Chapter 354: Assistance (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
The Wan Yao Sect primarily practiced three techniques: the "Evergreen Herb Technique," the "Life Pill Method," and the "True Understanding of the Medical Dao."
From these three core techniques, it was clear that the cultivators of the Wan Yao Sect excelled in herb cultivation, pill refining, and healing.
Thus, the cultivators of the Wan Yao Sect were generally divided into three categories: plant cultivators, alchemists, and physicians.
Because their combat strength was not particularly sufficient, the Wan Yao Sect's external management strategy differed from other sects.
They established the Xiao Zheng Peak, offering many benefits to attract outside cultivators to reside there long-term, thereby enhancing the overall strength of the sect.
Many cultivators on Xiao Zheng Peak had already lived there for more than ten years, or even decades.
Typically, one would not allow others to sleep beneath one's bed.
Few sects would attract so many foreign cultivators and allow them to stay near the sect for long periods.
However, the Wan Yao Sect welcomed these people and, through excellent strategies, achieved harmonious coexistence between the sect and outside cultivators. Both sides gained what they needed.
It was similar to how the Wan Yao Sect densely planted countless herbs of various types in the Medicine Field Mountain and Wan Yao Valley.
The philosophy of this sect was one of seeking commonality while embracing differences, promoting harmonious coexistence.
The Wan Yao Sect had only one Nascent Soul cultivator, the current sect master, Lin Bufan.
Lin Bufan was known as a battle maniac. He wasn't obsessed with personally fighting but rather with observing battles.
When he was young, he was a famous commentator on battles, and his critiques were often insightful and sharp.
For many important duels, people would often invite individuals like him to help publicize the fighters' reputations.
Perhaps observing battles was genuinely beneficial, as Lin Bufan successfully broke through to the Nascent Soul stage. This allowed the small and medium-sized Wan Yao Sect to immediately rise and become recognized as a large sect.
The policies and benefits of Xiao Zheng Peak were all devised by Lin Bufan.
Clearly, he had a talent for management.
According to the information, even though Lin Bufan was a Nascent Soul cultivator, he personally handled many affairs. With such a role model, the sect naturally had a clean and clear atmosphere.
"Xiao Zhuo, if you want to obtain the Tai Xi Spiritual Vessel, it won't be easy," Sun Lingtong sighed.
"I found out that the Tai Xi Spiritual Vessel is a treasured legacy of the sect, always carried personally by Lin Bufan."
This was only to be expected.
It was similar to how Ning Jiufan always carried the Ice Heart Jade Pot with him.
Sun Lingtong said, "Trying to steal a treasure from a Nascent Soul cultivator will be extremely difficult."
"It seems we have no choice but to follow the rules, keep proving ourselves, and accumulate enough benefits to earn a chance to use the Tai Xi Spiritual Vessel."
"This jade slip contains information on the strongest Foundation Establishment cultivators. If you want to gain access to the Tai Xi Spiritual Vessel, you must secure a higher cave dwelling, so you can accumulate benefits more quickly. These individuals may become your rivals!"
Ning Zhuo activated his spiritual sense and infused it into the jade slip.
"Devil cultivator Zheng Xingchen and sword cultivator Lai Wuying are generally considered the two strongest. Below them are demonic cultivator Chang Yan and mechanical cultivator Luo Xiao..."
Ning Zhuo's eyes brightened slightly. He hadn’t expected there to be a mechanical cultivator, and he immediately had the thought of befriending him.
These strong individuals were all at the Foundation Establishment stage; the Golden Core cultivators had already been recruited by the Wan Yao Sect as outer sect elders and would not reside on Xiao Zheng Peak.
The information Sun Lingtong had gathered was quite detailed.
Not only did it include data on these Foundation Establishment experts, but also scenarios from their past classic battles.
Such intelligence was widely circulated on Xiao Zheng Peak.
On the one hand, every battle for a cave dwelling was public, so it was easy for outsiders to obtain information. On the other hand, the competition for cave dwellings had given rise to a related intelligence business.
Sun Lingtong reminded, "You can't rely too much on this information. Every day there are cultivator battles on Xiao Zheng Peak, and in such an environment, many cultivators hide one or two secret trump cards. Even if they are exposed, they will quickly study and master new secret techniques."
"When you challenge your way upward in the future, I'll secretly step in and help you probe your opponents' hidden cards ahead of time."
Sun Lingtong was genuinely considerate of Ning Zhuo.
But Ning Zhuo shook his head slightly, "Boss, please don't do that."
"The situation here in Wan Yao Valley is different from that in Misty Hidden Mountain. I need the Tai Xi Spiritual Vessel for my goals. However, this treasure happens to be a precious legacy of the Wan Yao Valley."
"So, my approach is to steadily gather information and eventually earn a legitimate opportunity to access the Tai Xi Spiritual Vessel."
"As for you, your approach is to use the information I gather to plan a theft. Maybe, with my cooperation, you will succeed in stealing it."
"This time, we need more coordination!"
Sun Lingtong chuckled, genuinely excited, "Stealing a sect’s legacy treasure from under the nose of a Nascent Soul cultivator within a major sect—it’s too thrilling. Just thinking about it makes it seem incredibly fun!"
Ning Zhuo quickly said, "Boss, that's just our last resort."
"Maybe we'll find a better way, like getting the sect master of Wan Yao to sell the Tai Xi Spiritual Vessel."
Hearing this, Sun Lingtong shook his head, "You're expecting a sect to willingly sell off their legacy treasure?"
He found it unreliable.
Ning Zhuo replied, "I know the chances are slim, but who can predict the future? And I believe that most so-called non-sellable items are only that way because the price isn't right."
As the two were talking, the sound of a flying message came through.
Moments later, a challenge letter from Han Zhou appeared before Sun Lingtong and Ning Zhuo.
Sun Lingtong was surprised, "Interesting, you haven’t even started challenging anyone, yet someone’s already challenging you."
Ning Zhuo said, "We’ve just arrived and already claimed Cave Dwelling No. 281. This is thanks to Lin Shanshan, but it also makes more people eager to test us."
He continued, "Han Zhou is just the first. Even if I defeat him, many others will likely continue challenging me."
Sun Lingtong nodded, "Unless you use creations like the Heavy Armor Blood Ape, Dasheng, to dominate with overwhelming power, making everyone else back off."
Ning Zhuo shook his head, "There’s no need for that yet."
"I prefer to take it step by step and use this environment to temper my combat strength."
"Watching the battle between the Black Wind Tiger Demon and Meng Zizhong gave me a lot to reflect on."
Sun Lingtong nodded repeatedly, "You shouldn't rely too much on mechanical creations. A good fighter masters both long-range and close combat, without being too weak in any one aspect."
He had also gained much from the expedition to Misty Hidden Mountain.
He added, "Xiao Zhuo, you should carefully review the information on Han Zhou. I’ll go out again to see if I can gather more intel."
Ning Zhuo nodded and advised, "Boss, be cautious."
He stayed in the cave dwelling, continuing to study the information on Han Zhou. He soon discovered that Han Zhou specialized in close combat, with astonishing defense.
Han Zhou rarely relied on magical tools, using only his physical body to withstand powerful external blows. His toughness made even Ning Zhuo feel inferior.
"How should I counter him?"
Ning Zhuo was deep in thought when a voice transmission came through, "Is Ning Zhuo inside the cave dwelling?"
Ning Zhuo raised an eyebrow. The voice sounded familiar. He immediately sensed "Life Hanging by a Thread" and discovered that Lin Shanshan had arrived outside his cave dwelling.
"Miss Lin!" Ning Zhuo saluted and led Lin Shanshan inside.
"I didn’t expect Miss Lin to be the sect master's daughter. A few days ago, your assistance truly left me deeply grateful and overwhelmed with honor," Ning Zhuo said politely.
Lin Shanshan shook her head slightly, her face showing concern, as she directly said, "This is actually my fault."
"I realized afterward that I shouldn’t have intervened and let you settle in this cave dwelling so quickly after your arrival at Xiao Zheng Peak."
"Do you know that Han Zhou’s challenge wasn’t initiated by him but at the request of someone else?"
"This person’s name is Li Jingqing. He’s a merchant who has been sourcing goods from our Wan Yao Sect for years."
Ning Zhuo was slightly stunned and gave Lin Shanshan a deep look, expressing his sincere gratitude.
Lin Shanshan waved her hand, "Ning Zhuo, don't be misled by Han Zhou’s lower cave dwelling rank. In reality, he has deliberately kept a low profile."
"He has no real name, coming from Han Zhou, which is why he's referred to by that place."
"His strength is formidable, and his cultivation method is so unique that even my father finds it remarkable. On the surface, he seems like a body cultivator, but his technique also focuses on mental cultivation. He likely cultivates both the upper and lower Dantian!"
Ning Zhuo's expression immediately turned serious, "Dual Dantian cultivation? It seems Han Zhou has his
own fortuitous encounter. Without a sect or family, he’s managed to cultivate such an extraordinary technique."
"Miss Lin, what should I do?"
Lin Shanshan reassured him, "Since I brought you to Xiao Zheng Peak, I bear part of the responsibility for this matter."
"That’s why I came here to help you."
"These are top-grade fasting pills. Before your fight with Han Zhou, take a few and keep a few more in your mouth."
"Han Zhou's attacks are unique, capable of causing intense hunger and cold, weakening the opponent. Instead of taking healing pills, it's better to consume fasting pills and fill yourself up. Otherwise, the burning hunger within your internal organs will severely reduce your combat strength."
After speaking, Lin Shanshan took out another item, a jade pendant.
The pendant was light red, exquisite and delicate.
When Lin Shanshan took it out, her face flushed slightly. This was something she had worn close to her body as a child.
"This is the Warm Heart Pendant."
"It will help you maintain your body temperature and keep your mind warm."
"Han Zhou’s strength lies in creating openings in his opponents. His technique’s uniqueness lies in this ability."
"This pendant will strengthen your mental resilience and endurance."
Ning Zhuo accepted the fasting pills and the Warm Heart Pendant without hesitation. Then, with his clear, black-and-white eyes, he looked at Lin Shanshan, "Miss Lin, do you have anything else?"
Lin Shanshan’s gaze flickered slightly.
She had initially thought that helping Ning Zhuo this much was already quite generous.
But facing Ning Zhuo in person, she felt compelled to do more.
So, she took a deep breath, "For now, this is all I’ve thought of."
"If I want to help you more, it will depend on your specific strength. In battle, it's all about maximizing your strengths and compensating for your weaknesses to achieve victory."
Ning Zhuo nodded repeatedly, "Miss Lin, you're absolutely right! Let's head to the training field, and I’ll give a demonstration. What do you think?"
"Ah, well..." Lin Shanshan hesitated. She hadn’t planned to personally assess Ning Zhuo’s combat abilities.
But Ning Zhuo didn't give her a chance to refuse, opening the door and leaving the cave dwelling.
Lin Shanshan hesitated for a moment but eventually followed him.
Standing at the cave entrance, Ning Zhuo smiled at her, "Miss Lin, may I ask which way to the training field?"
Lin Shanshan let out a helpless laugh, "Follow me."
Moments later.
Sun Lingtong returned to the cave dwelling, "Xiao Zhuo, I bought a lot of Fire Element Talismans in the market. They’ll help dispel cold and steady your mind when you fight Han Zhou!"
"Xiao Zhuo?"
He looked around but couldn’t find any trace of Ning Zhuo.
"Where did Xiao Zhuo go?"
(End of Chapter)