Chapter 1557: Chapter 643: Underlying Currents Surging In

The rumors swirling around Nanming Village, Heaven-reaching Hook, Ning Zhuo, and the Three Brave of Xiang Sect are making quite the commotion!

"Nanming Village is in trouble. They can even bring out Taoist Artifacts; who knows what trump card they have for the fifth round?"

"Ning Zhuo is too serious. The Red Robe Guest is a Demon Cultivator; even if he redeems the soul, what’s the point? It shouldn’t have been his affair, this is a clash between Nascent Soul Cultivators. Now he’s stuck, can’t back down, and must face the Three Brave of Xiang Sect!"

"You can’t say that. The Red Robe Guest borrowed Ning Zhuo’s Fire Seed, and Young Master Ning Zhuo publicly acknowledged the debt and even announced the sealing of the corpse and relics. Such responsibility is rarely seen."

"Indeed, even in renowned major sects like the Myriad Images Sect, how many can act to this degree?"

"What good is responsibility? The Three Brave of Xiang Sect have killed Nascent Souls; Ning Zhuo is only at Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage. If they really face off, he might struggle to keep his own corpse intact."

"Does Nanming Village not still have Tu Yuanzi? Always so mysterious, the rumors say he’s Ning Zhuo’s household servant. He should step up now!"

"Right, Tu Yuanzi hasn’t made a move. The Red Robe Guest is dead, Nine Fire Dragon Lord is defeated, Chun Yangzi has battled. Tan Zhu may be strong, but he’s just short of breath. In the end, it might all hinge on Tu Yuanzi."

The swirling rumors are spreading widely, nearly overshadowing the various Xingyun Trials.

A large group of cultivators, working hard and participating in the Xingyun Trials, feel somewhat strange, with their biggest feeling being—this year’s Feiyun Conference is truly different from past ones!

The rumors reach the Alchemy Hall.

Shen Hongyao instinctively clenches her fist, thinking: "Ning Zhuo!"

She isn’t actually familiar with Ning Zhuo, but has repeatedly seen in him the way she wishes to live.

Thus, upon learning of Ning Zhuo’s predicament, a deep concern arises within her.

Ban Jie holds more detailed intelligence and is reading it.

Her expression is quite complex.

"The King’s Order Human Tribulation seems like it’s about to slip again, maybe destroying themselves."

"Huh?"

"There’s something familiar about this feeling."

She sides with Ban Ji, having irreconcilable conflicts with Ning Zhuo. But now, her emotions are hard to describe.

There is both a fear of Ning Zhuo and a touch of inexplicable admiration.

"He’s only at Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage but publicly declares he will rescue the Demon Soul of the Red Robe Guest from the multitudinous powerful forces at Flowing Cloud Peak."

"The key is, he hasn’t known the Red Robe Guest for long!"

Three Lights Heavenly Dao Cave Mansion.

Cloud Qi slowly circulates at the peak, the Three Days Light Refining Array operates silently, as sunlight, starlight, and cloud radiance interweave within the array patterns, reflecting the cave mansion’s stone walls with a jade-like luster.

Deep within the mansion, the fragrance of wine wafts.

Ning Zhuo summoned Tu Yuanzi, with only two wine cups and a few dishes of Spirit Fruit on the table, as well as a newly opened jar of Ice Jade Wine.

Tu Yuanzi appears as a yellow-clad youth, sitting with proper posture, both hands on his knees.

Entering the mansion, his gaze carries some gravity, no surprise given the recent flood of rumors, as if his heart carries a heavy mountain stone.

Yet after seating, he notices the large-headed youth’s calm demeanor, his gestures unhurried.

Ning Zhuo pours the wine.

Ice Blue Wine Liquid flows into the cup from the thin spout of the Jade Pot, producing a gentle sound of water. The radiance of the Three Days Light Refining Array falls on his sleeve, its light softly shifting.

Tu Yuanzi watches him for a while, unable to hold back: "Daoist Fellow Ning Zhuo, you don’t seem very anxious."

Ning Zhuo pushes a cup towards him with a smile: "Would anxiety make the Three Brave of Xiang Sect back down?"

Tu Yuanzi thinks seriously, then shakes his head: "No, it wouldn’t."

"Then let’s have a drink." Ning Zhuo picks up his cup, "This wine you’ve tasted before, but still you should sip slowly. Last time you drank too fast, then slept for a whole night."

Tu Yuanzi shows an embarrassed look on his face. He lifts the cup, first sniffing, then cautiously taking a sip.

With the Ice Jade Wine entering his throat, his brows and eyes slightly relax.

"It still tastes good." Tu Yuanzi murmurs.

Ning Zhuo also takes a sip, the chilly wine washing over his throat, as if suppressing the swirling rumors and noise outside.

Tu Yuanzi sets down his cup, but can’t help but voice his thoughts: "Before I came, I thought you were under tremendous pressure, but I didn’t expect you to be so at ease."

Ning Zhuo replies: "Pressure is, of course, present."

"But why?" Tu Yuanzi looks puzzled.

"Because before I publicly declared this matter, I had already anticipated this moment’s scenario." Ning Zhuo lightly taps the edge of the cup with his finger, producing a clear, long-resonating sound.

He continues: "The various forces of Flowing Cloud Peak won’t let this opportunity slip. The Red Robe Guest’s soul lies in their hands, they’re bound to Soul Search it. Once I speak up, they’ll likely use this against me."

Tu Yuanzi’s confusion deepens: "Then why did you still speak?"

Ning Zhuo looks at him.

Tu Yuanzi’s gaze is very clear, his confusion quite straightforward.

If it were someone else, this question might conceal probing, blame, scheming. But Tu Yuanzi just doesn’t understand, so he asks.

Ning Zhuo feels at ease, his smile gaining authenticity: "Then if you were me, what do you think you would do?"

Tu Yuanzi thinks for a while, his brows slowly furrowing: "The Red Robe Guest is already dead. His corpse is preserved, his Nascent Soul vanished, only the Demon Soul remains. Even if rescued, his cultivation level would be completely gone."

He tries to analyze advantages like a Human Clan Cultivator, speaking slowly: "If you keep his corpse and relics to offset Nanming Village’s losses, I understand. If you return them, I also understand. You have stance and persistence, not swayed by profits, your breadth resembles my master."

At this point, Tu Yuanzi pauses, mimicking Ning Zhuo’s gesture, rubbing the outer wall of the wine cup with his fingers.

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