< Chapter 54: Demonic Contamination >
Ning Zhuo, the young puppet master, ultimately did not encounter Mechanical Ape Yuan Dasheng. When he arrived at Room No. 7, he found parts of the Mechanical Ape lying on the ground, being transported away by a ring of light.
This was a cleaning method used by the Lava Immortal Palace. The ring of light could transport not only rewards but also clear away debris. Ning Zhuo had noticed this phenomenon before and was not surprised.
He inspected the surveillance mechanism parts and discovered that the Mechanical Ape had been defeated due to insufficient spiritual power. “Its physique is too massive; just maintaining it requires a lot of spiritual power.”
“It chose spirit stone rewards all along the way, but it still could not support itself against the consumption.”
“Of course, this is also related to the many traps I installed in rooms one through nine.”
Ning Zhuo felt a heavy weight on his heart. Yuan Dasheng’s strength was too formidable, causing a significant impact on his plans. The negative effects of this impact could very likely lead Ning Zhuo to a deadly predicament!
“This was only Yuan Dasheng’s first attempt at the challenge, and he made it all the way to Room No. 7.”
“Next time, it will be more familiar with this place.”
“Although it still has a weakness in spiritual power consumption, once it survives seven days, it can claim the rewards from the leaderboard. By then, its spiritual power will be at its peak, possibly allowing it to break through all at once, advancing ahead of me.”
This added considerable pressure on Ning Zhuo. Burdened with heavy thoughts, he passed Room No. 9 and returned to the central lobby.
The sound of machinery echoed as the stone wall lowered, revealing three portals: Buddha, Dao, and Demon.
Before this, Ning Zhuo had already entered the Taoist gate and discovered that the challenges were extremely difficult. Although there was hope of passing, the time and energy it would consume were immeasurable.
After deep contemplation, Ning Zhuo decided to first master the newly acquired techniques. According to his understanding of the Lava Immortal Palace and the seniors of the three sects, these two techniques would definitely be useful!
As the saying goes, sharpening your axe will not delay the work of cutting wood.
This time, Ning Zhuo approached the demonic gate.
He stretched out both hands, pressing his palms against the door, silently activating the Demonic Blood Tendon Technique.
Once the demonic technique was in motion, he quickly began to draw strands of blood energy from the door.
The crimson blood energy flowed through his arms, spreading throughout Ning Zhuo’s entire body and gradually condensing into a blood essence within his puppet body.
This was the crystallization of blood strength!
Having obtained the blood essence, Ning Zhuo could no longer draw blood energy and found that the demonic gate could now be pushed open.
He officially entered the demonic gate and found the room filled with numerous traps and many martial puppets wandering about.
Observing for a moment, Ning Zhuo came to a preliminary conclusion: “The difficulty of this level is about the same as that of the Taoist gate. These martial puppets are brimming with blood energy and seem to also possess blood essence?”
“Does this mean they can also use the Demonic Blood Tendon Technique?”
Ning Zhuo attempted to tackle the challenge.
Demonic Blood Tendon Technique!
He activated the technique, and his blood energy condensed into intertwined sinew structures spread throughout his body, particularly concentrated at several of his joints.
With the enhancement of the blood sinew, Ning Zhuo’s running, jumping, and dodging speeds greatly increased.
Not just speed, but his strength and defense also improved.
Although the traps had been triggered, they posed little threat to Ning Zhuo. The real trouble came from the kung fu puppets that rushed over. Ning Zhuo’s previous guess was confirmed—these kung fu puppets could indeed use the Demonic Blood Tendon Technique! With the demonic technique aiding them, the threat of the kung fu puppets increased manifold, making them even more troublesome.
Ning Zhuo managed to hold on until the middle of the level but was then surrounded and attacked by three kung fu puppets. Using their vital energy, they slapped Ning Zhuo, quickly covering his puppet body with their blood energy tendons.
As soon as these blood energy tendons formed, they severely interfered with every movement of Ning Zhuo. He could only rely on his spells and the suspended mechanical arms for defense.
After resisting for a moment, he could no longer hold on, and his entire body was enveloped by blood energy. Vast amounts of blood energy tendons sealed off his entire body. The three kung fu puppets struck together, ultimately shattering Ning Zhuo’s puppet body into pieces.
“So, the Demonic Blood Tendon Technique can be used like this!” Although Ning Zhuo had failed, he gained a significant insight.
Back in his underground workshop, he conducted validations in this area. The blood energy tendons, which were condensed, could not only assist cultivators themselves by enhancing their mobility and providing a certain degree of defense but could also corrode others.
By using one’s own blood energy to invade and contaminate another’s blood energy, creating extensive blood energy tendons both inside and outside their body, one could imprison them.
“No, not just imprisonment.”
“More precisely, it’s control!”
Ning Zhuo was profoundly shaken. In that moment, he discerned the core concept of the three techniques.
The patriarchs who founded these three techniques intended them specifically for controlling mechanical creations. The Five Elements Qi Regulation Art draws upon the Five Elements Mana, which has an extensive range of applications. The threads of the Five Elements it creates can control the majority of mechanical creations.
The Demonic Blood Tendon Technique endows blood energy tendons, enhancing the mobility and control of mechanical creations in various aspects.
The Mirror Platform Spirit Technique, on the other hand, operates through the spiritual mind to communicate with spirit objects. Clearly, it pairs well with certain mechanical components.
Ning Zhuo continued his testing. He discovered that blood energy from the same source was more prone to erosion, contamination, and even usurpation, whereas blood energy from different sources was more about suppression and interference.
These findings were encouraging, but Ning Zhuo’s mood grew heavier. He thought of Yuan Dasheng.
“This monkey somehow obtained the Demonic Blood Tendon Technique in advance.”
“Its Qi Refining cultivation should be the same as mine, both at the peak of the third layer. But in terms of refining essence, it ranks first on the leaderboard, having pushed me down. This indicates it must have surpassed the third layer.”
“What is its true level of cultivation?”
The mechanical ape had made it to room seven on its first attempt, a feat too terrifying to comprehend! What’s more frightening is that at this stage, it could only use its spiritual power.
If it were to come into contact with the demonic sects and harness the power of blood energy, its true strength would be fully realized.
Ning Zhuo had already felt the marvelous effects of the Demonic Blood Tendon Technique. This demonic art greatly enhanced his abilities.
With such an aid, the Mechanical Ape would undoubtedly soar to new heights, like a tiger sprouting wings!
“At that time, it will definitely surpass me and become the first.”
“I must never let it come into contact with the demonic sects!”
Ning Zhuo pulled open a drawer and took out a jade slip, beginning his search for information.
“I’ve found it!”
He quickly made a discovery.
“It really is a Fire Fusion Demon Ape, only it’s a cultivator’s Spirit Pet.”
“Cultivator Yuan Yi, founder of the Monkey Head Gang…”
“The Fire Fusion Demon Ape, Yuan Dasheng, is indeed the guardian spirit beast of the gang!”
“I knew I had seen the name Yuan Dasheng somewhere before. It turns out it’s not a person’s name, but the name of a spirit beast.”
Having previously crafted the Mechanical Fireburst Monkey, Ning Zhuo had taken an interest in the Monkey Head Gang, which was why the name Yuan Dasheng had made an impression on him.
“The only consolation now is that I know its name, and it doesn’t know mine.”
“The enemy is exposed while I remain hidden. The moment it climbed the rankings, it revealed a huge flaw.”
“I must eliminate it, and soon!”
A fierce killing intent flashed in Ning Zhuo’s eyes.