Chapter 523: Golden Scale Saw-Coil Snake
In a mountain valley.
“Officers and soldiers, hear my command—form the Iron Bucket Formation!” Xu Dali stood beneath the general’s banner and activated a Military Art.
Military Art—Speed Is Paramount in Warfare!
Under the blessing of this Military Art, the speed of the entire Barbarian-Demon Camp immediately increased by more than double.
However, the time required to form the battle formation did not decrease much. Many soldiers even ran to the wrong positions because they could not adapt to the sudden acceleration, causing coordination errors among them.
“Just like the intelligence said, the Barbarian-Demon Camp has the worst level of training. Hahaha!”
“Brothers, hit them hard!”
“If we don’t wipe out these isolated troops today, once they regroup in the future, we’ll be the ones on the chopping block!”
Cultivators composed mainly of barbarian cultivators with demon cultivators as support appeared frequently throughout the mountain forest. They cast various spells and concentrated their attacks on the Barbarian-Demon Camp.
Wheel-sized rolling stones tumbled down along the mountain slopes, smashing the Barbarian-Demon Camp soldiers until their heads bled.
Poison needles as fine as cow hair struck without warning. From time to time, Barbarian-Demon Camp soldiers collapsed to the ground, foaming at the mouth and convulsing to death.
Vines also burst out from the ground suddenly, strangling unsuspecting soldiers on the spot.
The Barbarian-Demon Camp paid the price of several hundred lives before finally forming the Iron Bucket Formation.
The moment the battle formation was successfully established, the defensive power of the entire army greatly increased, and their desperate situation turned stable.
A carriage remained invisible as it sped across the sky.
The coachman driving the carriage looked down at the battle between the Barbarian-Demon Camp and the native cultivators of the Thousand Peaks Forest. He immediately transmitted a message with his Spiritual Sense to the people inside the carriage.
“My lord, our army below is at a disadvantage. Should we intervene and assist?”
With the strength of the several cultivators inside the carriage, once they intervened, the entire battle situation would certainly be overturned.
But Zhao Xi, who served as the backbone of the group, snorted coldly.
“Xu Dali is a useless fool. The Barbarian-Demon Camp’s training is poor to begin with, but the key point is that he actually formed the Iron Bucket Formation, turning himself into a living target.”
“Simply ridiculous!”
“If he had formed an offensive battle formation, the enemy are merely scattered cultivators without any army. How could they possibly resist?”
“Xu Dali forced himself into this situation. Why should we go save him?”
“The most important matter now is for me to reach the frontline main camp and take charge of the situation.”
“Grand Commander Du is severely injured and in seclusion. As the military supervisor personally appointed by the king, I must hurry there and preside over the overall situation.”
“There is a reason these troops were eliminated in the first place.”
“Once I arrive at the main camp, I can naturally make the Main Army take this seriously and dispatch troops to provide support. That is the decision a true commander should make. Go!”
The coachman felt disdain in his heart but remained respectful on the surface.
“As you command, my lord!”
Liangzhu Kingdom Frontline Main Camp.
Ning Zhuo returned to his residence. He entered the Mechanism Roaming Dragon and worked around three mechanism workstations, tinkering with various materials.
On the Xuanyuan Nine-Work Platform, pieces of Blue Lightning Silver were rapidly processed into flexible silver metal threads. Each thread occasionally crackled with arcs of electricity.
Ning Zhuo stored the lightning silver threads and took out Dragon Scale Gold.
With his palms pressed against the Xuanyuan Nine-Work Platform, he continuously operated it. Each piece of Dragon Scale Gold was carved into extremely sharp hook shapes. Every cut required the curvature and sharpness of the hook claw to be perfectly precise.
After producing several hundred pieces, Ning Zhuo inspected them while nodding in satisfaction.
“If I processed these one by one myself, it would take at least three days and three nights. Even then, many finished products would be defective. How could they compare to these perfect pieces?”
Ning Zhuo then took out a large pile of Half-Dead Half-Alive Beads.
“Chen Cha…”
Ning Zhuo’s gaze briefly turned distant as he recalled the kindly elder from his memories.
The Half-Dead Half-Alive Beads were Chen Cha’s original creation. Using the formation collection of White Scale Hermit as a foundation, combined with his own experience and a flash of inspiration, he designed this mechanism component.
They were mainly used in joints.
Each round bead had two sides—one black and one white. The black side bore the character for “dead,” while the white side bore the character for “alive.”
When the bead flipped to the white “alive” side, the joint could move freely. When it flipped to the black “dead” side, the joint would be locked in place.
The beads also possessed hidden connections with each other. If a cultivator engraved formation patterns on the main mechanism body, it could form one or more active formations.
Back in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, the wooden beads Chen Cha provided to Ning Zhuo were of too low a grade. The beads Ning Zhuo used now were specially crafted by himself and had reached the Golden Core level.
Ning Zhuo worked tirelessly. Using the Half-Dead Half-Alive Beads as the foundation, he wrapped and guided them with Lightning Silver Threads, constructing a metal network that formed the body of a snake. Afterward, he covered the metal mesh with scales made from Dragon Scale Gold.
Thus, the prototype of a mechanism creation was formed.
Next, Ning Zhuo used his Spiritual Sense, magical power, and mechanism tools to perform further processing—adding talismans, constructing formations, and more.
After more than an hour, a golden snake-like mechanism creation lay quietly on the surface of the mechanism platform.
Mechanism Beast—Golden Scale Saw-Coil Snake!
The mechanism snake shone with golden light and looked extremely exquisite. Its body was covered in sharp saw-toothed scales. When its mouth opened, a pair of hook-shaped fangs could extend outward.
Ning Zhuo activated it experimentally.
The Golden Scale Saw-Coil Snake slithered across the mechanism platform, moving with flexibility and natural grace.
Ning Zhuo then took out a stump of Ironwood.
The Golden Scale Saw-Coil Snake suddenly lunged forward, moving so fast that it left a streak of golden shadow in Ning Zhuo’s vision.
Its body elongated and wrapped around the Ironwood stump.
Mechanism Technique—Golden Scale Saw-Coil Kill!
As Ning Zhuo activated this self-created Mechanism Technique, the scales of the Golden Scale Saw-Coil Snake stood upright and pierced into the Ironwood stump.
Each scale spun rapidly like a saw blade, cutting directly into the interior of the Ironwood as easily as slicing tofu.
As the Golden Scale Saw-Coil Snake tightened its coil further and further, the washbasin-thick Ironwood stump was effortlessly cut into two pieces without the slightest resistance.
“Excellent. Very good.”
Ning Zhuo’s eyes shone brightly.
“Next comes real combat testing. I’ll gather experience from that and create the staff head.”
“Only after the subsequent work on the staff head is completed will this Golden Scale Saw-Coil Snake truly be finished.”
Ning Zhuo did not stop working.
Next, he still needed to design two additional mechanism creations.
Because relying on only the Golden Scale Saw-Coil Snake clearly would not be enough to defeat the Ginseng Dragon Whisker, nor would it produce meaningful results in real combat.
Ning Zhuo worked through the entire night. By the next morning, three new mechanism creations were displayed before him.
Aside from the first Golden Scale Saw-Coil Snake, there was also a set of seven Rolling Lightning Sphere Cages and a Root-Drilling Earth Hammer.
When Liu Er and Guan Hong came to find Ning Zhuo, he displayed his results to them and briefly introduced the creations.
Guan Hong did not understand mechanism arts, but he knew Ning Zhuo was far from simple, so he immediately expressed great anticipation.
Liu Er, on the other hand, sincerely praised him.
“Before meeting the Strategist, it was truly difficult for me to imagine that such a genius youth could exist in this world.”
“Strategist, your main cultivation path is actually mechanism arts, while those Five-Element spells are only secondary studies.”
“Sigh, if this secret were revealed, countless people would be astonished.”
Liu Er looked at Ning Zhuo solemnly.
“Strategist, your future is truly limitless. Given enough time, you might very well enter the Young Lords Ranking!”
Ning Zhuo immediately waved his hand, humbly replying that Liu Er had overpraised him.
“The Young Lords Ranking encompasses the entire cultivation world. How could someone like me possibly qualify to be selected?”
Guan Hong added, “Based on everything I have seen in my life, Strategist, you are the one most likely to ascend the Young Lords Ranking.”
Deep underground stood a Dragon King Temple.
The entrance to the temple was a stone gate covered with the marks of time, heavy and ancient.
Pushing open the stone gate led directly into the temple hall.
More than twenty enormous pillars supported the vaulted ceiling. The pillars were made from ten-thousand-year ancient wood, and each one was inlaid with golden dragon-scale patterns. The dragon heads raised proudly while their tails coiled downward, appearing lifelike.
The temple interior was dim. Faint yellow light radiated from the surrounding stone walls.
The air carried a damp scent mixed with moisture and the mysterious fragrance of medicinal herbs.
At the very center of the hall stood the main altar, nearly thirty feet high, surrounded by dense Dragon Aura.
Upon the altar was enshrined a special Dragon King statue.
It had no claws and no scales. Its dragon head was raised high, with long whiskers spreading outward. It was precisely the appearance of the Dragon Ginseng King.
At this moment, the Dragon Ginseng King statue’s gaze was dim and its aura weak, revealing that the condition of its true body was extremely poor.
Below the altar stood a massive incense table with three enormous incense sticks burning upon it.
Each incense stick was as thick as a washbasin and over ten feet tall. The smoke they produced drifted upward and slowly gathered around the Dragon King statue, where it was gradually absorbed.
In addition to the giant incense sticks, there were also numerous offerings.
Grandpa Long, as one of the temple wardens, was organizing the ritual together with four other temple wardens.
As the ritual continued, the offerings were rapidly consumed, transforming into streams of nourishment and power that were transmitted to the hidden true body of the Dragon Ginseng King.
When the ritual paused, the temple wardens sat cross-legged on the stone floor, racing against time to recover their strength.
Their heavy breathing gradually subsided, and the pale color of their faces slowly regained a trace of vitality.
Conducting the ritual was far from easy.
Even Grandpa Long felt extreme exhaustion—more tiring than the fierce battle he had fought during the ambush.
At that moment, a flying message arrived carrying the latest military intelligence.
The temple wardens immediately extended their Spiritual Sense to read it. Afterward, one of the elderly temple wardens looked at Grandpa Long.
“A-Long, you should return and preside over the battle situation.”
“With you absent, the people in the frontline military camp are about to run away.”
“The few of us old fellows can handle things here.”
Grandpa Long showed hesitation as he looked toward the Dragon King statue with deep concern.
“The lives of those outsiders are worthless. My heart cares only for the Divine Lord.”
The old temple warden immediately replied,
“Precisely because of that, you must return to take command. You need to lead the allied forces to intercept and encircle the Liangzhu Kingdom army—kill as many as possible!”
“Only then can we buy more time for our lord to recuperate and recover!”
Grandpa Long gritted his teeth. After a moment of hesitation, he finally nodded slowly.
“I understand. I will return to preside over the situation.”
He knelt and kowtowed in worship, looking back every three steps as he reluctantly left the Dragon King Temple.
Once he used the Earth-Travel Technique to move underground, his speed increased greatly.
“Lu Hongtu is extremely cunning. He keeps currying favor with people and doesn’t stop anyone from leaving, which has caused many of our high-level cultivators to be killed by military weapons while collecting battlefield spoils.”
“And those Heaven-and-Earth Twin Ghosts clearly harbor ill intentions. They keep instigating our high-level cultivators to test the enemy army’s firepower for them.”
“But the most crucial one is still the Old Monster in the Stone!”
“He still hasn’t appeared. What patience…”
Just like Lu Hongtu, Grandpa Long knew very well that the Old Monster in the Stone was the key variable. As long as he did not appear, the Dragon Ginseng King and Du Tiechuan would never fight with full desperation.
Grandpa Long secretly returned to the military camp, but instead of immediately appearing at the command tent for the strategic meeting, he went to find Young Lord Shengxu.
“We accept the price you previously offered.” Grandpa Long spoke with a serious expression.
Unexpectedly, Young Lord Shengxu shook his head.
“Times have changed, Grandpa Long.”
“My price must now double.”
“Hm?!” Grandpa Long’s eyes widened as anger rose within him. “You are taking advantage of the situation.”
Young Lord Shengxu smiled faintly.
“My name is listed on the Young Lords Ranking, and now both sides’ Deity Transformation cultivators are heavily injured. If I take action now, I might very well determine the final outcome of this great battle. Therefore, I am worth this price.”
Grandpa Long shook his head.
“That reasoning makes sense. But even if I wanted to pay, I do not have the ability. You require immediate payment, and the Thousand Peaks Forest Alliance is still an alliance after all. Even if my Dragon King Temple faction emptied its entire treasury, we could not afford your reward. Too many places still require funds.”
Young Lord Shengxu had already anticipated this outcome.
“Don’t worry. Cough, cough… I accept treasure items as compensation.”
A sharp light flashed in Grandpa Long’s eyes.
“What do you want?”
Young Lord Shengxu straightened his back slightly and slowly spoke four words.
“Life-Sea Dragon Spring.”
Grandpa Long was so angry he nearly attacked immediately.
“That is absolutely impossible!”
Liangzhu Kingdom Frontline Main Camp.
A carriage descended from the sky. After quietly landing, it canceled its spell and gradually revealed itself.
The generals had long been waiting. When they saw the military supervisor Zhao Xi step out of the carriage, they all saluted.
Holding the ceremonial staff that represented his authority, Zhao Xi raised his head proudly and scanned the surroundings. He merely nodded slightly, maintaining a lofty posture.
“I have already reported the previous major battle to the king. His Majesty is deeply concerned. How is Grand Commander Du now?”
A general immediately reported that Du Tiechuan had entered deep seclusion due to severe injuries, and that specific military affairs were currently being jointly handled by other commanders.
Joy flickered in Zhao Xi’s heart.
“So be it. Serving the nation is the duty of every minister. I shall shoulder this heavy responsibility.”
The generals exchanged glances but could only obey due to Zhao Xi’s status.
Zhao Xi immediately headed toward the Supreme Commander’s Main Tent, questioning them about the situation in the main camp along the way.
The generals reported that nearly the entire army had removed their Iron Skin Flesh Armor Art and were actively recuperating. Their condition was recovering rapidly, and within three or four days, troops would be ready to mobilize and go on campaign again.
During this period, Golden Core and Nascent Soul-level generals were mainly roaming the battlefield to conduct cleanup operations.
They also reported that many petty cultivators from the Thousand Peaks Forest had attempted to collect battlefield spoils but were taught harsh lessons by the army’s heavy weapons—many were killed or injured.
Zhao Xi’s heart stirred when he heard this, and he immediately asked about the battlefield spoils.
Someone produced a jade slip and handed it to him.
“My lord, this contains the complete record of all battlefield spoils collected so far.”
With a sweep of his Spiritual Sense, Zhao Xi discovered that it also included a Military Merit ranking list.
The name at the very top of the list was Liu Er.
He immediately frowned in displeasure.
“A mere half-blood occupying first place? What are the others doing?”
One general explained,
“Military Supervisor, Liu Er only reached first place last night. It’s possible that by the time the rankings update at noon today, he will fall again.”
Other generals quickly agreed, saying it was just an accident. Previously, Liu Er had ranked below fifth place.
Zhao Xi slowly nodded, but inwardly he grew anxious.
“This Liu Er is an outsider with no power or influence, yet he can occupy first place. That means he has truly gathered a great deal.”
“These battlefield spoils all translate into Military Merit.”
“I came here after taking great risks. If I can’t obtain Military Merit, how could I possibly justify this dangerous journey?”