Chapter 360: Buddha's Salvation in Bitter Cold
Ning Zhuo took out the Misty Orchid once again.
"Miss Lin, this is my first time leaving my hometown for a journey."
"I passed by Misty Mountain, intending to climb and take in the view. As I turned a corner, the mountain mist thinned, and I saw the clouds in the sky shifting, the rising sun gradually glowing, the solemn mountains surrounding, and rivers winding."
"I spotted a cliff where a few Misty Orchids were growing. They were shrouded in mist, swaying gently, as if a new world was beckoning me."
"I plucked these Misty Orchids, held them in my hands, and felt an unprecedented sense of beauty. The world is so vast, and life is so wondrous, all contained within the mountains and flowers."
"Just like this journey of mine, traveling the world and seeking wisdom, the road ahead is endless, yet filled with countless opportunities. I feel a great sense of anticipation."
"That day, when I saw you at the back of the Great Struggle Peak, my feelings were strikingly similar to that moment on the mountain."
"Miss Lin, your elegance and refinement far surpass the Misty Orchid. Yet I can't help but feel that my picking of the flowers and meeting you later on were a part of some fateful connection, like the echoes of time aligning."
"Perhaps, the Misty Orchid only passed through my hands to meet you. A hero cherishes another, and beauty appreciates beauty—this must be the truth."
Lin Shanshan was naturally captivated by Ning Zhuo's words.
Ning Zhuo’s compliments were filled with romance, not at all vulgar. He spoke of his "genuine feelings," resonating with Lin Shanshan.
Lin Shanshan felt a surge of admiration in her heart.
After all, in her twenty-one years, she had only occasionally ventured out with her father to visit friends, never truly leaving her sect to explore the world on her own.
The beautiful experience that Ning Zhuo described, of traveling alone, deeply moved her.
Seizing the moment, Ning Zhuo took a step forward and handed over the Misty Orchid.
By the time Lin Shanshan realized, she had already found herself holding the orchid with both hands.
She sighed inwardly and spoke with feeling, "I did not know of your experiences before, but now that I understand, I can appreciate your intent. I shall accept this Misty Orchid."
Ning Zhuo laughed heartily, "Thank you, Miss Lin, for fulfilling this small wish of mine!"
Ning Zhuo invited Lin Shanshan to sit once more and poured her some tea.
He then said, "I feel as though we were old friends from the first meeting. Reflecting on that moment, it always seems like destiny, as if fate brought us together."
"The matter with Li Jingqing and Han Zhou also gave me a lot of inspiration."
"Li Jingqing worked with your sect to purchase medicinal herbs and sold them widely. My Ning family also has similar needs."
"Perhaps through the connection between you and me, we can build a bridge that would benefit both of our sides."
"Oh?" Lin Shanshan showed a bit of surprise, not expecting Ning Zhuo to suddenly bring up such matters.
Although Lin Shanshan had been protected by her elders and senior brothers since childhood and had little experience in such affairs, she was still a disciple of a major sect and had received relevant training from a young age.
She immediately composed herself, the faint blush on her face fading, and after carefully considering her words, gave Ning Zhuo a positive and thoughtful response.
As Ning Zhuo mentioned, his family possessed Nascent Soul stage combat power, which was not to be taken lightly and should be treated with respect.
Even Lin Bufan himself would take this matter seriously.
Moreover, the Wanyao Sect had always been lacking in strength and constantly sought to absorb external cultivators. They would not make the foolish mistake of turning friends into enemies.
Following the conversation, Ning Zhuo expressed his interest in evaluating the Wanyao Sect’s goods and seeking a potential avenue for cooperation.
After exchanging a few words, Lin Shanshan informed Ning Zhuo that she could not make decisions on many matters and would need to report them first.
After parting with Lin Shanshan, Ning Zhuo began his cultivation.
He took out his meditation mat, sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and contemplated himself.
His divine sea above the dantian!
Sure enough, he saw many threads of bitter cold essence swirling together like clouds and mist, bleak and desolate.
The bitter cold essence was restrained by the Buddha light, never permeating or spreading into Ning Zhuo's divine sea.
The one achieving this was none other than the Buddha Heart Demon Seal!
This treasure turns others into demons and oneself into a Buddha. Outwardly, Ning Zhuo could play the role of a heart demon, exerting a silent influence. Inwardly, it safeguarded his mind, ensuring the purity of his thoughts.
Once the bitter cold essence entered Ning Zhuo's body, the Buddha Heart Demon Seal immediately activated its automatic protection.
All the essence was collected and restrained by the Buddha light, tightly controlled, waiting for Ning Zhuo to personally process it.
Ning Zhuo gave his all, barely mobilizing a sliver of the Buddha Heart Demon Seal’s power.
Instantly, the Buddha light surged within his divine sea, grinding down the bitter cold essence, transforming it into a pure, harmless understanding, which flowed into Ning Zhuo’s heart.
"Bitter Cold Qi, Bitter Cold Sutra..."
Ning Zhuo's comprehension of the Bitter Cold Sutra rapidly increased!
"Mastering the Bitter Cold Sutra allows one to greatly strengthen themselves through enduring hardship. As the saying goes: 'He who endures bitter hardships becomes a superior man,' or 'After the bitterness comes sweetness,' and 'When heaven assigns a great task to a person, it first tests their will and exhausts their body.'"
"An excellent cultivation technique is a reflection of the principles of the heavens and the earth."
"I’ve learned, I’ve learned."
Ning Zhuo fully absorbed all of the bitter cold essence and gained a much deeper understanding of the Bitter Cold Sutra.
Overjoyed, he immediately transmitted the good news to Sun Lingtong.
When Sun Lingtong wasn't out, he stayed inside the Wanli Dragon. This mechanical dragon was used by Ning Zhuo as a belt, tied around his waist.
Hearing Ning Zhuo's good news, Sun Lingtong was also happy for him, "With the Buddha Heart Demon Seal, little brother, you can now fleece those bald monks, can’t you?"
"Let them use their cultivation techniques to save you, and you can secretly learn from them. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!"
Ning Zhuo replied, "It's not just me. I can lend the Buddha Heart Demon Seal to you too, big brother, and you can use it as well."
Sun Lingtong nodded, "Interesting. When the time comes, I’d like to give it a try."
Ning Zhuo added, "Isn’t there an opportunity right now? Big brother, you can disguise yourself and take the Buddha Heart Demon Seal to fight Han Zhou."
Sun Lingtong responded, "Am I capable of that? If my identity or our relationship is discovered, won’t that affect our upcoming plans?"
Ning Zhuo sighed, "Big brother, don’t I know your temperament by now? Bringing you here and making you stay inside the Wanli Dragon all the time is too much to ask of you."
"Big brother, you’ve always been helping me. In Huoshi Immortal City, it was fine, but now we’re out traveling, and I don’t want you to suppress yourself for my sake. I don’t want you to suffer."
"Even if we’re discovered, so be it. We can always think of another way."
Sun Lingtong seemed to understand, "I get it now."
"You talked with Lin Shanshan about cooperation to seek another path. You want to exchange benefits to acquire the Spiritual Boat of Fetal Breath?"
"That’s a treasure of inheritance. The price won’t be cheap."
Ning Zhuo smiled, "We’ll see as we go."
Sun Lingtong giggled, "Haha, I’m proud of you!"
"Honestly, I’ve been itching to get out of here since we arrived at the Wanyao Valley."
"I’m going out now to steal like crazy! Hahaha."
Ning Zhuo: "What?"
Sun Lingtong added, "Don’t worry, Xiao Zhuo. First, I’ll be careful. It’s someone else’s territory, so I won’t recklessly take risks and get caught. Second, I really can’t stand that Li Jingqing. Taking him down is also a way to vent your anger."
Ning Zhuo nodded slightly, "Big brother, be careful. I don’t want to have to rescue you from Wanyao Sect’s prison."
Sun Lingtong couldn’t wait any longer. He slipped out of the Wanli Dragon, his short legs moving quickly as he ran outside.
Ning Zhuo shouted via transmission, "Big brother, take the Buddha Heart Demon Seal with you!"
But Sun Lingtong waved his hand, "Later! First, I’ll have some fun with Li Jingqing!"
Clearly, he enjoyed the thrill of theft more than the fight itself.
"Being targeted by Sun Lingtong..." Ning Zhuo silently mourned for Li Jingqing.
In the Origin Mountain.
Lin Shanshan went to the study to report to her father, Lin Bufan, about the Ning family’s proposed cooperation.
Upon hearing that the Ning family had Nascent Soul-level power, Lin Bufan took it seriously.
He pondered for a moment and said, "You can continue to engage with them,
show him some of our sect's deep foundation. Tomorrow happens to be the day we disperse our goods, which is a fitting opportunity to display our sect's strength. Do not make any hasty promises. We’ll wait until we receive the investigation results."
Lin Shanshan nodded.
Lin Bufan glanced at his daughter subtly and, as if casually, asked, "What do you think of this Ning Zhuo?"
Lin Shanshan smiled, "He treats people with sincerity. I can feel his genuine heart, just like the sunlight of a clear morning."
"He’s also upright and forthright, which is evident from how he handled Li Jingqing and Han Zhou."
"What's even more admirable is his humility and determination. Despite having a Golden Core-level trump card, he continues to work hard and improve himself. This kind of ambition is rare for someone of his background."
"That explains why, at such a young age, he has surpassed me in spellcasting."
"Oh, and he’s also very generous. He even said he would give me a spiritual talisman."
Lin Bufan couldn’t help but take a deep breath.
Suddenly, he regretted arranging for Lin Shanshan to receive Ning Zhuo.
Now that the words were spoken, it would be inappropriate to withdraw.
After some thought, Lin Bufan said, "Time will tell the strength of a horse, and the heart of a person is revealed with time. From your words, I’ve developed a good impression of this young man Ning Zhuo, but first impressions require caution."
Lin Shanshan smiled, "Father, I understand. You've been teaching me these principles since I was young. I also know that the information about Ning Zhuo and his family is all from his own mouth, none of it verified. That’s one."
"Second, even if it’s all true, I won’t let my feelings compromise the interests of the sect!"
"Father, your reminder underestimates me a bit."
"Hahaha!" Lin Bufan stroked his beard and laughed heartily, "Good, it seems I was too worried."
"My daughter has a clear head! Unlike Jiu’er, who’s already this grown and still muddles around with the drink!"
Lin Shanshan took the opportunity to say, "Father, even though Senior Brother is in confinement, whenever I visit him, he’s always concerned about your well-being."
Lin Bufan snorted, "Concerned about me? I’m not old yet!"
"Besides, does that brat really have such leisure?"
"Go, go, don’t think you can plead for him just because I’m in a good mood."
Lin Bufan waved his hand repeatedly.
Lin Shanshan pouted and had no choice but to say, "Father, I’ll take my leave then."
(End of the chapter)