Ning Zhuo shook his head, "It's not quite right. Many people already know that I have these needs. If these treasured materials were stolen, they would suspect me first."
Sun Lingtong shrugged his shoulders, "Then I'll just wipe out their stock in one fell swoop, won't that do the trick?"
Ning Zhuo sighed deeply, "Stealing under the watchful eyes of Nascent Soul Level Cultivators carries a really high risk."
"But if there's really no other way, we'll have to do just that."
"Let's not talk about this for now. Boss, please protect me."
Sun Lingtong nodded repeatedly, "Little Zhuo, go and contemplate, I'm watching over you."
Ning Zhuo then walked forward a few steps, coming to stand under the Spirit Hidden Willow.
The Spirit Hidden Willow seemed to sense Ning Zhuo, lightly brushing his face with its branches once again.
Ning Zhuo smiled slightly, feeling the willow's welcoming gesture, "Oh willow, oh willow, have you missed me after just a few days?"
"I'll need to borrow your power again to taste the bitter water."
"I need to become stronger, so I can provide a better environment for you."
Sun Lingtong giggled, "Little brother, you're quite fun. Talking to a willow tree. Hurry up and drink."
Ning Zhuo turned around, looking at Sun Lingtong, "Boss, from the moment I saw this tree, I felt a kinship. I instinctively communicate with it."
"Perhaps because I've practiced the Cremation Prajna Spirit Liberation Sutra, I've become more sensitive to the spiritual nature of all things. Something like the Spirit Hidden Willow, which can enlighten our wisdom, must possess an even greater spiritual nature."
"However, it has no mouth or nose; it can't speak or gesture."
"Frankly, each time I converse with it, my mood automatically calms down."
Sun Lingtong shrugged his shoulders, "Then that's not bad, it serves as your personal method to adjust your contemplative state."
Ning Zhuo stopped talking, took out a cushion, and sat down cross-legged.
He then took out a small jade bottle, which contained a little bitter water.
Ning Zhuo controlled his breathing for a moment, fully adjusted his state, his mind calm, still as an ancient well, his thoughts crystal clear.
Ning Zhuo removed the bottle's stopper and slowly poured the bitter water into his mouth.
As soon as the bitter water touched his mouth, Ning Zhuo felt an indescribably intense bitterness!
This bitterness struck not only his taste buds but also went straight to the depths of his soul. His throat burned, and his soul cried out in agony.
As the bitter water slid down his throat, it seemed to transform into a frigid stream, rapidly spreading throughout his body. Ning Zhuo felt a coldness surge from his stomach to his limbs, bringing a chill and shudder he had never felt before.
His heartbeat quickened dramatically, cold sweat appeared on his forehead, and his body started to tremble uncontrollably.
In his mind, various sins began to surface—people he had harmed or failed, and mistakes he had made.
Huang Family's three ghosts, Ning Zhanji, Ning Ji, Ning Ze, Ning Xiaohui, Zhu Xuanji, Meng Chong, Black Wind Tiger Demon, Deputy Mountain Fox God, Lin Shanshan...
The memories were vivid, each detail lifelike, from which he could not hide nor escape.
Low murmurs and cries began to ring in his ears, the voices he had overlooked, voices of regret and guilt from deep within his heart.
An invisible pressure enveloped him, as if countless hands were pulling at his soul, dragging him into an endless abyss of sin.
Upon seeing Ning Zhuo drink the bitter water, Sun Lingtong saw his distorted face, his expression one of extreme agony, tears quickly streaming from his tightly shut eyes.
Sun Lingtong gritted his teeth, only daring to shout in his heart, "Little Zhuo!"
He was very worried, his fists clenched, but there was nothing he could do but fret helplessly.
But the next moment, he heard Ning Zhuo let out a cold snort.
Under the Spirit Hidden Willow, the young man in white displayed a cold, ice-like demeanor, his previous agony and distortion seemingly eradicated by the stern ice.
Ning Zhuo slowly opened his eyes, his gaze unwaveringly firm.
He coldly laughed in his heart, "All things in the universe naturally compete, all striving! The path of cultivation seems broad, and the Cultivation Hundred Skills seem numerous, but in truth, there is only one path."
"And that is the path of striving for victory!"
"Whether it's the Righteous Path, Evil Path, or Demon Path, it all comes down to strength first. Only with sufficient strength will people treat me kindly, speaking to me with smiles about rules and principles."
"If I had enough strength, I could have awakened my mother back at Persimmon Fire Mountain and wouldn't need to be running around now."
"Only by augmenting one's strength can one lay the foundations and essentials. How could mere bitter water shake my resolve!"
"To move forward relentlessly, not sweating the small stuff, continuously striving for victory, that is my Ning Zhuo's way to success!"
People are different.
In the face of suffering and poverty, everyone's feelings, choices, and behaviors differ.
Some draw strength from hardships and continuously enhance their strength. They never waver in their resolve, believing all difficulties are merely temporary. As long as they are determined, any monumental difficulties are just tests in life.
Although Ning Zhuo is only a sixteen-year-old boy, his growth experience has been incredibly oppressive. He faces constant criticism and mistreatment, needing always to disguise himself, enduring his mother's absence, undergoing tests under Sun Lingtong's mentorship, and he must exhaust all his cunning to consider how to deal with Golden Core Level and Nascent Soul Level opponents.
And he is merely at the Qi Refinement Realm!
Bitter Cold Scripture...
Hanzhou clearly stated, this is to draw strength from the bitter cold, to enhance oneself, ultimately achieving self-liberation.
Hasn't Ning Zhuo been self-liberating all these sixteen years?
Hanzhou was quite right in saying—Ning Zhuo was indeed in tune with the true intent of the Bitter Cold Scripture.
The protection of the Buddha Heart Demon Seal was just superficial. Ning Zhuo's true nature was indeed as such!
Despite my poverty and lowliness, despite external enemies as imposing as mountains and skies, they could not suppress my ambition, nor hurry my intention.
I considered all these challenges as a whetstone, a quagmire awaiting the rise of a hidden dragon.
A sword's edge comes from sharpening, and the fragrance of plum blossoms from the bitterness of cold!
This so-called bitter cold is but a gift of life.
And this bitter water, when carefully savored, seems to have a hint of sweetness.
Ning Zhuo not only stabilized his mood but also used this opportunity to further temper his resolve.
The true intent contained within the bitter water flowed like a mighty river in his heart.
Frost Freeze Fist, Old Cold Leg, Suffering Body, Selling Labor, Pouring Bitter Water... Ning Zhuo acquired various martial arts, rapidly mastering their essence.
Once the essence was mastered, when applied to himself, it became natural and effortless!
After Ning Zhuo finished contemplating and rose to his feet, Sun Lingtong immediately approached to inquire about his condition.
Ning Zhuo's eyes shone brightly, his spirit transformed, rejuvenated, and spirited, "Boss, I'm feeling great now."
He turned to look at the Spirit Hidden Willow.
On the Spirit Hidden Willow, only half of a willow branch showed signs of withering.
The difficulty of the bitter water lay not in comprehension but in how to withstand the questioning and impacts on the soul, how to stabilize the will, and smooth out all negative emotions.
Sun Lingtong sized up Ning Zhuo, somewhat surprised, "I also feel like you've changed somewhat."
"How does the bitter water taste?"
Just as Ning Zhuo was about to reply, Sun Lingtong immediately raised his hand to stop him, "Don't say it, I'll try it myself. Heeheehee!"
"Really looking forward to it," Sun Lingtong rubbed his hands together, grinning until his eyes squinted.
"Boss, I'll protect you," Ning Zhuo left the cushion, giving his place to Sun Lingtong.
Sun Lingtong drank the bitter water, and his expression dramatically changed.
"Boss, hold on!" Ning Zhuo silently cheered him on.
Sun Lingtong indeed did not let him down, quickly regaining his composure.
After a while, he slowly opened his eyes, looking disappointed, "Little brother, Hanzhou is not honest, he set you up!"
"These martial arts themselves are meant to be built on the foundation of the Suffering Body."
"Frost Freeze Fist, Old Cold Leg, and so on, all require the Bitter Cold Qi to emanate from inside out. First inflict pain on oneself, then deal with the enemy."
"The more the Suffering Body is struck, the stronger it becomes. But you and I both lack Bitter Cold Qi, unless we specifically cultivate the Bitter Cold Scripture to have such mana and True Qi."
Ning Zhuo nodded, "That's right."
"The Five Elements Qi Regulation Art I cultivated produces Five Elements Mana. It's impossible for Five Elements Mana to penetrate inside my body, into every joint. This would greatly harm my body, although it could also enhance the power of my punches and kicks, but it's not worth it."
"But boss, you seem to have forgotten, I cultivate three arts together. The Five Elements Mana is just one of many in my Qi Sea, my Essence Sea still contains the power of Essence Blood from the Demon-infused Bloodline Technique."
Sun Lingtong slapped his forehead, "Haha, I forgot about that. You've been using Five Elements Mana against enemies lately."
Ning Zhuo smiled.
He had now mastered the essence of the martial arts of the Bitter Cold Scripture and had devised martial arts compatible with the Demon-infused Bloodline Technique, just waiting to secretly practice and someday surprise others.
Little Struggle Peak, Martial Arts Arena.
Ning Zhuo arrived as agreed, and met with Hanzhou.
As soon as they met, Hanzhou asked if he had drunk the bitter water.
Ning Zhuo then said he had tasted it, gained some insight, and still sought guidance today.
Hanzhou, with an expression of surprise, began sparring with Ning Zhuo.
Although Ning Zhuo did not display any particular martial arts, he had better responses to Hanzhou's Frost Freeze Fist, Old Cold Leg, and even the Suffering Body than before, turning the previous embarrassment into considerable ease.
After the spar, Hanzhou exclaimed in amazement, "Daoist Fellow Ning Zhuo, you have little knowledge of my various martial arts but have completely mastered them. It seems that drinking the bitter water was greatly beneficial!"
Ning Zhuo smiled, "That's thanks to your generosity in sharing it with me."
Hanzhou looked carefully at Ning Zhuo's demeanor, seeing his spirit shining radiantly, even more amazed, and waved his hand, "It's because you are worthy to use it."
"Many cultivators, despite their strong combat abilities and high Cultivation Level, actually don't deserve to use this bitter water."
"I am now convinced, Daoist Fellow Ning Zhuo, not only is your aptitude extraordinary, but your character is also remarkably steadfast."
Ning Zhuo demurred a few words, then took out two Understanding Law Maps.
These were the Frost Conquest Diagram and Proud Snow Map.
"Brother Hanzhou, you previously gifted me the bitter water, so I must reciprocate."
"These two Understanding Law Maps come from my Ning Family, they are two Ice and Snow Magic techniques, which you may borrow to contemplate."
"I also have a good understanding of the Bitter Cold Scripture. Using Bitter Cold Power to invoke Ice and Snow Magic is also quite effective."
Hanzhou paused for a moment, then slowly reached out his hand and took the two diagrams.