: Six Caves Sect

Author: Gu Zhenren

Date: 2024-11-16

The first to leave was not Ning Zhuo, but Ning Jiufan.

"Ancestor," Ning Zhuo bowed and said, "We must be extra cautious on our return to the city and not take anything lightly."

"The demon cultivation technique granted by the royal family this time, though precious, hasn't been thoroughly vetted yet. It's best not to let Elder Yuan practice it recklessly."

"With the conflict over the ten-thousand-year fire essence being fierce and dangerous, if her cultivation goes awry due to improper practice, it could jeopardize major plans."

"Our method of restraining Elder Yuan is an official technique, sourced from the royal family. If the demon cultivation method also comes from the Zhu family, it might not be appropriate."

"Therefore, I boldly suggest that it's wiser to prioritize stability for now—delay the practice until the situation calms down before making a decision."

Ning Jiufan listened attentively, nodding silently.

He had long witnessed Ning Zhuo's temperament and tactics back in Fire Persimmon Immortal City.

Back then, Ning Zhuo, with only Qi Refining cultivation, had schemed for over a decade, outmaneuvering the Nascent Soul-level Meng Kui while leveraging the influence of the Ning, Zheng, Zhou, and royal Zhu families, as well as the City Lord's Mansion. Every time Ning Jiufan recalled this, he was astounded. Had he been in Ning Zhuo's place, he could never have achieved such excellence.

This trip to the Myriad Medicine Sect further deepened Ning Jiufan's regard for Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo had now far surpassed his ancestor in the Five Elements realm.

With his mysterious immortal aptitude, he had gained the favor and recognition of the Five Elements Sovereign, receiving the personal transmission of the Five Viscera Temple Spirit Technique.

In the Myriad Medicine Sect, Ning Zhuo once again displayed his exceptional social skills. Though his relationship with Lin Shanshan was ambiguous, he still managed to get along harmoniously with Linghu Jiu.

Not to mention, Ning Zhuo had Hua Guzi by his side, who was almost infatuated with him.

Ning Jiufan deeply admired this, as he often found himself exhausted just dealing with Elder Yuan, feeling he could barely keep up. Yet Ning Zhuo handled such challenges with ease, as if it were second nature.

After carefully listening to Ning Zhuo's advice, Ning Jiufan felt reassured that Ning Zhuo still cared about the family's affairs in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, recognizing his concern for the clan.

Regarding the alliance of the Ning, Zhu, and Zhou families against the Meng family in the struggle over the Molten Immortal Palace, Ning Zhuo still believed that the Taiqing Palace remained a force not to be overlooked.

Ning Jiufan handed Ning Zhuo a jade slip: "This is intelligence that just arrived via courier yesterday."

"Following your suggestion, I sent an envoy to the Taiqing Palace to seek cooperation, but they refused."

"As you predicted, after absorbing members of the Zheng family, the Taiqing Palace now holds some positions in the Immortal Palace and has ambitions for it, though they haven't made a move yet."

"The Taiqing Palace has won over the Zheng family cultivators, so they showed no courtesy to our Ning family."

The reason was simple: the branch family under Ning Zhuo's control had seized the Zheng family's original territory, which deeply angered the Zheng family cultivators. They explicitly told the envoy that cooperation would only be possible if the territory was returned first.

This was clearly impossible!

The value of the clan's land was immense—it was the foundation of the branch family's existence. Currently, one of the Ning branch family's main sources of income was processing Jade Smooth Mystic Steel, thanks to the many refining workshops in the Zheng family's territory that utilized the endless earth fire of Fire Persimmon Mountain. Some of these workshops even surpassed those of the City Lord's Mansion in quality.

Ning Zhuo frowned as he infused his spiritual sense into the jade slip to read its contents. Afterward, his expression eased slightly.

The jade slip detailed more of the situation. Not only had the Ning family sent an envoy, but the Meng and Zhu families had also dispatched envoys to negotiate with the Taiqing Palace.

Compared to the Meng and Zhu families, the Ning family was insignificant, which explained why they were overlooked.

There were countless heroes in the world, and Ning Zhuo was not the only one who could see the situation clearly.

Evidently, other forces also recognized that the remnants of the Zheng family within the Taiqing Palace could not be ignored.

"From the Zheng family's standpoint, aligning with the Meng family against us is very likely. But in reality, the Taiqing Palace's stance is what truly matters."

"Given the Taiqing Palace's geographical location, they don't border the Meng family's sphere of influence. From this perspective, they're more likely to accept overtures from the royal Zhu family."

"Let's hope the Zhu royal family succeeds."

Before leaving, Ning Jiufan also had words for Ning Zhuo.

On one hand, he encouraged Ning Zhuo, affirming that his actions in the Myriad Medicine Valley were correct and that he should strive to enhance his combat prowess. Mechanical constructs were, after all, not one's own body and couldn't be mobilized as swiftly and nimbly in critical moments.

There's a saying: a slim chance of survival—sometimes, life and death hang by a thread, where the slightest difference leads to a thousand-mile deviation.

On the other hand, Ning Jiufan warned Ning Zhuo that the world was full of dangers. Sects like the Myriad Medicine Sect were exceptions, and he shouldn't underestimate the challenges ahead. As he journeyed across the land, he must remain vigilant and never let his guard down.

"Like your next stop—the Thousand Peaks Forest in Liangzhu Country. The Six Caves Sect, which occupies that area, was once on friendly terms with our Ning family, with many business dealings."

"Over a decade ago, when our clan migrated, we hoped to leverage the Six Caves Sect's help. Instead, they betrayed us, colluding with our enemies to set up ambushes and traps."

"At that time, our clan had just left North Wind Country and entered Liangzhu Country, exhausted and thinking we were safe, so we let our guard down."

"The Six Caves Sect's betrayal nearly wiped us out."

"But heaven hadn't forsaken us. At the brink of destruction, we fled into underground tunnels and, through countless complex passages, luckily found a way out."

"Eventually, we followed an underground river out of Liangzhu Country, bypassing the enemies' obstacles and traps, and arrived in South Bean Country, within the Myriad Medicine Valley."

"Back then, because of the Six Caves Sect incident, our clan was jumpy at every sound. But in the Myriad Medicine Valley, we received hospitality from Lin Bufan."

"This Sect Leader Lin, though a stranger to our clan, had such style and magnanimity. For this, our entire clan, including myself, has always held a secret gratitude for him."

"Although we learned the truth of what happened back then on this trip, Sect Leader Lin Bufan truly looked after our clan, and this sense of gratitude and the desire to repay him still remains."

At this point, Ning Jiufan's expression turned solemn: "Xiao Zhuo, if you encounter the Six Caves Sect in Liangzhu Country, you may act as the situation allows."

Ning Zhuo immediately grasped the implied meaning and nodded: "Ancestor, I understand!"

"The Six Caves Sect is an enemy of our Ning family. Given the chance, I'll make sure they pay."

"Good, good." Ning Jiufan stroked his beard and laughed. "I have faith in your methods and abilities."

"However, a gentleman's revenge can wait ten years; a genius's revenge can wait a century."

"You have immortal aptitude; the future is yours, and the entire Ning family will rely on you. Don't risk too much for small gains—your safety comes first."

"Ancestor, I know." Ning Zhuo smiled.

The Six Caves Sect was already one of his targets.

Back then, when the Ning family fled in haste, many clansmen had died at their hands, and much wealth had fallen into their possession.

For instance, the mechanical carriage that Meng Yaoyin rode while pregnant with Ning Zhuo was one such item.

Moreover, according to what Meng Yaoyin once said, she had suffered a miscarriage precisely in the Thousand Peaks Forest during that period.

Ning Jiufan was leaving first to make preparations in advance, ready to receive Lin Bufan and others. Additionally, on his return journey, he planned to stop by Jade Steel Mountain to show support for the Ning family forces stationed there.

With his Golden Core cultivation, his presence would greatly aid the Ning family's arrangements on Jade Steel Mountain.

Ning Zhuo suggested that Ning Jiufan take Han Zhou along and leave him at Jade Steel Mountain.

Before parting, Ning Zhuo had made various arrangements.

Hua Guzi would stay in the Myriad Medicine Valley to cooperate with Ning Yong and other clansmen, primarily to guard the Hidden Spirit Willow, maintain close communication with the Myriad Medicine Sect, and manage business between the two parties.

After discussing with Han Zhou, Ning Zhuo agreed to let him teach the Bitter Cold Scripture to the Ning family members, enticing Han Zhou to go to Jade Steel Mountain to spread the technique.

Han Zhou was quite capable, and the Bitter Cold Scripture would be very useful for the Ning branch family.

"Our branch family is newly established. Though business is picking up, we're short on everything."

With many branch family members now treated fairly, their enthusiasm for cultivation had been ignited and was at an all-time high.

What they lacked were cultivation resources.

In this situation, the Bitter Cold Scripture offered a solution to their predicament.

Cultivating the Bitter Cold Scripture required low cost but yielded high returns. Moreover, most Ning family members on Jade Steel Mountain were miners, accustomed to hardship.

This was a significant advantage for practicing the Bitter Cold Scripture.

"This cooperation will definitely be a win-win!" Ning Zhuo was confident.

Regarding the family's cultivation techniques, Ning Zhuo had his own ideas.

Having mastered the Five Viscera Temple Spirit Technique and attained a high level in the Five Elements realm, he could refine this technique to better suit the current environment.

He planned to impart the improved Five Viscera Temple Spirit Technique in stages to those close to him.

For example, Ning Yong, who was stationed at the Myriad Medicine Sect this time, was willing to switch to this technique.

A day later, Ning Zhuo set off in secret.

His farewells with Linghu Jiu and Lin Shanshan need not be detailed.

Zhu Xuanji also had words for him.

Ning Zhuo thanked Zhu Xuanji for his help, and Zhu Xuanji warned him: "Since you're going to Liangzhu Country, be careful. It's not very peaceful there lately."

"Liangzhu Country's army is mobilizing on a large scale, showing signs of gathering forces under the banner of 'cutting down mountains and destroying temples,' aiming to eradicate the Thousand Peaks Forest."

Ning Zhuo immediately sensed there was more to this and pressed for details.

Zhu Xuanji sighed, gazing at the distant sky, and explained the national situation.

It turned out that Liangzhu Country was small and weak, sandwiched between South Bean Country and North Wind Country, serving as a buffer zone in their conflicts.

Because the ruler of Liangzhu Country only had a Divine Transformation cultivation level, both South Bean and North Wind Countries had significant influence over it.

"Many forces in northern Liangzhu Country receive covert support from North Wind Country and indirectly influence Liangzhu's court."

"As for the southernmost part of Liangzhu Country, that's the Thousand Peaks Forest. This mountainous area has always been fragmented, with numerous competing forces. This is exactly the situation our country desires."

(End of )