: Demonic Arts Really Aren't for Me

Realizing it required long, meticulous effort, Ning Zhuo felt no need to rush.

He proactively ended this cultivation session.

Qing Chi was reluctant to part, eagerly asking Ning Zhuo when the next session would be.

When she learned there would be one every day, a genuine smile spread across her face.

Ning Zhuo instructed her to practice diligently what she had learned today and to strictly keep the matter of the puppet learning talismans confidential.

Qing Chi nodded emphatically and immediately swore an oath.

Ning Zhuo naturally trusted her completely.

Among those around Ning Zhuo, Sun Lingtong held the absolute top position in terms of trust, an unshakable status. Qing Chi came next.

After that was Gongsun Yan, followed by Chef Lao.

After all, Gongsun Yan had requests of Ning Zhuo, providing a natural foundation of trust that was somewhat greater than that with Chef Lao.

The level of trust for Chef Lao and Wen Ruanyu was about the same. The former had a nature of repaying kindness, while the latter greatly admired Meng Yaoyin.

Ning Zhuo placed Xuecai Nü · Hui in the training room, allowing her to continue practicing talisman making.

Every time she successfully made a talisman, even without any competitors, she felt a sense of pride.

Ning Zhuo had already confirmed that as long as there was no strong external interference, once a mechanical puppet like Xuecai Nü · Hui learned to make a certain type of talisman, its subsequent success rate was one hundred percent!

"But what she produces are actually all low-grade talismans."

"There's still immense room for improvement here."

Talisman making was like alchemy; there were grade distinctions. Cultivators with profound talisman-making skills had a much higher chance of producing high-grade talismans than ordinary people.

In this aspect, Xuecai Nü · Hui exposed the weakness of mechanical puppets—currently only guaranteeing the minimum standard, i.e., only able to produce low-grade talismans.

Ning Zhuo wasn't anxious: "Making talismans also involves understanding spells and such. For instance, if I only make Five Elements type talismans, with sufficient proficiency, I could likely produce high-grade talismans."

"Of course, limited to Foundation Establishment level talismans."

Although Golden Core level talismans could also be made, Ning Zhuo, constrained by his cultivation level, didn't have a high success rate, and those produced were basically of low quality.

Naturally, this was also related to his talisman-making skill.

If his skills improved, the quality and success rate of making talismans above his level would also increase significantly.

For cultivators who had mastered grandmaster-level skills, making talismans one level above was commonplace!

After arranging matters for Xuecai Nü · Hui, Ning Zhuo took out Xueshu Yu · Xie to examine.

Divine Ability — Human Life Hanging by a Thread!

Ning Zhuo then confirmed: Xueshu Yu · Xie had not reached the Lingdong Stage. And from his perception, there was still some distance to go.

Ning Zhuo couldn't help but compare her to Yuan Dasheng, forming another conjecture: "The progress of spirituality seems related to innate talent!"

"Yuan Dasheng possessed the Immortal Bone 'Righteous Gold Firmness,' so during the Lingdong Stage, his emotions were the most intense, and the time to pass through it was the shortest."

"Ning Xiaohui had the superior talent 'Ice Fat Jade Hands,' so once she entered the puppet body, she quickly reached the Lingdong Stage. Her emotions weren't very intense; it took some time to express them, making it relatively stable."

"Ning Xie's talent is only the lower-grade 'Snow Soul Ice Spirit'; I'm afraid it will take even longer for her to step into the Lingdong Stage."

"How can I make it happen earlier for her?"

"Should I use a mechanical body more suited to the Snow Soul Ice Spirit?"

Ning Zhuo had more wandering thoughts.

"This is actually another key issue."

"Namely, how to nurture spirituality!"

"Can I find related texts within the Wanxiang Sect?"

"Given it concerns the secrets of spirituality, would directly searching for it be taboo? If noticed by interested parties, what are the specific risks?"

Ning Zhuo had long been aware of the immense risks concealed within his Huo Zang Bore Jie Ling Jing. Once exposed, his situation would be very dangerous.

Previously, the matter of the "You Ling Shuo" had already taken a risk. Delving deeper into research could attract powerful enemies, which would be disastrous.

"Need to find a safe way to handle this."

"Preferably, I shouldn't act myself; let Old Sun handle this matter."

"His disguise skills are much better than mine!"

When Sun and Ning ventured out, they had agreed on one operating openly and the other in secret. Ning Zhuo was open, Sun Lingtong was hidden.

According to this arrangement, such matters should be handled by Sun Lingtong. He was more suitable for it than Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo put away Xueshu Yu · Xie and used Human Life Hanging by a Thread to contact Sun Lingtong, informing him of this plan.

Sun Lingtong agreed without hesitation: "Alright, no problem on my end. But we need to find the relevant texts first. Perhaps we should teleport out, find an Immortal City, and directly purchase them from the Quanshu Lou; that might be more convenient."

Ning Zhuo's eyes flickered: "Any Immortal City is heavily defended, easily leaving traces. If we choose this option, it might as well be in White Paper Immortal City. There's a Quanshu Lou there."

Sun Lingtong shook his head, disagreeing: "No! We have assets there too. The Qing Jiao Army is in our hands, and the current White Paper City Lord has requests of us. Although it was by chance, we risked our lives to establish this foundation."

"In the future, even if things don't work out in Southern Bean Country, this place is a major fallback for us."

"Don't take risks in White Paper Immortal City. Even rabbits don't eat the grass by their burrows."

Sun Lingtong, deeply versed in thievery, was quite sensitive to the arrangement of safe houses.

Ning Zhuo was persuaded: "True. We'll find another opportunity later. Nurturing spirituality isn't an urgent priority right now."

"Old Sun, how's your research on the demonic talismans from the tiger demon corpse? And what about the academy notes Shen Xi gave?"

Previously, during their secret exchange, he had handed these two items over to Sun Lingtong for research.

Ning Zhuo had also told Sun Lingtong the entire story of his conflict with Pi Fujie.

Sun Lingtong: "I've researched the demonic talismans. It matches the intelligence; the Pi family uses a cultivator's skin as material, employing techniques from paper effigy art to inscribe talismans."

"Since the related talismans need to be carved on a living body, conventional materials naturally can't be used."

"So, they chose souls as the primary material. The closer the type and attributes of the soul are to the target of the talisman implantation, the more suitable the talisman is for the target."

"The two demonic talismans, one increases defense, the other overall speed, which is consistent with the intelligence you provided."

"But they both employ talisman-making techniques vastly different from conventional ones, forming a seamless whole. It's hard to find an entry point for comprehension right away."

"Even with the help of the Luo Book page, it's the same."

At this point, Sun Lingtong changed the subject: "However, regarding Shen Xi's academy notes on the Nine Palaces Formation, with the help of the Luo Book page, I've been learning very quickly."

"Right now, I've already grasped most of the content. Should I teach you?"

If Shen Xi were here, he would be greatly astonished.

Sun Lingtong's aptitude in formation arrays was exceptionally high.

But Ning Zhuo shook his head: "I'd rather look at it myself first and also make use of the Luo Book page. Once I have some results, we can discuss and exchange insights."

Given sufficient time, Ning Zhuo preferred to comprehend things on his own first to train his understanding ability.

Sun Lingtong had reminded him of this back in Misty Hidden Mountain.

Ning Zhuo was an obedient child; he always kept Sun Lingtong's advice in mind and actively practiced it.

Sure enough, upon hearing Ning Zhuo's choice, Sun Lingtong nodded repeatedly with satisfaction inside the Shuyu Studio.

After cutting the connection, Ning Zhuo began his daily cultivation.

He first used Fetal Breath Spiritual Boat to cultivate his physical body. Currently, the pressure exerted by the million human souls on his body had been mostly alleviated.

The main contributor was the Fetal Breath Spiritual Boat; Chef Lao's spiritual food just played a supporting role.

Then, Ning Zhuo once again contemplated the Demonic Blood Tendon Art.

He had never been satisfied with his speed of comprehending this technique, although every time he pondered it, he gained some insights.

He was currently stuck at the stage of implanting extraordinary phenomena into the Lower Dantian (Elixir Sea).

"My nature is kind and upright; I'm a pure orthodox cultivator. I have the most talent for cultivating Buddhist teachings and have always been helpful."

"Thinking of the innocent citizens of White Paper Immortal City, I disregarded my own safety to risk my life fighting the Divine Transformation level Forgotten River Mansion Lord."

"With such a disposition, this demonic art really isn't suitable for me!"

"Sigh, the Red Flower Seal is still there. If Lin You could provide another demonic art, it might give me some reference."

"Perhaps I should purchase some demonic arts outside the Wanxiang Sect. I'll have Old Sun handle this..."

Ning Zhuo's expectation of Lin You stemmed from having witnessed the Demonic Heart Cave Lord's methods firsthand; he had a strong feeling that this technique could help him.

But he had no sense of what other demonic arts were like.

Certainly, some demonic arts contained principles similar to the Demonic Blood Tendon Art.

But the problem arose.

On one hand, Ning Zhuo didn't know how to select those specific demonic arts. This would inevitably require spending a great deal of energy and time.

He couldn't entrust this to others, as it concerned his primary cultivation technique.

On the other hand, the Demonic Blood Tendon Art was a top-tier technique. For a technique to have reference value, it must also be of high grade and undoubtedly expensive.

Ning Zhuo didn't need to inquire to know that the cost of procuring such techniques would be enormous!

With his minor status, going to the Quanshu Lou to purchase them definitely wouldn't qualify!

This was another layer of trouble.

It would be the same within the Wanxiang Sect.

Ning Zhuo estimated that he would need to at least become a Golden Core True Disciple to possibly have access to techniques of that level.

From this perspective, one could also infer the immense value of the Molten Immortal Palace.

Meng Yaoyin, before her death, repeatedly urged the two-year-old Ning Zhuo to closely watch for this opportunity, and not without reason.

After cultivating like this for two days, Sun Lingtong and Ning Zhuo secretly exchanged items again.

Ning Zhuo retrieved the tiger demon corpse and Shen Xi's academy notes jade slip.

Sun Lingtong had already processed the tiger demon corpse, stripping its tendons, skin, internal organs, flesh, and bones, dismantling it completely. These could be sold or used as materials for future alchemy, artifact refining, formation setting, talisman making, or crafting mechanical devices.

The tiger demon's soul was also securely sealed with a talisman.

This talisman was called the Soul Dwelling Talisman, a talisman-making method researched by the Soul Devouring Sect. After Ning Zhuo obtained nearly all of Tian Shuang's possessions, they contained a large number of soul cultivation texts.

Sun Lingtong, usually hiding in the mechanical roaming dragon, aside from honing his own cultivation, also spent his spare time studying various things.

The Soul Dwelling Talisman was relatively simple, so Sun Lingtong learned it casually.

"This talisman can only temporarily store souls. Over time, it's easy for the soul to dissipate, become incomplete, and its quality to decline," Sun Lingtong specifically cautioned.

Tian Shuang's belongings originally included jade bottles for storing souls. But these items had all been used by Ning Zhuo as resources for army building.

Sun and Ning never regretted this decision.

These jade bottles and similar magical instruments or treasures were auxiliary items and, moreover, belonged to Tian Shuang. Refining them again would take a lot of time. Heaven and Earth Ghosts were not ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators!

Furthermore, the Qing Jiao Army was crucial to their grand plan and concerned their survival; investing fully was the right course of action.

Ning Zhuo nodded: "In the upcoming martial demonstrations, we'll probably collect more souls. We should prepare some containment jade bottles in advance."

"But I'm orthodox; it's not very convenient for me to purchase them directly."

Sun Lingtong chuckled and proactively took up the task: "Small matter, I'll buy them."

Ning Zhuo nodded again: "Mhmm!"

With the tiger demon corpse properly processed, the most valuable part was undoubtedly the tiger skin.

This tiger skin bore the Blood Burn Gallop Talisman and the Thousand Scale Hide Talisman, and it was quite intact. As long as magic power was infused, it could still be activated.

This was largely thanks to Xuecai Nü · Hui's freezing kill, which preserved the tiger demon corpse's perfect condition.

"So, this counts as a magical instrument," Ning Zhuo tried infusing magic power and saw the tiger skin quickly inflate, coalesce into a whole, fall to the ground, stand up, and transform into the shape of the tiger demon.

The tiger skin was lifelike, as if the tiger demon had been revived.

"Paper effigy art..." Ning Zhuo sensed it and indeed felt the heavy influence of paper effigy art techniques within.

After all, he had encountered the paper army secretly arranged by the Profound Plain Scholar in the underworld.

Compared to the plain and unadorned paper army, this tiger skin was filled with intense blood and demonic energy, its aura much more pronounced,可以说锋芒毕露.

"Mother was also skilled in paper effigy art; it's a pity she didn't leave me related texts."

"That giant paper effigy in White Paper Immortal City, if it hadn't been burned, I would have a new Nascent Soul level combat power on hand. Also quite a pity!"

"If I get the chance, I'd like to learn paper effigy art too."

Actually, Ning Zhuo wanted to learn everything.

As long as sufficient magic power was provided, the Tiger Demon Paper Skin had combat power at the peak of Foundation Establishment. It served as a somewhat supplementary, albeit non-essential, addition to Ning Zhuo's combat capabilities.

Ning Zhuo stored them all in his storage belt and picked up Shen Xi's academy jade slip to begin studying.

According to Sun Lingtong: Most of the content in this jade slip had already been comprehended by him. The Shen family of Nine Palaces Immortal City indeed had many unique insights. But the parts that truly involved precious knowledge were not included in the jade slip.

Sun Lingtong thus reminded Ning Zhuo: "This is likely Shen Xi leaving a hook for you."

Ning Zhuo had already anticipated this and merely smiled slightly.

He delved into his studies and soon lost track of time.

When his mind grew hazy, he woke up and realized that most of the day had passed.

Ning Zhuo looked at the jade slip in his hand with a wry smile: "This academy note already has rich annotations and explanations, yet I can only comprehend thirty percent of the content."

"And this is with the help of the Luo Book page."

"Old Sun's strength in the Array Dao is much greater than I previously knew."

First struck by Qing Chi's talent in talismans, then praising Sun Lingtong's aptitude in arrays, Ning Zhuo felt inferior to others.

If Shen Xi knew of this situation, besides shock, he would certainly feel ashamed. Even with the help of the Luo Book page, the level of comprehension Ning Zhuo displayed had already left him far behind!

(End of )