: The Decisive Battle Approaches

June 16, 2025, Author: Gu Zhenren

In the giant well, a chilling tide surged like river waves, crashing against the well walls with thunderous roars.

The tall Paper City Lord and Ning Zhuo stood facing each other.

Just as her paper puppet double was about to speak, the Lord's true self spoke first: "Don't stop."

Yang Sanyan and Wen Ruanyu: "..."

This was naturally directed at Ning Zhuo.

You say don't stop, so I shouldn't stop?

Ning Zhuo decisively stopped, stepped back, and clasped his hands in salute: "Junior Ning Zhuo, son of Meng Yaoyin, pays respects to the Paper City Lord!"

The Paper City Lord's gaze remained fixed on Ning Zhuo, her expression shifting slightly to show interest.

Ning Zhuo's response was quite intriguing.

On one hand, he directly disobeyed the Lord's command to "not stop" and halted immediately.

Yet, on the other hand, he respectfully saluted, leaving no room for criticism.

The paper puppet flew to the true self's side: "True self, many things happened while you were unconscious."

Only then did the City Lord's true self turn her gaze and nod slightly at her puppet.

The next moment, she lowered her defenses, allowing the puppet to approach.

The puppet took the true self's hand, and within a dozen breaths, they exchanged information through spiritual sense.

The City Lord's true self showed a look of realization and turned to Ning Zhuo: "Meng Yaoyin... I never expected you to be the child of an old friend."

"Looking closely, you do resemble your mother in the eyes and brows."

"Your temperaments are similar too—both quite decisive, even stubbornly so."

"Back then, I advised your mother not to sacrifice her lifespan to save others. She didn't listen to my劝说 and insisted on acting."

Ning Zhuo's ears twitched slightly: "I never thought I'd find traces of my mother in Paper Immortal City."

"I know my mother."

"She was kind-hearted and compassionate. Her sacrifice for Paper Immortal City must have been willingly given."

Ning Zhuo then shifted the topic: "However, she passed away when I was two."

"So, my perspective differs from hers."

"I can continue supplying the yang energy as before, Lord City Lord, but what can you offer in exchange?"

The Paper City Lord was at the Nascent Soul level, while Ning Zhuo was merely at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Yet, the bold young man had the courage to speak confidently before a Nascent Soul-level powerhouse, even negotiating and bargaining directly.

After all, during the war in Liangzhu Kingdom, he had slain Nascent Soul-level cultivators.

The City Lord's true self fell silent, while her puppet spoke: "Young friend Ning Zhuo, you are already the deputy city lord of this city. Second only to one, above ten thousand..."

Ning Zhuo waved his hand and stated bluntly: "That's merely an honorary title. Besides, I plan to join the Myriad Forms Sect in the future and cannot stay here long. So, the deputy city lord position holds little appeal for me."

Wen Ruanyu wanted to speak but hesitated and remained silent.

The City Lord's true self chuckled lightly: "You are not one to speak without purpose. Since you propose an exchange, you must have something in mind. Why not state it directly and see if I can afford it?"

"Simple." Ning Zhuo calmly mentioned that he wanted the giant paper puppet statue at the southern gate.

The City Lord's true self fell silent again.

The puppet spoke with a troubled expression: "This giant paper puppet statue was indeed inspired by Meng Yaoyin. However, it is a trump card at the Nascent Soul level. From its creation to its maintenance, Paper Immortal City has invested heavily. Moreover, with the city surrounded by enemies, we need such means for protection and cannot rashly transfer it."

Ning Zhuo said: "If Lord City Lord agrees to my request, I naturally will not take the giant paper puppet statue before the current crisis is resolved."

"Only after the city survives the ghost tide and repels the Yin soldier army, when the situation stabilizes, will I take the statue."

The paper puppet said: "Well... the idea for the giant paper puppet statue was initially proposed by Wen Ruanyu. He is also one of the founders. His feelings must be considered in such a transaction."

So, Ning Zhuo turned to look at Wen Ruanyu.

Wen Ruanyu did not hesitate, smiling as he gazed at Ning Zhuo: "I just learned that Ning Zhuo is Senior Sister's biological son. Although this hasn't been confirmed in front of me, deep down, I prefer to believe in this romantic notion."

"I have no issues with handing the giant paper puppet statue to Ning Zhuo!"

Wen Ruanyu's response was direct and clear.

Ning Zhuo immediately gave him a grateful smile.

Yang Sanyan also nodded slightly at Wen Ruanyu, quite satisfied with his stance.

Wen Ruanyu's identity was complex.

On one hand, he was a Golden Core true disciple of the Myriad Forms Sect, managing the sect's outpost here. On the other hand, he was a high-ranking member of Paper Immortal City, having contributed to its management and operations over many years.

By agreeing to Ning Zhuo's request, Wen Ruanyu was also demonstrating his stance.

Clearly, he sided with the Myriad Forms Sect over Paper Immortal City.

Seeing his stance, the Paper City Lord finally spoke: "Agreed."

She was equally straightforward, directly agreeing to Ning Zhuo: "After the war, the giant paper puppet statue is yours."

"Not only that..."

The Paper City Lord also proactively gifted Ning Zhuo the four soul cultivation treasures she had previously given him as rewards.

According to her, Ning Zhuo had exposed the major traitor Zheng Shoumo and deserved generous rewards!

Each of these four soul cultivation treasures was at the Nascent Soul level!

The Paper City Lord's true self and puppet shared a consistent style—both were remarkably generous!

"Hahaha, this City Lord knows what's good! Well done, Little Zhuo!" Sun Lingtong had been observing from afar through the Life Thread.

Now, he was overjoyed, congratulating Ning Zhuo privately.

Ning Zhuo remained calm, analyzing the situation inwardly: "As expected of the Paper City Lord, her political skills are formidable!"

"She's already planning for the city's future dynamics."

In the current situation, Ning Zhuo, the savior, had aligned with the Myriad Forms Sect.

Paper Immortal City desperately needed the sect's assistance to survive this crisis.

Before Ning Zhuo officially joined the Myriad Forms Sect, the Paper City Lord directly lavished him with rewards to win him over.

She likely planned for Ning Zhuo, as deputy city lord, to serve as a bridge between Paper Immortal City and the Myriad Forms Sect in the future.

In other words, the Paper City Lord was courting Ning Zhuo and securing an intermediary for future利益博弈 between the city and the sect.

"Never mind that. Future matters can wait. Resolving the present is most urgent." Ning Zhuo recognized the City Lord's foresight, remaining wary yet admiring.

After all, she was genuinely generous and sincerely trying to win him over!

Ning Zhuo first thanked the City Lord for the rewards, then steered the conversation back: "Since Lord City Lord has awakened, let's finalize the divine contract before proceeding."

Yang Sanyan glanced at Ning Zhuo, impressed by his steady temperament and meticulous approach.

The City Lord's true self nodded slightly: "Agreed."

Yang Sanyan produced a divine decree.

The scroll unfurled, revealing the image of the Heavenly God Contract on the reverse.

He had a jade-like face with a third eye on his forehead. In one hand, he held the Mirror of Preceding Causes; in the other, the Golden Deed of Consequences. He wore a moon-white, cloud-patterned robe with wide sleeves, an black dragon-shaped jade pendant at his waist, and mountain-river shoes. He rode a three-legged Cyan Sound Crane.

The crane's feathers faintly revealed Daoist scriptures, scattering golden contract characters with each flap.

On the scroll's front was the full contract content.

Ning Zhuo and the others studied the terms and raised their opinions.

Yang Sanyan revised the content on the spot. After confirming no errors, they immediately used the divine decree.

They invoked the Heavenly God Contract's power, binding everyone to have no close ties with the mysterious organization or Zheng Shoumo, under penalty of divine pursuit and destruction!

With the divine contract established, all present remained unharmed.

Yang Sanyan and the others breathed sighs of relief, the atmosphere easing significantly.

The City Lord's puppet said: "Please, young friend Ning Zhuo, employ the dual cultivation method again."

Ning Zhuo coughed and quickly corrected: "It's merely a minor act of yin-yang fusion, not quite dual cultivation."

"However, before that, I have one small request."

The City Lord's puppet said: "Please speak."

Ning Zhuo said: "Previously, you kindly bestowed three talismans. Please take them back."

These three talismans had entered Ning Zhuo's three dantians, suppressed by three different techniques.

Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong had planned to use theft arts to remove them, as human hearts are unpredictable, and they were like hidden threats.

But whether the theft arts would work was uncertain.

Having the City Lord's puppet retrieve them personally would be best.

The City Lord's puppet hesitated: "Is that wise? I bestowed these three talismans to save you three times. You're currently acting as Jiao Ma, a high-profile target. What if there are more traitors besides Zheng Shoumo who target you?"

Ning Zhuo instinctively touched his mechanism ring and stated firmly that the puppet should retrieve them, as he had his own means of protection.

Seeing Ning Zhuo's resolute attitude, the puppet didn't insist, summoning the three talismans back with a wave.

Only then did Ning Zhuo act again, releasing yang energy to supply the Paper City Lord.

The Paper City Lord's true self slowly closed her eyes, remaining silent as if savoring the moment.

After a while, she opened her eyes again, her gaze questioning: Why stop again?

Ning Zhuo smiled wryly, feigning weakness: "Elder, your power is vast as mountains and seas. I'm merely a lowly Foundation Establishment cultivator. Reaching this point is my limit. Continuing would likely shorten my lifespan."

"I need to rest for a while to accumulate such yang energy again."

This, of course, wasn't entirely true.

The Yin-Yang Qi Pot still held thirty percent yang energy; Ning Zhuo had only used seventy percent.

The Paper City Lord quietly watched Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo met her gaze fearlessly and honestly.

The City Lord's true self said coolly: "I wonder what this healing art is called. Would young friend Ning Zhuo be willing to sell it?"

Ning Zhuo immediately refused.

As the atmosphere grew tense, Wen Ruanyu quickly congratulated the City Lord to ease the mood.

The City Lord's true self nodded slightly: "Thus, I can temporarily leave the deep well and fight when the crisis peaks."

"But only temporarily."

"The actual situation is clear to all. Without me personally suppressing it, Paper Immortal City would be overwhelmed by the vast yin energy, leading to destruction and death!"

Wen Ruanyu quickly spoke, praising the Paper City Lord's noble character and her immense sacrifices for the people in secret.

"Specific city defenses can be discussed with my puppet." The City Lord's true self gave the dismissal signal.

Yang, Wen, and Ning had to take their leave.

After the array space closed, they went to the reception hall, summoned Tie Guzheng, and secretly discussed for half an hour, reaching preliminary agreements on many matters.

That evening, Ning Zhuo hosted a dinner, inviting Yang Sanyan and Wen Ruanyu.

Ning Zhuo showed Wen Ruanyu some items left by his mother.

This evidence convinced Wen Ruanyu of Ning Zhuo's identity, bringing tears to his eyes at the table.

He even assured Ning Zhuo on the spot: "Little Zhuo, if you ever face difficulties, come to me. I'll help you with all my might!"

Yang Sanyan said to Wen Ruanyu: "Young friend Ning Zhuo is exceptionally talented and skilled. With the upcoming Feiyun Assembly as a perfect opportunity, he's bound to soar."

"In the future, it might be you who needs his help to solve problems."

Though Yang Sanyan had just met Ning Zhuo, their brief shared experience had completely changed his view of him!

Wen Ruanyu agreed with Yang Sanyan's words.

Ning Zhuo waved modestly, exuding confidence and composure.

The next day.

Early in the morning, Qing Chi came to find Ning Zhuo.

"I heard you entered the City Lord's mansion yesterday and met the true self? You even hosted Yang Sanyan last night—did he give you trouble?"

Qing Chi, having been captured by Yang Sanyan, held no goodwill toward him.

Ning Zhuo shook his head, assuring Qing Chi that he had resolved the issues, gained some support from Yang Sanyan, and planned to join the Myriad Forms Sect, so she needn't worry.

But Qing Chi teared up: "Little Ma, I know you've sacrificed too much for me. To satisfy Yang Sanyan, you've sold yourself to the Myriad Forms Sect!"

"Yang Sanyan must have seen your talent. Capturing me was just to force you to submit..."

In Qing Chi's eyes, Jiao Ma was a treasure everyone wanted.

The Paper City Lord wanted him, and so did Yang Sanyan.

Ning Zhuo was speechless, comforting Qing Chi by saying joining the Myriad Forms Sect offered a brighter future.

Qing Chi immediately declared she would also attend the Feiyun Assembly to cultivate with Jiao Ma.

Ning Zhuo felt a headache coming, unwilling to be with Qing Chi day and night. He quickly changed the subject: "By the way, Miss Qing Chi, any progress studying military texts lately?"

Ning Zhuo asked casually, but Qing Chi proudly lifted her chin, sharing good news: "Ah, you noticed! I've comprehended another military regulation."

Ning Zhuo eagerly pressed for details.

Qing Chi touched the bridge of her nose and replied: "Seeing how much resources our army consumes moved me, and I grasped a regulation called 'An army for a campaign requires ten years of reserves'..."

Qing Chi explained in detail, astonishing Ning Zhuo.

"Qing Chi seems exceptionally talented in military strategy!"

Comparing himself, Ning Zhuo hadn't comprehended a single military regulation yet.

While Qing Chi had already grasped two.

After the good news came bad.

Sun Lingtong reported via the Life Thread: "Little Zhuo, the situation isn't good!"

"The Yin soldier army is making major moves. The decisive battle is likely imminent."

(End of )