"First jot it down, and get to it when there’s time later!"
At present, Ning Zhuo mainly needed to handle Yu Heye.
This was somewhat troublesome.
Against someone like Yu Heye, who was in the late stage of the Golden Core, Ning Zhuo was fully confident of defeating him. Ning Zhuo had now mastered the Reverse Five Elements Demon Technique, which directly targeted Yu Heye’s main combat methods—handling it was incredibly easy.
Let’s not even mention these.
As soon as Ning Zhuo used the Divine Power Life Thread, he could directly control Yu Heye, making him publicly admit defeat, kneel on the ground, and call him father with ease.
Because Yu Heye was not a Nascent Soul Cultivator.
As long as they’re at the Golden Core Stage, it’s nearly impossible to escape the control of this divine power. (Of course, there are exceptions, such as Zhu Xuanji, Linghu Jiu, etc.)
But Ning Zhuo didn’t want to do this at all.
As long as he challenged Yu Heye, once the outcome of their duel was decided, Ning Zhuo would inevitably receive attention and significant interest, leading to a plethora of public opinions, constant investigations, and attempts by various factions to recruit him.
In such circumstances, how could he secretly plan to infiltrate Shuyu Pavilion?
Being high-profile and gaining fame is possible, but not now.
Ning Zhuo himself needed to clear a name, but he was waiting for the right opportunity.
The Gathering of Clouds before the Feiyun Conference was an important stage slowly formed by Myriad Images Sect, where cultivators eagerly showcased themselves.
Ning Zhuo also planned to make a big splash in this stage, but now was not the time.
The timing was not yet ripe.
"Within Myriad Images Sect, there is a transition between the new and old among the eight main peaks; Purple Thunder Peak’s decline, while Flowing Cloud Peak becomes the target to be pushed out."
"If I rashly reveal myself, both major factions and various forces will scramble to reach out."
These ’interests’ include a lot: enticement, coercion, suppression, etc.
Where there are people, there is worldly society.
Once Ning Zhuo reveals his value, a vortex is bound to form around him.
At that point, it’s not that Ning Zhuo could choose not to be involved. He would be forced into it because someone like him couldn’t be ignored by anyone.
He is also human, still a strong one! In this worldly society, a strong person naturally stirs up storms.
Ning Zhuo also desired to mix in but was biding his time for the right moment.
What constitutes the ripe moment?
Now, it’s far from it!
First, Ning Zhuo needed more detailed information.
Therefore, these days he waited for Wen Ruanyu to finish his duties.
In Ning Zhuo’s view, Wen Ruanyu’s strength was not only in the Golden Core Stage cultivation level or his mastery in the four arts of Confucian culture. His most outstanding ability was his political talent!
He had been in White Paper Immortal City for so many years in the capacity of representing Myriad Images Sect, managing the city’s internal affairs as a deputy to the White Paper City Lord.
His governance of White Paper Immortal City over the years accumulated vast experience. He undoubtedly coordinated with various forces during this management, witnessed the dual sides of human nature, and explored the constants and variables in human hearts.
Wen Ruanyu was simply not familiar with the current situation of Myriad Images Sect, even if he had been away for a long time, he still maintained connections within the sect.
Given a little time, he’d swiftly grasp the current internal affairs of Myriad Images Sect.
Wen Ruanyu absolutely supported Ning Zhuo.
For Ning Zhuo, this would be a significant source of intelligence and reference for actions.
Even with a thorough analysis of ample intelligence Ning Zhuo gathered, it still did not mean the timing was ripe.
He also needed to wait for an appropriate entry point.
At Ten Thousand Medicine Sect, the entry point was Lin Shanshan. In Liangzhu Country, it first was Liu Guanzhang, then Mu Lan. In White Paper Immortal City, it was somewhat special. The entry point was already arranged for him; he was the highly anticipated savior!
What is the entry point for Myriad Images Sect?
The Feiyun Conference was merely a huge opportunity for everyone; it was not an entry point.
Wen Ruanyu, Yang Sanyan, and the close friends mentioned in the jade slip left by Buddhist Doctor Meng Yaoyin were closer to this concept of an entry point.
Wen Ruanyu represented the public outside the mountain. Meng Yaoyin’s identity was also this, someone outside the main peaks.
Yang Sanyan represented the Evil Slaying Hall, one of the Sixteen Halls, a place that gets practical work done.
Meng Yaoyin’s close friends were cultivators at the main peak, and Ning Zhuo might use this channel to join the main peak.
Ning Zhuo was willing to befriend Shen Xi because these people could also be entry points.
In the future, new entry points might appear too.
As for which one Ning Zhuo would ultimately choose, he didn’t know yet; it had to be decided based on the situation.
"The new and old forces within Myriad Images Sect are bound to engage in a fierce contest, and this session of the Feiyun Conference is the best stage for the showdown."
Ning Zhuo had already seen this through analyzing intelligence from Purple Thunder Peak and Flowing Cloud Peak.
But his understanding of Myriad Images Sect was far from profound.
He still needed to continue observing and waiting. Once the situation became clear, where it became apparent which side had a greater chance of winning, he would basically join that side.
"I’m an outsider; my family is far away in Southern Bean Country."
"By joining the winning side, I’d be the winner!"
Who would want to lose?
In Myriad Images Sect, Ning Zhuo as an outsider’s alliances depended on his own choices; it was highly flexible.
Ning Zhuo’s cultivation might be weak, but that didn’t mean his capability was.
In the years of enduring in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, he honed his political acumen.
It was precisely this acumen that enabled him to make many correct choices, allowing him to thrive in Ten Thousand Medicine Sect, Liangzhu Country, and White Paper Immortal City.
He often could take advantage of situations, pit external forces against each other, and win with weak strength.
"Now is still not the time for me to make a choice; obtaining my mother’s relics is the most important thing at this moment."
Ning Zhuo’s goals had always been clear.
So, his real problem now was—how to deal with Yu Heye without making a big splash and attracting attention?
And Shen Xi’s interference undoubtedly made this issue more complex.
How should Ning Zhuo showcase his talents before Shen Xi, and to what extent? This really tested Ning Zhuo’s political skills!
Su Lingkou collected intelligence and went to Shen Xi worriedly: "Cousin, the situation has changed! Yu Heye is exerting pressure, many of his Foundation Establishment subordinates are challenging the newly arrived cultivators."
"The Martial Arts Hall quickly accepted these challenges; evidently, they had used their connections to give an early heads-up."
"The people Ning Zhuo gathered simply aren’t cutting it!"
"Many have been scared off, and there’s no rumor about ten Mid Grade Spirit Stones at all."
"Cousin, Ning Zhuo’s plan failed, and all our money is in Ning Zhuo’s hands."
Shen Xi shook his head and smiled: "This contest has only just begun."
"Do you think Ning Zhuo’s ’earning opportunity’ wasn’t seen by anyone before? Hasn’t anyone tried it before?"
"Cousin, you must understand, the peaks’ form is conventionally agreed upon, naturally evolved. Such evolved matters often emerge naturally and are mature."
"Like this time, Yu Heye dispatching his Foundation Establishment subordinates’ martial challenges is a mature response. Many precedents were eliminated this way."
Su Lingkou’s eyes lit up: "Cousin, you’re truly remarkable; you predicted it all!"
Shen Xi shook his head again: "If I can anticipate it, Ning Zhuo must have foreseen it even earlier. Yet he still chose to proceed. I’m genuinely curious about how he will respond."
Su Lingkou’s expression changed, revealing a smile: "I think Ning Zhuo might personally step into the arena and contest with these Foundation Establishment cultivators. His battle prowess is already quite exceptional, otherwise, he wouldn’t have the nerve to provoke Yu Heye’s side in this way."
Shen Xi noncommittally replied: "Let’s wait and see."
Personally step into the arena?
That’s impossible.
Under Su Lingkou’s silent watch, Ning Zhuo made no moves, not even any indications.