Chapter 433: Evil Arts of the Demonic Path
Liu Er arrived outside the training ground, transmitted his spirit-sense, and summoned Guan Hong and Zhang Hei.
He relayed Ning Zhuo’s proposal and asked the two for their opinions.
Zhang Hei did not hesitate: “I follow my elder brother’s lead!”
Although he had only recently met Liu Er, their daily, frequent training over these days had gradually forged a tacit understanding between them, and the sworn-brotherly affection had been heating up quickly.
On the surface, this manifested as Zhang Hei becoming ever more willing to obey Liu Er’s words.
Guan Hong pondered for a moment before he spoke: “Ning Zhuo came from a great family. At such a young age he already possessed Foundation Establishment cultivation, and he casually produced Nascent Soul–level-grade treasures — his background was deep; he could not be treated by ordinary standards.”
“I watched his actions and saw that he always acted with purpose. In his dealings with people he had a certain magnanimity. Even in managing our army’s ledgers he was meticulous and conscientious.”
“Our army’s funds were tight; Ning Zhuo was in charge of the ledgers and thus knew far better than we did the severity of the present situation.”
“Under such circumstances, he still proposed to set up formations and perform divinations — it showed his foreboding was truly grave!”
“Although I did not know how wondrous his divination methods might be, from his temperament I believed he had a certain degree of confidence.”
“We faced a great battle; if we could learn the unfolding situation in advance, we would gain a tremendous advantage.”
Liu Er listened seriously and nodded: “I understand the thoughts of both junior brothers.”
“Even if Ning Zhuo’s divination failed, it would still be worth trying!”
“I will return at once to inform the strategist.”
Although Ning Zhuo remained inside the tent, he had been using Divine Ability—Life Hanging by a Thread to eavesdrop quietly.
He had not employed the Buddha Heart Demon Seal, yet he had obtained Guan Hong’s support.
This surprised him slightly.
He had assumed his best relationship was with Zhang Hei and that the latter would speak on his behalf.
But Zhang Hei deferred entirely to Liu Er and did not say a single word for Ning Zhuo; instead, Guan Hong — usually distant — had spoken forcefully in support of Ning Zhuo.
Soon Liu Er swept aside the tent curtain and again appeared before Ning Zhuo.
“Good news. My two junior brothers share my view and both support you, strategist, in performing a divination.”
“If the strategist has any arrangements or needs our assistance in particular matters, you may speak plainly.”
Ning Zhuo saw Liu Er’s face bright with smiles and extreme cordiality, and he could not help but admire, in private, the man’s social skills.
He shook his head slightly: “This divination and formation must be carried out secretly, to prevent the techniques from being exposed.”
Liu Er understood and quickly cupped his hands: “It was my recklessness; strategist, please do not blame me.”
Many secret techniques held great value and would not be shown to outsiders lightly.
Ning Zhuo stated that since the three generals had consented, he would act immediately: first purchase materials, then leave the city alone to set up formations and carry out calculations. Whether he succeeded or not, he would report to Lord Liu Er in a timely manner.
At this point Ning Zhuo hesitated, as if about to say more.
Liu Er said, “Strategist, speak freely if you have more to say.”
Ning Zhuo then expressed that he felt uneasy. War concerned life and death; they should consider the possibility of defeat before seeking victory. He suggested Liu, Guan, and Zhang train more with formations that could be quickly initiated and changed, so they could rapidly shift on the battlefield.
Liu Er’s expression moved slightly, and he nodded.
After Ning Zhuo left the military camp, Liu Er reentered the training field, halted the army, and announced extra drills on the One-Word Long Serpent Formation.
Ning Zhuo went straight to Canglin Immortal City.
Inside the Wanli Dragon, Sun Lingtong, seeing that Ning Zhuo acted with measured deliberation, could not help but curiously ask, “Little Zhuo, you’re clever — have you already thought of a way to break the stalemate?”
Ning Zhuo nodded slightly: “It could not be called a method to break the stalemate.”
“I had considered it: we were all constrained by the divine decree.”
“Since we could not seek aid from the Liangzhu Kingdom’s military, we necessarily had to act in accordance with the divine decree.”
“That actually did not matter!”
“We were now all cultivators of the Southern Dou Country. Liangzhu Kingdom bordered Southern Dou; if they suffered greater losses in the campaign against the Thousand Peaks Forest, that would also benefit our Southern Dou Country.”
“Moreover, before parting Zhu Xuanji had specially warned me that some forces within the Thousand Peaks Forest were funded by Southern Dou.”
“Liu, Guan, and Zhang, and people like Zhang Chongyi had good relations with us; at that time we would simply avoid those people!”
Ning Zhuo was merely an outsider and felt no sense of belonging to Liangzhu Kingdom.
He had joined them only to cure Sun Lingtong and to scheme for the mechanical carriage compartment for himself.
Sun Lingtong breathed easier: “Little Zhuo, it is good that you can let it go.”
Ning Zhuo continued: “The next question is how we participate in the ambush.”
“At that time, the two of us could not show ourselves; we would have to hide inside the stone sphere.”
“But the stone sphere could not move by itself, so I planned to convert it into a mechanical contrivance to make our disguise more convincing.”
“The divine decree required us to do our utmost; we should do that.”
“But do not forget, we only had Foundation Establishment cultivation. Any show of doing our utmost would certainly not satisfy the Thousand Peaks Forest side.”
“Then, the Ink Abyss Cave Lord and the others would inevitably think we sent labor but contributed no strength. They might even supervise the army on the battlefield and deal harshly with us as an example!”
“So the demands placed upon us were actually very high!”
Sun Lingtong’s expression grew grave, and he nodded in agreement: “At least we must display Nascent Soul–level combat power? That seems impossibly difficult!”
Ning Zhuo corrected him: “It was Nascent Soul level.”
“From our current detection, the center of the stone sphere contained Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Essence, and surrounding that circle were top-grade Earth-attribute spirit stones.”
“Most of the late-life power of the Stone Dwelling Old Monster was sealed within those spirit stones; this foundational condition was crucial.”
“Do not forget, I had already mastered the complete Stone-Forged Earth Treasure Divine Ability!”
“As long as I modified the stone sphere, and if all went well, making the sphere into a mana pool to assist me in using the Stone-Forged Earth Treasure divine ability, the Thousand Peaks Forest people would have no grounds for complaint.”
Sun Lingtong suddenly understood: “So you pretended to trick Liu Er and the others, but in fact you were purchasing treasure materials to convert the stone sphere into a mechanism?”
Ning Zhuo said: “I needed to inform them about the ambush. After thinking it over, I could only use divination as a pretense. Only in this way could I avoid much suspicion and avoid explaining the source of this intelligence.”
Near Mount Huoshi in Southern Dou Country.
Ning Jiufan looked on from afar but did not hurry into the city to return home.
He was waiting.
After a moment, Lin Bufan, looking like an ordinary person, walked up to the mountain peak and met Ning Jiufan.
“Senior Lin, I troubled you to come down from the mountain to assist. The Ning Family will surely reward you richly!” Ning Jiufan bowed, his face full of joy.
Lin Bufan waved his hand slightly: “I was a bit late because I sought a friend’s help to obscure my aura. After all, Lord Meng Kui, city lord of Meng, was the Meng family’s strategist and skilled in divination. If one calculated my existence from fate, there would certainly be precautions.”
Ning Jiufan, hearing this, caught the implication: “Senior Lin intends to conceal your identity, lie low nearby, and only strike at the last moment?”
Lin Bufan nodded and said, “None of us are skilled in divination. If I appear too early, Meng Kui will surely detect me. Only by catching him completely off guard do we have a chance to disrupt his arrangement.”
Ning Jiufan sighed deeply and bowed low. “Senior Lin, you have helped my Ning Family immensely! I will engrave this favor deeply within my heart.”
According to the conventions of the righteous path, a Nascent Soul–level cultivator like Lin Bufan could not simply trespass into another’s territory. He should first send a Message Bird and exchange formal greetings with the local Nascent Soul cultivators before crossing the border.
After all, as a cultivator’s realm increased, so did their combat strength. A high-level cultivator could easily affect an entire region with his own power.
This long-term caution among cultivators had gradually evolved into an unspoken rule in the social interactions of Nascent Soul cultivators.
But now, Lin Bufan intended to conceal his identity and “ambush” Meng Kui — naturally, he could not send any message. By offering help to the Ning Family while sabotaging Meng Kui’s plans without prior notice, he was openly provoking Meng Kui!
Although Ning Jiufan had already secured Lin Bufan’s promise of assistance, he did not expect Lin Bufan to act so decisively.
Seeing the gratitude on Ning Jiufan’s face, Lin Bufan felt secretly pleased.
He had managed the Myriad Medicines Sect for many years with great foresight. Since he was already secretly allied with the Ning and Zhu Families, he decided to demonstrate his reliability as an ally.
“Myriad Medicines Sect may have been thriving under my management, but ultimately, it is still merely a regional sect power.”
“Now, if I can use this alliance to prove my worth and win the royal family’s favor, the hidden ceiling that limits my sect will be lifted. Its scale will inevitably expand explosively, allowing me to control more territories and become the local hegemon!”
“As for offending the Meng Family this time, that matters little.”
Lin Bufan knew well that to have no stance was the most dangerous stance of all. Since fate and opportunity had placed him and the Myriad Medicines Sect on the side of the Southern Dou Zhu Family, he would seize every benefit available to him.
“To stand at the point of contention between the Zhu and Meng Families — this is a once-in-a-century opportunity for both me and Myriad Medicines Sect!”
Lin Bufan reached out to help Ning Jiufan up. “I have long remained in seclusion. This time, I came with the intent to obtain the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Essence for you.”
“This Fire Essence grows naturally in Mount Huoshi. If the Ning Family can take control of it, your status and power in the Immortal City will greatly rise.”
“Combined with your Granny Yuan, you will be able to contend with Meng Kui!”
“Therefore, I suggest you do not return home in haste. It would be better to remain here quietly and wait for the right moment.”
“This period of time will be sufficient for Meng Kui to finish his arrangements.”
“As the City Lord, he will be all the more anxious regarding the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Essence.”
“Wait until he urges several times and has no choice but to act officially — then you can return to the city and join the battle without breaking your promise.”
Lin Bufan was a man of talent and insight, not one who cultivated blindly in isolation. His mind was sharp and his strategies deep.
Ning Jiufan repeatedly nodded, agreeing that Lin Bufan’s words made perfect sense. He immediately obeyed and concealed himself atop the mountain, waiting for the opportunity.
In the Liangzhu Kingdom, Canglin Immortal City.
Ning Zhuo entered the city again. After presenting his token, he easily gained audience with the kingdom’s Grand Craftsman, Jin Li.
“Master Jin, I have come this time because my earlier message to my clan received a reply — I now have greater authority to act as I see fit.”
“I would like to purchase some treasure materials from you.”
Jin Li welcomed Ning Zhuo’s visit warmly, but after hearing his request, he shook his head with a wry smile. “I am under great pressure, forging weapons for several Golden Core cultivators free of charge.”
“At the moment, the consumption of treasure materials is immense, the shortage is widening — how could I sell any to you now?”
Ning Zhuo replied, “Senior Jin, there’s no need for concern. Perhaps I did not make myself clear — this isn’t a purchase, but rather an exchange of what we each lack.”
Saying so, he produced the precious materials he had mined from the inner layer of the stone sphere not long ago.
Upon seeing the superb quality of the materials, Jin Li’s eyes lit up instantly. He extended his hand, and with an invisible force, the treasures flew from Ning Zhuo’s hand into his own.
Jin Li examined them carefully, repeatedly exclaiming in praise. Then, with a wave of his hand, he opened a hidden door. “These are the materials I can part with. Go ahead and choose.”
The materials Ning Zhuo had obtained from the remains of the Stone Dwelling Old Monster were all of the Earth attribute.
Grandmaster Jin Li’s material vault, however, was extremely comprehensive — the Five Elements were merely the foundation; it also contained materials of the Wind, Ice, Heaven-Earth, Magnetic, and Star attributes, among others.
Ning Zhuo primarily chose Five Element materials. After careful selection, he carried a large pile and exited the secret chamber.
Jin Li was momentarily stunned, then shook his head, indicating that Ning Zhuo could not take that much.
Ning Zhuo smiled faintly and produced even more of the Stone Dwelling Old Monster’s materials.
Jin Li was overjoyed; his pupils contracted slightly, feeling a touch of shock.
“Does your family perhaps specialize in producing high-grade Earth-element materials?”
“Have you discovered some kind of mineral deposit?”
“No — these materials are all neatly categorized and of varied types. No single mine could possibly contain so many kinds!”
Ning Zhuo smiled without answering.
Jin Li quickly realized his overstep and apologized, saying he had not meant to pry into another family’s secrets.
Ning Zhuo shook his head. “This business isn’t solely the Ning Family’s affair — behind it stands the Zhu Family. Senior Jin, this junior can only say this much. Please, do not disclose it lightly.”
“The Zhu Family of Southern Dou Country? The royal family!” Jin Li’s expression turned solemn at once, assuring that he would keep this secret strictly.
Unconsciously, his attitude toward Ning Zhuo became even more respectful.
After purchasing sufficient Five Element materials, Ning Zhuo reentered the Wanli Dragon and quietly left the city.
In a secluded mountain valley, he stopped the Wanli Dragon, dove into the cabin, and began taking numerous measurements of the stone sphere. Then he studied the Five Element materials in his hand, pondering deeply how to modify them.
He chose Five Element materials because he possessed a tremendous advantage in the realm of the Five Elements.
Indeed, after a period of study, he had fully grasped their properties.
How should he modify the stone sphere?
Ning Zhuo’s initial thought was to model it after the spherical design of the Wanli Dragon.
Of course, he had little comprehension of the principles of the void and could not make the sphere traverse it.
However, the Stone Dwelling Old Monster had been extremely skilled in Earth Escape Techniques during his lifetime.
Therefore, Ning Zhuo planned to recreate Earth Escape and even add the other four elemental escape techniques.
In this way, he could at least utilize the Five Element Escape Techniques to gain some mobility on the battlefield.
Ning Zhuo lowered his head in deep thought, pondering meticulously.
Meanwhile, Sun Lingtong once again entered the Fetal-Breath Spirit Vessel, pressed himself against the stone sphere, and strengthened his body’s foundation.
With the great war approaching, the situation for Sun and Ning was both awkward and perilous — the pressure on their hearts far exceeded that of Generals Liu, Guan, and Zhang.
Within the Upper Dantian Sea of Consciousness, countless thoughts collided and intertwined, sometimes producing flashes of inspiration and sparks of insight.
Suddenly, a burst of inspiration erupted — like a startled swan, it streaked across the sky of his spiritual sea, tearing open a huge fissure in the vast mirror that served as its heavens.
Ning Zhuo’s eyes snapped open, excitement surging through him. “I’ve got it!”
“Unexpectedly, it was the Divine Spirit Art of the Five Viscera Temple that played the most crucial role.”
“Hahaha!”
“If this succeeds, we will not only better impersonate the Stone Dwelling Old Monster, but also enhance my cultivation within the Sea of Qi.”
“Boss, Boss!”
Ning Zhuo called urgently to Sun Lingtong.
“Do you have any body-cutting, self-sacrificing techniques used for offering the flesh? I need one right now!”
Sun Lingtong was momentarily stunned. “Are you referring to arts like the Blood Demon Disintegration Method or the Bone-Sacrifice Skull Rite?”
Ning Zhuo nodded repeatedly. “Yes, exactly those!”
Sun Lingtong was shocked. “Those are all demonic techniques — harmful to both self and others, bringing calamity to the world!”
Ning Zhuo’s expression shifted slightly as he said solemnly, “Boss, do you still not trust me? I am a righteous cultivator, filled with uprightness, loyal and kind — heaven and earth can bear witness that I would never stray into error.”
Sun Lingtong was silent for a moment. “My master warned me when I was young never to touch such demonic arts. They twist a cultivator’s temperament and thoughts.”
“Little Zhuo, be careful.”
“If you truly must have one, then go buy it from the Complete Book Tower.”