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In the Azure Stone Cave Dwelling, the fragrant tea smoke curled upwards.

Zhu Gui-zhi sat cross-legged, her purplish-blue skirt fanned out like flowing water on the meditation cushion.

Their conversation had been ongoing for some time, but Zhu Gui-zhi was not in a good mood. Her quiet visit to Ning Zhuo was primarily for reconnaissance. However, after several rounds of conversation, she had failed to extract any valuable information from Ning Zhuo.

Zhu Gui-zhi had long-standing plans for her daughter, Zhu Fen-xiang’s marriage, and she did not want Zhu Fen-xiang and Ning Zhuo to end up together. Nevertheless, Ning Zhuo had displayed his talent, and his actions had also revealed the powerful forces behind him. Before her visit, Zhu Gui-zhi had carefully studied Ning Zhuo’s preliminary test in Xuan-jia Cave and his battle with Gu Qing. She grew increasingly cautious.

She worried that her actions might displease Ning Zhuo and sour relations with a super-powerful faction. As a seasoned Righteous Path cultivator, Zhu Gui-zhi would naturally not make such a foolish mistake. Yet, the initial negotiations had left her completely uncertain, as Ning Zhuo was unyielding. She even felt a little annoyed, almost suspecting that Ning Zhuo might be an old cultivator reincarnated or possessing another’s body.

She shook her head inwardly, knowing full well that Ning Zhuo was a young man. He showed no signs of aging; his clear eyes alone revealed the beauty of youth.

Zhu Gui-zhi raised her hand to pour tea, a jade bracelet on her wrist gently clinking against the porcelain cup, producing a clear, melodious sound. She would not give up easily.

The next moment, she deliberately changed the subject, bringing up the previous battle and praising Ning Zhuo’s rhetoric in publicly implicating Gu Qing after the fight. “Young Master Ning Zhuo’s light remark plunged Gu Qing into great trouble.”

“However, I am somewhat puzzled.”

“With your talent, Young Master, wouldn’t it be better to befriend Gu Qing than to make an enemy of him?”

Ning Zhuo heard this, a slight smile playing on his lips, but he remained silent. He merely leaned back, a simple gesture that immediately created an extraordinary aura.

“Madam Zhu, don’t you think Gu Qing’s suggestion of a clone spar was too gentle and uninteresting?”

In an instant, Zhu Gui-zhi keenly noticed the sharp glint in Ning Zhuo’s eyes. Like a sudden flash of lightning in the clouds, though fleeting, it made Zhu Gui-zhi’s heart skip a beat.

“Young Master Ning is indeed no ordinary person,” Zhu Gui-zhi lowered her gaze and smiled faintly, her hand in her sleeve unconsciously tightening. She thought of her husband, He Yong, that perpetually mild and respectful Righteous Path cultivator, who would probably never be so unrestrained in his entire life. This unruliness was, in fact, the spark of ambition.

This trait displayed by Ning Zhuo greatly increased Zhu Gui-zhi’s admiration. It was something her husband, He Yong, lacked. From this perspective, her daughter’s judgment was superior to her own. However, Ning Zhuo merely showing this was far from enough. She had not yet uncovered the true outcome and had to remain suspicious. As a mature Righteous Path figure, she also needed to be responsible for her subordinates and faction, requiring concrete facts. Then, based on these facts, she could make judgments, decisions, and changes.

“Young Master Ning Zhuo, perhaps you should look at this.”

Zhu Gui-zhi took out a gift list and informed Ning Zhuo about the Zhu family’s policies: Zhu Fen-xiang’s teaching of the Spirit Summoning Art meant that Ning Zhuo would become a live-in son-in-law, joining the Zhu family. This matter was already circulating within the Zhu family. The various precious materials, magical artifacts, and magic treasures on the gift list were part of the resources for becoming a live-in son-in-law, with more to come in the future.

Ning Zhuo did not even glance at the gift list and immediately waved his hand, stating that he had already learned about this from Zhu Fen-xiang. However, it was a misunderstanding! There was no private affection between him and Zhu Fen-xiang; it was merely a coincidence that Zhu Fen-xiang had voluntarily taught him.

Zhu Gui-zhi was not particularly surprised by this answer. Excellent politicians often had suspicions, or even answers, in their hearts before asking many questions. Her asking this question was merely a prelude. She sighed softly, “When young women first fall in love, they are most easily blinded by temporary affection. I recall it was just like that when I first met her father.”

“Fen-xiang is my flesh and blood; it’s possible she might do something impulsive that affects her whole life. Now that I’ve heard your answer, Young Master, I feel relieved.”

Ning Zhuo pondered in silence. Zhu Gui-zhi’s worries did not align with the image of Zhu Fen-xiang in his mind. Ning Zhuo had gathered much information about Zhu Fen-xiang, and he did not believe she would make bad decisions because of love. From a young age, Zhu Fen-xiang had received elite training, working hard, exercising patience, cultivating inner strength, and deeply understanding human and divine nature to serve spirits, maintain good relations, and achieve results with her Spirit Summoning Art. This was precisely what Ning Zhuo admired about Zhu Fen-xiang.

Ning Zhuo dismissed it internally, but outwardly praised Zhu Gui-zhi as a mother caring for her children, remarking on her touching benevolence. As he spoke, a gentle expression crossed his face, and he couldn’t help but think of his own mother.

Ning Zhuo said, “Since the misunderstanding is resolved, please take back this gift list, Madam. This was just a misunderstanding, and it’s best not to deepen it.”

Zhu Gui-zhi sighed, praising Ning Zhuo’s upright character as admirable, worthy of someone who passed the Three Questions of the Heart. He truly walked a straight path. She then subtly changed the subject. “However, the Zhu family’s Spirit Summoning Art is no small matter after all. Fen-xiang’s current situation…”

Ning Zhuo frowned upon hearing this. He asked Zhu Gui-zhi how she intended to handle it.

Zhu Gui-zhi then presented her solution: first, use a divine art to erase part of Ning Zhuo’s memory. Afterward, have Ning Zhuo publicly announce that he and Zhu Fen-xiang were friends, not lovers. Zhu Gui-zhi observed his reactions and added at the end, “Please rest assured, Young Master Ning, a divine contract will be signed in advance for the entire process to ensure safety.”

Ning Zhuo’s frown deepened. Ensure what safety? Could a divine contract guarantee his safety? What if the Zhu family had ill intentions? A divine contract was not 100% reliable. Since it was a contract, there must be loopholes to exploit. He had no reason to take such a risk. Ning Zhuo’s nature dictated that he would not easily take such a gamble.

He was proficient in soul-searching techniques and had recently often used the Soul Ferrying technique, understanding all too well the vast room for manipulation. If he did this, he would be at their mercy. Should he encounter ill-intentioned individuals, Ning Zhuo would certainly pay a heavy price, even falling into an abyss of no return. This was not the act of a wise man!

Furthermore, he did not want to publicly announce their relationship. Once publicly announced, it would raise suspicions of having something to hide, severely damaging his Righteous Path reputation. It would also signify to the public that his relationship with the Zhu family was merely ordinary, or even negative. This would also add unfavorable effects to his current situation.

He now had to face Gu Qing’s problem. If he revealed such a flaw at this moment, Gu Qing and his group would certainly seize the opportunity, striking while the iron was hot. He was already under immense pressure from Gu Qing and Zhao Han-sheng. Ning Zhuo himself was in a disadvantageous position. His previous implication of Gu Qing was a tactic of leveraging force, taking advantage of the situation. In essence, it was merely the benefit of a sneak attack, catching Gu Qing off guard.

Ning Zhuo absolutely disagreed with Zhu Gui-zhi’s proposed solution.

Ning Zhuo smiled faintly, immediately stating that he was very interested in the Zhu family’s Spirit Summoning Art and wished to learn it. Furthermore, the Zhu family’s Spirit Summoning Art he knew was only the most basic first layer. Since the Zhu family could bring it up, it meant the matter was open for discussion.

Ning Zhuo said, “Madam Zhu, how about these?” With that, Ning Zhuo took out a handful of demonic Dao golden cores from his storage bag. The golden cores scattered across the table, spreading out, glinting with golden light and emanating an eerie demonic aura.

Zhu Gui-zhi’s expression subtly changed. As a Golden Core cultivator herself, she immediately perceived Ning Zhuo’s assertiveness from this action.

Ning Zhuo said, “If that’s not enough, I have more here.” Ning Zhuo pulled out two more handfuls. Over a dozen demonic Dao golden cores spread across the table, illuminating the entire room.

Zhu Gui-zhi’s breathing involuntarily hitched. Such significant wealth in the hands of a Foundation Establishment cultivator—and a young man at that, merely in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage—forced her to re-evaluate Ning Zhuo’s strength and his standing within his faction. The value of over a dozen demonic Dao golden cores far surpassed the gift list Zhu Gui-zhi had presented. The strength she had shown with the gift list now seemed vulnerable.

Ning Zhuo’s display of astonishing wealth also sparked many thoughts in Zhu Gui-zhi’s mind. For a moment, she felt a dryness in her mouth. Zhu Gui-zhi had arranged Zhu Fen-xiang’s marriage simply to fully leverage Zhu Fen-xiang’s value and secure the greatest political benefits. Now, she saw another possibility in Ning Zhuo. As long as Zhu Gui-zhi confirmed that the union of Zhu Fen-xiang and Ning Zhuo could bring her more political benefits, why not? Changing the original plan was not impossible.

Zhu Gui-zhi pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled sweetly, “Young Master, such a generous gesture leaves me at a loss for what to do. Could it be… these golden cores are a betrothal gift?” She covered her lips with her sleeve, her eyes swirling with a probing gaze. “Hehehe, but for a marriage, both sets of elders need to meet and discuss the details.” She then naturally continued, “I am still not very familiar with Young Master’s family situation.”

Ning Zhuo’s smile gradually faded. Zhu Gui-zhi did not want to give up, but Ning Zhuo could not tell the truth. Because the Ning family’s power was not strong. If Ning Zhuo revealed the truth, the outcome would not be good. But he also wouldn’t deliberately lie, because the lie would be too easy to expose. In the future, once verified, what would become of his image and reputation? The best situation was actually the present one. The public would subconsciously assume that Ning Zhuo’s background was far from simple. This was almost a consensus, a recognized fact.

How should he handle it? Ning Zhuo had repeatedly dodged the question and made excuses before, and to resort to the same trick now would show weakness and appear guilty. In just a moment, Ning Zhuo had thought of a countermeasure.

“Madam Zhu,” he smiled faintly, revealing a clear arrogance, “Regarding the Spirit Summoning Art, your daughter personally told me it wasn’t a big deal. That’s why I accepted the Zhu family’s Spirit Summoning Art, and it’s only the first layer.”

“Your visit this time, however, tells a different story. You have a mother’s love for her child, but what does that have to do with me? You’re coming to trouble me and put me in danger.”

“And you persistently inquire about my family background. Are you trying to ascertain something?”

“If my family background isn’t noble, would you resort to other insidious schemes against me?”

Zhu Gui-zhi’s expression immediately changed, and she opened her mouth to speak. Ning Zhuo raised a hand to stop her, then continued, “During this Xing-yun preliminary test, I deliberately concealed my family background to give myself an advantage.”

“If you wish to know, it’s not impossible.”

“But at least—”

Zhu Gui-zhi breathed a sigh of relief, a smile on her face. “I am willing to pay for this valuable information.”

Ning Zhuo chuckled, “Madam, you underestimate me.”

“To know, you must first see if you have the qualification.”

“As for Golden Cores,” Ning Zhuo glanced down at the dozen or so demonic Dao Golden Cores on the table, “I’ve cut down quite a few.”

Zhu Gui-zhi’s pupils constricted sharply, her expression rigid, losing her previous composure as she felt a strong offense! Ning Zhuo’s words were quite blunt, but they made a lot of sense. Everything had to be spoken with fists. Fists were the ultimate truth! The fundamental logic of how a world operates has not changed since ancient times—the victor is king! Regardless of opinions, conflicts, or contradictions, the one who dies in a fight is always in the wrong. Once you win, there will be great scholars to argue on your behalf.

The principle was clear, but Zhu Gui-zhi still felt a wave of humiliation. After all, she was Zhu Fen-xiang’s mother, an elder. Furthermore, she was a Golden Core cultivator. By cultivation level, she was Ning Zhuo’s senior. Ning Zhuo lacked basic respect for her!

Zhu Gui-zhi suppressed her anger, stating that she did not wish to bully a junior.

Ning Zhuo chuckled, “Madam Zhu has repeatedly probed my family background before, which was already bullying a junior.” His words were sharp, leaving Zhu Gui-zhi momentarily speechless.

Ning Zhuo’s voice was clear and melodious. “The Zhu family’s reputation echoes like thunder.”

“Fellow Daoist Zhu Fen-xiang’s Spirit Summoning Art, as displayed in her battle with Si-tu Xing, was truly exquisite. Her remarkable demeanor was captivating.”

“Though I am unworthy, my hands were itching during that battle. Now that I have met you, Madam, my heart itches even more.”

“As the saying goes, a fierce daughter from a dragon mother, I humbly ask Madam Zhu to enlighten me.”

Seeing Ning Zhuo’s persistent provocation, Zhu Gui-zhi couldn’t help but laugh in anger. It seemed this young junior before her had mistaken her for an ordinary Golden Core cultivator.

“Since Young Master Ning insists, very well then.”

“I accept this challenge.”

Zhu Gui-zhi had secretly made up her mind. This battle must be taken seriously to properly teach Ning Zhuo a lesson, solidify her status as a senior, and establish their hierarchical relationship!