Chapter 1384: Chapter 548: Borrowing the Treasure Again (2)
Of course, this is not some kind of sinister scheme. It was clearly explained that it is extremely difficult for individual entities to repair the Nanming Fire Furnace. Most factions would need to invest massive resources, yet find it daunting.
So, this is an open conspiracy.
The Righteous Path is playing just this—striking at the opportune moment, clearly showing their intentions, with everything laid out plainly for play.
"Someone like Jiang Ping or Shen Hongyao as the main team doesn’t even need to be mentioned, they’re definitely receiving strong support from Danxia Peak and the Alchemy Room."
"From the first round, Hundred Herbs Elder has been advancing and retreating together with the Medicine Farmers from Hundred Herbs Peak, and he’s already half one of the people of Hundred Herbs Peak. I’ve sparred with him, and I’m not yet better than him in alchemy."
"I still haven’t joined any faction, or else I wouldn’t have my current troubles."
Actually, Ning Zhuo can announce now to become a member of the Confucian Cultivator Group.
But this faction, developed for so many years, remains at such a scale, which is clearly a marginal force within the Myriad Images Sect. Ning Zhuo himself is not a Confucian Cultivator, joining it would make his position awkward. Apart from that, if Ning Zhuo wants to maintain his interests in the White Paper Immortal City, he must at least join one of the Eight Peaks and Sixteen Halls, or rely on extremely few sect powerhouses.
The Evil Slaying Hall is still the current first choice.
But Ning Zhuo is worried about Zhong Dao and the position of the Evil Slaying Hall itself within the Myriad Images Sect, too abrupt, having offended too many people, and having poor external relations.
Moreover, there’s a hidden concern, which is Hall Master Zhong Dao’s personality. His intolerant attitude towards evil makes it difficult for Ning Zhuo, who is part-time Deputy City Lord of the White Paper Immortal City, to maintain a good relationship in the future.
"If I want to join the Myriad Images Sect, I need to obtain a better position."
"The faction doesn’t necessarily need to be stronger than Evil Slaying Hall, nor even higher ranking, but it needs to have more space and leeway politically, allowing me freedom to maneuver."
Ning Zhuo suddenly had an idea: "What about the Ten Thousand Beasts Peak?"
He then immediately shook his head.
Tuoba Huang, though presented big gifts and invited Ning Zhuo publicly, is actually not familiar with Ning Zhuo at all. Furthermore, according to Ning Zhuo’s subsequent inquiries, Tuoba Huang is quite arrogant and has offended many people as well.
Choosing Ten Thousand Beasts Peak is no better than choosing Evil Slaying Hall.
"Should I seek that lifelong friend of my mother?"
Ning Zhuo shook his head again.
He remembers clearly how Meng Yaoyin had explained to him at the time—"She is a dear friend of your mother, you may try to trust."
The word "try" is very subtle, and Ning Zhuo had long understood.
When people die, the light goes out and friendships fade. This is the norm. Human nature cannot withstand a test, nor is it necessary to test it.
Coming to Myriad Images Sect’s Main Mountain Gate, Ning Zhuo never considered leveraging this relationship. Another reason being: once Wen Ruanyu’s report comes out, Meng Yaoyin’s information will be re-investigated by the sect. Her lifelong friends will inevitably be under scrutiny as well.
Ning Zhuo intentionally getting close would easily expose his identity.
The facts now prove that Ning Zhuo’s conservative choice in this matter is very wise.
Relying solely on the investigation from Myriad Images Sect, they’ve yet to verify his true identity. This allows him to remain in the shadows, holding many advantages.
"At such a critical juncture, seeking her would be akin to offering handles to be manipulated."
"This would be very detrimental to future relationship management, making me extremely passive."
As he pondered this, Ning Zhuo sensed a slight abnormal vibration from his Storage Waist Belt.
He probed with his Divine Sense and discovered that the movement was from the Divine Statue.
Through the Divine Statue, Zhu Fenxiang quietly conveyed crucial information to Ning Zhuo—she representing the Zhu Family invited Ning Zhuo for another collaboration. Its purpose was akin to that of the Commerce Hall.
Upon seeing this information, Ning Zhuo’s face immediately turned dark as water, growing somewhat anxious.
"I can’t delay any longer!"
Delaying any further would invite more faction envoys to visit. Every refusal by Ning Zhuo makes him offend people.
A master typically plans three steps ahead, and Ning Zhuo has foreseen future losses and crises.
He knows he must make a decision quickly.
He suddenly retrieved a Jade Slip and examined it carefully.
The Jade Slip contained a list, including almost all cultivators participating in the third round of Nanming Fire Furnace’s small trial.
He scanned it three times with his Divine Sense, and called Gongsun Yan: "You should go to Evil Slaying Hall, seek an audience with Hall Master Zhong Dao, in my name, to borrow the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival!"
Gongsun Yan heard this and his face immediately showed difficulty: "Young Master, I am of low status, and it is night, how can I possibly succeed in seeking an audience with Lord Zhong Dao?"
Gongsun Yan was well aware of his own status.
In fact, even if Ning Zhuo himself sought audience, he might not be received.
For instance, a great figure like Zhong Dao is not someone you can meet whenever you wish.
But Ning Zhuo shook his head: "Just go. Remember, I only borrow the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival."
Gongsun Yan took his leave.
Ning Zhuo resumed his pacing, still not entirely reassured, and he glanced up at Sun Lingtong: "Boss..."
Sun Lingtong chuckled and interrupted: "I know, I’ll secretly follow and guard him all the way."
Gongsun Yan had long pledged his loyalty to Ning Zhuo, even if the task is immensely challenging, and he has no confidence in success, he would brace himself to attempt it, not wanting to let Ning Zhuo down.
He arrived at the grand hall of the Evil Slaying Hall, and upon stating his request at the entrance, the guards chuckled: "So it’s Young Master Ning Zhuo wanting to borrow the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival?"
"It’s possible."
"Lord Zhong Dao has long given instructions. Please wait a moment."
Through Divine Sense Transmission, it was not long before an envoy arrived with the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival to Gongsun Yan.
Receiving the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival, Gongsun Yan felt like he was dreaming.
He soon heard the envoy ask: "Does Young Master Ning Zhuo have anything else to borrow? Lord Zhong Dao has given orders, anything in the Evil Slaying Hall’s treasury can be loaned out to help the young master accomplish tasks."
Gongsun Yan recalled Ning Zhuo’s instructions to borrow only the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival. He decisively shook his head: "My master only wishes to borrow the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival."
The envoy smiled kindly: "Very well. In the future, if you have other needs, feel free to borrow."
Thus, Gongsun Yan effortlessly completed the task.
On the way back, he realized: "It seems Young Master and Lord Zhong Dao had already reached an understanding. I was merely an envoy. I worried for nothing, Young Master has his methods, how could he put his subordinates in such a difficult position?"
Bluestone Cave Mansion.
"Really borrowed it!" Ning Zhuo’s heart shook slightly.
Using the Life Hanging Divine Power, he observed the entire process through Sun Lingtong and heard the dialogue between the envoy and Gongsun Yan.
Hall Master Zhong Dao of the Evil Slaying Hall was willing to assist, as Ning Zhuo had anticipated.
Especially after Ning Zhuo scrutinized the third round’s list and found no obvious personnel from the Evil Slaying Hall, he suspected that due to the Cloud Prison turmoil, the Evil Slaying Hall hadn’t time to spare, and it was already too late to intervene in the Nanming Pill Furnace’s trial.
However, what surprised Ning Zhuo was that Zhong Dao had anticipated Ning Zhuo’s actions and had arranged the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival in advance.
This made Ning Zhuo feel solemn, indicating that his knowledge of the Righteous Path had been overshadowed by Zhong Dao.
Especially with Zhong Dao lending out just the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival, and the envoy’s words further shocked Ning Zhuo—Zhong Dao’s assessment of him was astonishingly accurate!
Experience truly has its advantages.
"Alas."
"Seems like I’ve owed Zhong Dao a considerable favor this time."
Gongsun Yan rushed back to Bluestone Cave Mansion.
Chef was already waiting at the entrance: "Young Master instructed, hang the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival above the cave mansion door."
Gongsun Yan let out a sound, increasingly confirming his previous assumptions: "Indeed, everything is within Young Master’s plans!"
At that moment, his admiration for Ning Zhuo deepened.
Shortly after the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival was hung up, an envoy visited in the night.
"Ah, this is?!" He recognized the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival, his heart jolting, naturally assuming, "I see! Ning Zhuo has garnered strong support from the Evil Slaying Hall. He is highly valued by Zhong Dao, this situation is no surprise. Forget it, forget it."
The envoy retreated sensibly.
Several subsequent envoys reacted similarly.
Only one lingered around Bluestone Cave Mansion.
For his purpose differed.
"Though Qin De is dead, the outcome remains. Previous divinations directed towards the Nanming Fire Furnace’s trial. Now only a few dozen remain, I can approach to divine if any among them possesses some key!"
The person was Xiao Juxia.
From Xiao Juxia’s perspective, it was best to divine each individual one-by-one. Therefore, starting with the least cultivated group would be wise.
Simultaneously, inside Bluestone Cave Mansion, Ning Zhuo abruptly lowered his head, his gaze like lightning fixing on his finger.
The Mechanical Ring on his finger suddenly contracted with all its might, squeezing his finger with excruciating pain!
