: The Cloud Sea's Gift (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Author: Gu Zhenren

Date: 2024-08-29

Ning Zhuo and Song Fuli met again.

Previously, the two had finalized the deal for the Mechanical Blaze Monkeys. Ning Zhuo then ordered the Chen Tea workshop to work overtime, urgently producing a large quantity of the mechanical monkeys.

Now, it was time for the handover.

“I never expected the situation in Fire Persimmon Immortal City to deteriorate so rapidly, reaching the point of being besieged by demonic beasts,” Song Fuli lamented.

He had led the Yun Merchants here, but barely a few days into their business, the city was surrounded by demonic beasts.

Meeting Ning Zhuo again now, he felt a deep sense of life’s unpredictability.

Little did he know that the mastermind behind the demonic beast siege was right before his eyes.

Ning Zhuo also sighed deeply. “Indeed, who would have thought Fire Persimmon Immortal City would be surrounded by demonic beasts?”

“However, the truly terrifying main force of demonic beasts is still atop Fire Persimmon Mountain.”

“That’s why, this time, we won’t be able to deliver the agreed-upon quantity. This is the first batch of Mechanical Blaze Monkeys, and it will also be the last.”

As Ning Zhuo said this, he let out a helpless sigh.

With Fire Persimmon Immortal City fighting for its survival and battles raging incessantly, Fei Si had taken strict control over Chen Tea and many other mechanical workshops.

The production tasks of these workshops had to be shifted to manufacturing combat mechanisms most beneficial for the war.

Compared to classic combat mechanisms, the fighting style of the Mechanical Blaze Monkeys was relatively ordinary.

Originally, its only combat method was self-destruction. Later, during his battle with Zhou Zeshen, Ning Zhuo added another mechanical component—a throwable firecracker.

Even so, with only these two combat methods, the Mechanical Blaze Monkeys weren’t truly suited for the battlefield.

Ning Zhuo’s design meant this mechanical creation was better suited for harvesting fire persimmons.

Song Fuli nodded repeatedly in response to Ning Zhuo’s apology. “Understood, understood.”

He casually picked a sample from the cargo box and began inspecting it.

A half-person-tall Mechanical Blaze Monkey appeared before him.

At a glance, the monkey’s appearance was striking: it had vibrant red fur, a muscular build, and remarkably lifelike features.

Song Fuli was no ordinary man; his cultivation had reached the Golden Core level, allowing him to use spiritual sense for inspection.

He immediately employed his spiritual sense, scanning the Mechanical Blaze Monkey from the inside out.

A glint of sharp insight flashed in Song Fuli’s eyes as he commented, “The monkey skin is made from Fire-Fluff Rat hide, using the most traditional spiritual energy embroidery technique for sewing.”

“The skeleton uses Sky Gold, primarily to pursue lightweight construction and some spatial efficiency, making it convenient to place storage arrays on it.”

“However, compressing the arrays to leave room for the Blaze Monkey’s future upgrades requires a highly skilled array master. The labor cost for that isn’t cheap.”

As he spoke, Song Fuli reached out and opened both of the Mechanical Blaze Monkey’s clenched fists.

He ran his fingers over the monkey’s fingertips.

After a few breaths, he nodded slightly. “The micro-arrays here use a nested design, saving a lot of space.”

“The monkey’s fingers are agile and flexible, capable of very complex movements. This is the foundation for precise harvesting work.”

“This shows, Young Master Ning Zhuo, that your foundation in arrays is quite impressive, very solid.”

“Considering you’re only sixteen this year, this level of mechanical skill is quite commendable.”

“The meandering pellet in the monkey’s brain must be your original creation? Using it as a spiritual sense receiver is likely to minimize costs.”

“Personally, I’d suggest replacing the meandering pellet with an array disc to create an enhanced model. Although the meandering pellet design is unique, its upper limit for precise control by Foundation Establishment cultivators is low, far inferior to a standard array disc.”

“Of course, the main point is: simply switching to an array disc could increase the unit price of the Mechanical Blaze Monkey by at least thirty percent!”

Song Fuli’s remarks made Ning Zhuo view him in a new light.

He hadn’t expected Song Fuli to be so knowledgeable about mechanics.

But on second thought, Ning Zhuo understood: as a traveling merchant from the Flying Cloud Nation leading a trade caravan, Song Fuli had journeyed far and wide and was naturally well-versed in the hundred arts of cultivation.

Otherwise, he’d easily be fooled when purchasing local specialties.

Song Fuli continued, “The Blaze Monkey’s body seems to be made from composite materials produced using alchemical techniques.”

“Since it’s meant for harvesting fire persimmons, the composite materials prioritize fire resistance as much as possible.”

“Actually, I have a better method—using Cold Cloud.”

“This common cloud in the Flying Cloud Nation can be mixed in as a primary material. Not only would it drastically reduce the Blaze Monkey’s weight, but it would also further enhance its fire resistance.”

“Are you familiar with Cold Cloud?”

Ning Zhuo nodded slightly and admitted frankly, “The mechanical manuals left by my mother mention this material.”

“Unfortunately, we’re not in the Flying Cloud Nation but on Fire Persimmon Mountain.”

“If I wanted to purchase Cold Cloud, I’d have to import it, making the unit cost much higher than the current composite materials.”

“From a production cost perspective, I directly excluded Cold Cloud.”

Song Fuli was momentarily stunned, then threw his head back and laughed heartily. “That makes sense.”

“I know your mother was from the Flying Cloud Nation.”

At this point, Song Fuli looked at Ning Zhuo with a sincere expression. “My apologies, but our side has secretly investigated many aspects of your situation, Young Master Ning Zhuo.”

“In fact, this is standard practice for us Yun Merchants whenever we arrive somewhere new. After all, we’re doing business on others’ turf.”

“So, we need to investigate all important local figures as thoroughly as possible and then visit them one by one.”

“In Fire Persimmon Immortal City, City Lord Meng Kui, Divine Constable Zhu Xuanji, and you, the master of the black market, Ning Zhuo, are all key figures we need to focus on.”

Song Fuli, a Golden Core cultivator, spoke with a tone of flattery.

Such a business attitude was truly admirable.

Song Fuli went on, “Young Master Ning Zhuo, since you have half Flying Cloud Nation bloodline, the Flying Cloud Nation is also your home.”

“I suggest you return home for a visit, especially to the Myriad Phenomena Cloud Sea. The sooner, the better.”

Ning Zhuo was slightly taken aback, a look of yearning appearing in his eyes. “Indeed, the Myriad Phenomena Cloud Sea… I’ve long heard of its fame and would love to see it for myself.”

Song Fuli laughed. “It’s not just about seeing it.”

“For those outside the Flying Cloud Nation, the Myriad Phenomena Cloud Sea is merely a natural wonder, a place offering vast cultivation resources.”

“But for us from the Flying Cloud Nation, it holds another important meaning.”

“Any cultivator with Flying Cloud Nation bloodline can receive its gift upon entering the Myriad Phenomena Cloud Sea!”

“One of the lowest gifts is the ability to sense the bloodline of the Flying Cloud Nation to some extent.”

“To be honest, the reason I felt a connection upon first seeing you and could sense your Flying Cloud bloodline is precisely because I’ve been to the Myriad Phenomena Cloud Sea.”

“This is an ability all Flying Cloud nationals who have entered the cloud sea possess—the ability to sense the bloodline of our kin.”

Throughout the cultivation world, the Myriad Phenomena Cloud Sea was renowned.

Even without his mother’s legacy, Ning Zhuo could have found much information about it in the Ning family’s library.

This super resource point was so famous it became common knowledge in the cultivation world. Fire Persimmon Mountain couldn’t compare.

The Myriad Phenomena Cloud Sea was a convergence point of the Cloud Dao, rich with profound Dao principles. It nurtured vast cloud-based resources and attracted Nascent Soul and even Void Refinement experts who lingered there, contemplating the Cloud Dao.

Song Fuli took a deep breath and continued, “Suddenly advising you to go to the Flying Cloud Nation might seem abrupt.”

“But actually, well… how should I put it?”

“The Myriad Phenomena Cloud Sea could be said to be the spiritual anchor, or spiritual home, for every Flying Cloud national.”

“Have you heard the myth about the Flying Cloud returning home?”

Ning Zhuo nodded. “I’ve heard it. My mother told me before she passed.”

Song Fuli sighed softly. “A young Flying Cloud wanted to venture out into the world. But after years of wandering, it realized that home was its place of origin. It belonged there, no matter where it went.”

“Honestly, I was the same when I was young—I wanted to explore the world and see all its wonders.”

“Then one day, I arrived at the Myriad Phenomena Cloud Sea. I ventured deep into it and was moved to tears. The unparalleled awe and familiarity made me feel as if I had returned to my mother’s embrace.”

“The emotion and震撼 the Myriad Phenomena Cloud Sea gave me are hard to put into words. Only when you enter the cloud sea yourself one day will you truly understand.”

Ning Zhuo sighed, his tone uncertain. “Perhaps one day, I will go.”

He couldn’t be sure that day would come.

According to his life plan, he would seize the Molten Rock Immortal Palace and become its master.

But doing so would essentially tie him to Fire Persimmon Mountain. Unless he activated the Immortal Palace to leave the mountain.

However, as the palace master responsible for suppressing Fire Persimmon Mountain, he clearly couldn’t leave his post without authorization.

“Perhaps I really should visit the Myriad Phenomena Cloud Sea, but how?”

The Molten Rock Immortal Palace had always been Ning Zhuo’s life goal; he had never considered other possibilities.

His mind was filled with thoughts of the Immortal Palace and his mother’s final wishes.

In fact, earlier, Sun Lingtong had advised him that if he failed to seize the Molten Rock Immortal Palace—or even if he succeeded—he should flee and join the Bukong Sect for protection.

Although Ning Zhuo acknowledged this as a fallback plan in his heart, he had never seriously considered taking that path.

But now, the words of an outsider like Song Fuli made Ning Zhuo genuinely feel another possible direction his life could take.

Ning Zhuo’s heart was stirred.

(End of )