Chapter 219: Brothers Conspire
Right now, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit had been swept into a massive whirlpool, completely out of control!
“If it weren’t for Ning Xiaohui, I would never reveal such critical information to Ning Zhuo!” The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit was very unwilling, and as it sighed, its expression suddenly shook, showing a look of terror.
“Life Hanging by a Thread!”
“Ning Zhuo was trapped in a crisis, urgently needing key intelligence. He couldn’t obtain it from Ning Jiufan, but he got it from me.”
“The reason I helped him was because of Ning Xiaohui.”
“Even though Ning Xiaohui despised and hated Ning Zhuo, she too had been implanted with ‘Life Hanging by a Thread.’ Her life force could also be used by Ning Zhuo!”
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit was, of course, quite familiar with the divine ability *Life Hanging by a Thread*.
Realizing the hidden battle over fate, the mysterious shifts and influences, its head couldn’t help but shrink back into its shell.
The fully executed *Life Hanging by a Thread* divine ability had already begun to take effect.
However, very few people could detect it!
Even the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit had only glimpsed a corner of the fate influence and its changes.
…
Ning Zhuo fell silent.
He understood what the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit meant—it, being the spirit of the palace, could not directly take action against the trial disciples, but he could!
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit had notified him because it knew Ning Zhuo could stop Ning Xiaohui.
The reason was simple.
*Life Hanging by a Thread!*
Ning Xiaohui had long been implanted with Ning Zhuo’s *Life Hanging by a Thread*.
Once the divine ability was activated, it might lead to Ning Xiaohui’s death.
“But all of this needs to be carefully planned.”
If Ning Zhuo directly used the divine ability, it would inevitably provoke an investigation by Ning Jiufan.
Ning Xiaohui was a genius, possessing the *Ice Jade Hand*, and was the main line’s representative in the Qi Refining stage.
If she died, the entire Ning family would be shaken.
The Ning family and Ning Jiufan’s investigation wouldn’t be the real issue; the true threat was Zhu Xuanji!
Considering Zhu Xuanji’s alliance with the three families, he would almost certainly participate in the subsequent investigation.
“Besides, I haven’t had the chance to ask the Fire Spirit about the Foundation Establishment method yet.” Ning Zhuo sighed.
In both of his conversations with the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, he had been in a rush and never had the opportunity to ask about the Foundation Establishment method, to confirm his previous suspicions.
Licking his dry lips, Ning Zhuo stopped thinking and immediately sent his soul into the Immortal Palace.
He needed to contact Sun Lingtong right away.
Although there were other means of contact, those methods could no longer be used.
“Zhu Xuanji asked me a few questions and then left.”
“He arrived with such grandeur, but only gave me three days to respond. It was all thunder without rain!”
“This was completely different from his usual low-profile style when investigating cases.”
“So, it’s very likely that he planted some kind of surveillance method on me or in this room.”
“Using conventional methods to contact Sun Lingtong would be as good as exposing myself.”
“Now I can only hope that Sun Lingtong is also in the Lava Immortal Palace!”
Since Ning Zhuo had brought Sun Lingtong into the trial, he had also later gained the status of a trial disciple.
This meant he could freely enter and exit the Lava Immortal Palace.
When Ning Zhuo’s puppet appeared in Room One, the puppet Sun Lingtong, who had been hiding in the corner, immediately came over.
“What happened exactly? Why is Zhu Xuanji looking for you?” Sun Lingtong pressed for details.
Although he was in the underground base, he had always been keeping an eye on the situation outside.
With such a major event causing a stir throughout the entire city, Sun Lingtong quickly found out.
He immediately realized that using the old methods to contact Ning Zhuo was far too dangerous.
So, he had come to the Lava Immortal Palace to wait.
He figured that if Ning Zhuo wanted to contact him, this would be the way.
Sure enough, he was right! Ning Zhuo had contacted Sun Lingtong.
This was the tacit understanding built between the two brothers over more than ten years!
“This is not the place to talk.” Ning Zhuo led Sun Lingtong deeper into the Lava Immortal Palace.
After arranging for the Golden-Blooded Battle Ape, Dasheng, to be stationed at the previous checkpoint, and ensuring that there were no others in the room, Ning Zhuo briefly explained the situation.
Sun Lingtong’s reaction was just as Ning Zhuo had expected.
“Zhu Xuanji is investigating you and has given you three days. Why not use this time to escape?”
“If you’re found out, you’ll face severe punishment under Southern Dou law! The Ning family won’t be able to protect you; only the No-Void Sect would be a relatively safe place.”
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit had been eavesdropping on their conversation, and upon hearing Sun Lingtong’s suggestion, it couldn’t help but grow anxious.
If Ning Zhuo fled, what would happen to it?
At this moment, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit didn’t dare to speak up directly; it could only pace anxiously around the main hall.
It silently prayed that Ning Zhuo would at least do something good before fleeing—like dealing with Ning Xiaohui first.
Ning Zhuo rejected Sun Lingtong’s suggestion.
“Brother Sun, you know I won’t give up so easily!”
“The Lava Immortal Palace holds great significance for me.”
“And it’s not yet time to give up.”
“I’ve already thought of some countermeasures.”
Sun Lingtong sighed. He had already anticipated Ning Zhuo’s response when he tried to persuade him.
“Alright, tell me, what’s your plan? How can I help?”
Ning Zhuo explained that Sun Lingtong should go to the secret base and assemble the Golden Core-level Mechanical Ape.
By now, all the external construction projects Ning Zhuo had assigned were complete.
With the framework and armor already in place, Ning Zhuo could insert the mechanical parts he had obtained from the Lava Immortal Palace, completing the assembly of a Golden Core-level Mechanical Ape.
“Right now, we urgently need Golden Core-level combat power to prevent any unforeseen events!”
Sun Lingtong nodded. “I’ll help you assemble it.”
The framework and armor were already in the underground secret base.
Handing over the mechanical parts Ning Zhuo had on him would be somewhat troublesome.
But with over ten years of cooperation between the two brothers, along with their experience in black market dealings, it was only troublesome, not impossible.
“Besides that, I also need you to play the role of Yang Chanyu once, and then again as one of the shadow demon cultivators.”
Sun Lingtong nodded. “I’m familiar with Yang Chanyu, no problem.”
“But the shadow demon cultivator… I’ve never seen him.”
Ning Zhuo replied, “I saw him with my own eyes.”
“Ever since Mount Huoshi, I had a premonition that I might need to use this identity to disguise myself for easier action. So I prepared some clothes in advance and hid them in Secret Base No. 3.”
Ning Zhuo then explained to Sun Lingtong the exact location where these clothes were hidden.
As Sun Lingtong memorized the information, he couldn’t help but pat Ning Zhuo on the shoulder. “Being prepared, that’s truly your style. Not bad, not bad.”
Ning Zhuo continued, “The original scripture has already been refined and is now part of the Golden-Blooded Battle Ape.”
“But we still need the scripture!”
“Brother Sun, can you forge a scripture?”
“To make it convincing, we can even throw in the nine-layer Qi Refining Demonic Blood Tendon Technique.”
Sun Lingtong thought for a moment. “I’ll do my best to forge the scripture, but I can’t guarantee the outcome.”
“After all, we’re trying to deceive Golden Core-level figures, especially Zhu Xuanji, a detective who possesses the Celestial Golden Eyes.”
Ning Zhuo nodded and sighed. “I understand! The current situation, we can only do our best and leave the rest to fate.”
“If something happens to me, Brother Sun, please take the Golden Core-level Mechanical Ape and leave immediately.”
“I expect that I’ll be captured by Zhu Xuanji and sent to the Southern Dou capital for trial.”
“If you remain free, you might find a chance to rescue me.”
“If possible, take both the Golden-Blooded Battle Ape, Dasheng, and the Nether Envoy, Qi Bai, with you.”
“I also have some hidden treasure locations; you know all of them.”
“Right, I also have a precious seal…”
Ning Zhuo was about to tell Sun Lingtong about the Buddha Heart Demon Seal.
However, Sun Lingtong reached out to stop him from continuing.
Sun Lingtong was a bit angry. “Enough! Xiao Zhuo, we will succeed this time.”
At this moment, Sun Lingtong displayed immense confidence and an even stronger determination to fight than Ning Zhuo.
“For over ten years, we brothers have never failed to accomplish something when we’ve worked together!”
“So, we’ll make it through this difficult time as well.”
Ning Zhuo was slightly stunned, then laughed loudly three times and patted Sun Lingtong on the shoulder, his tone firm and resolute. “Brother Sun, you’re absolutely right!”
The two brothers parted, each fully focused
on exploring their demonic paths.
Sun Lingtong left him, his soul returning to his body.
“Xiao Zhuo.” Alone, Sun Lingtong’s face showed a worried expression.
He knew that Ning Zhuo’s final words were just an excuse to trick him into escaping alone.
This showed that Ning Zhuo had no confidence in overcoming this crisis!
Sun Lingtong could fully understand.
If it were him, he would have even less confidence than Ning Zhuo.
This time, the situation was incredibly dangerous.
“Xiao Zhuo not only has to face Zhu Xuanji’s investigation but also the life-and-death dilemma with Ning Xiaohui.”
“His plan carries a lot of risks, and the forged scripture is the most crucial tool.”
“Can I really pull it off?”
As Sun Lingtong thought about this, he became even less confident.
After all, he was only in the Foundation Establishment stage, and this was the first time he would confront someone like Zhu Xuanji.
“There is someone more capable than I am.”
“Maybe, I should ask her for help?”
At this moment, Sun Lingtong thought of Yang Chanyu.
Yang Chanyu’s cultivation was higher than his, as she was a Golden Core true disciple of the No-Void Sect.
Yang Chanyu cultivated the *Old Cicada Art*, which excelled in disguise.
Once this idea appeared, Sun Lingtong could no longer suppress it.
He took a deep breath and quickly made a decision—to seek Yang Chanyu’s help in secret.
He quietly left the underground base, looking up at the sky and the sun, thinking that after being cooped up underground for so long, he had finally seen daylight.
He walked stealthily through the alley, following hidden signs that only a few could recognize, and soon found Yang Chanyu.