Chen Cha, harboring a trace of doubt, casually asked Ning Zhuo a few questions.
The questions touched upon various aspects that only the true creator could answer.
This, of course, was no challenge for Ning Zhuo.
After a round of conversation, Chen Cha dispelled his doubts, feeling a surge of astonishment in his heart, "So it truly was him who designed and crafted this?"
"Isn't he a descendant of the Ning family? The Ning family specializes in talismans. Since when did they become so adept at Mechanical Arts, producing such an outstanding young cultivator?"
"If he continues at this rate, this young man is bound to achieve greatness!"
Chen Cha's view of Ning Zhuo completely shifted.
His interest grew, and he couldn’t help but ask a few more questions.
Ning Zhuo responded, "This year’s grand examination has concluded, and I’ve graduated from the academy. With the discerning eye of a senior like yourself, it’s true that I’ve always loved Mechanical Arts and have been interested in it for a long time. In my spare time, I collect books and study privately, completely unrelated to the Ning family academy."
Chen Cha stroked his beard and deliberately asked, "Among the Hundred Arts of Cultivation, the four major arts are pill refining, artifact refining, talisman crafting, and formation. Mechanical Arts is relegated to the bottom and considered the most niche among the arts. Why are you so drawn to this path?"
At this, Ning Zhuo's heart stirred as he realized that this conversation had reached the most critical moment!
His contact with Chen Cha was part of a carefully devised plan.
Presenting the fire explosive monkey was precisely one step in that plan.
After a moment of reflection, he adopted a solemn expression and said earnestly, "In my opinion, the essence of cultivation is about pursuing the truths of heaven and earth. The Hundred Arts of Cultivation are merely tools to wield these truths."
"Pills are tools, as are artifacts and flying swords. Talismans and formations are likewise tools."
"Using these tools aids our cultivation and improves our success in various endeavors."
"And the pinnacle of tools is none other than mechanical arts!"
"A new material on a mechanism can be refined through pill methods. The structure of the mechanism can be shaped through artifact refinement techniques. Formations and talismans on the mechanism involve the skills of array and talisman crafting."
"An exceptional mechanical construct is a brilliant amalgamation of cultivation techniques."
Here, Ning Zhuo paused, "As for why mechanical arts is relegated to the bottom, considered niche, it’s because it’s difficult to learn and master, with an exceedingly high entry threshold!"
"On one hand, creating a mechanism requires cultivators to be proficient in multiple cultivation techniques."
"Pill refining, artifact refinement, talisman crafting, and formation setting are the basics."
"Once these are mastered, one must choose and combine from a vast array of materials and techniques."
"On the other hand, designing a mechanism is even harder. It tests a cultivator's mind, talent, inspiration, and imagination. A good design might take a cultivator decades to complete, often getting stuck on a single point and making no progress for years."
"Only an outstanding design can lead to an exceptional mechanical construct."
Listening to Ning Zhuo’s insights, Chen Cha leaned back slightly, his eyes gleaming as he sized up the young man before him. Unable to restrain himself, he clapped his hands, "Well said, very well said!"
Once more, Chen Cha’s attitude towards Ning Zhuo transformed.
From initial appreciation and interest, it turned into a warm camaraderie between fellow enthusiasts!
Human connections are mysterious. Some people remain strangers even after spending years together, while others resonate deeply in their first conversation, finding shared ideals.
As Chen Cha and Ning Zhuo grew more engaged in their conversation, their manner of addressing each other naturally changed.
Chen Cha affectionately called him "Little Zhuo," and Ning Zhuo began to address him as "Old Chen."
For Ning Zhuo’s questions, Chen Cha pondered for a moment and presented three possible solutions.
Usually, he would offer only one solution to answer a query. But with Ning Zhuo, he held nothing back.
Hearing these three solutions, Ning Zhuo immediately had countless follow-up questions and raised them one by one.
Chen Cha answered each question with enthusiasm, completely forgetting about any consultation fees.
Ning Zhuo continued to offer his thoughts, suggesting modifications to the three solutions.
Chen Cha, engrossed in the joy of exchanging ideas with a kindred spirit, immersed himself fully in the discussion.
As they exchanged ideas, the solution was refined and optimized.
They ultimately decided to enhance the fire explosive monkey by adding blood as a medium, setting up a mobile formation base within the blood to stabilize the body.
The blood would also evaporate to disperse heat, greatly alleviating the fire explosive monkey’s heat resistance issue.
Chen Cha concluded, "With my years of experience, once the fire explosive monkey hits the market, it’s bound to be popular."
"Little Zhuo, why not let my Flying Disc Workshop manufacture the fire explosive monkey?"
"How can you, on your own, produce a large number of these mechanical monkeys? You’ll need a workshop to mass-produce them."
"My Flying Disc Workshop has enough cultivators and equipment to meet your production needs."
"I've operated in Fire Persimmon Immortal City for decades. I have sufficient sales channels and a slight connection with the City Lord’s Mansion."
"On one hand, I can use my connections to reduce some of the taxes, letting you earn more."
"On the other hand, it’s also a form of protection. The fire explosive monkey will heavily impact the interests of the Monkey Head Gang once it launches."
"This gang raises a troupe of spirit monkeys and their main business is commanding them to pick the explosive fire persimmons."
"This is something we need to prepare for in advance."
Ning Zhuo blinked, feigning hesitation, "Well…"
Chen Cha smiled, sincerely urging him further, "Little Zhuo, to be honest with you."
"This is also very beneficial for me."
"My Flying Disc Workshop hasn’t produced a noteworthy product in years. Your fire explosive monkey meets my urgent need perfectly."
"The better it sells, the more renowned my Flying Disc Workshop will become, and doing business will be easier."
"So, for the profit from the fire explosive monkey, my workshop will only take a thirty percent cut. I’ll cover all the production costs myself!"
Ning Zhuo scratched his head, "Old Chen, I can sense your sincerity, but…"
Chen Cha stroked his beard, "It’s fine. This is a big decision that deserves careful thought."
"Perhaps, Little Zhuo, you should consult your family. However, though the Ning family is a prestigious clan, they don’t hold much influence in the mechanical arts field."
"Relying on your family for this venture isn’t ideal. In fact, they would likely entrust it to a mechanical workshop as well."
"Take your time to investigate, I speak from experience!"
Ning Zhuo shook his hand, "Old Chen, my parents passed away when I was young, and I’ve lived with my uncle and aunt. Now that I’ve graduated from the academy, I’ve fully detached and am living independently."
"I can make these decisions myself. I never intended to let the Ning family control this fire explosive monkey."
"I only have a small request."
Chen Cha raised an eyebrow, "Oh? Feel free to ask."
Ning Zhuo said, "I’d like to join your workshop to participate in various tasks and help gain experience. I also hope to seek guidance from you, Old Chen."
"I have many questions built up. As for consultation fees, could they be deducted from the fire explosive monkey’s earnings?"
Chen Cha laughed heartily, "Little Zhuo, your presence here is a blessing for the Flying Disc Workshop. You’re most welcome!"
"Given your talent, you might as well be the vice workshop master."
Ning Zhuo quickly waved his hands, "That won’t do! I still have much to learn. I’m just an ordinary boy from the Ning family. With my limited skills, how could I take on the role of vice workshop master?"
"Ordinary? You’re far too modest!" Chen Cha shook his head, marveling, thinking it was the modest tradition of a great family like the Ning clan.
This was, in fact, Ning Zhuo’s genuine perspective.
He didn’t feel that Chen Cha’s previous criticism was unwarranted.
"The reason Old Chen holds me in such high regard and treats me so courteously must be because of the consulting business and the potential profit from the mechanism."
"My achievements in Mechanical Arts are minor. Many constructs in the secret mechanical records my mother left behind are still beyond my complete understanding."
"Designing the mechanical monkey alone took me several years, full of stumbling blocks. This time, I had to seek Old Chen’s guidance to solve the latest issue."
"I still have a lot to improve upon in Mechanical Arts."
Little did he know, Chen Cha’s praise was sincere, based on practical experience and a lifetime of insight.
Ning Zhuo was unaware that Chen Cha’s words were genuine.
On one hand, Ning Zhuo had diligently hidden his abilities, lacking any previous experience of this kind of open dialogue with a like-minded individual, thus making him unaware of his true standing.
On the other hand, he faithfully honored his mother’s dying wish to remain cautious, constantly suppressing his talents.
No matter the accomplishments he achieved, he would find ways to criticize himself, identifying various shortcomings to prevent himself from becoming proud.
For fourteen years, he had repeatedly told himself: I am ordinary and unremarkable. Whatever I accomplish, others can achieve too. I must continue to strive and never slacken…
With time, this constant self-critique had ingrained in him a humble nature, unable to see his own strengths and convinced that he still had far to go.
Chen Cha, who had long yearned for a mechanism like the fire explosive monkey, had been dreaming of it!
After reaching an agreement with Ning Zhuo, he mobilized the workshop’s entire strength that same day, producing over twenty fire explosive monkeys and launching them to the market.
That evening, Ning Zhuo placed the fire explosive monkey with its newly arranged mobile formation into a furnace to conduct another roasting test.
"This time, success is highly likely," Ning Zhuo felt confident.
His gaze turned distant, "Chen Cha…"
Ning Zhuo had investigated Chen Cha for many years and knew much about the man’s character.
Just as Chen Cha held Ning Zhuo in high regard, Ning Zhuo similarly esteemed Chen Cha.
"If there are no issues with the critical design of the fire explosive monkey, the next step is figuring out how to approach the Lava Immortal Palace."
The Lava Immortal Palace lay concealed within the mountain body of Fire Persimmon Mountain, hidden amidst thick magma.
Ning Zhuo first needed to reach the mountain’s interior.
There was a path—beginning at the summit, entering the volcanic vent, and navigating the Demon Lava Cave.
After selecting the correct path from countless tunnels and venturing deep enough, he would reach the point where the Lava Immortal Palace was visible.
"But if I enter the cave for the first time and the Lava Immortal Palace experiences an incident, it would be too conspicuous."
"After all, I’ve never entered the Demon Lava Cave before. Such a sudden entry would be rather abrupt."
"I need a cover."
As he pondered, the image of his uncle, Ning Ze, appeared in his mind.
A plan began to form in his heart.
(End of chapter)