Chapter 754: Ning and Ban Game

The Zhu family's messenger did not hide anything, and his voice, urged by magic, formed rolling sound waves, rushing toward all directions.

Soon, Shen Xi and Lin Jinglong saw Situ Xing flying out.

Situ Xing frowned tightly, staring at the visitor, and sneered: "How bold! Is Zhu Fenxiang stupid from believing in gods? Does she think she can defeat me?"

"Hehehe, very good, very good."

"Since she is so overestimating her own strength, I accept this challenge!"

Situ Xing had to accept.

The Zhu family and the Situ family were mortal enemies. Nowadays, among the cultivators participating in the Flying Cloud Assembly, Situ Xing and Zhu Fenxiang were both the facade representatives of the Foundation Establishment stage.

If Situ Xing avoided the battle, he would inevitably implicate the family's reputation. Standing in his position, he could not avoid the battle, let the world look down on him and the Situ family, and bring shame to the family.

The messenger pushed slowly and saw with his own eyes the flying letter fall into Situ Xing's hands.

He was expressionless and turned to fly away directly.

Situ Xing's spiritual sense quickly scanned the challenge letter; the content was very simple, expressing Zhu Fenxiang's anger and strong fighting spirit.

But until now, Situ Xing hadn't figured out why the other party suddenly became furious and wanted to deal with him.

"Zhu Fenxiang and I have fought many times, and we have had wins and losses."

"This time, she came to deal with me; what new confidence does she have?"

Situ Xing thought while looking at Shen Xi and Lin Jinglong.

Shen and Lin flew slowly in front of Situ Xing.

Lin Jinglong said with a worried face: "Fellow Daoist Situ, since you have accepted Zhu Fenxiang's challenge, then postpone the battle with Unlike Ning Zhuo."

★co

"There is no need to fight on two fronts and increase risks in vain."

Situ Xing snorted coldly: "Zhu Fenxiang and I exchanged for the stone token in the same batch. This time she suddenly challenged me, which cannot be underestimated. Unlike Ning Zhuo is lucky! Let him go for now."

Situ Xing had to turn his direction and concentrate on dealing with the strong enemy who came to his door.

He pursed his lips tightly, revealing unwillingness, was silent for a few breaths, narrowed his eyes, and secretly pondered: "What madness is Zhu Fenxiang having? Just when I was about to find trouble with Unlike Ning Zhuo, she intervened?"

"I must first find out the reason for this!"

Situ Xing's plan was exactly Shen Xi's plan.

After bidding farewell to Situ Xing, he immediately dispatched subordinates to explore the reason for Zhu Fenxiang's active challenge this time.

Zhu Fenxiang had never hidden anything, and the process of the messenger delivering the letter was all fanfare.

Shen Xi soon investigated the reason.

Lin Jinglong laughed lightly: "Fellow Daoist Situ paid a price for his true temperament, haha."

Situ Xing also fell into silence for this reason.

He didn't expect that Zhu Fenxiang came to him because of a poem he wrote.

He did have an impression of this poem.

It was when he won the first place in the third Cloud-Rising Trial and confirmed that he could exchange for the stone token, he was drinking in a restaurant, and when he was in high spirits, he wrote a poem on the wall.

A line in the poem, "The ancient sheath still retains the traces of night flames, the new blade thirsts to drink the brilliance of the galaxy," violated a taboo, making Zhu Fenxiang, who happened to come to this restaurant, furious, and she directly destroyed this wall.

Zhu Fenxiang even scolded on the spot, declaring that she would definitely make Situ Xing look good.

"It seems it has nothing to do with Unlike Ning Zhuo." Discovering that it was a disaster he caused himself, Situ Xing could only admit his bad luck, "At present, I can only deal with Zhu Fenxiang first, and then draw my hand to solve this threat of Unlike Ning Zhuo."

Lin Jinglong felt that he had watched a good show.

Shen Xi was suspicious, digging deep into the information behind the scenes, and detailedly explored the situation that night.

He found that it was a waiter in the restaurant who loudly recited the poem, loudly publicized the situation of Situ Xing writing the poem while drunk to the surrounding diners, and recited the poem in public.

Zhu Fenxiang herself was in a private room and didn't see the poem, but hearing the noise outside, the shop waiter was proud of Situ Xing's poem, which made her break out and destroy the wall in anger.

"Investigate this little waiter in the shop for me." Shen Xi secretly gave the order.

Chiyu Peak.

In the quiet room of the cave dwelling, the statue and tablet of the "Dull Thunder God" were enshrined.

Green smoke curled in the incense burner, and the light was dim.

The Blind Fool wore simple hemp clothes, knelt on the futon with his thin hands together on his chest, whispering, praying devoutly.

After a while, the Blind Fool stopped whispering, and his voice raised: "You have been standing at the door for a while. If you have anything to say, come in."

Thus, a man and a woman, both middle-aged, pushed the door and entered.

"Father." The middle-aged man and woman said in unison.

They were the Blind Fool's biological children.

The son said: "Father, I heard that you want to agree to Unlike Ning Zhuo's request to participate in our Cloud-Rising Trial halfway?"

The Blind Fool didn't change his posture, still kneeling on the ground, facing the statue.

His children saw that they didn't get a response from their father, and immediately understood, both kneeling behind the Fool.

The Fool then said: "Not bad. This child Unlike Ning Zhuo passed the three questions of questioning the heart in the Evil-Punishing Hall and passed Qing Huangzi's trial, already having four first places, his reputation matches his reality, and his righteousness is awe-inspiring. Such good material, if he can obtain the Blind Fool Divine Art, it is also a witness to the glory of my god."

"Doesn't my family hold the Cloud-Rising Trial to spread the name of the god?"

"The stronger this child Unlike Ning Zhuo becomes in the future, the greater the influence of my god will be."

Hearing this answer, the children looked at each other, their faces full of worry.

The son's body tightened, he took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound steady and earnest: "Father, this matter must be thought over three times."

"Unlike Ning Zhuo is indeed talented and popular, but—Seeing Ban Ji is also no mediocrity!"

"Seeing Ban Ji has been devoutly participating since the first round of our Cloud-Rising Trial, constantly cultivating hard, only seeking the favor of my god."

"Unlike Ning Zhuo cutting the line now is the greatest injustice to Seeing Ban Ji!"

"Unlike Ning Zhuo refused Ban Jie's reconciliation in public, which shows how young and arrogant he is, looking down on everyone. He is now famous, like cooking oil with fire; if he is not careful, he will burn himself."

"He is an outsider, how can he fight against the Ban family?"

"The two of them are fighting, we don't need to get involved, Father."

Before the Blind Fool could speak, his daughter immediately took over, her body leaning forward slightly: "Brother is right! Father, rules are the foundation of standing. We host the Cloud-Rising Trial; if we break the rules for one person, how will outsiders look at our family in the future?"

The Blind Fool was silent for a moment: "Anything else?"

The son gritted his teeth, his tone becoming low: "Father, you often teach us to plan for descendants and plan for the mountain!"

"Our family has had blood feuds for generations, and the road ahead is full of thorns. What we need is not to make enemies everywhere, but to make friends and accumulate every bit of potential power! The Ban family, even if they cannot become allies, must never become enemies!"

The Blind Fool: "Then how do you know that Unlike Ning Zhuo and the force behind him are weaker than the Ban family? If I refuse his request, isn't that also making an enemy?"

The daughter's face was stern: "Father, the Ban family is in our country, Unlike Ning Zhuo's background, whether it is a family or a sect, is beyond reach. And—"

Speaking of this, the daughter changed to spiritual sense transmission: "Father, you want to spread the name of the god, but there is no need to drag our whole family into it." 【754-70

"The Foolish Thunder God has indeed helped our clan a great deal and is a massive aid to the 'Mountain Moving' grand plan. But—"

"He has only recently become a god, still possesses much humanity, has a slight blood connection to our family, and still remembers old affections."

The daughter paused, gathered her courage, and continued: "Divinity is eternal, but humanity is fleeting! In the long years, after several years or decades, what then?"

"When his humanity fades, leaving only cold divinity, will the Foolish Thunder God still help our clan fight the Mountain God?"

The son also interjected, transmitting his thoughts with a sense of righteous indignation: "Father, in my view, if we truly want to 'move the mountain' and complete the ancestors' unfinished ambition, it cannot rely on the gifts or passing whims of gods, but on the continuation of our Yu family bloodline!"

"It relies on the resilience, planning, and never-ending struggle of generation after generation!"

"By introducing Unlike Ning Zhuo to spread the god's name, can it really help our clan's grand plan?"

"Making an exception for Unlike Ning Zhuo and offending the Ban family—to put it mildly, it reduces our family's room for development. To put it severely, it is destroying the very foundation of our family!"

The blind Foolish Old Man, standing with his back to his children, had a vein bulge on his forehead.

He remained silent for a long time, so long that the ash on the incense in the burner had accumulated into a long segment.

His children, in this heavy atmosphere, no longer dared to speak.

Only the sound of heavy breathing remained in the quiet room.

"Heh." The blind Foolish Old Man suddenly chuckled, the sound dry and desolate, like withered branches rubbing together in a cold wind.

He still did not turn around, only transmitting his thoughts: "You two grew up right under my nose; how could you possibly have such insight?"

"Speak. What benefits did the Ban family give you?"

The bodies of the son and daughter shuddered in unison.

The daughter swallowed hard and said with difficulty: "Father—"

The son, however, knelt down heavily, his voice choked with sobs as he pleaded: "Father! We, we did receive benefits. We dared not hide it from you!"

"But we are also truly thinking of the family."

"How many years has it been since our Yu family migrated into the Wanxiang Sect? Living under someone else's roof, the family has never had much development."

"The Ban family is powerful, and their envoy came with a tone—not very friendly."

"Father! You are the sky of our family! If you are here, the Ban family still has some reservations. But, but once you ascend—our Yu family will be like a dilapidated house without a pillar, swaying in the wind and rain! The Ban family only needs a gentle push—what, what do we have to resist with?"

Hearing this, the blind Foolish Old Man's expression faltered.

The daughter also began to wail: "Father! Please, for the sake of our ancestors, for the sake of the 'Mountain Moving' grand cause, leave us, your unfilial descendants, a way to survive! We—we cannot stand against the Ban family at this time!"

The blind Foolish Old Man's straight back was crushed down by an inch at this moment.

His empty eye sockets "gazed" toward the incense stand, revealing a sense of bewilderment and bitterness.

The statue of the Foolish Thunder God looked down at him coldly. The blue smoke from the incense burner swirled before him, like his own scattered and icy state of mind.

He remained silent for a long time, finally letting out a sigh.

This sigh was long and heavy, as if it had exhausted all his energy and spirit.

The sound of the sigh echoed in the quiet room, making the already dim interior feel even more oppressive.

"With children like this, how can we speak of family prosperity?" The blind Foolish Old Man's words made his son and daughter blush with shame.

"Enough. My days are indeed numbered. The family will have to be managed by you in the future; let it be as you wish."

The daughter's sobbing quieted down significantly.

The son's Adam's apple bobbed as he spoke with difficulty: "Father—"

Several hours later.

Blue Stone Cave Dwelling.

Chen San kept his hands pressed against the seams of his trousers, his upper body slightly bowed, his head lowered respectfully toward Unlike Ning Zhuo.

His report had just concluded.

He brought Unlike Ning Zhuo one piece of good news and one piece of bad news.

Unlike Ning Zhuo pondered: "The blind Foolish Old Man refused my invitation; it seems that in his 'Rising Clouds' trial, Seeing Ban Ji is certain to take first place."

"In that case, he has also accumulated three first-place finishes and can exchange for a stone tablet."

Chen San hurriedly said: "Even so, Seeing Ban Ji is considered late; he is no longer recognized as part of the first wave, and cannot be compared to you, Young Master."

Unlike Ning Zhuo shook his head: "Seeing Ban Ji's strength and talent are undoubtedly top-tier; there is no doubt about that."

Chen San immediately replied: "It is still your methods, Young Master, that are superior, kicking him out of Qing Huangzi's 'Rising Clouds' trial. Your subordinate tried his best but couldn't even see the blind Foolish Old Man; I have failed your trust and handled the matter poorly. I am truly ashamed. Please, Young Master, punish me!"

Unlike Ning Zhuo couldn't help but chuckle: "Chen San, you are a rogue cultivator by origin; why are you so reserved?"

Chen San did not miss any opportunity to flatter: "If it were anyone else, I would indeed have a bit of a lax attitude. But in front of you, Young Master, I don't know why, but I am completely convinced and dare not have the slightest bit of negligence or sloppiness."

Unlike Ning Zhuo raised a hand: "Enough. Am I the kind of person who doesn't know what's important? The matter with the Foolish Old Man is not your fault; it must be that the Ban family acted in advance to block it."

"Just as I took precautions against Situ Xing in advance."

Chen San looked up, "bravely" staring at Unlike Ning Zhuo so that Unlike Ning Zhuo could see the look of worship on his face: "Young Master, you plan strategies and win battles from a thousand miles away. I acted according to your instructions, which is what made Zhu Fenxiang angry enough to go and pester Situ Xing. You are truly brilliant, too brilliant!"

Unlike Ning Zhuo shook his head slightly, looking at Chen San with a burning gaze: "I only gave you the order; the specifics of how to do it were all up to your improvisation on the spot."

"You did well this time, being able to mobilize the restaurant staff to recite poetry at the right moment. With a gentle push, you brought this about, leaving very few traces. Tell me, what reward do you want?"

Chen San immediately knelt on one knee: "Young Master, this subordinate dares not claim credit. The reason I thought of using Situ Xing's poem was entirely because you pointed out many areas that could be utilized when you gave the order. This poem was one of them!"

"This subordinate only ran errands and followed your orders, and it succeeded easily."

"How could this subordinate dare to ask for any reward? Being able to continue serving under you is the greatest reward!"

Chen San's flattering words were smooth and practiced.

He changed the subject, showing a look of hesitation: "It's just that the restaurant staff member, because of the poem, was knocked unconscious by Zhu Fenxiang in public. The restaurant suffered losses and dismissed him. Right now, he is lying in bed with severe injuries; it is the perfect time to take action—"

Unlike Ning Zhuo immediately showed a serious expression, his voice turning cold and hard: "No."

"I am a member of a righteous sect; how could I do such a sinister thing?"

"Arrange for this staff member to be moved, send him away from the Wanxiang Sect's main mountain gate, preferably out of the country. I will cover the expenses; there is no need for any concerns in this regard!"