Chapter 832: Chapter 281: Flesh Is Weak, Mechanism Ascends_2
“As a superpower, the Myriad Images Sect should have divination techniques, maybe we’ll have access.”
“Even if neither of these works, we need to focus on collecting divination techniques in the future. What do you think, boss?”
Sun Lingtong immediately said, “I wholeheartedly agree!”
After this experience, the two of them fully realized the power of this cultivation technique of divination and were greatly moved.
In the Netherworld, Sun Lingtong led the Cow Cavalry into the heart of the Wangchuan Underworld.
This time, he wanted to find Luo Si and seek some help.
In the Mortal World, Ning Zhuo continued his cultivation while also paying attention to Sun Lingtong’s movements, as well as actively observing the happenings in White Paper Immortal City.
Ning Zhuo’s soul cultivation had been paused, mainly because his soul foundation had advanced too rapidly, becoming too strong, and began to suppress his physical body.
Therefore, he adjusted his cultivation—spending most of his time hiding in the Fetal Breathing Spirit Boat to enhance his physical foundation.
In addition, he was cultivating the “Carrying the Soldier’s Evil Technique,” whereas the Three Superior Sect Techniques were almost ceased due to the tight schedule.
The “Carrying the Soldier’s Evil Technique” could collect external evil qi, gather it as one, form military evil, and be used in many ways at appropriate times.
For example, using it in spells could make the spells sharper.
Especially military evil being effective against ghosts and petty individuals was very helpful for Ning Zhuo in dealing with those ghosts.
Ning Zhuo collected military evil to meet one of three conditions for future plans to disrupt Lord of Wanchuan’s century-old scheme.
Qing Chi collected military evil to speed up the gathering of her own military spirit.
Ning Zhuo cultivated inside the Paperman Giant Statue, while Qing Chi sat cross-legged at the foot of the statue.
The latter showed incredible insight, quickly understanding this military art and becoming more proficient with continuous use.
The gathering speed of her military spirit soared, showing different weathers every day.
Ning Zhuo witnessed all of Qing Chi’s progress.
Previously, he kept a respectful distance from Qing Chi, as he was not Jiao Ma and did not want to delay others’ happiness.
But now, things had changed, concerning Lord of Wanchuan’s century-old sinister plan, the safety of the citizens of White Paper Immortal City, and his mother’s dying wish, Ning Zhuo had to adjust his strategy.
So, during breaks in cultivation, he would take the initiative to invite Qing Chi and Li Xiangshang for a feast.
Qing Chi was overjoyed, always agreeing cheerfully to join, and actively urging Ning Zhuo to drink, intending to get him drunk with ill intentions.
Ning Zhuo noticed this and tried to invite Qing Chi less, inviting Li Xiangshang more.
Interacting with Li Xiangshang also helped Ning Zhuo understand the progress of Qing Chi’s military spirit gathering.
After a few feasts, Ning Zhuo also gained quite an understanding of Li Xiangshang.
He learned that Li Xiangshang was a dedicated cultivator, originally a carp caught by Lady Lao Yue.
The Dragon Lord of White Mountain had long prohibited fishing in the Cang River.
Lady Lao Yue’s act of casting a net was a deliberate provocation, prompting the Dragon Lord to intervene and make a bet with her.
The bet was that the Dragon Lord would select a carp from the net, nurture it, and place it in a pond within the Ruishui River, gambling that it could succeed in cultivation, continuously rising, and eventually escape the constraints of Ruishui.
Obviously, Li Xiangshang was that fortunate carp.
Originally muddled and confused, relying solely on himself to embark on the path of cultivation was nearly impossible.
But after being chosen by the Dragon Lord, he was directly taught the Treasure Scripture “Rising Dragon Transformation” and continuously provided with high-class cultivation resources all for winning the bet.
Li Xiangshang eventually did not disappoint, tirelessly cultivating, rising through higher layers of weak waters and ultimately leaping out, breaking free from his life’s limitations.
Li Xiangshang was eternally grateful and deeply revered the Dragon Lord. After helping him win the bet, he was taken under the Dragon Lord’s wing.
Usually, Li Xiangshang remained focused on his arduous cultivation and rarely socialized.
This time, during a retreat, he was summoned by the Dragon Lord, who commanded him to bring the Golden Nest Demon Seed to White Paper Immortal City for a support mission.
Ning Zhuo discovered the truth and was secretly amazed. With his capabilities, he quickly befriended Li Xiangshang.
Initially, Li Xiangshang had a negative impression of Ning Zhuo, but Ning Zhuo was always warm and charming, prompting Li Xiangshang to quickly change his opinion.
During this time, Ning Zhuo used the pretense of being drunk to suggest a spar with Li Xiangshang when Qing Chi was absent.
This spar win directly earned Li Xiangshang’s respect!
Ning Zhuo raised his cup, “Senior Li, I’m really curious and getting impatient. But I’m worried that asking this question might come off as prying into others’ cultivation secrets, offending you, senior.”
Li Xiangshang first clinked glasses with Ning Zhuo, laughed after drinking, “You’re curious about my innate skills, aren’t you? Actually, you can ask Qing Chi. She not only knows the name of my innate skills but also experienced it because I bestowed it upon her.”
Ning Zhuo shook his head, “This is your cultivation secret, senior. Asking others would be disrespectful to you, senior, which isn’t a way to treat a friend.”
“I’d rather directly ask you, senior. If you don’t wish to share, I completely understand, will punish myself with three cups, and never inquire again!”
Li Xiangshang, hearing this, grew fonder of Ning Zhuo.
He touched the back of his head, “Sigh, there’s actually nothing to hide; many people know.”
“My innate ability is merely low-class, called ‘A Rotten Fish Filling the Count.’ As the name suggests, it lowers many cultivation standards.”
“For instance, gathering military spirit is difficult, but Miss Qing Chi, with my assistance, could cross the initial threshold.”
Ning Zhuo’s eyes lit up upon hearing this; he subconsciously tightened his grip slightly on the wineglass.
He inquired further, “How much can the cultivation standards be lowered, and are there any limitations?”
Li Xiangshang answered that after pondering for a long time, he found that most cultivation standards could be lowered. However, the extent is limited, and there are significant drawbacks.
Li Xiangshang smiled wryly, “This drawback is quite severe; otherwise, my ‘Rotten Fish Filling the Count’ wouldn’t just be low-class.”
Ning Zhuo let out an ‘oh,’ speculating, “Senior Li, could it be that using this innate ability results in festering sores?”
Li Xiangshang shook his head, “It’s much more serious than festering sores.”
He lifted his armor, placed his finger on his scales.
Ning Zhuo then saw the scales immediately sink significantly, not rebounding, forming a pit.
Ning Zhuo had an epiphany.
Li Xiangshang revealed, “Most of the flesh on my body has already rotted. If not for my constant efforts to maintain and heal, I would have long perished from the rot.”
“My combat power now is less than one-tenth.”
“After using my innate ability, I need a long time to recover. Dragon Lord once sought various spiritual medicines, even personally attempting to heal me, but the effect was mediocre.”
“This is a low-class innate ability, but I’m content!”
“Without this ability, how could I have been chosen by the Dragon Lord? Without this innate ability to lower cultivation standards, how could I have mastered the ‘Rising Dragon Transformation’?”
“Compared to countless ordinary carp, I’m already very fortunate.”
Ning Zhuo praised, “Senior, your heart is as calm as the sea, worth learning from.”
He squinted slightly, thumb lightly pressing on the Mechanical Ring, speaking with deep meaning, “An innate ability is an innate ability; even if it’s low-class, used correctly, it can exhibit unexpected, unimaginable power and wonders!”
Just like Zheng Jian’s Piercing Heart Insight.
This innate ability is intermediate, granting the cultivator an astonishing intuition. Its biggest drawback is that it can only be triggered when the mind is calm.
But Zheng Jian’s spiritual nature is entrusted in the Mechanical Ring, without thoughts, always calm, meaning its biggest drawback is eliminated.
Looking at Li Xiangshang, Ning Zhuo was tempted to ask, “Have you ever considered changing bodies for cultivation, Senior Li? Flesh is frail, mechanics ascend.”