Han Zhou could not help but glance sideways, his puzzled gaze seemed to be saying, “Daoist Friend Ning Zhuo, didn’t you just say you wanted to form good karma with Hua Guzi? Why now, do you act as though she’s a thousand miles away?”
Ning Zhuo sensed Han Zhou’s confusion, but offered no explanation. He simply bypassed Hua Guzi.
Han Zhou: ?!
He silently drew in a breath of cold air, feeling rather bewildered.
In his view, Hua Guzi clearly wished to get along with Ning Zhuo and ease tensions between them, but unexpectedly, it was Ning Zhuo who wore the expression of disdain.
“With Hua Guzi’s temperament, for her to come over so humbly, even bringing dumplings, already breaks convention.”
“Yet Young Master Ning Zhuo treated her this way—it's no different from rubbing her face into the dirt.”
“Young Master Ning Zhuo is being rather unwise.”
“Sigh… what is this situation even?”
Han Zhou felt that this matter could have been handled much more smoothly. Yet Ning Zhuo’s behavior was extraordinarily strange.He instinctively distanced himself from Hua Guzi, wary that she might suddenly fly into a rage and strike.
Hua Guzi remained in her bowing posture—upper arms, torso, and face parallel to the ground.
Her face was flushed red, a mix of anger, embarrassment, and sheer awkwardness.
“I was rejected! I went so far, and he still rejected me!”
“I was rejected! I was actually rejected!!”
“Aaaahhh!”
“So humiliating, far too humiliating.”
“Not only was I rejected, but I was seen by an outsider. I want to die!”
“I want to die! Is there a crack in the earth? Let me crawl into it!!”
“Hehehe, hahaha, gugugu…”
“Why? Why would Young Master Ning Zhuo reject me? Could he really bear to refuse someone as lovely and beautiful as me?”
“Why? Why do I feel… kind of happy?”
“Even being rejected by Young Master Ning Zhuo, I still feel happy.”
“Why is it like this?”
“That brat trampled this lady’s dignity into the mud. He deserves to die!”
“But… but… but… why can’t I hate him?”
Hua Guzi herself felt bewildered.
Ning Zhuo even more so.
“This female cultivator is insane!!” Ning Zhuo could sense the extreme joy surging in Hua Guzi’s heart, a wave of chill spreading within him, prompting his footsteps to quicken.
“This half-demon has a severely twisted temperament—absolutely abnormal!”
“Keep away from her. It feels safer that way.”
Ning Zhuo warned himself internally.
Han Zhou remained alert the entire way.
Only after they had put a good distance between them did he dare to glance back. Far in the distance, he saw Hua Guzi still suspended mid-air like a statue. The anxiety in his heart deepened.
She looked like a thunder talisman ready to explode at any moment!
Returning to his own cave residence, Ning Zhuo temporarily cast aside thoughts of Hua Guzi and began his daily cultivation routine.
Mirror Platform Spirit Technique, The Five Elements Qi Regulation Art, Demonic Blood Tendon Technique!
He cultivated the three techniques in rotation, steadily advancing his cultivation base.
Inside the cave residence, the abundant spiritual energy had thickened into visible mist. Large handfuls of Spirit Food were chewed by Ning Zhuo, quickly transforming into essence and spiritual power.
Calming incense burned quietly, and the meditation mat he sat on was a reward jointly issued by three families of Puppet Immortal City, still effective to this day.
Upon completing his cultivation cycle, Ning Zhuo slowly opened his eyes and sent a voice transmission to Sun Lingtong, sighing, “Boss, is there any way to speed up my cultivation? Even now, I’m only in the early Foundation Establishment stage—this is too slow!”
Sun Lingtong was drinking water, and nearly spat it out upon hearing this: “Xiao Zhuo, how can you think it’s slow?”
“You have talent, Five Elements spiritual roots, abundant resources—your daily progress is visibly rapid. This is already first-rate speed, far surpassing what I had back then. And you still think it’s slow?”
Ning Zhuo sighed, “I feel I’m still far from mid Foundation Establishment.”
Sun Lingtong rolled his eyes and looked up at the ceiling, replying via transmission, “That’s just how it is in the Foundation Establishment stage.”
“Each time your cultivation ascends a major realm, the speed of progress slows down severalfold, or even more. After a qualitative shift, the foundational accumulation required for each stage multiplies—often dozens or even hundreds of times!”
“The more advanced the technique, the deeper the required foundation. That’s also why cultivators of superior techniques often overpower others in the same realm.”
“Think about it—what’s the level of your three main techniques? They’re top-tier among the top-tier.”
“So stop daydreaming about the Qi Refining stage. Take your time. Cultivation requires perseverance and diligence.”
“To reach mid Foundation Establishment, you’ll need at least several years.”
“Don’t rush. Adjust your mindset!”
Ning Zhuo sighed, “Sigh, Boss, I know you’re right, but I just can’t help feeling anxious and impatient.”
“Perhaps it’s because I so badly want to improve my cultivation and strength—only then can I better rescue my mother.”
“Boss, I often think, if I had Nascent Soul-level combat power, I could go directly to negotiate with Lin Bufan. Why fight on Lesser Strife Peak at all?”
Sun Lingtong rolled his eyes again: “Daydreaming, are you!”
“If I had Nascent Soul-level power—no, even just Golden Core—I’d be confident enough to steal all of Lin Bufan’s wealth.”
“At our age, your cultivation already outpaces ninety-nine percent of peers. Don’t be so hard on yourself, Xiao Zhuo.”
Ning Zhuo let out another sigh, “Boss, I know that’s unrealistic. If I push too hard, I’ll only become impatient and short-sighted. Cultivation must be grounded and stable.”
“A towering building begins from the ground. If the foundation is unstable, no matter how high the structure, it risks collapse.”
“I’m only venting my frustration to you.”
Sun Lingtong fell silent for a moment, then comforted him, “I’ve seen your rapid progress recently—visible growth every day. With this, you still feel frustrated? That’s unreasonable. Say that out loud, and countless geniuses and core disciples would be ashamed to death.”
“This Lesser Strife Peak is a treasure trove for you. You should stay here and make good use of it.”
After a pause, Sun Lingtong continued, “However, if you want Nascent Soul-level combat power, it’s not entirely impossible.”
“You’re so skilled in Puppet Arts. If you craft a construct with Nascent Soul-level combat strength, wouldn’t that suffice?”
At the mention of Puppet Arts, Ning Zhuo’s tone immediately became cheerful, his expression revealing delight and ease.
He said, “Boss, my experimentation with martial puppets yielded excellent results when applied to Hua Guzi.”
“It gave me great inspiration for designing a puppet body for Meng Yahu!”
“I can first select a technique for him, then design the puppet body based on that technique.”
“He practiced Flesh Tank Blood Swallowing Demon Technique during his life, but that technique definitely won’t work—too incompatible with puppet materials.”
“In fact, the Bitter Cold Sutra would work.”
“This time, my combat puppet fists and legs were mainly crafted from Bitter Water and Solitary Sapling Wood—the former thanks to Han Zhou’s support, the latter acquired from Lesser Strife Peak’s market.”
“With these materials, the puppet limbs resembled Han Zhou’s flesh and could even enhance the martial Bitter Cold Body.”
“The Bitter Cold Sutra didn’t suit Meng Yahu’s innate talent. However, what the Bitter Cold Sutra could do, other techniques could also achieve.”
Sun Lingtong rubbed his chubby chin with a plump little hand, pondering seriously, “Xiao Zhuo, with your current relationship with the Myriad Medicines Sect, it’s unlikely you can obtain techniques from them again.”
Ning Zhuo said, “I’ve thought about that. We can go to one of the immortal cities—there’ll certainly be a Complete Book Tower there. We can choose a technique for Meng Yahu from it.”
Sun Lingtong said, “Meng Yahu was Golden Core in life. If you’re choosing a technique for him, you’ll need at least that level, right? That’s not going to be cheap.”
Ning Zhuo’s expression subtly changed.
Sun Lingtong continued, “I must remind you—we already spent a huge sum rushing the Spiritual Plant Cabin.”
“Next, crafting Meng Yahu’s puppet will require a Golden Core-level technique, and even the lowest grade will cost a fortune.”
“We still need to cultivate the Lingyin Willow. The spiritual soil and spiritual liquid in the Spiritual Plant Cabin are nearly depleted.”
“Also, our daily cultivation expenses—far beyond most rogue cultivators—are on par with core disciples of prestigious sects. Accumulated over three months, the cost is enormous.”
“And let’s not forget the Wanli Dragon! We’re low on Fire Essence—it needs substantial replenishment!”
“I did steal Li Jingqing’s assets earlier, but compared to this funding gap, that’s a mere drop in the bucket.”
Ning Zhuo’s expression shifted again and again.
The Nascent Soul-level Wanli Dragon was certainly enjoyable to use—but it consumed resources too quickly.
His previous savings in Puppet Immortal City were already straining to keep up with the Wanli Dragon’s consumption.
The spiritual energy and Spirit Food Ning Zhuo used daily for his cultivation translated into spirit stone value at a high standard.
And then there was the Lingyin Willow.
Ning Zhuo’s face turned slightly pale.
That was another heavy consumer—cultivating Lingyin Willow would require a major investment!
“This kind of inherited treasure is usually maintained by an entire sect or family. We’re relying on ourselves—it’s truly difficult.”
Ning Zhuo let out a heartfelt sigh.
He had schemed and labored—no, worked diligently and planned meticulously—to gather so many cultivation resources.
But compared to their needs, these reserves were far from sufficient!
In the short term, Sun and Ning could still manage.
But not for long.
Without long-term planning, immediate troubles would soon arise. This issue had to be addressed now—waiting until it became urgent would make it too late to resolve.
Ning Zhuo furrowed his brows deeply.
These past days, he had been immersed in his intense training, addicted to the thrill and satisfaction of rapid improvement, and had neglected these issues.
With Sun Lingtong’s reminder, he instantly realized—over time, this problem was becoming increasingly serious.
If it erupted… it would be far too late!