Sun Lingtong’s silence caused Ning Zhuo a trace of awkwardness. He hurriedly changed the subject, “Alright, let’s not talk about this. I have some serious business to discuss.”

“Boss, I plan to go all out to forge a Simian Automaton.”

“A Golden Core level Simian Automaton!”

Even Sun Lingtong, who had always strongly supported Ning Zhuo, felt that Ning Zhuo was a bit whimsical upon hearing this news.

If it were a Foundation Establishment cultivator crafting a Golden Core level item, there would only be a one-level difference, and there might be a chance of success with effort.

But Ning Zhuo was only at the Qi Refining stage now, and could only show a cultivation base of Qi Refining level three to the outside world.

To cross an entire cultivation level to craft a Golden Core level construct?

“What are you going to use to forge it?”

Sun Lingtong asked directly.

Ning Zhuo chuckled, “Although my cultivation is a bit low, I have others who can forge it.”

Sun Lingtong asked again, “Can you get a Golden Core cultivator to help?”

Ning Zhuo shrugged, “Being able to ask a Foundation Establishment cultivator to forcefully forge a Golden Core level construct is also possible. I plan to ask the Zheng family to refine the artifacts, the Ning family to make the talismans, and the Zhou family to set up the arrays.”

Sun Lingtong pondered for a moment, seeming to understand, “You know what, you might actually be able to pull this off.”

He stared at Ning Zhuo with his big eyes, “With your current reputation and connections, you might really be able to accomplish this.”

“But if you ask others to help, wouldn’t your construct blueprints be leaked again?”

Ning Zhuo nodded, “I’ve thought about this too. I’ll have them forge some of the automaton’s components and accessories separately.”

“I’ll personally forge the key components and keep them strictly confidential.”

“Finally, I’ll personally assemble them to create a Golden Core level construct.”

Sun Lingtong’s eyes lit up, realizing, “Indeed, this is a construct, not a magic weapon or armament. It’s not a single entity, it can be disassembled.”

“This is indeed feasible.”

Ning Zhuo added, “Besides, the Simian Automaton I’m envisioning this time doesn’t have any particularly ingenious designs. I’ll use some classic structures. The focus will be on stuffing it with materials.”

“I’ll use almost all the Golden Core level materials I have on hand to craft this Simian Automaton.”

Ning Zhuo really had quite a few Golden Core level materials on hand now.

Some were accumulated by Sun Lingtong in the black market over the years, others were contributed from Qi Bai’s storage pouch, and a third portion was obtained by Ning Zhuo from extorting the Ning family patriarch not long ago.

If he was still short of any materials, Ning Zhuo could also trade with the Zhou family, the Zheng family, or even secretly with Fei Si.

As of today, he was no longer the marginal figure he once was.

Becoming the master of the black market and participating in the joint action of the three families had already allowed him to leverage resources from various parties and use them for his own benefit.

Sun Lingtong said, “Having managed the black market for so many years, I’ve accumulated a lot of good materials.”

“I’ll take them out now for you to forge treasures.”

“But how do you plan to get the others to forge them? Have you thought about it?”

Ning Zhuo replied, “I have thought about it.”

He took out a map, unfolded it, and pointed to a certain location for Sun Lingtong.

“I plan to set up this place, destroy the warehouse here, and find a large batch of hidden treasures in the secret chamber underneath. Publicly announce that I found your former treasure trove. What do you think?”

Sun Lingtong asked some detailed questions and pondered for a while, “These clues and testimonies are all arranged perfectly, but with such a sudden and huge gain, you have to consume these treasures as soon as possible, otherwise it will be easy to arouse greed and covetousness.”

“I understand, Boss,” Ning Zhuo nodded emphatically.

Sun Lingtong suddenly smiled.

Ning Zhuo looked up, confused, “Boss, what’s wrong?”

Sun Lingtong stroked his chin, “I used to look down on righteous cultivators. I thought most of them were hypocritical.”

“But looking at you, I suddenly feel that being in the righteous path is sometimes quite convenient.”

Ning Zhuo laughed, “The righteous path is not for exploitation.”

“I believe it’s a positive attitude towards life.”

“Look, those demonic cultivators are always fighting and killing, risking their lives in deadly battles. That’s too risky and not good at all.”

“I look forward to people getting along, seeking common ground while reserving differences. Even if there are conflicts, they can tolerate and coexist peacefully, enjoying the beauty of cultivation.”

Ning Zhuo spoke very seriously.

At that moment, Sun Lingtong realized Ning Zhuo’s naivety, realizing that he was only a sixteen-year-old boy.

“Then, have you found it?”

Sun Lingtong asked.

Ning Zhuo: “Hmm?”

Sun Lingtong: “After you obtain the Lava Immortal Palace, have you thought about what your situation will be? By then, have you found a way to coexist peacefully with other people and forces?”

“Uh?”

Ning Zhuo fell silent.

Sun Lingtong’s expression became serious, “Xiao Zhuo, I understand you. With your personality, you’ll always consider many things in advance.”

“So, what have you been thinking?”

Ning Zhuo smiled wryly, “I’m trying…”

Sun Lingtong interrupted, “So, you searched for Mysterious Delights Bookstore, looked at *Celestial Artisanry and Resource Exploitation*. Using human life as silken threads, you are trying hard to manage your own power, wanting to use the power of the family to force the forces in Immortal City to recognize you as the master of the Immortal Palace?”

“Heh!”

Sun Lingtong sneered, “You’re too naive.”

“Even I know that this is simply impossible.”

“Whether it’s the Ning family, the Zhou family, or the Zheng family, they have no reliable connections in the imperial court of the Nan Dou Kingdom.”

“The Lava Immortal Palace is such an important treasure, concerning the suppression of Fire Persimmon Mountain, the foundation of Fire Persimmon Immortal City, and the citizens. Nan Dou Kingdom will definitely not let you control the Immortal Palace.”

“Just like what the Recruitment Order said, they will force you to give up the position of city lord and force you to offer the Immortal Palace before they will stop.”

“Don’t hold onto unrealistic illusions.”

“Xiao Zhuo, since you’ve embarked on this path, there’s no turning back. You have to be decisive, otherwise you’ll harm yourself and others.”

“If, at some point in the future, you seize the Immortal Palace, immediately control the Immortal Palace and leave this place.”

“I know what you’re worried about!”

“The Fire Persimmon Immortal City’s city-protecting array is capable of it. It can continue to suppress the volcano!”

“Nan Dou Kingdom will also inevitably go all out, after all, Fire Persimmon Immortal City has many foundations and countless citizens.”

Sun Lingtong’s words plunged Ning Zhuo into deep silence.

Sun Lingtong saw through Ning Zhuo’s thoughts and plans, and made the most correct reminder.
The next day.

Ning Zhuo’s residence.

In the underground cultivation chamber.

Ning Zhuo, enveloped by the Floating Cloud Scarf, solemnly retrieved the Harmonious Union Talisman.

The Harmonious Union Talisman was a rectangular slip of paper, its surface like yellow jade, the edges lined with a crimson border.

Eleven long strings of intricate runes adorned the center of the yellow paper.

The runes resembled intertwining dragons and snakes, with three silver rings from top to bottom, representing the upper dantian Divine Sea, the middle dantian Qi Sea, and the lower dantian Essence Sea.

A straight line, shimmering with golden light, like a sword or bridge, pierced through the three rings.

Ning Zhuo stilled his heart and focused his mind, holding the talisman between his fingers, positioning it before him.

He silently channeled his mana, infusing it into the talisman.

The talisman gradually emitted light, then spontaneously ignited, swiftly turning to ashes.

In a burst of fiery sparks, the talisman’s radiance rapidly plunged into Ning Zhuo’s chest, into the Qi Sea.

Ning Zhuo repeated the process, using the other two talismans in the same manner, directing their light into the Divine Sea upper dantian between his brows, and the Essence Sea lower dantian in his abdomen, respectively.

After the three talismans were applied, they immediately resonated with each other.

Ning Zhuo searched the Myriad Flavors Bookstore, reading *Celestial Artisans, Creating Wonders.*

The spirit, qi, and essence treasures each emitted a mysterious aura, slowly flowing, intermingling, and gradually merging into one, ultimately permeating the other two dantians.

This continued for the time it takes to brew a cup of tea before gradually ceasing.

“Harmonious Union Talisman…”

“Truly effective!”

This talisman was specifically designed to regulate the three dantians.

Late-stage Qi Refining cultivators must undergo this step before breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Doing so increases the success rate of breakthrough.

“But since I cultivate the three schools’ techniques, I must use the Harmonious Union Talisman before reaching the seventh layer.”

“A cultivator who specializes in one dantian only needs to use one. I have to use three at a time.”

“But to be honest, it is indeed effective.”

Ning Zhuo meticulously sensed his body, discovering that his spirit, qi, and essence resonated with each other, markedly different from before.

Previously, it was like three people breathing, their breaths uneven and independent.

Now, the auras of the three treasures were interconnected, moving in unison, like three faces of one entity.

To be on the safe side, Ning Zhuo used another three talismans, coordinating the spirit, qi, and essence to the utmost perfection.

“Now is the time.”

A determined look flashed across Ning Zhuo’s face as he focused his mind on three tasks at once, simultaneously urging the three cultivation techniques.

Divine Sea – Spirit Mirror Illumination Art.

Qi Sea – Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art.

Essence Sea – Demon-Infused Blood Tendon Skill.

The three techniques were activated simultaneously, and the original peak sixth-layer cultivation seamlessly broke through, officially entering the seventh layer.

Three Seas, all Seventh.

Ning Zhuo officially entered the late stage of Qi Refining.

Moreover, because he cultivated the three schools’ techniques, his overall strength far surpassed that of ordinary cultivators of the same level.

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit had been watching Ning Zhuo the entire time.

Seeing this scene, the palace spirit’s face was incomparably grave.

This little monster…

Possessed innate talent and abundant skill in the art of mechanical contraptions.

Possessing the Celestial Palace treasure — the Mind Demon Seal of the Buddha.

Mastered a complete divine ability even in the middle stage of Qi Refining — Life Hanging by a Thread.

Now, he had advanced to the late stage of Qi Refining.

Too fast.

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit’s heart was filled with emotion, wonder, and a hint of panic.

It looked at Meng Chong again.

Meng Chong was also cultivating crazily in the cultivation chamber.

Lightning crackled around him, obviously using the Celestial Talent Rapid Thunder Sprint, accelerating the refinement of his mana.

“I broke through.”

He suddenly opened his eyes.

“Hahahaha, fourth layer of Qi Refining.”

He walked out of the cultivation chamber, immediately earning countless compliments.

People praised Meng Chong.

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit gnashed its teeth anxiously, its dragon claws tapping incessantly, eager to rush to these people’s ears and roar, “You fools!”

“Someone has already reached the seventh layer, the seventh layer! And you think you are in the lead?”

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit was filled with anger and a continuous sense of frustration.

It was bound, it was not free.

It could not reveal any information about the trial disciples.

Its authority was too limited.

As the only spirit that understood the entire situation, watching Ning Zhuo approach it step by step, constantly approaching it, it began to feel — fear.

“Don’t come over, don’t come over!”

“Quickly, discover him, quickly discover this person who is hiding the deepest!”

End of this chapter.