Chapter 1573 - 650: Sincerity! (Part 2)

Chapter 1573: Chapter 650: Sincerity! (Part 2)

Third, once the old toxin is removed, the newly made furnace will certainly perform better. Future alchemy will result in clearer-colored pills, purer medicinal properties, and even reduced toxicity in each elixir pill, elevating their grade."

"Fourth, and most critically—this is the last opportunity!"

"The pill furnace is damaged, cracks are not yet sealed, allowing pill poison to leak, which I can draw out. If you let others repair the furnace first, sealing the cracks, the pill poison will be forever trapped within. By then, the Nanming Fire Furnace may look intact on the surface, but inside, the old toxins linger, leading to endless troubles and regrets."

Ning Zhuo was irresistibly moved.

He knew this was Tie Kuang’s negotiation strategy. But he also understood that the offer on the table was something he couldn’t refuse!

This wasn’t something he could handle alone; finding others for assistance, someone who could replace Iron, was extremely unlikely.

Ning Zhuo remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he cupped his hands and said, "Congratulations to Iron Hall Master."

Tie Kuang raised an eyebrow, "Where does the joy come from?"

Ning Zhuo replied seriously, "Congratulations to the Hall Master for becoming the creditor of Nanming Village. According to the order of claim, the Hall Master’s contribution to repairing the Nanming Fire Furnace is substantial. Even—perhaps you could contend for the Great Village Chief position as well."

Tie Kuang looked at him for two heartbeats, then suddenly laughed loudly. The laughter echoed in the room, causing the ears to buzz: "Good lad, turning around and trying to pull this old man onto your war chariot!"

Ning Zhuo remained calm: "If the Hall Master can help me deal with the Three Brave of Xiang Sect, and if Nanming Village can seize the Sun Raising Yang Locking Cloud Altar, it would also be immensely profitable for the Hall Master."

Tie Kuang waved a big hand: "Cut it out with that talk!"

He suppressed his smile, his expression becoming serious, speaking earnestly: "Ning Zhuo, the Sun Raising Yang Locking Cloud Altar is too conspicuous, surrounded by wolves. You should seriously consider the Qiyuan Cloud Nest I mentioned earlier."

Ning Zhuo’s eyes flickered slightly.

"Qiyuan Cloud Nest has several rare advantages." Tie Kuang dipped his finger in the remaining tea in the cup and drew a simplified map on the table, "There, fire clouds converge, and there are natural fire vein gaps within the Cloud Nest, perfectly suited for nourishing and warming the Nanming Fire Furnace after its repair. The Sun Raising Yang Locking Cloud Altar leans toward yang fire, powerful and fierce, suitable for establishing prestige but easily stimulates the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit. The fire of Qiyuan Cloud Nest is softer, gentler, more uplifting, and more beneficial to the Artifact Spirit."

He pointed to the side again: "Scattered around the Qiyuan Cloud Nest are many pieces of firewood, cloud copper, and light flame sand, which are easily mined and can offset the future consumption of artifact refining, refining furnace, and furnace nourishing in Nanming Village. Although the Sun Raising Yang Locking Cloud Altar is renowned, there are many contenders, and the subsequent expenses are a bottomless pit."

Tie Kuang’s finger stopped on the table, lifting his eyes to look at Ning Zhuo: "The most crucial point—the Qiyuan Cloud Nest is not currently controlled by any major power. If you change your attack there, you can avoid the current frontal conflict."

Ning Zhuo shook his head: "Cannot avoid."

Tie Kuang frowned: "Do you really want to rescue the Red Robe Guest’s demon soul? Just for a reputation, you’ve come this far?"

Ning Zhuo faced Tie Kuang directly, his eyes as clear as a wash, with a calmness and determination beyond his years: "Nanming Village was built with my own hands. Even if I have a minor position, I ought to bear responsibility. I, Ning Zhuo, walk the Righteous Path, which is my path."

"Path?" Tie Kuang gave him a deep look. There was no approval or opposition in that gaze, just silent contemplation.

After a moment, he said in a deep voice: "Then you should reconsider aiming for the Qiyuan Cloud Nest."

Ning Zhuo did not respond.

Tie Kuang continued: "Nanming Village is facing such huge obstacles now because you’re too high-profile! The large and small powers at Flowing Cloud Peak are worried you’ll continue expanding after settling in, encroaching on their territory. If you take the Sun Raising Yang Locking Cloud Altar, expansion beyond is inevitable, possibly affecting the territories of those existing powers."

He pointed at a water stain on the table, the moisture spreading outward, like a map of power being pushed by an invisible hand: "But if Nanming Village has already successfully peaked and secured a position, the situation will be entirely different."

"Because the established fact is right in front of them, and the rules prohibit internal strife, the attitude of other forces will become subtle. Those farther away will choose to observe conservatively, while those nearby will be schemed, recruited, and coerced by others. A new game pattern will naturally form, sparing you the trouble of promoting it."

Tie Kuang looked at Ning Zhuo: "The Sun Raising Yang Locking Cloud Altar involves too much, with both the Territorial Expansion Alliance and White Cloud Village watching intently. By targeting it, you directly threaten the core interests of two major powers. Shifting to the Qiyuan Cloud Nest will reduce direct pressure significantly. I can also utilize my connections, paving the way for you discreetly, allowing you to move in smoothly."

Ning Zhuo lightly sighed: "The words of the Hall Master, this junior must ponder carefully."

Tie Kuang shook his head: "Consider if you must. But for the refining furnace matter, set a date first."

Tie Kuang did not give the youth any room to delay.

This Artifact Refining Hall Master, though seemingly rough on the outside, steps with precision every time. Throughout this conversation, Ning Zhuo was passively led.

Ning Zhuo thought for just a moment, then nodded: "Alright. Set the date first. As for materials, based on prior exchanges, they will all be provided by the Artifact Refining Hall!"

Tie Kuang grinned: "Refreshing!"

He stood up, his broad and powerful palm heavily patting Ning Zhuo’s shoulder— the force was like a light touch of a furnace hammer, leaving Ning Zhuo’s shoulder bones slightly numb.

"Ning Zhuo, you’re straightforward in your actions, and I like dealing with straightforward people."

Ning Zhuo smiled bitterly, "Hall Master, your means are brilliant, the junior admits defeat."

Tie Kuang laughed heartily. His personal involvement achieved the main goal at one stroke, feeling extremely pleased.

Before leaving, he looked back at Ning Zhuo: "Think carefully about the matter of the Qiyuan Cloud Nest. If you listen to me, Nanming Village can avoid many detours."

Ning Zhuo personally escorted him out of the Cave Mansion.

After returning, Ning Zhuo issued a new order to Chen San: "Release the news."

Chen San immediately cupped his hands: "Please instruct, Young Master."

Ning Zhuo’s voice was not high, but clear like engraving: "Just say, I will soon choose a day to swear under the True Words Bell— to rescue the Demon Soul of the Red Robe Guest, and formally set a date for the martial challenge with the Three Brave of Xiang Sect."

Chen San’s heart was racing.

Swearing under the True Words Bell! Once this news is released, Ning Zhuo will have no retreat.

He looked up at Ning Zhuo, seeing the youth’s face calm, his gaze steady.

Chen San’s Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed the words he instinctively wanted to say in protest, thinking: "The Young Master’s strategy is above mine, surely he has calculated."

Chen San rushed back to the Moon Viewing Tower.

The moment the news spread, it stirred up a wave of noise in the tavern instantly, like boiling water churning.

In less than Two Hours, a mysterious cultivator quietly slipped into a private room on the fifth floor— his presence was strong and profound, his cloak covered his face, steps silent, the door guard cultivator didn’t even notice his arrival, and yet he was quietly standing before Chen San.

Chen San’s back hair stood on end, yet he forcibly steadied his Heart Spirit, speaking in a deep voice: "What brings you here, sir?"

The mysterious cultivator raised his hand, placing a talisman on the table.

The talisman was dark gold throughout, the talisman paper seemed to be made of some kind of dried Beast Skin, its patterns twisted like coiled snakes, faintly forming a cone shape, with the tip gathering a drop of blood-red light.

"This is the Life-Splitting Demon Cone Talisman." The mysterious cultivator’s voice was hoarse like a broken gong, "Used cleverly, it can catch one of the Three Brave of Xiang Sect off guard and inflict severe injury."

Chen San’s breath halted.

The mysterious cultivator said nothing more, leaving the talisman and retreating into the shadows like smoke.

Chen San reached out to stop him, but before his eyes there was only a thin trace of black smoke, disappearing into the unlit dark corners.

The mysterious cultivator did not ask for any benefits!

Afterward, representatives of incessant forces visited again.

Some asked Chen San to clarify the specific direction of support needed by Ning Zhuo, some offered a Golden Core Peak Battle Puppet, but wanted Nanming Village to provide a share of Elixir Pills in the future, some were willing to contribute a secret medicine that restrains Soul Power sharing, only requiring Ning Zhuo to pledge confidentiality of its source...

Chen San was busy to the point of sweating, couldn’t even spare time for tea.

Good news kept returning to the Three Lights Heavenly Dao Cave Mansion.

Ning Zhuo listened to the reports, only nodded slightly.

He was not surprised at all.

He knew the rumors he released this time had already maximized the display of sincerity. After all, under the current circumstances, countless eyes were on his every move. If he dared to retreat even half a step before the True Words Bell, the reputation he painstakingly built would collapse like a sand tower, and the image of the Righteous Path would suffer a fatal blow.

"Now, let’s see what kind of chips they can offer." Ning Zhuo gazed at the Life-Splitting Demon Cone Talisman on the table, his eyes filled with star-like gleaming anticipation.

This Tribulation Fate was opening its fangs towards him. Meanwhile, opportunities quietly grew in the gaps between those fangs.