Chapter 353: Cold Province

After the two individuals departed, the disciple led Ning Zhuo up the peak of Minor Strife Mountain.

Along the way, the disciple subtly probed and tested Ning Zhuo multiple times.

Ning Zhuo spoke frankly, informing the disciple that he hailed from the Fire Persimmon Immortal City and had come seeking guidance and knowledge. He claimed he was unfamiliar with the route and had chanced upon Lin Shanshan, who had offered him assistance.

Feeling he had ascertained Ning Zhuo's background, the disciple's tone became relaxed, and his attitude grew casual.

During the exchange, Ning Zhuo "surprisingly" discovered Lin Shanshan's true identity.

The disciple chuckled, "Consider yourself lucky, young man! Senior Sister Lin has such a helpful nature; she often brings outsiders here."

"Such a welcoming atmosphere, the Myriad Medicines Sect truly lives up to its name!" Ning Zhuo exclaimed from the bottom of his heart.

The disciple laughed heartily. Before leaving, he still cautioned Ning Zhuo, "You've just arrived and already secured a cave dwelling numbered over two hundred. Be careful. According to our Myriad Medicines Sect's rules, if someone challenges you and wins, you'll lose the right to reside in this dwelling."

"Of course, if you're confident in your own strength, you can also try challenging those cave dwellings with earlier numbers."

Ning Zhuo replied, "I'll settle in first and see how things are."

Saying this, he took out ten spirit stones and placed them in the disciple's hand.

"Just a mere ten low-grade spirit stones..." the disciple thought with disdain, yet he accepted them expressionlessly.

The sight of Ning Zhuo gifting Lin Shanshan two Spirit Mist Orchids moments before was still vivid in his memory, which had subtly raised his acceptance level for this meager gift.

"Go reside well," the disciple said perfunctorily at the end and walked away without looking back.

As the disciple reached the mountainside, a figure emerged from the woods.

The newcomer had a fair complexion and a prosperous appearance, with a smiling face. He first bowed to the disciple and, right away, slipped a mid-grade spirit stone into the disciple's hand.

The disciple accepted the mid-grade spirit stone and naturally tucked it into his storage belt, feeling quite satisfied. He said directly, "Li Jingqing, your information is quite timely! I know what you want to ask."

"Your luck is poor. The cave dwelling you've always had your eye on has been occupied by someone else."

The portly middle-aged cultivator rubbed his hands, "Therefore, I just wanted to inquire, who is this esteemed individual who has occupied my dwelling? I've heard he was personally led by Senior Master Sister Lin?"

The disciple nodded slightly, "That's correct. You should not create further complications."

However, the portly male cultivator Li Jingqing shook his head, "Cultivation lies in striving. And this is Minor Strife Peak; it's too early for me to retreat now."

"As far as I know, Senior Sister Lin is warm and approachable, and has led many outsiders to Minor Strife Peak."

"So, this Ning Zhuo might not be an exception to this situation."

The disciple nodded again, "Since you have this understanding, then..."

"For the sake of the spirit stone, I'll tell you the details."

"This Ning Zhuo indeed has no prior connection with Senior Sister Lin; it was their first meeting."

"However, when Senior Sister Lin brought people in the past, she was always in and out quickly. This time, she personally inquired and was not satisfied with the dwelling I initially arranged for Ning Zhuo."

"I know you have made arrangements both high and low, plotting for this dwelling for a long time, and I also had the intention of reserving it for you."

"But unfortunately, in front of Senior Sister Lin, I couldn't prevent it and had to use this dwelling to fulfill the task."

"So that's how it is, what a pity, what a lament!" Li Jingqing wore a face of regret. When bidding farewell to the disciple, he forced a smile and gave another mid-grade spirit stone.

When he was alone, his face turned gloomy.

Myriad Medicines Valley boasts a unique geographical advantage, containing extremely rich spiritual energy.

The spiritual energy permeates Minor Strife Peak, providing abundant spiritual energy to every cave dwelling on the mountain, which offers significant auxiliary effects to cultivators.

Not only that, the cave dwellings with earlier numbers receive generous welfare benefits distributed by the Myriad Medicines Sect periodically.

Li Jingqing is a merchant, who frequently purchases goods from the Myriad Medicines Sect and sells medicinal herbs, elixirs, and the like to other places.

The earlier the number, the better he can communicate with the Myriad Medicines Sect and purchase goods at a lower price. The difference in spirit stone benefits involved is substantial.

Therefore, even upon hearing that Ning Zhuo was brought by Lin Shanshan, Li Jingqing was unwilling to easily let go.

He left alone, deciding to plan before acting.

He first tried his best to inquire about Ning Zhuo's information. However, after several days, he gained very little.

This was because, after Ning Zhuo settled into his cave dwelling, he rarely went out, even if someone from the adjacent dwelling visited, he refused to open the door.

Seeing that the next batch of medicinal herbs was about to ripen and it was time to sell them, Li Jingqing knew he couldn't delay any longer and began to take the initiative.

His cave dwelling number was after Ning Zhuo's. According to the rules, Li Jingqing had the right to challenge Ning Zhuo.

However, he did not do so. Instead, he sought help from others.

He had already identified many potential candidates. At this moment, he chose the one he was most confident in persuading—

Han Zhou!

Original Mountain.

Sect Master's Residence.

Study.

Lin Shanshan knocked on the door and brought tea and refreshments to her father's table.

"Father, you've been busy with sect affairs and haven't slept all night. Why don't you have some tea and refreshments to relax for a bit?"

Lin Bufan was a middle-aged man, relatively thin with a long beard hanging down to his chest. He leaned back in his chair, lifted his head, and sighed, "There's no other way. In a few more days, that field of medicinal herbs will be ready for harvest."

"The sect must meticulously consider the sale of the medicinal herbs, and every purchasing merchant and business must be handled properly."

"This is the foundation of our Myriad Medicines Sect. Since taking office, I have always kept a tight grip on this aspect and have never allowed anyone else to handle it. Do you know why?"

Lin Shanshan smiled, "Father, you're testing me, but you can't stump me this time. I once heard Senior Brother say that before you took over, corruption was extremely serious in the sect. Especially in this area, even the most reputable elder, if they were to control it for a long time, would be corrupted."

"Therefore, you personally oversee this level."

"When Senior Brother mentioned this, he also praised you, Father, for being wise and mighty, for personally attending to matters, and for being serious and responsible."

Lin Bufan immediately snorted, "How could I, as his master, not know Jue'er's temperament and personality?"

"With his lazy disposition and his obsession with alcohol, these words certainly wouldn't come from his mouth."

"You want to plead for him?"

"Dismissed!"

"This time, it's impossible for him to come out without being punished for a sufficient period."

Lin Shanshan, frightened by her father's stern words, stuck out her tongue and dared not discuss Linghujue further.

She saw a new batch of jade slips on the bookshelf, "Father, you eat first, and I'll show you some images you like to watch."

Lin Bufan nodded slightly and began to eat.

Lin Shanshan took the jade slips from the bookshelf and also took out a mechanical contraption.

She placed three jade slips into the contraption, then activated it with spiritual power.

The next moment, various colored sands and mud flew out from the contraption.

The sands and mud quickly solidified into a thin battlefield of mountainous terrain in mid-air. On the battlefield, two small figures made of colored mud began to battle.

The two small mud figures were perfect replicas of a battle that had already occurred.

Lin Bufan watched the battle while eating his tea and refreshments, finding it quite interesting. This was one of the few moments of rest he had amidst his busy schedule.

He commented from time to time.

"Although this Zheng Xingchen comes from a cultivating family, he practices demonic arts. He is ruthless and complements his demonic arts well, thus he is repeatedly victorious."

"Luo Xiao's mechanical armor has been tested by actual combat and can now handle all sorts of opponents. This is a big difference from when he first arrived."

"Han Zhou... this beggar has no name, only referred to by the place he came from. The cultivation method he obtained through a fortuitous encounter is very special. On the surface, it's body refinement and martial cultivation, but the core seems to be a Buddhist cultivation method, emphasizing inner spiritual essence and enlightenment in the mortal world."

"Lai Wuying's sword is getting faster and faster. Cultivators outside the top ten cave dwellings basically cannot withstand his first three swords."

"Oh? Chang Yan, this snake demon's earth-attribute spells have improved again. In the past, he would have been defeated, but this time, he narrowly won by a single move."

The Myriad Medicines Sect Master watched with relish.

Lin Shanshan said, "Father, you are a Nascent Soul cultivator. Why are you always so interested in watching these Foundation Establishment level battles?"

"Shouldn't watching these be like watching toddlers fight, completely uninteresting?"

The Myriad Medicines Sect Master shook his head, his face solemn, "Shanshan, you don't understand this."

"When cultivators battle, focusing solely on cultivation level is too one-sided. You must know that tactics, fighting will, spellcasting techniques, and so on, are贯徹 (贯徹 - penetrate, permeate, run through) a cultivator's entire life, from beginning to end."

"These things are applicable and extremely valuable even at the Nascent Soul cultivation level and above."

"Of course, I, your father, am known as a battle enthusiast and do indeed enjoy watching battles. Hahaha! This is my only hobby."

Lin Shanshan sighed, "Father, you love watching battles, and Senior Brother is obsessed with alcohol. You truly are a pair of master and disciple."

This time, the Myriad Medicines Sect Master put away his smile but did not blame Lin Shanshan, "Little girl, you are again trying to find a way to plead for your Senior Brother."

Just then, a subordinate came to report.

Another stack of jade slips appeared on the Myriad Medicines Sect Master's desk, requiring his attention.

The Myriad Medicines Sect Master sighed. He didn't feel physically tired, but his spirit was close to its limit.

Watching the battle earlier had provided him with relaxation and rest, making him feel the fatigue in his spirit even more deeply.

"Let me see first, what exciting duels will there be on Minor Strife Peak next?"

"Hmm... Luo Xiao is challenging Zheng Xingchen again?"

"Lai Wuying performed very strongly in this round, so no one will challenge him in the next round."

"Han Zhou challenges Ning Zhuo... Ning Zhuo?"

This unfamiliar name made the Myriad Medicines Sect Master slightly surprised.

Lin Shanshan, however, exclaimed, a look of shock on her face.

The Myriad Medicines Sect Master turned to look at his beloved daughter, stroking his long beard, a hint of surprise in his heart. It was the first time he had seen Lin Shanshan so concerned about someone she had just met.