He felt the turbulence, a once stable Confucian Cultivator community undergoing a fierce undercurrent. And in the future, this undercurrent might very well sweep the Confucian Cultivator community toward an unknown direction.
In the deep of night, Wen Ruanyu got up, draped in clothes, and began writing a letter by the dim light.
He first wrote to Chu Xuangu and Duanmu Zhang, his handwriting graceful yet penetrating, to express his views:
"The learning of Wang Xinyue, like a sudden towering peak, is awe-inspiring. However, its momentum is too forceful, its edge too sharp! The matter of Qin De concerns the core reputation and old pain of our Confucian Cultivators and must not be leaked lightly!"
"Rather, let’s observe for a while and wait for the right moment. As the saying goes, ’Distance tests a horse’s strength, time reveals a person’s heart...’"
Wen Ruanyu knew he couldn’t personally get involved and had to choose a compromise, wishing to extend time.
"My other concern... Ning Zhuo is the son of an old friend. His astonishing performance is truly gratifying. However, the winds and clouds change, and those riding the tides are most easily battered by the waves. I ask you, fellow practitioners, to take care of him."
In the letter, Wen Ruanyu expressed his worry for Ning Zhuo.
In fact, he wanted the Confucian Cultivator community to strictly guard matters concerning the White Paper Immortal City, though he did not say it explicitly.
Those Confucian Cultivators outside, upon receiving the letter, would instantly understand.
Next, Wen Ruanyu spread a piece of stationery, pondered for a long time, and finally wrote a letter to Ning Zhuo.
In the letter, he first expressed admiration for Ning Zhuo’s performance in the Feiyun Trial, feeling gratified for his late friend to have such an excellent son.
Then, with a shift in tone, he earnestly advised: "Zhuo’er, your innate talent is rarely seen in this world. Yet, as the tallest tree in the forest, the wind will certainly destroy it. Remember not to indulge in false fame or be arrogant and complacent, especially not to associate too closely with the territories of the old four peaks at present. Be patient for now; when the day comes that I am free to act, I will personally plan for you the most suitable path into the sect to aid your steady advancement and ensure a solid foundation."
At the end of the letter, his pen paused hesitantly for a moment before he wrote down his concerns, explicitly mentioning the implicit changes in the Confucian Cultivator community: "Lately, changes are stirring within the sect. A great sage from outside is giving lectures, his discourse profound, yet his edge is too exposed. Within the Confucian Cultivator community, there are those who have come up with more thoughts. This matter should start from the beginning; years ago, there was a Confucian genius named Qin De..."
Originally, Wen Ruanyu would not reveal such information to Ning Zhuo.
After all, this is family shame.
But now, reports of Ning Zhuo’s various performances kept reaching him, especially Ning Zhuo’s behavior in the Xuan Armor Cave, which had clear and detailed spell images.
Wen Ruanyu watched them, smiling throughout the afternoon.
Among all of Ning Zhuo’s performances, what delighted him the most was not Ning Zhuo’s learning ability or insight, but his display of political acumen throughout the conflict.
Using words to defeat enemies instead of forcefully fighting was something that Wen Ruanyu greatly appreciated and was deeply heartened by!
This discovery inadvertently elevated Ning Zhuo’s standing in Wen Ruanyu’s heart by a great deal.
This was also the main reason why, after hesitating, Wen Ruanyu decided to be candid with Ning Zhuo in this letter.
In Wen Ruanyu’s view: Ning Zhuo already possessed enough capability to handle these problems. Even if he could not, it would be beneficial for Ning Zhuo to gain experience.
The letter was quickly completed. Wen Ruanyu set down the spirit pen and looked out the window.
Deep night and swirling mountain fog resembled the situation within the Confucian Cultivator community, already rife with ripples.
Bluestone Cave Mansion.
Inside the Martial Arts Array.
Ning Zhuo stood with his hands behind his back at the edge of the field, his gaze as calm as water. Before him stood two Mechanical Puppets, built by his own hands—Snow Core Control·Xie and Snow-colored Girl·Hui—facing each other from a distance.
"Begin," Ning Zhuo ordered calmly.
Snow Core Control·Xie initiated! She stood her ground, unmoving, as the Roaring Ice Chi Beast Head on her shoulder armor suddenly lit up, shooting out two azure beams.
Cold light shot forth, its chilling aura spreading wildly, as if it intended to freeze the soul.
Snow-colored Girl·Hui started to move, sliding as if skating.
The Three-color Enamel Armor flowed with a rainbow glow.
The escape plan failed!
Snow-colored Girl·Hui’s speed was nowhere near that of the azure beams. Moreover, within the Martial Arts Array, space was limited.
She lightly raised her arms, drawing an arc with an enigmatic trajectory in the air.
Finger Seal!
An ice mirror instantly formed.
Thin as a cicada’s wing, shimmering with three-colored brilliance, it blocked the cold light.
"Screech——!"
The ice mirror didn’t block it head-on but deflected it. The azure cold light brushed past her side, transforming a large area of the formation wall behind her into a solid block of azure ice.
Snow Core Control·Xie’s attack was unending.
Six Cold Steel Mechanism Balls silently deployed, occupying various positions, incessantly spewing icy breath.
The cold breath and azure beams intertwined into a web, while Snow-colored Girl·Hui maneuvered within this net, executing her movement technique to the utmost.
Her three pairs of jade arms either forming seals, striking, or pointing with precision in each move. Numerous attacks brushed past her.
Snow-colored Girl·Hui’s movements were graceful and smooth as if she was not fighting but performing a dance of invocation and prayer.
At times gentle as plucking flowers, at times swift as an unsheathed sharp sword. When facing unavoidable attacks, she would slant and divert forces, neutralizing the fiercest attacks with minimal cost.
On the battlefield, light swirled and cold air surged.
Snow Core Control·Xie’s attack advanced like an unending cold wave. While Snow-colored Girl·Hui seemed to be in constant peril, she always managed to hold steadfastly at that narrow line of undefeated territory. Power and technique briefly balanced one another.
Ning Zhuo was not surprised, silently thinking: "Snow Core Control·Xie has been upgraded by me; outwardly, she might not appear much different, but her battle power has greatly increased."
"Though Snow-colored Girl·Hui has not had a materials upgrade, in recent times she has trained with Qing Chi. Be it Talisman Making or Martial Arts practice, she has accumulated a vast amount of combat experience. This allows her control over her Mechanical Body to far exceed that of Snow Core Control·Xie."
"The current stalemate is only temporary."
"The winner of this battle will be Snow Core Control·Xie."
A turning point soon emerged in the battle.
When Snow-colored Girl·Hui dodged once again, a Cold Steel Mechanism Ball suddenly accurately anticipated her sliding trajectory and blocked her path.
Snow-colored Girl·Hui was obstructed, providing Snow Core Control·Xie a chance to strike.
The Ice Chi Beast Head on her shoulder armor opened wide once more, this time launching not beams but a spiral of Cold Evil—swifter, more deviously angled!
Even though Snow-colored Girl·Hui raised a pair of auxiliary arms, crossing to defend, and instantaneously forming a thick Ice Shield in front of her forearms,
the Cold Evil, which naturally countered the Ice Attribute, shattered the Ice Shield upon contact, sending Snow-colored Girl·Hui flying backward.
Ning Zhuo’s eyes flashed brilliantly.
Superficially, it seemed that Snow-colored Girl·Hui failed to defend after a prolonged defense, but in truth, it was Snow Core Control·Xie gradually adjusting and quickly mastering her own body and combat strength.
Indeed, as predicted by Ning Zhuo, the following battle unfolded accordingly.
Snow Core Control·Xie, relentless with her advantage, launched a vast and comprehensive assault.
Snow-colored Girl·Hui’s blocks and dodges grew more frequent, her three pairs of jade arms waving like the wind, unable to hide her declining position.
Cracks on her Enamel Color Armor increased, and the Spirit Light visibly dimmed.
She continued to deftly neutralize deadly attacks with skillful methods, but each exchange further damaged her body.
However, Snow-colored Girl·Hui’s fighting spirit only soared with the increasing external pressure, gradually manifesting ever more exquisite maneuvers.
It’s worth mentioning that on both Snow Core Control·Xie and Snow-colored Girl·Hui, there were Void Spider Silks linking them.
These silks, of Golden Core Level, originated from Che Zhuzi. Only a small section was exposed, soon penetrating void, with their ends attached to Ning Zhuo’s ten fingers.
Under normal circumstances, Ning Zhuo would have to move his fingers swiftly, engaged in intense operations. But the unique situation granted by the two complete Spiritual Natures had eliminated the most cumbersome control process, conserving a large amount of his energy and time, leaving the two Mechanical Puppets to battle on their own, serving as an exercise.
"Alright, stop."
Ning Zhuo spoke calmly, causing both Snow Core Control·Xie and Snow-colored Girl·Hui to immediately cease their combat.
Mechanical Puppets have a huge advantage in this regard—the phrase "Command and Prohibition" fits them perfectly.
"The training effect is quite superior this way. Snow Core Control·Xie has not fully exploited her power; she needs a stronger opponent for confrontation..."