When Shen Xi and Su Lingkou found Ning Zhuo, he was in a section of the Internal Affairs Hall, standing at a counter, quietly conversing with a cultivator.

“Daoist Ning Zhuo,” Shen Xi called out softly.

Ning Zhuo turned, revealing a smile, completely free from the gloom of being driven out. “Ah, it’s Daoists Shen and Su. I didn’t expect to meet you two here again.”

Then, he took the initiative to introduce the cultivator behind the counter: “This is Daoist Cao Gui, I’ve had a very pleasant conversation with him.”

“If you two wish to rent a Dongfu, his abilities should satisfy you.”

Shen Xi first smiled and nodded to Cao Gui, then looked at Ning Zhuo: “I came to find you this time, Daoist Ning. Please step aside to talk.”

“Oh?” Ning Zhuo was slightly puzzled.

The three immediately left the Internal Affairs Hall and talked under the shade of a tree outside the hall.

Shen Xi stated that he had heard about Ning Zhuo’s experience and had specially brought him a piece of information.

Ning Zhuo took the jade slip handed to him by Shen Xi, and with a sweep of his spiritual sense, found that it was all about Yu Heya.

He couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows slightly, staring at Shen Xi with a scrutinizing gaze.

Shen Xi’s behavior surprised Ning Zhuo.

Previously, Shen Xi’s show of goodwill wasn’t out of line, but now actively offering help must have an underlying reason.

In the past, Ning Zhuo might have chosen to play along, patiently observing while enduring. But now, after experiencing two major national wars and the adventure in Baizhi Xiancheng, he had unconsciously developed a fearless spirit.

He stared into Shen Xi’s eyes and directly asked, “Daoist Shen, we are mere acquaintances, why do you pay so much attention to me and help me so much? Do you have some motive?”

Shen Xi was slightly taken aback, not expecting Ning Zhuo to be so direct.

Su Lingkou, on the other hand, felt offended and immediately let out a cold snort: “Ning Zhuo, your attitude is a bit ungrateful.”

“My cousin sees potential in you and wants to promote you, but you suspect us. Hmph, don’t tell me you think we’re trying to take advantage of you?”

Just as she was about to continue, her shoulder was gently patted by Shen Xi.

Su Lingkou immediately stopped speaking.

Shen Xi composed himself and looked at Ning Zhuo with appreciation: “Daoist Ning Zhuo, you speak your mind, so I will be direct.”

He explained his intentions, saying that he had previously valued their shared fate of arriving at the same time, saw that Ning Zhuo had companions, possibly true disciples of Wanxiang Sect, and deduced that Ning Zhuo possessed outstanding strength. Therefore, he wanted to co-rent and cooperate to deal with the Feiyun Grand Assembly.

The Feiyun Grand Assembly had just begun and was not originally of this scale. Its initial intention was merely to gather efforts and have the entire sect cooperate to clear the accumulated sect missions.

Ordinary super-forces might not have so many sect missions. But Wanxiang Sect was different; its scale was too vast, and its outposts were too numerous. Its sphere of influence not only encompassed the entire Feiyun Kingdom but also extended its reach to surrounding countries.

Baizhi Xiancheng was a vivid example, where Wanxiang Sect had long established a驻地 (zhùdì, outpost).

When the Baizhi City Lord faced the crisis of not being able to defend the Xiancheng, he sought aid from Wanxiang Sect through this outpost, receiving strong reinforcements from cultivators like Meng Yaoyin and Wen Ruanyu.

The Yinchao Heishi Zhaodi (Gloomy Tide Black Swamp Land) was a buffer zone between two cultivation nations. However, the Baizhi City Lord sought aid not from Beifeng Kingdom nor from Feiyun Kingdom.

Seeking aid from any single cultivation nation would represent a strong political statement. If they sided with Beifeng Kingdom, Baizhi Xiancheng might face suppression from Feiyun Kingdom, and vice versa.

This was also one of the advantages of a super-sect.

Interacting with nations could easily touch various sensitive nerves, making it difficult to accomplish real tasks. But cooperating with a super-sect like Wanxiang Sect was entirely different in nature.

The influence of super-sects could extend to many cultivation nations.

Some cultivation nations even hoped for these super-sects to establish more outposts within their borders. This move would not only increase their national strength but also help in resource extraction and boost development in certain regions.

There were also cases of using super-sects as bridges to achieve private cooperation with other cultivation nations, or to change positions, resolve conflicts, form alliances, and so on.

In terms of actual combat power, cultivation nations were undoubtedly the most capable. This organizational form commanded national power, official power, and military power. This method of utilizing power was extremely efficient, capable of gathering crowds to challenge higher realms, and could mobilize the power of heaven and earth, the subtle uses of qi, and the might of ghosts and gods.

This was a flourishing era of cultivation!

Super-sects, alliances, families, and other organizations filled the gaps between cultivation nations, together forming the stable structure of cultivation society that had emerged from long-term competition.

Su Lingkou said, “We have already united with two other prodigious talents to form a ‘mountain stronghold’. Cousin recommended you, but because you retreated before and moved out of Shiquan Dongfu, one of the prodigious talents was very displeased.”

Shen Xi explained, “The so-called ‘mountain stronghold’ is actually a customary rule of the Wanxiang Sect, not a sect regulation, and it wasn’t part of the information we collectively purchased.”

“Everyone implicitly agrees that only by controlling a ‘mountain stronghold’, so that all the Dongfu on that mountain peak belong to one’s own people, can such a force be considered established, qualified to participate in competition, and worthy of allegiance.”

“From another perspective, the Eight Great Main Peaks are also like this.”

Ning Zhuo smiled, “So that’s how it is.”

Before, he didn’t understand the implicit meaning of co-renting. But after his conversation with Cao Gui this morning, he understood that co-renting wasn’t just jointly renting one Dongfu, or renting multiple Dongfu to complement each other and share expenses.

After all, each Dongfu had its advantages. Some Dongfu had abundant spiritual energy, while others possessed ground fire, suitable for alchemy and cultivation.

Ning Zhuo extended goodwill to Shen Xi.

Shen Xi’s “co-renting” was actually an invitation for Ning Zhuo to join forces, forming a temporary group to collectively deal with the Feiyun Grand Assembly.

This piqued Ning Zhuo’s interest.

He had descended Mount Huoshi and traveled the world to see, hear, and experience as much as possible, and to interact and exchange with others.

If he cooperated with Shen Xi and was on the same “mountain stronghold,” mutual exchange and discussion would be quite good.

“But not now,” Ning Zhuo thought to himself.

Even if he had known this implicit meaning before, he would have chosen to temporarily decline.

On one hand, his most important and urgent matter was to acquire Meng Yaoyin’s inheritance. Who knew when the Great Serpent Scythe would act up?

On the other hand, he also needed to observe Shen Xi, to see if he was suitable for communication and interaction. Many things that appear to be opportunities are, in fact, traps.

Ning Zhuo had seen countless examples of this since childhood.

Let’s not forget, he had assisted Sun Lingtong in establishing a small empire—long-term control over the black market in Huoshi Xiancheng. The various events that occurred in the black market greatly enriched Ning Zhuo’s life experience.

Ning Zhuo clasped his fists: “Daoist Shen’s earnest goodwill is deeply appreciated. It would certainly be beneficial to learn from a prodigious talent like Daoist Shen.”

Only then was Su Lingkou satisfied with Ning Zhuo’s attitude, letting out a cold snort: “It’s good that you know.”

“But now, you must deal with Yu Heya.”

“Your proactive retreat caused great opposition from Situ Xing. Now we have brought you detailed information, so please be firm and at least show your courage.”

“If you are afraid and retreat again, you will disappoint us greatly.”

A glint flashed in Ning Zhuo’s eyes.

From Su Lingkou’s words, he felt Situ Xing’s assertiveness and also understood Shen Xi’s intention in recruiting him: to strengthen his own influence and gain more advantages in the internal power struggles of the mountain stronghold.

He wasn’t at all averse to this.

“Being used proves one’s value. In all things, it’s you using me, and me using you; everyone uses each other.”

Ning Zhuo took out another jade slip from his storage sash and handed it to Shen Xi.

Shen Xi glanced at it and found that the contents of this jade slip were similar to the one he had given Ning Zhuo, both containing information about Yu Heya.

Shen Xi couldn’t help but be both surprised and delighted: “So, Daoist Ning Zhuo had long intended to retaliate.”

Ning Zhuo sighed, “As a newcomer, I was worried that Yu Heya had connections, and opposing him would be unwise. So, I first investigated his background.”

Su Lingkou chuckled softly: “You can rest assured about that. This person has never been rated as a Golden Core true disciple of the Wanxiang Sect, so he clearly has no connections.”

“In fact, he primarily cultivates the ‘Reverse Five Elements Demonic Art’ and once accidentally killed a beloved disciple of a high-ranking official of Chongzhen Peak. He is not well-liked.”

This was listed in the intelligence.

Ning Zhuo sighed again: “To be honest, even if I knew this, I wouldn’t really want to oppose this person. Why bother?”

“The other party is a cultivator at the peak of the Golden Core realm, and he even gave me ten mid-grade spirit stones.”

“All I need to do is slightly inconvenience myself for a while and find another Dongfu.”

Shen Xi: “Now that Daoist Ning knows our intention, what do you plan to do?”

Ning Zhuo cupped his fists: “It is my honor to be held in high regard by Daoist Shen. Of course, I must regain some face and seek opportunities to exchange pointers and interact more with Daoist Shen.”

Su Lingkou: “Then how do you plan to do it?”

Ning Zhuo: “Please allow me to ponder for a moment.”

He then showed a thoughtful expression and said, “Perhaps, I will have to trouble Daoist Shen to help me once more.”

Shen Xi: “Oh, just speak freely.”

Ning Zhuo smiled: “Please lend me some spirit stones, Daoist Shen.”

“Borrow money?” Su Lingkou immediately looked cautious.

“How much?” Shen Xi asked.

Ning Zhuo rubbed his fingers: “I don’t know, I only know that the more, the better.”

Su Lingkou frowned: “This money cannot be lent casually. At least there must be a reason, right?”

Ning Zhuo, however, looked at Shen Xi with a serious expression: “How I will use it, I will keep a secret for now. What is Daoist Shen’s opinion?”

Shen Xi’s heart immediately stirred, and he realized: This was a test Ning Zhuo was giving him.

Friends must choose each other.

Ning Zhuo’s attitude made Shen Xi secretly hold him in higher esteem. He also hesitated, but the testing look in Ning Zhuo’s eyes suddenly sparked an impulse within him.

Shen Xi gritted his teeth and pulled out a storage bag woven with gold threads from his embrace: “Feel free to use the spirit stones in here!”

He tossed the storage bag to Ning Zhuo, and Su Lingkou, standing by, immediately widened her eyes, showing a clearly surprised expression.

Ning Zhuo’s spiritual sense probed inside and found it full of mid-grade spirit stones, about three thousand pieces.

“I wonder if it’s enough,” Ning Zhuo deliberately mumbled, weighing the storage bag.

Shen Xi’s eyelids twitched.

Su Lingkou, agitated, transmitted her voice: “Cousin, why did you give him the money bag your mother gave you directly?”

“The spirit stones in there are almost all your entire fortune!”

Shen Xi already felt regret, but since he had already made the commitment, and being a member of a prominent family, he couldn’t act petty and go back on his word. He could only transmit a message to comfort his cousin.

Ning Zhuo didn’t feel much.

The money he invested in establishing the Qingjiao Army back then was far more than what was in this bag.

At that time, he had invested without hesitation. Now, this amount of money was too small to even register in his mind.

He turned to face the counter, looking at the cultivator Cao Gui behind it: “Please help me acquire information on all cultivators who have experienced the same situation as me. I want to know their latest status.”

“As you can see, I have plenty of money,” Ning Zhuo said, specifically raising the gold-threaded bag in his hand.

Cao Gui inspected it: “These people mostly only have general profiles. The information you want, I can only provide which Dongfu they are currently renting. I can’t offer more comprehensive details. I suggest you go to the Commerce Hall, make a request in person, and give them some time to gather the information.”

“Alright, alright,” Ning Zhuo nodded.

He casually took a handful of mid-grade spirit stones from the gold-threaded bag and placed them directly on the counter: “Daoist Cao, please consider the previous matter. This is a deposit.”

“If you don’t want to participate in this, you can just return the deposit to me.”

Cao Gui was stunned to see such a large amount of spirit stones laid out on the counter.

“Hey, wait a minute—” he reached out to stop Ning Zhuo.

But Ning Zhuo had already turned around and left the Internal Affairs Hall without looking back, leaving a message: “Daoist Cao, please consider it carefully. No rush. I still have to go to the Commerce Hall.”

Shen Xi and Su Lingkou also followed Ning Zhuo out of the Internal Affairs Hall.

Su Lingkou curiously asked what Ning Zhuo had been discussing with Cao Gui earlier.

Ning Zhuo, however, did not explain: “Daoists Shen and Su, time is pressing, so I won’t entertain you two. I will go handle my affairs first. Once I achieve some progress, I will come find you two Daoists to witness it firsthand.”

“After all, this money will certainly have a purpose; it won’t be spent without reason.”

Shen Xi smiled: “Alright.”

Ning Zhuo clasped his fists and directly left by cloud.

Su Lingkou stomped her foot on the spot: “Oh, are we just letting him go like that? Such a large sum of money! If it were me, I wouldn’t even participate in the Feiyun Grand Assembly; I’d just take the money and run. The world is vast, if he hides somewhere, where would we find him?”

Shen Xi also had such worries, but since his cousin had spoken, he couldn’t show suspicion anymore.

Instead, he suppressed his concern and calmly comforted her, “Don’t be agitated, just wait and see what happens next.”

Ning Zhuo sent them a message that evening.

This was much earlier than Shen Xi had anticipated.

When Shen Xi and Su Lingkou arrived by Ning Zhuo’s side, they found that Ning Zhuo had already gathered a group of cultivators.

More than twenty cultivators, mostly at the Qi Refining stage, with at least two or three at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Ning Zhuo said, “I know you are all here for the Feiyun Grand Assembly, but you are all short on funds and haven’t rented a Dongfu.”

“Now, I’ll give you an opportunity to earn money.”

“I will provide the capital. When you earn spirit stones, you only need to give me half.”

Shen Xi was stunned.

Su Lingkou’s eyes widened. After realizing what was happening, she couldn’t help but slightly open her mouth. She suddenly discovered that this indeed seemed, apparently, to be a way to earn money.