Ning Family Clan Land.
Ning Xiangguo, Ning Xiangqian, and others gathered at Ning Houjun's residence.
They reported Ning Zhuo's recent actions to Ning Houjun.
"I thought that intervening in the Black Market this time would inevitably lead to a fight. Unexpectedly, the most intense action throughout the process was breaking through the Monkey Head Gang's gate."
"In hindsight, the entire operation was within Ning Zhuo's plan."
"Is he really only sixteen years old? Quite impressive!"
"Don't treat him as an ordinary student fresh out of school. Don't forget; he is a person with talent."
"Even with talent, compared to Ning Xiaohui and Ning Qingqiao, Ning Zhuo is still very special. I think you all understand what I mean."
"Perhaps... it's related to his talent? His talent is related to his intellect, making his mind exceptionally agile."
"According to the Renovation Team, after Ning Zhuo's soul entered the Immortal Palace, his puppet body possessed an unusually large head."
"In reality, I also think his head is quite big."
Ning Houjun chuckled and waved his hand: "Alright, alright. Ning Zhuo's intervention in the Black Market, controlling the entire situation overnight, was a great success!"
"What are your plans for the future?"
The room fell silent.
After a moment, Ning Xiangguo said: "Ning Zhuo recruited us with pretty high salaries. In the future, we will wear masks and act as the Black Market's patrol and law enforcement."
"Unless the main line rehires us, what else can we do?"
Ning Houjun nodded: "In that case, do your job well."
"Ning Zhuo's prospects, I believe, are clear to everyone after this operation."
"His greatest weakness is his youth and his cultivation level, which is only Tier Three of Qi Refinement. But this is also his greatest strength."
"How old is he? Only sixteen..."
Ning Houjun's sigh resonated with many Foundation Establishment cultivators.
After Ning Xiangguo and Ning Xiangqian had left, Ning Houjun went to the backyard and met Ning Youfu.
The two former family elders were sitting in the pavilion in the backyard, continuing the chess game that had been interrupted by the visit of the former officials.
While they played chess, they discussed Ning Zhuo.
"I still underestimated Ning Zhuo; his abilities are beyond my imagination." Ning Houjun sighed.
"Yes, our branch has not had such an outstanding junior in a long time!" Ning Youfu agreed heartily.
Ning Houjun stared at the chessboard: "Even the main line rarely has such a talent like Ning Zhuo."
Ning Youfu looked at Ning Houjun with deep meaning: "This young man knows the Black Market too well; there must be someone advising him."
Ning Houjun was taken aback: "How is it not you?"
Ning Youfu pointed at Ning Houjun, chuckling: "You were the first to strike preemptively, turning the tables."
Ning Houjun shook his head: "Stop the nonsense."
Ning Youfu also shook his head: "It's you who are talking nonsense to me."
They glared at each other.
After a few breaths, Ning Houjun frowned: "Whether or not you're the one advising him, the current situation is indeed good. At least, the members of our branch have a place to survive."
"Yes." Ning Youfu smiled, "Now it's the main line's turn to be in trouble."
...
The Ning Family Clan Leader looked at the intelligence in his hands, reading it twice, still not quite believing it: "Is this intelligence accurate?"
"Ning Zhuo led our Ning Family's Foundation Establishment cultivators to pacify the Black Market by himself?"
His subordinate gave a positive answer with some corrections: "Clan Leader, our Ning Family did not officially take action. The ones who really took action were the Monkey Head Gang, and their casualties were significant."
The Ning Family Clan Leader's face darkened.
Just the day before yesterday, the main line of the Ning Family had just dismissed several branch officials and rewarded Ning Zhuo again, but in just one day and night, the situation had entirely changed!
"Ning Zhuo mastering the Black Market means he now has a foundation to support many subordinates."
"He actually achieved this step!"
"Is someone advising him from behind?"
What is gaining momentum?
This is gaining momentum.
Ning Zhuo made a decisive move with thunderous methods, breaking through the predicament and creating a favorable situation for himself.
He officially possessed a force of his own.
"Things have become quite tricky! If we continue to dismiss officials, it will only send talents to Ning Zhuo." The Ning Family Clan Leader felt some chest tightness.
This was originally a means to blackmail the branch, but Ning Zhuo broke the deadlock.
Ultimately, Ning Zhuo discovered the opportunity in the Black Market and seized it!
Did the Ning Family Clan Leader not discover it?
Not exactly.
The Black Market was a power buffer for the Four Directions Powers. Ever since Sun Lingtong was wanted, the Ning Family Clan Leader had been paying close attention to it.
But such a thing would not work with any other Ning Family member.
Only Ning Zhuo could achieve such a possibility.
"Will the Zhou Family and Zheng Family take action?"
"Will the City Lord's Mansion expel Ning Zhuo?"
"His intervention in the Black Market has already disrupted the tacit agreement of the Four Directions Powers!"
The Ning Family Clan Leader waited for others to make a move.
...
Zhou Family.
"This Ning Zhuo is quite interesting." The Zhou Family Clan Leader smiled slightly, "Call Zhou Zeshen."
When Zhou Zeshen met the Zhou Family Clan Leader, the Zhou Family Clan Leader handed him the relevant intelligence.
"Ning Zhuo?!"
"He actually managed to accomplish such a feat..."
"Remarkable!"
Zhou Zeshen praised.
The Zhou Family Clan Leader said: "The conflict between Ning Zhuo and the Ning Family main line is irreconcilable. Not long ago, he pulled down the Ning Family's Young Clan Leader, and now he controls the Black Market."
"At this rate, the Ning Family might witness a second internal conflict."
Back then, the Ning Family branch attempted to overthrow the main line, causing an internal battle that shocked the Zhou and Zheng families.
Zhou Zeshen nodded: "I have greatly underestimated this person."
"For him to intervene in the Black Market overnight, even if someone is advising him, he is still no ordinary person."
The Zhou Family Clan Leader said: "It's just that he is still quite young."
"What's your relationship with him?"
Zhou Zeshen said: "Our relationship could be better!"
"Hahaha." The Zhou Family Clan Leader laughed, "From now on, pay attention to drawing Ning Zhuo in. Last time, Zheng Jian and he co-crafted the Mechanical Monkey. Zheng Jian spent a fortune, even using materials of the Golden Core level."
"Our Zhou Family also has such resources."
"I grant you the authority to build a good relationship with Ning Zhuo."
"Yes, I will do my best not to let you down, Clan Leader!" Zhou Zeshen retreated.
...
Residence of Ning Ze.
Ning Ze held the Black Market intelligence and showed it to Wang Lan.
"Well? Wasn't I right!"
"Little Zhuo is no ordinary person; he became the Black Market Master overnight."
Wang Lan's mouth gaped open, not closing for a long time.
Finally, she accepted this fact, her feelings very mixed: "Husband, you always see things more clearly than me."
"But did Little Zhuo really accomplish this?"
Ning Ze nodded slightly: "Even if someone advised him, he still became the Black Market Master."
"Let Ji'er closely follow Little Zhuo and find some work in the Black Market."
"They are cousins; this bond needs to be deepened. When we grow old, Little Zhuo will be Ji'er's biggest support."
"He is only sixteen now."
"It's hard to imagine what great achievements he will have in the future."
"Just based on talent, at the very least, he will be a Family Elder."
"In fact, look!"
"He now controls the Black Market, holds real power. How is he different from a Family Elder?"
...
Ning Zhuo continued his cultivation.
He took out the Ice Jade Wine.
The Ice Jade Wine appeared ice-blue, crystal clear, like frost glistening in the sunlight.
Ning Zhuo gently swirled the wine cup.
In the cup carved from Cold Jade, the wine resembled liquid sapphire, surrounded by a faint silver glow, making one feel instantly refreshed.
The fragrance of the wine was unique, fresh, and elegant, carrying a distinct icy aura.
Ning Zhuo brought the cup to his nose, savoring the scent. In an instant, he felt as if he were in the northern snowfields. Shortly after, he sensed the faint fragrance of flowers and herbs amidst the cold, feeling quite invigorated.
Ning Zhuo took a small sip.
The first sensation was extreme coolness, like an icy spring gliding over his tongue.
This cool sensation quickly spread throughout his body, dispelling all heat and fatigue.
The wine was smooth and mellow, melting in his mouth like snow, leaving a slight sweetness.
The Ice Jade Wine was full-bodied, rich without any spiciness, with a light sweetness and a fresh aftertaste.
Ning Zhuo couldn't help but close his eyes, immersed in the experience.
For a long time.
He then opened his eyes and praised aloud: "What a magnificent wine!"
The effects of the wine gradually began manifesting. Ning Zhuo sat cross-legged on the mat and started his breathing exercises.
This time, unlike his previous cultivation, his Divine Sea Dantian erupted with a grand beam of light, cascading down like a waterfall, directly flooding his Middle Dantian Qi Sea.
The Qi Sea surged with clouds and waves, and the Five Elements Mana skyrocketed.
The Ice Jade Wine enabled Ning Zhuo to use his Divine Sea cultivation to enhance his Qi Sea cultivation.
In just the time it took for one stick of incense to burn, the effects of the Ice Jade Wine were exhausted. Ning Zhuo's Qi Sea cultivation saw a terrifying rise, directly reaching the peak of Tier Six, on par with his Divine Sea cultivation!
"No wonder it's called Ice Jade Wine!"
"The Ice Heart Jade Pot is indeed the Ning Family's treasured heirloom."
With this, Ning Zhuo's mana cultivation at the peak of Tier Six allowed him to open the second Dao Gate.
Ning Zhuo did not have high expectations for this.
According to his understanding of the Magma Fairy Palace, the difficulty of the second Dao Gate was likely similar to that of the second Buddhist Gate.
"Last time, following the Buddhist Gate route, although I failed to break through, I gauged the difficulty of the checkpoints."
"To pass the Buddhist Gate, I must first fully claim the rewards from the first Buddhist Gate and increase my strength before having a higher chance of success."
"The Dao Gate is probably similarly structured."
"Unless a coffin room like the one in the first Buddhist Gate appears."
Ning Zhuo deliberated secretly.
The likelihood of a coffin room appearing was very low; Ning Zhuo still needed to push the door to verify it.
What if?
With his unwavering efforts, Ning Zhuo's status had changed significantly!
He no longer needed to wait for Ning Xiaohui or others to invite him to form a team.
He could fully center around himself, organize members, and undertake an exploration of the Magma Fairy Palace.