Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

"There are indeed such examples. Some people are just very suited to a particular cultivation method, progressing at an extremely fast pace."

"What's his name? Ning Zhuo, right? He’s had incredible luck, perfectly matching the *Five Elements Qi Regulation Art*."

"Aye, why couldn’t such good fortune fall upon me?"

Most people had never heard of the name Ning Zhuo before.

But now, everyone was discussing it.

Within the martial arts training grounds, the Ning family's cultivators were also inquiring.

Those close by took advantage of the situation, many crowding around Ning Zhuo, introducing themselves to him with smiles on their faces.

It seemed as though, in an instant, the whole world’s attitude towards Ning Zhuo had undergone a drastic change—from cold indifference to warm enthusiasm.

Originally, Ning Chen and Ning Yong, who had been standing beside Ning Zhuo, were both squeezed out.

A young Ning family cultivator passing by heard this and turned his head to look at him, sneering, "Who isn’t? I'm his classmate too."

Ning Yong sighed and glared, "Do you even compare to me in terms of our relationship? Ning Zhuo and I are comrades who have faced life and death together!"

A Zhou family cultivator, hearing this, came over and smiled at Ning Yong, "This brother, you said just now that you have a close relationship with Ning Zhuo?"

"Not bad," Ning Yong nodded immediately, feigning indifference, though he couldn’t hide his pride.

The Zhou family cultivator quickly clasped his hands together in respect, asking Ning Yong for advice.

Ning Yong was about to introduce Ning Zhuo, but Ning Chen pulled him aside, instantly making him realize that he should remain silent.

Ning Chen then continued, "The two of us are indeed classmates with Ah Zhuo and have even faced life and death together."

"Ah Zhuo is honest and sincere, friendly and courageous. It's our honor to be friends with him. At the same time, he is also a role model for us to learn from. I remember back in the school days…" Ning Chen began to boast about Ning Zhuo.

When faced with outsiders seeking information, the more Ning Chen praised Ning Zhuo, the more it showcased the strength of the Ning family.

Furthermore, after the expedition to the Red Flame Demon Molten Cave, and the subsequent exposure of the Shadow Demon Cultivator, the experiences they had while hiding in the dungeon only deepened his admiration for Ning Zhuo.

Both Ning Chen and Ning Yong were part of the Ning family’s branch lineage, and they felt a strong sense of identification with Ning Zhuo.

In no time at all, Ning Zhuo became the most dazzling person on the scene. With just one cultivation test, he had stolen the spotlight, as if he had stepped onto a new stage in life.

The tests continued.

The remaining Ning family cultivators entered the testing formation one by one, but their results were mediocre, and no one paid attention to them.

But it didn’t matter. Ning Zhuo alone had already shifted the entire situation!

The joint examination among the three families was not only a way to showcase the strength of each family's newly reformed teams, but it was also the basis for negotiating the distribution of benefits.

In the world of cultivation, the more powerful an extraordinary individual was, the more they could dominate the group.

When comparing the strength of the three families, the focus was mainly on the top cultivators.

Without Ning Zhuo’s outstanding performance, the Ning family’s only peak third-layer cultivator would have been Ning Xiaohui, with the Zheng family having Zheng Jian, and the Zhou family having Zhou Zhu. However, Zhou Zhenshen was also exceptionally talented, rivaling Zhou Zhu. His cultivation was second only to Zhou Zhu, and in time, he would surely stand shoulder to shoulder with the others.

Thus, among the top cultivators, the Zhou family counted as having one and a half talents, placing them first.

The Zheng and Ning families each had one talented cultivator, but the other members of the Zheng family clearly surpassed those of the Ning family by a large margin.

After the Ning family expanded their recruitment, many of their cultivators were only at the first layer of cultivation, which was laughable and not worth mentioning.

Therefore, the Zheng family was second, and the Ning family third.

But with the emergence of Ning Zhuo, the Ning family now had two top cultivators, immediately rising to the top.

The Zhou family, with one and a half talents, was placed second.

The Zheng family, meanwhile, was pushed down to third.

After the joint examination ended, the head of the Ning family returned home beaming with joy.

Though the distribution of benefits among the three families was still under discussion, with Ning Zhuo's outstanding performance, the Ning family had cleared away previous disadvantages, making the negotiations look bright and optimistic.

The head of the Ning family summoned the young patriarch with a smile on his face, "Xiaoren, there was a happy event at the martial arts training grounds today. You must have been informed by now?"

Ning Xiaoren immediately responded, "Father, I’ve heard about it. I was the one who arranged for Ning Zhuo to join our family's reformed team!"

The head of the Ning family nodded, "Gather all the information on Ning Zhuo, compile it, and bring it to me."

Ning Xiaoren answered, "I have already ordered my subordinates to do so."

The head of the Ning family hummed in acknowledgment, "I suspect that Ning Zhuo might possess some kind of innate talent that has yet to be detected."

Ning Xiaoren replied, "There are countless types of talents, and even though our family conducts tests every year, it’s impossible to test for all of them. Your suspicion is reasonable. We can arrange for another set of tests for Ning Zhuo."

"However, if he indeed has a talent, and it is unusual, there’s a high chance it won’t be detected."

The head of the Ning family nodded, "If he has talent, that would be ideal. Even possessing a low-grade talent would make him a genius! That way, our Ning family’s reformed team could fully rival the Zhou family."

The Zhou family had Zhou Zhenshen and Zhou Zhu, both of whom were talented.

Ning Xiaohui and Zheng Jian were also talented.

In the joint examination among the three families, Ning Zhuo only displayed the peak of the third layer of cultivation, demonstrating to everyone how well the *Five Elements Qi Regulation Art* suited him.

Ning Xiaoren then said, "Father, isn’t it up to us to decide whether or not he has a talent?"

“Even if the test doesn’t show anything, or he’s just particularly suited to cultivating the *Five Elements Qi Regulation Art*, it doesn’t matter. As long as we arrange it, we can fully present to the outside world that our family has two genius cultivators!”

The head of the Ning family shook his head, "That’s not appropriate. This isn’t an internal family matter; it’s not up to us alone."

"If we fabricate something, the other two families will certainly verify and test it. After all, this power comparison influences our negotiations and distribution."

"Our Ning family has gone through a lot to cooperate with the Zhou and Zheng families this time, finally breaking through past barriers. We must maintain integrity. If we’re caught faking, it would damage the Ning family’s standing."

Ning Xiaoren nodded, showing that he had learned his lesson.

The head of the Ning family sighed, "Even if it’s confirmed that Ning Zhuo has talent, it might not be a good thing. Xiaoren, you know what I mean, don’t you?"

Ning Xiaoren nodded again, "I understand, Father. Ning Xiaohui is from our main lineage, while Ning Zhuo is from a branch. Both have similar cultivation levels, but Ning Xiaohui has received extensive support from our family, while Ning Zhuo has not."

"The branch members in the reformed team far outnumber those from the main line."

"At the martial arts training grounds, once Ning Zhuo revealed his true strength, he was immediately surrounded and admired by members of the Ning family’s branch."

"If it turns out that he has talent, I’m very concerned that Ning Xiaohui won’t be able to overshadow him."

The head of the Ning family showed a look of satisfaction, "Since you understand this, I’m not worried about how you’ll handle the situation with Ning Zhuo. Go ahead."

"Yes, Father. Rest assured, I will handle this matter beautifully. I’ll take my leave now."

His feelings towards Ning Zhuo were complicated.

Sixteen years ago, when the Ning family migrated as a whole, he was fortunate enough to board the mechanical carriage of Ning Zhuo's parents during the escape.

Ning Zhuo's father had to get off to fend off the enemies to ensure the carriage's safe escape.

Ning Xiaoren was thus saved.

Ning Zhuo's father was indeed his lifesaver, and Ning Xiaoren had even sworn at that moment to treat Ning Zhuo’s mother and son well and to fully support Ning Zhuo’s future cultivation.

But Ning Xiaoren hadn’t done so.

Ning Zhuo’s father had died fourteen years ago, and Ning Zhuo had grown up without much of his involvement.

He had originally thought that Ning Zhuo was just an ordinary child, but unexpectedly, one day, Ning Zhuo shone brightly, making a stunning impact in the joint examination, stealing the spotlight!

When Ning Xiaoren heard the good news, his first feeling was not joy, but awkwardness.

He still harbored doubts:

"Why does it have to be him?"

His family’s courtyard was faintly in sight as Ning Xiaoren walked along, sighing to himself, "If only it weren’t Ning Zhuo."

"Sixteen years old, already has his own opinions, not easily persuaded."

In his contemplation, Ning Xiaoren recalled something Ning Ze had once said.

Previously, after the major rankings were announced, Ning Xiaoren had tried to extort money, even pressuring Ning Ze a few times.

Ning Ze had reported to him back then that Ning Zhuo was a loner, had grown wings, and no longer listened to his elders, among other things.

With this in mind, Ning Xiaoren made his decision, "In the short term, it’s best not to approach Ning Zhuo directly."

"This child’s temperament isn’t something that can be easily swayed by a few words from me."

"Ning Zhuo knows that his father was my lifesaver and also knows that I’ve been indifferent to him for the past sixteen years. All of this needs a good explanation."

"I’ll have to start with Ning Zhuo’s eldest uncle."