: Ning Zhuo's New Divine Ability

"Life Hanging by a Thread!" Zhu Xuanji's heart tightened.

If Ning Zhuo had mastered such a divine ability, the Zhu family would definitely not let him go.

However, in the next moment, Shen Lingshu changed her tone: "But the situation causing Ning Jiufan's fate to be elevated could also be due to his own reasons."

"In matters of fate, there is the saying 'After extreme bad luck comes good luck.'"

"When a person's luck hits rock bottom and they endure through that low point, it is bound to rise."

Shen Lingshu continued: "There is another reason—external assistance."

"Powerful external forces can also cause Ning Jiufan's fortune to surge and climb higher."

"For example, our courteous treatment of Ning Jiufan in the Jade Steel Mountain has influenced the current mayor of Jade Steel Town, making him warm towards Ning Jiufan and even the Ning family."

"We also added an official technique to his official seal, allowing him to draw upon the nation's power to aid his cultivation."

"And there is an even more important factor—Grandmother Yuan."

Ever since Ning Jiufan was rescued, Zhu Xuanji had taken the initiative to teach him the demon cultivation method.

Ning Jiufan immediately passed it on to Grandmother Yuan and had been actively assisting her cultivation these past days.

Grandmother Yuan was originally a demon beast. Being of the ape lineage, her intelligence was stronger than most demon beasts but weaker than an average human, still dominated by emotions and instincts.

The Meng family hired assassins to set an ambush, preparing methods to exploit this weakness of demon beasts.

But once Grandmother Yuan began cultivating, transitioning from demon beast to demon cultivator, her intelligence would sprout and continuously increase, at a minimum becoming no different from an average human.

Thus, methods targeting demon beasts would no longer be effective. This would greatly enhance the strength of Ning Jiufan, and even the entire Ning family.

From this perspective, it makes perfect sense that Ning Jiufan's fortune is strong.

Zhu Xuanji was somewhat confused: "So, saying all that, it still doesn't prove that Ning Zhuo has mastered the Life Hanging by a Thread divine ability, right?"

Shen Lingshu nodded: "Did you think the path of divination is so easy to determine results? The more special the target with strong fate, the more significant the event related to oneself, the harder it is to calculate accurately. Sometimes, the calculated result might even prompt wrong actions, leading to worse outcomes."

"This is the backlash of divination."

"Moreover, what we are trying to calculate is Ning Zhuo's background, but the real target isn't present; we can only approach it indirectly. This undoubtedly adds to the difficulty."

Zhu Xuanji was speechless.

He looked at the Mysterious Fate Capture Pouch in Shen Lingshu's hand and asked: "When will you return this fate to Ning Jiufan?"

"The time limit is approaching. Ning Jiufan is about to leave for the Fire Persimmon Immortal City to participate in the competition for the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Essence."

"The Meng family's failed ambush this time will surely lead to new actions targeting Ning Jiufan."

"Under these circumstances, it's better to let him go all out."

Ning Jiufan was crucial.

Even more crucial than Grandmother Yuan!

If Grandmother Yuan were lost, the Southern Bean Royal Family still had other methods to support his combat power. Of course, this wouldn't be without cost. The Ning family would inevitably have to pay more in the contract.

The Ning family was like a nail, fixed in the Fire Persimmon Immortal City, helping the royal family resist Meng Kui and prevent the Meng family from annexing this shortest-established immortal city.

The profits involved with an immortal city were often immense. The Fire Persimmon Immortal City, with its Fire Persimmon Mountain, generated continuous benefits.

Given its potential, it could become the strongest treasure-refining site in the entire Southern Bean Kingdom.

But currently, its subsequent development hasn't been realized.

This immortal city was in the midst of fierce contention between the Zhu and Meng families.

The Zhou and Ning families had become the tentacles of the royal Zhu family. The Zhou family was a local clan, but during the previous struggle for the Molten Rock Immortal Palace, they showed weakness.

Therefore, the Zhu family valued the Ning family more.

In Zhu Xuanji's view, Ning Jiufan himself had considerable combat power, especially since Ning Zhuo had left a deep impression on him.

Merely at Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment stages, he dared to scheme for the Molten Rock Immortal Palace, planned for over a decade for his mother, showed patience, was skilled in strategy, and at the last moment, bravely stepped forward regardless of life or death. Such loyalty and filial piety, such wisdom and courage, showed the character of the Ning family!

Zhu Xuanji's perception was also that of the Zhu family.

The Southern Bean Royal Family generally believed that the Ning family had upright integrity and was the best choice to resist and block the Meng family's erosion of the Fire Persimmon Immortal City!

"Did the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Essence really appear on its own? Could it be Meng Kui's secret plot?"

"Even if he happened upon it, he would surely design a scheme to target Ning Jiufan."

"Ning Zhuo is away, and his cultivation is weak; he only has potential for the future. Ning Jiufan is a Golden Core cultivator; he is the key figure at present."

Zhu Xuanji explained Ning Jiufan's importance to Shen Lingshu.

Shen Lingshu nodded: "Set your mind at ease, Xuanji."

"How could I not know Ning Jiufan's value?"

"But I will still keep his fate in my hands for now and not release it."

"On one hand, I can further calculate the details of his fortune and whether Ning Zhuo has mastered the Life Hanging by a Thread divine ability. On the other hand, this is actually a scheme against Meng Kui."

"Meng Kui is also skilled in divination; he will surely perform divination on Ning Jiufan before the battle."

"If he calculates Ning Jiufan's fate, it will certainly make him underestimate the enemy."

"At the critical moment, when I suddenly release the fate and coordinate with my spell, Ning Jiufan's fate will surge more than tenfold!"

"At that time, it will surely catch Meng Kui off guard."

Hearing this scheme, Zhu Xuanji immediately understood that Shen Lingshu had already made plans and felt relieved.

Two Notes Country, Canglin Immortal City.

The roaring flames gradually died down.

Jin Li looked exhausted.

He had been sitting cross-legged in front of the refining furnace for several days. During this time, he hadn't slept or rested, occasionally forming hand seals, casting spells, his mind fully engaged.

Ning Zhuo, Sun Lingtong, and Zhang Zhongyi stood behind Jin Li.

Jin Li shouted sharply: "Open for me!"

Whoosh—!

The furnace door slowly opened, and a large amount of hot air rushed out, turning into steam that filled the entire room.

Jin Li lifted his little finger and lightly flicked it, summoning a wind that swept away all the steam.

Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong had already sensed the Thousand-Mile Roaming Dragon.

The next moment, the miniature mechanical roaming dragon was slowly pulled out by an invisible force.

Sun Lingtong activated her innate talent, her eyes glowing with spiritual light as she carefully observed.

Ning Zhuo, with just his naked eyes, could see—the Thousand-Mile Roaming Dragon was even more battered than before.

Before entering the refining furnace, the mechanical roaming dragon already had thirty percent damage unrepaired. Now, the damage had increased further, reaching at least fifty percent!

Especially the rear half of the mechanical dragon's body was covered in cracks; some dragon scales had even disappeared, exposing the outer armor layer.

But since they needed to save time and eliminate the Blood Trace Tracking Spell, paying this price was a choice Sun and Ning had made themselves.

Sun Lingtong took the roaming dragon with both hands, looked at it for a moment, and slowly nodded to Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo then took out the treasure materials and handed them to Jin Li.

These materials naturally came from the Old Monster in the Stone, at the Nascent Soul level.

Jin Li laughed contentedly and nodded to Ning Zhuo: "Little friend Ning Zhuo, if this mechanical roaming dragon needs repairs, I can help with that too."

Ning Zhuo smiled wryly, indicating that he was short on funds. Just dealing with the Blood Trace Tracking Spell had already diverted resources from his family's trade tasks.

When he had more funds in the future, he would seek out Jin Li and ask the master for help.

Jin Li tossed the treasure materials in his hand: "Little friend Ning Zhuo, no need to be reserved. If you want to repair the Thousand-Mile Roaming Dragon now, that's possible too. We just need to sign a contract between us, and you can pay me a bit more of these materials in the future."

Ning Zhuo gave a noncommittal laugh and brushed it off.

The Nascent Soul-level treasure materials taken from the Old Monster in the Stone were of excellent quality, making Jin Li very eager for them.

He didn't know yet that these materials had hidden flaws.

After several dealings with Ning Zhuo, Jin Li had a good impression of him. This cooperation built more trust, allowing him to offer advance payment and, to some extent, permit Ning Zhuo to buy on credit.

After discussing with Sun Lingtong, Ning Zhuo ultimately declined this rather tempting offer.

Having resolved the threat of the tracking spell, Sun and Ning left the city directly. They did not return to the Three Generals Camp but sent a flying message instead.

They moved far from the immortal city and entered the Thousand-Mile Roaming Dragon.

Ning Zhuo went to the engine room and poured out a large amount of spirit stones, feeding them into the furnace of the mechanical roaming dragon.

"This time, it's really a risky gamble," Ning Zhuo sighed.

The fire essence reserves were nearly depleted; the mechanical roaming dragon simply couldn't return to the Thousand Peaks Forest.

Ning Zhuo had to use all the spirit stones he had for this risky journey. And this was only enough for a one-way ticket, so...

He had also embezzled public funds.

He managed the accounts of the Three Generals Camp and took a batch of spirit stones, mixing them with his own and feeding them all into the furnace.

Sun Lingtong licked her lips and grinned: "Now this is exciting."

Ning Zhuo sighed again.

The financial pressure on him was immense.

Just look at the Thousand-Mile Roaming Dragon—fifty percent damaged, and no means to repair it.

He was really having a hard time.

On the surface, he appeared glamorous; everyone thought he was a young master from a great family, astonishingly wealthy, casually taking out Nascent Soul-level treasure materials.

But in reality, these materials were problematic; it was just that the time for exposure hadn't come yet.

Ning Zhuo's foundation had always been thin.

The branch family force behind him was something he built himself; it was just starting out, crying out for resources, and could hardly provide much support to Ning Zhuo.

To deal with the Six Caves Sect and retrieve the mechanical carriage and other items, Ning Zhuo's best strategy was to join the Two Notes Country side and use their strength to fight.

He was on the right path and had achieved many results because of it.

For example, curing Sun Lingtong and removing the Blood Trace Tracking Spell. He relied on Zhang Zhongyi and Jin Li for these; if Ning Zhuo had to act alone, he could never have achieved such results.

But at this point, he had reached his limit.

Most of the Old Monster in the Stone's treasure materials were used up; spirit stones were severely insufficient. He could barely support himself, but in the future, he might also need to fund the Three Generals Camp!

The Three Generals Camp needed to be maintained so that Ning Zhuo could stay on the front lines to seek opportunities and plot for the mechanical carriage.

From the current perspective, the Three Generals—Liu, Guan, and Zhang—were also worth investing in and maintaining.

Ning Zhuo knew clearly that Liu Er also secretly expected his investment!

But Ning Zhuo was almost out of money.

Without money, he could hardly participate on this stage with a high status. If he left the Three Generals Camp and joined the Red Flower Camp, given Mu Lan's strict military rules, he definitely wouldn't be a Military Advisor Sacrificial Officer.

Status and level were crucial, affecting his share of spoils, how much he could leverage external forces! And further affecting whether he could achieve his goal of retrieving the mechanical carriage.

To some extent, Ning Zhuo had been forced into a corner.

The Old Monster in the Stone became the immediate lifesaver.

"This time, we must succeed!" Ning Zhuo encouraged himself.

He returned to the dragon head cabin and, together with Sun Lingtong, officially initiated space travel.

The Thousand-Mile Roaming Dragon quickly vanished from its spot.

In the blackness, countless silver lights drew straight lines, swiftly passing by the mechanical dragon's body.

Cracks slowly spread across the dragon's body. From time to time, pieces of the outer shell broke off, separated from the main body, fell into the blackness, and then vanished into the void.

The void itself was very dangerous for physical objects.

Even Nascent Soul cultivators could hardly traverse the void with their physical bodies.

A Nascent Soul-level physical body would also struggle to resist the erosion and grinding of the void.

The Nascent Soul itself could barely manage.

The true value of the Thousand-Mile Roaming Dragon was once again revealed!

The blackness dissipated, the view suddenly brightened, and the Thousand-Mile Roaming Dragon arrived directly at the cave bottom, in front of the stone sphere.

The mechanical roaming dragon's map wasn't precise, but for places it had been to, there were records and the most accurate markers.

With markers, it could traverse the void and reach the destination directly.

"We're back, hahaha, I, Sun Lingtong, am back again!" Sun Lingtong put her hands on her hips, excited and arrogant.

Ning Zhuo's eyes were also blazing.

He had already mastered the method to treat Dao injuries and succeeded once, so he no longer feared the "trap" here.

Before coming, he had also asked Zhang Zhongyi to prepare some herbs in advance.

Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong applied the herbs all over their bodies, instantly becoming two black, muddy herb figures.

Through the Thousand-Mile Roaming Dragon's detection, only Sun and Ning were in the cave; no other living beings.

The two flew out of the mechanical roaming dragon, each carrying a pickaxe, and began vigorously mining the stone sphere at the cave bottom.

During their absence, the stone sphere had "regrown" to its original state.

The stone skin was still very fragile, easily chiseled and broken. Large pieces of stone skin fell off, once again revealing the inner layer.

Treasure light overflowed!

Various treasure materials piled together, dazzling Sun and Ning and making their hearts race.

With so many treasure materials, they would suddenly become rich, escape poverty, have ample funds, and a bright future!

The stone sphere trembled slightly, like someone stripped naked, starting to absorb the surrounding earth element spiritual energy.

The spiritual energy attached to its surface, continuously solidifying, forming new stone skin that wrapped around the inner stone sphere.

Of course, Sun and Ning wouldn't let this happen. They immediately swung their pickaxes to scrape off the stone skin.

But when they reached the inner layer of the stone sphere, neither pickaxes nor magical tools, nor even Sun Lingtong's blade techniques using her dagger, could make a dent in the inner stone sphere.

Let alone chipping off these treasure materials.

Sun Lingtong was still full of enthusiasm.

They had come prepared this time.

"Little Zhuo, it's up to you now," Sun Lingtong stepped back slightly.

Ning Zhuo nodded and smiled: "Boss, just watch."

He took out the staff heads.

Over twenty staff heads were placed on the stone sphere, fixed by the newly formed stone skin.

Ning Zhuo moved around these staff heads, drawing talismans and designing a formation.

Sun Lingtong assisted, preventing the earth element spiritual energy from forming new stone skin and covering Ning Zhuo's formation.

A short while later, Ning Zhuo completed his work.

After checking to ensure everything was correct, he stretched out his arms, fingers spread, and Life Hanging by a Thread emerged from his fingertips.

The threads connected to the ten key staff heads.

As Ning Zhuo slowly infused mana, the staff heads activated one by one, serving as formation eyes and cores, mobilizing the surrounding talismans, and then fully activating the entire formation.

The formation emitted a five-element glow.

Thanks to Ning Zhuo's five-element realm, he could design such a formation in a short time.

Of course, the mana cultivated through the Five Element Qi Rhythm Art was also perfectly suited.

Last time, his experience of sensing the principle of petrification through Zhang Zhongyi's silver needles was also crucial, giving Ning Zhuo significant inspiration.

Ning Zhuo closed his eyes, fully sensing the principles within the inner layer of the stone sphere.

Divine Ability—Stone Forged Earth Treasure!

The reason the stone sphere was difficult to mine was due to the continuous effect of the divine ability Stone Forged Earth Treasure.

Ning Zhuo deeply sensed and continuously comprehended.

Even with a divine ability, he had no barrier to understanding.

No other way.

His profound earth element realm allowed him to understand the divine ability without any obstacles.

He knew the principles, and divine abilities and spells were applications of principles, specific ingenious combinations of mana and principles.

"I've learned it, I've learned it!"

The joy of learning made Ning Zhuo's lips curl into a smile.

In his mind, the embryonic form of the Stone Forged Earth Treasure divine ability had already taken shape and was rapidly growing!

(End of )