Ning Zhuo observed the expression on Shen Xi’s face and noticed the deep yearning in his eyes. He laughed heartily and directly placed the Golden Core into Shen Xi’s hand, "firmly" insisting that he accept it.
Feeling the icy surface of the Golden Core, Shen Xi’s fingers initially retracted, but he quickly held it tight with a bit of reluctance to let go.
His inner voice grew stronger, and Ning Zhuo’s "firm" demeanor fully displayed sincerity and determination, making it even harder for Shen Xi to refuse.
Ultimately, he nodded with difficulty and accepted the Golden Core.
But in the next moment, he took out a magic treasure and offered it to Ning Zhuo: "This Array Gap Traveling Shuttle is a powerful treasure I use while exploring, studying arrays, and making fine adjustments after setting them up."
"Brother Ning, if you’re interested in Array Dao and want to learn, you can definitely make good use of this treasure."
"If any clues are discovered, this shuttle might help dive deeper, perhaps even finding the magic treasure left by Senior Xie Hall."
Ning Zhuo hadn’t expected any return, but Shen Xi, hailing from a major family, naturally had the demeanor never to take advantage without reciprocating.
He was educated among elites from a young age and knew that taking small advantages often becomes a greater liability!
And the magic treasure he gave indeed struck deep in Ning Zhuo’s heart.
"I am planning to secretly explore Vinebrace Cliff, looking for the teleportation array my mother left there. This Array Gap Traveling Shuttle is perfect for my use!"
With this thought, Ning Zhuo no longer hesitated, accepting it directly.
Su Lingkou’s gaze lingered on the Array Gap Traveling Shuttle. She worried for Shen Xi inwardly: "This is the most suitable magic treasure for my cousin, a reward from the family for his top performance in the major exam, significant in meaning. Unexpectedly, it was given away so easily."
"Ah, my cousin only possesses three magic treasures. Although this one isn’t an offensive or defensive weapon, just a support tool, and at the Golden Core level, it’s still a magic treasure."
"Even though it’s rare to have acquired a Golden Core in return, is it truly of greater value to my cousin than the Array Gap Traveling Shuttle?"
Su Lingkou calculated in her heart.
Shen Xi, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief.
At this banquet, Ning Zhuo successfully showed a strong side through Yu Heye, discreetly, making Shen Xi even more certain that getting closer to Ning Zhuo was the right move.
Still, he hadn’t expected that during the farewell, Ning Zhuo would directly gift him a Golden Core!
This increased the pressure on Shen Xi immensely!
Ning Zhuo’s generosity made Shen Xi worry more that the former might later make some hard-to-refuse requests.
Yet Ning Zhuo’s substantial gift was difficult to decline.
If he refused, it wouldn’t look good. He still wanted to maintain a good relationship with Ning Zhuo!
Ning Zhuo casually offered a Golden Core as a gift; this type of person, wouldn’t you want to be on good terms with?
Thus, Shen Xi was willing to give away the Array Gap Traveling Shuttle to preemptively exchange for this substantial gift. In doing so, he effectively prevented Ning Zhuo from making potentially arduous demands in the future that he couldn’t fulfill.
The group formally parted ways. Ning Zhuo left Vinebrace Cliff and returned to his temporary cave mansion.
He released Chef, Qing Chi, and Sun Lingtong from the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon, first letting them examine the unexpectedly obtained magic treasure together.
Observing the Treasure Shuttle, it’s three inches and seven tenths long, with green jade as its core and flowing star sand inside. The shuttle’s body has cloud and water patterns engraved in the shadows, and both ends are inlaid with Chi Wen’s eyes, capable of emitting a greenish-white glow.
The handle is wrapped in dark blue vine skin, and the tail is adorned with Five Elements Breaking Forbidden Silk Ribbon.
Qing Chi looked at it out of curiosity, while Chef and Sun Lingtong confirmed there were no issues after inspection.
Sun Lingtong took a liking to the Treasure Shuttle at first sight, her small hand constantly caressing its body: "I’ve always wanted to buy such a treasure to enhance my theft techniques. This Treasure Shuttle is far more exquisite than those sold in the market, truly worthy of being a product of the Shen family from Nine Palace Immortal City."
Ning Zhuo smiled slightly: "Boss, if you want it, I’ll give it to you."
Sun Lingtong didn’t bother with formalities and barely acknowledged with a grunt as a response instead of thanks.
The two communicated through Divine Sense, not revealing their true relationship in front of Qing Chi and Chef.
In Qing Chi and Chef’s eyes, Ning Zhuo is a young noble from a great family, while Sun Lingtong is a little squire by his side.
But of course, neither dared to underestimate Sun Lingtong.
Previously, it was Sun Lingtong who, disguised as several Foundation Establishment Cultivators, easily defeated Yu Heye’s Foundation Establishment subordinates in the Martial Arts Hall.
Sun Lingtong’s cultivation level is comparable to Shen Xi’s, at the Foundation Establishment Peak. She once wanted to form a core in White Paper Immortal City, but got delayed due to the matter with Lord of Wangchuan.
After their Divine Sense communication, Ning Zhuo immediately ordered Chef and Sun Lingtong to move into Vinebrace Cliff.
The primary task was for Sun Lingtong to refine the Array Gap Traveling Shuttle, exploring the teleportation array hidden in the mountains actively. Chef was to assist him.
As for Qing Chi, due to his memory loss, Ning Zhuo still kept him close for care.
Sun Lingtong and Chef followed their orders promptly.
Ning Zhuo then produced the jade slip Shen Xi had provided and let everyone study it together.
Chef had little knowledge of the Array Dao, stated he would actively follow Sun Lingtong’s arrangements and instructions after reading it once over.
Sun Lingtong, however, was engrossed.
His understanding of Array Dao surpassed Ning Zhuo’s!
Ning Zhuo only solidified the basics of Array Dao, while Sun Lingtong perused various literature and had rich practical experience.
"Little Zhuo, we’re quite lucky. If we had gone solo, we might have failed and exposed ourselves; the arrays here are quite complex!" Sun Lingtong transmitted through Divine Sense, filled with gratitude.
Ning Zhuo agreed, mulling over: "My mother being able to arrange a teleportation array isn’t easy. There’s a high possibility she knew about the two mountain protection arrays at Vinebrace Cliff and Yunmo Peak, and was aware of the arrangement of Xie Hall’s Nine Palace Formation too. Otherwise, recklessly setting up a teleportation array would easily conflict with these three formations."
Ning Zhuo was not speculating groundlessly.
Back in White Paper Immortal City, he personally witnessed in the Paperman Giant Statue the awe-inspiring scene of Buddhist Doctor Meng Yaoyin repairing the formation within the statue.
At that moment, he was deeply impressed by his mother’s unfathomable proficiency in Array Dao!
Sun Lingtong nodded, a glint of confidence flashing in his eyes: "I think the same. Thus, by deducing these three formations, we can calculate the possible location."
"I think we’ll soon find the teleportation array in the mountain!"
Ning Zhuo was equally confident: "Naturally."
"Don’t forget, we disrupted Lord of Wangchuan’s century-old scheme, which was meritorious to Yangtian."
"Now, we’re under the favor of heaven."
"If not, we wouldn’t have conveniently received a pillow when drowsy — Shen Xi appropriately gave us this jade slip."
Sun Lingtong nodded: "If not for the Myriad Images Sect possessing a Spiritual Treasure suppressing destiny, the benefits we’d be receiving would be more exceptional."
"I truly wish to have a lineage of Qi Fortune divination."
"Hey, Little Zhuo, Aunt is adept at divination. Might she have a lineage of divination in her cave mansion?"
Ning Zhuo’s eyes also gleamed with expectation: "If there is, that would be wonderful!"
After the battle with Lord of Wangchuan, Sun Ning and his brother’s understanding of lifespan and luck was profound. They both desired a lineage of divination.
Sun Lingtong and Chef smoothly entered their respective cave mansions.
The former greatest hindrance, Yu Heye, had become their greatest aid.
Sun Lingtong, using the Earth Escape Technique, embedded himself into the mountain body.
He maneuvered through the mountain as if swimming, but still encountered obstacles.
In the depths of the rock, numerous vine roots were interwoven like winding pythons. These roots continually emitted Wood Spirit Qi, making the Earth Escape Technique difficult to traverse.
Sun Lingtong was not surprised, being aware of this beforehand.
He maneuvered continuously, seeking passage.
He couldn’t act carelessly — cutting these roots might trigger the counterattack from the Thousand Vine Drinking Cloud Formation.
In this context, the Array Gap Traveling Shuttle was invaluable. Simply the Five Elements Breaking Forbidden Silk Ribbon alone enabled Sun Lingtong to break through the vine barriers.
The Treasure Shuttle could penetrate the gaps between the great arrays and let Sun Lingtong slip in.
With his childlike, petite frame, Sun Lingtong was perfectly suited for such exploration.
"Found the teleportation array." Shortly after, Sun Lingtong discovered a stone chamber within the mountain.
The stone chamber wasn’t large, housing just a teleportation array.
Marks on the walls indicated Meng Yaoyin’s identity, recognizable only by Ning Zhuo.
"Little Zhuo, I’ll go in first to explore." After communicating with Ning Zhuo, Sun Lingtong activated the teleportation array directly.
The next moment, he entered Shuyu Pavilion.