Random Recommendation:

Within a secret chamber, the five Golden Core patriarchs of the three great families gathered.

“The joint effort of the three families… has failed,” Zhou Nongying sighed.

Zheng Danlian then turned his gaze towards the Ning Family Patriarch.

The jade scroll clearly stated that the key reason for the failure of the three families’ joint exploration of the Immortal Palace was Ning Xiaohui’s public infighting!

The nature of this act was far too egregious.

The Ning Family Patriarch seemed completely oblivious to the gazes upon him, “Even if we had won this battle, it would still demonstrate the difficulty of exploring the Lava Immortal Palace.”

“The path of Soul Entry into the Immortal Palace is not so easily traversed.”

This analysis resonated with the rest.

Even this regretful near-victory had allowed the Golden Core patriarchs of the three families to witness the improvements in Yuan Dasheng and Qi Bai’s battle prowess.

During the fight, the materials of the two mechanical constructs were noticeably a grade better than before.

Furthermore, they had employed a variety of novel mechanical components.

The self-detonating ape automata, wind-fire wheels, and the mechanical ropes that captured Ning Xie, all achieved significant results in battle and could not be underestimated.

The three families’ Golden Cores naturally attributed these improvements to the Lava Immortal Palace, to the deliberate arrangements of the three Upper Realm Immortals.

They would never have imagined that there was a mastermind controlling everything from behind the scenes.

“Even if the Qi Refining juniors of the three families regrouped and achieved excellent results, it would still be impossible to advance unhindered.”

“The path of Soul Entry into the Immortal Palace remains arduous.”

“Meng Chong possesses Immortal talent, and the City Lord’s Residence’s modification team dominates the rankings. For our modification team to defeat such opponents… it will be difficult!”

The Golden Core patriarchs communicated secretly with their divine senses for a while, gradually reaching a consensus.

That was, to act together, cooperate with Zhu Xuanji, delve deep into Mount Fire柿, and reclaim the Demonic General Automaton.

From the perspective of the three families, they would rather see Zhu Xuanji ultimately obtain the Immortal Palace than Meng Kui.

If Meng Kui obtained the Immortal Palace, the Meng family would move into Immortal City on a large scale, greatly squeezing the three families’ living space.

But if given to Zhu Xuanji, if Zhu Xuanji ultimately succeeded, then the three families would have rendered service to the Royal Family, which would inevitably be more beneficial to their position in Mount Fire柿 Immortal City.

Zheng Shuanggou said, “Fellow Daoists, to venture deep into the volcano is to risk our lives.”

“Before we act, my clan urgently needs to forge that mechanical weapon.”

The other Golden Cores were slightly taken aback, then simultaneously nodded.

In their early years, the Zheng family had obtained a mechanical blueprint from the Lava Immortal Palace.

According to the blueprint, the Zheng family had expended a great price to secretly forge a mechanical weapon.

This weapon was extremely powerful, and even before it was fully forged, it had already brought great assistance to the Zheng family.

Previously, during the four Golden Core duel between the Zheng and Zhou families, the Zheng family’s twin immortals were able to successfully break through the Nightstar Silk Array precisely because of this weapon’s advantage.

The Zhou family’s dual cultivation elders learned of this weapon because of this.

The Zheng family proactively traded Nine Yang Yellow Bull Paste to gain the recognition of the Zhou family’s dual cultivation elders, and the latter agreed to help the Zheng family complete the subsequent forging of the mechanical weapon.

However, relying solely on the Zhou family’s array formation techniques was not enough.

Afterward, the Zheng family consciously befriended the Ning family, hoping that the Ning family would provide powerful extreme cold quenching methods to help forge this mechanical weapon.

Thus, the Zheng and Ning families became very close, secretly exchanging many benefits.

For example, Zheng Jian obtained the Ice Heart Talisman, and Ning Xiaohuo, under the personal guidance of Zheng family cultivators, refined the Ghost Martial.

Therefore, the Ning Family Patriarch also knew about this mechanical weapon and had even seen the mechanical blueprint.

“If this item is forged, it will indeed be of great help.”

Zhou Nongying had a deep impression of the mechanical weapon.

The Ning Family Patriarch frowned secretly.

To be frank, he was unwilling to see the Zheng family gain possession of such a powerful weapon.

In his interactions with the Zheng family’s Golden Core cultivators, he had seized upon the Zheng family’s intention and secured many benefits for the Ning family.

The Ning Family Patriarch’s plan was to use this mechanical weapon to dangle the Zheng family.

But now, with the exploration of Mount Fire柿 imminent, the Ning Family Patriarch also felt a deep sense of crisis.

The Zheng family forging this item would indeed help increase everyone’s chances of survival.

The Ning Family Patriarch frowned deeply, shook his head, and sighed, indicating that using his extreme cold techniques would damage himself and greatly affect his combat power.

He was unwilling to assist with quenching before venturing deep into Mount Fire柿.

He preferred to find an opportunity to help the Zheng family after the Mount Fire柿 trip.

Zheng Danlian and Zheng Shuanggou exchanged glances, both seeing the determination in each other’s eyes.

The Ning Family Patriarch’s evasion was also within their expectations.

This was irrelevant.

The Zheng family’s dual cultivation elders had their own way to force the Ning Family Patriarch to submit.

That method was… Zhu Xuanji!

The Zheng family’s dual cultivation elders found Zhu Xuanji, stating that they had changed their minds, and to enter Mount Fire柿, they had to forge a mechanical weapon.

And this mechanical weapon required the Ning Family Patriarch’s extreme cold techniques for quenching.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xuanji immediately expressed his willingness to help.

He quickly found the Ning Family Patriarch.

After a period of secret conversation, the Ning Family Patriarch, under the pressure of the Royal Family, had no choice but to agree.

Ning Zhuo arrived at the clan chief’s residence and met the Ning family’s clan chief.

“Ning Zhuo, from a branch family, greets the Clan Chief.”

Ning Zhuo cupped his fist, his etiquette flawless, but his tone was flat and distant.

The Ning family’s clan chief, however, plastered on a smile and beckoned to Ning Zhuo, “Come, Little Zhuo, sit here. Don’t just stand there.”

Ning Zhuo was expressionless, “Clan Chief, if you have something to say, please speak directly. I still have some Black Market affairs to attend to.”

“Hahaha, I know. I know you’re a busy man.”

The Ning family’s clan chief laughed a few times, saying in a warm tone, “This time I requested you here regarding the matter of Ning Xiaohui.”

“You also know…”

Ning Zhuo immediately interrupted, “Ning Xiaohui harmed me. Does the Clan Chief want to speak on his behalf?”

“Not harm, not harm…”

The Ning family’s clan chief repeatedly denied, “Ning Xiaohui is just too young. At a crucial moment, he couldn’t withstand the pressure and made a mistake.”

The Ning family’s clan chief emphasized in the end, “It was a mistake. It really was a mistake.”

Ning Zhuo chuckled coldly, “If the Clan Chief thinks so, I have nothing to say.”

“Just…”

“Do you really think so? Are you deceiving yourself?”

“Is this what the family prisons of the Ning family think? Or is this what most people think?”

The Ning family’s clan chief’s smile grew thicker, “So, I specially invited Little Zhuo to come here this time precisely to ask you to come forward and clarify this matter. All rewards are negotiable.”
Ning Zhuo was slightly taken aback, then his eyes lit up: “Oh?”

A moment later, he left the Clan Leader’s study, completely satisfied.

As soon as Ning Zhuo was confirmed to have left, the sound of things being smashed echoed from the Clan Leader’s study.

The noise continued for a long time before gradually ceasing.

Ning Zhuo secretly went to the underground base and met with Sun Lingtong in secret.

Sun Lingtong was very happy to see Ning Zhuo, adjusted his stance, hugged Ning Zhuo’s shoulders, and patted him hard: “Little bro, you’re here!”

Although the two had met many times in the Lava Immortal Palace, the number of times they had actually met recently was very few.

Sun Lingtong stayed in the underground secret base all day long, not seeing anyone, which made him extremely bored.

Naturally, Sun Lingtong was overjoyed to see his dear little brother.

What made him even happier was that the two brothers were checking the greatest trophy of this battle – the Ghost Cultivator, Ning Xie.

Ning Xie was affixed with more than a dozen talismans around his body, sealed tightly, unable to move at all.

“Boss, how are we going to deal with him? Do you have any good ideas?” Ning Zhuo asked.

Sun Lingtong shook his head: “If Qi Bai could have the means to refine souls, we would have let him refine it.

“But now, his spirituality has fallen to 56%, it’s simply impossible.” Sun Lingtong sighed, looking up.

Before the battle, Sun Lingtong ventured to open Qi Bai’s storage bag and looked at “Immortal Craftsmanship Unveiled”. He also used the “Cremation Prajna Liberation Scripture” to burn Qi Bai’s personal belongings, helping the Underworld Emissary Qi Bai regain a large amount of spirituality.

His spirituality once reached as high as 92%.

But after the battle just now, Qi Bai’s spirituality dropped sharply, falling to the current 56%.

Originally, Ning Xie possessed the innate talent of Blood Soul Ice Spirit and was also a Ghost Cultivator, making him very suitable to be transformed into a Ghost General.

The Ghost Generals that Qi Bai had controlled in life had suppressed Ning Zhuo, leaving a deep impression on the latter.

However, if they wanted to let the Underworld Emissary Qi Bai regain the ability to refine souls, they would have to wait until he had passed his spiritual awakening period and developed a strong intellect before such a possibility could arise.

This pace was too slow. Sun Lingtong wanted to use him to increase his own strength now.

Ning Zhuo understood: “So, we’re going to refine him into a mechanical component?”

“Yes, yes!” Sun Lingtong nodded repeatedly.

The Ning family was not a great sect like the Soul Devouring Sect or the Non-Empty Gate, and their mark on family disciples was not enough to identify the murderer.

This allowed Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong to dispose of the enemy Ning Xie as they pleased.

Without hesitation, the two opened the furnace and threw Ning Xie into it.

Afterwards, the two simultaneously activated the “Cremation Prajna Liberation Scripture”, working together to ignite the furnace and give Ning Xie true peace after death.

“It’s too hot, too hot!” Sun Lingtong ended the refining process and let the furnace cool down.

He used his small hand as a fan, fanning his red, sweaty cheeks.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he took out the Underworld Emissary Qi Bai and beckoned to Ning Zhuo: “Little Zhuo, come here.”

In the battle not long ago, Qi Bai had annihilated many members of the Modification Squad and used Soul Arts multiple times.

“Boss, you go first!” Ning Zhuo quickly came to Sun Lingtong’s side.

Sun Lingtong was no longer polite, and he controlled Qi Bai to pour a large amount of Soul Essence into himself.

“Comfortable, so comfortable!” Sun Lingtong closed his eyes, overjoyed.

“Little Zhuo, you come, you come.” He absorbed half of the Soul Essence and gave the position to Ning Zhuo.

Afterwards, Ning Zhuo also received the nourishment of the Soul Essence.

A hundred times more soul foundation was marching towards the two hundred mark.

The two took all the Soul Essence and became refreshed.

The furnace cooled completely, and the two opened the furnace and took out a millstone-sized mechanical sphere.

The surface of the sphere was a layer of glazed cover, and a circle of blue strip-shaped crystals ran along the midline of the cover, like a blue belt.

There were circular pieces of blue crystal at the top and bottom poles of the cover.

White mist kept churning inside the cover, sometimes expanding and sometimes contracting.

The mechanical sphere floated in the air, emitting a slight chill.

Spirituality: 36%.

Mechanism – Weather Orb * Ice Crystal Snow.

End of this chapter.