The altar for the Heaven-Demon Transmogrification Rite, the core and culmination of Lord Wangchuan’s century-long grand plan, was now directly before Ning Zhuo. Ning Zhuo had already met the three conditions required to ascend the altar. However, a tributary of the Wangchuan River, encircling the altar, had become the final obstacle.

“Just one more step,” Ning Zhuo thought to himself, “break through this final barrier, and I’ll have achieved great success!”

After his initial surprise at finding a Wangchuan tributary here, Ning Zhuo quickly accepted its presence. After all, the Wangchuan Underworld bore the Wangchuan River as its namesake, so it was not surprising to see various methods of utilizing the river. It was worth noting that the capital immortal city of the Wangchuan Underworld was situated directly on the Wangchuan River.

“But how am I to cross this river? My mother and the boss are taking a different route, heading directly for Wangchuan Immortal City. They face the true Wangchuan River, not just this tributary before me. Mother must have a way to cross the river, but why didn’t she tell me? Also, where is Lord Wangchuan’s true form?”

Ning Zhuo was entering this core battlefield for the first time, completely unaware of the prior clashes between Lord Wangchuan and the other great powerhouses.

“This Earth-element avatar should be Lord Wangchuan’s,” he mused. “His true form has not yet appeared; perhaps he is severely injured, or perhaps he is inside the altar, restrained by the final critical stage of the ritual.”

At this very moment, the blood-red light on the altar was slowly fading. Ning Zhuo secretly wondered if the complete dissipation of the blood light meant the ritual was fully completed.

“It’s still that crucial question: how do I cross this Wangchuan tributary?”

Ning Zhuo immediately recalled the prophetic poem.

“Ghost tides surge, white paper imperiled.
A lone swan carries a candle, piercing the heavenly canopy.
A guest star should shine north of the literary axis.
When myriad lamps ignite, the tribulation self-destructs.”

“There are no clues in this poem to help me cross the Wangchuan tributary. What am I to do?”

Ning Zhuo felt bewildered, letting his thoughts wander.

“I am favored by the destiny of the mortal realm, the savior of White Paper Immortal City, and Lord Wangchuan’s human tribulation!” he affirmed. “There must be a solution for me to pass this; it cannot be a dead end! Perhaps the answer to crossing the river lies in my hand?”

Having just used the “Path to Tranquility Candle” from his storage belt to solve the problem of the turbid energy barrier, Ning Zhuo once again began scanning his belongings with his divine sense. Soon, his divine sense settled on the Embryonic Spirit.

“Can this boat carry me across the river?” Ning Zhuo wondered, subconsciously stroking his Mechanism Ring, but it remained silent, as if dead. Ning Zhuo’s thoughts shifted: “What if I don’t use any artifacts and just swim across the Wangchuan tributary directly?” He entertained this idea, but the Mechanism Ring remained still, as if dead. A hint of worry flickered deep in Ning Zhuo’s eyes, and he stopped stroking the ring. His gaze, like his thoughts, drifted, and a myriad of ideas surged and receded within his spiritual sea.

His gaze swept over the ice coffin suspended in mid-air, and a thought sparked in his mind: “This ice coffin bears some resemblance to the Path to Tranquility Candle. It sealed a pair of scissor-shaped magical artifacts. Before I arrived, this Earth-element avatar was still attacking the ice coffin. Clearly, the ice coffin must have been left behind by a powerful expert, who, during the battle, sealed one of Lord Wangchuan’s trump cards! These scissor-shaped artifacts must be very important to Lord Wangchuan. Otherwise, his opponent wouldn’t have treated them with such caution, and the Earth-element avatar wouldn’t be constantly eroding the ice coffin to retrieve them.”

Ning Zhuo did not know that this ice coffin was actually also formed from a candle, only its origin was grander: it was the “Candle of the Cold Abyss Ice Coffin” of Lord Ghostflame.

The young man’s gaze fixed on the ice coffin, and suddenly, his body trembled slightly.

“The body of the Path to Tranquility Candle is coffin-shaped, and so is this,” he mused. “Similar shapes. Could this be a hint from destiny, specifically for me?”

Ning Zhuo narrowed his eyes, extended his divine sense, and examined it carefully. He naturally considered the next possibility: “This ice coffin exudes chilling energy; it is Yin-attributed, and even more so, ice-attributed. Could it freeze the Wangchuan tributary?”

“Verifying this is actually quite simple.”

Ning Zhuo reached into his storage belt. The next moment, he raised his hand and threw out a large number of Golden Swallow automatons. The Golden Swallows formed a swarm and rapidly flew towards the ice coffin high above.

Just as Ning Zhuo was pondering how to pull the ice coffin closer to the Wangchuan tributary, the Earth Fiend Turbidity God immediately made a move. Turbid energy, like a whip-like python, lashed out fiercely, almost completely annihilating the flock of Golden Swallows. Only two or three remained, reaching the ice coffin. Ning Zhuo, seeing this, was repeatedly surprised and delighted; the Earth Fiend Turbidity God’s actions had, to some extent, confirmed his recent speculation. Of course, this could also be a deliberate maneuver by the Earth Fiend Turbidity God, or perhaps he was overly concerned with the scissor-shaped artifacts. Regardless, Ning Zhuo had at least discovered a potential breakthrough.

He immediately took out more automatons, manipulating them to scatter like stars across the sky, sparsely rushing towards the ice coffin in the air once more. The Earth Fiend Turbidity God’s attention was once again diverted.

In a short amount of time, the bronze chariot was already covered in scars. Although Luo Si had tried his best to protect it, the pressure from the Earth Fiend Turbidity God was too immense, often leaving him unable to attend to the chariot. There were over a dozen massive cracks, a truly shocking sight.

“Old friend, just hold on a little longer!” Luo Si exclaimed. He felt a deep connection to this chariot, and knowing it was doomed in this battle, he felt sadness but also a surge of unwavering battle spirit. Once the chariot was destroyed, relying solely on himself, it would be even harder to contain the Earth Fiend Turbidity God. The only hope was for Ning Zhuo to find a breakthrough.

“Hmm?” Luo Si, standing on the bronze chariot, saw the Earth Fiend Turbidity God attack again, but it wasn’t targeting him; it was destroying the Golden Swallow automatons.

“That ice coffin is key!” Luo Si’s heart immediately jolted, and he instantly realized this point. His gaze immediately turned to Ning Zhuo, and he secretly sighed with admiration: “As expected, he truly is my enlightened master; he found the key to breaking the deadlock so quickly!”

Seizing this excellent opportunity, Luo Si quickly cast spells to heal himself. He had been single-handedly holding off the Earth Fiend Turbidity God, with almost no time to recuperate. Now that he had a chance, he naturally raced against time!

“That damned brat!” the Earth Fiend Turbidity God roared, extremely angry.

Ning Zhuo was positioned behind Luo Si, continuously launching Golden Swallow automatons. The cost of these Golden Swallow automatons was almost negligible to Lord Wangchuan. Ning Zhuo’s Foundation Establishment cultivation level was, to him, like an ant at his feet. Yet, it was precisely such an “ant,” using incredibly cheap Golden Swallow automatons, that at this very moment, managed to hold back his Earth Fiend Turbidity avatar! No wonder the Earth Fiend Turbidity God was so infuriated.

Luo Si felt a great sense of relief! Not only did he properly treat his own injuries, but he also had the leisure to stabilize the condition of the bronze chariot. Otherwise, as before, the chariot’s condition was extremely worrying, and Luo Si would have found it quite reasonable even if it had completely collapsed the next moment.

Earth Element — Earth Fiend Collapsing Rocks. The Earth Fiend Turbidity God extended both arms, palms facing skyward. Magical power surged from his entire body, releasing waves of energy. The magical power waves rapidly spread, scattering into the massive turbid energy barrier that enveloped the entire altar battlefield. The subterranean turbid energy began to churn violently as if boiling, rapidly congealing into colossal rocks. The rocks flew like rain, imbued with earth fiend energy, and shot towards the altar battlefield! The flying rocks, surging with fiendish energy and radiating fearsome might, varied in size; the largest were like dragons or elephants, while the smallest were at least the size of Luo Si’s bronze chariot. A multitude of these flying stones crashed into the Golden Swallow automaton swarm, causing massive casualties. Luo Si, piloting the bronze chariot, dodged frantically amidst the storm of flying rocks, looking utterly overwhelmed.

“If I take a direct hit from one of these, I might die!” Cold sweat broke out on Ning Zhuo’s forehead, and in his urgency, he threw out a Mechanism Token.

Mechanism — Azure Iron Battle Armor! The token morphed, transforming into a set of automaton battle armor. Golden Swallows severed clouds, the armor enveloped his form! The Azure Iron Battle Armor disassembled; its Five-Element Golden Core Disc spun out and attached to Ning Zhuo’s chest, while its spine attached to his back. Twelve avatar mirrors simultaneously shot out silver light. Guided by the silver light, the arm guards and leg guards precisely fitted into place. The waist belt, like a green snake, wrapped around him twice, emanating spiritual light and forming a light membrane that covered Ning Zhuo’s entire body.

Click, click, click. The helmet, chest plate, arm guards, leg guards, and the joints of the Golden Wings on his back all interlocked and contracted, fitting Ning Zhuo’s body perfectly. Aided by the automaton battle armor, Ning Zhuo shot out like lightning, dodging an Earth Fiend Collapsing Rock, and officially began mobile combat.

Seeing this, Luo Si decisively ordered: “Qingjiao forces, retreat beyond the turbid energy barrier!”

Qing Chi gritted her teeth, a hint of hesitation in her. She saw Ning Zhuo charging into the flying rocks, filled with immense worry, and wanted to fight alongside her beloved! Qing Yan, however, grabbed Qing Chi’s shoulder and pulled her away, saying, “You’re not good at flying; you’d only be a burden there. Retreat quickly.”

“No!” Qing Chi refused. “If I’m going to die, I’ll die with Little Ma!”

Qing Yan exclaimed in exasperation, “You foolish girl! We’re going to win! Destiny is on our side! Luo Si’s military order is absolutely correct! We must preserve our entire army and provide military support to the two of them. This is what we should be doing most. The role we play is also crucial!” Qing Chi knew her father was right and allowed herself to be pulled away. Just as she was about to completely exit the winding path, she still struggled free and declared, “I’ll stay in the passage and watch Little Ma fight. If necessary, I’ll join the battle!” Qing Yan hesitated for a moment, then finally gritted his teeth. “You stubborn girl, you must remember that you are the true commander of our army. Staying alive and leading the Qingjiao army, providing military support, is far more helpful to them!”

“Father, this is for you!” Qing Chi took something from her embrace and tossed it to Qing Yan. Qing Yan took it and saw it was the Army Relic Altar Barracks.

Qing Yan, along with Jiao Ma’s biological father, then led the Qingjiao army back to encamp on the previous Black Cloud Battlefield. Qing Yan released the Altar Barracks to house the Qingjiao army for stationing and recuperation. With the barracks protecting them, the Qingjiao soldiers all felt much better. Jiao Ma’s biological father, meanwhile, took a group of people from the barracks, scattered in all directions, and actively began clearing the battlefield. They hadn’t had time before, but now they needed to scavenge for spoils as much as possible to replenish their forces and convert them into military supplies. Currently, the Qingjiao army’s military supplies were already critically low. With ample military supplies, they could do much more. Whether it was casting the military strategy “Money to Connect with Ghosts” or “Life-Buying Money,” or using them as sacrifices for the altar to attract ghostly deities for aid, all would be possible.

Ning Zhuo also noticed the Qingjiao army’s retreat. He breathed a sigh of relief and cast a gaze of admiration at Luo Si. Luo Si’s situation was even more perilous than his; he and his chariot were constantly the primary target of the Earth Fiend Turbidity God, yet he was still commanding the battle, with a remarkably clear insight into the situation.

“But in this case,” he thought, “I won’t be able to see the Qingjiao army’s situation. Later, if there’s an opportunity, I’ll first plant ‘Human Life Hanging Threads’ on Qing Chi and the others!” The military essence was not on Ning Zhuo, which made him lose control over the Qingjiao army.

“Next, I need to deploy military strength!” Ning Zhuo transmitted this message to Luo Si with his divine sense.

Luo Si’s reply was concise: “Understood.”

Just as Qing Yan had said, the Qingjiao army’s military strength was a crucial aid. Without the leverage of military power, Ning Zhuo had no way to tap into Nascent Soul level combat strength. Only by possessing such combat strength could he meet the minimum standard to participate in this extremely perilous major battle. Luo Si also needed military aid. Without the Qingjiao army’s military power enhancement, he would likely be severely injured by now.

The sky was pitch black, and countless brownish-yellow collapsing rocks raged everywhere. Ning Zhuo, clad in the Azure Iron Battle Armor, was like a golden streak of light, constantly refracting and moving forward through the air. From the moment it was activated, he had unlocked the Azure Iron Battle Armor’s safety restrictions, unleashing its maximum speed. The flames propelled by the “Separating Fire Tongue Array” were incredibly violent, and every emergency redirection made the Azure Iron Battle Armor groan.

A giant rock, the size of an elephant, whistled down from the side. Ning Zhuo activated his divine sense, throwing out over a dozen Golden Swallow automatons, which directly flew and crashed into it.

Bang, bang, bang—

A series of explosions followed, as the Golden Swallow automatons and the giant rock successfully destroyed each other. Countless rock fragments splattered everywhere, some still hitting Ning Zhuo. The Azure Iron Battle Armor was struck repeatedly as if by a sledgehammer, and the earthen shield array patterns on it developed fine cracks. Ning Zhuo exerted all his strength to barely maintain his flight direction. The Azure Iron Battle Armor’s speed was too extreme, and impacts from the side could easily throw it off course. And amidst this storm of flying rocks, if his direction became unstable, even a slight collision with a giant rock would result in an outcome almost identical to the Golden Swallow automatons’ self-detonation.

“Faster, even faster!” Ning Zhuo gritted his teeth. The Azure Iron Battle Armor frantically weaved through the gaps between the giant rocks, often brushing the line between life and death.

The wind resistance was terrifying! Even though the “Tiger Breaking Army Array” on the Golden Wings was functioning, cutting through the air, Ning Zhuo still often felt as if the entire automaton battle armor had suddenly sunk into a viscous quagmire.

“No, something’s wrong; these giant rocks are playing tricks!” Ning Zhuo immediately realized that some giant rocks exerted repulsion, while others attracted external objects. The dense earth fiend energy emanating from the giant rocks also exerted a negative influence on the automaton battle armor. The Profound Iron chest plate turned crimson, emitting a burnt smell. Under the influence of the earth fiend energy, the earthen shield array gradually failed. The temperature inside the automaton battle armor rapidly climbed, like a steaming basket, causing Ning Zhuo to sweat profusely, his clothes soaked. The Two-Phase Reversion Array also started to malfunction. The cushioning air film it created became as thin as paper. Where Ning Zhuo’s body touched the armor, a severe dull pain resonated with every emergency turn.