Chapter 559: “Ning Zhuo, What Are You Doing?!”
Two Note Nation Camp.
Inside the secluded cultivation chamber of the Commander’s Residence, Du Tieshan sat cross-legged on a prayer cushion with his eyes open.
Light and shadow continuously shifted within his pupils, revealing scene after scene from the battlefield.
Since the beginning of the second grand battle, Du Tieshan had already halted his healing and secretly monitored the fierce fighting outside.
Compared to before, he had grown even thinner. His originally sharp facial features now looked even more skeletal, with his bones slightly protruding.
His complexion was poor—pale and bloodless.
Even now, the injuries he sustained in his battle against the Ginseng Dragon King had not yet fully healed.
The difficulty of recovering was far higher than Du Tieshan had initially expected.
The intense clashes between Nascent Soul cultivators, the collisions between armies, and the endless deaths of soldiers and generals… all of these scenes fell within Du Tieshan’s sight, yet none of them stirred the slightest ripple in his heart.
There was only one matter on his mind.
That was—where was the Ginseng Dragon King?
The greatest factor influencing the pacification campaign of Thousand Peaks Forest was the struggle between Deity Transformation cultivators!
Du Tieshan knew that his condition was poor, and he also worried that the Ginseng Dragon King might already have recovered. Therefore, he would rather sit and watch the fierce fighting outside continue than expose himself prematurely. He patiently endured, quietly waiting for the Ginseng Dragon King to reveal himself.
“Evenly matched.”
“Although our side is well-trained and holds the advantage of terrain, there is still a considerable gap in high-level combat power.”
“The Thousand Peaks Forest allied army seized the right moment. This time they are playing to their strengths while avoiding their weaknesses.”
Du Tieshan possessed extremely rich battlefield experience. As one of the Great Generals of Two Note Nation, his attainments in military strategy were naturally profound.
After observing the battlefield for a long time, he reached a conclusion in his mind.
“If this continues, both sides will keep bleeding strength. In the end, both armies will suffer heavy losses, and the battle will conclude with the Thousand Peaks Forest side gradually withdrawing.”
“Hm?”
In the next moment, his expression shifted slightly as he noticed something on the battlefield.
His heartbeat quickened slightly, and joy rose within him.
“The Three Generals Battalion can actually hold off Xiang Yue?!”
“If they can maintain this situation and keep Xiang Yue pinned down, the probability of our army winning will greatly increase.”
Both sides were already in a stalemate of attrition. A single change could influence the entire situation.
According to Du Tieshan’s calculations, if Ning Zhuo maintained this local battlefield, the influence would continue to spread, eventually tilting the outcome heavily toward Two Note Nation.
“This is the turning point that could change the second grand battle!”
A sharp light flashed in Du Tieshan’s eyes as he began focusing his attention on the battle between Ning Zhuo and Xiang Yue.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Every strike from Xiang Yue remained incomparably fierce. The force behind them was like mountains collapsing and seas overturning.
Ning Zhuo controlled the Hundred-Armed Arhat Armor. Every time he defended, he had to mobilize several mechanical arms simultaneously, exerting force together just to barely maintain the situation.
Even so, he continued to retreat during his clashes with Xiang Yue.
“Although Mechanism Arts are merely the lower tier among the hundred cultivation arts, when mastered they can still display impressive power.”
Xiang Yue suddenly spoke, breaking the previous silence.
“Human youngster, do you have any new tricks left?”
Liu, Guan, Zhang, and Ning all turned solemn.
Xiang Yue’s relaxed demeanor made them realize that he had always been calm and at ease!
Ning Zhuo felt as if a massive boulder pressed upon his heart, bringing immense pressure.
“I must be faster—stronger!”
He continuously urged himself within his mind. Under the oppression brought by Xiang Yue, he relentlessly squeezed out his own potential, rapidly transforming.
The mechanical arms that he had previously used with some clumsiness were improving at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Even Xiang Yue secretly sighed in admiration.
“Humans truly are the spirits of all living things. That saying indeed has some truth. When will our elephant herd produce such a talented junior?”
At this thought, Xiang Yue momentarily lost focus.
“Opportunity!”
Ning Zhuo keenly sensed it and immediately seized it.
In the next instant, he fiercely unleashed the strongest offensive move he had developed so far for the Hundred-Armed Arhat Armor.
Buddhist Art—Diamond Body Protection.
Martial Formation—Zen Wind Flying Fist Formation.
Buddhist Art—Moonlight Universal Salvation Technique.
Merge!
Mechanism Art—Golden Moon Zen Wind Fist!
In an instant, countless fist shadows filled the sky!
Eight golden arms, like gigantic pillars or dragon serpents, unleashed an overwhelming storm of punches. Layer upon layer of fist shadows dazzled the eyes as silver moonlight intertwined and shone brilliantly.
Ning Zhuo unleashed a tidal wave of attacks. The sheer power made Liu, Guan, and Zhang instinctively retreat in shock.
The flying fist shadows struck Xiang Yue’s body, yet there was no heavy impact sound—only a continuous whistling of wind.
Zen wind, Zen wind.
Within the wind sound lay subtle Buddhist intent, continuously seeping into Xiang Yue’s body and mind.
Xiang Yue’s body swayed.
Then he stepped back once.
Although it was only a single step, it made Liu, Guan, and Zhang widen their eyes. Countless cultivators closely observing this battlefield were equally stunned.
The Elephant King had retreated!
The current Elephant King, Xiang Yue, had actually been forced back from the front!
Such a thing had not happened for many years.
And the one who accomplished this was merely a young cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage!
Unbelievable.
If people had not witnessed it with their own eyes, the vast majority would never have believed such a scene could occur.
“There’s hope—we have hope of winning!” Zhao Xi, though not deeply versed in military strategy, immediately sensed the opportunity for victory when he saw this.
Shuang Jing’s expression became somewhat dazed. Soon after, intense regret surged within him.
“If I had known this child possessed such combat talent, I should never have become enemies with him.”
Even the Mechanism Princess Shuang Ling nodded slightly when she saw this.
“I didn’t expect Ning Zhuo to be this capable. If we win this battle, he must be heavily rewarded!”
Shuang Ling had deep conflicts with Ning Zhuo.
Yet at this moment, she could not help but feel admiration for him and was even willing to show goodwill toward this promising junior.
“Ning Zhuo, you truly are worthy of being my… husband!” Mu Lan also saw this situation, her battle intent surging as she slaughtered enemies even more fiercely.
“Hehehe.”
A light laugh suddenly emerged from within the wind.
“It hurts a little.”
Xiang Yue continued speaking.
“Thank you. It’s been a long time since I tasted such a feeling.”
“But this ends here.”
Martial Technique—Vacuum Palm!
Xiang Yue’s massive body trembled as he thrust his palm forward.
Ning Zhuo’s expression drastically changed. He felt an overwhelming and unstoppable force crashing toward him, as if an invisible mountain had slammed directly into his body.
Pfft.
Ning Zhuo spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying backward before crashing to the ground like a broken sack.
Intense pain struck him, twisting his face into a terrifying grimace.
Even with the protection of the Hundred-Armed Arhat Armor, his physical body still could not endure it. Every bone in his body suffered fractures, and his internal organs were filled with heavy internal bleeding—except for the Fire-Element Heart Temple, the Metal-Element Lung Temple, and the Earth-Element Spleen Temple.
Even the three mechanical arms on his back collapsed and snapped while blocking Xiang Yue’s attack.
At this moment, Liu, Guan, Zhang, Sun, and Ning finally realized one thing completely—
The reason they had been able to maintain a stalemate earlier was largely because Xiang Yue had never used his full strength!
Just as he had previously disdained to participate in the siege against Shuang Ling, when facing the combined assault of Liu, Guan, Zhang, and Ning, he had been fighting but never truly taking them seriously.
He possessed the pride of a powerhouse—
You are not worthy of making me use my full strength!
“Withdraw.” Ning Zhuo’s heart turned ice-cold.
After fighting until now, he was completely certain that the current Elephant King Xiang Yue was a figure on the same level as the Heaven and Earth Twin Ghosts. Among Nascent Soul cultivators, their combat strength was at the very top.
When Ning Zhuo fought the Heaven and Earth Twin Ghosts, he had only won due to good fortune and the many unexpected advantages of the Buddha-Heart Demon Seal and other factors.
Now, facing Xiang Yue in a direct confrontation, he deeply felt the terrifying gap between them!
“Even using the Hundred-Armed Arhat Armor, with Liu, Guan, and Zhang assisting openly and Boss Sun helping secretly…”
“I still won’t be Xiang Yue’s opponent!”
Since that was the case, retreating was the wisest choice.
Liu, Guan, and Zhang were already fighting bare-handed and in miserable condition. After receiving Ning Zhuo’s spiritual transmission, they immediately nodded in agreement.
However, just as Ning Zhuo arranged for mechanical puppets to cover their retreat, he received a transmission from Shuang Ling.
“Ning Zhuo, continue fighting! You cannot retreat!!”
“You must hold Xiang Yue back and prevent him from wreaking havoc on other battle groups.”
“As long as you do this, I will represent the royal family in granting you heavy rewards.”
Ning Zhuo froze.
Then he felt his finger tighten—the mechanical ring was issuing a warning!
“Could it be… if I agree to Shuang Ling’s request and stay to fight, it will lead to my death?” Ning Zhuo instantly understood.
He secretly analyzed the situation.
“Right.”
“Xiang Yue didn’t fight seriously earlier. On one hand, it was due to the bearing of a strong expert. On the other hand, he probably found Mechanism Arts interesting and played around with me for a while.”
“Now his interest has clearly faded. Naturally he will use his full strength to kill me and seek opponents who can bring him new excitement!”
Thinking of this, Ning Zhuo replied bluntly.
“Are rewards more important than my life?!”
He and Liu, Guan, and Zhang firmly withdrew.
“Stop!”
“Fleeing from battle is a capital crime!!!” Shuang Ling roared angrily through spiritual transmission.
Liu, Guan, Zhang, Sun, and Ning all ignored her completely.
They were not truly leaving the battlefield—they were merely changing opponents. How did that violate military law?
Shuang Ling was about to continue scolding when, in the next moment, Grandpa Long blasted her directly into the ground.
Fortunately, her Nascent Soul was currently residing within a mechanical puppet. If it had been her real body, she would have been crippled even if she survived.
While controlling the Flexible Bone Mysterious Maiden to rapidly retreat and avoid Grandpa Long’s pursuit, Shuang Ling sent a spiritual message to Zhao Xi.
“Zhao Xi!”
“Liu, Guan, and Zhang are your men. If they refuse to hold Xiang Yue back, you must bear full responsibility!”
Zhao Xi’s expression shifted slightly. He opened his mouth.
Pfft.
He spat out a mouthful of blood and shouted loudly.
“Who ambushed me?!”
Then he fainted on the spot and was immediately carried to the rear by his trusted subordinates.
Shuang Ling: “I…”
Despite being a royal princess, she was so furious that she nearly cursed out loud.
But Grandpa Long’s subsequent attacks forced her to concentrate fully on defending, leaving no time to trouble Zhao Xi.
Shuang Ling could only turn her frustration into combat strength and continue battling Grandpa Long.
However, the crisis for Liu, Guan, Zhang, Sun, and Ning had not yet passed.
Although Zhao Xi no longer interfered, that did not affect how Xiang Yue viewed the matter.
The Elephant King began pursuing Ning Zhuo.
The mechanical army Ning Zhuo left behind was like paper—unable to delay Xiang Yue even for the briefest moment.
“What do we do, Military Advisor?!” Liu Er’s forehead was covered in cold sweat.
If Xiang Yue chased them like this, who could possibly stop him?
Ning Zhuo’s eyes flickered as an idea emerged.
“Since Xiang Yue wants to chase us, then let him chase.”
“We’re heading into the camp!”
This was the core region of the battlefield, where the intensity of combat was the highest. Nascent Soul cultivators and powerful armies dominated this place.
Any cultivator or army lacking sufficient strength would suffer heavy losses if they recklessly entered this battlefield and were caught in the terrifying shockwaves of attacks.
Ning Zhuo had no other choice. The cards in his hand were not strong enough, so he could only divert the disaster eastward and shift Xiang Yue’s attention elsewhere.
Liu, Guan, and Zhang trusted Ning Zhuo deeply and immediately acted upon his words.
Thus the four of them rushed toward the depths of the Two Note Nation camp.
In this battlefield, Shuang Ling was currently fighting fiercely against Grandpa Long. When she turned her head and saw Ning Zhuo leading Xiang Yue straight into this battlefield, her eyebrows shot upward in rage.
“Ning Zhuo, what are you doing?!”
“You brought Xiang Yue here!”
“Leave—get out!”
“Do you want our entire army to collapse here?!”
Ning Zhuo responded through spiritual transmission.
“Your Highness, in the current battle situation, you are our side’s strongest fighter. Only you can deal with Xiang Yue.”
“You are the Mechanism Princess of Two Note Nation!”
“I, this junior, have risked my life to bring Xiang Yue—the one destined to die—to you!”
Shuang Ling trembled with anger, her entire mechanical body shaking.
“Ning Zhuo! Go to hell!!! If we lose this battle, I will hold you accountable no matter what!”
Ning Zhuo immediately replied.
“Your Highness misunderstands me. I am risking my life to create a glorious opportunity for you to achieve great merit.”
“You are the face of the Nascent Soul cultivators of Two Note Nation. Xiang Yue is definitely not your opponent!”
Ning Zhuo’s true target was the mechanical carriage in Lin You’s possession.
At this moment, he could only go along with the situation—first lure Xiang Yue into the core battlefield, then find an opportunity to escape.
Although Ning Zhuo had exchanged few words with Xiang Yue during their battle, he could clearly sense Xiang Yue’s pride through his combat decisions.
Sure enough, when Xiang Yue saw these Nascent Soul cultivators, his attention shifted toward them.
The Nascent Soul cultivators fighting each other all had to divert part of their attention toward Xiang Yue.
Clearly, none of them wanted Xiang Yue to target them.
Even Shuang Ling thought the same!
“Ning Zhuo, if we lose this battle, I will make you and your family pay the price!” Shuang Ling cursed Ning Zhuo repeatedly, truly furious as she felt Xiang Yue’s gaze locking onto her.
Among the Two Note Nation forces, the strongest combat power at the moment was undoubtedly Shuang Ling.
When Xiang Yue arrived here, he lost interest in Ning Zhuo. He looked around at the battles and did not attack immediately.
Military Art—Capture Alive!
Suddenly, a large portion of military power was drawn together, condensing into a massive net in the air.
After covering Xiang Yue, the net immediately imprisoned him and quickly transformed into a cage.
Xiang Yue stood within the cage, his entire body wrapped in the net and tightly bound.
His face was filled with anger as he roared loudly, struggling with all his strength, yet he only managed to stretch the net by thirty percent.
For a moment, the entire battlefield fell silent.
The only one capable of instantly restraining Xiang Yue like this would normally be a Deity Transformation cultivator.
And within the Two Note Nation army camp, there was only one such expert—
Du Tieshan.