Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1268: Chapter 491: Ning Zhuo Breaks the Deadlock (2)

Moreover, in the trial of the Evil Slaying Hall, the assessment standards have never been the mere success or failure on the surface.

The Female Cultivator formed a spell with her hands, chanting softly.

Pale cyan light flowed from her fingertips, transforming into two beams of light that connected to the chests of Yun Niaoniao and Lu Xuan’an. Five thin lines branched out, linking three children and two villagers.

The Blood Fog began to flow.

Yun Niaoniao groaned softly, feeling a sticky and fierce delusion surge into her body along the light beams, prompting a strong urge to destroy.

She gritted her teeth and braced herself, her body slightly trembling beneath her plain white dress.

Lu Xuan’an had veins bulging on his forehead yet remained silent, also struggling to resist the intrusion of the Blood Fog.

In contrast, the three children quickly calmed down from their frenzy, stopped scratching their skin, and curled up into a deep sleep one after another.

The protruding veins on the chests of the two villagers also calmed significantly, their breathing no longer as rapid.

The Evil Sect Cultivator widened his eyes in disbelief: "There really are such fools in this world? And two appear at once?!"

"Hmph, this is the Righteous Path." Ning Zhuo sneered and began to act.

He took a jade-green elixir pill and approached the Evil Slaying Hall Cultivator.

The elixir pill emitted a gentle green glow, and the Vitality Qi spread out, refreshing even the surrounding air.

Ning Zhuo placed the elixir pill into the mouth of the Evil Slaying Hall Cultivator.

The efficacy was excellent.

A moment later, the bleeding from the chest wound of the Evil Slaying Hall Cultivator stopped, and much of the pallor on his face faded, returning to a normal complexion.

His eyelashes trembled, and he slowly opened his eyes.

"I..." His voice was hoarse, "Am I still alive?"

"Fellow Cultivator, don’t move." Ning Zhuo helped him sit up halfway, "This is what happened..."

After Ning Zhuo’s brief explanation, the Evil Slaying Hall Cultivator immediately directed his anger at the Evil Cultivator inside: "You coward, afraid of death!"

The Evil Sect Cultivator sneered but did not reply.

Lu Xuan’an and Yun Niaoniao sensed the change in the Evil Slaying Hall Cultivator’s demeanor, prompting the former to inquire.

The Evil Slaying Hall Cultivator explained to everyone that this Evil Cultivator was recruited during a previous operation, where the Evil Slaying Hall Cultivator nearly succeeded, being just a step away from sealing the Demon Seed.

But at the crucial moment, the Evil Cultivator, afraid of dying, failed to fulfill his promise of cooperation, causing the Evil Slaying Hall Cultivator’s efforts to fall short.

Now, although the Demon Seed is still restrained by the remnant power of the Evil Slaying Hall Cultivator’s seal, it has vanished. If more time is wasted, the seal will entirely dissipate, allowing the Demon Seed to regain its power and escape. The Evil Slaying Hall’s years of effort will be in vain!

Ning Zhuo asked the crucial question: Whether the Evil Cultivator truly knows the location of the Demon Seed.

The Evil Slaying Hall Cultivator nodded: "He can!"

The Evil Slaying Hall Cultivator soon explained.

It turns out, the Evil Cultivator and the original owner of the Demon Seed Original Body are related by blood, making him, to some extent, the most suitable inheritor of the Blood Fog Demon Seed Original Body. There exists a subtle connection between them.

Yun Niaoniao’s face showed a trace of surprise: "So if we hand the Golden Light Talisman to this Evil Cultivator, he might actively seek out the Demon Seed and inherit it?!"

The Evil Slaying Hall Cultivator shook his head: "That won’t happen."

Yun Niaoniao curiously asked: "Why not?"

The Evil Cultivator sneered: "You outsiders know nothing! Do you think the connection between the Demon Seed Original Body and me is a good thing?"

"Of course not!"

"I do not wish to become the host of the Demon Seed!"

"That would cause me to gradually lose my mind, eventually becoming sustenance for the Demon Seed! I desire to live."

"Otherwise, why would I become your Evil Slaying Hall’s informant?"

"So ridiculous!"

"I contacted you in order to deal with the Demon Seed to stay alive. But for you to seal the Demon Seed, I have to risk my life. If I wanted to gamble my life, why would I seek you?!"

Yun Niaoniao showed obvious disdain.

Lu Xuan’an derisively said: "You, a Cultivator, are without accountability, clinging heavily to life and fearing death! The heavens granted you the aptitude for cultivation so that you would respond accordingly."

"But you have allowed the Demon Seed to escape because of your desire to survive, continuing to harm the world. Will you not feel guilty and restless, remembering this in the future?"

The Evil Sect Cultivator shook his head coldly: "I don’t care to argue with you fools."

He gazed at Ning Zhuo: "Hey, since you already know, aren’t you returning the talisman to me?"

"That is rightfully mine. Return it to me, let me go, and I’ll tell you the approximate location of the Demon Seed—that is my bottom line."

Ning Zhuo smiled and shook his head: "I strongly agree with Fellow Cultivator Lu Xuan’an’s statement. You, as a Cultivator, should bear the Blood Fog burden."

With that, he instructed the Female Cultivator to act.

The Female Cultivator hesitated, glanced at the Evil Slaying Hall Cultivator. The latter, hating the Evil Cultivator, decisively nodded.

The Female Cultivator immediately formed a spell. A beam of cyan light hit the Evil Cultivator, linking to everyone else.

"No—!" screamed the Evil Cultivator.

The Blood Fog surged into his body instantly. His whole body trembled violently, veins bulging under his skin, his eyes rapidly filling with blood.

"Stop! Stop now!" he shouted, "You can’t do this! I’m an important informant!"

Ning Zhuo’s expression remained stone-faced: "You, driven by cowardice and betrayed us, severely injuring my fellow Evil Slaying Hall Cultivator and letting the Demon Seed escape. Now you want to negotiate?"

He motioned the Female Cultivator to increase the Blood Fog’s volume.

"Ahhh—!" The immense Blood Fog surged into his body, making the Evil Cultivator scream in agony, his body twisting and struggling, yet restrained by the seal and unable to evade.

He could only curse aloud.

Ning Zhuo’s face remained unyielding, unmoved.

The Blood Fog within the Evil Cultivator grew denser, turning his screams gradually into beast-like growls, eyes completely blood-red, his mind on the verge of breaking.

Yun Niaoniao turned her head away, unable to watch.

Lu Xuan’an pressed his lips together, but did not speak to stop it.

It was only then that Ning Zhuo raised his hand: "Stop."

He took the flask of Spiritual Liquid, poured a small cup, and approached the Evil Cultivator.

The Evil Cultivator’s consciousness was blurred, uttering meaningless sounds.

Ning Zhuo poured the Spiritual Liquid into his mouth.

The clear liquid entered his throat, making him shudder slightly, the blood tinge in his eyes receding, regaining a glimpse of clarity. He gasped for breath, drenched in cold sweat, looking at Ning Zhuo with fear in his eyes.

"Now," Ning Zhuo said softly, "Are you willing to speak?"

The Evil Cultivator’s lips trembled: "You... you madman..."

But then, he responded, laughing grimly: "You can’t intimidate me! Didn’t you let me drink Spiritual Liquid in the end? You want to know the Demon Seed’s location? Hahaha!"

"Sure!"

"I want you to kneel and beg me!!"

Such an arrogant attitude was met with Ning Zhuo’s sincere smile.

Ning Zhuo turned to the Female Cultivator: "Once more."

Evil Cultivator: Uh uh uh... Ah ah ah... Roar roar roar!

Moments later, Ning Zhuo used the second cup of Spiritual Liquid to pull the Evil Cultivator back from the brink of madness.

The Evil Cultivator trembled all over: "Don’t do this to me. I’ll speak, I’ll speak now, is that not enough?!"

He panted heavily: "The Demon Seed... I can sense it. The Demon Seed Original Body is located three miles east, in an Ancient Tomb Cave, hiding within."

Yun Niaoniao’s eyes brightened: "Really?"

Lu Xuan’an subtly frowned because the response still couldn’t confirm the truthfulness of the Evil Cultivator’s words.

Ning Zhuo stared at the Evil Cultivator for a moment, then suddenly said: "Continue."

"What?!" The Evil Cultivator was frightened, "I’ve already said! You still want—"

The cyan light resurfaced, and the Blood Fog raged.

Evil Cultivator: Uh uh... Ah ah... Roar roar!

This time, the Evil Cultivator’s struggling weakened significantly. In the end, he lay limp on the ground, with only weak chest movements, his eyes almost devoid of vitality.

Ning Zhuo poured out the third small cup of Spiritual Liquid, waking him.

Ning Zhuo smiled at him: "You know you’ve used our last dose of Spiritual Liquid. If I go out this time and don’t find the Demon Seed, what do you think your fate will be?"

The Evil Cultivator’s pupils contracted sharply, trembling all over, as his last glimmer of hope completely vanished.

He didn’t dare gamble!

He could only speak: "It’s... it’s five miles west, there’s a mountain spring. The Demon Seed Original Body is hidden at the bottom of that spring!"

Having said this, he was utterly spent and immediately closed his eyes.