Mulan lifted the tent flap and stepped inside.

Unlike usual, the Uncle Zhang, Zhang Zhongyi, she knew was not concocting herbs, but held a jade slip in his left hand, examining it with his divine sense.

Hearing footsteps, Zhang Zhongyi retracted his divine sense and looked up to see the female general, Mulan.

Mulan was still clad in her crimson military robe and brass armor, emanating a valiant aura. However, at present, her brows were slightly furrowed, as if enduring pain.

“You’ve arrived. Sit down,” Zhang Zhongyi motioned for Mulan to sit beside him. He placed the jade slip on the desk, then stood up, walked to his workbench, and began preparing the medicinal herbs for Mulan’s current healing.

“Just now, Ning Zhuo came to see me, to treat his friend’s illness.”

“It was successful.”

“This jade slip contains the treatment methods for this illness; we devised three sets.”

“You can take a look,” Zhang Zhongyi advised.

Mulan’s interest was immediately piqued: “Ning Zhuo?”

“The one, in the outer hall last night, who was sitting next to you, Uncle Zhang, the little brother?”

Zhang Zhongyi nodded: “Precisely.”

Mulan, while picking up the jade slip, said: “I heard you mention, Uncle Zhang, that his friend cultivated the Boy’s Pure Yang Technique, and suffered a Dao injury. It’s quite troublesome to treat, at least requiring the presence of a Grandmaster of the Earth element, specifically to design a particular spell to regulate the Earth element principles within.”

Zhang Zhongyi lowered his head and began crushing herbs: “Speaking of which, you might not believe it.”

“Ning Zhuo himself possesses the realm of Earth element Grandmaster!”

Mulan’s brows shot up in surprise: “He? How old is he?”

Zhang Zhongyi sighed with emotion: “His age is definitely no more than eighteen. Such natural talent…”

“Before this, I have treated Dao injuries three times. Never before has the cooperation been so effortless!”

“Now that I think back, Ning Zhuo’s own Earth element realm might be more than just Grandmaster level.”

Mulan listened, finding it hard to believe, and chuckled: “Uncle Zhang praises a young junior so highly, it seems this little brother Ning Zhuo is quite pleasing to Uncle Zhang’s eye.”

Zhang Zhongyi paused his pestle, formed hand seals, examined the composition of the herbal paste, then judiciously took a piece of herb and added it.

He continued pounding the herbs, while simultaneously pouring in a certain spiritual liquid. He chuckled: “If I were to tell you that Ning Zhuo also possesses Grandmaster level realms in Wood and Fire elements, would you be even more skeptical?”

The surprise on Mulan’s face deepened: “Isn’t that a bit exaggerated? Grandmaster realms in three elements?”

She changed the subject: “However, Uncle Zhang, you have seen countless people, and now there’s the verification of the Dao injury healing, so this Ning Zhuo must be a three-element Grandmaster.”

After a pause, Mulan commented: “At such a young age, to achieve such accomplishments, he is indeed remarkable!”

Zhang Zhongyi added: “More than remarkable? You won’t find anyone like him in the entire Liangzhu Kingdom. He is too young, yet his achievements are incredibly high.”

“Furthermore, his friend is also not simple.”

“This treatment could have been complete, but was stopped midway by his friend.”

“The reason being, that person actually found a wondrous method during the injury period, using the injury to cultivate.”

“In my opinion, the effect of this cultivation is extremely outstanding!”

“Thus, he can be considered to have turned misfortune into fortune, and the foundation of his physical body will surge by at least three times.”

Mulan nodded: “Wolves do not dwell with dogs, eagles do not speak with chickens. A young man as exceptional as Ning Zhuo will naturally have equally exceptional cultivators by his side.”

Zhang Zhongyi had finished preparing the herbs, and poured all the herbal paste onto a white bandage.

His hands moved without stopping, and he said at the same time: “Perhaps you are not yet aware, this time the Imperial Envoy secretly tampered with things, delaying the distribution of our army’s supplies…”

He had not finished speaking when Mulan nodded, interrupting: “Uncle Zhang, I am already aware of the matter you mentioned.”

“It was Ning Zhuo who helped us resolve it.”

It turned out that ever since Mulan was deliberately made things difficult for, she had ordered her subordinates to secretly observe and gather information on this military situation.

One of her subordinates had witnessed the entire process of Ning Zhuo resolving the issue and immediately reported it to Mulan.

Mulan said: “This time, we owe him a favor. If there’s an opportunity in the future, I will properly thank him.”

Zhang Zhongyi picked up the bandage with the herbal paste applied, walked to Mulan, and said: “There’s no need to thank him. This time, I waived his medical fees.”

Mulan smiled: “Then I should properly thank you, Uncle Zhang.”

Zhang Zhongyi immediately shook his head: “No, it is I who should thank your father!”

Mulan’s wrist turned slightly, and the armguard on her left arm automatically detached, transforming into a golden brass light and entering her storage belt.

Mulan rolled up her sleeve, exposing her forearm.

On her forearm, there were many scars, some of which had turned the flesh inside out and were still bleeding.

Zhang Zhongyi used the bandage to wrap Mulan’s forearm.

Subsequently, his palms hovered above Mulan’s forearm, palms facing the bandage, and then he circulated his magical energy, infusing it into the herbal medicine, transforming its potency to heal Mulan.

Waves of sharp pain struck, but Mulan remained calm.

Soon, the thick herbal paste was digested and absorbed, becoming a thin layer.

Zhang Zhongyi took out a set of golden needles and, following the acupoints, inserted a dozen needles into Mulan’s forearm.

As time passed, the needle tips gradually glowed with white light.

The sharp white light wore the needle tips down into powder.

Zhang Zhongyi’s face was clouded with worry, and he said in a deep voice: “Niece Mulan, recently your condition has worsened considerably.”

“I warned you, it’s best not to frequently activate your family’s inherited technique, the Profound Gold Armor Breaking Art.”

“This technique is suitable for men to cultivate, being too masculine and sharp. For you, a woman, cultivating this method can easily lead to an excess of masculinity, harming your feminine body.”

Mulan shook her head: “Uncle Zhang, the great battle is imminent, I must practice drilling troops every day. Of course, the frequency of using the Profound Gold Armor Breaking Art will increase, and will be even more in the future.”

“As for this internal injury, it can only be slowly recuperated after the war.”

Zhang Zhongyi sighed: “The condition is more serious than you think, and if it continues to develop like this, it’s very likely to erupt on the battlefield.”

“You are being too dismissive.”

“In fact, to solve your ailment, there is a simple method, and that is dual cultivation!”

“Find a male cultivator, one who possesses pure yang energy, and engage in dual cultivation with him.”

“As the saying goes, isolated yin does not generate, isolated yang does not grow. Only with the harmony of yin and yang is there the great Dao of heavenly and earthly harmony.”

“In this way, the overly sharp yang energy will be transferred to the male cultivator. Although your cultivation will be weakened by several tenths in a short period, after reducing the burden, the yin energy will naturally generate without suppression, giving you the opportunity for future yin-yang harmony.”

“Otherwise, relying solely on yourself to achieve yin-yang harmony is simply impossible.”

“Your condition has become too severe to turn back; only with external assistance is there hope for a solution.”

Mulan nodded: “Uncle Zhang, you mentioned this method last time, and I have pondered it for a long time since I returned.”

She was the daughter of a general, without any affectation.

“Honestly, I also really want to find a man for dual cultivation, but after thinking it over, there is no suitable candidate,” Mulan sighed.

Zhang Zhongyi nodded: “Indeed.”

“It is truly difficult to find someone suitable for you, Niece.”

“Firstly, they must possess pure yang energy. However, outstanding individuals attract many of the opposite sex. Dual cultivation techniques are widely spread and can rapidly increase cultivation. Therefore, regardless of whether they are male or female cultivators, unless under special circumstances, once their age increases, they basically lose their pure yang or pure yin.”

“Secondly, this person must be compatible with your Mu family. I heard that the current sovereign’s third son intended to pursue you, Niece, but you rejected him. This is very correct. The Third Prince lacks military authority the most, and his reputation is poor. What he values is the military prestige of your Mu family’s General’s Residence.”

“Finally, this person must be sufficiently outstanding, otherwise they would be a crooked melon or cracked date, unworthy of you, Niece. In my opinion, only individuals of the Twelve Princes’ level would prevent you, Niece, from being wronged.”

In the many cultivation nations of today, there are busybodies who rank young talents on a list called the Prince List.

The Prince List only has twelve individuals, who are the universally recognized talents of the current era.

Mulan shook her head and chuckled: “Uncle Zhang, you think too highly of me.”

“Although my family is the General’s Residence, it is merely a power in the Liangzhu Kingdom. The Liangzhu Kingdom is completely a small nation in the entire world. Sandwiched between the Northern Wind Kingdom and the Southern Bean Kingdom, blocked on both ends, there is little room for advancement.”

“My father has been bedridden for years, and our family’s fortunes have declined. Although I have talent, I cannot aspire to the Twelve Princes whose names are renowned throughout the world.”

Zhang Zhongyi stroked his beard: “Niece, do not underestimate yourself. Since I entered your military camp and observed your troop drills, your attainment is almost comparable to Old General Mu. Your talent in the military Dao is exceptionally outstanding.”

“Think about it, the Twelve Princes are not static; people frequently fall off the list, and others ascend to it. This shows that heroes can emerge from anywhere, and there are many who rise from unexpected places.”

“Even if we cannot currently aspire to the Twelve Princes, seeds of the Prince level are close at hand.”

Mulan raised an eyebrow, and immediately realized who Zhang Zhongyi was referring to.

She was instantly somewhat dumbfounded: “Uncle Zhang, after talking for so long, you want to recommend Ning Zhuo?”

“It’s not that I’m arrogant, but you’re just matchmaking wildly; it’s preposterous. He’s only in the Foundation Establishment stage.”

Zhang Zhongyi, however, wore a serious expression: “What’s wrong with the Foundation Establishment stage? Don’t look down on his cultivation.”

“His cultivation is indeed relatively weak, but you have to look at his age!”

“He is definitely no more than eighteen years old. Think about it, Foundation Establishment stage before eighteen! How does such cultivation talent compare to yours?”

Mulan’s expression became slightly serious: “Much stronger than mine. I only advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage when I was twenty-one.”

Zhang Zhongyi stroked his beard: “Niece, your family’s inherited technique, the Profound Gold Armor Breaking Art, is not suitable for you. If you were a man, you could have advanced to Foundation Establishment before the age of eighteen.”

“Let’s talk about Ning Zhuo again.”

“Although his innate talent has not been fully investigated, it is possible that he is concealing his true abilities. Even if it is true, it must be excellent. In terms of innate talent alone, he perfectly matches your excellent innate talent, Niece.”

“His comprehension is extremely high. Grandmaster level in Fire, Earth, and Wood elements, tsk tsk, if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed it.”

“Also, this person is from the Ning family in Fire Persimmon Immortal City. Although I do not know this family, judging by Ning Zhuo’s wealth and generosity, repeatedly taking out treasures of the Nascent Soul level… the Ning family in Fire Persimmon Immortal City cannot be far off!”

“Finally, Ning Zhuo is from the Southern Bean Kingdom, not a citizen of the Liangzhu Kingdom. Dual cultivation with him will not drag the Mu General’s Residence into the political漩渦 at home.”

Mulan was silent for a moment, then said: “Uncle Zhang, what you say is reasonable and has moved my heart.”

“However, Ning Zhuo comes from a prominent family and may already have a marriage engagement.”

“This dual cultivation involves pure yang and pure yin; it is no small matter. Many marriage engagements have strict regulations in this regard.”

“Uncle Zhang, I would trouble you to find an opportunity in the future to probe a little and see if the other party has this intention.”

“However…”

Mulan’s tone shifted slightly: “The great battle is imminent, and if I engage in dual cultivation, causing my combat strength to decline, there are still many risks.”

“Furthermore, I need to rely on myself to achieve meritorious service and revitalize my family. If I rely too much on outsiders, I will not be able to overcome my own internal obstacles, and the effect of rebuilding the Mu Residence’s reputation will be greatly reduced.”

“Therefore, regardless of whether Young Master Ning Zhuo is interested, I plan to arrange dual cultivation after this battle.”

Zhang Zhongyi nodded: “Alas, this is the best-case scenario. I’m just worried that the battles will be frequent, your pressure will increase dramatically, leading to the eruption of your injury.”

Ning Zhuo did not know the conversation between Zhang Zhongyi and Mulan after he left.

The latter two had already plotted to acquire his pure yang energy.

All the way back, he was thinking about Sun Lingtong’s suggestion—to rely on the Dao injury to rapidly increase his physical cultivation.

“I have the realm of Five Elements Grandmaster. Cooperating with Senior Zhang Zhongyi this time can indeed turn misfortune into fortune.”

“However, this method also carries risks.”

“At present, the Liangzhu Kingdom army and the Thousand Peaks Forest are about to go to war, which is unsettling.”

“If something were to happen to Zhang Zhongyi, and I had a Dao injury without finding a skilled medical practitioner to cooperate with me, then that would be disastrous.”

After all, treating Dao injuries is adapting to the circumstances, designing spells and concocting herbs based on specific situations.

The treatment method used for Sun Lingtong, if used on Sun Lingtong again after one night, would not be effective.

Not to mention, using it on Ning Zhuo.

“Therefore, the most stable method is for me to master profound medical skills myself.”

“As long as my medical skills reach the level of treating Dao injuries, I will be able to treat myself alone and increase my physical cultivation through Dao injuries.”

“Alas!”

Thinking of this, Ning Zhuo sighed deeply: “I am still too weak, and I have mastered too little knowledge.”

“One realizes the lack of books only when one needs them.”

“Learning is boundless!”

“If I had profound medical skills, I would have been able to cure Senior Sun long ago and increase my cultivation without worry.”

Ning Zhuo decided to delve into medical studies!

It was not just for the present; he was thinking more about his mother.

In the future, he would need to treat the Dao injury of Medical Buddha Meng Yaoyin. The safest and most reliable path was for him to become a skilled physician like Zhang Zhongyi.

Ning Zhuo thought all the way back to the Three Generals’ Camp.

As soon as he entered, he received a report from a cultivator saying that the three generals, Liu Er, Guan Hong, and Zhang Hei, had just been looking for him everywhere.

Ning Zhuo then came to the center of the camp, lifted the main general’s tent flap, and entered.

With a glance, he saw Liu Er’s yellow face, Guan Hong’s red face, and Zhang Hei’s black face gathered together, their six eyes all staring at the ledger on the table.