Chapter 222: "What exactly is your plan?"
"Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit?!" Ning Zhuo heard its voice through the "Life Hanging by a Thread" technique.
Ning Zhuo immediately paused, feeling a trace of surprise.
Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit: "Little... Spirit has finally reconnected with you, Little Master."
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit tried hard to display a weak yet excited state.
Slap.
The fire whip lashed again, causing the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit to grimace in pain.
It sucked in a cold breath and continued to persuade, "Little Master, stop and listen to me first. What I'm about to say is very important."
"The old master designed three paths for assessment and training with a specific purpose."
"You've already cleared the Buddhist path, and you must have felt its significance. This path emphasizes commanding other puppet creations in battle and repair."
Slap!
"The Daoist path mainly tests the execution of Five Elements techniques. Therefore, every cultivator who passes through this path possesses excellent spellcasting abilities."
"And the Five Elements techniques are well-balanced, covering all aspects. Besides offense, they are also strong in defense, enemy control, and healing."
Slap! Slap!
"The last, the Demonic path, focuses on cultivating the ability to break through enemy lines. Much like those powerful body cultivators on the battlefield, often charging through enemy formations, slaying enemy generals amidst thousands of troops."
"This is all I can tell you, Little Master. Please be cautious."
Slap! Slap! Slap!
The more the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit spoke, the more rules it violated, causing it to be whipped more frequently.
Hearing the sound of the whip, Ning Zhuo couldn't help but curiously ask, "Strange, what is that sound?"
Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit: Wuu wuu wuu...
Ning Zhuo felt an odd sensation: "Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, are you crying?"
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit stiffened its neck: "Of course not, I'm just being whipped! Ah!"
It finally couldn't endure it anymore and let out a painful scream.
"I... I am a palace spirit and should remain absolutely fair."
"But what I just told you was a crucial reminder, which violates this principle, so I am being punished by the Immortal Palace. Ah!!"
As it spoke, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit once again let out a miserable cry of pain.
Although it felt incredibly ashamed, it was willing to endure anything to win Ning Zhuo's trust.
Ning Zhuo took a deep breath: "Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, thank you for everything you've done for me. In the future, when I conquer the Immortal Palace, I'll remember your kindness and make sure to reward you greatly!"
Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit: ...
Hearing Ning Zhuo's words of comfort only made it feel more pain!
"Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit," Ning Zhuo called out.
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, in too much pain to speak to Ning Zhuo, closed its mouth, retracted its limbs and head into its shell, and silently endured the whipping.
Occasionally, it let out muffled groans because the pain was unbearable.
Slap.
Slap, slap.
Slap, slap, slap.
Ning Zhuo clenched his fists tightly and sighed deeply: "Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, hang in there!"
"Where are you in the Immortal Palace?"
"Is there anything I can do to help you?"
"Ah, right, 'Life Hanging by a Thread!'"
"I can use this technique to connect with you, cast a spell, and help you resist!"
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit couldn't help but poke its head out, glaring with wide eyes, its gaze piercing through the air, locking onto Ning Zhuo: Look at what you're saying! Does that sound like something a human would say?!
Slap.
Its head got whipped again.
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit whimpered in pain, retracting its head back into the shell, muttering curses under its breath.
Ning Zhuo kept calling for the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, but hearing no response, he assumed it was too weakened from the whipping and had lost the connection.
He pondered over the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit's words, and after a brief contemplation, he understood its underlying message.
"Since the Demonic path cultivates roles like powerful warriors who break through enemy lines."
"Then relying on Yuan Dasheng to break through would greatly violate the intention behind the trial set by the Three Sect Lords."
"Going against the will of the Three Sect Lords surely won't lead to good results."
"It's just like how earlier, when I cast a spell to stimulate the blood tendons of the puppets, it had a counterproductive effect on the overall battle."
"The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit risked severe punishment just to remind me."
"This means that if I continue relying on Yuan Dasheng to help me pass, I'll definitely suffer a huge loss."
"No, to be precise, it reminded me before I pushed the door... meaning I can't take Yuan Dasheng inside?"
"The last trial, I have to face it alone?"
Seeing that Ning Zhuo had placed Yuan Dasheng in the second trial and intended to face the last trial alone, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit felt a sense of relief and transmitted its voice once more: "Little... Little Master."
Slap.
"Why are you in such a hurry to pass the trial?"
"Little Spirit thinks that Ning Xiaohui is your greatest threat, after all."
Ning Zhuo replied, "I'm trying to pass the trial precisely to deal with the threat of Ning Xiaohui."
"Clearing the Buddhist trial grants job badges for roles like the Medical Hall. I suspect the job badge of the Record Pavilion's chief is among the rewards for completing the Daoist or Demonic trials."
"As long as I obtain the corresponding position, no one will be able to claim any job related to the Record Pavilion in the future."
"I can demote them all with a single thought—this is a permanent solution!"
Slap.
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit grimaced in pain: "Aiya, Little Spirit's concerns were indeed correct."
"Little Master, there's no Record Pavilion chief's job badge in any of the trial rewards."
Ning Zhuo was stunned: "How could that be?"
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit revealed: "The authority of the Lava Immortal Palace is divided into three parts."
"One part is me, the palace spirit, responsible for the operation and functions of the Lava Immortal Palace."
"Another part is the palace seal, which oversees the inheritance of the Three Sect Laws. This is the Buddha Heart Demon Seal, so you, Little Master, can influence the trial."
"The final part belongs to the palace master, who manages personnel changes."
Slap.
"Of course, the three powers are not strictly divided; we also have overlapping responsibilities."
"For instance, besides managing the operation of the Lava Immortal Palace, I can also slightly intervene in the inheritance of the Three Sect Laws and assess the contributions of cultivators in various positions."
"The palace seal and palace master are the same."
"After passing the trials, the disciples' chosen positions are all related to the inheritance. For example, the Medical Hall's position is for continuing to train disciples in real-life repair and healing skills."
Slap.
"Another example is the commander's position after the Demonic path, which trains disciples in battlefield leadership."
"The Record Pavilion's position is unrelated to inheritance and falls under my jurisdiction as a functional building of the Lava Immortal Palace."
"To obtain the Record Pavilion's position, one must accumulate contributions and merits. Of course, the Record Pavilion is highly significant. Only our own people can hold this position; outsiders cannot be promoted to it."
Slap.
Ning Zhuo suddenly understood: "So that's how it is. Even so, I still need to attempt passing the trial!"
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit became anxious again, seeing that despite explaining so clearly, Ning Zhuo remained stubborn.
Ning Zhuo: "I have another plan."
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit wanted to ask about the plan, as it was crucial to its own freedom.
However, Ning Zhuo changed the subject and suddenly inquired about matters related to the Foundation Establishment method.
He voiced his guesses and sought confirmation from the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit.
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit remained silent for a moment before finally admitting, "Little Master, your guess is correct."
Slap.
"Passing one trial grants a Foundation Establishment method, but that only counts as a single-dantian Foundation Establishment."
"Combining the methods of two paths would result in a dual-dantian Foundation Establishment."
"The methods of all three paths together form a true triple-dantian Foundation Establishment!"
Slap.
"However, Little Master, there's no need to rush. Your current focus should be on..."
Ning Zhuo interrupted directly, asking, "For a triple-dantian Foundation Establishment, what kind of assistance is required?"
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit fell silent again before choosing to answer: "No assistance is necessary."
Slap.
"People commonly use Foundation Establishment Pills to increase their chances of success."
"Essentially, the Foundation Establishment Pill provides abundant essence, energy, and spirit while coordinating the relationship between the three dantians."
Slap.
"The Three Sect Laws created by the old master refine the essence, energy, and spirit, greatly enhancing all three."
"At the same time, in the late stages of the seventh to ninth levels, the Three Sect Laws emphasize synchronization and connection between the three dantians."
"Therefore, as long as disciples train all three techniques to the ninth level peak, they can smoothly establish their foundation, naturally and without any obstacles."
Slap.
Ning Zhuo was overjoyed.
This meant that as long as he obtained the complete Foundation Establishment method, he could successfully establish his foundation!
But he quickly calmed down.
He thought about his current situation—even with the Foundation Establishment method, he was still under the watchful eyes of Golden Core ancestors, and the Floating Cloud was no longer safe. It would be difficult to find an opportunity to establish his foundation!
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit anxiously asked, "Little Master, what exactly is your plan?"
Slap.
Ning Zhuo replied, "No rush, no rush."
"Let me ask you, what exactly is the matter with the palace trial? When will the palace trial begin, giving me the opportunity to compete for the position of the Immortal Palace Master?"
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit took a deep breath, suppressing its irritation, and could only answer, "The condition to trigger the palace trial is for a cultivator to meet the required standards."
"Their cultivation, corresponding proficiency in mechanical arts, and contribution merits must all reach a certain standard, which will trigger the palace trial."
"The lower their cultivation, the higher the contribution required."
Slap.
"When the palace trial begins, the top thirty-two cultivators below the key figure will also gain the opportunity to compete on the same stage."
"The old master set this up to prevent any malicious manipulation and to give the key figure a chance to demonstrate their abilities and intimidate others."
Slap.
Ning Zhuo asked again, "How do I meet the standard?"
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit replied, "Your contribution merits must reach the level of a first-grade position."
Slap.
Ning Zhuo was stunned. Recently, he had been studying the tasks of the Medical Hall and knew the merit evaluation for each type of task.
Although he held a second-grade position, it didn't mean he had second-grade merits.
The target was too high!
Because Ning Zhuo's current merits were quite awkward.
They... were negative.
After all, Ning Zhuo had blown up part of the Immortal Palace!
"Li... Little Master." The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit couldn't hold back anymore. "I'm about to lose connection with you again."
"Tell me your plan quickly!"
Seeing this, Ning Zhuo finally decided to reveal his plan.
After hearing it, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit was both excited and frightened: "This... this is too dangerous..."
(End of Chapter)