Chapter 388: Will Lin Shanshan and the others fight?

Linghu Jiu laughed heartily, "Hahaha, there's a bowl, there's a bowl."

He produced another stone bowl, similar in shape to the one he was using.

As long as Young Master Ning Zhuo doesn't find it too crude and simple...

Before Linghu Jiu could finish speaking, the stone bowl in his hand was "snatched" by Ning Zhuo.

"Fill it up, fill it up!" Ning Zhuo's eyes gleamed.

Linghu Jiu filled the bowl with wine for him.

Ning Zhuo emulated Linghu Jiu, tilting his head back and pouring it down directly.

He had never adopted such a fierce and wild posture when drinking.

Soon, he was immersed in meditation again, meeting the ancient sage and mighty one, the Five Elements Divine Lord. The Divine Lord continued to impart to Ning Zhuo the core cultivation technique!

Spirit God Technique of the Five Visceral Organs Temple!

This technique was profound and abstruse, gathering the essence of heaven and earth, harmonizing the marvels of the Five Elements, and deeply imbued with Dao and Principle.

Although Ning Zhuo was young, his vision was broad. He had only heard the opening lines and knew that this technique was no less than the supreme methods of the Three Sects!

Even though he already primarily cultivated the supreme methods of the Three Sects, this divine technique was still greatly beneficial to him. By comparing the two, Ning Zhuo could gain a deeper understanding of the principles between the Five Elements.

He also hoped that some of the spells contained within this technique could be modified and used by him.

Ning Zhuo drank bowl after bowl.

"Again."

"Still want more!"

"Not enough to drink."

Ning Zhuo became utterly engrossed, a strong premonition in his heart telling him that this divine technique would be extremely helpful to him!

Linghu Jiu's expression changed slightly.

Ning Zhuo's drinking style was even more fierce than his own just now, utterly reckless and wild.

Linghu Jiu looked at the wine jar, which was almost empty, feeling a little like crying without tears, and couldn't help but ask.

Ning Zhuo did not hide anything from him, speaking honestly, saying that he had received the impartation of a divine technique from an ancient sage. Although it was intermittent, the subtle words and profound principles of the divine technique were greatly helpful to him.

Linghu Jiu was moved, "Your situation is something I have only encountered once. After that time, my sword skills advanced greatly, and I was completely transformed!"

"Young Master Ning Zhuo, this is your destiny arriving."

Linghu Jiu poured the wine, completely tilting the wine jar, but only filling half a bowl.

Ning Zhuo's face was full of regret, "There's still half, there's still half of the divine technique."

Linghu Jiu laughed heartily, "Young Master Ning Zhuo, worry not. I will do my best to assist you, so you do not fail halfway!"

Saying that, he took out another jar of幽思冥釀 (You Si Ming Niang, tranquil thought and netherworld brew).

"Thank you!!" Ning Zhuo cupped his hands in thanks.

Linghu Jiu could have easily declined, saying that he only had this one jar of You Si Ming Niang. But he did not do so, and instead took out a second jar.

One must know that this was the first time they had met, and they had previously had a misunderstanding. For Linghu Jiu to offer such great assistance at this crucial moment was truly rare and commendable!

Ning Zhuo secretly remembered this favor in his heart and continued to drink heartily.

He drank until a blush appeared on his cheeks, and the feeling of being slightly tipsy was truly wonderful.

He drank until his face was flushed red, feeling light and airy.

He drank until his ears were red, his heart pounding, and his whole body was hot.

Finally, he drank until the world spun and his vision was hazy with drunkenness, just short of falling headfirst.

Ning Zhuo desperately held onto the last shred of consciousness, his eyes bloodshot, gritting his teeth tightly, "Again!"

"Just a little bit more, just a little bit more."

Linghu Jiu looked at him worriedly, thinking that such a fierce way of drinking made even him feel a hint of fear.

"Could it be that Ning Zhuo will drink himself to death here with me?"

"If something were to happen to him, how would Junior Sister look at me?"

Thinking of this, Linghu Jiu felt a pang of jealousy and mixed emotions.

But since things had come to this point, Linghu Jiu could only steel himself and accompany him to the end. If this great opportunity were interrupted, there was a possibility of enmity between the two of them.

"Young Master Ning Zhuo, hold on!" Linghu Jiu cheered Ning Zhuo on.

Sun Lingtong also closely observed Ning Zhuo's condition, and if anything went wrong, he would immediately act to provide assistance.

Gulp, gulp.

Ning Zhuo's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed another large bowl of You Si Ming Niang.

Original Mountain.

Inside the boudoir, Lin Shanshan paced back and forth, her face full of anxiety.

"What to do? What to do?"

"Young Master Ning Zhuo and Senior Brother have met. They had a misunderstanding before. Although Senior Brother sent the two lines of comprehension diagrams, Young Master Ning Zhuo did not accept them."

"Young Master Ning Zhuo also said that he would handle this matter in his own way."

"Perhaps this time he actively requested my father to visit Senior Brother just to settle the score!"

"Xiao Ju, tell me, will the two of them fight?"

Her personal maid said, "Miss, I don't think so. Although I've met Young Master Ning Zhuo very few times, I think he's a gentle and refined person."

Lin Shanshan shook her head, "Xiao Ju, you haven't sparred and trained with Young Master Ning Zhuo. He's very stubborn and competitive at heart. Every special training session is practiced to the limit of his physical strength before resting. You don't understand him!"

Xiao Ju, "Oh, Miss, stop circling. You're making me dizzy!"

Lin Shanshan suddenly turned around, walked quickly to the door, and was about to push it open.

"Miss!" Xiao Ju quickly caught up and stopped her, "Miss, have you forgotten, you've been grounded."

Lin Shanshan said, "Xiao Ju, this is an emergency. If we delay any longer, the situation might become very bad."

Saying that, she ignored Xiao Ju's obstruction and pushed the door open directly.

The female attendants on both sides immediately blocked her, "Miss, please stay."

Lin Shanshan raised her head and said sternly, "Get out of the way! My father is the Sect Master of the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect. Let's see who dares to stop me?!"

The female attendants were immediately at a loss, finding it very difficult, and all knelt down.

Lin Shanshan snorted coldly, stepped over the threshold, and walked into the courtyard.

"Stop." A voice came from behind.

Lin Shanshan was immediately as if hit by a stasis spell, frozen in place.

She slowly turned around and looked in the direction of the voice, and indeed saw Lin Bufan, "Father."

Lin Shanshan lowered her eyebrows and head, appearing extremely obedient.

Lin Bufan snorted coldly, "Come here."

Lin Shanshan obediently walked to Lin Bufan's side.

Lin Bufan waved his hands to dismiss the attendants, leaving only the father and daughter in the courtyard.

Lin Bufan walked in the courtyard, with Lin Shanshan following closely beside him.

He glanced at his beloved daughter and said, "Are you lacking confidence in the Ning family boy, or in your Senior Brother?"

Lin Shanshan was stunned.

She immediately understood the meaning of his words and looked up at Lin Bufan, "Father, is this a plan you've set up?"

Lin Bufan shook his head slightly, "Not entirely. This is something Ning Zhuo personally requested of me. Coincidentally, I also wanted to see his potential, so I went with the flow and created this situation."

Lin Shanshan said anxiously, "Father, but Young Master Ning Zhuo is only sixteen years old. I am five years older than him, let alone Senior Brother."

"How can he, at such a young age, be a match for Senior Brother? If we bully an outsider like this, won't people say that our Ten Thousand Medicine Sect deceives guests?"

Lin Bufan glanced at his beloved daughter again, his tone indifferent, "You're quite concerned about outsiders. I haven't seen you like this before."

"You underestimate Ning Zhuo too much. He is not simple!"

Saying that, Lin Bufan took out a jade slip and handed it to Lin Shanshan.

Lin Shanshan injected her spiritual sense to examine it and found that the content in the jade slip was the intelligence gathered by Sixth Senior Brother, who was dispatched to Fire Persimmon Immortal City for on-site investigation.

Lin Shanshan quickly scanned through it, her eyes gradually widening.

Contrary to her expectations, Ning Zhuo was not valued and cultivated by his family since childhood. Instead, he had been ostracized and treated harshly by his family from a young age.

Even a few months ago, he was still targeted by the then Young Clan Leader of the Ning family.

However, shortly after, he also directly led a group to launch a counterattack and deposed the Young Clan Leader.

Ning Zhuo had been unremarkable and ordinary for more than ten years, attracting no attention.

But with the appearance of the Lava Immortal Palace, he suddenly erupted, remaining silent until he made a stunning debut.

Not only did he take control of the black market for a period, maneuvering among the major forces in the city, but he also performed exceptionally well in the Lava Immortal Palace, leading to his successful branching out from the main Ning family and establishing his own family business at a young age!

The Ning family branch directly occupied the entire Zheng family's clan land, and the size of their clan land far exceeded that of the main Ning family branch. And on the day of the branch family ceremony, Ning Zhuo hosted a grand feast, with Lord Fei Si and Zhou Nongying, two Golden Core cultivators from the City Lord's Mansion and the Zhou family respectively, personally visiting, as well as Zhu Hou from the Orphanage and envoys from the Southern Bean Kingdom.

On that day, a Golden Core cultivator from a Cloud Merchant attempted to block the entrance, wanting to embarrass Ning Zhuo.

As a result, he was persuaded to retreat by three consecutive flying letters! Ning Zhuo did not even show his face.

What does this indicate?

Lin Shanshan had limited experience and was not deeply involved in worldly affairs, but that did not mean she lacked insight and ability. On the contrary, she had been carefully cultivated by Lin Bufan since childhood and could naturally view things from the perspective of a superior.

Lin Shanshan was shocked, as she clearly understood what these events meant.

This meant that Ning Zhuo was far from being as simple as he appeared. He was deeply calculating and had seasoned methods! He must have hidden for many years, disguising himself, until the appearance of the Lava Immortal Palace, when he saw an opportunity and suddenly rose to prominence.

Was his talent only demonstrated when cultivating the supreme methods of the Three Sects? Did he not know about it for more than a decade?

This was indeed possible.

But look at what Ning Zhuo did during the competition for the Lava Immortal Palace among various forces. He overthrew the Young Clan Leader, took control of the black market, and made rapid progress using the resources of the Three Families Alliance. In the end, he even made the Ning family's Golden Core ancestor tacitly agree to his branching out!

Could a naive youth accomplish all these things?

No, of course not.

Therefore, combining this with his behavior of revealing his talent, Lin Shanshan speculated that this was merely Ning Zhuo displaying his appropriate talent at the appropriate time!

Lin Shanshan then saw the intelligence about Jade Steel Mountain.

"Young Master Ning Zhuo has been to Fog Hidden Mountain, and Jade Steel Mountain is near Fog Hidden Mountain. I accepted the Misty Orchid he gifted me and specifically checked the map."

"The Ning family branch's Jade Run Black Steel business has only been operating for a short time, which coincides with the time Young Master Ning Zhuo was in Fog Hidden Mountain."

"This should be the result of his diligent efforts."

"This time, he came to the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect seeking an alliance, which is probably also a similar kind of cooperation."

"He is really... quite remarkable!"

For the first time, Lin Shanshan felt admiration for a peer, or more accurately, a youth five years younger than her.

She caressed the jade slip in her hand, the more she thought about it, the more she felt that Ning Zhuo's journey was truly not easy.

Suffering harsh treatment and neglect since childhood, he did not resign himself to the status quo but secretly gathered momentum, endured in silence, and paralyzed all his enemies.

The Lava Immortal Palace was just a favorable wind, an opportunity that Ning Zhuo had waited for for over a decade.

Many people in Fire Persimmon Immortal City said that the Lava Immortal Palace had made Ning Zhuo successful. But Lin Shanshan felt that with Ning Zhuo's talent, he only lacked an opportunity. If it wasn't the Lava Immortal Palace, there would have been other opportunities.

"Someone like him, unless he is frustrated throughout his life. But as long as he encounters one opportunity, he will firmly grasp it and rise rapidly, turning his life around!"

Lin Bufan saw that Lin Shanshan had been silent for a long time, deep in thought, and couldn't help but smile, "Shanshan, now you should understand, right? Ning Zhuo has hidden many things from you. Don't be deceived by his young age and appearance."

"He is a person with deep calculating abilities, and he hides them well. He must not have told you many things, right?"

Lin Shanshan nodded, "Yes, he indeed never said anything about it. He just didn't mention these things."

"With his low-key and steady personality, if he were to boast to me about these past achievements, I wouldn't even want to listen."

Lin Bufan: ...

Lin Shanshan suddenly showed a hint of a smile and said, "Actually, Ning Zhuo is very much like you, Father, isn't he?"

"Father, in your early years, although you were a Golden Core, you were very ordinary. At that time, many elders in the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect looked down on you and thought it would be more fitting for you to be called Lin Fan."

"But that was just your disguise. Suddenly one day, your cultivation broke through and you advanced to the Nascent Soul stage. Only then did the world realize with shock that you had hidden your peak Golden Core cultivation for so many years."

"After you achieved Nascent Soul, you immediately swept away all your competitors and seized control of all the power in the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect. To avoid the influence of old forces and long-standing malpractices, you directly negotiated with the Mountain God alone and moved Original Mountain here to Ten Thousand Medicine Valley, completely clearing away the influence of the old forces. From then on, you painted on a blank canvas, embarked on a grand plan, and managed the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect to flourish and thrive."

"Now, throughout the entire Ten Thousand Medicine Sect, there is only one person's voice, and that is your voice, Father. There is only one person's will, and that is your will, Father!"

Lin Bufan stroked his beard and smiled without speaking.

Lin Shanshan added, "Isn't the current Ning Zhuo like the past you, Father? It's just that you, Father, were more patient than him, enduring until the Nascent Soul stage before truly making a move and displaying your methods."

"Young Master Ning Zhuo is not as good as you in this regard. He couldn't help but reveal his sharpness during the Foundation Establishment stage."

Lin Bufan shook his head, "It was the Qi Refining stage. When he was in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, he was still in the Qi Refining stage. Advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage was only a recent matter."

"Hearing you say this, I somewhat understand where your fondness for Ning Zhuo comes from."

"You girl, your ability to persuade people is increasing with each passing day!"

Lin Shanshan smiled. She was no longer as nervous.

She was nervous before because she didn't know about Ning Zhuo's achievements. Now that she had seen the intelligence, she understood Ning Zhuo better.

Lin Shanshan was worried that Ning Zhuo, with his youthful vigor, would cause conflict with Senior Brother. But now, seeing how shrewd he was, how could such a little fox do such a foolish thing?

Lin Shanshan had been overly concerned and lost her composure. Now that she had calmed down, reason allowed her to see the current situation more clearly.

She said, "In that case, the meeting between Young Master Ning Zhuo and Senior Brother is actually quite significant, concerning the long-term relationship between our sect and the Ning family of Fire Persimmon."

Lin Bufan nodded, "Exactly. In the future, the one who can inherit my mantle and the position of Sect Master must be your Senior Brother."

"Drunken Moon Chasing Immortal, although only rated as having superior talent, it is just because good wine is hard to find and consumes too much capital. Now, your Senior Brother, combined with You Si Ming Niang, is truly a match made in heaven."

"It's just that his nature is too lazy and he places too much emphasis on the relationships between his senior and junior brothers. How many times has a junior brother violated the sect rules and he has taken the responsibility alone? Do you think I don't know?"

"Hmph, in this regard, I would prefer him to learn more from that boy Ning Zhuo."

"Father, I often punish your Senior Brother with confinement, hoping that he will overcome his lazy nature and gain insight into himself in solitude. Be less lenient with others and think more about himself. Otherwise, he will sooner or later be dragged down by you junior brothers and sisters!"

Lin Shanshan was displeased, "Father, Senior Brother grew up with us, and the sibling bond was established from childhood. You used to praise him often as a model older brother."

"Senior Brother is like this, isn't it because of your teaching?"

Lin Bufan shook his head, "This matter, I often reflect on it. Although I, your father, have held the position of Sect Master for many years, it is the first time I am a parent. So, even with several hundred years of life, there are still areas where I lack understanding."

"As the saying goes, it takes ten years to grow a tree, and a hundred years to cultivate a person. Alas! Being a parent and educating the next generation, this is not an easy task, much more difficult than governing a sect."

Lin Bufan spoke from the heart.

He was currently communicating with Lin Shanshan also out of concern for his beloved daughter, worried that the latter would be blinded by love and used by that Ning Zhuo.

How long had Lin Shanshan and Ning Zhuo known each other, and she was already helping him like this. Helping him to the point of accumulating debt, and even neglecting her daily cultivation lessons.

This was simply outrageous!

Lin Bufan had been enduring in silence.

Two days ago, when he first met Ning Zhuo and first received intelligence about him, he realized that Lin Shanshan's infatuation was not without reason.

Today, he specifically came to talk to Lin Shanshan and gleaned his daughter's thoughts and attitude from her own mouth.

Only then did he realize that part of the reason his daughter had a good impression of Ning Zhuo was because Ning Zhuo was so similar to himself!

"Indeed."

"Compared to me and Jiu'er, our personalities are quite different."

"That boy Ning Zhuo is indeed like me, like me!"

With this thought, Lin Bufan's hidden hostility towards Ning Zhuo dissipated considerably.

Lin Bufan also suddenly gained much more understanding of Lin Shanshan's extensive help.

"Now, do you still want to break out and interfere with the meeting between your Senior Brother and Ning Zhuo?" He asked his daughter, in a seemingly nonchalant manner.

Lin Shanshan shook her head, "No, going would only cause them trouble. I trust Senior Brother, and I also trust Young Master Ning Zhuo."

Lin Bufan nodded, "That's good, go back to your room."

Lin Shanshan immediately bowed, "Father, your daughter takes her leave."

However, upon returning to her room, Lin Shanshan instructed her personal maid Xiao Ju, "The meeting between Young Master Ning Zhuo and Senior Brother is very significant, concerning the long-term alliance between our sect and the Ning family."

"My father wants to use this to test Young Master Ning Zhuo, and also Senior Brother."

"As Senior Brother's junior sister and Young Master Ning Zhuo's friend here, it is naturally necessary for me to offer assistance."

"I cannot go out, Xiao Ju, you go on my behalf. If they clash, you must stop them. What I am worried about now is that Young Master Ning Zhuo originally only intended to spar a bit, but while fighting, he and Senior Brother might get heated."

"Alas, although he is steady and low-key, he still has youthful spirit. At such a young age, he has already built up such a large family business. The pride in the heart of such a person is not like the gentle appearance on the surface."

"I know this all too well, my father is exactly like this!"

Lin Shanshan spoke with emotion.

On the surface, Lin Bufan appeared calm and gentle as jade. But Lin Shanshan had been by his side for twenty-one years and had witnessed his ruthless and cold-blooded appearance when he was truly enraged and punished his enemies with a smile.

"Alright, Miss, I'll go." Xiao Ju would not disobey, as she was very loyal to Lin Shanshan.

"Xiao Ju, I'm counting on you for everything!" Lin Shanshan said.

Xiao Ju hurried out.

Little did she know that every movement in the small courtyard was under the shroud of Lin Bufan's spiritual sense.

Watching Xiao Ju head directly towards Great Contention Peak, Lin Bufan sighed softly in his heart.

"My daughter has indeed grown up and has her own opinions. If it were before, she wouldn't do these little things."

But the old father did not stop Xiao Ju.

He cast his gaze towards the direction of the Ten Thousand Demon Cave, his heart filled with anticipation.

Sons and daughters have their own lives.

Lin Bufan had children late in life and also took disciples late in life. He planned far ahead, carefully selecting his wife and disciples for strategic purposes.

Decades later, the results were evident.

"In due time, when Jiu'er achieves Golden Core, I will also be able to lay down the heavy burden of Sect Master, fully enter seclusion, and concentrate on cultivation."

At the Golden Core and Nascent Soul levels of cultivation, the resources consumed just for daily cultivation are extremely vast.

Therefore, Lin Bufan painstakingly built up the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect also for his own cultivation.

Now, the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect was stable, and the next generation's leaders were personally trained by him. Linghu Jiu's talent was sufficient, and his nature was also very generous, which was actually the result of Lin Bufan's meticulous cultivation.

Lin Bufan was well-versed in the art of cultivation and was very clear about the dangers of pulling seedlings to help them grow.

Therefore, his daily guidance for his daughter and disciples was like the gentle rain moisturizing things silently, subtly exerting influence. Unless it involved matters of principle or bottom lines, he rarely issued strict regulations.

This time, his heart was concerned about his beloved daughter, but he did not stop her actions.

"Female cultivators are indeed easily blinded by love."

"That boy Ning Zhuo is not easy to deal with. My daughter's cultivation is too shallow. If she's not careful, she'll be completely devoured."

"Jiu'er is probably more reliable than Shanshan!"

Lin Bufan's spiritual sense spread, enveloping the Ten Thousand Demon Cave.

The next moment, he saw the scene of Ning Zhuo and Linghu Jiu together.

He... fell into a long silence.