Chapter 457: The Strategist Returns to Camp
Sun Ning and his companion felt a jolt in their hearts.
They wanted to leave, but were stopped by Grandfather Long’s voice.
With a smile on his face, Grandfather Long looked at the massive stone sphere on the ground and said, “Daoist Shi, if I’m not mistaken, you’ve gained quite a lot in this battle.”
“These enemy troops’ equipment is all of fine quality. In contrast, our side in Thousand Peaks Forest is sorely lacking in that regard.”
“Why not sell these spoils to our alliance?”
“Setting aside everything else, even that volume of Gao Sheng’s Testament is extremely crucial. Even damaged, it’s a treasured military manual—most suitable for our army’s use.”
Ning Zhuo relaxed slightly; just moments earlier, he’d thought he had been exposed.
And in that short span, his back had already broken out in a layer of cold sweat.
“So that’s it,” Ning Zhuo said casually. “No rush—I’ll consider it.”
As he saw the radiance of Earth Movement Art growing stronger on the Stone Dwelling Old Monster, Grandfather Long hurriedly asked, “Daoist Shi, how may I contact you?”
Ning Zhuo let out a cold snort. “If I’ve made up my mind, I’ll contact you myself!”
With that, he manipulated the stone sphere, plunging straight into the ground and vanishing before everyone’s eyes.
Earth Movement Art!
Ink Abyss Cave Lord narrowed his eyes slightly, sighing inwardly, “The Stone Dwelling Old Monster’s use of the Earth Movement Art has become even more effortless and elegant, carrying a sense of true rhythm in turning complexity into simplicity.”
“His strength has indeed greatly improved from before!”
Grandfather Long remained silent, staring at the spot where the Stone Dwelling Old Monster had just stood, his gaze profound.
He said nothing, and no one else dared to speak.
Thus, the cultivators quietly withdrew in a hushed and silent atmosphere.
Midway.
Grandfather Long suddenly sent a spiritual message to Lu Hongtu, inquiring, “I heard you gifted a portion of the Western Pure Land to the Stone Dwelling Old Monster?”
Lu Hongtu was instantly alarmed!
His heart pounded in shock. “Back then, only the Stone Dwelling Old Monster and three of our own people were present—how did Grandfather Long find out?!”
The more he thought about it, the more suspicious he became.
This might mean there was a traitor among either Demonic-Heart Cave Lord or Blood-Shadow Cave Lord.
If that were the case, why would Grandfather Long directly ask him? Wouldn’t that immediately expose the mole?
“Or... was it the Stone Dwelling Old Monster who leaked the information?”
Lu Hongtu didn’t reply immediately. Countless thoughts churned in his mind.
Grandfather Long let out a cold snort. “Cave Lord Lu, your unit emerged unscathed in this battle, and yet achieved many military merits.”
“You held off the Golden Halberd Army for a time, and even rescued Bi Tengyi and others.”
“Your foresight and strategy were truly impressive!”
Reading between the lines, Lu Hongtu immediately sensed Grandfather Long’s displeasure.
He quickly offered a humble reply, “All minor achievements on our part were made under your wise guidance, Grandfather Long. The true credit belongs to you.”
Grandfather Long snorted again. “Save me the nonsense. I’ll ask you one question—you must answer truthfully. Otherwise, bear the consequences yourself!”
“This Stone Dwelling Old Monster... has he already advanced to Soul Formation-level?”
While traveling underground alongside the Stone Dwelling Old Monster, Grandfather Long had sensed a trace of Soul Formation aura from the stone sphere.
At that moment, he had been inwardly shocked—but held back his reaction.
Now that things were relatively safe, the Old Monster’s unceremonious attitude only deepened Grandfather Long’s growing suspicion.
Ink Abyss Cave Lord nearly lost composure on his face.
He gritted his teeth silently, recalling the battle he once had with the Dragon Ginseng King.
That battle, though years past, was still vivid in his memory.
Lu Hongtu carefully chose his words. “Soul Formation? Why would you say that, Grandfather Long? What leads you to such speculation?”
“My gift of the Western Pure Land was based on the Old Monster’s background. Such a weighty gift would hold great significance for him.”
“Only by offering such a generous reward could we hope to entice an expert of his caliber to take the field.”
Grandfather Long stared deeply at Lu Hongtu, then continued gazing forward as he sent another spiritual message:
“You paid from your own resources to persuade Nascent Soul and Golden Core-level cultivators to participate in this ambush. That was commendable.”
“But if you’re hiding critical intel—then no amount of merit can offset your guilt. Think carefully!”
“What use is it if you can deceive me now?”
“Try lying when you face the Dragon King in person.”
Lu Hongtu took a deep breath. At last, his brows furrowed and a hint of concern emerged on his face.
After some thought, he finally confessed through spiritual sense:
“So be it.”
“The reason I offered the Western Pure Land back then was because I sensed a trace of Soul Formation aura on the Stone Dwelling Old Monster.”
“From this, I inferred that—even if he hadn’t broken through yet—he was very close to Soul Formation.”
“In fact, judging by age alone, the Stone Dwelling Old Monster is much older than both of us, isn’t he? His accumulated foundation runs deep.”
Grandfather Long fell silent for a long time before continuing his inquiry:
“Now that you’ve seen the Old Monster again—what’s your impression?”
“Do you think he’s already Soul Formation-level?”
Ink Abyss Cave Lord gave a bitter smile. “How could I possibly judge that?”
“I’m merely a Nascent Soul cultivator. How could I fathom the power of Soul Formation?”
“I can only report what I observed. This time, when I saw him, the Soul Formation aura on him was significantly weaker than before.”
Grandfather Long was rather domineering, while Ink Abyss Cave Lord had vast responsibilities—the entire Six Caves Sect was entrenched in Thousand Peaks Forest. There was no way to flee.
Assessing the situation, Ink Abyss Cave Lord had no choice but to be candid.
Upon hearing this, Grandfather Long’s pupils contracted sharply, thoughts racing:
“The Stone Dwelling Old Monster’s body is uninjured, yet the aura has lessened... Does this mean, after achieving Soul Formation, he’s gained greater control over his power and is now able to suppress his aura more effectively?”
No wonder he would think so.
On one hand, there was Ning Zhuo’s attitude. On the other, the techniques the “Stone Dwelling Old Monster” displayed during the ambush were more profound than anything seen from him before.
“If he really is Soul Formation, then he could resist the Dragon King’s divine mandate.”
“So in the ambush just now, he clearly held back his strength. He came through unscathed, and the divine mandate didn’t even react.”
“He doesn’t want to return to Thousand Peaks Forest... Is it because he doesn’t want to face the Dragon King, fearing that his true cultivation might be exposed?”
“But if he’s already Soul Formation, he could have an equal conversation with the Dragon King—why avoid it?”
“Could it be that though he succeeded in advancing, he’s injured?”
Grandfather Long had many speculations—none of which brought clarity.
He used to believe he understood the Old Monster’s personality and capabilities. The latter, though from a peculiar background, was gloomy, unsociable, and while well-founded, posed little threat.
But after this battle, Grandfather Long’s previous impression was completely overturned.
“That bastard’s a sly fox in a bear’s hide—outwardly honest, inwardly cunning!”
“Of all who benefited from this ambush, he profited the most. Even the Dragon King now owes him a major reward.”
Sigh—things are just too complicated.
Grandfather Long sighed bitterly in his heart.
In his view, this ambush was a narrow and minor victory—but compared to the Stone Dwelling Old Monster’s true cultivation, the outcome of the battle didn’t matter at all.
“Even if I report this major intelligence, the Dragon King might suppress it for now.”
Normally, the Dragon Ginseng King would rigorously investigate and suppress any second Soul Formation candidate.
But now, with the armies of Liangzhu Kingdom pressing at their borders, with powerful enemies looming, the Dragon King dared not provoke war.
If fighting broke out, Liangzhu would laugh themselves to death.
“So the best strategy is to temporarily ally with the Old Monster—join forces to defeat the Liangzhu army.”
“If so, then the reward for the Old Monster might be beyond standard!”
After all, the treatment for Soul Formation and Nascent Soul cultivators should differ significantly.
“Is the Stone Dwelling Old Monster truly Soul Formation?”
“Forget it. Let that be the Dragon King’s headache.”
Earth Movement Art!
Ning Zhuo activated the art once more, returning to the vicinity of the battlefield.
The “Stone Dwelling Old Monster” didn’t surface from the ground, but completed the transfer deep underground.
Ning Zhuo withdrew his Earth-Element Spleen Temple, and Sun Lingtong carried the stone sphere back into the Wanli Dragon.
Then, the two used the Wanli Dragon to traverse space and return to the surface.
Ning Zhuo coiled the Wanli Dragon around his waist like a belt and rushed back to the army.