Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1382: Chapter 547: Nighttime Visit for Sponsorship (2)

However, due to an unexpected agreement with Yu Heye, becoming friends, Ning Zhuo drew the displeasure of Cao Gui.

In the end, Ning Zhuo didn’t force the issue. He clarified the boundary with Cao Gui, and both sides parted on good terms.

At this moment, Cao Gui stood at the entrance of the Bluestone Cave Mansion, smiling bitterly to himself: he never thought the tables would turn, and finally, he had to seek cooperation with Ning Zhuo.

In truth, when Ning Zhuo’s fame was rising and he stood out in various Xingyun Trials, the Cao Family had sent people several times to persuade Cao Gui to leverage their previous friendship to engage positively with Ning Zhuo, but Cao Gui diplomatically refused each time.

During this process, Cao Gui himself gradually saw the truth: Although Ning Zhuo and Yu Heye turned enemies into friends, he maintained a distance and never cooperated with Yu Heye to undermine Cao Gui’s or the Cao family’s influence.

Essentially, Ning Zhuo was using strategies to ensure his neutral stance, safeguarding his long-term interests with a righteous plan.

His family also advised him: "Ning Zhuo is so valued by Hall Master Zhong Dao of the Evil Slaying Hall and Peak Master Tuoba Huang of Ten Thousand Beasts Peak, he’ll certainly be a prominent figure in the future. Even a marginal Golden Core like Yu Heye could make friends with him. Why can’t you, Cao Gui? Why not continue being friends?"

Cao Gui had actually been wavering for a long time. Alas, Ning Zhuo’s illustriousness grew with each success, his performance too outstanding, causing Cao Gui to hesitate, worrying Ning Zhuo might hold grudges from the past and in his glory days could disregard him entirely.

The hesitation led to Cao Gui’s indecision.

In the midst of this hesitation, when the Nanming Fire Furnace Trial on Danxia Peak started, and after the second round, Ning Zhuo continued advancing. The Vice Hall Master of the Commerce Hall personally approached him to represent the hall and negotiate with Ning Zhuo for some cooperation.

Orders from above left Cao Gui with no choice but to come.

Rumble...

The heavy door of the Bluestone Cave Mansion opened slowly.

"Brother Cao, hahaha, long time no see, hope you’ve been well?" Ning Zhuo appeared with enthusiasm to welcome Cao Gui.

Seeing Ning Zhuo’s enthusiastic demeanor, Cao Gui’s previous hesitation and indecision melted away like snow.

"Daoist Fellow Ning Zhuo." Cao Gui clasped his fists.

Ning Zhuo quickly walked to him, gazing sincerely, and returned the gesture: "It is an honor for Brother Cao to visit my humble abode; please come inside."

Cao Gui forced a bitter smile, feeling relief mixed with complex emotions: "Ah, you have an important trial tomorrow, my visit tonight is indeed presumptuous."

Ning Zhuo directly extended his hand, pulling Cao Gui’s arm to lead him inside the mansion: "Brother Cao, between us, why bother with details? Without your support in the past, I wouldn’t have stood firm at the Wanxiang Sect’s Main Mountain Gate. I’ve always wanted to remain friends with you!"

This immediately evoked a sense of gratitude and admiration from Cao Gui.

He had been observing Ning Zhuo, aware of this young man’s strategies and righteousness. Without him, Ning Zhuo could have effortlessly dealt with Yu Heye and secured his position.

Yet Ning Zhuo genuinely remembered this, his attitude unchanged; not a single speck of arrogance from a dazzling, proud talent, showcasing such profound cultivation and magnanimity.

Contrarily, he, Cao Gui, had some small-minded consideration toward a gentleman’s pure heart.

Ning Zhuo guided Cao Gui to the mansion’s cultivation secret room, where a table, tea, and snacks were already set.

"Limited space in the mansion, simple hospitality, please forgive me, Brother Cao," Ning Zhuo said courteously.

Upon seeing the tea and snacks of Spirit Food level, Cao Gui couldn’t help recalling the intelligence that Ning Zhuo had a chef who prepared Spirit Food daily, indeed showcasing great family style.

He sincerely admired: "You are very considerate, my lord."

Naturally, he changed how he addressed Ning Zhuo.

A flash of light crossed Ning Zhuo’s eyes, but he didn’t correct it, merely inviting Cao Gui to sit.

Cao Gui and Ning Zhuo sat cross-legged at the table, the former saying earnestly: "With your status and repute, still residing in the Bluestone Cave Mansion is indeed humbling."

"A relative of mine happens to be selling a cave mansion, slightly larger, perhaps more convenient for you to later recruit more talented individuals."

Cao Gui first extended the olive branch.

This mansion naturally wasn’t his, but indeed belonged to a relative. Essentially, it was the Cao family’s goodwill extended towards Ning Zhuo.

Only before, Cao Gui hesitated and didn’t engage with Ning Zhuo.

"Oh?" Ning Zhuo immediately showed interest.

This wasn’t mere pretension; he was genuinely intrigued.

Here at the Wanxiang Sect’s Main Mountain Gate, cultivators usually rented mansions, fundamentally assets of the sect.

Rarely does a cave mansion get sold independently.

Such a sold mansion essentially belongs to an individual, a private property.

This situation isn’t unheard of. In the long history of Wanxiang Sect, when inner sect cultivators have made great contributions, land may be allocated, especially if ancestors reached Transforming Spirit Level or higher, granting private properties to their descendants.

The Cao family’s ancestors once flourished, having some private properties.

They’re willing to offer one mansion for sale to Ning Zhuo, obviously optimistic about his prospects within the sect!

"Even Mother and Wen Ruanyu, these True Disciples, merely rent their mansions; in this main mountain gate, they own no private property."

If Ning Zhuo agreed to "buy" this private property, he would surpass Meng Yaoyin, Wen Ruanyu, and many Golden Core True Transmission disciples in this regard.

"Yet such ’solicitousness’ must have a price!"

Ning Zhuo understood the nuances, promptly changing the subject: "Let’s set aside the mansion matter for now, Brother Cao’s nighttime visit surely bears important business; please feel free to speak."

Cao Gui gritted his teeth, first praising Ning Zhuo’s straightforwardness, then laid out the matter directly.

He was here on behalf of the Commerce Hall to propose a significant transaction to Ning Zhuo.

Cao Gui leaned forward, lowering his voice: "The Commerce Hall is willing to sponsor you, helping you continue striving for the Nanming Fire Furnace. Spiritual materials, Magic Artifacts, Elixir Pills, manpower—you name it, Commerce Hall will provide. Full support, at all costs!"

Ning Zhuo showed confusion: "Why accept Commerce Hall’s sponsorship? I can manage on my own."

Cao Gui laughed heartily, praising Ning Zhuo’s confidence and courage, while knowing it was only Ning Zhuo’s probe.

He paused, then slowly spoke: "We have internal information. By the third round, you can verify it, so we won’t bluff."

"The Nanming Fire Furnace suffered severe damage, and the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit is extremely weak. Even if you are the one in a million and become the final victor, you must repair it to truly use the Nanming Fire Furnace."

"The cost for repairing such level Spiritual Treasures—labor and materials—is sky-high. Not affordable by an individual, even most major forces would feel the strain."

"Repairing the furnace requires skilled cultivators, for preserving the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit is crucial. Ordinary Refining Techniques, even if the furnace is ultimately repaired, may extinguish the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit, which would be disastrously counterproductive!"

"Even if repaired, its full potential can’t be realized until the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit is properly nurtured to be used for Alchemy."

"In this process, each use of the Nanming Fire Furnace in Alchemy must be extremely cautious. For a weakened Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit may perish from another furnace explosion, reducing the Spiritual Treasure to a mere Magic Treasure, its value plummeting."

Cao Gui was indeed correct.

If one personally acquired the Nanming Fire Furnace, it would be a burden, a bottomless pit consuming immense resources.

With backing from a major force, investing massive resources, it could be repaired to realize the furnace’s value.

"As for nurturing the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit, I have the Cremation Prajna Spirit Liberation Sutra, perfectly capable of burning furnace fragments to replenish the Artifact Spirit’s Spiritual Nature."

"But repairing the Nanming Fire Furnace is truly beyond my means."