Chapter 267

Unlike Ning Zhuo walked out of the medical hall.

Halfway there, three Golden Core cultivators descended from the sky: Zhu Xuanji, Ning Jiufan, and Zhou Nongying.

Unlike Ning Zhuo had long anticipated the arrival of the Golden Core cultivators and hurriedly bowed in salute.

Zhou Nongying said: "Little fellow, what just happened in the medical hall?"

Ning Jiufan continued: "My connection to you temporarily vanished; tell me about your encounter in the medical hall."

Zhu Xuanji watched Unlike Ning Zhuo silently, saying nothing.

Unlike Ning Zhuo let out an "ah," then told the three Golden Core cultivators with a sincere expression: he had just accepted a high-reward task in the medical hall and entered the intensive care ward.

"Perhaps that room is quite special, isolating the inside from the outside," Unlike Ning Zhuo said.

The three Golden Core cultivators exchanged glances. Unlike Ning Zhuo's answer matched their previous speculations and discussions.

Unlike Ning Zhuo showed a worried expression and added: "Did entering the intensive care ward weaken the ancestors' connection to me significantly? Um... could you add some more for me?"

Unlike Ning Zhuo took the initiative to ask the Golden Core cultivators to add monitoring measures.

This performance made Zhu Xuanji's eyes flicker.

Seeing Unlike Ning Zhuo's fearful appearance, the Ning family ancestor Ning Jiufan snorted: "Look at your lack of backbone."

Unlike Ning Zhuo hurriedly complained: "Ancestor, this junior only has the cultivation base of the Qi Condensation Stage. If I had your strength, I would surely roam freely and be filled with heroic spirit."

"I am a descendant of the Ning family, after all; you must give me more protective measures."

"How could this junior not know the current situation?"

"That villain who controlled the Five Elements Cannon Tower and bombarded Fire Persimmon Mountain is truly too fierce and too vicious!"

"What's more terrifying is that we still haven't found out who he is."

"We members of the reform team, because of our status as trial disciples, find it extremely convenient to compete for various positions."

"With us earning merit on such a large scale now, we must be a thorn in the true culprit's side; he will definitely try to harm us."

"It's just that, until now, thanks to the protection of you Golden Core ancestors, he hasn't had the chance."

"This junior's trip to the medical hall, entering the treatment room alone, was a solitary act; it could be considered 'knowing there are tigers in the mountain, yet heading toward the tiger mountain.'"

"How can this be called fearing death? This is clearly the courage of one who faces death without flinching."

These words left the three Golden Core cultivators speechless for a moment.

Ning Jiufan snorted again: "You brat, silver-tongued."

"Why didn't you mention that this important place, the medical hall, is only open to trial disciples?"

"That true culprit, like us, even with Golden Core cultivation, cannot get near the medical hall."

"You are very safe in there."

"It was precisely considering this that we didn't rush to act after losing our connection to you."

"How can you call this facing death without flinching?"

Unlike Ning Zhuo showed a grave expression and said carefully: "Reporting to the ancestors, this is how this junior sees it."

"Currently, we have discovered that only trial disciples are qualified to accept positions in the medical hall."

"But is this the true answer? No one can be certain, right?"

"It's just that, at present, all evidence points to this answer."

"Perhaps it is also possible that even as an outsider, one could join the medical hall through some channel or means."

"I think the Lava Xian Gong is, after all, a palace left behind by the Three Sects Masters. With the Three Sects Masters' benevolence, he wouldn't just benefit his own people and leave no way out for others, right?"

"Perhaps it is possible that the true culprit has a channel or secret path to sneak into the medical hall and harm me."

Unlike Ning Zhuo specifically said this to cover up the flaws that had appeared in his own story.

He, as the tower master of the Five Elements Cannon Tower, had fully activated the tower and bombarded Fire Persimmon Mountain.

This action was a flaw.

Because, until now, no one had been able to join the Five Elements Cannon Tower.

Similarly, no one had been able to join the General-Summoning Platform and accept positions related to it.

It was just that, at present, Zhu Xuanji and the others had not yet truly confirmed the fact that "only trial disciples are qualified to work in the Five Elements Cannon Tower."

Once they confirmed this, they would likely lock the identity of the true culprit within the layer of trial disciples!

This was extremely unfavorable for Unlike Ning Zhuo!

Therefore, before this, Unlike Ning Zhuo needed to use his speculation to divert Zhu Xuanji and the others from any potential future suspicions.

This was taking precautions.

The three Golden Core cultivators heard his analysis, and for a time, no one refuted it.

Before receiving confirmation from the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, they indeed could not be certain.

Speaking of which, Zhu Xuanji had entered the Xian Gong many times, and in several of those attempts, he had tried to contact the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, but none had succeeded.

Under these circumstances, if Unlike Ning Zhuo insisted on saying he was risking his life, facing death without flinching, it was also acceptable.

Zhou Nongying suddenly laughed and said to Ning Jiufan beside him: "Brother Ning, your Ning family descendants have indeed produced a talent; it is truly enviable."

Ning Jiufan hurriedly humbled himself: "Not at all, not at all; compared to your family's Zhou Zeshen and Zhou Zhu, this brat Unlike Ning Zhuo still has a long way to go."

"He has some insight into the situation, but don't be fooled by his arguing and apparent courage; in reality, he is greedy by nature and just wants to ask for rewards."

Unlike Ning Zhuo's eyes lit up, and he immediately showed a fawning smile: "Hehehe, Ancestor, I'm not just doing this for myself."

"I am contributing to the family."

"Look, my situation is so dangerous now; wouldn't you like to bestow upon me some protective measures?"

"Do you have the heart to watch a family descendant be harmed by that heinous criminal?"

Ning Jiufan pointed his finger at Unlike Ning Zhuo and laughed: "Look at this, look at this; this is a good descendant of my Ning family; I really didn't misjudge him."

Zhou Nongying and Zhu Xuanji also laughed upon hearing this, and the atmosphere suddenly lightened.

Ning Jiufan continued: "Last time, I bestowed upon you many talismans for protection, and I didn't take them back."

"This time, what else do you want?"

"You are indeed contributing to the family, but the family will surely reward merit later; your share will not be missing!"

Unlike Ning Zhuo hurriedly spoke: "I actually want to split the family; Ancestor, can I split the family?"

"As for that merit-based reward, I don't really count on it! If the main branch gives me a merit-based reward, it would be good enough if they didn't frame me with a crime."

Ning Jiufan immediately showed anger: "Presumptuous!"

Just as he was about to say something to reprimand him, Zhou Nongying beside him suddenly laughed loudly, interrupting him.

Zhou Nongying turned from worry to joy.

Just a moment ago, he had seen Unlike Ning Zhuo's excellence and felt worried.

Although the Ning family's strength was not as great as the Zhou family's, this descendant Unlike Ning Zhuo had been making waves recently and was indeed quite excellent, surpassing both Zhou Zhu and Zhou Zeshen.

This made Zhou Nongying feel a small threat, and he did not feel comfortable in his heart.

But now he saw Unlike Ning Zhuo exposing the Ning family's shortcomings, speaking of the conflict between the branch and the main branch without any hesitation.

This couldn't help but make Zhou Nongying look forward to the scene where Unlike Ning Zhuo and the main branch would fall out in the future.

After laughing a few times, Zhou Nongying took out a magic tool from his storage belt and threw it directly to Unlike Ning Zhuo.

This was a handkerchief.

The handkerchief was painted with countless chaotic array patterns that had no regularity at all.

But in fact, this only looked like it had no regularity.

Zhou Nongying introduced: "This is the Four Directions Inversion Array Disk; in a moment of crisis, you only need to throw it out to use it. Perhaps it can win you a crucial chance at survival."

After Unlike Ning Zhuo received it, he showed great joy and hurriedly thanked him.

A flash of light appeared in Ning Jiufan's eyes; he knew Zhou Nongying was trying to undermine him, but on the surface, he still had to speak and express his gratitude to Zhou Nongying.

Zhu Xuanji smiled, flew down to the ground, and walked a few steps to Unlike Ning Zhuo's side.

"You are indeed a meritorious official."

"Recently, the reform team members have made great progress, thanks to you teaching them your experience without reservation."

"How about this, let me check you."

Unlike Ning Zhuo snorted in his heart, clearly aware of Zhu Xuanji's suspicion. But on the surface, he showed a very happy expression and actively cooperated with Zhu Xuanji.

Zhu Xuanji placed his palm on Unlike Ning Zhuo's back, activated his magic, and at the same time, faint golden light flashed in his eyes.

After an inspection, Zhu Xuanji confirmed that his own monitoring measures had not suffered any changes.

Only then did he set his mind at ease.

Unlike Ning Zhuo looked at Zhu Xuanji eagerly: "Lord Zhu, investigating the truth and finding any clues about the true culprit—our generation is duty-bound, will go all out, and disregard life and death."

"Currently, this junior has risked his life to test the medical hall—there should be no true culprit in the medical hall."

After a pause, Unlike Ning Zhuo changed the subject: "But I think the medical hall can only be considered temporarily safe."

"Right now, demonic beasts are rampant; that villainous criminal only needs to slaughter a large number of demonic beasts to earn merit, which is much more convenient and faster than before."

"If he really has mastered some shortcut or loophole to join the medical hall, then we will be in trouble!"

"However, whenever I think about how important the Lava Xian Gong is, and that I have such an opportunity to contribute to the family and shine for the Nandou Kingdom, my heart is filled with motivation, my blood feels like it's about to boil, I..."

"Alright, alright." Zhu Xuanji waved his hand, showing a look of helplessness, interrupting Unlike Ning Zhuo's words.

"I know what you want to say, and I understand what you mean."

"This is for you, as a reward for your good performance recently."

Saying this, he threw out an object.

Unlike Ning Zhuo hurriedly caught it and looked closely; it was a crystal.

The crystal was completely transparent and relatively heavy, as if made of pure glass, without a single impurity.

Unlike Ning Zhuo was startled and whispered: "This is a top-grade crystal!"

Zhu Xuanji said: "This crystal originally contained ice-attribute natural spiritual power, but it has already been used up by me."

"But it is still extremely valuable!"

"Because any top-grade crystal will automatically draw spiritual energy from the outside to replenish itself."

"It's just that an ice-attribute top-grade spirit stone can only be filled with ice-attribute spiritual power."

"Don't you like making mechanisms? This kind of top-grade crystal is a natural magic power pool, very suitable for you to use."

"However, if you want to fill it with ice-attribute magic power, you will have to put in a little more effort in an environment like Fire Persimmon Mountain or the Lava Xian Gong."

Unlike Ning Zhuo thanked him repeatedly, holding the top-grade crystal in one hand and the array disk handkerchief in the other, looking at Ning Jiufan eagerly.

He didn't speak, but his eyes said it all.

Zhou Nongying and Zhu Xuanji also looked at Ning Jiufan.

Ning Jiufan coughed and said expressionlessly: "If you are worried about merit-based rewards, then I will tell you. This merit-based reward will be presided over by me personally; are you satisfied now?"

Unlike Ning Zhuo hurriedly expressed his satisfaction and was about to continue speaking.

Ning Jiufan had already flicked his sleeves, turned around, and flown away from this place.

Zhu Xuanji and Zhou Nongying both chuckled and flew away into the sky.

The three Golden Core cultivators flew out of Unlike Ning Zhuo's field of vision, and only then did the latter exhale a breath of turbid air imperceptibly.

He had long anticipated such a scene.

Sun Lingtong's reminder to him was very reasonable.

If he had used those three drops of 'Supreme Goodness Like Water' in the intensive care ward just now, it was uncertain whether the three Golden Core cultivators would have replanted monitoring measures on him just now.

Unlike Ning Zhuo put the handkerchief array disk and the top-grade crystal into his storage belt.

It seemed that every time, he could fleece some wool from the Golden Core ancestors.

Unlike Ning Zhuo knew the reason for this very well.

"The potential and ability I have shown make the Golden Core ancestors believe that in the future Fire Persimmon Immortal City, I will definitely have a place."

"Whether they are doing it out of investment or out of the desire to suppress the Ning family and stir up internal strife, they are inclined to win me over while I am still insignificant."

"After all, at this stage, the cost of winning someone over is the smallest. Once I reach the Foundation Establishment Stage, it will be different."

Unlike Ning Zhuo returned to his residence.

He unexpectedly discovered an extra jade slip on the head of his bed.

After checking it and browsing the content, he discovered that this jade slip actually came from Ning Jiufan.

In the jade slip, Ning Jiufan specifically left a message for Unlike Ning Zhuo, telling the latter: this book of talisman annotations is his own experience in studying Ning family talismans; let Unlike Ning Zhuo read it secretly. Don't say what shouldn't be said.

Unlike Ning Zhuo understood Ning Jiufan's meaning.

On one hand, he had just kept up appearances in front of Zhu Xuanji and Zhou Nongying and didn't give Unlike Ning Zhuo any rewards directly. This jade slip was compensation.

On the other hand, he was also worried that Unlike Ning Zhuo would climb up the pole and take this jade slip of his to proclaim it everywhere, using it to raise Unlike Ning Zhuo's prestige in the Ning family.

Ning Jiufan's worry was not redundant.

If it weren't for this message Ning Jiufan specifically left, Unlike Ning Zhuo really intended to do just that.

Unlike Ning Zhuo put away the jade slip.

The item was a good item, but at present, he had absolutely no time or energy to study it.