The status of a True Disciple is exceedingly high, of great importance to a sect, equivalent to a future high-ranking member, one of the core strengths of the sect.

Immediately, an elder pondered, “I remember this matter. Not long ago, Qi Bai took on a mission to scout out Fire Persimmon Immortal City in the Southern Bean Kingdom. Rumor has it that a mechanism immortal palace, possibly the Lava Immortal Palace of the Three Sects Ascendant from back then, has appeared within Fire Persimmon Mountain.”

The Soul-Devouring Sect Master’s gaze narrowed slightly, “The Three Sects Ascendant…”

“This person was extraordinary, able to withstand the strength of a Body Fusion stage cultivator despite only having a Void Refinement cultivation.”

“He cultivated in the arts of the demonic, the Daoist, and the Buddhist schools simultaneously, truly possessing talent, but met with misfortune in his later years, seemingly afflicted by qi deviation, taking his own life!”

The Sect Master contemplated for a moment, then turned to one of the sect elders, saying, “Elder Luo, what do you think should be done about this matter?”

Elder Luo uttered thoughtfully, “Our sect’s True Disciple has fallen, the true culprit must be investigated and severely punished. However, the Lava Immortal Palace is located within Fire Persimmon Immortal City. If we were to dispatch an Elder-level cultivator, it might cause unnecessary misunderstandings.”

“This old one believes it is more appropriate to send one or two capable Golden Core cultivators, along with a few Ghost Generals to protect them.”

“Let us first investigate the true culprit, and then discuss and make a decision!”

The Sect Master smiled, “These are wise words of statecraft! Then Elder Luo, which True Disciple do you believe is most suitable?”

Elder Luo understood the Sect Master’s intention in posing this question to him and immediately replied, “To recommend talents without regard to kinship, this old one recommends my nephew, Luo Shang.”

“Very well, then it shall be Luo Shang!”

The Sect Master immediately issued the order, dispatching Luo Shang to Fire Persimmon Immortal City to investigate, and also assigning a Ghost General with Nascent Soul-level battle prowess to act as his protector.

This was already the limit of what was normally permissible.

In a major demonic sect like the Soul-Devouring Sect, elders were at least Nascent Soul cultivators.

Dispatching an Elder-level cultivator would inevitably make the Southern Bean Kingdom nervous, potentially triggering unnecessary conflict.

If the misunderstanding grew too large, causing the Soul-Devouring Sect to provoke a behemoth like the Southern Bean Kingdom, that would be most unfortunate.

In the world of cultivation, great power is often concentrated in one person.

A Nascent Soul-level existence could safeguard a territory, like Meng Kui guarding Fire Persimmon Immortal City.

Similarly, a Nascent Soul cultivator could also invade a territory.

An existence that has reached this level cannot be moved lightly.

Therefore, when the Soul-Devouring Sect previously wanted to investigate the Soul-Storing Deposits within Fire Persimmon Mountain, they only sent the Golden Core True Disciple, Qi Bai.

It wasn’t that the Soul-Devouring Sect lacked Nascent Soul-level cultivators, but that under normal circumstances, dispatching Qi Bai was the most appropriate.

Now that Qi Bai had seemingly died in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, the Soul-Devouring Sect had a reason to dispatch a strong cultivator to investigate.

This strong cultivator might not be a Nascent Soul stage, but they must at least possess Nascent Soul-level means.

Therefore, dispatching a Ghost General with Nascent Soul-level battle prowess to protect him was within the bounds of the rules.

As for why a prestigious major demonic sect like the Soul-Devouring Sect would abide by the rules?

The reason was simple.

With property comes stability.

The Soul-Devouring Sect occupied vast territories, controlled countless cultivation resources, possessed a large family and a great enterprise, and naturally had many concerns.

After receiving his orders, Luo Shang immediately set off for Fire Persimmon Immortal City.

Not long after he left, an inner disciple of the Soul-Devouring Sect quietly sent out a message.

The message was relayed through layers, eventually reaching a certain town.

The head of the town then transmitted the message to the nearest secret stronghold of a particular sect.

In the stronghold, several cultivators were discussing and analyzing various pieces of intelligence.

“A True Disciple of the Soul-Devouring Sect has died? This is a major event.”

“The Soul-Devouring Sect tentatively believes he died in Fire Persimmon Immortal City in the Southern Bean Kingdom.”

“Wasn’t there a rumor of an immortal palace appearing there?”

“The Lava Immortal Palace? That’s just one of the Twelve Palaces of the Three Sects Ascendant, indeed buried within Fire Persimmon Mountain. This has been confirmed.”

“Wait, are there no Disciples of our Voidless Sect in Fire Persimmon Immortal City?”

“There is one, named Sun Lingtong, who manages the black market in Fire Persimmon Immortal City and is considered well-informed. However, he has not confirmed the truth of the immortal palace’s emergence, only reported some activity.”

“Sun Lingtong? Isn’t he the only disciple of Xu Wuyan?”

“Yes, many years ago, Elder Xu was trapped within the Lava Immortal Palace, and Sun Lingtong stayed behind in the Immortal City, always believing that his master was not dead, but merely trapped within the Immortal City. The sect, mindful of his potential, wanted to call him back, but he refused.”

“Hehehe, how foolish!”

“I, on the other hand, believe this child’s character is commendable. Even if he were to return to the sect, it might not be a good choice for him. Don’t forget that Elder Qing is Elder Xu’s sworn enemy, and now wields immense power within the sect!”

“Enough, we’re digressing too much. Let’s report this matter first!”

“Whether it’s the Soul-Devouring Sect or Fire Persimmon Immortal City, we should dispatch sect disciples to investigate further.”

Several days passed.

This secret stronghold of the Voidless Sect had gathered even more intelligence.

The Voidless Sect cultivators discussed it again.

“Strange, the number of news regarding the appearance of the Fire Persimmon Immortal City has suddenly exploded recently!”

“It has been verified that the source is the Meng family of the Southern Bean Kingdom.”

“The Meng family?”

“Meng Kui, one of the Four Generals of the Meng family, is the city lord of Fire Persimmon Immortal City! Why would he vigorously promote this matter?”

“Indeed, very strange!”

“Has the higher-ups not yet decided to send sect elites to Fire Persimmon Immortal City to investigate? I feel there will be an opportunity!”

Just as they were speaking, a voice suddenly rang out, “I have arrived!”

Within the secret chamber, the group of cultivators were startled and scattered in a panic, frantically urging their magical power, a great battle about to erupt.

A female cultivator slowly revealed her figure, flashing her identity token. Only then did the cultivators lower their guard and respectfully salute.

The female cultivator acted decisively. After appearing, she requested all the intelligence related to Fire Persimmon Immortal City and immediately set off for Fire Persimmon Mountain.

“It’s True Disciple Yang Chanyu!”

“The sect actually sent her!”

“Yang Chanyu is Elder Qing’s beloved disciple, her purpose this time cannot be simple! That Sun Lingtong is in for trouble!”

Fire Persimmon Immortal City

Ning Zuo was reviewing the latest intelligence, her brows furrowing slightly. “The rumors in the city lately seem a bit off.”

Without the channel of the black market, she relied mainly on street gossip to gather intelligence, and the quality of intelligence had dropped by more than one level.
Even so, Ning Zhuo still sensed a subtle shift in the atmosphere: “Recently, the number of unfamiliar faces in the city seems to have increased significantly. The inns are doing better business, and fights and accidents are happening frequently in some areas. Upon closer inspection, it’s clear that these places are near important areas or key buildings within the immortal city.”

These past few days, he had remained within the Ning Clan’s grounds, rarely stepping outside. He was either diligently cultivating his techniques or tinkering away in his makeshift workshop, piecing together his mechanisms.

The Tree Martial Fighting Ape was destroyed, its remaining skeleton rendered fragile after bearing the burden of Righteous Bone Fortitude in the battle.

Ning Zhuo had no choice but to start from scratch, forging a new mechanical ape.

This time, however, it was not as convenient as before.

Ning Zhuo was lacking many materials.

Last time, he was at the Zheng Clan, and thanks to Zheng Jian’s support, he used many rare materials to create the Tree Martial Fighting Ape.

Ning Zhuo did not have such good fortune this time.

During his arduous cultivation, a messenger brought the order to assemble.

Ning Zhuo followed the command and met with Zheng Jian and the others in secret.

“Brother Ning Zhuo, finally, we meet again!”

Zheng Jian smiled heartily and greeted him proactively.

Ning Zhuo saw not only Zheng Jian but also Zhou Zhu and Zhou Zeshen.

“Congratulations on your recovery!”

Ning Zhuo wore a genuine smile on his face.

Zhou Zhu remained silent, while Zhou Zeshen said, “I heard that you and Ning Xiaohui explored the Immortal Palace and encountered Meng Chong?”

Ning Xiaohui could not help but snort coldly.

“I am ashamed!” Ning Zhuo sighed softly, a hint of fear appearing on his face. “The gap between us and Meng Chong is too great. We had no power to resist.”

“To be honest, I have been feeling heavy-hearted these past few days, unable to be happy!”

“With Meng Chong ahead of us, how can we be his match?”

Zhou Zeshen nodded, his expression becoming more somber.

Zheng Jian patted Ning Zhuo on the shoulder, encouraging him, “If we unite our efforts, we may not be defeated. It is too early to speak of failure, Brother Ning Zhuo.”

Ning Zhuo forced a smile, appearing dejected after being deeply shaken. “I am incapable of resisting Meng Chong. I can only rely on you all!”

Ning Xiaohui snorted coldly, “Ning Zhuo, with such a mindset, how are you worthy of the Ning name?”

“After suffering defeat and humiliation, one should hold their head high, strive actively, and fight to wipe away the shame!”

“Follow behind me, and watch carefully!”

Thus, in the following operation, Ning Xiaohui was the first to have her soul extracted by the Netherworld Envoy, Qi Bai.

Amidst her screams, her soul nearly shattered, triggering the Immortal Palace’s mechanism, which sent her soul back to her physical body.

Zhou Zeshen then said, “This operation is crucial. We must try our best to clear as many checkpoints as possible and catch up with Meng Chong!”

Ning Zhuo satisfied him.

In the subsequent operation, Ning Zhuo communicated with Sun Lingtong and deliberately allowed the three-family alliance team to reach the maintenance room.

The cultivators from the three families were shocked when they saw the ranking.

“Meng Chong is indeed in first place!”

“So many people from the City Lord’s reconstruction team are on the list!”

“Outrageous! Meng Chong must have made great progress while we were recovering!”

“As we suspected, the City Lord’s side is far ahead!”

Zhou Zeshen was the second to have his soul extracted.

The order in which Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong attacked was strategic.

Ning Xiaohui was prioritized because her talent could not only restrain all kinds of mechanisms but also freeze wounds for treatment.

The second target was Zhou Zeshen, whose exceptional intelligence and aptitude for battlefield command made it irresponsible to leave him on the battlefield for too long.

“Meng Chong is so powerful. I really want to fight him personally! Even if I lose, it doesn’t matter. I can see the gap between us and work harder later!”

Zheng Jian said expectantly.

Ning Zhuo fulfilled his expectations tenfold—by having Yuan Dasheng focus on him!

“I’m going to die, I’m going to die, I’m going to die…”

Seeing Yuan Dasheng pounce on him, Zheng Jian’s talent was triggered, issuing frantic warnings.

Zheng Jian became the third person to have his soul devoured.

Zhou Zhu, being taciturn, remained until the end.

Ning Zhuo, seeing that he was not very bright, chose him as a witness to personally witness Ning Zhuo’s “death”!

End of Chapter.