Chapter 624: Chapter 179: Nine Pillars of Dragon Shadow
Ning Zhuo felt a slight stir in his heart upon hearing Song Ji’s comments.
What came to his mind first was not the Dice Bone Demon God, but the marrow of that void evil god.
The Demon God is merely at the Golden Core Level, but the marrow of the void Demon God is of Transferring Spirit Level.
“The marrow is the gain that depleted my qi fortune the most!”
“Before Bikong Mountain, I also impersonated the Old Monster in Stone, snatched the transport convoy of Liangzhu Country, and obtained countless military supplies. Till now, the magic treasure level storage bag has yet to be opened.”
“There must be lots of good stuff in there!”
“In addition, I later used a talisman to transport myself to Red Flower Camp to assist General Mu Lan in shooting Di Lu with arrows and driving away the Ancient God of the Pale Moon. This contribution to the war counts as my gain as well.”
“So, if I count all this, hiss…”
Ning Zhuo couldn’t help but take a sharp intake of breath in secret.
The more he calculated this confusing account of qi fortune, the more it unnerved him.
This strong run of luck had brought him too many benefits, and even after the fierce battle at Moon Hook Mountain, there was still a lot remaining.
“How immense must this qi fortune have been at the beginning!”
“Just who is so kind-hearted to sponsor me in secret?”
“If I ever get the chance to find them, I will certainly offer my gratitude.”
To this day, Ning Zhuo still doesn’t know the truth.
Song Ji’s calculations also verified Ning Zhuo’s earlier speculations.
“My qi fortune is declining, I must firmly bear this change in mind. If I become complacent and pride myself on strong qi fortune, I could very well suffer a setback.”
“Therefore, humility and caution are the preferred wise course of action for one who walks the world all year round.”
“I must continue to maintain such good habits!”
Ning Zhuo reminded himself of this in private.
Once Du Tiechuan learned of Ning Zhuo’s lifespan, he let go of some of his hidden worries.
He spoke indifferently: “Venerable Song, take Ning Zhuo down and inquire about the details within the enemy forces.”
Upon hearing this, Ning Zhuo immediately stood up and bowed his fists: “Lord Du, in this battle, I assisted General Mu Lan, killed a Nascent Soul, repelled another, and garnered some war merits.”
“Now that a great battle is imminent, if I could use my war merits to obtain some rare elixir pills to enhance the foundation of my physical body in advance, it would allow me to serve the army better!”
“Hmm?” Du Tiechuan looked up at Ning Zhuo with a cold gaze and displeased expression, “I always administer the army with clear rewards and punishments and adhere strictly to that.”
“According to military discipline, now is not the time for assigning rewards.”
“Everyone in the army, including myself and the soldiers, must strictly comply.”
“This is no trivial matter! If I agree, it would undoubtedly be undermining the kingdom’s system, damaging military discipline, being unfair to other generals, shaking morale, weakening spirit, a great hazard.”
Ning Zhuo smiled bitterly: “My lord, it’s just obtaining some elixir pills to enhance my physical foundation.”
“As you probably know of my circumstances.”
“In your opinion, my lord, I’m just a cultivator of Foundation Establishment level. Charging into battle is too risky.”
“If I could let my physical body progress by leaps and bounds in a short period, I would definitely add a near-Nascent Soul level strength to our army!”
Du Tiechuan shook his head slightly, his expression as cold as ice: “How much can a mere near-Nascent Soul level contribute to the overall battle situation?”
“Do not mention this again.”
“Leave!”
Having no choice, Ning Zhuo could only bow: “By your command, I shall take my leave.”
As Song Ji was also about to leave,
Du Tiechuan transmitted thoughts with his Divine Sense, secretly communicating with him, asking for details: “Who has given Ning Zhuo such strong qi fortune? Venerable Song, can you calculate it?”
Song Ji secretly replied: “It is very difficult.”
“I am also very curious.”
“Usually, support of such a tremendous and vast external fortune would cost the practitioner dearly.”
“Who would make such a sacrifice just to give Ning Zhuo a lift?”
“Even if he is a favorite son of a large clan, it shouldn’t warrant such support, right?”
“Moreover, there is another strange point.”
Du Tiechuan: “Hmm?”
Song Ji continued: “Common sense dictates that such externally endowed fortune would be consumed very quickly and couldn’t last.”
“But from my recent calculations, I found that the consumption of qi fortune on Ning Zhuo is not that drastic.”
“Even, there are signs that he has been nourished recently.”
Du Tiechuan pressed: “Why is that?”
Song Ji shook his head: “Qi fortune is arcane, and what I have learned is but a mere fraction of it. The methods to nourish external fortune are numerous and varied; I can hardly judge.”
Du Tiechuan: “Then let it be.”
“Next, Venerable Song, please make a thorough investigation of the enemy situation.”
“I believe that with your methods, whether it’s the Dice Bone Demon God or anything Ning Zhuo is hiding, you will notice.”
Song Ji immediately accepted the order, indicating he would devote all his efforts to carry out this command.
Song Ji then led Ning Zhuo to a separate tent.
Ning Zhuo released the Dice Bone Demon: “Old Dice, you must be completely forthcoming. But if it involves your own safety, don’t force yourself.”
Ning Zhuo gave a special instruction.
Dice Bone Demon God said: “Master, I wasn’t closely involved with those people from Thousand Peak Forest. Everything I know, I have already told you.”
Ning Zhuo nodded: “This time, here in front of Venerable Song, just repeat it once more.”
Immediately after, Ning Zhuo transmitted thoughts to Song Ji: “Please use spells to check and make sure we prevent the Dice Bone Demon from bringing false information that might mislead our army.”
“Honestly, my capturing him was entirely coincidental.”
“Until now, I’m still not completely at ease.”
Seeing Ning Zhuo’s active request, Song Ji did not hold back and used a variety of calculation methods in front of him.
After about the time it takes for two cups of tea, Song Ji sent Ning Zhuo away.
Ning Zhuo didn’t manage to obtain the elixirs to uplift the strength of his physical body from Du Tiechuan, yet he was not disheartened.