The tree-lined path was lush and vibrant with greenery.
Lin Shanshan had now dispensed with her disguise, dressed in a pale yellow dress.
She moved with the lightness of a swallow, her skirt fluttering in the wind, revealing her cheerful mood.
At this moment, the sun shone through the gaps in the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground, a gentle breeze caressed her face, the scent of flowers was everywhere, the earth smelled fresh, and the rustling of leaves seemed to add a light rhythm to Lin Shanshan's heart.
"Young Master Ning Zhuo, your victory this time was truly beautiful!" she sincerely felt happy for Ning Zhuo.
She had always been the daughter of the Sect Leader of the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect. From birth, this status had given her excellent treatment, with people around her doting on, accommodating, and indulging her. She had never fought others in real combat as Ning Zhuo did.
Lin Shanshan had once achieved a level of cultivation and challenged her fellow sect siblings, causing much tumult. But as she grew older and more sensible, she ceased such behavior.
Because she understood deeply that her identity and every action could be misinterpreted by outsiders, leading to harm to the entire sect.
In this world, it is difficult to have the best of both worlds.
Since she enjoyed the treatment of a sect leader's daughter, she had to bear the responsibility of one.
At Ten Thousand Medicine Sect and Ten Thousand Medicine Valley, Lin Shanshan's youth was like a little bird trapped here. It forged her, yet also confined her.
She needed to constantly safeguard the interests of the sect, remember her identity, and not overstep the boundaries, avoiding bringing trouble and harm to everyone.
Therefore, when Ning Zhuo won, she felt genuinely happy. She gained immense satisfaction from Ning Zhuo's actions!
The first time she met Ning Zhuo, she had a good impression of him.
After initial interactions, Ning Zhuo's status, which was similar to hers, made it easier for her to empathize.
Perhaps even she wasn't clear about her most genuine thoughts—she also yearned to be like Ning Zhuo, young and traveling away from home, experiencing and taking action, feeling and living.
Therefore, facing "tough opponents," she worried for Ning Zhuo.
Therefore, Ning Zhuo's display of effort and intelligence impressed her.
Therefore, when she wholeheartedly assisted Ning Zhuo, seeing his visible growth, she understood all her efforts were worthwhile.
Therefore, when Ning Zhuo defeated the formidable enemy, she felt more pleasure than if she had won herself.
Because she knew her own efforts played a part in that.
Because she knew she would likely never be able to fight some people with such directness and without concessions, like Ning Zhuo could.
To some extent, Ning Zhuo's appearance and actions fulfilled a deep-seated longing in Lin Shanshan's heart.
The young girl's bright eyes turned towards Ning Zhuo, genuinely considering for him, "Among all the external cultivators stationed here, the strongest are Lai Wuying and Zhao Xingchen. They are the first tier."
"In the second tier are Chang Yan, Luo Xiao, and the others."
"Young Master Ning Zhuo, with your successful challenge and victory over Chang Yan, you can now move into one of the top ten cave mansions."
"Your cultivation level is only at the Foundation Establishment early stage, which is quite a rarity."
Ning Zhuo smiled slightly and shook his head: "I still have a long way to go."
"The swift victory this time was mainly due to the correct tactics. I adopted an aggressive approach and had the advantage of the Wood element restraining the Earth element."
"If we really talk about mana, demon cultivators often have far more mana reserves than human cultivators of the same level. My cultivation level is weaker than Chang Yan's."
"After seizing the initiative, casting those three Wood element spells allowed the advantage to gradually expand, eventually turning into a victory. Without Miss Lin's help, helping me exchange for the three Understanding Law Maps of Wood element spells, how could I have won?"
"So, you are the greatest hero behind the scenes."
Having said that, Ning Zhuo gave Lin Shanshan a bow of thanks.
Lin Shanshan chuckled lightly, accepting the praise graciously: "Young Master Ning Zhuo, your background is similar to mine. How could I not know that even without my three maps, you would have your own trump cards to win?"
"You also left out another reason for your victory."
"That is your cultivation technique is outstanding. The Five Elements Mana can not only be freely split and merged but can also generate and restrain each other, transforming into a unified type of mana, expanding the total volume of mana several times over."
Ning Zhuo smiled, "This Five Elements Qi Regulation Art, after all, is one of the Three Superior Sect Techniques."
Lin Shanshan revealed a look of longing, "The Refining Void Great Power of the Three Superior Sects, I have also heard of him; he is indeed a figure of imposing abilities."
As Ning Zhuo walked side by side with Lin Shanshan, he spoke seriously, "Winning this time, though decisive and neat, has also left potential troubles."
"If I had won after a fierce battle, allowing Chang Yan to fully display his combat power, I definitely would have gained broader recognition."
"Now, under these circumstances, securing a spot in the top ten for the cave mansion will inevitably attract covetous eyes and could likely provoke challenges from others."
"After all, I had publicly stated before that using the Oil Slick and Smooth Talisman would be tantamount to admitting defeat. This will even more lead others to think it an opportunity."
Upon hearing this, Lin Shanshan slightly started and nodded in agreement.
She couldn't help but reassess the young man in white before her and praised him in her heart: Ning Zhuo, at the mere age of sixteen, conducts himself with such composure! At such an age, suddenly achieving victory would usually make one a bit haughty. Yet he is more sober and level-headed than an outsider like myself, always clear-sighted about the situation.
By age, she was five years older than Ning Zhuo but had been blinded by victory.
Lin Shanshan's mood was somewhat peculiar; at this moment, she felt a sense of reliability and stability from Ning Zhuo, as if seeing the shadow of her own father.
Seeing the atmosphere was just right, Ning Zhuo took the initiative to bring up a matter that required Lin Shanshan's help. But at the same time, this matter could also make her feel troubled.
Lin Shanshan had already developed a lot of goodwill towards Ning Zhuo and her eyes flickered slightly without much hesitation, "Regarding sect affairs, I am not the decision-maker. For other matters, Young Master can just speak plainly, and I will assist to the best of my abilities!"
Ning Zhuo hurriedly said, "Miss Lin, rest assured, I will not make an overly presumptuous request."
Seeing Lin Shanshan attentive, he continued, "I left home to travel and passed by Mist Hidden Mountain."
Lin Shanshan slightly nodded, "You've told me about that before. The Mist Embroidery Orchid you gave me, wasn't it obtained from Mist Hidden Mountain?"
Ning Zhuo smiled and then said, "On that Mist Hidden Mountain, I came across a unique opportunity and won the recognition of the Mountain God, with whom I had a harmonious relationship. Before parting, He generously gifted me a wonderful Spirit Plant."
"The Mountain God instructed me to cultivate it privately, take good care of it, and not to let outsiders know."
"Cultivation of Spirit Plants is one of the Cultivation Hundred Skills, profound and complex. I have seldom delved into it and only have a slight understanding; I'm a complete novice."
"It's indeed a challenge for me to handle a Golden Core Level Spirit Plant on my very first try."
"Now, the Spirit Plant is showing signs of withering, which is indeed a source of worry for me."
"Mist Hidden Mountain, Mountain God, and even gifted a Golden Core Level Spirit Plant?" Lin Shanshan listened with novelty, and her longing for Ning Zhuo's free-roaming life grew stronger.
She restrained her curiosity, "So, Young Master Ning Zhuo's visit to the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect is for this matter."
Ning Zhuo nodded, "This indeed is one of my purposes. Your sect cultivates countless herbs on a grand scale, and the business of herbal medicine is booming."
"If I cannot get help here, I'm afraid there will be no other options in the entire Southern Bean Kingdom."
Ning Zhuo added another compliment.
Lin Shanshan smiled and merely said Ning Zhuo was too kind.
After pondering for a moment, her brows slightly furrowed, "At this time, indeed, there is some difficulty."
"Since it's the Mountain God's instruction for you to cultivate it privately, there might be a profound reason. You will just have to personally take the trouble and learn some methods for cultivating Spirit Plants."
"The key is that each Spirit Plant has its own cultivation methods. Even for the same species, there are differences based on region and other factors."
"If you cultivate rashly and use unsuitable methods, you could harm the Spirit Plant rather than help it survive and grow."
Ning Zhuo sighed deeply, "I have thought about this and have some guesses; perhaps this is some kind of test from the Mountain God. Besides, I made a contract at the time, unable to disclose the slightest information about the Spirit Plant."
"Otherwise, I would have directly asked for Miss Lin's guidance."
The Spirit Hidden Willow must be kept secret.
This marvelous Spirit Plant that can greatly aid in enlightenment is a true treasure of inheritance that can save a cultivator's time and energy!
For organizations and powers, such a Golden Core Level Spirit Plant is more valuable than many Nascent Soul Level offensive Magic Treasures.
When Ning Zhuo first acquired it, he was already aware of the value of the Spirit Hidden Willow, therefore, only the Mountain God, Sun Lingtong, and he himself knew about it.
After acquiring it, Ning Zhuo always kept it a closely guarded secret.