Chapter 407: Ning Zhuo Was Actually So Terrifying
After obtaining the Fetal Breath Spirit Vessel, Ning Zhuo’s desire to leave grew stronger and stronger.
This had been his greatest goal in coming to Myriad Medicines Valley, and by luck he had finally achieved it. Ning Zhuo wished he could immediately ride the Wanli Dragon and soar far away.
Remaining in the Myriad Medicines Sect was no longer of much help in curing Buddhist Doctor · Meng Yaoyin.
Before this, within the Radiant Reflection Wall, Ning Zhuo had already sought the advice of Immortal Consort Jingyu and others, taking out Buddhist Doctor · Meng Yaoyin and earnestly begging the sages to lend their aid in healing her.
Many physicians, alchemists, and mechanical cultivators all shook their heads, expressing they were powerless to help.
Though the Radiant Reflection Wall was already a quasi-immortal artifact, it still had its limits. When it came to external paths, it was beyond reach.
The most ancient dynasty, the Blood Slaughter Dynasty, represented the paths of demons and monsters. The Radiant Reflection Wall could adapt to and absorb those. But afterward came the Forbidden Dynasty, and the Wall could not adapt to the paths of gods and buddhas.
Not to mention, the doctrines of ghosts and strange beings of the Night Rain Dynasty.
The Dao injury of Buddhist Doctor · Meng Yaoyin was closely tied to the Night Rain Dynasty.
However, many great artifact forgers were drawn over, staring at her with shining eyes.
“This puppet actually contains spirituality—it is a spiritual treasure!”
“For cultivators of today to already be able to create spirituality… the juniors are truly fearsome!”
“Indeed, we have grown old, all of us relics of the past. We must place more faith in the wisdom of those who come after us!”
Originally, Ning Zhuo had hoped that the Three Sect Lords would leave their images within the Radiant Reflection Wall. But the inquiry left him disappointed.
Even if the Radiant Reflection Wall was not sealed within the earth’s heart, it was always in a hidden state. Only those with fate could touch it, and only then could they leave their images.
Clearly, though the Three Sect Lords were mighty, they had no fate with the Radiant Reflection Wall.
Sun Lingtong, observing clearly as an outsider, noticed Ning Zhuo’s unstable emotions and directly reminded him:
“Ning Zhuo, steady yourself!”
“You’ve already achieved such a lofty goal as the Fetal Breath Spirit Vessel—you should be grateful and comforted.”
“Don’t be too impatient.”
“Haste makes waste. You still have many important matters you must resolve.”
“Calm yourself down!”
At Sun Lingtong’s rebuke, Ning Zhuo forcibly endured.
He knew Sun Lingtong was right. He indeed still had many important matters that he had yet to conclude.
Original Mountain, Complete Book Tower.
Ning Zhuo sat upright on the highest floor. On the desk before him were Cloud Tea and pastries, well-prepared hospitality.
But he had no mood to eat or drink.
His hands slowly unfolded a scroll.
Comprehension Diagram—Golden Dragon Breaking Clouds.
A vast plain stretched boundless and desolate. The skies were thick with dark clouds, like a heavy curtain hanging low. A dazzling light tore across the heavens, transforming into a golden dragon coiling out from the sea of clouds.
Its body was covered in golden scales, each one shining with metallic brilliance, as if cast of divine weapons. As it rolled in the air, fierce winds erupted, clouds split apart, and golden lightning flickered, manifesting the wrath of a heavenly god!
“Metal Attribute spell: Golden Dragon Breaking Formation…” Ning Zhuo only glanced two or three times before immediately comprehending the spell hidden within the diagram.
He only needed repeated practice to master it thoroughly.
“This Golden Dragon Breaking Formation technique still has many areas that can be improved.”
Ning Zhuo pondered carefully, and at once discovered many flaws in the technique. It could completely be refined further—its power increased, its mana consumption reduced.
In his current attainment in the Five Elements realm, he was at least at the Grandmaster level. When he looked at these comprehension diagrams, not only could he discern the spells within in just a few breaths, but he could also perceive the flaws and defects.
“In the Five Elements realm, what is my true level?”
Even Ning Zhuo himself could not quite tell.
Back then, aided by his own innate resources and by the Lingyin Willow, at the final stage he had been so muddle-headed that he couldn’t distinguish clearly.
As for what his Immortal Talent truly was, he had asked the Five Elements Divine Lord.
The Five Elements Divine Lord had told him: after pushing his realm forward, he had sought many Dharma-bodies within the Radiant Reflection Wall to divine it.
These Dharma-bodies shared one trait: they were all adept at divination.
The result was that the Five Elements Divine Lord not accepting him as a disciple was absolutely correct. Another correct conclusion concerned Ning Zhuo’s immortal talent. The later it was revealed, the greater the benefit to him. If revealed too early, it would invite calamity beyond what he could bear, triggering a life-and-death crisis.
The Five Elements Divine Lord especially instructed him:
“Regarding your immortal talent, you must let it take its natural course. You must never actively seek it, never undergo testing. When the time is ripe, the answer will arrive before you of its own accord. That will be the best for you.”
“In this world, many matters are not the better for being known early. At times, not knowing brings the greatest gain.”
Though disappointed, Ning Zhuo chose to trust the Five Elements Divine Lord’s judgment, and suspended his search into his own immortal talent.
For him, this was not difficult.
Because in his heart, the most urgent and important matter was still finding a way to heal his mother.
Thump, thump, thump.
Lao De, senior brother of Lin Shanshan, stomped heavily up the wooden staircase.
He brought with him a batch of Comprehension Diagrams, his heart filled with indignation.
“Has Master gone muddle-headed? To actually have me deliver so many comprehension diagrams to that thief Ning Zhuo to peruse!”
“It must be Little Junior Sister who’s spoken much in his favor!”
“The key is that even Senior Brother Linghu approves of this! Sigh, Senior Brother is too magnanimous, too noble and lofty.”
As for the matter of the Radiant Reflection Wall, according to the alliance pact, all involved had to keep it confidential.
Because Lao De and the others lacked the talent and insight, they remained ignorant.
When Lao De reached the top of the tower and saw Ning Zhuo treated with such courtesy, his face darkened further.
He thought to himself: “In the past, only Master and Senior Brother sat here. Now this position is occupied by an outsider like Ning Zhuo—utterly outrageous.”
Out of respect for his sect, he dared not act out. He only set the diagrams on the desk with a cold face.
Ning Zhuo raised his brow: “How is it just this few? Surely your master instructed you to gather the entire sect’s Five Elements comprehension diagrams for me to study, no?”
Lao De thought: For you to comprehend these alone would take years—why so impatient?
But aloud he apologized, saying he knew Ning Zhuo was anxious, so he had decided to bring what was gathered so far ahead of time.
Ning Zhuo nodded. Even without using Life Hanging by a Thread, he could read much from Lao De’s expression.
“You wait here. Once I finish, I’ll return these to you.” Ning Zhuo stopped Lao De from leaving.
He unfolded one of the new diagrams.
Atop a lofty peak stood a cultivator clad in crimson robes, hands raised as if summoning the sun’s might.
In the sky, the blazing sun hung high, its light pouring down like flames, setting the world aflame.
The cultivator was wreathed in roaring fire, the heat twisting the air, igniting grass and trees upon the mountain, burning all to ash.
Fire Attribute spell—Burning Sun Annihilates the World!
Ning Zhuo’s heart shook: “Such a fierce and domineering spell.”
He put down the diagram, extended his palm, fingers moving through hand seals. After a dozen breaths, a blaze of light flared from his palm.
It bore resemblance to the fire in the diagram.
Lao De’s body shook violently at the sight, blurting: “This! Ning Zhuo, had you already comprehended this spell earlier?”
He could not believe that Ning Zhuo could learn a spell from a diagram at first glance.
It was simply beyond reason.
He dared not even imagine it!
Ning Zhuo glared at him, rebuking on the spot:
“Silence!”
“I let you stand here as a wooden stake, not to speak and disturb my comprehension.”
Lao De shut his mouth, his face full of pent-up resentment.
Ning Zhuo gazed at the flame in his hand, sighing inwardly: “The Burning Sun Annihilates the World technique requires Samadhi True Fire to truly unleash its might. Without that flame seed, even with my cultivation, this is mere imitation. At full exertion, it cannot even reach half the true power of the spell.”
He continued to comprehend.
The next diagram was rather peculiar.
Within an ancient valley, the earth split open, lava surged out, while clear springs flowed down the cliffs. The two met at the valley floor, sending up steaming clouds. Within the vapor, a fire dragon and water dragon wound around each other, entwining magnificently.
“This is a dual Fire and Water spell—Water and Fire in Harmony!”
“Interesting, very interesting.”
After a few glances, Ning Zhuo put the scroll down. One hand conjured fire, the other conjured water.
Flame and stream merged, clashing and reconciling, perfectly coexisting!
Lao De’s eyes bulged again, disbelief surging—but this time he dared not speak.
One after another, Ning Zhuo comprehended each diagram.
The more Lao De saw, the more his jaw slackened, his eyes wide, like a frog crushed beneath a foot.
“Ning Zhuo, Ning Zhuo—this brat’s comprehension is actually to this degree!!”
“Incredible!”
“No wonder Master, Little Junior Sister, and Senior Brother all view him differently.”
“Terrifying—such comprehension is terrifying beyond compare!”
Realizing this, the doubts and resentment in Lao De’s heart vanished.
He immediately imagined that his sect, his Master, Little Junior Sister, and Senior Brother all saw Ning Zhuo’s future potential. At his early stage, they had already released goodwill to establish a bond!
After Ning Zhuo had comprehended them all, he returned the diagrams for Lao De to take back.
“When will the rest of the diagrams be delivered?” Ning Zhuo asked coldly.
Lao De nodded obsequiously: “I will gather them at the fastest speed. By tonight they will surely be ready. I ask Young Master Ning to wait.”
“Then be quick about it.” Ning Zhuo’s eyes flickered slightly.
He gave Lao De no friendly face—yet that very attitude only deepened Lao De’s respect.
Lao De quickly withdrew.
Only then did Ning Zhuo drop his careless expression and smile faintly.
This time’s display of authority would surely have effect. Not only had he dispelled Lao De’s inner grudges, but he had also cleared away obstacles for the Ning family’s future entry into the Myriad Medicines Sect.
According to the alliance pact, the royal Zhu clan and the Huoshi Ning clan would each dispatch people to enter the Myriad Medicines Sect.
And from the Sect’s side, disciples would be sent in turn to reside in the Southern Dou capital and Huoshi Immortal City.