Chapter 58

Returning to the front of the small courtyard, the door was locked. Ding Ning used the key to open the gate and found that Lin Xuan was not there.

First, he went to the flower bed and carefully examined the clover plant, noticing that it had grown a bit taller and had sprouted another small stem.

Ding Ning was overjoyed and transplanted the single small stem to one side, thus having two clover plants.

After doing these things, Ding Ning returned indoors, put away his things, and sat in meditation at the spirit acupoint, practicing for three major cycles.

These three major cycles of practice consumed an entire night, and the spiritual energy in the spirit acupoint even felt a certain amount of depletion.

However, after completing the three cycles of meditation, Ding Ning's Second Level Qi Induction realm was completely stabilized.

Silently calculating the amount of spiritual energy in the spirit acupoint, it should be enough to support his cultivation to the mid-stage of the Second Level. By the time he reached the mid-stage, the spirit acupoint would likely be depleted.

According to his current cultivation progress, it would take another one or two months to enter the mid-stage. The most urgent task during this period was to quickly refine the Spirit Gathering Pill.

Lin Xuan had not returned, and many of his things were still left indoors. It was unclear what this young man had been doing all night.

Seeing that it was already light, Ding Ning paused his cultivation. He planned to go out and buy a mobile phone today so he could contact Yue Ge'er and Luo Shuai.

However, before doing that, Ding Ning needed to go to Tianqiao Park to give the bracelet to An Xiaoyue. After all, he had received ten thousand yuan from her, and as her teacher, he should fulfill his responsibilities.

After tidying up, he cleaned the alchemy furnace and placed it in the cellar, locking the cellar door securely. Then, Ding Ning got up and left home.

He ran to Tianqiao Park and went to the place where he used to practice boxing.

When he arrived, Secretary Feng and Old Chen were still practicing boxing, but An Xiaoyue was nowhere to be seen.

Seeing Ding Ning appear again, Secretary Feng's eyes lit up. He stopped practicing and ran to Ding Ning's side, saying, "Little classmate, you're here to practice boxing again?"

"Yes, old sir, is Miss An not here?"

"I haven't seen her for several days. It's probably because of her mother's illness."

Secretary Feng looked at Ding Ning with a somewhat unfathomable expression. "Little classmate, if you have time, you can give her a call. She left her number for you."

Secretary Feng then recited a phone number, which Ding Ning immediately memorized.

The last time, Secretary Feng mentioned that An Xiaoyue's mother was in a vegetative state. At that time, Ding Ning had not yet entered the Second Level Qi Induction and could not write a Spirit Concentration Talisman, so he was helpless. Now that Ding Ning had stabilized his Second Level Qi Induction realm, he thought he should help her.

After memorizing An Xiaoyue's number, Ding Ning wanted to leave.

Unexpectedly, Secretary Feng suddenly asked, "Little classmate, do you go online often?"

"I don't go online. Good students shouldn't be addicted to the internet," Ding Ning said expressionlessly.

Secretary Feng's heart churned. From your appearance, you don't look like a good student at all. You're just pretending.

"It's good that you don't go online. If young people could all focus on physical exercise instead of being addicted to the internet, there probably wouldn't be so many fat people."

Ding Ning was subtly countered by Secretary Feng but didn't care. He indeed didn't go online much, as his home didn't have internet access, and he didn't have the extra money for it.

"I'm old, but I still go online to read the news. A few days ago, there was a video of someone selling talismans at Tianqiao Market that became very popular. It seems a fat man created some talismans, and a lot of water fell from the sky. The talismans were quickly snatched up. Have you seen this video?"

"I haven't seen it. It's probably a scam," Ding Ning shook his head quickly.

"Hehe, the fat man's talismans are very simple, basically just one character. But it's said that the talismans are miraculous. Many of the talismans he sold were used, but some people kept a few. Now, on the black market, the price of these talismans is skyrocketing. It's said that a talisman with the character '静' (calm) has been hyped up to 500,000 yuan each!"

Hearing this, Ding Ning felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He stumbled and almost fell to the ground.

"How much...?"

"500,000 yuan, and the price is still rising," Secretary Feng's expression was strange.

Ding Ning's face turned pale, as if he had just heard that his master had been bitten by a dog.

500,000 yuan, Ding Ning had never seen so much money in his life.

As a god of wealth, he loved money. Hearing that so much money had slipped away, he felt an indescribable pain.

One talisman for 500,000 yuan, and his twenty-odd talismans were still rising in price. How much had he lost?

Silently calculating the number, Ding Ning thought about whether he should go out and do another batch.

Although going out again would bring many troubles, people die for wealth, especially someone like Ding Ning, who had no resistance to money.

Secretary Feng was still muttering, "If I were that fat man, I wouldn't risk going to Tianqiao Market again. There are too many people and too much risk. It would be better to take a high-end route. Now, in Haibin's upper class, many people are inquiring about the fat man's background and seeking his help."

At this moment, Ding Ning finally realized something.

Secretary Feng knew!

Almost instantly, Ding Ning confirmed this.

Secretary Feng looked old enough to be retired, but people called him that, indicating he was likely a former leader.

Although the term "secretary" is broad, this old man definitely wasn't a minor official.

Narrowing his left eye, Ding Ning gave him a sidelong glance.

Secretary Feng's financial luck immediately appeared before Ding Ning.

"Feng Zheyuan, 65 years old, poor financial luck in youth, low financial luck in young adulthood, moderate financial luck in middle age, moderate financial luck in old age, and moderate financial luck in late life..."

Ding Ning's understanding of financial luck was deepening. This "moderate" indicated that the person had no extraordinary wealth, a stable life, and a legitimate source of income.

Generally, government officials and civil servants fall into this category.

This person was a leader but had moderate financial luck, which immediately increased Ding Ning's good impression of him.

Such leaders are rare.

Feng Zheyuan should not find it difficult to investigate Ding Ning's identity, especially since Ding Ning had written the character "冰" (ice) in front of him, giving him more reason to be certain.

Judging from his financial luck, this person should be upright and honest. Even if he knew, he wouldn't spread it around or have any ill intentions.

Hearing his deliberate reminder, Ding Ning slowly nodded. "Old sir, what you said is very wise. If that fat man hears your words, he will surely be enlightened."

"Hehe, hearing you say that, I'm very happy. I wonder if that fat man would be willing to be friends with an old man like me someday?"

"I think he would be very willing. The fat man loves to eat. If you prepare some good food, he might come uninvited."

Ding Ning blinked, trying to test the old man's sincerity.

"Good, good, good. Next time, I'll definitely treat him to a meal. Although my pension isn't much, I can afford some food and drinks."

A hint of excitement appeared in Feng Zheyuan's eyes. People always have selfish desires. He had been a leader all his life and had seen many scenes, but now that he was retired, it was time to think about himself. Ding Ning, such a high-level person, was someone ordinary people couldn't even invite. Being able to make friends with him would be a great opportunity.

"Then I'll thank you on behalf of that greedy fat man. Old sir, I have to go. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Ding Ning."

Feng Zheyuan waved at Ding Ning, inadvertently saying his name.

Ding Ning was stunned and turned to look at Feng Zheyuan blankly.

Feng Zheyuan's face turned awkward, but after years of political experience, his skin was thick. He smiled kindly and pretended to pinch his fingers. "I have a slight understanding of the I Ching and can predict the future. I already knew your name."

"Is that so?"

Ding Ning smiled broadly and bowed in admiration. "Old Mr. Feng Zheyuan is truly remarkable. I have learned a lot."

This time, it was Feng Zheyuan's turn to be stunned. He had spent a long time investigating Ding Ning's name through various channels, with the help of government agencies. How could Ding Ning know his name?

"Oh! Oh! Oh! You must have seen me on TV, right?"

Feng Zheyuan thought of a seemingly reasonable reason.

"Maybe. And the person next to you, Old Mr. Chen Bin, has also been on TV, right?"

This time, Feng Zheyuan was speechless. He did appear on TV often, but the government office director next to him had never been on TV. How could Ding Ning know his name?

"You... How do you know?"

"Hehe, I have the Heavenly Eye technique. I can see everything about a person just by looking at them. Old Mr. Feng, if that fat man wants to eat seafood from Lianyungang, your pension might not be enough."

With that, Ding Ning waved and left, leaving Feng Zheyuan and Chen Bin standing there in shock.

A mischievous smile appeared on Ding Ning's face. He thought, "You can guess all you want. In front of a true god, your tricks are nothing."

*****

Today's update is a bit earlier. Brothers, we have seen the light of victory in the Three Rivers. The gap is getting smaller, and this pit-filling game is finally coming to an end. Keep going, keep going. You can vote again now. This is a victory of collective effort. If Three Rivers wins, Black Earth will add more chapters!

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