Chapter 717 Borrowing a Pen
"What's going on?" Bai Liu and Kong were all shocked, and their eyes seemed to be glued to the golden elixir in Ning Zhuo's hand.
The three of them shifted their gazes from Jindan to Ning Zhuo with difficulty, and their gazes were different from before.
Ning Zhuo showed his strength!
After all, it was the first time we met, so I toasted Luo Shang first and then others.
Ning Zhuo took in the changes in the expressions of the three people and knew that his strategy had been successful.
"I won the first place in the Xingyun Small Test this time and obtained the Huiyi Brush, but I am not a Confucian cultivator, but an outsider."
"This kind of situation can easily make the Confucianists feel jealous, envious, and resentful of me."
"So, I must demonstrate superior strength, so that they will all feel that even though I'm an outsider, I'm a strong person, and winning is a natural thing, not surprising."
This is what Ning Zhuo had in mind.
Of course, he did have the idea of making a deal.
Talented practice!
That is, using talent as the source and supplemented by some other means, one can leverage stronger or more mysterious powers.
Casting spells does not rely solely on magic power, many precious materials can also be used.
Ning Zhuo's weather ball, ice crystal snow, can consume the soul and turn it into a fierce ice and snow.
When Ning Zhuo participated in Chu Xuangui's Xingyun test, he witnessed Kong Ran using his early intelligence and talent to perform the ritual.
He has always made the simplest use of his precocious talent.
Ning Zhuo has always wanted to develop his precocious intelligence. If he does it well, this precocious intelligence could be transformed into supernatural powers in the future!
"Any talent needs to be developed, and there are techniques for developing it. Once developed, it becomes a supernatural power, which is of great benefit to cultivators!"
Ning Zhuo had known this for a long time.
However, before, he was completely unqualified to develop his precocious talents in Huoshi Immortal City. Furthermore, there were enormous risks involved. After all, he had to disguise his identity, endure constant concealment, and seek the right opportunity to seize the Lava Immortal Palace.
After the battle for the Lava Palace came to a temporary end, Ning Zhuo left Huoshi City and began to travel the world. His main goal was to resurrect his mother, so he had no time to develop his talent. He even had some time to neglect his cultivation.
Ning Zhuo's brief Confucian training brought him four rewards. First, he mastered the art of comprehension. Second, his status was elevated, allowing him to shine brightly in the Confucian community! Third, Ning Zhuo witnessed the righteous methods of Confucian practitioner Chu Xuangui and was happy to learn from him. Fourth, he learned that Kong Ran was not only gifted with wisdom, but also possessed a correspondingly gifted approach!
Kong Ran withdrew his gaze and shook his head slowly.
"Fellow Daoist Ning Zhuo, the Cradle of All Things is not simple!"
Ning Zhuo raised his eyebrows slightly and secretly memorized the name of the spell.
Kong Ran: "After using the Myriad Cradle, I feel the same way about everything in the world as a newborn baby. It's like the first time I'm in touch with it, and I can get more touches and guidance."
"It is said: Man follows the earth, the earth follows the sky, and the sky follows nature."
"Everything contains Tao and principles, and for cultivators, they all have guiding significance."
"Because of this, there are cultivators who can gain enlightenment through observing the scenery, and can comprehend world-shaking magic from a single rock!"
Kong Ran changed the subject: "The original meaning of the 'cradle of all things' is to regard the heaven and earth as my cradle. All things are objects of enlightenment."
"I often use it to read Confucian classics, and every time I do, I gain a lot of benefit and gain a new perspective."
“This is a great learning tool!”
Kong Ran shook his head and said, "In fact, my family has included more than just this talent method. There are other methods that focus on developing talent and precocious intelligence."
After a long foreshadowing, Kong Ran stated his intention: "If you can sell me the Brush of the Imperial Court, I will agree to trade you the Cradle of All Things."
"Of course, we can discuss the detailed buying and selling price!"
Ning Zhuo didn't hesitate and immediately shook his head: "The Huiyi pen will not be sold."
"Mr. Chu Xuangui has high expectations of me, how can I let him down?"
"Absolutely not."
Liu Fushu, who was standing by, chimed in, "If you ask me, Fellow Daoist Ning Zhuo, you've already practiced other methods, unless you're practicing them concurrently."
"Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to possess the Wenxin, Wengong, and Wenqi. Without these, you wouldn't be considered a Confucian cultivator at all."
"Regarding Mr. Chu Xuangui's expectations of you, I personally believe that this is just an experiment by him. You don't need to take it so seriously."
When Kong Ran saw Liu Fushu speaking for him, he immediately gave him a grateful look.
Ning Zhuo sighed deeply.
Often, he also lamented why cultivators couldn't cultivate as many techniques as possible. For someone like him to cultivate only three techniques was already an exception among exceptions.
Ning Zhuo is studious and really wants to experience what it feels like to be a Confucian practitioner.
In fact, he also wanted to learn the "Wanxiang Jing".
Unfortunately, he had already mastered the techniques for all three of his Dantians. While in Baizhi Immortal City, he could only let Sun Lingtong practice on his behalf.
Coming back to his senses, Ning Zhuo saw Kong Ran looking at him expectantly, and he shook his head again.
Liu Fushu and Kong Ran were unaware of the true situation.
At present, the Confucian cultivation group of Wanxiang Sect has been entrusted by Wen Runyu, and based on their own interests, they must do their best to support Ning Zhuo.
Chu Xuangui has already done it, at least in his Xingyun test, he has done it.
In this situation, if Ning Zhuoruo failed, how would he explain it to the Confucian group? How would he explain it to Wen Ruanyu?
Although Ning Zhuo hadn't communicated with Chu Xuangui through telepathy, he had personally sensed Chu Xuangui's intentions. In response, Ning Zhuo also displayed his full sincerity.
Ning Zhuo then said, "My three fellow Daoists, I, Ning Zhuo, am going to join the Wanxiang Sect and practice diligently."
"If I rashly sell the Yibi to someone else, what will Mr. Chu Xuangui think? What will the other Confucianists of the Wanxiang Sect think of me? Will they think that I, an outsider, don't value the Confucianists' treasures?"
"I want to make friends with all the good people, rather than offend the Confucianists of the Wanxiang Sect before I even officially join them."
Kong Ran could not hide his disappointment.
But Ning Zhuo changed the subject: "Although I can't sell it to Daoist Fellow Kong Ran, I can lend it to you."
"If I lend you my brush, wouldn't that also help you cultivate?"
Without waiting for Kong Ran to answer, Liu Fushu rejected it and said, "That won't work."
"The Huiyi Brush is different from ordinary magic weapons. It must be refined personally to be able to copy effectively and understand the meaning."
Ning Zhuo smiled: "It's not a big problem."
"At worst, every time I lend this pen, I can take the initiative to give in and help Fellow Daoist Kong Ran to completely refine this treasure, isn't that enough?"
Liu Fushu was slightly stunned.
Kong Ran stared at Ning Zhuo and said bluntly, "Aren't you afraid that I will refine this treasure and not return it to you?"
Ning Zhuo: "Of course I'm afraid of ordinary cultivators, but Fellow Daoist Kong Ran is not an ordinary person."
"Firstly, you are a renowned prodigy, and you are joining the Confucian school, so you are naturally a gentleman."
"Secondly, you are the son of the Prime Minister. If you refuse to pay, I don't need to question your father. I can just spread the news."
"Third, we can sign a contract. It's good to have an extra layer of guarantee."
Kong Ran was slightly stunned.
According to Ning Zhuo, it is indeed logically valid.
"But every time I borrow it, I have to refine it, which is a bit troublesome..." The thought came to Kong Ran's mind, and then it disappeared on its own.
This was because he thought: "If I could borrow the Huiyi brush, even if this trouble were ten times greater, I could still accept it."
Bai Jiyun said, "There is one thing I need to remind you two of."
"Although the Huiyi brush is a magic weapon, it is not durable."
"The four treasures of a scholar—brush, ink, paper, and inkstone—are essentially consumable items. It's just that brushes and inkstones are more durable than paper and ink."
"If you two use this money together, it will inevitably be consumed faster and will not last long."
Kong Ran immediately glanced at Bai Jiyun.
Of course he knew this, but he didn't say it out loud because he was afraid that Ning Zhuo would change his mind.
Kong Ran was secretly dissatisfied with Bai Jiyun, feeling that his friend was actually considering things for outsiders.
Ning Zhuo was not surprised when he heard this, but delighted instead: "It takes expending the precious pen to achieve success. This is the price I have to pay."
"From another perspective, it is precisely because of this that this Huiyi Brush is more valuable, and that is why Fellow Daoist Kong Ran is more interested in trading it."
Ning Zhuo looked at Kong Ran and said, "How about I lend you this brush and you teach me how to use it?"
Kong Ran was tempted and was about to agree when Bai Jiyun said, "In that case, fellow Daoist Ning Zhuo, aren't you letting Mr. Chu Xuangui down by lending him the Huiyi Brush?"
"In the future, if you fail to meet the standards and cannot be recommended by Mr. Chu Xuangui to try the Taikoo Seal Stele, what will you do?"
At this moment, Bai Jiyun showed a sharpness that he had never shown before.
Ning Zhuo smiled casually, "Thank you, Brother Bai, for your concern for me. This is very simple. Isn't it enough for me to meet the standards?"
“Although I have few ideas at the moment about how to reach Mr. Chu Xuangui’s standards, I don’t believe that if I don’t use the Huiyi brush a few times, I will fail.”
"There are ten thousand methods, a thousand schools, a hundred arts, ten paths, and one person in cultivation!"
"With my understanding and talent alone, I can reach Mr. Chu Xuangui's standards."
“Although the pictographic writing is important, it is never the key.”
Bai Jiyun, Liu Fushu and Kong Ran were all stunned.
Their eyes fixed on Ning Zhuo, and they couldn't help but look at him again. At first, when they met Ning Zhuo, their biggest impression was that he was an "outsider". They despised him for being so ignorant and wanting to participate in the Confucian Xingyun trial in an attempt to take advantage.
Later, Ning Zhuo truly performed exceptionally well, surprising all three of them. When Ning Zhuo finally won, his emotions were mixed: shock, disgust, confusion, admiration, recognition... and so on.
Just now, the three of them accepted Ning Zhuo's invitation and exchanged words with him, and they all felt more favorable towards him, believing that Ning Zhuo was a scion of a prominent family. When Ning Zhuo took out the Ghost Dao Golden Pill, they were shocked and guessed that Ning Zhuo's action would definitely be supported by his family!
At this moment, Ning Zhuo showed extraordinary self-confidence.
If it were their first meeting with Ning Zhuo, all three would have scoffed at him—who the hell are you? You're not even a Confucian cultivator, yet you're still confident you can meet the standards and then try to find an opportunity at the Ancient Seal Monument?
But now, the three of them were mostly sighing and speculating: Ning Zhuo was so confident, he must have received the most attentive care since childhood, and was a genius from a prominent family. He hadn't suffered many setbacks, and everything was possible in his eyes.
"Even if my father is the prime minister, the support I get at home is definitely not enough to reach the Jindan level." At this moment, even Kong Ran felt that he was not as good as Ning Zhuo.
Not to mention Bai Jiyun and Liu Fushu.
Liu Fushu, who came from a poor family, did not like Ning Zhuo's overflowing confidence. His pupils shrank slightly, and he felt an anticipation of seeing Ning Zhuo fail, but he only said a few flattering words.
Bai Jiyun couldn't say such words, so he just looked up and took a few sips of wine.
"This young man is extremely confident. On the one hand, he must be talented. On the other hand, I think his family's support gives him immense confidence."
"He easily offered a golden elixir as a deposit. The family behind him must be quite large."
"And he offered to lend Kong Ran the Huiyi Brush, which had a profound meaning—he wanted to befriend Kong Ran and establish a connection with the current prime minister."
Bai Jiyun saw Ning Zhuo's intention.
If Ning Zhuo's confidence hurt Liu Fushu, then his intentions made Bai Jiyun dislike him.
Bai Jiyun is also known as a genius and has confidence, but he is a free-spirited person who likes to indulge in mountains and rivers.
After discovering that Ning Zhuo and he were not the same kind of people, Bai Jiyun lost interest in making close friends with him.
At the following banquet, Kong Ran discussed the price with Ning Zhuo many times.
He was indeed very interested in the transaction of borrowing the Huiyi pen.
Liu Fushu and Bai Jiyun talked more to each other, occasionally interrupting and communicating with Ning Zhuo and Kong Ran.
Ning Zhuo keenly noticed the change in attitude of Liu Fushu and Bai Jiyun.
He took it easy.
“I can’t be friends with everyone.”
"There must be a give and take."
"Right now, communicating with Kong Ran is in my best interest."
The life-and-death experience on the battlefield changed Ning Zhuo profoundly, making him decisive and efficient in interpersonal communication.
Of course, he did not forget to try to make a deal with Bai Jiyun and Liu Fushu.
"Thank you three fellow Taoists for the introduction. I learned that to use the Huiyi brush effectively, there are more requirements for the calligraphy."
"Do you have any rare and precious authentic works?"
"If you have one, could you rent it out so I can copy it? The price is negotiable."
When Ning Zhuo said this, he took out the second Ghost Dao Golden Pill and placed it on the table, which surprised the three of them again.
Bai Jiyun smiled slightly and said that he did have a piece of calligraphy by a famous Confucian scholar that could be traded.
Liu Fushu was secretly envious, but he himself had nothing and could only drink and eat.
Kong Ran puffed out his chest and proudly said that although he didn't have any, his father had a lot in his study. These are all easy to talk about!
Ning Zhuo and Bai Kong made a simple agreement.
The banquet ended with both the host and the guests having a great time.
Before leaving, Kong Ran suddenly paused and turned to face Ning Zhuo: "I almost forgot, I'll give this to you first."
As he spoke, he took out a pencil case from his pocket.
He first opened the pencil case, took out the brush he often used, and handed the empty pencil case to Ning Zhuo.
"This is my Yunhan Tinghao Box."
"I'll lend it to you first. Take good care of the Huiyi brush and take good care of it!"
Although the actual transaction of borrowing the pen has not yet been completed, Kong Ran is already more concerned about the Huiyi Pen than Ning Zhuo.
(End of this chapter)
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