Chapter 456: “I'm Very Interested in Ning Zhuo”
Grandfather Long coughed and stood up, clasping his hands toward the Stone Dwelling Old Monster. “I nearly perished in this battle. Thankfully, I had Daoist Friend Shi to save me.”
This posture was extremely rare.
Normally, Grandfather Long carried himself with his nose in the air, his demeanor proud and overbearing.
After all, he was a Nascent Soul stage cultivator of great seniority. More crucially, as the temple priest of the Dragon Ginseng King, his backing was formidable. In Qianfeng Forest, he was practically second only to the king.
And yet, this time, he offered the Stone Dwelling Old Monster a bow of gratitude.
The Ink Abyss Cave Lord, Bi Tengyi, the Cang Teng King, and others looked toward the stone sphere with expressions of envy.
Everyone knew that once they returned to Qianfeng Forest, the Stone Dwelling Old Monster would undoubtedly receive immense reward from the Dragon Ginseng King!
The next moment, the hoarse voice of the “Stone Dwelling Old Monster” rang out: “Little Long, I’m your savior. You’re the commanding general—if you had died, even if we had completely wiped out two or three enemy armies, it would still count as a disastrous defeat!”
“I was the key player who turned the tide and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in this battle.”
“What kind of reward do you think the Dragon King will bestow upon a meritorious servant like me?”
Everyone’s expressions shifted.
No one expected the Stone Dwelling Old Monster to speak so bluntly and ungraciously, adopting a tone of smug arrogance based on his contributions.
This was hardly a wise move.
Yes, you did save Grandfather Long—but this attitude?
The latter wasn’t just a Nascent Soul cultivator. He was also the temple priest of the Dragon King. Speaking to him like this was tantamount to being disrespectful to a Soul Formation-level existence!
Grandfather Long’s eyelid twitched as he lowered his hand. A faint smile appeared on his face as he replied unhurriedly, “Well said, well said.”
“Daoist Friend Shi, rest assured. Although I have no authority to issue rewards, I trust the Dragon King will never treat you unfairly.”
The “Stone Dwelling Old Monster” gave a grunt and said proudly, “That’s more like it.”
As they spoke, more cultivators arrived to regroup with them.
It was Di Lu and Lone Fang.
The two of them had been locked in combat with the Barbarian-Demon Army. Holding the upper hand, they had withdrawn smoothly.
Di Lu’s face was expressionless. “What a pity. That General Xu Dali was already at the end of his strength. If we’d had one more incense stick of time, we could’ve taken him down!”
Lone Fang, on the other hand, remained silent.
Compared to his eagerness before the battle, he now seemed dispirited and somber.
Lone Fang was a beastmaster, and he cared deeply for his wolf pack. In this battle, his pack had suffered heavy casualties. His heart ached—but more than that, he had come to a sobering realization:
When it came to group warfare, nothing matched the combat power of an army made of cultivators.
Relying on a beast horde to match a trained army would require at least ten times the enemy’s numbers.
While the others were conversing, Chen Lingfeng, Wu Hen, and others also arrived.
They looked anxious and disheveled.
“We underestimated the Three Generals Camp. Though Liu, Guan, and Zhang are rogue cultivators, they are by no means ordinary.”
“What about Flying Legs?”
“He was captured alive by the Three Generals.”
“What?!”
Everyone was stunned.
Flying Legs was a demon cultivator, originally a heavenly steed with Nascent Soul cultivation. Even if outmatched, he should have been able to escape.
To think that not only was he defeated, but captured alive!
The group’s expressions darkened.
Every Nascent Soul-level fighter was invaluable. Losing Flying Legs was a significant blow to Qianfeng Forest.
A venomous snake slithered out from the ground and spat out a jade slip.
It was a message from Tu Ming.
Grandfather Long scanned it with his spiritual sense: “Tu Ming is heavily injured and has already led the Hundred Venoms Tribe to retreat. We don’t need to wait for them.”
With that, the summary was clear: Qianfeng Forest had one Nascent Soul cultivator seriously injured and one lost. But the battle had led to near-total annihilation of the Barbarian-Demon Army and the White Jade Camp.
The Red Flower Camp suffered heavy losses, and the Three Generals Camp was diminished, while the Golden Halberd Army and Fire Cloud Army remained unscathed.
The Ink Abyss Cave Lord swept his gaze and laughed. “Flying Legs really is laughable. I’ve long said that this demon’s name promises more than his strength. Just from one fact, it’s obvious how weak he is—after dealing with the Mu General’s Mansion for so many years, he accomplished virtually nothing.”
“Now he’s been captured by those three no-name rogue cultivators, Liu, Guan, and Zhang—proving my point even more!”
“He’s a demon from the Northern Lands. Qianfeng Forest doesn’t have such weak Nascent Soul cultivators. Being captured is actually a blessing.”
“At least we won’t assign him an important mission and suffer worse consequences due to his failure.”
Undeniably, Lu Hongtu knew how to inspire people.
He had run the Six Caves Sect for years and was a master of rhetoric. Even in defeat, he made it sound like Qianfeng Forest had actually gained a stroke of luck.
Grandfather Long waved his hand. “Enough. Let’s head back. Flying Legs’ capture was completely unforeseen. We’ll discuss how to deal with it later.”
The “Stone Dwelling Old Monster” said in a mocking tone, “The Liangzhu Kingdom’s strength is terrifying. This was just their rear guard, and yet they were this strong.”
“Don’t forget, if not for me, your outcome, Little Long, would’ve been even worse than Flying Legs.”
“At least he’s still alive. If I’d been even a little late, you’d have been burned to ash.”
Grandfather Long’s eye twitched once again.
Di Lu and Lone Fang were shocked.
Chen Lingfeng and Wu Hen, both Golden Core cultivators, widened their eyes in disbelief, momentarily holding their breath.
What was wrong with the Stone Dwelling Old Monster? His arrogance knew no bounds!
A strong sense of foreboding rose in Grandfather Long’s heart. He suddenly realized: from now on, every time he met the Stone Dwelling Old Monster, the latter would likely bring up this life-saving incident.
The “Stone Dwelling Old Monster” paid no attention to the tense atmosphere and said, “You all go ahead. I’ll cover the retreat.”
Lu Hongtu was surprised. “Daoist Friend Shi, you’re not returning with us?”
“There’s no need. After being still for so long, I’m craving some action. I want to explore the world outside,” Ning Zhuo replied.
Lu Hongtu looked concerned. “We’ve just ambushed Liangzhu’s army. Their retaliation will be swift and fierce. If you linger here, the risk is enormous.”
The “Stone Dwelling Old Monster” chuckled. “That’s my business. Don’t meddle. After this battle, I’ve taken an interest in someone among the enemy ranks. I want to probe deeper.”
“Lu Hongtu, I’ve heard your Six Caves Sect has quite a bit of history with this person.”
The Ink Abyss Cave Lord’s eyes flickered. “Daoist Friend Shi, are you referring to that Ning…”
“That’s right. Him—Ning Zhuo,” Ning Zhuo declared.
Beside him, Sun Lingtong widened his eyes, curiously watching him.
Ning Zhuo recited softly:
“Horse hooves upon fallen blossoms,”
“Wind rises, shadows sink in sand.”
“Who can hold the moonlight bright,”
“Who shall bury the rosy clouds?”
“That’s a prophetic verse composed by Ning Zhuo himself—highly accurate.”
“‘Horse hooves’ refers to Flying Legs, and ‘fallen blossoms’ foretells his downfall.”
“‘Wind rises, shadows sink’ reflects our offensive push.”
“‘Moonlight’ likely alludes to the White Jade Camp’s Stars Surrounding the Moon Formation.”
“‘Bury the rosy clouds’—well, that’s Little Long almost getting roasted by the Fire of No Life.”
Everyone’s hearts skipped a beat.
You’re still talking like this?!
And getting even more outrageous—not a hint of tact in your tone.
Grandfather Long’s eye twitched again.
Did his reputation mean nothing?!
But the problem was… the Stone Dwelling Old Monster really had saved his life!!
At that moment, Grandfather Long’s sense of foreboding intensified.
“Who can hold the moonlight bright, who shall bury the rosy clouds?”
“That line is brilliant. The more I taste it, the more exquisite it becomes!” Ning Zhuo, still playing the Stone Dwelling Old Monster inside the Puppet Dragon, grew more and more into character.
Beside him, Sun Lingtong cast him a look.
It was the first time he’d seen someone boast about themselves with such sincerity!
“Not even blushing. Zhuo’s righteous path skills have leveled up again,” Sun Lingtong thought, admiringly.
Outside, the Stone Dwelling Old Monster’s voice echoed in everyone’s ears: “That final line of the prophetic poem reveals something deeper—don’t be fooled by appearances. Gaining the upper hand in battle means little. The true outcome is revealed only at the end.”
“Look at Little Long. He charged into enemy lines, looked mighty. But in the end? He nearly died, and it was I who saved him.”
Grandfather Long clenched his teeth in secret. In such a short span, Ning Zhuo had already brought up the life-saving incident three times.
Di Lu and Lone Fang dared not glance at Grandfather Long’s expression.
Chen Lingfeng and Wu Hen, Grandfather Long’s subordinates, wished they could bury themselves underground.
Lu Hongtu said, “But Daoist Friend Shi, perhaps you don’t know—it was because we heard that poem that we intentionally devised our offensive, thereby aligning with its first half.”
Ning Zhuo laughed heartily. “How shallow!”
“You underestimate the art of divination, Cave Lord Mo.”
“You think you were cleverly using the prophecy to your advantage, but you’ve ignored another possibility—that Ning Zhuo already foresaw your presence and composed that prophecy based on it.”
Hiss…
Someone gasped audibly.
Lu Hongtu’s pupils trembled slightly, but he recovered quickly and wasn’t fooled.
He chuckled and shook his head. “That’s unlikely. Ning Zhuo is just a Foundation Establishment cultivator. How could he possibly foresee a Nascent Soul like me?”
“And it wasn’t just me involved in this ambush—there were many others too.”
“Are you saying all of us were predicted by a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator?”
The group’s expressions relaxed slightly.
Ning Zhuo said, “And yet—shouldn’t the art of divination be able to divine the strong from the weak?”
Knowing not to push too hard, he changed tack: “Of course, I only said it’s a possibility.”
“That’s why I’m so interested in that little guy.”
“I’m staying behind to study him thoroughly.”
“He’s already my prey. Heh heh heh… Hahaha!”
The Stone Dwelling Old Monster’s eerie laughter rang out.
The group remained silent.
Chen Lingfeng and the other Golden Core cultivators had already begun mourning Ning Zhuo in their hearts.
Lu Hongtu smiled. “To receive such attention from Daoist Friend Shi—what fortune for a humble Foundation Establishment cultivator.”
“After this battle, I had some concerns about him as well.”
“With Daoist Friend Shi personally taking action, we’re all reassured.”
—
Inside the Puppet Dragon, in the Dragon Head Cabin.
Sun Lingtong gave Ning Zhuo a thumbs-up.
This move was brilliant.
After this battle, the prophetic poem would undoubtedly make Ning Zhuo’s name soar and attract great attention.
By disguising himself as the Stone Dwelling Old Monster, Ning Zhuo had set up a protective shield to ward off any underhanded attempts Qianfeng Forest might make against him.
A truly masterful maneuver!
Ning Zhuo said, “Time to go.”
With a thought, he prepared to activate his Earth Element Technique.
Pretending to be one of the many Nascent Soul and Golden Core cultivators carried enormous pressure.
Ning Zhuo decided to withdraw quickly before prolonged exposure gave him away.
“Wait!” Grandfather Long suddenly called out.