Ning Zhuo proactively handed over his拜帖 (bàitiě – formal calling card), and after waiting a day with no response, he understood.

He wasn’t surprised in the slightest. Before taking this action, the big-headed youth had already anticipated this possibility.

“It seems Yu Heya doesn’t take me seriously.”

This reaction was perfectly reasonable.

In Yu Heya’s eyes, Ning Zhuo was just a Foundation Establishment cultivator, a newcomer drawn by the Feiyun Grand Assembly.

Who was this third wheel?

Yu Heya didn’t even know Ning Zhuo!

In fact, Liu Fu hadn’t thoroughly investigated Ning Zhuo. Who would pay for that investigation? How much was appropriate to spend on a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator?

Although Ning Zhuo had displayed some capabilities, was it worth it?

So far, it wasn’t enough for Yu Heya’s faction to give him more attention.

“Furthermore, the more one cultivates the *Ni Wuxing Mogong* (Reverse Five Elements Demonic Art), the stronger one’s combat power becomes, making it harder to control oneself, greatly increasing the probability of qi deviation.”

“Only those with exceptional cultivation realms can restrain this chaotic state.”

“Yu Heya has already reached the limits of his cultivation. According to the information, he has long been overwhelmed, likely spending most of his daily cultivation time controlling his Dantian and adjusting his state to avoid qi deviation.”

“Under these circumstances, his attention naturally won’t be on me.”

While Yu Heya’s side didn’t pay attention to Ning Zhuo or investigate him, Ning Zhuo wouldn’t make such a mistake.

He even bought a portion of the *Ni Wuxing Mogong* to study.

The main headquarters of the Wanxiang Sect naturally didn’t have a branch of the Quanshu Pavilion (All-Books Pavilion), but one of its sixteen halls, the Chuan Gong Tang (Transmission Hall), served a similar function to the Quanshu Pavilion.

The greatest advantage of the *Ni Wuxing Mogong* was its combat power. Any cultivator who practiced this art would progress quickly and fiercely in the early stages, often surpassing peers of the same rank in combat.

It had two drawbacks.

First, the *Ni Wuxing Mogong* carried a very high risk of qi deviation, far exceeding other cultivation arts of the same grade.

Second, the *Ni Wuxing Mogong* had a low upper limit, only allowing cultivation up to the Nascent Soul stage. It was an art that only reached the Nascent Soul stage.

Ning Zhuo’s Five Elements realm was exceptionally profound. After just one read, he understood this *Ni Wuxing Mogong*.

This demonic art primarily focused on cultivating the middle Dantian Qihai (Sea of Qi) and lower Dantian Jinghai (Sea of Essence), mainly using essence blood to replace spiritual energy and the five internal organs to replace external Five Elements spiritual vitality.

Normally, even Ning Zhuo would transform external spiritual energy into his own magical power through Five Elements cultivation arts. The type of spell depended on the cultivation art practiced. A Wood-attribute art would yield Wood-attribute magical power. Ning Zhuo’s Wuxing Qilü Jue (Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art) produced Five Elements magical power.

The *Ni Wuxing Mogong*, however, was based on the five internal organs. The Five Elements were categorized within the five internal organs, and cultivators extracted spiritual vitality from them. When outputted through essence blood, it became a source of magical power more directly linked to the cultivator’s use.

This essence blood could rapidly transform into Five Elements magical power, and similarly, Five Elements magical power could transform back into essence blood, replenishing the body.

With such a cultivation mechanism, the Jinghai was essentially another Qihai, and the Qihai could also be seen as a special Jinghai.

The superposition of these two Dantian naturally made practitioners of the *Ni Wuxing Mogong* exceptionally powerful. The essence blood flowing from the five internal organs could quickly transform into magical power of the Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth attributes, and could be controlled with great ease.

Single-attribute magical power of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth could also flow back, transforming into essence blood, strengthening the physical body, and increasing close-combat power.

Therefore, practitioners of the *Ni Wuxing Mogong* were usually proficient in both long-range and close-range combat.

However, due to the principles of this cultivation art, practitioners were prone to qi deviation.

The reason was clear: the transformation of single-attribute magical power into essence blood, not being naturally produced by the body, required long-term nurturing to assimilate.

The transformation of essence blood into magical power would cause a sharp decline in the body’s foundation. The physical body was the cornerstone; if essence blood was drawn too heavily, it was akin to suffering severe injuries, leading to various negative effects and a chain of deterioration.

Moreover, the mutual generation and suppression among Five Elements magical power had complex relationships. These magical powers stored in the Qihai Dantian were all threatening and required cultivation arts to harmonize and arrange them, preventing internal consumption.

For example, Ning Zhuo’s Wuxing Qilü Jue formed a Five Elements vortex in his Qihai Dantian, allowing for transformation and coexistence in that form.

The Five Elements magical power of the *Ni Wuxing Mogong* was not only stored in the Qihai Dantian but also mixed within the body! After all, the transformation between essence blood and Five Elements magical power couldn’t be completed instantly; even if the time was short, it still required some duration.

Mixed Five Elements magical power and essence blood coexisting in the body was a serious matter!

If not handled properly, it was like a powder keg, liable to explode with the slightest carelessness. Even if it didn’t explode, the small frictions between them, the constant, minor consumptions adding up, would be a continuous torment to the body.

Therefore, cultivators who successfully practiced the *Ni Wuxing Mogong* often suffered from internal injuries.

After Ning Zhuo paid the price to master the complete *Ni Wuxing Mogong*, he gained much more confidence in dealing with Yu Heya.

It also added a significant amount of experience in utilizing the Five Elements for him.

“Although my Five Elements realm is quite profound, I have very little practical application experience. After all, the time I’ve spent cultivating is too short.”

“Perhaps I should collect a large number of Five Elements-related cultivation arts to enrich my experience library.”

“Once I accumulate enough, I’ll be able to create my own Five Elements-based cultivation arts.”

Through this, Ning Zhuo’s mind was stirred, leading him to this thought.

His Five Elements realm was exceptionally high, allowing him to create spells on the fly. Creating cultivation arts was much harder than creating spells. But with rich theoretical and practical experience, he could bridge the biggest gap and create his own cultivation arts.

“Note it down for now and do it when I have time in the future!”

Currently, Ning Zhuo’s primary focus was still on handling Yu Heya.

This was still a bit troublesome.

Ning Zhuo was completely confident in defeating a late-stage Golden Core cultivator like Yu Heya. Now that Ning Zhuo had even mastered the *Ni Wuxing Mogong*, he could target Yu Heya’s main combat methods with almost absolute certainty.

These were all secondary matters.

If Ning Zhuo used his divine ability Ren Ming Xuan Si (Human Life Thread), he could easily control Yu Heya, make him count on the spot, and kneel to call him “daddy.”

Because Yu Heya was not a Nascent Soul cultivator.

As long as one was a Golden Core cultivator, they were generally difficult to escape the control of this divine ability. (Of course, exceptions like Zhu Xuanji, Linghu Jiu, etc., don’t count.)

But Ning Zhuo didn’t want to do that at all.

As soon as he challenged Yu Heya and a victor emerged from their battle, Ning Zhuo would inevitably attract attention and scrutiny, leading to a surge of public opinion, continuous investigations, and recruitment offers from various factions.

In such a situation, how could he secretly plan his infiltration of Shuyu Zhai (Jade Washing Studio)?

Being high-profile and famous was possible, but not now.

Ning Zhuo himself needed to gain fame, but he was waiting for the right moment.

The Xingyun Xiaoshi (Minor Cloud Trials) before the Feiyun Grand Assembly was a crucial event gradually established by the Wanxiang Sect, encouraging cultivators to showcase their abilities.

Ning Zhuo also planned to make a big splash in this event, but not yet.

The timing wasn’t quite ripe.

“Within the Wanxiang Sect, the eight major peaks are in transition. Zilei Peak (Purple Lightning Peak) is weakening, while Liuyun Peak (Flowing Cloud Peak) has become a clear target.”

“If I rashly step forward and display myself, I will be targeted by both major camps and various factions.”

“Targeting” here included many things, such as enticement, coercion, suppression, and so on.

Where there are people, there is *jianghu* (martial world).

Once Ning Zhuo demonstrated his value, a vortex would inevitably form around him.

By then, it wouldn’t be a matter of Ning Zhuo not wanting to get involved; he would be forced into it, simply because his existence was something no one could overlook.

He was also a person, and a strong one! A strong person in this *jianghu* would naturally stir up trouble.

Ning Zhuo wasn’t unwilling to get involved; he was waiting for the right time.

What constituted the right time?

Now was far from it!

First, Ning Zhuo needed more detailed information.

So, he had been waiting for Wen Ruanyu to complete his debriefing these past few days.

In Ning Zhuo’s view, Wen Ruanyu’s true strength wasn’t just his Golden Core cultivation or his mastery of the four arts of qin, qi, shu, and hua (zither, chess, calligraphy, painting) as a Confucian cultivator. Wen Ruanyu’s most outstanding ability was his political talent!

He had spent so many years in Baizhi Xiancheng (White Paper Immortal City) as the representative of the Wanxiang Sect, controlling the internal affairs of Baizhi Xiancheng and serving as the city lord’s deputy.

He had managed Baizhi Xiancheng for a long time, accumulating vast experience. In the process of governing, he must have coordinated various factions, witnessed the two sides of human nature, and understood the constancy and variability of human hearts.

Wen Ruanyu was simply unfamiliar with the current situation of the Wanxiang Sect. Even though he had been away for a long time, he still had his connections within the sect.

Given some time, he could quickly grasp the current internal affairs of the Wanxiang Sect.

And Wen Ruanyu absolutely supported Ning Zhuo.

For Ning Zhuo, this would be a crucial source of information and a reference for his actions.

Even if Ning Zhuo gathered enough information and thoroughly analyzed the situation, it wouldn’t yet be the right time.

He still needed to wait for a suitable entry point.

In Wan Yao Men (Ten Thousand Medicine Gate), the entry point was Lin Shan Shan. In Liang Zhu Guo (Two Pearls Kingdom), the entry points were Liu Guan Zhang, then Mu Lan. Baizhi Xiancheng was somewhat special; the entry point was already arranged for him, and he was the eagerly awaited great savior!

What was the entry point for Wanxiang Sect?

The Feiyun Grand Assembly was just a huge opportunity, for everyone, not an entry point.

Wen Ruanyu, Yang San Yan, and the close friend mentioned in the jade slip message from Foyi Meng Yaoyin (Buddhist Physician Meng Yaoyin), were closer to the concept of an entry point.

Wen Ruanyu represented the common people outside the mountains. Meng Yaoyin’s identity was similar, someone from outside the main peaks.

Yang San Yan represented the Zhu Xie Tang (Evil Extermination Hall), one of the sixteen halls, a place for practical work.

Meng Yaoyin’s close friend was a cultivator from a main peak, and Ning Zhuo might be able to use this channel to join a main peak.

Ning Zhuo was willing to get close to Shen Xi partly because this group of people might also be an entry point.

In the future, new entry points might also emerge.

As for which one Ning Zhuo would ultimately choose, he didn’t know yet; it would depend on the situation.

“The two major forces, old and new, within the Wanxiang Sect are bound to engage in a fierce struggle! And this Feiyun Grand Assembly is the best stage for their contest.”

Ning Zhuo had already deduced this from his analysis of information regarding Zilei Peak and Liuyun Peak.

However, his understanding of the Wanxiang Sect was far from profound.

He needed to continue waiting and observing until the situation became clear and he saw which side had a better chance of winning. He would then essentially join that side.

“I am an outsider; my family is far away in Nandou Guo (Southern Bean Country).”

“Joining the winning side makes me a winner!”

Who wants to lose?

In the Wanxiang Sect, Ning Zhuo, as an outsider, had a very flexible choice of alignment.

Ning Zhuo’s cultivation was weak, but that didn’t mean his abilities were weak.

His decade-long period of endurance in Huoshi Xiancheng (Fire Persimmon Immortal City) had honed his political talent.

It was this talent that enabled him to make many correct choices, leading to his success in Wan Yao Men, Liang Zhu Guo, and Baizhi Xiancheng.

He often managed to guide situations to his advantage, make wolves devour tigers, and achieve victory with the weak against the strong.

“Now is not the time for me to make a choice. Getting my mother’s relics is the most important thing right now.”

Ning Zhuo’s objective was always clear.

So, his real problem now was: how could he deal with Yu Heya without attracting too much attention or making a spectacle of himself?

Shen Xi’s intervention undoubtedly complicated this issue.

How should Ning Zhuo display his demeanor in front of Shen Xi, and to what extent exactly? This severely tested Ning Zhuo’s political skill!

Su Lingkou, having gathered intelligence, came to Shen Xi with a worried expression: “Cousin, the situation has changed! Yu Heya’s side has exerted pressure. Many of his Foundation Establishment subordinates are challenging the newly moved-in cultivators.”

“The Yanwu Tang (Martial Arts Hall) quickly processed these challenges. Clearly, they’ve used their connections and given prior notice.”

“The people Ning Zhuo brought are completely useless!”

“Many people have been intimidated and retreated, so there’s no ten mid-grade spirit stones involved at all.”

“Cousin, Ning Zhuo’s plan has failed, and our money is all in Ning Zhuo’s hands.”

Shen Xi shook his head, smiling: “This contest has only just begun.”

“Do you think no one noticed this ‘money-making opportunity’ that Ning Zhuo spotted before? Has no one done it?”

“Cousin, you must know that the system of factions is an established custom, a natural evolution. Such evolved things often emerge with the flow and are mature.”

“Just like this time, Yu Heya dispatching his Foundation Establishment subordinates for martial challenges is a mature response. Many previous precedents were suppressed this way.”

Su Lingkou’s eyes lit up: “Cousin, you truly are amazing. You anticipated this long ago!”

Shen Xi shook his head again: “I could anticipate it, and Ning Zhuo must have thought of it long ago, but he still proceeded. So, what I’m truly curious about is how he will respond.”

Su Lingkou’s expression changed, and a smile appeared on her face: “I think Ning Zhuo should personally enter the arena and fight with these Foundation Establishment cultivators. His combat power is already quite outstanding; otherwise, he wouldn’t have the courage to provoke Yu Heya’s side like this.”

Shen Xi said noncommittally: “Let’s wait and see.”

Personally entering the arena?

That was impossible.

Under Su Lingkou’s silent observation, Ning Zhuo took no action, not even a hint of it.