The next day.
A clear sky stretched for miles.
The Ten Thousand Medicine Sect opened its mountain gates wide. Lin Bufan stood before the gates, gazing into the distance. Foundation Establishment Level disciples were stationed on both sides of the mountain path, each standing tall and alert, respectfully and solemnly awaiting the arrival of honored guests.
Many cultivators stood at a distance, eyes fixed upon this place.
The Golden Core Ancestor of the Ning Family, Ning Jiufan, clad in a green robe and riding on auspicious clouds, gently descended in front of the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect's mountain gates.
To his left stood an aging Magma Demon Ape, and to his right, a young man in white clothes, handsome but with a somewhat oversized head.
It was Yuan Lao and Ning Zhuo.
Ning Jiufan landed before the gates, respectfully clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Sect Leader Lin, more than a decade ago when my clan relocated, we received assistance from the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect. I have always kept that in mind. It is an immense honor to visit your gates today and have you come out to meet me in person.
Lin Bufan smiled and gave a slight nod, "Daoist Fellow Ning, we meet again."
His gaze fell upon Yuan Lao and he thought, "Indeed, a Nascent Soul Level Demon Ape!"
Ning Zhuo introduced, "This is my spirit pet, Yuan Lao. I am fortunate to have his assistance."
"Haha," Lin Bufan laughed heartily, waving his wide sleeves, gesturing for them to follow. "Daoist Fellow Ning, please come with me. We have prepared fine Spiritual Tea and have been anticipating your arrival for quite some time."
Under the watchful eyes of all, Ning Zhuo, expressionless, followed Ning Jiufan through the mountain gates of the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect and into Yuanlai Mountain.
"This young man..." The complexions of Lin Shanshan's fellow disciples were not very good.
Meanwhile, the cultivators watching from afar were busy discussing among themselves.
"Ning Zhuo really is the scion of the Ning Clan."
"Having him at the side of the Golden Core Ancestor of the Ning Family shows the level of favoritism he enjoys."
"Ning Zhuo and us, loose cultivators, truly live different lives."
Some cultivators envied him, some were jealous, and others sighed with emotion.
Hua Guzi and Linghu Jiu from Hanzhou were naturally among the crowd.
Only after Ning Jiufan and Ning Zhuo had disappeared within the pavilions and terraces of Yuanlai Mountain did Hua Guzi take her eyes off them.
She seemed somewhat downcast.
As Linghu Jiu was about to bid her farewell, she stopped him.
Hua Guzi said, "Come, Linghu Jiu, let's have a friendly spar!"
Linghu Jiu sensed trouble and immediately refused.
Hua Guzi snorted coldly, "Normally, the three of us take turns sparring with each other. How come now that Young Master Ning Zhuo isn't here you suddenly become a coward?"
Linghu Jiu's face painted a picture of sorrow, "Daoist Fellow Hua, if you insist on this, then I have no choice but to accompany you, even if it costs me. But there's a fact I must state first—"
"Even if you defeat me, it won't bridge the gap between you and Daoist Fellow Ning Zhuo."
"Shut up!!!" Hua Guzi's eyes reddened with fury.
Her aura erupted, alarming the surrounding cultivators who all became wary, sensing that she was on the verge of striking then and there.
Linghu Jiu quickly tried to calm her down, "Daoist Fellow Hua, let's be rational. If you want to challenge someone to a fight, it's best done in the Martial Arts Arena of Little Struggle Peak. Initiating a fight outside violates the sect rules; at best, there's a fine, at worst, expulsion."
Only then did Hua Guzi manage to contain herself, huffing angrily as she flew back to Little Struggle Peak.
Yuanlai Mountain.
The reception hall.
After the tea was served and pleasantries were exchanged, Ning Jiufan presented the carefully prepared gifts he had brought.
Lin Bufan accepted them and asked directly, "Daoist Fellow Ning, what brings you to visit us this time?"
Ning Jiufan frankly disclosed his requests. First, to treat the wounds of the Demon Ape. Second, to seek an alliance between the Ning Family and the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect.
"Nowadays, the Ning Family has secured a foothold in Fire Persimmon Immortal City and is actively expanding,"
"I hope to deepen cooperation with your esteemed sect through a joint advancement this time."
Lin Bufan stroked his beard and smiled, "Certainly, by all means."
He appeared enthusiastic, yet when it came to negotiation, far from the cordial "certainly" he offered at the start, he was the exact opposite, haggling over every little detail and yielding not an inch.
Lin Bufan was also endowed with eloquent speech. In his presence, Ning Jiufan seemed clumsy, gradually losing the ability to defend himself as the negotiation wore on.
Seeing the situation deteriorate, Ning Zhuo boldly interjected and debated with Lin Bufan for several exchanges but also ended up at a disadvantage.
However, this had earned Ning Zhuo a measure of respect from Lin Bufan.
He quietly praised, "Young Master Ning Zhuo is indeed competent as the clan leader who established the branch family."
From his words, it was clear that Lin Bufan had received his due, gaining significant insight into Fire Persimmon Immortal City, the Ning Family, and Ning Zhuo.
Know oneself and know the enemy, and you will never be imperiled in a hundred battles.
This gave him an overwhelming advantage in the negotiations.
Seeing Ning Zhuo perform better than himself, Ning Jiufan decisively stepped back, allowing Ning Zhuo to take the lead in the fray.
Ning Zhuo's verbal cultivation technique was formidable, but Lin Bufan was even more formidable!
Lin Bufan personally managed Ten Thousand Medicine Sect, taking charge of many matters and negotiating many deals himself. At over six hundred years of age, his life experience was tremendously vast.
Ning Zhuo was just a mere sixteen years old, not even enough to count as a fraction of him.
Left with no choice, Ning Zhuo continually showed weakness, protecting himself by emphasizing his junior status. This made it difficult for Lin Bufan, who was a senior at the Nascent Soul Level, to press too hard against him.
When the two sides tentatively reached an agreement, Lin Bufan appeared calm and smiling, while Ning Zhuo was already drenched in sweat.
Throughout the process, aside from the initial few rounds where Ning Zhuo had an offensive stance, the rest of the time he was on the defensive, continuously taking hits.
"Young Master Ning Zhuo, are you truly only sixteen years old? Might I have the opportunity to feel your bones?" Lin Bufan invited proactively.
Ning Zhuo naturally complied.
After feeling the bones in his hand, Lin Bufan nodded and said, "Indeed, a sixteen-year-old boy. The Origin Yang is intact, very good, keep it up."
"As it is our first meeting, and as your elder, I should offer you a small gift of acquaintance."
"Tell me what you desire!"
Ning Zhuo's eyes lit up, and he immediately bowed in request, "Could I ask Lord Lin to be lenient and lift Miss Lin's house arrest?"
Lin Bufan's smile instantly dimmed somewhat.
He shook his head gently, "I punished Shanshan because she neglected even her daily cultivation duties and became too unrestrained."
"Therefore, I confined her to discipline her, to let her learn and correct her mistakes."
"This is greatly beneficial for her. Little Zhuo, please make another request."
Ning Zhuo smiled awkwardly, "I have often heard from Miss Lin about the illustrious deeds and fame of the first senior brother of your esteemed sect, Linghu Jiu, your distinguished disciple."
"My admiration for Linghu Jiu has been longstanding. Previously, a minor disturbance arose, and it was Daoist Fellow Linghu who took the initiative to resolve the matter for me."
Ning Zhuo proposed a request to visit Linghu Jiu in Myriad Demons Cave to express his gratitude.
Lin Bufan fell silent, contemplative.
At an opportune moment, Ning Jiufan chimed in, "In my humble opinion, our Ning Family's Ning Zhuo is bound to become a pillar of the household. Likewise, the esteemed sect's Daoist Fellow Linghu will be a leader within your sect. A meeting between the two, creating good relations, would benefit both parties."
Then Lin Bufan nodded. He looked at Ning Zhuo, suggesting other rewards in place of the gift of acquaintance.
But Ning Zhuo insisted, and with no other choice, Lin Bufan reluctantly agreed to Ning Zhuo's request.
The broad strokes of the cooperation had been outlined.
The rest, Ning Zhuo had no patience to discuss and handed it all over to Ning Jiufan.
He himself, carrying a jar of wine, headed straight for the back mountain of Great Struggle Peak.