Chapter 748: Must latch onto Unlike Ning Zhuo

Green Bamboo Peak.

Inside the cave dwelling, Qing Huangzi looked solemn. Before the spirit tablet, he explained the general situation of his lineage's inheritance to Unlike Ning Zhuo.

Empty Valley Note Green Mechanism Tube!

This was the name of this mechanism inheritance.

Its original source was the Bamboo Mountain Sect.

This sect no longer existed. At the time, the sect's mountain gate was under attack. The enemy's methods were highly sophisticated, inducing internal strife within the sect. Before they could even engage the enemy, they fled, leaving behind several cultivators loyal to the sect who were willing to die in battle.

The number of cultivators was too small; the defensive line was broken through all the way, and they finally retreated into the bamboo forest in the valley.

At the critical moment of survival, two of the surviving cultivators—one proficient in music, the other skilled in mechanisms—coordinated with each other. They rapidly modified the bamboo forest, turning certain segments of bamboo into sound whistles.

When the enemy forcefully broke in, the cultivators triggered a formation, whipping up a great wind that swept through the bamboo forest. Taking advantage of the momentum, the sound of the bamboo whistles erupted, sending out countless sound blades that circled the bamboo stalks, killing the enemy until the ground was covered in blood.

The enemy charged several times but could not overcome them, suffering heavy losses.

There was a way to deal with it, which was to uproot the bamboo forest, leaving the opponents with nothing to rely on. But the leader considered that these bamboos were all spirit plants of great value, so they preferred to endure and plan slowly.

The Bamboo Mountain Sect's main mountain gate had been breached, leaving only this valley behind.

At that time, war was the main theme of the entire Cultivation World. After the leader occupied this territory, facing various external pressures, they had less and less energy to seize the final valley and bamboo forest.

Ever since the Bamboo Mountain Sect fell into internal strife and scattered, it had effectively perished.

Every once in a while, the leader would dispatch several experts to the valley's bamboo forest to persuade them to surrender. During the persuasion process, sparring and competition were inevitable.

Both sides used the wind-whistle bamboo forest to engage in many battles of offense and defense. Some were mere tests that stopped at the right time, while others resulted in casualties and ignited true fury.

Under such constant tempering, the elders in the valley cooperated fully, constantly innovating. They took the initial inspiration from the wind-whistle bamboo forest and gradually delved deeper, developing a complete set of things.

Afterwards, this set of things was passed down from generation to generation, constantly innovating. By the time it reached Qing Huangzi's hands, he was already the twenty-eighth generation.

Qing Huangzi stared seriously into Unlike Ning Zhuo's eyes: "Unlike Ning Zhuo, you are the twenty-ninth generation successor of this Empty Valley Note Green Mechanism Tube!"

"Our inheritance does not belong to the Myriad Phenomena Sect. On the contrary, it was only after the Myriad Phenomena Sect annexed the sect of the previous generation's successor that the current situation arose."

"However, there is nothing bad about being in the Myriad Phenomena Sect. Many times, it was with the help of the Myriad Phenomena Sect that the inheritance was preserved and not lost."

"In this long inheritance, we have also had existences at the Soul Transformation level. It's just that they had other primary cultivation techniques."

"The predecessors who truly fully cultivated this inheritance reached the Nascent Soul level at their highest. According to today's terminology, this is a Nascent Soul-level inheritance."

Speaking of this, Qing Huangzi sighed: "I see that you have achieved Foundation Establishment and have other primary cultivation techniques. That doesn't matter. As long as you successfully swear an oath before the statue, firstly, to properly safeguard this inheritance and find the most excellent successor whenever possible; and secondly, if possible, to do your best to perfect, improve, and carry forward this inheritance."

"Unlike Ning Zhuo, your cultivation talent is far stronger than mine. Youthful spirit, flourishing like the morning sun. Being young is truly good."

"I also have self-knowledge, you can rest assured about that. Therefore, you don't need to worry about inheriting this inheritance and having to acknowledge me as your master."

The relationship between master and disciple is extraordinary!

This kind of strong social connection sometimes even surpasses blood kinship.

In a super sect like the Myriad Phenomena Sect, there are many factions, too many people, and various interests intertwined, making the internal situation very complex.

Only when Unlike Ning Zhuo truly acknowledges a master in the future will he be considered to have thoroughly joined a certain faction.

"I obtained the token, and the talent and aptitude I displayed made Qing Huangzi not even dare to take me as a disciple."

"This should also be considered one of the benefits of my choice to be high-profile."

If it were before, and Unlike Ning Zhuo hadn't displayed enough excellence, Qing Huangzi would very likely have required his successor to acknowledge him as master.

Acknowledging a master early would be a major loss for Unlike Ning Zhuo!

After all, Qing Huangzi's personal combat power and the connections behind him were too weak; he himself was not a Jin Dan true disciple. From this perspective, he belonged to a marginal figure outside the power layer of the Myriad Phenomena Sect.

Unlike Ning Zhuo faced the statue.

The statue's posture was quite peculiar, different from most statues.

He knelt on one knee, wearing a Chi-pattern hair-binding crown, with three strands of bronze hair hanging down in front of his forehead, the ends of the hair cut straight as if sliced by a sharp blade. His left palm held half a frosty blade horizontally in front of his chest, with the severed hair wrapped around the sword's spine.

Unlike Ning Zhuo recognized it; it was precisely the Sword Lord of Severed Hair.

During his lifetime, his deeds of severing his hair to keep his oath were already famous throughout the world. Now, over a thousand years had passed, and it was still widely circulated; it could be said that his name would go down in history.

Unlike Ning Zhuo raised his left hand in a sword finger, imitating a sword blade, held horizontally at his neck.

After chanting the god's name, he immediately triggered the statue's power.

He saw the statue emit a firm white light, which condensed in mid-air to form a round mirror. The edge of the mirror was embedded with nine hundred and ninety-nine copper nails, and the mirror surface reflected a clear image of Unlike Ning Zhuo, the one taking the oath.

Unlike Ning Zhuo faced the statue and finished the oath.

The divine light mirror split into two streams; one entered Unlike Ning Zhuo's body, and the other submerged into the statue.

The radiance dissipated immediately.

Qing Huangzi witnessed the whole process. Seeing that Unlike Ning Zhuo had successfully taken the oath, he let out a breath of turbid air and said with joy: "Good, very good."

Afterwards, he led Unlike Ning Zhuo to the inner chamber, handed over a dozen jade slips to Unlike Ning Zhuo, along with three storage bags.

"These bags contain the necessary items for cultivation; they can be considered the foundation of our inheritance."

"I don't have much time left, and keeping them for my own cultivation won't have much effect."

"Besides these, the greatest wealth is this Green Bamboo Peak."

Qing Huangzi sighed and looked at the floor tiles under his feet: "This mountain peak was originally the property of our lineage, tracing back to the eleventh-generation successor."

"The Myriad Phenomena Sect annexed his sect and also moved this mountain peak inside."

"Now, this mountain peak is only rented by us. The various spirit bamboos on the mountain are also the result of the painstaking management and planting of our successive successors."

"The geology, water quality, and formations here are all very mature; it is the best place for raising bamboo."

"In the future, when I pass away, you must immediately report it, handle the handover, and rent this mountain peak. These spirit bamboos all over the mountain are cultivation resources suitable for you."

"Cough, cough, cough."

Speaking of this, Qing Huangzi looked sickly and coughed incessantly.

He was truly old and frail. Before, he was just holding on in public. Now that Unlike Ning Zhuo had become his successor, he no longer hid it, coughing continuously as the aura of death spread.

Unlike Ning Zhuo opened his mouth, just about to speak.

Qing Huangzi smiled bitterly, waved his hand and said: "Just go. After you exchanged for the stone token, I investigated you. Although the information is limited and only recorded your actions since coming to the Myriad Phenomena Sect, it made me very reassured."

"You have such talent, yet you are still so hardworking. That you can achieve such accomplishments at your young age is for a reason."

"Staying by my side will only limit you. You would also feel uncomfortable, right?"

"Go, go, do as your heart desires. I will stand the last watch for you at Green Bamboo Peak."

Having completed the sect inheritance, Qing Huangzi had fulfilled his greatest wish, and the breath he had been holding on to dissipated.

Unlike Ning Zhuo looked solemn. After bowing deeply, he turned and left in silence.

It was obvious that Qing Huangzi did not have much time left.

These were the last days of his life; let him choose his own way to leave. This was the final decency of a cultivator, and also his dignity.

Unlike Ning Zhuo set up several tables of banquet at the Precious Delicacies Tower, inviting the cultivators who had participated in the Cloud-Rising Trial together.

Unlike Ning Zhuo sat in the main seat, dressed in a plain white robe, his expression gentle, with a faint smile on the corners of his mouth.

During the banquet, cups were exchanged, the atmosphere was warm, and soon the many cultivators present were all flushed with excitement.

Chen San's voice carried a unique oily tone as he took the initiative to toast Unlike Ning Zhuo: "Young Master Ning! Oh my, today I have truly opened my eyes. We people are struggling to tinker with some small gadgets, but in front of you, it's truly like fireflies compared to the bright moon; we are nothing at all!"

He sighed exaggeratedly, drawing a round of echoing laughter from the banquet.

"Yes, yes," a stranger cultivator stood up, emboldened by the wine, "Young Master Ning, you use sound control to command many bamboo puppet figures; why is it so outstanding? You command them to be like an elite force that has fought a hundred battles? I clearly observed carefully and could see that you only used the content in the 'Mother Note Reed Book'."

Although Unlike Ning Zhuo had already deduced the "Consonant Reed Book", he deliberately held back and did not use it.

According to Qing Huangzi's rules, these were actually not forbidden.

But in order to make everyone convinced and to solidify his reputation, Unlike Ning Zhuo only used the "Mother Note Reed Book".

Unlike Ning Zhuo smiled slightly, put down his jade chopsticks, and his voice was clear and calm: "You all overpraise me. The essence of 'sound control', in my humble opinion, lies in the 'harmony of qi and the smoothness of melody', rather than blindly demanding the penetration of spiritual power—"

The cultivator who asked the question probably didn't expect that Unlike Ning Zhuo would really offer guidance, and in such detail.

The more he listened, the more fascinated he became, and there were others in the same situation as him.

Thus, the lively banquet quickly became quiet, and only the sound of the wind outside the window, the clamor in the restaurant outside the private room, and the rustling sound of the beetles in Jiang Xiaobian's bamboo tube could be heard.

When Unlike Ning Zhuo finished speaking, the cultivator who asked for advice felt like he had obtained a treasure and bowed deeply with excitement: "Thank you, Young Master Ning, for your guidance! Golden words of wisdom, truly enlightening!"

"I dare not accept such praise. It is just an exchange of ideas." Unlike Ning Zhuo smiled.

Jiang Xiaobian gritted her teeth, unable to endure, and asked the second question.

Unlike Ning Zhuo smiled: "It is normal for Fellow Daoist Jiang to have this doubt. As I see it—"

He not only answered Jiang Xiaobian's question but also commented on her beetle bamboo puppets, praising them highly.

Jiang Xiaobian hadn't been drinking, but her small face was flushed red from Unlike Ning Zhuo's praise.

The lingering resentment from her previous clash with Unlike Ning Zhuo was already minimal, and now it had completely vanished. Moreover, she felt great admiration for Unlike Ning Zhuo in her heart: "He only fought me once, yet he saw through many weaknesses of my beetle bamboo puppets. He is truly a first-class genius!"

After Jiang Xiaobian, everyone asked questions one after another.

Unlike Ning Zhuo spoke eloquently, explaining profound things in simple terms, without the slightest arrogance in his words. The precise comments he made off the cuff and the solutions that went straight to the point made the questioning cultivators feel like they had obtained treasures.

The banquet evolved into a mechanism art exchange meeting.

Unlike Ning Zhuo didn't just teach; he also asked other cultivators for advice. Patch Sun was the first one; when asked, he stood up directly, his face full of being flattered.

By the time the banquet ended, everyone was still not satisfied.

A sharp glint flashed in Chen San's eyes, and the smile on his face was much warmer and more sincere than before: "A casual word of guidance from Young Master Ning is enough for us to ponder for half a lifetime! If Young Master Ning has any errands in the future, I, Chen San, will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

The atmosphere at the banquet changed subtly because of these words.

Unlike Ning Zhuo nodded with a smile: "Fellow Daoists, you are too polite. The way of mechanisms is vast; only by verifying with each other can we improve. Today's trial also made me gain a lot—"

Chen San obviously wanted to attach himself to Unlike Ning Zhuo.

Unlike Ning Zhuo did not directly refuse, nor did he agree on the spot, which made Chen San, who had taken the initiative to defect and had been standing, feel a bit awkward.

But at this moment, a waiter from the restaurant brought over a food box.

Unlike Ning Zhuo pointed to the food box and said warmly: "Today, there was one person missing at the banquet. Fellow Daoist Ah Huo has a fiery temperament; he must have been unable to let go of his pride. This 'Eight-Treasure Rare Bird Stew' from the Precious Delicacies Tower is a unique delicacy, rich in spiritual energy, and best for nourishing blood and qi. I trouble Brother Chen San to make a trip for me after the banquet and bring it to Ah Huo."

Chen San was stunned, a look of surprise appeared on his face, and he immediately patted his chest to agree: "Young Master, rest assured! Leave it to me! You are truly—magnanimous!"

Unlike Ning Zhuo smiled slightly: "By the way, tell him that today's sparring was not satisfying enough. I am always ready to welcome him to challenge me again. His mechanism bamboo puppets actually have quite a unique aspect."

After the banquet dispersed, Chen San took the food box and immediately found Huo Nian'er.

"What? Unlike Ning Zhuo actually remembered me and brought this specifically for me?" Ah Huo felt extremely surprised; clearly, he had offended Unlike Ning Zhuo in public during the Cloud-Rising Trial.

When Chen San relayed Unlike Ning Zhuo's words with sincerity, Ah Huo's face was first stunned, then turned into deep complexity.

He opened the food box, looked at the delicacies overflowing with spiritual energy inside, was stunned for a moment, and then fiercely wiped his face.

He gritted his teeth and said: "To be honest, I am indeed not reconciled; my bamboo puppets didn't exert their proper strength at all."

"But Unlike Ning Zhuo—Young Master, he still agreed to spar with me. He—thinks highly of me!"

Speaking of this, Ah Huo's voice trembled slightly, his fists clenched, his face full of the joy of being respected.

Chen San took in Ah Huo's expression, sighing in his heart: "Tsk, Young Master Ning—this kind of skill, it really makes people unable to even muster the strength to be jealous."

After bidding farewell to Ah Huo, Chen San flew toward the Bluestone Cave Dwelling with excitement.

He wanted to report to Unlike Ning Zhuo overnight.

"Even if he refuses to see me, I will stand outside the cave dwelling and wait for the night!"

"A genius like him is rare to begin with, and one with such skills is even rarer; he must be a descendant of a great clan!"

"If I don't do my best to latch onto such a thigh, I would be letting myself down."

Chen San had considerable self-knowledge; he knew that according to his aptitude, he would at most be hovering at the Foundation Establishment stage. Attaching himself to a strong person would be a more possible way out than self-cultivation! ===== CHAPTER 749 =====