Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1186: Chapter 451: Planning (2)

He first reviewed the situation of going to seek Zhu Fenxiang.

Without a doubt, the gains far exceeded expectations!

He then focused on considering Zhu Fenxiang’s subsequent proposal.

"Fight Situ Xing and push him off the top spot?"

"There is indeed a very big possibility."

Ning Zhuo had just recently watched the battle between Situ Xing and Zhu Fenxiang. Having seen many of his trump cards, there was confidence in his heart.

"But in doing so, I will undoubtedly deepen the enmity with Situ Xing and the Situ Family!"

Ning Zhuo’s political acumen was not low.

He knew very well that declaring publicly his departure from Situ Xing’s faction to ally with Zhu Fenxiang would not cause too much conflict.

A clean break.

"It’s even very possible that Situ Xing will be relieved by my departure."

"But if I push Situ Xing off the stage, it will undoubtedly disrupt his plans, and I will thoroughly provoke him and in turn, the Situ Family."

Situ Xing was the face of the Situ Family at the Foundation Establishment stage, the banner they promoted. Driving Situ Xing out would also be a blow to the Situ Family’s reputation.

Although Ning Zhuo was not afraid of trouble, he still hoped to have fewer enemies and more friends.

"This matter needs to be carefully considered."

"There is not much actual interest conflict between me and Situ Xing. The one who truly needs to strike Situ Xing is Zhu Fenxiang. Although I have secretly allied with Zhu Fenxiang, I am not her subordinate."

Attacking Situ Xing was not Ning Zhuo’s idea but Zhu Fenxiang’s interest demand. However, this matter could be discussed.

"If the benefits are enough, it’s not impossible to do."

The Situ Family was a huge and powerful force, but Ning Zhuo relied on the Myriad Images Sect, so he wouldn’t suffer terrifying retaliation and targeting.

"Better to wait and see for this matter. It’s best to wait until Zhu Fenxiang becomes impatient and makes the first offer."

"No rush, no rush."

In this review, Ning Zhuo also discovered a new piece of information.

This was something he hadn’t noticed at the time.

"Previously, I was thinking of looking for ways to nourish spiritual nature within the Myriad Images Sect."

"But from Zhu Fenxiang’s account, even within the Myriad Images Sect, such methods are quite rare. She must know much more about the sect than I do, yet the only method she was aware of was the Xuanhuang Mother Qi, which can be used to nourish spiritual nature..."

This indirectly suggests that there are no other methods for nourishing spiritual nature. Otherwise, it is highly likely that Zhu Fenxiang would have brought it up.

After the review was complete, Ning Zhuo summoned Chef and instructed him to first collect information about the "Xuanhuang Mother Qi, Danxia Peak."

Ning Zhuo liked to plan before taking action, and this time was no exception.

"Once the information is collected, then see if it’s possible to contact the relevant people to discuss acquiring the Xuanhuang Mother Qi."

The value of Xuanhuang Mother Qi was immense and too practical, useful in any place.

Ning Zhuo never held high expectations for this.

Ning Zhuo examined his current situation.

His departure from Fire Persimmon Immortal City was initially to travel the world in search of relics to nourish his mother’s spiritual nature.

However, upon arriving at the Myriad Images Sect, he discovered his own path to cultivation — Heavenly Capital Self and the Boat Burning Soul Crossing Technique!

Such a path to cultivation was undoubtedly one that Ning Zhuo would take.

This decision made White Paper Immortal City the "Cultivation Holy Land" of the young Ning Zhuo, which must be controlled by him.

Because, from White Paper Immortal City, Ning Zhuo could obtain an abundant amount of souls from the Netherworld at a low cost and confidentially. Using these souls for cultivation would certainly propel his progress significantly!

"But to safeguard the benefits of White Paper Immortal City, I need to properly handle the matter with the Myriad Images Sect."

Therefore, at this moment, Ning Zhuo’s joining the Myriad Images Sect had a different motivation than before.

Earlier, he wanted to join mainly because he discovered that his mother, Meng Yaoyin, was a Golden Core True Disciple of the Myriad Images Sect. He had a favorable impression of the sect, coupled with Meng Yaoyin’s guidance in her letters.

Now, he wanted to join for the sake of future plans.

The Myriad Images Sect would certainly not abandon their expectations concerning White Paper City.

"Joining the Myriad Images Sect now is about turning enemies into friends in advance!"

"I cannot simply become an ordinary member within the Myriad Images Sect; rather, I must integrate into the upper echelons and form close, friendly ties with the main forces of the sect."

"Once I reach this level, I can instead leverage the Myriad Images Sect’s influence to better negotiate with the City Lord of White Paper City, thereby securing my own share of the benefits."

"Of course, the Qing Jiao Army, this Cultivation Army, I should also strive to hold in my hands as much as possible."

"The conflict between the Wangchuan Underworld and the Ghost Fire Underworld should be fierce, and the Wangchuan Prefect Seal in my hand will be a major bargaining chip in the national war between the two in the future!"

Thus deduced, Ning Zhuo needed to carefully find the most appropriate entry point and then integrate into the Myriad Images Sect.

"Once the information about White Paper Immortal City is exposed, I will be facing a severe test."

"Wen Ruanyu proved more reliable than I anticipated, buying me such a long preparation time."

"I need to do my best to gain more fame, demonstrate more value, and acquire more connections to face this test."

The Xuan Armor Cave Qingwu Monarch, Zhu Fenxiang, the Earth Guardian True Monarch, and even the Zhu Family became Ning Zhuo’s connections.

The Zhu Family and Zhu Fenxiang would have to be considered carefully. Being too close to them would mean forming deep enmity with the Situ Family and Situ Xing.

Although the Earth Guardian True Monarch was a great god, his influence within the Myriad Images Sect was rather limited.

One would think Qingwu Monarch, although not a master god, was by far the largest social connection Ning Zhuo recently acquired.

"I need to continue challenging Ban Ji, demonstrating my firmness and righteousness."

"Thanks to Pi Fujie for bringing me such a suitable target for establishing my authority."

"But there’s no need to meet Ban Ji in the Martial Arts Arena. This kind of battle permits life and death and might be going too far. Blocking Ban Ji from the upcoming Xingyun Trial will suffice."

"Of course, if Zhu Fenxiang offers a higher price, it’s not impossible for me to take down Situ Xing either!"

For Ning Zhuo, one way or another, it’s about establishing authority. There’s no qualitative difference between Ban Ji and Situ Xing.

"Of all the Xingyun Trials, the weight of the Martial Arts Arena is almost the heaviest."

"So, I still need to go to the Martial Arts Arena."

"Before that, it’s important to enhance my combat power as much as possible."

The advisor position is nearly impossible; regardless of how many mechanisms Ning Zhuo has, they are not an army.

His limit on leveraging combat power was greatly reduced.

Geniuses like Situ Xing and Zhu Fenxiang can all possess Golden Core Level power!

"Even though the Earth Guardian True Monarch has become a Protective God, it is best not to overuse him."

Everything comes with a cost!

"Speaking of, the Dice Bone Demon God has been asleep ever since absorbing the incense last time and has yet to awaken."

Ning Zhuo pondered deeply, "It’s still necessary to stockpile as many Mechanical Puppets as possible, at least Golden Core Level!"

"My current Mechanical Techniques realm is Master Level, and my Artifact Refining Realm has risen a level; is it possible to create Mechanical Artifacts at the Nascent Soul Level?"

"This point is worth a try."

...

The brief examination ended, and Ning Zhuo had a clearer plan for the future.

The matter concerning his mother now had some clues. Once the sickle stirred, he would burn the relics to exchange for spiritual nature.

Ning Zhuo placed his base of cultivation in White Paper Immortal City; managing the relationships with the Myriad Images Sect was what he needed to cultivate at the moment. Demonstrating his value, finding an entry point, and directly joining the mainstream forces within the sect could help Ning Zhuo secure his interests in White Paper Immortal City.

Once that’s achieved, leveraging the Heavenly Capital Self and Boat Burning Soul Crossing Technique, he would undoubtedly soar!

And to demonstrate more of his value and build more social connections, it meant participating more in the Xingyun Trial to boost his reputation and build a good image.

Both Ban Ji and possibly Situ Xing are stepping stones!

"The Mechanical Army can’t be relied on; the focus is on stockpiling Mechanical Puppets. The improvement in this area of combat power yields the most profit."

The Mengye Tiger, Yuan Dasheng, Snow-colored Girl·Hui, and Snow Core Control·Xie, these four Golden Core Puppets were Ning Zhuo’s focus for upgrades after careful consideration!