Zhu Xuanji didn’t dwell too much on the faint doubts in his heart.

His fingers caressed the panel as he murmured, “True Scripture…”

True Scriptures possessed extraordinary value.

Historically, there was once a righteous super sect called the Sect of Nature.

Their supreme art, known as the *Nature Grand Dao Scripture*, was hailed as the origin of all techniques, the mother scripture of heaven and earth.

This title wasn’t merely self-praise from the Sect of Nature, nor was it a self-aggrandizing boast, but rather a universally acknowledged truth by the people of that era.

Legend had it that the complete *Nature Grand Dao Scripture* encompassed all stages of cultivation, yet comprised only three hundred ancient bone script characters.

The entire text was profoundly cryptic and abstruse.

Only those with exceptional comprehension could glean even a small portion of the true mysteries of cultivation.

A peerless genius, having achieved mastery in the *Nature Grand Dao Scripture*, condensed his own insights into *True Intent* before his passing, composing seven chapters of *True Scripture* covering the Refinement Stage, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Transformation, Refinement of Void, and Integration stages.

Thereafter, regardless of one’s comprehension, anyone who came into contact with the *True Scripture* could fully understand its profound meaning.

The Sect of Nature flourished as a result, becoming the number one sect under heaven at the time.

Their prosperous state persisted until the *True Scripture* was stolen.

Without the *True Scripture*, the Sect of Nature rapidly declined, vanishing into obscurity in less than two centuries.

Although an extreme example, it sufficiently illustrated the value of a *True Scripture*.

A single *True Scripture* could potentially forge a powerful sect.

Zhu Xuanji didn’t know what the *True Scripture* on this Blood Path Diagram was.

But that didn’t stop him from speculating.

“According to secret royal records, the Three Sect Ancestors created the Three Sect Supreme Arts in their later years, encompassing three techniques, each corresponding to the lower, middle, and upper Dantian, simultaneously cultivating the three treasures of essence, Qi, and spirit.”

“Could the *True Scripture* recorded on this Blood Path Diagram be the technique for cultivating the essence sea of the lower Dantian?”

“Previously, the Transmission Bell spread widely, and City Lord’s Estate’s Meng Chong had already passed the trial and mastered the subsequent technique, called the *Five Elements Qi Rhythm Manual*.”

“What could the technique within the Blood Path Diagram be?”

“At the very least, it should be closely related to essence and blood.”

Zhu Xuanji’s speculation was logical and grounded in evidence.

His basis stemmed from the Demonic General Construct.

Within the Construct’s body, he had detected numerous mechanical components, including one specifically for extracting the flesh and blood of others (the Blood Transformation Pool) and another for purification (the Blood Oil Bottle).

From Zhu Xuanji’s perspective, he had risked his life and paid a heavy price to win over the three Golden Core cultivators in order to retrieve the Demonic General Construct.

Before handing over the Construct, he was eager to recover the *True Scripture* to maximize his merits.

The only clue now lay before Zhu Xuanji.

“I need to find that little monkey.”

Even a divine constable faced with different species suffered from “face blindness.”

“The little monkey touched the Demonic General Construct, causing the *True Scripture* to transfer on its own.”

“It must possess natural talent, and it’s definitely not weak.”

However, Zhu Xuanji recalled the recent fierce battle.

He hadn’t seen any monkey use any special talent in the Fire Melting Demon Ape’s lair.

Nor had he seen any monkey master any kind of technique.

From this perspective, they were merely demon beasts, not demon cultivators.

They relied entirely on natural growth, on the innate gifts of their species, and after maturing, possessed combat power comparable to Foundation Establishment or Golden Core cultivators.

If they also cultivated techniques, their combat power would inevitably increase dramatically on the existing foundation.

However, everything was balanced; the Heavenly Dao was impartial and selfless. Since the Fire Melting Demon Apes had such excellent physical conditions, their comprehension in cultivation was mediocre.

Even the simplest and most basic techniques were difficult for most of them to comprehend in their lifetime.

“The little monkey wasn’t present during the battle?”

“Did it leave the tribe, was it banished, or has it already died?”

Zhu Xuanji continuously speculated.

Generally, beings with natural talents possessed vigorous fortunes and weren’t so easily killed.

“I don’t know the exact time when the little monkey touched the Demonic General Construct.”

“If I had the time, I could roughly calculate the little monkey’s current age.”

“Even if it’s not for this merit, I have to find this Fire Melting Demon Ape.”

The reason was simple.

This was a *True Scripture*.

Comprehending a *True Scripture* required very little comprehension.

If the Fire Melting Demon Apes were to comprehend the *True Scripture* on a large scale, they might eventually develop a large number of demon cultivators in Fire Persimmon Mountain.

Demon cultivators were different from demon beasts, because through cultivation, they often possessed wisdom far exceeding their former selves.

When they fought, they would cast spells and use tactics, and their threat level far exceeded that of demon beasts.

“Didn’t the Three Sect Ancestors consider the possibility of it being lost when they placed the *True Scripture* in the Demonic General Construct?”

“If there truly is a group of demon cultivators hidden in Fire Persimmon Mountain, then that’s exceptionally terrifying.”

Thinking of this, Zhu Xuanji’s expression couldn’t help but become grave.

He immediately wrote a letter, writing this conjecture and the little monkey’s portrait in the letter, hoping that the royal family could hire capable people to deduce the adult appearance of the little monkey and send it back to him.

Then, he covered it with the royal family’s unique secret communication method, making the letter appear to be a chaotic and utterly incomprehensible scribble to outsiders.

After sending the letter, he immediately began to deal with the Demonic General Construct.

There were many places where the Construct needed repair, large and small, inside and out, numbering well over a hundred.

The most obvious injury was its left arm.

Its left arm was broken, and Zhu Xuanji had found the broken arm in the Lava Immortal Palace.

Zhu Xuanji possessed considerable construct craftsmanship, and he quickly immersed himself in observation, while his mind began to think of solutions.

City Lord’s Estate.

Fei Si was managing and approving daily affairs on behalf of Meng Kui.

A piece of information about Zhu Xuanji was delivered to Fei Si’s hand.

“Oh? Zhu Xuanji sent out a secret letter?”

Fei Si immediately fell into thought.

He had always regarded Zhu Xuanji as his strongest competitor.

Zhu Xuanji had previously led three Golden Core cultivators, suddenly going deep into the Fire Persimmon Mountain, and clashing with a powerful Fire Melting Demon Ape tribe.

He not only retreated safely with the three Golden Cores, but also brought back a unique mechanical puppet.

“Zhu Xuanji gained a lot from this action, and he suddenly sent a letter, it must be a matter of great importance.”
A glint of light flashed in Fei Si’s eyes as he barked, “Someone!”

A subordinate rushed over to await his orders.

After issuing his commands, Fei Si returned to his paperwork, patiently awaiting the outcome.

A short while later, a Foundation Establishment cultivator arrived to report, “The secret letter has been intercepted, it’s right here.”

Fei Si took the letter and scanned it, but found nothing of significance.

“The unique encryption method of the Southern Bean Royal Family!”

Fei Si sighed, a sense of disappointment washing over him.

This left him with only one option: to delay the delivery as much as possible, stretching out the process.

“At most, I can only stall for about seven days,” he muttered.

Meanwhile, within the Lava Immortal Palace…

In the main hall, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit retracted its gaze from Fei Si.

It paced anxiously in circles, its tension palpable.

It had gone to great lengths to send the Demon General automaton out, only for Zhu Xuanji to retrieve it.

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit desperately wanted to strangle Zhu Xuanji for this.

However, this turn of events wasn’t entirely bad news for the spirit.

At the very least, it knew that Ning Zhuo was about to face a calamity.

The reason was simple: the young ape that had touched the Demon General automaton long ago was none other than the young Yuan Dasheng.

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit had been observing from the sidelines, witnessing many events.

Yuan Dasheng possessed immortal talent, a righteous heart, and bones of steel. The true scripture had been drawn to him, practically throwing itself into his arms.

But perhaps because he had acquired such a treasure, Yuan Dasheng’s fortune was temporarily depleted, and he fell into a life-threatening crisis.

He struggled to survive, and on the brink of death, he was rescued by Yuan Yi.

Thus, the two met, formed a bond, and together embarked on a journey to create the Monkey Head Gang.

Once Zhu Xuanji received a reply from the royal family and saw the predicted adult appearance of the ape, he would undoubtedly realize it was Yuan Dasheng.

At that point, Ning Zhuo, who was heavily involved in this matter, would inevitably be suspected by Zhu Xuanji, potentially exposing him.

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit eagerly anticipated that day.

It cast its gaze once more, piercing through layers of space, focusing on Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo remained blissfully unaware of the immense crisis brewing, about to engulf him completely.

He was dedicating himself to refining and purifying the essence, qi, and spirit within his cultivation.

During this time, the Qi Refining prodigies from the Zhou and Zheng families came to him one after another, seeking to discuss important matters.

Some of these matters involved the continued construction of the Golden Core-level automatons, while others were entreaties from the Zhou and Zheng families, urging Ning Zhuo to once again join them in another large-scale alliance operation.

Their reaction was precisely what Ning Zhuo had anticipated.

After all, the last time the three families had joined forces, it was Ning Xiaohui’s internal strife and betrayal of Ning Zhuo that had led to their narrow defeat.

They had no idea that this was almost entirely a play orchestrated by Ning Zhuo behind the scenes.

From their perspective, their regret and disappointment were perfectly understandable.

It was because they saw that they were seemingly just a hair’s breadth away from defeating Yuan Dasheng and Qi Bai that they rallied together, clamoring for another attempt.

And how could such a grand operation be without Ning Zhuo!

Ning Zhuo’s outstanding performance in the previous battle had earned him widespread praise.

“It’s all that Ning Xiaohui’s fault, for not understanding the bigger picture.”

“Brother Ning, let us fight side-by-side once more, to wipe away our past shame!”

“I feel that we will certainly succeed this time.”

However, Ning Zhuo himself was not stirred by their enthusiasm.

Because he had no desire to go at all.

His priority now was to refine his cultivation so that he could break through to the ninth layer as soon as possible.

And upon reaching the ninth layer, he wanted to contemplate the future of Foundation Establishment.

“What’s the best way to decline them gracefully?”

Ning Zhuo frowned inwardly.

After a moment of thought, an idea came to him.

He took out the Five Elements Ruler and split his Five Elements mana into five individual strands.

“Everyone, behold.”

As he spoke, he demonstrated his control over the five single-attribute mana strands, and then showed how he could simultaneously use these five strands to cast five different spells.

This display stunned the talented cultivators from the Zhou and Zheng families.

Ning Zhuo then said, “My strength has improved quite a bit, and I intend to try some solo challenges first.”

The emissaries from the two families were convinced by Ning Zhuo’s words.

If they were in his shoes, they would also want to act alone and reap the greatest profits.

End of Chapter.