Chapter 304 - Senior, Please!
"Meng Chong fought against Zhou Nongying, and in the end, Meng Chong actually won?!"
Booklord stomped his foot, momentarily dazed, before he realized what had just happened.
In this Reversal Secret Pavilion, Golden Core cultivators like them were severely suppressed, only possessing the combat strength of the Qi Refining stage.
Moreover, they couldn’t use their personal treasures and could only cast spells.
Under such circumstances, Meng Chong, who possessed the potential of a celestial, actually had the upper hand.
"Perhaps, he also collected quite a few mechanical devices," Booklord thought as he recalled the large door he had encountered earlier.
He did not know the "Demonic Blood Tendon Technique," so he could only gaze at the treasure gate and sigh in vain.
...
"Zhou Nongying, a Golden Core cultivator, was eliminated by a mere Qi Refining junior. Hmph!" Zheng Jianlian became increasingly irritated.
Zheng Shuanggou, on the other hand, quickened his pace, Zhou Nongying's defeat making him more eager to reunite with his companions.
...
A Golden Core cultivator from the Meng family was overjoyed: "Great! Lord Meng Kui has a sharp eye, no wonder he always supported Meng Chong."
"So this is the power of someone with celestial potential?"
"To eliminate a Golden Core cultivator at the Qi Refining stage, if I had such an achievement, I could boast about it for a lifetime."
After the joy subsided, the Meng family cultivator became worried.
Although Meng Chong had defeated Zhou Nongying, he must have paid a considerable price.
After such a fierce battle, Meng Chong would surely be weakened and relatively vulnerable.
"At such a critical moment, we can’t let Young Master Meng Chong encounter other cultivators! I must find him quickly and protect him."
The Meng family cultivator became anxious.
...
Ning Jiufan moved alone, traversing through the Secret Pavilion.
He opened a door and entered the next chamber of the pavilion.
Sun Lingtong’s figure gradually appeared.
Like Ning Jiufan, he was also searching for Ning Zhuo.
"We must find Xiao Zhuo as soon as possible!"
"Without my cover, it will be hard for him to take action. If a battle breaks out, it would be disastrous."
This was because Sun Lingtong was acting under the name "Ning Zhuo," and Ning Zhuo was corresponding to the "entrance standard." If a fight occurred and there was a result, whether Ning Zhuo won or lost, it would be announced, and everyone would immediately know.
This would create a huge flaw!
Sun Lingtong was doing everything he could to avoid this flaw.
...
Ning Zhuo pushed open a door and stepped into the next chamber of the pavilion.
His pupils contracted slightly as he saw a battlefield in ruins, and then he noticed a cultivator.
The battle was already nearing its end.
The cultivator's opponent was down to the last mechanical serpent.
The serpent coiled around the pedestal, guarding the treasure of the pavilion.
The sound of Ning Zhuo entering immediately drew the cultivator's attention.
Ning Zhuo's heart sank slightly, but he smiled lightly and greeted the cultivator politely.
He had encountered a Golden Core true disciple from the Zixiao Pavilion.
Out of all the people, the first person Ning Zhuo ran into was someone he was least familiar with.
Ning Zhuo's gaze quickly shifted to the pedestal.
His heart couldn't help but stir.
On the pedestal lay a large pile of spirit stones. The quality of the stones was decent, mostly mid-grade, with a small portion being high-grade.
He subconsciously began calculating. If he could acquire this pile of spirit stones, it would be extremely beneficial for controlling the various mechanical creations and restoring his own mana!
Using spirit stones to power various mechanisms was the proper method.
Previously, Ning Zhuo had used his blood essence to control the demonic mechanisms, which was extremely taxing on his vitality.
Using spirit stones would greatly reduce his consumption.
The Golden Core cultivator from Zixiao Pavilion narrowed his eyes slightly, pausing his assault on the last mechanical serpent.
Holding a short mechanical gun in each hand, he slowly turned around. As he faced Ning Zhuo, he combined the two short guns into a long mechanical spear taller than himself.
He planted the long spear on the ground and slightly raised his chin: "Ning Zhuo, junior, I’m in need of a container to store these spoils."
"Leave that floating wooden box, and you can go."
Ning Zhuo was taken aback, then chuckled lightly, "You only want this box?"
"Senior, why don’t you take a look at these instead?"
As he spoke, he gently tapped the small flying box.
From the small flying box, he took out several martial puppets and magical puppets.
In just a few breaths, a dozen mechanical creations were released, surrounding Ning Zhuo.
There were not only humanoid puppets, but also some beast-shaped mechanisms. In Ning Zhuo’s hands, he held a mechanical shield and a mechanical crossbow.
This was too extravagant!
The Zixiao Pavilion Golden Core true disciple looked at the massive lineup across from him, then back at the single mechanical spear in his hand, his only weapon.
Bang.
With a muffled sound, Ning Zhuo took out a mechanical cannon.
The Zixiao Pavilion Golden Core true disciple’s eye twitched.
"Are all these mechanical tools you’ve obtained from here, or did you bring them from the trial room?" He couldn’t help but ask, his voice hoarse.
Ning Zhuo smiled slightly and spread his hands: "Senior, does that really matter?"
"You’ve been fighting for quite some time now; you must be tired."
"I won’t see you off. You may choose any door here and leave."
As he spoke, Ning Zhuo gestured with his hand.
The Zixiao Pavilion Golden Core true disciple's expression alternated between blue and white as he glared at Ning Zhuo.
Ning Zhuo's smile faded a bit, his gaze turning cold: "Please."
"Fine, fine, fine!" The Zixiao Pavilion Golden Core true disciple nodded repeatedly, filled with fury, but ultimately, he left the Reversal Secret Pavilion with his mechanical spear.
As he left, he slammed the door shut.
Ning Zhuo sighed in relief.
He had to act strong.
One reason was for the spirit stones, and the other was to avoid a fight.
It was inconvenient for him right now. He needed to reunite with Sun Lingtong to avoid the flaw in the trial’s announcement.
"I should continue collecting tools and steadily building my advantage."
"Let the others fight and exhaust each other—that will benefit me the most."
With a wave of Ning Zhuo's hand, the mechanical creations surged forward like a tide, overwhelming the Qi Refining stage mechanical serpent.
He collected the spirit stones and controlled the puppets to quickly clean up the battlefield.
Soon, he gathered everything he needed and decisively moved on.
Frustration.
It was unbearable!
At this moment, the Zixiao Pavilion Golden Core true disciple's chest was filled with rage.
How long had it been since he was treated like this? Especially by a mere Qi Refining stage cultivator.
"Even if I’m suppressed to the Qi Refining stage, I can easily crush Ning Zhuo in a one-on-one fight."
"The problem is, the favoritism and care that the Three Sect Lords show toward trial disciples are far too excessive."
"It’s so unfair!"
Thinking about how he only had a mechanical spear, while Ning Zhuo had a whole army of mechanical creations, the Zixiao Pavilion Golden Core disciple couldn’t help but feel bitter.
The Zixiao Pavilion disciple was confident that outside of the Reversal Secret Pavilion, if he wanted to deal with Ning Zhuo, a flick of his finger would be enough to make him beg for mercy.
But within this pavilion, his strength was greatly suppressed.
He silently remembered this grudge, vowing that if he ever had the chance, he would settle the score in the future.
As he pondered, the door to his left was pushed open, and two cultivators entered.
The Zixiao Pavilion Golden Core disciple immediately became alert, his gaze sharp as it landed on Booklord and Song Fuli.
"It’s you?" The Zixiao Pavilion Golden Core disciple relaxed slightly.
Booklord and Song Fuli, upon seeing him, were overjoyed: "We were looking for you."
Booklord immediately began analyzing the situation, intending to propose an alliance.
"You want to team up with me? I agree!" The Zixiao Pavilion Golden Core disciple instantly nodded after hearing his suggestion.
His straightforward attitude greatly increased Booklord's favorability toward him, thinking the man was sensible.
The Zixiao Pavilion Golden Core disciple continued, "Listen to me. I just encountered Ning Zhuo but didn’t fight him."
"Now, the three of us should join forces and eliminate that brat!"
"Zhu Xuanji's faction is too strong. If we let Ning Zhuo reunite with others, we won’t have another chance to act."
Booklord immediately agreed and turned to ask for Song Fuli's opinion.
Song Fuli shrugged, expressing that he’d rather settle accounts with the people of Bukong Sect. But since Ning Zhuo was found first, it was his bad luck. Eliminating him first was fine.
Thus, after forming a simple alliance, the three Golden Core cultivators moved together.
The Zixiao Pavilion Golden Core disciple led the way, quickly retracing his steps.
On the peak of Huoshi Mountain, deep within the clouds and mist.
Meng Kui gazed down at the volcano's crater.
Fiery demonic beasts emerged continuously, surrounding the Lava Immortal Palace, determined not to stop until they destroyed it
.
Meng Kui remained calm.
Meng Hu, itching for action, couldn’t help but ask, "Brother, have you located that Nascent Soul from Taiqing Palace? Should I go confront him directly?"
"No," Meng Kui shook his head. "We must wait for him to show himself and make a move first. Only then can we seize the opportunity and let you appear publicly."
"Otherwise, if you’re the first to act, they’ll immediately report you to the court ministers, accusing you of recklessness, of disregarding the rules and acting as you please."
A cultivator’s power is gathered in one person.
A Nascent Soul cultivator like Meng Hu could single-handedly capture cities, one person as powerful as an army.
Any country deploying military forces would exercise extreme caution. In a nation of cultivators, dispatching Nascent Soul or higher cultivators was treated with the same caution.
If Meng Hu suddenly moved from one place to another without any prior notice, it would be like a military force abandoning its post and appearing elsewhere.
Such actions would certainly make those in power extremely uneasy, and they would do everything to suppress and prevent it from happening.
Especially in the Southern Dou nation, where the ruler was weak, and the ministers were strong. Meng Kui was very aware that if Meng Hu acted so brazenly, it would provoke the fragile and sensitive nerves of the royal court, possibly leading to extreme reactions and severe suppression of the Meng family.
The reason of demonic beasts attacking the city wouldn’t suffice for Meng Hu either.
Because, according to protocol, once Meng Kui knew he couldn’t handle it, he should report it to the higher-ups for the king and court to discuss and dispatch reinforcements.
Privately bringing a Nascent Soul cultivator from his family violated the court's rules and was utterly inappropriate. Once done, it would give rise to gossip and be met with widespread criticism.
The only valid excuse was for Meng Hu to have accidentally discovered a Nascent Soul cultivator from Taiqing Palace crossing the border suspiciously. Concerned about the other’s intentions, Meng Hu had followed him, which ultimately led him to Huoshi Immortal City.
(End of Chapter)