Chapter 11: After All, He Is Still a Young Man

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Faced with Ning Zhanji’s sudden test, the others exchanged glances in confusion.

Ning Zhuo ventured a guess: “These spirit plants are all very young and of little value, so collecting them is clearly not for the sake of the plants themselves. I think it must be for maintaining this passage—deliberately clearing it out. With spirit plants present, spirit beasts and demon beasts will be attracted. If our clan intends to use this passage long-term, it’s only prudent to nip any problems in the bud.”

“Exactly,” Ning Zhanji nodded approvingly. “The clan academy’s training has borne some fruit.”

“Pick one of these spirit plants as your reward for answering correctly,” he continued. “Which one you choose depends on your discernment.”

Without hesitation, Ning Zhuo reached out and took a stalk of Fire Crystal Grass, then offered his thanks: “Thank you, Master Ning Zhanji! I have some knowledge of the herb market—among these plants, this Fire Crystal Grass is the finest in quality and will fetch the highest price.”

Ning Zhanji nodded, then shook his head. “Choosing the most valuable one on the market isn’t a bad choice.”

“But if I were you, I’d have chosen the Vigorous Ginseng.”

“As members of the Ning Clan, we practice ice-based arts. Fire Crystal Grass doesn’t suit our constitution, but Vigorous Ginseng does—it can nourish our bodies.”

“You’re still young. Don’t be blinded by money alone. Remember, investing in yourself is the surest path to success.”

“Once you reach the Foundation Establishment stage, your life will enter an entirely new phase.”

Ning Zhuo received these words with a solemn, teachable expression.

Ning Zhanji seized the opportunity to instill more values: “Outstanding cultivators are always willing to strive and take risks. You must carefully weigh the balance between risk and reward. If you join the War Hall and are assigned to guard this place, you’ll harvest several spirit plants daily, with the added protection of the temporary camp. This is a rare opportunity.”

“Often, to refuse risk is to refuse opportunity.”

Ning Zhuo showed clear signs of interest.

These subtle changes did not escape Ning Zhanji, who smiled inwardly: “Still just a youth, after all…”

“Sir, I want to station here!” Ning Yong called out eagerly.

Ning Zhanji chuckled. “Rookie, let’s see if you pass special training first.”

The Ning Clan’s squad of cultivators advanced into a subterranean hall.

It was clearly a forward base deliberately constructed by the Ning Clan.

Inside, two stationed cultivators awaited them.

The garrison quickly greeted their arrival.

Ning Zhanji ordered a short rest, then moved to the center of the hall, circulating his power and forming intricate hand seals.

Immediately, complex formation patterns appeared on the cavern ceiling overhead.

At the heart of the patterns, a disc large as a millstone slowly descended, finally settling before Ning Zhanji.

He placed his hands on the disc, communed with it through his spiritual sense, and swiftly reviewed the recorded information. Thus, within a few breaths, he had a complete grasp of everything that had occurred at this frontline outpost.

Having finished, he drew spirit stones from his pouch and replaced the ones in the formation disc that had turned to dull ash or faded significantly.

After a brief rest, the Ning Clan’s cultivators continued their journey.

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On the road ahead, Ning Zhuo passed three more forward camps in total.

Some they stopped at to rest, others they simply passed by.

As the group ventured deeper beneath the volcano, the dangers grew greater.

Signs of demon beasts became more frequent.

There were Fire Velvet Rats, the size of a palm; floating, stony skulls known as Red Rock Fiends; and Flame-Treading Lizards.

“Halt!” Ning Zhanji, always at the front, suddenly raised his hand, bringing the group to a stop.

The cultivators froze at once, switching from movement to stillness with perfect discipline, displaying excellent tactical training.

Ning Zhanji lowered his head to carefully examine a small trench before him.

He extended a finger, gently touching the surface of the groove. The surface was smooth, exuding a faint, glassy luster.

“It’s a Fire-Runner Serpent—likely over a hundred years old, a demon beast of Foundation Establishment rank,” Ning Zhanji explained, then ordered the group to be on full alert.

Ning Yong, brash and excited, exclaimed, “Finally! With Master Ning Zhanji here, what is there to fear from a mere demon beast?”

Ning Chen analyzed, “We have six Foundation Establishment cultivators here, the rest are all high-level Qi Refining. A Foundation Establishment demon beast is nothing.”

Ning Zhuo, however, remained cautious.

He knew that demon beasts often surpassed human cultivators in physical prowess. Moreover, this was the Crimson Flame Demon Cavern; if a prolonged fight broke out, it could easily attract other demon beasts to swarm them.

The Ning Clan squad pressed on.

This time, their pace clearly slowed, and the atmosphere within the ranks grew tense.

Soon, they found the Fire-Runner Serpent.

Its body was long and slender, blazing with dazzling firelight—a snake formed entirely of surging flame, devoid of ordinary flesh and blood.

The Fire-Runner Serpent was notorious for its ferocity and speed, moving through the rock and often melting a path in the stone wherever it went.

It was precisely such a melted path that Ning Zhanji had found earlier, judging its size and the degree of scorching to determine the serpent’s rank.

Now, faced with the creature itself, they saw that Ning Zhanji’s assessment had been flawless.

This was indeed a Foundation Establishment demon beast.

The Ning Clan cultivators sprang into action.

First, one tossed out an array disc, hastily setting up a formation to conceal their presence.

Then, a host of cultivators began to prepare their spells.

Before long, jets of water shot toward the Fire-Runner Serpent.

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The Fire-Runner Serpent was hit by a barrage of water spells. Its fiery glow dimmed by more than half before it even reacted.

Enraged, the serpent lunged at the Ning Clan squad with overwhelming momentum.

Two burly cultivators surged forward, shielded by various spells, to hold the serpent at bay.

The others continued casting, some empowering the frontline fighters, others attacking the serpent directly.

Outnumbered and overwhelmed by water and ice spells, the serpent’s form shrank by a third.

Realizing it was outmatched, the Fire-Runner Serpent attempted to flee.

But Ning Zhanji, moving like a bolt of lightning, intercepted it. He clapped his hands, unleashing two palm marks of condensed frost.

The palm marks soared through the air, radiating frigid cold. Enveloped by the chill, the serpent’s movements slowed.

Bang! Bang!

Two nearly simultaneous impacts—the frost palm marks struck, killing the Fire-Runner Serpent outright.

A brilliant ambush!

Ning Yong’s eyes shone with excitement. “That’s Master Ning Zhanji for you!” His words brimmed with admiration and longing.

Ning Zhuo nodded repeatedly, wearing the same look of awe, though inwardly he wondered, “In this volcano, the fire element is extremely dense—ice spells are difficult and inefficient. Why are we all using them?”

After several more demon beast hunts, Ning Zhuo gradually understood.

It was deliberate training orchestrated by Ning Zhanji.

When they encountered weaker beasts or sprites, they used spells to train their coordination. Against stronger demons, the Ning cultivators would unleash their magic weapons, while Ning Zhanji led the main assault. To avoid drawn-out battles and unexpected complications, the Ning cultivators prioritized swift, decisive strikes.

“There’s a Fire-Melt Demon Ape ahead!” Suddenly, the scout called out in alarm.

The whole squad halted instantly.

An adult Fire-Melt Demon Ape was a dreadful foe—one could match ten Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Clearly, the odds of this being a juvenile were slim.

Even Ning Zhanji frowned.

“Wait, something’s wrong with the demon ape’s condition,” the scout said, eyes closed, the circlet on his brow glowing faintly.

“It seems… it’s dead?!” The scout opened his eyes, disbelief written on his face.