Chapter 127: Guard Against Arrogance and Impatience

The morning light illuminated Fiery Persimmon Immortal City.

Wisps of clouds and mist intertwined around the mountain peak, yet they could not muffle the increasingly frequent, rumbling explosions.

The Lava Immortal Palace had been blasted out into the world for some time now, and a growing number of those in the know began to realize in their hearts: "Is that immortal palace stirring into turmoil once more?"

Meng Kui looked down upon the immortal palace, quietly watching as crimson-flamed fierce beasts emerged in a continuous stream, repeatedly assaulting the palace's defensive lines.

The Ning family.

The Ning Family Patriarch gazed fixedly at the mountain summit, and after a long while, he received a report delivered by the head of the clan.

"The two Golden Core cultivators of the Zhou family and the two Golden Core cultivators of the Zheng family are wagering against each other in a bet, and both sides have entered the formation?"

"What a coincidence?"

The Ning Family Patriarch shook his head slightly. Regardless of whether this intelligence was true or false, he decided to investigate it in person.

Ever since Meng Kui sealed off the lightning and took personal command of the situation, the Ning Family Patriarch had not ventured into the immortal palace for a very long time.

"Why hasn't Big Brother Sun replied to me?"

More than half the night had already passed, yet Ning Zhuo still had not received any reply from Sun Lingtong.

He furrowed his brow deeply; this situation was highly unusual.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Ning Zhuo paced back and forth inside his room.

After walking several circles, he summoned a household servant: "There is quite a commotion up at the mountain peak. What is going on?"

"Go and make inquiries! If there is any other important news, report it to me as well!"

Not long after, the servant brought back the sensational news circulating in the marketplace.

Ning Zhuo obtained what he desired.

"Zhu Xuanji sought out Big Brother Sun?"

"Big Brother Sun deliberately spread the battle record of how he forced Zhu Xuanji to retreat, in order to let me know his current true situation."

"Big Brother Sun originates from the Voidless Sect and possesses the Emptiness Seal. Even if Zhu Xuanji abandons his principles and loses all shame, forcibly searching his soul without any evidence will yield nothing at all!"

"Yet he still refuses to reply to me. Exactly what has happened?"

Ning Zhuo's brows were tightly knitted. "I'll just wait and see for now!"

Trusting one another—this was an agreement the two of them shared, and also a tacit understanding cultivated since a dozen years ago.

At that time, Ning Zhuo was only two years old.

One day, Sun Lingtong returned nursing injuries.

"What are you doing?"

He discovered that Ning Zhuo was tending to a tiny parcel, and his expression instantly darkened.

From that parcel, he spotted supplies meant for entering the Crimson Flame Demon Cavern.

Ning Zhuo cried out in pleasant surprise: "Little Sun Brother, you're back! I was just about to go looking for you!"

"Ouch!"

Sun Lingtong could not help but flick Ning Zhuo squarely on the forehead.

"I went to collapse the Crimson Flame Demon Cavern because I have the ability to do so!"

"What were you planning to go there for? To feed the fierce beasts?"

"Utterly ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth, making a reckless disturbance!"

With his chubby little hand, Ning Zhuo covered his big forehead and said aggrievedly: "B-But Little Sun Brother, you've been gone for so long this time! You've actually been missing for a full seven days!"

Sun Lingtong's expression inevitably sank.

After his injuries healed, every once in a while, he would sneak into the Crimson Flame Demon Cavern to search for any trace of his master, but without any results.

This time, the middle section of the tunnel he entered had collapsed.

Fortunately, Sun Lingtong had been on his way back at the time and decisively used Void-Crossing Arts in succession, barely managing to force his way through the collapsed section and save his life.

Only, finding the Lava Immortal Palace next would not be easy.

He would have to survey and map out a correct path all over again.

Of course, there was no need to pour these worries into the ears of a two-year-old child.

Sun Lingtong patted his own chest, beamed a smile at Ning Zhuo, and said: "You have to trust me. Your big brother here is very strong, you know."

"How about this? From now on, let's agree on a ten-day limit."

"Within ten days, I will definitely return!"

"Therefore, as long as it doesn't exceed ten days, you don't need to worry! I'll definitely be fine!"

Ning Zhuo gave a weak "Oh": "I understand."

"When you went down into the tunnel this time, did you find your master?"

Sun Lingtong replied: "Although I didn't see my master, I left some talisman papers along the passageway. If Master comes out of the palace, he should be able to sense them. Cough, cough!"

Sun Lingtong's breathing turned weaker. "I sustained internal injuries this time. Please brew some medicinal broth for me; here is the medicinal formula, I urgently need to replenish my Qi!"

Ning Zhuo looked at the formula and found that some medicinal ingredients were missing, so he went out and bought some back.

After inspecting them, Sun Lingtong discovered that many of them were fake medicines.

After getting Ning Zhuo to explain the entire process of how he bought the medicine, he shook his head helplessly and instructed: "You're just a child, yet you went to small-time street vendors with your face covered—anyone could tell you had issues!"

"Next time, go to a large apothecary, go openly and aboveboard, and pull out your Ning family waist-token!"

"Just claim you are buying medicine for an adult in your household, and no one will make things difficult for you; in fact, they will even give you genuine medicinal ingredients!"

"Although you are very clever, you severely lack experience in doing things!"

People from the Ning family had arrived!

The visitor smiled genially, speaking to Ning Zhuo in soft, gentle words, yet attempting to trick him into signing a contract.

Sun Lingtong had already found out about this matter beforehand and had instructed Ning Zhuo on all the solutions.

Following the plan, Ning Zhuo lured his eldest uncle, Ning Ze, over.

With a face as cold as frost, Ning Ze personally stepped forward and hurled stern reprimands, ruining the visitor's scheme.

However, after the incident, he failed to keep Wang Lan under control.

The latter ran over to the Ancestral Hall and kicked up a massive fuss, leaving the relevant family elders unable to step down on the spot, completely stripping them of their dignity.

Ning Zhuo said to Sun Lingtong: "With the matter blown up to this extent, I'm afraid I'll soon have to go live with my eldest uncle. Sigh, I don't want to do that at all!"

Yet Sun Lingtong patted his shoulder and comforted him: "Rest assured, your household registration transfer won't succeed."

"I'm afraid you'll be staying right here for a long time!"

Ning Zhuo asked out of curiosity: "Why?"

Sun Lingtong explained: "On the surface, the elder of the Ancestral Hall was stripped of his position, but he remains a family elder. Hailing from the main branch and possessing deep-rooted connections, this is merely a superficial gesture to put him in cold storage for now; he will surely rise again in the future."

"Your eldest uncle's wife made this scene, causing the Ancestral Hall to lose a great deal of prestige, but the Ning family's branch lineages lack a powerful figure or faction to compel the Ancestral Hall to alter its conduct!"

"Therefore, there is a high probability that the Ancestral Hall will refuse to admit its wrongs and will push the matter through to the bitter end, testing the reaction of the Ning family's branch lineages!"

"If the reaction is not fierce, they will simply withhold your household registration as a warning to others. Although you will eventually be transferred to your eldest uncle's household, they will definitely drag it out for as long as possible."

"Your eldest uncle's wife botched this matter! Though she might not have done it intentionally!"

Ning Zhuo opened his mouth slightly, listening in utter bewilderment.

Watching his foolish expression, Sun Lingtong patted his shoulder: "This is the world of adults!"

"You are far too young—you're only two years old!"

"Even though you are very clever, adults are crafty!"

"There is still a great deal for you to learn!"

"For instance, do you know the differences between gangs, families, sects, and nations? Are you clear on how these powers operate?"

Ning Zhuo could only shake his head, asking in bafflement: "Are these things important?"

Sun Lingtong wore an expression of utmost solemnity: "Extremely important."

Then, he smiled: "Come, let me explain it to you in detail."

Ning Zhuo sighed inwardly!

The knowledge of factions and powers that Sun Lingtong had popularized for him remained vivid in his mind, echoing persistently in his ears as if it had all happened just yesterday.

"Gangs are, for the vast majority, driven primarily by profit. The first-generation leader of the Monkey Head Gang possessed formidable personal charisma, but he is already dead!"

"The second-generation leader, Yuan Er, struggles to command obedience, especially after the demise of Yuan Dasheng!"

"Externally, there are old remnants of past enemies bearing deep grudges, lurking in the shadows and waiting for an opportunity for revenge."

"Internally, powerful elders refuse to submit to Yuan Er and covet the leader's throne!"

"Yuan Er is besieged by troubles both internal and external!"

"Since Big Brother Sun hasn't responded yet, I will deploy my forces and arrange my formations first!"

While waiting for Sun Lingtong's reply, Ning Zhuo remotely controlled the Tree Martial Battle Ape Dasheng, attempting to infiltrate the Monkey Head Gang's encampment.

He was already quite familiar with the Monkey Head Gang's territory.

As a result, with just a tentative try, he succeeded.

He guided the Tree Martial Battle Ape Dasheng to smoothly enter the inner perimeter of the encampment, bringing it very close to Yuan Er.

"I never expected the defenses of the Monkey Head Gang's base to be so lax."

"Suffering a crushing defeat at the Fiery Persimmon Festival and with Yuan Dasheng dead, the prestige of the entire Monkey Head Gang has plummeted drastically, and the morale of the gang members has completely collapsed."

"With public sentiment scattered to such an extent, they've actually allowed the defense of their main stronghold to become this abysmal!"

"No, that doesn't quite right!"

"Perhaps this isn't pure laxity; it's very likely that an elder has made a move, intentionally arranging it to be this way!"

After analyzing for a moment, Ning Zhuo thought of a certain possibility.

The deeper he thought about it, the higher he felt this possibility was.

"If a gang elder is colluding with old enemies to assassinate Yuan Er, then I won't need to trouble Big Brother Sun!"

"That way, it will save me a lot of trouble!"

Black market!

Sun Lingtong's residence.

Inside the main room.

An eerie, ghostly aura permeated the entire hall.

The Inspector Judge stood like a temple idol, his gaze sharp as blades and spears, piercing straight through Sun Lingtong's soul and scouring his memories.

As Ning Zhuo grew up and reached school age, he underwent testing, possessed spiritual roots, and entered the academy.

Lodging at his eldest uncle's household, his days were spent under oppressive gloom.

Relying on the arts of the Voidless Sect, Sun Lingtong would secretly meet with him every once in a while.

This was the brightest ray of light in Ning Zhuo's gloomy life.

Staring at Ning Zhuo's academic evaluation, Sun Lingtong's gaze was sharp: "Xiao Zhuo, why are your grades this good this time?"

"Have you forgotten how your mother instructed you before she passed away?"

"You must conceal your brilliance; you must hide yourself away!"

Ning Zhuo lowered his head: "But, the academy elder is a good person. He frequently encourages me and hopes I will score higher!"

"And those classmates always mock me for my poor grades, refuse to play with me, and think I'm stupid!"

"Yet I am clearly much smarter than them!"

"I just wanted to display a tiny bit of my strength to make them look at me in a new light!"

In his heart, Sun Lingtong sighed silently: "Xiao Zhuo is indeed clever enough, but with a child's temperament, he lacks self-restraint and is easily provoked."

"How should I persuade him?"

"No matter how I persuade him, it won't be entirely secure."

After thinking for a moment, Sun Lingtong decided to resort to intimidation: "Xiao Zhuo, you are not far from death!"

Ning Zhuo was instantly startled: "Ah?"

With a gloomy face, Sun Lingtong cited numerous examples, telling him about the many prodigies who had been killed out of jealousy, refined into medicinal pills, or forged into magic artifacts.

"Your performance in the academy has been far too abrupt. It is likely to invite suspicion, lead others to deduce your innate talent, and result in you being murdered."

Ning Zhuo turned pale with fright, breaking out in a cold sweat: "B-But Ning Xiaohui also has innate talent!"

"Hmph, she belongs to the main branch, while you are from a branch lineage! Her grandmother is a family elder, but what about you?"

"Have you forgotten what I taught you about what a cultivation family is?"

"Have you forgotten my analysis of the current situation of the Ning family?"

Ning Zhuo shook his head repeatedly!

"Come, spar with me!" Still feeling uneasy after thinking it over, Sun Lingtong decided to administer an even heavier dose of medicine.

Matching the contents of the academy examinations, Sun Lingtong completed every single test right in front of Ning Zhuo.

His scores were naturally exceptionally brilliant, leaving Ning Zhuo so far behind he couldn't even be seen.

Sun Lingtong said: "I am only a year older than you, but look at how I scored—did I act arrogant? Did I become complacent?"

Ning Zhuo turned pale, looking as though he had lost his soul, and shook his head like a rattle-drum.

Sun Lingtong patted Ning Zhuo's shoulder: "Your Ning family has too few people; among the cultivation families in Fiery Persimmon Immortal City, you rank dead last."

"Compared to your classmates, you might be quite outstanding, but how do you compare to all the children in the entire immortal city?"

"Fiery Persimmon Immortal City is merely a corner of heaven and earth, a new city built by the Southern Bean Immortal Kingdom just over the past century."

"How do you compare to the children in those ancient cities?"

"Think further—this place is merely the Southern Bean Nation. Aside from this country, what about other nations?"

"Can you even make a name for yourself in those countries?"

Sun Lingtong raised several fingers, shook them, and concluded firmly: "No, you cannot!"

"You can't even surpass me, so don't be so pleased with yourself!"

Sun Lingtong pinched off the tiniest tip of his pinky finger and frantically self-deprecated: "I'm telling you, in the Southern Bean Nation, I can only count as this much."

Ning Zhuo's face was pale, his forehead covered in cold sweat.

Seeing that his tactic had worked, Sun Lingtong patted Ning Zhuo's shoulder with satisfaction: "You must understand that there are always people beyond people, and heavens beyond the heavens."

"People who are arrogant and conceited are utter fools!"

"You must always remain humble, keep an open mind, and lower your mindset so that you can perceive reality clearly, absorb unfamiliar knowledge faster, and grow up more rapidly."

By this point, Sun Lingtong had already made up his mind to personally step in every once in a while from now on to 'spar' with Ning Zhuo, so as to curb any arrogance and impatience in him.

After remaining silent for a long time, Ning Zhuo finally raised his eyes to look at Sun Lingtong, his voice hoarse: "Little Sun Brother, it was my fault. My—my mother actually used to warn me of this before she passed away."

Sun Lingtong sighed: "Actually, those words I just spoke were all taught to me by my master."

The two of them gazed at each other, and for a moment, both fell into silence.

End of Chapter