: Cheating Again!

2024-07-31 Author: Gu Zhenren

: Cheating Again!

The sky was already bright.

But one particular residence within the Zheng family compound remained shrouded in darkness.

Night Star Silk Array!

Once activated, this formation created a localized night sky phenomenon.

And this was with its power restrained. If the formation's full power were unleashed, the area of effect wouldn't be limited to just this residence; it would envelop a radius of over ten miles.

The night sky above the residence rippled, gradually transforming into a length of silk.

From the soft glow of the night silk, four figures flew out, growing from small to large.

All four were Golden Core cultivators.

They were, of course, the patriarchs of the Zhou and Zheng families.

Previously, the four Golden Core cultivators had engaged in a wager contest.

The two Zhou family Golden Cores set up the formation, while the two Zheng family Golden Cores attempted to break through it.

The stakes were the Zheng family's Nine Sun Yellow Bull Ointment and the Zhou family's Southern Sky Vermilion Bird Constellation Array Diagram.

The four Golden Core cultivators landed on the ground.

The two Zheng family members stood tall and proud, the corners of their mouths slightly upturned. In contrast, the two Zhou family members had calm yet somewhat gloomy expressions. A trace of disbelief still lingered on Zhou Nongying's brow.

Seeing the two Zheng family Golden Cores look over, Zhou Nongying sighed: "Elder Brothers Zheng, you have won."

Zheng Danlian, one of the Zheng family Golden Cores, said: "We are ashamed. Our success in breaking the array this time was solely due to the advantage of our weapon."

This remark immediately caused the two Zhou family Golden Cores to recall the previous battle, and their expressions involuntarily shifted again.

Zhou Nongying sighed once more: "We never imagined that your family, accumulating strength in secret over the years, had actually refined such a treasure."

"Losing to this is no disgrace."

"A bet is a bet. After we return to our clan, I will personally deliver the Southern Sky Vermilion Bird Constellation Array Diagram to your residence."

"Hahaha, excellent!" Zheng Shuangguo laughed heartily, took out a jade bottle of pills, and immediately tossed it to Zhou Nongying.

Zheng Shuangguo: "This is the Nine Sun Yellow Bull Ointment! The family's future lies with the younger generation."

"Zhou Zhu and Zhou Zeshen are both fine talents. Treating their illness is urgent, but their foundation must never be neglected."

The two Zhou family Golden Core cultivators immediately exchanged a glance. Zhou Nongying feigned hesitation and asked: "This is..."

Zheng Shuangguo cupped his hands: "Ah, we have a favor to ask."

"The Zhou family excels in formations. Fellow Daoist Zhou Nongying is extremely skilled in dynamic arrays. Our earlier exchange left my elder brother and me deeply impressed."

"Might we ask Brother Zhou to personally inscribe a dynamic array onto our clan's weapon?"

"Oh? This matter..." Zhou Nongying showed a troubled expression. "Inscribing a dynamic array is certainly within my capabilities."

"However, doing so would necessarily require consulting the weapon's blueprint."

"What's so difficult about that? Look all you want!" Zheng Shuangguo acted with great straightforwardness.

Zheng Danlian added: "Many years ago, we obtained this mechanism blueprint from the Molten Rock Fairy Palace."

Even so, the magnanimity shown by the two Zheng family Golden Cores moved the two Zhou family members considerably.

In the recently concluded contest, they had been defeated by a single mechanical weapon.

The weapon was immensely powerful and could change forms through mechanical articulation. The transformed weapon exhibited completely different offensive capabilities.

By showing the Zhou family the mechanical blueprint, the threat this mechanical weapon posed to the Zhou family would be greatly reduced.

This was beneficial for the Zhou family. The two Zhou family Golden Cores immediately nodded in agreement and inquired about the specific timeline for the array inscription.

Zheng Danlian said: "The weapon is not yet fully completed. Adding the final component requires immense flame power to melt the key material."

Only after the complete weapon is forged will it be suitable for array inscription.

Zheng Shuangguo: "Finally, during the quenching process, extreme cold force is also needed. This is an area where our clan is lacking."

Zhou Nongying said: "The Ning family originates from the North Wind Kingdom, and their primary cultivation techniques are all ice-based. They should be able to resolve this matter."

Zheng Shuangguo nodded: "That is what we thought as well."

After their discussion concluded, the Zheng family head knocked and entered, respectfully bowing: "Honored Seniors, Venerated Ancestors, a significant event has occurred in the city these past few days."

He then presented a formal visiting card: "This is a card sent by Divine Constable Zhu Xuanji. He wishes to invite all the Golden Core cultivators in the city to explore the Molten Rock Fairy Palace together."

Hearing the Zheng family head's report, the expressions of the four Golden Core cultivators all changed.

"Meng Kui! Sitting Mountain View, Peach Blossom Spring Core... Hmph, truly worthy of our City Lord, using them as he pleases, showing no regard for the lives of the citizens."

Learning that they had been manipulated, the four Golden Core cultivators were in no good mood.

"As stated before, Meng Kui is one of the Meng Family's Four Generals. For him, bringing the Molten Rock Fairy Palace, and even the Persimmon City, under the Meng family's control is the optimal outcome."

"Truly worthy of the Nascent Soul level. With a slight move, he altered the entire situation."

"In my opinion, he wants to target the Molten Rock Fairy Palace even more? By using the Scarlet Flame Demonic Beast, he weakened the Fairy Palace, yet he acts with high-sounding justification, leaving no room for criticism."

"After all, a true disciple of a demonic sect like the Soul Devourer Sect has appeared."

"Is this Qi Bai that shadowy demonic cultivator?"

"Hard to say."

"It's quite rare for a Golden Core true disciple like Qi Bai to be defeated and captured."

"The one who acted was Sun Lingtong. This person is the master of the Black Market and has been operating in Persimmon City for many years. He himself possesses peak Foundation Establishment combat power, but most crucially, he hails from the Unempty Gate."

The Unempty Gate was a major evil sect fully comparable to the Soul Devourer Sect.

"Sun Lingtong didn't show much in this battle. The one who truly defeated Qi Bai was... an机关 cultivator named Chuítiáo Kè."

"Does this mean that the Unempty Gate had already begun making moves in Persimmon City many years ago?"

Soul Devourer Sect, Unempty Gate...

The four Golden Core cultivators communicated via sound transmission, their expressions growing increasingly grave.

The Three Sects Sage was a Void Refining mighty figure. His legacy and inheritance within the Molten Rock Fairy Palace would undoubtedly attract significant forces.

Compared to these two major demonic sects, the Zhou and Zheng families were merely minor powers confined to a corner.

"Stormy times are ahead..." sighed a Golden Core patriarch.

"What we can truly rely on is still the Southern Bean Kingdom."

"Hee hee hee, Zhu Xuanji explicitly pointed out Meng Kui's use of his divine ability in his card. As expected of someone of royal lineage, he understands the art of alliance building all too well."

"Currently, Meng Kui has declared the summit of Persimmon Mountain a restricted zone. Two of us originally could have entered the Fairy Palace but were directly blocked by Meng Kui."

"His reasons are entirely justified; we can only comply."

"But this time, Zhu Xuanji's reason is equally justified – concern for the Molten Rock Fairy Palace, wishing to lend a hand, to enter personally and resist external enemies!"

"Hee hee hee, I wonder how Meng Kui feels about this? He uses such methods against us, and now Zhu Xuanji uses similar methods against him."

After some discussion, the four Golden Core cultivators decided to accept the invitation.

It had been a long time since the Golden Cores of their two families had set foot inside the Fairy Palace.

By leveraging Zhu Xuanji to counter Meng Kui, they could also strengthen their ties with the royal family. If things turned sour in the future, they might even rely on the royal family's backing to deal with the encroaching tendrils of the Soul Devourer Sect and the Unempty Gate.

With Meng Kui's move and the clash between the Unempty Gate and the Soul Devourer Sect, the four Golden Core cultivators felt the pressure, instinctively drawing closer together. Simultaneously, they also rapidly moved closer to the Southern Bean royal family.

At this very moment, inside the Molten Rock Fairy Palace.

The Golden Blood War Ape - Dasheng cleared the path ahead for Ning Zhuo.

The two advanced unhindered.

Yuan Dasheng had advanced to the first stage of the Intelligent Spirit phase, greatly increasing his combat power, even though the Golden Blood War Ape's mechanical body remained the same.

Ning Zhuo hadn't studied it in detail, but while cooperating with the Golden Blood War Ape - Dasheng along the way, he had gained many insights.

Yuan Dasheng's intelligence was still inferior to a normal person's. His communication with Ning Zhuo was limited to just a few phrases; he was a man of few words. When Ning Zhuo asked for his opinion or deliberately tried to engage him in conversation, Yuan Dasheng remained silent.

"Dasheng, is it necessary to address me as 'Lord' every time? Can you change how you address me?"

Yuan Dasheng immediately shook his head, clearly refusing: "My Lord jests. You are this humble general's Lord; how can the form of address be changed?"

This made Ning Zhuo thoughtful.

He suddenly understood that his previous actions, following the flow of the spirit, were actually about finding a position within the spirit's fundamental cognition.

For Yuan Dasheng, Ning Zhuo had fortunately reached the top layer, being recognized by Yuan Dasheng as his Lord.

"If I hadn't reached the top layer, and was instead recognized by Yuan Dasheng's spirit as the Lord's child or a colleague, I wouldn't be able to command him fully."

"The spirit in the Intelligent Spirit phase has its own set of beliefs. And these beliefs guide all their actions."

Ning Zhuo once again passed the three Buddhist gates and received his reward.

There was nothing else to say; it was all Illusory Truth Lotus Seeds.

He collected seven seeds in a row before stopping himself.

The embryonic divine ability, originally resembling a three-section lotus root accompanied by a small sprouting leaf, after absorbing the seven seeds, saw the sprout fully open into a lotus leaf the size of an adult's palm.

After making significant progress again, Ning Zhuo retreated through the gates, closed the Buddhist gate, arrived at the preparation room, and finally retreated all the way back to room number one.

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit watched the entire process, its face full of confusion – What exactly was Ning Zhuo trying to do?!

In the next moment, while fully sensing the My Buddha Heart Demon Seal, Ning Zhuo mobilized the Thread of Human Life.

His soul power rapidly depleted. The Thread of Human Life gave a sharp tug, pulling Sun Lingtong's soul inside.

Sun Lingtong: !!!

Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit: ?!?!

(End of )