“Ning Zhuo treated with sincerity and honesty. Was I too excessive?”
As Han Zhou thought of this, he could not help but feel a surge of guilt.
Ning Zhuo returned to his own cave residence.
Sun Lingtong had already co back.
“Boss,” Ning Zhuo transmitted his voice softly.
Sun Lingtong nodded to him and transmitted back, “The source of this rumor has been traced. Xiao Zhuo, take a guess—who is stirring things behind the scenes, trying to harm you?”
Ning Zhuo sneered coldly, “This rumor ca too quickly, far too abruptly. It must be Lin Shanshan’s senior brothers targeting .”
“After all, boss, you also found out earlier that Lin Shanshan borrowed heavily and paid a great price to help set up the Spiritual Plant Cabin.”
“Those senior brothers cleared her debts for her, only for to benefit. Naturally, they don’t want to get close to Lin Shanshan. Hah, judging with a petty man’s heart, they seek to retaliate.”
Sun Lingtong clapped his hands, “Exactly! You guessed it again, hahaha!”
Ning Zhuo said, “Guessing this wasn’t difficult. There’s nothing to be proud of. The way they spread these rumors was crude—there are many areas they could have improved on.”
Sun Lingtong nodded, “Clearly the work of amateurs. They tried to detach themselves first, but in doing so left many clues.”
When it ca to spreading rumors, the pair of Sun and Ning were veterans. Compared to them, Lin Shanshan’s senior brothers were still too inexperienced.
Sun Lingtong looked at Ning Zhuo, eyes gleaming with anticipation. “I’ve collected all the related evidence. Once it’s thrown out, they’re going to have a hard ti, ahahaha!”
But Ning Zhuo shook his head, “This isn’t Huoshi Immortal City. We’re on their turf. I know a bit about Lin Bufan’s conduct, but not deeply.”
“To recklessly expose this evidence does us no good—it would only increase our risks.”
“Who knows whether Lin Bufan will cover for his disciples and strike us from the shadows?”
“After all, he raised those disciples himself. He’s like a father to them. The bond runs deep.”
A sharp light flashed through Ning Zhuo’s eyes. “Let’s keep this evidence for now. It may be critical in the future!”
“If I can persuade Ancestor Ning Jiufan, he might bring the demon ape to the Myriad dicines Sect. When that ti cos, we may be able to make a larger move.”
“A gentleman’s revenge is never too late, even after ten years.”
Ning Zhuo was skilled in enduring.
Back in Huoshi Immortal City, he endured and disguised himself for over a decade before finally making a na for himself in the Lava Immortal Palace.
Sun Lingtong nodded, “Little brother, we’ll do as you say.”
Ever since the Lava Immortal Palace incident, Sun Lingtong had co to understand Ning Zhuo better and had grown to admire his composure and far-sightedness.
Ning Zhuo deliberately chose not to act, allowing the unfavorable public opinion to continue fernting.
Voices questioning him grew louder.
Eventually, soone could no longer hold back and sent Ning Zhuo a challenge letter.
Ning Zhuo reacted quickly and accepted the private challenge, overwhelming his opponent with powerful wood-elent techniques.
Not long after, another person issued a challenge.
Once again, Ning Zhuo used wood-elent techniques to claim victory, and his prestige soared.
The stationed cultivators of Lesser Strife Peak gradually realized Ning Zhuo’s true strength. However, Lin Shanshan’s senior brothers continued their efforts, steering public opinion with a new narrative—
Ning Zhuo’s thods were singular; he had won every match using only wood-elent techniques. Thus, he only had three signature moves. If soone could disrupt his initial attack or endure the three moves, victory wouldn’t be far off!
This kind of reasoning stirred great curiosity among many cultivators.
Eventually, a cultivator ranked in the top ten for combat strength—Hua Guzi—was drawn into the matter!
This female cultivator had always acted flamboyantly. Even before submitting her challenge letter, she had already made a scene, gathering followers to pressure Ning Zhuo.
If Ning Zhuo refused the challenge, his reputation would surely plumt.
Challenges on Lesser Strife Peak followed a procedure. When many challengers targeted the sa cave residence, the Myriad dicines Sect would judge and assign a public challenge on the day of Lesser Strife.
Aside from this official date, cultivators could privately arrange duels.
Since Ning Zhuo entered the Myriad dicines Valley, the true Lesser Strife Days had only included his matches against Han Zhou and Chang Yan. The rest were private duels, though still open to public spectators.
Hua Guzi’s challenge was one of the latter.
Ning Zhuo did not turn anyone away and accepted the challenge on the spot.
Thus, a wave of great excitent swept across Lesser Strife Peak!
Ning Zhuo had recently risen to prominence as the most dazzling new cultivator, while Hua Guzi was a known top-ten combatant with a bold deanor.
Such a high-level clash was rare, even during official Lesser Strife Days.
Everyone speculated about who would win.
“Hua Guzi is an experienced powerhouse, at the late Foundation Establishnt stage. She holds a big advantage over Ning Zhuo.”
“Didn’t Chang Yan also have a cultivation advantage? Yet he was still crushed by Ning Zhuo’s three wood-elent strikes.”
“You can’t say that. Chang Yan specialized in earth-elent techniques, which Ning Zhuo countered deliberately. But Hua Guzi is also skilled in wood-elent techniques.”
“When it cos to initiating attacks, Hua Guzi’s aggressive combat style could prove highly threatening!”
Thus, many began discussing whether the outco of this battle would hinge on “who gains the upper hand at the beginning.”
Yuanshan.
Lin Bufan’s residence.
In her room, Lin Shanshan lay on the round table, looking extrely bored.
At the center of the table sat a vase containing a Mist Orchid.
“So much ti has passed... I wonder how Young Lord Ning Zhuo is doing?” Lin Shanshan gazed listlessly at the Mist Orchid, thinking of the youth in white.
“Young lady, it’s ti to eat.” Her personal maid entered, carrying a food box.
Though Lin Shanshan was served a fine lunch, she ate without tasting anything.
The maid, understanding her young mistress’s temperant well, wore a worried expression and advised, “Miss, you’ve grown much thinner lately. Why must you suffer so? You should try to think more positively.”
Lin Shanshan’s expression was blank, her gaze vacant. She had always been lively by nature, so confinent wore heavily on her spirits.
Unable to bear it, the maid blurted out, “I have the latest news about Young Lord Ning Zhuo!”
Lin Shanshan seed shocked, as if struck by lightning. She jolted up, eyes sparkling. “Speak quickly! Was he challenged again?”
“Heh, most of those stationed cultivators are no match for him. They’re all just chickens and dogs.”
The maid sighed, “But this opponent is different.”
“Now, all of Lesser Strife Peak is in an uproar. Everyone is watching this battle closely.”
Lin Shanshan’s expression shifted. “Who is it? Lai Wuying, or Zheng Xingchen?”
The maid shook her head, “It’s Hua Guzi.”
“It’s her, huh.” Lin Shanshan first let out a breath of relief, then frowned again. “Hua Guzi cultivates wood-elent techniques. She’s been imrsed in them longer than Young Lord Ning Zhuo. And her style is also aggressive. She really could threaten him.”
“What should I do?”
Worry clouded Lin Shanshan’s face.
The maid regretted ntioning Ning Zhuo, especially when it caused Lin Shanshan to stop eating altogether. She quickly tried to persuade her, “Miss, eat a little more. With more strength, you can better use your mind to help Young Lord Ning Zhuo.”
Lin Shanshan nodded, “You’re right.”
She clearly began eating faster, her appetite recovering.
Just as the maid was feeling proud, Lin Shanshan suddenly froze. “Among the five elents, tal overcos wood, and wood gives rise to fire. So, if Young Lord Ning Zhuo attacks with tal and defends with fire, he’ll have an advantage.”
“The Comprehension Diagram—he needs the Comprehension Diagram.”
“With his comprehension ability, he can definitely gain insight into fire and tal offensive techniques before the battle begins.”
“Sigh, I’m under house arrest. Who else can help him?”
“Han Zhou? That penniless fool won’t do!”
“Xiao Ju, you have to help !” Lin Shanshan suddenly stood up, grabbed her maid by the shoulders, and locked eyes with firm determination.
The maid Xiao Ju’s face turned pale as she stamred, “M-Miss, did you forget why you were confined?”
“Last ti, you helped Young Lord Ning Zhuo too much. You even neglected your daily cultivation tasks. And now you still want to help him?”
Lin Shanshan shook her head. “Last ti, I was impulsive.”
“I’ve reflected on my actions and realized I was excessive. That’s why I never blad Father. I deserved this punishnt.”
“My senior brothers cleared my debts. Once I have the ans, I’ll repay them all.”
“These are just minor things!”
Lately, Lin Shanshan hadn’t interacted with Ning Zhuo, so she hadn’t been influenced by the Buddha Heart Demon Seal for a while.
As a result, she had regained her calm. With no external interference, her thoughts and emotions returned to normal.
Now in a clear-headed state, she reflected and recognized her past mistakes.
“I really got carried away back then.” Lin Shanshan blad no one, believing only that she had been impulsive.
But even in a rational state, Lin Shanshan still wanted to help Ning Zhuo!
“Just say I had new insights while cultivating and now need a few Comprehension Diagrams of tal and fire elents,” she thought of a plan.
Xiao Ju’s eyes widened. “Miss, are you really going to do this?”
After hesitating, she added, “But what about Senior Brother?”
Compared to the outsider Ning Zhuo, Xiao Ju and many senior brothers all knew how Linghu Jiu felt about Lin Shanshan—though Lin Shanshan had never realized it.
Reminded of this, Lin Shanshan’s eyes lit up as she hugged Xiao Ju and kissed her on the forehead.
She exclaid excitedly, “Right! Why didn’t I think of this?”
“I should ask Senior Brother for help!”
“Everyone knows about Ning Zhuo’s battle with Hua Guzi. If I request Comprehension Diagrams for tal and fire elents now, the senior brothers and my father will definitely suspect and suppress the request.”
“But if I ask Senior Brother to step in, won’t that solve everything?”
“Xiao Ju, you’re truly my dearest friend! Thank you so much!”
Xiao Ju quickly shook her head, breaking into cold sweat. “Miss, Miss, you misunderstood —I didn’t an that at all!”
But Lin Shanshan ignored her, her eyes full of anticipation. “Senior Brother has always treated kindly. Though he seems lazy, he has a broad heart and is tolerant. The other senior brothers may hold a grudge against Young Lord Ning Zhuo, but he won’t! He’s the one who can help the most.”
Xiao Ju stared in disbelief. “Miss, are you serious?”
“Of course I am!” Lin Shanshan imdiately gave the order for Xiao Ju to deliver her letter to the Ten Thousand Demons Cave of Greater Strife Peak and seek help from Linghu Jiu.
As her maid, Xiao Ju had no way to disobey and could only comply.
“Heavens, this world has gone mad.”
“Why does soone as kind as Senior Brother have to suffer like this?”
“This isn’t my fault, not my fault at all!”
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