Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ’s array formation was named the “Gāng-róu Bìng-jì Péi-yuán Pǔ.”

Níng Zhuō carefully selected this magic array after considering Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ’s abilities.

Its main materials were the Jīn-cán Gāng-suǒ and the Míng-yuè Shuǐ-jīng.

The former was a metallic rope forged from myriad-year-old cold iron and crimson-sun gold essence, then meticulously refined by an automaton pedestal.

The latter was an exceptionally soft and peculiar object from the depths of the Jiǔ-yōu Hǎi-yǎn, appearing as a slowly flowing, deep blue gel.

Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ adjusted her condition in advance and began to activate her innate demonic fire, enveloping a mass of Jīn-cán Gāng-suǒ.

Jīn-cán Gāng-suǒ was not easy to forge. Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ toiled, burning it for almost half an hour before the surface of the steel rope began to slightly melt.

However, once the qualitative change occurred, the subsequent burning became easier. More and more of the steel rope melted, and the speed increased.

When the mass of steel rope had melted to the point where it could barely maintain its form, Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ immediately began precise stretching and reshaping it.

For a moment, her ten fingers flew like phantoms. While stretching and shaping, she also inscribed intricate array patterns onto the steel rope.

Jīn-cán Gāng-suǒ contained abundant Yang-gold energy, sharp as needles. Each time Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ etched an array pattern, it would inevitably spray out, piercing her fingertips, seeping beneath the skin of her arms, and damaging her meridians.

Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ’s face gradually paled. Her ten fingers and arms were pierced by the Yang-gold energy, continuously oozing blood beads.

She gritted her teeth and persevered, forging mass after mass of Jīn-cán Gāng-suǒ.

During the final phase, she stood upright, let out a low roar, and poured all her strength into infusing spiritual power, embedding all the Jīn-cán Gāng-suǒ into the walls of this automaton chamber.

*Plop.*

She half-knelt on the ground, her face instantly ashen, sweat pouring down like rain, gasping weakly.

Swallowing a medicinal pill, Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ sat in meditation, adjusting her condition.

Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ carefully took out a mass of Míng-yuè Shuǐ-jīng. This object was extremely cold and could not be shaped by conventional methods.

Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ first spun her own spider silk, hastily setting up a temporary small array. Then, she sat within the array, cupping the Míng-yuè Shuǐ-jīng in her hands and directing her divine sense.

Her divine sense penetrated the Míng-yuè Shuǐ-jīng, forcibly guiding its flow. From the inside out, step by step, she constructed it to achieve the required new form.

The extreme Yin cold energy of the Míng-yuè Shuǐ-jīng eroded through her divine sense, making Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ’s spiritual sea feel like it had fallen into an icy hell, her soul body faintly throbbing with pain.

Under her forceful guidance, the Míng-yuè Shuǐ-jīng was woven into numerous Shào-yīn Yùn-líng Talismans.

By the time Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ finished processing the Míng-yuè Shuǐ-jīng, only half a *zhǎn-chá* (a short period of time) had passed.

However, Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ’s mental energy was severely depleted. Her eyes were tightly shut, small drops of blood seeped from her brow, and she collapsed in exhaustion, her entire body almost soaked in sweat. Intense bouts of dizziness continuously assailed her, bringing her to the brink of unconsciousness.

Processing the two main materials was only the first step in setting up the array.

Next, she had to strategically place several masses of Míng-yuè Shuǐ-jīng throughout the chamber to form the Gāng-róu array foundation.

She also needed to carve the Liǎng-yí Zhuǎn-líng Talismans into the Yin-Yang dual-colored stones, which were the most crucial core runes.

She had to lay out dried barren wood to form conduits to draw in Yang fire. She also needed to fashion Yin-frost stone into thin tubes to carry Yin energy.

The greatest challenge was the first activation of the array. Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ would have to act as a human array foundation, operating the Yin-Yang Guiding Art, using her own meridians as bridges to forcibly guide the violent Yin and Yang energies to a preliminary fusion!

Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ’s breathing gradually stabilized. She weakly sat up, seizing every moment to recover.

According to Níng Zhuō’s command, she needed to exert all her effort to build this “Gāng-róu Bìng-jì Péi-yuán Pǔ” as quickly as possible.

There was no alternative; she had already become Níng Zhuō’s slave.

Bound by a powerful contract, Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ could only obey obediently.

However, compared to before, Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ now felt much more awe.

She had discerned more of Níng Zhuō’s true background: “The place I am in now must be the automaton magic treasure — the Wàn-lǐ Yóu-lóng!”

“This object can be large or small, rise or fall, appear or hide… traversing void as if on flat ground. It is at least a Nascent Soul-level treasure!”

Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ clearly remembered that Bān Jī had once casually mentioned it, expressing envy and longing for the Wàn-lǐ Yóu-lóng.

“Níng Zhuō actually possesses such a magic treasure!”

“If Bān Jī knew this, it would surely ignite a strong greed in him, making him even more determined to act against Níng Zhuō.”

Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ had collaborated with Bān Jī many times and understood his nature very well. Bān Jī would almost always go all out for excellent automaton creations, stopping at nothing to acquire them.

“But how can I reveal this secret?”

Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ obeyed Níng Zhuō for two reasons: one was the slave contract, and the other was Níng Zhuō’s formidable soul-searching ability, which struck terror into her heart, forcing her to submit.

But she did not want to live this way forever.

She quickly thought of inciting Bān Jī to deal with Níng Zhuō, creating chaos that would allow her to seize an opportunity to regain her freedom.

“I need to be cautious, very careful!”

“I’ve already stumbled once; I cannot be careless again!”

“Níng Zhuō’s personal strength is indeed impressive, but he is ultimately just a junior in the Foundation Establishment stage. How could he possess and control such a heavy treasure? This is definitely not his own background!”

“His family, with extraordinary power, actually entrusted an automaton flying dragon to a junior member of the family for protection.”

A sharp glint flashed in Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ’s eyes.

“Since even a Nascent Soul-level automaton magic treasure can be bestowed, then there must be a guardian by Níng Zhuō’s side.”

“Given the grade of the automaton flying dragon, this guardian must be at least a Golden Core-level expert, and it’s highly possible they possess methods to contend with a Nascent Soul for a short period.”

For a true Nascent Soul-level cultivator to personally provide protection is quite rare.

In the cultivation world, great power is often concentrated in individuals.

Once a cultivator’s cultivation reaches the Nascent Soul stage, they need to be monitored. Even rogue cultivators, who are free to act, are constantly watched and monitored by the people and forces around them.

For orthodox factions, Nascent Soul-level cultivators entering or exiting territories must communicate in advance and receive permission or an invitation to act. Otherwise, it would be regarded as reconnaissance, provocation, or even an attack.

This is a long-standing social understanding.

In Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ’s view, a brilliant junior like Níng Zhuō, a hope of his family, would certainly have protective trump cards.

Within the scope of these trump cards, a Nascent Soul-level automaton flying dragon is normal, but a Nascent Soul-level cultivator for personal protection is not.

Unless Níng Zhuō had reported it to the Wàn-xiàng Sect in advance.

However, once reported, the Wàn-xiàng Sect, out of respect (and caution) for a Nascent Soul cultivator, would undoubtedly hold a banquet or other welcoming events.

At least Bān Jī and Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ had not detected any such actions or traces.

Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ dared not act rashly.

“This strong guardian of Níng Zhuō is likely also hiding within this Wàn-lǐ Yóu-lóng. Perhaps, he is meditating or monitoring in the room next to mine.”

Thinking of this, Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ felt a chill down her spine.

While setting up the array, she dared not show any slack. Her full effort, on one hand, was due to being controlled by Níng Zhuō, and on the other hand, it was a “deliberate performance” under the watchful eyes of the “hidden expert.”

“I need to be extra careful!”

“I also need to perform actively and to the best of my ability, trying to lull Níng Zhuō and the hidden expert into a false sense of security, and then patiently wait for the right opportunity…”

She did not know that, above her head, there was a constantly invisible thread.

One end of the thread was connected to her, the other went straight up, disappearing midway, but in reality, it was connected to Níng Zhuō.

Divine Ability — Rén-mìng Xuán-sī!

Níng Zhuō was inherently cautious. This time, placing Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ in the automaton flying dragon, he naturally made proper arrangements.

The divine ability, Rén-mìng Xuán-sī, that he wielded was the most secure precaution. This divine ability allowed Níng Zhuō to check Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ’s condition at any time.

Through the solidity of the Rén-mìng Xuán-sī, Níng Zhuō could “see” the loyalty of the target of the thread.

Clearly, Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ’s loyalty was not high.

“But she’s performing quite well,” Níng Zhuō said, sitting on the stone platform. He occasionally checked on Pán-sī Niáng-zǐ and found her diligent and fully committed, which surprised him slightly.

Níng Zhuō’s thoughts shifted, and he quickly understood.

“It seems she has chosen to endure.”

“She’s a clever one.”

Níng Zhuō was all too familiar with the concept of endurance; he had much to say on the matter. He had started enduring since he was two years old.

The struggle for the Fiery Persimmon Mountain’s Lava Immortal Palace saw Níng Zhuō emerge as the biggest beneficiary, a brilliant outcome of his more than a decade of endurance.

In the Zhū-xié Hall, within the array’s stone platform.

The elderly cultivator nodded slightly, his eyes showing appreciation for Níng Zhuō. Stroking his beard, he said, “The second question: The world’s sins are intricate and deeply rooted. It is easy to cut off their branches and leaves, but difficult to sever their roots.”

“Even more so, some harbor filth, using ‘what the law does not forbid’ as a shield and ‘willing to suffer’ as a weapon, engaging in illicit trades that nurture evil and corrupt moral principles.”

“This business is insidious, corrupting, eroding the foundations of humanity, yet it is deeply entrenched and widely implicated. If you encounter such a situation, how would you handle it?”

Níng Zhuō’s heart stirred. He immediately felt that the second question was more complex and nuanced than the first. It was not only a reconfirmation of a cultivator’s attitude towards evil but also a test of their methods.

“But I cannot display too many ‘methods’; this would not align with my ‘young genius’ facade.”

“I should focus more on demonstrating my attitude; that is the correct approach.”

Níng Zhuō’s political acumen far exceeded his youthful appearance; it was extremely mature. In Fiery Persimmon Immortal City, even Zhū Xuán-jì had been momentarily deceived by him, so misleading these people now was naturally effortless.

Immediately, Níng Zhuō pondered for a few breaths, then his lips subtly tightened, forming a cold, sharp curve: “‘What the law does not forbid’? Evil thoughts are indeed filthy ground! When filthy ground breeds, it requires a thunderous cleansing!”

“‘Willing to suffer’? It’s merely a poisonous bait used by wolves to trick foolish sheep into their snare! All such things are demonic obstacles, all deserving of eradication!”

“No matter how deep their roots, or how wide their entanglement, once seen, their roots must be severed, their nests burned, their lifelines cut off!”

“Even if there are thousands of connections, they must be cut with a sword! Such a persistent disease, tolerating it for a day harms one more person. Hesitating to cut it off will only lead to greater trouble!”

No buying, no selling.

When the high-level cultivators of the Zhū-xié Hall heard Níng Zhuō’s answer, many raised their eyebrows, sensing the youth’s sharpness and resolve.

The elderly cultivator stroked his beard again, evaluating in his mind: “Although his methods are lacking, and his understanding not yet profound, isn’t this precisely the demeanor of a young man?”

“Never condoning any evil — what a good young man.”

“If everyone in this world thought this way, how could there be so many illicit evil trades hidden in the dark?”

“Even if most people thought this way, the human realm would be filled with light, and the righteous path would flourish!”

“What a pity.”

“People are often worldly-wise, lacking only youthful spirit and this ‘innocence’!”

For a moment, the elderly cultivator and others grew fonder of Níng Zhuō, who displayed such “innocence.”

Meanwhile.

At the main gate of the Wàn-xiàng Sect, Qiān-zào Peak.

Yú Hé-yě led Sūn Líng-tóng, lowering his flying cloud discreetly, and said, “This is Qiān-zào Peak.”

Sūn Líng-tóng overlooked the mountain peak.

Unlike most immortal mountains shrouded in clouds and mist with jagged rocks, Qiān-zào Peak was relatively thick-bodied, with gentler slopes. The mountain was dotted with countless densely packed, layered cave dwellings.

The entrances to these cave dwellings varied in size, simple and rough, lacking the serene elegance of immortal residences. Instead, they resembled mortal cave homes. At the entrances, one often found dried spirit beast meat, sun-dried spirit grains, and mended magic tools for farming, exuding a strong sense of everyday life.

Yú Hé-yě sighed, “This is one of the largest gathering places for rogue cultivators in the sect. I once lived here for a period.”

“We’ve come at the wrong time. Whenever it’s mealtime, the mountain protection array on the peak activates, and thousands of stove openings light up across the mountain. Innumerable wisps of spiritual food smoke curl up, and within half an hour, tens of thousands of portions of spiritual food can be prepared.”

“These spiritual foods are too important for the lower-level rogue cultivators. Three meals a day of spiritual food provide them with the cheapest and most stable resources, helping them replenish vital energy and aid their cultivation, which is far more cost-effective than using spirit stones themselves.”

Sūn Líng-tóng recalled the intelligence and nodded slightly, secretly transmitting with his divine sense: “I know. The mountain protection array of Qiān-zào Peak was primarily set up by Gān Dòu-dīng, the chief master of the Spirit Chef Hall, in cooperation with many cultivators from Zhòng-zhèn Peak.”

“Its main power and marvelous function is to regularly produce spiritual food on a large scale.”

Yú Hé-yě: “That’s right… This way.”

He led Sūn Líng-tóng to a market.

On Qiān-zào Peak, several spontaneous markets had formed in slightly flatter mountain hollows or in front of larger cave dwellings. The goods sold were mostly low-grade medicinal pills, talismans, spirit plant seeds, second-hand magic tools, cooking tips, and even some mundane items.

The two walked through it.

Shouts, haggling, and discussions about cultivation experiences were ceaseless, interspersed with the clatter of pots and pans and the low growls of spirit beasts, noisy yet vibrant.

This was a giant “slum” built on an immortal mountain.

Yú Hé-yě was in front, Sūn Líng-tóng behind. They walked in silence, traversing the market. After passing through several increasingly deserted narrow alleys, they arrived at a dilapidated house.

Yú Hé-yě, familiar with the place, pushed open a rotten small wooden door and entered the courtyard.

The courtyard was barren, devoid of human presence.

Yú Hé-yě did not enter the inner room but instead jumped directly into the courtyard’s only dry well.