After all, every cave mansion has its advantages. Some are abundant in spiritual energy, while others have geothermal flames, which can be used for alchemy, Qi Refinement, etc.
Ning Zhuo expresses goodwill towards Shen Xi.
Shen Xiâs proposal to co-rent is essentially an invitation for Ning Zhuo to team up, forming a temporary alliance to tackle the Feiyun Conference together.
This piqued Ning Zhuoâs interest.
He descended from Fire Persimmon Mountain to explore the world, intending to see and hear as much as possible, to experience, and to exchange ideas with others.
Collaborating with Shen Xi, being on the same mountain, exchanging and discussing ideas would be quite beneficial.
"But not now," Ning Zhuo thought to himself.
Even if he had understood the underlying implication earlier, he would choose to postpone.
On one hand, his most urgent priority is to obtain Meng Yaoyinâs legacy. Who knows when the Big Snake Scythe might act up?
On the other hand, he needs to assess Shen Xi to see if he is suitable for collaboration and sparring. Many things seem like opportunities on the surface but are actually traps. Ning Zhuo has witnessed such examples countless times from childhood to adulthood.
Letâs not forget, he assisted Sun Lingtong in laying the foundations of a modest kingdomâlong-term control of the black market in Fire Persimmon Immortal City. The various occurrences in the black market have greatly enriched Ning Zhuoâs life experience.
Ning Zhuo clasped his fists: "Daoist Fellow Shen has shown sincere goodwill, for which I am truly grateful. If I could ask for advice from such a prodigy like Daoist Fellow Shen, it would undoubtedly be beneficial."
Su Lingkou was satisfied with Ning Zhuoâs attitude, let out a cold snort: "Itâs good that you know."
"But now, you need to deal with Yu Heye."
"Your voluntary retreat has made Situ Xingâs opposition quite strong. Now we bring you detailed intelligence, please make sure to show some fortitude, at least demonstrate your courage."
"If you continue to retreat out of fear, it would be greatly disappointing to us."
Ning Zhuoâs eyes flashed with a bright gleam.
He sensed the forceful nature of Situ Xing from Su Lingkouâs words and understood Shen Xiâs intention to recruit him, which is to enrich oneâs own wings and gain more advantages in internal competitions within the mountain.
He was not opposed to this at all.
"Being utilized proves that one is valuable. All matters in the world are about you utilizing me and me utilizing you, everyone mutually utilizing each other."
Ning Zhuo took out another Jade Slip from his storage waist belt and handed it to Shen Xi.
Upon looking, Shen Xi found the content of the Jade Slip to be quite similar to the intelligence he had given Ning Zhuo, all concerning Yu Heye.
Shen Xi was both surprised and delighted: "So, Daoist Fellow Ning Zhuo had long intended to counterattack."
Ning Zhuo sighed: "I have just arrived, and am concerned that Yu Heye might have strong backing; opposing him would be unwise. Hence, I first investigated his background."
Su Lingkou chuckled softly: "Rest assured about that, he has never been recognized as a Golden Core True Disciple of the Myriad Images Sect, obviously lacks connections."
"In fact, he mainly practiced the âReverse Five Elements Demon Techniqueâ and once accidentally killed a beloved disciple of a prominent figure in Heavy Formation Peak. He is not well-liked."
This is detailed in the intelligence reports.
Ning Zhuo sighed again: "To be honest, even though I know this, I am still reluctant to oppose such a person. Why bother?"
"After all, the opponent is at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, and he gave me ten Mid Grade Spirit Stones."
"I could just spend a little time changing to another cave mansion."
Shen Xi: "Now that Daoist Fellow Ning understands our intention, what do you plan to do?"
Ning Zhuo clasped his fists: "Itâs an honor to be esteemed by Daoist Fellow Shen. Naturally, I want to regain face and strive for opportunities to exchange and discuss with Daoist Fellow Shen more."
Su Lingkou: "So what do you plan to do?"
Ning Zhuo: "Allow me to ponder for a moment."
Then he appeared contemplative, and said: "Perhaps, next I still need to trouble Daoist Fellow Shen for assistance."
Shen Xi: "Oh, just speak without hesitation."
Ning Zhuo smiled: "May I ask Daoist Fellow Shen to lend me a sum of Spirit Stones."
"Borrowing money?" Su Lingkou immediately looked cautious.
"How much?" Shen Xi asked.
Ning Zhuo rubbed his fingers: "Iâm not sure, just know that... the more the better."
Su Lingkou frowned: "Money isnât something to be lent lightly, at least there should be a reason or explanation, right?"
Ning Zhuo looked at Shen Xi with a solemn expression: "How Iâll use it, I prefer to keep a secret. Donât know what Daoist Fellow Shenâs intention is?"
Shen Xiâs heart stirred immediately, understanding that this was Ning Zhuoâs test for him.
Friends must mutually choose each other.
Ning Zhuoâs stance made Shen Xi privately respect him even more. Although he hesitated, Ning Zhuoâs eyes carried a sense of examination, giving Shen Xi a sudden impulse.
Shen Xi gritted his teeth, took out a storage bag made of woven gold from his chest: "Take all the Spirit Stones inside as you wish!"
He tossed the storage bag to Ning Zhuo, and next to him, Su Lingkouâs eyes widened, showing clear surprise.
Ning Zhuoâs Divine Sense probed inside, finding it filled with Mid Grade Spirit Stones, about three thousand of them.
"Not sure if itâs enough," Ning Zhuo deliberately muttered, weighing the storage bag.
Shen Xiâs eye twitched slightly.
Su Lingkou transmitted with Divine Sense, her emotions intense: "Cousin, how could you give him the purse your mom gave you directly?"
"Nearly all the Spirit Stones here are your entire fortune."
Shen Xi already felt regret, but since the decision was made, as a scion of a large family, he couldnât act in stingy manners like changing his mind the next moment, so he could only transmit thoughts with Divine Sense, trying to comfort his cousin.
Ning Zhuo felt little about this matter.
The money he invested in establishing the Qing Jiao Army back then was far more than whatâs in this bag.
At the time, he didnât hesitate to invest, and now this sum of money is too small, not even worth his attention.
He turned to face the counter, looking at the cultivator behind the stand, Cao Gui: "Please buy information on all cultivators who have similar encounters with me; I want to examine their latest situations."
"You can see, Iâve got enough money," Ning Zhuo said, deliberately raising the golden thread bag.
Cao Gui checked: "Most of them only have brief summaries; the intelligence you want can only tell where they currently rented their cave mansion. For more comprehensive information, I suggest you go to the Commerce Hall, make the request in person, and give them some time to gather it."
"Alright." Ning Zhuo nodded.
He casually took a handful of Mid Grade Spirit Stones from the golden thread bag and placed them directly on the counter: "Regarding previous matters, please consider, Daoist Fellow Cao. This is the deposit."
"If you donât want to be involved in this, just return the deposit to me."
Cao Gui was stunned for a moment seeing this large Spirit Stone on the counter.
"Hey, wait...and wait..." he reached out to call Ning Zhuo.
But Ning Zhuo had already turned around, leaving the Internal Affairs Hall without looking back, leaving a message: "Daoist Fellow Cao, take your time to consider. Iâm not in a hurry; I need to visit the Commerce Hall."
Shen Xi and Su Lingkou followed Ning Zhuo, leaving the Internal Affairs Hall.
Su Lingkou was curious and asked what Ning Zhuo had previously discussed with Cao Gui.
Ning Zhuo did not explain: "Daoist Fellows Shen Su, time is tight, I wonât disturb you two any longer. Let me handle my business first, and once thereâs progress, Iâll seek out you both to witness it firsthand."
"After all, this money has a use; it wonât be spent without rhyme or reason."
Shen Xi smiled: "Alright."
Ning Zhuo clasped his fists and left stepping on clouds.
Su Lingkou stomped her foot in place: "Ah, just let him go like that? Such a large sum of money! If it were me, I wouldnât participate in any Feiyun Conference; Iâd just take the money and run. The world is vast, where could he hide that we wouldnât be able to find him?"
Shen Xi shared the same worry, but since his cousin said it, he felt he couldnât doubt anymore.
Instead, he forcibly suppressed his concerns, answering calmly: "Be patient; just observe what follows."
Ning Zhuo sent a flying message to them in the evening.
This timing was much earlier than Shen Xi anticipated.
When Shen Xi and Su Lingkou arrived by Ning Zhuoâs side, they found Ning Zhuo had already assembled a group of cultivators.
More than twenty cultivators, most in the Qi Refinement Realm, with at least two or three being Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
Ning Zhuo said: "I know you all rushed here to attend the Feiyun Conference, yet youâre all strapped with cash and couldnât rent a cave mansion."
"Now, Iâm giving everyone a chance to make money."
"Iâll provide the capital, and all you need to do is split the earned Spirit Stones with me."
Shen Xi was dumbfounded.
Su Lingkou widened her eyes, and after realizing, couldnât help but open her mouth slightly. She suddenly found that this really, seemingly, likely could make a profit.