Chapter 722: Vowel Reed Book

Bluestone Cave Mansion.

Ning Zhuo sat at the head of the table, raised his glass, and thanked the invited monks. "Our victory over Banji is entirely due to our concerted efforts and unity. Come, let's have another drink!"

After returning from Qingzhu Peak, Ning Zhuo took the opportunity to invite the other eleven people who had won.

Some Jindan cultivators were not invited, and some people, considering the subsequent competition, also refused Ning Zhuo. In the end, there were five people who came.

Ning Zhuo invited five people to his cave, where the chef prepared a spiritual feast for them.

Linggu wine is mellow, the golden haddock has a scorched aroma, the stewed rare mushrooms are so fresh that they make your tongue fall off, and the chilled chalcedony fruit has a refreshing and sweet taste, and the flavor is very unique.

"Although Ban Ji is from the Ban family, his daily behavior is almost the same as that of a demon cultivator. If he sees any excellent mechanical creation, he will grab it. I have disliked him for a long time."

The speaker was a young monk.

His hair was curly and yellow, and his face and hands bore many marks of burns or gunpowder blackening.

His nickname is Huo Nian'er, and people close to him just call him Ah Huo.

He likes to make explosive mechanical creations and has a rather vengeful nature.

Black Hawk Chen San took over the conversation: "Hey, I know some gossip. This Ban Ji is not practicing the normal Ban family skills. It is said to be a magical skill!"

Ning Zhuo nodded immediately. "I know this. It's the 'Greedy Devil Heart Technique.' This technique is said to: Feed the devil with greed, and when the devil is strong, the mechanism will be fierce; seize the mechanism to nourish greed, and when greed is strong, the demon will be mad."

"So, Benji's demonic thoughts are quite troublesome. We all understand this, right?"

Ning Zhuo discovered an opportunity, seized it immediately, and spoke decisively to share with everyone some of the intelligence he had acquired at a high price.

His words immediately aroused widespread recognition.

Huo Nian'er laughed heartily and nodded repeatedly: "Of course, of course! Ban Ji's spiritual consciousness is not easy to deal with!"

Zhang Dabing said in a dull voice, "Indeed."

He was a stocky man, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, with dark, shiny skin, like a lump of iron. He gave off a simple, honest, even somewhat dull vibe, and spoke in a muffled voice.

But his spiritual consciousness was quite "hard" and he was the most stubborn and toughest among the many spiritual consciousnesses that surrounded Ban Ji.

Talking about the common enemy and the experience of fighting side by side, the atmosphere of the banquet became more lively.

A young female monk looked at Ning Zhuo and asked directly how he became enemies with Ban Ji.

Ning Zhuo glanced at her gratefully, then revealed a bitter smile. He sighed and said, "If I say that today's Xingyun test was the first time I saw Ban Ji in person, I wonder if you would believe me?"

As he spoke, he took out a letter from his storage belt and handed it to everyone to read in turn.

This letter was naturally the one Ban Ji had sent earlier to express his thoughts.

As everyone read, Ning Zhuo continued, "However, regarding the conflict between Ban Ji and me, I also have some conjectures and verifications."

"I sent my subordinates to personally deliver my reply to Banji. At that time, he was drinking and chatting happily with Pi Fujie..."

"And Pi Fujie and I just happen to have a conflict."

Ning Zhuo told everyone: Chen Xi once invited him to join them, but the Shen family and the Pi family in Jiugong Immortal City were mortal enemies, so he was also hated by Pi Fujie.

Pi Fujie took the initiative to provoke, but Ning Zhuo would not tolerate it.

"In the end, I killed one of his newly recruited demon cultivator subordinates."

"Everyone, please look."

Ning Zhuo took out the tiger skin again and deliberately showed the locations of the Thousand Scales Talisman and the Bloodstained Galloping Talisman.

After this round of narration, everyone's view of Ning Zhuo also underwent subtle changes.

"I didn't expect Ning Zhuo to be with Shen Xi, Lin Jinglong, and Situ Xing."

They didn't know Ning Zhuo, but they had more or less heard of Chen Xi and the other three.

Ning Zhuo was able to get along with them, and everyone's evaluation of Ning Zhuo immediately rose to the same level as Shen Xi and others.

"This tiger demon must have been quite powerful when he was alive. He even had two great magic talismans with him, but he was still killed by Ning Zhuo..."

"This big-headed young man should not be underestimated. Although his spiritual awareness is not very good, his combat power is definitely there."

"His mechanical creations were able to kill the tiger demon, and were coveted by Ban Ji. They must be exceptional."

"What exactly is the power behind him? It must be quite powerful!"

Patching Sun looked at Ning Zhuo with a worried look on his face. "The Pi family was originally a group of demonic cultivators. It was only after they bribed high-ranking officials that they turned to the right path."

"The Pi family's background is not clean!"

"Mr. Ning, please be careful and cautious in the future."

"Patched Sun" was naturally his nickname. He was a hunched old man with deep wrinkles on his face, and he always looked sad.

He always wore a coarse cloth jacket that was washed white and covered with patches of various colors, and carried a large rattan backpack that was bigger than his body and also covered with patches.

At the banquet, this large backpack was placed in the corner of the wall.

Zhang Dabing sighed and said, "The Ban family is a well-known family of government officials in our country. I never thought that in our time, a heretic like Ban Ji would emerge."

As he spoke, he expressed his regret for the Ban family.

The young monk Jiang Xiaobian snorted coldly, "Pi Fujie and Ban Ji, it seems neither of them are good people. If they get together, they're like snakes and rats in the same nest!"

Ning Zhuo nodded secretly and added in his heart: "Yes, that's exactly it."

The purpose of his banquet had already been achieved in large part.

In Ning Zhuo's opinion, Ban Ji has one biggest weakness, which is that he is a demon cultivator.

Since he is a demon cultivator, he will have a bad reputation and will easily be besieged.

In comparison, although Ning Zhuo has no reputation, at least it is not completely negative like Ban Ji.

Therefore, in Qinghuangzi's first Xingyun test, he took advantage of this weakness and successfully united a large group of cultivators.

Ban Ji's own aggressive attitude also helped Ning Zhuo in another way.

After all, most people know Ban Ji and are wary of him.

As for whether it is unfair to attack others in a group?

Of course not—what's the point of being fair with demon cultivators? We just fight side by side!

In the previous conversation, Ning Zhuo once again confirmed the fact to everyone - Ban Ji is a demon cultivator, and I, Ning Zhuo, am on the righteous path. We are both good people, and it is a just thing to deal with Ban Ji together!

To this end, Ning Zhuo listed a lot of evidence to convince everyone.

Black Hawk Chen San turned his gaze to Ning Zhuo: "Mr. Ning, you still need to be more careful. I wonder if you have any elders accompanying you?"

"Both Pi Fujie and Ban Ji's family are well-known throughout our country."

Chen San was a thin man with dark skin and sharp eyes that were a bit mercenary and wary. He pretended to be concerned but was actually trying to find out Ning Zhuo's background.

If you want to get involved in this, of course you need a background.

Ning Zhuo smiled slightly: "To be honest with you all, this is my first time coming to the main gate of the Wanxiang Sect. I am a complete newcomer."

"I always try to be kind to others and never think of offending anyone."

"However, as for evil men like Pi Fujie and Banji, I have offended them."

"My elders didn't blame me, they just told me not to be a coward!"

Ning Zhuo did not give any information, but the eyes of others flickered slightly.

Facing the Pi family and the Ban family, the elders of Ning Zhuo's family still maintained a tough attitude, which indirectly shows that Ning Zhuo has a considerable background!

Ning Zhuo's tone softened, unwilling to act too forcefully. "After this Feiyun Conference is over, I will become a disciple of the Wanxiang Sect."

"If Ban Ji and Pi Fujie also successfully join, we will be fellow disciples. Any conflicts between us can be resolved directly with the help of the Martial Arts Hall."

"If the two of them fail, I am from the Wanxiang Sect, so I will not be afraid of them."

Ning Zhuo's optimistic attitude and his vision for the future immediately resonated with everyone and successfully diverted the topic.

The five monks came to the main gate of Wanxiang Sect at this time, and naturally wanted to join in.

According to Ning Zhuo's recent communication with them, he learned that these five people were all independent cultivators, and each of them was proficient in mechanical engineering.

For example, Patching Sun is good at repairing things, Zhang Dabing has a good skill in refining equipment and is good at heavy machinery, and Huo Nier has extensive experience in creating explosive mechanisms...

"Joining the Wanxiang Sect is easy, but not easy either!"

"If I can obtain Qinghuangzi's inheritance, can I be guaranteed to join the Wanxiang Sect?"

"That's absolutely possible. Haven't you heard that Qinghuangzi's inheritance even includes the Qingzhu Peak Master's Order?"

Everyone had the same goal, so the conversation was very lively.

Ning Zhuo listened for a while and occasionally interrupted.

Someone took the opportunity to talk about the "Vowel Reed Book", and everyone's topic turned to the rewards for this Qinghuangzi test.

Including Ning Zhuo, there were twelve winners in total, and each of them received a copy of the "Vowel Reed Book".

Zhang Dabao expressed his concerns: "I know nothing about music, and I'm afraid I'll have trouble participating in the subsequent trials."

Huo Nian'er raised her eyebrows: "What's there to be afraid of? The worst that can happen is that I lose."

Chen San looked at the young monk and said, "I think Fellow Daoist Jiang has the most hope."

The young monk Jiang Xiaobian looked quite young. She had a pale face and thin body, and her hair was dry and yellow, and she always wore a small braid at the back of her head.

There were several bamboo tubes hanging around her waist, and occasionally the rustling sound of insects could be heard from the tubes.

Jiang Xiaobian is good at using spiritual insects as the main material to create tiny mechanisms for insects.

Whenever she faces an enemy, she opens the bamboo tube and pours out a large amount of mechanical insects.

Because there were so many insects, she couldn't control them all with her magic threads. She played the insect flute, using the sound to control the various mechanical insects.

Music also plays a huge role in the mechanism of Qinghuangzi.

The "Book of Vowel Reeds" is a tome on mechanical engineering, describing the crafting of mechanical components. There are twenty types of reeds, each capable of producing a different vowel sound. And vice versa—adepts can produce vowels, triggering the resonance of specific reeds, thereby manipulating mechanical creations.

Jiang Xiaobian: "Come to think of it, I've already skimmed through the Vowel Reed Book."

"What do you make of the following passage: 'A row of clear-sounding teeth, cast from the fine bronze of the Western Mountains, the gaps between them evoke the ripples of a hollow valley. At the hour of dawn, the rain falls, and the dew dries, leaving the teeth as clear as ice crystals. Placed in the center of the chest, drawing in the wind and energy, the teeth vibrate, cleansing the vast expanse of dust.'"

So, everyone focused on this topic again, and everyone expressed their opinions, which was very lively.

Ning Zhuo smiled and participated in the whole process.

Although he had a deeper understanding, he took the initiative to hide his shortcomings in this situation.

There was no need to show off his best side. Since Ban Ji had already been eliminated, Ning Zhuo's opponents in the next Qinghuangzi Xingyun test would be the other eleven.

Including the five present.

Although Ning Zhuo is young, he is quite precocious and has no emotional need to show off his intelligence or appear superior in front of others.

After a brief discussion, everyone started arguing with each other.

Ning Zhuo immediately interjected, stabilizing the situation: "Everyone, listen to me for a moment. How about we put the discussion of the 'Vowel Reed Book' to a temporary halt? We might as well face the upcoming Qinghuangzi test based on our own understanding."

"Let's make it clear first. Whoever among us ultimately obtains the complete inheritance will have to treat everyone to a meal!"

"We're not like Banji. Since we met, it must be fate. Right?"

Ning Zhuo set up a banquet, was the host, and had a special status. As soon as he said this, he was supported.

Zhang Dabing already foresaw that he wouldn't make it to the end: "Even if I only get this one book, it will be a significant achievement."

Patching Sun comforted Zhang Dabing: "In fact, Senior Qinghuangzi is also a casual cultivator, similar to us."

"Although his mechanical skills are unique, they are not first-rate."

"That's right." Chen San nodded. "There is a top-notch family of mechanical engineers hidden within our Wanxiang Sect. That's the Meng family on Purple Thunder Peak!"

Ning Zhuo's heart moved slightly when he heard this.

This wasn't the first time he'd heard of it.

As early as in Huoshi Fairy City, Ning Zhuo heard about this family from Song Fuli.

Ning Zhuo came to the Wanxiang Sect to acquire intelligence, and also saw relevant information about the Meng family.

"Although my mother's surname is Meng, she has no relationship with this Meng family."

"If there was, she would have told me long ago."

"But this is also good."

"Purple Thunder Peak is quite weak. If I get dragged into this relationship, I'm afraid I'll be caught up in the most profound and terrifying internal struggle within the Wanxiang Sect right now."

"Maybe he'll die without even knowing how he died!"

Chen San continued, "If the Meng family cultivators from Purple Thunder Peak hold a Xingyun trial, I will definitely participate no matter how hard I try!"

"It's a pity that the Meng family has been living in seclusion for many years, without many obvious moves."

"I'm afraid they will still remain secretive during this Feiyun Conference."

The banquet ended with both the guests and hosts having a great time and bidding farewell to each other reluctantly.

Ning Zhuo stayed alone and took out the jade slip "The Book of Vowel Reeds" to study it.

He thought about the conversations and introductions of the others and couldn't help but comment in his heart:

"Patchwork Sun was trapped in the 'tool' and sought the 'technique'; Chen San was good at 'change' but neglected the 'purity'; Zhang Dadan adhered to the 'righteousness' and solidified the 'form'; Jiang Xiaobian was familiar with 'life' but confused by 'spirit'; Huo Nian'er was only interested in 'use' but was ignorant of the 'mystery'."

“In fact, the poetic metaphors of ‘rain from heaven,’ ‘four nines,’ and ‘crystal clear ice’ have three guiding principles.”

"One refers to the distinction between clear and turbid. Rain from heaven is not necessarily called dew, but its value lies in its utter purity. It refers to the law of the celestial sphere. Forty-nine is not a fixed number, but rather corresponds to the cycle of the generation of clear sounds. It refers to the pinnacle of spirituality. Crystal clearness is not just a description of its appearance. Sound is like a cold spring that cleanses the soul..."

For Ning Zhuo, this classic book was easy to understand, and after reading it several times, he no longer had any doubts.

However, to be on the safe side, he still used his pictographic brush and the Luoshu pages to "look" at it again.

This time, he had an unexpected new gain.

(End of this chapter)