Sun Lingtong's silence made Ning Zhuo feel a bit embarrassed. He quickly changed the topic: "Alright, enough of that. Let me talk about something serious."
"Boss, I plan to go all out and create a mechanical monkey."
"A Golden Core-level mechanical monkey!"
Even though Sun Lingtong had always supported Ning Zhuo wholeheartedly, upon hearing this news, he felt that Ning Zhuo was being rather fanciful.
If it were a Foundation Establishment Cultivator making a Golden Core-level item, the difference is only one level, so there might be a slim chance of success.
But currently, Ning Zhuo was only at the Qi Refinement stage, and outwardly, he could only display the cultivation of the third layer of Qi Refinement.
To leap a level and create a Golden Core-level mechanism artifact?
"What will you use to create it?" Sun Lingtong asked directly.
Ning Zhuo chuckled: "Although my cultivation level is a bit low, there are people who can create it."
Sun Lingtong asked again: "Can you get a Golden Core cultivator to help you?"
Ning Zhuo shrugged: "Getting a Foundation Establishment cultivator to forcefully create a Golden Core-level mechanism is also possible."
"I plan to ask the Zheng Family for artifact refining, the Ning Family for talisman making, and the Zhou Family for array setup."
Sun Lingtong thought for a moment and started to understand: "You know, you might actually pull this off."
He stared at Ning Zhuo with wide eyes: "Considering your current reputation and network, you could indeed succeed!"
"But if you ask others for help, wouldn't your mechanical diagram get leaked again?"
Ning Zhuo nodded: "I've thought about that too."
"I'll have them each refine different mechanism parts and components."
"I'll personally refine the key parts, keeping them strictly confidential."
"Finally, I will assemble them into a complete Golden Core-level mechanism artifact myself!"
Sun Lingtong's eyes lit up as he realized: "Indeed, it's a mechanism, not a magic artifact or weapon. It's not a whole object; it can be separated."
"This is indeed feasible!"
Ning Zhuo continued: "Besides, the mechanical monkey I envision this time doesn't involve any intricate designs."
"I'll use some classic structures."
"The focus is on piling up materials!"
"I will use almost all the Golden Core-level materials I have on hand to create this mechanical monkey!"
Ning Zhuo truly had a lot of Golden Core-level materials on hand now.
Part of it was accumulated by Sun Lingtong in the black market over the years, another part was contributed from Qi Bai's storage bag, and a third part came from extorting the Ning Family Clan Leader not long ago.
If he still lacked some materials, Ning Zhuo could trade with the Zhou Family, Zheng Family, or even secretly with Fei Si.
Now, he was no longer the marginal figure he used to be.
Becoming the Black Market Master and participating in the joint actions of the three families allowed him to leverage multiple resources for his use.
Sun Lingtong said: "After managing the black market for so many years, I've accumulated quite a few good materials."
"I'll take them out for you to refine the treasure."
"But how will you get others to refine them? Have you thought about that?"
Ning Zhuo replied: "I've thought about it."
He pulled out a map, spread it out, and pointed out a certain location to Sun Lingtong.
"I plan to set up a trap here, destroy the warehouse, and find a large batch of treasures in the underground secret chamber. Publicly, I'll claim that we found your old treasure trove. What do you think?"
Sun Lingtong asked some detailed questions, then pondered for a while: "These clues and testimonies are flawlessly arranged. However, you need to use up these treasures quickly after acquiring them, or you'll attract greed and covetousness over time."
"I understand, boss!" Ning Zhuo nodded heavily.
Sun Lingtong suddenly laughed.
Ning Zhuo looked up, puzzled: "Boss, what's the matter?"
Sun Lingtong stroked his chin: "I used to look down on righteous path cultivators, thinking most of them were hypocritical."
"But looking at you now, I suddenly feel that mixing with the righteous path isn't so bad at times."
Ning Zhuo laughed heartily: "The righteous path is not for mixing."
"I believe it represents a positive attitude towards life."
"Look at those on the demon path, always fighting and killing, risking their lives. It's too dangerous, isn't it?"
"I prefer mutual understanding and coexistence among people. Even if there are conflicts, we can tolerate and bear with each other, coexist peacefully, and enjoy the beauty of cultivation."
Ning Zhuo spoke earnestly.
At this moment, Sun Lingtong realized Ning Zhuo's naivety, recognizing that he was just a sixteen-year-old boy.
"So, have you found it?" Sun Lingtong asked.
Ning Zhuo: "Hmm?"
Sun Lingtong: "After obtaining the Magma Fairy Palace, have you thought about what your situation will be? By then, will you have found a way to coexist peacefully with other people and forces?"
"Uhm..." Ning Zhuo fell into silence.
Sun Lingtong's expression turned serious: "Little Zhuo, I understand you. With your nature, you always think ahead about many things."
"So, what have you come up with?"
Ning Zhuo smiled bitterly: "I'm trying..."
Sun Lingtong interrupted: "So, you're using the Life Hanging Thread, striving to build your influence, intending to rely on the family's power to force the forces in the Immortal City to accept you as the master of the Immortal Palace?"
"Haha."
Sun Lingtong sneered: "You're too naive!"
"Even I know that it's simply impossible."
"Regardless of the Ning Family, the Zhou Family, or the Zheng Family, none of them have reliable connections in the court of Southern Bean Country."
"The Magma Fairy Palace is such a significant treasure, crucial for suppressing Fire Persimmon Mountain and the foundation of Fire Persimmon Immortal City. Southern Bean Country will never let you control the Immortal Palace."
"As the Recruitment Decree says, they will force you to give up the city lord position, demand you hand over the Immortal Palace, and won't stop until you comply!"
"Don't harbor unrealistic fantasies!"
"Little Zhuo!"
"Now that you've embarked on this path, there's no turning back. You have to be decisive and ruthless, or you'll harm others and yourself."
"In the future, if you obtain the Immortal Palace, leave this place immediately using its power!"
"I know what you're worried about."
"The City Protecting Great Array of Fire Persimmon Immortal City is effective; it can continue to suppress the volcano."
"Southern Bean Country will surely act decisively; after all, Fire Persimmon Immortal City has many foundations and countless citizens."
Sun Lingtong's words plunged Ning Zhuo into deep silence.
Sun Lingtong saw through Ning Zhuo's thoughts and plans and gave the correct advice.
The next day.
At Ning Zhuo's residence.
In the underground cultivation secret room.
Ning Zhuo, shrouded in a floating cloud, solemnly took out the Jade Match Talisman.
The Jade Match Talisman was a rectangular strip of paper, jade-like in color, with red edges around its border. In the center of the yellow paper was a long series of intricate talismans.
The talismans intertwined like dragons and serpents, running from top to bottom, with three silver rings representing the upper dantian Divine Sea, middle dantian Qi Sea, and lower dantian Essence Sea.
A straight line of golden light connected the rings, resembling a sword or bridge, penetrating through the three rings.
Ning Zhuo calmed his mind and, holding the talisman between his fingers, placed it in front of him.
He channeled his mana into the talisman.
The talisman gradually began to glow, then spontaneously combusted, quickly turning to ashes.
Amid the smoke, the talisman's light swiftly entered Ning Zhuo's chest Qi Sea.
Using the same method, Ning Zhuo used two more talismans, directing their light to his brow Divine Sea and abdomen Essence Sea.
After the three talismans were applied, they immediately resonated with each other.
Ning Zhuo's essence, qi, and spirit, each emitted an inexplicable aura, flowing gently, intertwining, gradually merging into one, and finally permeating into the other two dantians.
This state continued for the time it takes to brew a cup of tea before gradually subsiding.
"The Jade Match Talisman... its effect is remarkable!"
This type of talisman was specifically used to harmonize the three dantians. Cultivators in the latter stage of Qi Refinement must go through this step before breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage.
Doing so increased the success rate of the breakthrough.
"But since I'm cultivating three different techniques, I must use the Jade Match Talismans before reaching the seventh layer."
"Cultivators focusing on one dantian only need one talisman. I need three at once!"
"But honestly, it's really effective."
Ning Zhuo carefully sensed, realizing that his essence, qi, and spirit now resonated with each other, noticeably different from before.
Previously, it was like three individuals breathing out of sync, separate entities. Now, the three energies were harmoniously integrated, moving in unison as a single entity.
To be safe, Ning Zhuo used three more talismans, optimally aligning his essence, qi, and spirit.
"Now is the time!"
Ning Zhuo's face showed determination. He simultaneously activated the three techniques.
Divine Sea—Mirror Stand Spirit Communication Technique!
Qi Sea—Five Elements Qi Regulation Art!
Essence Sea—Demon-infused Bloodline Technique!
Activating all three techniques, his cultivation, originally at the peak of the sixth layer, smoothly ascended to the seventh layer.
Three seas reaching the same seventh level!
Ning Zhuo officially entered the latter stage of Qi Refinement.
Moreover, with the three techniques, his overall power now far surpassed other cultivators of the same level.
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit had been observing Ning Zhuo.
Seeing this, the palace spirit's expression became extremely serious.
This little monster!
Possessing exceptional talent, profound mechanical skills, and creative genius.
He held the significant treasure of the Immortal Palace—Buddha Heart Demon Seal!
In the middle stage of Qi Refinement, he had already mastered a complete divine skill—Life Hanging Thread!
Now, he had advanced to the late stage of Qi Refinement.
Fast, so fast!
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit was filled with admiration, amazement, and faint traces of fear.
It glanced at Meng Chong.
Meng Chong was also cultivating frantically in the secret chamber.
His body was surrounded by electricity, clearly using the Immortal Talent Mad Dash Thunder to speed up the refinement of his mana.
"I've broken through!" he exclaimed, opening his eyes, "Haha, I'm at the fourth layer of Qi Refinement now."
He stepped out of the secret chamber, immediately receiving numerous compliments.
Everyone praised Meng Chong.
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit was so anxious it ground its teeth and clawed at the ground, desperately wanting to shout in their ears: "You fools!"
"Someone has already reached the seventh layer, the seventh layer!!"
"Yet you think you're in the lead?"
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit's frustration mixed with growing despair.
It was bound, not free!
It couldn't reveal any information about the trial disciples; its authority was too limited.
As the only spirit aware of the entire situation, it watched as Ning Zhuo closed in on it step by step, and it began to feel—fear!
"Don't come closer, don't come closer."
"Someone, realize it, quickly discover the one who hides the deepest!"