Chapter 352: Cold Continent
After the two bid farewell, a disciple led Ning Zhuo up the Small Strife Peak.
Along the way, the disciple probed repeatedly, trying to test him.
Ning Zhuo spoke directly, telling him that he came from Huoshi Immortal City and had come to seek guidance. He had lost his way and met Lin Shanshan by chance, who helped him.
The disciple, feeling that he had thoroughly understood Ning Zhuo's background, relaxed his tone and became more casual in attitude.
During their conversation, Ning Zhuo “surprisingly” discovered Lin Shanshan's true identity.
The disciple teased him, “You're lucky! Senior Sister Lin is just that kind of helpful person, often bringing outsiders here.”
“With such a generous sect, no wonder the reputation of the Myriad Medicine Sect is well-deserved!” Ning Zhuo sincerely praised.
The disciple laughed heartily but still warned Ning Zhuo before leaving, “You've just arrived and got assigned a cave dwelling in the 200s. Be careful. According to our sect's rules, if someone challenges you and wins, you'll lose your right to live there.”
“Of course, if you're confident in your own strength, you can also challenge for one of the higher-ranked cave dwellings.”
Ning Zhuo replied, “I'll settle in first and see how things go.”
Saying this, he took out ten spirit stones and slipped them into the disciple’s hand.
“Just ten low-grade spirit stones…” The disciple felt disdain but still took them expressionlessly.
The scene of Ning Zhuo gifting two Mist Orchid plants to Lin Shanshan was still vivid in the disciple's mind, making him more accepting of this small gift.
“You just settle down well.” The disciple half-heartedly remarked before leaving without looking back.
As the disciple walked halfway up the mountain, a person suddenly appeared from the forest.
The newcomer had a fair complexion and a wealthy demeanor, with a smiling face. He greeted the disciple with a cupped fist salute and immediately handed over a mid-grade spirit stone.
The disciple took the mid-grade spirit stone and, without hesitation, slipped it into his storage belt, feeling quite satisfied. He said directly, “Li Jingqing, you’re well-informed! I know what you want to ask.”
“Your luck isn't great. The cave dwelling you’ve been eyeing has already been occupied by someone else.”
The portly middle-aged cultivator rubbed his hands together, “So, I’ve come to inquire, who is this person who took my cave dwelling? I heard that he was personally brought here by Senior Sister Lin?”
The disciple nodded slightly, “That's right, so don't stir up unnecessary trouble.”
However, Li Jingqing, the portly man, shook his head, “Cultivation is all about competition. This is Small Strife Peak, and it's too early for me to back down now.”
“As far as I know, Senior Sister Lin has brought many outsiders here before.”
“So, this Ning Zhuo may not be any different from them.”
The disciple nodded again, “Since you’re determined, then…”
“On account of the spirit stone, I'll tell you more.”
“This Ning Zhuo indeed has no special connection with Senior Sister Lin; it was their first meeting.”
“However, unlike before, when Senior Sister Lin would bring people here in a hurry, this time she personally intervened and wasn’t satisfied with the first cave dwelling I arranged for Ning Zhuo.”
“I know you've been greasing the right wheels for some time, eyeing this cave dwelling. I had wanted to save it for you.”
“But unfortunately, in front of Senior Sister Lin, I couldn't refuse and had to use this cave dwelling to settle things.”
“So that's how it is... What a pity!” Li Jingqing feigned regret, but when he took his leave, he forced a smile and slipped out another mid-grade spirit stone.
Once he was alone, his face darkened.
The geographical advantages of the Myriad Medicine Valley were unparalleled, filled with an abundance of spiritual energy.
The spiritual energy seeped into the Small Strife Peak, making every cave dwelling on the mountain brimming with energy, providing cultivators with substantial benefits.
Moreover, the cave dwellings ranked higher would receive generous rewards from the Myriad Medicine Sect at regular intervals.
Li Jingqing was a businessman who had long purchased goods from the Myriad Medicine Sect and resold herbs and pills elsewhere.
The higher his cave dwelling's rank, the better he could negotiate with the Myriad Medicine Sect for lower prices. The difference in profit was significant.
So, even knowing that Ning Zhuo was brought here by Lin Shanshan, Li Jingqing wasn’t willing to give up so easily.
He left alone, deciding to plan his next move carefully.
He first tried to gather information on Ning Zhuo, but after several days, he learned very little.
This was because, after settling into the cave dwelling, Ning Zhuo rarely went out, and even when nearby cultivators came to visit, they were turned away.
Seeing that his next batch of herbs was about to mature and ready for sale, Li Jingqing knew he couldn't delay any longer and decided to act.
His cave dwelling was ranked after Ning Zhuo’s, and according to the rules, Li Jingqing had the right to challenge Ning Zhuo.
However, instead of doing it himself, he sought out someone to fight on his behalf.
He had already selected several candidates and now approached the one he was most confident in persuading—
Han Zhou!
…
Original Mountain.
Sect Master's residence.
Study.
Lin Shanshan knocked on the door, bringing in refreshments, placing them on her father’s desk.
“Father, you've been busy with sect affairs and haven't rested all night. How about having some refreshments to take a break?”
Lin Bufan, a middle-aged man with a lean frame and long beard that reached his chest, leaned back in his chair and sighed, “There's no helping it. In a few days, those herbs will be ready for harvest.”
“The sect must carefully consider how to sell the herbs, ensuring that every merchant and company is handled properly.”
“This is the foundation of our Myriad Medicine Sect. Since I took over, I’ve always personally overseen this process, never delegating it. Do you know why?”
Lin Shanshan smiled, “Father, you're testing me, but I won't be stumped this time. I remember Senior Brother mentioning it before. He said that before you took over, corruption in the sect was rampant. Especially in this area, even the most reputable elders would eventually succumb to greed if they held power for too long.”
“So, you personally oversee this matter.”
“Senior Brother praised you for being wise and diligent, handling everything yourself with great responsibility.”
Lin Bufan immediately snorted, “I know Jiu'er’s temperament all too well. As his master, how could I not?”
“He’s lazy and obsessed with alcohol. There’s no way those words came from him.”
“You're pleading for him, aren’t you?”
“Forget it!”
“This time, he won’t be let out until he’s served his full punishment.”
Lin Shanshan stuck out her tongue in fear at her father’s stern words, no longer daring to bring up Linghu Jiu.
She noticed a new batch of jade slips on the bookshelf, “Father, you should eat. Let me play some of your favorite scenes.”
Lin Bufan nodded slightly and began eating.
Lin Shanshan took a few jade slips from the bookshelf and retrieved a mechanical device.
She placed three jade slips into the device and then activated it with mana.
In the next moment, various colored sands flew out from the device.
In mid-air, the sands quickly formed a thin battlefield landscape. On the battlefield, two sand figurines began fighting.
The two sand figures perfectly replicated a past battle.
Lin Bufan watched while enjoying his refreshments, quite entertained. This was the only bit of relaxation he had amid his busy schedule.
From time to time, he made comments.
“Zheng Xingchen, though from a cultivation family, practices demonic arts. He's ruthless, and the synergy between his nature and the demonic arts makes him win battle after battle.”
“Luo Xiao’s mechanical armor has been battle-tested and can now handle all sorts of opponents. It’s a huge improvement from when he first arrived.”
“Han Zhou… this nameless beggar is only called by the place he comes from. The technique he stumbled upon is quite unique. On the surface, it's a body refinement and martial cultivation technique, but its core seems like a Buddhist method, emphasizing inner spirit and enlightenment of the mundane world.”
“Lai Wuying's sword is getting faster and faster. Anyone who isn’t in the top ten cave dwellings wouldn’t survive his first three strikes.”
“Oh? Chang Yan's earthen techniques have advanced. He would’ve lost before, but this time, he narrowly won.”
The Sect Master of the Myriad Medicine Sect watched with great interest.
Lin Shanshan asked, “Father, you’re a Nascent Soul cultivator, yet you seem so excited watching these battles between Foundation Establishment cultivators.”
“Shouldn't watching them be like watching children fight, leaving you bored?”
The Sect Master shook his head with a solemn expression, “Shanshan, you don’t understand.”
“Focusing solely on cultivation level is too one-sided. Remember, tactics, fighting spirit, and spell-casting techniques are lifelong principles that stay with a cultivator.”
“These things are valuable and still apply beyond the Nascent Soul stage.”
“Of course, your father is also known as a battle fanatic, so I do have a deep love for watching battles. Hahaha! It’s my only hobby.”
Lin Shanshan sighed, “Father, you love watching battles, and Senior Brother is obsessed with drinking. You two really are a pair of master and disciple.”
This time, the Sect Master of the Myriad Medicine Sect held back his laughter and didn’t scold
Lin Shanshan, “Little girl, are you trying to plead for your Senior Brother again in a roundabout way?”
At that moment, a subordinate came to report.
Another stack of jade slips appeared on the Sect Master’s desk, waiting for him to handle.
The Sect Master sighed. Physically, he didn’t feel tired, but mentally, he was reaching his limit.
The brief relaxation from watching the battle only made him more aware of his mental fatigue.
“Let me see what exciting matches are coming up on Small Strife Peak next.”
“Hmm… Luo Xiao is challenging Zheng Xingchen again?”
“Lai Wuying performed impressively this round, so no one is challenging him next.”
“Han Zhou is challenging Ning Zhuo… Ning Zhuo?”
This unfamiliar name made the Sect Master pause in surprise.
Lin Shanshan suddenly gasped, her face showing shock.
The Sect Master turned to his daughter, “Shanshan, do you know this Ning Zhuo?”
“Father, it’s like this.” Lin Shanshan explained the situation, expressing her concern for Ning Zhuo, “Han Zhou is one of the strongest on Small Strife Peak. Ning Zhuo being challenged by him right off the bat spells trouble.”
The Sect Master looked at his beloved daughter, stroking his long beard, slightly surprised. It was the first time he had seen Lin Shanshan show such concern for someone she had just met.
(End of chapter)