Chapter 381: Poor

Random recommendation:Han Zhou couldn't help but cast a sidelong glance, his questioning gaze seemingly saying, "Fellow Daoist Ning Zhuo, didn't you just say you wanted to form a good relationship with Hua Guzi? Why are you now acting so distant and aloof?"

Ning Zhuo sensed Han Zhou's confusion but didn't explain. Instead, he directly bypassed Hua Guzi.

Han Zhou: ?!

He secretly drew a sharp breath, feeling quite strange.

In his eyes, Hua Guzi clearly wanted to befriend Ning Zhuo and mend their relationship, but unexpectedly, Ning Zhuo turned out to be the one giving the cold shoulder.

"Considering Hua Guzi's temperament, approaching in such a low-key manner and even bringing dumplings is already out of the ordinary."

"Young Master Ning Zhuo treating her like this is tantamount to trampling her dignity into the ground."

"Young Master Ning Zhuo is perhaps being a bit unwise."

"Alas... what is going on here?"

Han Zhou felt that this matter could have been handled very well. But Ning Zhuo's behavior was quite peculiar.

He instinctively moved further away from Hua Guzi to prevent her from becoming enraged and taking action.

Hua Guzi remained in a bowing posture, her upper arms, torso, and face parallel to the ground.

Her face was crimson, a mix of anger, shame, and a strange feeling.

"Rejected! I did all that, and he still rejected me!"

"I was rejected! I was actually rejected!!"

"Ahhh!"

"How embarrassing, so embarrassing."

"Not only was I rejected, but outsiders saw it. I'm going to die!"

"I'm going to die, is there a crack in the ground? I want to crawl in!!"

"Hehehe, hahaha, gugugu..."

"Why? Why would Young Master Ning Zhuo reject me? Could he bear to reject this adorable and beautiful Miss me?"

"Why? Why do I feel a bit happy?"

"Even being rejected by Young Master Ning Zhuo, I feel so happy."

"Why is this happening?"

"This kid, he trampled my dignity into the mud. He deserves to be killed, to die!"

"But, but, but... why can't I hate him?"

Hua Guzi herself felt confused.

Ning Zhuo even more so.

"This female cultivator is crazy!!" Ning Zhuo sensed the overwhelming joy in Hua Guzi's heart, and the chill in his own heart grew stronger, his steps quickening involuntarily.

"This half-demon has a twisted and utterly abnormal nature!"

"Stay away from her, I feel safer."

Ning Zhuo warned himself in his heart.

Han Zhou remained highly vigilant all the way.

It wasn't until they had created a sufficient distance that he looked back from afar, seeing Hua Guzi suspended in place like a statue. The sense of dread in his heart increased significantly.

He felt like Hua Guzi was a thunderclap talisman, likely to explode at any moment!

Ning Zhuo returned to his cave abode, temporarily putting Hua Guzi out of his mind, and began his daily routine of cultivation.

Mirror Platform Spirit Connection Art, Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art, Demonic Blighted Blood Meridian Technique!

He cultivated these three techniques in rotation, steadily advancing his cultivation.

Inside the cave abode, the abundant spiritual energy was so dense it gathered into mist. He grabbed handfuls of spiritual food, which quickly transformed into essence qi and spiritual power after being chewed in his mouth.

Soothing incense burned quietly, and the futon he sat on came from the combined reward of the three families of Fire Persimmon Immortal City, and it still had excellent effects.

After completing his cultivation, Ning Zhuo slowly opened his eyes and sent a telepathic message to Sun Lingtong, sighing, "Boss, is there any way to increase the speed of cultivation? My cultivation is still only in the early stage of Foundation Establishment. It's too slow!"

Sun Lingtong was drinking water and nearly spat it out upon hearing this: "Xiao Zhuo, why do you feel slow?"

"You have talent, Five Elements spiritual roots, and various resources. Your cultivation improves visibly every day. This speed is already first-rate, far exceeding mine back then. You actually still think it's slow?"

Ning Zhuo sighed: "I feel like I'm still far from the middle stage of Foundation Establishment."

Sun Lingtong was speechless upon hearing this, rolled her eyes, and looked up at the ceiling, transmitting her reply: "That's how it is at the Foundation Establishment stage."

"Each time you ascend a major realm, the speed of cultivation will decrease by several times, or even more. This is because after a qualitative change, the foundation required for each major realm often skyrockets by tens or even hundreds of times!"

"The more excellent the cultivation technique, the deeper the foundation required. This is also why cultivators who practice excellent techniques have strength that surpasses cultivators of the same level."

"Think about it, what level are your three top-tier techniques? First-rate among first-rate, peak among peak."

"So, stop thinking about the good times of the Qi Refining stage and slowly grind it out. Cultivation is like this, you have to persevere and cultivate diligently without interruption."

"It will take at least several years for you to advance to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment."

"Don't rush. Your mindset needs to be adjusted!"

Ning Zhuo sighed: "Alas, Boss, I know you're right, but I just can't help feeling anxious and impatient."

"Perhaps it's because I want to improve my cultivation and strength so badly, so that I can save my mother better."

"Boss, I often think, if I had Nascent Soul level combat strength, I could directly negotiate with Lin Bufan. Why bother competing on Small Dispute Peak?"

Sun Lingtong rolled her eyes again: "You're dreaming!"

"I also say, if I had Nascent Soul level, no, even just Golden Core level cultivation, I'd be confident in stealing all of Lin Bufan's wealth."

"Considering our age, this level of cultivation has already surpassed 99% of our peers. Don't be too harsh on yourself, Xiao Zhuo."

Ning Zhuo sighed: "Boss, I also know this is unrealistic. Rushing the progress of cultivation too quickly is being eager for success and short-sighted. Cultivation must build a solid foundation and stable footing."

"A ten thousand zhang tall building rises from the ground. Once the foundation is unstable, no matter how high the floors, there is a huge hidden danger of collapse."

"I'm just feeling depressed, so I'm discussing it with you."

Sun Lingtong was silent for a moment, then comforted him: "I see you've been improving rapidly lately, with visible growth every day. It's truly unreasonable to still feel depressed about this. If word got out, I don't know how many geniuses and true disciples would be ashamed to show their faces."

"This Small Dispute Peak is a treasure trove for you. You should stay here properly and make good use of it."

After a pause, Sun Lingtong added: "However, you wanting Nascent Soul level combat strength is not entirely impossible."

"Since you are so skilled in mechanism techniques, wouldn't it be enough to create a mechanism with Nascent Soul level combat strength?"

At the mention of mechanisms, Ning Zhuo's tone immediately brightened, and his expression showed joy and relaxation.

He said: "Boss, my attempts with martial arts mechanisms have been well-validated on Hua Guzi."

"This has greatly inspired me in designing a mechanism body for Meng Yehu!"

"I can first choose a cultivation technique for it, and then design a mechanism body for it based on that technique."

"The Blood Swallowing Demonic Technique for Meat Tanks that it cultivated in its lifetime is definitely not suitable, as it's difficult to integrate with mechanism materials."

"Actually, the Scripture of Suffering would work."

"The mechanism fists and feet I used in combat this time were mainly made from bitter water and lone seedling wood. The former was thanks to Han Zhou's support, and the latter came from the market on Small Dispute Peak."

"Mechanism fists and feet constructed from these materials are somewhat close to Han Zhou's physical body and can even enhance the Suffering Body martial art."

"The Scripture of Suffering and Meng Yehu's innate talent are incompatible. However, what the Scripture of Suffering can achieve, other cultivation techniques should also be able to achieve."

Sun Lingtong stroked her chubby chin with her plump little hand, contemplating seriously: "Xiao Zhuo, given your current relationship with the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect, it might be difficult to find cultivation techniques from them again."

Ning Zhuo said: "I've thought about it. We can go to an Immortal City. There must be a complete library there. We can choose a cultivation technique from it to match Meng Yehu."

Sun Lingtong: "Meng Yehu was of the Golden Core level in its lifetime, Xiao Zhuo. The cultivation technique you choose will probably have to be at least of that level, right? The price won't be cheap."

Ning Zhuo's expression changed slightly.

Sun Lingtong added: "I need to remind you, we spent a large sum of money to quickly build the spiritual plant cabin before."

"Next, to build Meng Yehu's mechanism, a Golden Core level cultivation technique, even the lowest tier, will require a large amount of money."

"We need to cultivate the Spiritual Concealment Willow well. The spiritual soil and spiritual liquid in the spiritual plant cabin are almost depleted."

"Also, our daily cultivation expenses are beyond the reach of most rogue cultivators, and are on the same standard as the true disciples of renowned major sects. This, even calculated over three months, is already a huge amount."

"Finally, there's the Ten Thousand Li Roaming Dragon! The fire essence is insufficient and needs a large replenishment."

"Compared to this deficit, what I stole from Li Jingqing's belongings before was completely inadequate."

Ning Zhuo's face changed repeatedly.

The Nascent Soul level Ten Thousand Li Roaming Dragon was indeed comfortable to use, but the cost was too high.

Ning Zhuo's previous accumulation in Fire Persimmon Immortal City was already a bit strained for the Ten Thousand Li Roaming Dragon.

The spiritual energy, spiritual food, etc. that Ning Zhuo consumed daily to advance his cultivation, when converted to spirit stones, represented a very high standard.

Then there was the Spiritual Concealment Willow.

Ning Zhuo's face even turned a little pale.

This was also a major expense. To cultivate the Spiritual Concealment Willow well, a significant price had to be paid!

"Such heirloom treasures are always supported by the strength of the entire sect or family. It's truly difficult for us to rely on ourselves," Ning Zhuo sincerely lamented.

He resorted to trickery and deception, no, he painstakingly and strategically obtained a lot of cultivation resources.

But compared to the demand, this accumulation was far from enough!

For a short period, Sun and Ning could still maintain themselves.

But time wouldn't be long.

Without foresight, one is bound to have worries in the near future. This issue must be considered now. Otherwise, by the time the problem is imminent, it will be very difficult to solve.

Ning Zhuo furrowed his brows deeply.

These past few days, he had been immersed in his special training and arduous cultivation, captivated by the pleasure and sense of accomplishment from his daily rapid progress, and had not paid attention to these issues.

Upon being reminded by Sun Lingtong, he immediately understood that as time passed, this problem was becoming increasingly serious.

If they truly waited until the problem erupted, it would be too late!

(End of this chapter)