Chapter 636: Ning’s Mother Reorganizes the Army
Underworld.
Ning Zhuo slowly descended from midair.
At his side stood the Buddhist Doctor · Meng Yaoyin. Flanking them on either side were Shadowblade — Night Tiger and Heavy Armor Blood Ape, Dasheng.
As for Nether Messenger · Qi Bai, because his intelligence was insufficient, Ning Zhuo had already put him away again.
Now that Ning Zhuo’s mother had awakened, the combat strength provided by Nether Messenger · Qi Bai no longer held much value.
“Xiao Ma, are you alright?!” Qing Chi shouted, then immediately commanded, “Azure Blaze Army, annihilate this batch of Yin cavalry!”
She rode a Black Blood Paper Horse, her entire body bathed in green flames, her concern for Ning Zhuo unmistakable.
Ning Zhuo knew Qing Chi had misunderstood and hurriedly transmitted through spiritual sense: “He’s one of us—my informant. Much of the earlier intelligence was passed on through him.”
Qing Chi’s eyes widened as she scrutinized Sun Lingtong and his group of ox cavalry.
She trusted Ning Zhuo completely. Without hesitation, she altered the military order.
At this moment, Sun Lingtong’s soul was residing within a paper puppet. Leading more than a dozen ox cavalrymen, he galloped forward.
He had entered in the third wave, thus landing behind the Azure Blaze Army.
Seeing the army stir restlessly, he quickly pressed down on the ox’s head, reducing speed and halting his approach. That small movement alone displayed his rapid progress in horsemanship and his growing command ability over a cavalry squad.
After all, during this period, Sun Lingtong had spent most of his time hidden within the Yin Soldiers’ Army.
Previously, in Liangzhu Kingdom, he had mostly remained inside the Puppet Dragon and had not personally participated. This time, not only had he enlisted, he had constantly led an ox cavalry squad, gaining many insights. His talents in the Military Strategist cultivation path had grown day by day.
Seeing the Azure Blaze Army lower their guard, Sun Lingtong sped up and successfully joined Ning Zhuo and the others.
They stood with their backs to the motionless paper army, facing the incoming enemy forces.
The first wave consisted of several Golden Core Ghost Generals. The second wave was a large number of Headless Ghost Cavalry. The third wave was a single figure—Bone Tomb Daoist, heavily injured.
Sun Lingtong, Qing Chi, and the others stood ready.
But the Buddhist Doctor · Meng Yaoyin spoke: “I’ll handle this. Save your strength and conserve your energy. There are more important matters awaiting you.”
Qing Chi glanced at the mechanical puppet beside Jiao Ma (Ning Zhuo) and curiously asked, “Eh? Xiao Ma, where did you get this mechanical puppet? It can actually speak like this? It’s just like a real person.”
Sun Lingtong, however, cupped his fists. “This junior greets Aunt.”
He was closer to Ning Zhuo than even a blood brother and knew the inside story. Seeing the Buddhist Doctor · Meng Yaoyin awakened, he naturally dared not act presumptuously.
Moreover, whenever he looked at her, he inexplicably felt small—and the back of his head faintly throbbed. He did not know why.
Qing Chi grew even more curious at someone addressing a mechanical puppet in this way.
“Xiao Ma, who is he? How do you two know each other? You’ve been hiding so much from me,” Qing Chi said.
Ning Zhuo coughed twice and brushed it aside. “The enemy stands before us. I’ll explain later.”
The Buddhist Doctor · Meng Yaoyin chuckled softly and said meaningfully, “Afterward, there will be no need for you to explain.”
By then, the Ghost Generals had already charged close.
The paper giant statue had burned away. And although this place possessed many peculiarities, it was ultimately no longer White Paper Immortal City.
The Ghost Generals, whose spirits had just stabilized, were once again filled with killing intent. Their morale recovered considerably.
“Strike together—kill them all!”
“This is the Underworld. This is our home ground!”
“No, leave a few alive. They seem to know quite a bit about this place.”
Several Golden Core Ghost Generals shouted back and forth, deliberately speaking aloud. On the surface, they were communicating; in truth, they were attempting to apply psychological pressure on Ning Zhuo’s side.
Seeing the enemy’s fierce approach, Qing Chi gritted her teeth and cried out, “All troops, listen—”
The Buddhist Doctor · Meng Yaoyin raised her hand to stop her. “Little girl, be obedient.”
The next moment, she lightly lifted the long-handled scythe in her hand toward the Golden Core Ghost Generals.
The Ghost Generals continued their charge.
?!!
But soon, they sensed something was wrong.
“The legs running ahead look… familiar?”
“Strange—why is my field of vision getting wider?”
“Why has heaven and earth suddenly flipped upside down?!”
Their ghostly bodies were like fragile porcelain. Some split into left and right halves; others were severed at the waist; some had their heads drop cleanly to the ground.
They did not even manage to scream. These Golden Core–level Ghost Generals all perished, their ghost bodies dissipating, leaving only their Golden Cores floating in midair.
Hiss…
Countless people simultaneously drew in a sharp breath.
How had this been done?!
Shock gave way to terror.
Countless gazes fixed upon the Buddhist Doctor · Meng Yaoyin—filled with astonishment, fervor, worship, curiosity, and more.
The Headless Ghost Cavalry charging behind the Ghost Generals fell into chaos.
Even for these headless riders, the sight was far too horrifying.
So many Ghost Generals—gone in an instant.
Most terrifying of all, they had charged with overwhelming momentum, yet had not even lasted a single exchange. With a single light move from the enemy, they were completely wiped out.
How was this supposed to be fought?
How could this be fought?!
Though headless, the ghost cavalry still possessed intelligence.
Thus, in the next moment, the cavalry mid-charge collapsed into complete rout, scattering and fleeing in all directions.
The Buddhist Doctor · Meng Yaoyin’s ferocity was overwhelming. With just one move, she had terrified the majority of the Headless Ghost Cavalry into retreat.
Of course, a small portion still charged forward stubbornly.
She murmured softly, “It would be more convenient if you all came together to die.”
“Now, this is somewhat troublesome.”
She changed her stance, no longer standing upright, but slightly crouching.
Her wrist turned, bringing the Serpent Scythe horizontally before her chest, its long handle parallel to the ground.
Her expression was calm, her eyes without sorrow or joy. Then, before countless onlookers, she made only the lightest, gentlest motion—as if brushing dust from a scripture desk—drawing the strange scythe in a horizontal sweep.
Bizarre Dao—Compassionate Severance.
Silent.
Where the blade passed, space did not tear. No sound, no light, no wind, no shockwave.
Yet the ghost riders closest to her abruptly stiffened mid-charge. In the next instant, both rider and mount collapsed, their ghostly bodies crumbling into powder that drifted and scattered in the wind.
The phenomenon spread rapidly, engulfing the entire ghost cavalry.
No matter how scattered they were, no matter where they fled, no matter what defensive methods they used, they all met the same end.
The entire battlefield fell into dead silence.
Bone Tomb Daoist’s pupils shrank to needlepoints.
“W-where did this peerless fiend come from?!”
“Why was there not a single mention in military intelligence?!”
“With such a being present, how can we even speak of capturing White Paper Immortal City?!”
Run run run!
He was the farthest away. Seeing his side hold the advantage earlier, he had followed behind, hoping to seize an opportunity.
But the situation had changed far too quickly!
With a single light cut, the massive cavalry regiment vanished. The previously imposing Ghost Generals were reduced to nothing but their Ghost Dao Golden Cores floating in the air.
By her strength alone, the Buddhist Doctor · Meng Yaoyin had overturned the entire battle!
Bone Tomb Daoist was already injured. He turned and fled immediately.
Even at full strength, he would never dare face her.
“So strong—so strong! Mother’s combat strength is absolutely at the Nascent Soul level. Even ordinary Nascent Soul Cultivators might not withstand her.”
“No wonder…”
Ning Zhuo was deeply shaken.
The Buddhist Doctor · Meng Yaoyin straightened once more, holding the Serpent Scythe vertically, her gaze fixed distantly on Bone Tomb Daoist.
His speed was astonishing.
To Ning Zhuo and Qing Chi, he had already shrunk to a speck at the horizon.
It was remarkable that, even with his injuries, he could flee so swiftly.
Even Bone Tomb Daoist himself was startled—he had not known he could escape so decisively.
Just as everyone thought the Buddhist Doctor · Meng Yaoyin could no longer reach him, and Bone Tomb Daoist began to feel a sliver of relief—
She slightly raised her arm, lifted the Serpent Scythe a little higher, then tapped the butt of its handle lightly against the ground.
Soundless.
Yet the Bone Tomb Daoist, sprinting at top speed, seemed to have been struck heavily at the back of his head. His eyes rolled back as he collapsed instantly, unconscious.
His speed carried him sliding hundreds of steps across the Underworld’s ground, tumbling like a broken doll before finally coming to a halt.
Everyone: …
The Buddhist Doctor · Meng Yaoyin spoke gently, “Alright. Go retrieve that Daoist.”
“U-understood,” Qing Chi stammered. With a glance, one of her subordinates spurred a black horse and rode out.
Through spiritual sense, the Buddhist Doctor · Meng Yaoyin spoke warmly: “Xiao Zhuo, I deliberately spared that Daoist for you.”
“You have certain calamities upon you, entangled with the Soul-Devouring Sect. There is karma involved.”
“This is a super sect, possessing a treasure capable of suppressing fortune. You must not be careless. The earlier this is resolved, the better.”
“Otherwise, fortune will clash and secretly consume one another. The losses will be astonishing—and extremely difficult to detect.”
Ning Zhuo quickly replied, “Mother, did you divine this? The Heaven and Earth Twin Ghosts of the Soul-Devouring Sect indeed hold deep enmity with me.”
She nodded slightly and continued privately: “Use this captive to negotiate with the Soul-Devouring Sect. Tell them that if this matter is not set aside, you will deliver this Daoist to the Myriad Phenomena Sect.”
“This time, the Soul-Devouring Sect joined hands with the Forgetting River Prefect to scheme against White Paper Immortal City and the Myriad Phenomena Sect. This is already a significant friction between super sects.”
“They may not fear you—but they will fear the Myriad Phenomena Sect. Moreover, this time, they truly broke the rules.”
“If Bone Tomb Daoist falls into the Myriad Phenomena Sect’s hands, there will be both witness and material evidence, greatly disadvantageous to the Soul-Devouring Sect.”
“So this matter is very important to them.”
“Use this bargaining chip to negotiate with full force. As for what you can gain, that will depend on yourself.”
Ning Zhuo was invigorated. “Understood!”
Then he stroked his chin thoughtfully. “So fortunes can secretly clash and consume one another…”
“The reason super sects endure is because they possess treasures that suppress fortune.”
“Then in the future, I’ll try to avoid forming karma with them.”
The Buddhist Doctor · Meng Yaoyin shook her head slightly. “This is why being kind to others is important.”
“However, you need not worry excessively. The Buddha Heart Demon Seal upon you also possesses the marvelous ability to suppress fortune.”
“Take these.”
At this point in their spiritual exchange, she handed over a number of miscellaneous treasures to Ning Zhuo.
They were all valuable, though rather scattered.
They had previously been scattered by the Primordial Dispersing Form Ruler.
Before the paper giant statue had leapt into the black hole path, it had grabbed them along the way.
“Before leaving, my intuition brushed against them. I sensed that among these items is something crucial to you.”
“But I cannot calculate exactly what it is,” she cautioned.
Ning Zhuo hurriedly accepted them, nodding heavily like an obedient child. “Mother, I’ll safeguard them well.”
Their exchange ended. The Buddhist Doctor · Meng Yaoyin raised her head, her gentle voice carrying across the entire field.
“Very well. From here on, everyone will follow my command.”
No one voiced objection.
The entire field was silent.
Had they not seen Ning Zhuo obediently nodding?
More importantly, the combat strength she had displayed was simply too overwhelming.
All listened quietly for her instructions.
She lowered her gaze to her left hand, continuously calculating with finger divination. Soon, she made her arrangements.
Everyone present would split into two groups.
One group, led by her, would command the paper army and take Sun Lingtong toward Forgetting River Immortal City.
The other group, led by Qing Chi with Ning Zhuo as the core, would charge toward the altar.
“This arrangement has been brewing for many years, borrowing the power of the Profound Plain Scholar.” She glanced at the paper army behind her.
She sighed softly. “If we fail this time, the Forgetting River Prefect’s strength will surge greatly. He will inevitably invade White Paper Immortal City again.”
“At that time, the immortal city in the living world will suffer catastrophic loss of life.”
“I have divined that although the altar is far from Forgetting River Immortal City, their hidden connection is extremely tight.”
“To sabotage the Forgetting River Prefect’s grand plan, we must strike on two fronts—and coordinate in time.”
She transmitted this only to Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong.
Ning Zhuo felt uneasy. “Mother, according to your arrangement, we’ll separate?”
She nodded. “Trust me. This is the best arrangement.”
Ning Zhuo gritted his teeth and looked at Sun Lingtong. “Boss, I’ll entrust my mother to your care!”
Sun Lingtong rolled his eyes. “Me? Take care of Aunt? With what ability?”
The Buddhist Doctor · Meng Yaoyin reassured them, “There is no need to worry. I have absorbed the spirituality within the paper giant statue, along with much of the army fiend energy. It is sufficient to guarantee this great battle.”
“I have just calculated that there is a hidden method of connection between you two. What is it?”
Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong exchanged a glance. Ning Zhuo said, “Mother, are you referring to the Divine Ability—Life Hanging by a Thread?”
After he explained it, she said with gratification, “Very good. Xiao Zhuo’er, you have actually mastered this Divine Ability.”
“And you have deliberately restrained yourself from abusing it. This is especially commendable. It shows your temperament is excellent.”
She calculated again and suddenly grew serious. “You must maintain this good habit!”
“This habit will be of extremely great benefit to you in the future.”
Having been praised by his mother, Ning Zhuo felt heartfelt joy. “Mother, whenever I use Life-Hanging-by-a-Thread, I retrieve it immediately after use.”
She cast a glance toward Qing Chi. “Especially with her—you must adhere to this even more strictly.”