Chapter 518: Chapter 115: The Mighty Military Advisor!
“This is strange indeed. Who is the one controlling the Shadow Silk to bind the entire army and attacking me?” Ning Zhuo’s eyes were sparkling with surprise and delight at this moment.
Without Sun Lingtong by his side, Ning Zhuo’s own scouting methods were not very effective, and he could not observe the surrounding anomalies.
He did not know that Wu Hen had already sneaked into the carriage and seen him.
However, Ning Zhuo, being cautious by nature, had released the Heavy Blood Ape ∙ Da Sheng and Buddhist Doctor Meng Yaoyin to guard himself when the Mechanical Dragon was not around, thus avoiding the risk of being secretly assassinated.
Of course, these two Golden Core Level Mechanical Artifacts could not entirely prevent Wu Hen’s notion of a stealth attack.
What really worked was the Big Snake Scythe.
Assuming Wu Hen was not perceptive enough to recognize the power of the Big Snake Scythe, he might still make a move on Ning Zhuo.
At that time, how Ning Zhuo’s safety would fare was also quite uncertain.
Ning Zhuo still did not know that he was nearly attacked by Wu Hen.
This is the battlefield.
Danger abounds in warfare!
As soon as one steps onto the battlefield, the risk increases dramatically. Even Nascent Soul Cultivators get beaten into spitting blood and fleeing, let alone a mere Foundation Establishment Level Cultivator like Ning Zhuo.
However, Ning Zhuo was already fully aware and willing to face such risks in order to strive for the Mechanical Car.
“Ever since Zhang Zhongyi treated Boss Sun’s injuries, I knew that to treat my mother’s Dao Injury, I must master two areas.”
“One is medical skills, and the other is the strange realm of arts.”
“Who is the one attacking me? Should it be Wu Hen from the Dragon King Temple?”
Ning Zhuo temporarily sought refuge in Liangzhu Country and served as the Military Adviser in the Three Generals Camp, which was a position high enough for him to obtain a lot of intelligence.
Therefore, he knew about many famous Nascent Soul and Golden Core Cultivators in the Thousand Peak Forest.
Chen Lingfeng and Wu Hen were among the best of the Golden Core cultivators, and Ning Zhuo naturally kept them in mind.
“What Secret Book does Wu Hen practice his cultivation from?”
“Usually, I don’t have the chance. But now that the two armies are confronting each other, and he is also on the battlefield, the probability of seizing his Cultivation Technique greatly increases!”
There were books about strange arts in the Complete Book Pavilion as well.
But if Ning Zhuo wanted to purchase them, wouldn’t it cost Spirit Stones or Tower Gold?
On the battlefield, if he could seize them, he would pay a different kind of cost.
“Moreover, if we capture Wu Hen alive, we could force out his cultivation experiences. It’s as if I have not only acquired the Secret Book but also captured a teacher.”
Ordinary cultivators don’t have this means, but Ning Zhuo, wielding the Life Hanging Thread and Buddha Heart Demon Seal, has the potential to make Wu Hen speak.
Previously in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, did Ning Zhuo not control Han Ming with the staff head and the Buddha Heart Demon Seal, making her perform the Soul Devouring Technique, aiding Ning Zhuo’s cultivation for quite some time?
Ning Zhuo has now practiced the Three Superior Sect Techniques and would not possibly switch to practicing strange arts cultivation.
It would also be difficult for him to find such an exemplary strange arts Cultivation Technique that could compare to the Three Superior Sect Techniques.
Even if he switched allegiances and sought a mentor, he would struggle to find a good teacher in this area, so he must be self-sufficient.
“Find Wu Hen, kill him! Better yet, capture him alive and interrogate him… no, persuade him, guide him towards goodness, and convert him from his wicked ways.”
Thinking of this, Ning Zhuo laughed aloud: “Alright, which Cultivator has taken action against me?”
“Such skillful means, truly talented.”
“Such a pity that this talent serves the cause of Thousand Peak Forest, like casting pearls before swine.”
“My fellow comrades, if there is a chance later on, try to spare his life. Let me persuade him to mend his ways!”
Ning Zhuo used his methods to spread these words throughout the entire battlefield, clearly heard by both friends and foes.
The noise of the entire battlefield quieted down considerably.
What? What?!
What did Ning Zhuo say?
Wu Hen suddenly felt many inexplicable gazes from his allies fixed on him.
His pale, dead-like complexion also turned a shade of red with anger: “Ning Zhuo, you mere Foundation Establishment, how dare you insult me like this?! I will make you pay the price.”
He ground his teeth, as if bellowing his clear stance.
Zhang Hei glared, looking towards Ning Zhuo. He wasn’t mistaken; Ning Zhuo was indeed making such proclamations.
But the problem was, the one who acted was obviously at the Golden Core level, and you, Ning Zhuo, are only at Foundation Establishment!
Guan Hong subconsciously stroked his beard, feeling that Ning Zhuo’s words were really to his taste!
“Being at Foundation Establishment and speaking to a Golden Core in such a manner, as though defeating him would be as easy as reaching into a bag to take something out – such confidence and sense of victory, it’s exhilarating.”
“I’ve learned something, I’ve learned!”
Guan Hong was ambitious by nature, diligently read the “Spring and Autumn Military Strategy,” and was also adept at learning from practical experiences.
Liu Er thought to himself: “Truly worthy of being the Military Adviser, and truly worthy of being a scion of a great family, such an aura of confidence!”
He didn’t think Ning Zhuo was boasting.
Although Ning Zhuo was only at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage in his real cultivation state, it was clear that he showed a true Golden Core Level fighting capability, and even surpassed Liu Er himself!
That was beyond argument.
Wu Hen felt angry, anxious, and shocked, and yet he suffered backlash.
He relied on his strange arts cultivation to often prevail effortlessly. This predicament was quite rare for him.
Wu Hen was not lightly injured, losing control over many of the Shadow Silks.
Within the Three Generals Camp, many soldiers had freed themselves from the Shadow Silks, each pulling their legs and arms out of the soil.
The ground had returned to being solid, but it wasn’t made of stone. The cultivators used their techniques, and don’t forget there was the support of the Battle Formation, quickly freeing themselves and regaining liberty.
In the blink of an eye, the forces of the Three Generals Camp had largely regained their footing.
Wu Hen, while struggling to maintain the remaining Shadow Silks, actively recuperated from his injuries.
Strange arts, when facing conventional opponents, can hold a great advantage. This is because conventional methods find it hard to counteract strange arts.
However, such an advantage can also be seen as a disadvantage — the commonly available elixir pills, Magic Artifacts, Talismans, and so on, are not compatible with cultivators of strange arts.
Unfortunately, Wu Hen’s cultivation techniques did not include Elixir Recipes.
So, it led to Wu Hen being unable to heal himself or increase his cultivation through elixir pills even amidst battle.
What a strange doctrine! Different from all others, even the Ghost Path could borrow from other doctrines, but the strangeness of this path made it difficult for many to understand.
The injury of Wu Hen gave a critical respite to everyone at the Three Generals Camp.
Once Ning Zhuo took action, he resolved two kinds of confinements in quick succession, dazzling everyone with his combat achievements.
The entire army was greatly inspired, with some even shouting: “The Military Adviser is mighty!”
Ning Zhuo raised his head high, quickly adjusting to the key points of taking action within the battle formation.
In short, it was about showing off and asserting dominance.
The more spectacular and dominant, the more confidence it brought to comrades, boosting morale and the army’s spirit, thereby enhancing the whole might of the battle formation!
Thus, he leapt lightly, landing atop the carriage, and with everyone watching, he clapped his hands vigorously: “Gentlemen, watch as I slay the enemy!”
Wood Element—Tree Realm Descent.
Seedlings pierced through the ground, rapidly growing into towering trees within a few breaths!
Numerous vines, like pythons, twisted and turned through the woods, spreading in all directions.
This was mountain terrain.
Here, the environment was naturally suitable for the growth of trees, with wood-element spiritual energy being particularly abundant.
And with the boost from the battle formation and national defense, Ning Zhuo was astonished at the might of his Tree Realm Descent, feeling a thump in his heart as he exerted his full strength in casting the spell.
For a moment, giant trees sprang up, with branches and leaves so lush they blocked the wild winds. Vines lashed out to attack, substituting defense with offense, expanding the base ground.
Chen Lingfeng hovered in the air, and upon seeing his Wind Blades blocked by the woods, he let out a cold snort.
Wind Element—Hundred-blade Storm.
Mana gushed out, turning into hundreds of Wind Blades that revolved and danced, enveloping everything below.
These Wind Blades, semi-transparent and emerald green, each as large as a carriage, were extremely sharp.
Once they fell upon the Tree Realm, they whirled onward, cutting through the massive trees in their path.
Boom, boom, boom…
In a moment, a massive number of trees fell, raising a cloud of dust into the sky.
Within the dust, the number of Wind Blades was reduced to about fifty, rushing towards the Three Generals Camp.
“Brother Chen, allow me to lend you a hand.” A Golden Core Cultivator, who was following, took action upon seeing this.
In his true form, he was a crane with a red-crowned head.
The crane, larger even than an elephant, had a wingspan of forty-eight feet.
The Crane Demon let out a long, piercing cry that was both mournful and ear-shattering.
Demon Art—Crane Call of Desolation.
The sound waves echoed across the battlefield, penetrating the ears of the soldiers of the Three Generals Camp, evoking a sense of grief within them.
Many soldiers burst into tears on the spot, dropping their weapons, kneeling on the ground, and covering their faces as they wept.
“I might as well be dead!”
“Waaaaah, what’s the point of living?”
“With a whole bunch of beard hairs, I am still good for nothing, my life is worthless.”
The morale plummeted wildly, and once more the army’s heart dispersed.
Ning Zhuo took a deep breath and cast a spell.
Fire-attribute—Angry Hair Crown.
Earth Element—Solid as a Rock!
Flames erupted from above his head, forming a giant crown that covered a large part of the sky.
Subsequently, the flames rolled like clouds, driving away the melancholic wails from the soldiers below.
At the same time, walls of rock and earth rose around the perimeter of the battle formation, solid and firm, successfully intercepting all the Wind Blades.
Ning Zhuo, against two, managed to hold his ground without being outmatched.
“Eh?” Chen Lingfeng and the others showed surprise once again.
Ning Zhuo, merely in the early stages of Foundation Establishment, managed to substantially amplify the might of his spells with the multiple enhancements from the battle formation and national power, confronting two Golden Core Cultivators across a major level difference!
“The Military Adviser is mighty!” The entire army called out excitedly.
Ning Zhuo laughed heartily, yet his face had become much paler.
Casting spells several times in a row, his mana was almost drained! In secret, he was desperately circulating the Five Elements Qi Regulation Art to refine mana.
His cultivation level was holding him back.
Still only at the early stages of Foundation Establishment, he had not even reached the first stage of Unobstructed Field Opening.
“Generals, I have exhausted my mana and cannot continue,” Ning Zhuo conveyed through Divine Sense in secret.
Liu Er immediately responded, “Military Adviser, please rest. You’ve performed well enough, greatly aiding the entire army! It’s time for us three Golden Core Cultivators to play our part.”
Guan Hong and Zhang Hei echoed in unison.
“All troops, charge with me!” Liu Er brandished his Xuanhuang Sword and officially changed from defense to offense.
Approaching three hundred Cultivators, forming a triangular arrowhead charging formation, began to move slowly, their marching speed increasing fiercely, heading for the nearest Golden Core Cultivator.
The Golden Core Cultivator retreated hastily.
But at this moment, Zhang Hei rushed out with extraordinary speed, like a pitch-black whirlwind whipping up.
“Where do you think you’re going? Take my spear!”
Seeing he couldn’t dodge, the Golden Core Cultivator quickly raised all his defenses.
To no avail, his defenses crumbled like paper, and he was pierced through by the Black Snake Spear, losing his life instantly.
Zhang Hei, already at the Golden Core Level, received boosts from the battle formation and national power, and his attacks were extremely fierce.
However, after instantly killing a Golden Core Cultivator, he did not pursue further, instead returning immediately to the tip of the triangle and rejoining the formation.
The positions of the Three Generals were extraordinary; Liu Er was the heart of the formation, and Guan and Zhang, as the eyes, could not stray from the Array for too long.