After saying their goodbyes, the disciple led Ning Zhuo to climb up Little Struggle Peak.
Along the way, the disciple hinted and probed in various ways.
Ning Zhuo spoke openly and honestly, telling the other party that he came from Fire Persimmon Immortal City to seek guidance and enlightenment but didn't know the way. He had encountered Lin Shanshan by chance and received her help.
The disciple, feeling confident that he had ascertained Ning Zhuo's background, became more relaxed in his tone and casual in his demeanor.
During the conversation, Ning Zhuo "surprisingly" discovered the true identity of Lin Shanshan.
The disciple teased him, "You're in luck, boy! Senior Sister Lin is just that kind-hearted, often bringing outsiders here."
"The reputation of the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect is indeed well-deserved!" Ning Zhuo exclaimed sincerely.
The disciple laughed heartily, and before leaving, he still warned Ning Zhuo, "Since you're new here and have gotten a cave mansion numbered over two hundred, you should be careful. According to the rules of our Ten Thousand Medicine Sect, if someone challenges you, you'll lose the right to reside in that cave."
"Of course, if you're confident in your strength, you could try challenging for the cave mansions further up."
Ning Zhuo responded, "I'll settle down first and see how things go."
As he spoke, he took out ten spirit stones and stuffed them into the disciple's hand.
"Merely ten low-grade spirit stones…" The disciple inwardly sneered but still accepted them emotionlessly.
The memory of Ning Zhuo giving Lin Shanshan the Mist Embroidery Orchids was still fresh in the disciple's mind, so his acceptance of this modest gift was somewhat inflated.
"Settle down well," the disciple dismissed him nonchalantly and walked away without looking back.
Halfway down the mountain slope, a person emerged from the forest.
The newcomer had a fair complexion and a plump figure, his face beaming with a smile. He first gave a respectful bow to the disciple, then immediately handed him a mid-grade spirit stone.
The disciple took the mid-grade spirit stone and slipped it into his storage waist belt quite naturally, feeling more satisfied. Without mincing words, he said, "Li Jingqing, you're quite well-informed! I know what you want to ask."
"Your bad luck, the cave mansion you've been eyeing has already been taken by someone else."
The plump middle-aged cultivator rubbed his hands, "That's why I came to seek advice. The person who took my cave mansion is a guest brought by Senior Sister Lin herself?"
The disciple nodded slightly, "That's right, don't stir up unnecessary trouble."
But Li Jingqing shook his head, "Cultivation is about contending. Since this is Little Struggle Peak, it's too early for me to back down."
"As I understand, Senior Sister Lin is kind and approachable and has led many outsiders to Little Struggle Peak before."
"So, this Ning Zhuo might well be one of those cases."
The disciple nodded again, "Since you're determined, then…"
"In light of the spirit stone, I'll tell you the details."
"Ning Zhuo indeed has no ties with Senior Sister Lin; it was their first meeting."
"However, whenever Senior Sister Lin brought people before, they were always just brief visits. This time, she took the initiative to ask about him and was dissatisfied with the first cave I arranged for Ning Zhuo."
"I know you've been scheming for that cave for a long time, and I wished I could reserve it for you."
"Unfortunately, in front of Senior Sister Lin, I couldn't intervene, so I had to use this cave to fulfill the task."
"That's the way it is, pity and regrettable!" Li Jingqing expressed his disappointment. When bidding farewell to the disciple, he managed to squeeze out a smile, handing over another mid-grade spirit stone.
When he was alone, his face darkened.
Ten Thousand Medicine Valley has unique geographical advantages, containing an abundance of spiritual energy.
The spiritual energy permeates Little Struggle Peak, allowing each cave mansion on the mountain to be suffused with ample spiritual energy, which provides considerable support for cultivators.
Not only that, but the cave mansions closer to the front of the sequence receive generous benefits from the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect after certain periods.
Li Jingqing, a merchant, regularly purchased goods from the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect to sell elsewhere, such as herbal medicine and elixir pills.
The closer his cave mansion was to the front, the better he could communicate with the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect and purchase goods at lower prices. The difference in the interests of spirit stones involved was significant.
Thus, even after hearing that Ning Zhuo was brought by Lin Shanshan, Li Jingqing was not willing to give up easily.
He left alone, deciding to plan carefully before acting.
First, he tried his best to gather information about Ning Zhuo, but he gained very little over several days.
Because once Ning Zhuo moved into the cave mansion, he seldom went out, and if someone from the neighboring cave visited, they were turned away.
As the next batch of herbs was about to mature and come to market, Li Jingqing knew he couldn't delay and started to make his move.
His cave mansion was ranked after Ning Zhuo's, and according to the rules, Li Jingqing had the right to challenge Ning Zhuo.
However, he chose not to do so but instead sought additional support.
He had long identified many potential helpers, and now he directly chose the one he felt most confident about convincing—
Hanzhou!
Yuanlai Mountain.
Sect Leader Mansion.
Study room.
Lin Shanshan knocked on the door and brought in tea and snacks to the desk of her father.
"Dad, you've been occupied with sect affairs and haven't closed your eyes all night. Why not have some tea and snacks to take a break?"
Lin Bufan, a middle-aged man who was rather lean with a long beard that reached his chest, leaned back in his chair, lifted his head, and sighed, "There's no way around it. In a few days, the medicinal herbs will need to be harvested."
"The sect must carefully consider the sale of the medicinal herbs. Each buyer, each trade company, must be dealt with properly."
"This is the foundation of our Ten Thousand Medicine Sect. Ever since I took over as leader, I've tightly controlled this process and never delegated it to others. Do you know why?"
Lin Shanshan smiled, "Dad, you're testing me, but this time it won't stump me. I've heard Elder Brother say that before you took over, corruption was rampant in our sect. Especially this process, was prone to corruption even among the elders with the best reputations."
"So, you personally oversee this part."
"When Elder Brother got to this point, he also praised you, saying how wise and mighty you were, hands-on, and serious about your responsibilities."
Lin Bufan snorted coldly, "I know Jiu'er's temperament and character all too well as his master."
"His lazy nature and obsession with wine mean these words would definitely not come from his mouth."
"Are you trying to intercede on his behalf?"
"Forget it!"
"This time, he won't be let out before he serves his full punishment."
Lin Shanshan was frightened by her father's stern words and stuck out her tongue, daring not to continue the topic of Linghu Jiu.
She noticed a new batch of Jade Slips on the bookshelf: "Dad, please eat. I'll put on an image you like to watch."
Lin Bufan nodded slightly and started his meal.
Lin Shanshan took a Jade Slip from the shelf, followed by a mechanical artifact.
She placed three Jade Slips inside the mechanical artifact, then activated her mana to turn it on.
The next moment, a cloud of colored sand flew out from the mechanical artifact.
The sand quickly coalesced into a thin mountain battlefield in midair. Two sand figures began to battle on the field.
The two miniatures perfectly replicated a past battle.
Lin Bufan watched the battle while eating his snacks, clearly interested. This was the only respite he had from his busy affairs.
He occasionally gave his commentary.
"Zheng Xingchen might come from a cultivation family, but he cultivates demon skills; he's ruthless and merciless, which compliments his demon skills, hence his repeated victories."
"Luo Xiao's mechanical armor has stood the test of real combat, already capable of facing various kinds of opponents. He has changed a lot since he first arrived."
"Hanzhou... This beggar, nameless and orphaned, only known by the land of his origin. The cultivation technique he acquired by chance is quite special. On the surface, he practices body cultivation and martial cultivation, but at its core is a Buddhist Sect's technique, emphasizing inner spirit and sudden enlightenment amidst the mundane world."
"Lai Wuying's swordplay is getting faster and faster. Practically no cultivator from the top ten Cave Mansions could get past his first three moves."
"Oh? Chang Yan, this snake demon's Earth Element Magic, has progressed again. He would have been defeated before, but this time, he narrowly emerged victorious."
The Ten Thousand Medicine Sect Leader watched with relish.
Lin Shanshan asked, "Dad, as a Nascent Soul Cultivator, why do you always take so much interest in watching these Foundation Establishment Level cultivators fight?"
"Shouldn't it be as dull to you as watching children scuffle?"
The Ten Thousand Medicine Sect Leader shook his head, his expression turned solemn: "Shanshan, you just don't understand."
"When cultivators battle, if we only talk about cultivation levels, it's too one-sided. Tactics, battle will, casting skills, and so on, are throughout a cultivator's life."
"These things, even above the Nascent Soul Cultivation, are universal and of great value."
"Of course, your dad, being a battle enthusiast, indeed loves watching fights very much. Hahaha! That's my only hobby."
Lin Shanshan sighed, "Dad, you love watching battles, while Elder Brother is mad about drinking; truly, you are a master-disciple pair."
This time, the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect Leader subdued his smile but did not scold Lin Shanshan: "Little girl, you're trying to find a way to plea for your Elder Brother again."
Just then, a subordinate came to report.
A new stack of Jade Slips needed to be dealt with on the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect Leader's desk.
The Ten Thousand Medicine Sect Leader sighed. His body didn't feel tired, but his spirit was nearing its limit.
The battle he had just watched brought relaxation and respite, deepening his awareness of his spirit's fatigue.
"Let me see what exciting matchups will be coming up on Little Struggle Peak."
"Hmm... Luo Xiao is challenging Zheng Xingchen again?"
"Lai Wuying appears very strong this round, so, in the next one, no one is challenging him."
"Hanzhou is challenging Ning Zhuo... Ning Zhuo?"
The unfamiliar name took the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect Leader by surprise.
Lin Shanshan, however, gasped, her face showing a look of shock.
The Ten Thousand Medicine Sect Leader turned to his daughter: "Shanshan, do you know this Ning Zhuo?"
"Dad, here's the thing." Lin Shanshan explained the situation, her concern for Ning Zhuo apparent, "Hanzhou is one of the strongest on Little Struggle Peak. For Ning Zhuo to be challenged by him upon arrival is a sign of great danger."
The Ten Thousand Medicine Sect Leader looked at his beloved daughter, stroking his beard, and felt a hint of surprise. It was the first time he saw Lin Shanshan show such concern for someone she had just met.