Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Ning Zhuo knocked and hammered, quickly processing the selected suspension rings, small flying boxes, and other mechanical components using the facilities in the preparation room.

The suspension rings were modified into cocoon-binding suspension rings. When thrown, upon contact with an object, countless threads would burst out, wrapping the target layer by layer into a cocoon, then hanging it from the ceiling.

The small flying box was transformed into a flying shield. The shield circled around the puppet, automatically defending and absorbing various spells cast against it. Once the spell energy reached its storage limit, the small flying shield could self-destruct, and the explosion's power was considerable.

Ning Zhuo named it “The Honest One.”

Ning Zhuo distributed these modified mechanical components to everyone else.

For a moment, everyone in the preparation room rehearsed, praising Ning Zhuo's craftsmanship.

While everyone was immersed in practice, Ning Zhuo stepped to the five-faced stone pillar. Under the scornful gaze of the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, he "fumbled" and found the trial disciple's mark.

"Come and take a look, everyone, see what I’ve discovered!" Ning Zhuo exclaimed.

Everyone gathered around.

Everyone was overjoyed.

Many people said, "This discovery is too important!"

"It will greatly help in exploring the Immortal Palace in the future."

"A Zhuo, with this contribution, I believe you can get Ice Jade Wine!"

"Ice Jade Wine?!" Ning Zhuo’s face instantly showed a look of longing, "I’ve heard about it since I was little, and I’ve always wanted to take a sip."

"Who hasn’t?!" Everyone laughed, and morale soared.

Thus, relying on the modified mechanical components and his exceptional control skills, Ning Zhuo led the group through challenge after challenge until they reached the eighth trial!

Yuan Dasheng appeared in front of everyone.

"This Mechanical Ape has finally shown up!"

"A Zhuo, this time, we might only make it this far."

"But it doesn’t matter, this result is already quite extraordinary, we've broken previous records!"

"That's right, when we return to the family, A Zhuo, you will surely be richly rewarded."

"Maybe there will even be Ice Jade Wine, hahaha."

By the time they reached this point, the Ning family members were already at the end of their strength. Due to Ning Zhuo’s deliberate arrangement, he had "sacrificed" a few companions during several previous stages.

By the time Yuan Dasheng appeared, Ning Zhuo’s giant puppet had greatly shrunk, leaving only five companions.

Ning Zhuo's battle intent was firm: "If we haven’t fought, how can we say we’re defeated? Let’s all work together and fight this Mechanical Ape with all we’ve got!"

Everyone shouted in unison, fully energized by Ning Zhuo’s motivation.

However, Yuan Dasheng’s strength was indeed "powerful," and he exploded the heads of the giant puppet one by one.

After everyone but Ning Zhuo was defeated, Yuan Dasheng knelt on one knee: "My lord, your servant has acted rebelliously by striking at you. Please, my lord, punish me!"

Ning Zhuo coughed, doing his best to play the role of the lord, first claiming it was part of a ruse, then ordering Yuan Dasheng to make amends with merits.

Ning Zhuo, after picking and choosing his equipment, had Yuan Dasheng clear the path, passing through the ninth trial and entering the central hall.

He pushed open the first Buddhist door, clearing three trials in succession.

When it came time for rewards, since there was no Phantom True Lotus Seed available, he chose a spell that enhanced his ability to sense multiple mechanical creations simultaneously.

He entered the second central hall and activated the Mirror Platform Spirit Technique at the peak of the sixth layer, successfully pushing open the second Buddhist door.

"A brand-new trial, here I come!" He stepped inside.

He returned, defeated.

At the first stage behind the Buddhist door, he was just a bit short and did not pass.

When he woke up, he was greeted by his clan's compliments and congratulations, as well as Ning Xiaoren personally arriving, full of joy and offering words of encouragement.

Ning Zhuo's performance this time was truly astonishing!

Ning Zhuo took the opportunity to make his request: "Uncle Xiaoren, with this achievement, can I get some Ice Jade Wine?"

Ning Xiaoren’s eye twitched slightly, but he kept a smile on his face, patting Ning Zhuo on the shoulder: "Alright, I’ll do my best to get it for you!"

…

Southern Dou Capital.

Inside the Golden Throne Hall.

The King of Southern Dou looked at the memorial in front of him and frowned deeply.

This memorial was jointly submitted by Meng Kui, the lord of Huoshi Immortal City, and Zhu Xuanji from the Detective Division.

"There really is trouble at Mount Huoshi!"

"Sending reinforcements…"

The King of Southern Dou was in a difficult position.

In this world, Southern Dou was not the dominant power. Once the matter of the Refining Void-level relic leaked, it would inevitably attract countless covetous eyes, and various forces would reach out their hands.

Unless Southern Dou launched a full-scale military operation, they wouldn’t be able to hold onto Mount Huoshi.

The King of Southern Dou was well aware that the nations of the cultivation world had been engaged in a mad arms race for nearly a century. Some larger nations still had some strength left, but mid-sized nations like Southern Dou were already exhausted. As for the smaller countries, they had long fallen behind.

Southern Dou had stationed heavy troops and generals at various strategic locations and borders, forming a balanced standoff with neighboring countries and factions.

To launch a major military campaign would mean pulling these troops and generals away, a move that would affect the entire balance of power.

Of course, there was idle military force available—the Southern Dou Kingdom’s strongest army, the Imperial Guard.

However, this army was responsible for defending the capital and was of immense importance; it could not be easily moved. It wouldn’t be appropriate to send the Imperial Guard just because something happened at Huoshi Immortal City, right?

Moreover, Huoshi Immortal City was still relatively new in Southern Dou, with fewer cultivation resources and a smaller population.

Sending heavy troops was impractical, so what about sending some strong individuals?

The King of Southern Dou quickly reviewed possible candidates, frowning even more deeply.

Southern Dou had been founded for hundreds of years, and the influence of old ministers in the court was deeply entrenched. They were bound together by marriages and alliances, their interests intertwined.

Choosing someone from the Meng family or those close to the Meng family was not an option.

Then could others be chosen?

If someone from the Su family, for instance, were chosen, wouldn’t that give the Su family the opportunity to compete for the Lava Immortal Palace?

Were there people unrelated to these old factions?

There were.

But wouldn’t such candidates be targeted or drawn into alliances?

In fact, this kind of situation had happened countless times already.

The Zhu family, which controlled the Southern Dou throne, had always been unstable. From the very beginning, the founding emperor didn’t have the royal mandate! Everything relied on the Three Sect Lords' divine abilities.

By the third generation of the Zhu family, there was still no royal mandate, and no heirs had inherited divine powers.

"If the Zhu family can be the rulers of a country, why can’t my family?" Families like the Meng and Su families were filled with these thoughts.

The King of Southern Dou felt isolated and lonely, cold atop his high position.

In such circumstances, only members of the royal family could be considered reliable!

However, the Southern Dou royal family had few talented individuals left. Zhu Xuanji was already considered one of the best among them.

If not for this, the King of Southern Dou wouldn’t have specifically sent Zhu Xuanji to Huoshi Immortal City.

As a ruler, after much thought, the King of Southern Dou realized that there was no suitable candidate among the court officials to send for reinforcements!

Now, with turmoil brewing at Huoshi Immortal City and countless forces eyeing it, how should it be handled?

This difficult question weighed heavily on the King of Southern Dou.

Several days later.

An imperial envoy from the Southern Dou capital flew high above, chanting in a long, drawn-out tone: "The King has decreed, the lord of Huoshi City is to receive the imperial edict."

"By the King’s command: the Lava Immortal Palace belongs to the Three Sect Lords and is not the property of our nation. The Three Sect Lords, out of compassion for the people, left their palace to suppress Mount Huoshi for many years."

"Southern Dou built a great formation here and established Huoshi Immortal City. The Three Sect Lords' contributions cannot be overstated."

"Now, as the Immortal Palace emerges, selecting its successor, Southern Dou, in gratitude for the Sect Lords' compassion, welcomes this development and will not interfere."

"However, the Lava Immortal Palace suppresses the volcano, which concerns the safety of hundreds of thousands of city residents, and cannot be relocated. This was also the original intention of the Three Sect Lords."

"Therefore, a Summoning Order is now established, recruiting talents from all walks of life. Regardless of background, they are free to enter the Immortal Palace to compete for succession without external restriction."

"The successor of the Immortal Palace may enter the court and hold an official position up to the fourth rank! Those unwilling to enter the court must return the position of palace lord, and Southern Dou will provide ample compensation."

"Anyone who enters the city or palace without signing the order shall be considered an enemy of Southern Dou

and will be killed, with great rewards given to those who bring their heads to the capital…"

The envoy's words were as loud as a bell, each word pronounced clearly, resounding throughout Mount Huoshi.

Countless city residents looked up, quietly listening.

After hearing the decree, the previously silent Huoshi Immortal City suddenly boiled over, with countless people cheering and spreading the news!

"Did you hear that?"

"The Three Sect Lords, they are at the Refining Void level."

"He’s truly great. I didn’t know until now that the greatest contributor to Mount Huoshi was him!"

"He even left behind a palace, and the Lava Immortal Palace is going to select a successor?"

"How amazing! What a rare opportunity this is."

"I feel like I’m the future lord of the Immortal Palace! Turns out, my life's turning point is right here!"

Meng Kui stood up, taking the floating imperial decree with both hands, his eyes flashing with contemplation.

The King of Southern Dou's handling of this matter somewhat exceeded Meng Kui’s expectations.

Previously, the dissemination of information about the Lava Immortal Palace’s emergence had been Meng Kui’s idea.

The reason was that Meng Kui could no longer stop Zhu Xuanji.

Zhu Xuanji, along with the Golden Core ancestors of the three major families, frequently entered and exited the Immortal Palace, leaving Meng Kui's presence here merely to suppress any unrest in the palace.

In fact, by staying here, Meng Kui gave Zhu Xuanji the best opportunity to draw the three major families to his side.

Meng Kui feared that Zhu Xuanji might achieve a breakthrough here and ultimately become the successor of the Immortal Palace.

Especially after Meng Kui personally witnessed Zhu Xuanji present three quasi-Golden Core-level mechanical beasts to the Lava Immortal Palace in exchange for contributions.

This was quite a grand gesture, showing that Zhu Xuanji had come prepared. Or, more accurately, that the Southern Dou royal family was providing him with strong support.

In addition, Meng Chong had suffered repeated setbacks. The Mechanical Ape and the mechanical puppets were too powerful, and Meng Kui couldn’t see any short-term breakthroughs.

These factors prompted Meng Kui to actively spread information, inviting outsiders in to increase his leverage, forcing the royal family to react.

The Meng family knew Southern Dou's internal affairs very well.

Meng Kui was certain that the King of Southern Dou wouldn’t be able to send heavy troops to Huoshi Immortal City. As a result, they would likely send strong individuals instead.

And these experts would have to be at least at the Nascent Soul stage.

Meng Kui thought this was the most probable outcome. He had already notified the Meng family that once this person was chosen, the family would make every effort to win them over.

But in the end, the envoy brought an imperial decree, along with a Summoning Order!

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