Chun Yangzi snorted coldly, glaring at Ning Zhuo: "Is this your attitude towards repaying debts? Aren’t you saying you can keep delaying repayment?"
Ning Zhuo chuckled, his expression determined and posed, exuding confidence.
Ning Zhuo extended his palm upwards, first indicating to Chun Yangzi, then bending his arm and placing the palm against his chest: "Senior, since I, Ning Zhuo, have publicly acknowledged this debt, I will naturally repay it."
"I am staking my reputation, my future in the Myriad Images Sect, and my family name."
"I, Ning Zhuo, aim to rejuvenate my family’s business, how could I tarnish my family’s honor?"
Chun Yangzi almost rolled his eyes, thinking: "Which family is yours exactly, I have no idea right now."
He fell silent.
He was astonished by Ning Zhuo’s Righteous Path strategy.
Ning Zhuo actively admitting the debt was a masterful move. If Ning Zhuo hadn’t done this, he would be the target of all, being the mon enemy of Chun Yangzi, Cang Yazi, Red Robe Guest, Nine Fire Dragon Lord, Zhong Limei, and other Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Among them, most had emptied their savings to participate in the petition.
Ning Zhuo mastering the Nanming Fire Furnace meant that he had essentially scooped up these people’s savings all at once.
And what’s more, it’s not just that.
Behind these people were backing forces—the Danxia Peak, merce Hall, Hundred Herbs Peak, Artifact Refining Hall, and so on. These are powerful forces and factions within the Myriad Images Sect.
Ning Zhuo also offended these people, making his future prospects in the Myriad Images Sect very limited even if he joined.
Future development within the Myriad Images Sect, for Ning Zhuo, even if not constantly difficult, would be full of obstacles.
Now, Ning Zhuo’s active debt acknowledgment seems a great sacrifice, but actually, it’s much more beneficial!
On one hand, he has won a great reputation. From the public’s perspective, Ning Zhuo had no reason to do this, yet he acknowledged these debts anyway. It’s truly righteous, some may even find Ning Zhuo adorably foolish.
On the other hand, Ning Zhuo gained these creditors, essentially transforming countless enemies into friends, or even allies tied together by benefits. Because these creditors want Ning Zhuo to repay them, they must support him, protect him, and even praise him. Moreover, creditors would even guard against each other, striving to make Ning Zhuo prioritize repaying them.
This retreat by Ning Zhuo opens up a vast horizon, instantly clearing the dark prospects, dispelling the clouds to reveal a bright future ahead.
Furthermore, what makes Chun Yangzi both curse Ning Zhuo’s shamelessness and admire him is Ning Zhuo’s repayment attitude.
Ning Zhuo’s stance is clear—he agrees to repay, but cannot guarantee the timing.
For ordinary people, Chun Yangzi would have slapped them awake long ago.
But Ning Zhuo?
Chun Yangzi could definitely not do such a thing!
Because even though Ning Zhuo is a newer and has not yet joined the Myriad Images Sect, he is backed by the Evil Slaying Hall, and if he wishes, he could join Danxia Peak or Ten Thousand Beasts Peak.
With the cultivation techniques displayed by Ning Zhuo, if he wanted to join the Artifact Refining Hall, they’d happily accept him.
Not to mention, his acplishments in Arrays. At least Chun Yangzi knows that high-ranking cultivators from Heavy Array Peak have privately contacted Ning Zhuo.
Heavy Array Peak is the Myriad Images Sect’s primary peak, the Peak Master of Heavy Array Peak is the current Sect Leader!
It’s not that these primary peaks or factions are choosing Ning Zhuo, but rather Ning Zhuo is choosing them.
Moreover, Ning Zhuo has a mysterious background. All of the above makes even a Nascent Soul Level Great Cultivator like Chun Yangzi wary of easily offending Ning Zhuo.
Besides this, Chun Yangzi has a scene in his mind that left a deep impression.
It’s Ning Zhuo bursting out with Vast Energy, that Platinum Gas Pillar shooting straight to the sky, loudly conveying a message to those around—Look! I am Righteous Path, I am a gentleman!!
And now, as Chun Yangzi privately engages Ning Zhuo, after exchanging just a few words, he recognized Ning Zhuo’s political acumen.
Adding Ning Zhuo’s relaxed and equal negotiation attitude, all of these factors bined led Chun Yangzi to subconsciously treat Ning Zhuo equally.
"Ning Zhuo, your techniques are truly outstanding." Chun Yangzi sighed, revealing a slight bitter smile, "My Pure Yang Palace has really taken a severe hit for the Nanming Fire Furnace this time."
These words revealed sincerity and also attempted to close the distance between himself and Ning Zhuo.
To his surprise, Ning Zhuo had something else to say: "Junior understands senior’s intentions and knows the situation of Pure Yang Palace. So this time, apart from settling our debt, there’s something else."
Chun Yangzi was curious: "Oh?"
The next moment, Ning Zhuo gazed at Chun Yangzi, with a very calm demeanor, even with a certain degree of naturalness: "Junior wishes to invite senior to join us. Of course, it would be better if you brought Pure Yang Palace along."
Chun Yangzi was stunned.
He almost thought he had heard wrong.
Ning Zhuo’s expression, however, had no hint of joking.
The earnest young man solemnly took out a contract, handing it to Chun Yangzi in front of him: "This is a contract I signed secretly with senior Zhong Limei just now, please have a look."
Chun Yangzi did not take it immediately: "Are you sure you want me to see it?"
He already saw Ning Zhuo as an equal, somewhat worried that Ning Zhuo might be laying a trap, but also filled with curiosity—Zhong Limei must represent Wang Yu, representing Danxia Peak, while Ning Zhuo is backed by the Evil Slaying Hall, what kind of contract had they signed secretly?
Chun Yangzi did not doubt the authenticity of the contract or think Ning Zhuo was lying.
Because it could be easily confirmed.
The mere act of both parties signing the secret agreement made Chun Yangzi sense the undercurrents behind it, realizing that the opposing relations on the surface had undergone some deep transformation.
Others like Furnace Immortal Tao Liyong, who are solely focused on hard practice, might not be interested.
But Chun Yangzi is the main authority of Pure Yang Palace, with a keen sensitivity to power, situations, and politics.
Therefore, Ning Zhuo was not anxious when he saw Chun Yangzi not picking it up; he just waited quietly.
Sure enough, after just a few breaths, Chun Yangzi couldn’t resist his curiosity and took up this freshly signed contract.
The content of the contract was simple: Ning Zhuo made an agreement with Danxia Peak. If he does not join the Evil Slaying Hall in the future, then Danxia Peak will waive half of Ning Zhuo’s debt!
But in Chun Yangzi’s eyes, it had more interpretations, as he instantly associated it with more content.
Chun Yangzi stared at Ning Zhuo: "Interesting, others would be elated by now. But you actually... don’t want to join the Evil Slaying Hall?"
Ning Zhuo nodded, then shook his head: "Being valued by Zhong Dao of the Evil Slaying Hall is a great fortune for me. I’ve sought his assistance twice, owe him favors. These are also debts which I will repay!"
"Not necessarily not joining the Evil Slaying Hall, but it’s just one possibility for me."
"Indeed, isn’t the future beautiful and fascinating because it holds infinite possibilities?"
Chun Yangzi paused silently: "Young friend Ning Zhuo, you are ambitious. But do you know what conditions Wang Yu offered me?"
"A subsidiary peak, an independent structure, and a personal deputy peak master position, along with Danxia Peak’s priority resources."
"Now you ask me to join you? This is simply absurd!"
Ning Zhuo laughed loudly: "Starting in the humble house is ancient, why need the big tree for shelter. Stand on the peak in years to e, ask who bestows my achievements with a smile."
Chun Yangzi was shocked mentally and physically; at this moment, he felt a strong youthful spirit, confidence, and grandeur from the young man before him.
Next, Ning Zhuo spoke to Chun Yangzi eloquently.
A moment later, Chun Yangzi left Danxia Peak, looking pensive.
Ning Zhuo’s plan didn’t convince him, but his evaluation of Ning Zhuo raised another level: "This young man is youthful but already has the makings of a strategist. Just this alone makes his future immeasurable! Whose child is this? Surprisingly willing to invest in another faction!"
Chun Yangzi refused Ning Zhuo, yet Ning Zhuo was not discouraged and instead rushed to talk with the third cultivator.
This third person was the Nine Fire Dragon Lord.
If counting contributions, he would rank second. But he’s a Demon Cultivator.
Ning Zhuo placed him third, already showing his appreciation.
Nine Fire Dragon Lord almost stormed in.
His situation was quite dire.
He borrowed so much from the Black Market that it exceeded ten times his family assets.
The moment the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit recognized Ning Zhuo as its master, Nine Fire Dragon Lord’s vision went black, then turned furious, with a surge of murderous intent towards Ning Zhuo.
He was unwilling!
He’d invested greatly.
Apart from the staggering debt, he spent the Dragon Ball, his father’s only relic, which he merged into the Nanming Fire Furnace to increase his odds.
Ultimately, the victor wasn’t him but Ning Zhuo.
It can be said, Ning Zhuo controls his father’s relic.
"Ning Zhuo." Nine Fire Dragon Lord’s voice was hoarse and deep, "You’re a smart person, able to willingly recognize the debt. In that case, I’ll be direct with you. You must repay now, erase my debt."
Nine Fire Dragon Lord’s attitude was assertive, his Nascent Soul aura making him seem aggressive.
Ning Zhuo remained unfazed: "Senior Nine Fire Dragon Lord, I greatly admire your courage, borrowing from the Black Market for the Nanming Fire Furnace."
"But I can’t repay now."
"Because I can’t afford it temporarily."
Just as Nine Fire Dragon Lord was about to erupt, Ning Zhuo reached out to stop him: "This isn’t just said to you; I also responded the same to Zhong Limei, Chun Yangzi, who both have agreed to my conditions."
Nine Fire Dragon Lord snorted coldly: "Then meet the same conditions and prioritize repayment to me. When will you settle this?"
He seemed impatient.
No choice.
He borrowed too much from the Black Market, causing his monthly interest to grow to a headache-inducing amount.
Ning Zhuo smiled: "Senior, even if I want to repay your debt first, would you dare collect before Zhong Limei, Cang Yazi and others?"
Nine Fire Dragon Lord’s body stiffened.
He’s not the sole creditor! Ning Zhuo’s words made him realize he was dealing not just with the little Foundation Establishment Cultivator before him, but a debt group surrounding Ning Zhuo!
Ning Zhuo continued smiling: "Senior’s current situation, I’ve heard a bit. Perhaps joining us could slightly alleviate the borrowing burden."
Nine Fire Dragon Lord frowned: "What do you mean?"
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