Chapter 620: Tough Negotiation
Qingyan’s eyeballs almost bulged out of their sockets.
He had never expected that Ning Zhuo’s temper would be so “irritable,” actually striking the moment words failed to please him.
This was not youthful hot-bloodedness—it was simply too reckless!
Yang Sanyan was startled for a moment, his face immediately turning as dark as still water. Just as he was about to make a move, Ning Zhuo’s follow-up attack had already arrived.
Fire Path—Nine Heavens Fire Dragon Technique!
Blazing flames ignited in an instant, filling the space around Ning Zhuo.
Roar!
A dragon’s roar erupted as three fire dragons condensed from the sea of flames and lunged toward Yang Sanyan.
The air twisted, and the scorching heat flushed Qingyan, Qingchi, and the others’ faces red.
Yang Sanyan was enveloped in a layer of azure light, completely isolating himself from the searing heat outside.
Anger surfaced on his face, and sharp light flickered in his eyes.
This mere Foundation Establishment cultivator dared to attack without a word—he clearly did not place him in his eyes at all!
At once, Yang Sanyan prepared to act and properly teach this ignorant junior, Jiao Ma, a lesson.
But in the next instant, the fire dragons’ might surged abruptly, and one of them swallowed Yang Sanyan whole.
Fire Path Heart Temple!
Ning Zhuo had not activated this trump card earlier, deliberately saving it for this moment and catching Yang Sanyan off guard.
Yet in the next breath, Yang Sanyan gave a cold snort. With a forceful spread of both arms, the azure light around him surged outward, forming a spherical barrier that burst the fire dragon apart.
Ning Zhuo brought his fingers together like a sword before his chest. Opening his mouth, he spat out a streak of golden lightning.
Metal Path—Mysterious Gold Slash.
Metal Path Lung Temple!
Qingjiao Army Military Force Reinforcement!!
A blinding golden flash streaked past in an instant, incomparably sharp. It tore through the azure sphere, brushed past Yang Sanyan’s side, and shot straight into the wall.
After leaving a gaping crack in the wall, it vanished into the vast sky above the immortal city.
As a Deputy Commander, Ning Zhuo naturally could also draw upon military force.
For a moment, Yang Sanyan stood motionless.
His expression changed drastically as he stared at Ning Zhuo with newfound respect. The previous arrogance and anger vanished from his face, replaced instead by solemnity—and even admiration.
Ning Zhuo also withdrew his hand, controlling the remaining two fire dragons.
One circled protectively around him, while the other seized the stunned Qingchi and flew back to Qingyan’s side.
Yang Sanyan watched Qingchi being rescued without the slightest intention of stopping it.
All because Ning Zhuo’s earlier Mysterious Gold Slash, after receiving military force reinforcement, had leapt directly into the Nascent Soul tier. Even Yang Sanyan’s proud defensive technique had failed to withstand it.
With Golden Core cultivation, Yang Sanyan could unleash Nascent Soul–level battle power. Thus, within the Myriad Phenomena Sect, he was renowned for his combat strength. Yet this yellow-faced youth before him had used mere Foundation Establishment cultivation to unleash a Nascent Soul–level attack.
“And that Fire Dragon Technique was executed beautifully. Though it was a classically unrestrained offensive spell, he manipulated it with such finesse, even restraining its might to rescue someone. What mastery of spell control!”
What Yang Sanyan also silently marked in his heart was Ning Zhuo’s combat talent.
“He possessed means to amplify spells, yet when casting the fire dragon, he deliberately held back, calculating that I would not intercept early. Only when the attack was about to land did he suddenly enhance it.”
“And even that was merely one layer of smokescreen. When he unleashed Mysterious Gold Slash, he repeated the tactic, simultaneously applying two amplifications to truly catch me off guard.”
“Especially the latter reinforcement—he used military force. That means he is already a member of the Qingjiao Army.”
Yang Sanyan’s thoughts flashed like lightning, arriving at many conclusions.
Qingchi stared at Ning Zhuo in shock. “Little Ma, how did you suddenly become so powerful?”
Qingyan, meanwhile, was extremely tense, his gaze locked onto Yang Sanyan, fearing the latter might erupt at any moment.
He was deeply worried. “Jiao Ma’s methods are strong, but Yang Sanyan is not someone to be controlled. Sigh, things have escalated—what now?”
As if responding to Qingyan’s concern, Ning Zhuo suddenly smiled and cupped his hands in salute. “Junior Jiao Ma pays respects to Senior Yang Sanyan of the Myriad Phenomena Sect.”
“Senior, I have certain matters to report to you privately. Would that be acceptable?”
Yang Sanyan’s tense expression shifted, and a faint smile appeared. “You are not bad. No wonder my younger brother chose to defect to you.”
“Very well. Let us change locations and speak in private.”
Yang Sanyan was proud by nature, but he admired capable cultivators.
Within White Paper Immortal City, Ning Zhuo had never ceased gathering intelligence. Yang Weida had mentioned Yang Sanyan more than once, so Ning Zhuo had long collected information about him and understood his temperament.
After hearing Qingyan’s account and knowing Yang Sanyan’s arrogance, Ning Zhuo had decisively struck when the situation seemed unfavorable.
The Mysterious Gold Slash could have fully struck Yang Sanyan, but Ning Zhuo had deliberately aimed it slightly off, merely to demonstrate his strength.
Yang Sanyan quickly recognized the reality and immediately changed his attitude.
In terms of combat strength alone, Ning Zhuo could truly threaten him. More importantly, Ning Zhuo was extremely young and only at Foundation Establishment cultivation. This alone proved his extraordinary talent.
Yang Sanyan and Ning Zhuo left the wrecked scene.
Soon, they began their secret discussion.
Ning Zhuo first took out a Storage Pouch. “I got along well with your younger brother. When Brother Yang came to join me of his own accord, he personally gifted this to me.”
“Now that Brother Yang has unfortunately passed away, I have no face to accept his wealth. Senior, as his elder brother, this Storage Pouch should be returned to you.”
This first action moved Yang Sanyan.
He subconsciously accepted the Storage Pouch, his fingers trembling slightly.
Opening it and pouring in his divine sense, he quickly scanned its contents, thinking: This matches exactly what my younger brother described in his letter.
Which was reasonable—Yang Weida had met with misfortune on the very first day after defecting to Ning Zhuo.
Upon hearing the tragic news, Ning Zhuo had decisively ceased using that wealth, all for this very moment.
What Ning Zhuo did not know was that before defecting, Yang Weida had already written to Yang Sanyan, explaining his plan in detail.
Yang Sanyan tightened the pouch and stored it within his robes.
He sighed deeply, his cold demeanor greatly softened. “Given my temperament, I would not have accepted this pouch. But it is my brother’s relic. Keeping it with me is at least a remembrance.”
“Young man, your conduct is forthright.”
Ning Zhuo smiled slightly. “By offering this Storage Pouch, I not only demonstrate my sincerity and goodwill, but also hope that Senior Yang will further assist me and support the establishment of the Qingjiao Army.”
Once again, Ning Zhuo’s words surprised Yang Sanyan.
He scrutinized the yellow-faced youth before him. “White Paper Immortal City has indeed produced some local talents.”
Though Ning Zhuo’s request seemed unreasonable, it actually aligned perfectly with what Yang Sanyan intended to do next.
Yang Sanyan’s visit to White Paper Immortal City was not solely because of Yang Weida. He also bore a sect mission.
One of those objectives was to stabilize the situation and secure greater rights for the sect.
The death of his younger brother had caused him immense grief.
Yet when he appeared and seized Qingchi, summoning Ning Zhuo, it was not merely to vent his anger over his brother’s death—it had a deeper purpose.
The Qingjiao Army!
Qingchi was the Commander of the Qingjiao Army. Ning Zhuo’s earlier use of military force likewise revealed him to be one of its commanders.
Yang Sanyan keenly realized that once the Qingjiao Army was fully established, it would become a pivotal force within White Paper Immortal City.
Combined with a Golden Core–level commander, it could unleash Nascent Soul–level battle power.
That meant it could stand in opposition to the White Paper City Lord’s Avatar (Female).
If properly planned, the Myriad Phenomena Sect could support the Qingjiao Army into becoming one of the pillars of White Paper Immortal City. This would greatly benefit the sect’s future efforts to gather cultivation resources within the Yin Tide Black Marsh.
Yang Sanyan was proud, but not foolish. On the contrary, he was strategic and capable.
However, when he planned to control Jiao Ma in order to influence the Qingjiao Army, an unexpected turn occurred.
Ning Zhuo’s displayed combat power far exceeded his expectations.
Just as he adjusted his mindset and prepared to privately negotiate with Jiao Ma (Ning Zhuo), laying out terms to support the Qingjiao Army, Ning Zhuo had already guessed his intentions and position, openly requesting strong backing for the Qingjiao Army.
Yang Sanyan’s eyes shone. “Jiao Ma, you are a smart man. Speaking with smart men is easy.”
He was about to discuss concrete terms when Ning Zhuo spoke again.
This next statement exceeded Yang Sanyan’s expectations for the third time.
“I am not Jiao Ma. I replaced this identity. My real name is Ning Zhuo.”
Yang Sanyan frowned. “What?”
Ning Zhuo continued, “I am the Vice City Lord of White Paper Immortal City, recognized by the current City Lord as the Savior.”
Yang Sanyan’s brows furrowed deeper. “Savior? What do you mean?”
Ning Zhuo did not answer, continuing instead, “I am not a local. I come from Southern Bean Kingdom. My mother was Meng Yaoyin.”
Yang Sanyan repeated, “Meng Yaoyin?”
The name sounded familiar. In the next instant, realization struck, and his expression changed drastically.
He stood up and approached Ning Zhuo. “You are the son of Meng Yaoyin, the Golden Core True Disciple of our sect?”
Ning Zhuo nodded. “When I was two years old, my mother had already passed away from illness. During this journey across the world, I have been gathering relics and clues related to her, hoping to understand what kind of person she truly was.”
“Thus I came to White Paper Immortal City, only to arrive amid the crisis of the Ghost Tide and the Yin Army attacking the city.”
“Senior Wen Ruanyu does not know this matter, but the White Paper City Lord does.”
“Perhaps because of my mother’s contributions to the immortal city, she secretly appointed me as Vice City Lord.”
“To protect me, the City Lord even bestowed upon me three paper talismans to suppress my Three Dantians.”
Yang Sanyan’s gaze turned somewhat vacant.
The torrent of information was simply too dense for him to process at once.
He blinked. “How can you prove—”
Before he could finish, Ning Zhuo produced several relics of Meng Yaoyin. “Thanks to Senior Wen Ruanyu’s regard, once matters here conclude, I will take his letter of recommendation to the Myriad Phenomena Sect to attend the Flying Cloud Assembly and strive to join the sect.”
“At that time, I believe there will be more reliable means to verify my identity.”
Yang Sanyan examined the relics. “These are not ironclad proof.”
Ning Zhuo nodded. “Strangely, my mother left no final words instructing me to return to the Myriad Phenomena Sect. I was fortunate to gather certain key clues and trace my way back.”
His words sounded all the more genuine.
Seeing Yang Sanyan pondering, Ning Zhuo smiled faintly. “In truth, there is ironclad proof within the mechanism manuals.”
“My mother’s manuals contain many of her cultivation insights and achievements.”
“One of them, concerning formation disguise, is precisely why I was able to discover a formation space within the Giant Paper Effigy!”
Yang Sanyan nodded. “Senior Wen Ruanyu has already reported this matter to the sect. I was informed before arriving.”
“I did not expect the situation to be like this…”
Ning Zhuo continued, “Because there is a traitor within the city who has not yet been identified, I dared not trust anyone and insisted on refining the Interwoven Lamp within that formation space.”
Yang Sanyan replied, “The Interwoven Lamp must ultimately be handed over to the sect. For now, you may keep it. That is not the main point.”
Yang Sanyan’s lack of emphasis on the Interwoven Lamp was excellent news for Ning Zhuo.
Yang Sanyan focused on another issue. “Since you guarded against Wen Ruanyu, do you suspect him of being the traitor?”
Ning Zhuo shook his head. “At present, he is not.”
“I have already identified someone and am eighty percent certain he is the traitor—or one of them!”
Yang Sanyan’s expression sharpened. He urgently demanded, “Tell me—who is it?!”
Ning Zhuo merely smiled again and leisurely took a sip of tea without answering.
Seeing his attitude, Yang Sanyan nearly struck him in anger. Since when did a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator dare to put on airs before him?
But recalling Ning Zhuo’s strength and their previous exchange, Yang Sanyan felt a chill in his heart.
He suddenly realized that from the moment the secret discussion began, the entire rhythm of conversation had been firmly controlled by Ning Zhuo. Though he was a Golden Core cultivator and a True Disciple of a Super Sect, he had been thoroughly led by the nose.
Yang Sanyan took a deep breath, already understanding Ning Zhuo’s demand. He gave a cold snort. “I am willing to fully support the Qingjiao Army.”
“To be frank, I have brought substantial resources this time—enough for your army’s needs.”
“These resources are not mine, but mission funds from the Myriad Phenomena Sect.”
Ning Zhuo set down his teacup. “As expected of my mother’s sect—so generous!”
He stared at Yang Sanyan, a trace of firmness in his tone. “The Qingjiao Army is my army—and it can only be my army.”
The implication was clear: the Myriad Phenomena Sect could provide funds, but must not attempt to control the Qingjiao Army.
Yang Sanyan responded, “Qingchi still does not know your true identity. Do you intend to rely on the Jiao Ma disguise to command this New Army?”
Ning Zhuo shook his head and took another sip of tea. “I am completely confident in that matter. There is no need for Senior to worry.”
“Once we reach agreement on this point, I will tell you the traitor’s identity!”
Yang Sanyan narrowed his eyes and pondered briefly. In the end, the flames of revenge overcame his balance of considerations. “Very well. I shall agree this once. What of it?”
Ning Zhuo clapped his hands in praise. “Straightforward!”
Yang Sanyan and Ning Zhuo both signed a contract.
Yang Sanyan directly handed Ning Zhuo three Storage Bracelets, each filled with cultivation resources.
“Quickly tell me who the traitor is!” Yang Sanyan watched Ning Zhuo put away all the bracelets, finally losing patience.