Original Mountain.

Sect Master's Residence.

Xiao Ju handed Lin Shanshan an intelligence report.

After reviewing the jade slip with her spiritual sense, Lin Shanshan couldn’t help but sigh in disappointment. “Young Master Ning Zhuo is still in seclusion and hasn’t come out yet?”

“Senior Brother really is something. He’s a drunkard to begin with, and the first time he meets someone, he gets them completely wasted.”

“I wonder if Young Master Ning Zhuo just drank too much all at once and is still in seclusion to sober up?”

Spirit wine was different from ordinary wine.

Even cultivators, if they drank too much spirit wine, might find themselves unable to shake off the intoxication—for several months, or even years in some cases.

Xiao Ju said, “Miss, you weren’t there at the time. You didn’t see the scene with your own eyes.”

“But I think Young Master Ning Zhuo actually enjoys drinking.”

Lin Shanshan immediately became a little frustrated, resting her chin on her palm and musing aloud, “Ugh, why did I have to be grounded? I wonder what Young Master Ning Zhuo looks like when he’s drunk.”

“Xiao Ju!”

“Speaking of which, I should criticize you—why didn’t you record that scene using a jade slip?”

Xiao Ju said aggrievedly, “Miss, please don’t scold me over this again. I already know I was wrong!”

“You’ve criticized me over a hundred times these past few days.”

“Besides, secretly recording someone is extremely disrespectful. I’m just a maid, how could I possibly capture Senior Brother’s image?”

“On that day, even if I’d had such a crooked idea, wouldn’t Senior Brother or Young Master Ning Zhuo have noticed it immediately?”

“By then, I’d have been thrown out, and then who would take care of them?”

Lin Shanshan said begrudgingly, “Alright, alright, I’ll admit I was wrong to criticize you. Let’s say you earned merit for taking care of them, okay?”

Xiao Ju stepped forward and wrapped her arm around Lin Shanshan’s. “Miss, it’s not my merit. You ordered me to help them, didn’t you? The credit all belongs to you!”

Only then did Lin Shanshan smile faintly. “That’s more like it.”

While they were chatting, a servant arrived with a letter.

It was from Ning Jiufan.

Xiao Ju reacted a beat late, confused. “Why would the Ning Family’s Golden Core Ancestor send you a message bird?”

Lin Shanshan’s eyes lit up. “Xiao Ju, didn’t you say last time that Young Master Ning Zhuo mentioned he was close to Ning Jiufan? This must be a letter from him, just routed through Ning Jiufan.”

“My father grounded me, and all the Senior Brothers are keeping watch—I’m not allowed to contact Young Master Ning Zhuo or receive any letters from him.”

“But a letter from Ancestor Ning Jiufan? The Senior Brothers wouldn’t dare intercept it.”

“Hahaha, leave it to Young Master Ning Zhuo to come up with such a clever trick!”

Lin Shanshan took the letter and opened it. Her joy quickly turned to worry.

“Ah, Young Master Ning Zhuo’s spiritual plant is in trouble. If it can’t be saved, it will surely die.”

“What should we do?”

Xiao Ju also grew concerned.

Though she’d only met Ning Zhuo twice, she had already developed a favorable impression of him.

She was even more worried about Lin Shanshan. “Miss, you’re grounded. How can you help Young Master Ning Zhuo?”

Lin Shanshan looked at the letter and said, “Young Master Ning Zhuo mentioned that he will ask Senior Brother for help. With Senior Brother stepping in, he’ll be much better off than with me.”

Only then did Xiao Ju breathe a sigh of relief.

Almost at the same time, Ning Zhuo arrived once again at the Ten Thousand Demons Cave.

“Brother Linghu!” He came bearing Cloud Tea and received a warm welcome from Linghu Jiu.

“Haha, Brother Ning Zhuo, please come in.” Linghu Jiu strode out of the cave, grabbed Ning Zhuo’s arm, and brought him inside.

Ning Zhuo offered the rare Cloud Tea, explaining that it could help comprehend the Dao of Clouds.

Linghu Jiu accepted it right away. “Good tea, excellent tea. Even if I don’t drink it myself, I’ll share it with my junior sisters and brothers.”

Ning Zhuo said, “Brother Linghu, don’t worry. Ever since our last drinking session, Brother Lao De and the other disciples of your sect bear me no ill will.”

Linghu Jiu laughed heartily and led Ning Zhuo to a seat. “Honestly, I’ve been drinking alone these past few days, and it’s been flavorless. Now that you’re here, Brother Ning Zhuo, we won’t leave until we’re drunk!”

Ning Zhuo was first delighted, then smiled bitterly as he explained his difficulties.

Without hesitation, Linghu Jiu handed over his sect identification token to Ning Zhuo. “Feel free to spend the sect merits with this!”

“If it’s not enough, just tell me. My face still counts for something—I can rally more sect merits from our juniors.”

Ning Zhuo only cupped his hands and offered a casual thanks.

This attitude greatly pleased Linghu Jiu. “Excellent, Brother Ning Zhuo! That’s how it should be—relaxed and informal. We’re drinking buddies, we’re like family!”

“However, your spiritual plant is in such a critical state—can you really heal it on your own?”

“Our sect has many cultivators skilled in spiritual plants. My master is the top expert. If possible, I advise you to ask a master for help.”

“When a spiritual plant is on the verge of death, common cultivation or nurturing methods often have little effect—or might even make it worse.”

Ning Zhuo nodded and etched the advice into his heart.

Before leaving, he shared how, after returning to his cave residence on Lesser Strife Peak, he had once again received instruction from the Five Elements Divine Lord.

“At the time, I hadn’t drunk any more Deep Thought and Brewing Intent, so how could I have received another transmission from the Divine Lord?” Ning Zhuo expressed his confusion.

Linghu Jiu was puzzled too. “That really is strange. I’ve never encountered such a thing myself.”

“Perhaps… there was still lingering alcohol in your system, allowing you to connect with an ancient sage from the netherworld?”

“After all… no one’s ever seen someone down that much Deep Thought and Brewing Intent in one go.”

Ning Zhuo gave a bitter laugh and quickly waved his hand. “Brother Linghu, don’t mock me. That was the first time I’ve ever drunk so much in my life.”

“May I ask boldly, Brother—could the recipe for Deep Thought and Brewing Intent be sold to me?”

Linghu Jiu frowned. “If it were mine, I’d just give it to you. But my master went to great lengths to acquire that recipe.”

“He even paid a huge sum to the Black-and-White Wine Immortals.”

“If you’re interested, perhaps you can work with the Ning Family’s Golden Core Ancestor and include this recipe in our two-party cooperation deal.”

Ning Zhuo nodded and sighed. “I’m afraid Sect Master Lin Bufan won’t allow it.”

Linghu Jiu clicked his tongue. “I actually think it’s worth trying. Honestly, in this sect, I’m the only one who benefits from Deep Thought and Brewing Intent. Others have tried it and gained almost nothing.”

“You’re a special case. That’s why the wine holds great value—for you.”

“If it really doesn’t work…”

“Hey, just get it from me.”

“My master gives me a few jars of Deep Thought and Brewing Intent regularly. Don’t leave yet—I’ll portion out half a jar for you.”

Though he only had one jar left, Linghu Jiu still split it in half and gave it to Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo was deeply moved, thanked him again, and reluctantly took his leave.

With Linghu Jiu’s token, he could move freely around Original Mountain. He went first to the Complete Book Tower and read through many books, but found no definitive solution.

Although he gathered many emergency treatments for spiritual plants, he didn’t dare use them blindly.

There were indeed some ancient books and secret manuals that discussed the cultivation and treatment of the Lingyin Willow, but what they described didn’t match the situation Ning Zhuo faced.

Unable to match symptoms to treatment, he consulted several well-known spiritual plant experts from the Myriad Medicines Sect.

After hearing his question, all of them shook their heads, saying that unless they could determine exactly what the plant was, they couldn’t prescribe a proper remedy.

Ning Zhuo thought for a moment and decided to take a risk—he set up a hypothetical case using the Lingyin Willow as the subject.

Even then, the spiritual plant experts all responded that even if the illness were the same, the treatment would differ based on severity and urgency—it had to be judged case by case.

Rebuffed, Ning Zhuo finally sought out Ning Jiufan.

“Ancestor, come! Quick! I’ve got something great to show you!” Ning Zhuo called out to him excitedly.

Ning Jiufan grew wary. “You little rascal, what kind of trick are you up to this time?”

“This is a treasure. If you don’t see it, you’ll regret it for life.” As he spoke, Ning Zhuo unwrapped the Puppet Dragon coiled at his waist.

Immediately, he led Ning Jiufan into the Wanli Dragon.

Not long after—

Inside the Spiritual Plant Cabin.

“This, this, this! If these old eyes aren’t mistaken, this must be the Lingyin Willow!”

“A Lingyin Willow with Golden Core aura… remarkable, truly remarkable. Even I could benefit from its support!”

“But… why is its vitality and spiritual aura so weak?”

Ning Zhuo pointed at the Lingyin Willow. “Ancestor, you’re thinking too small.”

“How can you only consider yourself?!”

“This is a great inheritance treasure. Once it’s brought back to the clan, the entire family can benefit!”

“Our Ning Family will thrive!”

Ning Jiufan laughed in disbelief. “You’re not wrong. I suppose my vision isn’t as broad as yours. So what you’re saying is—you want to release it for the entire clan to use? Even the main branch?”

Ning Zhuo smiled. “That might not be impossible!”

Ning Jiufan was taken aback.

Ning Zhuo added, “As long as Ancestor, you lend a hand—and save this Lingyin Willow!”

Ning Jiufan was shocked. “What?! It’s dying?!”

Ning Zhuo spread his hands. “In its current state, this is the best I can do—barely keeping it alive at great expense.”

“Ancestor, whether our Ning Family obtains another heritage treasure… depends entirely on you!”

Ning Jiufan rubbed his forehead, overwhelmed by the pressure, and couldn’t help but laugh and curse. “You little brat, so this is where you were waiting to ambush your old ancestor!”