If it weren't for Ning Zhuo's innocent, eager face, and the clear, untainted innocence in his distinctly black and white eyes, Lin Shanshan would have scolded him as a "playboy."
Lin Shanshan was about to refuse, when Ning Zhuo slapped his belt and took out the previously mentioned Mechanical Arm.
"Miss Lin, these two Mechanical Floating Hands, I am giving them to you."
"Will you control them and guide my martial arts?"
Lin Shanshan gasped in surprise, her annoyance greatly diminished, and she hesitated, "These Mechanical Floating Hands are your trump card, and you're just giving them to me?"
What kind of trump card is that!
Yet, Ning Zhuo still seemed hesitant for a moment.
Then, he sincerely said, "Firstly, I trust your character, Miss. Even if I reveal the details of the Mechanical Arm before you, I have no worries at all."
"Secondly, I recognize the flaws in my martial arts. Facing the challenge from Hanzhou now and other opponents in the future, I have to confront each battle. Might as well start resolving this issue from now on!"
Such a determined attitude made Lin Shanshan feel even more admiration.
Without reservations, Lin Shanshan actively took the Mechanical Floating Hands, "Since that is the case, let us start the special training."
Focusing on practical combat, Lin Shanshan did her best to mimic Hanzhou's fighting style to spar with Ning Zhuo.
Ning Zhuo's cultivation level was only at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, whereas Lin Shanshan was at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage. Even though Ning Zhuo could suppress his spell power, the goal was to mimic being in close quarters with a powerful enemy and how to turn the situation around and regain distance.
Lin Shanshan's repeated onslaught made Ning Zhuo struggle to cope, quickly causing him to be drenched in sweat.
An hour and a half passed swiftly.
Seeing Ning Zhuo losing his form and exhausting his strength, Lin Shanshan voluntarily stopped, "Let's end today's training here."
Extremely fatigued, Ning Zhuo panted heavily, his clothes soaked with sweat, "Thank you very much, Miss Lin…"
"Today's martial arts display taught me a lot!"
Lin Shanshan, covered with a light sweat herself, swept it away with her mana and was dry again.
She said, "Young Master Ning Zhuo, it's apparent that you focus on practicing spells normally. You rarely engage in physical sparring like today's, right?"
Ning Zhuo nodded, "Miss Lin, your Dharma Eye is infallible, you've caught me red-handed."
Lin Shanshan shook her head earnestly, "You might not have noticed, but your performance before and after this martial training. Your improvement span was quite large, and that speaks of your potential."
"You are insightful; only through earnest reflection, comprehension, and constant adjustments could you achieve today's training results."
"What you lack most is practical combat experience."
"Therefore, Little Struggle Peak really suits you, Young Master Ning Zhuo."
"This time, even if you lose to Hanzhou, please don't take it to heart. As long as you stay at Little Struggle Peak for a few months, you will definitely see a fundamental improvement!"
Lin Shanshan affirmed Ning Zhuo's potential and intelligence while also giving him honest feedback, as well as encouragement and guidance.
Even if you lose, the future is yours.
Ning Zhuo nodded, staring intently at Lin Shanshan, "Without your guidance at every step, just relying on my solitary efforts, how could I have achieved what I did today."
"When shall we continue here tomorrow?"
Lin Shanshan was taken aback.
She had never thought about continuing to mentor him. In her mind, teaching just this once was enough.
Buddha Heart Demon Seal!
Under Ning Zhuo's influence, while Lin Shanshan was about to refuse, what she said turned into an agreement, "Alright then, let's meet here tomorrow, at the same time, how about that?"
"Thank you, Miss Lin!" Ning Zhuo bowed deeply and took out four Mist Embroidery Orchids, "This is a small token of my appreciation…"
Lin Shanshan chuckled, "I've already said, the challenge from Hanzhou, I bear some responsibility. Young Master Ning Zhuo, I'm just acting on my conscience. Accepting your gift would change the situation for me."
"Do you understand?"
Ning Zhuo sighed deeply, "I understand now. Miss Lin's moral integrity and exceptional demeanor truly befit the pride of the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect! Such grace, I've seen only once in my life!"
Lin Shanshan had been praised countless times, but never so directly, face-to-face, intensely, and sincerely as by Ning Zhuo.
So much so that when Lin Shanshan left the Martial Arts Arena, her steps were slightly hurried.
"An hour and a half, eh, both stayed inside the Martial Arts Arena…" many disciples had been watching closely.
Seeing Lin Shanshan and Ning Zhuo come out together, they all used discreet glances to assess them.
They saw Ning Zhuo sweating profusely, his steps unsteady, and Lin Shanshan leading with a slightly tense expression.
Various speculations surfaced in their minds.
As Lin Shanshan passed by the disciples, she suddenly paused.
"By the way," she instructed, "Leave one of the 'Heaven' Martial Arts Arenas free, I will need it for the next several days!"
"Understood." The disciples immediately agreed, their hearts shaking at the implication that Lin Shanshan would be spending more time with this young man!
"Who exactly is this young man?" This big question hovered in many people's minds.
Thus, when Ning Zhuo and Lin Shanshan were bidding farewell, he immediately received many people greeting him subtly, trying to inquire about his background.
Ning Zhuo did not conceal anything, he revealed his identity a bit, and explained the whole story, how he had been challenged by Hanzhou and how Lin Shanshan, the esteemed daughter of the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect, with a warm heart and extraordinary demeanor, came to actively prepare him for the battle.
"Our Young Miss, is she really so kind-hearted?"
"She indeed loves to help others, but to assist a stranger to such an extent, this is the first time."
"How come I wasn't the one challenged by Hanzhou? Ning Zhuo, this kid, really turned a misfortune into a blessing!"
News about Ning Zhuo and Lin Shanshan quickly spread.
When Li Jingqing heard this news, his face turned pale!
"It's over!"
"Lin Shanshan could easily uncover the inside story. Her taking sides like this further proves her personal attitude towards me."
"I was supposed to foster good relations with the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect, but suddenly, I've upset the Sect Leader's beloved daughter, what kind of situation is this?!"
Li Jingqing almost regretted to the point of slapping himself.
"Outsmarted myself!"
"I have outsmarted myself!" He lamented endlessly, so much so that he suffered from insomnia that night, tossing and turning in bed.
By dawn, he had made up his mind. After washing up, he carefully dressed himself.
After leaving his Cave Mansion, he ascended all the way up, stopping finally before Cave Mansion No. 281.
He activated his Mana, casting it into the Array on the cave entrance's cliff wall, then subsequently threw a visiting card into the Array.
The next moment, the visiting card was delivered directly into Ning Zhuo's hands through the Array.
Ning Zhuo opened the letter and saw it was filled with a thousand words, but he only noticed the words "offer apologies."
"Interesting."
He put away the visiting card, stood up proactively, first notifying Sun Lingtong who was asleep inside the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon, asking him to control the Mechanical Dragon to hide on the side, as a precaution against any incidents.
Then, Ning Zhuo opened his Cave Mansion's Array, gracefully inviting Li Jingqing inside for a detailed discussion.
Li Jingqing brought significant gifts to apologize.
However, Ning Zhuo didn't accept any of them,"I already knew the truth behind your scheming from Sister Lin Shanshan."
"I understand you but also despise you."
"However, since you've come to apologize on your own initiative today and seem sincere, we might as well say that we've gotten to know each other through conflict."
"I won't accept these gifts."
"Let me tell you the truth, being able to battle Hanzhou is an honor for me, and I'm quite looking forward to it."
Li Jingqing pointed to the Jade Slip among the gifts, "Here is the latest intelligence I've gathered about Hanzhou, absolutely authentic."
Ning Zhuo glanced at the Jade Slip and then looked away, "I believe you are truly apologizing. But I won't use this kind of thing."
"I will rely on my own strength to face the first battle."
"I will discuss your matter with Sister Lin Shanshan."
Seeing Li Jingqing about to offer more bribes, Ning Zhuo gestured with his hand and sternly interrupted him, "Don't think about pleasing me with words! I'll only speak the truth."
"You may leave."
Li Jingqing read the situation and, seeing Ning Zhuo's stern face, realized he shouldn't push too hard and could only nod respectfully. He gathered all his apology gifts and left the Cave Mansion.
When he next saw Lin Shanshan, Ning Zhuo honestly told her about Li Jingqing's actions.
"A mere merchant, not worth mentioning," Lin Shanshan shook her head, "I never intended to make it difficult for him."
"However, don't mention it, let him remain anxious for a while."
Lin Shanshan was very satisfied with Ning Zhuo's handling of the situation, which truly reflected the demeanor of a fine man. If Ning Zhuo had accepted Li Jingqing's apology and thus called off the challenge from Hanzhou, Lin Shanshan might have understood, but she would have also looked down on Ning Zhuo.
"I will come to watch your battle with Hanzhou," Lin Shanshan expressed increased fondness for Ning Zhuo, uncontrollably voicing her intent.
Ning Zhuo's eyes brightened, clenching his fists, "In that case, I will certainly not lose!"
Lin Shanshan exclaimed in approval, also feeling inspired, "Young Master Ning Zhuo, Hanzhou is indeed stronger than you, but you are not without chances. The special training in the following days might well be the key to this battle's outcome!"
Ning Zhuo nodded, "I understand, let's do this."
The two of them underwent several days of intense training, which sparked many rumors.
Lin Shanshan had always been the center of attention in the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect since her youth. This consequently made Ning Zhuo's information widely known among numerous cultivators. Many male cultivators, when muttering Ning Zhuo's name, couldn't help but grit their teeth in irritation.
Some cultivators secretly contacted Hanzhou, offering to lend Magic Artifacts, or to provide information about Ning Zhuo, and so on.
Hanzhou, however, declined all offers.
He spoke plainly, "I've heard about Li Jingqing wanting to give me his information as an apology to that Ning Zhuo. Since he refused it, "
"Such magnanimity, though I am poor, I am also a man, how can I compromise my integrity?"
"Everyone leave, let me have an honorable and fair fight with him!"
Thanks to Sun Lingtong's efforts, the performance and choices of Ning Zhuo and Hanzhou were all disseminated in the form of rumors.
The upcoming battle between Ning Zhuo and Hanzhou drew even more attention.
Both of their reputations and public opinions also rose accordingly.
Especially for Ning Zhuo, being an outsider who had only arrived less than half a month ago, was already renowned across Little Struggle Peak and Yuanlai Mountain.