“Little Zhuo!” Amidst the Wanli Wandering Dragon, Sun Lingtong exclaimed, a mix of surprise and joy in his voice.

Though he had never met Meng Yaoyin, Ning Zhuo, as a child, would often look at his mother’s photo album when he missed her, shedding silent tears. Sometimes, he would even hug the album as he slept. For someone so important to his brother, Sun Lingtong naturally knew Meng Yaoyin’s appearance well.

Thus, in an instant, only a beat slower than Ning Zhuo, Sun Lingtong recognized her.

He directed his divine sense towards Ning Zhuo, his words caught in his throat, his expression freezing. It was the first time he had ever seen Ning Zhuo in such a state.

“Destroy, destroy, destroy!” The Many-Mouthed Ghost General, all three mouths speaking in unison, bulged its greenish-black leg muscles, exerting sudden force, attempting to crush the head of the paper-figure statue.

But a light shone from the statue’s head, offering resistance. For a time, the Many-Mouthed Ghost General could not succeed.

An angry expression immediately crossed its face. Clenching its fists, it raised both arms high and fiercely smashed them towards the statue’s head.

What sounded slow in narration happened in the blink of an eye.

A golden light suddenly shot out, instantly becoming dazzlingly bright, causing all the cultivators present to involuntarily squint.

Gold element spell, Profound Gold Chop!

Gold element lung organ temple!

Within the qi sea, a small portion of magic power was consumed. Unlike the great war in Liangzhu Kingdom before, after consecutively advancing two small stages, Ning Zhuo’s magic power reserves were far greater, providing a sufficient foundation to support a magic power guzzler like Profound Gold Chop.

Fast! Too fast!

Profound Gold Chop was so fast that the Many-Mouthed Ghost General didn’t even react, only to be sliced into two segments.

A waist chop!

Its upper body fell to the ground, while its lower body remained standing, its feet still on the head of the paper-figure statue.

“Golden Core level! Who is it?” Such formidable attack power left Wen Rouyu both surprised and delighted. He quickly turned his head.

Although his divine sense covered the battlefield and he knew this attack was unleashed by Ning Zhuo, he still couldn’t help but turn to look at this ordinary yellow-faced young man.

“You are Golden Core level? No, still Foundation Building.”

“What forbidden technique did you use? Or a talisman?”

The Many-Mouthed Ghost General opened all three mouths and simultaneously inhaled a cold breath.

“Will die, will die, will die!” While speaking, it unleashed its ghost technique.

Its severed lower body immediately transformed into a thick, inky-green smoke, flying towards its upper body, reconnecting, gradually solidifying, and taking the shape of legs and feet once more.

The Mirror-Makeup Ghost General and the Butcher Ghost General exchanged glances, then lunged, actually attacking Ning Zhuo simultaneously.

Regardless of whether Ning Zhuo used some forbidden technique or a rare talisman, he was a variable. With Wen Rouyu unable to quickly defeat them, eliminating the variable first was the instant consensus reached by the two ghost generals.

Profound Gold Chop was too threatening. Even with full defense, the ghost generals were not confident they could completely block it. Furthermore, in the midst of engaging Wen Rouyu, if Ning Zhuo were to unleash such a chop unexpectedly, who could possibly endure it?

The three great ghost generals were all ghost cultivators. Their bodies were different from living people, possessing no conventional fatal weaknesses. However, even so, a recovery like the Many-Mouthed Ghost General’s consumed essence and came at a considerable price. They could not withstand multiple such attacks.

The Mirror-Makeup Ghost General and the Butcher Ghost General did not need divine sense to communicate. A mere glance at each other was enough to devise the most appropriate tactic. This action alone demonstrated their bodies had endured countless battles and possessed rich combat experience.

“A mere Foundation Building cultivator, yet daring to interfere in our engagement!”

“Die for me!”

For a time, the two great ghost generals pounced, yin energy churning, killing intent permeating the air.

Compared to the two of them, Ning Zhuo was slender. After unleashing Profound Gold Chop, he simply stood rooted to the spot, as if frozen in fear.

Wen Rouyu’s heart leaped: “Not good!”

He intercepted with full force.

The Mirror-Makeup Ghost General suddenly flew into the air, evading his interception. The Butcher Ghost General, however, was large and heavy, getting entangled by Wen Rouyu’s literary techniques.

The Butcher Ghost General suddenly raised its head, looked towards the Mirror-Makeup Ghost General, and lowed: “Change.”

The two generals had fought shoulder to shoulder for many years, developing ample tacit understanding. The Mirror-Makeup Ghost General immediately took out her makeup mirror, facing the mirrored surface towards herself and the back towards the Butcher Ghost General.

The next moment, she activated her life treasure, causing her and the Butcher Ghost General to swap positions.

The Butcher Ghost General gained freedom, roared, and continued its pounce towards Ning Zhuo. Meanwhile, the Mirror-Makeup Ghost General, though now entangled by the literary techniques, avoided direct engagement with Ning Zhuo. If Ning Zhuo still possessed the ability to cast a second Profound Gold Chop, striking the thick-skinned Butcher Ghost General’s body would be far better than striking the Mirror-Makeup Ghost General’s body.

This was an excellent choice for positioning in actual combat.

Wen Rouyu still wanted to act, to support Ning Zhuo, but the Mirror-Makeup Ghost General turned around, entangling him.

“Run quickly!” Wen Rouyu anxiously transmitted via divine sense, attempting to rouse Ning Zhuo, who remained rooted to the spot.

The Butcher Ghost General had already rushed to within ten steps of Ning Zhuo and couldn’t help but laugh wildly.

Wen Rouyu unleashed his full power, his offense suddenly intensifying.

His individual combat power naturally surpassed that of any single Golden Core ghost general. The Mirror-Makeup Ghost General couldn’t endure it and immediately shouted: “Many-Mouthed, still not coming to help!”

“Will die, will die, will die,” the Many-Mouthed Ghost General remained rooted to the spot, constantly repeating.

The Mirror-Makeup Ghost General almost cursed, yet suddenly wore a strange expression. This was because her divine sense covered the battlefield, and she discovered that although the Many-Mouthed Ghost General had recovered, it was still sitting on the ground.

It stared at Ning Zhuo in the distance, its entire body covered in cold sweat, even trembling slightly, its face filled with terror.

“Could it be that when it says ‘will die,’ it doesn’t mean this boy will die, but that *we* will die?” The Mirror-Makeup Ghost General fell into doubt.

She knew very well that among her comrades, the Many-Mouthed Ghost General’s spiritual sense was the most sensitive, adept at perceiving crises.

“Careful!” She quickly warned.

A beat too slow.

The Butcher Ghost General had already rushed to Ning Zhuo’s front, like an out-of-control carriage, crashing directly into Ning Zhuo. Given Ning Zhuo’s small stature, not even reaching three percent of the Butcher Ghost General’s size, if hit squarely, he would surely be smashed to pieces, sent flying high, and die spitting blood mid-air!

Wen Rouyu even involuntarily squinted, unable to bear witness to Ning Zhuo’s tragic fate.

But the next moment, a mirror light flashed.

A red copper “city wall” suddenly blocked between the Butcher Ghost General and Ning Zhuo.

Looking closely, it was a mechanical ape monkey.

What a mighty ape monkey!

It rose from the ground, approaching two *zhang* in height, its body majestic like a small building, and it did not concede to the Butcher Ghost General in stature. Ten thousand strikes of profound iron poured into its red sun copper body, guarded it entirely. Its diamond stone fangs were half an adult’s arm long, and wind-fire wheels exceeding six feet in diameter were inlaid in its calf muscles.

The mechanical heart-ball furnace within the ape monkey’s body activated, driving out high-temperature airflow. The blood oil bottle and blood spring pot in its abdomen formed a cycle, emitting a faint blood mist.

It was precisely the Heavy-Armored Blood Ape · Great Victory!

The Butcher Ghost General crashed solidly into Yuan Great Victory’s chest. Yuan Great Victory retreated one step, completely offsetting the impact. Conversely, the Butcher Ghost General was dizzy from the collision.

Yuan Great Victory delivered a low hook punch, striking the Butcher Ghost General’s abdomen. The Butcher Ghost General took the blow, suddenly bending at the waist, opening its large mouth, and fiercely glaring, its eyeballs almost bulging out. It quickly swung its butcher knife, randomly counterattacking.

Yuan Great Victory side-stepped, then turned its body, following the momentum, unleashing an elbow like a gun, hitting the Butcher Ghost General directly in the face.

For a moment, the Butcher Ghost General’s head snapped back, its face dented by the heavy strike.

Yuan Great Victory took a stance and kicked out directly. As it exerted force, the wind-fire wheels on its calf muscles suddenly spun up, bringing forth a trail of flame, doubling its leg strength.

With another muffled thud, Yuan Great Victory kicked the Butcher Ghost General flying.

*Bang, bang, bang…*

The Butcher Ghost General flew backward, smashing through two walls and a large amount of equipment in the workshop. Then, it was buried among the collapsed bricks and stones.

Wen Rouyu’s tense heart suddenly relaxed. He felt quite fortunate: “I almost forgot, Jiao Ma still has a Golden Core level mechanical puppet hidden.”

“This Golden Core level mechanism is indeed ferocious.”

The Butcher Ghost General roared, the sound waves shattering the smoke and dust, walking out with a mix of anger and hatred. Yuan Great Victory, however, had already pounced to its front.

*Bang, bang, bang…*

A series of attacks rained down on the Butcher Ghost General’s body. The butcher knife in the Butcher Ghost General’s hand had already been dropped during its backward flight. It fought relentlessly with Yuan Great Victory using its fists and feet. Both sides exchanged blows, each punch and kick carrying heavy momentum, producing whistling sounds.

On the body of the Heavy-Armored Blood Ape · Great Victory, the twenty-seven bronze pillars on the surface of the mechanical heart-ball furnace rapidly extended and contracted like living things. Red fire essence was constantly consumed, and a large amount of steam rose out. The wind-fire wheels nested in its calf muscles spun incredibly fast, emitting a whooshing sound and trailing clusters of flames.

As the fight progressed, the Butcher Ghost General began to fall into a disadvantage.

“See ghosts! This mechanical ape monkey’s martial combat ability is even higher than mine?!” The Butcher Ghost General was extremely surprised. It wanted to turn the tide, but the mechanical ape monkey always saw through its intentions.

“Good control!” Wen Rouyu, while entangled in battle with the Mirror-Makeup Ghost General, kept the situation in his sights.

In his view, Yuan Great Victory was clearly a mechanism. Its ability to exhibit such profound martial combat skills was all due to Ning Zhuo.

“Jiao Ma is actually a mechanism cultivator?”

“This is completely inconsistent with the intelligence,” Wen Rouyu sighed.

Ghost technique, Nether Soul Cast Iron.

The Butcher Ghost General howled and cast a ghost technique, greatly increasing its defense. Yuan Great Victory’s fists and feet striking it produced sounds of metal collision.

The Mirror-Makeup Ghost General’s heart was alarmed: “It actually forced Butcher to use this ghost technique. But that’s good, with this enhancement, he must win!”

The Mirror-Makeup Ghost General knew this was one of her comrade’s powerful trump cards. In many past battles fought shoulder to shoulder, she had witnessed the strength of this technique.

Indeed, with this technique active, Yuan Great Victory’s offense suddenly became neither painful nor itchy. The Butcher Ghost General was just about to turn the situation around and vent its frustration, when its body was unexpectedly struck by a spell.

Wood element, Root Vine Entangle!

Wood element liver organ temple!

Green vines drilled out of the ground, directly entangling the Butcher Ghost General in place. The Butcher Ghost General, unable to move, was forced to release its ghost technique again, fiercely chopping at the green vines. But although the green vines broke, the parts that had entwined the Butcher Ghost General’s body coiled like snakes, binding its arms and pulling at its legs, making every one of its movements greatly distorted.

Like this, the Butcher Ghost General was riddled with flaws, which Yuan Great Victory easily exploited, beating it with a clang-clang sound, turning it into a punching bag.

“How can this be?!” The Mirror-Makeup Ghost General was greatly surprised. This was completely contrary to her expectations. Ning Zhuo had merely unleashed a single wood element spell and easily thwarted the Butcher Ghost General’s attempt to turn the tide.

Within the Wanli Wandering Dragon, Sun Lingtong felt it deeply. It was as if he saw Ning Zhuo passing levels in the Molten Rock Immortal Palace in this same cooperative manner with Yuan Great Victory.

“How long has it been? Little Zhuo’s strength has grown to this extent.”

“The progress is too great!”

“The ghost generals are Golden Core level, yet this combination of one person and one ape has beaten them into submission.”

Seeing Ning Zhuo and Yuan Great Victory’s performance, Wen Rouyu was clearly excited, thinking: “We can win! I see the opportunity for victory!”

“I didn’t expect Jiao Ma, this boy, to have such strong combat power.”

“Lord City Lord is wise. She must have recognized this child’s extraordinary nature, so she indulged him and let him come to the South City Gate to investigate.”

Thinking of this, Wen Rouyu immediately transmitted via divine sense to Ning Zhuo: “Jiao Ma, how long can you maintain this state?”

“If you can persist, I can repel the other two Golden Core ghost generals.”

“If this battle is won, I will personally report to Lord City Lord and claim merit for you!”

Ning Zhuo slightly turned his head, staring at Wen Rouyu, and transmitted: “Flash to one side.”

Wen Rouyu: ?!

The next moment, a Profound Gold Chop brushed past his shoulder, directly cutting through the empty air. Wen Rouyu’s eyes were filled with a golden hue, the lingering shadow of the Profound Gold Chop.

“Hey! Jiao Ma, you boy almost chopped me!” Wen Rouyu was angry and frustrated.

The Mirror-Makeup Ghost General was also startled. She and Wen Rouyu were engaged in battle, quite close to each other. The second Profound Gold Chop also posed a strong threat to her.

“Good, I always keep a portion of my mind focused, paying close attention to this boy, timely avoiding… wait, that’s not right!”

The Mirror-Makeup Ghost General looked towards another direction. There, the Many-Mouthed Ghost General was chopped into two, divided into left and right halves.

“Ah, ah, ah!” The Many-Mouthed Ghost General cried out three times, recovering with full force. But even after restoring its body, it was several shades dimmer than before.

“Fearful, fearful, fearful!” The Many-Mouthed Ghost General was deeply shaken. Regardless of the cost, it unleashed its trump card in horror.

Ghost technique, Ghost Bat Tide Surge.

Its entire body burst with surging yin energy, transforming into a raging yin energy tide. Within this tide, countless ghost bats flew out. The ghost bats were numerous, for a time covering the battlefield.

The Mirror-Makeup Ghost General seized the opportunity and fully engaged Wen Rouyu. On the other side, Yuan Great Victory had just separated from its fierce battle with the Butcher Ghost General.

The vast majority of the ghost bats descended from the sky, all pouncing towards Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo slowly raised his head, countless ghost bats clearly reflected in his calm, deep pool-like eyes. The ghost bats shrieked, diving down, carrying piercing killing intent.

Ning Zhuo neither dodged nor evaded, slowly opening both arms.

Fire element, Nine Heavens Fire Dragon Technique!

Fire element heart organ temple!

In an instant, flames rose, burning fiercely, rapidly spreading across half the battlefield.

*Roar.*

Three fire dragons condensed from the sea of fire. The air was severely distorted, and the ground bricks were burned red. The fire dragons roared, pouncing towards the sky full of ghost bats.

The crimson color, with an incredibly fierce and bold posture, rapidly overwhelmed the dark and black tide, becoming the dominant color on this battlefield!

Flames everywhere!

The ground bricks melted, the ghost bats vanished like smoke. The fire dragons struck with precision, one after another, sweeping through the three ghost generals. The three ghost generals, seeing such immense fire power, already knew things were bad, but their retreat speed couldn’t match the fire dragons’ strike speed. They were all burned, wailing miserably.

Wen Rouyu was forced to escape this battlefield. Seeing such fire power, he involuntarily stared blankly. The remaining craftsmen were also forced to the corner. Someone among them cried out: “No! This is a workshop! If you cast such a spell, everything will be burned to ashes!”

Wen Rouyu heard this and his heart tightened. He quickly prepared to act, trying to salvage whatever he could, especially the paper-figure statue.

*Hiss…*

The next moment, in front of the blazing sun, Wen Rouyu still drew a cold breath. This was because upon closer inspection, he discovered that within this sea of fire, the fire power was fierce, yet completely orderly. Even the three fire dragons, despite their grand momentum, moved with precise control. The flames converged, never burning the paper-figure statue in the slightest.

“What kind of fine control is this!”

“This is a fire element spell!”

At this instant, Wen Rouyu’s heart stirred: “Is this Jiao Ma really Jiao Ma?”

The flames dissipated. The three ghost generals were all burned and gasping for breath, bound by a stream of water, unable to move.

“Fire element turning into water element?! Hiss…” Wen Rouyu’s heart drew another cold breath.

Ning Zhuo slowly walked over. Wen Rouyu’s expression was solemn. He looked at Ning Zhuo with newfound respect.

Ning Zhuo reached out a hand, the water stream burst, capturing the three ghost generals and bringing them before Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo glanced at the Butcher Ghost General and the Mirror-Makeup Ghost General, then fixed his gaze on the Many-Mouthed Ghost General’s expression.

“Spare life, spare life, spare life,” the Many-Mouthed Ghost General cried out.

Ning Zhuo was expressionless. He lightly hooked a finger. The next moment, the water stream, like a blade, scraped over the Many-Mouthed Ghost General’s entire body, peeling off pieces of its flesh.

“Ah, ah, ah…” The Many-Mouthed Ghost General wailed miserably, twitching incessantly.

The Butcher Ghost General struggled with force. The Mirror-Makeup Ghost General tightly pursed her lips.

Ning Zhuo stretched out a second finger, releasing a gold element spell. A hundred thousand golden needles constantly pierced through the Many-Mouthed Ghost General.

“Pain, pain, pain!” The Many-Mouthed Ghost General cried until its voice was hoarse.

Ning Zhuo then cast an earth element spell, pressing down on one side of the Many-Mouthed Ghost General’s body, crushing half of its ghost body into powder. The Many-Mouthed Ghost General could no longer speak. Its eyes rolled back, and it fainted.

Unbeknownst to them, the Butcher Ghost General had already stopped struggling. The Mirror-Makeup Ghost General saw Ning Zhuo’s gaze fall upon her and trembled slightly.

Ning Zhuo then turned his head and looked towards Wen Rouyu. Wen Rouyu had just walked over, his heart tight. He cupped his fists in thanks, without the condescending attitude he had held towards a Foundation Building cultivator before.

Ning Zhuo did not react to his thanks. Finally, his gaze fell upon the head of the paper-figure statue.

“Who is this person?” Ning Zhuo, worried about a misunderstanding, asked knowingly.

Wen Rouyu was surprised: “Are you speaking of Senior Sister Meng?”