: Mission List

"I have no further questions," Ning Zhuo said after reviewing the document, then handed the decree scroll to Zhou Zeshen.

Zhou Zeshen examined it carefully for a long while before nodding slowly and passing the scroll to the others.

Zheng Jian and Zhou Zhu took their turns reviewing it and both nodded in agreement.

Next, everyone took turns signing the decree contract.

Zhu Xuanji collected the decree. He still needed to arrange for the modification team members from all four sides to sign it one by one.

He personally oversaw this process. With his Golden Eye talent and divine capture methods, he could minimize the possibility of cheating as much as possible.

Zhu Xuanji then instructed, "The four of you will be the leaders of the modification teams. From now on, please actively strive for various positions within the Molten Rock Palace."

"If possible, try your best to secure positions related to the Five Elements Artillery Towers. The true culprit behind the previous artillery strike on Fire Persimmon Mountain Peak, which triggered the beast tide, is still at large."

"If any of you can find relevant clues, I will generously reward you!"

Ning Zhuo accepted the mission resolutely and immediately declared that he would spare no effort to work towards this goal, both to protect their home and prevent evil from spreading further!

Ning Zhuo then brought up another matter: "Among our clan, there is a talented cultivator named Ning Xiaohui. She arrived here early and entered the palace to earn contributions."

"She must have considerable experience in securing various positions. Why not have her share her insights with us?"

However, Zhu Xuanji shook his head. "She is currently carrying out an important mission. Do not disturb her."

"Moreover, I believe that although she has some successful experience, it won't be of much help for our upcoming actions."

"From now on, everything depends on your own efforts."

After finishing his instructions, Zhu Xuanji dismissed everyone.

After leaving the side hall, Ning Zhuo and the others walked back together.

Zhou Zeshen initiated a conversation with him: "We are all trial disciples. The missions we can access far exceed those available to outsiders."

"But precisely because there are so many options, we face the difficulty of selection."

"I believe there must be an optimal strategy that allows us to gain the most merit with the least time, effort, and cost."

Ning Zhuo nodded, agreeing with Zhou Zeshen's view. "I failed to persuade Lord Zhu to have Ning Xiaohui share her successful experience with us, which is a disadvantage for us."

"We've just arrived here and lack much information and understanding."

"So I think our first step should be to cast a wide net—accept different missions broadly and conduct extensive reconnaissance."

"After gathering the results from our reconnaissance, we can collectively analyze them to derive the optimal mission selection strategy. Finally, we can promote this strategy."

"What do you think, Brother Zhou?"

Zhou Zeshen laughed heartily and patted Ning Zhuo's shoulder. "It's so easy to talk with smart people!"

The plan Ning Zhuo came up with coincided perfectly with his own thoughts.

Seeing that both Ning Zhuo and Zhou Zeshen had agreed, and since Zhou Zhu had always followed Zhou Zeshen's lead, he naturally had no objections.

That left Zheng Jian.

Having listened to their discussion, Zheng Jian had already decided to collaborate with them.

Before coming, he had been privately advised by the Zheng family patriarch to try to maintain good relations with the Zhou and Ning families.

Times had changed.

Due to the mechanical sickle incident, the Zheng family had mistakenly killed a Golden Core true disciple of the Taiqing Palace, plunging the entire family into a dire predicament.

Under these circumstances, the Zheng family desperately needed help from external allies.

Moreover, Zheng Jian genuinely believed that the plan conceived by Zhou Zeshen and Ning Zhuo was indeed the best.

So without any hesitation, he agreed immediately.

However, Zheng Jian also brought up Meng Chong: "Now that the four sides are cooperating, should we bring Meng Chong into the fold as well?"

This suggestion made Zhou Zeshen and Ning Zhuo exchange glances.

This time, Ning Zhuo remained silent.

Zhou Zeshen said, "At this early stage, it might not be suitable for us to contact the modification team from the City Lord's Manor."

"Didn't you notice? Lord Zhu Xuanji only summoned our three families this time. Even though the contract required all four sides to sign it, why didn't he call Meng Chong in as well?"

"From this, we can see Lord Zhu Xuanji's intention, or rather, his inclination."

Zheng Jian suddenly understood and quickly cupped his hands in gratitude toward Zhou Zeshen.

The group reached a crossroads and bid each other farewell.

The encampments of the Ning, Zhou, and Zheng families were not far apart.

Ning Zhuo watched the retreating figures of Zheng Jian and the other two, lost in thought.

He pondered the current situation: "Originally, the three families were led by Zhu Xuanji. But after the Golden Core battle, the Zheng family fell into trouble, leading the Ning and Zhou families to adopt a wait-and-see attitude toward Zhu Xuanji."

"The situation has undergone subtle changes. Compared to before, the three families are now more closely connected."

"Long Yuan Fire Spirit, Long Yuan Fire Spirit," Ning Zhuo softly called out in his heart.

Molten Rock Palace, Main Hall.

The Long Yuan Fire Spirit had been secretly observing Ning Zhuo. Hearing him call its name, it gritted its teeth in frustration.

The more it learned about Ning Zhuo and the full picture of the truth, the more deeply it feared him.

It really didn't want to deal with such a cunning, deeply scheming, and highly deceptive little monster. But considering the growing threat of Ning Xiaohui...

In the end, the Long Yuan Fire Spirit gritted its teeth and responded to Ning Zhuo, pretending to be weak.

"Young Master, you have finally arrived within the true palace."

Ning Zhuo frowned slightly. "Long Yuan Fire Spirit, your condition seems worse?"

The Fire Spirit seized the opportunity to reply, "Yes, Young Master."

"The Molten Rock Palace and I are one. It is like my body. Now, I am constantly under attack by the beast tide. Every time the palace is damaged, I am correspondingly weakened."

"Because of this, our communication may be interrupted at any time."

Perhaps from observing Ning Zhuo for so long, the Long Yuan Fire Spirit had also learned to be shrewd. In this conversation, it preemptively laid the groundwork for future communication interruptions.

Then, the Fire Spirit brought up the threat of Ning Xiaohui and couldn't help urging Ning Zhuo to take action against her.

"I am aware of this matter," Ning Zhuo said with a slight frown, appearing somewhat troubled.

"You must understand, dealing with Ning Xiaohui is not so simple. I need to find an opportunity—the right moment to act."

"But at present, such opportunities are likely quite rare."

Ning Zhuo offered a brief explanation to the Fire Spirit.

The reason was that Zhu Xuanji and the other Golden Core cultivators, like Ning Zhuo, would be temporarily stationed in the Molten Rock Palace to actively resist the beast tide outside.

If Ning Zhuo tried to act against Ning Xiaohui now, it would be like dancing under the noses of the Golden Core cultivators—far too risky!

Earlier, in the side hall, Ning Zhuo had directly tested Zhu Xuanji.

He pretended to request that Ning Xiaohui be brought in to share her successful experience, but his real intention was to probe how much importance Zhu Xuanji placed on Ning Xiaohui.

The result of his probe was that Zhu Xuanji would not allow anyone else to contact Ning Xiaohui! More accurately, he would not allow anyone to approach the Historiography Pavilion.

He had even isolated Ning Xiaohui from the others, denying them any chance for daily communication or contact.

Ning Zhuo understood clearly that Zhu Xuanji valued the Historiography Pavilion and Ning Xiaohui so highly that if he rashly moved against her, it would likely trigger a full investigation by Zhu Xuanji!

On the other hand, Ning Zhuo had his own calculations.

He hoped to secure a position related to the Historiography Pavilion while simultaneously eliminating Ning Xiaohui!

This way, he could obtain the precious information recorded in the Historiography Pavilion.

Moreover, with this position, Ning Zhuo could easily mislead Zhu Xuanji and indirectly utilize this unique Golden Core combat power.

If he could achieve this, it would be most beneficial for Ning Zhuo.

Having already considered this, Ning Zhuo said to the Fire Spirit, "Let's not talk about this anymore."

"Long Yuan Fire Spirit, design an optimal plan for me. Help me select the most suitable missions from this multitude of tasks. Following this plan, I can gain more merit faster and with less effort!"

The Fire Spirit spun around on its throne. It really wanted to refuse Ning Zhuo's request.

But there was no way around it. The threat of Ning Xiaohui hung over its head like a sharp sword.

From its position, it had no ability to deal with Ning Xiaohui itself and could only rely on Ning Zhuo.

Thus, it had to try its best to fulfill Ning Zhuo's demands!

Soon, Ning Zhuo received a stream of information.

He examined it carefully. The information listed the main tasks he needed to complete, arranged in order, and included detailed intelligence about the missions—intelligence he couldn't access through his own merit token.

Speaking of the merit token, every cultivator entering the palace received one when guided by the treasure light.

Even if lost outside the palace, a replacement would be issued upon re-entry, though not for free—some of the merit accumulated within the Molten Rock Palace would be deducted.

After reviewing the plan, Ning Zhuo realized that although it was quite excellent and meticulously designed, it lacked broad applicability.

That was because most of the tasks he needed to complete stemmed from the three positions he currently held.

Ning Zhuo had cleared three trials, so he now held the positions of Medical Hall Director, Artillery Tower Chief, and Mustering Platform Commander.

These three positions were all second-rank, corresponding to second-rank mission rewards, which were substantial.

Others, including all modification team members, couldn't see these tasks on their own merit tokens.

Upon a second review, Ning Zhuo discerned an underlying pattern.

His task arrangement was大致 divided into three stages.

The first stage mainly involved tasks from his position as Medical Hall Director. Ning Zhuo needed to repair various mechanical constructs.

These constructs weren't just mechanical puppets; many were mechanical structures or buildings.

The second stage of tasks came from his role as Mustering Platform Commander.

With this position, Ning Zhuo could, to some extent, arrange formations and command many mechanical puppets deployed on the battlefield.

The third stage involved tasks related to his position as Artillery Tower Chief.

After reviewing the information, Ning Zhuo felt puzzled and asked the Fire Spirit, "I see that the tasks for the Artillery Tower Chief have minimum standards."

"If I fail to meet these minimum standards, my merit will be deducted. Why is that?"

The Fire Spirit's expression twisted with struggle. It didn't want to tell Ning Zhuo the answer. It wondered: Should I make myself scarce right now?

(End of )