Nándòu Guó.

Wànyào Mén.

“Dā, are you looking for me?” Lín Shānshān entered the study, a bit resentful, “I’m busy preparing for battle. If it’s not something extremely important—”

After Níng Zhuō left, he left the Língyǐn Liǔ at Wànyào Mén, and also left Huā Gūzi to care for the willow tree.

Lín Shānshān and Huā Gūzi’s relationship initially started with rivalry, then quickly deteriorated.

The two began clashing in the martial arts arena, but through their fights, they actually developed a friendship.

The two women became good friends, viewing each other as strong rivals, a classic love-hate relationship.

By now, Lín Shānshān and Huā Gūzi, fueled by their competition, had both made rapid progress in their strength, becoming the two most dazzling sights in Fāngyào Mén’s martial arts arena.

The number of wins and losses between them was roughly equal, but last time, Lín Shānshān narrowly lost to Huā Gūzi. So, this time, she was putting all her effort into preparing for battle, determined to get her revenge.

Lín Bùfán, as her father, naturally knew about this situation.

Lín Bùfán was also pleased with this development. After all, during the period of their competition, his beloved daughter had indeed worked hard and made rapid progress in her cultivation.

Lín Bùfán handed a letter to Lín Shānshān, and with just one sentence, his beloved daughter’s look of resentment completely vanished: “This is a letter from Níng Zhuō.”

“Ah! Níng Zhuō finally wrote to me?!” Lín Shānshān was immediately overjoyed.

Lín Bùfán suppressed his displeasure, shook his head, and sneered, “This letter is for me, but I can’t be bothered to explain it. You read it first.”

Lín Shānshān immediately sent out her divine sense, scanning the letter several times.

Lín Shānshān’s joyful expression faded. Although a little disappointed, her tone was still cheerful: “I didn’t expect Níng Zhuō to have already reached Fēiyún Guó.”

“I wonder what strange customs are there?”

“How does he have so many Jīndān? And they’re all Guǐdào?”

“These are good things, Dā. Many medicinal formulas require Guǐdào Jīndān as ingredients.”

Lín Bùfán saw his daughter speaking well of Níng Zhuō, and his internal displeasure grew. He shook his head again: “Many formulas? Can you list ten?”

Lín Shānshān rolled her eyes at Lín Bùfán: “Dā, why do you have to be so serious?”

“Níng Zhuō wants to retrieve the Língyǐn Liǔ, and also wants to trade Guǐdào Jīndān with me. This is a great thing!”

“Even if Guǐdào Jīndān are not common medicinal ingredients, such precious materials are rare. Even if we buy them first and then resell them, it’s profitable.”

Lín Bùfán nodded slightly: “Your last sentence makes sense.”

Lín Shānshān was all smiles.

“The Língyǐn Liǔ has fully recovered. Níng Zhuō must have an important purpose for wanting it.”

“We must make sure this happens as soon as possible.”

“If you ask me, why don’t we form a caravan, bring elixirs, spirit stones, and the Língyǐn Liǔ, and immediately head to Fēiyún Guó.”

“Dā, the Língyǐn Liǔ is very rare and significant. It would be bad if something unexpected happened during a long journey. I can set off and carefully look after it all the way to ensure it’s fine.”

Lín Bùfán stared at Lín Shānshān, his gaze seeming to penetrate to the depths of her heart: “You want to see Níng Zhuō, don’t you?”

Lín Shānshān blushed slightly, then argued earnestly: “Níng Zhuō is my good friend, and even more so, our ally. Of course, I miss my friend.”

“I think Dà Shīxiōng must miss him too.”

“Dā, don’t you?”

Lín Bùfán shook his head: “My feelings can’t be the same as yours, can they?”

He frowned tightly: “Didn’t I tell you? That kid Níng Zhuō has already settled down and started a family in Liǎngzhù Guó. His wife is Mù Lán, the sole heir of General Mù’s mansion!”

Lín Shānshān chuckled: “Dā, you’ve tried to fool me for a while, that’s enough. I’ve already investigated the truth about Qiānfēng Lín. Níng Zhuō was just forced to marry Mù Lán by a twist of fate.”

“They’re fake, not real.”

Lín Bùfán gently tapped the table with his knuckles: “What if it’s real? I think those two are a good match, a talented man and a beautiful woman.”

Lín Shānshān was quite displeased to hear this, and her face immediately darkened: “Dā, you’re bullying me! If Māmā were here…”

At the mention of her deceased mother, Lín Bùfán’s expression immediately changed, struck at his soft spot, and he sighed bitterly: “Alright, alright, you must know that Dā is doing this for your own good.”

“Sigh—you take this letter and go find Huā Gūzi. Before Níng Zhuō left, he arranged for her to look after the Língyǐn Liǔ.”

“Okay.” Lín Shānshān nodded, about to turn and leave, then stopped. “Dā, I want to join this caravan, you can’t refuse me!”

Lín Bùfán’s heart stirred, and he tried to ask: “Then how about I leave Huā Gūzi behind and only let you join this caravan?”

Lín Shānshān was stunned for a moment, then gritted her teeth: “This—no good! Xiǎo Huā and I are very good friends, and we agreed to compete fairly. Let her go too!”

She gave a wry smile, then added: “If we’re moving the Língyǐn Liǔ, we definitely can’t hide it from her. Given her temperament, if we really don’t let her go, she might even betray us.”

Only then did Lín Bùfán smile and wave to Lín Shānshān: “You can discuss it with her first.”

“Forming a caravan isn’t that easy.”

“Níng Zhuō mentioned in the letter that he is also trading Guǐdào Jīndān with Zhū Xuánjì. I’ll write a letter first to ask about Zhū Xuánjì’s arrangements.”

Wànyào Mén, Nándòu Zhū family, and Huǒshì Níng family had formed a secret alliance.

The caravan had to cross Liǎngzhù Guó and Běifēng Guó to reach Fēiyún Guó. The journey would not be peaceful and would be very difficult. It was not impossible for Wànyào Mén alone to achieve this, but the cost would be very high.

In this situation, Lín Bùfán would naturally go to Zhū Xuánjì to inquire and discuss whether cooperation was possible.

As it turned out, no sooner had Sect Master Lín finished writing his letter than he received a letter from Zhū Xuánjì himself.

Apparently, Níng Zhuō’s letters were transmitted through various post stations, reaching Nándòu Guó.

Nándòu Guó was controlled by the Zhū family, so relevant letters were naturally sent with priority. Zhū Xuánjì received Níng Zhuō’s letter a full day earlier than Lín Bùfán.

Lín Bùfán unfolded the letter and read it, understanding Zhū Xuánjì’s intentions.

Zhū Xuánjì agreed to the trade with Níng Zhuō and would also travel with the caravan to Fēiyún Guó, but would not meet Níng Zhuō, only asking Lín Bùfán to arrange suitable personnel.

Lín Bùfán couldn’t help but feel curious: “Divine Constable Zhū is the face of our royal family at the Jīndān level. Is there some important mission that requires him to personally go?”

“However, with his participation to escort the caravan, I can rest assured.”

Lín Bùfán immediately wrote a reply.

Within half a day, the letter reached Zhū Xuánjì’s hands.

Divine Constable Zhū sent out his divine sense, read it, and revealed a distressed expression.

“I didn’t expect Níng Zhuō to have already arrived at Fēiyún Guó.”

“Alas, I also have to go to Fēiyún Guó. Fortunately, Wànyào Mén is acting as a representative, so I don’t need to meet him.”

“It’s better to keep a distance from the Child of Calamity.”

As for Lín Bùfán’s letter asking why Zhū Xuánjì was going to Fēiyún Guó, Zhū Xuánjì could only choose to keep it a secret.

“This is a secret operation jointly decided by our country and Fēiyún Guó long ago. It’s inconvenient to disclose it to Lín Bùfán.”

“Níng Zhuō is at the main headquarters of Wànxiàng Zōng, but I am going to Lóngqiú Shān.”

“We won’t meet, we definitely won’t meet.”

For this diplomatic mission, the Nándòu royal family deliberated on the candidates for a long time.

In the end, it fell to Zhū Xuánjì.

Zhū Xuánjì had long anticipated being chosen.

After all, cultivators at the Yuányīng level entering other countries require a travel permit, otherwise it would be considered an act of aggression.

But this time, the meeting between Nándòu Guó and Fēiyún Guó was not suitable for publicizing. Therefore, a normal travel permit could not be issued.

In this situation, Zhū Xuánjì, as the strongest Jīndān, free from the constraints of the Yuányīng level, even if exposed, would not constitute a conflict between nations.

From this point alone, Zhū Xuánjì was definitely an excellent candidate.

Liǎngzhù Guó.

Capital city.

General Mù’s Mansion.

“Imperial decree arrives—!” The envoy quickly walked into the courtyard. “Your subjects receive the decree.” Led by Old General Mù, many cultivators knelt on the ground.

The envoy slowly unfolded the imperial decree in his hand and read its contents.

Among the cultivators, Mù Lán heard half of it and couldn’t help but show a surprised expression: “What? Send me as an envoy to Fēiyún Guó?”

Then, a thought flashed through her mind: “This is a good opportunity.”

“Níng Zhuō sent a letter the day before yesterday, wanting to trade Guǐdào Jīndān. I was just considering forming a caravan.”

“Now I’ll go personally, saving a lot of trouble.”

“I just don’t know what the mission of this diplomatic trip is.”

Fēiyún Guó.

Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Kǒng Zhāomíng was handling official duties in his study.

From his appearance, he looked to be between forty-five and fifty years old. He had a square face, sharp features, slightly high brow bones, and a pair of eyes as deep as a cold pond. His nose bridge was high, and his lips were tightly pursed into a straight line.

Even seated, one could still tell he was tall and upright, with broad shoulders and back.

He exuded a restrained yet weighty aura. When near him, people would involuntarily straighten their backs, hold their breath, and dare not overstep in the slightest.

His temples were slightly frosted, and on his head was a simple, non-gold, non-jade black hair crown. The hair crown束 his long hair meticulously, with not a single strand out of place.

He wore a plain, wide-sleeved robe, without elaborate embroidery, only with extremely fine and regular black cloud patterns or swastika patterns bordering the collar and cuffs.

A dark jade belt, with a simple and square buckle, was tied around his waist.

Like the man himself, his personality was rigid and upright, adhering strictly to etiquette. He was strict with others and even stricter with himself.

“Hm?” He saw a letter from his son, Kǒng Rán.

“Someone wants to buy a set of excavation methods for the zǎo zhì tiānzī at a high price?”

“This boy actually wants to agree?”

Kǒng Zhāomíng couldn’t help but let out a cold snort, revealing his displeasure.

He refuted in his mind: “If an innate talent can be properly excavated, it can be promoted to become a supernatural ability. Supernatural abilities are standard for the Huàshén level. If a cultivator below the Huàshén level can master a supernatural ability, they will undoubtedly possess the strength to challenge those at a higher level.”

“The matter of innate talent methods is of great importance, how can it be easily imparted?”

“If hostile forces produce Huàshén-level combat power, what should be done?”

“Even if it’s not Huàshén-level, even if it aids Jīndān cultivators, it shouldn’t happen!”

In the current cultivation world, cultivation nations are actively building up their military, confronting and guarding against each other.

Yuányīng-level cultivators cannot freely enter or leave, but according to the rules, Jīndān cultivators are not subject to this control.

Therefore, even if Jīndān cultivators obtained this set of methods, it might cause problems for the entire country.

“For example, this time, our country is holding secret talks with envoys from various countries on Lóng Shān.”

“Those attending should be at the Jīndān level.”

“During this process, mutual sparring and competition are inevitable.”

“In other words, Jīndān-level duels also determine the country’s face and even affect subsequent interest negotiations.”

Kǒng Zhāomíng was well-versed in etiquette and was the person responsible for organizing and hosting the secret envoys from various countries in Fēiyún Guó this time.

“Kǒng Rán is my eighth son. Although he has zǎo zhì tiānzī, it is of the lower grade.”

“The drawbacks are that he will be impatient, lack persistence, not be steady, and be inconsiderate.”

“For a mere huìyì bǐ, he wants to sell an innate talent method? Is he such a prodigal son?”

“Absolutely not!”

Wànxiàng Zōng.

Qīngshí Dòngfǔ.

Níng Zhuō emerged from the Tāixī Líng.

He moved a few times, and the stone skin on his body peeled off in pieces, revealing his normal skin.

He looked down at his arm; the symptoms of soul power suppressing his physical body had almost all disappeared. Only by looking very closely would one find some faint shadows and dark spots.

“However, this is not just due to my strengthened physical foundation, but also because my soul is weak.”

Níng Zhuō had consumed a lot of soul power when he used the huìyì bǐ before. But he deliberately let it be, letting his soul recover on its own.

Putting away the Tāixī Líng, Níng Zhuō once again delved into the Mó Rǎn Xuèjīn Gōng.

There was progress, but not much.

Without other opportunities, Níng Zhuō could only keep working hard.

After contemplating for a while, the appointed time arrived. Níng Zhuō then summoned Qīng Chì and Xuě Cǎinǚ Huì, once again teaching them the art of talisman crafting.

Two hours passed in Qīng Chì’s perception almost in an instant.

Seeing her reluctance, Níng Zhuō had an idea: “Qīng Chì, why don’t you stay here and be a sparring partner for my mechanical puppets?”

Qīng Chì immediately showed delight and nodded repeatedly: “Okay, okay.”

Níng Zhuō activated the Five Elements magical power, linking Xuě Cǎinǚ Huì and Xuě Shūyù Xiē, and began demonstrating to Qīng Chì.

Qīng Chì was quickly pressured and then defeated.

Each victory made Xuě Cǎinǚ Huì lift her head slightly.

Qīng Chì’s combat power also rapidly improved.

The spirituality of Xuě Shūyù Xiē still showed no movement. But Níng Zhuō had already speculated about this and was not anxious.

Sparring also gave Níng Zhuō a much better understanding of the two mechanisms.

His control became more proficient.

Gōngsūn Yán came to report the results of his investigation. He handed Níng Zhuō a jade slip containing information about Bān Jī.

“The Bān family—a famous mechanical family in Fēiyún Guó!”

“Bān Jī also has Jīndān-level mechanical creations?”

“He doesn’t cultivate the orthodox methods of the Bān family, but a demonic art…”

“After I politely refused him, he wants to participate in Qīng Huángzi’s Xīngyún Xiǎoshì?”

After reading through it, Níng Zhuō’s lips curved into a smile.

Qīng Huángzi is a Jīndān cultivator, one of the notable mechanical cultivators in Wànxiàng Zōng. He arranged an Xīngyún Xiǎoshì, attracting cultivators from various places.

With Bān Jī’s interest piqued, Níng Zhuō also became interested.

“Bān Jī and Pí Fùjié have such a relationship, they are enemies, not friends.”

“I’ve already seen his information; now I’ll go meet him in person to learn from him, which will help me compare with the intelligence and deepen my understanding.”