Chapter 123: Tiger Fight

The Martial Ape Puppet, Great Victory, was not entirely incapable of casting spells. It was simply that the lingering spiritual consciousness of Yuan Dasheng carried the distinct traits of his mortal life, making him thoroughly averse to spellcasting. Ning Zhuo had to channel spiritual energy through the Mirror Platform Psychomancy Technique to drive the puppet's mechanical body before spells like the Ice-Embracing Technique could be unleashed.

"In reality, I can only use this spell in theory."

"Because the joint renovation team of the three great clans hasn't passed through Chamber Number Two yet, they haven't encountered the Ice-Embracing Technique."

Under such circumstances, it was inappropriate for Ning Zhuo to display the Ice-Embracing Technique prematurely. He had to wait until the joint renovation team reached it and he could 'publicly' learn it before he could use it openly and aboveboard.

Ning Zhuo took out the Floating Cloud Sash, enveloping himself and his desk within it. From the massive cotton-ball-like mass of clouds, the occasional muffled sound of manufacturing mechanism parts could be heard.

Ning Zhuo was currently crafting a mechanism known as the Bloodless Oil Bottle, the specific blueprints of which came from the rewards of the Demonic Sect's third trial. Utilizing this mechanical component, one could harvest various types of blood qi, mix them together, process and refine them, and ultimately produce an oil-like substance with the texture of blood. It paired even better with another mechanical component, the Blood-Transforming Pool.

"During his lifetime, Yuan Dasheng mastered the Demonic Stained Blood Tendon Technique and possessed a very high level of cultivation."

"Granting it blood qi is the greatest possible boost to its combat power."

Had the Demonic Sect still been publicly exposed, Ning Zhuo would never have revealed this particular mechanical component. But now, he had sealed the stone walls, causing both the Buddhist and Demonic Sects to remain hidden away. This meant that even if others gained entry into the transit hall, they could no longer access the paths leading to either the Buddhist or Demonic Sects, let alone claim the associated rewards.

Of course, the blood oil bottle crafted by Ning Zhuo was not a slavish copy of the original; rather, it had been modified and adapted through his own ingenuity. Its might was significantly reduced, and its underlying principles deviated slightly as well.

He did this for two reasons: on one hand, the materials at his disposal were limited, and he lacked access to certain high-quality components. On the other hand, should this item ever be exposed in the future—and the Lava Immortal Palace side also revealed blood oil bottles—Ning Zhuo would have a ready-made explanation and narrative to justify himself.

The Ning family cultivators stood guard outside Ning Ze's courtyard. Foundation Establishment divine senses swept past, but upon seeing the floating clouds, none of them bothered to pry needlessly. They communicated via voice transmission, guessing what kind of mechanism Ning Zhuo was researching this time to warrant such secrecy.

"Young Master Ning Zhuo possesses such extraordinary talent for mechanisms; his future is boundless!"

"Indeed, it has been a long time since such an outstanding successor emerged from our collateral branches!"

"I'm so curious about what kind of contraption he's tinkering with now!"

"It's just that there are so many floating clouds obstructing the view; doesn't it make it terribly inconvenient for him to create?"

"Hehehe, geniuses always have their quirks. Besides, it's not like we don't know Ning Zhuo's background; he lived alone for far too long. This is caution, self-protection—a very good habit!"

As Ning Zhuo's performance grew increasingly brilliant, the expectations and tolerance of those around him rose in tandem.

That very night, Yuan Dasheng once again donned the Dark Iron Heavy Armor and crept stealthily along the sewers. It entered a specialized, narrow path. The passage was dark and deep; Yuan Dasheng wriggled into it, crawled all the way to the end, and flipped a crude mechanical lever. The stone bricks before it slid sideways, revealing a small door.

This small stone door was set into the middle section of an abandoned well. Yuan Dasheng carefully reconnoitered the surroundings, confirmed it was safe, climbed out of the abandoned well, and entered a dilapidated dwelling in the slums. It left a jade slip in the corner of the slum dwelling and then returned the way it came.

This was one of the covert communication channels between Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong. Ning Zhuo's covert manipulation was designed to notify Sun Lingtong to recruit more demonic cultivators and prepare to assassinate Yuan Er, staging a grand show. The message within the jade slip was naturally written in a secret code jointly created by Sun Lingtong and Ning Zhuo.

The Zheng Clan!

Four Golden Core Patriarchs were gathered for a small assembly. One of the Zhou clan's Golden Cores spoke of Zhou Zhu and Zhou Seshen with a deeply troubled expression: "There are poison insects hidden within that Earth-Yin ant colony, leaving behind Earth-Yin Qi that is exceedingly difficult to purge. Once the physical body recovers, it is like a rooted illness with profound repercussions."

"Both Zhou Zhu and Zhou Seshen possess their own innate talents. If the Earth-Yin Qi lingers in their bodies for long, their primordial yang will inevitably turn into yin, their kidney water will fail, they will lose the ability to procreate, and their descendants will wither. In severe cases, they might even transition completely from yang to yin—neither male nor female."

Zheng Shuangguo let out a cold snort. "Even so, fellow daoists, attempting to forcibly demand our clan's Nine-Sun Yellow Ox Ointment is far too presumptuous!"

Another Golden Core of the Zhou clan bowed apologetically: "For the sake of our descendants, we elders can only swallow our pride and come to beg for it!"

"I have a proposal!"

"Fellow Daoist Zheng Shuangguo has long desired to brave my Night Star Heavenly Silk Formation!"

"Why not have my clan brother and I set up this formation together, and invite the two fellow daoists to challenge it? If after three days and three nights, both of you are still lingering within the array, pray bestow the Nine-Sun Yellow Ox Ointment upon us!"

Zheng Shuangguo sneered: "And what if we break through it?"

The Zhou clan patriarch smiled: "Then my Zhou family will present the Southern Heaven Vermilion Bird Constellation Array Diagram as a gift."

Hearing this, Zheng Shuangguo was moved: "Seriously?"

Another Zhou clan patriarch replied: "We can swear a Dao oath!"

The two Golden Core patriarchs of the Zheng clan discussed it via voice transmission and nodded in agreement a moment later.

Immediately, the Zhou clan patriarch pulled out a bolt of silk satin and unfurled it. The surface of the satin was smooth and dense, resembling flowing water, as black as the dead of night. Amidst the profound ink-like darkness, faint starlight flickered in and out of existence, now visible, now obscure.

The silk satin flew into mid-air and rapidly merged into the night sky without a single trace of an anomaly.

Yet the four Golden Core figures from the Zhou and Zheng clans all entered the formation and vanished on the spot.

Zhu Xuanji wandered among the mountain peaks, keeping a close eye on the Wind-Rousing Bell within his divine sea. Using Fire Persimmon Immortal City as the center, he continuously circled the surrounding area to probe for clues.

"Who goes there?"

Suddenly, a brilliant golden light flashed in Zhu Xuanji's eyes as he looked toward a specific spot. He caught sight of a fleeting phantom carrying chilling ghost qi, moving at lightning speed toward Fire Persimmon Immortal City.

"A Golden Core cultivator? A ghost cultivator?"

Zhu Xuanji's expression immediately turned grave. Anyone capable of resisting his Golden Gaze must possess an extraordinary background. Judging solely by their mana aura, the quality of their cultivation technique was exceptionally high, strongly suggesting they hailed from a major sect.

At the summit of Fire Persimmon Mountain!

Beasts roared continuously, and magma surged violently, rising and falling in turbulent waves. Various ferocious beasts went berserk, attempting to charge out of the Crimson Flame Monster Cavern, only to have their path blocked by the final line of defense: the Lava Immortal Palace.

The Dragon-Turtle Fire Spirit roared repeatedly upon the throne in the main hall. The Lava Immortal Palace radiated boundless precious light as a multitude of mechanical puppets awoke to form a defensive line.

This development did not catch Meng Kun by surprise.

"My 'watching the tigers fight from the mountaintop' strategy covers the entire Fire Persimmon Mountain!"

"The various magical beasts within the mountain body are naturally included: those with weak fate are influenced first, those with moderate fate are swept up by the general momentum, and those with the greatest fate will inevitably be caught in the crossfire."

Meng Kun sat calmly amidst clouds and mist, standing in an unbeatable position as he quietly watched the wind and clouds rise.

"I wonder if that shadowy demonic cultivator will be drawn out by the turmoil?"

In the Black Market:

Sun Lingtong had just returned to his courtyard when his eyes suddenly flashed with cold light, and he shouted sternly, "Who is there?"

Two demonic cultivators appeared simultaneously, one in front and one behind, looking extremely smug.

"Sun Lingtong, you've walked right into the array, so obediently surrender!"

"For the sake of the Vacancy Gate, as long as you reveal the whereabouts of the Fringe-Haired Guest, we'll spare your life!"

Sun Lingtong's expression turned slightly cold as he identified them from their mana aura: "You are... from the Soul Devouring Sect."

"Spare him? On what grounds?"

Han Ming emerged from the shadows like a female ghostly zombie, her face full of hatred and malice.

"You actually dared to plot against me, Sun Lingtong! I'll make you pay with your life!"

"And that Fringe-Haired Guest as well."

"If you can betray him, I'll grant you a quick death!"