Chapter 409: Six Caves Sect

The first to depart was not Ning Zhuo, but Ning Jiufan.

"Old Ancestor," Ning Zhuo saluted, "returning to the city this time, one must be extra cautious and not be careless."

"The demon cultivation techniques bestowed by the royal family this time, although precious, have not been fully vetted. It would be best not to have Elder Yuan cultivate them rashly."

"Regarding the struggle for the Ten Thousand Year Fire Essence, the conflict is fierce and dangerous. If she were to suffer qi deviation due to improper cultivation, it might jeopardize important matters."

"Our method of restraining Elder Yuan is through official techniques, which originate from the royal family. If the demon cultivation methods also come from the Zhu family, there might be complications."

"Therefore, this junior dares to humbly suggest that stability is paramount at this time. Postpone the cultivation for now, and only make a decision after the situation has calmed down. That would be the best strategy."

Ning Jiufan listened attentively, nodding in silence.

Ning Jiufan had already witnessed Ning Zhuo's temperament and cunning in Fiery Persimmon Immortal City.

At that time, Ning Zhuo, with only a Qi Condensation cultivation, had spent over a decade plotting and preparing, leaving the Nascent Soul level Meng Kui completely bewildered. Meanwhile, Ning Zhuo skillfully leveraged the influence and power of the Ning family, Zheng family, Zhou family, the royal Zhu family, and the City Lord's Mansion. Every time Ning Jiufan thought of this, he was filled with awe. If he were in Ning Zhuo's position, he would never have been able to achieve such remarkable results.

And this time, his experiences at the Myriad Medicine Sect only made Ning Jiufan value Ning Zhuo even more!

Ning Zhuo's current level in the Five Elements realm far surpassed that of his Old Ancestor, Ning Jiufan.

He possessed a mysterious immortal aptitude, had gained the favor and recognition of the Five Elements Divine Lord, and received the latter's personal transmission of the Five Organs Spirit God Cultivation.

Ning Zhuo once again displayed his superb social skills at the Myriad Medicine Sect. His relationship with Lin Shanshan was ambiguous, yet he still managed to get along well with Linghu Jiu.

Not to mention, Ning Zhuo also had Hua Guzi by his side, who was almost infatuated with him.

Regarding this point, Ning Jiufan was deeply impressed from the bottom of his heart. This was because he felt that dealing with Elder Yuan on a daily basis was exhausting both physically and mentally, and he felt he couldn't handle it without putting in all his effort. Yet, Ning Zhuo handled such difficult situations with ease, like dancing with long sleeves.

Ning Jiufan listened carefully to Ning Zhuo's suggestions.

Ning Zhuo's concern for the situation in Fiery Persimmon Immortal City greatly comforted Ning Jiufan, and he once again realized that Ning Zhuo cared for the family.

Regarding the alliance between the Ning family, the Zhu family, and the Zhou family to resist the Meng family and the struggle over the Lava Immortal Palace, Ning Zhuo still believed that the Grand Purity Palace was a force that could not be ignored.

Ning Jiufan handed Ning Zhuo a jade slip: "This is intelligence that just arrived yesterday via the relay station."

"As you suggested, I sent an envoy to the Grand Purity Palace to seek cooperation, but we were rejected."

"As you expected, the Grand Purity Palace, after absorbing the Zheng family members, has gained control of some of the Immortal Palace's duties and has many ideas regarding this palace, though they have yet to act."

"The Grand Purity Palace has courted the Zheng family cultivators, thus they showed no courtesy to our Ning family."

The reason was simple. The branch family controlled by Ning Zhuo had occupied the Zheng family's original ancestral land, which the Zheng family cultivators deeply resented. They told the envoy directly that if they wanted to cooperate, they should return the ancestral land first.

This was clearly impossible!

The value of the ancestral land was immense; it was the foundation upon which the branch family stood. Currently, a major source of income for the Ning family branch was processing Jade-Moistened Profound Steel. This was thanks to the numerous forging rooms in the Zheng family's ancestral land, which could utilize the endless ground fire of Mount Fiery Persimmon. Some of the forging rooms were even of higher quality than those in the City Lord's Mansion.

Ning Zhuo frowned, infusing the jade slip with his divine sense. After reading it, his brows relaxed slightly.

The jade slip contained more information. Not only did the Ning family send an envoy, but the Meng family and the Zhu family also sent envoys to negotiate with the Grand Purity Palace.

Compared to the Meng family and the Zhu family, the Ning family was nothing. No wonder they were ignored.

There were as many heroes in the world as carp crossing a river! Ning Zhuo was certainly not the only intelligent person who saw the situation clearly.

Obviously, other forces also realized that the remnant forces of the Zheng family within the Grand Purity Palace could not be ignored.

"According to the Zheng family's position, it is very likely they would align with the Meng family and oppose our clan. However, in reality, what truly needs to be considered is the Grand Purity Palace's position."

"Based on the geographical location of the Grand Purity Palace, their sphere of influence does not border the Meng family's. From this perspective, accepting the wooing of the royal Zhu family is more likely."

"Alas, I hope the Zhu family royal family can succeed."

Ning Jiufan also offered advice to Ning Zhuo before leaving.

On the one hand, he encouraged Ning Zhuo, telling him that his actions in the Myriad Medicine Valley were correct and that he should try his best to strengthen his own combat power. Mechanical constructs were not ultimately the body, and at critical moments, they were not as quick and flexible as one's own power.

There was a saying called 'a sliver of hope.' Sometimes, life and death hung in the balance, where a tiny difference could lead to a huge disparity.

On the other hand, Ning Jiufan warned Ning Zhuo that the world was full of dangers, and sects like the Myriad Medicine Sect were special. He should not underestimate the future because of this. When traveling the world in the future, he must be extra careful and always be wary of others.

"For example, your next stop is the Thousand Peaks Forest in the Two Notes Kingdom. The Six Caves Sect that is entrenched there was once on good terms with our Ning family, and we had much business with them."

"Over a decade ago, when our clan migrated, we originally intended to leverage the Six Caves Sect. However, they secretly betrayed us, colluded with our enemies, and set up ambushes and traps."

"Our clan had just left the North Wind Kingdom and entered the Two Notes Kingdom. We were exhausted both physically and mentally, and we assumed we were safe, greatly relaxing our guard."

"The betrayal and harm inflicted by the Six Caves Sect almost led to our demise."

"It was also fate that saved us. At the critical moment of life and death, our clan burrowed into a cave, and in the countless complex tunnels, we luckily found a way out."

"Eventually, our clan followed an underground river, left the Two Notes Kingdom, avoided the obstacles and traps set by our enemies, and arrived in the Southern Bean Kingdom, which is within the Myriad Medicine Valley."

"At that time, due to the incident with the Six Caves Sect, our entire clan was like startled birds and enemies at every turn. However, in the Myriad Medicine Valley, we were received by Lin Bufan."

"This Sect Master Lin had no prior acquaintance with our clan, yet he possessed such a demeanor and magnanimity. Because of this, our entire clan, including myself, has always held a hidden gratitude towards Lin Bufan."

"Although we learned the truth about the past this time, Sect Master Lin Bufan did take care of our entire clan. This feeling of gratitude and desire to repay still exists."

Speaking of this, Ning Jiufan's expression turned solemn: "Little Zhuo, if you encounter the Six Caves Sect in the Two Notes Kingdom, you can act according to the situation."

Ning Zhuo immediately keenly caught Ning Jiufan's implied meaning and nodded, "Old Ancestor, I understand!"

"The Six Caves Sect is our Ning family's enemy. As long as there is an opportunity, I will definitely show them a thing or two."

"Good, good, good." Ning Jiufan stroked his beard and chuckled, "I have confidence in your methods and abilities."

"However, for a gentleman to seek revenge, ten years is not too late. For a genius to seek revenge, a hundred years is still acceptable."

"You have immortal aptitude, the future is yours, and the entire Ning family will have to rely on you in the future. Never sacrifice the greater for the smaller; your own safety must come first in everything."

"Old Ancestor, I understand." Ning Zhuo smiled.

This Six Caves Sect was originally his target.

This was because back then, the Ning family left in haste, and many clan members lost their lives at the hands of the Six Caves Sect, and much wealth also fell into their hands.

For example, the mechanical vehicle that Meng Yao Yin was riding in when she was pregnant with Ning Zhuo was one such item.

Furthermore, according to what Meng Yao Yin once said, she had suffered a miscarriage while pregnant in the Thousand Peaks Forest, during this period.

Ning Jiufan needed to return first. On the one hand, he had to make arrangements in advance to prepare for receiving Lin Bufan and others. On the other hand, on his way back, he also needed to visit Jade Steel Mountain and show support for the Ning family forces there.

With his Golden Core cultivation, his appearance would greatly help the Ning family's arrangements on Jade Steel Mountain.

Ning Zhuo then had Ning Jiufan take Han Zhou with him, and simply leave Han Zhou on Jade Steel Mountain.

Before parting, Ning Zhuo had made various arrangements.

Hua Guzi remained in the Myriad Medicine Valley to cooperate with the Ning family members who would arrive later, mainly Ning Yong and others. Her main duties were to look after the Spirit Concealing Willows, maintain close communication with the Myriad Medicine Sect, and handle business between the two parties.

After communicating with Han Zhou, Ning Zhuo was willing to have Han Zhou teach the Bitter Cold Scripture to his clan members, enticing Han Zhou to go to Jade Steel Mountain to spread the cultivation method.

Han Zhou's strength was considerable, and the Bitter Cold Scripture was very useful to the Ning family branch.

"Our branch family has just been established. Although we are doing business, everything is in short supply."

The treatment of a large number of branch disciples had become fair, and their enthusiasm for cultivation had been aroused and was unprecedentedly high.

What they lacked were cultivation resources.

In this situation, the Bitter Cold Scripture was an answer to the predicament.

Because cultivating the Bitter Cold Scripture had a low cost and high reward. Moreover, the Ning family members on Jade Steel Mountain were mostly engaged in mining and had to endure hardships.

This was a great boost for the cultivation of the Bitter Cold Scripture.

"This cooperation will definitely be a win-win!" Ning Zhuo was very confident about this.

Ning Zhuo also had his own ideas about the family's cultivation techniques.

He had now mastered the Five Organs Spirit God Cultivation and had a deep understanding of the Five Elements realm. He could completely improve this cultivation method to make it more suitable for the current environment.

Ning Zhuo planned to bestow the improved Five Organs Spirit God Cultivation upon those close to him in stages.

For example, Ning Yong, who was stationed at the Myriad Medicine Sect this time, was willing to switch to cultivating this method.

One day later, Ning Zhuo officially and secretly set off.

Leaving aside the separation from Linghu Jiu and Lin Shanshan.

Zhu Xuanji had also shown him kindness.

Ning Zhuo thanked Zhu Xuanji for his help, and Zhu Xuanji warned him: "Since you are going to the Two Notes Kingdom, you must be careful. It has not been peaceful there recently."

"The Two Notes Kingdom's army is mobilizing, showing signs of assembling a large army, under the banner of 'attacking mountains and destroying temples,' intending to suppress the Thousand Peaks Forest."

Ning Zhuo immediately understood that Zhu Xuanji had more to say and directly inquired further.

Zhu Xuanji sighed, looked towards the distant sky, and spoke about the national situation.

It turned out that the Two Notes Kingdom had a small territory and weak national power, sandwiched between the Southern Bean Kingdom and the North Wind Kingdom, and had always been a buffer zone for the struggle between the two countries.

Because the Two Notes Kingdom's monarch only had a Soul Transformation cultivation, the Southern Bean Kingdom and the North Wind Kingdom had always had considerable influence over the Two Notes Kingdom.

"Many forces in the northern part of the Two Notes Kingdom are secretly funded by the Northern Kingdom and have an indirect influence on the Two Notes Kingdom's court."

"And at the southernmost tip of the Two Notes Kingdom is the Thousand Peaks Forest. This mountain range has always been characterized by numerous mountain strongholds and a multitude of complex forces. This is exactly the situation our country desires."