Ning Xiangguo, Ning Xiangqian, and others gathered at Ning Houjun's mansion.
They reported to Ning Houjun about Ning Zhuo's recent activities.
“I thought, this time, getting involved with the black market, there would definitely be a battle. Unexpectedly, the most intense action was breaking down the Monkey Head Gang’s gate.”
“In hindsight, the whole operation was part of Ning Zhuo’s plan.”
“Is he really only sixteen? Quite remarkable!”
“Don’t think of him as an ordinary academy graduate. Don’t forget, he is a person with talent.”
“Even if he has talent, compared to Ning Xiaohui and Ning Qingqiao, Ning Zhuo is still very special. What I want to say, you should all understand.”
“Perhaps... it’s related to his talent? His talent might be connected to his mind, which makes his thinking very agile.”
“According to the reconstruction team, after Ning Zhuo's soul entered the Immortal Palace, his puppet body had an extremely large head.”
“Looking at reality, I also think his head is pretty big.”
Ning Houjun chuckled and waved his hand, saying, “Alright, alright. Ning Zhuo intervened in the black market and controlled the situation overnight. His actions were highly successful!”
“What are your plans moving forward?”
The room fell silent.
Soon, Ning Xiangguo said, “Ning Zhuo recruited us and offered quite generous compensation. From now on, we will wear masks and serve as patrollers and law enforcers in the black market.”
“Before the main branch rehires us, what else can we do?”
Ning Houjun nodded, “In that case, just focus on doing your job well.”
“Everyone can now see clearly Ning Zhuo’s potential, especially after this event.”
“His biggest flaw is that he’s too young, with only a Qi Refining third-layer cultivation. But that’s also his greatest advantage.”
“How old is he? He’s only sixteen...”
Ning Houjun’s sigh resonated with the Foundation Establishment cultivators present.
After Ning Xiangguo, Ning Xiangqian, and others left, Ning Houjun went to the backyard to meet Ning Youfu.
The two former family elders sat in a pavilion in the backyard, continuing the chess game that had been interrupted by the stewards’ visit.
As they played, they discussed Ning Zhuo.
“I underestimated Ning Zhuo. His capabilities are beyond my imagination,” Ning Houjun sighed.
“Indeed, it’s been a long time since a branch like ours has produced such an outstanding junior!” Ning Youfu wholeheartedly agreed.
Ning Houjun stared at the chessboard. “Even in the main branch, there are very few talents like Ning Zhuo.”
Ning Youfu looked at Ning Houjun with deep meaning. “This young man knows too much about the black market, almost excessively so. Someone must be guiding him from behind.” Р
Ning Houjun was surprised. “Isn’t it you?”
Ning Youfu pointed his finger at Ning Houjun, laughing, “You’re being proactive, turning the tables on me.”
Ning Houjun shook his head. “Stop joking.”
Ning Youfu also shook his head. “You’re the one spouting nonsense.”
The two glared at each other.
After a few breaths, Ning Houjun frowned. “Whether it’s you guiding him or not, the current situation is indeed not bad. At least, the branch family members now have a place to survive.”
“Indeed,” Ning Youfu smiled. “Now, the main branch is in a difficult position.”
...
The Ning Family patriarch looked at the intelligence report in his hand, reading it twice in disbelief. “Is this information true?”
“Ning Zhuo alone led the Ning Family’s Foundation Establishment cultivators and pacified the black market?”
The subordinate gave a positive answer, with some corrections. “Patriarch, our Ning Family didn’t formally intervene. The ones who really acted were the Monkey Head Gang, and they suffered significant losses.”
The Ning Family patriarch’s face darkened.
Just two days ago, the Ning Family’s main branch had dismissed several branch elders and heavily rewarded Ning Zhuo. Yet after just one day and night, the situation had completely changed!
“Ning Zhuo now controls the black market, giving him a base from which he can support many subordinates.”
“He actually managed to achieve this!”
“Is someone guiding him from behind?”
What is momentum?
“Let Ji'er closely follow Xiao Zhuo and find some work in the black market.”
“They are cousins. This bond needs to be strengthened. When we grow old, Xiao Zhuo will be Ji’er’s greatest support.”
“He’s only sixteen now.”
“It’s hard to imagine what great achievements he will have in the future.”
“If we judge by his talent alone, at the very least, he’ll become a family elder.”
“In fact, look!”
“He already controls the black market and holds real power. How is he any different from a family elder?”
...
Ning Zhuo continued his cultivation.
He took out the Ice Jade Wine.
The Ice Jade Wine had a pale blue color, sparkling and translucent, like morning frost glimmering under the sunlight.
Ning Zhuo gently swirled the wine in his cup.
In the jade-carved cup, the liquid resembled molten sapphire, with a faint silver halo swirling on its surface, giving off a refreshing aura.
The wine’s fragrance was unique, light and elegant, carrying a distinctive icy scent.
Ning Zhuo brought it close to his nose, savoring it. In an instant, he felt as if he were standing on a snowy northern plain. Then, from the bone-chilling cold, he detected faint floral and herbal scents, which made him feel refreshed.
He took a sip.
The first sensation was an extreme coolness, like an icy spring flowing across his tongue.
This coolness quickly spread through his body as the wine flowed, dispelling all heat and fatigue.
The wine was smooth and mellow, melting in his mouth like snow, leaving a lingering sweetness.
The Ice Jade Wine had a rich body, and the flavor was thick, with no harshness. Instead, it carried a subtle sweetness and a refreshing aftertaste.
Ning Zhuo couldn’t help but close his eyes, lost in the sensation.
After a long time.
He finally opened his eyes and praised aloud, “What a fine wine!”
The effects of the wine gradually kicked in. Ning Zhuo sat cross-legged on the mat and began his breathing exercises.
Unlike his previous cultivation sessions, this time, a grand light burst from his Spiritual Sea at the upper dantian, like a waterfall cascading down, directly pouring into his middle dantian, the Qi Sea.
In the Qi Sea, clouds surged, and waves of energy rolled, as his Five Elements Mana surged wildly.
The Ice Jade Wine allowed Ning Zhuo to use his Spiritual Sea cultivation to enhance his Qi Sea cultivation.
In just the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the effects of the Ice Jade Wine were exhausted. Ning Zhuo’s Qi Sea cultivation had undergone a terrifying surge, directly reaching the peak of the sixth layer, matching his Spiritual Sea cultivation!
“No wonder it’s called Ice Jade Wine!”
“The Ice Jade Vessel truly deserves its place as the Ning Family’s treasured heirloom.”
With this, Ning Zhuo, possessing the peak sixth-layer mana cultivation, could now open the second Dao Gate.
However, Ning Zhuo wasn’t overly excited about it.
Based on his understanding of the Lava Immortal Palace, the difficulty of the second Dao Gate should be similar to that of the second Buddha Gate.
“The last time I took the Buddha Gate route, although I failed, I explored the challenge’s difficulty.”
“To pass through the Buddha Gate, I still need to claim more rewards from the first Buddha Gate. Only after my strength increases will I have a greater chance of success.”
“The Dao Gate is likely set up in the same way.”
“Unless I encounter something like the coffin room in the first Buddha Gate.”
Ning Zhuo silently pondered.
The possibility of encountering a coffin room was small, but Ning Zhuo still needed to push open the door to confirm.
What if?
Through his tireless efforts, Ning Zhuo’s status had greatly changed!
He no longer needed to wait for Ning Xiaohui or others to invite him to form a team.
He could completely organize a group around himself to explore the Lava Immortal Palace.