: How the Righteous Path's Ning Zhuo Utilizes Flesh and Blood of Kin (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Author: Gu Zhenren

Date: 2024-07-31

Lately, Ning Zhuo had been constantly designing a brand new mechanical body for Yuan Dasheng.

The Tree Martial Combat Ape he previously designed and crafted had been completely destroyed during the battle with Qi Bai.

The Golden Blood Battle Ape was suitable for use within the Molten Rock Immortal Palace, but using it outside wasn't ideal. Mainly because, if faced with a Golden Core cultivator again, the material specifications would fall far short.

Of course, the Molten Rock Immortal Palace provided many opportunities. The Golden Blood Battle Ape would be upgraded later.

The three checkpoints after the second Buddhist gate already provided higher-grade materials specifically for refining the Golden Blood Battle Ape.

During the previous joint operation of the three families, Golden Blood Battle Ape - Dasheng demonstrated great power precisely after its materials were replaced and upgraded.

"In terms of potential, the Golden Blood Battle Ape clearly has far more."

Ning Zhuo still hadn't fully figured out the design of the Golden Blood Battle Ape. This included the materials used for its body, which he also hadn't fully grasped.

The Golden Blood Battle Ape originated from the Golden Furnaces. The three sects' esteemed lords, mighty figures at the Refinement Void level, had only deployed eight of them within the Molten Rock Immortal Palace.

Of course, Ning Zhuo didn't know about the Golden Furnaces.

After his contact and attempts at analysis, he confirmed that the Golden Blood Battle Apes produced by the Molten Rock Immortal Palace were truly extraordinary.

"Even if I never fully understand its construction in the future, I can still rapidly increase the combat power of Golden Blood Battle Ape - Dasheng by progressively replacing the materials used in its body."

Tree Martial Combat Ape - Dasheng was strong because of its materials. At the time, due to Zheng Jian's influence, the material grade was far higher than that of the Golden Blood Battle Ape.

However, in terms of design philosophy, it wasn't particularly unique; its thoughtful design and excellent features were also lacking. There was another problem – the blueprints for the Tree Martial Combat Ape had already been leaked.

Zheng Jian knew them very well.

Of course, this was also because the blueprints themselves weren't very valuable, which was why Ning Zhuo had shared them back then to strengthen his relationship with Zheng Jian.

Ning Zhuo wanted to emulate the success of the Tree Martial Combat Ape example and repeat such an achievement.

He intended to refine a mechanical ape with Golden Core-level combat power to ensure his own safety.

Especially given the current situation, with a large number of unfamiliar cultivators pouring into Fire Persimmon Immortal City, and Ning Zhuo having become the controller of the black market, placing him somewhat in the spotlight, he urgently needed Golden Core-level combat power.

Qi Bai actually possessed Golden Core-level combat power.

His single Golden Core was hidden within the mechanical puppet, the Netherworld Envoy, providing it with power, among other things.

The materials for the Netherworld Envoy - Qi Bai also needed replacement. Forcibly unleashing Golden Core-level power would cause the puppet's own materials to be unable to withstand it, likely leading to its collapse.

However, because Qi Bai's sentience hadn't yet reached 100%, and even at 100%, he would still need to find a way to pass the Lingdong Stage, he wasn't Ning Zhuo's first choice.

Ning Xie, before his death, possessed the innate talent "Snow Soul Ice魄". He was refined into the Weather Orb - Ice Crystal Snow.

Its materials were relatively good and could be upgraded and replaced.

Although its sentience was low, it was from the Ning family. By collecting his生前遗物 (possessions from his life) to supplement its spirit, there was great hope of achieving 100% qualitative change and advancing to the Lingdong Stage.

But Ning Xie was only at the Foundation Establishment stage during his life, and the mechanical structure of the Weather Orb - Ice Crystal Snow was quite different from his original body. Relying on materials to achieve Golden Core-level combat power wasn't impossible, but it was unlikely.

After careful consideration, Ning Zhuo determined that Yuan Dasheng was his optimal choice.

Yuan Dasheng's sentience didn't need supplementation, and he had already passed the Lingdong Stage.

During his life, he was already a quasi-Golden Core level combatant. His proficiency in close-quarters combat style allowed him to better utilize the advantages of the materials.

Most importantly – his "Righteous Bone of Golden Firmness" was an Immortal-grade talent!

"Yuan Dasheng had mastered the Demonic Tainted Blood Sinew Technique during his life, and at a very high level."

"Even after becoming a mechanical construct, he can still use the Demonic Tainted Blood Sinew Technique, just like Qi Bai can still use the Nine Revolutions Soul Devouring Art."

Using the Demonic Tainted Blood Sinew Technique requires essence blood.

Therefore, Ning Zhuo planned to meticulously refine the two mechanical components: the Blood Transformation Pool and the Blood Oil Bottle.

Regarding this point, Ning Zhuo suddenly thought of himself, which triggered an inspiration.

Ning Zhuo secretly contacted Sun Lingtong again.

Ning Zhuo: "The Blood Transformation Pool consumes the bodies of other lives, transforming them into essence blood, which ultimately becomes Yuan Dasheng's source of power."

"If Yuan Dasheng can use the flesh and blood of others to refine essence blood for his own use, then why shouldn't he use *my* flesh and blood?"

"He himself has mastered the Demonic Tainted Blood Sinew Technique. If he uses my flesh and blood, wouldn't the refined essence blood and blood qi be inherently mine?"

"Then, if I have him infuse the essence blood back into me, wouldn't that be a shortcut for cultivation?"

Sun Lingtong nodded: "Xiao Zhuo, there's no problem with this line of thinking, but are you sure you want to do this?"

"You'll have to constantly cut your flesh and shed your blood."

A determined expression appeared on Ning Zhuo's face: "As long as I can cultivate faster, what does a little pain and hardship matter?"

"Boss Sun, do you remember when I was little, you used iron rods and steel whips to beat me repeatedly to train me to endure pain?"

"Thanks to your special training, I've never feared pain since then!"

"Now, I'm just cutting my flesh and shedding blood. I'll treat it as revisiting the special training from my childhood."

Hearing this, Sun Lingtong's heart trembled slightly. He laughed heartily and patted Ning Zhuo's shoulder: "Good lad, my efforts in cultivating you back then were not in vain."

Sun Lingtong was very pleased.

As someone from the邪派 (unorthodox faction), he loved adventure and admired the strong.

Ning Zhuo's display of a strong temperament made him quite appreciative.

"A real man should be like this: daring to fight, daring to act, ruthless towards others, but even more ruthless towards himself!"

"Whatever you need me to help with, just say it."

Ning Zhuo then said: "Boss, I'll give you the mechanical blueprints. Help me refine a mechanical ape equipped with the Blood Transformation Pool, Blood Oil Bottle, etc."

"I'm too pressed for time here, and I'm also under a lot of scrutiny. It's not very convenient for me!"

"No problem!" Sun Lingtong thumped his chest guaranteeing it.

Thanks to Ning Zhuo sharing the mechanical texts left by his mother with Sun Lingtong very early on.

Although Sun Lingtong didn't have much talent for mechanics, he had relentlessly practiced and meticulously studied over the past ten-plus years, accumulating enough mechanical expertise.

In just two days, Sun Lingtong successfully refined the mechanical ape.

Ning Zhuo secretly retrieved it for his own use.

Deep within the floating clouds, he extracted Yuan Dasheng's sentience and applied it to the mechanical ape.

Then, Ning Zhuo took out a sharp dagger. First, he drew his own blood, then cut flesh from his arm, thigh, and stomach.

Waves of intense pain continuously assailed his body and mind, yet Ning Zhuo didn't utter a sound, only furrowing his brows tightly, his face turning somewhat pale.

Yuan Dasheng lived up to expectations. Using the ninth layer of the Demonic Tainted Blood Sinew Technique, he refined the flesh and blood, obtaining essence blood.

Ning Zhuo received the essence blood infusion, and his Essence Sea cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds!

Three days later.

Ning Zhuo came to the underground base to see Sun Lingtong and report the good news to him.

Sun Lingtong was surprised: "Xiao Zhuo, I knew your previous Essence Sea cultivation level. How did you reach the peak of the sixth layer so quickly?"

"Even though you're supplying Yuan Dasheng by shedding blood and cutting flesh, you still need to heal your injuries. Recovery from injuries also takes time."

Ning Zhuo then smiled and said: "Boss, after cutting my own flesh a few times, I suddenly realized something and thought of a better method."

"I found that just cutting my own flesh, and then having to heal myself, greatly hindered my cultivation speed."

"Why don't I ask my clansmen for help?"

Sun Lingtong: "?!"

Ning Zhuo then explained how he operated.

Many of the Ning clansmen had cultivation, most at the Qi Refining stage.

These people found it difficult to make a living in the immortal city and could only engage in low-level labor with very low pay. For example, weeding, blacksmithing, firing furnaces, preliminary processing of medicinal herbs, etc.

Therefore, the vast majority of Ning clansmen tended to依附 (attach themselves to) the family, working in the family's businesses.

But the scale of the family's businesses was limited, and the number of positions was fixed.

Most Ning clansmen had limited cultivation and could only engage in low-level labor.

Ning Zhuo, aware of this situation, ordered the Foundation Establishment cultivators under him to筛选 (screen and select) some of the poorer clansmen and arrange for them to奉献 (dedicate/offer) their essence blood.

In return, after each blood drawing and flesh cutting, Ning Zhuo would give each of them a sum of spirit stones.

Ning Zhuo said: "I've calculated the cost."

"Although they get injured, they receive a sum of spirit stones. They use this sum to purchase the cheapest healing medicine, and they will still have most of it left."

"They make a profit!"

"So, once this practice was implemented, it became very popular. Many clansmen who weren't selected by us also actively signed up."

It was by relying on this abundance of flesh and blood that Yuan Dasheng cultivated the blood power of the ninth-layer Demonic Tainted Blood Sinew Technique.

During the process of infusing it back into Ning Zhuo, this blood power would be purified by Ning Zhuo. He would retain what suited his constitution, and the remainder would be transmitted back to Yuan Dasheng as his reserve source energy.

"With this method, the problem with my Essence Sea cultivation has been solved. Hahaha." Ning Zhuo was very happy.

Sun Lingtong was the person he trusted most.

Whenever he had a breakthrough or progress, he immediately shared it with Sun Lingtong.

But Sun Lingtong's next words were somewhat不识好歹 (ungrateful / missing the point).

He frowned in thought for a moment, then suddenly had a realization: "This method of yours... you're still利用 (utilizing/exploiting) your own kin? Using them as cultivation materials. In essence, it's not much different from the methods of those Demonic Path practitioners."

Ning Zhuo: ...

"Ahem, ahem, ahem!" He coughed violently several times. "Boss, you can't put it that way."

"I'm helping my clansmen, giving them work. Their income has increased because of me."

"You didn't see the sincere smiles on their faces every time they received the spirit stones."

"When I see their smiles, my heart feels warm too."

Ning Zhuo emphasized: "I'm helping them solve their livelihood issues, improving their standard of living."

"And with their help, my cultivation is accelerating, achieving higher results. This is a mutually beneficial good deed, a win-win situation, a successful model of cooperation on the Righteous Path!"

After a pause, he added: "There's a fundamental difference between me and those Demonic Path followers!"

"They are cruel and cold-blooded, willing to harm their own kin for personal gain. Such people are terrifying!"

"But my clansmen, they are all自愿 (voluntary)."

"Our cooperation doesn't endanger their lives at all!"

"Although it injures them, these injuries can be healed with some medicine over time."

"After they recover, they can cooperate with me many more times..."

Sun Lingtong clapped his hands: "I get it now."

"Those Demonic Path followers slaughtering their kin is a one-time deal. But you, my little brother, you plan to细水长流 (achieve little by little / maintain a steady flow), continuously obtaining flesh and blood."

"Ahem, ahem, ahem!" Ning Zhuo started coughing violently again.

"Boss, I'm having a bit of trouble continuing this conversation with you."

"I am of the Righteous Path!"

"The Righteous Path!!"

Sun Lingtong spread his hands: "Alright, whatever you say."

Ning Zhuo sighed, speaking sincerely and earnestly: "Boss, you can't be like this. Even though you come from a邪门大宗 (unorthodox major sect), you should also broaden your horizons, open your heart, and not always view things so darkly."

"You've known me for over ten years. Tell me, am I that kind of person?!"

Sun Lingtong: ...

(End of )