Chapter 400: Divination

Zhu Xuanji slowly put down his teacup and let out a long sigh, saying, "Sect Leader Lin has managed the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect with such hardship and meticulous care, it is truly not easy."

"Let bygones be bygones, let everything move forward. In the present situation, brother should be open-minded and magnanimous."

"Within the four seas, every inch of land is under the king's rule. The territory of the world is the nation's land. Since the Sect Leader can consider the larger picture, the nation's generous reward goes without saying."

Seeing this, Ning Zhuo stood up, stepped forward, and kowtowed, speaking solemnly, "Sect Leader Lin's noble righteousness is truly admirable."

"In the past, the Ning family faced difficulties. Fortunately, the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect provided great assistance and rescued us from danger. The Ning family will never forget this for generations. I am grateful for your kindness and have been unable to repay it. Today, I am fortunate to meet the Sect Leader and have also received much care from Senior Sister Shanshan. I have no way to repay you, only deep shame, and no face to show myself."

"Today's incident occurred suddenly, and the situation was urgent. It was truly an accidental excavation that mistakenly triggered a treasure. It was a twist of fate that unexpectedly caused such an uproar, causing the Sect Leader to activate the mountain-guarding formation, filled with killing intent. I fear I will not survive, which is not my wish, and truly regrettable."

Lin Shanshan's face immediately changed.

She looked at Ning Zhuo, her expression complex, full of resentment.

Although she was not deeply involved in worldly affairs, she was highly cultivated by Lin Bufan and lived by his side, being influenced by him.

Therefore, although Ning Zhuo's words seemed like an apology, as soon as he spoke, Lin Shanshan knew that Ning Zhuo was stabbing a sharp sword directly at her father.

Lin Bufan smiled on the surface, but inwardly he snorted, "This brat's words are sharp as swords, distorting the truth about himself!"

"Purely accidental? How could Zhu Xuanji be so coincidental in arriving here?"

On the surface, Lin Bufan laughed and exchanged more pleasantries, saying that Lin Shanshan's disappearance was the reason for his aggressive reaction.

This was also distorting the truth.

The actual truth was that Lin Bufan had first captured Ning Jiufan and activated the mountain-guarding formation, which led Ning Zhuo to kidnap Lin Shanshan.

Of course, Ning Zhuo would not let Lin Bufan smear the truth like this. He immediately argued back, although on the surface, it still sounded like a junior apologizing.

The two engaged in a battle of wits, which the others initially found interesting.

Gradually, their verbal sparring seemed to become endless, continuous.

Zhu Xuanji grew impatient and had to reach out, "Stop, you two, stop!"

He said that arguing was useless, and it would be better to first go and see the Linlang Reflecting Wall.

Lin Bufan stroked his beard and smiled, agreeing while "gently" looking at Ning Zhuo and inwardly snorting, "Little fox!"

Ning Zhuo wore a look of shame, saying that Brother Zhu Xuanji's teaching was correct. He glanced at Lin Bufan out of the corner of his eye and thought, "Old fox!"

He looked back and saw Lin Shanshan staring at him.

Ning Zhuo smiled brightly, "Miss Lin..."

Lin Shanshan turned her head, "Young Master Ning Zhuo, do not speak to me."

Lin Bufan's heart warmed, and he revealed some more truth: the Linlang Reflecting Wall was a spiritual treasure of extremely high grade. Even he had repeatedly probed it but had never seen the wall itself. Just the several layers of formations outside the wall had stumped him.

"These formations themselves do not belong to the Reflecting Wall, but were jointly arranged by the projections of several formation masters of the past."

"I led the sect to relocate here, and the original mountain god permeated it for over a hundred years, only managing to permeate the outermost two layers of formations, creating a secret passage connecting the underground溶洞 and the mansion."

Lin Bufan subtly and indirectly advised everyone not to have too high expectations for this trip, as he had never been able to control this spiritual treasure. If the action was not successful, it was not because he, Lin Bufan, was unwilling to cooperate.

Ning Jiufan stroked his beard, his face serious, "If, as Sect Leader Lin said, the Reflecting Wall contains the methods of countless ancient masters, that is truly formidable. If we anger the spiritual treasure and it retaliates on this trip, I fear our lives will be in danger."

Zhu Xuanji nodded slightly upon hearing this, as this was also his concern.

Thus, he turned to look at Shen Lingzhu beside him, "Please Senior Shen, make a divination for us before we embark on this trip!"

Shen Lingzhu nodded, "This was originally why I was ordered to come here, to assist you."

Ning Zhuo immediately looked at Shen Lingzhu with curiosity, thinking, "Divination?"

Divination was one of the hundred arts of cultivation. He had long longed for this skill, and seeing a cultivator who practiced it today, he felt a sense of novelty.

"This Senior Shen not only has a Nascent Soul level cultivation but was also sent here by the Nandu Royal Family. He must be very skilled in divination."

"When I get the chance later, I must get close to him!"

Shen Lingzhu's heart suddenly skipped a beat, and he had a slight sense of unease.

His expression became a little more serious, and he thought to himself, "There was a premonition before the action. Could it be that this trip is going to be very unsuccessful?"

He had originally planned to only use 80% of his power, but now that he was disturbed by this premonition, he immediately decided to go all out and perform a divination.

Immediately, he took out his prized magic treasure from his storage belt – a set of Nascent Soul level divining stalks.

Ning Zhuo's eyes were bright. This was the first time he had seen a Nascent Soul level grand cultivator performing divination in front of him.

Shen Lingzhu's eyes were deep. He gently stroked the divining stalks in his hand and said, "Everyone's luck is uneven, with mixed fortunes. Let me calculate each one separately and then combine them to deduce the celestial destiny of this trip."

Everyone had no objection.

Shen Lingzhu concentrated for a moment, first looking at Ning Jiufan. He reached out and captured Ning Jiufan's aura, placing it into the divining stalks.

He threw the divining stalks.

The divining stalks emitted specks of mysterious light, floating in mid-air, and finally came to a rest.

Shen Lingzhu calculated the result and said to Ning Jiufan, "You have noble support, and good fortune is hidden in your destiny. However, your luck changed recently, which was caused by external forces modifying your fate, with emotional entanglements mixed within."

Ning Jiufan's face slightly flushed and he asked, "I once heard that rashly changing one's luck can lead to backlash. Is it possible that..."

Shen Lingzhu shook his head and comforted him, "This was not your voluntary change of luck. The spellcaster has already borne the burden for you, so there is no need to worry." He turned to Ning Zhuo and continued his calculation.

Soon, his eyes were like ice, and he said directly, "Young Friend Ning Zhuo, your luck is stable, ordinary. However, within stability, there are also hidden opportunities."

After speaking, he also calculated for Lin Shanshan, "Young Friend Lin Shanshan, your fate is rooted in staying at home. It is not suitable for traveling far recently. There is wind, frost, cold dew outside, but warmth and protection within. Staying inside can nourish your energy and strengthen your vitality."

Lin Shanshan's expression changed slightly.

Shen Lingzhu then calculated for Lin Bufan, his expression slightly stern, and said in a deep voice, "Sect Leader Lin, your life is full of wealth and prosperity. However, stillness brings unrest, while movement brings good fortune. Yin and yang circulate between heaven and earth, and prolonged stillness will inevitably lead to movement. If you do not act now, disaster is unavoidable. Success and failure depend on a single thought. Taking action to seek good fortune and protect the foundation of the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect is in accordance with celestial destiny."

The implication was that disaster would strike even if one stayed at home.

These words immediately struck a chord with Lin Bufan, and he turned his gaze towards Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo: ...

Finally, Shen Lingzhu looked at Zhu Xuanji, threw out the divining stalks, and got the answer, "Fellow Daoist Zhu, you have a life of toil and extraordinary talent. However, only through hardship can you achieve great success. With labor comes merit, and your future endeavors will be prosperous. However, this trip requires great patience, and success or failure hinges on minor details. Behind fame and fortune, you must possess extreme patience to not go against the heavenly way."

After calculating for everyone, Shen Lingzhu silently chanted a mysterious incantation, accumulating power for a long time before throwing out the divining stalks again.

The divining stalks combined with each other in mid-air, forming various shapes, which made others feel dizzy.

Ning Zhuo stared at them for a while and felt a sense of dizziness.

Finally, Shen Lingzhu put away the divining stalks, looked around, and said in a low voice, "According to your destinies, this trip is mostly auspicious with some normalcy, without shock or danger, calm and steady, with natural support. However, the heavenly way is ever-changing, and the harvest may not meet expectations. You only need to broaden your minds to gain the advantages of time and place."

Everyone held their breath and listened intently.

Ning Zhuo was filled with respect and flattered, "Senior Shen's divination technique is truly profound and brilliant. Witnessing it, I feel immense admiration!"

Unexpectedly, Shen Lingzhu said coldly, "Young Friend Ning Zhuo, you must know that destiny is set, and heavenly secrets must not be spoken of rashly. In the future, please do not approach me."

Ning Zhuo: ???

Since the divination was successful and yielded such results, everyone began their action.

Lin Bufan originally wanted to leave Lin Shanshan on the original mountain, but the latter insisted on going, saying she wanted to personally rescue Senior Brother Linghuji. Lin Bufan then let her go.

Lin Bufan opened the secret mountain path.

This was the very path Ning Zhuo had used to enter the original mountain from the underground溶洞.

He was essentially returning along the original route.

Everyone directly entered the formation within the formation, a dense fog, white and hazy covering the four directions, filling their eyes.

Lin Bufan used his methods, waving his long sleeves, and saw the white fog rolling and surging, rapidly becoming lighter.

Just as everyone was about to see a portal dimly appearing, a lean figure pierced through the fog, holding a long sword, and walked towards them.

It was none other than Linghuji.

"Master, and esteemed guests, please pause for a moment." Linghuji smiled freely and suddenly pointed his sword at Ning Zhuo, "Allow me to challenge one person first!"

"Ning Zhuo, how about a competition with your foolish brother?"

"Brother Linghu, why do you say that?" Ning Zhuo's face changed slightly, feeling confused, "The misunderstanding between me and your sect has been resolved."

Linghuji smiled and shook his head.

Lin Bufan stroked his beard and suddenly said, "No, you are not Jiuer, you are just a projection of him."

"Linghuji" nodded and frankly admitted, "My main body has been guided to a deeper level. I have been left behind specifically for one matter."

Saying this, he turned his gaze towards Ning Zhuo, his fighting spirit very strong.

Ning Zhuo still did not understand, saying that this was definitely not Linghuji's order and that he would never treat him this way.

Shen Lingzhu suddenly said, "So that's how it is. This is the guidance."

Ning Zhuo exclaimed, always feeling that Shen Lingzhu, the grand cultivator skilled in divination, was somewhat targeting him.

Zhu Xuanji urged, "Then let's make it quick, Ning Zhuo, fight him."

Lin Shanshan pursed her lips and smiled, "Suddenly, being able to see Senior Brother and Young Master Ning Zhuo fight, even if it's not Senior Brother himself, is truly something to look forward to."

She was very angry at Ning Zhuo's actions and hoped that "Linghuji" would teach the big-headed young man a good lesson.

With Lin Shanshan's attitude, needless to say, Lin Bufan felt the same.

Ning Jiufan stroked his beard, "Little Zhuo, then go and fight! Let everyone see the demeanor of us Northern men, the Ning family!"

Ning Zhuo showed a bitter smile. Ning Jiufan had great confidence in him, but he knew deep down that Linghuji was not simple. Even the Human Life String Art would be detected by Linghuji, which meant he must be hiding many things!

"War is dangerous..." Ning Zhuo still held out hope and did not want to start a fight casually.

At this moment, the voice of the Five Elements Divine Lord reached everyone's ears, "Kid Ning Zhuo, quickly fight Linghuji!"

"I made a bet with Brother Ji Mo."

"If you lose, you are not coming in!"

Ning Zhuo: ?!

(End of this chapter)