: Making Money

August 25, 2025, Author: Gu Zhenren

: Making Money

When Shen Xi and Su Lingkou found Ning Zhuo, he was at a counter in the Internal Affairs Hall, quietly conversing with a cultivator.

"Friend Ning Zhuo," Shen Xi called softly.

Ning Zhuo turned around, a faint smile on his face, showing no trace of the gloom from being driven out. "Ah, it's the two of you, Shen and Su. I didn't expect to meet you here again."

He then proactively introduced the cultivator behind the counter. "This is Friend Cao Gui. We've had a pleasant conversation."

"If you two wish to rent a cave dwelling, his abilities should satisfy you."

Shen Xi first nodded to Cao Gui with a smile, then turned to Ning Zhuo. "I came here specifically to find you, Friend Ning. Could we speak elsewhere?"

"Oh?" Ning Zhuo was slightly surprised.

The three immediately left the Internal Affairs Hall and stood under the shade of a tree outside to talk.

Shen Xi explained that he had heard about Ning Zhuo's situation and specially brought him some information.

Ning Zhuo took the jade slip Shen Xi handed over, scanned it with his spiritual sense, and found it was all about Yu Heye.

He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, scrutinizing Shen Xi with a questioning gaze.

Shen Xi's actions surprised Ning Zhuo.

Previously, Shen Xi's goodwill wasn't out of line, but now his proactive assistance surely had an underlying reason.

In the past, Ning Zhuo might have chosen to feign compliance, biding his time to observe. But now, after experiencing the battles in Liangzhu Kingdom and the adventures in White Paper Immortal City, he had unknowingly developed a fearless and bold spirit in his heart.

Staring into Shen Xi's eyes, he asked directly, "Friend Shen, we've only met by chance. Why are you so concerned about me and helping me like this? What is your purpose?"

Shen Xi was momentarily taken aback, not expecting Ning Zhuo to be so straightforward.

Su Lingkou felt offended and snorted coldly. "Ning Zhuo, your attitude is rather ungrateful."

"My cousin thinks highly of you and wants to help you, yet you suspect us. Hmph, don't tell me you think we're trying to take advantage of you?"

Just as she was about to continue, Shen Xi gently patted her shoulder.

Su Lingkou immediately fell silent.

Shen Xi, having recovered, looked at Ning Zhuo with admiration. "Friend Ning Zhuo, since you speak frankly, I'll be direct too."

He explained his intentions: first, he valued the缘分 of arriving in the same batch as Ning Zhuo; second, he noticed Ning Zhuo had companions,疑似 true disciples of the Myriad Forms Sect; third, he推测 Ning Zhuo had outstanding strength and wanted to collaborate on renting and cooperating to tackle the Flying Cloud Assembly.

The Flying Cloud Assembly had just started and wasn't originally this large-scale. Its initial purpose was to集中力量, allowing the entire sect to cooperate fully and jointly clear the backlog of sect tasks.

Ordinary superpowers might not have this many sect tasks. But the Myriad Forms Sect was different—its scale was vast, with numerous outposts everywhere. Its influence not only covered the entire Flying Cloud Kingdom but also extended to neighboring countries.

White Paper Immortal City was a vivid example; the Myriad Forms Sect had long established a presence there.

When the White Paper City Lord faced a crisis of losing the immortal city, he sought help through this outpost, receiving strong reinforcements like Meng Yaoyin and Wen Ruanyu.

The Yin Tide Black Wet Marsh was a buffer zone between two cultivation kingdoms. The White Paper City Lord didn't seek aid from North Wind Kingdom or Flying Cloud Kingdom.

Seeking help from any cultivation kingdom would represent a strong political stance. Aligning with North Wind Kingdom could lead to suppression from Flying Cloud Kingdom, and vice versa.

This was one of the benefits of super sects.

Dealing with nations easily touched sensitive nerves, making practical actions constrained. But cooperating with a super sect like the Myriad Forms Sect was entirely different.

Super sects could extend their influence into many cultivation kingdoms.

Some cultivation kingdoms even hoped these super sects would establish more outposts in their territory. This could not only enhance their own strength but also aid in resource extraction and regional development.

They could also use super sects as bridges to reach private agreements with other cultivation kingdoms, change stances, resolve conflicts, form alliances, etc.

In terms of actual combat power, cultivation kingdoms were, of course, the strongest. Such organizational forms controlled national, official, and military power. This utilization of power was highly efficient, capable of pooling strength to surpass levels and mobilizing natural forces, fate's subtleties, and divine might.

This was the golden age of cultivation!

Super sects, alliances, families, and other organizations filled the gaps between cultivation kingdoms, collectively forming a stable societal structure shaped by long-term博弈.

Su Lingkou said, "We've already joined forces with two other prodigies to form a mountain faction. My cousin recommended you, but since you retreated earlier and moved out of the Stone Spring Cave, one of the prodigies was very displeased."

Shen Xi explained, "The so-called mountain faction is actually a customary rule in the Myriad Forms Sect, not an official sect regulation, so it's not included in the intelligence we purchased together."

"By default, only those who can control a mountain faction, ensuring all cave dwellings on that peak are occupied by their own people, are considered established and qualified to compete, worthy of allegiance."

"Look at it another way—the eight main peaks are the same."

Ning Zhuo smiled. "So that's how it is."

Previously, he hadn't understood the implied meaning of co-renting. But after speaking with Cao Gui this morning, he realized co-renting wasn't about sharing one cave dwelling or renting multiple ones to complement each other and share costs.

After all, each cave dwelling had its advantages. Some had abundant spiritual energy, others had earth fire for alchemy or refining qi, etc.

Ning Zhuo responded positively to Shen Xi's goodwill.

Shen Xi's co-renting was actually an invitation for Ning Zhuo to form a temporary group to tackle the Flying Cloud Assembly together.

This piqued Ning Zhuo's interest.

He had descended Fire Persimmon Mountain to travel the world, aiming to see, hear, experience, and exchange with others as much as possible.

Cooperating with Shen Xi on the same mountain, exchanging and discussing, sounded good.

"But not now," Ning Zhuo thought to himself.

Even if he had known the implied meaning earlier, he would have chosen to postpone.

On one hand, his most urgent priority was to obtain Meng Yaoyin's遗产. Who knew when the Great Serpent Scythe might act up?

On the other hand, he needed to assess whether Shen Xi was suitable for exchange and切磋. Many opportunities表面上是机缘 but were actually traps. Ning Zhuo had seen plenty of such examples growing up.

After all, he had assisted Sun Lingtong in building a small empire—long-term control over the black market in Fire Persimmon Immortal City. The various events in the black market had greatly enriched Ning Zhuo's life experience.

Ning Zhuo clasped his hands. "Friend Shen, your sincere goodwill is deeply appreciated. If I could learn from a prodigy like you, it would surely be beneficial."

Su Lingkou was satisfied with Ning Zhuo's attitude and snorted. "It's good that you know."

"But now, you must deal with Yu Heye."

"Your earlier retreat made Situ Xing very opposed. We've brought you detailed intelligence; please be firm and at least show your courage."

"If you're still afraid and retreat, it would be too disappointing."

A glint flashed in Ning Zhuo's eyes.

From Su Lingkou's words, he sensed Situ Xing's dominance and understood Shen Xi's motive for recruiting him—to strengthen his own wings and gain more advantage in the internal博弈 of the mountain faction.

He wasn't排斥 at all.

"Being used proves one has value. Everything in the world is about mutual utilization."

Ning Zhuo took out another jade slip from his storage belt and handed it to Shen Xi.

Shen Xi saw that its content was similar to what he had given Ning Zhuo—all about Yu Heye.

Shen Xi was both surprised and pleased. "So, Friend Ning Zhuo already had plans to counterattack."

Ning Zhuo sighed. "I'm new here and was worried Yu Heye had backing. Opposing him seemed unwise, so I first investigated his background."

Su Lingkou chuckled. "Don't worry about that. He's never been rated as a golden core true disciple of the Myriad Forms Sect, clearly indicating no connections."

"In fact, he mainly cultivates the 'Reverse Five Elements Demonic Art' and once accidentally killed a beloved disciple of a high-ranking member from Heavy Formation Peak. He's not well-regarded."

This was listed in the intelligence.

Ning Zhuo sighed again. "To be honest, even knowing this, I'd prefer not to oppose him. Why bother?"

"He's a peak golden core cultivator, and he gave me ten mid-grade spirit stones."

"All I need to do is spend some time and switch to another cave dwelling."

Shen Xi asked, "Now that you know our intentions, what are your plans?"

Ning Zhuo clasped his hands. "I'm honored by your high regard, Friend Shen. Of course, I want to reclaim some face and strive for opportunities to切磋 and exchange with you."

Su Lingkou asked, "Then what do you plan to do?"

Ning Zhuo said, "Allow me to think it over."

He then showed a thoughtful expression and said, "Perhaps I'll need to trouble Friend Shen to help me once more."

Shen Xi said, "Oh, please speak freely."

Ning Zhuo smiled. "Please lend me some spirit stones."

"Borrow money?" Su Lingkou immediately looked cautious.

"How much?" Shen Xi asked.

Ning Zhuo rubbed his fingers. "I'm not sure, but... the more, the better."

Su Lingkou frowned, "Lending money isn't done lightly. At least, there should be a purpose or reason, right?"

Ning Zhuo looked at Shen Xi with a serious expression. "I'd like to keep how I use it a secret for now. What do you think, Friend Shen?"

Shen Xi's heart stirred, realizing this was a test from Ning Zhuo.

Friends choose each other mutually.

Ning Zhuo's attitude made Shen Xi think even more highly of him. Though hesitant, the evaluative look in Ning Zhuo's eyes sparked an impulse in him.

Shen Xi gritted his teeth and took out a money-woven storage pouch. "Use the spirit stones here as you wish!"

He tossed the pouch to Ning Zhuo. Su Lingkou beside him widened her eyes in clear astonishment.

Ning Zhuo probed with his spiritual sense and found it full of mid-grade spirit stones, about three thousand.

"I wonder if it's enough," Ning Zhuo muttered intentionally, hefting the pouch.

Shen Xi's eye twitched slightly.

Su Lingkou transmitted her thoughts anxiously, "Cousin, how could you give him the pouch your mother gave you just like that?"

"These spirit stones are almost your entire savings!"

Shen Xi already regretted it, but having done it, as a scion of a great family, he couldn't bring himself to take it back the next moment, appearing petty. He could only transmit calming thoughts to his cousin.

Ning Zhuo didn't feel much.

The funds he invested in establishing the Green Scorch Army far exceeded what was in this pouch.

Back then, he hadn't hesitated to invest; now, this amount was too small to weigh on his mind.

He turned back to the counter and looked at Cao Gui behind it. "Please buy information on all cultivators who've had the same experience as me. I want to check their latest situations."

"As you can see, I have enough money." Ning Zhuo even waved the gold-thread pouch特意.

Cao Gui checked. "Most of these people only have basic profiles. The information you want—which cave they've rented now—I can provide. But I can't offer more comprehensive details. I suggest you go to the Commerce Hall, make your request directly, and give them some time to collect it."

"Alright, alright." Ning Zhuo nodded.

He casually took a handful of mid-grade spirit stones from the gold-thread pouch and placed them on the counter. "Think over what we discussed earlier, Friend Cao. This is a deposit."

"If you don't want to be involved, just return the deposit to me."

Cao Gui was stunned seeing so many spirit stones on the counter.

"Hey, wait..." He reached out to stop Ning Zhuo.

But Ning Zhuo had already turned and left the Internal Affairs Hall without looking back, tossing a remark, "Friend Cao, think it over carefully. No rush, I'm heading to the Commerce Hall now."

Shen Xi and Su Lingkou followed Ning Zhuo out of the Internal Affairs Hall.

Su Lingkou curiously pressed, what had Ning Zhuo discussed with Cao Gui earlier?

Ning Zhuo didn't explain. "Friends Shen and Su, time is tight. I won't entertain you further. I'll handle matters first and seek you out when there's progress, so you can witness it firsthand."

"After all, this money should have a purpose; it won't be spent不明不白."

Shen Xi smiled. "Alright."

Ning Zhuo clasped his hands and rode a cloud away.

Su Lingkou stamped her foot on the spot. "Ah, just let him go like that? With such a large sum! If it were me, I'd forget the Flying Cloud Assembly, take the money and run. The world is vast; if he hides somewhere, where would we find him?"

Shen Xi shared the same worry, but since his cousin voiced it, he couldn't show doubt.

Suppressing his concerns, he calmly reassured, "Stay calm; let's wait and see."

Ning Zhuo sent them a message that same evening.

This was much earlier than Shen Xi had expected.

When Shen Xi and Su Lingkou reached Ning Zhuo, they found he had already gathered a group of cultivators.

Over twenty cultivators, mostly at Qi Refining stage, with at least two or three at Foundation Establishment stage.

Ning Zhuo said, "I know you've all come for the Flying Cloud Assembly but are short on funds and haven't rented cave dwellings."

"Now, I'm giving you an opportunity to make money."

"I'll provide the capital. You only need to give me half of the spirit stones you earn."

Shen Xi was stunned.

Su Lingkou widened her eyes, and after a moment, her mouth slightly opened. She suddenly realized this seemed, perhaps, indeed profitable.

(End of )