: The Second Natal Magical Instrument

Su Lingkou hesitated to speak, her gaze fixed on Lin Jinglong before her.

Lin Jinglong and Shen Xi were cut from the same cloth—both renowned young talents who had made their names long ago. Su Lingkou knew this man's identity, but her grave focus now rested more on Gongsun Yan.

Gongsun Yan stood beside Lin Jinglong, serving as his subordinate.

His appearance was peculiar, almost inhuman, with fiery energy radiating from his body. Lingering near him for even a short while could raise the temperature of the surrounding air.

His skin resembled bronze, crisscrossed with lava-like fissures. His right arm was wrapped in dragon-scale fire-cleaning cloth, while the sinews and bones of his left arm were exposed, showing a dark golden hue. His ankles were shackled with cold marrow manacles.

What truly caught Su Lingkou's attention was the intelligence she had about Gongsun Yan.

"This is the one with the inferior innate talent, Molten Heart. Ah... if only my cousin could have such a talent."

Lin Jinglong, tall and slender, still wore his blue robe with golden embroidery and trim. He smiled faintly at Shen Xi. "Brother Shen, has that Ning Zhuo you recruited still not arrived? How should we proceed with our contest?"

It turned out that after Shen Xi had gathered with Yu Heye and Ning Zhuo at the Rock Cave Abode, he returned to inform Situ Xing that Ning Zhuo had been confirmed and indeed qualified to join them.

To bolster his case, Shen Xi even produced the Ghost Path Golden Core given by Ning Zhuo.

But Situ Xing frowned slightly. "Even if Ning Zhuo gave you a Ghost Path Golden Core, it doesn't prove his own strength is formidable."

He continued speculating, "Ning Zhuo's every move involves alliances and strategies, much like the style of our noble clans. But he's never made a move himself. It's likely his elders subdued Yu Heye for him."

"Or, more plausibly, he used some treasures or materials to successfully bribe Yu Heye."

At this point, Situ Xing looked openly at the Ghost Path Golden Core in Shen Xi's hand, almost voicing his suspicion—had Shen Xi also been bribed to speak well of Ning Zhuo and help him join?

Situ Xing had his own pride and knew that his alliance with Lin Jinglong and Shen Xi would surely shine in the Feiyun Assembly.

Lately, many cultivators had approached him actively, eager to join. Those attempting to bribe Situ Xing were not few.

After all, joining a strong group would make it easier to handle the Feiyun Assembly.

Su Lingkou's willow-like eyebrows shot up as she retorted, "This Ghost Path Golden Core isn't cheap! My cousin had to part with the Interstice Swimmer Shuttle from the treasure formation to balance the favor!"

"Situ Xing, don't make wild guesses."

Situ Xing snorted coldly, unwilling to argue with a girl.

He didn't refute Su Lingkou but didn't let go of the opportunity to cause trouble either.

As a scion of a great clan, a plan to make things difficult quickly formed in his mind.

He stared at Shen Xi and brought up the past, mentioning how he had defeated Shen Xi and Lin Jinglong to take first place. But the latter two had never settled their own match.

"Now that we're forming a faction, we need a fair and clear ranking."

"But having you and Brother Lin face off again isn't seemly. How about this, Brother Shen, since you recommend Ning Zhuo so strongly, let him fight."

"As for Brother Lin's side, he brought the most subordinates this time; surely he can pick a capable one."

Shen Xi thought for a moment, then smiled and nodded in agreement.

He had deep confidence in Ning Zhuo.

Thus, the scene unfolded in the training hall.

Shen Xi hadn't been able to contact Ning Zhuo, and it seemed this fight would be forfeited.

Lin Jinglong clasped his hands. "In that case, I concede to your courtesy, Brother Shen."

Shen Xi was naturally unwilling.

He had given up the first seat earlier to算计 Situ Xing, putting him in the front. But he had always intended to take the second seat.

If he ended up third, how could he protect his interests?

The second seat was just right—not too risky, with decent gains. In Shen Xi's mind, it was the ideal position.

Unfortunately, Lin Jinglong thought the same.

Elite scions of great clans were never simple.

"Brother Ning's delay must have a reason," Shen Xi argued for himself. "But if you claim victory just because your opponent didn't show up, is that a便宜 you really want to take, Brother Lin?"

The smile on Lin Jinglong's face faded slightly.

Shen Xi seized the moment. "How about best of three? Let's count this round as your win."

Lin Jinglong pondered briefly, then nodded slightly.

Shen Xi was adept at the art of compromise and negotiation. He affirmed Lin Jinglong's gain while preserving his own chance to continue fighting.

Lin Jinglong agreed. "Then it's settled."

But Su Lingkou protested indignantly, "How can it be so easy! If Ning Zhuo isn't here, there's still me!"

She turned to Shen Xi. "Cousin, I'll step in and win the first victory for you!"

Shen Xi hesitated. "This..."

Su Lingkou, shedding her usual delicate demeanor, her eyes sparking with fighting spirit, insisted, "Cousin!"

Shen Xi sighed wryly and reached out to pat her forehead. "Alright, be careful. If the fight turns against you, just surrender. Losing to Fellow Daoist Gongsun Yan means losing to Brother Lin—it's no shame."

As a scion of a great clan, his words were smooth and amiable.

A sharp glint flashed in Lin Jinglong's eyes as he quickly modestly demurred, expressing his anticipation for Su Lingkou.

Then he turned to Gongsun Yan. "Brother Gongsun, I leave this to you."

Gongsun Yan grunted in response. "Don't short me on the firewood you promised afterward."

Lin Jinglong smiled. "Naturally. You can rest assured, Brother Gongsun."

Gongsun Yan possessed innate talent and held a special position among Lin Jinglong's subordinates, warranting such treatment.

The two descended to the training ground.

The vast square, paved with large gray-white stone bricks, was smooth as a mirror, with runes flowing along the edges. A formation created a pale golden protective barrier, separating the inside from the outside.

Gongsun Yan and Su Lingkou stood facing each other, the atmosphere quickly growing tense.

Seeing Su Lingkou's petite figure and her short jacket with a pleated skirt, like the girl next door, Gongsun Yan said in a dull voice, "Miss Su, you're unlucky to face me. I'll give you a chance—you attack first."

Lin Jinglong's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly before smoothing again.

Su Lingkou narrowed her eyes, feeling underestimated, and said coldly, "You'll regret this."

She flicked her wrists, and the Mystic Water Kan Rope and Purple Fire Li Rope shot out like lightning from her sleeves.

The two ropes flew through the air, trailing fine ice crystals and sparks!

Gongsun Yan took a deep breath, focused his spirit, and cast a defensive spell, enveloping himself in a semi-transparent fireball.

Unexpectedly, the two thin ropes shot toward him, then swiftly veered around the fireball shield.

Su Lingkou formed hand seals and silently chanted, "Yin-Yang Knot!"

The two ropes twisted together mid-air, instantly forming a swirling, interconnected Tai Chi fish-shaped light knot!

The yin fish held the yang eye, the yang fish swallowed the yin pupil. As the light knot touched the ground, a hum resonated through the training ground.

The gray-white brick floor was instantly covered in a layer of profound ice. Chilling energy surged upward, quickly spreading over Gongsun Yan's feet, forming a thin layer of ice.

Yet, from the cold, Gongsun Yan sensed an inner炽热.

He didn't dare be careless, drawing a small hammer magical instrument into his hand.

The next moment, the muscles on his left arm bulged as he struck the ice with the hammer!

Thump! The hammer fell like a drumbeat! The ice beneath it shattered, spewing forth crimson flowing fire.

While Gongsun Yan was entangled with the flowing fire, Su Lingkou calmly lifted the hem of her skirt. The seventy-two pearls adorning it silently shot out, scattering around Gongsun Yan like stars on a chessboard.

Su Lingkou focused her mind, taking out a plain silver formation disk held in her left hand.

The disk was studded with fine needles connected by thin threads.

"Formation, activate!" she commanded clearly, and the disk immediately glowed with brilliant light.

Gongsun Yan swept aside the flowing fire with his hammer and strode toward Su Lingkou.

But the pearls around him shone, forming illusory rope shadows that hindered him layer by layer.

Gongsun Yan channeled his magic into the hammer, sweeping it again.

Though the rope shadows broke, they burst into thousands of needle-like rays of light, piercing through his protective fire shield.

The rays struck Gongsun Yan's bronze skin with metallic clangs, relentless as a storm.

Gongsun Yan endured the assault, snorting two streams of golden-white fire from his nostrils.

The fire coiled around his neck, arms, and even the hammer handle like serpents.

The hammer seemed to come alive, its power surging!

Gongsun Yan swung the hammer wildly again, destroying the surrounding rope shadows one after another.

On Su Lingkou's side, the threads on her formation disk snapped one by one, and even the needles shot out, one grazing her cheek and leaving a trail of blood.

Su Lingkou's expression turned grave. Without hesitation, she bit the tip of her tongue and spat a mouthful of essence blood onto the formation disk.

The disk hummed!

Eight rope shadows swelled violently, entangling Gongsun Yan's body and limbs. His hammer was wrapped layer upon layer by the ropes.

Chaotic Entrails... Knot!

The formation disk creaked under strain as Su Lingkou exerted all her effort to complete the knot.

If it formed, the formation would be complete, sealing Gongsun Yan on the spot.

Gongsun Yan knew it was the critical moment.

He didn't hesitate, his heart drumming rapidly as he activated his innate talent, summoning surging heartfire.

The heartfire blazed, turning him into a man of flame yet leaving him unharmed.

The heartfire fell on the rope shadows, instantly turning them red-hot, softening, and melting away one by one!

Su Lingkou also gave her all, replacing as many ropes as were melted.

The two sides reached a stalemate!

Crack.

A fine fissure appeared on the edge of the formation disk.

Gongsun Yan bled from all seven orifices, feeling as if he were being crushed by a giant serpent, breaking from the inside out.

Outside the arena, Shen Xi and Lin Jinglong exchanged a glance, then simultaneously shouted.

"Stop, Fellow Daoist Gongsun!"

"Cousin, cease fighting!"

Gongsun Yan and Su Lingkou had no deep-seated hatred, so they gradually withdrew their power, finally releasing each other.

This was merely a spar, not a life-and-death battle or a grudge match.

Both Gongsun Yan and Su Lingkou, though not matching Lin Jinglong and Shen Xi, were capable aides. For them to severely injure each other would be too costly.

And if it affected the upcoming Feiyun Assembly, it would be even worse.

"Cousin, I didn't win..." Su Lingkou returned to Shen Xi's side, full of guilt.

Shen Xi waved his hand, stopping her apology, and comforted her, "Fellow Daoist Gongsun Yan is highly skilled. There's no need for mutual destruction. I don't want you fighting so desperately for me."

Su Lingkou's cheeks flushed slightly.

Lin Jinglong interjected, "Brother Shen, shall we count this as a draw?"

Shen Xi nodded.

Lin Jinglong said, "Best of three. The next match will be in three days. Brother Shen, that should be enough time to summon someone else, right?"

Shen Xi smiled wryly. "We do our part and leave the rest to fate. I can only say I'll try my best."

Watching Lin Jinglong and Gongsun Yan leave, Su Lingkou frowned worriedly. "Cousin, is Ning Zhuo really up to it?"

"His mastery of the five elements is indeed high, but that doesn't mean his combat strength is strong."

Shen Xi said, "I believe in Fellow Daoist Ning Zhuo."

"But I truly haven't seen him make a move or engage in battle."

"So..."

"I'll send him another message immediately, but we should also look for other candidates."

Ning Zhuo still hadn't noticed the messages.

He was currently fully immersed in another matter.

The forging of his natal magical instrument!

Previously, when he cultivated the Mirror Platform Soul Communication Art and successfully implanted the异象符, he obtained his natal Soul Communication Technique. This allowed him to create the Soul Communication Treasure Mirror.

Now, with his second successful异象种符, granting him the natal-level Five Elements Cycle of Creation and Destruction Technique, he could naturally forge a second natal magical instrument.

This was the benefit of cultivating three dantians.

Most cultivators had only one natal treasure, but in theory, Ning Zhuo could possess three.

The three mechanical platforms once again provided him immense assistance.

A mechanical fan was freshly crafted!

It had twelve ribs, made from five-element materials, serving as the twelve spiritual pivot axes of the mechanical creation.

The fan surface was made of cloud mermaid silk, blank as yet.

The fan rivet was star-shaped, precisely where Ning Zhuo engraved the rune mark of his natal spell.

Ning Zhuo held the smooth fan handle, his thumb pushing lightly as he flicked it open.

With a soft poof, the twelve ribs spread like a startled peacock, scattering a burst of multicolored light.

The fan surface fully unfolded, revealing swirling, ever-changing five-colored clouds and mist. At times they billowed forth, at others they vanished.

Ning Zhuo gave a gentle wave, releasing a torrent of five qi.

He waved again, and the five qi torrent rapidly disintegrated, completely vanishing into thin air within moments.

Under the fan's influence, the five elements and five qi were tightly controlled, flowing only as Ning Zhuo willed.

Ning Zhuo closed his fingers, folding the mechanical fan shut.

"With this fan, my strength has increased a notch."

"Can it help me resolve the issue with Meng Yehu?"

Thinking this, Ning Zhuo immediately took out the mechanical Meng Yehu. Its spirit was dulled, motionless. No matter how Ning Zhuo called, there was no response, as if sinking into a bottomless sea.

Ning Zhuo unfolded the mechanical fan and waved it a few times at Meng Yehu.

Meng Yehu remained as still as stone.

Ning Zhuo sighed, then took out the frozen Yuan Dasheng and tried the mechanical fan on him as well.

Failure.

"Hmm?" Putting away the two mechanical creations and collecting his thoughts, Ning Zhuo noticed the two messages from Shen Xi.

(End of )