**: A Thread Away From Death (Seeking First Subscription)**

Fire Persimmon Immortal City.

Zhu Xuanji stopped before a small hut and gently pushed the door open.

The next moment, a thick, tide-like shadow surged out, engulfing him completely.

The shadowy tide surged violently. After swallowing Zhu Xuanji, it rolled backwards, plunging the entire alley into darkness.

Within the darkness, a pair of golden eyes suddenly lit up.

They were Zhu Xuanji's golden pupils.

Divine light overflowed from the pupils, piercing through the rolling shadows, seeing through the concealment, and staring directly at the demonic cultivator.

The demonic cultivator was at the mid Foundation Establishment stage. Having his form discovered, he wasn't alarmed but instead let out a cold laugh and lunged straight at Zhu Xuanji.

*Boom!*

Amidst the heavy shadows, the two exchanged a blow.

Zhu Xuanji took a small step back, while the demonic cultivator grunted and was sent flying back into the shadows even faster.

Zhu Xuanji did not press his advantage but frowned, sensing something subtle.

"As expected of Lord Zhu, easily seeing through my disguise," the demonic cultivator's voice came from all directions. "But next, can you see through this?"

As the words fell, countless "demonic cultivators" flew out from the shadows, surrounding Zhu Xuanji completely.

Zhu Xuanji rallied his magic power, successively defeating the attacking "demonic cultivators."

The "demonic cultivators" fell to the ground, scattering apart.

They turned out to be mechanical constructs.

Although these constructs were shattered, they quickly reassembled from the shadows and continued to besiege Zhu Xuanji.

Zhu Xuanji stood his ground, firmly defending against the countless mechanical constructs attacking from the shadows, remaining unshaken.

Within the shadows, the demonic cultivator's true body sensed the situation turning bad and was about to retreat and leave when he suddenly heard Zhu Xuanji say, "Liu Ying, thinking of leaving now is a bit late, isn't it?"

The demonic cultivator Liu Ying, pinned by the golden gaze, felt a chill run down his spine.

He frantically retreated, but Zhu Xuanji, having locked onto his true body, followed closely behind.

*Boom! Boom! Boom!...*

The two engaged in a fierce battle for several rounds. Liu Ying fell to the ground, unable to rise. His chest bones were broken, the fractured bones piercing his lungs, making each breath spray blood from his mouth and nose, an extremely difficult struggle.

"Don't... don't kill me! I surrender!" Liu Ying, seeing Zhu Xuanji slowly walking towards him, hurriedly begged for mercy.

Zhu Xuanji: "It seems you merely used shadows to replace strings, controlling mechanical constructs."

Demonic cultivator Liu Ying was stunned: "Has Lord Zhu misunderstood something?"

Zhu Xuanji shook his head: "Just being cautious, that's all."

"If we're talking about misunderstandings, the hundreds who died miserably by your hand would not consider this a misunderstanding."

Liu Ying's pupils abruptly contracted. Shadows, like a swarm of pythons, converged and attacked from behind Zhu Xuanji.

But upon reaching within three feet of Zhu Xuanji, the shadows melted away like snow.

Liu Ying's desperate final strike proved ineffective. Before dying, he cried out, "I don't understand! I'm only mid Foundation Establishment. Although I've entered the Molten Rock Immortal Palace, why are you prioritizing dealing with me, Constable Zhu?"

Zhu Xuanji did not answer.

The next moment, Liu Ying died by Zhu Xuanji's hand.

"Number five." Zhu Xuanji took out a list and crossed off Liu Ying's name.

Although this demonic cultivator was skilled in shadow escape techniques, under the illumination of the Golden Eyes, he had nowhere to hide.

Zhu Xuanji had ordered this list not by cultivation level, but by the degree of suspicion and threat.

Liu Ying's methods shared many similarities with those of the Shadow Demon Cultivator.

More crucially, in Zhu Xuanji's mind, Liu Ying might have mastered the supernatural ability 'A Thread of Human Life.' Although the possibility was small, it was enough to place him fifth on the list!

Before setting out, Zhu Xuanji had received a private audience with the Monarch of Nandou and learned many secrets.

The Monarch of Nandou had instructed him: "Xuanji, on your journey to Fire Persimmon Immortal City, you must be careful and cautious. The Three Sects Elder left behind the supernatural ability 'A Thread of Human Life' within the Molten Rock Immortal Palace."

"This ability allows one to control their own kind. The deeper the understanding of the kind, the greater the degree of control."

"If a Foundation Establishment cultivator masters this ability, even you, a Golden Core cultivator, would be in great danger."

"This is because the control this ability exerts over one's own kind reaches deep into their fate and fortune."

Zhu Xuanji was astonished: "Can 'A Thread of Human Life' actually extract the fate and fortune of others?"

"Not exactly," the Monarch of Nandou slightly shook his head, his voice clear and resonant. "But 'A Thread of Human Life' can cause fate and fortune to overlap and add together, without internal consumption or mutual detriment."

"Once a cultivator masters such an ability, they can involve others on a large scale, linking and binding their own fate and fortune with that of others."

"Our nation's Grand Imperial Emperor started from nothing, originally without a royal destiny. She relied entirely on the efforts of the Three Sects Elder, who crafted the 'A Thread of Human Life' ability for her."

"It was by relying on this ability that she made numerous relatives, friends, and subordinates act as royal vanguards, suffering on behalf of their lord!"

Zhu Xuanji's expression turned grave, and he solemnly accepted the mission.

He was a Golden Core cultivator. Even suppressed by the city's great formation within the immortal city, in a direct, real fight, the number of enemies in the entire Fire Persimmon Immortal City could be counted on one hand.

What he feared was losing the contest of fate and fortune. Once his fortune was weakened, it would be easy for him to fall into seemingly coincidental situations of entrapment and killing. By then, even as a Golden Core cultivator, he would have little to rely on.

Liu Ying had been one of his suspects.

Now, with Liu Ying's death, Zhu Xuanji dismissed his suspicion: "It seems I was overthinking it."

"Now that I think about it, it makes sense."

"These suspects are basically all at the Foundation Establishment stage. How could they comprehend a supernatural ability?"

The Nandou Royal Family was very wary of those who possessed the 'A Thread of Human Life' ability.

Because originally, their founding Empress had used this as her foundation to develop and expand.

If a possessor of this ability appeared within the borders of the Nandou Royal Family, the royal family preferred to deal with them covertly, to prevent this person from growing powerful enough to shake the Nandou nation's rule.

After the Legacy Ceremony ended, Ning Zhuo returned to the clan lands.

Ning Zhuo closed his eyes in contemplation, focusing his spirit on his upper dantian.

Within his sea of consciousness, the lotus seed had already sprouted, emitting a faint, magnificent light.

"The embryonic form of the supernatural ability 'A Thread of Human Life'!"

Ning Zhuo had already glimpsed the ability's purpose.

The power and profundity of supernatural abilities often surpass magical power. This is because abilities are built upon a deep comprehension of the principles of heaven and earth.

Take Ning Zhuo, for example. On the surface, he was inspired by tales of immortals and deities, which led him to grasp certain essences and trigger the Illusory Truth Lotus Seed in his sea of consciousness.

But in reality, this was just a catalyst.

The greater prerequisite was that Ning Zhuo himself possessed many insights into societal operations, human behavior, thoughts, and so on.

These accumulations and reserves underwent a qualitative change under the influence of the Sage Immortal Master's story. Based on the Illusory Truth Lotus Seed, they sprouted the rudimentary form of the supernatural ability 'A Thread of Human Life.'

Precisely because the comprehension was originally his own, once the ability was grasped, the cultivator naturally understood all its uses.

"If Han Ming's theory of fate and fortune is correct, then this is probably the opportunity I gained from my greatly enhanced fortune after defeating Yuan Dasheng," Ning Zhuo thought to himself.

The Golden Blood War Ape - Dasheng probably wasn't it, because its main material was Yuan Dasheng's corpse, which Ning Zhuo already possessed.

Opportunities are often like this.

For most people, hearing a story is just entertainment; no one can gain huge benefits from it.

But for a specific individual, the same thing can bring unimaginable gains.

If it's not your opportunity, even if placed right in front of you, you cannot benefit.

"Uncle," Ning Zhuo actively went to see Ning Xiaoren.

Ning Xiaoren smiled and asked Ning Zhuo his purpose.

But when he found out, his smile stiffened slightly: "You say you want to forgive your uncle, Ning Ze?"

Ning Zhuo nodded: "Yes."

"These past few days, this matter has been tormenting me. After much thought, I've decided to forgive him."

"After all, he is my own uncle, my closest relative in this world."

Ning Xiaoren was not particularly pleased with this development.

Hadn't he been putting all his effort into winning over and showing goodwill these past few days precisely to make Ning Zhuo think that he, Ning Xiaoren, was the closest and most reliable person?

"Xiao Zhuo, you truly are a kind and good child."

"An ordinary person would definitely not forgive such an uncle. But you have done it; you've made me see you in a new light."

Ning Zhuo showed a shy smile: "After all, blood is thicker than water. Uncle Ning Ze and I are family..."

"As long as he can repay the resources and spirit stones he embezzled from me over these past sixteen years."

"Uh." Ning Xiaoren was taken aback, finally understanding Ning Zhuo's purpose in visiting him.

He couldn't help but complain inwardly about Ning Zhuo—couldn't he speak without such dramatic pauses?

Ning Zhuo clasped his fists and bowed: "I beg Young Clan Leader to uphold justice for me!"

"This is an extremely reasonable request," Ning Xiaoren thought for a moment. "Xiao Zhuo, I will see justice done for you."

Some time later.

The two arrived at the clan's private prison and saw the imprisoned Ning Ze.

Seeing Ning Xiaoren arrive, Ning Ze thought he was being released and hurried to the cell door.

Little did he know, the next moment, Ning Zhuo stated his purpose.

"Uncle, I've thought it over."

"You are, after all, my own uncle. I don't want to see you suffer."

"As long as you agree to repay all the spirit stones and resources you embezzled from me over the years."

"I will choose to forgive you and not report you!"

Ning Ze's eyes widened instantly. He glanced at Ning Zhuo, then quickly turned to Ning Xiaoren.

As a result, Ning Xiaoren, standing behind Ning Zhuo, was already glaring fiercely at him, as if warning him: Don't spill the beans! Or you'll regret it!!

Ning Ze's lips trembled, filled with immense frustration.

Where had he embezzled any spirit stones or cultivation resources from Ning Zhuo? Ning Xiaoren had never given them to him in the first place!

But this was something he couldn't openly reveal.

Seeing Ning Zhuo staring at him, he wished he could slap him right then and there.

But he knew that was impossible. Because Ning Zhuo's status was different now; he was highly valued by the clan, and even the Young Clan Leader Ning Xiaoren was putting full effort into winning him over.

In the end, Ning Ze took a deep breath and said through gritted teeth to Ning Zhuo, "Fine! I'll repay you!"

"Thank you, Uncle." Ning Zhuo showed a smiling face, then bowed to Ning Xiaoren, "Thank you, Young Clan Leader, for upholding justice for me!"

Ning Xiaoren laughed heartily, patting Ning Zhuo on the shoulder, but thought to himself: *This kid is still too fond of wealth.*

Ning Ze, however, roared inwardly: "*Justice, my foot!!!*"

Ning Zhuo himself had a thirty percent share in the Mechanical Blast Ape business, with forty percent of the profits going to Fei Si. The resources distributed to him by the three families were already quite abundant and ample.

He didn't really need to covet this "non-existent" support.

But to reassure Ning Xiaoren and further deepen the impression that Ning Zhuo was fond of wealth, Ning Zhuo still chose to do this.

Several days later.

Ning Zhuo bid farewell to Ning Xiaoren, saying he missed home and wanted to go back and stay for a while.

Ning Xiaoren had long grown impatient with Ning Zhuo eating and drinking lavishly at his residence, sleeping in his bedroom, and not paying a penny.

Considering that Ning Zhuo had already severed ties with his uncle Ning Ze's family, he pretended to be hesitant, only agreeing after Ning Zhuo repeatedly pleaded.

(End of )