: Hidden Divine Abilities

One day earlier.

Ning Jiufan sped swiftly on his journey, the lush green hills beneath his feet gradually receding into the distance.

"Senior, according to the map, we're almost at Jade Steel Mountain," Han Zhou said, sitting beside Ning Jiufan.

The two were seated on a massive flying block of ice.

The cold felt familiar and comforting to Han Zhou, as he originally hailed from the northern regions. Because of this, he also felt quite at ease with Ning Jiufan, the owner of the flying ice block.

"Jade Steel Mountain is indeed within sight," Ning Jiufan replied, his vision far superior to Han Zhou's, befitting his Golden Core level cultivation.

He could already make out the faint silhouette of Jade Steel Mountain on the horizon.

But just as he relaxed slightly, the world abruptly changed color.

A grand formation suddenly unfolded, instantly enveloping Ning Jiufan and Han Zhou.

In the blink of an eye, the world returned to normal, as if it had all been an illusion. Ning Jiufan and Han Zhou had completely vanished.

Trapped within the formation, Ning Jiufan was both shocked and furious.

He saw a dim, yellowish world around him, with a halo-like sphere enclosing them on all sides.

Three indistinct figures stood apart, surrounding Ning Jiufan and Han Zhou from a distance.

"Who dares trap me?" Ning Jiufan demanded sharply. "I am Ning Jiufan, the Golden Core patriarch of the Ning family from Fire Persimmon Mountain. Have you three fellow cultivators mistaken your target?"

One of the three figures spoke up: "Ning Jiufan, we've finally waited for you. You are exactly who we aim to eliminate!"

Han Zhou was stunned and immediately grew tense. He hadn't expected that traveling with a Golden Core cultivator would lead to such a life-threatening crisis.

Ning Jiufan's heart sank. Since they had specifically been waiting for him, their origins were likely significant.

After a moment's thought, he immediately produced an official seal from his robes. "Do not be misled and act recklessly! I am a hidden official of the Southern Bean Kingdom. Cease now and leave, and I promise not to pursue this matter."

"Otherwise, if anything happens to me here, the entire Southern Bean Kingdom will hunt you down."

The enemies only laughed in response. "Ning Jiufan, it's precisely a corrupt official like you we want to kill!"

Ning Jiufan was startled once more.

Since they knew his identity and were willing to kill an official, it was highly likely they were from the Meng family.

After all, since the Ning family moved to Fire Persimmon Immortal City, their only powerful external enemy was the Meng family.

Aside from them, there were also enemies from the North Wind Kingdom, but that possibility was much smaller.

Han Zhou transmitted his voice: "Patriarch Ning, all three of them have Golden Core auras. Why not release Elder Yuan directly and break the formation by force?"

Ning Jiufan shook his head inwardly. He had no intention of doing so.

If this ambush was truly the Meng family's doing, how could they not have prepared for his Nascent Soul-level demon beast?

Releasing Elder Yuan might play right into their hands.

Considering this, Ning Jiufan snorted coldly, both responding to Han Zhou and addressing the enemies: "If that's the case, then let me show you the battle prowess of a northern man!"

"Take this!"

As soon as he spoke, Ning Jiufan made his move.

Instantly, a north wind blew, bringing with it a flurry of heavy snow, and a piercing cold quickly spread.

One of the three Golden Core cultivators revealed himself, casting spells to counter the blizzard.

As his snow spell was suppressed, Ning Jiufan took out a talisman and activated it immediately.

The talisman floated mid-air, erupting in a bright light that swiftly coalesced into a giant ice and snow behemoth.

The ice giant stood on a self-generated snow cloud, brandishing a long-handled ice-carved great blade as it charged toward another Golden Core enemy.

Seeing the ice giant approach, that Golden Core cultivator quickly cast spells, continuously suppressing it to slow its advance.

Ning Jiufan multitasked, shooting a magical treasure-level ice spike toward the third enemy.

That Golden Core cultivator, recognizing the formidable power of the incoming ice spike and knowing ordinary spells couldn't block it, immediately produced a large cauldron.

The cauldron flew forward, colliding with the ice spike and producing loud clanging sounds, but it managed to block it temporarily.

Ning Jiufan laughed heartily, full of pride. "Is this all you three have? Show me whatever else you've got!"

Han Zhou watched in astonishment, never expecting the Ning family patriarch to be so dominant even when outnumbered three to one.

But he soon thought of Ning Zhuo.

"Like grandson, like grandfather. From Young Master Ning Zhuo, one can glimpse the excellence and strength of the Ning family."

"The Ning family's Golden Core patriarch performing like this was actually foreshadowed."

Han Zhou also remembered they still had the powerful trump card of the Nascent Soul-level Elder Yuan, and his heart gradually calmed, no longer as tense.

He didn't know, however, that despite his outward confidence, Ning Jiufan was actually very nervous inside. Trapped in the formation, he had already lost the advantage of terrain. The three Golden Core cultivators chosen by the Meng family were certainly capable.

"If only we could get reinforcements, since we're close to Jade Steel Mountain."

The garrison at Jade Steel Mountain was no longer Meng Zizhong; he had been replaced by a Golden Core cultivator sent by the Zhu royal family.

Before coming, Ning Jiufan had sent a flying message, and they had exchanged one round of correspondence.

But then he reconsidered: "Since they set up this ambush here, how could they not account for the Golden Core garrison at Jade Steel Mountain?"

"So, any movements within this formation probably can't get out."

"No, if they did get out, it might be worse. They must be intentionally allowing it to lure the Golden Core garrison into coming to our aid, making it easier to capture us all at once!"

Han Zhou didn't understand the true situation, as his knowledge of Golden Core-level beings was limited.

But Ning Jiufan's considerations also had their own limitations.

Even the three ambushing Golden Core cultivators didn't know that their trap had already been exposed.

High above in the clouds, Zhu Xuanji and Shen Lingshu stood side by side, overlooking the battlefield below.

Although the battlefield was enveloped by the formation, Zhu Xuanji used his Heavenly Fund Golden Eyes, combined with spells, to see through to the events inside.

Through spiritual sense communication, he kept Shen Lingshu updated on the real-time situation.

Zhu Xuanji said, "Senior Shen, just as you predicted, Ning Jiufan was ambushed on this trip."

"You also calculated that he would be in danger but unharmed."

"Heh, with us here, of course he'll be fine."

Shen Lingshu made a series of hand gestures and said, "I've deduced that this formation is the Nine-Tailed Demon Confusion Array."

"Its formation lines and patterns are woven from nine-tailed fox fur."

"There are eight formation eyes and one formation heart. The heart is hidden among the eyes, initially indistinguishable, making it hard to pinpoint the key location."

"Currently, one of the three Golden Core cultivators occupies the formation heart, two occupy formation eyes, three eyes have Confusion Incense burning, one eye holds a Demon Execution Platform, one has a Demon Binding Rope, and the last eye actually contains a Mysterious Qi-Siphoning Bag."

Zhu Xuanji couldn't help but sigh upon hearing this. "They came prepared."

"Using nine-tailed fox fur to set up the array is quite the extravagant move, given the nine-tailed heavenly demon's power to bewitch all demons."

"The Confusion Incense and the demon-confusing array would bewilder Elder Yuan as soon as she's released, possibly even turning her against her master."

"Then, while dazed, she might walk onto the execution platform herself, lose her head to the blade, and her life."

"At the brink of life and death, Elder Yuan might爆发 survival instincts, gaining a moment of clarity. So, they also prepared the Demon Binding Rope to snuff out her last bit of hope."

"What kind of treasure is this Mysterious Qi-Siphoning Bag?"

Shen Lingshu explained, "This treasure specifically targets fate energy, able to siphon fate from others, lowering their fortune."

"With this here, it prevents unexpected events. Many with strong fate often see it surge at critical moments to save themselves."

"Even mortals, if their fate is strong enough, can survive falls from cliffs and find subsequent blessings after it erupts."

"I see." Zhu Xuanji nodded, then asked the most crucial question, "Can you deduce any clues or evidence linking these three Golden Core cultivators to the Meng family?"

Shen Lingshu shook her head. "I can't deduce that."

"This is likely Meng Kui's work, meticulous from the start, already guarded against divination."

"Can't you trace back to their origins? See their connection to the Meng family?"

Zhu Xuanji gave a bitter smile. "I only see that these three accepted this mission successively at the Hidden Thorn Pavilion."

The Hidden Thorn Pavilion was a famous assassination organization, very secretive, with branches in various large and small cultivation nations.

With such scale and longevity, it naturally had deep foundations.

That Zhu Xuanji could identify all three Golden Core cultivators as members of the Hidden Thorn Pavilion at first glance already lived up to his reputation as a Divine Arrestor.

Shen Lingshu smiled slightly, unsurprised. "The Meng family's move here is probably in retaliation for the Jade Steel Mountain incident."

"We removed Meng Zizhong, so the Meng family set up this ambush to eliminate Ning Jiufan as a warning."

"If both Ning Jiufan and Elder Yuan perish, the balance in Fire Persimmon Immortal City would tilt toward Meng Kui, leaving the Zhou family unable to hold out alone."

"And at court, the impact of their deaths would resonate deeply, greatly diminishing the royal family's prestige!"

Zhu Xuanji said, "Ning Zhuo and the Ning family's fortune seems to have turned from misfortune to blessing."

"Our plan was to investigate the Fox Deity at Misty Hidden Mountain, but by chance, we won't stand by and watch Ning Jiufan die in battle."

Shen Lingshu wore a serious expression. "It appears to be a coincidence."

"But it could also be due to the Thread of Human Fate or the Imperial Mandate at work."

"We must save Ning Jiufan, but let's observe the battle for a moment, allowing his fate to be siphoned."

Shen Lingshu then revealed her plan: "If Ning Zhuo has mastered the divine ability Thread of Human Fate, it's highly likely he cast it on Ning Jiufan."

"Thus, their fates are linked. If Ning Jiufan's fate declines here, it will inevitably affect Ning Zhuo."

"If Ning Zhuo also cast it on others, their lowered fortunes would manifest—ranging from confusion to encountering disasters."

"This is a perfect opportunity to verify."

Zhu Xuanji recalled the many secrets he learned in the royal capital: "In the past, the Grand Imperial Emperor also suffered a major setback due to this flaw of the Thread of Human Fate, nearly leading to the kingdom's fall and his death."

Nothing under heaven is perfect.

Strengths come with weaknesses.

Advantages naturally bring disadvantages.

The Thread of Human Fate connected their fates; if the Grand Imperial Emperor had bad luck and his fate declined, others shared the burden, creating a scapegoat effect.

But since it wasn't the true Imperial Mandate, if everyone faced imminent disaster or some people's fate dropped too severely, the Grand Imperial Emperor would also suffer greatly.

That was exactly what happened years ago, when the Southern Bean Grand Imperial Emperor encountered calamity and narrowly escaped death.

"Wait." A thought struck Zhu Xuanji. "What if my Buddha's Heart Demon Seal truly has the power to suppress fate?"

Shen Lingshu pondered deeply. "That depends on how powerful the Buddha's Heart Demon Seal's fate-suppressing ability is. Whether it can protect only himself or extend to others."

"Even if the treasure seal is powerful, Ning Zhuo is only at Foundation Establishment level now and likely can't unleash its true potential."

"Didn't the Grand Imperial Emperor also have a treasure that could suppress his own fate back in the day?"

"Anyway, testing it can't hurt."

Zhu Xuanji nodded slightly. "Alright, let's proceed with that."

The Thousand-Mile Wandering Dragon sped rapidly through the void.

Silver threads occasionally appeared against the black backdrop.

The lower half of the Thousand-Mile Wandering Dragon's body shimmered with bloody light, the work of the Blood Shadow Cave Lord.

Ahead suddenly brightened, and the next moment, the Thousand-Mile Wandering Dragon emerged from the void into the real world.

Sun Lingtong didn't dare be careless, continuing to pilot the dragon into dense mountain forests.

After maneuvering for most of the day, they finally came to a stop.

"That was close, so thrilling!" Sun Lingtong licked his lips, his heartbeat gradually slowing.

He looked down at his hands.

Half of his palms had turned to stone skin, resembling the appearance of the stone sphere at the cave bottom.

Gritting his teeth, Sun Lingtong could only continue suppressing it with his cultivation energy, then operated the mechanical dragon to check on Ning Zhuo.

Seeing Ning Zhuo unconscious on the ground but still breathing, Sun Lingtong's eyes reddened, wishing he could slap himself twice.

"Taking risks and seeking thrills on my own is one thing."

"But this time, I dragged Xiao Zhuo into it. Ah, how could I be so foolish? I really deserve a beating!!"

Sun Lingtong blamed himself intensely, but in his current state, he didn't dare approach Ning Zhuo directly.

Fortunately, Sun Lingtong was also skilled in mechanics. He immediately took out a mechanical puppet, controlling it with his spiritual sense to indirectly assist Ning Zhuo and help him wake up quickly.

Upon waking and learning they had escaped, Ning Zhuo sighed in relief, filled with lingering fear.

Sun Lingtong sighed regretfully. "Xiao Zhuo, I got you into this, almost costing you your life."

Ning Zhuo shook his head. "Boss, I was worried about your injury and privately eager for revenge against the Six Caves Sect too, so I didn't stop you from taking the risk. I share the blame!"

"How's your injury now?"

Sun Lingtong told Ning Zhuo the truth.

He slumped his shoulders, clenching his teeth. "I wanted to follow the clues and uncover information about the Stone Elder. I never thought they could see through the Thousand-Mile Wandering Dragon!"

He felt like hitting his own head in frustration.

Looking back now, what was he thinking?

Seeking thrills was in his nature, but he had been too reckless this time.

"Have I grown complacent from living too long in the peace of Fire Persimmon Immortal City?"

"Ah, if something happened to me, that's one thing, but to involve Xiao Zhuo..."

"He has immortal talent, a bright future ahead, worked hard for over a decade, his life just getting better, with family, friends, and even liked by female cultivators. Unlike me, a lone wolf. If he died here because of me..."

Sun Lingtong was filled with self-reproach, vowing to himself that whenever Ning Zhuo was with him in the future, he would never take such risks again.

This escape deeply affected Sun Lingtong.

Throughout the ordeal, Ning Zhuo was indeed dragged into danger by Sun Lingtong. If he had been in the dragon's head cabin and discovered the cave-bottom stone sphere, he certainly wouldn't have rushed to extract it like Sun Lingtong did.

However, Ning Zhuo was used to it.

In Fire Persimmon Immortal City, he had bailed Sun Lingtong out of jail multiple times.

Their deep bond wasn't just about trusting each other with their lives in critical moments. It went deeper—forgiving each other's mistakes easily, even making excuses for them.

Ning Zhuo comforted him, "Although Nascent Soul cultivators can traverse the void, they can only do so with their Nascent Soul; bringing their physical body along is very difficult."

That's why completely killing a Nascent Soul cultivator is quite challenging. Once their body is destroyed, their Nascent Soul can leave, escape into the void, seek a chance to possess another body, and return for revenge.

"But the Thousand-Mile Wandering Dragon can take us through the void together. Even if those Nascent Soul cultivators wanted to chase, it's unlikely they'd risk leaving their bodies and pursuing with just their Nascent Souls."

A cultivator's Nascent Soul is the culmination of their cultivation, crucial for their future path. Unless absolutely necessary, they wouldn't easily risk it.

"Isn't that why we ventured into the Six Caves Sect in the first place?"

"Our successful escape proves that. If the Demonic Heart Cave Lord really abandoned his body to chase us with his Nascent Soul, the other two cave lords would probably target his defenseless body."

"Boss."

"We gained a lot from this trip too."

"For example, I saw the mechanical carriage my mother rode back then and learned that Lin You would obtain it. I must reclaim that carriage!"

"Without this risk, how would I have learned such important news?"

Sun Lingtong shook his head, speaking through the puppet, "Xiao Zhuo, no need to comfort me."

"We suffered significant losses this time."

"The Thousand-Mile Wandering Dragon was attacked by the Demonic Heart Cave Lord; about thirty percent of it needs repairs."

"The rear part of the mechanical dragon body is corroded by blood shadow. This must be the Blood Shadow Cave Lord's tracking method. If we can't remove it, we'll be detected by him whenever we approach Thousand Peaks Forest in the future."

Ning Zhuo shook his head, slowly sitting up. "None of that matters, boss."

"The priority is to treat your injury."

"Xiao Zhuo..." Even after over a decade of daily companionship, Sun Lingtong felt a warm current in his heart.

Sun Lingtong: "But now, the mechanical dragon can't approach Thousand Peaks Forest. If we go alone, with our cultivation and combat power, we probably can't infiltrate deep into Thousand Peaks Forest. With the war imminent, security there is tight. Outsiders like us would stand out."

Ning Zhuo chuckled. "Don't worry, boss, I've already thought of a way."

(End of )