Capítulo 1102: Chapter 411: Must Cling to Ning Zhuo’s Coattails (Part 2)
“In this bag are the necessities for cultivation, which represents the foundation of our inheritance.”
“I have little time left, and keeping it for my own cultivation would be of little use.”
“Aside from these, the greatest asset is this Qingzhu Peak.”
Qinghuangzi sighed and looked at the stone tiles underfoot: “This peak originally belonged to our lineage, tracing back to the eleventh generation inheritor.”
“The Myriad Images Sect annexed his sect and also moved this mountain peak in.”
“Now, this mountain peak is just leased for our use. The varieties of spiritual bamboo on the mountain are the result of dedicated cultivation by generations of our inheritors.”
“The geology, water quality, and arrays here are all very mature, making it the best place for growing bamboo.”
“In the future, when I pass away, you should immediately report it, handle the transition well, and lease this mountain. The abundant spiritual bamboo here is perfectly suited for your cultivation resources.”
“Cough, cough, cough.”
At this point, Qinghuangzi showed signs of illness and kept coughing.
He was truly aged, and previously was just holding on in public. Now that Ning Zhuo had become the inheritor, he no longer concealed his deteriorating state.
Ning Zhuo opened his mouth, about to speak.
However, Qinghuangzi gave a bitter smile, waved his hand, and said: “Go on, go on. After you got the stone token, I investigated you. Although the information was limited and only recorded your actions upon arriving at the Myriad Images Sect, it made me very assured.”
“With such talent, you still work so hard. It’s no wonder that at such a young age, you’ve achieved so much.”
“Staying with me would only limit you. You’d feel uncomfortable too, wouldn’t you?”
“Go on, go on, follow your heart. I will guard the Qingzhu Peak for you one last time.”
Having completed the sect’s inheritance, Qinghuangzi fulfilled his greatest wish, and the breath he had been holding finally released.
Ning Zhuo, with a solemn face, bowed deeply before silently turning and leaving.
It was clear that Qinghuangzi’s days were numbered.
These were the last days of his life, so let him choose his way to leave. This is the final dignity and respect for a cultivator.
Ning Zhuo set up several tables of banquet at the Pavilion of Delicacies, inviting the cultivators who had previously participated in the Xingyun Trial.
Ning Zhuo sat at the main seat, dressed in a simple white robe, his expression gentle, with a faint smile at the corner of his mouth.
During the banquet, toasts and laughter intermingled, and the atmosphere was lively. Soon, the many cultivators present all had a rosy glow on their faces.
Chen San, with his unique slick tone, proactively toasted to Ning Zhuo: “Young Master Ning! Oh my, today has truly been an eye-opener. We risk our lives tinkering with small things, but in your presence, it’s like a firefly comparing to a bright moon, it really doesn’t amount to anything!”
He exaggeratedly sighed, drawing laughter and agreement from the others at the table.
“Yes, yes,” a novice cultivator, emboldened by the drink, stood up, “Young Master Ning, why are you so skilled at using Sound Control to command so many bamboo puppets, directing them as if they were a battle-hardened elite? I clearly observed that you only used the content from the ‘Vowel Reeds Book’.”
Ning Zhuo, although he had already deduced the “Consonant Reeds Book”, deliberately held back and did not use it.
By Qinghuangzi’s rules, these are actually not prohibited.
But Ning Zhuo, in order to convincingly establish his reputation, used only the ‘Vowel Reeds Book’.
Ning Zhuo gave a gentle smile, put down his jade chopsticks, his voice clear and harmonious: “You all flatter me. In my opinion, the essence of ‘Sound Control’ lies in the ‘harmony of the Qi mechanism and the fluency of the sound rhythm’, rather than merely forcing the spiritual power to penetrate…”
The cultivator who had asked the question probably did not expect Ning Zhuo would actually provide such detailed guidance.
The more he listened, the more engrossed he became, as did the others.
And so, the lively banquet quickly turned quiet, with only the sound of the wind outside the window, the noise from the restaurant outside the private room, and the rustling sound of insects in Jiang Xiaobian’s bamboo tube.
When Ning Zhuo finished speaking, the inquiring cultivator was thrilled, giving a deep bow: “Thank you, Young Master Ning, for your guidance! Your words are like gold, an empowerment!”
“You flatter me. It’s just an exchange of ideas.” Ning Zhuo smiled.
Jiang Xiaobian couldn’t hold back and asked the second question.
Ning Zhuo smiled: “Jiang, it’s normal to have this question. In my view…”
He not only answered Jiang Xiaobian’s question but also gave feedback on her Beetle Bamboo Puppet, praising it greatly.
Jiang Xiaobian hadn’t drunk any alcohol, but her face flushed red from Ning Zhuo’s compliments.
She had clashed with Ning Zhuo before, but the lingering grudge was already minimal. Now, it completely dissipated, and she felt deep admiration for Ning Zhuo: “He engaged with me only once, yet saw many weaknesses in my Beetle Bamboo Puppet. No wonder he is a first-class genius!”
After Jiang Xiaobian, others continued to ask questions.
Ning Zhuo spoke fluently and engagingly, making complex concepts accessible, and without a trace of arrogance in his words. His precise critiques and solutions directly addressed the core of the issues, making the questioners feel as if they had gained valuable treasures.
The banquet transformed into a Mechanical Techniques exchange meeting.
Ning Zhuo not only imparted knowledge but also sought advice from other cultivators. Patchwork Sun was the first, and when asked for his input, he stood up, with a face full of surprise and honor.
By the end of the banquet, everyone was reluctant to leave.
Chen San’s eyes sparkled, his smile more genuine and warm than before: “Young Master Ning, just one casual remark from you is enough for us to ponder for half a lifetime! If there is any task in the future, no matter fire or water, I, Chen San, won’t hesitate!”
The atmosphere at the table subtly shifted because of these words.
Ning Zhuo nodded with a smile: “You are too kind, fellow cultivators. The way of the mechanism is vast, only through mutual verification can we improve. Today’s trial benefited me greatly too…”
Clearly, Chen San intended to attach himself to Ning Zhuo.
Ning Zhuo didn’t directly refuse, nor did he agree on the spot, leaving Chen San, who was actively seeking allegiance and standing, slightly embarrassed.
But at that moment, an attendant from the restaurant brought over a food box.
Ning Zhuo pointed to the food box and said warmly: “Someone is missing at today’s feast. Ahuo has a fiery temper, so he probably couldn’t bring himself to come. This ‘Eight Treasure Rare Bird Stew’ from the Pavilion of Delicacies is exquisite, full of spiritual energy and the best for nourishing Qi and blood. Brother Chen San, please run an errand for me after the party and take it to Ahuo.”
Chen San was stunned, then showed a look of surprise, immediately patting his chest to take the job: “Rest assured, Young Master! Leave it to me! You truly are… magnanimous!”
Ning Zhuo gave a slight smile: “Please also tell him that today’s exchange was not sufficient. I’m ready anytime for another challenge. His Mechanical Bamboo Puppet actually has quite unique features.”
After the banquet dispersed, Chen San took the food box and immediately found Huoniao’er.
“What? Ning Zhuo actually remembered me, and specially sent this?” Ahuo was extremely surprised; after all, he had publicly offended Ning Zhuo during the Xingyun Trial.
When Chen San conveyed Ning Zhuo’s message with heartfelt sincerity, Ahuo’s initially shocked face turned into a complex one.
He opened the food box and looked at the delicacies overflowing with spiritual energy, paused for a moment, then wiped his face hard.
He said through gritted teeth: “Honestly, I truly feel uneasy, as my bamboo puppet did not perform to its full potential.”
“But Ning Zhuo… Young Master, he still agreed to spar with me. He… respects me!”
At this point, Ahuo’s voice trembled slightly, fists clenched tightly, and his face was filled with the joy of being respected.
Chen San took in all of Ahuo’s expressions, secretly sighing in his heart: “Tsk, a person like Young Master Ning… his skills truly leave no room for even a shred of jealousy.”
After parting ways with Ahuo, Chen San, filled with excitement, flew towards the Bluestone Cave Mansion.
He planned to report to Ning Zhuo overnight.
“Even if he refuses to see me, I’ll wait outside the cave all night!”
“A genius like him is rare, and one with such skills is even rarer; he must be from a great clan!”
“If I don’t make every effort to cling to such a great support, it would be an injustice to myself.”
Chen San was quite self-aware, knowing that with his qualifications, he could at most hover around the Foundation Establishment Stage. Aligning with a strong individual would be a more promising path than self-cultivation!