Chapter 6: Ning Zhuo, Plain and Unremarkable

Chapter 6: Ning Zhuo, Plain and Unremarkable

< Chapter 6: Ning Zhuo, Plain and Unremarkable >

Chen Cha, harboring suspicions, subtly posed several questions to Ning Zhuo.

The questions spanned multiple areas, which only a true creator could answer.

Of course, this did not pose a challenge for Ning Zhuo.

After their exchange, Chen Cha's doubts were dispelled, and he couldn't help but be astonished, "Did he really design and create these himself?"

"Isn't he a descendant of the Ning family? The Ning family is known for their expertise in talismans. When did they become so skilled in the art of mechanical devices, to have nurtured such an outstanding young cultivator?"

"If he continues to develop like this, this child will surely achieve great things!"

Chen Cha began to see Ning Zhuo in a new light, his interest intensifying, prompting him to ask a few more questions.

Ning Zhuo then said, "This year’s major examination has concluded my schooling. The elder's insight is profound; indeed, I am quite fond of mechanical techniques and have always been interested. I make it a point to collect books and study in private. It’s unrelated to the Ning family's school."

Chen Cha stroked his beard and deliberately asked, "In the hundred arts of cultivation, the top four are alchemy, tool refining, talisman making, and formation setting. Mechanical techniques rank low among these arts, being a specialty within a specialty. Why do you particularly favor this path?"

Ning Zhuo felt a stirring in his heart, realizing that their conversation had reached a critical moment!

His contact with Chen Cha was premeditated. Bringing out the mechanical monkey was part of his plan.

The young man pondered for a moment, his expression turning serious, and he solemnly said, "I believe that cultivation is about understanding the truths of the universe. The hundred arts of cultivation are merely tools for applying these truths."

"Pills are tools, magical instruments and flying swords are tools, talismans and formations are likewise tools."

"Using these tools, we can more conveniently cultivate and increase the success rate of various actions."

"And the pinnacle of tools is none other than mechanical techniques!"

"A new material in a mechanism is refined using pill-making techniques. The structure of the mechanism is shaped using the art of tool refining. The formations and talismans on the mechanism involve the skills of setting formations and making talismans."

"An excellent mechanical creation is a clever combination of cultivation arts."

At this point, Ning Zhuo paused: "As for why mechanical techniques have fallen to the bottom among the hundred arts and are considered a niche field, it's because they are difficult to learn and master, with the highest barriers!"

"On one hand, constructing a mechanism requires a cultivator to master a variety of cultivation arts. Alchemy, tool refining, talisman making, and formation setting are all foundational. After mastering these, one must then choose and combine from numerous complex materials and techniques."

"On the other hand, designing a mechanism is even more challenging. It tests a cultivator's thinking, talent, inspiration, and imagination. A good design may take a cultivator over a decade to complete. During this process, one often gets stuck on a single point, making no progress for years."

"Only with an excellent design can there be an excellent mechanical creation."

Hearing Ning Zhuo's discourse, Chen Cha leaned back slightly, his eyes shining, and he appraised the young man before him, unable to resist clapping his hands, "Well said, well said indeed!"

His attitude towards Ning Zhuo shifted once again.

From the initial admiration and interest, it transformed into the warmth felt towards a fellow traveler on the same path.

The interactions between people are fascinating. Some people spend all day together yet remain the most familiar strangers, while others resonate deeply on their first meeting, finding a shared understanding in each other's thoughts.

Chen Cha and Ning Zhuo found themselves getting along better and better, naturally changing how they addressed each other. Chen Cha affectionately called Ning Zhuo "Xiao Zhuo", while Ning Zhuo started referring to him as "Chen Lao".

When Ning Zhuo asked a question, Chen Cha thought for a moment and then provided three different plans. Usually, he would only offer one solution to a problem, but with Ning Zhuo, he held nothing back.

"Plain and unremarkable? You are far too modest!" Chen Cha shook his head, sighing with admiration, mistakenly attributing it to the humble family ethos of the Ning family.

However, Ning Zhuo thought to himself, "Chen Lao's praise and treatment likely stem from seeing the potential for consultancy business and profits from puppetry."

"In the art of puppetry, I have only made modest achievements. Whether it's the Ruyi Rope or the Fireburst Monkey, there is still a vast gap compared to those classic puppet creations."

"Speaking of designing the Puppet Monkey, it took me several years, with many bumps along the way. This time, the difficulties were only solved after consulting Old Chen," he said.

"I still need to make much more significant progress in the art of puppetry."

"The praises from Old Chen shouldn't be taken seriously, I'm truly not worthy of such remarks!"

Unbeknownst to him, Chen Cha's evaluations were never exaggerated; they were grounded in reality and his rich life experiences.

Ning Zhuo was unaware that these were Chen Cha's sincere thoughts.

On one hand, Ning Zhuo had always been diligently hiding his skills, never having had a discussion with his peers like he did today, and he was not aware of his own precise position.

On the other hand, following his mother's dying wishes, Ning Zhuo had always been cautious and prudent, constantly building his mentality to keep his skills hidden.

Even when he achieved some success, he would find ways to critique himself from various aspects, to ensure he never fell into the trap of pride and complacency.

For fourteen years, he constantly reminded himself: I am ordinary, utterly commonplace. Even the achievements I have made, others could achieve too. I must keep striving, never allow myself to become complacent...

Over time, through countless self-admonishments, he developed a very humble character, unable to see his own excellence, and firmly believing that he still had much to improve upon.

That evening, Ning Zhuo placed the newly configured Fireburst Monkey into the furnace for another baking test.

"This time, it's likely to succeed."

Ning Zhuo was quite confident about this.

"Much of this is thanks to Chen Cha. His experience is not just ten times but at least a hundred times greater than mine."

"Working in his Puppet Workshop in the future, I must make good use of such an opportunity to seek his advice frequently."

Ning Zhuo had been investigating Chen Cha for many years and knew quite a bit about his temperament.

Just as Chen Cha held Ning Zhuo in high regard, Ning Zhuo equally appreciated Chen Cha.

"If there's no problem with the Explosive Monkey at this key juncture, the next step is to figure out how to make contact with Lava Immortal Palace."

The Lava Immortal Palace was hidden within the body of Mount Huoshi, concealed in thick magma.

Ning Zhuo needed to first reach inside the body of Mount Huoshi.

There was a path for that. He would start by reaching the summit of Mount Huoshi, then enter through the volcanic vent, diving into the Red Flame Demon Melt Cave. From the myriad of passages, he would choose the correct one and keep going deeper to eventually find a vantage point from which the Lava Immortal Palace could be seen.

"But if the Lava Immortal Palace encounters problems right after my first excavation, it would be too conspicuous."

"After all, for so many years, I have never entered the Red Flame Demon Melt Cave. Suddenly entering the cave would be abrupt."

"I need a cover."

With that thought, the image of his great-uncle Ning Ze appeared in Ning Zhuo's mind.

A plan began to form in his heart.