: One Against Three!

"Xiao Zhuo!" Within the Ten Thousand Miles Roaming Dragon, Sun Lingtong was both shocked and delighted.

Although he had never met Meng Yaoyin, Ning Zhuo often looked at his mother's picture album as a child out of longing, silently shedding tears. Sometimes, he even slept holding the album.

Naturally, Sun Lingtong was familiar with the appearance of someone so important to his sworn brother.

Therefore, Sun Lingtong also recognized her almost instantly, just a beat slower than Ning Zhuo.

He mobilized his spiritual sense to "look" at Ning Zhuo, but the words got stuck in his throat, his expression freezing—this was the first time he had ever seen Ning Zhuo with such an expression.

"Destroy, destroy, destroy!" The Gabby Ghost General spoke with all three mouths simultaneously. The muscles of his bluish-black thighs bulged as he exerted force, trying to crush the paper figurine statue's head.

But the statue's head glowed with radiance, not defenseless. The Gabby Ghost General couldn't succeed immediately.

Instantly, his face showed anger. He clenched his fists, raised his arms high, and smashed them down hard toward the statue's head.

*Clang—!*

Faster than words can tell.

A golden light suddenly shot out. The brilliance in that instant was so dazzling that all the cultivators present couldn't help but squint.

Metal Element Spell — Profound Gold Slash!

Metal Element Lung Temple!!

The mana in his dantian decreased by a small portion. Unlike the previous battle in Liangzhu Kingdom, after two consecutive minor stage advancements, Ning Zhuo's mana reserves were much larger, giving him enough foundation to support mana-intensive spells like the Profound Gold Slash.

Fast! So fast!

The Profound Gold Slash was so swift that the Gabby Ghost General couldn't react before being sliced in two.

Cut at the waist!

His upper body fell to the ground, while his lower body remained standing, foot still stepping on the paper figurine statue's head.

"Golden Core level! Who is it?" Such fierce offensive power made Wen Ruan Yu both pleasantly surprised and alarmed. He quickly turned his head.

Although his spiritual sense covered the battlefield and he already knew it was Ning Zhuo who unleashed it.

He still couldn't help but turn to look at this unremarkable, sallow-faced young man.

"Are you Golden Core level? No, still Foundation Establishment."

"Did you use some forbidden technique? Or a talisman, perhaps?"

The Gabby Ghost General opened all three mouths, simultaneously gasping in shock.

"Going to die, going to die, going to die!" As he spoke, he activated a ghost technique.

His separated lower body immediately turned into a thick, ink-green smoke, flew to his upper body, reattached, and gradually solidified back into legs and feet.

The Mirror Makeup Ghost General and Butcher Ghost General exchanged a glance, then immediately moved, simultaneously charging at Ning Zhuo.

Regardless of whether Ning Zhuo had used some forbidden technique or rare talisman, etc., he was a variable.

With Wen Ruan Yu not being quickly subdued, eliminating the variable first was the consensus the two Ghost Generals reached in an instant.

The Profound Gold Slash was too threatening.

Even with full defense, the Ghost Generals weren't confident they could completely block it.

Later, when fighting Wen Ruan Yu, if Ning Zhuo unexpectedly released such a slash, who could withstand it?

The three Ghost Generals were all ghost cultivators; their bodies differed from living humans and lacked conventional fatal weaknesses.

But even so, recovery like the Gabby Ghost General's consumed foundational resources and came at a high cost. They couldn't afford it multiple times.

The Mirror Makeup Ghost General and Butcher Ghost General didn't use spiritual sense to communicate; just a glance was enough to adopt the most correct tactic. This action alone showed their battle-hardened experience and rich combat literacy.

"A mere Foundation Establishment dares to interfere in our fight!"

"Die!"

In an instant, two Ghost Generals pounced, ghostly energy surging, killing intent spreading.

Compared to them, Ning Zhuo's figure was thin and small. After releasing the Profound Gold Slash, he stood motionless, as if scared stiff.

Wen Ruan Yu's heart immediately tightened: "Not good!"

He intercepted with all his might.

The Mirror Makeup Ghost General suddenly flew into the air, dodging his interception. The Butcher Ghost General, however, had a large, heavy body and was entangled by Wen Ruan Yu's literary techniques.

The Butcher Ghost General abruptly looked up at the Mirror Makeup Ghost General and called out softly: "Swap."

Having fought side by side for years, the two had developed ample默契.

The Mirror Makeup Ghost General immediately held up her dressing mirror, pointing the mirror surface at herself and the back toward the Butcher Ghost General.

The next moment, she activated this innate magical treasure, swapping positions with the Butcher Ghost General.

Freed, the Butcher Ghost General roared and continued pouncing at Ning Zhuo.

Although the Mirror Makeup Ghost General ended up entangled by literary techniques, she avoided a direct confrontation with Ning Zhuo. If Ning Zhuo still had the ability to unleash a second Profound Gold Slash, hitting the thick-skinned Butcher Ghost General was definitely better than hitting the Mirror Makeup Ghost General.

It was an excellent tactical choice in actual combat.

Wen Ruan Yu still wanted to act, to support Ning Zhuo, but the Mirror Makeup Ghost General turned around and entangled him.

"Run!" Wen Ruan Yu urgently sent a spiritual sense message, trying to snap Ning Zhuo out of his daze.

The Butcher Ghost General had already closed within a dozen steps of Ning Zhuo and couldn't help but laugh maniacally.

Wen Ruan Yu pushed his limits, his offensive suddenly intensifying.

His individual combat power naturally surpassed each Golden Core Ghost General. The Mirror Makeup Ghost General couldn't hold on and immediately shouted, "Gabby, come help!"

"Going to die, going to die, going to die." The Gabby Ghost General still remained in place, continuously talking.

The Mirror Makeup Ghost General almost cursed, but suddenly her expression changed strangely because, with her spiritual sense covering the battlefield, she discovered: although the Gabby Ghost General had recovered, he was still sitting on the ground.

He stared at Ning Zhuo in the distance, sweating profusely all over, even trembling slightly, his face full of fear.

"Could it be that when he says 'going to die,' he doesn't mean for this kid to die, but that *we* are going to die?" The Mirror Makeup Ghost General fell into doubt and surprise.

She knew very well that among her comrades, the Gabby Ghost General had the sharpest spiritual intuition, adept at sensing danger.

"Be careful!" She hurriedly warned.

Too late.

The Butcher Ghost General had already rushed before Ning Zhuo, like an out-of-control carriage crashing directly into him.

With Ning Zhuo's small frame—not even reaching thirty percent of the Butcher Ghost General's size—if he were hit squarely, he would likely be crushed to pieces, sent flying high, and die spitting blood mid-air!

Wen Ruan Yu couldn't help but squint, unable to bear seeing Ning Zhuo's miserable state.

But the next moment, a flash of mirror light.

A red copper "city wall" suddenly appeared between the Butcher Ghost General and Ning Zhuo.

Looking closely, it was a mechanical ape.

What an ape!

It stood nearly two zhang tall, like a small building, with a majestic and burly body comparable to the Butcher Ghost General.

Made of ten thousand forged black iron castings, red sun copper protecting its entire body, diamond fangs half an arm's length long, wind-fire wheels embedded in its calves over six chi in diameter.

The mechanical core sphere furnace inside the ape activated, driving high-temperature airflow to start spraying.

The blood oil bottle and blood spring pot formed a cycle in its abdomen, emitting a faint blood mist.

It was the Heavy Armored Blood Ape · Da Sheng!

*Boom!*

The Butcher Ghost General solidly crashed into Yuan Da Sheng's chest.

Yuan Da Sheng took one step back, completely neutralizing the impact.

Instead, the Butcher Ghost General was knocked dizzy.

*Thud.*

Yuan Da Sheng threw an uppercut, hitting the Butcher Ghost General in the abdomen.

Taking the blow, the Butcher Ghost General immediately bent over, mouth wide open, glaring fiercely, his eyeballs almost popping out.

He hurriedly waved his butcher knife, striking back wildly.

Yuan Da Sheng sidestepped, then turned,顺势 elbowing out like a spear, directly hitting the Butcher Ghost General's face.

Instantly, the Butcher Ghost General jerked his head back, a dent punched into his face by the heavy blow.

Yuan Da Sheng set his stance and directly kicked.

As he exerted force, the wind-fire wheels on his calves spun violently, trailing flames, doubling the power of his kick.

*Boom!*

Another dull sound as Yuan Da Sheng kicked the Butcher Ghost General flying.

*Boom, boom, boom...*

The Butcher Ghost General flew backward, smashing through two walls and a large number of facilities in the workshop.

Then, he was buried under the collapsed wall bricks and stones.

Wen Ruan Yu's tense heart immediately relaxed. He felt quite fortunate: "I almost forgot, Jiao Ma hid a Golden Core level mechanical puppet."

"This Golden Core level mechanism is indeed fierce."

*Roar!*

The Butcher Ghost General roared, the sound wave shattering the dust. He strode out, filled with rage and hatred.

But Yuan Da Sheng had already pounced in front of him.

*Boom, boom, boom...*

A series of attacks landed on the Butcher Ghost General.

The butcher knife in the Butcher Ghost General's hand had been lost during his flight. He had no qualms, using fists and feet to fight fiercely with Yuan Da Sheng.

They exchanged blows, each punch and kick powerful and heavy, creating sounds of rushing wind.

Inside the Heavy Armored Blood Ape · Da Sheng, the twenty-seven bronze cylinders on the surface of the mechanical core sphere furnace extended and retracted rapidly like living creatures. Crimson fire essence constantly consumed, large amounts of steam rising.

The nested wind-fire wheels in its calves spun swiftly, emitting呼呼 wind sounds, swirling with tails of flame.

As the fight continued, the Butcher Ghost General fell into a disadvantage.

"Damn it! This mechanical ape's martial prowess is higher than mine?!" The Butcher Ghost General was shocked. He wanted to turn the tables but was always seen through by the mechanical ape in advance.

"Great control!" Wen Ruan Yu, while tangling with the Mirror Makeup Ghost General, kept the battle situation in view.

In his opinion: Yuan Da Sheng was clearly a mechanism. Being able to display such profound martial prowess was all thanks to Ning Zhuo.

"Jiao Ma is actually a mechanical cultivator?"

"This doesn't match the intelligence at all." Wen Ruan Yu sighed.

Ghost Technique — Nether Soul Iron Casting.

The Butcher Ghost General howled, activating a ghost technique that greatly increased his overall defense. Yuan Da Sheng's punches and kicks hit him, producing sounds of metal clashing.

The Mirror Makeup Ghost General was startled: "He actually forced Butcher to use this ghost technique. But that's good; with this enhancement, victory is assured!"

The Mirror Makeup Ghost General knew this was a powerful trump card of her comrade. In many past battles fought together, she had witnessed the strength of this technique.

Sure enough, with this technique active, Yuan Da Sheng's attacks immediately became ineffective.

Just as the Butcher Ghost General was about to regain the upper hand and vent his anger, he was unexpectedly hit by a spell.

Wood Element — Root and Vine Entanglement!

Wood Element Liver Temple!!

Emerald green vines sprouted from the ground, directly entangling the Butcher Ghost General in place.

Immobilized, the Butcher Ghost General was forced to release another ghost technique, forcibly cutting the green vines.

Although the vines were severed, the parts wrapped around the Butcher Ghost General's body writhed like snakes, restraining his arms, pulling his legs, greatly distorting his movements.

This created many openings, allowing Yuan Da Sheng to easily handle him, beating him with clanging sounds, turning him into a punching bag.

"How can this be?!" The Mirror Makeup Ghost General was greatly surprised; this was completely different from what she had expected.

Ning Zhuo had merely cast one Wood Element spell, easily thwarting the Butcher Ghost General's attempt to turn the tables.

Within the Ten Thousand Miles Roaming Dragon, Sun Lingtong felt deeply moved.

It seemed he was seeing how Ning Zhuo and Yuan Da Sheng cooperated to break through challenges in the Lava Immortal Palace.

"Has it been that long? Xiao Zhuo's strength has grown to this level."

"His progress is too great!"

"A Ghost General is at Golden Core, yet they're beaten without any ability to fight back by the combination of one person and one ape."

Seeing Ning Zhuo and Yuan Da Sheng's performance, Wen Ruan Yu visibly perked up, thinking: "We can win! I see a chance for victory!"

"I never expected Jiao Ma's combat power to be so formidable."

"City Lord is wise. She must have recognized this youth's extraordinary talent, hence indulging him and letting him investigate here at the South Gate."

Thinking this, Wen Ruan Yu immediately sent a spiritual sense message to Ning Zhuo: "Jiao Ma, how long can you maintain this state?"

"If you can hold on, I can repel the other two Golden Core Ghost Generals."

"If we win this battle, I'll personally report to the City Lord and commend your merits!"

Ning Zhuo slightly turned his head, gazing at Wen Ruan Yu, and transmitted: "Get out of the way."

Wen Ruan Yu: ?!

The next moment, a Profound Gold Slash brushed past his shoulder, slicing through the air.

Wen Ruan Yu's vision was filled with golden yellow, the afterimage left by the Profound Gold Slash.

"Hey! Jiao Ma, you almost slashed me!" Wen Ruan Yu was furious.

The Mirror Makeup Ghost General was also startled. She was entangled with Wen Ruan Yu, quite close; the second Profound Gold Slash also posed a serious threat to her.

"Good thing I've been distracted, closely watching this kid, and dodged in time... Wait, no!"

The Mirror Makeup Ghost General looked in another direction.

There, the Gabby Ghost General was split in two, divided into left and right halves.

"Ah, ah, ah!" The Gabby Ghost General cried out three times, desperately recovering.

But even after restoring his body, he was dimmer than before.

"Terrifying, terrifying, terrifying!" Deeply stimulated, the Gabby Ghost General disregarded consumption, fearfully activating his trump card.

Ghost Technique — Ghost Bat Swarm.

His entire body's ghost energy erupted violently, turning into a surging tide of ghost energy. Within this tide, countless ghost bats flew out.

The ghost bats were numerous, momentarily obscuring the battlefield.

Seizing the opportunity, the Mirror Makeup Ghost General fully entangled Wen Ruan Yu.

Elsewhere, Yuan Da Sheng and the Butcher Ghost General were locked in a fierce fight.

The vast majority of the ghost bats descended from the sky, all pouncing towards Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo slowly raised his head. His calm, deep-pool-like eyes clearly reflected countless ghost bats.

The ghost bats screeched, diving down, carrying a chilling killing intent.

Ning Zhuo didn't dodge or avoid, slowly spreading his arms.

Fire Element — Nine Heavens Fire Dragon Technique!

Fire Element Heart Temple!!

Instantly, flames surged, blazing fiercely, rapidly spreading across most of the battlefield.

*Roar.*

Three fire dragons took form from the sea of fire. The air was severely distorted, the ground tiles burned red-hot.

The fire dragons roared, charging at the漫天 ghost bats.

The crimson color, in an extremely wild and unrestrained manner, quickly overwhelmed the darkness and black tide, becoming the dominant color occupying this battlefield!

Flames were everywhere!

The floor tiles melted, ghost bats vanished into smoke.

The fire dragons struck precisely, one each, engulfing the three Ghost Generals separately.

Seeing such vast and mighty flames, the three Ghost Generals already knew things were bad, but their retreat speed couldn't match the fire dragons' assault. They were all burned, howling in agony.

Wen Ruan Yu was forced to flee the battlefield. Seeing such firepower, he felt bewildered.

The remaining craftsmen were also forced into a corner. Someone among them shouted: "No! This is a workshop! Casting such a spell will burn everything to ruin!"

Hearing this, Wen Ruan Yu's heart tightened.

He immediately prepared to act, saving whatever he could, especially the paper figurine statue.

"Hiss..."

The next moment, facing the raging flames, Wen Ruan Yu gasped in shock.

Because upon careful observation, he realized that within this sea of fire, despite the ferocious flames, everything was orderly. Even the three fire dragons, despite their imposing momentum, moved with precision, the flames restrained, never scorching the paper figurine statue in the slightest.

"What incredibly fine control!"

"And this is a Fire Element spell!!"

In that instant, a thought struck Wen Ruan Yu: "Is this Jiao Ma really Jiao Ma?"

The flames dissipated.

The three Ghost Generals were all burned to near death, bound head to toe by streams of water, unable to move.

"Fire Element switching to Water Element?! Hiss..." Wen Ruan Yu gasped in shock again inwardly.

Ning Zhuo slowly walked over.

Wen Ruan Yu wore a grave expression, viewing Ning Zhuo in a new light.

Ning Zhuo stretched out a hand. Water streams burst forth, capturing the three Ghost Generals and delivering them before him.

Ning Zhuo glanced at the Butcher Ghost General and Mirror Makeup Ghost General, then fixed his gaze on the Gabby Ghost General.

"Spare me, spare me, spare me." The Gabby Ghost General cried out.

Ning Zhuo expressionlessly hooked a finger slightly.

The next moment, the water streams turned into blades, scraping across the Gabby Ghost General's entire body, slicing off pieces of his flesh.

"Ahhhh..." The Gabby Ghost General let out agonizing screams, convulsing uncontrollably.

The Butcher Ghost General struggled fiercely; the Mirror Makeup Ghost General pressed her lips tightly.

Ning Zhuo extended a second finger, releasing a Metal Element spell. Hundreds of golden needles continuously pierced through the Gabby Ghost General.

"Pain, pain, pain!" The Gabby Ghost General's voice grew hoarse from screaming.

Ning Zhuo then cast an Earth Element spell, layering it on one side of the Gabby Ghost General's body, crushing half of his ghostly form into dust.

The Gabby Ghost General could no longer cry out, eyes rolling back, fainting.

Unconsciously, the Butcher Ghost General had stopped struggling. The Mirror Makeup Ghost General trembled slightly under Ning Zhuo's gaze.

But Ning Zhuo turned to look at Wen Ruan Yu.

Wen Ruan Yu was approaching, his heart tightening. He clasped his fists in thanks, completely devoid