Ning Jiufan took a deep breath and approached the Spirit Hidden Willow. He circled the tree a few times, his Divine Sense diffusing, permeating through the tree and the soil.
"The soil is fertile and the water nourishing, but the Spirit Hidden Willow seems like an old, decaying tree nearing its end, no longer capable of absorbing nourishment."
Ning Jiufan identified the problem at hand.
Ning Zhuo nodded and sighed, "Exactly, it's too weak. Ancestor, do you have any good solutions?"
Ning Jiufan spread his hands, "This is a Golden Core Level Spirit Plant. Your ancestor, I must admit, my knowledge of spirit plants is too superficial; I dare not act rashly."
Ning Zhuo immediately furrowed his brow.
Ning Jiufan continued, "However, that's no problem. We have the most suitable candidate right by our side!"
"I recall Sect Leader Lin Bufan is very adept at cultivating and healing, only slightly lacking in alchemy skills."
"Moreover, his Cultivation Level has reached Nascent Soul Level, so healing a Golden Core Level Spirit Plant should be quite secure."
Ning Zhuo sighed, "Only by doing this, the alliance contract between our clan and the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect will become even more stringent."
Ning Jiufan shook his head, "If we can heal the Spirit Hidden Willow, any price is worth it."
Ning Zhuo also shook his head and then sighed, "Not just the Spirit Hidden Willow."
"I have an item here called Netherworld, a mystical wine, for which I need to acquire the formula."
Ning Jiufan inquired, "Why is that?"
"Last time, didn't I ask Sect Leader Lin Bufan to allow me to visit Linghu Jiu? There..."
Ning Zhuo did not keep any secrets and briefly recounted the event of drinking competitively with Linghu Jiu in the Myriad Demons Cave.
Ning Jiufan's eyes shone brightly once again, "Five Elements God King? The 'Five Organs Temple Spirit Divine Skill'?!"
"You mean to say, after just one drinking session, you acquired a Refining Void Level Cultivation Technique?"
"You must know that our family's Ice Heart Technique is only at Nascent Soul Level."
Ning Jiufan was now even more excited than when he first heard about the Spirit Hidden Willow.
Ning Zhuo quickly extended his palm, pressing down in the air, "Calm down, calm down, Ancestor."
"A Refining Void Level Cultivation Technique, I have obtained before as well."
Ning Jiufan: ...
After some thought, he was still very excited, "But your Three Superior Sect Techniques only reach Foundation Establishment Level. The 'Five Organs Temple Spirit Divine Skill' is the complete scripture!"
"How about it? Have you considered changing your technique?"
Ning Jiufan asked the same question Linghu Jiu had asked.
Ning Zhuo shook his head, repeating his previous answer. On one hand, the Three Superior Sect Techniques suited him better. On the other, he believed the Three Superior Sect Techniques, as a newer method, were superior to older methods like the 'Five Organs Temple Spirit Divine Skill'.
This superiority was exemplified by the Dantian.
The Three Superior Sect Techniques cultivate three Dantians simultaneously, which is cutting-edge in this world. The 'Five Organs Temple Spirit Divine Skill' focuses on meridians and influences both the upper and lower Dantians.
Ning Jiufan's brow furrowed with worry, "Have you considered that the Three Superior Sect Techniques, created by the founders of the Three Superior Sects, might never reach Refining Void Level?"
"Furthermore, the Foundation Establishment Chapter you obtained comes from the Dharma Transmission Bell of the Lava Fairy Palace. To obtain the following parts, you likely can't avoid Meng Kui. After all, he is the Palace Master of the Lava Fairy Palace."
Ning Zhuo nodded, "That's why I've decided to take a gamble."
"That's also why I'm working closely with the Royal Family, as preparation for the future."
Of course, Ning Zhuo wouldn't say that, in fact, his control over the Lava Fairy Palace was greater than Meng Kui's by an order of magnitude. The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit in the Dragon Head Cabin was key to retaking the Lava Fairy Palace in the future.
According to his plan, handing over the Lava Fairy Palace to Meng Kui for now was merely using the strength of the Meng Family to maintain it on his behalf.
If he were to inherit the palace then, he would surely be trapped in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, not only unable to move an inch but also subject to the frenzied retaliation of the Meng Family and even the Southern Bean Royal Family.
Another troubling issue was that Ning Zhuo wasn't alone; he had a family and subordinates. All of them were in Fire Persimmon Immortal City. With Meng Kui as the City Lord, it was all too easy for him to cause trouble for Ning Zhuo through them.
Sometimes, taking a step back really does open up a whole new world!
For now, Ning Zhuo could focus on the essentials and travel far and wide. So far, although he had only stayed in Mist Hidden Mountain and Ten Thousand Medicine Valley, the gains had been tremendous.
"If I had clung to the Lava Fairy Palace, by now, I would probably have to beg high and low for funds to repair the Immortal Palace, agreeing to a litany of conditions that would not be in my favor, right?"
Seeing Ning Zhuo's resolve, Ning Jiufan could only say, "You're gambling with your own Dao. If you lose, it's going to be beyond redemption."
"Old techniques not necessarily can't be refined into new ones. Has your progress in the Five Elements Realm not soared?"
"If you really want to gamble, I suggest you slow down before advancing to Golden Core Level and go back to the Lava Fairy Palace to check the Dharma Transmission Bell. If you can find out what the limits of the Three Superior Sect Techniques are, that would be best."
Ning Zhuo shook his head, "Ever since the last resonating of the Dharma Transmission Bell, which taught me only the Foundation Establishment Chapter, Meng Kui turned it into a restricted area."
"It's not easy to access the Dharma Transmission Bell."
"Essentially, it's still about our strength, the strength of the Ning Family!"
Ning Jiufan nodded repeatedly, heartily agreeing, "Well said. Since you understand the priorities, I won't persuade you further."
"But is this Netherworld wine really that good?"
Ning Jiufan voiced his doubts, "Actually, there are numerous items with similar functions that enable communication with the Netherworld. Such as the Will Stone, Netherworld Sound Drum, Ghost Painting Tube, Ghost Face Scroll, Duyin Paper, and so on."
"If we talk about practicality, spells are more convenient. For example, the classic Ghost Possession Technique, as well as Netherworld Soul Summoning, Asking the Dead Soul, Netherworld Spirit Crossing Technique, and so on."
"Based on my speculations, that Netherworld wine is something Lin Bufan specifically sought for his leading disciple. After all, Linghu Jiu possesses the innate 'Drunk Moon Seeking Immortal' talent."
"The staggering reward you got was just a stroke of great luck, hitting the jackpot on the first try!"
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"Trying that again might not bring such good fortune."
"But didn't Linghu Jiu send you half a jar of that Netherworld brew? Try drinking some more and see the effects."
"If the effects are not satisfactory, there's no need to add that to the list."
"To really inherit such teachings, the Complete Book Pavilion can do it. As long as you can offer a high enough price, they could even arrange for the original author of the book to personally impart the cultivation technique to you, infusing you with their True Intent and bypassing the threshold of personal comprehension."
At this point, Ning Jiufan paused, "Oh, right."
"Sometimes, ancestral rituals can also bestow teachings from the ancestors."
"This time, during the Ghost Festival, there will be a grand clan ritual, and you should rush back for it. I will personally handle it, mainly for your matter, to report to the clanspeople in the Netherworld."
"By then, there will definitely be advantages for you!"
Ning Jiufan, after all, was experienced and prudent, offering very sensible advice.
Ning Zhuo stated that he had remembered and would try the Netherworld brew again.
But he felt uneasy: "Exposing the Spirit Hidden Willow to Lin Bufan as a precious heirloom, isn't that a bit inappropriate?"
"If Yuan Grandma were healthy, with Nascent Soul Level combat power, it might be a bit safer."
"But now, Yuan Grandma also needs Lin Bufan's healing, and the previous negotiations have made him aware of our strengths and weaknesses..."
Ning Jiufan shook his head with a smile, "No need to worry about that."
"The Ten Thousand Medicine Sect's foundation is much larger than that of our Ning Family. If he takes action against us, would he still mix in the Righteous Path?"
"The Spirit Hidden Willow, at Golden Core Level, is very important to our clan. Of course, the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect would want it, too. But if he were to do so, wouldn't that be disregarding his entire enterprise?"
"Unless he could deceive everyone, with a strong enough background to cover up this matter."
"But as far as I know, Lin Bufan isn't prominent enough to catch the attention of the upper echelons of the Southern Bean Kingdom. Our Ning Family was also only lucky to receive the Royal Family's support because of the Lava Fairy Palace."
"The foundation of the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect is large, but compared to the whole Southern Bean Kingdom and colossal families like the Meng Family and the Su Family, it pales significantly."
"If it really comes to it, I'll reveal my official position. It's also best if you write a letter to Zhu Xuanji, trick him into replying, and let Lin Bufan see it."
"Doing this, I feel it would be very secure!"
Ning Jiufan's advice immediately earned Ning Zhuo's admiration, who gave a thumbs up and complimented him, "Brilliant, our wise ancestor, truly brilliant!"
Ning Jiufan stroked his beard, pleased with himself, and recounted, "I don't believe that Sect Leader Lin Bufan would forsake righteousness for profit."
"I remember the time our Ning Family's entire migration party trudged through underground rivers, emerging from the Myriad Demons Cave."
"Lin Bufan came to the scene in person, and after hearing our clan's ordeal, he promptly settled us."
"We originally didn't want to impose further, but Lin Bufan, seeing the hardship of our family's migration, insisted on keeping us for more than a month to recuperate."
"To do this was not easy at all."
"On one hand, it cost quite a bit of money. On the other, the relocation of our Ning Family's entire clan, with considerable strength, posed many risks to the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect in accommodating us."
"Given Sect Leader Lin Bufan's magnanimity and foresight, he wouldn't likely cause us trouble just for the Spirit Hidden Willow."
Contrary to Ning Zhuo, Ning Jiufan had many interactions with Lin Bufan back then. Therefore, Ning Jiufan had always held a good impression of him.
Ning Zhuo nodded and then asked Ning Jiufan if he knew of the Five Elements God Master.
Ning Jiufan outright said he hadn't heard of them.
He then speculated, "What a powerful title, quite domineering. Since they are at the Refining Void Level, they shouldn't be unknown. A careful inquiry should clarify."
Ning Jiufan then suggested, "Wait, don't we need a reply from Zhu Xuanji?"
"You just write to him and ask about the Five Elements God Master."
"The basic function of the Divine Hunter Office in the Southern Bean Kingdom is to capture shadows and traces. Their archives and records are far more extensive than those of our clan or the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect."
The old are indeed wiser.
Ning Jiufan's suggestions were all excellent, and Ning Zhuo immediately nodded, deciding to accept them all!
Divine Hunter Office, headquarters.
Zhu Xuanji, along the way, was continually greeted by others.
"Is there a big case today?" asked Zhu Xuanji.
"No," someone answered.
"Is that so?" Zhu Xuanji looked doubtful, "Whenever there's a big case, my heart skips a beat, and I feel a bit uneasy. No big case today?"
The Divine Hunter Office member who answered him immediately reviewed today's reports, confirming again there was none.
"That's strange." Zhu Xuanji touched his forehead, feeling puzzled within, "Why is there a sense of foreboding lingering in my heart?"
"Oh, right, Lord Zhu, here's an urgent message for you." Seeing Zhu Xuanji about to leave, the member of the Divine Hunter Office called out to him promptly.
For some reason, Zhu Xuanji's heart skipped a beat.
The sense of unease grew stronger at that moment.
"What message? Who sent it to me?" Zhu Xuanji received the letter, looking at the sender's name—
Ning Zhuo!
Again, this Son of Destiny!!
He involuntarily drew in a sharp breath.
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