Chapter 459: The Perching Bird
The envoy arrived at the military camp of the Three Generals Camp.
The incense altar had already been arranged.
Liu Er, Guan Hong, and Zhang Hei knelt on the ground. As Ning Zhuo was a foreigner, he merely had to stand and bow.
The envoy took out the royal decree, unfurled it, and read aloud in a booming voice—
"By the mandate of Heaven, the King commands:
Liu Er, Guan Hong, Zhang Hei—three generals of valiant might and unwavering loyalty. In the recent ambush, you fought with your full strength, resisted the enemy’s assault, and, with your Golden Core cultivation, captured the Nascent Soul cultivator Flying Legs alive, thereby eliminating a major threat to our Liangzhu Kingdom and rendering great merit.
In a moment of grave danger, you risked your lives without hesitation. You are the pillars of the nation. Thus, your ranks shall be promoted from ‘Guerrilla Generals’ to ‘Capturing Generals’ as a token of reward, and each shall be granted ten units of National Strength.
Strategist Ning Zhuo, though a foreigner, is devoted to the righteous path, fought bravely in battle, and feared no hardship. Before the battle, you presented our army with a prophetic poem, words precise, foretelling the tide of war. During the ambush, you assisted the troops and earned extraordinary merit, slaying numerous foes. Such heroic ambition deserves recognition. You are hereby granted four units of National Strength as a reward!
May you remember this honor and live up to expectations. Continue to fight bravely and defend the prestige of our Liangzhu Kingdom.
Thus decreed."
The three generals chorused, “We thank the King for his grace!”
Ning Zhuo echoed their voices in thanks.
“The envoy must be weary from the long journey from the capital. Please, this way.” Upon the completion of the ceremony, Liu Er beamed with hospitality and welcomed the envoy.
As the banquet neared its end, Ning Zhuo approached the envoy and discreetly handed him many Spirit Stones. “Our camp is humble, the reception lacking. I beg the envoy’s forgiveness.”
The envoy smiled, expertly accepting the storage pouch filled with Spirit Stones. Not long after, escorted by the three generals and Ning Zhuo, he departed from the Three Generals Camp and returned to the capital to report.
Late night.
Inside his tent, Ning Zhuo carefully examined the National Strength bricks.
In cultivator-founded nations, the ruling elite condensed National Strength into bricks.
As the Liangzhu Kingdom was founded upon the Water Virtue, their National Strength bricks were black.
The tent’s lamplight reflected off the surface of the brick, faintly revealing rippling patterns, like the undercurrents of the deep sea—clear signs of Water Virtue.
Ning Zhuo ran his palm across the brick. It was cold to the touch, though not piercingly so like ice.
This was Ning Zhuo’s first time handling a National Strength brick; previously, he had only read about them in books.
He activated his spiritual sense and infused it into the brick.
A pulse emanated from the brick, enveloping Ning Zhuo’s body. Instantly, it responded to the Strategist Seal within his robes.
As if a lock had found its key, a gate slowly opened. A strand of National Strength flowed out from the brick.
Guided by Ning Zhuo’s spiritual sense, the power first entered the Upper Dantian Sea of Consciousness.
Mirror Platform Spirit Technique!
As Ning Zhuo began cultivating, the National Strength within the Upper Dantian transformed into a vast radiance, illuminating in all directions.
Bathed in this radiance, countless mirror-thoughts sprang to life at astonishing speed.
Next, Ning Zhuo directed the power into the Middle Dantian Sea of Qi.
The Five Elements Qi Regulation Art!
Infused with National Strength, it instantly transformed into a great surge of cultivated mana.
Demonic Blood Tendon Technique!
Likewise, when the power entered the Lower Dantian, it was converted into blood tendons, thickening the blood-tendon ground by three feet.
“Marvelous! Simply marvelous!” Ning Zhuo felt all three of his Dantian swell at once, his entire body surging with immense power.
This power was gentle and profound, yet deeply encompassing.
Ning Zhuo only sampled a small amount before slowly opening his eyes, his face filled with delight.
In merely a dozen breaths of time, his cultivation had leapt a significant margin—equivalent to a whole month of hard practice!
“To cultivate using National Strength… it’s akin to direct empowerment, no need for bitter effort!”
“Even more importantly, National Strength lacks Five Element attributes, making it compatible with any cultivation technique in the world.”
“No wonder in ancient times, so many cultivators risked their lives to seek out dragon courts.”
In terms of merit from the ambush, Ning Zhuo’s contribution was nowhere near that of Liu Er, Guan Hong, and Zhang Hei. Although his prophetic poem was accurate, it only positively impacted the Three Generals Camp and Red Flower Camp.
In truth, much of Ning Zhuo’s merit was due to the accomplishments of the three generals.
Had they not captured Flying Legs alive, Ning Zhuo would not have received such generous rewards.
Moreover, Liu Er had likely exaggerated Ning Zhuo’s contributions in his report.
When presented with the reward options, Ning Zhuo had no hesitation—he chose only National Strength bricks.
“Had I been offered this choice before the ambush, I might have hesitated. But having personally experienced battle, National Strength bricks will remain my top priority for a long time—my go-to, and even my only choice!”
The ambush had left a powerful impression on Ning Zhuo.
At one moment, even in the safety of the army formation, facing Flying Legs’ Turning Spear from Horseback, he had almost died!
In that moment of life and death, Ning Zhuo hadn’t even had time to react.
Afterward, he used the Directional Escape Talisman to regroup with Sun Lingtong, then threw himself into seizing battle spoils with full force, with no time for reflection.
It wasn’t until the army set out again, marching back toward Canglin Immortal City, that Ning Zhuo slowly came to his senses, struck by a wave of dread.
“Cultivation!”
“Cultivation is the foundation of everything!”
“My Five Elemental attainments may be profound, but without the cultivation base to support them, they’re like pearls cast into the dark.”
“Foundation Establishment… too weak!”
“Golden Core… still too weak!”
“Nascent Soul… still weak!!”
This battle had broadened Ning Zhuo’s horizons significantly.
Such is the value of walking ten thousand miles and journeying through all lands.
Of course, Ning Zhuo had long read about the levels of Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators. He had seen countless records in books.
But many things in life must be experienced to truly understand their weight.
“What’s gained from books is always shallow; to know it deeply, you must act.”
As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, even surrounded by countless comrades, he could still be killed in an instant.
The Golden Core cultivators from Thousand Peaks Forest had been slaughtered by Liu Er, Guan Hong, and Zhang Hei like pigs!
Even Grandfather Long, a powerful Nascent Soul cultivator, was nearly burned to death in the end.
These were all events Ning Zhuo witnessed firsthand, and they completely ignited the flame in his heart.
“Foundation Establishment… not enough!”
“Golden Core… not enough!”
“Nascent Soul… still not enough!!”
“I must climb, keep climbing—gathering strength at full speed, with all I have.”
“I must become a powerful cultivator. I must take control of my own fate!”
At that moment when he nearly died, Ning Zhuo hadn’t even had time to react. He would never accept being in such a powerless position again.
Yet… to accumulate cultivation—how easy could that be?
Even someone as talented and insightful as Sun Lingtong remained in Foundation Establishment stage to this day.
Not because he lacked effort—this was simply the norm.
Cultivating through the Foundation Establishment stage usually took decades. A hundred years was common. Many died of old age before breaking through to the Golden Core stage.
In fact, Sun Lingtong’s pace was already considered fast.
Ning Zhuo was only sixteen and had already reached the early Foundation Establishment stage. He cultivated three separate techniques simultaneously, and all three were top-tier arts of the world.
Just one of them would require more spiritual energy and time than an ordinary cultivator could manage.
For Ning Zhuo, that burden was multiplied by three.
Thus, Sun Lingtong was certain that Ning Zhuo’s cultivation would be slow and time-consuming.
He had once even advised Ning Zhuo not to rush.
Nothing in the world is all good or all bad.
Slower cultivation and excessive consumption were the steep price of cultivating top-tier techniques.
But Ning Zhuo had no intention of walking the ordinary path.
He now wandered the world, risking danger to find a cure for his mother. He longed for power, wishing he could become a Soul Formation cultivator in the very next breath.
So, he kept searching—desperately—for ways to speed up his cultivation.
All thanks to this radiant and dazzling golden age of cultivation!
In this world, there truly existed many shortcuts for accumulating cultivation.
The most common methods included adopting higher-grade techniques, Spirit Stones, pills, magical treasures, and so on. Beyond that were dual cultivation, direct empowerment, absorbing and transforming others’ mana, etc.
National Strength was similar to direct empowerment.
By using National Strength, a cultivator could directly increase their cultivation level in a very short time. This was unlike using Spirit Stones or pills to increase the efficiency of cultivation—it directly advanced it.
The latter was like a tree growing faster than usual. The former, however, was akin to directly grafting a chunk of tree trunk onto one’s own sapling.
“I have four bricks of National Strength in my possession—how far can they push my cultivation?”
As Ning Zhuo’s thoughts swelled, he ceased drawing from the National Strength, opting instead for conventional cultivation methods.
Immediately, a stark contrast struck him in his heart.
“So slow. Normal cultivation is far too slow!”
“With my current circumstances, this pace is simply unbearable!”
The next day.
Double Purity hosted a banquet for Ning Zhuo in Canglin Immortal City.
Ning Zhuo arrived on time.
Double Purity had returned to his usual highborn demeanor, dressed in elegant green robes, calm and composed.
Ning Zhuo clasped his hands in greeting.
Double Purity remained seated, merely gesturing for him to sit across the table.
“This Little Bird Pavilion is the most renowned restaurant in all of Canglin Immortal City.”
“Their specialty is the Ten Birds One Heart Banquet, with dishes of diverse presentation.”
“I’ve reserved the top floor and instructed the kitchen to specially prepare this banquet. Strategist Ning, please enjoy it thoroughly.”
Double Purity introduced with a smile.
Ning Zhuo responded with customary politeness.
The first spiritual dish to be served was Silver Ripple Spirit Broth.
The broth was semi-transparent, its surface shimmering with a faint silvery glow. The scent was fresh and clean. The bird meat inside was pale and served as the main ingredient. Supplementary ingredients included ginkgo, silver fungus, snow pear, goji berries, fish maw, and more.
Ning Zhuo first took a spoonful—light and warm, it carried a natural fruity fragrance and medicinal aroma, a slight sweetness beneath the chill.
Then he sampled a piece of bird meat—it melted instantly in the mouth, with a distinctive texture.
Reflected in Double Purity’s eyes was Ning Zhuo, savoring the food. He carefully observed every movement, thinking, “The Ning family truly is a noble lineage.”
The Ning clan had once produced a Nascent Soul-level cultivator. They had migrated from Northern Wind Kingdom to Southern Bean Kingdom, and their heritage was substantial.
In the eyes of truly highborn disciples, such heritage could be seen from even the subtlest details.
Although Ning Zhuo had lost his parents young, he had been taught the manners of daily life by his uncle and aunt. At school, elders had instructed the students in etiquette, covering all aspects of daily conduct—how to sit, eat, rise, and rest.
As he grew up, Ning Zhuo also read extensively and trained himself in deportment, all to make a good impression when dealing with powerful cultivators.
Seeing Ning Zhuo eat with such composed grace—simple yet elegant, seemingly slow but efficient—Double Purity felt increasingly at ease. He finally picked up his own bowl of spirit broth.
Ning Zhuo drank a little over half, then stopped.
Double Purity asked, “Strategist Ning, do you know what the main ingredient of this dish is?”
Ning Zhuo replied, “It should be a Perching Bird, correct?”
Double Purity continued, “But there are many kinds of Perching Birds. Which one, specifically?”
Ning Zhuo said, “Judging from the silver sheen and the ginkgo flavor, most likely a Silver-Feather Perching Bird.”
Double Purity smiled faintly. “Strategist Ning is indeed shrewd. A good guess.”
After that, he fell silent.
Ning Zhuo felt slightly puzzled. Double Purity had been warm and enthusiastic when inviting him—clearly trying to grow closer—but once the banquet began, he had become reserved.
It seemed that, once external threats were gone and fine robes were donned, Double Purity reverted to the role of a noble son.
The second course was soon served.
It was a roasted dish.
A blooming flower held within it a roasted bird.
Upon inspection, Ning Zhuo realized it was not a chicken—but a bird.
The bird’s exterior had been brushed with honey and garnished with cherries and cherry blossoms, evoking a romantic charm.
He picked up his chopsticks and took a bite—his eyes lit up slightly.
The meat was sweet and crisp, with a unique flavor that evoked feelings of spring—breezes brushing the face, cherry blossoms in full bloom, drifting like rain.
Double Purity waited until Ning Zhuo set down his chopsticks before asking what the main ingredient was.
Ning Zhuo replied, “That should also be a Perching Bird, and more precisely, the Sakura-Love Perching.”
Double Purity nodded, smiling but saying nothing.
Ning Zhuo’s heart stirred—he grasped Double Purity’s intent but did not expose it.
The third course was shaped like a Medicinal Chicken.
Ning Zhuo activated his mana and sliced open the “chicken’s” belly, revealing a filling of purple rice and purple sweet potato.
After tasting it, he couldn’t help but nod slightly.
The sweetness of the rice combined with the delicacy of the sweet potato, blending perfectly with the tenderness of the meat. The taste was rich, soothing his spirit, and clearing his thoughts—his Sea of Consciousness in the Upper Dantian fell into a serene clarity.
This time, before Double Purity could ask, Ning Zhuo took the initiative: “That must be the Violet-Wisdom Perching Bird, no?”
Double Purity saw the smile on Ning Zhuo’s lips, and the depth in his eyes. Knowing the moment had arrived, he finally delivered his prepared words.
“The Perching Bird has a slender beak, which it inserts into tree trunks to draw sap for sustenance.”
“When they reproduce, they drive their beak into the deepest part of the tree, injecting their life essence into the trunk.”
“The same Perching Bird, depending on the tree it chooses, will produce entirely different offspring.”
“From ginkgo trees come the Silver-Feather Perching Birds—shimmering wings, fast flight, crisp chirps.”
“From cherry trees come the Sakura-Love Perching Birds—light pink all over, graceful bodies, gentle songs tinged with sorrow.”
“From rosewood trees come the Violet-Wisdom Perching Birds—deep purple feathers, capable of understanding speech, the most intelligent of all.”
At this point, Double Purity paused. “The kind of tree determines the kind of Perching Bird it breeds.”
“This shows how important one’s environment is—to a bird, or to a person!”
“Strategist Ning, you are a young talent of noble descent. Frankly, I don’t understand—why did you join the Three Generals Camp?”
“You’re like a fine jade. And the Three Generals Camp? It's like some crooked tree no one can even name.”
Ning Zhuo smiled and shook his head. “Lord Double, are you trying to persuade me to leave the Three Generals Camp and join the White Jade Camp instead?”
Before this banquet, Ning Zhuo had already discussed the matter with Sun Lingtong, and guessed Double Purity’s recruitment intention.
But Double Purity shook his head. “My White Jade Camp was crippled. It’s in complete disarray. Rebuilding it now comes with none of the former support.”
“With such a force, how could I possibly extend an invitation that shows true sincerity to Strategist Ning?”
Outside the window.
The sky was pure and bright, with the sun radiating warmth.
A flock of Ginkgo Perching Birds descended from the blue sky, their wings slicing silver light through the air.
They dove at breakneck speed, nearly suicidal in their approach, crashing into the dense canopy of a great tree.
Chirping, flapping, rushing wind, rustling leaves—the sounds mixed into a deafening roar, overwhelming the two’s conversation inside.
Double Purity said something, then turned to Ning Zhuo, eyes filled with expectation.
Ning Zhuo’s eyes widened slightly, a look of surprise forming between his brows.
He glanced outside at the noisy Ginkgo Perching Birds, and in that brief moment, countless thoughts swirled in his mind.
When he turned back to face Double Purity, his expression had returned to calm. “A house retainer?”
Double Purity nodded. “Become my house retainer—that is my sincerity!”
“You should know, shouldn’t you, the weight of my surname?”
Ning Zhuo nodded.
Of course, he knew.
The surname Double was the royal name of the Liangzhu Kingdom!
Double Purity retrieved a jade slip and slowly handed it to Ning Zhuo. “Here is the stipend you’d receive as my house retainer.”
“I know you earned four National Strength bricks as a reward for your battle merits.”
“If you were my house retainer, that status would far exceed your current role as strategist and wine-offering official!”
“When drawing from National Strength, you’d gain almost triple the effectiveness.”
“This alone is like multiplying your battle achievements by three. The implications are massive—don’t you agree?”
Ning Zhuo’s face turned solemn.
He infused his spiritual sense into the jade slip—and his heart skipped a beat.
The offer was incredibly generous—even his freedom would not be restricted.
If Ning Zhuo ever wished to leave, to shed the status of house retainer, he could do so at any time!
So then… should he become one of the high-ranking house retainers of Liangzhu Kingdom?