Chapter 371: Blocking the Entrance

Lin Shanshan checked Unlike Ning Zhuo's pulse.

A moment later, she withdrew her slender fingers and said softly, "The Bitter Cold Qi accumulated in Young Master Unlike Ning Zhuo's body is not much, but it will still take more than a month to be completely expelled."

"During this period, any food Young Master Unlike Ning Zhuo tastes will have a bitter and astringent flavor."

"Do not get cold or chilled, as this will aggravate the Bitter Cold Qi."

"At the same time, keep your heart open and do not be depressed, as this will also easily make the Bitter Cold Qi more profound."

Lin Shanshan instructed Unlike Ning Zhuo in detail.

Unlike Ning Zhuo said somewhat unwillingly, "Miss Lin, your sect specializes in healing; is there really no way to deal with this Bitter Cold Qi?"

Lin Shanshan smiled. "There is, of course, but the cost is too high."

"To clear the Bitter Cold Qi in an instant, one must at least use a Golden Core-level elixir. In my opinion, the Bitter Cold Qi accumulated in your body, Young Master, is not much and does not affect your cultivation or combat."

"As long as you endure for a period of time, it will heal without medicine. Why not do that?"

Unlike Ning Zhuo nodded slightly. "I must thank you for your timely reminder, Miss Lin. Hanzhou is worthy of being Hanzhou; the Bitter Cold Qi he cast is so difficult to deal with. It requires Golden Core-level means to solve."

Lin Shanshan said, "The reason why Bitter Cold Qi is difficult to solve is not because of its erosion of the cultivator's flesh, but its erosion of the spirit."

"According to the sect's speculation, the Bitter Cold Qi contains true intent, and its infiltration into the upper dantian of the sea of spirit is irreversible."

"Therefore, my father believes that the Bitter Cold Scripture is very likely a Buddhist cultivation technique. You must be aware, Young Master, that the terrifying aspect of Buddhist cultivation techniques lies in their ability to convert people."

Unlike Ning Zhuo nodded.

Many Buddhist cultivation techniques have the power to convert people.

The root lies in the fact that Buddhist magic power carries its own true intent, which can infiltrate the upper dantian.

Therefore, after frequently being hit by Buddhist cultivation techniques, cultivators easily gradually accept Buddhist doctrines and eventually escape into Fomen, becoming Buddhist disciples.

There is a world-famous supernatural power in Fomen called the Five-Finger Mountain, which is obtained through intensive practice of Buddhist cultivation techniques that convert people.

When this supernatural power is cast, magic power condenses into form, turning into the Five-Finger Mountain to suppress powerful enemies. The longer the suppression, the higher the degree to which the powerful enemy is infiltrated and transformed by Buddhist true intent.

Unlike Ning Zhuo: "So, Hanzhou's true intention is not to practice at the Small Contention Peak, but to convert people?"

Lin Shanshan shook her head slightly. "This is just a speculation; at least Hanzhou has never admitted it, so this speculation has never been confirmed."

Unlike Ning Zhuo laughed. "How could Hanzhou admit it? Conversion is a taboo. Am I still the real me after being converted? At least I think this is not a change originating from my personal self, but one forcibly shaped by external forces. This is a very terrifying thing!"

Lin Shanshan sighed softly. "The Small Contention Peak is a mix of dragons and snakes, and the incoming cultivators have their own plans and purposes. It is very difficult for outsiders to investigate clearly. Young Master Unlike Ning Zhuo, you said before that you came here to seek advice; what is it that you want to seek advice on?"

Without waiting for Unlike Ning Zhuo to answer, Lin Shanshan continued, "I originally thought that your dispute with Hanzhou would be more losses than wins."

"But since you have a Golden Core-level spiritual talisman, combined with your profound attainments in Five Elements spells, you are already a top-tier combat force at the Small Contention Peak."

"I underestimated you too much!"

"Whether you have my help or not actually has nothing to do with the outcome of this battle. Without me, you would certainly have succeeded."

Even without the Life-Hanging Thread or the My Buddha Heart Demon Seal, Unlike Ning Zhuo, relying on the skills of reading people he had cultivated in Fire Persimmon Xiancheng since he was a child, immediately sensed Lin Shanshan's hidden resentment and suspicion.

Unlike Ning Zhuo immediately beamed, showing a slightly apologetic smile, and stared at Lin Shanshan with sincere eyes.

He stood up slowly, bowed deeply to Lin Shanshan, first apologized, and then explained slowly.

"Miss Lin, it is not that I deliberately deceived you."

"Look, this is the Oil-Glossy Water-Slippery Talisman, which was specially gifted to me by my clan's Golden Core ancestor in my hometown."

Lin Shanshan immediately shifted her gaze. "Young Master Unlike Ning Zhuo, this is your trump card; how can you show it to others so lightly?"

Unlike Ning Zhuo let out an "ah," stepped forward directly, grabbed Lin Shanshan's hand, and stuffed the Oil-Glossy Water-Slippery Talisman into her hand.

Unlike Ning Zhuo: "Giving it to you to see, Miss Lin, how can that be considered 'showing it lightly'?"

Lin Shanshan was caught off guard by Unlike Ning Zhuo's sudden behavior.

"Men and women should not touch; how can you do this?!" She was full of shame and anger in her heart.

My Buddha Heart Demon Seal!

The shy emotions in Lin Shanshan's heart rose, overwhelming her anger.

Unlike Ning Zhuo had an eager and sincere expression. "It is not that I deliberately deceived you, Miss Lin; it is just that such a spiritual talisman is meant to be taken out for life-saving purposes. As a trump card, if it is taken out for display, it will inevitably make others look down on me."

"I am Unlike Ning Zhuo, from the Ning family of Fire Persimmon Xiancheng; I do not change my name when I walk, and I do not change my surname when I sit! If they look down on me, I don't care. But because of my behavior, others will also look down on my Ning family, and that must absolutely not happen!"

These words were full of collective honor, which made Lin Shanshan, as the Eldest Miss of the Myriad Medicine Sect, feel a strong sense of empathy.

Unlike Ning Zhuo continued, "And my name, Unlike Ning Zhuo, contains the meaning of being humble and simple; it is a blessing and reminder from my parents. Therefore, being arrogant and showing off is not my nature."

"I often warn myself: these trump cards are just external objects, not my own strength. Only when one is strong oneself can one be truly strong."

"Therefore, I have always acted as if these trump cards do not exist!"

"Take this time, for example..."

"If I had relied on the Oil-Glossy Water-Slippery Talisman, I would never have had the behavior of seeking advice from you, Miss Lin. If I didn't ask you for advice, how could I have made significant progress in close-quarters martial arts?"

"Look, I engaged in close-quarters combat with Hanzhou before. Although I was in a sorry state, I supported it for a while. If it were the previous me, I would absolutely not have been able to do that."

"This is all your credit! Miss Lin."

Lin Shanshan waved her hands repeatedly. "Where, where. Young Master Unlike Ning Zhuo has excellent insight, understands at a single point, and trains with all his might, investing his whole heart. I am not a famous teacher; the biggest reason you have such progress is that you are excellent yourself."

Lin Shanshan said this without any exaggeration; it was completely sincere.

She had seen Unlike Ning Zhuo's efforts and progress with her own eyes!

Unlike Ning Zhuo sighed long and felt moved. "Your help to me, Miss, is more than just this."

"The Grain-Grain Bigu Elixir helped me overcome the fire of hunger."

"The Heart-Warming Pendant helped me resist the cold."

"Experiencing the battle with Hanzhou made me realize the greatness of these helps even more!"

Mentioning the Heart-Warming Pendant, Lin Shanshan immediately remembered the purpose of her coming to find Unlike Ning Zhuo.

She wanted to retrieve this jade pendant.

She only lent it to Unlike Ning Zhuo, not gifted it. The Grain-Grain Bigu Elixir was fine, but although the Heart-Warming Pendant was only a small magic tool, it was, after all, her personal item.

Giving it to Unlike Ning Zhuo before was Lin Shanshan's impulse and worry, and she also had no experience.

Over the past few days, the rumors throughout the sect made her realize that this move was very inappropriate. If it were really exposed, it would probably be ironclad evidence of these rumors. It was better to retrieve it!

Just as she was about to speak, Unlike Ning Zhuo said, "Look, Miss, this is the spiritual talisman of my clan. My Ning family specializes in talisman making. This talisman has its own spirituality, so I don't need to cast it; as long as I fall into some kind of crisis, it can trigger itself."

Lin Shanshan's attention was shifted away.

She was a Foundation Establishment cultivator; although she had Nascent Soul-level protective means on her, she had less contact with Golden Core-level talismans.

The Myriad Medicine Sect was not good at these.

She had seen many Golden Core-level elixirs.

Especially since the Oil-Glossy Water-Slippery Talisman was a spiritual talisman that could be used repeatedly, it was even rarer.

Lin Shanshan just glanced at the talisman and handed it to Unlike Ning Zhuo.

She resisted her curiosity and said the same thing—this was Unlike Ning Zhuo's trump card; how could she look at it?

Unlike Ning Zhuo did not take it back, but said, "A long time ago, I learned the way of interaction. How others treat me, I respond accordingly. Miss Lin, you and I are strangers, and we have known each other for a short time, yet you helped me so much, so sincerely. I should treat you with sincerity!"

"To tell you the truth, although my Ning family's ancestor only has a Golden Core, my family also has Nascent Soul combat power."

"I am very lucky to have the trust of my ancestor. Walking outside this time, I actually have quite a few such trump cards on me."

"If it weren't for my ancestor personally gifting it to me and letting me keep this talisman on my person, what would it matter if I gifted it to you now?"

Hearing that it was a personal item, Lin Shanshan immediately felt her heart jump, and her fingers holding the talisman couldn't help but shrink slightly, as if she felt Unlike Ning Zhuo's body temperature from the talisman.

Lin Shanshan had a solemn expression and stood up. "Young Master Unlike Ning Zhuo, you are joking! A Golden Core-level spiritual talisman, such a precious item, how can it be easily gifted to others!"

Unlike Ning Zhuo also had a solemn face. "Miss Lin, that is wrong!"

"Although spiritual talismans are good, they are ultimately just external objects."

"Such 'good things' are only because our cultivation is relatively weak. If we become Golden Core cultivators, wouldn't our perception of this talisman be greatly reduced?"

"Being strong oneself is truly strong! We cultivators should make good use of objects to strengthen ourselves."

"Therefore, for such spiritual talismans, I value them, but I also don't value them."

"My Unlike Ning Zhuo's way of being is people-oriented, and I especially value feelings and righteousness."

"You, Miss Lin, are warm-hearted, took the initiative to gift me the Heart-Warming Pendant and Grain-Grain Bigu Elixir, and helped me with special training; how can I not repay you?"

At the end, Unlike Ning Zhuo sighed lightly, with a look of regret. "It is just that this Oil-Glossy Water-Slippery Talisman really cannot be easily gifted. It is because this was personally bestowed by my ancestor; when I return to my family in the future, I need to ask my ancestor for instructions and strive for his consent before I can implement it."

"But I promise you, Miss Lin, in the future, I will definitely gift you a spiritual talisman to fulfill my heart of repayment."

"This..." Lin Shanshan opened her mouth but couldn't speak.

She was blocked!

Having said this, looking at Unlike Ning Zhuo, who was full of gratitude and sincerity, how could she still speak of retrieving the jade pendant?

"Sigh, if I have to blame someone, I can only blame myself for being unclear at the beginning, causing people to misunderstand."

"In fact, I had the intention of gifting it at the beginning, but the recent rumors made me realize that it was slightly inappropriate." ===== CHAPTER 372 =====