Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1449: Chapter 589: Let Me Weigh Ning Zhuo (2)

After both parties exchanged a few words, Lu Zeng temporarily parted from Ning Zhuo to find a seat.

His gaze swept around the main hall and finally settled at the table where Che Zhuzi was sitting.

He had always sold mechanical artifacts externally to exchange for his own cultivation resources, which could be considered as being engaged in the machinery business.

Lu Zeng made a simple self-introduction to Ye Qingming, Li Ku, Jin Mantang, and Che Zhuzi, and was immediately welcomed.

Unlike Che Zhuzi, he was from the Human Clan.

And with this friendship with Ning Zhuo, Che Zhuzi’s awkward situation was greatly reduced.

The morning sunlight slanted long through the window lattice, casting bright golden threads across more tables, illuminating the fine dust in the air.

As time passed, guests began to arrive in numbers.

Two female cultivators arrived hand in hand.

The elder one walked in front, with her hair in a high bun secured by a bone hairpin. She wore a deep brown magic robe, densely embroidered with prayers in dark golden thread.

The younger one lagged half a step behind, wearing a reddish-brown magic robe similarly embroidered with prayer runes. She wore no hair accessories, her black hair cascading down her shoulders and casually tied at the back with a deep brown fragrant cord, adorned with a small copper incense burner ornament at the end.

The two female cultivators looked similar in appearance, but their demeanors differed noticeably.

Situ Xing’s pupils suddenly contracted upon seeing the pair of female cultivators.

The newcomers were Zhu Guizhi and Zhu Fenxiang, mother and daughter.

The mother and daughter approached Ning Zhuo.

Zhu Guizhi spoke, her voice neither high nor low, at a measured pace: "Young Master Ning Zhuo, congratulations. Today, the Heavenly Treasure Building establishes an alliance, the event is grand, and your future is boundless."

Ning Zhuo cupped his hands in a salute, his demeanor composed, his smile sincere yet not overly warm.

After the mother and daughter presented their gifts, they took their seats.

Situ Xing watched the entire process more earnestly than ever. What gave him some relief was that the interaction between Ning Zhuo and Zhu Guizhi, Zhu Fenxiang was not particularly warm.

"But if I don’t join this alliance, and Zhu Fenxiang does, will Ning Zhuo’s attitude change?"

Considering this, Situ Xing furrowed his brow, unable to conceal his worried expression.

Just as the Zhu family mother and daughter were seated, Jiang Ping arrived.

Whispers erupted from every corner like a disturbed swarm of bees.

Jiang Ping was the disciple of Wang Yu, a person of special status, and his arrival largely represented Wang Yu’s stance.

Watching Jiang Ping converse with Ning Zhuo while presenting gifts, Jin Mantang’s face grew ashen, and Ye Qingming did not look pleased. Even Li Ku glanced at Jiang Ping, evidencing Jiang Ping’s significant standing.

Tao Liang came in almost immediately afterward.

Not only was he one of Ning Zhuo’s creditors, but he had also signed a secret agreement, intending to join the alliance.

By rights, he should have arrived earlier to bolster his own presence.

Yet, lacking political acumen, while others spent years in seclusion in their cave mansions, he secluded himself in his pill furnace, oblivious to the need for such an act.

Mu Yuehua arrived.

She was very young, with a delicate and elegant demeanor, her skin fair as cream, carrying a transcendent temperament that seemed not of this world.

She attended the event in her signature moon-white long dress.

After presenting her gift to Ning Zhuo, Jiang Ping waved her over: "Fellow Daoist Yuehua, sit here."

Mu Yuehua gave a gentle smile and sat beside Jiang Ping.

This scene added layers to Ning Zhuo’s judgment, as he pondered, "Mu Yuehua’s talent in alchemy is well-recognized, and she holds a fire seed. Clearly, Danxia Peak offered her a high price, making Jiang Ping’s closeness unsurprising."

Next to arrive was still a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

He appeared young, with gray hair, eyes sunken like a skull, wearing a python skin robe, exuding a fierce demonic qi.

It was Pi Fujie.

Pi Fujie exerted considerable effort to secure an invitation card.

Upon seeing Ning Zhuo, his gaze noticeably paused.

Ning Zhuo stood there, his magic robe like snow, gold-trimmed, exuding an extraordinary aura, different from usual.

This further solidified Pi Fujie’s resolve to "turn enemies into friends" this time!

"Pi Fujie. Congratulations to Young Master Ning for the alliance at the Heavenly Treasure Building." Pi Fujie clasped his hands, bowed deeply, his expression sincere.

Ning Zhuo paused in silence, his gaze bypassing Pi Fujie, landing in Shen Xi’s direction.

Shen Xi wore a smile, nodding slightly at Ning Zhuo.

Only then did Ning Zhuo cup his hands in return: "Fellow Daoist Pi, you’ve come a long way, my apologies for not welcoming you from afar."

"Young Master Ning." Pi Fujie began, his pace slower than before, revealing a certain gravity, "There were some misunderstandings in the past, which were my fault."

He bowed deeply again, then presented a gift: "This is the Cow Demon Skin of Golden Core Level, capable of devouring mana and transforming into a cow demon with Golden Core combat power. I wish to reconcile with Young Master Ning!"

The room fell into a slight silence.

Ahuo, Gu Huaijiu, and others finally understood that this person and Ning Zhuo had not been on good terms before.

Ning Zhuo took a breath, pondering, "As the saying goes, it’s better to resolve enmity than to foster it. I see the sincerity of Fellow Daoist Pi. This sincerity alone is enough. The previous disagreement we can entirely erase. This gift, let’s put it aside; I’m not someone who would change my stance for lavish gifts."

"If Fellow Daoist Pi doesn’t mind, join us today, have some tea, and observe the ceremony."

"Rest assured. As long as we maintain a respectful distance from each other in the future and do not create new enmities, our old grudges can fade away right now."

Ning Zhuo’s original conflict with Pi Fujie involved Shen Xi.

Ning Zhuo had previously also slain Pi Fujie’s associate, gaining more than losing.

Since Shen Xi had already nodded to Ning Zhuo, Ning Zhuo also preferred to have one less enemy.

Pi Fujie achieved his intended goal, a smile appearing on his face: "Young Master Ning’s words are like those of the Vast Energy Pillar, upright and trustworthy, I believe it completely! Thank you, thank you."

Pi Fujie looked around, avoiding Gu Huaijiu, Dong Nishang, and keeping distance from Ye Qingming, Jin Mantang, and others, eventually choosing an empty table to sit at.

Tie Zheng and Ao Pan arrived soon after, side by side.

Tie Zheng, shaped like a moving iron tower, carried a large blade, with iron chains wrapped around his waist, adorned with twelve beast head copper bell balls, each the size of a baby’s fist, emitting a muffled clanking sound with his steps.

Ao Pan was hunched over like an old ape, yet walked with a dragon’s stride and a tiger’s step, each stride exuding an undeniable force.

The two had bonded with Ning Zhuo during the Xingyun Trial at Xuan Armor Cave and had even exchanged blows.

As the saying goes, one does not know each other until they fight. Ning Zhuo specifically invited them for this alliance.

Ning Zhuo expressed his welcome.

Tie Zheng was sparing with words, but Ao Pan was very enthusiastic: "We are both outsiders, and Young Master Ning Zhuo’s great endeavor this time truly fills me with admiration and envy. Hahaha."

They also offered their gifts.

A middle-aged cultivator with an ordinary appearance walked in.

No one underestimated him, as he exuded the aura of a Golden Core.

Ning Zhuo initially assumed he was someone from the Flowing Cloud Peak, but a glance at Jin Mantang and Ye Qingming showed they were also in unfamiliar postures.

The middle-aged cultivator presented his gift and then stated his purpose: "I am here on behalf of my friend, the Cloud Wanderer. Young Master Ning Zhuo, my friend also went all out to repair the Nanming Fire Furnace. Do you acknowledge this debt?"

"Of course." Ning Zhuo answered without hesitation.

The middle-aged cultivator’s expression relaxed, as he began to praise Ning Zhuo’s adherence to the Righteous Path.

Ning Zhuo chatted with the middle-aged cultivator for a few moments before the Flowing Gold Guest arrived.

He appeared young, his face chiseled as if sculpted, with distinct features, slightly high cheekbones, arched brows like peaks, and eyes of pale gold, with a liquid metal-like flow deep in his pupils.

He had come on a mission from the Evil Slaying Hall.

Upon entering the hall, his gaze fixed firmly on Ning Zhuo, his hostility undisguised.

"I am the Flowing Gold Guest, having heard that you have the audacity to form an alliance and challenge my Flowing Cloud Peak?"

"Humph, overestimating yourself!"

"Today, I am here to weigh you. Ning Zhuo, do you dare fight with me?"

With these words, the entire hall was shocked.