Upon hearing Gu Huaijiuâs resolve for revenge at the cost of his own life, Ning Zhuoâs heart was slightly shaken.
In that moment, his understanding of Gu Huaijiu deepened considerablyâthe man before him seemed to live in the present, but his soul was still immersed in the past. He would rather burn himself, just to kill every last enemy. And this act of vengeance, without a doubt, was also killing himself.
Ning Zhuo gently shook his head: "Cultivation Hundred Skills, may not be without a dual solution to resolve Fellow Daoist Guâs Demon Seed threat, while retaining your battle strength."
Gu Huaijiu: "Perhaps there is."
He didnât care.
As long as all his enemies were killed, what happened to him in the end was irrelevant.
But his current strength was still insufficient. By relying solely on himself, he could not eliminate the remaining enemies. Thus, he joined the Myriad Images Sect to gain new power.
Ning Zhuo pondered for a moment: "Perhaps my suggestion is somewhat abrupt, could Fellow Daoist Gu show me the Demon Seed?"
Gu Huaijiu was slightly taken aback.
This suggestion was indeed abrupt, even presumptuous.
But seeing Ning Zhuoâs sincere eyes, he didnât immediately refuse but hesitated.
What came to his mind was another sceneâthe Vast Energy soaring to the sky, deeply imprinted between heaven and earth.
"How could a Righteous Cultivator with such Vast Energy have intentions to harm me?"
"If I cannot trust such a person, then there are likely few in this world I could trust."
"Moreover..."
Moreover, Gu Huaijiu had just entrusted Ning Zhuo to assist him in necessary matters.
He was the one with a request first.
And Ning Zhuoâs suggestion might be a genuine intent to help him.
"He definitely intends to help me!" Gu Huaijiu convinced himself.
He decided to show his Demon Seed.
But the next moment, he said: "Daoist Fellow Ningâs wholehearted assistance, how could I not recognize the kindness. Please, Daoist Fellow Ning, inspect personally for a more straightforward view."
With that, he actually withdrew his defensive measures, opening his arms slightly, allowing Ning Zhuo to detect.
This candid gesture made Ning Zhuo slightly dazed, and then moved.
Gu Huaijiu was meeting him for the first time, their first cooperation, yet he trusted Ning Zhuo so much.
Ning Zhuo was well aware of Gu Huaijiuâs background. It was clear that with such life experiences, Gu Huaijiu was not someone who would foolishly trust others. The only reason was that Gu Huaijiu saw Ning Zhuo in a different light.
Ning Zhuo kept this heavy trust in his heart, his expression turned solemn, he immediately extended his Divine Sense and Mana to investigate Gu Huaijiuâs internal state.
Soon, Ning Zhuoâs brows furrowed, deeper and deeper.
Moments later, Ning Zhuo withdrew his Divine Sense and Mana, looking at Gu Huaijiu with a heavy expression: "Fellow Daoist Gu, your situation is very serious. The Demon Seed has invaded your entire body, itâs almost inseparably bound to your life."
"Ashamed, I am completely at a loss now."
Ning Zhuo gave a bitter smile.
Gu Huaijiu patted his shoulder, intending to console him.
But Ning Zhuo suddenly shifted the topic: "Unless I am familiar with the roots of this Demon Skill, only then can I thoroughly understand and apply targeted solutions."
Gu Huaijiu: "Daoist Fellow Ning specializes in Middle Dantian of Qi Sea, no need to exhaust valuable time and energy on me by researching an unrelated Demon Skill."
"Iâm grateful to you!"
"But it would hinder Ning Daoistâs extraordinary talent, delaying the cultivation steps, which would be detrimental to the Myriad Images Sect, a reduction to the Righteous Path of the world."
"This is something I am extremely unwilling to see."
Gu Huaijiu wished for revenge and did not want to owe any favors. He didnât even care about his life, so he didnât want Ning Zhuoâs full assistance.
Ning Zhuo had another thought: "Figuring out this Demon Skill actually isnât difficult."
"Itâs not hard to find a Demon Cultivator who practices this skill, seize their soul, and acquire knowledge of cultivation experience."
"Thus, I can quickly discern the foundation of the Demon Skill. If luck favors, encountering a master of this skill, I might even improve the Demon Skill."
"The sole obstacle, however, lies in the âtargeted solutionâ aspect."
This stage requires Ning Zhuoâs medical skills.
Healing skills are also part of Cultivation Hundred Skills.
It differs from Alchemy. Often healing a cultivator requires various methods, with potion consumption being just one. Sometimes Sword Qi is used for surgery, itâs quite common. Occasionally needing to treat mental afflictions requires Divine Arts.
For a moment, Ning Zhuo couldnât help but be interested in learning healing skills.
This wasnât the first time.
Previously, upon meeting Zhang Zhongyi in Liangzhu Country, he developed the idea of learning medical skills to treat Buddhist Doctor Meng Yaoyin.
"Cultivation Technique, vast as the sea, deep and profound."
"Healing skills, must learn too!"
Continue overcoming obstacles.
Mist drifting gently, obscuring his view, Ning Zhuo was alone once more.
He continued forward, thought still on Gu Huaijiu.
This cultivator gave Ning Zhuo a different perception.
This was his purpose for this journeyâto see different cultivators, different ways of living, to validate himself.
Ning Zhuo again thought of Demon Seeds: "Evil Slaying Hall surely knows Gu Huaijiu carries Demon Seeds inside but pays it no mind, directly accepting him, giving him trial opportunities."
"So, even Demon Seeds can be used for righteousness. Gu Huaijiuâs past actions validated his allegiance. Despite his relentless quest for revenge, he never implicated the innocent."
"Gu Huaijiu joining the Myriad Images Sect must be for revenge. The remaining mortal enemies are surely powerful, not something he can handle alone at this stage."