Chapter 516: Iron Flow Across the Plains!
Ning Zhuo’s long-range combat capability also had to include the two Viscera Spirit Temples.
The Earth-Element Spleen Temple and the Fire-Element Heart Temple—these two internal organ spirit temples not only gave powerful assistance to Ning Zhuo’s cultivation in the Sea of Qi, but also increased his combat strength, specifically in the Earth and Fire elements.
After calculating everything about himself, Ning Zhuo also estimated the treasures in his possession.
The strongest magical treasure was undoubtedly the Buddha Heart Demon Seal.
This trump card had repeatedly helped Ning Zhuo, especially during the period of Huoshi Immortal City.
Even though Ning Zhuo had since gained many treasures, none could shake its position.
Below the Buddha Heart Demon Seal, the second place should belong to Wanli Dragon.
This mechanical construct of magical treasure grade had brought enormous help to Ning Zhuo during his travels across the world.
Its ability to traverse the void allowed Sun Ning and him to advance or retreat freely, possessing enormous strategic significance. It had saved their lives several times.
Wanli Dragon had also suffered heavy damage, but every time Ning Zhuo spared no expense to repair it immediately.
The current Wanli Dragon already looked very different from when it had first been forged.
“The third place should belong to the Fetal-Breath Spirit Vessel.”
This magical treasure had already developed a slight degree of spirituality. Given time, once it advanced to the level of a spirit treasure, its intrinsic rank would actually surpass the Buddha Heart Demon Seal.
For now, it brought tremendous help to the physical body cultivation of Sun Ning and him.
Although the cultivation time of both of them had been relatively short, the results were astonishingly good. It was extremely useful now, and it would certainly be useful in the future as well.
Fourth place should be the Yin-Yang One-Energy Vessel.
This demon treasure could transform yang energy and yin energy into one another. It was extremely mysterious and possessed enormous potential for development.
Ning Zhuo had even imagined dual cultivation with himself—this treasure might play a crucial role in the future.
“Even if that idea never comes true, merely helping solve the cultivation technique problem on Mu Lan’s body already gives it considerable value.”
Regarding this matter, Ning Zhuo had always kept it hidden from Mu Lan.
His relationship with Mu Lan was one of mutual benefit, and he had not yet had the energy to plan matters of that sort.
Although it was also a cultivation treasure, the Yin-Yang One-Energy Vessel ranked behind the Fetal-Breath Spirit Vessel in Ning Zhuo’s mind for a reason.
That reason was—this vessel was a demon treasure.
It was more suitable for demon cultivators and only barely suitable for half-demons. For someone like Ning Zhuo, to produce the same effect from a demon treasure would require several times more mana than a demon cultivator.
Moreover, using only his own mana, Ning Zhuo could not unleash the Yin-Yang One-Energy Vessel’s full power.
Fifth and sixth place belonged to Soldiers Sharing One Helm and Gao Sheng’s Testament.
These two magical treasures shared the same unfortunate condition—they were both severely incomplete.
Soldiers Sharing One Helm had originally been a complete set of armor, but Ning Zhuo only possessed a helmet.
Gao Sheng’s Testament was in very poor condition, with its contents severely incomplete.
Only when used together did the two treasures have practical value for Sun Ning and him.
There was another drawback—Ning Zhuo could not conveniently take these two treasures out for use.
Soldiers Sharing One Helm came from Lu Hongtu, while Gao Sheng’s Testament had been seized by the Stone Dwelling Old Monster from Double Purity. Taking them out would be equivalent to exposing himself.
Among the magical-treasure-grade items in Ning Zhuo’s possession were also the Soul-Shaking Rattle Drum and the Underworld Ghost-God Seal.
Both had been obtained from the Golden Core cultivator Qi Bai of the Soul-Devouring Sect.
These two treasures were practically useless to him.
They were specifically suited for ghost cultivators. Ning Zhuo’s mana did not match them, so he could not unleash their full power.
The Soul-Devouring Sect was also a major demonic sect, and Ning Zhuo did not want to show off such treasures. While traveling abroad and carrying heavy responsibilities with only Foundation Establishment stage cultivation, he did not want to attract additional trouble.
There were also two other reasons.
First, using demonic-path treasures would be detrimental to Ning Zhuo’s righteous-path image.
Second, these two magical treasures had already become components of the Nether Messenger, Qi Bai.
Apart from these, there was also a piece of Black Iron Cloud, which was likewise a magical treasure.
Back then, Ning Zhuo had purchased it in Huoshi Immortal City from the Cloud Whale Merchant Caravan, intending to equip Yuan Dasheng with it so he would gain some aerial combat capability.
The idea had been beautiful, but reality had been unsatisfactory.
On the one hand, Yuan Dasheng’s spirituality was not as strong as Meng Yahu’s. On his own, he struggled to control the Black Iron Cloud effectively in battle.
On the other hand, after actual combat experience, Ning Zhuo realized he simply did not need Yuan Dasheng’s assistance in aerial combat. He himself was already very skilled in long-range fighting. By rotating through the Five Elemental Spells, he could usually keep enemies too busy to handle everything.
“So, that counts as a mistaken investment!”
Compared to magical treasures, Ning Zhuo possessed far more magical instruments.
The meditation cushion, Tornado Wheel, Five Elements Ruler, and Calm-Mind Bell used for cultivation had once given Ning Zhuo tremendous help.
Now, the assistance these magical instruments provided had already become much smaller. Some were even close to being phased out.
One type of magical instrument existed in the greatest quantity.
That was mirror artifacts.
The Foundation Establishment chapter of the Mirror Platform Spirit Technique recorded the creation and usage methods of eight types of magic mirrors.
By now, Ning Zhuo had already produced large numbers of Vajra Mirrors, Divided Mind Mirrors, and Limestone Mirrors.
The next most numerous items were Jade Steel Heavy Armor.
After the Ning Family branch intervened in Jade Steel Mountain, raw materials flooded the market. With the help of the former Zheng Family forging facilities, production output continued to grow.
As the branch family leader, once Ning Zhuo gave the order, his subordinates naturally exerted their full effort, entrusting all inventory to Sect Master Lin Bufan before transferring it to Ning Zhuo.
Thus, even after equipping the Red Flower Camp and the Three Generals Camp, Ning Zhuo still had quite a bit remaining.
Ning Zhuo swept his spiritual sense across several storage artifacts and discovered that there were still some magical instruments he had almost forgotten because he rarely used them.
There were more than a dozen poisonous smoke black spheres of magical-instrument grade. Ning Zhuo had once used them in Fire Persimmon Mountain, and their effect had been good.
But the same issue remained—such poisonous smoke was somewhat vicious. For the sake of his own image, Ning Zhuo would not use them unless absolutely necessary.
The Soul Capturing Shuttle, the Four-Direction Reversal Formation Disk, the Warm Heart Pendant, the Myriad Phenomena Cloud Seed… these had truly been set aside and left to gather dust.
As for treasure materials, the corpse of the Stone Dwelling Old Monster ranked first, while Ghost Gate Escape Grass ranked second. The rest need not be listed.
The total value of spirit stones remaining was thirteen million eight hundred thousand, calculated in mid-grade spirit stones.
Regarding talismans, the magical-treasure-grade Flowing Clouds and Water Talisman and the Smooth and Oily Talisman were part of the Ning Family main branch’s foundation.
Ning Zhuo also had two Substitute Talismans, one Protective Spirit Talisman, and two Directional Escape Talismans. One Directional Escape Talisman had already been used during the previous ambush battle.
Almost all of these came from Ning Jiufan.
They were essentially wool Ning Zhuo had sheared from his own ancestor while in Huoshi Immortal City.
The Ning Family was famous for talisman crafting—this was a manifestation of the family’s deep foundation!
However, all the external items listed above were not the main part.
Ning Zhuo’s true focus had always been on mechanical constructs.
There were five Golden Core–level mechanical puppets: Buddhist Doctor Mu Yaoyin, Rudie Maiden, Heavy Armor Blood Ape Dasheng, Shadowblade—Night Tiger, and Nether Messenger Qi Bai.
Mechanical beasts included Mechanical Silent Thunder Birds, Fireburst Monkeys, Fire Bamboo Snakes, and others.
Mechanical puppets serving as soldiers numbered more than eight hundred in reserve.
Mechanical weapons included the Hundred-Armed Arhat Armor, Cang Tie Han Armor, Serpent Scythe, and Riveted Rapid-Fire Crossbow.
Mechanical platforms included the Xuanyuan Nine Work Platform, Xuan Palace Gear Platform, and Giant Spirit Shaping Platform.
Mechanical components included the Mechanical Ring, Weather Sphere—Ice Crystal Snow, Floating Ice White Jade Hand, Mechanical Fists and Legs—Bitter Cold, Reversible Lasso, Long Hair Death Whip, Suspension Ring, Honest Man, Wind-Fire Wheels, and others.
After such a full accounting, Ning Zhuo’s expression became somewhat dazed.
“Without realizing it, I’ve already accumulated so many treasures.”
“If all of them were released at once, my battle power would completely surpass almost all Golden Core cultivators in the world—I could even contend against Nascent Soul.”
“If I also combine the Divine Ability—Life Hanging by a Thread and the Warrior Returns Art, while receiving the national power and military power enhancement of Liangzhu Kingdom… what would happen?”
“Hiss… I’m really strong!”
Thinking this way, the tension and anxiety in Ning Zhuo’s heart regarding the coming grand decisive battle diminished greatly.
But the next moment, a cautious expression appeared on his face again.
“No, I cannot become arrogant.”
“These things amount to nothing.”
“There are many Golden Core cultivators stronger than me. For example, Zhu Xuanji—or Linghu Jiu of the Myriad Medicines Sect.”
“I’ve only been lucky. My mother, my family members, and my friends—especially Big Brother Sun—have helped me to reach today’s small achievements.”
“My personal effort exists, but it isn’t the key.”
“What I mainly rely on is mechanism arts.”
“It is the excellence of the mechanism path itself. It can integrate all cultivation technologies and leverage them to the greatest extent, prying out the maximum power.”
“The sages who invented mechanism arts were truly incredible.”
“I’m merely benefiting from the brilliance of those great predecessors.”
“I must not become complacent or blindly arrogant. I still need to learn from outstanding people and work harder—harder, and even harder!”
After this round of mental adjustment, Ning Zhuo’s face became calm again. His eyes shone brightly, and his heart once more filled with an intense longing for progress and self-improvement.
Two days later.
After resting the previous day, the entire army was refreshed and fully equipped, gathering beneath the parade platform.
War banners fluttered everywhere, and the air was filled with a chilling aura of killing intent.
Du Tiechuan stood alone atop the parade platform, looking down upon the army as he began the oath ceremony.
He spoke loudly:
“Soldiers.”
“Our Liangzhu Kingdom prospers. Our king is wise and governs with skill. Peace reigns across the lands. Only the Thousand Peaks Forest remains a nest of evil demons, a lawless region where demonic miasma darkens the skies and innocent people suffer.”
“Today I, Du Tiechuan, accept the command of our king and lead the three armies to campaign against the Thousand Peaks Forest. This expedition is not for personal gain, but for justice; not for fame or profit, but for the common people. With loyalty as our heart and courage as our will, we shall drive out evil, support righteousness, and sweep away the demonic miasma!”
“The battle is near. I am willing to march to the front lines with you, swear to slay demons, and raise the prestige of our nation.”
“Today we must unite as one, guard against arrogance and impatience, and advance with courage. Our blood will dye the enemy formations red; our souls will protect our homeland.”
“With unwavering belief in victory, we shall welcome triumph in this battle. Today we swear an oath—to slay demons and devils and bring peace to the world.”
“May our soldiers return in triumph and spread their fame across the lands. May Liangzhu Kingdom prosper forever, and may our king remain wise and enlightened. Soldiers—charge with me, defend our rivers and mountains, and raise the might of our nation!”
“Charge! For the glory of Liangzhu Kingdom! For the dignity of our king! For the peace of our people! Fight without cease—victory will belong to us!!”
Military Art—Rally the Army’s Heart.
Military Art—Stir the Fighting Spirit.
Military Art—Iron Mantle and Keen Edge Art!
At this moment, Du Tiechuan exerted his full strength, fully displaying the might of a Soul Formation–level being.
Three military arts empowered the entire army. Their power was immense, causing every soldier to feel their emotions surge and morale skyrocket as they shouted in unison in response to Du Tiechuan.
For a time, the roar of voices on the parade ground sounded like wind and thunder, overwhelming all other sounds of heaven and earth.
“The army’s morale is strong. In this battle against Thousand Peaks Forest, victory is certain!” Du Tiechuan’s heart overflowed with heroic confidence.
The next moment, he leaned back slightly, drew a long breath, and mobilized all the mana in his body, fully activating the Dragon Shadow Nine Pillars Parade Platform.
The towering platform suddenly erupted with blinding brilliance, so bright that even the clear midday sun seemed dim in comparison.
A pillar of light shot straight into the heavens.
The earth trembled violently as a vast phantom dragon stretching tens of thousands of miles appeared. Like a mighty river changing its course, it moved its mountain-like body and poured into the pillar of light from the platform.
The Dragon Vein!
This was the Dragon Vein of Liangzhu Kingdom.
The Dragon Soul Pearl on the parade platform was completely depleted within three breaths.
The supreme power of the Dragon Vein poured into the platform, causing cracks to appear all over the structure—it could not withstand the force for long.
Tribulation clouds suddenly formed in the sky, releasing dozens of bolts of lightning.
Yet every bolt of lightning was absorbed by the surrounding railings.
These railings were tall and thick, forged from Thunder Firmament Iron, capable of absorbing and storing lightning.
Ning Zhuo felt profound shock in his heart.
“The Dragon Vein!”
“This is the main source of a nation’s power.”
“Du Tiechuan is drawing upon the power of the Dragon Vein, which goes against the natural order, thus generating tribulation clouds and lightning.”
“But the parade platform is perfectly bearing the burden!”
“What a massive undertaking.”
Violent winds surged like a tornado, enveloping the parade platform.
Du Tiechuan’s body stood straight and unmoving. Only the hand seals he formed trembled slightly—mobilizing such enormous external power was a heavy burden even for a Soul Formation–level being.
His hand seals changed thirty-three times in succession. Then he chanted loudly:
“Spears and warhorses shake the land. Rivers and mountains tremble. Iron and blood show no mercy. Let the enemy perish. Break!”
Hand Imprint. Mouth Imprint. Heart Imprint.
The three imprints were activated together.
Military Art—Iron Flow Across the Plains!!!
The power of the Dragon Vein surged outward as the towering parade platform collapsed with a thunderous crash.
Endless power descended upon the three armies.
Countless soldiers felt an invisible pressure envelop their entire bodies. Many bones creaked loudly as intense pain swept through them, yet they could only grit their teeth and endure.
Layer upon layer of steel phantoms descended onto their bodies, forming overlapping images of figures, weapons, and mounts.
Their armor turned pitch black, reflecting the resolute faces of the soldiers.
Standing among them, Ning Zhuo felt surging power filling his body, but he also bore the weight of several hundred jin—and the weight kept increasing.
Du Tiechuan leapt into the air, transforming into a streak of light as he descended into the middle of the army.
He rode an Iron-Horned spell beast, waving the command flag and shouting:
“The entire army—advance!”
His voice spread throughout the army.
The army began to move.
The soldiers’ footsteps were heavy. Each step crushed deep pits into the solid mountain rock.
Then their speed gradually increased.
The entire army resembled a prehistoric giant serpent slowly awakening, gradually accelerating as its momentum grew ferocious.
All soldiers wore heavy armor. The collisions of their armor produced an endless metallic clanging. The sound of mounts striking the ground, the synchronized steps of soldiers, and the fluttering war banners combined into a roar like a raging stormy sea.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh!
The overlapping shadows of the entire army began to flow, seeping into every soldier’s body until each figure became blurred.
Endless black shadows streamed beneath the army’s feet, transforming into a massive river.
The river lifted the heavy-armored soldiers, forming a torrent of steel!
The torrent surged forward, vast and unstoppable, like a heavenly catastrophe descending upon the world as it rushed toward Thousand Peaks Forest.
Forward! Forward!
The entire army advanced!
For a moment, the sky darkened and the earth dimmed. Only the roaring sound of the iron torrent echoed through heaven and earth.
When they reached a mountain, the steel torrent did not slow even for an instant—it crashed directly into it.
Boom…
The mountain collapsed and shattered within the iron torrent, crushed into dust beneath the army’s advance.
Magnificent, the heavy-armored army!
Mighty, Iron Flow Across the Plains!
Du Tiechuan commanded the central army, his face as hard as iron while his heart surged with fervor.
“Today, with this military art, I will sweep away the demonic miasma and reshape the rivers and mountains!”