Ning Zhuo had considered situations like Tie Kuang’s even before he signed a secret agreement with Zhong Limei.
He just didn’t expect it to happen so quickly.
Ning Zhuo wasn’t acting on a whim; he had thought it through carefully. This was the growing pain of transformation, a price Ning Zhuo had to bear.
He quickly calmed his emotions and began discussing with the next person.
The next person was the Red Robe Guest.
"Senior Red Robe Guest, this is the list of debts between us." Ning Zhuo handed over the Jade Slip.
The Red Robe Guest scanned it with his Divine Sense and nodded slightly, "No discrepancies."
Immediately, he asked, "Young one, when do you plan to repay the debt?"
Ning Zhuo gave a wry smile, cupped his hands, and explained, "Senior knows my situation well. I assumed this debt out of helplessness. Normally, the Nanming Fire Furnace is mine, and the other cultivators should just accept their loss. But if my family learns of my actions that violate family traditions, they will certainly punish me severely."
"But how can I, alone, repay such a huge debt?"
"And I have to ensure my own cultivation, so I can’t abandon everything and repay the debt first. So, for at least the next hundred years, it’s certainly not possible."
The Red Robe Guest snorted coldly and nodded.
Ning Zhuo suddenly showed a trace of surprise, and immediately praised, "Senior’s tolerance is as vast as the sea! When I hosted Senior Chun Yangzi earlier, he questioned my delay in repayment, but you, senior, put your trust in me. It truly inspires awe in me."
The Red Robe Guest snorted coldly again, "You righteous path folks are like that. Obsessed with reputation to the point of suffering for it! If you, young one, want to mix in the righteous path, you must keep your promises. Moreover, this promise was made publicly, known to all. If you want to join the Myriad Images Sect, how could you go back on it?"
"Chun Yangzi is narrow-minded, jealous of the talented. He practices the Pure Yang Technique and as the leader of the Pure Yang Palace, he must strictly maintain the Child’s Pure Yang Body, inevitably causing his Pure Yang Fire to be rampant and difficult to relieve, leading to a twisted disposition."
"It’s not surprising for someone like that to question you."
Ning Zhuo narrowed his eyes, showing a contemplative look.
After a long while, he carefully chose his words and slowly began, "Despite Chun Yangzi Senior’s questioning of me, I still respect him. He has cultivated for over a thousand years, maintaining the Pure Yang Body and upholding the Pure Yang Path without overstepping."
"The Pure Yang Fire is naturally fierce. If released, the fire dissipates, and the path weakens. He keeps it within, nurturing the Pill with fire, nurturing the path with the Pill—this is precisely his path."
"The Pure Yang Palace has been established for thousands of years, weathering many storms. Senior Chun Yangzi has diligently maintained the Pure Yang Palace’s legacy, preserving its Fire Seed for centuries."
The Red Robe Guest smirked, showing sarcasm, "You righteous path youths indeed have a way with words. Clearly, the Pure Yang Palace in his hands has bee precarious and teetering, yet you say he ’diligently manages.’ Clearly, he has mixed to the point of having to join the Myriad Images Sect, yet you say he ’preserved the legacy’ as if bearing humiliation for the greater good."
"Hahaha!" The Red Robe Guest laughed heartily, "Don’t worry, as a dignified Nascent Soul cultivator, I won’t gossip behind your back."
The Red Robe Guest patted Ning Zhuo’s shoulder, "Relax, don’t be too tense. I’m actually quite grateful to you."
"The Nanming Fire Furnace made Chun Yangzi exhaust his resources and depleted the Pure Yang Palace’s heritage treasures. You made him suffer such a loss, much more than I could have done."
"As long as you promise me not to repay his debt, I could even waive your debt!"
Ning Zhuo shook his head immediately, with a determined attitude, "Senior underestimates me as well. I would never do such a thing!"
The Red Robe Guest’s face briefly showed anger, a murderous intent rising in his heart, but given that this place was Danxia Peak and with the Evil Slaying Hall backing Ning Zhuo, he used a manding tone, "Hmph. Then repay Chun Yangzi’s debt last!"
Ning Zhuo shook his head again, but this time the action was much slower, then he gave a wry smile, "In fact, I wanted to repay Senior Chun Yangzi’s debt in another way ahead of time, but unfortunately, Senior Chun Yangzi refused my proposal."
The Red Robe Guest grew angrier at first, but upon hearing Chun Yangzi refused, he seemed relieved and couldn’t resist asking curiously, "What proposal?"
Ning Zhuo took a deep breath and said earnestly, with a hint of regret, "I invited Senior Chun Yangzi to join us and take over Flowing Cloud Peak together!"
The Red Robe Guest’s pupils contracted, revealing a look of surprise.
Being originally a Loose Cultivator, he had been with the Myriad Images Sect for many years, naturally aware of the framework of the eight peaks and sixteen halls of the sect.
"You, young one, have great ambition. Still in the Foundation Establishment Stage, yet you aim for a main peak?!" The Red Robe Guest was truly astonished by Ning Zhuo.
Ning Zhuo laughed heartily, "Whether it can be done or not doesn’t matter. But if I don’t even dare to think about it, wouldn’t I just be a coward?"
The Red Robe Guest fell silent.
He indeed didn’t dare to think about it.
Ning Zhuo cupped his hands, "Senior Chun Yangzi has the legacy of Pure Yang Palace to consider, he might need to deliberate carefully and choose cautiously. But I’m fighting alone, with nothing to lose. Senior is bold and daring, you surely understand me!"
A plex emotion flickered in the Red Robe Guest’s eyes.
Previously, as a Loose Cultivator involved in the Demon Path, he indeed was courageous and daring, willing to do anything. But as he survived longer in the Worldly Society, the more lessons he learned, the more his courage waned. It truly affirms the old saying—the older one gets in the Worldly Society, the smaller their courage bees.
Afterwards, although he joined the Myriad Images Sect, he was always ostracized, and even applying to enter the Wanxiang Sect’s Main Mountain Gate was stifling.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have e this time for the Nanming Fire Furnace.
He saw hope for himself to advance into the sect’s higher echelons from the Nanming Fire Furnace!
Now, his hope has been lost, or rather falls into Ning Zhuo’s hands.
Ning Zhuo’s current background makes him hesitant to take action.
Ning Zhuo openly promises to acknowledge and repay debts, making him reconsider — wanting to demand repayment, and preferably show Chun Yangzi some colors!
Upon hearing Ning Zhuo’s intention to seize Flowing Cloud Peak and plimenting him "surely you understand me," the Red Robe Guest felt a surge of plex emotions.
"This kid may be mixing with the Righteous Path, but he’s really like me, like when I was young, fearless of heaven and earth, ha!"
Thinking of this, the Red Robe Guest couldn’t help but change his impression of Ning Zhuo, and secretly harbors much goodwill.
Yet on the surface, the Red Robe Guest still coldly snorts: "You, mere Foundation Establishment, dare to invite a Nascent Soul Cultivator, and one who is a sect master like Chun Yangzi? Of course, he will refuse! What are you thinking? Do you think your face is grand?"
Ning Zhuo laughed heartily and immediately clasped his hands: "Senior, please forgive my boldness."
"I truly believe that my face is not small."
"Do you know, Senior, that Evil Slaying Hall’s Lord Zhong Dao and Master Tuoba Huang of Ten Thousand Beasts Peak value me highly. The former lent me the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival twice, and it was initiated. The latter publicly gifted me heavy rewards, which I refused."
The Red Robe Guest nodded, as this information was already well known among people.
Ning Zhuo continued: "Do you know, Senior, I also have expertise in arranging arrays, and have already secretly contacted the upper echelons of Heavy Array Peak."
The Red Robe Guest acknowledged with a sound. He previously bought a lot of intelligence from merce Hall for the Nanming Fire Furnace, among which Ning Zhuo’s information was present.
Ning Zhuo raised his head: "With my innate talents and flair at the current Feiyun Conference, it’s not just other Peak Masters or Hall Masters choosing me, but me choosing them. Isn’t that right?"
The Red Robe Guest coldly snorted: "It’s not just you; all top-tier talents at past events were like this."
Though his expression was stern, Ning Zhuo was brash and high-spirited, which suited him well. He was like this when he was young too!
Ning Zhuo: "Although I’m only at Foundation Establishment, what’s remarkable about Golden Core or Nascent Soul? Just give me time, and I’m sure I’ll achieve it too! But I only have one chance to join the Myriad Images Sect during the Feiyun Conference. Of course, I’m going to take full advantage of this opportunity."
"Joining other halls, or even the main peaks, what’s the point? Many things aren’t free, can’t act as the master, and must obey orders!"
The Red Robe Guest was already nodding in his heart.
He felt oppressed after joining the Myriad Images Sect; this couldn’t be done, that couldn’t be moved. There were also assignments given by the top, if not pleted, no corresponding treatment was received!
Ning Zhuo’s voice rose: "But seizing Flowing Cloud Peak...is different!"
"Senior surely knows the situation of Flowing Cloud Peak."
"I just need to form a power, participate in the petition for Flowing Cloud Peak. If I’m lucky and the leader I assist succeeds...put outside, it is a dragon-following merit! I can also serve in a high position, much more fortable than being under the mand of powerful figures like Zhong Dao, Tuoba Huang!"
These words will surely be scorned if heard by Zhong Limei or Chun Yangzi. Shen Xi and Situ Xing, Foundation Establishment Cultivators, would also shake their heads.
But the Red Robe Guest is not!
He particularly understands Ning Zhuo’s considerations; it’s practically his own inner voice.
Ning Zhuo inquired: "Senior, wouldn’t you agree?"
The Red Robe Guest coldly snorted: "You little brat, certainly a talent of the Righteous Path, so skilled in calculation!"
Ning Zhuo: "Without scheming, how could one progress? If I hadn’t obtained Nanming Fire Furnace, all would be in vain. But now, with the Nanming Fire Furnace, it’s an excellent opportunity!"
"I’ve incurred vast debts and can’t repay them myself within a century. Naturally, people won’t feel at ease, always concerned about repayment’s progress. Why not let everybody act together, leveraging the Nanming Fire Furnace in my hands — it’s a Spirit Treasure Level Pill Furnace after all. Spirit Pills aiding cultivation will be endless in the future; would there be no influence and appeal?"
"We, between us, are Nanming Fire Furnace’s creditors. What a good fate, and also a fitting alliance of interest. As long as we strive together, we might seize Flowing Cloud Peak. Once seized...it’s one of the Eight Main Peaks!"
The Red Robe Guest was momentarily dazed.
He was moved by the prospects Ning Zhuo depicted.
Eight Main Peaks...originally he intended to leverage Nanming Fire Furnace, to bee a high echelon at Danxia Peak, thus improving his awkward position in the sect.
His plan now is no longer realistic.
But Ning Zhuo has offered a more feasible plan!
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