< Chapter 22: Can’t Bear to Bully Ning Zhuo >
In the underground workshop.
Ning Zhuo slowly opened his eyes and wiped the blood from his nose with his hand.
Inside him, the mana was no longer the pale blue of ice frost.
It was the Five Elements Mana!
The Five Elements Mana consisted of the white of metal, the blue of wood, the black of water, the red of fire, and the yellow of earth. These colors, white, blue, black, red, and yellow, intertwined without blending, each distinct and clear.
“In the natural world, the spirits of the Five Elements generate and overcome each other. To maintain stability and coexistence over a long term is exceedingly difficult.”
“However, through the art of The Five Elements Qi Regulation Art, transforming spiritual energy into Five Elements Mana can be harmoniously maintained, clearly tiered.”
“Truly a legacy of the great masters from the three sects!”
“Qi Refining Stage… Level Two…”
Previously, Ning Zhuo was at the third level of the Qi Refining stage, but after the complete transformation of his mana, only the second level remained.
The transformation of mana also involved consumption.
This was to be expected, and Ning Zhuo had anticipated it.
Next, he would continue his cultivation, accumulating mana to reach the third level of the Qi Refining stage.
“I wonder when I will hear the sound of the transmission bell again.”
After the transformation, Ning Zhuo, both physically and mentally exhausted, decided to rest and conserve his energy.
He took several Warm Nurturing Pills and consumed them to help his body adapt more quickly to the new mana.
The Warm Nurturing Pill had many advantages, such as mild medicinal strength, slow effectiveness, and minimal burden on the body. Its biggest drawback was likely its cost. One pill cost hundreds of spirit stones.
Ding, ding, ding.
Just after Ning Zhuo finished taking the pills, he heard the clear, bell-like sound.
The situation involved suspicious individuals appearing near his residence, which triggered the alarm mechanism.
He approached his desk and gently kicked its leg. Directly in front of him, the wall creaked and its bricks shifted sideways, revealing a mirror.
Through the mirror, Ning Zhuo saw the “suspicious person”—Chen Cha.
Chen Cha was pacing back and forth at the entrance of Ning Zhuo’s small courtyard, hands clasped behind his back, head bowed, and his expression troubled.
A spark of intelligence flashed in Ning Zhuo’s eyes: “Chen Cha? What brings him to me on his own initiative?”
“It seems to be related to the matter of the Mechanical Battle Monkey. There must be further developments,” he thought, feeling a hint of joy.
Meanwhile, Chen Cha continued pacing at the courtyard entrance, his mind replaying the events that had occurred.
Fei Si had summoned him and informed him: “The city lord has approved the Mechanical Battle Monkey, and he plans to mobilize all the city’s mechanical workshops to mass produce this device for this year’s Fire Crystal Grass Festival, to harvest fire crystal grass on a large scale.”
Fei Si encouraged Chen Cha, “You are one of the talents I brought into the city.”
“Give it your all! If you succeed, your life circumstances will completely change.”
Chen Cha was startled, quickly explaining, “Lord Fei Si, you misunderstand me.”
“I came to report about the mechanical monkey, primarily to request that you arrange a favorable policy to reduce some taxes for the Flying Disk Workshop.”
“In fact, the mechanical monkey wasn’t designed by me. Someone else developed it.”
Chen Cha, proficient in formation and mechanical arts, was the type of person who endured loneliness and hardship in his technological pursuits and often disliked falsifying achievements.
Claiming others’ work as his own was an act Chen Cha despised and refused to engage in. He had previously conversed with Ning Zhuo and had even suspected that Ning Zhuo was falsely claiming mechanical creations as his own.
Fei Si was momentarily taken aback, “Not your work?”
He truly did not know this.
He laughed dismissively, “That’s no big deal. You are the master of the workshop; isn’t it up to you to decide whose merit it is?”
Chen Cha held firm to his principles and decisively shook his head, “My lord, I lack the intelligence and talent to design such a sophisticated mechanical creation.”
“Such creations, from design to completion, endure countless setbacks and hardships. The inventor has poured immense effort and thought into this!”
“Usurping someone’s mechanical creation is no different from murder and child theft!”
“I implore you to see clearly, my lord.”
A chill flashed in Fei Si’s eyes, his annoyance evident.
In his view: this mechanical creation had to be Chen Cha’s! After all, Chen Cha was his subordinate, and if Chen Cha was credited with the accomplishment, it reflected on him as well.
Yet, Fei Si’s expression softened into a smile, and he patted Chen Cha on the shoulder, instead praising him, “It’s precisely your integrity that I admire.”
“Even though this creation isn’t yours, I believe that in the future, you will definitely design a mechanical creation even superior to this one.”
Chen Cha was moved, “Thank you, my lord, for your recognition!”
Years ago, it was Fei Si’s recruitment that had brought him to develop in the city of the Fire Crystal Grass Immortal. Little did he know, surviving in the city was not easy! He had diligently managed the Flying Disk Workshop, but by this year, it was in a precarious situation.
Indeed, Fei Si had truly given him an opportunity back then, and Chen Cha had always been grateful for it.
Fei Si probed naturally, “Tell me, which cultivator invented this mechanical monkey?”
Unwilling to comply, Chen Cha watched as Fei Si decided to take matters into his own hands, aiming to “help” Chen Cha out of this predicament.
In the vast Fire Crystal Grass Immortal City, what did it matter if one or two unknown mechanical craftsmen disappeared?
Chen Cha, unsuspecting, simply introduced Ning Zhuo to him.
“A mere Qi Refining third layer…” Fei Si sneered internally, but then he heard the following words, “Hmm? A member of the Ning family?”
Fei Si’s brows furrowed slightly.
This made things complicated.
He immediately abandoned his previous sinister plan.
This involved the Ning family, a Golden Core-level power. Provoking them would be extremely troublesome.
Among the four major forces in the Fire Crystal Grass Immortal City, the Ning family was recognized as the weakest overall. The Ning family had only one Golden Core stage cultivator.
However, the Ning family’s Golden Core ancestor had proven himself in actual combat.
Sixteen years ago, during the Ning family’s migration, they endured a fierce battle. The Ning family ancestor faced two enemies alone, repelling the ambush and saving most of his clan, demonstrating remarkable combat prowess.
It was precisely this reason that allowed the other three forces to accept the Ning family settling in Fire Crystal Grass City. Normally, although friction among the four powers was inevitable, they all restrained themselves and tried to avoid serious conflicts.
Acting against Ning Zhuo could potentially lead to a confrontation with the Ning family, even their Golden Core cultivator. Such a huge cost was something Fei Si was not willing to bear willingly.
For such a minor credit, it simply wasn’t worth it!
With this plan thwarted, Fei Si’s mind swiftly turned to another strategy.
He sighed and said, “Chen Cha, you have misunderstood me!”
Chen Cha was immediately perplexed, “My lord, you are my benefactor. It was with your recommendation that I was able to cultivate in Puppet Immortal City. Why do you say this?”
Fei Si responded, “When you reported, your description was vague, leading me to believe that this was your creation.”
“I had vouched for you to the city lord, even specifically securing a merit for you.”
“Alas, I have always trusted you.”
“Now that things have taken this course, how will the city lord deal with us if the truth comes out?”
“I am not so worried about myself. My concern is for you. For you, this is a crime of falsely claiming credit!”
Chen Cha’s face turned pale, and he became panicked, “What should I do? Please, my lord, save me!”
Fei Si remained silent, stroking his beard as if in deep thought, before finally saying, “Here’s what you can do—go and talk to Ning Zhuo, see if you can convince him to hand over the mechanical monkey to you. You are much older than him; Ning Zhuo is only sixteen. What experiences could a cultivator from a major clan’s academy possibly have? Have a good chat, negotiate with him well.”
Chen Cha was extremely troubled, “This…”
Frankly, he was not at all willing to do this.
Fei Si scoffed internally but sighed outwardly, “Chen Cha, this is for your own good! If you don’t rectify this mistake, and the city lord finds out, you will be the one punished! Falsely claiming a reward is no small crime.”
Fei Si casually mentioned a few examples, causing Chen Cha to break out in a cold sweat.
“Alas, things have come to this, I must persuade Ning Zhuo. No, I must succeed in persuading him!” Chen Cha lamented inwardly, feeling forced to change his mind.
Although he held Ning Zhuo in high regard, considering him a peer and even a confidant in subtle ways, the stakes involving his own life and reputation—and potentially implicating Fei Si, who had helped him—compelled him to act.
Fei Si’s power and influence far surpassed his own. Easily manipulating the situation due to Chen Cha’s lack of clout and familiarity with the internal affairs of the city lord’s estate, Fei Si held Chen Cha firmly under his control.
Chen Cha had never intended to oppress or confront Ning Zhuo, but before the Golden Core level Fei Si, he, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, was insignificant.
Such insignificant figures often had no choice but to follow the currents.
After some inquiries, Chen Cha arrived at Ning Zhuo’s residence.
He did not knock directly on the door but lingered at the entrance, sighing heavily in his heart.
“Old Chen, what brings you to my place?” The courtyard door opened, and Ning Zhuo appeared in clean clothes.
Turning around, Chen Cha saw a young man dressed in a pristine white robe, with a clear gaze and an extraordinary demeanor.
The youth stood tall, and the sunlight from above sharply outlined his figure, enhancing the youthful vigor and purity against the small courtyard’s flora.
Seeing Ning Zhuo’s fresh and unblemished appearance intensified Chen Cha’s guilt tenfold!
He had spent years immersed in technological research, harboring a disdain for the injustices of the cultivation world.
Yet today, he had to play the role of the oppressor, forcing a younger person and conveying the dark and harsh realities of the world.
Chen Cha felt an overwhelming heaviness and pain!