Chapter 386: Meeting Gift

The next day.

A clear sky stretched for miles.

The gates of the Myriad Medicine Sect were wide open. Lin Bufan stood before the gates, gazing into the air. Disciples of the Foundation Establishment realm were positioned along the mountain path, standing tall and straight, full of spirit, respectfully awaiting their distinguished guests.

Many cultivators stood at a distance, gazing towards the sect.

Ancestor Ning Jiufan, a Golden Core expert from the Ning Family, descended slowly on a cloud, dressed in a blue robe, arriving before the Myriad Medicine Sect gates.

To his left stood an ancient Fiery熔魔猿, and to his right stood a fair-faced youth in white, with a handsome countenance and a slightly large head.

It was none other than Old Woman Yuan and Ning Zhuo.

Ning Jiufan landed before the gates and bowed respectfully, saying, "Sect Master Lin, over ten years ago, Ning led his entire clan in migration and received assistance from the Myriad Medicine Sect. It has always been in my thoughts. Today, I visit your esteemed sect, and to have you personally welcome me is a truly great honor!"

Lin Bufan smiled faintly and nodded. "Fellow Daoist Ning, we meet again."

His gaze fell upon Old Woman Yuan, and he thought to himself, "As expected, a Nascent Soul realm demonic ape!"

Ning Jiufan introduced, "This is my spiritual pet, named Old Woman Yuan. Ning feels deeply fortunate to have her assistance."

"Hehehe," Lin Bufan let out a hearty laugh, waving his wide sleeves and gesturing for them to enter. "Fellow Daoist Ning, please follow me. I have prepared fine spiritual tea and have been awaiting you for quite some time."

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Ning Zhuo's expression remained impassive. He followed closely beside Ning Jiufan, openly walking through the Myriad Medicine Sect gates and entering the sect grounds.

"This brat..." The expressions of Lin Shanshan's senior disciples were not good.

Meanwhile, the cultivators observing from a distance were engaged in lively discussion.

"Ning Zhuo is indeed a young master of the Ning Family."

"The Ning Family's Golden Core Ancestor has brought him along, which clearly shows his favor."

"Ning Zhuo is truly different from us rogue cultivators."

Some cultivators were envious, some jealous, and others were filled with emotion.

Hua Guzi and Han Zhou were naturally among the crowd.

It wasn't until Ning Jiufan, Ning Zhuo, and the others had disappeared into the pavilions and towers of the sect grounds that Hua Guzi withdrew her gaze.

She seemed a little downcast.

Han Zhou was about to say goodbye, but she stopped him.

Hua Guzi said, "Come, Han Zhou, let us have a spar!"

Han Zhou felt a sense of dread and quickly refused.

Hua Guzi snorted, "Usually, the three of us take turns sparring. Now that Young Master Ning Zhuo isn't here, are you afraid?"

Han Zhou's face immediately showed a look of distress. "Fellow Daoist Hua, if you are determined, then I can only accompany you even if it means risking my life. However, there is one truth I must state first—"

"Even if you defeat me, it will not bridge the gap in status between you and Fellow Daoist Ning Zhuo."

"Shut up!!!" Hua Guzi's eyes were bloodshot and completely red.

Her aura erupted, startling the surrounding cultivators who became vigilant. Everyone felt that she was on the verge of striking right there and then.

Han Zhou quickly advised, "Fellow Daoist Hua, please calm down. Sparring on Minor Conflict Peak is best done within the martial arts arena. Striking outside is a violation of sect rules, resulting in fines for minor offenses and expulsion for serious ones."

Only then did Hua Guzi restrain herself. She huffed and flew back to Minor Conflict Peak.

Within the sect grounds.

The guest hall.

After a cup of tea and pleasantries, the greetings were over.

Ning Jiufan presented the ceremonial gifts he had specially prepared.

Lin Bufan accepted them and directly inquired, "Fellow Daoist Ning, for what purpose do you visit this time?"

Ning Jiufan frankly stated his needs. First, he needed to heal the demonic ape's injuries. Second, he sought an alliance between the Ning Family and the Myriad Medicine Sect.

"Currently, my Ning Family has firmly established itself in Fire Persimmon Immortal City and is actively developing." "We hope that this time, we can work hand in hand with your esteemed sect and deepen our cooperation."

Lin Bufan stroked his beard and smiled. "Easily done, easily done."

His attitude was very warm, but when it came to negotiations, it was completely contrary to his "easily done." On the contrary, he was meticulous about every detail, refusing to yield an inch.

Lin Bufan was also a talented debater, and Ning Jiufan seemed clumsy in front of him, gradually losing the ability to resist during the negotiations.

Seeing that the situation was not favorable, Ning Zhuo boldly interrupted and debated with Lin Bufan for several rounds, also falling into a disadvantaged position.

However, this had already impressed Lin Bufan.

He praised softly, "Young friend Ning Zhuo, you are indeed worthy of being the patriarch who established a branch family. You possess genuine talent."

From these words, it was evident that Lin Bufan had already received information and had a considerable understanding of Fire Persimmon Immortal City, the Ning Family, and Ning Zhuo.

Knowing oneself and one's enemy leads to victory in every battle.

This further gave him the upper hand in the negotiations.

Ning Jiufan saw that Ning Zhuo was performing better than himself and decisively retreated to the rear, watching Ning Zhuo charge forward.

Ning Zhuo's eloquence was formidable, but Lin Bufan was even more formidable!

Lin Bufan managed the Myriad Medicine Sect, personally handling many matters and negotiating many deals. He was over six hundred years old and had a wealth of life experience.

Ning Zhuo was merely sixteen years old, not even a fraction of his age.

Out of necessity, Ning Zhuo could only constantly show weakness, protecting himself with his junior status. This made it difficult for Lin Bufan, a senior at the Nascent Soul realm, to target him.

By the time the two sides had reached a preliminary agreement, Lin Bufan was calm and composed, with a smile on his face, while Ning Zhuo was already sweating profusely.

Throughout the entire process, except for the initial few rounds of exchange, Ning Zhuo had maintained an offensive stance. After that, he was completely on the defensive, constantly being attacked.

"Young friend Ning Zhuo, are you really only sixteen years old? May I feel your bones?" Lin Bufan invited him.

Ning Zhuo naturally had no choice but to comply.

Lin Bufan felt the bones in his hand and nodded, "Indeed, a sixteen-year-old male child. Your primordial yang is intact, very good, keep it up."

"This is essentially our first meeting. As a senior, I will give you a small meeting gift."

"Tell me what you would like!"

Ning Zhuo's eyes lit up, and he immediately clasped his hands and requested, "May I ask Elder Lin to show leniency and lift the confinement of Miss Lin?"

Lin Bufan's smile immediately diminished a little.

He shook his head gently. "I punished Shanshan because she neglected her daily studies and became too carefree."

"Therefore, I confined her to make her realize her mistake and correct it."

"This is of great benefit to her. Xiao Zhuo, let's change your request."

Ning Zhuo smiled awkwardly. "I often hear from Miss Lin about the various awe-inspiring deeds and stories of your sect's senior disciple, who is also your first disciple, Linghu Jiu."

"I have long admired Linghu Jiu from afar. There was some minor disturbance before, and it was Fellow Daoist Linghu who personally stepped forward to resolve the matter for me."

Ning Zhuo suggested that he would like to visit Linghu Jiu in the Myriad Demon Cave to express his gratitude.

Lin Bufan pondered in silence.

Ning Jiufan promptly chimed in, "In my humble opinion, my clan's Ning Zhuo is undoubtedly a pillar of the family. Young friend Linghu Jiu of your esteemed sect will also be a high-ranking member. A meeting between the two, establishing a friendship, will be beneficial to both of us."

Only then did Lin Bufan nod. He looked at Ning Zhuo and suggested other resource rewards as a meeting gift.

But Ning Zhuo insisted, and Lin Bufan, unable to refuse, had no choice but to grant Ning Zhuo's request.

The general framework of the cooperation between the two sides had been settled.

As for the rest, Ning Zhuo was not interested in negotiating further and left it all to Ning Jiufan.

He himself, carrying a jug of wine, headed straight for the back mountain of Great Conflict Peak.