: Discussing Ning Zhuo

January 14, 2025, Author: Gu Zhenren

: Discussing Ning Zhuo

"Now that you mention it, there are indeed such cases. Some people are just very suited to certain cultivation techniques, progressing at an incredible speed."

"What’s his name, Ning Zhuo? He really hit the jackpot, being so compatible with the Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art."

"Ah, why didn’t such good fortune fall on me?"

The vast majority of people had never heard of Ning Zhuo before.

But now, his name was on everyone’s lips.

Inside the training grounds, the Ning family cultivators were also making inquiries.

Being close at hand, many surrounded Ning Zhuo, introducing themselves with beaming smiles.

It seemed as if, in an instant, the entire world’s attitude toward Ning Zhuo had undergone a drastic change—from indifference to overflowing enthusiasm.

Ning Chen and Ning Yong, who had been standing beside Ning Zhuo, were pushed aside.

Ning Yong, feeling proud as if he shared in the glory, raised his arm and shouted, "Ning Zhuo is my classmate, my classmate!"

A young Ning family cultivator passing by heard this, turned to look at him, and sneered, "Who isn’t? I’m his classmate too."

Ning Yong exclaimed, widening his eyes, "What kind of bond do I have with him? Can you compare? Ning Zhuo and I are comrades who’ve faced life and death together!"

A Zhou family cultivator, hearing this, approached Ning Yong with a smile. "Young man, from what you just said, you and Ning Zhuo are quite close?"

"Not bad," Ning Yong replied immediately, feigning nonchalance but unable to hide his pride.

The Zhou family cultivator quickly clasped his hands in respect and began asking Ning Yong for details.

Ning Yong was about to introduce Ning Zhuo when Ning Chen pulled him back. Realizing his mistake, he immediately fell silent.

Ning Chen stepped in and said, "The two of us are indeed classmates of A’Zhuo, and we have faced life and death together."

"A’Zhuo is simple, sincere, friendly, and brave. It’s our honor to be his friends. At the same time, he is a role model for our generation. I remember back in school..." Ning Chen began to boast about Ning Zhuo without hesitation.

When faced with outsiders’ inquiries, Ning Chen naturally exaggerated Ning Zhuo’s merits to highlight the Ning family’s depth and talent.

Besides, their experience in the Scarlet Flame Demon Melt Cave and the subsequent exposure of the shadow demon cultivator, during which they hid in the dungeon, had filled them with admiration for Ning Zhuo.

As fellow members of the Ning family’s branch line, they also felt a strong sense of identification with Ning Zhuo.

For a time, Ning Zhuo undoubtedly became the brightest star in the arena. Thanks to a single cultivation test, he stole the spotlight, as if stepping onto a new stage in life.

The testing continued.

The remaining Ning family cultivators entered the testing formation one by one, but their results were average, attracting no attention.

No matter—Ning Zhuo alone had already shifted the balance of power in the arena!

The joint test of the three families was not only a showcase and assessment of their cultivation teams but also the basis for negotiations on resource distribution.

In the cultivation world, the more extraordinary an individual, the higher their cultivation, and the more they could rise above the collective.

To compare the strength of the three families, the most important factor was their top cultivators.

Without Ning Zhuo’s performance, the Ning family had only Ning Xiaohui at the peak of the third layer, the Zheng family had Zheng Jian, and the Zhou family had Zhou Zhu. However, Zhou Zeshen was equally talented, a genius on par with Zhou Zhu. His Qi refinement cultivation was only slightly below Zhou Zhu’s, and given time, he would undoubtedly catch up.

Thus, among the top cultivators, the Zhou family counted as one and a half, placing them first.

The Zheng and Ning families each had one genius cultivator, but the rest of the Zheng family’s cultivators were clearly a cut above the Ning family’s.

After the Ning family’s expansion, many of their cultivators were only at the first layer, almost a joke, not worth mentioning.

So, the Zheng family ranked second, and the Ning family third.

But with Ning Zhuo’s appearance, the Ning family now had two top cultivators, immediately jumping to first place.

The Zhou family, with their one and a half genius cultivators, fell to second.

The Zheng family was left behind, dropping to third.

After the joint test concluded, the Ning family leader returned to the clan, beaming with joy.

Although the resource distribution among the three families still needed further negotiation, Ning Zhuo’s results had swept away the Ning family’s previous passivity, clearing the clouds and dispersing the gloom in the negotiation prospects.

The Ning family leader summoned the young clan leader and said with a smile, "Xiaoren, something joyful happened in the training grounds today. You must have heard about it, right?"

Ning Xiaoren immediately replied, "Father, I’ve heard. Initially, it was I who arranged for Ning Zhuo to join our family’s cultivation team!"

The Ning family leader nodded. "Gather all information on Ning Zhuo and compile it. I want to take a look."

Ning Xiaoren replied, "I’ve already ordered my subordinates to handle this matter."

The Ning family leader hummed in acknowledgment. "I suspect Ning Zhuo might possess some innate talent that wasn’t detected before."

Ning Xiaoren said, "There are countless types of talents. Even if our clan tests annually, how could we cover everything? Your suspicion is reasonable. We can rearrange the testing methods and have Ning Zhuo tested again."

"However, if his talent is unusual, it’s likely we still won’t detect it."

The Ning family leader nodded. "If he does have talent, that would be best. Even a low-grade talent would make him a genius! That way, our Ning family’s cultivation team could fully rival the Zhou family’s."

The Zhou family’s Zhou Zeshen and Zhou Zhu both had innate talents.

Ning Xiaohui and Zheng Jian also had them.

In the joint test, Ning Zhuo only displayed peak third-layer cultivation, showing everyone that the Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art suited him exceptionally well.

Ning Xiaoren then said, "Father, whether he has talent or not—isn’t it up to us to decide?"

"If we can’t test it, or if he’s just highly suited to cultivating the Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art, it doesn’t matter. As long as we assign him a talent, we can openly declare—yes, our clan indeed has two genius cultivators!"

The Ning family leader shook his head. "That’s not appropriate. This isn’t an internal family matter where we have the final say."

"If we falsify it, the other two families will certainly investigate and test him. After all, this balance of strength affects our negotiations and resource distribution."

"Our Ning family, with the help of the Molten Immortal Palace, has finally formed an alliance with the Zhou and Zheng families, breaking through previous barriers. We must maintain integrity. If we’re caught falsifying, it will harm the Ning family’s overall situation."

Ning Xiaoren nodded, acknowledging the lesson.

The Ning family leader sighed. "Even if Ning Zhuo is tested and found to have talent, it might not be ideal. Xiaoren, you understand what I mean, right?"

Ning Xiaoren nodded again. "I understand, Father. Ning Xiaohui is from the main family line, while Ning Zhuo is from a branch line. Although their current cultivation levels are similar, Ning Xiaohui has received the Ning family’s full support, while Ning Zhuo has not."

"In the Ning family’s cultivation team, the number of branch line members far exceeds that of the main line."

"On the training grounds, as soon as Ning Zhuo revealed his true cultivation level, he was surrounded and celebrated by branch line members, extremely popular."

"If he’s tested and found to have talent, I’m very concerned that Ning Xiaohui won’t be able to suppress him."

The Ning family leader showed a pleased expression. "Since you understand this, I’m not worried about how you’ll handle Ning Zhuo’s matter. Go and take care of it."

"Yes, Father. Rest assured, I will handle this matter flawlessly. I take my leave."

His feelings toward Ning Zhuo were complex.

Sixteen years ago, during the Ning family’s mass migration, he侥幸 boarded the mechanical cart of Ning Zhuo’s parents while fleeing.

To ensure the cart’s escape, Ning Zhuo’s father had to disembark and hold off the enemy.

Ning Xiaoren was thus saved.

Ning Zhuo’s father was indeed his savior, and Ning Xiaoren had even sworn on the spot to treat Ning Zhuo and his mother well, fully supporting Ning Zhuo’s future cultivation.

Ning Xiaoren had not kept his word.

Ning Zhuo’s mother died fourteen years ago, and during Ning Zhuo’s upbringing, he had largely neglected him.

He had originally thought Ning Zhuo was just an ordinary, average child. But unexpectedly, one day, Ning Zhuo shone brightly, stunning everyone at the joint test of the three families!

When he heard the good news, his first feeling was not joy but embarrassment.

And doubt: "Why did it have to be him?!"

As his home came into view, Ning Xiaoren walked along the path, sighing inwardly. "If only it weren’t Ning Zhuo, how much better it would be."

"At sixteen, he already has his own opinions and won’t be easily persuaded."

Lost in thought, Ning Xiaoren recalled what Ning Ze had once said.

Previously, after the rankings were announced, Ning Xiaoren had tried to extort money and had pressured Ning Ze several times.

Ning Ze had reported to him that Ning Zhuo was solitary, stubborn, unwilling to listen to elders, and so on.

Thinking of this, Ning Xiaoren made a decision: "For now, it’s not suitable to approach Ning Zhuo directly."

"With his temperament, he won’t be won over by a few words from me."

"Ning Zhuo knows his father saved my life and that I’ve neglected him these sixteen years. These matters require a good explanation."

"We’ll have to start with Ning Zhuo’s uncle."

(End of )