The next day.
The sky was clear and cloudless.
The Myriad Medicines Sect opened its mountain gate wide. Lin Bufan stood at the gate, gazing into the air. Foundation Establishment disciples lined both sides of the mountain path, all standing tall and straight, full of spirit, respectfully and solemnly awaiting the honored guests.
Many cultivators stood in the distance, watching from afar.
The Ning Family’s Golden Core Ancestor, Ning Jiufan, descended slowly upon the Myriad Medicines Sect’s gate, dressed in a green robe and riding upon auspicious clouds.
To his left stood an aged Fire Fusion Demon Ape, and to his right, a white-robed youth with handsome features and a slightly large head.
It was Granny Yuan and Ning Zhuo.
Ning Jiufan landed before the mountain gate, respectfully cupped his hands and greeted, “Sect Master Lin, years ago I led my clan to migrate and once received help from the Myriad Medicines Sect. I have kept it in mind ever since. Today, I come to pay my respects, and it is a great honor to be welcomed by you personally.”
Lin Bufan wore a gentle smile and slightly nodded. “Daoist Friend Ning, we meet again.”
His gaze fell upon Granny Yuan, and he thought to himself, “Indeed, a Nascent Soul-level demon ape!”Ning Jiufan introduced, “This is my Spirit Pet, named Granny Yuan. I consider myself fortunate to have her assistance.”
“Hehehe.” Lin Bufan let out a hearty laugh, waved his wide sleeves, and made a guiding gesture. “Daoist Friend Ning, please follow me. Excellent Cloud Tea has been prepared and awaits your presence.”
Under the watchful eyes of all, Ning Zhuo expressionlessly followed beside Ning Jiufan, walking upright through the Myriad Medicines Sect’s gate and into Original Mountain.
“This kid...” Lin Shanshan’s senior brothers all had rather unpleasant expressions.
Meanwhile, the cultivators watching from afar began whispering among themselves.
“Ning Zhuo really is the young master of the Ning Family.”
“The Ning Family’s Golden Core Ancestor brought him along. Clearly, he’s quite favored.”
“Ning Zhuo is truly on a different level from us rogue cultivators.”
Some cultivators were envious, others jealous, and many sighed in admiration.
Hua Guzi and Han Zhou were, naturally, among the crowd.
Only after Ning Jiufan, Ning Zhuo, and the others disappeared into the pavilions and towers of Original Mountain did Hua Guzi retract her gaze.
She seemed somewhat melancholic.
Han Zhou was just about to bid her farewell when she stopped him.
Hua Guzi said, “Come, Han Zhou, let’s have a spar!”
Han Zhou immediately sensed trouble and hastily declined.
Hua Guzi snorted coldly, “Usually, the three of us take turns sparring. Now that Young Master Ning Zhuo isn’t here, you don’t dare?”
Han Zhou’s face turned bitter at once. “Daoist Friend Hua, if you insist, I’ll have no choice but to risk my life and accompany you. But I must say one thing first—”
“Even if you defeat me, it won’t change the gap in status between you and Daoist Friend Ning Zhuo.”
“Shut up!!!” Hua Guzi’s eyes were bloodshot and glowing red.
Her aura surged forth, alarming the surrounding cultivators, who all sensed that she was on the verge of attacking.
Han Zhou quickly tried to calm her. “Daoist Friend Hua, please settle down. If you want to duel on Lesser Strife Peak, it’s best done within the Martial Arena. Fighting outside is against sect rules. At best, you’ll be fined; at worst, you’ll be expelled.”
Only then did Hua Guzi restrain herself, angrily flying back to Lesser Strife Peak.
Original Mountain.
Reception Hall.
After a cup of tea and polite exchange, the formalities ended.
Ning Jiufan presented the specially prepared ceremonial gift.
Lin Bufan accepted it and directly inquired, “Daoist Friend Ning, what brings you here today?”
Ning Jiufan frankly stated his intentions. First, to seek treatment for the demon ape’s injuries. Second, to pursue an alliance between the Ning Family and the Myriad Medicines Sect.
“At present, my Ning Family has established a foothold in Huoshi Immortal City and is actively developing.”
“I hope that this time, we may advance together with your sect and deepen our cooperation.”
Lin Bufan stroked his beard and smiled. “That can be discussed.”
His demeanor was enthusiastic, but once negotiations began, he was far from accommodating. On the contrary, he calculated everything to the last detail and yielded nothing.
Lin Bufan was a master of debate, making Ning Jiufan appear clumsy and gradually lose his footing during the negotiation.
Seeing things were going poorly, Ning Zhuo boldly interjected and exchanged a few rounds of argument with Lin Bufan, but he too fell into disadvantage.
However, this was enough to make Lin Bufan take notice.
He softly praised, “Young Friend Ning Zhuo, no wonder you’re the head of the Ning Family’s branch clan. You certainly have talent.”
From these words, it was clear that Lin Bufan had already received the return he desired. He now had a considerable understanding of Huoshi Immortal City, the Ning Family, and Ning Zhuo.
Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.
This gave him even more advantage in negotiations.
Seeing Ning Zhuo perform better than himself, Ning Jiufan decisively withdrew to the back line and let Ning Zhuo lead the charge.
Ning Zhuo’s rhetorical skill was formidable, but Lin Bufan was even more so.
Lin Bufan personally managed the Myriad Medicines Sect, handling many affairs and negotiations himself. At over six hundred years old, his life experience was rich beyond measure.
Ning Zhuo was merely sixteen, not even a fraction of that.
With no other choice, Ning Zhuo had to continuously act humble, using his junior status to shield himself. This, in turn, made Lin Bufan, as a Nascent Soul-level senior, find it difficult to press him further.
By the time the initial negotiations were concluded, Lin Bufan remained calm and smiling, while Ning Zhuo was drenched in sweat.
Throughout the process, aside from the early few exchanges where he held the initiative, Ning Zhuo spent the rest defending, constantly under pressure.
“Young Friend Ning Zhuo, are you truly only sixteen? May I feel your bones to confirm?” Lin Bufan asked with a smile.
Ning Zhuo naturally complied.
Lin Bufan touched his wrist bone, then nodded. “Indeed, a sixteen-year-old male. Yang energy untouched. Very good, keep it that way.”
“This is our first meeting. As a senior, let me offer you a small meeting gift.”
“Tell me what you’d like!”
Ning Zhuo’s eyes lit up, and he immediately cupped his hands in request. “Might I ask Master Lin to show leniency and lift Miss Lin’s confinement?”
Lin Bufan’s smile faded somewhat.
He gently shook his head. “I punished Shanshan because she had been neglecting her daily duties and lost herself in frivolity.”
“Thus, she was confined to reflect and correct her mistakes.”
“It’s for her own good. Little Zhuo, pick another request.”
Ning Zhuo smiled awkwardly. “I often heard from Miss Lin about the grandeur and deeds of your sect’s Senior Brother, your first disciple, Linghu Jiu.”
“I’ve long admired Linghu Jiu. Not long ago, during a small incident, it was Daoist Friend Linghu who stepped in to resolve matters for me.”
Ning Zhuo proposed to visit Linghu Jiu in the Ten Thousand Demons Cave to personally express his gratitude.
Lin Bufan fell silent, pondering.
Ning Jiufan chimed in at the right moment. “In my humble opinion, Ning Zhuo will surely be a pillar of our clan. And your sect’s Young Friend Linghu will undoubtedly become one of your high-level members. For the two to meet and build rapport, it benefits us both.”
Only then did Lin Bufan nod. He looked at Ning Zhuo and offered alternative resources as the meeting gift.
But Ning Zhuo remained firm, and with no other choice, Lin Bufan reluctantly agreed to his request.
The framework for cooperation between both sides had been finalized.
As for the remaining details, Ning Zhuo had no patience left and left them to Ning Jiufan.
He himself took up a wine jar and headed straight for the back mountain of Greater Strife Peak.