The Zhou Family's turn came.
The Zhou Family Clan Leader appeared and said, "Our family prospered thanks to a Spirit Gathering Array. As everyone knows, this array birthed a spirit."
"The spirit of the Spirit Gathering Array can use some of its spiritual nature to cast spells and enhance the soul."
"With this spell, cultivators can automatically absorb external spiritual energy, convert it into personal mana, and reduce the various costs of casting spells."
The Zheng Family brought out the Ghost Martial God Soldiers Training Technique, the Zhou Family activated the Spirit Gathering Array Spirit, while the Ning Family revealed Ning Xie, a Foundation Establishment Ghost Cultivator with Snow Soul Frost Spirit talent!
Ning Zhuo felt a heavy heart.
These were the foundations of each family, significant measures that were often kept hidden but now brought out for use.
Ning Zhuo recalled what the Ning Family Clan Leader said about "matters concerning the Golden Elixir Ancestor." The actions of the three families then made sense.
"Alright, you continue your discussion. We won't delay you," the Zhou Family Clan Leader waved his hand and left the secret chamber.
The Ning Family Clan Leader also followed.
Ning Xie, however, still floated in midair, arms crossed, staring at Ning Zhuo with cold eyes.
Ning Zhuo acted as if he didn't notice, treating Ning Xie as if he were air, which made Ning Xie quite frustrated.
Zheng Hua continued, "These five jade slips record all the materials, spirit stones, and mechanism parts we've scouted."
"Because it's extremely difficult to bring items into the Magma Fairy Palace, the resources we can use in this battle are limited to these."
Ning Xie of the Ning Family was considered the greatest outcome of the three families' joint research on methods to introduce items into the Magma Fairy Palace.
In reality, each of the three families had hidden ghost cultivators as part of their family heritage.
Only Ning Xie succeeded because his talent formed a mystical synergy with Ning Xiaohui's talent.
Ning Zhuo placed the jade slip on his forehead and, after examining it, felt even heavier-hearted.
The jade slip's contents were extremely detailed, especially concerning spirit stones.
It calculated the number of explorers, assuming everyone chose spirit stone rewards. It worked out the maximum number of spirit stones the entire exploration team could obtain.
If no one chose spirit stones, the quantity was also calculated.
The calculations divided into stages of thirty percent, fifty percent, seventy percent, and ninety percent, each with a detailed count of spirit stones.
Similarly, the number of mechanism parts like the hangman's noose and small flying boxes was listed in detail.
It provided precise calculations of the resources and tools that could be purchased with spirit stones and how long each item could be used in the preparation room.
Additionally, the jade slip included descriptions of a dozen mechanism artifacts, categorized by function.
Zheng Hua timely explained, "These are carefully selected mechanism artifacts that we have discussed between the three families."
"Each one's function and power is detailed, along with the exact amount of materials and spirit stones needed to construct them."
"If anyone has better ideas for mechanism artifacts, feel free to bring them up for further discussion."
Ning Zhuo remained silent.
Zhou Zeshen looked at Ning Zhuo and, not letting go of the opportunity, smiled earnestly, "Brother Ning, you must have noticed that most of these mechanism artifacts originate from my Mudflow Sect."
"The Mudflow Sect specializes in terrain-altering mechanisms, which are our sect's mainstay."
"The Driller Rats are used for softening mountain bodies and drilling tunnels. The Night Sky Bats are for terrain scouting and creating 3D maps. The White Tiger Strong Rushing Vehicle is for opening large tunnels, and the Mud Gate Quake Hammer is for breaking boulders and compacting foundations."
"Brother Ning's talent in mechanisms is well-known; your designs of the Explosive Flame Monkey and the Fire Bamboo Snake are also good for combat."
"So, your suggestions are very important!"
Ning Zhuo gave a faint smile, "I will do my best, but these mechanisms need careful study before I can comment. This matter is too important for me to speak casually."
"Hahaha," Zhou Zeshen laughed, "Then we eagerly await Brother Ning's insights."
Zheng Hua continued, "Next, I'll introduce a few tactics we've prepared as a joint effort of the three families."
"The first is the Zhou Family Battle Formation."
...
After the discussion ended, Ning Zhuo returned to his private room.
Along the way, his brows were furrowed, and his mood was heavy.
"Preparation room, mature tactics, the foundations of the three families..." Ning Zhuo pondered, feeling more and more pressure.
What he previously anticipated was correct; the three families indeed relied on the preparation room's functions.
But it was not entirely correct.
Whether the joint battle tactics of the three families or the heritage they brought out, almost none of them were what he had anticipated.
The secret regarding the "Golden Elixir Ancestor" further baffled him about higher-level matters.
"The three families' alliance... a multitude of people is truly advantageous." Ning Zhuo deeply felt the strength of numbers.
Even if none of them received ample spirit stone rewards, the clearance rewards accrued through sheer numbers alone would already be a substantial amount.
The three families combined all their resources, consolidating and calculating them meticulously to determine the best ratios.
They could fully exploit their combat potential.
Now, Ning Zhuo's greatest relief was that the Soul Entering Immortal Palace exploration route prohibited the import of external items.
This restriction provided significant protection for him.
If external items were allowed, the combat power of the three families would be far more terrifying!
Ning Zhuo took out the Floating Cloud Handkerchief, enveloped himself in clouds, and then his soul entered the Immortal Palace.
Sun Lingtong had already been waiting for him.
Ning Zhuo conveyed the latest information, making Sun Lingtong's mood equally heavy, "The enemy is so strong. This means we must let Qi Bai fight to have a chance at victory."
Ning Zhuo sighed, "Relying solely on Yuan Dasheng is indeed very difficult."
"However, we cannot be too aggressive."
"If necessary, I will not accept the formation."
"We must guard against the Soul Devouring Sect's hidden maneuvers."
Sun Lingtong nodded, "Rest assured, I know what to do!"
Sun Lingtong's soul returned to his body. Staring at Qi Bai's storage bag before him, his brows furrowed, yet his face showed a determined look.
He had already made up his mind, "Little Zhuo is determined to seize the Magma Fairy Palace."
"This goal is not just a significant life opportunity for him but also his mother's wish, a task he must complete!"
"It is of immense importance to him!"
"He speaks lightly, thinking I don't know? If he doesn't take formation, the three families will push forward, and it will more likely raise their suspicions."
"As his leader, if I don't support him now, then when?"
Sun Lingtong slowly unlocked Qi Bai's storage bag. The progress was slow, but with continuous effort, he had reached the final stage.
"Time is limited; I need to take a bit of risk now!"
As someone from an evil sect, Sun Lingtong never lacked the spirit of adventure. Back during his Qi Refinement Realm, he even stole treasures from Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators. He had been caught for theft before and detained by gangs for interrogation.
He was not compelled to take risks but enjoyed the thrill of adventure; the excitement of theft and other stimulating activities gave him a sense of physical and mental pleasure.
"Let's do this!" Sun Lingtong puffed up his cheeks, gave his all, and cast a spell.
Soon, Qi Bai's storage bag opened, and a wisp of dark gray smoke floated up.
Sun Lingtong swiftly extinguished the wisp before it drifted away!
"Excellent!"
"My estimation was correct. No additional defenses. Hahaha, I unlocked a Golden Core Cultivator's storage bag!"
Sun Lingtong immediately inspected the contents, finding Qi Bai's storage bag full of valuable items.
There were seven magic artifacts he rarely used.
The cultivation resources were almost entirely related to soul cultivation.
Among the unrelated materials were several Golden Elixir Level items, hard to sell and more suited for auctions or specific trades.
Thus, they had accumulated with Qi Bai.
Most valuable were some of Qi Bai's everyday items.
"These are excellent fuel for the Cremation Prajna Spirit Liberation Sutra." Sun Lingtong grinned.
Ning Zhuo had long provided Sun Lingtong with the relevant scriptures.
Therefore, during Ning Zhuo's special training, Sun Lingtong could also burn items independently to enhance Qi Bai's spiritual nature.
In a dark place, two ghostly fires suddenly flared up.
Upon closer inspection, one could see these ghost fires were a pair of eyes.
Luo Shang!
The Soul Devouring Sect's true disciple, tasked with finding and avenging Qi Bai's murderer.
He had long infiltrated Fire Persimmon Immortal City without drawing attention and had been hiding his identity.
"The two Soul Devouring Sect disciples in the City Lord's dungeon are merely bait and traps."
"Why has Han Ming been missing and unresponsive?"
"Even now, she hasn't answered my secret messages."
"Hmm?!"
At this moment, Luo Shang sensed Qi Bai's aura.
He had been using a sect secret technique.
"It's in that direction... within the mountain!"
The ghost fire vanished as Luo Shang set off immediately.
After he disappeared, a female cultivator appeared.
She had a peach-like complexion and a graceful figure, none other than Yang Chanyu of the Bukong Sect.
Yang Chanyu roamed the Fire Persimmon Immortal City, changing her appearance constantly, mainly to find Sun Lingtong.
In the sect, Sun Lingtong's soul token showed no anomalies.
Though the black market was shut down and Sun Lingtong had been outlawed, Yang Chanyu was certain Sun Lingtong was in the Fire Persimmon Immortal City.
"Where is that little thing hiding?"
"I left signals, but none were triggered by him."
"Hmph, he's deliberately avoiding me!"
Yang Chanyu couldn't find Sun Lingtong but unexpectedly discovered Luo Shang.
Once Luo Shang moved, Yang Chanyu felt it and decided to secretly follow, curious about his discovery.
Luo Shang cautiously found a gap in the city's array, circled around, and located a secret base inside the mountain.
However, upon entering the secret base, he found it empty; Sun Lingtong had already left.
Sun Lingtong had gone to another underground base to replenish Qi Bai's spiritual nature.
Luo Shang thought and decided to wait, believing Sun Lingtong would return.
"An underground base... wait, it's Sun Lingtong's aura. Hmph, this little ghost, I finally found you." Yang Chanyu snorted and also hid nearby.
In another secret room.
Zhu Xuanji gathered the three families' Golden Pill Ancestors for their second secret discussion.
In the first discussion, Zhu Xuanji proposed cooperation. He wanted the full support of the three Golden Pill Ancestors to form a team, storm Fire Persimmon Mountain, and retrieve the Demon General's remains!
This venture was risky, with possible death even for Golden Elixir Level cultivators. But if six Golden Core Cultivators worked together sincerely, the chances of success weren't small.
Most importantly, the rewards were substantial!
Part of the gain would be the rich spoils from destroying the Demon Ape Den, and part would be Zhu Xuanji's payment to the Golden Pill Ancestors for their help.
The payment was highly tempting.
Thus, the three families' Golden Pill Ancestors hesitated.
Zhu Xuanji asked with a smile, "Fellow Daoists, have you made a decision?"
Zheng Shuanggou spoke first, "Our two members can participate, but... we'll need more compensation!"