: Meng Kui's Scheme

Fire Persimmon Immortal City.

Dungeon.

Han Ming looked at Fei Si, her heart cold as she sneered, "You're delusional!"

A faint, sinister light flickered in Fei Si's eyes as he spoke slowly, "If you refuse to cooperate with this official's investigation, then don't blame me for resorting to torture."

"Just the tattoo punishment alone will be more than you can bear."

"From then on, your face will bear the mark of a criminal. As long as you operate within the borders of Southern Bean Country, this mark will reveal your location, making you known to everyone at all times."

"This mark will also suppress your cultivation, making your progress incredibly difficult."

"And to remove this mark, you would need to find at least a Nascent Soul level expert to even have a chance."

"Would you like to give it a try?"

Han Ming felt an even deeper chill in her heart, but on the surface, she remained fearless, raising her head defiantly. "What's the use of all this talk?"

"Come on, bring on any punishment you have."

"Since I turned myself in, I've already prepared for the worst."

"Fei Si, you want me to serve you and aid your cultivation? Hmph, don't even think about it!"

Fei Si chuckled softly. "Since Luo Shang used you as a pawn and sacrificed you here, why are you still being so stubborn?"

"Do you think I don't know how you demonic cultivators operate?"

"What, are you really willing to die for Luo Shang?"

"Alright, I'll give you two choices. First, help me enhance my soul foundation. Second, reveal Luo Shang's whereabouts."

"Think carefully."

For a moment, Han Ming hesitated.

But she quickly hardened her resolve again. "Fei Si, you disgrace the righteous path as a Golden Core cultivator! I choose neither. Do whatever you want."

Fei Si snorted coldly, his hand slicing through the air like a blade.

Instantly, a spell shot out, sharp as a blade, aimed directly at Han Ming's neck.

Han Ming immediately felt a strong threat of death, her internal alarms screaming, but she was bound in place, unable to move.

"Am I going to die?!" At that moment, Han Ming roared inwardly with不甘.

She did not die.

At the critical moment, a ghostly hand emerged from her body, grabbing Fei Si's spell and crushing it.

A Ghost General then emerged from Han Ming's body, speaking with Luo Shang's voice: "Alright, Fei Si, no need to scare a junior like this."

"Luo Shang! When did he plant a method on me?" Han Ming was shocked.

At the same time, she felt relieved.

She had made the right choice!

She hadn't escaped earlier, bravely turning herself in at the City Lord's Mansion, and now she hadn't succumbed to Fei Si's threats, never giving Luo Shang an opportunity to eliminate a sect traitor.

Fei Si showed no surprise at the appearance of the Golden Core Ghost General.

The Golden Core-level Ghost General, acting as Luo Shang's mouthpiece, floated slowly into the air. "Alright, Fei Si, your act was just to force me out. What do you want?"

Fei Si indeed changed his attitude, stroking his beard with a smile. "Luo Shang, you sent Han Ming to report, hoping to stir up trouble and create chaos so you could benefit from it."

"Let me tell you, our side and Zhu Xuanji's side have already united, forming a secret alliance."

"How could our Southern Bean Country easily let outsiders like you take advantage?"

"However..."

"Our side also knows: your sect's goal isn't the Molten Rock Immortal Palace, but the vast soul treasury beneath Fire Persimmon Mountain. As long as you don't touch the Molten Rock Immortal Palace, we actually have a basis for cooperation."

This intelligence was obtained by the City Lord's Mansion after interrogating the two Soul Devouring Sect disciples, Hook Nose and Slanted Eyes.

Even without this information, guessing based on the Soul Devouring Sect's past behavior and goals wouldn't have been difficult.

Luo Shang fell silent for a moment before asking, "How would we cooperate?"

"And why should I trust you? What do you righteous path cultivators want to cooperate with us demonic cultivators for?"

"I won't be used as your pawn!"

Fei Si stroked his beard, exuding an air of calm confidence. "Let me tell you, recruiting you heretics isn't just City Lord Meng Kui's idea; it's also Zhu Xuanji's stance."

"As long as your side fully assists in defending the city, we are willing to secretly cooperate with the Soul Devouring Sect to jointly develop the massive soul treasury beneath Fire Persimmon Mountain!"

Luo Shang fell silent again.

After a long contemplation, he finally said, "I am indeed very interested in this cooperation!"

He had come to Fire Persimmon Immortal City with sect missions. On one hand, he was to demand an explanation for Qi Bai's death and uphold the sect's prestige. On the other hand, he was to continue Qi Bai's unfinished task of exploring the soul treasury beneath Fire Persimmon Mountain.

If he could cooperate with the City Lord's Mansion and Zhu Xuanji's side now, it would greatly help accomplish both missions!

Luo Shang's statement made Han Ming secretly sigh in relief.

She knew she was saved!

Soon, Luo Shang and Fei Si began preliminary negotiations.

The news reached Meng Kui, also easing the current city lord's mind.

Currently, stationed atop Fire Persimmon Mountain, he felt immense pressure.

The terrifying beast tide seemed endless.

The Molten Rock Immortal Palace had already begun its palace examinations, with cultivators fiercely competing for the palace lord position.

Add to that the discovery of the Unhindered Gate, a major heretical sect that had been scheming for years.

And don't forget the ambitious Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit...

Dealing with all this already consumed most of Meng Kui's energy and time.

If the Soul Devouring Sect caused more trouble, Meng Kui's pressure would increase even further!

There was another point others might have forgotten, but Meng Kui never would—Zheng Danlian had accidentally killed a Golden Core direct disciple of the Taiqing Palace.

The Taiqing Palace would certainly come seeking trouble.

But the Taiqing Palace had remained silent.

Were they not planning to act?

Hah, as if!

Meng Kui didn't need to deduce; just thinking logically, he knew the best time for the Taiqing Palace to strike was now!

Because all major and minor forces were focused on the Molten Rock Immortal Palace. Once these forces were exhausted, the Taiqing Palace's sudden intervention would catch everyone off guard.

Crucially, this time the Taiqing Palace had a justified reason.

Although Meng Kui didn't kill the Taiqing Palace disciple, the Zheng Family, as a major cultivation clan in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, their existence and safety were partly Meng Kui's responsibility.

So, this time, the City Lord's Mansion lowered its stance and actively sought cooperation with Luo Shang. Essentially, it was both a precautionary measure and a necessity.

Meng Kui needed to reduce his burden!

Although he was at the Nascent Soul level, simultaneously opposing super sects like the Unhindered Gate, Soul Devouring Sect, and Taiqing Palace was still quite stressful.

If he could convert some enemies into allies, the net effect would be significant.

"As for the Molten Rock Immortal Palace and the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit..."

"Hmph!"

Meng Kui sat deep within the clouds, his eyes cold.

He lacked the corresponding mechanical skills to enter the immortal palace.

"But so what?"

"I just need to conserve my strength and maintain the beast tide. Let the endless beast tide continuously damage and erode the immortal palace."

"Sooner or later, the palace's mechanisms will collapse, allowing me to intervene directly!"

Meng Kui never intended to be led by the nose.

To some extent, he was slacking, allowing the beast tide to damage the Molten Rock Immortal Palace.

Once the Molten Rock Immortal Palace weakened sufficiently, he could unleash his Nascent Soul power, interrupt the palace examinations, and become the ultimate winner.

When Meng Kui didn't act, he remained still. But once he acted with full force, it would surely shake the heavens and earth!

Molten Rock Immortal Palace.

Ning Zhuo held the jade slip "Secret Canon of Ice Sculpture" while observing the small ice sculpture he had just created on the table.

His eyes shone with intense focus.

"This ice sculpture mechanical technique is unique and quite distinctive."

"Ice sculptures are carved from a single large block of material, formed integrally, unlike normal mechanical parts that are assembled."

"To sculpt the desired form, one must master the carving skill, one of the hundred arts of cultivation."

"It's not just external carving; internal carving is even more important."

"One needs to engrave array patterns and talismans on the inner walls within the sealed space."

"Speaking of which..."

"This ice sculpture mechanical technique pairs perfectly with my Ning Family's ice attribute talismans!"

After studying the "Secret Canon of Ice Sculpture" briefly, Ning Zhuo had already gained some insights.

This unique mechanical technique greatly broadened his horizons, making him realize that the mechanical skills he currently mastered were only a small part of what existed.

At the same time, he also sensed Ning Jiufan's clear intention to nurture him through this jade slip.

"This Golden Core ancestor of the Ning Family..."

As Ning Zhuo pondered, a message entered his mind—the second round of palace examinations had officially begun!

Before Ning Zhuo's eyes, white light burst forth, quickly expanding into a circle.

The circle soon grew large enough for Ning Zhuo to step through.

Without hesitation, Ning Zhuo straightened his clothes and stepped forward, disappearing from the room and instantly reappearing in the plaza.

The main plaza of the Molten Rock Immortal Palace now had ten raised platforms.

Ning Zhuo, like the other nineteen cultivators, appeared directly on a platform.

Only three remaining cultivators stood watching from the plaza sidelines.

The view was unclear.

The scenes on the platforms were blurred, seemingly impossible to observe.

New messages continued to enter their minds, informing them of the more detailed competition rules.

The remaining twenty-three participants would take turns ascending the platforms for one-on-one matches. The second round would end only after everyone had fought each other.

Each win earned one victory point. A draw yielded zero points, a loss deducted one point.

Each platform match had a time limit.

Platform matches primarily involved contests between mechanical creations! Specific content would vary slightly with each round.

Cultivators were forbidden from directly attacking each other's bodies; violators would be disqualified!

Items obtained from trial stages could be used directly in the second round.

Finally, victory points would be tallied to determine the rankings for the second round.

The new ranking list would be adjusted based on victory points, and the last ten in the final ranking would be eliminated!

(End of )