Chapter 739: Make a name for yourself

Another cave.

Che Zhuzi held the intelligence in his hand, and the light in the room shone on his face, making half bright and half dark.

Che Zhuzi’s expression was complex and tangled: "I didn't expect Ning Zhuo’s aptitude to be so outstanding, actually a first-class genius."

"If I had known earlier, he had already obtained two Confucian top spots—"

Che Zhuzi’s thoughts turned: "No, I still have to abide by neutrality, which is most beneficial to me."

"Although Ning Zhuo took the initiative to throw out that he wanted to do a bigger business with me, the Ban family could never be ignored."

"Ban Ji’s talent should also be among the first batch of cultivators to exchange for stone plaques. It’s just that his several actions were destroyed by Ning Zhuo."

"In the first round, he didn't stand out, it doesn't matter. In the next second round, there will definitely be a place for him."

Che Zhuzi, as a businessman, naturally wanted to be on both sides.

As a demon cultivator, and not at the end of his rope, selling void spider silk was already living very well, why should he lean to one side and make a big bet early?

Che Zhuzi in such a situation naturally rejected risk.

"However, I still have to take the initiative to write a letter to congratulate Ning Zhuo on winning the plaque."

"And send some gifts."

Ning Zhuo winning the stone plaque made his value and status in Che Zhuzi’s heart rise sharply.

The Confucian cultivators were gathering.

"Hahaha, sure enough, a tiger father has no dog son, Meng Yaoyin’s son is really not inferior." The Confucian cultivators were talking about Ning Zhuo.

Learning the news that Ning Zhuo obtained the stone plaque, they were generally happy about it.

"Should write a letter to Wen Ruanyu to let him know this good news."

"That’s right. The days of being under house arrest are not good. Since he cares so much about Ning Zhuo, this news will definitely dispel the haze in his heart and make him happy."

"No wonder Wen Ruanyu cares so much about Ning Zhuo, this child is actually a first-class cultivation genius."

Song Taosheng stroked his beard: "Compared to his cultivation aptitude, I admire his performance under the three questions of asking the heart."

The Evil-Slaying Hall’s Cloud-Rising Trial is different from most, and has a high gold content.

Ning Zhuo’s performance under the three questions of asking the heart was very outstanding. At that time, it was not just the high-level cultivators of the Evil-Slaying Hall who were present, but also many cultivators who were participating in the Cloud-Rising Trial. So, after this happened, many people learned about it.

Now, with Ning Zhuo exchanging for the stone plaque, becoming famous, and attracting widespread attention, his outstanding performance has also spread widely and began to be known to everyone.

Song Taosheng’s words drew the agreement of most Confucian cultivators present.

Chu Xuangui was also among them, but recalled Ning Zhuo’s performance in his Cloud-Rising Trial.

He thought at the time that Ning Zhuo was well-versed in the rules, and although it was the first time he met him, he already had a tacit understanding. Although the two sides did not exchange a word in secret, the cooperation was very smooth.

"I didn't expect this child to be flexible in means, but his character is very upright. Such people are really too few."

Ning Zhuo’s attitude toward justice naturally won the favor of Confucian cultivators.

A Confucian cultivator suddenly said:

Faced with this question, the Confucian cultivators had different expressions.

Some began to ponder.

Others expressed concern: "Indeed. Others don't know about the trouble Ning Zhuo is in, but we have already learned about it in advance through Wen Ruanyu."

"According to Ning Zhuo's current reputation, the sect's higher-ups will have to think twice before moving against him."

"Judging by this result, our previous goal has already been achieved."

"If we continue to support him, I'm afraid it will arouse a lot of suspicion."

Speaking of this, Song Taosheng could not hold back, snorted coldly, and interrupted directly: "Suspicion? Are you all that afraid?"

A Confucian cultivator had a solemn expression: "Old Mr. Song doesn't need to speak like that. Of course, we are not worried about our own safety, but we are worried that the secret of our covert assistance to Ning Zhuo, once exposed, will greatly damage the reputation of us Confucian cultivators."

"Almost all the Confucian cultivators in the entire sect are here."

"We need new people, we need to develop and grow. But if we bear a bad reputation, how can we attract excellent Confucian cultivator seeds to join us?"

This statement indeed made sense.

The Confucian cultivator who spoke deliberately lowered his own demands and focused on the interests of the Confucian cultivator group, which made more Confucian cultivators begin to think cautiously.

Chu Xuangui saw that the atmosphere was not good and spoke decisively: "That is incorrect!"

"How long does it take for a junior like Ning Zhuo to appear?"

"He is not just a genius who stood out in the first round, but also someone who passed the three questions of the heart. Such a young man with such character is so precious!"

"Since he is so promising and can be considered half one of our own in the Confucian cultivator group, why don't we increase our efforts and increase our funding for him?"

Chu Xuangui expressed his own thoughts. He not only denied the proposal to stop but went a step further, suggesting that support for Ning Zhuo should be increased.

The cultivators looked at each other for a while, and then someone spoke.

Immediately, everyone expressed their own opinions and argued their own points.

Song Taosheng listened and felt that the situation had signs of turning downward, and his brows gradually furrowed.

Confucian cultivators are good at protecting themselves. Since the goal has been achieved in advance, withdrawing in time has become the consensus of more and more Confucian cultivators.

Song Taosheng's Adam's apple moved slightly, and after thinking about it, he first cast his gaze toward Chu Xuangui.

Who knew that Chu Xuangui had already cast his gaze toward him the moment before.

The two people's gazes only met for a moment before they confirmed each other's attitude.

Unlike other Confucian cultivators, both of them had taken action first and helped Ning Zhuo. They had met Ning Zhuo, spent time with him, and had a very good impression of him.

Others had a vague impression of Ning Zhuo, only starting from intelligence, with only objectivity and not much closeness.

Since they had already invested, Chu Xuangui and Song Taosheng naturally wanted Ning Zhuo to go further and climb higher.

Song Taosheng closed his eyes slightly and leaned his back against the back of the chair.

Chu Xuangui immediately understood that Song Taosheng was going to be the backup and let him lead the charge.

Chu Xuangui smiled slightly and stood up slowly.

All the Confucian cultivators were sitting, and Chu Xuangui's action immediately attracted everyone's attention, and they all realized that the latter had something to say and voluntarily fell silent.

Chu Xuangui looked around and smiled: "Actually, there is no need to discuss whether to continue supporting Ning Zhuo."

"If you think highly of this young junior, just go and help him."

"Those who have worries in their hearts are also very reasonable; just watch from the sidelines."

"Hehehe." Chu Xuangui laughed a few times, "My biggest feeling at this moment might be different from you fellow Daoists. I feel relaxed."

Someone was puzzled and asked immediately: "Why relaxed?"

Chu Xuangui cupped his fists to the surroundings: "Fellow Daoists, to tell you the truth. My biggest worry before was about Senior Duanmu Zhang."

"Once Senior Duanmu Zhang learns about our secret support for Ning Zhuo."

"Then, according to his character, I'm afraid he will scold us severely!"

As soon as this was said, it immediately resonated with many Confucian cultivators.

"Yes, yes."

"Indeed so."

"My worry is the same as Fellow Daoist Chu's."

Chu Xuangui changed the subject: "But it's better now. According to Ning Zhuo's current performance, whether it's strength or temperament, it's impeccable."

"Even if Senior Duanmu Zhang learns about it, he won't criticize us, but will only think that this is us grooming the younger generation."

As soon as this was said, all the Confucian cultivators showed smiles to a greater or lesser extent.

Some people began to think deeply.

Song Taosheng couldn't help but open a slit in his eyes and look at Chu Xuangui.

He originally thought that he would cooperate with Chu Xuangui, but he didn't expect the latter's performance to be so outstanding!

On the surface, it was a worry that it would be difficult to get past Senior Duanmu Zhang, but in reality, Chu Xuangui was using this clever and tactful way to remind everyone of Duanmu Zhang's likely view of Ning Zhuo!

Among the Confucian cultivator group of the Myriad Phenomena Sect, Chu Xuangui, Song Taosheng, and Wen Ruanyu were several obvious pillars. And Duanmu Zhang was the soul figure, the core of the core, and the greatest foundation!

His attitude influenced almost all Confucian cultivators.

What would Duanmu Zhang think of Ning Zhuo?

Even if most Confucian cultivators had never seen Ning Zhuo with their own eyes, they could answer this question very positively—of course, it would be appreciation!

Therefore, when the Confucian cultivators realized that Duanmu Zhang would appreciate Ning Zhuo, their thoughts also changed accordingly.

This kind of change was also very natural.

Except for a few, most Confucian cultivators did not notice it.

Thus, the related topic was pulled back.

"Speaking of which, Ning Zhuo is not a Confucian cultivator. Helping him is like helping an outsider. Even if this matter is exposed in the future, it can show the high character of our Confucian cultivator group."

"We should continue to support Ning Zhuo, otherwise how can we face Wen Ruanyu? We have clearly promised him that we would give Ning Zhuo at least four Cloud-Raising Trials and support him vigorously!"

"How can a person be untrustworthy?"

All the Confucian cultivators tacitly did not mention Duanmu Zhang, but tried every means to find other reasons to strive to continue supporting Ning Zhuo.

Chu Xuangui and Song Taosheng did not speak afterward, sitting quietly and watching everyone reach a consensus—everyone decided to continue supporting Ning Zhuo!

"Then, next we should hold the third Cloud-Raising Trial."

"How should we do it?" "The key is how to do it, which is more helpful to Ning Zhuo?"

"Very simple, first let out the wind, and then I think Ning Zhuo is likely to give us some signals." Chu Xuangui only spoke at this time.

Song Taosheng smiled slightly: "I second that."

Green Bamboo Peak.

Qing Huangzi had just finished writing a flying letter, and by the candlelight, he reread it.

"Huang, rotten wood in the mountain forest, a candle in the wind. Waking up in the middle of the night, feeling ashamed and guilty, fearing to fail the master's grace in the underworld, and cutting off the orthodoxy in my own body, so I rashly wrote this letter, pouring out my heart."

"When my master passed away, his withered hand grasped Huang, his breath was like a gossamer, and he only entrusted one thing—.."

"Huang was weeping bitterly at that time, pointing to the sky and swearing that he would never fail the entrustment! But heaven plays tricks on people, Huang's aptitude is dull, although I have exhausted my life's efforts, immersed in the art of mechanisms—at the time of my remaining breath, I only fear that my master's hard work will be buried in the hills with this rotten body!"

"Recently heard that Fellow Daoist Ning Zhuo exchanged for a stone plaque, and even broke into the three questions in the Evil-Slaying Hall, grand and righteous, with a firm will.."

"The Cloud-Raising Trial was originally set as a threshold for mediocre people, how can it be a barrier for a true dragon? If I stick to vulgar rules again and let the bright pearl be covered in dust, Huang will not be able to close his eyes even in death! So today I dare, with my remaining body and small name, to perform an extraordinary act! Waive all kinds of trivial tests, and directly entrust this lineage's mantle to you! This is not Huang's impulsive act, but actually observing the young friend's talent and virtue, thinking of my master's dying wish, and feeling the urgency of the times, the three are fused, and I cannot help myself!"—..

Qing Huangzi finished reading the whole letter and couldn't help but sigh deeply, his spiritual sense moved slightly, and he opened the bamboo window.

He infused magic power into the flying letter, causing it to break through the air and leave.

Bluestone Cave Abode.

Inside the martial arts array.

Ning Zhuo sat cross-legged on a futon, with a magic-treasure-grade guzheng floating slightly in mid-air in front of him, three inches from the ground.

The big-headed boy closed his eyes slightly, and his ten fingers turned into streaks of afterimages!

Zheng zheng zheng zheng zheng——

The sound waves swept across the ground, and more than a dozen bamboo puppet dolls, only the size of an adult's palm, were activated in response!

They were not directly controlled by spiritual sense, but were driven by these specific musical notes.

More and more bamboo puppets were activated, their figures were agile, and the actions they performed were quite decent.

One puppet lowered its body and rushed forward, its arms crossing and cutting like a mantis's blade arms, bringing up a sharp sound of breaking through the air. Another bamboo puppet spun and kicked, its leg shadows like a whip. There was also a bamboo puppet with its hands held in a void, sinking its waist and sitting on a horse, a simple and unadorned black tiger digging out the heart, but carrying a vast force. There were even bamboo puppets whose figures were strange and flickering, with claws bringing up gloomy winds—

Ning Zhuo stroked the strings with both hands, sometimes with precise plucking, and sometimes with forceful sweeping.

The bamboo puppets began to fight in pairs. As the moves were dismantled, each action was swift and precise, and the joints occasionally made "ka ka" crisp sounds.

Ning Zhuo's fingering changed again!

A series of crisp musical notes like pearls falling on a jade plate, but also carrying a strange tremor, flowed out.

The remaining bamboo puppets moved at the sound, they were not fighting in pairs, but cooperating with each other, forming various formations.

There were three puppets in a group, back-to-back like a "pin" shape, supporting each other, both offensive and defensive, this is the most basic small Sancai battle formation.

There were five puppets gathered, four puppets guarding the four directions on the outside, and one puppet in the middle to coordinate and support, the charm connected, evolving into the five-tangled plum blossom battle formation.

There were also seven puppets arranged like the Big Dipper, their steps linked, their aura faintly connected into a line, forming the Big Dipper Seven Stars battle formation—...

Even if Ning Zhuo had participated in two national wars, he did not have such battle formation attainments. It was all obtained from his burning soul crossing the boat.

The zheng sound stopped abruptly.

The bamboo puppets that were fighting each other froze at the moment of the fight, and the bamboo puppets that formed the battle formation maintained a strict array, they stood motionless, waiting for the commander's next order.

Ning Zhuo slowly opened his eyes, his eyes were bright, and his heart was clear and joyful.

The guzheng musical technique had been mastered to the extreme, with nearly a hundred years of hard work.

The profound meaning of the "Mother Tone Reed Book" was also fully reflected in the just-concluded practice.

Not only that, Ning Zhuo also realized the subsequent auxiliary tones, and even created related auxiliary tone bamboo puppet dolls. These dolls also performed well in the just-concluded practice.

"Next, I should be able to win Qing Huangzi's Cloud-Raising Trial."

"Hmm?"

Not long after, Ning Zhuo looked at Qing Huangzi's letter, his expression a bit complicated.

"I have invested a lot in this matter, and in the end, Qing Huangzi actually wants to take the initiative to give me this inheritance?"

Ning Zhuo deeply realized the good effect of his high-profile actions and rising reputation.

"This is a good thing."

"It can save me a lot of time."

"With this time, I can learn more other things."

"Wait a minute—"

Ning Zhuo's eyes narrowed slightly, and his expression became deep.