< Chapter 40: Discard It All! >
Sun Lie slightly opened his mouth after listening, and after a long pause, he shook his head, “There are hardly any.”
“So, the real value of the Lava Immortal Palace doesn’t lie in the transmission of puppet techniques, but in the foundational techniques of the three sects and three fields?” Fei Si nodded, “The city lord is far-sighted, who are we to guess his intentions?”
“Puppet techniques have always been a niche within the myriad arts of cultivation from ancient times to the present, what’s there to pursue?”
“Such foundational techniques of the three sects are the real treasures!”
Sun Lie nodded and sighed, “I see.”
Meng Chong clenched his fists, his fighting spirit ignited, “I must acquire the techniques of the three sects and cultivate the upper, middle, and lower dantians!”
“I can’t wait any longer. Elder Sun, tell me quickly, how can Wild Sprint Thunderclap help in dispersing my cultivation?”
Sun Lie laughed lightly, “It’s quite simple.”
“After this battle, you should be able to control Wild Sprint Thunderclap actively.”
“When you disperse your cultivation, activating Wild Sprint Thunderclap simultaneously can speed up the process.”
“The applications of this innate talent, Wild Sprint Thunderclap, are extensive, not just in dispersing cultivation, but also in accelerating the accumulation of mana during cultivation.”
“In fierce battles, it can enhance your prowess with lightning speed, overcoming enemies of the Yin attribute.”
“Ordinary cultivators need to develop divine abilities starting from their life-bound spells step by step. Possessing the celestial talent of Wild Sprint Thunderclap is like having a seed of divine power. Grow it step by step, and it can transform into a divine ability!”
“There are other applications, which you will come to understand and explore gradually.”
“However, you must be cautious, as this innate ability consumes the three treasures of essence, energy, and spirit. It must not be used recklessly.”
Meng Chong acknowledged this with an “Oh,” and thanked him with a fist salute.
Sun Lie then turned to Fei Si, “Han Ming has been probing me repeatedly, fixated on the Phoenix Soul Fragrance Pills.”
“I had previously been lenient because she was a disciple of the Soul-Devouring Sect and didn’t pursue it further.”
“But this time, she intended to take my life. We are now mortal enemies!”
“I’ve added an undetectable medicinal scent to those six Phoenix Soul Fragrance Pills. Once I prepare a specific elixir and you consume it, you will be able to detect that scent.”
“Follow the scent, and you will be able to track down the Phoenix Soul Fragrance Pills! Even if they have been consumed by cultivators, as long as the scent is undetected and unbroken, it can be discerned for several months.”
Sun Lie, though straightforward and unconcerned with trivialities, has been in the cultivation world for many years and is no simpleton.
Indeed, how could someone capable of setting up a situation to stimulate Meng Chong’s potential be without cunning?
Fei Si nodded, his attitude transformed, and he bowed, “Truly a master of the Pill Path. I was mistaken earlier, please forgive my oversight.”
His gesture of respect, unusual for a Golden Core cultivator towards one at the Foundation Establishment stage, made Sun Lie regard him even more highly.
Sun Lie, an old hand in the cultivation world, nodded slightly, no longer mocking Fei Si but instead praised meaningfully, “The lord of Huoshi City has a fine subordinate indeed.”
After the division of spoils, Sun Lingtong bid farewell to young puppet master Ning Zhuo.
Ning Zhuo’s voice was hoarse, his expression indifferent: “Elder Sun, I owe you a favor for your help this time. I’ll keep it in mind.”
Sun Lingtong chuckled, “Hey, little brother, why don’t you reconsider my earlier proposal?”
“Joining the No-Void Sect?” Ning Zhuo shook his head, “I’m not interested.”
In Ning Zhuo’s view, being from the Ning family and on the path of righteousness, why would he join the demonic paths when he could be aiming for the Lava Immortal Palace and living a good life?
Although strictly speaking, the No-Void Sect wasn’t considered a demonic sect, it was definitely of an unorthodox practice.
Sun Lingtong also shook his head, “But you are really suited to join our sect.”
This remark slightly stirred Ning Zhuo’s heart.
He recalled his speculation in the Lava Immortal Palace that he might possess a hidden talent, possibly superior to Early Wisdom.
Ning Zhuo tentatively said, “I heard that No-Void Sect likes to recruit cultivators with special hand-related talents. Like the Stealing Fragrance Slipping Jade Hand, Spatial Misplacement Hand, Flowing Light Weaving Shadow Hand, Skillful Hand, Piercing Cloud Hand, and others.”
“Is it possible that I have such a talent, which is why you, Elder Sun, have always valued me?”
Sun Lingtong shook his head, “I’m not the sect’s recruiting elder, how could I tell?”
“I think your disposition is naturally suited for the paths of demonic practice.”
Ning Zhuo’s tone became serious: “Let’s not make such jokes in the future.”
Sun Lingtong widened his eyes and exclaimed, “Don’t doubt it! My eyes are very sharp when it comes to judging people.”
“Enough,” Ning Zhuo interrupted.
Sun Lingtong chuckled, “Alright then. What about these pills we’ve seized?”
“My real goal was to capture Han Ming alive. These pills feel like hot potatoes; let’s just dispose of them,” Ning Zhuo stated.
“I don’t believe Sun Lie wasn’t tampered with by Han Ming multiple times without him making some moves on these pills.”
Sun Lingtong raised his thumb, “Little brother, you’re as cautious as ever. But isn’t it a pity to dispose of all of them?”
“With the methods of the No-Void Sect, give me some time to check them, and I can detect even the most hidden tricks.”
“After all, Sun Lie is just at the peak of Foundation Establishment.”
Ning Zhuo shook his head, “I strongly advise against doing that.”
“This time, we unexpectedly ran into Meng Chong. He is a descendant of a Nascent Soul; our actions might be interpreted as an attempt to target him through stealth.”
“Fear not, Fei Si is probably investigating us by now.”
“We’re short on time, there’s no room for slow checks. We must be cautious and dispose of these pills immediately!” Ning Zhuo emphasized again.
Sun Lingtong patted his chest and nodded, “You’re right; I still want to stay in the Huoshi Immortal City.”
“But how should we dispose of them?”
Ning Zhuo snorted coldly, “Isn’t it simple? Just throw them into the Huoshi Forest.”
Sun Lingtong was initially taken aback, then his eyes sparkled, and he clapped his hands in praise,
“Brilliant, truly brilliant!”
After parting ways with Sun Lingtong, Ning Zhuo, with his spoils of war, returned to the underground base.
In the dimly lit underground cell, a basin of cold water was splashed onto Han Ming’s face. Han Ming bowed her head, her eyes tightly closed, unmoving.
young puppet master Ning Zhuo let out a hoarse cold laugh, “Stop pretending, Han Ming. You regained consciousness half a teacup’s time ago.”
Grinding her teeth, Han Ming suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze filled with undisguised murderous intent and hatred, “You dare to betray me!”
“I am a disciple of the Soul-Devouring Sect, think about the consequences if you kill me!”
Ning Zhuo sighed inwardly: He had intended to keep a low profile, working in the shadows to conquer the Lava Immortal Palace, never planning to offend a major demonic sect. But he had no choice.
His current situation left him no option but to forge ahead relentlessly. To step back, no, to even slow down a bit, meant a deep abyss and utter doom.
“A cornered rabbit will still bite; what more a human,” he thought to himself, keeping his feelings of resignation unspoken.
Ning Zhuo looked at Han Ming, quietly staring at her.
Han Ming felt uneasy under Ning Zhuo’s intense gaze. Misunderstanding his intention, her expression softened, and she adopted a helpless, vulnerable demeanor as if to survive she had to compromise,
“Alright, I admit defeat this time. Let me go, and I’ll do anything you ask.”