Chapter 87: Discussing Ning Zhuo

"There are indeed such examples. Some people are just very suited to a particular cultivation method, progressing at an extremely fast pace."

"What's his name? Ning Zhuo, right? He’s had incredible luck, perfectly matching the *Five Elements Qi Regulation Art*."

"Aye, why couldn’t such good fortune fall upon me?"

Most people had never heard of the name Ning Zhuo before.

But now, everyone was discussing it.

Within the martial arts training grounds, the Ning family's cultivators were also inquiring.

Those close by took advantage of the situation, many crowding around Ning Zhuo, introducing themselves to him with smiles on their faces.

It seemed as though, in an instant, the whole world’s attitude towards Ning Zhuo had undergone a drastic change—from cold indifference to warm enthusiasm.

Originally, Ning Chen and Ning Yong, who had been standing beside Ning Zhuo, were both squeezed out.

Ning Yong, proud of himself, raised his arms and shouted, "Ning Zhuo is my classmate, he's my classmate!"

A young Ning family cultivator passing by heard this and turned his head to look at him, sneering, "Who isn’t? I'm his classmate too."

Ning Yong sighed and glared, "Do you even compare to me in terms of our relationship? Ning Zhuo and I are comrades who have faced life and death together!"

A Zhou family cultivator, hearing this, came over and smiled at Ning Yong, "This brother, you said just now that you have a close relationship with Ning Zhuo?"

"Not bad," Ning Yong nodded immediately, feigning indifference, though he couldn’t hide his pride.

The Zhou family cultivator quickly clasped his hands together in respect, asking Ning Yong for advice.

Ning Yong was about to introduce Ning Zhuo, but Ning Chen pulled him aside, instantly making him realize that he should remain silent.

Ning Chen then continued, "The two of us are indeed classmates with Ah Zhuo and have even faced life and death together."

"Ah Zhuo is honest and sincere, friendly and courageous. It's our honor to be friends with him. At the same time, he is also a role model for us to learn from. I remember back in the school days..." Ning Chen began to boast about Ning Zhuo.

When faced with outsiders seeking information, the more Ning Chen praised Ning Zhuo, the more it showcased the strength of the Ning family.

Furthermore, after the expedition to the Red Flame Demon Molten Cave, and the subsequent exposure of the Shadow Demon Cultivator, the experiences they had while hiding in the dungeon only deepened his admiration for Ning Zhuo.

Both Ning Chen and Ning Yong were part of the Ning family’s branch lineage, and they felt a strong sense of identification with Ning Zhuo.

In no time at all, Ning Zhuo became the most dazzling person on the scene. With just one cultivation test, he had stolen the spotlight, as if he had stepped onto a new stage in life.

The tests continued.

The remaining Ning family cultivators entered the testing formation one by one, but their results were mediocre, and no one paid attention to them.

But it didn’t matter. Ning Zhuo alone had already shifted the entire situation!

The joint examination among the three families was not only a way to showcase the strength of each family's newly reformed teams, but it was also the basis for negotiating the distribution of benefits.

In the world of cultivation, the more powerful an extraordinary individual was, the more they could dominate the group.

When comparing the strength of the three families, the focus was mainly on the top cultivators.

The head of the Ning family sighed, "Even if it’s confirmed that Ning Zhuo has talent, it might not be a good thing. Xiaoren, you know what I mean, don’t you?"

Ning Xiaoren nodded again, "I understand, Father. Ning Xiaohui is from our main lineage, while Ning Zhuo is from a branch. Both have similar cultivation levels, but Ning Xiaohui has received extensive support from our family, while Ning Zhuo has not."

"The branch members in the reformed team far outnumber those from the main line."

"At the martial arts training grounds, once Ning Zhuo revealed his true strength, he was immediately surrounded and admired by members of the Ning family’s branch."

"If it turns out that he has talent, I’m very concerned that Ning Xiaohui won’t be able to overshadow him."

The head of the Ning family showed a look of satisfaction, "Since you understand this, I’m not worried about how you’ll handle the situation with Ning Zhuo. Go ahead."

"Yes, Father. Rest assured, I will handle this matter beautifully. I’ll take my leave now."

His feelings towards Ning Zhuo were complicated.

Sixteen years ago, when the Ning family migrated as a whole, he was fortunate enough to board the mechanical carriage of Ning Zhuo's parents during the escape.

Ning Zhuo's father had to get off to fend off the enemies to ensure the carriage's safe escape.

Ning Xiaoren was thus saved.

Ning Zhuo's father was indeed his lifesaver, and Ning Xiaoren had even sworn at that moment to treat Ning Zhuo’s mother and son well and to fully support Ning Zhuo’s future cultivation.

But Ning Xiaoren hadn’t done so.

Ning Zhuo’s father had died fourteen years ago, and Ning Zhuo had grown up without much of his involvement.

He had originally thought that Ning Zhuo was just an ordinary child, but unexpectedly, one day, Ning Zhuo shone brightly, making a stunning impact in the joint examination, stealing the spotlight!

When Ning Xiaoren heard the good news, his first feeling was not joy, but awkwardness.

He still harbored doubts:

"Why does it have to be him?"

His family’s courtyard was faintly in sight as Ning Xiaoren walked along, sighing to himself, "If only it weren’t Ning Zhuo."

"Sixteen years old, already has his own opinions, not easily persuaded."

In his contemplation, Ning Xiaoren recalled something Ning Ze had once said.

Previously, after the major rankings were announced, Ning Xiaoren had tried to extort money, even pressuring Ning Ze a few times.

Ning Ze had reported to him back then that Ning Zhuo was a loner, had grown wings, and no longer listened to his elders, among other things.

With this in mind, Ning Xiaoren made his decision, "In the short term, it’s best not to approach Ning Zhuo directly."

"This child’s temperament isn’t something that can be easily swayed by a few words from me."

"Ning Zhuo knows that his father was my lifesaver and also knows that I’ve been indifferent to him for the past sixteen years. All of this needs a good explanation."

"I’ll have to start with Ning Zhuo’s eldest uncle."