: Han Zhou Transmits the Scripture

The towering Jade Steel Mountain stood steep and rugged, its emerald green so vivid it seemed to drip. The soil, rich with Jade-Glaze Mystic Steel, took on a bluish-jade hue. From afar, the mountain resembled a giant clad in jade armor, majestic and magnificent.

Mountain streams babbled, their sounds like the gentle plucking of an ancient zither, clear and resonant. The rocks were hard and crystalline, shimmering with light. Exposed ore deposits layered the mountainside, veins crisscrossing in immense richness. The mine shafts were deep and labyrinthine, stretching into the mountain's belly like a vast network, with flickering miner's lamps dotting the darkness like stars. Miners toiled like ants, digging tirelessly without complaint.

Mid-slope lay Jade Steel Town, its walls high and watchtowers numerous. Since Meng Zi's heavy defeat at Misty Hidden Mountain, the situation here had undergone a dramatic transformation. Now, many cultivators patrolled day and night, taking shifts on guard duty, making the defenses far stricter than before.

Han Zhou stood in a small courtyard within the town, gazing at the thick smoke billowing in the sky—the result of the town's furnaces operating ceaselessly day and night. The furnace fires blazed on without rest.

"Fellow Daoist Han Zhou, everyone has arrived," an elder said, pushing the courtyard gate open and entering.

Han Zhou nodded. "Please, have them come in."

A large group of clansmen from the Ning branch family flooded into the courtyard. Han Zhou scanned them; there were twenty to thirty Ning clansmen, all at the Qi Refining stage. Some were young, some old, but regardless of age, their eyes held a certain light.

Having experienced many hardships and encountered cultivators of various levels, Han Zhou appreciated the light in their eyes. He knew it represented hope for the future and anticipation of happiness.

He sat directly on the grass. The Ning clansmen exchanged glances but soon followed suit, sitting cross-legged one by one.

Han Zhou said, "Next, I will impart to you the Bitter Cold Scripture."

He was straightforward, getting right to the point. The Ning clansmen immediately perked up their ears, focusing intently.

After Han Zhou finished the transmission, the group fell silent. Some closed their eyes, racking their brains to ponder deeply.

Ning Youfu, who had observed the entire process from the side, couldn't help but smile. Han Zhou had imparted the scripture directly, covering both the Qi Refining and Foundation Building sections without hesitation.

Though Ning Youfu had no intention of switching cultivation methods himself, he recognized the Bitter Cold Scripture as exquisite, on par with the Ning main family's top-tier Ice Heart Art. Back in the main family, branch clansmen would likely have to dedicate most of their lives accumulating merit to earn the right to practice the Ice Heart Art. Yet here in the branch family, they had received such high-level treatment so easily.

"Patriarch Ning Zhuo truly has skill," Ning Youfu thought. "This time, he actually dispatched such a powerful figure specifically to teach our clansmen. Moreover, Ancestor Ning Jiufan has also come to Jade Steel Mountain and is being warmly hosted by the town chief daily. With his support, our branch family's prestige here will soar, making many things much simpler."

Ning Youfu felt greatly encouraged. Ning Zhuo's moves this time had exceeded his expectations. In fact, since becoming the branch family's patriarch, Ning Zhuo had repeatedly astonished everyone.

Initially, Ning Youfu had been quite worried when he learned that Ning Zhuo had left Fire Persimmon Immortal City to travel the world. Now, it seemed geniuses could never be measured by ordinary standards. "My old eyes failed me; I underestimated our patriarch," Ning Youfu mused, gazing at the azure sky and dreaming of the future. "With such a talented and shrewd young patriarch, why worry about the family's prosperity? To think this old bones, in his twilight years, could follow such a person and experience such a life."

Ning Youfu was satisfied, and Han Zhou felt quite pleased as well. "Young Master Ning Zhuo's advice to me was truly apt. Sometimes, choice is far more important than effort. This time, imparting the scripture to twenty or thirty people was effortless. According to our agreement, with Young Master Ning Zhuo's support, I will teach even more in the future."

Thinking of Ning Zhuo, Han Zhou felt both admiration and a faint sense of guilt. "No," he thought. "Young Master Ning Zhuo's magnanimity is extraordinary, truly noble and virtuous. I cannot only think of myself. In principle, the Bitter Cold Scripture is very suitable for miners. But to be safe, I must test it in the mines myself to be truly assured."

With this in mind, Han Zhou proposed the idea to Ning Youfu. In his letter to Ning Youfu, Ning Zhuo had stated that Han Zhou was a Foundation Building expert sent to impart techniques and help maintain order. Ning Youfu hadn't expected Han Zhou to be so proactive about verifying the Bitter Cold Scripture's effectiveness in mining.

Ning Youfu immediately expressed gratitude, suggesting that Han Zhou rest today after the mentally taxing transmission and visit the mines tomorrow instead. After all, Han Zhou would be staying for a while; there was no rush.

Han Zhou decisively shook his head. "Elder Ning, I come from humble origins—a beggar before I entered the path of cultivation. Young Master Ning Zhuo of your clan treats me as a close friend, never looking down on my background. Moreover, after just a few meetings, he lent me enlightenment charts to comprehend frost spells. Please, don't stand on ceremony with me. Imparting techniques isn't tiring. If it's convenient for you, Elder Ning, let's go now!"

Han Zhou's directness delighted Ning Youfu, who found Han Zhou's temperament very much to his liking. "Before Fellow Daoist Han Zhou, how could I be called 'Elder Ning'? Just call me Fellow Daoist. Since you're willing, let's head to the mines now."

The mines weren't far from the town—more accurately, many mines were nestled within the town's embrace. The cultivators guarding the mines immediately let them pass upon seeing Ning Youfu's token. Unlike the first time Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong entered the mines and had to pay a fee, the Ning branch family now held partial mining rights, making them half-owners.

Han Zhou entered the mine shaft, gradually going deeper. He activated the Bitter Cold Scripture and tried mining. Soon, he discarded tools like pickaxes and mined with his bare hands. With the Suffering Body enhancement, the more fatigued and injured he became, the more his stamina and strength increased, his movements growing faster and faster.

Ning Youfu, watching from the side, grasped the underlying principle and exclaimed excitedly, "Excellent technique, truly excellent! Our clansmen generally lack magical tools and have low spiritual power. Using this technique, they can not only mine but also enhance their cultivation—killing two birds with one stone. How wonderful!"

Han Zhou explained, "Using magical tools for mining is much more efficient than digging by hand. However, considering costs, using tools increases spiritual power consumption. Cultivators would need to absorb spirit stones mid-way to replenish their power to continue. Moreover, mining tools wear out with prolonged use and require regular maintenance. Calculated this way, my Bitter Cold Scripture is indeed very suitable for mining ore."

Realizing this, Han Zhou sighed in relief and murmured, "It seems I haven't let Young Master Ning Zhuo down." As he感慨, his hands didn't stop.

Suddenly, a crisp *crack* sounded. The rock wall he was mining split open abruptly. Cracks spread instantly, causing a large section of the wall to shatter, revealing an opening. Han Zhou and Ning Youfu had already retreated over a dozen steps, hearts pounding with fear. Such changes often concealed dangers; in severe cases, they could even cause collapses.

As the dust settled, the mine shaft remained stable. Only then did Han Zhou and Ning Youfu relax, calming themselves before cautiously probing the opening. Cultivators' spiritual senses were quite hindered in mines due to the abundant precious materials that blocked spiritual penetration, unlike ordinary earth and stone.

After their senses spread through the opening for a moment, both Han Zhou and Ning Youfu showed delight. Confirming it was safe, they descended through the opening. Soon, their视野 widened as they arrived at an underground cavern.

Inside the cavern grew many vines and weeds. The vines were thick and yellowish-brown, while the weeds were sharp as swords, emanating a keen, sharp aura.

"These are Soil-Birth Vines and Stone-Break Grass," Ning Youfu identified. Han Zhou, unfamiliar with them, promptly asked for explanation.

Ning Youfu explained that Soil-Birth Vines buried deep in the earth could soften rock layers during growth, turning them into soil. Stone-Break Grass often grew alongside the vines, its leaves sharp enough to split rocks. "That's why ordinary mountain rock doesn't exist here. What remains are minerals unaffected by Soil-Birth Vines and Stone-Break Grass."

Han Zhou didn't need Ning Youfu to point this out; he could see for himself. The underground cavern was quite large, with walls, ceiling, and floor all composed of Jade-Glaze Mystic Steel. Moreover, the quality here far surpassed elsewhere, almost entirely top-grade.

Ning Youfu beamed with joy, looking at Han Zhou. "Fellow Daoist Han Zhou, you've just arrived and already encountered such fortune. Old miners call caverns like these 'treasure caves.' Based on my spiritual sense penetration, this Jade-Glaze Mystic Steel is at least three meters thick, with a total market value of around thirty million low-grade spirit stones."

Han Zhou was visibly moved. From his understanding, a small Foundation Building-level cultivation force (with one to three Foundation Building cultivators) had an annual income of only about forty-eight million low-grade spirit stones. This mine's total value exceeded half a year's profit for an ordinary Foundation Building force!

"Mining is good," Han Zhou sincerely感慨.

Ning Youfu continued probing with his spiritual sense while smiling. "According to our branch family's rules, Fellow Daoist Han Zhou, since you discovered this, you'll receive a thirty percent share."

"Ten million low-grade spirit stones?!" Han Zhou's eyes widened immediately. His heart raced. Then, the Bitter Cold True Intent in his upper dantian's divine sea melted like snow under sunlight.

Han Zhou's expression changed abruptly. He resolutely shook his head, a bitter smile on his face. "These are external possessions; I don't need them."

At first, Ning Youfu thought Han Zhou was being modest. But after a few exchanges, he confirmed Han Zhou genuinely didn't want it. The old man from the Ning branch family inwardly gasped, even more impressed with Ning Zhuo's methods. "Heavens, where did the patriarch find such a person? He's too perfect! The Bitter Cold Scripture fits mining so well. It's foreseeable that a significant number of clansmen will forgo mining rewards to advance their cultivation. How impressive, truly impressive."

Han Zhou suddenly turned his head, looking toward the southeastern cave wall. "Fellow Daoist Ning, beyond about six meters here, there seems to be a different type of Jade-Glaze Mystic Steel."

"Oh?" Ning Youfu's spiritual sense could only penetrate about three meters, and even that was quite strained, with模糊 perception in the latter half. Ning Youfu immediately used a magical tool, disregarding the intense spiritual power consumption, to dig a deep hole.

After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, he excavated a piece of metallic ore from the deep hole. The ore was a deep green with a hint of blue, its surface shimmering with a faint silvery-white glow like moonlight rippling on a lake. Smooth as a mirror and cool to the touch, it exuded a clear, cold aura reminiscent of moonbeams.

Ning Youfu grew excited. "This is Blue Moon Essence Steel, the quintessence of Jade-Glaze Mystic Steel, formed when Jade-Glaze Mystic Steel combines with moonlight. It requires cloudless, clear nights where moonlight penetrates the cold air, seeping into the ore veins over hundreds or thousands of years to form gradually. This is a Core Formation-level mineral!"

Ning Youfu looked at Han Zhou. "Fellow Daoist Han Zhou, are you sure you don't want this share?"

Han Zhou's expression grew even more pained as he shook his head with difficulty. "No need, no need at all."

Ning Youfu regarded him with deep respect, cupping his hands in a solemn salute. "Fellow Daoist, your righteousness is rare in this world! I must ask you to help me seal this place immediately. The reserves of Blue Moon Essence Steel still need surveying. If the reserves are too large, it could cause significant turmoil and bleak prospects. Fortunately, the old ancestor is here. I must report this at once."

Han Zhou said, "Fellow Daoist, please go ahead. I will guard this place."

Ning Youfu quickly left the mine shaft for the town center's manor. Ning Jiufan was currently drinking with the incumbent town chief, Zhu Xuanji.

Ning Jiufan raised his cup to Zhu Xuanji once more. "In this time of distress, I am indebted to Fellow Daoist Zhu for your aid. This life-saving grace is etched in my heart!"

Ning Jiufan had previously fallen into an ambush. Though he fought valiantly, he knew continuing would be perilous; the enemy had come prepared, likely targeting Granny Yuan. Zhu Xuanji and Shen Lingshu, observing from the clouds, saw Ning Jiufan's moves becoming predictable and him nearing his limit. They decisively intervened, breaking the formation to rescue him. Moreover, Zhu Xuanji crushed the opposition, slaying three cultivators with overwhelming force. His astonishing combat prowess deeply震撼ed Ning Jiufan.

Zhu Xuanji was also magnanimous, draining his cup. As he was about to speak, an attendant announced Ning Youfu's arrival. Ning Youfu entered the manor, paid respects to Zhu Xuanji and the town chief, and requested a private report.

Ning Jiufan took him to a side room. Upon hearing the good news, he patted Ning Youfu's shoulder, rewarding him with two talismans on the spot and instructing him to give one to Han Zhou.

Returning to the banquet, Ning Jiufan openly stated they had discovered an ore deposit containing Blue Moon Essence Steel. The town chief and Zhu Xuanji were quite pleased with the Ning family's honesty and lack of concealment. The atmosphere at the banquet grew even more congenial, with toasts and cheerful exchanges all around.

After the feast, Zhu Xuanji went to see Shen Lingshu, informing him of the accidental ore discovery. "Senior, if Ning Zhuo had implanted the Thread of Human Fate on Han Zhou, connecting their fortunes, could they still have such luck?" Zhu Xuanji inquired.

Shen Lingshu took out the Mysterious Mechanism Qi-Sac. The leather pouch was bulging, filled with the fortune absorbed from Ning Jiufan. Shen Lingshu pondered, "I observe secretly every day. Ning Jiufan has lost a significant amount of fortune but still maintains a high level. If the Thread of Human Fate were involved, such an anomaly would be expected!"

(End of )