Su Lingkou did not understand and was deeply puzzled: "The contest between my cousin and Lin Jinglong for the second-in-command position is a very serious matter, and both parties are taking it seriously."
"How did it turn into a guessing game to decide the winner as soon as Ning Zhuo got involved? How could it be so trivial?"
Why did Shen Xi agree?
Because at that moment, he suddenly woke up to the fact that the situation had completely changed!
Originally, he thought that Ning Zhuo and he would form an alliance, supporting each other, and at least this time, Ning Zhuo would be his key player. But Ning Zhuo’s actions have never followed his planned agenda.
Ning Zhuo directly found Lin Jinglong and had successfully arranged a banquet. Judging by the atmosphere, there was likely a private agreement already!
In such a situation, if he continued to have a hard stance and expressed his desire for the second position, he might provoke a joint attack from Ning Zhuo and Lin Jinglong.
Therefore, he agreed accordingly, which was a step back, leaving room for maneuver.
There’s no need to confront it head-on!
Even if he lost the second seat, it was just some losses, far from being critical.
Ning Zhuo was not casually greeting them, but stood up, actively welcoming Shen Xi and Su Lingkou.
Seeing his actions, Yu Heye quickly stood up too.
Lin Jinglong, born into a noble family, had his own magnanimity, standing up almost simultaneously with Ning Zhuo.
However, Yu Heye’s actions made Lin Jinglong’s heart tremble slightly, secretly raising his evaluation of Ning Zhuo by another notch.
Ning Zhuo arranged the seats for Shen Xi and Su Lingkou to the left of Yu Heye.
This seating arrangement was quite interesting.
Yu Heye sat in the main seat, with Shen Xi on the left, and Lin Jinglong on the right. Next to Shen Xi was Su Lingkou, while next to Lin Jinglong was Ning Zhuo.
Solely from seat allocation, Ning Zhuo’s status was on par with Su Lingkou.
As for Gongsun Yan, he stood behind between Ning Zhuo and Lin Jinglong, not taking a seat.
Yu Heye pointed at the delicious dishes on the table, sparking a conversation.
Everyone followed this topic, first exchanging courteous conversation, clinking glasses through several rounds, before addressing the important matters.
When Ning Zhuo clarified his intentions, both Shen Xi and Lin Jinglong were quite surprised.
Su Lingkou felt like he had heard it wrong and asked Ning Zhuo again for confirmation: "What, you’re not participating in the guessing game?"
Ning Zhuo smiled: "Since I was introduced by Brother Shen, how could I possibly override him? Being part of this is already an honor for me."
Shen Xi and Lin Jinglong exchanged a look, both seeing the puzzlement in each other’s eyes.
Both couldn’t help but think the same question—if Ning Zhuo never coveted the second seat, why make such a big move?
They underestimated Ning Zhuo too much.
For Ning Zhuo, this doesn’t count as a big move. If he spoke his true thoughts, it might hurt others.
From the beginning, Ning Zhuo just wanted to test the Five Elements Life and Death Fan.
He also learned from Shen Xi’s Flying Message about some of Gongsun Yan’s situation, and formed a last-minute plan to treat Gongsun Yan. Of course, there was also an element of intimidation.
Unexpectedly, Gongsun Yan immediately submitted!
Ning Zhuo had already undermined Lin Jinglong, so he had to go along with it and test the combat potential of the Five Elements Life and Death Fan on Lin Jinglong as well.
Lin Jinglong was naturally not a match for Ning Zhuo.
To manage the aftermath, Ning Zhuo had no choice but to let Yu Heye step in again, inviting Lin Jinglong and Shen Xi to the banquet. As for Su Lingkou, he was just a secondary addition, not important.
Shen Xi stared at Ning Zhuo and quickly said: "Brother Ning, with your profound understanding of the Five Elements, your strength is extraordinary. Neither of us compares. You rightfully deserve the second seat."
Ning Zhuo said: "Oh, I only relied on the benefit of the Magic Artifact. Lin Daoist and I were just sparring, not escalating to a life-and-death battle. Therefore, Lin Daoist certainly had Magic Treasures and trump cards that were unused."
"If it truly came to fighting, the result would be unpredictable."
Lin Jinglong smiled slightly, acknowledging Ning Zhuo’s words as fair. He indeed had not used his trump cards.
However, Ning Zhuo not competing for the second seat truly puzzled him.
He still wanted to probe Ning Zhuo’s true stance, so he said: "Daoist Fellow Ning, you are too modest. Let’s not mention anything else, but just this Ghost Dao Golden Core is enough to let you sit in the second seat. Such a grand gesture, I could never manage."
Lin Jinglong, saying this, proactively took out the Ghost Dao Golden Core and showed it to everyone.
Shen Xi was puzzled, while Su Lingkou asked directly: "The Golden Core in Lin Young Master’s hand, was it also a gift from Young Master Ning?"
Lin Jinglong nodded slightly.
Yu Heye couldn’t help his pupils constricting.
Among the people present, his Cultivation Level was the highest, as a Golden Core Cultivator. But now, knowing that Ning Zhuo had given away another Golden Core to someone, his psychological advantage from his Cultivation Level completely disappeared.
Su Lingkou furrowed his brows slightly, but thought: My cousin acquired the Ghost Dao Golden Core, yet he also gave up a beloved Array Dao Treasure, the Array Rift Travel Shuttle. What did Lin Jinglong give up?
In fact, Shen Xi and Yu Heye both had this question.
Lin Jinglong continued to explain that Ning Zhuo provided the Ghost Dao Golden Core to help Gongsun Yan break free from his contract with the Lin Family.
This answer truly surprised them.
Yu Heye, Shen Xi, and Su Lingkou turned their gazes towards Gongsun Yan.
Gongsun Yan nodded: "To rely on Young Master Ning Zhuo is indeed an honor. Also, I was troubled to ask Young Master to help me front the cost..."
"Ah," Ning Zhuo interrupted, "To have the assistance of Daoist Fellow Gongsun Yan is truly an honor. This is not an advance, but a response to this honor, and also a thank you to the Lin Family for assisting Daoist Fellow Gongsun in mitigating his innate deficiencies. My association with Daoist Fellow Gongsun this time is all thanks to the Lin Family, and thanks to Daoist Fellow Lin Jinglong for granting this favor."