Little Struggle Peak, Martial Arts Arena.
Ning Zhuo and Hanzhou were sparring.
Hanzhou's fighting style was completely different from Lin Shanshan's. He fought with wide, sweeping movements, with offense occupying the majority of his focus and defense used sparingly, unless it involved protecting vital areas.
Once Hanzhou launched an attack, his offense was relentless, like icy snowstorms overwhelming the sky.
Ning Zhuo gritted his teeth and hung on, finding himself in a situation similar to his initial spars with Lin Shanshan—only able to defend, powerless to counterattack.
Hanzhou, seeing Ning Zhuo's full and tight defense, couldn't help but be astonished.
"How long has it been? Ning Zhuo has made such tremendous progress in martial arts!"
His feelings were much deeper than those of ordinary people.
Because not long ago, it was he who had challenged Ning Zhuo. In that fight, they had engaged in close combat.
After only a few exchanges, Ning Zhuo's defense had collapsed, and Hanzhou had pursued him victoriously. If not for the Spirit Talisman saving the day, Ning Zhuo would have been defeated by him then.
But now, despite Hanzhou unleashing a full offensive, Ning Zhuo was not overwhelmed.
Despite Ning Zhuo's ragged appearance, his defense was indeed tight, forcing Hanzhou to seek another way to break the deadlock.
"Be careful, I'm going to use martial arts," Hanzhou softly warned in advance.
The next moment, his fists were covered with a layer of white frost, and the temperature of the air plummeted.
Martial Arts—Frost Freeze Fist.
Bitter Cold Qi also spread out.
Ning Zhuo dare not resist directly, lightly tapping with his toes, his figure agilely moving, constantly leaping backward.
Hanzhou pressed on fiercely.
Ning Zhuo focused on dodging, each dodge smooth and flowing, without any hesitation, showcasing his solid fundamentals.
Martial Arts—Old Cold Leg.
Hanzhou's kicks were sharp, generating a whooshing cold wind.
Ning Zhuo struggled to fend off the attacks, clearly at a disadvantage.
A prolonged defense is bound to break, and Ning Zhuo showed a flaw.
Hanzhou's eyes shone brightly, seizing the opportunity, he surged with power and threw a punch filled with chilling cold straight at Ning Zhuo's face.
Ning Zhuo's eyes focused sharply, lightly stepping with his feet, trying to dodge to the side.
He evaded most of it, but was still struck by Hanzhou's punch on the shoulder.
Ning Zhuo staggered back, his defensive posture finally crumbling at that moment.
However, Hanzhou then withdrew, standing his ground and not pursuing further.
"Excellent, excellent!" Ning Zhuo clutched his shoulder, dismissing the pain from being hit, his mood very joyful and he sincerely praised Hanzhou.
Ning Zhuo's previous practice sessions with Lin Shanshan had diminishing returns, and he felt increasingly less from martial arts and combat.
But now, sparring with a different person, his old form returned. Although the session was short, Ning Zhuo gained a lot from it, with many insights that needed immediate reflection and assimilation.
"Hanzhou Brother, sparring with you was just right. I learned a lot, thank you! Thank you!" Ning Zhuo sincerely thanked him.
Hanzhou's eyes twinkled. He had his hidden motives; the more Ning Zhuo sparred with him, and the longer they practiced, the easier it would be to convert him.
After all, at the Foundation Establishment Stage, one's cultivation technique could still be changed!
Hanzhou thought for a moment, acknowledging that Ning Zhuo's progress was significant, offering a radically different feeling from before in battle.
"But you lack the related martial arts, otherwise, you could have countered my Frost Freeze Fist, Old Cold Leg."
"Ning Zhuo Daoist Fellow, your cultivation technique focuses on the Qi Sea, which indeed puts you at a great disadvantage in close combat."
"I suggest you practice some martial arts; though mere techniques and not cultivation techniques, they too can mobilize and utilize your physique and energy efficiently."
Ning Zhuo responded, "I wonder, Hanzhou Brother, if you have any good suggestions? I am all ears!"
Hanzhou immediately said, "If Daoist Fellow Ning Zhuo does not mind, I am willing to teach you martial arts like Frost Freeze Fist, Old Cold Leg, and so on."
Ning Zhuo immediately frowned, "Is that appropriate?"
"Appropriate, absolutely appropriate!" Hanzhou inwardly chuckled, "By learning these martial arts, you will tend more towards specializing in the Bitter Cold Technique. If I can eventually convert you, would that not be incredibly beneficial?"
Outwardly, Hanzhou said, "Daoist Fellow Ning Zhuo, you have grasped the True Intent of Bitter Cold, showing a natural affinity for the Bitter Cold Scripture. This is fate."
"We may as well be friends forged in battle, teaching some martial arts is not the fundamental of techniques, it is nothing serious."
"In fact, even the Bitter Cold Scripture itself is not beyond teaching. In the past, I was but a beggar, and it was in an icy, broken temple that I received teachings in the scriptures, leading me onto the path of cultivation."
"Me teaching you related martial arts, is just as others once taught me the complete Bitter Cold Scripture. This is indeed sowing good seeds for good results."
Ning Zhuo realized then, "Hearing your words, Brother, confirms some of my speculations. The Bitter Cold Scripture is indeed a Buddhist Scripture, right?"
Hanzhou hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded, "That is indeed so."
"However, please, Daoist Fellow Ning Zhuo, do not spread it lightly, lest you expose my foundations."
"Bitter Cold Scripture originates from the Small Mahayana Buddhist teachings and emphasizes self-salvation. As the saying goes, 'the sea of misery is boundless; only through enduring the bitter cold and tribulations can one forge a precious Treasure Body and will for cultivation.'"
"The Bitter Cold Scripture transforms the various hardships and poverty encountered in life into nourishment for cultivation!"
Ning Zhuo nodded. "If that's the case, I would ask Brother Han Chao to teach me the relevant martial arts."
Hanzhou just smiled faintly. "I have a method that can allow Daoist Fellow to achieve rapid success."
Ning Zhuo showed a curious expression and immediately asked.
Hanzhou then took out a small bowl from his storage waist belt, which was filled to eighty percent with water.
"That year, the esteemed master who taught me the Bitter Cold Scripture used this very item."
"This bowl of water is refined from Bitter Water, containing many truths of the Bitter Cold Scripture. Daoist Fellow Ning Zhuo only needs to drink a small sip, and you will instantaneously grasp and thoroughly master the various key points of the related martial arts."
"Ordinary people can hardly use this method. That's because this bowl of Bitter Water is extremely hard to ingest. The intense bitterness can even plunge one into deep despondency, making one feel as if life and the world are bleak, and prompting suicidal thoughts."
"But I see that, since Daoist Fellow Ning Zhuo can cope with my Bitter Cold Qi and grasp some profound meanings of the Bitter Cold Scripture, clearly you are highly perceptive and naturally close to this Buddhist scripture."
"How about giving it a try?"
Ning Zhuo looked at the water in the bowl, which appeared a deep bluish-black, its surface flickering with a faint, chilling glow.
Standing close, Ning Zhuo could distinctly feel a bone-chilling cold emanating from the bowl, as if capable of freezing one's soul.
"Bitter Water, I have long heard of it; this is indeed a Treasure of Sin from the Water Element," Ning Zhuo exclaimed.
In Fire Persimmon Immortal City, he had experienced 'Supreme Goodness is like Water,' the Treasure of Merit from the Water Element.
Now, seeing the Bitter Water, which stands in opposition to Supreme Goodness, it is undoubtedly a Treasure of Sin.
The existence of Bitter Water itself symbolizes sin, reportedly condensed from countless tears of pain and regret.
Those who possess or come into contact with Bitter Water are forced to confront their deepest faults, grievances, sorrow, and pain. Long-term possession would gradually erode the spirit, causing the cultivator to sink into endless suffering and regret.
At a certain point of this erosion, cultivators would suffer hallucinations, continually hearing whispers and cries near their ears, all voicing grievances.
It was indeed a tremendous torment.
Ning Zhuo appeared cautious.
Hanzhou offered consolation. "Daoist Fellow, do not worry too much; this Bitter Water has been refined. Under my supervision, it can help you grasp part of the true intent of the Bitter Cold Scripture, instantly understanding seven martial arts techniques."
"Of course, there is a precondition."
"This precondition is that you need to resist the bitter intent, to glean some insight from it, rather than let the bitter intent affect your emotions, causing your mental state to be overwhelmed by anguish and sinking into various negative emotions, unable to free yourself."
"If that happens, not to mention understanding any martial arts, even returning to a normal state would entail a tremendous price."
"The risk involved is quite substantial."
Ning Zhuo pondered only briefly before smiling. "Brother Hanzhou, you speak so candidly, I trust you! Let's give it a try."
"However, the Martial Arts Arena is not the proper place."
"May I take some of this Bitter Water away?"
Hanzhou nodded. "Of course, you can."
He immediately acted, pouring a small vial and handing it to Ning Zhuo.
After bidding farewell to Hanzhou, Ning Zhuo returned to his cave mansion.
He first meticulously verified with Sun Lingtong that the Bitter Water had indeed been sanctified and no longer posed a significant danger.
Ning Zhuo then asked Sun Lingtong to watch over him, intending to taste the Bitter Water.
Sun Lingtong, intrigued, told Ning Zhuo that he had never had the chance to try it from childhood till now and to remember to save some for him to taste.
The two entered the Spiritual Plant Cabin together.
Inside the Spiritual Plant Cabin, the mysterious yellow soil had notably lightened compared to before.
Although it was just a thin layer, due to the spatial folding of the formation, the actual thickness of the soil was much greater than what met the eye.
In the center of the cabin stood a Spirit Hidden Willow.
Pleasant, crisp melodies surrounded them, and a gentle spring breeze blew, causing the willow branches of the Spirit Hidden Willow to sway in the wind.
Both Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong watched the Spirit Hidden Willow closely, the former slightly furrowing his brows, while the latter showed a look of joy.
Sun Lingtong said, "Little brother, look, those dry branches are showing signs of improvement. Previously, they seemed completely dehydrated, but now they have plumped up somewhat."
Ning Zhuo sighed. "It seems the Spirit Hidden Willow consumes much more than I imagined."
"We have already done our utmost, using the best treasures we currently have access to, but the recovery speed of the Spirit Hidden Willow is not ideal."
Ning Zhuo looked down at the soil near the roots of the willow tree. He released his Divine Sense, penetrating the soil, only to see that the previously scattered Five-Colored Divine Sand and Three Treasures Spirit Soil had almost been depleted, leaving very little residue, less than a tenth of the original amount.
Previously, he had poured in Star River Spirit Liquid in advance; the soil was moist, but now the soil was dry, and the Spirit Liquid was all used up!
Ning Zhuo immediately decided, "It seems this Spirit Hidden Willow is not easy to maintain. We need to continue our input to sustain its vitality."
Sun Lingtong also frowned. "Conventional methods might be difficult to handle now. Lin Shanshan is the Nascent Soul Sect Leader's darling, and as a result of this matter, she was confined."
"But I believe that within the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect, there are definitely more Spirit Soil and Divine Sand; perhaps..."