After all, every cave mansion has its advantages. Some are abundant in spiritual energy, while others have geothermal flames, which can be used for alchemy, Qi Refinement, etc.
Ning Zhuo expresses goodwill towards Shen Xi.
Shen Xi’s proposal to co-rent is essentially an invitation for Ning Zhuo to team up, forming a temporary alliance to tackle the Feiyun Conference together.
This piqued Ning Zhuo’s interest.
He descended from Fire Persimmon Mountain to explore the world, intending to see and hear as much as possible, to experience, and to exchange ideas with others.
Collaborating with Shen Xi, being on the same mountain, exchanging and discussing ideas would be quite beneficial.
"But not now," Ning Zhuo thought to himself.
Even if he had understood the underlying implication earlier, he would choose to postpone.
On one hand, his most urgent priority is to obtain Meng Yaoyin’s legacy. Who knows when the Big Snake Scythe might act up?
On the other hand, he needs to assess Shen Xi to see if he is suitable for collaboration and sparring. Many things seem like opportunities on the surface but are actually traps. Ning Zhuo has witnessed such examples countless times from childhood to adulthood.
Let’s not forget, he assisted Sun Lingtong in laying the foundations of a modest kingdom—long-term control of the black market in Fire Persimmon Immortal City. The various occurrences in the black market have greatly enriched Ning Zhuo’s life experience.
Ning Zhuo clasped his fists: "Daoist Fellow Shen has shown sincere goodwill, for which I am truly grateful. If I could ask for advice from such a prodigy like Daoist Fellow Shen, it would undoubtedly be beneficial."
Su Lingkou was satisfied with Ning Zhuo’s attitude, let out a cold snort: "It’s good that you know."
"But now, you need to deal with Yu Heye."
"Your voluntary retreat has made Situ Xing’s opposition quite strong. Now we bring you detailed intelligence, please make sure to show some fortitude, at least demonstrate your courage."
"If you continue to retreat out of fear, it would be greatly disappointing to us."
Ning Zhuo’s eyes flashed with a bright gleam.
He sensed the forceful nature of Situ Xing from Su Lingkou’s words and understood Shen Xi’s intention to recruit him, which is to enrich one’s own wings and gain more advantages in internal competitions within the mountain.
He was not opposed to this at all.
"Being utilized proves that one is valuable. All matters in the world are about you utilizing me and me utilizing you, everyone mutually utilizing each other."
Ning Zhuo took out another Jade Slip from his storage waist belt and handed it to Shen Xi.
Upon looking, Shen Xi found the content of the Jade Slip to be quite similar to the intelligence he had given Ning Zhuo, all concerning Yu Heye.
Shen Xi was both surprised and delighted: "So, Daoist Fellow Ning Zhuo had long intended to counterattack."
Ning Zhuo sighed: "I have just arrived, and am concerned that Yu Heye might have strong backing; opposing him would be unwise. Hence, I first investigated his background."
Su Lingkou chuckled softly: "Rest assured about that, he has never been recognized as a Golden Core True Disciple of the Myriad Images Sect, obviously lacks connections."
"In fact, he mainly practiced the ’Reverse Five Elements Demon Technique’ and once accidentally killed a beloved disciple of a prominent figure in Heavy Formation Peak. He is not well-liked."
This is detailed in the intelligence reports.
Ning Zhuo sighed again: "To be honest, even though I know this, I am still reluctant to oppose such a person. Why bother?"
"After all, the opponent is at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, and he gave me ten Mid Grade Spirit Stones."
"I could just spend a little time changing to another cave mansion."
Shen Xi: "Now that Daoist Fellow Ning understands our intention, what do you plan to do?"
Ning Zhuo clasped his fists: "It’s an honor to be esteemed by Daoist Fellow Shen. Naturally, I want to regain face and strive for opportunities to exchange and discuss with Daoist Fellow Shen more."
Su Lingkou: "So what do you plan to do?"
Ning Zhuo: "Allow me to ponder for a moment."
Then he appeared contemplative, and said: "Perhaps, next I still need to trouble Daoist Fellow Shen for assistance."
Shen Xi: "Oh, just speak without hesitation."
Ning Zhuo smiled: "May I ask Daoist Fellow Shen to lend me a sum of Spirit Stones."
"Borrowing money?" Su Lingkou immediately looked cautious.
"How much?" Shen Xi asked.
Ning Zhuo rubbed his fingers: "I’m not sure, just know that... the more the better."
Su Lingkou frowned: "Money isn’t something to be lent lightly, at least there should be a reason or explanation, right?"
Ning Zhuo looked at Shen Xi with a solemn expression: "How I’ll use it, I prefer to keep a secret. Don’t know what Daoist Fellow Shen’s intention is?"
Shen Xi’s heart stirred immediately, understanding that this was Ning Zhuo’s test for him.
Friends must mutually choose each other.
Ning Zhuo’s stance made Shen Xi privately respect him even more. Although he hesitated, Ning Zhuo’s eyes carried a sense of examination, giving Shen Xi a sudden impulse.
Shen Xi gritted his teeth, took out a storage bag made of woven gold from his chest: "Take all the Spirit Stones inside as you wish!"
He tossed the storage bag to Ning Zhuo, and next to him, Su Lingkou’s eyes widened, showing clear surprise.
Ning Zhuo’s Divine Sense probed inside, finding it filled with Mid Grade Spirit Stones, about three thousand of them.
"Not sure if it’s enough," Ning Zhuo deliberately muttered, weighing the storage bag.
Shen Xi’s eye twitched slightly.
Su Lingkou transmitted with Divine Sense, her emotions intense: "Cousin, how could you give him the purse your mom gave you directly?"
"Nearly all the Spirit Stones here are your entire fortune."
Shen Xi already felt regret, but since the decision was made, as a scion of a large family, he couldn’t act in stingy manners like changing his mind the next moment, so he could only transmit thoughts with Divine Sense, trying to comfort his cousin.
Ning Zhuo felt little about this matter.
The money he invested in establishing the Qing Jiao Army back then was far more than what’s in this bag.
At the time, he didn’t hesitate to invest, and now this sum of money is too small, not even worth his attention.
He turned to face the counter, looking at the cultivator behind the stand, Cao Gui: "Please buy information on all cultivators who have similar encounters with me; I want to examine their latest situations."
"You can see, I’ve got enough money," Ning Zhuo said, deliberately raising the golden thread bag.
Cao Gui checked: "Most of them only have brief summaries; the intelligence you want can only tell where they currently rented their cave mansion. For more comprehensive information, I suggest you go to the Commerce Hall, make the request in person, and give them some time to gather it."
"Alright." Ning Zhuo nodded.
He casually took a handful of Mid Grade Spirit Stones from the golden thread bag and placed them directly on the counter: "Regarding previous matters, please consider, Daoist Fellow Cao. This is the deposit."
"If you don’t want to be involved in this, just return the deposit to me."
Cao Gui was stunned for a moment seeing this large Spirit Stone on the counter.
"Hey, wait...and wait..." he reached out to call Ning Zhuo.
But Ning Zhuo had already turned around, leaving the Internal Affairs Hall without looking back, leaving a message: "Daoist Fellow Cao, take your time to consider. I’m not in a hurry; I need to visit the Commerce Hall."
Shen Xi and Su Lingkou followed Ning Zhuo, leaving the Internal Affairs Hall.
Su Lingkou was curious and asked what Ning Zhuo had previously discussed with Cao Gui.
Ning Zhuo did not explain: "Daoist Fellows Shen Su, time is tight, I won’t disturb you two any longer. Let me handle my business first, and once there’s progress, I’ll seek out you both to witness it firsthand."
"After all, this money has a use; it won’t be spent without rhyme or reason."
Shen Xi smiled: "Alright."
Ning Zhuo clasped his fists and left stepping on clouds.
Su Lingkou stomped her foot in place: "Ah, just let him go like that? Such a large sum of money! If it were me, I wouldn’t participate in any Feiyun Conference; I’d just take the money and run. The world is vast, where could he hide that we wouldn’t be able to find him?"
Shen Xi shared the same worry, but since his cousin said it, he felt he couldn’t doubt anymore.
Instead, he forcibly suppressed his concerns, answering calmly: "Be patient; just observe what follows."
Ning Zhuo sent a flying message to them in the evening.
This timing was much earlier than Shen Xi anticipated.
When Shen Xi and Su Lingkou arrived by Ning Zhuo’s side, they found Ning Zhuo had already assembled a group of cultivators.
More than twenty cultivators, most in the Qi Refinement Realm, with at least two or three being Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
Ning Zhuo said: "I know you all rushed here to attend the Feiyun Conference, yet you’re all strapped with cash and couldn’t rent a cave mansion."
"Now, I’m giving everyone a chance to make money."
"I’ll provide the capital, and all you need to do is split the earned Spirit Stones with me."
Shen Xi was dumbfounded.
Su Lingkou widened her eyes, and after realizing, couldn’t help but open her mouth slightly. She suddenly found that this really, seemingly, likely could make a profit.