Chapter 409: Six Caves Sect

The first to leave was not Ning Zhuo, but Ning Jiufan.

“Ancestor.” Ning Zhuo saluted. “On this return to the city, we must exercise greater caution and not take things lightly.”

“The cultivation method granted by the royal family this time may be precious, but it has not been clearly verified. It would be best not to let Granny Yuan rashly cultivate it.”

“As for the struggle over the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Essence, it will be full of dangers and battles. If cultivation is done improperly and causes disorder, it may delay important matters.”

“Our family’s means of restraining Granny Yuan already relied on bureaucratic arts derived from the royal court. If the demonic cultivation method also comes from the Zhu family, it may not be appropriate.”

“Therefore, I, Zhuo, boldly advise that the safest course now is to delay cultivation, wait until the situation stabilizes somewhat, and only then make a decision. That would be the wisest strategy.”

Ning Jiufan listened attentively and silently nodded.

He had already experienced Ning Zhuo’s temperament and methods back in Huoshi Immortal City.

At that time, Ning Zhuo, though only at Qi Refining, had schemed and prepared for over ten years, playing the Nascent Soul expert Meng Kui completely in his hands, while constantly maneuvering between the Ning Family, Zheng Family, Zhou Family, the Zhu Royal Family, and the City Lord’s Mansion, borrowing influence again and again. Every time Ning Jiufan thought of this, he was full of admiration. If he had been in Ning Zhuo’s place, he would never have done so brilliantly.

And now, coming to the Myriad Medicines Sect, what he saw and heard made him value Ning Zhuo even more!

At present, Ning Zhuo’s realm in the Five Elements far surpassed Ning Jiufan, the family’s ancestor.

He possessed mysterious immortal talent, gained the favor and recognition of the Five Elements Divine Lord, and even received the latter’s direct transmission of the Divine Spirit Art of the Five Viscera Temple.

Once again, Ning Zhuo had displayed his outstanding social finesse within the Myriad Medicines Sect. His relationship with Lin Shanshan was unclear, yet he still managed to get along harmoniously with Linghu Jiu.

Not to mention, beside Ning Zhuo there was Hua Guzi, who was nearly infatuated with him.

On this point, Ning Jiufan felt deep admiration in his heart. For he himself felt exhausted when dealing with Granny Yuan every day, always having to give his all. Yet Ning Zhuo seemed to handle such difficulties with ease, as if it were second nature.

Ning Jiufan earnestly listened to Ning Zhuo’s advice.

That Ning Zhuo was concerned for the situation in Huoshi Immortal City gladdened Ning Jiufan, once again making him realize that Ning Zhuo truly cared for the family.

Regarding the alliance of the Ning, Zhu, and Zhou families, standing against the Meng Family and the struggles surrounding the Lava Immortal Palace, Ning Zhuo still believed that the Taiqing Palace remained a force that could not be ignored.

Ning Jiufan handed Ning Zhuo a jade slip. “This intelligence was delivered just yesterday through the Courier Station.”

“According to your suggestion, I sent envoys to the Taiqing Palace seeking cooperation, but they were refused.”

“As you foresaw, after absorbing members of the Zheng Family, the Taiqing Palace has gained partial control of the Immortal Palace’s positions and harbors many thoughts about it, though they have not yet acted.”

“They have won over the Zheng Family cultivators, thus showing our Ning Family no courtesy.”

The reason was simple. The branch family under Ning Zhuo had occupied the Zheng Family’s original ancestral land. The Zheng cultivators resented this deeply and told the envoys directly: if cooperation was desired, they must first return the ancestral land.

This was, of course, impossible!

The ancestral land was of enormous value and the very foundation of the branch family’s existence. At present, one of the branch’s greatest sources of income came from processing Jade Tempered Mysterious Steel. This was thanks to the many refining workshops within the Zheng ancestral land, which could harness the endless earthfire of Mount Huoshi. Some workshops were even of higher quality than those of the City Lord’s Mansion.

Ning Zhuo frowned as he poured his spiritual sense into the jade slip. After reading, his brow eased slightly.

The jade slip detailed more: not only had the Ning Family sent envoys, but the Meng and Zhu Families also had envoys negotiating with the Taiqing Palace.

Compared to the Meng and Zhu Families, the Ning Family was insignificant. No wonder they were ignored.

Heroes across the world were as numerous as carp crossing the river! Clearly, Ning Zhuo was far from the only one who understood the situation.

Other forces too had realized that the remnants of the Zheng Family within the Taiqing Palace were a power not to be underestimated.

“According to the Zheng Family’s stance, they may well ally with the Meng Family against us. But in truth, what matters is the Taiqing Palace’s position.”

“Given their geographical location, their territory does not border the Meng Family’s. From this perspective, it is far more likely they would accept the Zhu Royal Family’s overtures.”

“Ah, let us hope the Zhu Royal Family succeeds.”

Before leaving, Ning Jiufan gave more instructions to Ning Zhuo.

On one hand, he encouraged Ning Zhuo, saying that his conduct in the Myriad Medicines Valley was correct—he must strengthen his own power as much as possible. Mechanical creations were never as quick and responsive as one’s own body in moments of life and death.

There was a saying: a thread of life remains. Sometimes, survival depended on the narrowest of margins.

On the other hand, he warned Ning Zhuo that the world was treacherous. Sects like the Myriad Medicines Sect were unique, but he must not underestimate the dangers ahead. In traveling the world, he must always remain cautious, ever mindful of others’ ill intentions.

“Your next destination is the Thousand Peaks Forest in the Liangzhu Kingdom. The Six Caves Sect entrenched there once had close ties with our Ning Family and much trade with us.”

“But more than ten years ago, when our family migrated, we had hoped to rely on the Six Caves Sect. Instead, they betrayed us, colluding with our enemies and laying ambushes and traps.”

“At that time, when our family left the North Wind Country and entered Liangzhu, we were weary and thought ourselves safe. We relaxed greatly.”

“Yet the betrayal of the Six Caves Sect nearly destroyed us.”

“But Heaven did not abandon us. In that critical moment of life and death, our family burrowed underground, and through countless twisting tunnels, we barely found an escape route.”

“In the end, we followed an underground river, left the Liangzhu Kingdom, avoided the enemies’ barriers and traps, and arrived in the Southern Dou Country, within the Myriad Medicines Valley.”

“Because of the Six Caves Sect, our family lived in constant fear. But within the valley, we were received warmly by Lin Bufan.”

“This Sect Master Lin had no prior dealings with us, yet showed such magnanimity and generosity. For this, all of us, myself included, have long held him in gratitude.”

“Even though we have now learned the truth of those events, Sect Master Lin Bufan’s care for our clan was real. That sense of gratitude and obligation still remains.”

At this, Ning Jiufan’s face grew solemn. “Xiao Zhuo, if you encounter the Six Caves Sect in the Liangzhu Kingdom, you may act as you see fit.”

Ning Zhuo immediately caught the hidden meaning in his words. He nodded. “Ancestor, I understand!”

“The Six Caves Sect is our Ning Family’s enemy. If the chance arises, I will certainly make them pay.”

“Good, good, good.” Ning Jiufan stroked his beard and laughed. “I trust in your means and ability.”

“But remember, a gentleman’s revenge may wait ten years, and a genius’s revenge may wait a hundred. You have immortal talent, the future is yours, and the Ning Family will rely on you. Do not let small matters cost you greatly. Your own safety comes first.”

“Ancestor, I understand.” Ning Zhuo smiled.

The Six Caves Sect had already been his target.

For when the Ning Family had fled back then, many clansmen had perished at the hands of the Six Caves Sect, and much property had fallen into their possession.

Even the mechanical carriage that Meng Yaoyin once rode while pregnant with Ning Zhuo was one of those spoils.

In fact, as Meng Yaoyin had once said, she had suffered miscarriage pains at that very time in the Thousand Peaks Forest.

Ning Jiufan needed to return first—partly to prepare and make arrangements for receiving Lin Bufan and the others, and partly to visit Jade Steel Mountain along the way, showing his support for the Ning Family branch stationed there.

With his Golden Core cultivation, his presence would greatly strengthen the Ning Family’s position on Jade Steel Mountain.

Ning Zhuo thus asked Ning Jiufan to take Hanzhou with him, leaving him on Jade Steel Mountain.

Before parting, Ning Zhuo had made various arrangements.

Hua Guzi remained in the Myriad Medicines Valley to coordinate with Ning Yong and the other clansmen arriving soon—her main tasks being to safeguard the Lingyin Willow, maintain close contact with the Myriad Medicines Sect, and manage trade between both sides.

After discussions with Hanzhou, Ning Zhuo agreed for Hanzhou to teach the Bitter Cold Sutra to the family branch, luring him to Jade Steel Mountain to pass on the technique.

Hanzhou was powerful, and the Bitter Cold Sutra was highly useful to the Ning branch family.

“Our branch has just been established. Though business is growing, everything is scarce.”

“The treatment of many collateral descendants has become fair, and their zeal for cultivation has been stirred to an unprecedented height.”

“What we lack is cultivation resources.”

In such circumstances, the Bitter Cold Sutra was an answer to their dilemma.

Its cultivation required little cost but yielded high returns. Moreover, the Ning clansmen on Jade Steel Mountain were mostly miners accustomed to hardship.

This was a great advantage for practicing the Bitter Cold Sutra.

“This cooperation will surely be a win-win!” Ning Zhuo was confident.

As for the family’s techniques, Ning Zhuo also had his own ideas.

Having already mastered the Divine Spirit Art of the Five Viscera Temple and possessing profound Five Elements attainments, he was fully capable of improving it, adapting it better to the present.

The improved version, he planned to grant in stages to those close to him.

For example, Ning Yong, who was stationed at the Myriad Medicines Sect, was willing to switch to this cultivation method.

A day later, Ning Zhuo secretly set out on his journey.

As for parting with Linghu Jiu and Lin Shanshan, little need be said.

Zhu Xuanji also gave him instructions.

Ning Zhuo thanked Zhu Xuanji for his aid, and Zhu Xuanji warned him: “Since you are heading to the Liangzhu Kingdom, you must be careful. Things are not peaceful there.”

“The Liangzhu Kingdom is mobilizing troops, already showing signs of massing an army, under the pretext of breaking mountain strongholds and temples, aiming to wipe out the Thousand Peaks Forest.”

Ning Zhuo immediately sensed Zhu Xuanji’s words held more, so he asked directly.

Zhu Xuanji sighed, gazing into the distant sky, and spoke of national affairs.

It turned out that the Liangzhu Kingdom had small territory and weak power, wedged between the Southern Dou and North Wind Countries, long serving as a buffer in their rivalry.

Because its king possessed only Deity Transformation cultivation, both Southern Dou and North Wind exerted great influence over it.

“In the north of Liangzhu, many forces receive secret support from the North Wind Country, thus exerting indirect influence on the court.”

“And in its southernmost region lies the Thousand Peaks Forest. It has always been filled with countless factions, fragmented and chaotic. This is exactly the situation our country desires.”