: I, Ning Zhuo, Am Utterly Unremarkable

2025-07-25 Author: Gu Zhenren

: I, Ning Zhuo, Am Utterly Unremarkable

Chen Cha, feeling suspicious, subtly asked Ning Zhuo a few questions.

The questions covered various aspects, and only the actual creator could answer them.

This, of course, couldn’t stump Ning Zhuo.

After their exchange, Chen Cha’s suspicions were dispelled, and he couldn’t help but feel astonished. “Did he really design and create this himself?”

“Isn’t he from the Ning family? The Ning family excels in talismans. Since when have they been so skilled in mechanical arts, nurturing such an outstanding young cultivator?”

“If this continues, this child is bound to achieve great things in the future!”

Chen Cha was thoroughly impressed by Ning Zhuo and, brimming with interest, couldn’t resist asking a few more questions.

Ning Zhuo replied, “This year, I’ve already completed my academy studies. Senior, your discernment is sharp. I do have a strong interest in mechanical arts and have always been passionate about them. In my spare time, I try to collect books and study privately. This has nothing to do with the Ning family academy.”

Chen Cha stroked his beard and asked pointedly, “Among the hundred arts of cultivation, the top four are alchemy, artifact refining, talisman making, and formation setting. Mechanical arts rank at the bottom, considered highly specialized. Why are you so fond of this path?”

Ning Zhuo’s heart stirred instantly. He realized this conversation had reached its most critical moment!

His approach to Chen Cha had been premeditated. Bringing out the mechanical monkey was part of his plan.

The young man pondered for a moment, his expression turning serious as he spoke earnestly, “In my humble opinion, cultivation is about seeking the truths of heaven and earth. The hundred arts of cultivation are merely applications of these truths—they are, in essence, tools.”

“Alchemy is a tool, artifacts and flying swords are tools, talismans and formations are also tools.”

“Using these tools makes our cultivation more convenient and increases the success rate of various actions.”

“And the ultimate form of tools is none other than mechanical arts!”

“New materials used in mechanisms are refined through alchemical methods. The structures of mechanisms are shaped using artifact refining techniques. The formations and talismans on mechanisms involve the skills of formation setting and talisman making.”

“An excellent mechanical creation is a clever integration of cultivation arts.”

Here, Ning Zhuo paused before continuing, “As for why mechanical arts are ranked at the bottom and considered niche, it’s because they are difficult to learn and master, with the highest barrier to entry!”

“On one hand, constructing mechanical devices requires a cultivator to master multiple cultivation arts. Alchemy, artifact refining, talisman making, and formation setting are all foundational. After mastering these, one must still select and combine from countless materials and techniques.”

“On the other hand, designing mechanical devices is even more challenging. It tests a cultivator’s thinking, talent, inspiration, and imagination. A good design might take a cultivator over a decade to complete. During this process, progress can often stall at a single point for years.”

“Only with excellent design can there be excellent mechanical creations.”

Hearing Ning Zhuo’s argument, Chen Cha leaned back slightly, his eyes gleaming as he scrutinized the young man before him. He couldn’t help but clap his hands and exclaim, “Well said! Very well said!”

His attitude toward Ning Zhuo shifted once again.

From mere appreciation and interest, it transformed into a sense of kinship toward a like-minded individual!

Interpersonal relationships are mysterious. Some people interact day in and day out yet remain strangers at heart. Others, upon their first meeting, can resonate deeply and share mutual understanding.

Chen Cha and Ning Zhuo found themselves increasingly in sync, and naturally, they began addressing each other more familiarly.

Chen Cha affectionately called Ning Zhuo “Xiao Zhuo,” while Ning Zhuo addressed him as “Old Chen.”

When Ning Zhuo posed his question, Chen Cha thought for a moment and directly offered three solutions.

Under normal circumstances, he would have provided only one as guidance. But with Ning Zhuo, he held nothing back.

Ning Zhuo, upon hearing the three solutions, immediately had numerous questions, which he asked one by one.

Chen Cha answered them all enthusiastically, completely forgetting about any consultation fees.

Ning Zhuo continued to offer suggestions, refining the three solutions.

Chen Cha found himself immersed in the discussion with a fellow enthusiast, feeling immense pleasure.

Through their dialogue, the solutions were quickly improved and optimized. Finally, they decided to add blood to the Blaze Monkey and embed kinetic formation bases within the blood to stabilize its body. Simultaneously, the evaporation of the blood would dissipate heat, significantly reducing the thermal stress on the Blaze Monkey.

Chen Cha judged, “Based on my years of experience, once the Blaze Monkey hits the market, it will be immensely popular.”

“Xiao Zhuo, why not let my Flying Disc Workshop handle the production of the Blaze Monkey?”

“For you, how could you personally mass-produce these mechanical Blaze Monkeys? You’ll need to entrust a workshop for large-scale manufacturing.”

“My Flying Disc Workshop has enough cultivators and equipment to meet your production needs.”

“At the same time, I’ve been operating in Fire Persimmon Immortal City for decades and have ample sales channels, along with some connections in the City Lord’s Manor.”

“On one hand, I can leverage these relationships to reduce taxes to some extent, allowing you to earn more.”

“On the other hand, this also offers protection. Once the Blaze Monkey is released, it will severely impact the Monkey Head Gang’s interests.”

“This gang raises spirit monkeys, and their primary business is commanding these monkeys to harvest explosive fire persimmons.”

“This is something we need to guard against in advance.”

Ning Zhuo blinked, feigning hesitation. “Well…”

Chen Cha smiled sincerely and added, “Xiao Zhuo, let me be frank.”

“This is also greatly beneficial for me.”

“My Flying Disc Workshop hasn’t produced any standout products in years. Your Blaze Monkey正好 meets my urgent need.”

“The better the Blaze Monkey sells, the more renowned my Flying Disc Workshop will become, making business easier.”

“So, I’ll only take thirty percent of the Blaze Monkey’s profits. All production costs will be covered by me!”

Ning Zhuo scratched his head. “Old Chen, I can feel your sincerity, but…”

Chen Cha stroked his beard. “No rush. Such an important matter deserves careful consideration. Perhaps you should discuss it with your family. However, although the Ning family is a major cultivation clan, they have little strength in the mechanical arts industry. Relying on them for this business wouldn’t be ideal. In fact, they’d likely outsource it to a mechanical workshop too.”

“I’m being completely honest, Xiao Zhuo. You’re welcome to verify this!”

Ning Zhuo waved his hand. “Old Chen, I lost my parents at a young age and lived with my uncle and aunt. Now that I’ve graduated from the academy, I’ve moved out and am living on my own.”

“I can make these decisions myself. I never intended to let the Ning family control the Blaze Monkey.”

“I just have a small request.”

Chen Cha said, “Oh? Please, go ahead.”

Ning Zhuo replied, “I’d like to join your workshop and participate in its various tasks to gain experience. I also hope to learn more from you, Old Chen. I’ve accumulated many questions. As for consultation fees, could they be deducted from my Blaze Monkey earnings?”

Chen Cha laughed heartily. “Xiao Zhuo, having you here would be a blessing for the Flying Disc Workshop. You’re most welcome!”

“Given your talent, you can directly take the position of deputy workshop master.”

Ning Zhuo quickly waved his hands. “That won’t do! I lack knowledge and need to learn and seek guidance. I’m just an ordinary Ning family youth. How could someone of my ability serve as deputy workshop master?”

“Ordinary? You’re far too modest!” Chen Cha shook his head, sighing with emotion, mistakenly attributing it to the Ning family’s noble upbringing.

But Ning Zhuo genuinely believed this!

He didn’t think Chen Cha’s earlier criticism was wrong.

“Old Chen’s appreciation and courtesy toward me are likely due to the consulting business and the profits from the mechanical arts.”

“I’ve only achieved minor success in mechanical arts. There are many mechanisms in the secret records my mother left behind that I still don’t fully understand.”

“Take designing the mechanical monkey, for example. It took me several years, with many setbacks along the way. This time, I had to seek Old Chen’s help to resolve the issue.”

“I still need much more progress in mechanical arts.”

Unbeknownst to him, Chen Cha’s evaluation was not exaggerated in the slightest. It was entirely based on reality and his rich life experience.

Ning Zhuo didn’t realize these were Chen Cha’s sincere thoughts.

On one hand, Ning Zhuo had always deliberately hidden his abilities. He had never had such a conversation with a like-minded person before and wasn’t aware of his accurate standing.

On the other hand, Ning Zhuo followed his mother’s dying wish to always be cautious and hide his talents. He constantly engaged in psychological reinforcement.

Even when he achieved some success, he would find ways to critique himself from various angles, identifying shortcomings to avoid falling into complacency.

For fourteen years, he repeatedly told himself: I am ordinary, utterly unremarkable. Even what I’ve accomplished, others could do too. I must keep striving and never slack off…

Over time, this endless self-persuasion forged a deeply humble character in him. He couldn’t see his own excellence, genuinely believing there was nothing remarkable about himself and that he still had much to improve.

Chen Cha, having struggled for years, longed for a mechanical creation like the Blaze Monkey. It had been his fervent wish!

After reaching an agreement with Ning Zhuo, he mobilized his workshop’s full capacity that very day, producing over twenty mechanical monkeys and releasing them to the market for sale.

That night, Ning Zhuo placed the Blaze Monkey, now equipped with the kinetic formation, into a furnace for another baking test.

“This time, it will most likely succeed.” Ning Zhuo felt quite confident.

His gaze grew profound. “Chen Cha…”

Ning Zhuo had investigated Chen Cha for years and had a good understanding of his character.

Just as Chen Cha held a high opinion of Ning Zhuo, Ning Zhuo similarly thought highly of Chen Cha.

“If the Blaze Monkey’s key issue is resolved, the next step is figuring out how to access the Molten Immortal Palace.”

The Molten Immortal Palace was hidden within the depths of Fire Persimmon Mountain, concealed beneath thick magma.

Ning Zhuo first needed to reach the mountain’s interior.

There was a path: first, ascend to the summit of Fire Persimmon Mountain, enter through the volcano crater, and descend into the Blaze Demon Molten Caves. From the myriad passages, select the correct path and proceed deeper to reach a point where the Molten Immortal Palace became visible.

“But if the Molten Immortal Palace encounters problems right after my first descent, it would be too conspicuous.”

“After all, I’ve never entered the Blaze Demon Molten Caves before. Suddenly going down would be abrupt.”

“I need a cover.”

At this thought, the image of his uncle, Ning Ze, surfaced in Ning Zhuo’s mind.

A plan quickly formed.

(End of )