"Sect Leader Lin, why would you say such a thing?" Ning Jiufan was very puzzled.
Just now, Lin Bufan had been actively healing Elder Yuan, exchanging a few words from time to time, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.
Suddenly!
Lin Bufan's expression changed, he turned very stern towards Ning Jiufan, his tone dark and filled with accusation.
What happened exactly?
Lin Bufan stared at Ning Jiufan and could not help but clap his hands and sigh, "Impressive, truly impressive."
"Daoist Fellow Ning's acting skills have truly astonished me."
"Think about it, I, Lin Bufan, have practiced for hundreds of years and yet to see such a naturally flawless performance from anyone."
"Unfortunately, your plan to seize the Luminous Mirror has been seen through by me."
"Give up the idea of luck, your talented clan member Ning Zhuo, even though he has a Nascent Soul Level Mechanical Dragon by his side, also came back defeated under the Array-in-Array."
Ning Jiufan: "Huh?"
"Wait, wait!"
"What is the Luminous Mirror? Ning Zhuo? What trouble has that boy gotten into now?"
"Sect Leader Lin, my clan's cooperation with your sect is sincere. Even if I had any schemings, I wouldn't leave our only Nascent Soul Combat Power in your hands, right?"
Ning Jiufan spread his hands: "Look, I could have hidden Elder Yuan's injuries. Why would I complicate matters unnecessarily?"
Lin Bufan: ...
He fell silent for a moment, his eyes twitching, then sized up Ning Jiufan again and said, "You are unaware?"
Ning Jiufan shook his head and said with a sense of grievance, "I really don't know what happened."
Lin Bufan could not help but extend his hand, pointing at Ning Jiufan's nose: "You, the only Golden Core Cultivator of the Ning Family, are truly uninformed?!"
Ning Jiufan's eyes also twitched, and he complained, "Sect Leader Lin, what you don't know is that Ning Zhuo is extremely cunning. He must have caused this trouble again, right? I knew it, he must have had a scheme in bringing me here!"
"Alas, he is still young, only sixteen."
"Honestly, I am extremely troubled by it. He is too impulsive, and he acts recklessly. If there has been any offense to your sect, as his elder, I will take full responsibility and apologize."
"Sect Leader Lin, our relationship with your sect has a long history and has always been good. The Ning Family has no intentions of being hostile to your sect, I beg you to see the truth!"
Lin Bufan snorted coldly, "All is too late for words now."
"Ning Jiufan, surrender!"
Upon hearing this, Ning Jiufan frowned deeply, clenched his fists, and his aura surged mightily.
But in the next moment, Lin Bufan's body erupted with Nascent Soul Level aura, completely suppressing him.
Ning Jiufan gritted his teeth: "Sect Leader Lin dares to demand a Northern man to surrender without a fight? This is outright bullying!"
Lin Bufan was about to speak, but Ning Jiufan stretched out his hand, cutting him off, and continued, "The Ning Clan has always been friendly with your sect. If we were to formalize this alliance, it could last for generations. How could we allow a momentary misunderstanding to turn us into sworn enemies?"
"I very much desire to fight with all my might, to live up to the reputation of bravery. But as the only Golden Core of the Ning Clan, I cannot act recklessly!"
"Our young Ning Zhuo is inexperienced and impulsive, causing these troubles. If I now start a conflict, would it not escalate the situation?"
"Alas, fate is hard to defy, and my life's journey is full of hardships. To meet such circumstances today makes my heart grieve and hard to calm, as I deeply know there's no way to conclude but to surrender."
"Enough, enough, even though I, Ning Jiufan, am willing to fight to the death, for the sake of my clan, for the greater good, for the sake of Elder Yuan, I can only temporarily yield to keep the peace. I hope Sect Leader Lin, in consideration of our past friendship, will forgive the Ning Clan, and not betray the good old days."
Lin Bufan: ...
His eyes twitched a few times, he then made his move and subdued Ning Jiufan.
Ning Jiufan, true to his word, did not resist and allowed himself to be captured.
Lin Bufan took a deep breath, his emotions slightly better, "You are indeed aware of the times. It's all because your clan member Ning Zhuo is too clever and discovered my secret."
"If you cooperate with me and bring Ning Zhuo here, today's matter could be slightly alleviated."
Ning Jiufan hurriedly nodded, "I have always felt that this all might be a misunderstanding. I will immediately send out a Flying Message calling for that boy Ning Zhuo to come here."
"Besides, I earnestly request Sect Leader Lin, if you intend to decisively strike against me or the Ning Clan, to think thrice."
"Although my Ning Family has relocated from the Northern Lands, we have already established a firm footing in [Fire Persimmon Immortal City. This year, not only did we split from the main family, expanding our scale, but we have also secretly gained the support of the Royal Family of Zhu."
"In full disclosure, I hold an official position, and have made a secret pact with the Royal Zhu Family. If Sect Leader Lin permits, I can present the relevant official seal and other such proofs."
Lin Bufan's brows raised in surprise: "You are... an official?"
Being at the Nascent Soul Level and operating here for many years, he naturally was not worried about a minor Golden Core making a turnaround.
Immediately, Lin Bufan agreed to Ning Jiufan's request.
Under his supervision, Ning Jiufan took out his official seal and other items, allowing Lin Bufan to examine them.
Lin Bufan: ...
He looked at the official seal and documents in his hand, and his eyes couldn't help twitching again.
He had dispatched disciples to gather intelligence, and in such a short time, it was impossible to completely uncover the real political confrontations within [Fire Persimmon Immortal City.
Now, seeing these official seals and documents, he instantly understood that the Ning Family was so closely aligned with the Royal Family, indicating that [Fire Persimmon Immortal City] must be ripe with intrigue!
To move against Ning Jiufan was to move against an official of the Southern Bean Royal Family.
And importantly, this official was particularly close to the Zhu Family!
Lin Bufan started to feel a headache coming on.
Meanwhile.
Within the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon, Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong looked at the enormous Array covering four mountains and one valley, both remaining silent.