: How Dare a Branch Lineage Be So Arrogant?

2024-07-31 Author: Gu Zhenren

: How Dare a Branch Lineage Be So Arrogant?

Within the joint team of three families, the five Qi Refining stage geniuses were clearly the leaders, the core combatants. Any battle plan essentially revolved around these five.

The benefit of Ning Zhuo's strategy of hiding his abilities was now apparent. He resolved to listen carefully, remember diligently, and then devise countermeasures.

Ning Zhuo and the other four entered a secret chamber.

The chamber's layout resembled a schoolroom. A middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator stood at the front.

The five found their seats and sat down.

"I am Zheng Hua," the middle-aged cultivator introduced himself. "I am here to explain the general strategy for this joint operation to you all."

Ning Zhuo immediately recalled the intelligence related to Zheng Hua. He was a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, only middle-aged, yet held the position of Elder in the Zheng Family. This was primarily due to his innate talent—'Metal and Stone Yield'—which allowed him to process many difficult-to-smelt materials. Zheng Hua himself was also quite accomplished in artifact refinement, having reached the master level, making him a top-tier refining cultivator in the entire Fire Persimmon Immortal City.

Zheng Hua released his magic power. The power condensed into form, materializing in mid-air as the Golden Blood Battle Ape, Da Sheng, vividly lifelike.

Zheng Hua said, "This mechanical ape should be familiar to everyone, or more accurately, left a deep impression."

Zhou Zeshen, Zhou Zhu, Zheng Jian, and the others all wore solemn expressions. Ning Xiaohui's face was as dark as water. Ning Zhuo also frowned tightly.

Zheng Hua continued, "According to the intelligence gathered so far, this ape construct is primarily a close-combat fighting machine."

"Its muscle tissue should be made of Vermilion Fire Glass, a material refined from Vermilion Flame Stone. The optimal choice for dealing with this material is ice-based magic."

"Its skeleton contains at the very least Crimson Gold Mysterious Iron, and the surface of the skeleton is inscribed with spell restrictions."

"Based on the restriction patterns and combat observations, these are likely defensive restrictions. I personally suspect there's a high probability they are the Vajra Protection Art."

"Therefore, using thunder magic to wear down the restrictions is also a meaningful tactic!"

"The ape construct's head should house a specialized component for calculations. If we can destroy this area, it would be a great help in battle."

"Because the ape construct's materials are not outstanding; its combat power mainly comes from its exquisite martial skills. Achieving this requires a high-performance calculation component."

"If destroying its head isn't possible, then its palms are secondary targets."

"Its palms likely conceal multiple martial skill talismans. Destroying the talismans can also reduce its combat ability."

Zheng Hua's analysis eased the expressions of the five somewhat.

Immediately after, Zheng Hua's thoughts stirred. The magic power forming Yuan Dasheng suddenly collapsed and then re-condensed, this time taking the shape of the Nether Envoy, Qi Bai.

Zheng Hua's expression grew much more solemn: "In my opinion, although this puppet has appeared less frequently, it is more threatening than the mechanical ape."

"Its skeleton uses Nether Blue Ghost Iron, with multiple bone sections replaced by Soulwood. We currently cannot determine the specific age of the Soulwood, but judging by the specifications of the mechanical ape, it should be century-old Soulwood."

"However, this alone is not enough to allow this puppet to control so many ghosts simultaneously."

"It should have important components on its body that assist in驾驭 ghosts."

"This puppet possesses attack capabilities that weaken souls. Based on the magical energy fluctuations, it closely resembles Soul Devouring Art."

"There is a component at its neck that can produce drum-like sonic attacks, causing violent tremors in the souls of living beings. Once deployed, it would be very difficult for us to defend against relying solely on ourselves."

"Its eyes are a key design point, using composite materials. Their current power is unknown. I suspect they likely conceal some kind of trump card!"

"All over its body, there are small ejection ports. When activated, these ports can rapidly eject Yin-attributed Gauze Gold. The Gauze Gold can merge together in an instant, forming a black robe for protection, offering excellent defense."

"From this perspective, perhaps mud-based spells could be used to clog the ejection ports."

Zheng Hua concluded: "This ghost-controlling puppet has at least two spell formations on its body. There are at least eighteen spell talismans. It is clearly a long-range attack type construct. I strongly recommend engaging it in close combat."

The expressions of the five turned grave again. They all thought: There's too little intelligence! The information on the ghost-controlling puppet is significantly less than that on the mechanical ape. Few targeted tactics have been designed. Dealing with it will likely be very difficult.

Ning Zhuo's frown deepened. He thought to himself: Too much information has been leaked. Zheng Hua's analysis is almost entirely accurate. Worthy of being one of the Zheng Family's招牌 refiners.

As for the Soul Devouring Art, although its nature was discerned, no one connected it to the Soul Devouring Sect. Due to the existence of spell modifications, there are multiple versions of the Soul Devouring Art. It's not only disciples of the Soul Devouring Sect who can use this spell; it's just that their disciples can use it with greater power.

In fact, the Soul Devouring Art existed long before the Soul Devouring Sect was founded. Legend has it its earliest origin traces back to one of the Ten Ancient Beasts, the Ghost Fiend Soul Devourer.

The Ghost Fiend Soul Devourer beast is thirty zhang long, resembling a lion-tiger, with a massive and burly body. Its four limbs are thick and powerful, its claws sharp as blades.

Its body is covered in dark scales that emit a faint fluorescence at night.

The Ghost Fiend Soul Devourer beast's head has three eyes. The central eye can see the existence of ghosts.

Its mouth is wide, its teeth sharp, capable of easily tearing apart any soul.

Its tail is serpentine, the tip like a snake's head. The snake head holds a blue glowing pearl that can store endless soul power.

On its back, the Ghost Fiend Soul Devourer beast has a pair of huge black wings, shaped like bat wings. It can fly at great speed, easily catching fleeing ghosts.

Zheng Hua dispersed his magic power, looking seriously at the five: "The above is only speculation based on all current intelligence."

"We cannot rule out the possibility that our full-scale mobilization might drastically increase the challenge difficulty, making the aforementioned two constructs stronger."

"Even less can we rule out the appearance of a third, or even a fourth construct!"

"Alright, if you have any questions, you may ask now. I will try my best to answer."

Zhou Zeshen was the first to ask: "Since both are constructs, why not target that aspect? I want to ask, have any methods for controlling these two constructs been discovered?"

Zheng Hua shook his head: "No."

"String-puppetry, rod-puppetry, and spiritual sense are the classic control methods, but none match the circumstances of these two puppets."

"We suspect it should be spiritual操控."

"The Molten Rock Immortal Palace possesses the palace spirit, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, which can control the puppets."

"Previously, when the Molten Rock Immortal Palace was besieged by demonic beasts, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit疑似 mobilized,操控 a humanoid puppet to control the battle situation."

"This is the relevant battle record. You can pass it around and have a look."

Zheng Hua took out a jade slip and handed it to the five below.

When it reached Ning Zhuo, he pressed the jade slip against his forehead and saw the defensive battle at the immortal palace atop the volcano, witnessing the deployment of the humanoid puppet master with Golden Core level combat power.

"This should be when Sun Boss and I were fighting Qi Bai."

"Who recorded this footage? To pull this off right under Meng Kui's nose!"

"This viewing angle seems to be from a distance?"

A name immediately surfaced in Ning Zhuo's mind—Zhu Xuanji.

He guessed correctly.

It was indeed Zhu Xuanji who provided the jade slip to the Golden Core ancestors of the three families.

Subsequently, the three family ancestors copied the images and transmitted them back to their respective families.

While everyone was viewing the jade slip, Zheng Hua continued: "If it truly is spiritual操控, then the mechanical ape and the ghost-controlling puppet can both be considered spirit treasures."

"Spirit treasures?!" Zheng Jian couldn't help but exclaim.

Talisman treasures, magical instruments, magical treasures, spirit treasures.

In terms of quality, spirit treasures are already the highest grade. The镇派 treasures of historical super sects, families, and cultivation nations are无一不是 spirit treasures.

"This person seems to be my family's Golden Core ancestor?" While checking the jade slip, Ning Zhuo naturally saw the scene of the Ning Family ancestor being hit on the head by a walnut and forced to retreat.

He remained expressionless and passed the jade slip to the next person.

"The three families' combined understanding of Yuan Dasheng and Qi Bai is already very deep."

"They've even guessed the truth of spiritual操控!"

"Indeed, any family capable of becoming a major power in the Immortal City has底蕴 and strength, and must not be underestimated."

"However, they have only guessed part of it. There's still a distance to the full truth."

But this wasn't their fault.

They merely lacked the key piece of intelligence. Once they had it, they could immediately fill in the gaps and还原 the truth!

"One can imagine that if they had reached the coffin room and learned of the Cremation Prajna Soul Liberation Sutra, they would quickly suspect the true identities of Yuan Dasheng and Qi Bai."

"However, I have already raised all the stone walls covering the Buddhist and Demonic sects' sections."

Previously, Ning Zhuo had left one flaw.

In the second中转 hall, the Buddhist and Demonic sect sections were still visible.

However, as his nascent mastery of the 'Thread of Life' ability infinitely approached 'blooming', and with significant improvements in his cultivation and soul power, he finally managed to exert his full effort, erecting stone walls in the second中转 hall to completely block off the Buddhist and Demonic sect sections.

Ning Zhuo deliberately said: "If we only have this much intelligence, I believe our chances of defeating the mechanical ape and the ghost-controlling puppet are not high."

"I suggest we postpone the action, continue深入 investigation, and collect more comprehensive intelligence."

"On the basis of full preparation, then launch a large-scale exploration of the Molten Rock Immortal Palace!"

Zhou Zeshen immediately cast an appreciative glance at Ning Zhuo, thinking: Ning Zhuo果然 shares my view. We are both people who use our brains.

Ning Xiaohui snorted coldly: "Ning Zhuo, what logic is it to show fear before even fighting?"

"If you want to collect intelligence, we can use this very opportunity to have a good fight with that damned mechanical ape!"

"Tearing it into pieces would allow us to collect crucial information, wouldn't it?"

Ning Zhuo snorted coldly: "Ning Xiaohui, I know you've often been虐杀 by the mechanical ape. I can understand your eagerness for revenge."

"But that doesn't mean you can fight brainlessly."

"Your recklessness will only lead to more failures!"

"You!" Ning Xiaohui glared, her face full of anger and disbelief.

No one, or rather, no peer, had ever been so disrespectful to her!

Ning Zhuo was the first.

And he was directly confronting her in front of outsiders.

"You, a mere branch lineage..." Ning Xiaohui gritted her teeth, her eyes practically spitting fire.

Ning Zhuo mercilessly interrupted: "You, of the main lineage, can't even achieve half of my results. What does that make you?"

Ning Xiaohui shot to her feet, her body emanating cold air.

A ghost as white and icy as snow rose from her body, its face sinister as it stared at Ning Zhuo: "Since when has a Ning Family branch lineage been so arrogant?"

Ning Zhuo's pupils contracted. He swiftly leaped back, putting distance between them, his gaze fixed on the ghost: "What are you?!"

The ghost trembled with anger: "I am also of the Ning Family main lineage!!"

(End of )