Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1445: Chapter 589: Who Offers Thorns, Who Gifts Tree Seeds (Part 2)

"In the future, when our Nanming Village settles on Flowing Cloud Peak, perhaps we can seek guidance on the essence of ’Hard Practice’ from your society and mutually cultivate our potentials."

Ye Qingming’s face showed a trace of surprise.

Gu Huaijiu’s displeasure on his face immediately diminished somewhat, secretly admiring Ning Zhuo’s eloquence, knowing full well that he was not as skilled in responding.

Kong Ran chuckled and also felt Ning Zhuo’s response was quite clever: "Mutual cultivation in Hard Practice encompasses at least two possibilities. One is a close relationship between Nanming Village and Thorn Society, where they mutually explore the insights into cultivation. The other is adversarial, where Nanming Village imposes hardship on Thorn Society, ’helping’ them adhere to their own cultivation concepts and ’assist’ them in their cultivation."

Li Ku stood there, stunned, lost in silence.

After a few moments, he suddenly turned around and walked towards the seating, eventually joining Ye Qingming at a table.

Ye Qingming glanced at Li Ku but did not speak.

She was more familiar with the situation of Thorn Society than others in the hall, knowing that Li Ku is a true Ascetic Monk, taciturn, not good with words and social interactions, speaking sparingly, with a straightforward nature often giving others an inexplicable sense of oppression.

That Thorn Society sent such a person over was evidently intentional, aiming to make things difficult for Ning Zhuo.

Yet, Ning Zhuo handled it almost perfectly.

Ye Qingming had now realized one thing: in verbal confrontations, Ning Zhuo was skillful, with few cultivators able to gain the upper hand.

Liu Fushu glanced around at Gu Huaijiu, Ye Qingming, and Li Ku, secretly feeling the atmosphere was oppressive: "Though there are three Golden Core Cultivators witnessing, they are one friend and two adversaries. The one friend is even joining the Evil Slaying Hall; the support for Ning Zhuo is not substantial."

"Hahaha." The fourth Golden Core Cultivator had yet to appear, but his laughter had already entered.

Everyone in the hall shifted their gaze and spotted a broad-shouldered, robust man with a large bushy black beard striding in.

"Young Master Ning Zhuo!" He raised his hand, greeting Ning Zhuo from afar.

Ning Zhuo smiled: "Friend Che Zhuzi, welcome."

"Young Master is one with grand undertakings." Che Zhuzi briskly walked in front of Ning Zhuo, presenting a congratulatory gift solemnly.

The gift emitted Golden Core Level aura, instantly capturing the attention of Ahuo, Patchwork Sun, and Zhang Dadan, even Jiang Xiaobian’s puffed cheeks paused.

A nest-shaped object about a foot high, completely half-transparent and orange-yellow, with a texture warm like amber, glowing faintly with yellow light under candlelight. The light fluctuated slowly and rhythmically, as if breathing or asleep.

Yellow Crystal Spider Nest!

Ning Zhuo was somewhat surprised, familiar with it, as he had once entered Che Zhuzi’s Treasure Room.

He hadn’t expected Che Zhuzi to take treasures from the Treasure Room to celebrate him.

Ning Zhuo knew this Yellow Crystal Spider Nest could produce mechanical spiders, which were intricate and delicate, even capable of repairing Storage Bags.

"Brother Che, this gift is too precious." Ning Zhuo declined, but his eyes remained fixed on the Yellow Crystal Spider Nest, unblinking.

Che Zhuzi also felt the pinch, but seeing Ning Zhuo’s expression, knew he hadn’t chosen wrong. He patted his chest and said heartily: "Young Master Ning Zhuo is my biggest client, and I hope you take care of my business. This gift, you must accept!"

"Since Brother Che is so kind, I shall accept it respectfully." Ning Zhuo smiled sincerely, publicly storing the gift in his Storage Waist Belt.

He was though burdened with wealth, the Yellow Crystal Spider Nest being a mechanical artifact charmed him greatly.

Che Zhuzi, being savvy in business, wisely gifted it, striking Ning Zhuo’s heart.

Ning Zhuo: "Brother Che, please join the seating, and drink a few more cups today."

"Of course!" Che Zhuzi laughed heartily, temporarily parting from Ning Zhuo.

He quickly scanned the seats, noticing Gu Huaijiu at one side table, Ye Qingming and Li Ku at another.

Che Zhuzi naturally wouldn’t sit at the main table. Being of the Golden Core level himself, he wouldn’t sit with Kong Bailiu, Ahuo, and others at one table. So he decided to join Ye Qingming and Li Ku’s table.

He brought a smile, engaging in conversation with Ye Qingming and Li Ku.

As a businessman, he’d naturally want to expand his clientele.

As a result, Li Ku squeezed out a few words to reveal his identity, leaving Che Zhuzi momentarily stupefied.

Ye Qingming then revealed her identity, prompting Che Zhuzi to show a bitter smile.

He regretted it greatly, had he known both identities, he would’ve joined the Foundation Establishment cultivators instead.

Kong Ran observed this and internally chuckled: "If it were other factions, Che Zhuzi would surely recognize the camps beforehand, avoiding such errors. But this is the Myriad Images Sect, with too many people present. Even among Golden Core level, not everyone can be familiar."

With Che Zhuzi’s arrival, the hall was filled with hearty laughter.

Despite the laughter having traces of awkwardness, it diluted the previous somber atmosphere.

Amid the laugh, Situ Xing, Shen Xi, and Lin Jinglong arrived together.

Situ Xing wearing a deep blue Magic Robe, silver hair flowing like a waterfall. Shen Xi’s face was as cold as jade, hand caressing a Jade Pendant. Lin Jinglong donned a golden-edged green robe, his gaze deep and profound.

Though all three possessed Foundation Establishment cultivation, they had Golden Core combat power, hailing from Super Families, their aura exceptional. At this moment, they entered the hall together, instantly brightening the area.

Ahuo and the others cast envious and slightly admiring gazes.

Niu Cheng slightly opened his mouth, seeing them for the first time, feeling the obvious disparity, increased his self-doubt.

Liu Fushu’s expression calmed.

Kong Ran and Bai Jiyun felt indifferent.

Ye Qingming already grasped related information, not surprised.

Che Zhuzi inwardly sighed: "This is Young Master Ning Zhuo’s circle."

Situ Xing and the others approached Ning Zhuo, praising his outfit and appearance, showing considerable closeness.

Ning Zhuo reciprocated: "All three brotherly stalwarts arriving together, Ning Zhuo is deeply humbled."

Situ Xing first offered a Flying Sword, handing it to Ning Zhuo: "Brother Ning, though a trifling gift, I hope you accept with a smile."

It was a small sword, just three inches long, entirely deep blue, with intricate silver star patterns circulating on the blade. Situ Xing gently flicked his finger, causing the blade to tremble slightly, emitting a faint humming sound, like stars whispering.

"This is a sword embryo, with Meteorite Refined Iron as the base, forged by Starlight over a thousand days. Brother Ning can refine it with your own Mana to cultivate a Flying Sword of your own."

"Brother Situ’s generous gift, Ning Zhuo will remember." Ning Zhuo stored the sword embryo safely, sincere in his expression, but internally contemplating, as although the Flying Sword was good, it wasn’t suited for him, pondering how to best deal with it.

Shen Xi took out a bamboo scroll from his sleeve: "This is my family’s Formation insights. If Brother Ning doesn’t mind, feel free to browse."

Ning Zhuo promptly saluted: "The Shen Family’s formations are renowned nationwide; I, an insignificant cultivator, dare not presume. Grateful for Brother Shen’s generous gift!"

Lin Jinglong presented a bag.

"Inside are the seeds of the Thin-skinned Cloud-swallowing Birch." Lin Jinglong explained, "On Flowing Cloud Peak, clouds flow abundantly, allowing the Cloud-swallowing Birch to absorb them vigorously. When the tree matures, its bark is as white as snow, able to be peeled layer by layer, with each layer as thin as cicada wings, transparent like clouds. It’s an excellent material for talisman paper."

Ning Zhuo’s eyes gleamed, indeed suitable for him at present.

Others gifted focusing on Ning Zhuo himself. Yet, Lin Jinglong focused on Nanming Village, offering the gift with an added blessing, believing Ning Zhuo’s alliance-building would surely succeed, ensuring Nanming Village a spot on Flowing Cloud Peak to enjoy its ample resources.

Their actions, offering Golden Core level resources, drew the murmurs of the cultivators in the hall: "Such noble sons indeed have wealth beyond measure."

The three sought a separate table, sitting together.

Another side table, farther from the main table, positioned near Gu Huaijiu’s side table. It provided a wide view, while distancing themselves from Ye Qingming and Li Ku.

For people of their age to possess such interpersonal skills, they must have been cultivated from a young age.