Chapter 427: The Thought of Dual Cultivation
Red Flower Camp.
Ning Zhuo walked up to the camp gate and presented his token.
“Master Ning Zhuo, please follow me.” The guard already recognized Ning Zhuo. After verifying the token, he assigned someone to lead the way.
This identity token was something Zhang Chongyi had proactively gifted to Ning Zhuo after his previous healing session.
Ning Zhuo, well familiar with the route, arrived at the physician’s tent and stepped inside. Bowing respectfully, he greeted, “Senior Zhang, this junior has come to trouble you once more.”
Upon seeing Ning Zhuo, Zhang Chongyi stroked his beard and smiled. “No trouble at all, my young friend. Come, have a seat first.”
After Ning Zhuo sat down, he untied his belt.
In his hand, he held the shrunken Wanli Dragon, displaying it for Zhang Chongyi to see.
Zhang Chongyi focused his gaze, his expression showing mild surprise. “So it truly is the Wanli Dragon.”
“The last time I saw your companion suddenly appear, I thought it was a Hidden Weapon Talisman or a Military Token.”
“The wealth and background of my young friend are truly uncommon.”
Ning Zhuo revealed half of the dragon’s body to Zhang Chongyi and explained that the Wanli Dragon had been struck by the Blood Shadow Cave Lord’s spell. Whenever it approached the Thousand Peaks Forest, the Blood Shadow Cave Lord would sense it.
“I wish to ask for your aid once again, Senior—to help us remove this hidden danger,” Ning Zhuo said bluntly.
Zhang Chongyi took the Wanli Dragon, held it up to inspect it, occasionally forming hand seals and casting detection spells.
A moment later, his previously furrowed brows relaxed. “Indeed, this is the Blood Shadow Cave Lord’s Blood Mark Tracking Art.”
“Resolving it is not too difficult.”
“However…”
His tone shifted as he continued, explaining that he was no longer a Nascent Soul–level Cultivator; with only Golden Core cultivation now, he would need external tools to remove the Blood Mark Tracking Art.
“If we had a Nascent Soul–grade alchemy furnace and a few specific materials, refining continuously for twelve days, the spell could be lifted.”
“Unfortunately, as far as I know, there is no such furnace in the entire Canglin Immortal City.”
Alchemy furnaces were precious instruments of production, often exceedingly expensive. A Nascent Soul–grade furnace, if of fine quality, could easily consume most of a Nascent Soul cultivator’s lifetime wealth.
Even Zhang Chongyi, who had once served as an Imperial Physician, had not accumulated enough to own one.
“What should we do, then?” Ning Zhuo sighed, his eyes turning slightly as he asked, “If not an alchemy furnace, could a forging furnace suffice?”
Zhang Chongyi sighed in admiration at Ning Zhuo’s quick wit and nodded. “That is exactly what I was about to suggest. Currently, Canglin Immortal City has a Nascent Soul–grade forging furnace under the control of the national craftsman, Jin Li.”
“Through him, we could also resolve this Blood Mark Tracking Art.”
Ning Zhuo fell silent, hesitating slightly.
He trusted Zhang Chongyi but knew little about Jin Li.
With his Life-Hanging-by-a-Thread and Buddha Heart Demon Seal, he could handle Zhang Chongyi if anything went wrong. But Jin Li, being of Nascent Soul rank, was far beyond what Ning Zhuo could manage if trouble arose.
Seeing his hesitation, Zhang Chongyi explained, “Jin Li is someone I know fairly well.”
“He is a straightforward man—honest, sharp-tongued, and as incisive as a blade.”
“Moreover, we can sign a binding contract to ensure that no one else will ever learn that you possess the Wanli Dragon.”
“However, persuading him will not come cheap. You must be prepared.”
After all, Jin Li was not only Nascent Soul–level but also a National Craftsman, currently undertaking major forging duties in Canglin Immortal City.
To have him take on private work, one would need to offer something truly enticing.
Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong used spiritual sense transmission to confer briefly, then nodded. “We shall proceed as you suggest, Senior.”
Zhang Chongyi immediately wrote a Message Bird.
The message darted out of the tent, flying straight toward Canglin Immortal City.
While waiting, Zhang Chongyi dismissed the attendants, speaking only with Ning Zhuo. “I, too, have a matter to entrust to you, young friend.”
“Of course, this is only a proposal. If you are unwilling, then let it be.”
“Just promise to keep it strictly confidential.”
Hearing this, Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong’s curiosity was immediately piqued—especially Sun Lingtong, who perked up his ears inside the Puppet Dragon.
Ning Zhuo promptly declared that if it were within his ability, he would certainly do his best.
Zhang Chongyi chuckled. “This matter is both difficult and simple—perhaps depending only on a single thought from you.”
“However, it concerns military affairs. Before I explain, we must first establish a contract.”
“And your companion, if he wishes to listen, must also sign one.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Sun Lingtong leaped out of the Puppet Dragon, full of enthusiasm.
Seeing Zhang Chongyi treat the matter with such gravity, Ning Zhuo’s expression grew slightly more serious.
Once the contract was sealed, Zhang Chongyi looked at the two and quietly revealed his proposal—dual cultivation.
“Dual cultivation? Between me and General Mu Lan?!” Ning Zhuo’s eyes widened, pointing at himself in disbelief. For a moment, he was utterly stunned.
In his mind, that was far too great a leap.
“Hehehe, Xiao Zhuo, this is a wonderful thing!” Sun Lingtong laughed so hard he nearly rolled over.
He delighted in such amusements.
Zhang Chongyi sighed deeply, explaining to the two in detail.
“The Mysterious Gold Armor-Breaking Art?” Ning Zhuo frowned slightly. “Perhaps I can improve this technique myself to aid the General.”
“There is no need for dual cultivation.”
“Please don’t take offense, Senior. It’s not arrogance—just that one’s Primordial Yang holds deep significance for the path of cultivation.”
Zhang Chongyi nodded. “Indeed. This must be considered carefully.”
Sun Lingtong glared at Ning Zhuo. “Xiao Zhuo, you’re not even practicing a celibate art like me. I’ve seen the three major techniques you cultivate—your Primordial Yang isn’t so vital to you!”
“Besides, haven’t you often complained that your progress is too slow? Dual cultivation with a Golden Core–level partner who can infuse you with energy—your cultivation would soar by leaps and bounds!”
Zhang Chongyi’s eyes brightened, and he smiled while stroking his beard. “If both parties are willing, this would indeed be a joyous occasion! Hahaha!”
Ning Zhuo quickly waved his hands. “I’m merely a lowly Foundation Establishment cultivator, while General Mu Lan is a Golden Core cultivator, commander of an army. To dual cultivate with her would be reaching far above my station.”
“Moreover, dual cultivation is a grave matter—it must be reported to my family’s ancestor for approval before such a union could occur.”
Zhang Chongyi, hearing the deflection in Ning Zhuo’s tone, withdrew his smile and nodded. “Indeed, involving Primordial Yang and Primordial Yin, dual cultivation is no trivial matter. It deserves the utmost caution.”
Just then, a Message Bird fluttered into the tent, landing before Zhang Chongyi.
It was Jin Li’s reply.
Zhang Chongyi unfolded the letter, slightly surprised.
“Brother Jin agreed; however, he asked as payment for a Nascent Soul–grade treasure material in Young Friend Ning Zhuo’s possession...”
This was not beyond Ning Zhuo’s expectation.
He smiled bitterly and gave Zhang Chongyi the same explanation as before—that it was part of a family mission involving trade with a powerful faction.
After pondering for a while, Ning Zhuo said, “The family mission is important, but removing the Blood Mark Tracking Art is equally crucial. I have decided—I’ll accept Craftsman Jin Li’s request and ask for his assistance!”
Immediately, Zhang Chongyi, Ning Zhuo, and Sun Lingtong brought along the Puppet Dragon and went to meet Jin Li.
After Zhang Chongyi and Jin Li discussed, combining their expertise, they devised several possible methods to cut off the Blood Mark Tracking Art.
Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong discussed it briefly and soon made their choice.
They opted for the fastest method, though it came with a price—not in payment, but in the Wanli Dragon sustaining damage in several places due to the aggressive approach.
Yet to return swiftly to the Stone Dwelling Old Monster and avoid any unforeseen complications, such a decision was undoubtedly wise.
Ning Zhuo personally watched as the Wanli Dragon was placed into the forging furnace.
The furnace door shut, flames roared, and blazing fire filled the chamber.
According to Jin Li and Zhang Chongyi’s estimation, it would take three days and nights at best, or four to five at worst.
Without the Wanli Dragon coiled around his waist, Ning Zhuo felt a strange emptiness, somewhat unaccustomed to its absence.
Though Sun Lingtong’s right arm was still injured, he couldn’t resist heading off to amuse himself within Canglin Immortal City, leaving Ning Zhuo behind.
Ning Zhuo returned alone to the Three Generals Camp, slipped into his own tent, and began his daily cultivation.
He first took out his meditation cushion.
This artifact had been distributed jointly by the three great families of Huoshi Immortal City, and it remained effective to this day.
Next, Ning Zhuo activated his Floating Cloud Handkerchief.
Since his time in Huoshi Immortal City, he had developed a habit—without wrapping himself in the handkerchief, he always felt uncomfortable.
Layers of clouds swirled and overlapped, covering Ning Zhuo entirely, wrapping him into a ball of cotton.
Inside that cloud-wrapped sphere, Ning Zhuo took out various Spirit Foods and began eating them one after another.
Compared to pills, Spirit Foods had a shorter shelf life, but the benefit was that they contained no lingering medicinal toxicity, allowing cultivators to absorb their essence fully.
The Spirit Food from Canglin Immortal City tended toward sweet and spicy flavors—something Ning Zhuo wasn’t quite used to; he even choked once midway.
He began cultivating the Demonic Blood Tendon Technique.
Demonic light reflected across his face, giving him a crimson hue, with faint membrane-like veins pulsing beneath his skin.
In his Lower Dantian, the ground was a vivid red, covered by blood tendons stretching and intertwining into a web that blanketed the surface.
As large amounts of Spirit Food digested, they were refined into essence blood, which fed into the blood field, strengthening the network further.
Then Ning Zhuo cultivated the Five Elements Qi Regulation Art.
He took out his Tornado Wheel artifact and pressed it against his Middle Dantian.
Within his Five Qi Pivot Dantian, five-colored streams spiraled like dragons, rising from earth to sky. The five elemental mana currents alternated between distinct separation and perfect fusion. Under the Tornado Wheel’s enhancement, the spiral accelerated, drawing in external spiritual energy and converting it into his own mana with greater speed.
When he practiced the Mirror Platform Spirit Technique, he used the Calm-Mind Bell.
The gentle ringing guided him swiftly into deep meditation.
Inside his Bright Mirror Spiritual Light Dantian, countless thoughts rose and fell. Distractions were purged, dissolving on their own. The remaining Mirror Thoughts merged, forming countless smooth reflective surfaces. At the upper and lower extremes stood two immense mirror planes, serving as the heavens and earth within his Dantian.
Among all of this, the most striking presence was his Buddha Heart Demon Seal.
Next came the pink-lotus-green-leaf divine ability—Life-Hanging-by-a-Thread.
“According to common understanding, the Foundation Establishment stage is divided into six phases—corresponding to the early, middle, and late stages.”
“They are Field Opening without Obstruction, Treasure Nourishment and Growth, Dantian Radiance, Manifestation of Symbolic Phenomena, Golden Light Illumination Within, and From Illusion to Reality.”
“The Three Major Supreme Arts each encompass these six stages within their Foundation chapters.”
Older techniques might not include all six stages.
Newer methods were superior—compared to ancient ones, they better enriched a cultivator’s foundation and more fully developed one’s potential.
Throughout history, later-generation cultivators in the Foundation realm often surpassed their predecessors precisely because they practiced newer techniques.
Ning Zhuo, however, cultivated the Divine Spirit Art of the Five Viscera Temple, a very ancient art whose early, middle, and late Foundation stages barely differed.
If one had to categorize it, only the last phase—From Illusion to Reality—barely stood apart, and even that was mixed with the Golden Core tribulation stage.
Modern arts separated the two stages for greater precision and refinement.
“I devote three times the usual amount of time to cultivation daily.”
“Normally, a Foundation Establishment cultivator spends the equivalent of about fifteen hundred lower-grade spirit stones per day on resources.”
“My daily consumption—counting the Spirit Food and the artifacts I use—amounts to five thousand lower-grade spirit stones.”
“Yet even so, I have not reached Field Opening without Obstruction—not even a trace of it.”
“Ahh…”
As Ning Zhuo traveled the world, the opponents he faced grew ever stronger.
At times, he even had to confront Nascent Soul–level threats!
The notion that Foundation cultivators would only face opponents near their own level was something that existed solely in storybooks.
Reality was harsh—it would not treat one kindly simply because one was weak. Quite the opposite.
Ning Zhuo longed for his cultivation to advance rapidly.
He had once consulted Sun Lingtong about this matter, only to be persuaded otherwise.
Ning Zhuo knew Sun Lingtong’s reasoning was sound—his progress was already astonishing. At sixteen, being a Foundation cultivator was an exceptional achievement in the cultivation world.
Yet Ning Zhuo still desired greater power!
Especially now, after Zhang Chongyi’s suggestion that he engage in dual cultivation with Mu Lan, the thought burned stronger in his mind.
“I really wish my cultivation could soar overnight!”
“At only the early Foundation stage, so many things remain beyond my reach—it’s truly frustrating.”
“Dual cultivation…”
Although Ning Zhuo had politely declined Zhang Chongyi’s proposal, in truth, he was tempted.
If he and Mu Lan were to dual cultivate, his cultivation would skyrocket from the act itself. Added to that, Mu Lan’s unique condition would transfer even more energy to him—doubling the increase!
“Losing Primordial Yang means little, but the significance of a dual cultivation partner is immense.”
“In this life, the Primordial Yin–Yang Union of dual cultivation can happen only once. Thus, the choice of a Dao Companion is crucial—there is only one chance.”
“After dual cultivation, the bond between both parties becomes extremely deep. Their future cultivation together becomes far more effective—closer even than husband and wife.”
“As the patriarch of the Ning Family’s branch, am I to form such a Dao bond with the daughter of the Grand General’s Mansion of Liangzhu Kingdom?”
Ning Zhuo clearly understood the gap between them.
If Lin Shanshan’s feelings toward him were born of affection, and Hua Guzi’s fondness stemmed from desire, then Mu Lan’s interest was entirely a matter of cold calculation and mutual benefit.
Ning Zhuo didn’t reject that notion—he had seen plenty of it in Huoshi Immortal City and read about it in books.
“So this is how the orthodox path operates,” Ning Zhuo thought, though he could not tell whether this dual cultivation arrangement would be a profit or a loss for him.
Would he, in the future, have a better choice?