**: Three Paths Foundation Establishment**

"Yuan Dasheng?!" Zhu Xuanji's pupils contracted sharply. He stood rooted to the spot, stunned for a long moment.

"It's really Yuan Dasheng?"

He hadn't entirely dismissed this possibility before, but the thought had barely surfaced before he quickly suppressed it.

Because, in Zhu Xuanji's view, the Mechanized Demon General possessed solid Golden Core level combat power!

The true scripture recorded on the Blood Path Diagram Plate within its body should, at the very least, have reached the Golden Core level.

If it weren't, then this Blood Path Diagram Plate wouldn't be of much use to a Golden Core level Mechanized Demon General.

Yuan Dasheng was not a Golden Core level demonic cultivator. Its publicly displayed strength had always been at the Foundation Establishment level.

Before it revealed its demonic techniques, even the entire Monkey Head Gang believed it had no cultivation base at all.

Not long ago, Zhu Xuanji led the three Golden Core ancestors to storm deep into the Fire Persimmon Mountain and fight those Molten Flame Demonic Apes.

Those Molten Flame Demonic Apes were all demonic beasts, relying on their powerful physiques to achieve Golden Core level combat strength; they did not cultivate any techniques.

This was exactly the impression Yuan Dasheng gave outsiders: it was merely a demonic beast raised by Yuan Yi, not a demonic cultivator.

"At best, Yuan Dasheng had quasi-Golden Core level combat strength before its death."

"If it had mastered a Golden Core level true scripture, why didn't it cultivate it?"

"If it had cultivated it, possessing a Golden Core level true scripture, how could it still only have Foundation Establishment level strength?"

"If it were a Golden Core level demonic cultivator, it wouldn't have been unable to protect Yuan Er or even save its own life."

Although Zhu Xuanji had observed during the Fire Persimmon Festival that Yuan Dasheng had some foundation in demonic cultivation, Zhu Xuanji was very clear that this foundation was far from reaching the Golden Core level!

At this moment, various thoughts surged chaotically in Zhu Xuanji's mind.

Scenes from past memories flashed frequently through his head.

He seemed to return to the day of the Fire Persimmon Festival. Under the vision of his Heavenly Fund Golden Eyes, he saw Yuan Dasheng.

It wanted to activate its demonic techniques but forcibly suppressed them itself, ultimately not using them.

It was severely injured and near death; if not for Zhu Xuanji's intervention, it would have died long ago!

Zhu Xuanji also saw again how he, along with the Zhou Family Golden Core ancestor and Fei Si, tore off the roof and broke into Chen Cha's mechanics workshop.

The three of them examined Yuan Dasheng's corpse and found that the body had just begun to be processed, but the blood inside had already been completely drained.

Seeing this in his mind's eye, Zhu Xuanji's heart shook slightly. He couldn't help but think: "Many components of the Mechanized Demon General are related to essence blood."

"The demonic technique on the Blood Path Diagram Plate likely specializes in cultivating essence blood."

"But when we arrived at the workshop, Yuan Dasheng was already dead, and all its essence blood had been extracted."

"That was done very quickly indeed."

Yuan Dasheng, a demonic path true scripture related to essence blood, and one other key figure—a mere Qi Refinement third layer young cultivator, a minor character: Ning Zhuo!

"Good, very good, you minor character Ning Zhuo!"

"I, Zhu Xuanji, was actually deceived by you."

Realizing this, Zhu Xuanji immediately stored the Mechanized Demon General, smashed through the roof directly, and shot up into the sky.

***

Ning Zhuo's soul returned to his body, descending into his underground secret chamber.

He activated the Floating Cloud Kerchief, enveloping his entire body in layers of white clouds.

Shortly after.

Wrapped in the floating clouds, Ning Zhuo's face was full of doubt.

After his soul returned to his body, he had begun studying the Foundation Establishment method争分夺秒 (seizing every minute and second).

Upon careful study, he found that this Foundation Establishment method differed somewhat from what he had imagined.

"The Foundation Establishment method I obtained uses the Sea of Consciousness as the primary foundation point, with the other two Dantians as supplements, to break through and ultimately reach the Foundation Establishment stage."

"But according to my previous understanding, shouldn't the three Dantians be treated equally, without prioritizing one, and breakthroughs should be made simultaneously?"

"The method I obtained clearly prioritizes the Mirror Platform Spiritual Communication Art, with the other two techniques playing a supporting role."

"Is this the true arrangement of the Three Sects Superior? Or are there two other Foundation Establishment methods on the other two paths, with different emphases than the one in my hand?"

"Next time I explore the Immortal Palace, should I ask the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit?"

"If I can't contact it, then I'll need to clear the other two paths, collect all the Foundation Establishment methods, to learn the truth."

A feeling in Ning Zhuo's heart told him his conjecture was correct.

Only by collecting all the Foundation Establishment methods, merging and combining them, and then breaking through, could one achieve true Foundation Establishment with simultaneous cultivation of all three Dantians!

"If I had known this earlier, I should have asked the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit about it first."

Ning Zhuo sighed.

His plan to break through to Foundation Establishment had to be temporarily postponed.

***

Deep within the main hall of the Immortal Palace, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit was also sighing.

After Ning Zhuo's soul returned to his body and left the Molten Rock Immortal Palace, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit had kept its gaze on him.

It did not forcefully spy on Ning Zhuo, to avoid triggering intense consumption of the floating clouds.

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit sighed inwardly: "I'm afraid the true Foundation Establishment method won't escape Ning Zhuo's notice."

Ning Zhuo's guess was correct!

The truly complete Foundation Establishment method required a trial disciple to completely clear all three paths, gather all three major parts, and integrate them to obtain it.

This isn't to say that the method Ning Zhuo currently possessed was incomplete. In fact, he could still use it.

This was a deliberate arrangement by the Three Sects Superior.

This method was mainly suitable for trial disciples who had only cleared the Buddhist path but had little talent for the other two paths.

For these individuals, they could still use this method to establish their foundation, avoiding being stuck and unable to proceed with subsequent cultivation.

When the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit communicated with Ning Zhuo before, it deliberately avoided this topic.

At that time, Ning Zhuo hadn't deeply studied the Foundation Establishment method and hadn't noticed this issue, allowing the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit to temporarily gloss over it.

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit knew the inside story: only by gathering the complete Foundation Establishment method could one achieve a true simultaneous breakthrough of all three Dantians.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator promoted in this way would receive close attention and strong support from the Molten Rock Immortal Palace.

In short, a cultivator who truly established their foundation with simultaneous cultivation of all three Dantians would be a reserve true传种子 (true inheritance seed) of the Molten Rock Immortal Palace!

***

Deep within the floating clouds.

Ning Zhuo temporarily set aside the Foundation Establishment method and quietly sensed the Clinic Director's Token in his mind.

This duty waist token was actually a magic treasure. Therefore, it could be directly stored within Ning Zhuo's Dantian for nurturing.

By communicating with the Clinic Director's Token, Ning Zhuo could immediately sense the clinic within the Molten Rock Immortal Palace.

At the same time, he could also vaguely sense the general situation of his subordinates.

When he sensed Ning Xiaohui, and sensed the huge block of ice in front of her...

The next moment, Ning Xiaohui extended her slender jade-like finger and lightly tapped the surface of the ice.

The ice block shattered abruptly, and the Golden Blood War Ape was completely renewed, restored to its original state from head to toe!

Ning Zhuo couldn't help but sincerely admire: "Jade-like Hands of Ice... remarkable natural talent."

"This time, Ning Xiaohui has been a great help."

Natural Talent! Reputed as the soil for supernatural powers, and supernatural powers are a deep application of the principles of heaven and earth.

Therefore, natural talent is unreasonable.

At the same time, natural talent is also the most reasonable.

Compared to Ning Zhuo, Ning Xiaohui understood the structure of the Golden Blood War Ape even less. But relying on her natural talent, she managed to repair it!

Ning Zhuo had also gradually learned much information about the Jade-like Hands of Ice through various channels.

"The essence of the Jade-like Hands of Ice is to place something in a fatal situation to later generate life! It embodies the principle that heaven never seals off all exits, giving birth to a thread of vitality in desperate circumstances."

"Mechanical constructs are originally inanimate objects, which unexpectedly aligns well with the Jade-like Hands of Ice talent. Therefore, the healing effect is far better than when healing living beings."

"But when will a talented person like Ning Xiaohui be willing to work for me willingly?"

Ning Zhuo experienced great convenience.

Having a capable subordinate was really great!

Currently, he was using the Molten Rock Immortal Palace as a layer of separation, hiding the truth from Ning Xiaohui, indirectly making her work for him.

Once Ning Xiaohui learned the truth, she would definitely turn hostile.

Ning Zhuo sighed inwardly.

He knew: his power had increased significantly, but he still couldn't achieve one thing—making a cultivator with natural talent work for him willingly!

Currently, most people sided with him because they valued his natural talent and his certain, bright future.

None of Ning Zhuo's subordinates had natural talent. His current small faction couldn't retain such talent.

The temple is too small to house a large Buddha!

Genius cultivators can generally receive widespread favor and recruitment, gaining more resources and support from families, sects, and nations. They simply wouldn't stay under Ning Zhuo's command to serve.

Ning Zhuo's current influence was too small, and there was no room for these geniuses to utilize their talents.

"Unless I obtain the Molten Rock Immortal Palace and become its master!"

Ning Zhuo was envisioning the future with anticipation, completely unaware that Zhu Xuanji had already transformed into a rainbow light and was speeding towards him.

***

Zhu Xuanji's actions weren't very concealed, immediately alarming countless cultivators in the city.

The only one who truly knew the whole story was the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit.

"He's coming, he's coming!" The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit was extremely excited.

It lay on the throne in the main hall, its eyes shining, eagerly awaiting the good show to come.

***

In the underground cultivation chamber.

The floating clouds around Ning Zhuo suddenly began to deplete violently.

Ning Zhuo immediately became alert. He withdrew the floating clouds, activated his defensive measures, and shouted loudly, "Who's there?!"

Boom!

The next moment, Zhu Xuanji arrived directly above Ning Zhuo's residence.

He extended his palm, aimed it downward, and made a gentle grasping and pulling motion.

An invisible great force grabbed the roof and tore it off.

Zhu Xuanji made another grasping and pulling motion, tearing up the floor as well.

Ning Zhuo, located in the underground secret chamber, was thus exposed.

"Lord Zhu Xuanji!" Ning Zhuo looked up, saw Zhu Xuanji, and was greatly alarmed. He hurriedly bowed in respect.

Zhu Xuanji descended from the sky, slowly flying down to land in front of Ning Zhuo.

His brow was full of killing intent, his square face radiating authority at this moment.

The centers of his pitch-black pupils emitted faint golden light, clearly having activated his Heavenly Fund Golden Eyes.

Zhu Xuanji was dressed in a grand red brocade robe with black embroidery trim. The three large characters "Divine Constabulary" on his waist plaque were eye-catching, imposing great psychological pressure on others.

(End of )