I am cultivating demon from Xiao’ao wrold, and started by pressing my mistress!
Chapter 30 - Ning Zhongze and Yue Lingshan, Big and Small, I Want Them Both! ( Part 1 )

Chapter 30: Ning Zhongze and Yue Lingshan, Big and Small, I Want Them Both! ( Part 1 )

When the moon reached its zenith, Ye Erniang was dead!

Using her as a sacrifice, Wang Xuan finally reached Foundation Building!

The spiritual qi in his 108 meridians broke through barriers, converging in his lower dantian, condensing into a drop of spiritual liquid!

Next, he would gather more, filling his lower dantian with liquid to form a pill!

*Swallow a golden pill, and my fate is mine, not heaven’s!*

Only at the Golden Core stage could he truly call himself a cultivator!

After *destroying the corpse and erasing traces*, Wang Xuan returned to Xiangyang City.

The next day, he learned news from Guo Jing.

That morning, Huashan Sect’s leader Yue Buqun, his wife, and disciples arrived in Xiangyang.

They sent a disciple with a formal invitation to meet Guo Jing.

“Though Huashan Sect has declined since the Sword-Qi Dispute, it’s still a *reputable orthodox sect* in the martial world!”

Guo Jing said, smiling broadly.

While not on par with Shaolin or Wudang, Huashan was far superior to minor sects like Iron Sword or Divine Fist.

No wonder he was so pleased.

As for Wang Xuan, he was somewhat intrigued by Huashan Sect.

The martial world isn’t just about fighting and killing; it’s about *human connections and worldly ways*.

A month ago, Huang Rong led several Beggar Gang elders out of Xiangyang to seek aid from major sects, but none dared to get involved in the Mongol-Song conflict.

They usually praised Hero Guo and Gang Leader Huang as *renowned in the martial world*, but when their own interests were at stake, they all *stood by with folded arms*.

That’s the martial world!

Hearing of this, Yue Buqun discussed with his wife, Ning Zhongze, and decided to visit Xiangyang.

The reason was simple: Huashan Sect, once the leader of the Five Mountains, was *no longer what it used to be*.

Forget comparing to Shaolin or Wudang; it couldn’t even match Songshan, another of the Five Mountains!

To revive Huashan, Yue Buqun had been tirelessly traveling and networking for years.

As the saying goes, *adding flowers to brocade is less valuable than sending charcoal in snow*.

With major sects *watching from the sidelines* regarding Xiangyang, Yue Buqun saw a ripe opportunity!

Thus, this Xiangyang trip wasn’t, as he claimed, a mere stopover to pay respects.

His true aim was to forge ties with Guo Jing and Huang Rong!

But such intentions couldn’t be stated outright.

After all, Yue Buqun didn’t want to fully bind Huashan to Xiangyang’s fate.

After sending a disciple with a formal invitation, Beggar Gang Elder Lu soon arrived at the inn to greet them personally.

Then, Yue Buqun, Ning Zhongze, and the Huashan group followed Lu to the Guo mansion’s entrance.

Guo Jing, Huang Rong, and several Beggar Gang elders were already waiting.

“Hero Guo, Gang Leader Huang!”

“Sect Leader Yue, Heroine Ning!”

Both sides exchanged warm smiles and greetings, and Guo Jing invited the Huashan group inside.

In the great hall, after everyone was seated, Yue Buqun instructed his eldest disciple, Linghu Chong, and daughter, Yue Lingshan, to step forward and bow to Guo Jing and Huang Rong.

The gesture’s meaning was clear.

Paying respects as juniors today would make it hard for Guo Jing to *stand idly by* if Huashan needed help later.

Sometimes, a single word or gesture can change many things.

With Huashan’s talent scarce, *picking a general from dwarfs*, Linghu Chong was Yue Buqun’s pride, the disciple he could showcase, and the likely next sect leader.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong, of course, *knew this in their hearts*.

After some small talk, Guo Jing ordered servants to prepare guest rooms.

Huashan had traveled far and shouldn’t stay at an inn.

Fortunately, after driving out those *wine sacks and rice bags*, the Guo mansion had plenty of vacant rooms.

More than enough for the Huashan group.

While the feast was being prepared, Huang Rong took Ning Zhongze and Yue Lingshan for a stroll around the mansion.

As they say, men have their bonds, and women have their friendships.

Yue Buqun always brought Ning Zhongze along, hoping to leverage such *petticoat connections* to benefit Huashan.

Before coming, Yue Lingshan had heard her parents mention Huang Rong, the martial world’s *Female Zhuge*, many times.

They mostly praised her intellect, but upon meeting, Yue Lingshan realized Huang Rong’s beauty was even more striking than her wit.

Which young girl doesn’t love beauty?

Though Huang Rong was much older, Yue Lingshan felt *ashamed of her own inferiority* standing before her.

Huang Rong, with her keen sensitivity, noticed this.

She smiled and asked why Yue Lingshan seemed preoccupied.

“Madam Guo, may I ask you a question?”

“No outsiders here. Ask away, and I’ll answer fully!”

“I want to know what powders or creams you use daily. Your skin looks so much better than mine!”

Yue Lingshan spoke nervously, glancing at Ning Zhongze.

She feared her mother might find the question rude.

Fortunately, Ning Zhongze only smiled gently, not scolding her.

She, too, was curious.

Though she never used rouge or powder, as a woman, comparing herself to Huang Rong stirred some concern.

But with her reserved nature, Ning Zhongze wouldn’t ask such a question herself.

“This?”

Huang Rong, unusually, was at a loss for words.

She didn’t use those things either.