Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1394: Chapter 553: Ning Zhuo Makes His Move (2)

"And he deliberately showed off that self-created Alchemy Technique of his, the one that increases the chance of the furnace exploding?"

Wang Yu didn’t know what to say to that.

There was no way Shen Hongyao could stir the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit, but Wang Yu’s thinking was that she was part of the main team and needed to be protected.

"The third round still isn’t enough; the fourth round can decide the final outcome."

"For now, let’s get our own people safely sent into the next round as much as possible."

That was how Wang Yu saw it.

As for that previous Chun Yangzi ranked second, he too had been pushed into first place by Wang Yu’s behind-the-scenes maneuvering.

The reason Chun Yangzi was tied with Mu Yuehua was also because Wang Yu had developed a strong appreciation for Mu Yuehua’s talent.

Host Cultivator: "Next, Daoist Fellow Ning Zhuo."

Ning Zhuo was exactly the one who had drawn the fifth Jade Chou.

A great many gazes focused on the big-headed youth.

Ning Zhuo slowly stepped out of the crowd and walked toward the central light pillar.

In the dark, Wang Yu cast his gaze over: "For Ning Zhuo to draw number five, his personal lifespan isn’t bad. Mm... the fact that Zhong Dao and Tuoba Huang value him also proves that."

"For him, I don’t need to make any covert moves."

"This kid does have talent in Alchemy. But if my Danxia Peak wants to recruit him, we’ll have to offer more chips than Zhong Dao."

"If he joins the Evil Slaying Hall and grows up in the future, he’ll definitely be one of Zhong Dao’s capable lieutenants, like Yang Sanyan."

Wang Yu’s thoughts churned ceaselessly.

If he dug Ning Zhuo over in advance, cutting off his possibility of joining the Evil Slaying Hall, that was workable too.

But the price to be paid in the process required careful consideration from Wang Yu.

After all, Ning Zhuo wasn’t the only genius among them. In Wang Yu’s eyes, Mu Yuehua was the genius Cultivator more suitable for Danxia Peak.

If he had to pick one of the two, he would definitely choose Mu Yuehua.

The reason to choose Ning Zhuo would be more about weakening Zhong Dao. And that weakening would only show in the future. The more efficient method was actually to cultivate their own disciples, people like Mu Yuehua.

Wang Yu’s attitude toward Ning Zhuo had always been to stand by and watch with folded arms.

Ning Zhuo passing the first two rounds was entirely by virtue of his own ability.

Today Ning Zhuo wore a white Daoist robe; his Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation was among the lowest of all those taking part in the preliminary trial.

At the sight of him, a lot of information surfaced in many people’s Divine Seas.

This preliminary trial to contend for the Nanming Fire Furnace had reached the third round, and by now everyone was clear on the general information about one another.

And Ning Zhuo was the same regarding the others.

"So this is one of the top-tier genius Cultivators that emerged in this Feiyun Conference?"

"He is indeed young and promising."

"I’ve heard he’s proficient in quite a few Cultivation Techniques, but his Cultivation Level is only Mid-stage Foundation Establishment... that’s his weakness."

"He received Zhong Dao’s favor but didn’t join him; clearly he has his own ideas."

"Although his Alchemy Technique is still far from mature, the fact that he made it to the third round says something."

"His background is mysterious and seems deep. If he brings out some kind of Fire Seed, he might even surpass Chun Yangzi."

"He’s only the fifth one up; it’s still far too early to tell."

For a moment, all sorts of thoughts and speculations lingered in everyone’s hearts.

Ning Zhuo walked to the pink light pillar and stopped.

He took something out from his Storage Waist Belt.

It was a piece of bone.

Roughly three inches long, it wasn’t a bleached, withered bone, but had the luster of warm white jade. When still, it looked like a section of white jade bamboo, its lines straight and its joints clearly segmented.

There were subtle changes in everyone’s expressions.

And farther out, among the many spectators watching this preliminary trial, people began talking all at once.

"Is that... the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival?"

"That’s a treasure of the Evil Slaying Hall! How is it in Ning Zhuo’s hands again?"

"You really are ill-informed. Last night, someone saw this treasure hanging over the gate of the Bluestone Cave Mansion."

"Doesn’t that mean the Evil Slaying Hall is standing behind Ning Zhuo?"

"A more accurate way to put it might be this—the Evil Slaying Hall is also interested in the Nanming Fire Furnace, so they’re sponsoring Ning Zhuo to compete for this Spirit Treasure Level Pill Furnace!"

Zhu Fenxiang pressed her lips tightly together.

This time, in order to prevail in the third round, she had paid a huge price last night and successfully invited a deity.

She had only secretly formed an alliance with Ning Zhuo, while on the surface maintaining a strict distance from him, and in her heart she also did not want to see Ning Zhuo seize a huge advantage.

The appearance of the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival also drew Mu Yuehua’s gaze.

This genius Female Cultivator of the Moonlight Sect was feeling tense as well.

At present, she and Chun Yangzi were tied for first. In fact, if it were calculated strictly, she was still slightly weaker. Fortunately, Chun Yangzi respected the Myriad Images Sect and did not seize the chance to make trouble.

If Ning Zhuo’s performance surpassed Mu Yuehua’s, then she would obviously be eliminated. That was certainly not the result Mu Yuehua wanted.

As soon as Ning Zhuo brought out the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival, he quickly dispelled all the slight contempt and dismissive emotions the people present had toward him.

The big-headed youth’s expression was calm as he poured Mana into the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival.

Platinum radiance surged out like the warm sun of winter, swiftly shrouding Ning Zhuo’s entire body.

The light was gentle yet tenacious, not dazzling, not oppressive, yet it had a presence that could not be ignored, like a lamp lit in the darkness, like a banner raised on a desolate plain.

More and more platinum radiance surged forth, almost forming a spherical ball of light, completely wrapping Ning Zhuo’s figure within.

Inside the ball of light, one could vaguely see Ning Zhuo’s outline—he straightened his spine like a green pine, standing proudly in the wind and snow.

Situ Xing’s eyes narrowed slightly at this scene as he concealed the dread in his heart.

Dong Nishang, however, wore a smile. She was one of the pillars of the Confucian Cultivator Group, with Golden Core Cultivation, and felt sincere fondness and goodwill toward Ning Zhuo.

Especially seeing that Ning Zhuo had not primarily cultivated Confucian Skills, yet could wield the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival so outstandingly, further increased her appreciation for this junior.

"This boy’s disposition is indeed not bad."

"A new star of the Righteous Path... no wonder Zhong Dao holds him in such regard."

"Mm, a proper good lad from a decent family."

Even though they were in a competitive relationship with Ning Zhuo, many cultivators, upon seeing this scene, relaxed much of their wariness toward him.

Wang Yu had seen even more exaggerated scenes: "Ning Zhuo still hasn’t used his full strength. But judging from what we see now, even if he did, it would have no effect."

Wang Yu controlled the Array and could see the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit’s reactions as clearly as if they were before his eyes.

He was very clear that although Ning Zhuo had unleashed Vast Righteous Qi to display his fundamental character and his stance with the Righteous Path camp, he had not gained the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit’s approval.

Wang Yu guessed: "An Artifact Spirit is still an Artifact Spirit; its thoughts differ from a person’s. It might even disdain Vast Energy, finding it too rigid and overwhelming, a separate kind of threat."

Wang Yu found this somewhat amusing.

At this moment, in his eyes, Ning Zhuo was about the same as that first cold-faced cultivator.

"Being able to make it this far is already not bad."

The cultivators in the arena saw that the pink light pillar showed no reaction, and many of them put down their worries and withdrew their gazes.

Jiang Ping was lost in thought, suddenly realizing that according to the drawing-lots order, the cultivators in the back actually had a bit of an advantage—because the ones before them had tried all sorts of methods.

All sorts of trial and error could provide those who came later with much valuable information. They could judge more clearly and accurately what the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit liked and disliked.

"Unless one of the cultivators in front can directly make the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit recognize a master. In that case, no matter what methods the ones behind have, they’ll be helpless."

Thinking of this, Jiang Ping first laughed inwardly: "But in the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit’s current state, how is that possible?"

Ning Zhuo felt no anxiety in his heart.

His expression was calm, his mood also calm, thinking of last night’s encounter: "Mother’s calculations were not wrong. The Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit feels nothing toward my Vast Righteous Qi."

Ning Zhuo did not lack other methods.

But in such a public setting, he could not openly display the Cremation Prajna Spirit Liberation Sutra.

If that were exposed, Ning Zhuo would be in considerable trouble. By then, obtaining another Pill Furnace that was on the verge of shattering yet still at Spirit Treasure Level would only draw even more covetous gazes onto Ning Zhuo!

"Since that’s the case..."

Ning Zhuo closed his eyes and poured all his power into the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival.

He had successful experience using it before and was very familiar at this moment, directly causing the Vast Righteous Qi enveloping his whole body to erupt forth.

Boom!

A Platinum Gas Pillar shot straight into the clouds, propping up heaven and earth, eliciting countless exclamations from the cultivators present and the watching crowd.

"So strong!"

"Is this the sky-piercing pillar mentioned in the intel?"

"This youngster has the perseverance of the Righteous Path; he’s a good man!"

There was no fluctuation in Wang Yu’s eyes. He sighed inwardly: "Alas, being so forceful instead easily provokes the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit’s dislike, wariness, and even fear."

"Fortunately, the Artifact Spirit is surrounded by dreams. If it were exposed directly to the outside world, it might be so shocked by this imposing momentum that it simply dies of fright."

The Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit showed no reaction.

Ning Zhuo let out a sigh. Taking advantage of the instant when everyone’s attention was seized by the Vast Energy Pillar, he struck without hesitation.

Divine Skills—Life Hanging Thread!

The Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit: "Aoo?!!"