It wasn’t impossible for the Tree Martial Battle Ape, Great Victory, to cast spells.

However, Yuan Dasheng’s spiritual nature retained the characteristics of its previous life, disliking spellcasting.

Ning Zhuo had to use the Mirror Platform Spiritual Communication Art to control the spiritual power within the mechanical body to release something like the Embrace Ice spell.

“In truth, I can only use the Qi Gathering technique.”

“Because the Three-Family Joint Modification Team hasn’t passed Room Number Two yet, they haven’t accessed the Embrace Ice spell.”

Under these circumstances, Ning Zhuo shouldn’t reveal the Embrace Ice spell.

Only after the Three-Family Joint Modification Team gains access to it and he ‘publicly’ learns it can he use it openly and legitimately.

Ning Zhuo took out the Floating Cloud Scarf, shrouding himself and the desk within it.

From within the massive cotton ball-like cloud of qi, intermittent noises of machine creation could be heard.

Ning Zhuo was creating a Blood Oil Bottle, a mechanical component with a specific blueprint obtained as a reward from the third trial of the Demonic Sect.

Using this mechanical component, he could collect various types of blood qi, mix them together, process and refine them, ultimately forming an oily substance with the texture of blood.

It would be even better when paired with another mechanical component: the Blood Transformation Pool.

“Yuan Dasheng possessed the Demonic Tainted Blood Meridian skill in its previous life and cultivated it to a high level.”

“Providing it with blood qi will maximize its combat prowess.”

If the Demonic Sect was still prominent, Ning Zhuo wouldn’t reveal this mechanical component.

But now, he had closed the stone wall, causing both the Buddhist and Demonic Sects to remain hidden.

This also meant that others entering the Transfer Great Hall would be unable to access the paths to the Buddhist and Demonic Sects.

There would be no chance of claiming the relevant rewards.

Of course, the Blood Oil Bottle that Ning Zhuo was creating wasn’t a direct copy of the original; rather, it had undergone his own improvements and alterations.

Its power was significantly reduced, and the underlying principles also had some deviations.

The reason for this was twofold: Firstly, the materials at his disposal were limited, and he couldn’t access some high-quality components.

Secondly, even if this thing was exposed in the future and the Lava Immortal Palace also revealed a Blood Oil Bottle, Ning Zhuo would have a certain explanation and justification he could use to defend himself.

The Ning family cultivators guarded Ning Zhuo’s residence.

After a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s divine sense scanned the Floating Cloud Scarf, they refrained from any pointless probing.

They communicated via voice transmission, guessing what kind of mechanism Ning Zhuo was researching that required such secrecy.

“Young Master Ning Zhuo has such talent for mechanisms; his future is boundless!”

“Indeed, it has been a long time since such an excellent junior has appeared in our branch of the family!”

“I’m very curious about what kind of mechanism he is tinkering with!”

“It’s just that there are so many floating clouds obstructing the view, making it inconvenient for his creation, right?”

“Hehe, well, geniuses always have some eccentricities. Besides, we all know about Ning Zhuo’s background. He has lived alone for too long; this is caution, self-preservation, a very good habit!”

As Ning Zhuo demonstrated more and more outstanding abilities, the expectations and tolerance of those around him increased.

That very night, Yuan Dasheng once again donned the Azure Iron Heavy Armor and stealthily made its way through the sewers.

It entered a specially constructed small passage.

The passage was dark and deep. After Yuan Dasheng squeezed into it, it crawled along until it reached the end.

It triggered a simple mechanical lever, and the stone bricks in front of it shifted aside, revealing a small door.

The small stone door was located halfway up an abandoned well.

Yuan Dasheng carefully examined the surroundings, confirming that it was safe before emerging from the abandoned well and entering a ramshackle dwelling in the slums.

It left a jade slip in the corner of the slum dwelling and then returned.

This was one of the secret channels for Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong to communicate.

Ning Zhuo was secretly manipulating things with the goal of notifying Sun Lingtong to recruit more demonic cultivators and prepare to assassinate Yuan Er, staging a good show.

The message in the jade slip was, of course, in a secret code that Sun Lingtong and Ning Zhuo had created together.

The Zheng Family!

Four Golden Core Ancestors were gathering for a small get-together.

One of the Zhou family’s Golden Cores spoke of Zhou Zhu and Zhou Zeshen, his face full of worry: “The earth yin ant colony harbors a Gu worm, leaving behind earth yin energy that is difficult to eradicate. Once the physical body recovers, it will be like a root of illness planted, with far-reaching effects.”

“Zhou Zhu and Zhou Zeshen both possess natural talents. If the earth yin energy remains in their bodies for too long, their inherent yang will inevitably turn soft, their kidney water will be depleted, they will be unable to perform the *dao* of men, their descendants will not prosper, and in severe cases, their yang will turn to yin, becoming neither male nor female.”

Zheng Shuanggou snorted coldly, “Even so, both Fellow Daoists are being too presumptuous in trying to forcefully seize my family’s Nine Yang Yellow Cattle Balm!”

Another Golden Core from the Zhou family bowed and saluted, “For the sake of our descendants, we, as ancestors, can only shamelessly come and ask!”

“I have a suggestion!”

“Fellow Daoist Zheng Shuanggou has long desired to attempt to break through my Night Star Heavenly Silk Formation!”

“How about I and my fellow clan brother jointly set up this formation and have both of you attempt to break through it? If you are still lingering within the formation after three days and three nights, then please gift the Nine Yang Yellow Cattle Balm to us!”

Zheng Shuanggou sneered, “And what if we break through it?”

The Zhou family ancestor smiled, “Then my Zhou family will present the Southern Sky Vermillion Bird Star Constellation Formation Diagram.”

Upon hearing this, Zheng Shuanggou was moved: “Is that true?”

The other Zhou family ancestor said, “We can make a Dao Oath!”

The two Zheng family Golden Cores communicated via voice transmission, and after a moment, they nodded in agreement.

Immediately, the Zhou family ancestor pulled out a bolt of silk and unfurled it.

The surface of the silk was smooth and fine, like flowing water, and as black as the deepest night.

Within the deep ink color, faint starlight was present and absent, dimly visible.

The silk flew into the air and quickly merged into the night. There was no sign of any anomaly.

The four Golden Cores from the Zhou and Zheng families entered the formation and disappeared from the spot.

Zhu Xuanji wandered among the mountains, constantly paying attention to the Rising Wind Bell in his divine sea.

With Fire Persimmon Immortal City as the center, he continuously probed the surrounding area.

“Who’s there?”

Suddenly, Zhu Xuanji’s eyes shone with golden light, looking in a certain direction.

He only saw a wisp of a shadow, carrying a chilling ghost aura, rapidly shuttling, flying towards Fire Persimmon Immortal City at an extremely high speed.

“A Golden Core cultivator, a ghost cultivator?”

Zhu Xuanji immediately showed a solemn expression.

Being able to withstand his golden eyes must mean that their foundations are extraordinary. Just from the power and aura, one can judge that the cultivation technique is of extremely high quality, as if it originated from a major sect.

Atop Fire Persimmon Mountain!

The roars of beasts continued one after another, and the magma surged, rising and falling.

Various demon beasts rioted, wanting to rush out of the Scarlet Flame Demon Caverns, but they were blocked by the Lava Immortal Palace, the last line of defense.

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit roared again and again on the throne in the main hall.

The Lava Immortal Palace shone with dazzling light, and a large number of mechanical puppets revived, forming a defensive line.

This scene did not exceed Meng Kui’s expectations.

“My ‘Watching the Tigers Fight from the Mountain’ covers the entire Fire Persimmon Mountain!”

“The various demon beasts within the mountain are naturally also within it. Those with weak luck will be affected by their seniors, those with moderate luck will be swept up by the general trend, and those with the highest luck will eventually be involved.”

Meng Kui sat firmly amidst the clouds and mist, standing in an invincible position, watching the rise and fall of the situation calmly.

“I wonder if that shadowy demonic cultivator will be implicated and reveal himself?”

Just as Sun Lingtong returned to his own courtyard, his eyes suddenly flashed with a cold light, and he shouted, “Who’s there?”

Two demonic cultivators appeared one after the other, at the same time, looking very pleased.

“Sun Lingtong, you’ve already entered the formation. Submissively surrender!”

“For the sake of Immovable Gate, as long as you tell us the whereabouts of the Unruly Guest, we will spare your life!”

Sun Lingtong’s expression turned slightly serious, recognizing them from their power and aura: “You are… from the Soul Devouring Sect.”

“Let him go? On what basis?”

Han Ming emerged from the shadows like a female ghost corpse, her face full of resentment and malice.

“You actually dared to scheme against me, Sun Lingtong. I want you to die!”

“And that Unruly Guest too.”

“If you can expose him, I will reward you with a swift death!”