Situ Xing’s face showed signs of contemplation and hesitation.
Ning Zhuo resolutely increased the stakes: "I’ll also share a secret with you, Daoist fellow—currently, Tao Liang has already joined."
Situ Xing revealed a trace of surprise: "Oh? Tao Liang has always been absorbed in hard practice within the cave, rarely interacting with the outside world. He actually joined first?"
"Could it be that the Nanming Fire Furnace has miraculous effects on his cultivation?"
Ning Zhuo nodded in praise: "Brother Situ is quick-witted, guessing correctly at once. What do you think?"
Situ Xing shook his head and sighed: "Now I totally understand Brother Shen and Brother Lin’s dilemma. If we want to get involved in the Flowing Cloud Peak petition, the opponents aren’t just this year’s newers."
Ultimately, Situ Xing did not agree on the spot and left with his mind full of concerns.
Sun Lingtong came to the study, inquiring about the result.
Ning Zhuo naturally did not hide anything.
Sun Lingtong snorted coldly: "Heirs of prominent families are always shrewd; fools like Tao Liang aren’t mon."
Ning Zhuo: "Tao Liang’s environment is simple due to his years of hard practice, so all his concerns revolve around himself. Those like Situ Xing, raised as the faces of prominent families, all have fought fiercely to emerge victorious."
"In these plex battles and struggles, those who stand out never think simply."
"He is actually motivated, but he has too many things to consider."
"If Situ Xing doesn’t join, I might invite Zhu Fenxiang."
Sun Lingtong nodded and said, "Zhu Fenxiang cooperates well with us, and the Zhu and Situ families are on the same level."
Sun Lingtong was referring to the minor trial of the Nanming Fire Furnace.
Previously, Ning Zhuo actively reached out to Cao Gui through the merce Hall, making contact with Danxia Peak. Then, he used the Shutu Prison True Monarch Statue to connect with Zhu Fenxiang.
After consulting with her mother Zhu Guizhi, Zhu Fenxiang decided to trust Ning Zhuo and take a gamble.
This led to Ning Zhuo successfully "soothing" the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit through the Spirit munication Mirror, and Zhu Fenxiang subsequently attempted to repair the Nanming Fire Furnace, gaining the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit’s "approval."
Pure Yangzi, Cang Yazi, and many other cultivators witnessed this scene, leading them to alter their predetermined strategies, choosing to bet crazily on repairing the furnace.
The Zhu and Situ families are arch-enemies.
Therefore, if Ning Zhuo were to invite Situ Xing, he would abandon Zhu Fenxiang, and vice versa.
"If Situ Xing could join, that would be best. If not, inviting Zhu Fenxiang to boost morale would be the plan."
Ning Zhuo estimated: Based on the previous collaborations, Zhu Fenxiang would likely agree.
"Of course, the best situation remains Situ Xing joining. My secret alliance with Zhu Fenxiang could continue."
This is most favorable for Ning Zhuo.
Now, outsiders see him and Zhu Fenxiang as tending toward hostility, because Ning Zhuo is closer to Situ Xing.
Like this time, confirming and negotiating the debt, Zhu Fenxiang did not attend personally, only municated via Flying Message, further validating public perception.
But in reality, Ning Zhuo and Zhu Fenxiang had long reached a secret agreement through the statue.
In the afternoon.
Mu Yuehua was led into the Three Lights Heavenly Dao Cave Mansion.
She sat where Situ Xing had earlier, facing Ning Zhuo across the desk.
She drank the Mortal Tea with no sign of change in her expression. Her countenance looked pristine, her skin as creamy as jade, her elegant and detached aura remained undiminished.
Even the Mortal Tea seemed to be imbued with a touch of Immortal Energy.
Mu Yuehua, being greatly valued by Wang Yu, naturally deserved Ning Zhuo’s consideration.
In fact, this female cultivator’s prospects were widely acknowledged.
Ning Zhuo secretly envied her because Mu Yuehua openly displayed a Taiyin True Fire Seed during the minor trial of the furnace.
Fire seeds are rare.
Especially Taiyin True Fire seeds.
Ning Zhuo didn’t owe Mu Yuehua much, nor did he expect her to join his side.
But Mu Yuehua spontaneously expressed: "Daoist fellow Ning Zhuo, I have need to use the Nanming Fire Furnace."
"I cultivate in Taiyin Mana, yet due to innate qualities, I possess abundant Yin Qi and lack Yang Qi. I’ve long skirted the edge of Yin-Yang imbalance, a slip could lead to deviation."
"If I stay in Moonlight Sect, I will adhere to sect directives in cultivation. Once I refine pills, there’s no chance to reverse."
"I wish to leverage the Nanming Fire Furnace, coordinating star and moon, gradually improving my physique and Mana to achieve a balanced state of Yin and Yang. Ultimately advancing to Golden Core, embracing Yang within Yin rather than reaching Taiyin’s extreme."
"That’s a much broader path."
"I wonder if Daoist fellow Ning Zhuo could assist me?"
Ning Zhuo paused slightly, thinking, "This is actually quite easy to manage. I happen to have a Yin Yang Qi Pot, perfectly suitable for Mu Yuehua’s situation."
Mu Yuehua continued to propose: "I know that this endeavor will occupy your alchemy time. Our debt is minor, soon to be settled. Perhaps I could assist with alchemy, exchanging for the chance to cultivate with the furnace?"
Ning Zhuo didn’t mention the Yin Yang Qi Pot, instead first presenting the Flowing Cloud Peak proposal.
Mu Yuehua appeared contemplative and did not agree on the spot, only saying she would think it over carefully after returning.
After she left, Sun Lingtong said to Ning Zhuo, "Mu Yuehua is a good seed for alchemy! It would be great if she could join us. She is currently only at Foundation Establishment; perhaps we can offer her a higher pensation under the table?"
"Don’t forget, we also have the Yin Yang Qi Pot! Let her try it a few times, and she’ll be reluctant to part with it. This increases the likelihood that she will agree to join our alliance."
However, Ning Zhuo shook his head, holding a different view: "Her needs differ from those of Tao Liang."
"Tao Liang needs a better Pill Furnace for cultivation, so his options are actually quite limited."
"Mu Yuehua wants to balance Yin and Yang, and there are numerous ways to help her with that. Although our Yin Yang Qi Pot is excellent, it is by no means irreplaceable."
"I believe, with Wang Yu’s talent-loving nature, he must have already set his sights on this woman."
"Her alchemy skills, Taiyin Fire Seed, and innate abilities can attract much higher and better recruitment terms. To recruit her, we are actually peting with people like Wang Yu. Boss, do you think we can pete with them?"
Sun Lingtong shook her head with a sigh.
"Then forget it."
"Let’s look at other people."
"But Little Zhuo, you need to publicly form the alliance in three days. Is such a short time really enough?"
"Currently, we only have Tao Liang explicitly expressing his willingness to join."
Ning Zhuo smiled, "Three days is neither too long nor too short, just perfect. Trust me, boss, let’s wait and see."
Sun Lingtong: "Since you have confidence, that’s good!"
Sun Lingtong genuinely put her mind at ease. Ning Zhuo had bee increasingly reliable in his actions, leaving Sun Lingtong without any concerns regarding her own brother.
Ning Zhuo brought up another matter, intending to return the Array Realm to Sun Lingtong.
Sun Lingtong waved her hand repeatedly, "You keep using it. You need it more."
That indeed was true.
In the previous battle between Ning Zhuo and Situ Xing, it was by leveraging the Array Master’s realm that Ning Zhuo was able to discern many truths and falsehoods of the Beidou Seven Luminaries Sword Formation and the Star Sword Formation, thereby establishing an advantage with ease. Of course, this was also due to Ning Zhuo utilizing the Luoshu Book Pages from the Taoist Artifact to enhance his own putational power.
Seeing that Sun Lingtong was not in a hurry, Ning Zhuo naturally would not be polite, "I indeed have use for it next."
The relationship between the two brothers far exceeded the norm, making additional words unnecessary.
After wrapping up discussions on debt repayment with all the creditors, Ning Zhuo instructed Chen San to start, releasing some hints to the outside.
"Let these whispers spread."
"The priority is to focus on the Evil Slaying Hall’s reaction."
This was Ning Zhuo’s directive to Chen San.
After handling these matters, Ning Zhuo was able to review his battle with Situ Xing.
Situ Xing’s bat power was inferior to Ning Zhuo’s, but since Ning Zhuo used the fight as practice, he also gained considerably from it.
"The Cangtie Han Armor·Golden Swallow Type is as useful as ever. But this way of bat currently limits my bat potential."
"When I used the Ancient Zither Magical Artifact, the Hundred-Segment Langgan Whip, the Green Forest Python Chariot, and the Azure Bamboo Armor of a Hundred Transformations, my bat power already exceeded that of the Cangtie Han Armor·Golden Swallow Type."
There is room for improvement in the Cangtie Han Armor·Golden Swallow Type, but the issue is not with the armor itself. Rather, it is Ning Zhuo’s method of bat—he needs to design and develop a suitable method based on wearing this Mechanical Battle Armor to significantly elevate his bat performance.
In contrast, the Hundred-Segment Langgan Whip, Green Forest Python Chariot, and Azure Bamboo Armor of a Hundred Transformations, paired with instruments and Mechanical Puppets like the Humbleheart Broken-Blade Guard, are recorded in the inherited bat style of the Empty Valley Sound Green Mechanism Tube.
For the former, Ning Zhuo needs to initiate, improve, correct, and fine-tune it through various steps, taking decades or even centuries to mature.
The latter has already been verified, improved, and ultimately shaped by several generations of cultivators. It has almost reached a point where it cannot be further refined.
This bat style may not be the most suitable for Ning Zhuo, but its battlefield performance clearly surpasses that of the Cangtie Han Armor·Golden Swallow Type.
In daily life, Ning Zhuo doesn’t spend much time practicing these Mechanical Artifacts, but his fight with Situ Xing left him with deep impressions, leading to a significant improvement in his related manipulation skills.
"But it’s still not enough."
"The inheritance of the Empty Valley Sound Green Mechanism Tube has two main features: Music Skill and Mechanical Techniques."
"I have retained too much in terms of Mechanical Techniques. For operation, I only used the Five Elements Condensed Silk and Sound Control, not even touching the Void Spider Silk. Not to mention the Heart Seal assistance or Life Hanging Thread."
"To improve in Mechanical Techniques, I should practice the acpanying Mechanical Techniques included in the Empty Valley Sound Green Mechanism Tube inheritance."
For example, the Firecracker Whip used by Ning Zhuo in battle is part of its content.
"The key is Music Skill. This can be rapidly improved."
"Speaking of which, after the Cloud Prison escapee incident, the Black Market has seen an influx of more Demon Souls, of excellent quality."
"Among these are demon cultivators skilled in Music Skill."
"Perhaps I should increase my bid to acquire them?"
Sun Lingtong has been secretly in charge of this matter. However, due to the high quality of these souls, they have attracted many bidding cultivators.
Sun Lingtong has been in negotiations with a gray-robed cultivator, but they have yet to reach an agreement.
"After enhancing Music Skill, I still need some time to conduct large-scale refining of various kinds of mechanisms included in the inheritance."
"Particularly avian types, which are widely applicable in actual bat."
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