Chapter 491: Husband and Wife Relationship Exposed
The first formal troop drill successfully formed a battle formation, which made Sun Ning and the other feel delighted.
“The speed of forming the battle formation can still be faster!”
“That’s right. We also need to make it more stable. After all, the pressure we’ll face on the battlefield will far exceed what we have now.”
After discussing it, the two decided that the focus of their future cultivation would shift to troop training.
Troop training did not consume much personal mana, but it consumed a great deal of spiritual sense.
They would need to supplement this with corresponding medicinal pills and spirit food to extend the duration of the training.
The greatest expense was spirit stones.
Every Mechanical Puppet was equipped with spirit stones. After a single training session, the spirit stones inside the Mechanical Puppets were usually completely exhausted. Even when they were not entirely depleted, they were close to dry.
Fortunately, Ning Zhuo was now wealthy. If it had been before, he would not even have been able to sustain two or three training sessions.
Zhang Chongyi, who hurried over after hearing the news, also observed one session of the Mechanical Army’s training. When he learned the amount of spirit stones consumed, he could not help but sigh. “What extravagance!”
Although Mu Lan no longer watched directly, she continued to keep close attention.
As the days passed, the control techniques of Sun Ning and the other grew increasingly mature.
Mu Lan’s evaluation of the Mechanical Army’s combat strength also rose steadily. At first it had been a burden, then barely acceptable, then mediocre, then somewhat reliable…
Ning Zhuo did not interrupt his own cultivation.
Mirror Platform Spirit Technique, The Five Elements Qi Regulation Art, and Demonic Blood Tendon Technique—these three cultivation methods were alternated by him.
Previously, by using four National Strength Bricks, he had saved nine years of painstaking accumulation and achieved Field Opening without Obstruction, entering the stage of Treasure Nourishment and Growth.
At this stage, what he needed to do was not the fusion of the Three Treasures, letting essence, qi, and spirit draw each other into the other two dantians to reach the state where you contain me and I contain you.
Therefore, the time spent on cultivation was actually slightly less than before.
The biggest problem troubling Ning Zhuo was no longer his cultivation speed. Military merit and National Strength Bricks had become the shortcuts he sought.
What he worried about now was the repair of Mechanical Puppets.
During training, he and Sun Lingtong had only broken two or three.
“In real combat, I’ll need to use Total Annihilation by Sacrificing Comrades… oh, The Warrior Returns Art.”
“That will require sacrificing many Mechanical Puppets.”
“So after each real battle, the Mechanical Puppets will suffer heavy losses and must be replenished promptly.”
“Wanli Dragon can be modified to create several repair cabins, but…”
Ning Zhuo prepared in advance and knew his current weakness.
“I need to stockpile a large quantity of materials and purchase some Mechanical Work Platforms.”
Inside the Lava Immortal Palace there were many Mechanical Work Platforms. These platforms could manufacture specific mechanical components in large quantities and at high speed, or perform specialized tasks such as immense-force crushing or precise cutting. They were basic infrastructure for repairing and producing mechanical creations.
Ning Zhuo began searching for them in the market and actively purchasing them.
“An auction?”
Inside a shop, Ning Zhuo heard some news from the Shopkeeper.
After further inquiries, Ning Zhuo learned more details.
Although the auction was not large in scale, its quality was quite high. It was specially aimed at cultivators who were about to participate in the war. It was personally led by the Lord of Canglin Immortal City, together with many major merchants in the city, and had obtained official permission from Liangzhu Kingdom to procure many fine items through official channels.
Therefore, for Ning Zhuo, participating in it held considerable significance.
The Shopkeeper reminded him, “Military Advisor, attending this auction is not easy. A letter of recommendation is required. As far as I know, only the City Lord still has extra recommendation letters.”
Ning Zhuo immediately understood the implication and judged that the City Lord was using this opportunity to gather wealth.
Even before the auction began, the City Lord could collect a large sum of funds through this operation.
Ning Zhuo had no intention of contacting the Lord of Canglin Immortal City.
He first went to Liu Er, Guan Hong, and Zhang Hei, the three generals, to tell them about the matter. As a result, they knew even less than he did and were hearing about it for the first time.
Ning Zhuo then went to find Mu Lan.
Mu Lan nodded. “There is indeed such a thing.”
She did not show much interest.
It was not because she was busy training troops, but simply because she had no money.
Seeing that Ning Zhuo wanted to attend, she directly stuffed the recommendation letter into his hands.
Ning Zhuo expressed his thanks and politely invited Mu Lan to attend together.
Mu Lan nodded and immediately agreed.
The auction was held inside the City Lord’s Mansion.
Late at night, the grand hall was brightly lit.
Mu Lan, Ning Zhuo, General Shuangjing, General Xu Dali, Sun Gan, and others all entered.
The Lord of Canglin Immortal City was tall and thin, with a goatee and high cheekbones. He personally presided over the event.
“Everyone, today’s small auction contains many treasures that can allow you to shine on the battlefield—or preserve your lives.”
“To be honest, I began preparing for this auction half a year in advance.”
“I believe you will not be disappointed.”
“Alright, the auction begins.”
The City Lord was very tactful. He did not speak much and immediately got to the point.
The City Lord stepped down from the stage, and a Golden Core cultivator came up to host.
Two attendants worked together to carry a large wooden chest onto the auction platform.
The Golden Core cultivator lightly slapped it, opening the chest.
Displayed before everyone was a chest full of thunder beads.
“These are Earth-Shattering Thunder Beads. By infusing a small amount of mana as a fuse and throwing them out, they will explode.”
“They were crafted by cultivators specializing in the Earth element. After exploding, the thunder beads can tear open the surface of the earth and are particularly effective at breaking through hard mountain rock.”
“This entire chest contains four thousand thunder beads!”
The Golden Core cultivator immediately gave the price, and many people responded at once.
The upcoming war would inevitably involve many mountain battles, and these thunder beads would demonstrate great power.
The Earth-Shattering Thunder Beads were quickly sold.
The second auction item was a flying sword named Heaven’s Unity. Its offense and defense were weak, but its speed was extremely fast.
The flying sword was also sold for a high price.
Ning Zhuo glanced over and saw that the buyer was an old acquaintance—General Shuangjing of the White Jade Camp.
Clearly, General Shuangjing had purchased the Heaven’s Unity flying sword as a precaution, intending to use it as a trump card for escaping alive in case the army was defeated.
Even though he already possessed many similar escape measures.
The third auction item was a suit of armor called Black Tortoise Great Armor.
The armor was extremely heavy and clearly designed for body cultivators. It was purchased by General Xu Dali.
When the fourth auction item arrived, the attendants led up a cultivator.
This cultivator had a figure like a willow branch—slender and graceful, with light footsteps. Her face was like congealed cream, her skin colorful and patterned, and her enormous pupils occupied nearly thirty percent of her face. Her gaze was calm.
Her hair was brilliantly colored, layered and interwoven. Her clothing was woven from vines and petals, its color elegant—purple tinged with red—decorated with many small blossoms.
She was only half the height of a normal person, which reminded Ning Zhuo of Hua Guzi.
Hua Guzi was only half human and half demon, but this female cultivator was a complete demon cultivator.
“Everyone has probably already recognized it—this is an Azalea Flower Demon.”
“This is a Flower Demon Dao Soldier cultivated by the Demon Soldier Pavilion. It possesses healing abilities and also certain blood sacrifice powers.”
As he spoke, the auction cultivator gave an order, and the Azalea Flower Demon Dao Soldier demonstrated her healing technique before the audience.
The fourth auction item was eighty Azalea Flower Demon Dao Soldiers.
War was dangerous. Once people entered the battlefield, there would inevitably be wounded.
If one possessed such a Dao Soldier unit serving as physicians, they could quickly treat the wounded and return them to battle.
Several generals present immediately had shining eyes.
When the bidding began, Mu Lan also participated—something rare for her.
But she was the first to be eliminated.
General Xu Dali was the second.
Sun Gan and General Shuangjing competed fiercely.
As the price climbed to its limit, the pace of their bids slowed, and the time they spent considering each offer grew longer.
Just when everyone thought the winner would soon be decided between the two, Ning Zhuo suddenly spoke and directly called out a price twice as high.
For a moment, the entire hall turned to look.
Sun Gan and General Shuangjing glared at Ning Zhuo.
However, Ning Zhuo showed no hostility. Instead, he stood up, clasped his fists with a smile, and courteously saluted the entire hall.
Sun Gan and General Shuangjing each snorted coldly and withdrew.
Ning Zhuo obtained the Dao Soldiers and immediately gifted them to Mu Lan.
Mu Lan parted her lips slightly and instinctively wanted to refuse.
Ning Zhuo transmitted a message with his spiritual sense: “Accept it, General Mu. Without your recommendation letter, I couldn’t even have participated in this auction.”
“I know the Red Flower Camp has suffered severe losses. These Dao Soldiers come from the Demon Soldier Pavilion and are already well trained—they can be used immediately, which will fill the gap in your forces.”
“They should also match the Red Flower Formation very well.”
“The Red Flower Camp urgently lacks physicians. Don’t let Zhang Chongyi be overworked.”
Ning Zhuo’s persuasion struck directly at Mu Lan’s heart. She nodded slightly and replied through spiritual sense with complicated emotions.
“Thank you.”
Ning Zhuo waved his hand as if it were nothing more than a trivial amount of money—simply giving her a small gift, nothing worth making a big deal about.
After six more items were sold, Ning Zhuo finally saw the thing he wanted.
A Mechanical Work Platform — Clever-Hand Cabinet.
“This is a Golden Core–level Mechanical Work Platform…”
After giving an introduction, the cultivator concluded, “Starting price: one million eighty thousand middle-grade spirit stones.”
“Two million!” Ning Zhuo immediately made the first bid.
The entire hall fell silent.
Several cultivators who had been somewhat interested could only abandon the idea after hearing such an exaggerated price.
Just when Ning Zhuo thought he had secured it, a light female voice suddenly sounded.
“Two million and ten thousand.”
Ning Zhuo raised the bid. “Two million two hundred thousand.”
The female voice replied, “Two million two hundred ten thousand.”
Ning Zhuo frowned and continued raising it. “Two million six hundred thousand.”
The female voice chuckled lightly. “Three million.”
Ning Zhuo continued. “Three million six hundred thousand!”
The female voice laughed loudly. “Six million!!”
In an instant, everyone turned to look.
Ning Zhuo also looked over and saw a female cultivator wearing a mask, her right arm replaced by a mechanical arm.
From her gray-white hair, it was clear she was quite old.
The masked female cultivator slightly turned her head and looked at Ning Zhuo.
“Child, where are the elders of your family?”
Though phrased like a question, it was filled with humiliation and provocation.
Ning Zhuo’s expression darkened. “May I ask your name?”
The masked female cultivator raised her head slightly.
“Shuang Ling.”
The cultivators present were all shocked in their hearts—Mechanism Princess!
General Shuangjing gave a bitter smile and stood up, bowing in public.
“Aunt, you also came to join the war?”
Mechanism Princess Shuang Ling snorted coldly.
“If you had performed even slightly better in the ambush battle, I would not have had to mobilize and come here to support you.”
General Shuangjing hurriedly bowed again.
“It was my failure in duty. My performance in battle was poor!”
Mechanism Princess Shuang Ling snorted again.
“Poor performance in battle is one thing, but you even failed to compete for a wife against an outsider.”
She looked at Ning Zhuo.
“The successor of the Grand General’s Mansion—Mu Lan. And yet her husband is merely a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator?”
Ning Zhuo and Mu Lan’s expressions both changed.
The entire hall erupted.
“What—what’s going on?!”
“Since when did General Mu Lan have a husband?”
“Is it Ning Zhuo? It seems she’s referring to him. What exactly happened?!”
“Impossible! Absolutely impossible! How could the tiger daughter of the Grand General’s Mansion already be married?!”