Capítulo 1058: Chapter 390: Silk Probing the Maze (Happy National Day!)
As the first to purchase Void Spider Silk, Ning Zhuo led all the way dust-free.
At first, the other cultivators were employing their own methods, vying for flower buds.
As time passed, those obviously lagging behind saw the unfavorable situation and began to purchase Void Spider Silk.
“Give me a segment of Void Spider Silk.”
“I also bought it!”
“Too expensive, too expensive, can’t it be a little cheaper?”
Some gritted their teeth, others shouted, and some even pleaded.
Inwardly, Che Zhuzi coldly snorted: “Beggars dare to practice Mechanical Techniques?”
He wouldn’t actually say that aloud, after all, even the poorest cultivators participated in his Xingyun Trial and truly felt the value of Void Spider Silk.
Even if these people aren’t current buyers, they might be in the future.
Even if they remain too poor to buy it, they can still help spread the word about Void Spider Silk.
The price of Void Spider Silk, of course, would not be lowered at all.
Numerous buying cultivators used the silk to begin a fierce chase.
Such forcefulness compelled those originally leading to forsake their techniques and reluctantly purchase the silk.
Most of them used the silk to stabilize their leading positions again.
Of course, a few still used their methods to stay ahead.
Their techniques matched the Void Spider Silk.
These individuals caught Che Zhuzi’s attention, and he carefully noted each one. After all, they could potentially become his business competitors!
Che Zhuzi used the Xingyun Trial not only to help sell Void Spider Silk but also to assess future rivals.
After a cup of tea, Che Zhuzi saw the field clear, with widened gaps front and back, and little further interest in purchasing; he decisively announced the end.
Ning Zhuo was undoubtedly the winner of the second round.
Che Zhuzi was pleased to see this.
His impression of Ning Zhuo improved greatly. Ning Zhuo’s decisive and proactive purchase of the silk had greatly helped Che Zhuzi enhance the market atmosphere and accelerate the flow of sentiment among the participants in the second round.
“Selling so much silk can partly be credited to Ning Zhuo!”
Reflecting on this, Che Zhuzi announced that the next period was for rest. Once time was up, the final round would commence.
The first two rounds had been continuous, so the break before the third was undoubtedly a relief, allowing many to catch their breath and recover.
Che Zhuzi activated the array, immediately altering the layout of the Array Space.
A labyrinth rose from the center, continuously spreading in all directions.
The cultivators stepped back and distributed themselves around the labyrinth, curiously watching.
Once fixed, the labyrinth was enclosed without an entrance or exit.
Che Zhuzi then announced the rules: the cultivators must use threads and Hanging Threads to explore the labyrinth and locate and control the Mystic Iron Puppets scattered within.
Cultivators controlling the Mystic Iron Puppets must fight their way to the labyrinth’s center. Once time is up, the last ten remaining in the center will earn victory!
The ten victors will also receive an 80% discount on Void Spider Silk purchases for two consecutive years.
The first place winner will be awarded a Magic Treasure.
After hearing these rules, the cultivators, who had experienced the second round, looked at each other speechlessly for a moment.
By the third round, Che Zhuzi wasn’t even pretending to hide his intention to sell Void Spider Silk!
Some were so frustrated they nearly quit altogether! But seeing the other cultivators around, they abandoned the idea. Leaving now would only benefit others, right?
Having made it to the third round and spent heavily on Void Spider Silk, withdrawing now would be a wasted expense, right?
Che Zhuzi had insight into the mindset of these cultivators, crafting rules refined many times over, perfectly aligning with their internal balance.
In mid-air, bundles of Void Spider Silk reappeared, now priced at double that of the second round.
Some cultivators secretly gritted their teeth.
These were the few who had advanced with their own means.
But now, they too were forced to follow suit.
After all, the outermost layer of the labyrinth was solidly sealed. Clearly, Che Zhuzi was compelling them to use the Void Spider Silk, traverse the void, bypass the outer walls, and delve deeper into the labyrinth.
A flash of brilliance flickered in Ning Zhuo’s eyes, and he suddenly spoke: “I’ll buy two segments of Void Spider Silk first.”
Immediately, many cultivators turned their gaze.
Some glared as if to say: “You fool, even if you’re a plant, at least act convincingly!”
In the shadows, Che Zhuzi quietly remarked: “This kid’s head indeed exceeds the ordinary, quite sharp.”
Ning Zhuo had observed closely that this time there were even more Void Spider Silk than twice what was needed in the second round.
From the first two rounds, it was evident that Che Zhuzi was very shrewd, never making unnecessary arrangements.
The abundance of silk implied confidence from Che Zhuzi that the cultivators would “willingly” and “actively” purchase them!
In that case, Ning Zhuo took the lead and made the purchase himself, avoiding any delays.
Ning Zhuo firmly bought two segments of Void Spider Silk, and Che Zhuzi then delivered a Jade Slip.
Ning Zhuo sent his divine sense into the jade slip and his eyes immediately lit up. The content in the jade slip, although brief, was extremely important. It detailed how to link two segments of Void Spider Silk into a longer piece, and how to use one silk thread to repair another.
“It seems that in this maze, there are high demands on the length and restoration of the silk threads!” Ning Zhuo thought to himself.
Seeing Ning Zhuo holding the jade slip, some cultivators began to inquire.
These were crucial pieces of information that could help them make more accurate judgments.
Ning Zhuo smiled at them and cupped his hands, “I am Ning Zhuo. It is truly an honor to compete alongside you, Daoist friends. Here is the jade slip, everyone may take turns reading it.”
Che Zhuzi saw this scene and uttered a soft sound of surprise once again.
It’s rare to find someone like Ning Zhuo, so young yet with such magnanimity.
The cultivators who had opened their mouths to inquire were actually already prepared for Ning Zhuo’s refusal, but upon hearing Ning Zhuo’s statement, they suddenly had a great impression of him.
“Daoist Brother Ning is noble!”
“I, XXX, thank you.”
“I am XX. After this Xingyun Trial, I would like to host Daoist Brother Ning for a banquet, please honor me with your presence!”
Ning Zhuo smiled and expressed that everything was open to discussion, full of kindness.
After reading the jade slip, everyone came to the same conclusion as Ning Zhuo and went out to purchase Void Spider Silk, acquiring at least two segments.
Some cultivators were short on funds and could only watch with envy, some even pacing anxiously.
Meanwhile, other cultivators attempted to buy more segments of Void Spider Silk. Firstly, they were concerned that two segments might not be sufficient. Secondly, there was a darker intent behind it—the Void Spider Silk seemed to have a limited total amount, and once sold out, it wouldn’t be restocked.
As a result, they bought more, making it scarcer for others. This was a way to increase their competitiveness with financial power!
Ning Zhuo, of course, also contemplated this possibility, but he did not do so.
On one hand, he felt that two segments would suffice. On the other hand, he speculated on Che Zhuzi’s temperament and thought that the limited availability might just be a facade, and once it reached a certain point, there might be a substantial restock from Che Zhuzi!
Thirdly, he had already shown his goodwill by sharing the jade slip. Purchasing more Void Spider Silk now would undoubtedly conflict with his previous social strategy. Doing so would leave others with an impression of being inconsistent and hypocritical.
When Che Zhuzi announced the start, the cultivators almost simultaneously sprang into action.
Numerous strands of Void Spider Silk shot towards the outer wall of the central maze.
A few strands were not properly utilized, colliding with the outer wall and immediately collapsing, causing a commotion among the respective cultivators.
The majority of the Void Spider Silk threads penetrated the void, avoiding the outer wall’s obstacles and successfully delved into the interior of the maze.
In Che Zhuzi’s eyes, the maze was entirely transparent.
“There are no Mystic Iron Puppets arranged in the outermost three layers.”
“Beyond the outer three layers, it’s actually a test of luck.”
“Whoever is lucky enough to first encounter the Mystic Iron Puppet will gain a huge advantage!”
Silk Lady was also closely watching.
With Che Zhuzi’s help, she could also clearly see the progress of all the hanging threads.
“Delay it.”
“The longer Ning Zhuo drags on and the more he consumes, the worse his state will be, giving me more chances for a decisive strike!”
“Hehehe.”
“Enjoy the last moments of your free life, young lad.”
“After the third round, you will be my dog.”
Thinking of the wonderful possibilities, Silk Lady let out a series of sinister laughs.
“Uh…” very soon, Silk Lady’s smile froze on her face.
Because she saw that Ning Zhuo’s hanging thread was the first to encounter a Mystic Iron Puppet.
The hanging thread paused momentarily, then, like a spirit snake, it darted onto the puppet’s body like lightning.
It penetrated through, reaching straight to the core.
Ning Zhuo took a deep breath three times, and a flash of brilliance flickered in his eyes.
He quickly gained control of this Mystic Iron Puppet.
“Huh?” This performance surprised Che Zhuzi once again. To control a new mechanism so swiftly, despite the Mystic Iron Puppet’s simple structure due to cost limitations, this speed was enough to demonstrate Ning Zhuo’s proficiency with mechanical techniques.
“At least this young man’s foundation in Mechanical Techniques is extremely solid!”
“I kind of like him.”
“Heh heh.”
Che Zhuzi, as a Golden Core Cultivator, naturally looked down on Ning Zhuo, a Foundation Establishment level cultivator. His thought was simple— the more proficient Ning Zhuo was in mechanical techniques, the more likely he would use Void Spider Silk in the future. This could very well make Ning Zhuo a regular customer of Che Zhuzi.
Ning Zhuo, controlling the Mystic Iron Puppet, initially moved it around the spot, and after getting used to it, started walking.
Thump thump thump thump…
The Mystic Iron Puppet walked faster and faster, eventually turning into a jog, which then escalated to a run.
Delving deeper into the maze, he encountered various obstacles along the way.
Whether it was poisonous miasma, flames, or frost, they all damaged the Void Spider Silk, which was getting longer and longer.
The extra Void Spider Silk that Ning Zhuo had purchased in advance came into play.
Utilizing other silk threads to continuously repair the main control thread, supporting Ning Zhuo’s progress all the way forward.