: The Setup (Bonus from Reader 20210111152859427)

2025-03-16 Author: Gu Zhenren

Sun Lingtong looked anxious, her eyes fixed tightly on the ice pipa: "Xiao Zhuo, you keep Tian Shuang busy. I'll give it a try and steal this magic treasure!"

Ning Zhuo: "By the Buddha above, such a Buddhist treasure harms the world. The sooner it's removed, the sooner it benefits mankind."

Sun Lingtong was speechless for a moment: "Alright, Xiao Zhuo, I'm making my move."

Just as they spoke, Tian Shuang took a deep breath and sharply clapped his palms together in front of his chest.

Divine Ability – Profound Yin Frozen Realm!

In an instant, a hundred-zhang ice mist barrier expanded with Tian Shuang at its center.

Within the barrier, mist swirled, condensing into countless inverted ice spikes. The spikes were a deep, gloomy black tinged with sickly green, their surfaces inscribed with eerie talismans. Each spike sealed a Frozen Hell Weeping Ghost inside, giving the spikes lethally threatening power.

Trapped inside the barrier, both Sun and Ning felt their hairs stand on end.

Sun Lingtong shouted a warning: "Xiao Zhuo, be extremely careful!"

The two of them had already obtained intelligence on the Heaven and Earth Twin Ghosts, which included information about the Profound Yin Frozen Realm.

This was originally a spell involving many profound mysteries and uses related to space, frost, ghost path, and more.

Tian Shuang comprehended the inner essence of the spell, grasped its principles, and thus elevated it into a divine ability!

Once this divine ability was activated, it could form a massive barrier in an extremely short time. Inside, frigid energy surged, capable of freezing both body and mind. The talismans on the ice spikes not only had a sealing function but could also cooperate with the Frozen Hell Weeping Ghosts for soul exchange.

The Frozen Hell Weeping Ghosts were bound in bitterly cold prison cells, attracting external beings through their weeping, seeking sympathy.

Their cries varied—heart-wrenching sobs, faint whimpers, sorrowful and gentle turns—tailored to the individual, most effective at moving a specific target.

Once the target was affected and shed tears of sympathy, the Frozen Hell Weeping Ghost would succeed, swapping its own soul with the target's, thus escaping the icy prison cage.

If Ning Zhuo were hit, his soul would fall into an ice spike, while his body would be possessed by a ghost soul from within the spike!

Frigid energy surged, blowing towards them, greatly interfering with Ning Zhuo's vision.

Countless ice spikes shot forth, piercing through the cold mist, aimed at Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo, maneuvering his Somersault Cloud, dodged rapidly in the air, occasionally flipping, only capable of evasion, unable to counterattack.

All because he was still under attack from the pipa's sound.

"My lord, this general will protect you!" At the critical moment, Yuan Dasheng stepped forward again, using his own body as a shield to block nearly all the ice spikes for Ning Zhuo.

Hundreds of ice spikes pierced his body, densely packed, even layered.

The Black Iron Cloud under his feet also suffered, directly dispersing! This treasure-grade traveling cloud was destroyed under the terrifying ice spike assault.

Yuan Dasheng turned his head with difficulty to look at Ning Zhuo, then the light in his eyes quickly faded.

"You've worked hard. Return now!" Ning Zhuo sighed, releasing flames to burn.

The ice spikes on Yuan Dasheng wailed and scattered in disarray.

Ning Zhuo collected the severely charred Heavy Armor Blood Ape - Dasheng back into his storage.

Crying sounds emerged from his body.

Despite dodging everywhere and having Yuan Dasheng's protection, he had still been hit by a few ice spikes.

The spikes embedded in his body, and the Frozen Hell Weeping Ghosts inside immediately launched their attack. Cries came from within his body, quickly making Ning Zhuo's eyes redden.

"Oh no! Xiao Zhuo, your divine sea is full of Buddhist thoughts." Sun Lingtong was greatly alarmed.

"The Buddha is merciful!" Ning Zhuo's face was full of sorrow, "As the saying goes, if I don't enter hell, who will..."

"Nonsense!" Sun Lingtong roared.

At the crucial moment, he finally couldn't hold back and acted directly.

Thievery Art – Solid Snatch Hand!

The few ice spikes embedded in Ning Zhuo disappeared instantly, reappearing inside the Wandering Dragon of Ten Thousand Li.

Ning Zhuo was safe from danger!

But because of this, Sun Lingtong was now exposed to the sight of Tian Shuang, Zhu Xuanji, Lin Bufan, and Hongxiu Immortal.

Hongxiu Immortal let out a light sound of surprise.

Lin Bufan frowned: "The one who just acted didn't seem to be Ning Zhuo."

Zhu Xuanji nodded: "Of course."

As a divine constable, he already knew Sun Lingtong was by Ning Zhuo's side. He had dealt with Sun Lingtong in Fire Persimmon Immortal City and had a very deep impression of the latter.

After all, in Zhu Xuanji's life, he had rarely experienced being set up and having his leg hugged in the street.

Tian Shuang roared: "No matter how many helpers are hiding, they will all perish in my Profound Yin Frozen Realm!"

His Buddhist thoughts had already been halved, allowing him to exert more of his own strength.

Ning Zhuo controlled his Somersault Cloud, exhaustively fleeing within the Profound Yin Frozen Realm.

His Somersault Cloud was only artifact-grade and soon gave out.

"Xiao Zhuo, use mine!" Sun Lingtong immediately lent out her own Somersault Cloud.

Back in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, Ning Zhuo had also bought one for Sun Lingtong.

Since Sun Lingtong actively lent it, Ning Zhuo took it and used it without any hindrance.

But clearly, this artifact-grade traveling cloud wouldn't last long either.

Tian Shuang let out a cry and threw out another treasure.

It was a completely transparent cold jade coffin, glowing with an icy blue luster. The coffin was carved from Profound Yin Cold Jade from the extreme cold regions, crystal clear, and just looking at it conveyed a bone-chilling cold.

Intricate and ancient talismans were carved around the coffin body. The talismans emitted an eerie blue light.

Ice crystals were inlaid along the coffin's edges, frost formed from cold energy creating natural patterns on the surface, like snowflakes blooming in deep winter.

The lid was covered with complex array patterns that combined to form a magic array. The center of the array was at the lid's center, forming a pattern resembling an ice-blue ghost eye.

Four cold pearls of different colors were embedded around the lid, each containing one of four extreme cold forces, enhancing the Profound Yin Ice Coffin's power.

Through the transparent coffin, one could vaguely see the ice-sealed corpse puppet inside.

The puppet was sealed within the cold jade, its face ferocious, bearing the resentment and unwillingness from its lifetime, sending chills down one's spine.

Treasure – Profound Yin Ice Coffin!

Seeing Tian Shuang take out the ice coffin, Earth Ghost immediately spoke: "What nonsense are you pulling? Don't open the coffin recklessly. Do you know how much wealth it costs me each time you open it?!"

"To deal with a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, you still need to open the coffin?!"

"Hmph! You shut up." Tian Shuang retorted but ultimately didn't open the coffin, instead activating the coffin itself to release a wave of Yin cold energy.

The Yin cold energy rushed towards Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo felt a pain in his finger and immediately became wary.

At the critical moment, the Mechanism Ring warned him not to take it head-on. A direct block would definitely be life-threatening!

Ning Zhuo quickly dodged.

Cang Iron Man Armor!

To increase his speed, he exerted all his effort, even donning the mechanism armor instantly.

Mechanism Art – Wind Thunder Movement!

The spirit stones in the Cang Iron Man Armor were consumed frantically, transforming into a vast spiritual power. This power was finally delivered to two palm-sized, complexly patterned wind and thunder talismans.

The talismans each emitted wind force and thunder force, which merged along the internal array patterns of the Cang Iron Man Armor, finally forming a new power—

Wind Thunder Movement!

Blue-green lightning coiled around the Cang Iron Man Armor.

Instantly, the Cang Iron Man Armor's speed skyrocketed to its limit.

Mechanism Art – Iron Clad Cold!

The defensive formation in the Cang Iron Man Armor was pushed to its strongest state, operating with a buzzing sound.

Within the formation, metal and water elemental forces erupted, emitting a biting cold energy while carrying metallic properties, covering the entire Cang Iron Man Armor, making it both offensive and defensive, with defense soaring to the extreme.

The two major mechanism arts of the Cang Iron Man Armor were activated by Ning Zhuo almost simultaneously.

Ten breaths later.

The borrowed Somersault Cloud was destroyed, and the Cang Iron Man Armor's surface was covered in scars—this was the result after Ning Zhuo dodged with all his might.

Mechanism Art – Cang Dragon Soars Sky!

The back, shoulder blades, elbows, and wrists of the Cang Iron Man Armor suddenly opened armor plates, revealing hidden explosive talismans.

The talismans lit up with dazzling white light, boosting Ning Zhuo's speed explosively in a certain direction along with his movements and posture.

Originally a mechanism art for combat, representing the Cang Iron Man Armor's fighting capability. But facing a powerful enemy like Tian Shuang, Ning Zhuo could only use it for dodging to alleviate the crisis.

As Tian Shuang exerted more of his combat power, Ning Zhuo's dodging became increasingly perilous.

The Mechanism Ring frequently issued warnings, and Sun Lingtong acted repeatedly from within the Mechanism Wandering Dragon; both provided strong assistance, allowing him to continue struggling for survival within the Profound Yin Frozen Realm.

Mechanism – Floating Ice White Jade Hand!

Ning Zhuo used a mechanism creation to freeze one of his own limbs, treating his injury.

He spread his divine sense, observing the Three Generals Camp.

The Three Generals Camp was constantly on the defensive, in an extremely passive situation. The three generals were panting heavily, while Earth Ghost remained far away, without even a scratch.

Ning Zhuo had initially hoped for Liu Er and the others, but seeing this, he couldn't help but sigh deeply.

"Xiao Zhuo, we should retreat! Staying any longer offers no benefit." Sun Lingtong issued an urgent reminder.

Ning Zhuo remained silent.

Lin Bufan, hidden in the shadows, also spoke: "Ning Zhuo has held out until now, far exceeding my expectations, and it's been extremely difficult. If there are any methods or arrangements, it's best to activate them soon to prevent unforeseen events."

Zhu Xuanji nodded, then suddenly smiled, his gaze turning towards the distance: "My arrangement has arrived."

Lin Bufan followed his gaze but only saw a dense mountain forest.

He observed carefully, using a spell and activating his divine sense, he detected a clue.

Lin Bufan's pupils constricted immediately: "Quite a few people have come. Impressive, this concealment method can rival my One Leaf Obscures the Eye technique."

This remark made Zhu Xuanji glance at him, seeming to want to say something but stopping.

"Heaven and Earth Twin Ghosts, you dare come here again!"

"For the previous grievance, I'll make you pay a hundredfold!"

"Kill, beat these two ghosts until their souls scatter!!"

A group of cultivators suddenly appeared, forcefully intervening in the battlefield.

The unexpected arrival of reinforcements surprised and delighted Liu, Guan, Zhang, Ning, Sun, and the others.

Ning Zhuo recognized them; the newcomers were familiar faces, Nascent Soul stage cultivators from the main forces of Liangzhu Kingdom.

"How did they get here? And so timely." Ning Zhuo couldn't help but wonder.

He didn't know that the movements of the Heaven and Earth Twin Ghosts had been leaked to the main forces of Liangzhu Kingdom in advance by Zhu Xuanji through an insider.

"Heaven Ghost, Lieyang Zhenren is here!"

Lieyang Zhenren flew high into the sky, taking out his life-bound treasure, the Golden Crow Burns Heaven Mirror.

He activated his primary cultivation method, the Golden Crow Patrols Heaven Art, immediately summoning the phantom of a three-legged golden crow from the mirror.

The phantom soared, charging into the Profound Yin Frozen Realm, heading straight for the ice coffin.

Where it passed, heat waves rolled, cold energy dissipated greatly, and even the coffin lid showed signs of melting under the piercingly bright golden sunlight.

Tian Shuang hurriedly put away the ice coffin, activating countless ice spikes to shoot out of the barrier towards Lieyang Zhenren.

A second cultivator flew behind Lieyang Zhenren; it was Daoist Shanyuezi.

Shanyuezi had long been preparing and building momentum. Now, he formed hand seals, unleashing a spell – Five Peaks Suppress Soul Seal!

A seal rapidly enlarged, expanding to the size of a small hill.

Within the seal's light shadow, one could vaguely see eight square ancient characters carved on the base: "Command All Ghosts, Five Peaks Suppress Souls."

Once the seal appeared, it immediately suppressed all the ice spikes.

The Frozen Hell Weeping Ghosts inside the spikes had no power to resist, all firmly suppressed.

The third Nascent Soul cultivator was a hunchbacked old man holding a damaged bronze sundial.

He dripped Time Snake Poison onto the sundial. The sundial triggered, rotating backwards, emitting a bronze glow.

The light shone on the barrier, and the entire Profound Yin Frozen Realm seemed to reverse time, automatically shrinking back, completely dissipating in just a few breaths.

Tian Shuang spat a small mouthful of blood, glanced at the three Nascent Soul cultivators, and instead of retreating, charged towards Ning Zhuo!

Capturing Ning Zhuo to complete his sect's mission was his primary goal for this trip.

Ning Zhuo retreated at full speed,毫不犹豫地引爆苍铁汉甲中的所有符箓, increasing his speed to the limit.

The hunchbacked old man slightly turned his wrist, directing the bronze glow onto Ning Zhuo as well.

Instantly, Ning Zhuo's personal time accelerated, rapidly widening the distance between him and Tian Shuang, soon escaping danger.

The reinforcements from Liangzhu Kingdom had clearly come prepared, targeting not only Tian Shuang but also dealing with Earth Ghost simultaneously.

Last time, the Heaven and Earth Twin Ghosts and other cultivators seized treasures underground on the battlefield, suppressing the entire main forces of Liangzhu Kingdom, bringing great humiliation to the latter.

Having suffered a loss, the main forces of Liangzhu Kingdom reflected afterwards, fully utilizing their advantage in numbers and resources. This time, the team was carefully selected, and the methods employed were closely planned.

"Divine Constable Zhu, what a setup!" Lin Bufan, seeing this, sighed with emotion, understanding many things.

Connecting the dots, he figured out a lot.

Since Hongxiu Immortal was part of Nandou Kingdom's setup in Thousand Peaks Forest, then previously, when Hongxiu Immortal and others actively invited the Heaven and Earth Twin Ghosts to retrieve the heavy treasure, it was naturally under Zhu Xuanji's direction.

At that time, Zhu Xuanji arranged for Lin Bufan to oversee Ning Zhuo's attack on Ten Li Burning Forest, while also arranging for Hongxiu Immortal to guide the Heaven and Earth Twin Ghosts to cause chaos on the battlefield.

This plan not only kept the Heaven and Earth Twin Ghosts temporarily too busy to capture Ning Zhuo but also had another purpose: to create conflict between the Heaven and Earth Twin Ghosts and the main forces of Liangzhu Kingdom.

Now, this conflict was ignited and utilized by Zhu Xuanji.

It allowed Zhu Xuanji to watch from the sidelines, using Liangzhu Kingdom's power to deal with the Heaven and Earth Twin Ghosts. On one hand, it protected his own person, Ning Zhuo; on the other hand, it weakened the forces of Liangzhu Kingdom and Thousand Peaks Forest, continuing to increase their friction and hatred.

(End of )