Chapter 684: Making Money

When Shen Xi and Su Lingkou found Unlike Ning Zhuo, the latter was at a hall of the Internal Affairs Hall, standing before the counter, whispering to a cultivator.

"Fellow Daoist Unlike Ning Zhuo." Shen Xi greeted softly.

Unlike Ning Zhuo turned back, showing a smile, without any gloom from being driven out: "Ah, it's the two of you, Shen and Su; it's unexpected to meet you two here again."

Then, he took the initiative to introduce to the cultivator behind the counter: "This is Fellow Daoist Cao Gui, I have had a pleasant conversation with him."

"If you two want to rent a cave dwelling, his ability should be able to satisfy you."

Shen Xi nodded to Cao Gui with a smile first, then looked at Unlike Ning Zhuo: "I came here this time to find you, Fellow Daoist Ning. Please move to a place to talk."

"Oh?" Unlike Ning Zhuo was slightly surprised.

The three immediately left the Internal Affairs Hall and talked under the shade of a tree outside the hall.

Shen Xi stated that he had heard of Unlike Ning Zhuo's encounter and specially brought him a piece of information.

Unlike Ning Zhuo took the jade slip handed by Shen Xi, scanned it with his spiritual sense, and found that it was all about Yu Heya.

He couldn't help but raise his brows slightly, staring at Shen Xi with a scrutinizing gaze.

Shen Xi's behavior made Unlike Ning Zhuo feel surprised.

Before, Shen Xi's release of goodwill was not considered out of line, but now taking the initiative to help, there must be an internal cause.

If it were in the past, Unlike Ning Zhuo might have chosen to be hypocritical, hiding and observing slowly. But now, he had experienced the Great War of the Two Kingdoms and the adventure in the White Paper Xiancheng, and unknowingly, he had cultivated a heroic spirit in his heart that was not afraid of risks.

He stared into Shen Xi's eyes and asked directly: "Fellow Daoist Shen, we met by chance, why be so concerned about me and help me so much? What is your purpose?"

Shen Xi was slightly stunned, not expecting Unlike Ning Zhuo to be so direct.

Su Lingkou felt offended and immediately snorted coldly: "Unlike Ning Zhuo, your attitude is a bit ungrateful."

"My cousin thinks highly of you and wants to promote you, but you suspect us. Hmph, don't you think we want to take advantage of you?"

Just as she was about to continue, her shoulder was patted lightly by Shen Xi.

Su Lingkou immediately stopped talking.

Shen Xi reacted and looked at Unlike Ning Zhuo with appreciation: "Fellow Daoist Unlike Ning Zhuo, you speak your mind; I will be direct."

He stated his intention, saying that it was because he saw the fate of him and Unlike Ning Zhuo arriving in the same batch, and secondly, he saw that Unlike Ning Zhuo had companions by his side, suspected to be true disciples of the Myriad Phenomena Sect. Third, he speculated that Unlike Ning Zhuo had outstanding strength and wanted to rent together, cooperate, and deal with the Flying Cloud Assembly.

The Flying Cloud Assembly had just been held and did not have such a scale; the original intention was just to concentrate strength and let the sect fully cooperate to clean up the accumulated sect tasks.

Ordinary super forces might not have so many sect tasks. But the Myriad Phenomena Sect was different; its scale was too massive, and there were too many stations everywhere, and its sphere of influence not only encompassed the entire Flying Cloud Kingdom but also extended its tentacles to surrounding countries.

The White Paper Xiancheng was a vivid example; the Myriad Phenomena Sect had a station there long ago.

The City Lord of White Paper had a crisis of not being able to hold the immortal city back then, and through this station, she sought help from the Myriad Phenomena Sect, obtaining powerful reinforcements from a batch of cultivators including Meng Yao and Wen Ruanyu.

The Yin-Damp Black Wet Marsh was a buffer zone for the forces of two cultivation countries. The object of the City Lord of White Paper's request for help was not the North Wind Kingdom, nor the Flying Cloud Kingdom.

Seeking help from any cultivation country represented a quite powerful political stance. Being close to the North Wind Kingdom, the White Paper Xiancheng might suffer suppression from the Flying Cloud Kingdom. And vice versa.

This was also one of the benefits of super sects.

It was easy to touch various sensitive nerves when dealing with countries, and when it came to doing real things, one was tied hand and foot. But cooperating with super sects like the Myriad Phenomena Sect was a completely different nature.

The power of super sects could extend to many cultivation countries.

Some cultivation countries even hoped that these super sects would add stations in their countries. This move could not only increase the strength of the country but also help exploit resources and drive development in certain regions.

There were also bridges to use super sects to reach private cooperation with other cultivation countries, or change positions, resolve contradictions, conclude alliances, and so on.

Speaking of true combat power, cultivation countries were of course the most capable of fighting. This form of organization mastered national power, official power, and military power. This way of utilizing power was extremely efficient, could gather the masses to cross levels, and could also mobilize the power of heaven and earth, the mystery of fate, and the power of ghosts and gods.

This was the prosperous age of cultivation!

Organizations like super sects, alliances, and families filled the gaps between cultivation countries, together forming a stable form of cultivation society after long-term game-playing.

Su Lingkou said: "We have already joined forces with two other geniuses to form a mountain head. Cousin recommended you, but because you retreated before and moved out of the Stone Spring Cave Dwelling, one of the geniuses is very dissatisfied."

Shen Xi explained: "The so-called mountain head is actually a conventional rule of the Myriad Phenomena Sect, not a sect regulation, and is not in the information we bought together."

"Everyone tacitly agrees that only by controlling a mountain head and making all the cave dwellings on that mountain peak belong to one's own people can such a force be considered to have a foothold, have the qualification to participate in competition, and be worthy of investment."

"Looking at it from another angle, the eight main peaks are also like this."

Unlike Ning Zhuo smiled: "So that's how it is."

Before, he didn't understand the implication of renting together. But this morning, after communicating with Cao Gui, he understood that renting together was not renting a cave dwelling together, or renting multiple cave dwellings to take advantage of each other's strengths and share costs.

After all, every cave dwelling had advantages. Some cave dwellings had abundant spirit qi, and some cave dwellings had earth fire, which could be used for pill refining, artifact refining, etc.

Unlike Ning Zhuo released goodwill to Shen Xi.

Shen Xi's renting together was actually inviting Unlike Ning Zhuo to join hands and form a temporary group to deal with the Flying Cloud Assembly.

This made Unlike Ning Zhuo interested.

He walked down the Fire Persimmon Mountain to travel the world, just to see and hear as much as possible, experience more, and communicate with others.

If he could cooperate with Shen Xi, exchange and discuss on the same mountain peak, it would also be quite good.

"But not now." Unlike Ning Zhuo thought secretly.

Even if he knew this implication before, he would choose to push it off temporarily.

On one hand, the most important and urgent thing for him was to obtain Meng Yao's inheritance. Who knew when the Great Snake Sickle would move?

On the other hand, he also had to examine Shen Xi to see if he was suitable for communication and competition. Many things were opportunities on the surface, but traps in reality.

Unlike Ning Zhuo had seen too many such examples since he was a child.

Don't forget, he assisted Sun Lingtong in building a small empire—long-term control of the black market in the Fire Persimmon Xiancheng. The various things that happened in the black market greatly enriched Unlike Ning Zhuo's life experience.

Unlike Ning Zhuo cupped his fists: "Fellow Daoist Shen's good intentions, I am grateful. If I can ask for advice from a genius like Fellow Daoist Shen, it will be beneficial."

Su Lingkou was satisfied with Unlike Ning Zhuo's attitude and snorted coldly: "You know it."

"But now, you have to deal with Yu Heya."

"You took the initiative to retreat, which made Situ Xing very dissatisfied. Now we have brought you detailed information, please be sure to show some toughness, at least show your courage."

"If you don't dare and still retreat, it will be too disappointing for us."

A sharp light flashed in Unlike Ning Zhuo's eyes.

From Su Lingkou's words, he felt Situ Xing's strength and also found Shen Xi's intention to recruit him, which was to enrich his own wings and gain more advantages in the internal game of the mountain head.

He didn't exclude it at all.

"Being able to be used proves that one has value. Everything in the world is you using me, I using you, everyone using each other."

Unlike Ning Zhuo took out another jade slip from his storage belt and handed it to Shen Xi.

Shen Xi looked and found that the content in this jade slip was similar to the one he handed to Unlike Ning Zhuo, all information about Yu Heya.

Shen Xi couldn't help but be surprised and happy: "So, Fellow Daoist Unlike Ning Zhuo had the ambition to fight back long ago."

Unlike Ning Zhuo sighed: "I just arrived, worried that Yu Heya has a background, and fighting against him is unwise. So, I first probed his background."

Su Lingkou smiled: "Don't worry about this, this person has never been rated as a true disciple of the Myriad Phenomena Sect, clearly he has no connections."

"In fact, he specializes in the 'Reverse Five Elements Demon Technique' and once accidentally killed a beloved disciple of a Heavy Formation Peak high-level member. He is not liked."

This was listed in the information.

? ￠O

Unlike Ning Zhuo sighed again: "To tell the truth, even if I knew this, I wouldn't be too willing to fight against this person. Why bother?"

"The other party is a peak Golden Core cultivator, and he even gave me ten medium-grade spirit stones."

"And I just tossed around for a bit of time and changed to another cave dwelling."

Shen Xi: "Now, Fellow Daoist Ning already knows our intention, what are your plans?"

Unlike Ning Zhuo cupped his fists: "Being looked highly upon by Fellow Daoist Shen is my honor. Of course, I have to find back some face and strive for the opportunity to have more exchanges and competitions with Fellow Daoist Shen."

Su Lingkou: "Then what do you plan to do?"

Unlike Ning Zhuo: "Please allow me to ponder."

He then showed a look of contemplation and said: "Perhaps, I will have to trouble Fellow Daoist Shen to help me again."

Shen Xi: "Oh, just say it."

Unlike Ning Zhuo smiled: "Please lend me a sum of spirit stones, Fellow Daoist Shen."

"Borrow money?" Su Lingkou immediately showed a look of caution.

"How much?" Shen Xi asked.

Unlike Ning Zhuo rubbed his fingers: "I don't know, just—the more the better."

Su Lingkou frowned: "This money cannot be lent out casually; at least there must be a name for it, right?"

Unlike Ning Zhuo looked at Shen Xi and showed a look of solemnity: "How to use it, I have to keep it a secret. I don't know what Fellow Daoist Shen thinks?"

Shen Xi's heart moved, and he understood: this was a test Unlike Ning Zhuo gave him.

Between friends, one must choose each other.

Unlike Ning Zhuo's attitude made Shen Xi look highly upon him even more secretly. He hesitated, but the scrutinizing meaning in Unlike Ning Zhuo's eyes suddenly made him feel an impulse.

Shen Xi gritted his teeth and took out a storage bag woven with gold coins from his bosom: "The spirit stones here, you can use them as you wish!"

He threw the storage bag to Unlike Ning Zhuo, and Su Lingkou on the side opened her eyes wide, showing a look of obvious surprise.

Unlike Ning Zhuo's spiritual sense probed in and found that it was full of medium-grade spirit stones, about three thousand.

"I

Shen Xi's eye corner twitched.

Su Lingkou transmitted her voice with spiritual sense, her emotions intense: "Cousin, why did you give him the money bag your mother gave you directly?"

"The spirit stones here are almost all of your family's entire wealth."

Shen Xi already felt regret, but since he had already sat down, he was a disciple of a great family and could not make the stingy gesture of going back on his word the next moment, so he could only transmit his voice with spiritual sense to comfort his cousin.

Unlike Ning Zhuo did not feel much.

The money he had invested in establishing the Qingjiao Army was far more than what was in this bag.

At that time, he had invested without hesitation; now, this amount of money was too small to be taken to heart.

He turned to face the counter and looked at the cultivator behind the counter, Cao Gui: "Please buy me all the cultivators who have encountered the same situation as me; I want to probe their latest situation."

"You have also seen that I have enough money." Unlike Ning Zhuo said this, and specifically raised the gold-threaded bag in his hand.

Cao Gui checked: "These people almost only have general profiles; for the intelligence you want, I can only give you which cave dwelling they are currently renting. I cannot provide anything more comprehensive; I suggest you go to the Commerce Hall, make the request yourself, and give them some time to collect it."

"Alright, alright." Unlike Ning Zhuo nodded.

He casually took a handful of mid-grade spirit stones from the gold-threaded bag and placed them directly on the counter: "Regarding the previous matter, Fellow Daoist Cao, please consider it. This is the deposit."

"If you don't want to participate in this matter, just return this deposit to me."

Cao Gui was stunned for a moment when he saw these large spirit stones placed on the counter.

"Hey, wait—" he reached out to call Unlike Ning Zhuo.

But Unlike Ning Zhuo had already turned around and left the Internal Affairs Hall without looking back, leaving behind a sentence: "Fellow Daoist Cao, please consider it carefully. No rush,"

"I still have to go to the Commerce Hall."

Shen Xi and Su Lingkou also followed Unlike Ning Zhuo and left the Internal Affairs Hall.

Su Lingkou asked curiously what Unlike Ning Zhuo had discussed with Cao Gui earlier.

But Unlike Ning Zhuo did not explain: "Fellow Daoists Shen and Su, time is tight, so I won't entertain you two. I'll go handle my business first, and once there are staged results, I will come to find you two fellow daoists to witness it with your own eyes."

"After all, this money must have a purpose and won't be spent in an unclear way."

Shen Xi smiled: "Alright."

Unlike Ning Zhuo cupped his fists and stepped on a cloud to leave.

Su Lingkou stomped her feet on the spot: "Oh my, are we just letting him go like this? Such a large sum of money! If it were me, I wouldn't attend any Flying Cloud Assembly and would just take the money and run. The world is vast, if he hides somewhere, where would we go to find him?"

Shen Xi also had such worries, but since his cousin had said so, he found it hard to doubt further.

Instead, he suppressed his worry and comforted her with composure: "Don't be impatient, just observe the follow-up."

It was evening that day when Unlike Ning Zhuo sent them a message.

This time was much earlier than Shen Xi had anticipated.

When Shen Xi and Su Lingkou arrived by Unlike Ning Zhuo's side, they found that Unlike Ning Zhuo had already gathered a group of cultivators.

More than twenty cultivators, most of them in the Qi Condensation Stage, with at least two or three Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Unlike Ning Zhuo said: "I know you all rushed here to attend the Flying Cloud Assembly, but you are all short on funds and have not rented any cave dwellings."

"Now, I am giving everyone an opportunity to make money."

"I will provide the principal, and when the time comes, you only need to give me half of the spirit stones you earn."

Shen Xi was stunned.

Su Lingkou widened her eyes, and after reacting, she couldn't help but open her mouth slightly. She suddenly discovered that this seemed, appeared, and indeed was capable of making money.