Chapter 400: Divination

Zhu Xuanji slowly set down his teacup, let out a long sigh, and said:

“Sect Master Lin, managing the Myriad Medicines Sect with such hardship and exhaustion is truly not easy.”

“As for past matters, better to let them drift away with the wind and keep moving forward. In today’s situation, elder brother, you should be broad-minded.”

“Within the four seas, all land belongs to the king. Since Sect Master is able to recognize the greater picture, the nation’s gratitude will of course be assured.”

Seeing this, Ning Zhuo stood up, stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said solemnly:

“Sect Master Lin’s lofty righteousness is truly admirable.”

“In the past, when the Ning Family was in dire straits, we were fortunate to receive the strong aid of the Myriad Medicines Sect, rescuing us from danger. The Ning Family will never forget it through the generations. This junior is grateful for the kindness, but unable to repay it. Today, having the fate to meet Sect Master, and again being cared for by Senior Sister Shanshan in many ways, I have nothing to repay it with. I only feel deep shame and have no face to show.”

“Today’s sudden trouble arose in a rush. By accident, I unearthed and mistakenly touched upon a great treasure, which unexpectedly caused a great upheaval. Sect Master was then forced to activate the Sect-Guarding Grand Formation, filling the air with killing intent. This junior fears he may not survive, which was never his wish, but truly helpless.”

Lin Shanshan’s expression immediately changed.

She looked at Ning Zhuo with a complex expression, overflowing with grievance.

Even though she was not worldly, she had been carefully nurtured by Lin Bufan and grew up by his side, deeply influenced by him.

Thus, although Ning Zhuo’s words sounded like an apology, the moment they left his mouth, Lin Shanshan knew that Ning Zhuo had stabbed a sharp blade straight into her father’s chest.

Lin Bufan kept a smile on his face, but coldly snorted in his heart:

“This brat’s tongue is sharp, just covering up for himself!”

“If it was all by accident, how could Zhu Xuanji happen to be here so coincidentally?”

On the surface, Lin Bufan laughed and offered some polite words, saying that only because Lin Shanshan had gone missing had he reacted so aggressively.

This was in fact turning black into white.

The truth was that Lin Bufan had first captured Ning Jiufan and activated the Sect-Guarding Grand Formation, which forced Ning Zhuo to kidnap Lin Shanshan.

Of course, Ning Zhuo would not allow Lin Bufan to smear the truth like that, and immediately argued back. Yet, on the surface, his words still sounded like a junior’s apology.

The two began a battle of words, at first entertaining to the audience.

Gradually, however, their verbal sparring seemed endless, going on without pause.

Zhu Xuanji grew impatient and raised his hand:

“Stop, both of you, stop!”

He said that arguing was pointless, and suggested they first go see the Radiant Reflection Wall.

Lin Bufan stroked his beard with a smile, agreeing while giving Ning Zhuo a “gentle” look, coldly snorting in his heart:

“Little fox!”

Ning Zhuo, face full of shame, agreed that Elder Brother Zhu’s lesson was right, yet the corner of his eye glanced at Lin Bufan, secretly thinking:

“Old fox!”

Turning back, he suddenly saw Lin Shanshan glaring at him.

Ning Zhuo smiled:

“Miss Lin…”

Lin Shanshan turned her head away:

“Lord Ning Zhuo, do not speak to me.”

Lin Bufan’s heart warmed slightly, and he then revealed some truth: the Radiant Reflection Wall was a spiritual treasure of extremely high grade. Even after repeated probing, he had never once seen the wall’s body. Just the few layers of formations outside had already stymied him.

“These formations themselves are not part of the Radiant Reflection Wall, but were cast together by the reflections of several formation sages.”

“When my sect migrated here, the Mountain God of Original Mountain had spent over a hundred years infiltrating it, yet only managed to penetrate the outer two layers, creating a secret passage that connects the underground cave with the residence.”

Lin Bufan gently advised everyone not to harbor too high expectations of this journey. He could never fully control this spiritual treasure. If things went wrong, it was not because he was unwilling to cooperate.

Ning Jiufan stroked his beard, face solemn:

“If it is as Sect Master Lin says, and the Reflection Wall contains the means of countless sages, then it is indeed formidable. If our venture angers the treasure into retaliation, we may all lose our lives.”

Zhu Xuanji nodded slightly. This was his worry too.

So, he turned to Shen Lingshu:

“We ask Senior Shen to divine for us before we proceed!”

Shen Lingshu nodded:

“This indeed is where I was ordered to assist you.”

Ning Zhuo immediately looked curiously at Shen Lingshu, thinking:

“Divination?”

Divination was one of the many arts of cultivation, one he had long admired. To see a cultivator who could perform it stirred his wonder.

“This Senior Shen not only has the cultivation of a Nascent Soul stage, but was also sent by the Southern Dou royal family. He must be highly skilled at divination.”

“When I get the chance, I must get close to him!”

Suddenly, Shen Lingshu’s heart jolted, feeling an ill omen.

His expression grew heavier as he thought:

“Before even acting, I already have a foreboding feeling… Could this mean the journey will be very unfavorable?”

He had only intended to use eighty percent of his strength, but now, disturbed by this omen, he resolved to go all out.

At once, he took from his storage belt his prized magical treasure—a set of Nascent Soul-grade divination rods.

Ning Zhuo’s eyes shone bright. It was his first time seeing a great cultivator of Nascent Soul rank perform divination before him.

Shen Lingshu’s gaze grew profound as he gently caressed the rods and said:

“Each of you has different fortunes, a mix of good and ill. I will calculate one by one, then combine them together to divine the fate of this journey.”

No one objected.

Shen Lingshu focused, first looking at Ning Jiufan. He reached out, grasped the air to capture Ning Jiufan’s aura, and cast it into the rods.

He tossed the rods.

They emitted mysterious light, floating in the air before halting.

Shen Lingshu read the result and said to Ning Jiufan:

“You have noble support and hidden blessings in your fate. Yet recently, your fortune has shifted, spurred by external forces, with entanglements of affection mixed in.”

Ning Jiufan’s face reddened slightly and he asked:

“I heard that forcibly changing fate may invite backlash. Is it…”

Shen Lingshu shook his head, reassuring:

“This was not your doing. Someone else cast the spell and bore the burden. You need not worry.”

He then turned to Ning Zhuo for divination.

Soon, his eyes grew cold as he said directly:

“Ning Zhuo, your fortune is steady, plain and ordinary. Yet within such stability lies hidden opportunity.”

Afterwards, he divined for Lin Shanshan:

“Lin Shanshan, your fate holds the energy of home. For now, you should not travel far. Outside lies frost and dew, but inside warmth remains. Only by staying within your hall can you nurture qi and strengthen your vitality.”

Lin Shanshan’s expression shifted slightly.

Then Shen Lingshu divined for Lin Bufan, his face solemn as he said deeply:

“Sect Master Lin, your fate is full of riches. Yet stillness brings unrest, while movement brings fortune. In the cycles of yin and yang, after long stillness, movement will come. If you do not move now, disaster cannot be avoided. Rise or fall, success or ruin, all depend on one thought. By moving to seek fortune, you may protect the foundation of the Myriad Medicines Sect, aligning with heaven’s will.”

The meaning was clear: sitting idly at home, disaster would still come.

This struck Lin Bufan deeply, and he cast a look at Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo: …

Finally, Shen Lingshu looked at Zhu Xuanji, cast the rods, and announced:

“Daoist Zhu, your fate is one of labor, though gifted with rare talent. Only through hardship can great achievement be attained. Labor shall bring merit, and in the future your grand cause will shine. Yet this journey will require much endurance. Success and failure hinge on small details. Behind fame, you must have great patience to not go against heaven’s way.”

After finishing each person’s divination, Shen Lingshu chanted a secret incantation, gathering power for a long while before casting the rods again.

The rods combined midair into various patterns, dazzling the others until their eyes blurred.

Ning Zhuo stared hard, but soon felt dizzy.

At last, Shen Lingshu gathered the rods, looked around, and said quietly:

“According to your fates, this journey hides peace within fortune. No danger, no peril, uneventful, with help to arrive. Yet the way of heaven shifts; gains may not match expectations. Only by broadening your hearts can you seize heaven and earth’s timing.”

All listened intently, holding their breath.

Ning Zhuo, full of respect, praised:

“Senior Shen’s divination is truly profound and insightful. This junior is in awe!”

Unexpectedly, Shen Lingshu coldly said:

“Ning Zhuo, know this—fate is fixed, heaven’s secrets cannot be spoken carelessly. From now on, do not approach me.”

Ning Zhuo: ???

Since divination had been completed and results obtained, they began their action.

Lin Bufan originally wanted Lin Shanshan to stay on Original Mountain, but she insisted on going, saying she must personally rescue Senior Brother Linghu Jiu. Lin Bufan thus let her.

He opened the secret mountain path.

It was the same one Ning Zhuo had used from the underground cave to enter Original Mountain.

He was now retracing his steps.

The group entered directly into the Formation within a Formation—a misty maze, white fog covering everything.

Lin Bufan waved his long sleeves, manipulating techniques. The white mist rolled and quickly thinned.

Just as a gateway faintly revealed itself, a slender figure walked through the fog, sword in hand.

It was Linghu Jiu.

“Master, honored guests, please wait a moment.” Linghu Jiu smiled freely, then suddenly pointed his sword at Ning Zhuo:

“Allow me to challenge one person first!”

“Ning Zhuo, how about a duel with me?”

“Brother Linghu, why do you say this?” Ning Zhuo’s face changed, confused. “The misunderstanding with your sect has already been resolved.”

But Linghu Jiu only smiled and shook his head.

Lin Bufan stroked his beard and suddenly said:

“No, you are not Jiu’er. You are only his projection.”

“Linghu Jiu” nodded calmly:

“My true body has been guided deeper. I remained here for one purpose.”

As he spoke, his eyes locked onto Ning Zhuo, his battle intent blazing.

Ning Zhuo still could not understand, insisting this could not be Linghu Jiu’s command—he would never treat him so.

Shen Lingshu suddenly said:

“So that’s it. This is what it means to be guided.”

“Ah?” Ning Zhuo exclaimed, feeling more and more that this diviner Shen Lingshu was against him.

Zhu Xuanji urged:

“Then hurry up. Ning Zhuo, fight him!”

Lin Shanshan pursed her lips in a smile:

“To suddenly see Senior Brother and Lord Ning Zhuo fight—even if it isn’t really Senior Brother, it is exciting.”

She was furious with Ning Zhuo and longed for “Linghu Jiu” to teach him a harsh lesson.

With Lin Shanshan’s stance, Lin Bufan’s feelings went without saying.

Ning Jiufan stroked his beard:

“Xiao Zhuo, then go fight! Show everyone the style of us northern men, the spirit of the Ning Family!”

Ning Zhuo gave a bitter smile. Ning Jiufan had confidence in him, but Ning Zhuo knew well that Linghu Jiu was extraordinary. Even the Divine Ability ‘Life Hanging by a Thread’ had been noticed by him. Such a man must have countless hidden depths!

“War brings peril…” Ning Zhuo still clung to hope of avoiding battle.

Just then, the voice of the Five Elements Divine Lord rang in everyone’s ears:

“Ning Zhuo brat, fight Linghu Jiu at once!”

“I made a bet with Lonely Brother.”

“If you lose, don’t bother coming in!”

Ning Zhuo: ?!