: Field Path Lantern

Ning Zhuo originally planned to investigate the "fuel" for the Cremation Prajna Liberation Sutra, but unexpectedly, he found a certain key point within the paper giant statue.

Inside the Thousand-Mile Roaming Dragon, Sun Lingtong's eyes shone with excitement as he rubbed his hands together and said, "Xiao Zhuo, let's keep quiet for now. When no one's around, we'll sneak back and take your mother's treasure."

Ning Zhuo rubbed his ring but shook his head. "There's no need for that. Not only are we going to take it directly, but we're going to do it right in front of Wen Ruan Yu!"

Sun Lingtong was taken aback.

Ning Zhuo explained, "If there really is a treasure left here by my mother, then based on the White Paper City Lord's previous behavior and his belief that I'm the savior of White Paper Immortal City, he would definitely want to 'return the property to its rightful owner.' It's only natural for me to inherit my mother's legacy!"

"If there isn't anything, and we're just getting our hopes up for nothing, we can still show our sincerity."

Sun Lingtong shook his head. "No, no, no, Xiao Zhuo, you've forgotten one possibility."

"What if the treasure your mother left behind is extremely powerful and precious? Aren't we afraid the White Paper City Lord might try to seize it?"

"Even if he doesn't take it by force, he'll always find some excuse to keep it. You know how those righteous path types usually are!"

Ning Zhuo nodded slightly. "Boss, what you say makes sense."

"But I still won't do that."

"Because this is a arrangement left by my mother. She was kind and generous, sacrificed so much for White Paper Immortal City, and left this treasure for the sake of this very city."

"As her son, coming here isn't just about following in her footsteps. It's also, in a way, about inheriting her legacy—the things she worried about in life but never completed!"

"So, if such a situation arises, as long as the White Paper City Lord uses the treasure to protect the immortal city and support its citizens, I would willingly accept it."

Sun Lingtong was convinced and sighed sincerely. "Xiao Zhuo, you're becoming more and more like a righteous path cultivator."

He then explained, "You know, when I say righteous path, I mean it in the literal sense."

"I know, boss." Ning Zhuo chuckled inwardly. "I'm just learning from my mother's way of doing things."

At this point, Ning Zhuo's voice softened. "By following her example and completing what she wanted to accomplish, I feel like my mother is right beside me, guiding me."

Sun Lingtong sighed and fell silent.

Ning Zhuo then called for Wen Ruan Yu and directly told him about the secret he had discovered.

Wen Ruan Yu was both shocked and delighted. "The City Lord is wise! Appointing you to investigate was the right move. Who knew you'd make such a breakthrough right away!"

"This shows your mastery of formations is quite profound. An ordinary person wouldn't have been able to see this."

Wen Ruan Yu then sighed with emotion. "It had to be Senior Sister Meng! Use it normally for normal purposes, reverse it for another use. Such ingenious构思—who would have thought to reverse this formation?"

With this key hint, Wen Ruan Yu also spotted the peculiarity.

Under his watchful eye, Ning Zhuo reversed a certain formation, triggering the internal formation space within, causing a passageway to open.

Ning Zhuo and Wen Ruan Yu entered one after the other and found the formation space supported by eight stone pillars, holding up the top and bottom.

In the very center of the formation space was a huge well.

Yin energy surged like a tide within the well, roaring like a rushing river.

Hovering directly above the well mouth was an octagonal palace lantern.

The lantern body was in the shape of an octagonal prism, standing four feet two inches tall with a diameter of one foot eight inches. Its top tapered into a dome shape, while the bottom was flat and square, subtly embodying the principle of a round heaven and square earth.

The palace lantern seemed to be made of brass and sandalwood, emitting a faint yellow light.

But it was precisely this faint glow that firmly suppressed the surging tide of Yin energy, even subtly permeating it.

While Ning Zhuo was still observing, Wen Ruan Yu blurted out, "This is our Wan Xiang Sect's Field Path Lantern! I never expected Senior Sister Meng to have secretly hidden it here."

This answer was somewhat unexpected for both Sun and Ning.

"Field Path Lantern?" Ning Zhuo voiced his question.

Wen Ruan Yu nodded, pointing at this Nascent Soul-grade treasure. "This lantern can greatly adjust the local earth energy, creating fertile fields and connecting paths."

"Senior Sister Meng used it here probably to suppress this Yin tide."

"Ah, back then, because she lost this treasure, she could have soared high at the Flying Cloud Assembly but ended up failing."

"It turns out she sacrificed even more than we initially saw!"

Ning Zhuo looked at the Yin tide, gritted his teeth, and said, "How can we根治 this vast Yin tide? What can be done to solve it once and for all?"

Wen Ruan Yu sighed and shook his head. "It's too difficult!"

"The Yin Tide Black Marsh Wetlands were eroded so deeply and for so long by the Yin tide that they formed the unique landscape and resources we have today."

"As the saying goes, rely on the mountain, live off the mountain; rely on the water, live off the water. This Yin tide is the lifeline for the development of our White Paper Immortal City."

"For this reason, the City Lord didn't hesitate to sacrifice himself, perpetually suppressing the Yin tide, resulting in him now being severely eroded by Yin energy, trapped in a difficult situation, unable to act freely."

Ning Zhuo frowned. "This palace lantern has been suppressing the Yin tide all along. It has been indispensable for White Paper Immortal City's survival until now!"

"Even though it belongs to the Wan Xiang Sect, it concerns the lives of countless people in White Paper Immortal City. We can't be careless."

"In my opinion, Lord Wen, you might as well pretend you never saw it. Play dumb this once, to honor Senior Meng Yaoxin's arrangements and her good intentions."

But Wen Ruan Yu shook his head and smiled bitterly. "I can't do that."

"This palace lantern itself isn't particularly remarkable, but its origin is extraordinary. It's actually a component mechanism from the Hundred Flowers Flying Boat."

"The Hundred Flowers Flying Boat is our Wan Xiang Sect's guardian treasure, lost for many years."

"Components like this palace lantern are important clues! Back then, Senior Sister Meng accepted this mission, using this lantern to search for the flying boat's whereabouts."

"This matter concerns the sect's guardian treasure; I cannot conceal it!"

"I will report this to the sect. Of course, I will also report it to the White Paper City Lord at the same time."

Sun Lingtong slapped his forehead. "Oh dear, oh dear, if we had known, we wouldn't have dismantled this formation right in front of him."

Ning Zhuo fell silent for a moment, then agreed. "Alright. But since I discovered this place, I have one condition."

"Since the Wan Xiang Sect is retrieving their Field Path Lantern, as a super sect, they should make some gesture, right?"

"At the very least, they should provide a treasure of equal value to replace the Field Path Lantern and continue suppressing this place. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Wen Ruan Yu couldn't help but look Ning Zhuo up and down with a different gaze.

Ning Zhuo was puzzled. "Why are you looking at me like that, Lord Wen?"

Wen Ruan Yu sighed with emotion. "I never expected Jiao Ma to have such magnanimity and character, thinking of White Paper Immortal City first. This is quite rare for someone your age."

Wen Ruan Yu viewed Ning Zhuo in a new light.

As a Confucian cultivator, he emphasized cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world. He pursued setting the heart for heaven and earth, establishing life for the people, continuing lost teachings for past sages, and opening eternal peace for all ages.

Therefore, Ning Zhuo's actions greatly appealed to him.

He smiled slightly and said, "Rest assured. Not only will I request a sect treasure to continue suppressing this place, but I will also put in a word for your merits!"

"For so many years, no one in White Paper Immortal City discovered the secret here."

"Your contribution cannot be overlooked!"

"I will strive with the sect to give you a chance to join our Wan Xiang Sect."

"Jiao Ma, with your attainments, merely becoming a male consort in White Paper Immortal City is a waste of your talent."

"For you, even White Paper Immortal City and this Black Marsh Wetland are too small. You should join a super sect; that will be the grand stage where you can truly shine!"

Ning Zhuo was stunned. "Join the Wan Xiang Sect?"

His heart stirred.

Mainly because, if he could join this sect, he would be able to learn more about his mother's past, find more 'fuel,' and further replenish Meng Yaoxin's spirit.

His personal development was secondary.

Ning Zhuo asked, "I don't wish to change my primary cultivation technique. What about joining with my existing skills?"

Wen Ruan Yu pondered. "Our Wan Xiang Sect encompasses all things, accepting all streams. There are far too many who join with their existing skills."

"Speaking of which, if you were to join the sect, the timing would be just right."

"The upcoming Flying Cloud Assembly is about to begin. If you can make a mark in this grand event, you could quickly shed the identity of a miscellaneous duty disciple, even skip the outer disciple status altogether, and become an inner disciple in one step!"

This was the second time Ning Zhuo heard Wen Ruan Yu mention the Flying Cloud Assembly, so he immediately pressed for details.

Wen Ruan Yu explained, "Our Wan Xiang Sect selects talent in an unconventional manner. The Flying Cloud Assembly is a grand ceremony for promoting talent. Its scope is vast, covering the entire Flying Cloud Kingdom and even beyond."

"Many within the sect, unwilling to remain in their current positions, often prepare for the Flying Cloud Assembly for years."

"At that time, the Wan Xiang Sect will release all sect tasks, to be taken up by sect members and external rogue cultivators. By communicating with the heavens and earth deities, the achievements and contributions of every cultivator are immediately recorded, and their abilities are accurately assessed."

"Back then, Senior Sister Meng accepted a mission during the Flying Cloud Assembly and obtained this palace lantern."

"Ah, Senior Sister Meng was just too kind."

"She left this lantern here, but because she lost it, she was heavily penalized and failed the Flying Cloud Assembly!"

Ning Zhuo's heart suddenly stirred, and a sliver of doubt arose within him.

He suppressed his doubt and cupped his hands in thanks to Wen Ruan Yu. "If I could get your recommendation to join the Wan Xiang Sect, it would naturally be a great thing! Thank you for your guidance, Senior."

Wen Ruan Yu: "Recommending talent to the sect also earns me contribution points. Of course, I'd also like to build a positive connection with you, Jiao Ma."

He didn't hide this, and his candid demeanor was likable.

Ning Zhuo relaxed his formal posture. "But before that, I need to refine this palace lantern first."

Wen Ruan Yu: ?

His face showed hesitation, and he was about to speak when he caught sight of the determination in Ning Zhuo's eyes.

Wen Ruan Yu immediately understood that this point was non-negotiable.

Ning Zhuo's expression was blank, his tone even somewhat stiff: "Senior Wen, as long as you fulfill your promise, I will exchange one treasure for another immediately."

At this moment, Wen Ruan Yu's mind recalled the scene of Ning Zhuo single-handedly capturing three Golden Core-level ghost cultivators.

He smiled slightly. "Very well."

Ning Zhuo: "Please, Lord Wen, personally report the situation here to the City Lord. I will stay here and refine this palace lantern."

Wen Ruan Yu nodded. "This matter is significant; it's indeed more secure if I report it personally."

"But you staying here alone isn't safe."

"How about this: I'll leave a clone behind to protect you!"

Although he was clearly worried that Ning Zhuo might take the treasure and disappear, Wen Ruan Yu phrased it nicely.

Despite his smile, Ning Zhuo could sense his firmness on this point.

Ning Zhuo nodded. "Alright."

Seeing him agree, Wen Ruan Yu immediately took out a scroll from his storage belt.

He channeled法力and unfurled the scroll.

Inside was a self-portrait.

A clone of Wen Ruan Yu stepped out from the painting, landed in the formation space, and bowed slowly.

The clone's aura had actually reached the Golden Core level!

Ning Zhuo looked at it curiously and praised, "I've heard that Confucian cultivators often practice the Four Arts: Qin, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting. Seeing it with my own eyes today, Senior Wen's attainments in Confucian cultivation are truly profound."

Wen Ruan Yu smiled and offered a few modest words.

He stationed his clone at a spot for communication, away from the palace lantern to avoid suspicion. After making these arrangements, he didn't waste time and left.

Ning Zhuo floated into the air, slowly approached the palace lantern, and finally gently placed his hands on its surface.

He concentrated his mind, channeled法力, and began refining the treasure.

Sun Lingtong remained hidden within the Thousand-Mile Roaming Dragon, guarding Ning Zhuo closely and keeping watch on Wen Ruan Yu's painting clone.

"Xiao Zhuo, did you discover something else?"

Ning Zhuo sent a mental message: "I have a guess. Once I refine this palace lantern, I should be able to confirm it."

Ning Zhuo wasn't particularly skilled at treasure refinement, nor did he possess any top-tier refinement techniques.

However, when he had refined thirty percent of the lantern, his heart shook. He discovered more of Meng Yaoxin's arrangements and confirmed his earlier suspicion.

"Indeed, my mother made other preparations!"

Just earlier, when listening to Wen Ruan Yu's emotional words, Ning Zhuo had found it strange.

He had thought at the time: "How clever was my mother? Why didn't she report it to the sect and simply exchange the treasure? Why suffer such a great loss and fail the Flying Cloud Assembly? Unless she had other difficulties or plans!"

As Ning Zhuo gradually refined the palace lantern, he also gradually uncovered more of Meng Yaoxin's arrangements.

He discovered that the power of this lantern had actually permeated the vast Yin tide, forming fixed pathways.

These pathways were very hidden, almost undetectable unless activated by the lantern. The pathways were extremely long, seemingly extending infinitely, and it was unknown how deep they went.

When Ning Zhuo refined sixty percent of the lantern, he obtained the answer to this question—these pathways actually pierced through Yin and Yang, reaching directly into the Netherworld!

Upon learning this, Sun Lingtong was astounded: "Xiao Zhuo, your mother's methods are truly impressive. She actually made arrangements in the Netherworld. Even though she utilized the special geography of the Yin Tide Black Marsh Wetlands, being able to connect Yin and Yang truly shows great daring."

Ning Zhuo frowned slightly, a greater doubt arising in his heart: "Mother was willing to sacrifice her prospects within the sect by failing the Flying Cloud Assembly, just to use the palace lantern to make arrangements in the Netherworld."

"Why would she do that?"

"There must have been a compelling reason!"

When Ning Zhuo refined eighty percent of the palace lantern, his body and mind trembled violently.

"This is?!"

(End of )