How could it not be enough?
This is almost all the possessions of the famous formidable Heavenly Ghost.
Li Xiangshang and Qing Chi also saw the possessions, and they were both pleasantly surprised.
Qing Yan frowned: "There are many assets, but many are not suitable."
To refine paper money needed for a passage army, ten thousand catties of century-old Green Sandalwood pulp are required, mixed with Chenzhou cinnabar to craft talismans, forming green-purple money. During the burning of the green-purple money, nine hundred catties of South Sea Agarwood must also be burned to refine the Divine Sea. Lastly, saturate the body with immense amounts of Yin Qi, continuing for twenty-seven days.
Ning Zhuo already anticipated this, directly replied: "Even if supported by the White Paper City Lord, they won't provide suitable materials immediately."
"We can completely trade with other forces."
"In the Immortal City, there's not only the City Lord's Mansion but also the Myriad Images Sect, Soul Devouring Sect, and other super sects."
Qing Chi nodded: "Yes, yes, we can seek them."
"Recently, the ghost tide has been getting stronger, and many cultivators have sacrificed in the Immortal City. The end of the ghost tide is nowhere in sight, so the City Lord's Mansion has already called for external aid."
"Soon, the Myriad Images Sect, Soul Devouring Sect, and others will send reinforcements."
"White Paper Immortal City is the sole dominator of the Yin Tide Black Swamp, controlling the output of cultivation resources here. These super sects have long been eagerly awaiting the city's call for aid."
"But..."
"Jiao Ma, how come you are so wealthy? Did you take your family's foundation? Have you received support from your father?"
Ning Zhuo coughed twice: "On one hand, I've received my father's approval, and on the other hand, I've gained support from other forces. As for the latter, it's not convenient to disclose."
Qing Yan looked at the storage bag in hand, chuckled softly: "Is it the Soul Devouring Sect?"
Ning Zhuo's expression changed slightly, bitterly nodding: "I knew I couldn't hide it from Commander Qing!"
The possessions of Heavenly Ghost inevitably carry the shadow of the Soul Devouring Sect, a point Ning Zhuo couldn't evade.
He had long prepared this explanation to address any possible doubts.
He intentionally made it ambiguous, allowing Qing Yan to "guess" and further convince the latter that Ning Zhuo indeed received support from the Soul Devouring Sect.
Li Xiangshang also showed a look of realization.
At this moment, he connected many thoughts.
"On the surface, White Paper Immortal City is fighting against Wangchuan Underworld leveraging the ghost tide. But in reality, the situation is complex."
"Soul Devouring Sect is a super sect, extremely coveting the cultivation resources here!"
"But in the layout of White Paper Immortal City, besides the City Lord's Mansion being the largest, it's the Myriad Images Sect. Soul Devouring Sect couldn't compete, tried many times, and now they intend to stake it on the new army."
"They are indeed a super sect; not only have they gathered this intelligence, but they also understand Jiao Ma's terrifying influence on Qing Chi, using Jiao Ma to achieve their scheme, such clever means!"
Before coming to Yin Tide Black Swamp, Ning Zhuo had always been cautious of the Soul Devouring Sect. Unexpectedly, now he must leverage the name of the Soul Devouring Sect to act.
"Since my Jiao Family is also involved, then the vice-commander of this army must be me." Seeing the timely opportunity, Ning Zhuo immediately proposed a new demand.
Qing Yan just frowned thinking, Qing Chi immediately nodded with infinite joy: "Jiao Ma, you want to strive alongside me, that's wonderful. I welcome you!"
Qing Yan sighed and agreed.
Ning Zhuo added: "This matter must also be notified to the White Paper Immortal City side. Although we don't need their support, the successful formation of our army will also help the city withstand this ghost tide."
"This is the space for collaboration."
"Even if the new army is established, causing the City Lord to be suspicious, considering her current state, she can only choose to endure."
Qing Chi was delighted to hear it: "Jiao Ma, I knew you wouldn't favor an old woman!"
Li Xiangshang and Qing Yan, however, both showed concern.
Qing Yan: "This needs to be properly reported. I am worried about the City Lord's reaction."
Li Xiangshang also nodded: "Indeed, there's a possibility of being rejected. In fact, White Paper Immortal City always follows the City Lord's decisions. Even the Myriad Images Sect cannot influence the City Lord's control over the Immortal City."
"Before I came, Lord Dragon warned me. He told me that the White Paper City Lord is herself a cultivator filled with control desire and extremely ambitious, advising caution."
Ning Zhuo nodded slightly: "The City Lord already knows we are forming an army. Facing a great enemy, her possibilities of collecting herself and recognizing are greater. Regardless, since we've made the decision, we must report immediately. This is also for the greater plan."
Everyone nodded.
In this negotiation, Ning Zhuo sacrificed the vast majority of his possessions, gaining deep involvement with the new army and achieving his original goals.
Returning to the Paperman Giant Statue, Ning Zhuo informed Sun Lingtong of the progress via the Qianmo Lamp.
Sun Lingtong sighed: "Little Zhuo, this time you have made a grand gesture. Almost all the war funds we amassed have been invested in forming the army. Even this isn't enough."
Ning Zhuo: "Thus, boss, see if you can get some assets from Luo Si."
Ning Zhuo didn't actually receive support from the Soul Devouring Sect. The requirements for army formation assets are too high. Even with almost all investments, there's a gap.
Sun Lingtong: "Alas, I'll give it a try."
After long travels, he has located Luo Si's position. The latter, being a leading general, can easily inquire about specific locations.
Ning Zhuo nodded: "I'll also send a flying message, informing the City Lord's avatar, to see if we can obtain some support from her."
"Haha." Sun Lingtong laughed, "It depends on whether your savior reputation is important in the City Lord's heart."
Over the next two days, good news arrived in succession.
Sun Lingtong successfully met Luo Si, declaring that they had met the Grey Bone Elder, stating they were guided by the Grey Bone Elder to seek help here.
The Grey Bone Elder has been virtually imprisoned, and contacting him requires much more effort. For the moment, it was hard to receive a reply.
Sun Lingtong also expressed urgency to move.
Luo Si had an excellent first impression of Sun Lingtong by the Wangchuan River. After thinking for a while, he didn't wait for a reply, directly took out many assets and handed them to Sun Lingtong.
He also gave Sun Lingtong a new pass at his request.
With this pass, Sun Lingtong could openly lead the Cow Cavalry, traveling along the Netherworld River through Wangchuan Underworld's military path back to the Mortal World.
Additionally, the good news was that the White Paper City Lord not only agreed to establish the new army but also generously doubled the assets on Ning Zhuo's request.
Thus, accounting for the three successive reductions in Li Xiangshang's innate share, Ning Zhuo surprisingly managed to arrange all the assets needed for the army.
Moreover, the White Paper City Lord opened the cultivation secret chamber. Inside this chamber, an array is arranged to accelerate the flow of time.
"Is this the favor of heaven?" Sun Ning and others "saw" the Grey Bone Elder and know the inside story, they marveled at the mysterious fortune.
Ning Zhuo: "Now I start to understand the Grey Bone Elder's path. Going with heaven seems to result in almost effortless achievements. Usually big challenges are easily overcome."
Sun Lingtong mused and imagined: "How can we steal lifespan, how satisfying would that be?"
The hurdle of the army has been overcome, Ning Zhuo contacted the Jiao Family again.
"What? Establishing a new army?"
"What? Already reached the army's threshold?"
"What? Using paper money for passage soldiers?"
Jiao Ma's father was shocked thrice and finally, under Ning Zhuo's persuasion, decisively nodded in agreement: "It's time to leave a path for the family, I'll choose an elite group to serve under you."
"Ma'er, you did exceptionally well, bringing honor to your father!"
Before leaving, Jiao Ma's father patted Ning Zhuo's shoulder.
This gesture, however slightly dazed Ning Zhuo, couldn't help but think: "If my father were alive, would he also pat my shoulder, encouraging me?"
A lack in childhood often burdens a person's whole life.