The true disciple held a very high status; to a sect, they were quite important, representing the future high-ranking members and one of the core forces of the sect.
Immediately, an elder pondered, "I remember this matter. Not long ago, Qi Bai undertook the task of scouting the Fire Persimmon Immortal City of the Southern Bean Country. There are rumors that within Fire Persimmon Mountain, there might be an ancient mechanical immortal palace that has emerged, which might be the Magma Fairy Palace of the Three Ancestral Masters from back in the day."
The Sect Master of the Soul Devouring Sect's gaze darkened slightly, "The Three Ancestral Masters..."
"This person was extraordinary, with Cultivating the Void level cultivation capable of resisting an Integration-level opponent."
"He practiced the cultivation techniques of the demon, dao, and buddhist families simultaneously, showing remarkable talent. However, his later years were ominous, seemingly experiencing a qi deviation, leading to his suicide."
The Sect Master pondered for a moment, then looked at one of the sect elders and said, "Elder Luo, what do you think should be done about this matter?"
Elder Luo murmured, "The death of our true disciple must be investigated, and the true culprit must be severely punished! However, the Magma Fairy Palace located in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, if we were to send high-ranking elders, might cause unnecessary misunderstandings."
"In my humble opinion, it would be better to send one or two capable Golden Core cultivators, protected by a few ghost generals."
"First, find out the true culprit, then discuss and decide."
The Sect Master smiled, "This is a wise strategy. Then Elder Luo, which true disciple do you think would be suitable?"
Elder Luo knew the Sect Master was deliberately asking for his opinion and immediately said, "It is only right to recommend talents regardless of personal connections. I recommend my nephew, Luo Shang."
"Good, Luo Shang it is then." The Sect Master immediately ordered, dispatching Luo Shang to Fire Persimmon Immortal City for investigation, assigning a ghost general with Nascent Soul level combat power to protect him.
This was already the operational limit under normal conditions.
In such a major demon sect as the Soul Devouring Sect, the elders were at least of Nascent Soul cultivation. Sending elder-level personnel would definitely make the Southern Bean Country nervous, potentially sparking unnecessary conflicts.
If such a misunderstanding escalated, causing the Soul Devouring Sect to provoke a behemoth like the Southern Bean Country, it would be undesirable.
In the world of cultivation, great power often concentrated in one person.
A Nascent Soul level existence could guard a region, like Meng Kui guarding the Fire Persimmon Immortal City. Likewise, a Nascent Soul cultivator could invade a region.
Once one reached this level of existence, they could not move lightly.
Therefore, previously, when the Soul Devouring Sect wanted to probe the soul storage in Fire Persimmon Mountain, they only sent a Golden Core true disciple, Qi Bai. Not that the Soul Devouring Sect lacked Nascent Soul-level power, but under normal circumstances, sending Qi Bai was more appropriate.
Now that Qi Bai was suspected of dying in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, the Soul Devouring Sect had a reason to send a powerful investigator.
This powerful individual might not be at the Nascent Soul stage, but at least needed Nascent Soul level means. Thus, sending a ghost general with Nascent Soul-level combat power to protect was within the rules.
As for why a grand demon sect like the Soul Devouring Sect would follow the rules?
The reason was simple.
Having enduring property leads to enduring motivations.
The Soul Devouring Sect occupied vast territories and controlled innumerable cultivation resources, being vast and grand, naturally had many concerns.
Upon receiving the order, Luo Shang immediately set off to Fire Persimmon Immortal City.
Not long after he left, an inner disciple of the Soul Devouring Sect quietly sent out a message.
The message passed through several layers of relay, finally reaching a nearby town.
The local leader then relayed the message to a nearby secret sect station.
In the station, several cultivators were discussing and analyzing various pieces of intelligence.
"A true disciple of the Soul Devouring Sect died? This is a major event!"
"The Soul Devouring Sect currently suspects that the death occurred in the Fire Persimmon Immortal City of the Southern Bean Country."
"Isn't there a rumor that an immortal palace emerged over there?"
"The Magma Fairy Palace? That's just one of the twelve palaces of the Three Ancestral Masters, supposedly buried within Fire Persimmon Mountain. This has been confirmed."
"Wait, doesn't our Bukong Sect have a disciple in Fire Persimmon Immortal City?"
"Yes, named Sun Lingtong, who oversees the black market of Fire Persimmon Immortal City, known for being well-informed. But he hasn't confirmed the birth of the immortal palace, just reported some disturbances."
"Sun Lingtong... isn't he Xu Wuyan's only disciple?"
"Yes. Many years ago, Elder Xu got trapped in the Magma Fairy Palace. Sun Lingtong stayed in the Immortal City, always believing his master wasn't dead, just trapped within the city. The sect, seeing his talent, wanted to call him back, but he refused."
"Haha, truly foolish."
"I find his determination commendable! Moreover, even if he returned to the sect, it might not be a good option. Don't forget, Elder Qing is Elder Xu's nemesis and now wields considerable power within the sect."
"Enough idle chatter, let's report this matter first."
"Regardless of the Soul Devouring Sect or Fire Persimmon Immortal City, we must send sect disciples to investigate further."
Several days passed like this.
The secret station of the Bukong Sect collected even more intelligence.
The cultivators of the Bukong Sect discussed again.
"Curiously, the news about the emergence of the Fire Persimmon Immortal Palace has suddenly surged."
"It's verified, the source is the Meng Family of the Southern Bean Country."
"The Meng Family?"
"Meng Kui, one of the four generals of the Meng Family, is the City Lord of Fire Persimmon Immortal City, right? Why would he heavily promote this matter?"
"Indeed, it is very peculiar."
"Has the higher authority decided not to send sect elites to investigate Fire Persimmon Immortal City? I feel there could be an opportunity."
As the conversation continued, a sudden voice came, "I have arrived."
Inside the secret room, the cultivators were startled and scattered, desperately activating their mana, preparing for a battle.
A female cultivator gradually revealed herself. She showed her identity token, and the cultivators then stood down and qunolowed.
The female cultivator acted with thunderous speed. After fishing, all the intelligence regarding Fire Persimmon Immortal City, she immediately set off for Fire Persimmon Mountain.
"It's true disciple Yang Chanyu."
"The sect actually dispatched her!"
"Yang Chanyu is Elder Qing's favored disciple; this mission has deeper motives. Sun Lingtong might be in trouble."
Fire Persimmon Immortal City.
Ning Zhuo reviewed the recent intelligence, frowning slightly, "Something seems off with the recent buzz in the city!"
Without the black market channel, he mainly relied on street rumors to gather intelligence, significantly reducing its quality.
Even so, Ning Zhuo still sensed a subtle atmosphere, "There seem to be many more unfamiliar faces in the city recently. Business at inns has improved. There have been frequent fights and accidents in certain places. On careful reflection, these areas are all crucial places or key buildings in the Immortal City."
These past few days, he stayed within the Ning Family clan land, hardly stepping foot outside. If he wasn't meticulously cultivating, he was in a hastily set up mechanical workshop tinkling and hammering away.
The Martial Fighting Ape was already destroyed, and the remaining skeleton, bearing the Righteous Golden Firmness, became very fragile after the battle.
Ning Zhuo had to start from scratch, creating mechanical monkeys.
This time was not as convenient as the last time. Ning Zhuo lacked many materials.
Last time, he was at the Zheng Family, thanks to Zheng Jian's support, utilizing many precious materials to create the Martial Fighting Ape.
This time, Ning Zhuo wasn't as lucky.
Amid his diligent cultivation, a messenger brought an assembly order.
Ning Zhuo obeyed, meeting secretly with Zheng Jian and others.
"Brother Ning Zhuo, it's finally good to meet," Zheng Jian greeted cheerfully.
Ning Zhuo not only saw Zheng Jian but also Zhou Zhu and Zhou Zeshen.
"Congratulations on your recovery!" Ning Zhuo smiled sincerely.
Zhou Zhu remained silent while Zhou Zeshen said, "I heard you and Ning Xiaohui explored the Immortal Palace and encountered Meng Chong?"
Ning Xiaohui snorted coldly.
"Ashamed," Ning Zhuo sighed softly, his face showing a fearful expression, "The gap between us and Meng Chong was too vast; we had no power to resist."
"Frankly speaking, these past few days, my heart has been heavy, unable to find joy."
"With Meng Chong ahead, how can we be a match?"
Zhou Zeshen nodded, his face turning grim.
Zheng Jian patted Ning Zhuo's shoulder encouragingly, "If we unite, we might not be unable to prevail. Now talking about failure is too early, Brother Ning Zhuo."
Ning Zhuo forced a slight smile, appearing deeply dejected after a severe blow, "To counter Meng Chong, I am not enough; I can only rely on you all!"
Ning Xiaohui snorted coldly, "Ning Zhuo, with such a mindset, how can you be worthy of the Ning name?"
"After suffering defeat, one should hold their head high, strive to redeem their honor through battle."
"Follow me closely and watch closely!"
Hence, in the following actions, Ning Xiaohui was the first to have her soul extracted by the Underworld Envoy · Qi Bai. Amidst the screams, her soul was sent back to her body, triggering the Immortal Palace mechanism.
Next, Zhou Zeshen stated, "The upcoming action is crucial; we must clear as many levels as possible to catch up with Meng Chong."
Ning Zhuo complied with his request.
In the subsequent actions, Ning Zhuo, coordinating with Sun Lingtong, deliberately allowed the three aligned teams to reach the preparation room.
The three sect cultivators were astounded upon seeing the leaderboard.
"Meng Chong is indeed the first!"
"So many people from the City Lord's renovation team made it to the leaderboard."
"Outrageous! Meng Chong must have made significant progress while we were recuperating!"
"Just as we suspected earlier, the City Lord's Mansion is far ahead."
Zhou Zeshen was the second to have his soul extracted.
Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong's arranged attack order had logic.
First priority was attacking Ning Xiaohui, her talent could restrain various mechanisms and even freeze wounds for treatment.
Second was Zhou Zeshen. His outstanding intellect and battlefield command made leaving him on the battlefield long-term irresponsible.
"Meng Chong is so powerful, I want to face him directly. Even if I lose, at least I can assess the gap and work harder later," Zheng Jian said eagerly.
His wish, Ning Zhuo doubly satisfied—letting Yuan Dasheng focus on him.
"I'm going to die, going to die, going to die!" Seeing Yuan Dasheng lunging at him, Zheng Jian's talent triggered, frantically warning.
Zheng Jian became the third to have his soul devoured.
Zhou Zhu, quiet and reserved, was left for last. Seeing his slow-witted demeanor, Ning Zhuo chose him as a witness to personally see Ning Zhuo's "death in battle."