Chapter 123: Tiger Fight
It wasn’t impossible for the Tree Martial Ape, Dasheng, to cast spells. However, Yuan Dasheng’s spiritual nature, retaining characteristics from his previous life, was not fond of using magic.
Ning Zhuo had to rely on the Mirror Platform Spirit Technique to channel spiritual power within the mechanical body to cast spells like the Ice-Embracing Technique.
“In fact, I can only use a spell once.”
“Because the joint reconstruction team of the three families hasn’t passed Room No. 2 yet, they haven’t had access to the Ice-Embracing Technique.”
In this situation, it wasn’t suitable for Ning Zhuo to reveal the Ice-Embracing Technique. He could only use it openly after the joint reconstruction team accessed it and he “learned it publicly.”
Ning Zhuo took out the Flowing Cloud Handkerchief, covering himself and the table. From the vast, cotton-like clouds, sporadic noises of mechanical manufacturing could be heard.
Ning Zhuo was crafting a Blood Oil Bottle mechanical component! The specific blueprint came from a reward from the third level of the Demon Gate. By using this mechanical component, one could collect various blood gases, mix them, refine them, and ultimately form an oil-like substance with the texture of blood.
It paired even better with another mechanical component, the Blood Transformation Pool.
“Yuan Dasheng had mastered the Demonic Blood Tendon Technique in his lifetime and his cultivation was high.”
“Granting it blood energy would significantly enhance its combat power!”
If the Demon Gate were still active, Ning Zhuo would never reveal this mechanical component. But now, he had sealed the stone walls, deeply hiding both the Buddhist Gate and the Demon Gate. This meant that others entering the transfer hall could not access the Buddhist and Demon Gate paths, let alone claim related rewards.
Of course, the Blood Oil Bottle that Ning Zhuo crafted was not a direct copy of the original; it had been modified and altered by him. Its power was significantly reduced, and the principles had also been adjusted.
There were reasons for this approach. One reason was his limited materials on hand, with some high-quality components unavailable to him. Another reason was that even if this item was exposed in the future and the Lava Immortal Palace discovered the Blood Oil Bottle, Ning Zhuo would have plausible explanations and excuses.
The Ning family’s cultivators guarded Ning Ze’s residence. Their spiritual senses, at the Foundation Establishment stage, scanned the floating clouds but refrained from probing further.
They communicated through voice transmissions, speculating on what kind of new mechanism Ning Zhuo might be working on that required such secrecy.
“Young Master Ning Zhuo has such talent in crafting mechanisms; his future is limitless.”
“Indeed, it’s been a long time since such an outstanding descendant appeared in our branch of the family.”
“I’m curious, what kind of mechanism is he tinkering with this time?”
“But with all these clouds obstructing the view, wouldn’t it inconvenience his creation?”
“Heh, geniuses always have some quirks. Besides, we know Ning Zhuo’s background well. He lived alone for too long; this is caution and self-protection, which are good habits!”
As Ning Zhuo’s performance became more impressive, the expectations and tolerance of those around him grew.
Later that evening, Yuan Dasheng donned the Cang Tie Han Armor once more and proceeded along the sewer. It entered a specially designed narrow path. The path was dark and deep; Yuan Dasheng crawled through it, reaching the end. It manipulated a rudimentary mechanical lever, causing the stone bricks in front to shift aside, revealing a small door.
The stone brick door opened halfway up a disused well. Yuan Dasheng carefully inspected the surroundings, confirmed safety, crawled out of the well, and entered an abandoned slum dwelling. It left a Jade Slip in the corner of the slum and then returned.
This was one of the secret communication channels between Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong. Ning Zhuo secretly maneuvered with the intent to inform Sun Lingtong to recruit more demon cultivators and prepare to assassinate Yuan Er, staging a convincing act. The messages in the Jade Slip were, of course, written in the secret language jointly created by Sun Lingtong and Ning Zhuo.
At the Zheng family residence, four Golden Core ancestors gathered.
One of the Golden Core cultivators from the Zhou family, discussing Zhou Zhu and Zhou Zhenshen, wore a troubled expression: “The Earth Yin Ant swarm harbored Gu worms, leaving behind Earth Yin Qi that is hard to remove. Once the body recovers, it’s like a root of illness, with long-lasting effects.”
“Both Zhou Zhu and Zhou Zhenshen are highly talented. If the Earth Yin Qi lingers in their bodies, their vitality will gradually diminish, leading to a decline in kidney strength and potentially making them impotent, unable to produce heirs. In severe cases, their yang could turn to yin, becoming neither fully yin nor yang.”
Zheng Shuanggou sneered, “Even so, you two wish to seize our family’s Nine Yang Yellow Ox Balm? That’s too presumptuous.”
Another Golden Core elder from the Zhou family bowed, “For the sake of our descendants, as ancestors, we have no choice but to come shamelessly to ask.”
“I have a proposal.”
“Daoist Zheng Shuanggou has long wished to challenge my Night Star Silk Array.”
“Why not have my elder brother and I arrange this array, and let you two challenge it? If after three days and nights you are still trapped in the array, please grant us the Nine Yang Yellow Ox Balm.”
Zheng Shuanggou sneered, “And if we break out?”
The Zhou family elder smiled, “Then we will offer the Southern Sky Vermilion Bird Constellation Diagram!”
Hearing this, Zheng Shuanggou was moved, “Are you serious?”
Another Zhou family elder nodded, “We can swear an oath.”
The two Golden Core elders from the Zheng family communicated via voice transmission, and after a brief discussion, agreed with a nod.
Immediately, the Zhou family elder produced a length of silk, spreading it out. The surface of the silk was smooth and delicate, akin to flowing water, black as the deep night. Amidst the dark hue, faint starlight flickered intermittently, appearing and disappearing.
The silk ascended into the air, merging seamlessly with the night, without a trace of anomaly.
The four Golden Core cultivators from the Zhou and Zheng families entered the array and vanished from sight.
Zhu Xuanji roamed between the mountains, constantly keeping an eye on the Alert Wind Bell in his spiritual sea. He circled around the surroundings of the Huoshi Immortal City, probing continuously.
“Who’s there?” Suddenly, Zhu Xuanji’s eyes flashed with golden light as he stared in a certain direction.
He saw only a fleeting shadow, carrying a chilling ghostly aura, swiftly traversing towards Huoshi Immortal City.
“A Golden Core cultivator! A ghost cultivator?”
Zhu Xuanji’s expression immediately turned solemn. To withstand his Celestial Golden Eyes, the cultivator must have an extraordinary background. Judging by the aura alone, the cultivation technique’s quality was exceptionally high, seemingly from a prestigious sect.
At the peak of Mount Huoshi, the roars of beasts were incessant, and magma surged tumultuously. Various demon beasts rioted, attempting to charge out from the Red Flame Demon Molten Cave but were blocked by the Lava Immortal Palace at the final barrier.
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit sat on the throne of the main hall, roaring continuously. The Lava Immortal Palace shone with dazzling light, and numerous mechanical puppets awakened, forming defensive lines.
This scene was not beyond Meng Kui’s expectations.
“My Watching Tigers Fight from the Mountain technique covers the entire Mount Huoshi.”
“The various demon beasts within the mountain are naturally included. Those with weak fate will be the first affected, those with average fate will be swept by the momentum, and even those with the highest fate will eventually be implicated.”
Meng Kui sat amid the clouds and smoke, holding an invincible position, calmly observing the unfolding chaos.
“I wonder if that shadow demon cultivator will be drawn into revealing himself?”
In the black market, Sun Lingtong had just returned to his courtyard when his eyes suddenly flashed coldly, and he shouted, “Who’s there?!”
Two demon cultivators in black appeared, one in front and one behind, looking pleased.
“Sun Lingtong, you are already within the array; just surrender obediently!”
“Considering your affiliation with the No-Void Sect, if you reveal the whereabouts of the young puppet master, we’ll spare your life.”
Sun Lingtong’s expression tightened. Judging from their spiritual aura, he identified them: “You’re from the Soul-Devouring Sect?!”
“Spare him? Why should we!” Han Ming emerged from the shadows like a ghostly zombie, her face full of resentment and malice. “You dared to plot against me! Sun Lingtong, I want you dead!”
“And that young puppet master!”
“If you reveal him, I’ll grant you a swift death.”