Chapter 410: Does Ning Zhuo Possess a King’s Mandate?

Zhu Xuanji did not say much, but Ning Zhuo had already discerned it—Southern Dou also had a hand in placing a heavy stake upon Qianfeng Forest.

Ning Zhuo calculated inwardly: “The implication behind these words… is that I am to lend aid to Qianfeng Forest.”

“But the Six Caves Sect is itself a sect within Qianfeng Forest. Could it be that they too once received secret support from the Southern Dou royal house?”

His family’s ancestor, Ning Jiufan, had instructed him—depending on the situation, he was to give the Six Caves Sect a taste of his colors.

Yet on Zhu Xuanji’s side, his suggestion, though veiled, was for Ning Zhuo to aid the forces within Qianfeng Forest.

The intentions of both sides seemed to conflict, which made Ning Zhuo feel a trace of unease.

After a moment’s thought, Ning Zhuo nodded to Zhu Xuanji, expressing that he would act as circumstances demanded. If the opportunity arose, he would lend a hand.

Ning Zhuo then requested Zhu Xuanji’s assistance for the Ning Family in seizing the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Essence.

“Lord Detective, the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Essence carries immense significance for me.”

“The Puppet Dragon consumes immense mana and is driven by a Nascent Soul. If I could obtain the Fire Essence, it would greatly ease this burden.”

Zhu Xuanji shook his head directly, indicating that he was powerless to help.

“Back when we negotiated within the Radiant Reflection Wall, Senior Shen already made it clear—the royal house cannot casually meddle in the internal affairs of Huoshi Immortal City.”

“After all, Meng Kui is the current Lord of Huoshi Immortal City. Unless there are legitimate grounds, to interfere in the city’s internal affairs without cause would be no different than my Zhu Family’s royal house encroaching upon the Meng Family’s interests. Such a move would gravely undermine the tacit understandings within our dynasty’s court, cause the royal house to lose popular support, and invite the suspicion and even opposition of the other great ministers.”

This loss, though intangible, was of enormous magnitude—anyone with a shred of political acumen could see it!

Just like Linghu Jiu, who once sacrificed his own Comprehension Diagrams of Fire and Metal to compensate Ning Zhuo, all to preserve the reputation of the Myriad Medicines Sect.

Such prestige and reputation may seem intangible, but in truth, they weigh upon people’s hearts, influencing the choices of countless talents and powers.

When accumulated, these decisions snowball into an overwhelming force, exerting unimaginable influence upon reality itself!

“It is precisely because of this that my Zhu Family so heavily supports your Ning Family and the Zhou Family.” Zhu Xuanji shook his head again, making it clear the royal house would not interfere lightly.

This concern of the royal house was also reflected in their cooperation this time.

On the surface, the alliance included only the Ning Family and the Myriad Medicines Sect—nothing of the royal house. But in reality, the Zhu Family played a critical role, providing guarantees for the Ning Family and the Myriad Medicines Sect, and serving as the most formidable external supervisory power.

It must be said, Ning Zhuo’s move to involve the Zhu Family was an exquisitely brilliant one!

Seeing his final attempt fail, Ning Zhuo shifted the request. “If I can secure the Fire Essence within Mount Huoshi, that would naturally be best.”

“If not, might I purchase it from the royal house?”

Zhu Xuanji chuckled and pointed at Ning Zhuo. “Brat, so this was your real intention, wasn’t it?”

Having spent time with Ning Zhuo, he had already come to understand many of his social tactics.

Zhu Xuanji nodded slightly. “Indeed, in our clan’s treasury, there is some Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Essence. But their spirituality is far inferior to that one within Mount Huoshi.”

All the relevant intelligence had been reviewed by everyone.

Zhu Xuanji continued, “You of all people should understand how crucial spirituality is—you possess the Fire Burial Prajna Spirit-Resolving Sutra.”

“Without sufficient spirituality, the Fire Essence’s process of self-restoration and replenishment becomes far slower.”

“Thus, your best option remains to seize the one within the mountain. Since you possess the Wanli Dragon, why not, at the decisive moment, return to your clan and lend them a hand?”

On this matter, Ning Zhuo had already thought long and hard.

He shook his head decisively. “Lord Detective, you already know my true purpose in traveling the world.”

“It is to restore the spirituality of my mother’s mechanism and heal her injuries!”

“The Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Essence is not an absolute necessity for me. The most urgent matter is to replenish my mother’s spirituality as swiftly as possible.”

“As for everything else, it must wait.”

Zhu Xuanji nodded.

Back in the Lava Immortal Palace, when he used the Celestial Golden Eyes paired with the Trace Back Art, he had witnessed Meng Yaoyin’s two occasions of using the golden furnace.

At the final critical moment of that struggle within the Lava Immortal Palace, he was present, personally witnessing how the Buddha Heart Demon Seal had “on its own” leapt into Ning Zhuo’s embrace, how Ning Zhuo set the throne ablaze to restore his mother’s spirituality, and finally, that clever move of inviting Meng Kui to serve as the palace’s master!

It could be said that he was the one who knew Ning Zhuo’s secrets best—even more so than Ning Jiufan.

Zhu Xuanji smiled faintly. “So, you intend to burn the Fetal Breath Spirit Vessel, do you?”

Ning Zhuo nodded, openly admitting it.

For the Detective, such a matter was simple to deduce.

After all, his mother’s use of the Fetal Breath Spirit Vessel for nurturing was something that could easily be confirmed through the sect records of the Myriad Medicines Sect.

The Spirit Vessel was a sect’s heirloom treasure, blessing all within. Its applications were always carefully planned and recorded.

Zhu Xuanji had already suspected Ning Zhuo’s true purpose when he proposed borrowing the Spirit Vessel in the alliance treaty. He had even subtly aided Ning Zhuo by blocking certain restrictive clauses when the alliance terms were being drafted.

Lin Bufan had originally wanted to add stipulations ensuring the safety of the Spirit Vessel, prohibiting intentional damage or loss, with strict penalties in case of mishap.

But Zhu Xuanji blocked them, arguing that compared to the Radiant Reflection Wall, the Spirit Vessel and Lingyin Willow were mere trifles. Surely, no one would willingly destroy them.

He further reasoned that such clauses offered little true protection and, if the treasure were destroyed by an enemy, the penalties might only breed internal discord within the alliance.

Lin Bufan had never imagined that Ning Zhuo was “mad enough” to have coveted the destruction of the Spirit Vessel long before even arriving at the Myriad Medicines Sect!

Nor did he know of Meng Yaoyin’s grave injuries, or that Ning Zhuo commanded the Fire Burial Prajna Spirit-Resolving Sutra.

Thus, persuaded by Zhu Xuanji’s reasoning, Lin Bufan agreed.

Because of this, Ning Zhuo’s plan to burn the Spirit Vessel now faced no obstacles from the alliance, granting him enormous convenience.

Ning Zhuo was quick-witted—he had realized back then that Zhu Xuanji was secretly aiding him.

At this moment, he bowed deeply: “Many thanks, Lord Detective, for your hidden aid. I am profoundly grateful and will forever remember this kindness, repaying it one day!”

Zhu Xuanji sidestepped. “No need for formalities, and no need to make promises. Do you know that such things affect fate?”

“We speak of the Mouth Imprint, the Heart Imprint, and the Body Imprint aiding in spellcasting. But their deeper meaning is greater still.”

“Every word we utter is a Mouth Imprint. Every decision or thought we hold is a Heart Imprint. Every action we take is a Body Imprint.”

“These imprints shape us, altering the course of our destiny.”

“I will not accept your bow, nor do I wish for repayment. I merely see your toil—shouldering the burden of saving your mother alone—and your filial devotion, and felt the urge to help.”

“But though your strength is not inconsiderable, and your mastery of the Five Elements already surpasses mine, this journey may not end as you wish.”

“Have you considered this?”

Ning Zhuo fell into silence.

Of course he had considered it, but he could not accept the consequences of failure.

Seeing the big-headed youth fall silent, Zhu Xuanji frowned slightly. “Eight or nine times out of ten, life fails to go our way. If not, the phrase ‘as you wish’ would not even be considered auspicious.”

Ning Zhuo clenched his teeth. “I only know that I will give everything!”

Zhu Xuanji sighed, waved his hand, and said only: “Go then.”

Ning Zhuo bowed once more and stepped into the Wanli Dragon, departing the Myriad Medicines Valley.

As though sensing it, Linghu Jiu, fighting within the Radiant Reflection Wall, faltered briefly—allowing the demon beast to press him back.

Inside her chambers.

Xiao Ju looked at Lin Shanshan pacing the room. “Miss, Young Master Ning Zhuo is about to depart. Will you truly not see him off?”

Lin Shanshan had been wavering, but with this reminder, she steeled her resolve.

“Forget it, I won’t go!”

She sat upon a round stool, staring at the Mist Orchid in the vase on the table, murmuring: “I’ve already said all I needed at the farewell banquet. It’s not as if I’ll never see him again.”

“That big-headed fool—so capable, even managed to kidnap me. With a talent surpassing even Senior Brother’s, his reputation will only grow brighter.”

“Besides, with the cooperation between our Myriad Medicines Sect and the Ning Family, and his promise to write me letters, there’s no need.”

Though her words were spoken to Xiao Ju, in truth she was also persuading herself.

“Miss…” Xiao Ju looked at Lin Shanshan with worry but did not press further.

Upon a mountain peak, Zhu Xuanji watched the Wanli Dragon vanish into the distance, the golden light in his eyes slowly fading.

Shen Lingshu drifted swiftly toward him.

Zhu Xuanji glanced at him. “Senior, now I finally understand why the King insisted I maintain contact with Ning Zhuo.”

“This child of calamity is near-demonic!”

“His fate burns with prosperity, his opportunities are uncanny beyond reason. If I had not seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed his mastery of the Five Elements had so far outstripped mine, nor that he had advanced so far in its arts.”

“My Zhu Family, ruling a nation, has also gained thanks to him.”

“The Radiant Reflection Wall… such a quasi-immortal artifact! It can nurture countless true talents for my Zhu Family!”

Zhu Xuanji, who once had wished to distance himself from Ning Zhuo as much as possible, now found the truth undeniable—it was simply too enticing!

He then asked: “Senior, what did this divination reveal?”

“Does Ning Zhuo’s talent bear the King’s Mandate?”

“Or… has he grasped the divine ability of Life Hanging by a Thread?”

The Southern Dou royal house had sent Shen Lingshu not merely to lend Zhu Xuanji support, but with a far more important mission—to probe Ning Zhuo and uncover his secrets!

The King’s Mandate came in many forms, but each was a peerless gift of heaven, an immortal-grade talent!

As for the divine ability Life Hanging by a Thread, such a great secret was known to Shen Lingshu as a member of the royal house.

If Ning Zhuo truly bore a King’s Mandate, the Zhu Family would have to be on guard, devising every means to drive the Ning Family away.

And if he had truly obtained the divine ability Life Hanging by a Thread, the royal house’s response would be even more extreme!

Thus, the true stance of the Southern Dou royal house toward Ning Zhuo now depended entirely on Shen Lingshu’s findings.