Chapter 530: Ning Zhuo: I Want to Test My Limits
The Mechanical Puppets stood quietly, arranged in neat and uniform ranks.
They were mainly made of wood, with simple metal armor covering their chests, legs, and feet.
Most of them held long spears in their hands, though some carried sword and shield.
“Six hundred Mechanical Puppets! The Mechanical Puppets controlled by the strategist are far more numerous than before.” Zhang Hei swept them with his spiritual sense, discovered the increased number of puppet soldiers, and immediately sent a congratulatory message through his spiritual sense, his tone carrying a hint of praise.
The soldiers of the Three Generals Camp also looked at these Mechanical Puppets, their expressions full of amazement.
Guan Hong stroked his beard and also communicated with his spiritual sense. “With the strategist’s wealth, he could easily make these Mechanical Puppets much more refined. It seems the strategist intends to make use of the Warrior Returns Art in military strategy.”
Ning Zhuo replied, “General Guan’s insight is indeed accurate.”
Of course, Ning Zhuo could have used metal as the primary material to manufacture the Mechanical Puppets.
However, firstly, doing so would require more time and higher consumption; secondly, in real combat they would not be easily damaged, which would hinder the performance of the Warrior Returns Art. Thirdly, the wood came from the Thousand Peaks Forest and Canglin Immortal City—both local specialties and relatively cheap—whereas metal was far more expensive.
Before departure, Liu Er walked to Ning Zhuo’s side, grabbed both his hands, and earnestly advised him, “For the strategist to strike out alone is due to our own incompetence!”
“Remember, your life is the most important thing.”
“If you encounter Luo Chen, you should immediately retreat, lure the enemy to our army’s front, and then engage in battle!”
Ning Zhuo gave a soft acknowledgment and also said to Liu Er, “General, there is no need to blame yourself. Without you, how could Zhuo have reached this point relying only on himself?”
“It was precisely because the three generals paved the road that Zhuo now has the opportunity to show his abilities.”
“At this moment, it is precisely the time for me to strike. If I can destroy the great bell in one stroke, this current stalemate can be broken and the final victory guided.”
“Even if it means taking risks, it is worth attempting!”
After bidding farewell to Liu Er, Ning Zhuo mounted a Foundation Establishment–level horse and led the mechanical army out from the Three Generals Camp, racing swiftly toward the direction from which the bell’s sound came.
Blazing flames soon swallowed the figures of Ning Zhuo and the mechanical army.
“The strategist… it is our Golden Core incompetence that, at such a critical moment, a Foundation Establishment cultivator must step forward.” Liu Er sighed with emotion. At present, they could only rely on Ning Zhuo’s upcoming performance.
Zhang Hei clenched his fists in frustration. “Blame it on these soldiers being too poor! If I had two hundred elite troops, I alone could lead the army and strike straight at the heart of the enemy!”
Guan Hong stroked his beard. “Although the strategist only has Foundation Establishment cultivation, in terms of pure battle strength he surpasses any one of us three. Sending him out now is the most suitable choice, perfectly in accordance with military strategy.”
The three generals gritted their teeth. For now, they could only hold their ground and wait for Ning Zhuo’s return.
Yet those observing Ning Zhuo were not only the three generals and Luo Chen’s side.
Another cultivator lurked nearby, secretly observing the progress of this offensive and defensive battle.
This person’s surname was Gao and his given name was Cuo. In his early years he had obtained a fortuitous opportunity and once served in Azure Sky Mountain. The Evil God Bone Marrow he had secretly discovered there had, through a series of coincidences, ultimately fallen into Sun Lingtong’s hands.
“Good. Although the main force of the Three Generals Camp is incompetent, Ning Zhuo can still strike.”
“If he seizes the opportunity and destroys the great bell, he can change the battle situation and tilt the balance of victory toward the Three Generals Camp.”
“If he performs even better and finds the location of the Vermilion Bird Incense Furnace, destroying this grand formation, that would be even better.”
Gao Cuo assessed the situation, his brows tightly furrowed. “The only fear is that Luo Chen might take the initiative and intercept Ning Zhuo midway, causing this mission to fail halfway.”
An aged voice sounded within his mind.
“There is also a way.”
Gao Cuo replied, “Sword Elder, what method?”
Sword Elder continued, “We infiltrated here for the sake of the Wood-Within-Fire. This fire is one of the Three Samadhi Fires. Even if you cannot gather all three in the future, this single flame alone will suffice for you up to the Nascent Soul stage.”
“Luo Chen must also be searching for this item!”
“The current situation is very clear. Ten-Li Burning Forest lies close to the main battlefield and will inevitably be swept by the Liangzhu Kingdom army.”
“Even if this attack by the Three Generals Camp fails, later punitive armies will certainly come one after another.”
“Ten-Li Burning Forest cannot be held. Luo Chen bears responsibility here and wishes to withdraw with dignity. He cannot take things like the Fire-Crowned Divine Cedar with him. Only the Wood-Within-Fire can serve as his best excuse.”
“Look—since the Three Generals Camp began attacking, he has never taken action. He must be searching with all his strength for the Wood-Within-Fire.”
A flash of insight appeared in Gao Cuo’s mind. “I understand. Sword Elder, you want me to fabricate a Wood-Within-Fire, deceive Luo Chen, let him see hope of obtaining it, and indirectly keep him pinned in place?”
Sword Elder smiled in satisfaction. “You learn quickly. The Displacement Shadow Scripture you cultivate is perfectly suited for fabricating such objects. Hmm?”
Sword Elder suddenly stopped.
“What is it?” Gao Cuo asked immediately.
Sword Elder replied, “Another outsider has arrived here. Their cultivation is at least Nascent Soul level.”
Gao Cuo said, “The longer the night, the more troubles arise. If this battle continues, it will inevitably attract more cultivators. If the Three Generals Camp cannot win in one strike and the battle drags on, the interference for us will only grow.”
Above Ten-Li Burning Forest.
Lin Bufan hid among the clouds, looking down at the blazing forest below.
“I possess the One-Leaf-Blinding-Eyes technique. That Luo Chen will never discover me.”
“Hmm, the main force of the Three Generals Camp has pushed this far?”
“Strange. Where is Ning Zhuo?”
At the center of Ten-Li Burning Forest stood the Fire-Crowned Divine Cedar.
Beneath the cedar sat a cultivator cross-legged. It was Luo Chen.
Luo Chen rested with closed eyes. His eyelids trembled slightly before opening a sliver, revealing a sharp glint.
“In the clouds… a strange Nascent Soul cultivator has arrived.”
“Hmph, only to be expected.”
“The longer the battle lasts, the more people will come sniffing the scent.”
“The more spectators there are, the harder it will be for me to withdraw on my own initiative.”
“Fine. I’ll first eliminate this detached mechanical army. At least I can gain a bit of military merit.”
“But the most important thing is still the Wood-Within-Fire.”
“Without it, how can I withdraw with dignity? Hmm?!”
The next moment, he suddenly opened his eyes wide, his face full of delight.
“I found it! Heaven truly favors me!”
How does one hide a leaf?
Simply hide it among the branches of a forest.
How does one hide a spark of fire?
Simply blend it into the endless sea of flames.
Since the end of the First Grand Decisive Battle, when the Dragon Ginseng King suffered a small defeat and fled and the Liangzhu Kingdom’s main forces stationed themselves nearby, Luo Chen had already begun using the Fire-Crowned Divine Cedar to continuously send out spiritual sense to search for the Wood-Within-Fire.
However, the sea of flames was far too vast. Luo Chen’s spiritual sense could not cover the entire forest and could only search little by little.
He had exerted tremendous effort, yet had never even seen a trace of the Wood-Within-Fire.
Now that he suddenly sensed its aura, he became ecstatic and immediately threw the matter of destroying Ning Zhuo’s army to the back of his mind.
Even if he attacked, it would only earn a small bit of military merit.
But obtaining the Wood-Within-Fire and bringing it back to the alliance would allow him to withdraw honorably with merit rather than fault. That was the real priority.
The importance of the two matters had long been weighed clearly in Luo Chen’s mind.
Naturally, Ning Zhuo knew nothing of the events happening behind the scenes. Thus, even though he marched cautiously and remained vigilant the entire way, he never encountered interception from Luo Chen.
He discussed the matter with Sun Lingtong.
Both of them found the situation strange and grew even more cautious.
So much so that when they finally arrived before the great bell, they still found it somewhat unbelievable.
Yan Jin’s face was dark as water.
There was bitterness in his heart, yet he could not voice it.
After all, Luo Chen discovering the Wood-Within-Fire was crucial to their successful withdrawal.
Under such circumstances, letting Yan Jin and Fairy Flowing Flame cooperate to resist the mechanical army was the decision most aligned with their interests.
Fairy Flowing Flame exerted her strength. Through the grand formation, she created a curtain of fire that covered Ning Zhuo’s army.
Heavenly Craft Forging Sound Manual!
Yan Jin raised both palms and fiercely struck the magical treasure–level great bell.
Clang—
The bell’s sound spread outward, quickly enveloping the entire mechanical army. Cracks appeared throughout the bodies of the Mechanical Puppets from inside to outside.
The simple armor on their bodies fared even worse than the wooden bodies and shattered directly.
First Strike — Ore-Shaking Tune!
Ning Zhuo’s eyes lit up. “So it truly is the Heavenly Craft Forging Sound Manual.”
Yan Jin clenched his left hand into a fist while his right hand struck with a palm.
The bell rang in rapid succession, forming a hurried rhythm.
Fragments of armor on the Mechanical Puppets broke down further within the bell’s sound, refined into countless tiny particles.
Their wooden bodies did the same, shrinking rapidly, and some Mechanical Puppets collapsed directly.
Second Ring — Golden Extraction Chime!
Ning Zhuo spoke aloud in admiration. “I once read an introduction to this technique in the records. I always wished to witness it myself. I never expected to personally experience its wonders in such a way.”
Yan Jin snorted coldly and transmitted through spiritual sense. “A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator dares to comment on my craft!”
His fist and palm switched positions—this time his left hand struck with a palm while his right formed a fist.
Third Tremor — Shaping Rhythm!
The bell’s sound now alternated between deep and sharp tones, changing pitch with incredible speed.
Countless Mechanical Puppets were refined on the spot by Yan Jin’s will and spiritual sense. Some were compressed into spheres, some were forged into wooden rods, and some shattered into pieces.
Yan Jin transmitted with his spiritual sense. “Young brat, more than half of your army has already been destroyed.”
Ning Zhuo clapped his hands, his voice spreading across the battlefield.
“Wonderful! Fellow Daoist Yan’s artifact refining attainments surpass mine tenfold!”
Yan Jin’s eyelids twitched.
He immediately replied through spiritual sense, “Even if twenty of you came together, you would only be courting death!”
The bell rang again.
This time Yan Jin spread both hands, striking the bronze bell with both palms to produce a long, lingering resonance.
Lingering Tone — Tempering Fire Chant!
Crack…
Bang…
After enduring the previous three bell strikes, many Mechanical Puppets had already become twisted and misshapen. Now they could no longer endure and completely collapsed into fragments.
Before departure, Ning Zhuo had possessed a full six hundred Mechanical Puppets.
Now fewer than one hundred remained standing beside him.
Ning Zhuo bowed with one hand to Yan Jin, smiling brightly, his eyes full of eager anticipation.
“Senior Yan has magnificent skill and masterful technique. These Mechanical Puppets of mine are nothing remarkable. Next, this junior will personally come to learn from you!”
Yan Jin was startled.
“Wait, you—”
Before he could finish speaking, Ning Zhuo gave a light shout and leapt into the air.
He clapped both palms and released a surging torrent.
The water roared like a flood released from a dam, instantly shattering the curtain of fire before rushing toward the great bell and Yan Jin.
Yan Jin quickly stomped his right foot, activating the defensive formation beneath the bell’s pedestal.
A spherical barrier formed, covering both Yan Jin and the great bell.
In the sky, flames suddenly shaped themselves into a Vermilion Bird and dove into the water, causing a massive explosion.
Sixty percent of the water flow evaporated instantly, turning into steam that soon vanished under the surrounding heat.
Fairy Flowing Flame had intervened.
The enemy Ning Zhuo faced had never been Yan Jin alone. There was also Fairy Flowing Flame, who controlled the grand formation.
“Again!”
Ning Zhuo laughed loudly, completely un discouraged. His fighting spirit rose even higher.
He took a deep breath and formed hand seals with both hands.
Moments later, he lifted both palms sharply upward.
The ground bulged rapidly, forming earthen mounds.
These mounds condensed into two Earth Element giants, one on each side, who strode forward through the lowered water level toward the great bell.
Yan Jin struck the bell repeatedly, unleashing waves of sound to attack them.
The giants moved slowly but took enormous steps, enduring the bell’s attacks until they reached the barrier and began smashing it with their fists.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Each blow was incredibly powerful, cracking the barrier with numerous fractures.
Yan Jin exerted all his strength. The great bell swayed violently, releasing surging waves of sound to counterattack.
The giants were gradually reshaped by the bell’s sound—their arms fell off, their fists turned into mud, and one was cut in half at the waist.
In the sky, the Vermilion Bird flames formed once more and lunged toward Ning Zhuo.
Ning Zhuo split his attention. His left hand formed seals while his right hand reached out toward the flaming bird.
At the same time, another torrent appeared from nowhere.
The water spiraled into the sky and formed into a dragon.
The dragon opened its mouth and bit directly into the Vermilion Bird flames.
Boom!
Both perished in the explosion.
Meanwhile, Ning Zhuo’s left-hand seals had completed.
He pointed forward with his index and middle fingers like a sword.
A golden beam shot forth.
It shone with dazzling brilliance like a falling meteor.
By the time Yan Jin saw it, it had already struck the barrier.
The barrier lasted only half a breath before being pierced.
The golden beam continued onward and struck the great bell, blasting a small hole into it.
Yan Jin’s expression changed completely.
“How is such power possible? This doesn’t match the intelligence! Have you been hiding your strength all along?!”
Ning Zhuo laughed with great satisfaction, placing his hands on his hips in imitation of Sun Lingtong.
“You guessed right!”
“Senior Yan, do you think I came here alone merely to take a gamble?”
“Of course I came with confidence!”
“To tell you the truth, even if Luo Chen arrived, I would have ways to deal with him.”
He was deliberately bluffing.
Although Yan Jin had intelligence on Ning Zhuo, the power Ning Zhuo displayed now was indeed far beyond the reported level.
This was not because Ning Zhuo had hidden his strength earlier, but because his progress during this time had been astonishingly fast.
Previously, his Warrior Returns Art had been limited by the foundation of his physical body.
But through the unorthodox usage of the Fetal-Breath Spirit Vessel, his physical foundation had skyrocketed, making him completely different from before.
With more than five hundred Mechanical Puppets destroyed, his battle strength had surged to the Golden Core level and even surpassed his previous peak by a large margin.
It could now be considered among the top tier of Golden Core power!
Yan Jin’s mind shook along with the great bell.
“Stay calm!”
“I still have Lord Luo Chen and Fairy Flowing Flame assisting me. I am not fighting alone.”
At that moment, Fairy Flowing Flame transmitted through the formation:
“Master Yan Jin, you must hold on. The Three Generals Camp has begun advancing again and is marching in my direction.”
After waiting for a moment, the three generals noticed that the bell sounds had weakened and the curtain of fire had slowed.
Liu Er immediately seized the opportunity and ordered the army to advance. The obstacles along the way had decreased by more than half.
Fairy Flowing Flame was already too busy to handle everything.
Yan Jin quickly asked Luo Chen, “My lord, have you made progress in searching for the Wood-Within-Fire?”
Luo Chen’s face was dark. “That Wood-Within-Fire is extremely slippery, almost as if it has intelligence. I haven’t caught it yet. You hold on first!”
Yan Jin was speechless.
Ning Zhuo’s eyes shone brightly, reflecting both firelight and the great bell.
His battle intent soared.
“Boss, I feel like I still have strength left. I haven’t reached my body’s limit yet. I want to test where the limit is.”
Sun Lingtong giggled.
“Little Zhuo, go ahead and play. I’ll keep watch around you. If Luo Chen comes, I’ll warn you.”
Ning Zhuo then released three hundred Mechanical Puppets.
He commanded them to form the Swift Wind Light Step Formation.
The mechanical army moved like the wind. Ning Zhuo flew above them while forming hand seals.
With his left hand he summoned the previous golden sword-finger beam again.
With his right palm raised toward the sky, he condensed a gigantic meteor.
“Senior Yan, take this!”
The young man’s aura surged once more as his excited voice echoed across the battlefield.
Yan Jin: “……”