Facing Sun Lingtong's questioning, Ning Zhuo said with a faint smile, "Firstly, the Black Wind Tiger Demon has to consume a huge amount of blood food every day. Relying solely on their gang to scavenge might support them temporarily, but how could it sustain them over time? Hence, they must have assistance from others!"
"At first, when I saw the Black Wind Tiger Demon, which resembled the True Mountain God's night tiger, I guessed that the former was a descendant of the latter and was protected and supported by the latter. But then I thought, for a position like the True Mountain God, securing a good future for a worthy descendent wouldn't be difficult."
"At the very least, they would have sought a legitimate Demon Cultivator cultivation technique for them. Why would the Black Tiger resort to practicing demon skills?"
"The fact that the Black Tiger is engaging in demon skills indicates a serious problem with the True Mountain God!"
Sun Lingtong was not dull, he had just been cooped up for over a decade and had suddenly gone out; his mind was slightly unbalanced, and he didn't want to tax his brain.
Now, with Ning Zhuo's reminder, he immediately came to a realization, "That's right, the first deity we sought to pay our respects to was the True Mountain God, hoping for His assistance. However, the deity didn't exert any effort and only told us to seek the Fox God. Now, it seems that it might not be out of laziness, but out of necessity."
"It might be that the Tiger God we saw was someone else in disguise!"
Ning Zhuo nodded and continued his analysis, "After being intimidated by the Big Snake Scythe, the Fox God sent us to explore the Shanxi Valley, a move that was mysterious and subtle in meaning."
"I suspect that He wanted to use me to uncover this secret."
"From His perspective, as the Mountain God of Mist Hidden Mountain, He must have been aware of the Black Wind Tiger Demon and even the true situation of the True Mountain God. Logically, He should have reported to the officials and sought help from the Southern Bean Kingdom. Perhaps He could even use this as an opportunity to overthrow His immediate superior and advance from deputy to principal."
"Yet He did not do so, instead feigning ignorance, playing dumb. Clearly, He believed that even if He took the initiative to report to the authorities, the outcome might not meet His expectations. What's stopping Him from doing so?"
Sun Lingtong chuckled lightly, "Simple! This means that the Southern Bean Kingdom isn't trustworthy in His eyes, and there's a hidden mastermind behind the scenes. So, you took the initiative to scout the surroundings, and that's how you came across Meng Zizhong at Yugang Mountain?"
Ning Zhuo nodded, "The former Town Leader Shi of Yugang Town was diligent and strictly managed during his tenure. To oust him using conventional means would be difficult."
"But the Meng Family managed to do it. A gang of ruthless marauders led by the Black Wind Tiger Demon rampaged into the town, slaughtering at will, allowing Meng Zizhong to succeed the position and become the current Town Leader."
"All this time, the Tiger Demon's gang had been committing crimes in the surrounding areas, making the townspeople feel insecure. Even though Meng Zizhong repeatedly drained resources and time for military training, he was still recognized and esteemed by everyone."
"Meng Zizhong thus gripped military power tightly, preventing the Royal Family from easily replacing him. Moreover, he deliberately relaxed surveillance to attract a large number of Loose Cultivators. These Loose Cultivators thought they could take advantage of the mining fields, but in reality, they were lured in by Meng Zizhong and many became blood food for the Tiger Demons."
Sun Lingtong inhaled lightly, "Truly filthy."
"But this is a good thing for us. Little Zhuo, you aim to seize Yugang Mountain. Now that we are aware of Meng Zizhong's and the Tiger Demon's secrets. If we use it wisely, we might make it work!"
"Next, we continue to gather evidence to construct an ironclad case."
Ning Zhuo shook his head and sighed, "It's difficult. The Meng Family, being a prominent clan, must have prepared to sever ties if necessary. If they realize what we're doing, they will definitely cut off their losses. Even if we manage to bring down Meng Zizhong, it's unlikely that either you or I, or even my branch of the Ning Clan, would get to control Yugang Mountain."
"Boss, sometimes evidence isn't that important; it's just a legitimate opportunity to act."
"If the situation and interests demand, grinding pearls into powder and using it as poison for false accusations is possible."
"To get a share of the flesh, it depends on whether we are strong enough or not."
At this point, Ning Zhuo's gaze became profound, his tone complex, "Essentially, we are not much different from the Demon Cultivators in the valley fighting for blood food."
"Centuries ago, the Southern Bean Supreme Emperor founded and established the empire. Now, the Southern Bean Kingdom could be considered as the Black Wind Tiger Demon. The Yugang Mountain we fight for is nothing but the scraps left by this enormous beast."
Sun Lingtong fell silent for a moment, "Fortunately, the Southern Bean Kingdom currently stands with us. They rely on us to maintain the balance in Fire Persimmon Immortal City and block Meng Kui's ambitions. From this perspective, the severe damage to the Lava Fairy Palace actually works greatly in our favor. It helps us delay the situation, securing more time to strengthen ourselves."
"With our current identity, seeking help from the Southern Bean Royal Family, they might actually consider allowing us to divide Yugang Mountain in light of the Fire Persimmon Immortal City."
Ning Zhuo nodded, "It's not about allowing, but rather supporting. My branch of the Ning Clan is just starting, like a babbling infant learning to walk; we indeed need someone to lend a hand."
"Let's go, it's time we seek out the local Prefect."
Xuanci Immortal City!
Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong, controlling the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon, traveled through the void, arriving at the central hub governing the surrounding territories.
From a distance, a towering Immortal City was situated atop Magnetic Stone Mountain.
The Immortal City wasn't grounded, using the powerful force of the Earth's magnetism to float in mid-air.
Block after block of gray-black bricks, as large as houses, were joined together, forming two or three gigantic rings that slowly revolved around the entire Immortal City, a sight to behold.
The block bricks contained magnetic forces that attracted and repelled each other. Therefore, they could be freely dismantled and reformed—typically as ring-shaped walls, but also as gates, walkways, railings, and more, with endless versatility and broad usage.
The Immortal City itself wasn't a single entity, but rather comprised two levels.
The upper level was the Yang level, and the lower the Yin level, with the two levels separated by magnetic repulsion and attraction.
Even though the City Protecting Great Array of Xuanci Immortal City was partially active all year round, assisting various surveillance magic treasures, and despite city guards in magnetic attire or navigating in magnetic boats patrolling around, the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon still remained undetected.
Dragons could grow large or shrink, ascend or descend, be boisterous or stealthy. As a classic Mechanical Artifact built for battle, it left much to be desired, but its capability for quick and agile movement was unmatched.
"Boss, it all depends on you now. Xuanci Immortal City can artificially create a Xuan Power magnetic field, capable of maintaining invisible magnetic tracks for long periods. If the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon carelessly touches these tracks or fields, it might be detected," Ning Zhuo said.
Sun Lingtong confidently replied, "Leave it to me."
Using his Innate Spiritual Eyes and leveraging the mechanical components within the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon, he significantly expanded his field of view and immediately detected many invisible magnetic fields and tracks.
In his unique vision, these tracks intersected and intertwined, varying in length, weaving through the inside and outside of the Immortal City, creating a complex nest-like network of pathways.
Between the gaps of this nest-like magnetic track system, large and small magnetic fields, each spaced apart, some centered around buildings within the city, others moving around within a certain radius, focused on magnetic boats and cultivators.
The Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon concealed its form and carefully navigated past magnetic fields, avoiding the tracks, to arrive at the City Lord's Mansion on the level above.
The Mansion was located along the central axis of the city, with a vermilion gate inlaid with numerous magnetic iron nails, gleaming in brass.
Above the gate, a sign hung high with the words "Prefect Xuanci," shining with a golden glow.
On both sides of the entrance, a pair of stone lions lay, exuding an imposing aura.
The Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon silently entered through the gate, reaching the ceremonial gate. Beyond it lay the main hall.
At the center of the main hall, the Prefect's desk was set up, above which hung the sign "Clear Breeze in Both Sleeves," with portraits of famous officials from the Southern Bean Kingdom adorning all four walls.
The main hall was deserted, and the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon, carrying Sun Ning and another person, quietly moved into the second hall.
The east side of the second hall was Prefect Xuanci's study, while the west side was the council hall.
Beyond the second hall lay the backyard of the Mansion, the private residence of Prefect Xuanci's family.
Sun Ning and his companion did not need to venture deeper; they discovered the current Prefect Xuanci in the study.
Ning Zhuo returned to the doorway of the study first, releasing the Heavy Blood Ape, Dasheng, from outside the Mechanical Dragon.
Prefect Xuanci was shocked and angry, "Who?!"
He was of the Nascent Soul Level, and he abruptly stood up, his Mana erupting forth, completely suppressing Yuan Dasheng.
Yuan Dasheng struggled to speak and took out a letter and a token.
Prefect Xuanci read the letter, which recounted his previous official posts, how he started his career, and how he reached his current position. It suggested that as a mere Loose Cultivator, his rapid rise and smooth career were due to the favor and support of the Zhu Family Royal Family.
In the latter half of the letter, Ning Zhuo finally brought up that he had a significant case to report.
Prefect Xuanci then saw the token, which was especially given to Sun Lingtong by Zhu Xuanji. According to the Recruitment Decree, the Southern Bean Royal Family promised rewards for meeting the "entrance standard." Hence, they gave Sun Lingtong a token to facilitate his future visit to the Royal Capital, allowing him to choose a treasure from the Royal Family's treasury.
"Indeed, this is a Royal Family token. Young Friend Ning Zhuo, you may come out and meet me," Prefect Xuanci relaxed his grip, freeing the Heavy Blood Ape, Dasheng.
Only then did the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon reveal itself, its dragon eyes casting a beam of light onto the ground.
Ning Zhuo followed the light beam, changing from small to large, and eventually landed firmly, his posture straight. He respectfully saluted Prefect Xuanci, immediately apologizing and pleading for leniency, then emphasized that such measures were a result of compelling circumstances and were necessary.
"A Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon? No wonder you managed to infiltrate this far…" Prefect Xuanci glanced at the dragon and then surveyed Ning Zhuo with a scrutinizing look.
"I know you, lad. You've been quite active in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, jumping up and down. But if you think this place is like Fire Persimmon Immortal City, you are grievously mistaken," he said.
"Speak, I'm curious to hear what significant case you have to report. Should it prove to be mere boasts and exaggerations, don't blame me for punishing you," the official warned.
Ning Zhuo smiled faintly, directly accused Meng Zizhong, described the issue with the Black Wind Tiger Demon, and as evidence, he presented the imprint copy of the recording, handing it directly to the City Lord of Xuanci.
City Lord Xuanci, upon hearing the case, had his pupils shrink slightly in surprise.
A chill ran down his spine, a cold dread rising within him. He was sorely tempted to turn a deaf ear and just walk away!