Chapter 371: Blocking the Mouth

Lin Shanshan took Ning Zhuo's pulse.

After a moment, she withdrew her slender fingers and said softly, "The Bitter Cold Qi in Young Master Ning Zhuo's body is not accumulated much, but it still needs a month or so to be completely expelled."

"During this period, any food Young Master Ning Zhuo tastes will have a bitter taste."

"Do not catch a cold, 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 deeper."

Lin Shanshan instructed Ning Zhuo in detail.

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

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

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

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

Ning Zhuo nodded slightly, "This is thanks to your timely reminder, Miss Lin. Hanzhou is worthy of being Hanzhou; the Bitter Cold Qi he casts 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 meaning, and its infiltration into the upper dantian of the spirit sea is irreversible."

"Therefore, my father thinks that the Bitter Cold Scripture is likely a Buddhist cultivation technique. You must also be clear about the terrible thing about Buddhist cultivation techniques, which is the conversion of people."

Ning Zhuo nodded.

Many Buddhist cultivation techniques have the power to convert people.

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

Therefore, after being beaten by Buddhist cultivation techniques, cultivators easily recognize Buddhist doctrines and eventually become Buddhist disciples.

There is a world-famous supernatural power in Buddhism called the Five Finger Mountain, which is refined from Buddhist cultivation techniques that convert people.

When this supernatural power is cast, the magic power will condense into shape, turning into the Five Finger Mountain to suppress strong enemies. The longer the suppression, the higher the degree of infiltration and transformation of the strong enemy by the Buddhist true meaning.

Ning Zhuo: "So, Hanzhou's true intention is not to practice on 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."

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 forcibly shaped by external forces. This is a very terrible thing!"

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

Before Ning Zhuo could answer, Lin Shanshan said again, "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 first-class combat power on the Small Contention Peak."

"I underestimated you!"

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

Even without the Human Life Hanging by a Thread or the My Buddha Heart Demon Seal, Ning Zhuo, relying on his own ability to fathom people's hearts cultivated in Fire Persimmon Immortal City since childhood, immediately sensed Lin Shanshan's hidden resentment and suspicion.

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-Smooth Talisman, which was specially gifted to me by my family's Golden Core ancestor in my hometown."

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

Ning Zhuo sighed, stepped forward, grabbed Lin Shanshan's hand, and stuffed the Oil-Smooth Talisman into her hand.

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

Lin Shanshan was at a loss because of 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 shyness in Lin Shanshan's heart rose sharply, overcoming her anger.

Ning Zhuo looked eager and sincere, "It is not that I deliberately deceived you, Miss Lin, but such a spiritual talisman is meant for life-saving. As a trump card, if it is taken out for display, it will definitely make others look down on me."

"I am Ning Zhuo, from the Ning family of Fire Persimmon Immortal City; I do not change my name or surname! If they look down on me, I don't care. But because of my behavior, others will also look down on my Ning family, which is absolutely not allowed!"

These words were full of collective honor, making Lin Shanshan, as the Young Lady of the Myriad Medicine Sect, feel a strong sense of empathy.

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

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

"Therefore, I have always treated these trump cards as if they didn't exist!"

"Take this time, for example..."

"If I relied on the Oil-Smooth 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-combat martial arts?"

"Look, I fought Hanzhou before and fell into close combat. Although I was in a sorry state, I supported it for a while. If it were the old me, I would never have been able to do this."

"This is all your credit! Miss Lin."

Lin Shanshan waved her hand hurriedly, "Where, where. Young Master Ning Zhuo has good aptitude, understands at a single point, and trains with all his might, investing his whole heart. I am not a famous teacher; the biggest reason for your progress is that you are excellent yourself."

Lin Shanshan said this without any exaggeration, completely sincere.

She saw Ning Zhuo working hard with her own eyes!

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

"Grain Grain Grain Bigu Pill, helped me overcome the hunger fire."

"Warm Heart Pendant, helped me resist the cold."

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

Mentioning the Warm Heart Pendant, Lin Shanshan immediately remembered her purpose for finding Ning Zhuo.

She wanted to ask for the pendant back.

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

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

After these few days, the rumors in the sect made her realize that this move was very inappropriate. If it were truly exposed, it would probably be ironclad evidence of these rumors. It was better to ask for it back!

Just as she was about to speak, Ning Zhuo said, "Look, Miss, this is the spiritual talisman of my family. My Ning family is good at making talismans. 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 activate on its own."

Lin Shanshan's attention was diverted.

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-Smooth 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 Ning Zhuo.

She resisted her curiosity, still the same words—this was Ning Zhuo's trump card, how could she look at it?

Ning Zhuo did not take it, but said, "A long time ago, I learned the way of socializing. How others treat me, I respond accordingly. Miss Lin, you and I were 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 is only a Golden Core, there is also Nascent Soul combat power in the family."

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

"If it weren't for the ancestor personally gifting it to me, letting me keep this talisman close to my body. Now, what would it matter if I gave it to you?"

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

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

Ning Zhuo also looked solemn, "Miss Lin, you are wrong!"

"Although the spiritual talisman is good, it is ultimately just an external object."

"Such 'good things' are only because our cultivation base is relatively weak. If we become Golden Core cultivators, and look at this talisman again, won't the perception be greatly reduced?"

"Being strong yourself is truly strong! Our cultivation is to make good use of things to strengthen ourselves."

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

"I, Ning Zhuo, am people-oriented and value affection and righteousness."

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

Speaking to the end, Ning Zhuo sighed lightly, full of regret, "It's just that this Oil-Smooth Talisman really cannot be easily gifted. Because it was personally gifted by the ancestor, when I return to the family in the future, I need to ask the 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.

Blocked!

Speaking to this point, looking at Ning Zhuo, who was full of gratitude and sincerity, how could she still say the words to ask for the pendant back?

"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 rumors recently made me realize that it was slightly inappropriate."