You need to know that our clan's Ice Heart Art only reaches the Nascent Soul level."

Ning Jiufan was extremely excited now, even more so than when he first learned about the Spirit-Concealing Willow.

Ning Zhuo quickly extended a hand, gesturing downward: "Calm down, calm down, Ancestor."

"It's not like I've never gotten a Void Refining level technique before."

Ning Jiufan: ...

After a moment's thought, he was still excited: "But your Three Ancestors Superior Method only reaches the Foundation Establishment level. The 'Five Viscera Temple Divine Art' is the complete version!"

"So? Have you thought about switching techniques?"

Ning Jiufan asked the same question Linghu Jiu had.

Ning Zhuo shook his head, giving the same answer as before. On one hand, the Three Ancestors Superior Method suited him better. On the other hand, he believed the Three Ancestors Superior Method was a new technique, superior to old techniques like the 'Five Viscera Temple Divine Art'.

One point of this superiority was the Dantian.

The Three Ancestors Superior Method cultivated three Dantians simultaneously, top-tier in the world. The 'Five Viscera Temple Divine Art' mainly cultivated the energy channels, affecting the upper and lower Dantians.

Ning Jiufan frowned, speaking in a somewhat worried tone: "Then have you considered that the Three Ancestors Superior Method, created by the Three Ancestors Superior, might not reach the Void Refining level?"

"Also, the Foundation Establishment you obtained came from the Teaching Bell in the Molten Rock Immortal Palace. In the future, if you want the subsequent parts, you probably can't avoid Meng Kui. After all, he is the Palace Lord of the Molten Rock Immortal Palace."

Ning Zhuo nodded: "So, I've decided to take a gamble."

"That's why I'm cooperating closely with the royal family, forming an alliance, all for future plans."

Of course, Ning Zhuo wouldn't say that he actually had more authority over the Molten Rock Immortal Palace than Meng Kui. The Molten Tortoise Fire Spirit in the Dragon Head Cabin was the key to him reclaiming the Molten Rock Immortal Palace in the future.

According to his plan, handing over the Molten Rock Immortal Palace to Meng Kui now was just using the Meng family's strength to repair it for him.

If he had inherited the palace outright back then, he would undoubtedly be trapped in Fire Persimmon Immortal City now, unable to move an inch, and facing fierce retaliation from both the Meng family and the Southern Bean Royal Family.

Another troublesome point was that Ning Zhuo wasn't some lone operator; he had a clan and subordinates. They were all in Fire Persimmon Immortal City. As the city lord, Meng Kui could easily cause trouble for Ning Zhuo through them.

Sometimes, taking a step back really does lead to a broader vista!

Ning Zhuo could now focus on the important things and travel freely. So far, although he had only visited Misty Hidden Mountain and the Ten Thousand Medicine Valley, his gains had been enormous.

"If I had stubbornly held onto the Molten Rock Immortal Palace back then, I'd probably be begging left and right now to cover the funding gap for repairs, promising a bunch of unfavorable terms for myself, right?"

Seeing Ning Zhuo's mind was made up, Ning Jiufan could only say: "You're gambling with your own path. If you lose, it'll be a catastrophe from which there's no return."

"Old techniques can certainly be improved into new ones; didn't your Five Elements realm skyrocket?"

"If you really want to gamble, I advise you to hold off until before advancing to Golden Core, go back to the Molten Rock Immortal Palace and check the Teaching Bell. If you can find out the limits of the Three Ancestors Superior Method, that would be best."

Ning Zhuo shook his head: "Ever since the last time the Teaching Bell rang but only taught me the Foundation Establishment , that area has been designated a restricted zone by Meng Kui."

"Getting access to the Teaching Bell isn't easy."

"Essentially, it depends on me, on the strength of our Ning Family!"

Ning Jiufan nodded repeatedly, greatly agreeing: "That makes sense. Since you understand the stakes, I won't try to persuade you further."

"However, is the Melancholic Netherbrew really that good?"

Ning Jiufan voiced his doubts: "Actually, there are quite a few treasures with similar functions for communicating with the underworld. For example, Last Word Stones, Nether Sound Drums, Ghost Painting Tubes, Ghost Face Bamboo Slips, Underworld Ferry Paper Crafts, etc."

"Speaking of which, spells are more convenient. For instance, the most classic Ghost Possession technique, as well as Nether Soul Summoning Chant, Questioning the Departed Soul, Yellow Spring Spirit Ferry Art, etc."

"In my estimation, that Melancholic Netherbrew was specifically sought by Lin Bufan for his head disciple. After all, Linghu Jiu has the natural talent 'Drunken Moon Seeking Immortal'."

"You managed to get such an astonishing reward purely because of great luck, hitting the jackpot on the first try!"

"Trying again might not yield such fortune."

"Didn't Linghu Jiu give you another half jar of Melancholic Netherbrew? Drink some more and see the effect."

"If the effect isn't good, then we don't need to bother with this item."

"If you really want to obtain such a legacy, you can actually go to the Complete Book Pavilion. As long as you can pay the price, the Complete Book Pavilion can even arrange for the original author of the book to personally teach you the technique, impart the true meaning to you, and even bypass the hurdle of personal comprehension."

Here, Ning Jiufan paused: "Oh, right."

"Sometimes, offering sacrifices to ancestors might also result in teachings from them."

"This year during the Ghost Festival, during the clan's grand sacrifice, you should try to come back. I will personally oversee it, mainly to report your matters to our clansmen in the underworld."

"By then, you will certainly benefit!"

Ning Jiufan, after all, was mature and prudent, and his suggestions were very sound.

Ning Zhuo indicated that he had remembered and would try drinking the Melancholic Netherbrew again.

But he felt uneasy: "The Spirit-Concealing Willow is an important legacy treasure. Is it appropriate to show it to Lin Bufan?"

"If Granny Yuan were healthy, and we had Nascent Soul level combat power, it might be safer."

"But now, Granny Yuan also needs Lin Bufan's treatment, and the previous negotiations have already let him know our actual situation..."

Ning Jiufan smiled and shook his head: "No need to worry about that."

"The Ten Thousand Medicine Sect's assets are far greater than our Ning Family's. If he acts against us, how can he still混 the righteous path?"

"A Golden Core level Spirit-Concealing Willow is very important to our clan. To the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect... well, of course they'd want it too. But if he really tried to take it, wouldn't he be jeopardizing his entire foundation?"

"Unless he could cover it up completely and had a strong enough background to conceal the matter."

"But as far as I know, Lin Bufan isn't significant enough to catch the eye of the upper echelons of the Southern Bean Kingdom. Our Ning Family only received royal support by chance because of the Molten Rock Immortal Palace."

"The Ten Thousand Medicine Sect's foundation is large, but compared to the entire Southern Bean Kingdom, and behemoths like the Meng and Su families, it's still far inferior."

"If absolutely necessary, I will reveal my official position. Ning Zhuo, you should also write a letter to Zhu Xuanji, trick him into sending a reply, and let Lin Bufan see it too."

"Doing that, I feel, would be very safe!"

This suggestion from Ning Jiufan immediately made Ning Zhuo give a thumbs up, praising: "Brilliant, Ancestor, you are truly brilliant!"

Ning Jiufan stroked his beard, smiling smugly, and recalled: "I don't believe Sect Leader Lin Bufan is the kind of petty man who would abandon righteousness for profit."

"Think back to when our Ning Family's entire migration team traveled through the underground dark river and emerged from the Ten Thousand Demon Cave."

"Lin Bufan came personally. After hearing our clan's experience, he immediately made proper arrangements for us."

"We originally didn't want to impose further, but Lin Bufan, considering our difficult circumstances after the migration, insisted on letting us stay for over a month to recuperate."

"Achieving that wasn't easy."

"On one hand, it cost quite a bit of money. On the other hand, our Ning Family's entire clan migration meant we weren't a force to be underestimated. The Ten Thousand Medicine Sect accommodating our large group involved taking many risks."

"Since Sect Leader Lin Bufan has such magnanimity and vision, he probably wouldn't make things difficult for us upon seeing the Spirit-Concealing Willow."

Unlike Ning Zhuo, Ning Jiufan had many contacts with Lin Bufan back in the day. Therefore, Ning Jiufan always had a very good impression of Lin Bufan.

Ning Zhuo nodded and asked Ning Jiufan if he knew about the Five Elements Divine Master.

Ning Jiufan said bluntly: He had not heard of it.

He then speculated: This title is grand, quite domineering. Since it's Void Refining level, it shouldn't belong to an unknown figure. A careful investigation should clarify things.

Ning Jiufan then suggested: "Wait, don't we need a reply from Zhu Xuanji?"

"You can正好 write to him and ask about the Five Elements Divine Master."

"The most basic function of the Southern Bean Kingdom's Divine Capture Division is gathering intelligence. Their archives and records are far more extensive than those of our clan or the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect."

The older, the wiser.

Ning Jiufan's suggestions were all excellent. Ning Zhuo immediately nodded, adopting them all!

Divine Capture Division, Headquarters.

As Zhu Xuanji walked, people continuously greeted him.

"Any major cases today?" Zhu Xuanji asked.

"None," someone replied.

"Really?" Zhu Xuanji expressed doubt. "Whenever a major case occurs, my heart skips a beat, and I feel a bit uneasy. No major case today?"

The Divine Capture Division member who answered him immediately checked through the day's intelligence reports and confirmed again that there were none.

"That's strange." Zhu Xuanji touched his forehead, muttering to himself, "This feeling of unease lingering in my heart, what's going on?"

"Oh, right, Lord Zhu, there's an urgent letter for you here." Seeing Zhu Xuanji about to leave, the Divine Capture Division member quickly called out to him.

For some reason, Zhu Xuanji's heart missed a beat.

The bad feeling grew stronger at this moment.

"What letter? Who sent it?" Zhu Xuanji took the letter and saw the signature on it —

Ning Zhuo!

It's that Son of Calamity again!!

He immediately sucked in a sharp breath inwardly.

(End of )