Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1473: Chapter 601: Drinking Deeply (Part 2)

The small mechanisms sent by Patchwork Sun, Jiang Xiaobian, Zhang Dadan, and Fire-Wick Ahuo revealed their closeness with Ning Zhuo.

Yu Heye, being perceptive and insightful, sent a grand gift of Golden Core Level, making Ning Zhuo understand that he also possesses commendable political acumen.

Gu Huaijiu’s Huaibei was even more rare. The weight of Gu Huaijiu’s gift need not be spoken of.

Che Zhuzi’s Yellow Crystal Spider Nest surprised Ning Zhuo, confirming the former’s immense sincerity in deepening their collaboration.

Situ Xing’s gift of a sword embryo, Shen Xi’s delivery of the Shen Family’s insights on formation, and Lin Jinglong’s gifting of seeds from the thin-skinned Cloud-devouring Birch all openly expressed goodwill.

Lu Zeng’s Compatibility Order, which acts as a mediator between mechanism components, possessed significant value.

Dong Nishang sent the "Phoenix Cry at Dawn" piano score, and after a few looks, Ning Zhuo affirmed it could empower the mechanical bird group, surprisingly apt for him.

The five Golden Core Treasure Materials delivered by people from the Five Elements Peak, though not very precious, were plentiful and required arduous refinement, showcasing substantial effort.

The Armor Cave sent a Mystic Armor Blade, sword, axe, and hook, all four of Golden Core Level.

Perhaps the most valuable was the Heart Snake Horse Bell brought by Han Muma, not confined to the treasure itself, with secret connections to the Ten Thousand Beasts Peak.

Ning Zhuo thought of the Flowing Gold Guest: "He also brought a ’congratulatory gift’."

"My battle with him, proved myself, and garnered just the right prestige to better face the joining cultivators."

Before this battle, Ning Zhuo’s reputation was superficial, but afterward, he was genuinely esteemed and treated equally by many Golden Core Level cultivators.

Ning Zhuo was fully aware: "Actually... in the Heavenly Treasure Building, what I collected wasn’t just gifts?"

This was a web.

A vast web woven of relationships, interests, reputation, trials, and debts.

And he stood at the heart of the web.

He could use it to weave more solid connections, to leverage more resources. But at the same time, poor control, too much, would backfire, binding him in this unseen net.

The thought of Meng Yaoyin’s word on tribulation fate emerged in Ning Zhuo’s mind.

He gained a deeper understanding of it.

"Tribulation fate is the combination of calamity and fortune."

"As long as you endure it and digest the tribulation, what remains is fortune!"

"I’ve gained these—, even the total harvest of many Xingyun Trials couldn’t compare."

Of course, this excludes the Nanming Fire Furnace’s trial. Such Xingyun Trials are rare, maybe once in several decades of Feiyun Conferences.

Tu Yuanzi clutched a wine jar, his cheeks slightly flushed, eyes brighter yet more unfocused than before.

He was already somewhat drunk.

Tu Yuanzi, having recently had his Transformation, tasted many earthly flavors for the first time. At this moment, with the alcohol in him, his spiritual mechanism flowed, thoughts like clouds blown by the wind, he started speaking more.

He proactively spoke of his life by Cang Yazi’s side, of the deep feelings with other spirit pets.

In speaking, he burst into laughter.

This laughter was unrestrained, clear and bright as a string of stones suddenly tumbling in a mountain stream.

The calculations swirling in Ning Zhuo’s mind were gently knocked away by this string of laughter.

Nanming Village.

Flowing Cloud Peak.

Tie Kuang.

Qiyuan Cloud Nest.

Five Nascent Souls, numerous Golden Cores, numerous creditors...

On Tu Yuanzi’s side, it was more mundane affairs like who took whose sleeping spot, or who secretly hid what spirit fruit in a crevice.

The human world is not merely a game of strategy.

There are also such companions.

No need for sharp words, no need for defenses or probing, just sitting there, having a drink, talking about trivial, non-crucial matters to find peace of mind.

Ning Zhuo raised his cup, slowly finishing it.

This time, he did not instinctively analyze the situation, but simply drank.

After finishing two jars of Ice Jade Wine, Ning Zhuo thought for a moment, then took out another kind of spiritual wine from his Storage Waist Belt.

Upon opening the jar, a different aroma wafted forth.

Instead of the refreshing coldness of Ice Jade Wine, it carried a deep, tranquil scent with the cold brilliance akin to moonshine.

"This wine is different," Ning Zhuo said, "named Cold Bone Moon Dew Wine, nourishing the soul, beneficial for the Soul Body. You can only drink a little."

Ning Zhuo poured him a cup.

The silvery-gray wine lightly rippled at the bottom of the cup, its luster like moonlight over a cold pool.

The Cold Bone Moon Dew Wine entered Tu Yuanzi’s body, its power not swiftly traversing meridians like Ice Jade Wine but slowly settling into the depths of the soul.

Tu Yuanzi’s whole atmosphere gradually calmed, with thoughts stirred by the wine now washed clean by the moon dew, becoming clear and stable.

Tu Yuanzi exhaled a breath of turbid air, involuntarily stroking his chest: "Comfortable."

Ning Zhuo chuckled: "Your physical body is strong, but your soul is relatively weak. This wine benefits you, although it must be taken gradually, careful to avoid excess."

Tu Yuanzi drank two more cups, his whole upper body swaying slightly, a bit tipsy.

He hiccupped, looking at Ning Zhuo with bleary eyes: "Young Master Ning Zhuo, you’re a good person."

Ning Zhuo laughed heartily.

If others said it, he’d ponder how much of it was true, how much false, and how much was maneuvering. Yet when Tu Yuanzi said it, it was like a clear cup of water set before him, so clear there was nothing to question.

Ning Zhuo suddenly remembered Linghu Jiu.

That guy loves wine!

Drinking with Linghu Jiu, there were laughter, witticisms, and genuine joy at the table.

The taste going down the throat was not just that of the wine but constantly wearing down the barriers between hearts. Between people, sometimes speaking a thousand words is not as good as sharing a jar of wine.

Friendship is truly wondrous.

Unlike alliances, there’s no black and white agreement.

Unlike debts, there’s no list of figures.

Unlike powers, there’s no hierarchy.

Once it grows, it allows one to set aside some armor, willing to reveal true feelings before another, more willing... to share good wine.

Ning Zhuo looked at Tu Yuanzi, a subtle warmth rising within him.

Being with such a person, he felt extremely at ease.

Tu Yuanzi left the study drunkenly and stayed overnight in the Cave Mansion.

Leaving Ning Zhuo alone, he too felt somewhat buoyant.

In this state, he thought over the current situation, no longer feeling the previous pressure.

"To impact Flowing Cloud Peak is not as simple as establishing a name in the Heavenly Treasure Building. The old forces on Flowing Cloud Peak are deeply rooted. Cloud Beast, Cloud Nest, Cloud Vein, various cultivators, all will stir because of Nanming Village’s strong intrusion."

"Around the Nanming Fire Furnace, competition and power struggle within and outside the Nanming Village are inevitable."

"Heh, I’m not in a rush."

Haste reveals nerves, impatience leads to miscalculations.

The most important thing now is to wait.

Wait for all parties to test, wait for undercurrents to surface, wait for the enemy to make the first move.

"Especially that Flowing Gold Guest..." Ning Zhuo thought of him, the corners of his lips faintly raised.

Letting him go had deep-seated intentions.

The Flowing Gold Guest sneezed, then looked unpleasantly at the envoy in front of him.

He instinctively lowered his voice: "I’ve already done as you asked!"

"I fought Ning Zhuo, even got my head severed by him."

"And you still want me to trouble him?!"

Flowing Gold Guest hissed in a low voice.

The envoy was from the Evil Slaying Hall, expressionless: "Flowing Gold Guest, calm down. We informed you in advance to trouble Ning Zhuo, that he has Golden Core Level combat power, advising extreme caution."

Flowing Gold Guest widened his eyes: "That was simply Golden Core Level combat power? He had a fire-attribute spell specifically targeting me, only used the Empty Valley Sound Green Mechanism Tube’s heritage mechanism, and didn’t even utilize a single Mechanical Technique!"

"He didn’t even exert his full strength."

"Do you think I’m a fool? Wanting me to challenge him again? That’s seeking death!"

Flowing Gold Guest thought, though receiving sponsorship from the Evil Slaying Hall, money is money, but life is life.

Before fighting Ning Zhuo, he was unaware of Ning Zhuo’s background. Now understanding a bit, he realized this was exchanging life for money. But what use is money if life’s gone!

What to do?

If he agrees to this, wouldn’t he be a big fool?

The envoy chuckled, slightly shaking his head, with a touch of pity: "You don’t understand your true predicament, Flowing Gold Guest."

"No rush, I won’t force you. In a few days, you’ll come to find me."

Flowing Gold Guest paused: "What do you mean?"

The envoy already turned to leave: "In the coming days, you’ll come to understand."