Chapter 87: Discussing Ning Zhuo

“Come to think of it, there have indeed been such cases. Some people are just perfectly suited to a certain cultivation method, advancing at an incredibly fast pace.”

“What’s his name? Ning Zhuo, right? Talk about luck—he just happens to be so compatible with the Five Elements Qi Law.”

“Ah, why didn’t such good fortune fall on me?”

The vast majority had never heard of Ning Zhuo before.

Yet now, everyone was talking about him.

Within the martial arena, cultivators from the Ning clan were also inquiring.

Those closest to the water received the moonlight first—many gathered around Ning Zhuo, introducing themselves with beaming smiles.

In an instant, the entire world seemed to shift its attitude toward Ning Zhuo—from cold indifference to warm enthusiasm.

Ning Chen and Ning Yong, who had originally stood beside Ning Zhuo, were pushed aside.

Ning Yong took pride in association, raising his arm and shouting, “Ning Zhuo is my classmate, my comrade!”

A passing youth from the Ning clan overheard and turned to sneer, “Who isn’t? I am too.”

Ning Yong groaned and glared, “What kind of relationship do you have with him? I and Ning Zhuo are comrades who have lived and died together!”

A cultivator from the Zhou clan approached upon hearing this, smiling toward Ning Yong, “Young man, from what you just said, you’re quite close to Ning Zhuo?”

“Not bad,” Ning Yong nodded immediately, feigning indifference but unable to hide his pride.

The Zhou cultivator quickly clasped his fists and asked Ning Yong for advice.

Ning Yong was about to introduce Ning Zhuo when Ning Chen tugged at him, and he immediately sensed something, falling silent.

Ning Chen then took over: “The three of us truly were classmates and have lived and died together.”

“Ning Zhuo is honest and sincere, friendly and brave. It’s our honor to be his friends. He is also a model for us to learn from. I remember in school…” Ning Chen began to boast about Ning Zhuo without hesitation.

When outsiders inquire, Ning Chen naturally praised Ning Zhuo more, highlighting the heritage of the Ning clan.

Beyond that, their shared experiences in the Red Flame Demon Smelting Cave, and later during the exposure of shadowy demonic cultivators while hiding in the dungeon, had only deepened their respect for Ning Zhuo.

The three of them belonged to a branch of the Ning family and felt a strong sense of kinship with Ning Zhuo.

For a moment, Ning Zhuo undoubtedly became the brightest star in the arena. Thanks to one cultivation test, he had shone brilliantly, as if stepping onto a new rung of life.

The test continued.

One by one, the remaining Ning clan cultivators entered the test formation, but their results were mediocre and drew no attention.

It didn’t matter. Ning Zhuo alone had already changed the entire situation!

The tri-clan joint test was not only a chance for the reformed cultivation teams to present themselves and gauge each other but also formed the basis for negotiating the distribution of benefits.

In the cultivation world, exceptional individuals with high cultivation levels could overshadow entire collectives.

To compare the strength of the three clans, the main focus was on their top cultivators.

Without Ning Zhuo’s performance, Ning clan’s pinnacle tier consisted solely of Ning Xiaohui; Zheng clan had Zheng Jian; Zhou clan had Zhou Zhu, with Zhou Zesheng also a prodigy comparable to Zhou Zhu. His Qi refining cultivation was second only to Zhou Zhu, and with time, he would surely stand shoulder to shoulder with the others.

Thus, among the top cultivators, Zhou clan counted as one and a half, ranking first.

Zheng and Ning clans each had one prodigy, but the rest of Zheng’s cultivators clearly surpassed Ning’s by a large margin.

After Ning clan’s expansion, many cultivators only possessed first-level magic power, which was laughable and insignificant.

Therefore, Zheng clan ranked second, Ning clan third.

But with Ning Zhuo’s appearance, Ning clan suddenly had two top cultivators, instantly climbing to first place.

Zhou clan, with one and a half prodigies, came in second.

Zheng clan was left behind, slipping to third.

After the tri-clan joint test, the Ning clan patriarch returned to the family with a radiant face.

Though negotiations over the division of benefits still continued, Ning Zhuo’s results swept away previous disadvantages, making the negotiation prospects clear and dispelling the gloom.

The Ning clan patriarch summoned the young clan leader with a smile. “Xiaoren, a joyous event occurred today in the arena. You must have heard about it.”

Ning Xiaoren replied immediately, “Father, I heard. It was I who arranged for Ning Zhuo to join our reformed cultivation team!”

The Ning clan patriarch nodded. “Gather all information on Ning Zhuo and compile it. I want to examine it.”

“I’ve already ordered my subordinates to handle this,” Ning Xiaoren answered.

The patriarch hummed thoughtfully. “I suspect Ning Zhuo might possess some innate talent that hasn’t yet been detected.”

Ning Xiaoren said, “Innate talents are countless. Even if we test every year, how could we possibly be comprehensive? Father’s suspicion has merit. We can redesign the testing methods and have Ning Zhuo undergo them.”

“However, if his talent is unusual or rare, it’s likely we still won’t detect it.”

The patriarch nodded. “If he does possess talent, all the better. Even possessing a lower-tier innate talent would make him a prodigy! Then our Ning clan’s reformed cultivation team could fully rival the Zhou clan.”

Zhou’s Zhou Zesheng and Zhou Zhu both had innate talent.

Ning Xiaohui and Zheng Jian did as well.

In the tri-clan joint test, Ning Zhuo only displayed peak third-tier cultivation, demonstrating his perfect compatibility with the Five Elements Qi Law.

Ning Xiaoren said, “Father, isn’t it up to us to decide whether he has talent?”

“If the tests don’t show it, or he’s simply very suited to the Five Elements Qi Law, that’s fine. As long as we assign him properly, we can still present to the outside world—yes, our clan has two prodigies!”

The Ning clan patriarch shook his head. “That’s improper. This isn’t an internal family matter for us to unilaterally decide.”

“If we fabricate this, the other two clans will certainly investigate and test. After all, such strength comparisons affect negotiations and benefits among the three clans.”

“This time, the Ning clan is cooperating with the Zhou and Zheng clans through the Lava Immortal Palace—a breakthrough in relations. We cannot afford to lose credibility. If caught falsifying, it would harm the Ning clan’s overall position.”

Ning Xiaoren nodded in acknowledgment.

The patriarch sighed. “If Ning Zhuo is proven to have talent, that might not be so good either. Xiaoren, you understand what I mean, don’t you?”

Ning Xiaoren nodded again. “I understand, Father. Ning Xiaohui is from our main branch, while Ning Zhuo belongs to a branch. Their cultivation levels are currently comparable, but Ning Xiaohui has been heavily supported by the Ning clan, whereas Ning Zhuo has not.”

“In the reformed cultivation team, branch members outnumber those from the main branch by far.”

“When Ning Zhuo revealed his true cultivation level in the arena, he was immediately swarmed and warmly welcomed by branch members.”

“If he is found to have talent, I worry Ning Xiaohui won’t be able to overshadow him.”

The Ning clan patriarch showed a look of relief. “Since you understand this, I’m not worried about how you’ll handle Ning Zhuo. Go take care of it.”

“Yes, Father. Rest assured, I will handle this matter splendidly. I take my leave.”

His feelings toward Ning Zhuo were complicated.

Sixteen years ago, when the Ning clan migrated as a whole, Ning Xiaoren had, by chance, boarded the mechanical carriage of Ning Zhuo’s parents during their flight.

Ning Zhuo’s father had to get off the carriage to block enemies to ensure it escaped safely.

Ning Xiaoren was thus saved.

Ning Zhuo’s father truly was his lifesaver, and Ning Xiaoren had sworn on the spot to treat Ning Zhuo and his mother well, to support Ning Zhuo’s future cultivation.

But Ning Xiaoren had failed to live up to that promise.

Ning Zhuo’s mother died fourteen years ago, and during Ning Zhuo’s growth, Ning Xiaoren had hardly paid any attention.

He had originally thought Ning Zhuo was an ordinary child, but unexpectedly, one day, Ning Zhuo shone brilliantly, making a stunning debut in the tri-clan joint test.

Upon hearing the good news, his first feeling was not joy but awkwardness.

A lingering question in his heart: “Why had it to be him?!”

As the family courtyard came into view, Ning Xiaoren walked along the road, sighing silently, “How much better it would have been if it weren’t Ning Zhuo.”

“Sixteen years old, already with his own mind—hard to persuade.”

Lost in thought, Ning Xiaoren recalled words Ning Ze had once said.

After the big ranking list was announced, Ning Xiaoren had tried to extort money and pressured Ning Ze several times.

Ning Ze had reported that Ning Zhuo was reclusive, headstrong, and did not listen to his elders.

Remembering this, Ning Xiaoren made his decision: “It’s best not to approach Ning Zhuo for now.”

“This boy’s temperament is such that I can’t win him over with a few words.”

“Ning Zhuo knows his father saved my life and also knows I’ve been indifferent to him for sixteen years. This all requires a good explanation.”

“It will have to start with Ning Zhuo’s eldest uncle.”