Chapter 6: I, Ning Zhuo, Am Remarkably Unremarkable

Chen Cha, who had grown suspicious, discreetly questioned Ning Zhuo about several matters.

The questions spanned multiple areas, and only the true creator could answer them.

Of course, this was no challenge for Ning Zhuo.

After a round of exchanges, Chen Cha dismissed his suspicions, his heart inevitably shaken: "This was really designed and made by him?"

"Isn't he a disciple of the Ning Family? The Ning Family excels in talismans, so when did they become so proficient in mechanical techniques, even nurturing such an outstanding young cultivator?"

"If this development continues, this child will undoubtedly become extraordinary in the future!"

Chen Cha looked at Ning Zhuo with newfound respect and intense interest, unable to resist asking him more questions.

Ning Zhuo said, "This year, I graduated from the academy. Senior, with your discerning eyes, I must admit that I do have a great interest in mechanical techniques and have been self-studying by collecting books. It has nothing to do with the Ning Family academy."

Chen Cha stroked his beard, deliberately asking, "Among the hundred arts of cultivation, the top four are alchemy, artifact refining, talisman making, and formations. Mechanical techniques are at the bottom, a fringe discipline among fringe disciplines. Why do you favor this path so much?"

In an instant, Ning Zhuo realized that this exchange had reached the most critical juncture!

This meeting with Chen Cha had been premeditated. Bringing out the mechanical monkey was part of his plan.

The young man pondered for a moment, then replied solemnly, "I believe that the essence of cultivation is to practice the truths of the world. The hundred arts of cultivation are merely applications of these truths, essentially just tools."

"Pills are tools, magic artifacts are tools, flying swords are tools, and so are talismans and formations."

"Using these tools can facilitate our cultivation and increase the success rate of various activities."

"And the pinnacle of tools is none other than mechanical techniques!"

"The new materials for a mechanism are refined using alchemical methods. The structure of a mechanism is shaped using artifact refining techniques. The arrays and talismans on a mechanism all involve the skills of formation setting and talisman making."

"An excellent mechanical artifact is a clever combination of cultivation techniques."

At this point, Ning Zhuo paused, then added, "As for why mechanical techniques are at the bottom of the hundred arts, considered fringe, it's because they are difficult to learn and perfect, with the highest barrier to entry!"

"On one hand, constructing mechanical artifacts requires cultivators to master various cultivation techniques. Alchemy, artifact refining, talisman making, and array setting are all fundamental. After mastering them, one must choose and combine countless materials and techniques."

"On the other hand, designing mechanical artifacts is even harder. It tests a cultivator's thinking, talent, inspiration, and imagination. A good design may take a cultivator many years to complete, often getting stuck at a certain point for years without progress."

"Only excellent designs can produce excellent mechanical artifacts."

Chen Cha, hearing Ning Zhuo's arguments, leaned back slightly, his eyes shining as he looked at the young man before him, unable to resist clapping his hands: "Well said, well said indeed!"

His attitude towards Ning Zhuo changed once again.

From mere appreciation and interest, it turned into genuine rapport between like-minded individuals!

The interactions between people are mysterious. Some may be in close contact daily yet remain the most familiar strangers. Others might resonate in their first conversation, finding mutual understanding and agreement.

Chen Cha and Ning Zhuo grew more and more engaged in their discussion, naturally changing how they addressed each other.

Chen Cha affectionately called Ning Zhuo "Little Zhuo," while Ning Zhuo began referring to him as "Old Chen."

To Ning Zhuo's questions, Chen Cha pondered for a moment and then provided three solutions.

Normally, he would offer at most one solution for clarification. But with Ning Zhuo, he held nothing back.

Listening to the three plans, Ning Zhuo immediately had innumerable questions and asked them one by one.

Chen Cha answered them all, his attitude towards explanations exceedingly enthusiastic, completely disregarding any fees.

Ning Zhuo continued to offer suggestions, modifying the three plans.

Chen Cha couldn't help but immerse himself in the joy of discussing with a peer.

In their discussion, the plans quickly improved and optimized, eventually settling on adding blood to the Explosive Flame Monkeys, incorporating a dynamic array foundation within the blood. This would stabilize the body and allow blood evaporation to dissipate heat, significantly alleviating the heat stress on the Explosive Flame Monkeys.

Chen Cha judged: "Based on my years of experience, once the Explosive Flame Monkeys hit the market, they will undoubtedly be well-received."

"Little Zhuo, why don't you let my Disc Workshop produce the Explosive Flame Monkeys?"

"For you, how could you personally manufacture a large number of mechanical Explosive Flame Monkeys? You must entrust a workshop for mass production."

"My Disc Workshop has enough cultivators and equipment to meet your production needs."

"Additionally, I have been operating in Fire Persimmon Immortal City for decades, with sufficient sales channels and some background in the City Lord's Mansion."

"On one hand, I can use my connections to get some tax exemptions, allowing you to earn more."

"On the other hand, this provides protection. Once the mechanical Explosive Flame Monkeys are released, they will severely impact the interests of the Monkey Head Gang."

"This gang rears a group of spiritual pet monkeys whose biggest business is ordering the monkeys to pick explosive Fire Persimmons."

"This is something that needs to be anticipated."

Ning Zhuo blinked, feigning hesitation: "This..."

Chen Cha smiled sincerely and earnestly said again: "Little Zhuo, I'll be honest with you."

"This is also highly beneficial to me."

"My Disc Workshop has not had any impressive products for many years. Your Explosive Flame Monkeys perfectly meet my urgent needs."

"The better the Explosive Flame Monkeys sell in the future, the better my Disc Workshop's reputation will become, making business easier."

"Therefore, I will only take thirty percent of the profits from the Explosive Flame Monkeys. All production costs will be entirely covered by me!"

Ning Zhuo scratched his head: "Old Chen, I can feel your sincerity, but..."

Chen Cha stroked his beard: "No problem, such a big matter indeed needs careful consideration. Perhaps you should consult your family. However, although the Ning Family is a great cultivation family, they don't have much strength in the mechanical industry. Relying on the family for this business is not a good idea. They might also likely entrust a mechanical workshop themselves."

"I speak candidly, Little Zhuo, you can go and investigate!"

Ning Zhuo waved his hand: "Old Chen, I lost both parents at a young age, living under the care of my uncle and aunt. Now, having graduated from the academy, I am fully independent."

"I can make these decisions on my own. I never intended to let the Ning Family control the mechanical Explosive Flame Monkeys."

"I only have one small request."

Chen Cha: "Oh? Feel free to ask."

Ning Zhuo: "I want to join your workshop, participating in various mechanical workshop activities to help me gain experience. I wish to seek guidance from you, Old Chen. I have so many questions accumulated. As for consultation fees, they can be deducted from my Explosive Flame Monkeys' earnings. How about it?"

Chen Cha laughed heartily: "Little Zhuo, having you join us is a blessing for the Disc Workshop. I welcome you warmly!"

"With your talent, you should directly be the vice workshop master."

Ning Zhuo quickly waved his hands: "That won't do! I need to learn and seek guidance. How could I, a mediocre Ning Family youth, have the ability to be vice workshop master?"

"Mediocre? You are far too modest!" Chen Cha shook his head, deeply impressed, mistakenly believing it to be the family ethos of the great Ning family.

Ning Zhuo's true thoughts were just that!

He did not find anything wrong with Chen Cha's previous criticism.

"Old Chen admires me and shows me great hospitality likely due to the consulting business and mechanical profits."

"I have only made minor achievements in mechanical techniques. I cannot fully understand many mechanisms in the Organ Secret Record that mother left behind."

"Just designing the mechanical monkey took me several years, with many bumps along the way. This time's problem was only solved by consulting Old Chen."

"In the realm of mechanical techniques, I still need more and greater progress."

Chen Cha's evaluation was never exaggerated, entirely grounded in reality and rich life experience, something Ning Zhuo did not know.

On one hand, Ning Zhuo had always hidden his talents and never had an exchange with a peer like today, unaware of his true positioning.

On the other hand, Ning Zhuo followed his mother's dying wish, always cautious and mindful, constantly building psychological defenses to conceal his talent.

Even when he achieved something, he would find various ways to criticize himself and identify his shortcomings, ensuring he didn't fall into pride and complacency.

For fourteen years, he repeatedly told himself: I am average, ordinary. Even if I accomplished this, others could do it too. I need to work harder, never slack off...

Over time, these countless reminders instilled in him a deeply humble character, unable to see his excellence, genuinely believing that he was not outstanding and had much to improve.

Chen Cha had long yearned for mechanical artifacts like the Explosive Flame Monkeys, a longing that occupied his thoughts day and night!

After agreeing to collaborate with Ning Zhuo, Chen Cha immediately utilized the full capacity of his workshop that same day, producing over twenty mechanical monkeys and sending them to the market to start selling.

That evening, Ning Zhuo placed the Explosive Flame Monkeys, set up with dynamic arrays, into the furnace for another baking test.

"This time, it is highly likely to succeed," Ning Zhuo felt confident about it.

His eyes turned pensive: "Chen Cha..."

Ning Zhuo had investigated Chen Cha for years and knew quite a bit about his character.

Just as Chen Cha had a high opinion of Ning Zhuo, Ning Zhuo also rated Chen Cha highly.

"If the crucial aspect of the Explosive Flame Monkeys is resolved, the next step is to figure out how to access the Magma Fairy Palace."

The Magma Fairy Palace was hidden within the depths of Fire Persimmon Mountain, concealed in thick lava.

First, Ning Zhuo needed to reach the interior of Fire Persimmon Mountain.

The path existed. Start at the summit of Fire Persimmon Mountain, dive into the Flame Demon Melting Cave via the volcano's mouth, choose the correct path from thousands of passages, and proceed deep enough to reach the vicinity of the Magma Fairy Palace.

"But if I enter the cave for the first time and something happens to the Magma Fairy Palace, that would be too conspicuous."

"After all, I have never entered the Flame Demon Melting Cave in all these years. Suddenly going into the cave would be abrupt."

"I need a cover."

With this thought, the image of his uncle Ning Ze appeared in Ning Zhuo's mind.

In that moment, he formed a plan.