Ning Zhuo took out the Mist Embroidery Orchid again.
"Miss Lin, this is my first time leaving my hometown to travel afar."
"I passed by Mist Hidden Mountain, intending to ascend and look far into the distance. Turning a corner, the mountain mist lessened, and I saw the cloudscape transforming at the horizon, the rising sun slowly appearing, mountains solemn, and rivers winding."
"I saw a cliff and discovered several Mist Embroidery Orchids. Enveloped in a thin mist, they swayed gently, as if a new world was beckoning to me."
"I picked these Mist Embroidery Orchids and held them in my hand, feeling an unprecedented sense of beauty. The world is so vast, life so wonderful, closely nestled among mountains and flowers."
"Just like my journey across the land this time, seeking wisdom from all directions, though the road ahead is long and endless, it also contains countless opportunities. With this in mind, I am filled with anticipation."
"That day, when I saw you behind Great Struggle Peak, how similar it was to the feelings of that day when I climbed the mountain."
"Miss Lin, you are exquisite beyond compare, something even Mist Embroidery Orchids cannot match. Yet, I personally feel that picking flowers in the mountains that day, and later meeting you, was like a fate, a mutual reflection in time."
"Perhaps, the Mist Embroidery Orchid was merely passing through my hands to meet you. Heroes appreciate each other, and beauty sympathizes with beauty, such must be the reasoning."
Lin Shanshan couldn't help but be attracted by Ning Zhuo's words.
Ning Zhuo's compliments, filled with romance, were not at all vulgar. By expressing his "true feelings," he indeed resonated with Lin Shanshan.
Lin Shanshan felt a surge of envy in her heart.
After all, in her twenty-one years, she had only occasionally traveled with her father to visit friends and had never truly left her sect to venture out on her own.
The beautiful feelings of traveling alone across the land that Ning Zhuo depicted deeply moved her.
Seizing the opportunity, Ning Zhuo stepped forward and handed over the Mist Embroidery Orchid.
By the time Lin Shanshan reacted, she found herself holding a Mist Embroidery Orchid.
She sighed softly, moved, and said, "Previously, I was unaware of your experiences, sir, but now that I understand them, I see the purpose. I shall accept this Mist Embroidery Orchid then."
Ning Zhuo laughed out loud, "Thank you, Miss Lin, for indulging my whims!"
Ning Zhuo invited Lin Shanshan to sit back down and poured her tea.
He began, "I felt an instant connection with Miss Lin, and now, thinking back to our first meeting, I always believe it was ordained by fate, brought about by destiny."
"Li Jingqing and the Hanzhou incident have given me much insight."
"Thinking of Li Jingqing cooperating with your esteemed sect to buy herbs and sell them extensively, my Ning Family also has such needs."
"Perhaps through you and me, by connecting and bridging, we could bring mutual benefits to both sides."
"Oh?" Lin Shanshan showed a hint of surprise, not expecting Ning Zhuo to suddenly bring up these matters.
Although Lin Shanshan had been protected by her elders and seniors since childhood and hadn't been deeply involved, she was still a disciple of a prominent sect, trained from a young age.
She immediately got into the spirit, her faint blush fading, her expression solemn, and after carefully weighing her words, she responded positively to Ning Zhuo.
Following what Ning Zhuo said, his family possessing Nascent Soul combat power was not to be taken lightly and needed to be treated as equals.
Even Lin Bufan himself would take it seriously.
Moreover, as the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect itself lacked combat power and was always recruiting Outer Cultivators, they wouldn't dare slack off or foolishly turn friends into foes.
Ning Zhuo smoothly proposed to inspect the goods of the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect in search of a cooperative path.
After talking with Ning Zhuo for a while, Lin Shanshan indicated that she couldn't decide many matters on her own and needed to report back first.
After saying goodbye to Lin Shanshan, Ning Zhuo began to cultivate.
He took out a cushion, sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and reflected inwardly.
Divine Sea, Upper Dantian!
Indeed, he saw lots of Bitter Cold True Intent, swirling into clusters, cloud-like and mist-like, dreary and mournful.
The Bitter Cold True Intent was restrained by Buddha Light, never permeating or spreading into Ning Zhuo's Divine Sea.
The one achieving this was the Buddha Heart Demon Seal!
This magic treasure transforms others into demons and oneself into a Buddha. Externally, Ning Zhuo could play the role of the Heart Demon, exerting silent, insidious influence. Internally, it safeguarded his own purity of thought.
When the Bitter Cold True Intent entered Ning Zhuo's body, it immediately triggered the Buddha Heart Demon Seal's automatic protection.
All the True Intent was collected by the Buddha Light, restrained tightly, and firmly controlled, waiting for Ning Zhuo to deal with it personally.
Ning Zhuo exerted his utmost effort, barely managing to harness some power of the Buddha Heart Demon Seal.
Instantly, Buddha Light surged within the Divine Sea, continuously eroding the Bitter Cold True Intent, transforming it into a harmless insight that flowed into the depths of Ning Zhuo's heart.
"Bitter Cold Qi, Bitter Cold Scripture..."
Ning Zhuo's understanding of the Bitter Cold Scripture quickly escalated!
"To cultivate the Suffering Scripture allows one through extreme hardship to vastly enhance oneself. As the saying goes, to endure hardship is to be superior, then comes the sweetness after bitterness, heaven's tasks are laid upon such people, who must first endure hardship in their resolve and toil in their muscles..."
"A superb cultivation technique is indeed a manifestation of the principles of heaven and earth."
"I've learned, I've learned."
Ning Zhuo completely digested all the Bitter Cold True Intent, deepening his understanding of the Bitter Cold Scripture.
He was very pleased and conveyed this good news to Sun Lingtong.
Sun Lingtong, when not venturing out, stayed within the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon. This Mechanical Dragon was worn by Ning Zhuo like a belt around his waist.
Upon receiving the good news from Ning Zhuo, Sun Lingtong also felt joyful, "With the Buddha Heart Demon Seal, wouldn't you be able to fleece those bald monks?"
"Let them use their cultivation techniques on you, and you counter by stealthily learning from them. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!"
Ning Zhuo said, "It's not just for me. I can lend the Buddha Heart Demon Seal to you, Boss, and you could do it too."
Sun Lingtong nodded, "Interesting, I might give it a try when the opportunity arises in the future."
Ning Zhuo added, "Isn't the opportunity right here? Boss, you can disguise as someone else, use the Buddha Heart Demon Seal, and confront Hanzhou."
Sun Lingtong said, "Can I? If my identity or my relationship with you is exposed, won't it affect our subsequent plans?"
Ning Zhuo sighed, "Boss, don't I know you well? Asking you to stay confined within the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon has been very hard on you."
"Boss, you've always been helping me. In Fire Persimmon Immortal City, that was one thing, but now having to travel and compromise your own interests for my sake, I really don't want to do this."
"Even if we are discovered, it doesn't matter. We'll think of other methods."
Sun Lingtong suddenly realized, "I see."
"Your recent meeting with Lin Shanshan to discuss a collaboration was to explore another route. Are you aiming to exchange benefits to acquire the Fetal Breathing Spirit Boat?"
"That's a heritage treasure, the cost won't be low."
Ning Zhuo smiled, "Let's see how things go."
Sun Lingtong giggled, "Very well, truly worthy of being the one I've brought up."
"To be honest, I've been feeling quite stifled. Ever since coming to Ten Thousand Medicine Valley, I've been itching to do something."
"I want to go out and engage in some major theft! Hahaha."
Ning Zhuo, "Huh?"
Sun Lingtong continued, "Don't worry, Little Zhuo. First, I know my limits; it's someone else's territory after all, and I won't recklessly take risks of getting caught. Second, seeing Li Jingqing really irks me. Dealing with him would be a way of venting on your behalf."
Ning Zhuo nodded slightly, "Boss, be careful. I really wouldn't want to have to fish you out of the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect's prison."
Impatient, Sun Lingtong vanished from sight, slipped out of the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon, and started running outside.
Ning Zhuo telepathically yelled, "Boss, don't forget to take the Buddha Heart Demon Seal."
Sun Lingtong waved his hand, "Wait, I'm going to have some fun with Li Jingqing first!"
Clearly, he enjoyed the thrill of thievery more than fighting.
"Having caught Boss Sun's eye…" Ning Zhuo silently mourned for Li Jingqing.
At Yuanlai Mountain.
Lin Shanshan went to the study room and reported to her father, Lin Bufan, about the collaboration with the Ning Family.
Upon hearing the Ning Family possessed Nascent Soul combat power, Lin Bufan took it seriously.
He pondered and said, "You may further interact with them and show them the profound strength of our sect. Tomorrow happens to be a good time to display our power as we distribute goods. Do not commit to anything lightly; we must first await the investigation results."
Lin Shanshan nodded.
Inconspicuously glancing at his daughter, Lin Bufan casually asked, "What do you think of Ning Zhuo?"
Lin Shanshan smiled slightly, "He is sincere in dealing with others, and I can feel his genuine intentions, just like the morning sunlight."
"He is also straightforward and honorable, evident from how he treats Li Jingqing and Hanzhou."
"What's even more commendable is his humble and upright nature. Even possessing a Golden Core Level foundation, he still diligently cultivates and constantly strives to improve. For someone from his background, this kind of ambition is quite rare."
"Considering this, it's completely normal for him to have surpassed my spell-casting skills at such a young age."
"Besides, he's very appreciative. He even mentioned giving me a Spirit Talisman."
Lin Bufan involuntarily gasped.
Suddenly, he somewhat regretted having arranged for Lin Shanshan to receive Ning Zhuo.
The words were already spoken, and it wasn't suitable to retract them now.
After thinking for a while, Lin Bufan said, "Time will reveal a person's heart. Listening to your words, I've also developed a favorable impression of this junior, Ning Zhuo. However, first impressions often need careful consideration."
Lin Shanshan smiled, "Father, I understand. You've taught me these principles since I was young. I'm also aware that all information regarding Ning Zhuo and the Ning Family has not been verified. That's one thing."
"Secondly, even if everything is true, I wouldn't compromise the interests of our sect because of my favorable feelings!"
"Father, such a reminder from you somewhat underestimates me."
"Hahaha!" Lin Bufan stroked his beard and laughed heartily, "Okay, maybe I worried too much."
"My daughter knows what's important! Not like Jiu'er, who's still so muddle-headed at his age, always chasing after pleasures."
Seizing the moment, Lin Shanshan said, "Father, although the eldest senior brother is imprisoned, he's always concerned about your well-being whenever I visit him."
Lin Bufan snorted, "Concern for this old man? I'm not old!"
"And has he even got time for that?"
"Now, don't always try to seek favors when I'm in a good mood."
Lin Bufan repeatedly waved his hand.
Lin Shanshan pouted and reluctantly said, "Father, I shall take my leave."