Chapter 22: Can't Bear to Bully Ning Zhuo

Chapter 22: Can't Bear to Bully Ning Zhuo

< Chapter 22: Can't Bear to Bully Ning Zhuo >

In the underground workshop.

Ning Zhuo slowly opened his eyes and wiped the blood from his nose with his hand.

Inside him, the mana was no longer the pale blue of ice frost.

It was the Five Elements Mana!

The Five Elements Mana consisted of the white of metal, the blue of wood, the black of water, the red of fire, and the yellow of earth. These colors, white, blue, black, red, and yellow, intertwined without blending, each distinct and clear.

"In the natural world, the spirits of the Five Elements generate and overcome each other. To maintain stability and coexistence over a long term is exceedingly difficult."

"However, through the art of The Five Elements Qi Regulation Art, transforming spiritual energy into Five Elements Mana can be harmoniously maintained, clearly tiered."

"Truly a legacy of the great masters from the three sects!"

"Qi Refining Stage... Level Two..."

Previously, Ning Zhuo was at the third level of the Qi Refining stage, but after the complete transformation of his mana, only the second level remained.

The transformation of mana also involved consumption.

This was to be expected, and Ning Zhuo had anticipated it.

Next, he would continue his cultivation, accumulating mana to reach the third level of the Qi Refining stage.

"I wonder when I will hear the sound of the transmission bell again."

After the transformation, Ning Zhuo, both physically and mentally exhausted, decided to rest and conserve his energy.

He took several Warm Nurturing Pills and consumed them to help his body adapt more quickly to the new mana.

The Warm Nurturing Pill had many advantages, such as mild medicinal strength, slow effectiveness, and minimal burden on the body. Its biggest drawback was likely its cost. One pill cost hundreds of spirit stones.

Ding, ding, ding.

Just after Ning Zhuo finished taking the pills, he heard the clear, bell-like sound.

The situation involved suspicious individuals appearing near his residence, which triggered the alarm mechanism.

He approached his desk and gently kicked its leg. Directly in front of him, the wall creaked and its bricks shifted sideways, revealing a mirror.

Through the mirror, Ning Zhuo saw the "suspicious person"—Chen Cha.

Chen Cha was pacing back and forth at the entrance of Ning Zhuo’s small courtyard, hands clasped behind his back, head bowed, and his expression troubled.

A spark of intelligence flashed in Ning Zhuo’s eyes: "Chen Cha? What brings him to me on his own initiative?"

"It seems to be related to the matter of the Mechanical Battle Monkey. There must be further developments," he thought, feeling a hint of joy.

Meanwhile, Chen Cha continued pacing at the courtyard entrance, his mind replaying the events that had occurred.

Fei Si had summoned him and informed him: "The city lord has approved the Mechanical Battle Monkey, and he plans to mobilize all the city’s mechanical workshops to mass produce this device for this year’s Fire Crystal Grass Festival, to harvest fire crystal grass on a large scale."

Fei Si encouraged Chen Cha, "You are one of the talents I brought into the city."

"Give it your all! If you succeed, your life circumstances will completely change."

It was precisely this reason that allowed the other three forces to accept the Ning family settling in Fire Crystal Grass City. Normally, although friction among the four powers was inevitable, they all restrained themselves and tried to avoid serious conflicts.

Acting against Ning Zhuo could potentially lead to a confrontation with the Ning family, even their Golden Core cultivator. Such a huge cost was something Fei Si was not willing to bear willingly.

For such a minor credit, it simply wasn’t worth it!

With this plan thwarted, Fei Si's mind swiftly turned to another strategy.

He sighed and said, "Chen Cha, you have misunderstood me!"

Chen Cha was immediately perplexed, "My lord, you are my benefactor. It was with your recommendation that I was able to cultivate in Puppet Immortal City. Why do you say this?"

Fei Si responded, "When you reported, your description was vague, leading me to believe that this was your creation."

"I had vouched for you to the city lord, even specifically securing a merit for you."

"Alas, I have always trusted you."

"Now that things have taken this course, how will the city lord deal with us if the truth comes out?"

"I am not so worried about myself. My concern is for you. For you, this is a crime of falsely claiming credit!"

Chen Cha's face turned pale, and he became panicked, "What should I do? Please, my lord, save me!"

Fei Si remained silent, stroking his beard as if in deep thought, before finally saying, "Here’s what you can do—go and talk to Ning Zhuo, see if you can convince him to hand over the mechanical monkey to you. You are much older than him; Ning Zhuo is only sixteen. What experiences could a cultivator from a major clan's academy possibly have? Have a good chat, negotiate with him well."

Chen Cha was extremely troubled, "This..."

Frankly, he was not at all willing to do this.

Fei Si scoffed internally but sighed outwardly, "Chen Cha, this is for your own good! If you don't rectify this mistake, and the city lord finds out, you will be the one punished! Falsely claiming a reward is no small crime."

Fei Si casually mentioned a few examples, causing Chen Cha to break out in a cold sweat.

"Alas, things have come to this, I must persuade Ning Zhuo. No, I must succeed in persuading him!" Chen Cha lamented inwardly, feeling forced to change his mind.

Although he held Ning Zhuo in high regard, considering him a peer and even a confidant in subtle ways, the stakes involving his own life and reputation—and potentially implicating Fei Si, who had helped him—compelled him to act.

Fei Si's power and influence far surpassed his own. Easily manipulating the situation due to Chen Cha's lack of clout and familiarity with the internal affairs of the city lord's estate, Fei Si held Chen Cha firmly under his control.

Chen Cha had never intended to oppress or confront Ning Zhuo, but before the Golden Core level Fei Si, he, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, was insignificant.

Such insignificant figures often had no choice but to follow the currents.

After some inquiries, Chen Cha arrived at Ning Zhuo's residence.

He did not knock directly on the door but lingered at the entrance, sighing heavily in his heart.

"Old Chen, what brings you to my place?" The courtyard door opened, and Ning Zhuo appeared in clean clothes.

Turning around, Chen Cha saw a young man dressed in a pristine white robe, with a clear gaze and an extraordinary demeanor.

The youth stood tall, and the sunlight from above sharply outlined his figure, enhancing the youthful vigor and purity against the small courtyard's flora.

Seeing Ning Zhuo's fresh and unblemished appearance intensified Chen Cha's guilt tenfold!

He had spent years immersed in technological research, harboring a disdain for the injustices of the cultivation world.

Yet today, he had to play the role of the oppressor, forcing a younger person and conveying the dark and harsh realities of the world.

Chen Cha felt an overwhelming heaviness and pain!