Chapter 457: Perching Bird

Random Recommendation:The messenger arrived at the camp of the Three Generals.An incense table had already been set up.Liu Er, Guan Hong, and Zhang Hei knelt on the ground. Ning Zhuo, being from another land, only needed to stand and bow.The messenger took out the imperial edict, unrolled it, and loudly proclaimed: "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Monarch decrees:""Generals Liu Er, Guan Hong, and Zhang Hei, you are exceptionally brave and loyal guardians of the nation. In the recent ambush, you fought with full might, resisting the enemy forces,""And with your Golden Core cultivation, you captured the Nascent Soul cultivator Ma Feitui alive, thus removing a great hidden danger for our Two Streams Kingdom, earning brilliant military achievements.""In times of peril, you risked your lives without fear, proving yourselves pillars of the nation. We hereby command that the official ranks of you three generals be elevated from 'Guerrilla General' to 'Capturing General' as an encouragement, and grant you ten blocks of national power.""Military Advisor Ning Zhuo, though from another land, your heart is aligned with the righteous path. You fought bravely, undeterred by hardship. Before the battle, you even offered our army a prophetic verse,""Your words were precise, foretelling the course of battle. And in the ambush, you assisted the army, achieving numerous remarkable feats and slaying countless foes. Such grand aspirations are worthy of commendation.""We specially bestow upon you four blocks of national power as an encouragement!""May you remember this great honor, live up to expectations, continue to fight bravely, slay enemies, and defend the might of our Two Streams Kingdom.""By Imperial Order."The three generals responded in unison: "Your servants give thanks!"Ning Zhuo also echoed their words."The messenger has traveled far and wide, rushing all the way from the royal capital. It is truly a hardship. Please, come this way." After receiving the decree, Liu Er, with a face full of smiles, hosted the messenger.As the banquet neared its end, Ning Zhuo approached the messenger and presented him with many spirit stones: "The military camp is simple, and the hospitality is poor. Please, messenger, do not take offense."The messenger smiled and skillfully accepted the storage pouch of spirit stones. Soon after, accompanied by the three generals and Ning Zhuo, he left the Three Generals' camp and returned to the royal capital to report back.Late at night.Ning Zhuo was in his tent, carefully examining the blocks of national power.When cultivators form a cultivation nation, the upper echelons of the nation condense national power and forge blocks of national power.The Two Streams Kingdom was founded on the virtue of Water, hence the national power blocks were black.The lamplight in the tent shone upon the national power blocks, revealing faint ripples, like deep-sea currents, a clear sign of the virtue of Water.Ning Zhuo rubbed the national power block with his palm. The surface was cool, but not as biting as ice.This was the first time Ning Zhuo had come into contact with national power blocks; he had only seen them many times in books before.Ning Zhuo activated his divine sense and infused it into the national power block.The national power block emitted a wave of fluctuations, enveloping Ning Zhuo's entire body, and immediately sensed the Military Advisor's Seal in Ning Zhuo's embrace.Like a lock meeting its key, the gate slowly opened, and a wisp of national power flowed out from the national power block.This national power, guided by Ning Zhuo's divine sense, first entered the upper Dantian in the Sea of Consciousness.Mirror Platform Spirit Attunement Technique!As Ning Zhuo actively cultivated, the national power in the upper Dantian transformed into a magnificent light, radiating in all directions.Under the illumination of this radiance, countless mirror thoughts surged, with remarkably high efficiency.Ning Zhuo then directed this wisp of national power into the middle Dantian, the Sea of Qi.Five Elements Qi Regulation Technique!Upon infusion, the national power was almost instantaneously converted into a large stream of spiritual energy cultivation.Demon-Corrupting Blood Meridian Art!Similarly, when it reached the lower Dantian, the national power transformed into blood meridians, directly thickening the blood meridian earth by three chi."Marvelous, truly marvelous." Ning Zhuo immediately felt all three Dantians swell, and his entire body was filled with a powerful force.This force was warm and profound, possessing immense inclusiveness.Ning Zhuo tasted a little and then stopped, slowly opening his eyes, his face filled with surprise.In just a dozen breaths of time, his cultivation had significantly surged, equivalent to a month of his normal cultivation!"Cultivating with national power is like direct empowerment, no need for arduous practice!""More importantly, national power has no Five Elements characteristics and can transform into the spiritual energy of any cultivation technique in the world.""No wonder in ancient times, many cultivators risked their lives to support the Dragon Court."In terms of military achievements in the ambush, Ning Zhuo gained far less than the Three Generals Liu, Guan, and Zhang. Although his prophetic verse was very accurate, it only had a positive impact on the Three Generals' camp and the Red Flower camp.To a large extent, Ning Zhuo's military achievements were due to Liu, Guan, and Zhang.Without the three generals capturing Ma Feitui alive, Ning Zhuo would not have shared so many military achievements.This was also due to Liu Er's intentional exaggeration of Ning Zhuo's merits when reporting.Regarding these military achievements, Ning Zhuo did not hesitate and chose the national power blocks."If it were before the ambush, and I faced such a choice, I might still hesitate. But after experiencing the battlefield firsthand, the national power block will be my necessary choice, my first choice, and even my only choice for a long time!"The ambush brought Ning Zhuo a significant shock.For a moment, even though he was deep within the army formation, facing Ma Feitui's spear thrust, he was nearly defeated and killed!And in that moment of life and death, Ning Zhuo didn't even have time to react.Afterward, he reunited with Sun Lingtong through directional teleportation and went all out to seize the spoils, with no time to reflect.It wasn't until the entire army set off again, on the way back to the Canglin Immortal City, that Ning Zhuo gradually realized and felt a sense of lingering fear."Cultivation!""Cultivation is the greatest foundation of everything!""Although my Five Elements realm is profound, without cultivation support, it is like a pearl cast into darkness.""Foundation Establishment - Weak!""Golden Core - Still Weak!""Nascent Soul - Still Weak!!"This battle greatly broadened Ning Zhuo's horizons.This was the result of traveling thousands of miles and exploring the four directions.Of course, Ning Zhuo had learned about cultivation levels like Golden Core and Nascent Soul long ago. He had seen them countless times in various ancient texts.However, many life insights must be experienced firsthand to truly appreciate their weight!Knowledge gained from books is ultimately shallow; one must practice to truly understand.As someone at the Foundation Establishment level, even with countless comrades around him, he could be instantly killed.Those Golden Core cultivators from the Thousand Peaks Forest were repeatedly slaughtered by the Three Generals Liu, Guan, and Zhang, like butchering pigs and dogs!Even a powerful Nascent Soul cultivator like Old Man Long was almost burned to death by a fire in the end.These were facts that Ning Zhuo witnessed with his own eyes, and these facts completely ignited the flame in his heart."Foundation Establishment - Not enough!""Golden Core - Not enough!""Nascent Soul - Still Not Enough!!""I must climb higher, constantly climb higher, accumulate cultivation at full speed and with all my might.""I must become a powerful cultivator, I must control my own destiny!"In the moment he was almost killed, Ning Zhuo didn't even have the ability to react. He never wanted to experience such sorrow again.However, accumulating cultivation is easier said than done.Even with Sun Lingtong's talent and comprehension, after cultivating until now, he is still only at the Foundation Establishment stage.It's not that he doesn't work hard, but that's just the normal pace.Foundation Establishment cultivation takes at least a few decades, typically around a hundred years. Therefore, many cultivators cannot break through the bottleneck and advance to the Golden Core stage before their lifespan runs out, and they die of old age.Sun Lingtong's speed is actually quite fast.Ning Zhuo is only sixteen years old and has advanced to the early Foundation Establishment stage. He cultivates three techniques simultaneously, and all three are top-tier techniques in the world.Practicing even one technique requires accumulating more spiritual energy than ordinary people, and consumes more time and effort.On this basis, Ning Zhuo has to multiply that by three!Therefore, Sun Lingtong predicted that Ning Zhuo's cultivation would definitely be slow and take a very long time.Sun Lingtong had also advised Ning Zhuo not to rush.Nothing in the world has only advantages or only disadvantages.Slow cultivation, excessive time consumption, and heavy investment are the immense costs of cultivating top-tier techniques!Ning Zhuo did not want to follow the conventional path.He was currently traveling the world to save his mother, going north and south, and risking great dangers. He had a strong need for cultivation, wishing he could become a Mahayana stage cultivator in the next moment.Therefore, he had been actively seeking ways to accelerate his cultivation.Thanks to this brilliant and splendid era of cultivation!In this world, there were indeed many shortcuts to accumulating cultivation.The most common methods were using higher quality cultivation techniques, spirit stones, elixirs, magical treasures, etc. Secondly were dual cultivation, empowerment, absorbing and transforming others' spiritual energy, and so on.National power is similar to empowerment.Using national power can directly increase a cultivator's cultivation in a very short time, rather than through methods like spirit stones and elixirs that increase cultivation efficiency to quickly raise cultivation.The latter is like a tree growing, just faster than before. The former is like directly grafting a trunk onto one's own tree."I have four blocks of national power in my hand. To what extent can they boost my cultivation?"Ning Zhuo's thoughts ran wild, but he stopped extracting national power and used conventional methods for cultivation.This immediately created a huge gap in his heart."Slow, normal cultivation is too slow!""My current situation and cultivation speed are truly unbearable."The next day.Shuang Jing hosted a banquet for Ning Zhuo in Canglin Immortal City.Ning Zhuo arrived at the banquet on time.Shuang Jing had resumed his usual demeanor as a disciple of a prominent family, dressed in a green robe, elegant and composed.Ning Zhuo cupped his hands in greeting.Shuang Jing sat in his seat, not rising, but extending a hand to indicate for Ning Zhuo to sit opposite him."This Little Bird Pavilion is the most renowned restaurant in the entire Canglin Immortal City.""They are most skilled at making the 'Ten Birds, One Heart Banquet with a Thousand Forms'.""I have reserved this top floor and specifically instructed the kitchen to prepare this 'Ten Birds, One Heart Banquet'. Military Advisor Ning may as well enjoy it."Shuang Jing smiled and introduced the dishes to Ning Zhuo.Ning Zhuo naturally responded politely.The first spiritual food served was called Silver Wave Spirit Qi Soup.The soup was semi-transparent, with a faint silver light emanating from the surface, and a fresh aroma. There was bird meat inside, pale white in color, as the main ingredient. There were also ginkgo, white fungus, snow pear, wolfberry, fish maw, and other supplementary ingredients.Ning Zhuo first used a spoon to take a small sip. The soup was light and warm, with a natural fruity aroma and a medicinal scent, cool with a hint of sweetness.He then ate a bite of the bird meat, which melted in his mouth and had a unique texture.Shuang Jing's pupils reflected Ning Zhuo enjoying the food. He carefully observed Ning Zhuo's every gesture, thinking: "The Ning family is indeed a prominent clan."The Ning family had produced a Nascent Soul cultivator and migrated from the North Wind Kingdom to the South Bean Kingdom, so they still had some family heritage.In the eyes of truly high-ranking disciples, this heritage could be seen at a glance from subtle details.Although Ning Zhuo lost his parents at a young age, he was taught life etiquette by his uncle and aunt. In the school, there were also dedicated elders who taught students daily conduct norms, covering aspects such as living, sitting, and lying down.Furthermore, after growing up, Ning Zhuo read extensively and also trained himself, improving his cultivation in this area. This was done to interact with cultivators of noble status and gain their favor.Shuang Jing saw that Ning Zhuo's eating movements were simple, elegant, seemingly slow but actually fast, and immediately felt much more comfortable, his appetite also increased, and he began to enjoy his own portion of the spirit qi soup.Ning Zhuo drank a little less than half of this spirit qi soup and then stopped eating.Shuang Jing asked: "Military Advisor Ning, do you know what the main ingredient of this spiritual food is?"Ning Zhuo replied: "It should be the Perching Branch Bird."Shuang Jing then asked: "There are many types of Perching Branch Birds, which specific one is it?"Ning Zhuo said: "I see that this soup is brilliantly silver, with a ginkgo taste. The most likely is the Silver Feather Perching Branch Bird."Shuang Jing smiled: "Military Advisor Ning is indeed outstanding in strategy, your guess is not wrong."After saying this, he remained silent.Ning Zhuo was slightly surprised, as Shuang Jing's attitude when inviting him before was gentle and enthusiastic. This invitation was clearly intended to bring them closer, but after arriving at the banquet, he began to put on airs.It seemed that without external threats, dressed in fine clothes and robes, Shuang Jing had reverted to the role of a high-ranking family disciple.The second course was immediately served on the round table.This was a roasted dish.A flower was blooming, and inside the flower was a roasted chicken.Ning Zhuo identified it and found that it was not a roasted chicken, but a roasted bird.The surface of the bird was coated with honey, adorned with cherries and cherry blossoms, giving it a rather romantic feel.Ning Zhuo picked up his chopsticks and tasted a piece of the bird meat, his eyes slightly brightening.The bird meat was sweet and crisp, with a unique and wonderful flavor, evoking the feeling of spring, with the spring breeze caressing the face, cherry blossoms blooming, and falling like rain.Shuang Jing waited until Ning Zhuo stopped eating before asking what the main ingredient was.Ning Zhuo replied: "It should also be a Perching Branch Bird, and it is the Cherry Love Perching Branch."Shuang Jing nodded, smiling without speaking.Ning Zhuo's heart stirred, and he understood Shuang Jing's intention, but did not reveal it.When the third spiritual food was served, it was presented in the form of a "medicinal chicken".Ning Zhuo activated his spiritual power and cut open the "chicken's abdomen", immediately spilling out the purple rice and purple sweet potato inside the "chicken abdomen".After tasting it, Ning Zhuo couldn't help but nod slightly.The sweetness of the purple rice and the delicate texture of the purple sweet potato blended together, combined with the tender chicken meat, resulted in a profound flavor that brought peace to his mind, clearing his thoughts in the upper Dantian of the Sea of Consciousness, leaving it pristine and clear.This time, without waiting for Shuang Jing's response, Ning Zhuo took the initiative to say: "This must be the Purple Wisdom Perching Branch Bird."Seeing Ning Zhuo smile with a deep meaning in his eyes, Shuang Jing knew the time was ripe and finally revealed the carefully prepared words."The Perching Branch bird has a slender beak, which it inserts into the trunk of a tree to feed on the sap.""When they are ready to reproduce, they insert their beaks into the deepest part of the trunk and inject their life essence into the trunk.""The same Perching Branch bird will produce different offspring depending on the tree it chooses.""The Silver Feather Perching Branch bird is nurtured in a ginkgo tree. When they fly, their wings flash with silver light, their speed is fast, and their calls are clear.""The Cherry Love Perching Branch bird is cultivated in a cherry blossom tree. Its entire body is pale pink, its body is light, and its song is gentle, with a hint of melancholy.""The Purple Wisdom Perching Branch bird grows in a sandalwood tree. Its feathers are deep purple, it can understand human speech, and it is the most intelligent."At this point, Shuang Jing paused: "What kind of tree species often nurtures what kind of Perching Branch bird.""It shows how important the growth environment is for a bird, and for a person!""Military Advisor Ning is a young prodigy, born into a great clan. To be honest, I don't quite understand how Military Advisor Ning joined the Three Generals' camp?""You are like fine jade, while what is the Three Generals' camp? It is a crooked tree whose name cannot be called."Ning Zhuo smiled and shook his head: "Does Lord Shuang want to persuade me to leave the Three Generals' camp and join the White Jade camp?"As for Shuang Jing's intention, Ning Zhuo had discussed it with Sun Lingtong before coming and had sensed Shuang Jing's recruiting intention.But Shuang Jing shook his head: "My White Jade camp is crippled and is in dire need of rebuilding. This time it is being rebuilt, and there is no longer the same level of support as before.""To invite Military Advisor Ning with such an army, how can it show my sincerity?"Outside the window.The sky was as clear as if washed, and the sun radiated warmth.A flock of Silver Feather Perching Branch birds descended from the blue sky, their wings tracing bright silver lines in the air.They swooped down at extreme speed, almost "crashing" into the dense canopy of a large tree in a suicidal manner.The birds chirped and twittered, the sound of flapping wings, the wind, and the rustling of leaves interwoven into a strong wave of sound, drowning out the conversation between the two people inside the window.After Shuang Jing spoke, he looked at Ning Zhuo, his eyes filled with intense expectation.Ning Zhuo, however, widened his eyes slightly, a look of bewilderment appearing between his eyebrows.He looked out the window at the noisy flock of Silver Feather Perching Branch birds. In this short span of time, his thoughts had raced.When he turned to face Shuang Jing, his expression had returned to calmness: "House vassal?"Shuang Jing nodded: "Become my house vassal, this is my sincerity!""You should know the weight of my surname, shouldn't you?"Ning Zhuo also nodded.He certainly knew.The surname Shuang was the royal surname of the Two Streams Kingdom!Shuang Jing took out a jade slip and slowly handed it to Ning Zhuo: "Here is the stipend after becoming a house vassal.""I know you used your military achievements to claim the four blocks of national power as a reward.""If you are my house vassal, this status will be countless levels higher than your current position as Military Advisor and Libationer!""When absorbing national power, there is a nearly three-fold increase in efficiency.""From this alone, it is equivalent to suddenly amplifying your military achievements by three times. The significance of this is too great, isn't it?"Ning Zhuo had a solemn expression.He infused his divine sense into the jade slip, and his heart pounded.The conditions proposed by Shuang Jing were very generous, and he even did not restrict Ning Zhuo's freedom.As long as Ning Zhuo wanted to leave and was unwilling to serve as a house vassal, he could get rid of this status at any time!So, should he become a house vassal of one of the high-ranking officials of the Two Streams Kingdom?