Crimson Persimmon Immortal City.

Zhu Xuanji paused before a humble cottage, gently pushing open the door.

In the next instant, a dense, viscous darkness surged forth like a tide, engulfing him completely.

This abyssal wave, after swallowing Zhu Xuanji, rolled back, plunging the entire alleyway into profound shadow.

Within the encompassing darkness, a pair of golden eyes suddenly blazed into existence.

It was none other than Zhu Xuanji’s Golden Pupils.

Divine light overflowed from the pupils, piercing through the billowing shadows, exposing the deceptions, and directly confronting the demonic cultivator.

The demonic cultivator was at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage. Though his disguise had been seen through, he showed no panic, but instead offered a chilling smile, lunging directly at Zhu Xuanji.

*Bang!*

Within the heavy shadows, the two exchanged a blow.

Zhu Xuanji took a small step back, while the demonic cultivator grunted, flying backward into the darkness with even greater speed.

Zhu Xuanji did not press his advantage, but instead furrowed his brows, sensing something subtle.

“Worthy of being Master Zhu, easily discerning my disguise!” The demonic cultivator’s voice echoed from all directions.

“But can you discern what comes next?”

As his words faded, countless ‘demonic cultivators’ emerged from the shadows, surrounding Zhu Xuanji.

Zhu Xuanji roused his spiritual power, continuously shattering the attacking ‘demonic cultivators’.

The ‘demonic cultivators’ collapsed upon the ground, scattering into fragments.

They were merely mechanical constructs.

But although these mechanical creations were shattered, they rapidly reformed from the shadows, continuing to besiege Zhu Xuanji.

Zhu Xuanji stood his ground, allowing the countless mechanical constructs from the shadows to attack, his defenses steadfast and unyielding!

Within the shadows, the demonic cultivator’s true form sensed danger. Just as he was about to retreat, he suddenly heard Zhu Xuanji say, “Liu Ying, it’s a bit late to leave now, wouldn’t you say?”

The demonic cultivator Liu Ying was locked onto by the golden eyes, instantly feeling his hair stand on end.

He retreated frantically, but Zhu Xuanji, having pinpointed his true body, followed closely behind.

*Boom, boom, boom…*

The two clashed fiercely for several rounds.

Liu Ying collapsed, unable to rise, his chest bones shattered from the blow, the broken fragments piercing his lungs, making each breath a bloody struggle, agonizingly difficult.

“Don’t, don’t kill me! I’m willing to surrender!” Liu Ying pleaded, seeing Zhu Xuanji slowly approach.

Zhu Xuanji stated, “It seems you only used the shadows as puppet strings to control the mechanical constructs.”

The demonic cultivator Liu Ying was taken aback. “Master Zhu, could you be misunderstanding something?”

Zhu Xuanji shook his head. “It’s just a precaution.”

“If there is a misunderstanding, the hundreds who died tragically at your hands would certainly disagree.”

Liu Ying’s pupils constricted abruptly, and shadows like venomous serpents surged from behind Zhu Xuanji, attacking him in unison.

But upon reaching within three feet of Zhu Xuanji, the shadows vanished like snow meeting the sun.

Liu Ying’s desperate attack was futile. Before his death, he cried out, “I don’t understand! I’m only at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, even though I’ve been inside the Molten Lava Immortal Palace. Why did Divine Catcher Zhu prioritize me?”

Zhu Xuanji did not answer.

In the next moment, Liu Ying died at Zhu Xuanji’s hands.

“Fifth!” Zhu Xuanji retrieved a list, crossing out Liu Ying’s name.

Despite the demonic cultivator’s mastery of shadow escape techniques, he could not evade the illumination of the Golden Pupils.

The order in which Zhu Xuanji arranged the list was not based on cultivation level, but rather on suspicion and threat.

Liu Ying and the shadowy demonic cultivator shared similar techniques.

More crucially, Zhu Xuanji believed that Liu Ying might possess the Divine Power of Lifeline Threads.

Although it was unlikely, it was enough to place him fifth on the list.

Before his departure, Zhu Xuanji had received a private audience with the Nan Dou Monarch, learning many secrets.

The Nan Dou Monarch had cautioned him, “Xuanji, you must be careful on this trip to Crimson Persimmon Immortal City. The Three Sect Ancestors left behind the Divine Power of Lifeline Threads within the Molten Lava Immortal Palace.”

“This Divine Power can control those of the same species. The more one knows about their target, the deeper the control.”

“If a Foundation Establishment cultivator masters this Divine Power, even you, a Golden Core, will be in grave danger!”

“This is because the control over those of the same species extends to their very fortune.”

Zhu Xuanji was astonished. “Could the Lifeline Threads extract the fortune of others?”

“Not quite!” The Nan Dou Monarch shook her head slightly, her voice clear and melodious. “But Lifeline Threads can cause fortune to overlap and accumulate, without internal depletion or mutual harm.”

“Once a cultivator masters this type of Divine Power, they can involve others on a large scale, linking and binding their own fortune to that of others.”

“Our Kingdom’s Supreme Ancestor started with nothing, without deserving death. She relied entirely on the Three Sect Ancestors’ assistance in crafting the Divine Power of Lifeline Threads for her!”

“It is precisely due to this Divine Power that many relatives, subordinates, and pioneers have taken the lead, bearing misfortune on behalf of their ruler.”

Zhu Xuanji’s expression became solemn as he respectfully accepted the command.

He was a Golden Core cultivator. Even with the array suppressing his powers within the Immortal City, he had few true rivals in head-on combat.

His fear lay in the loss of the fortune contest, which would weaken his own fortune, potentially trapping him in a seemingly coincidental, deadly situation.

At that point, even a Golden Core would be vulnerable.

Liu Ying was someone he had previously suspected.

Now, with Liu Ying’s death, Zhu Xuanji dismissed the suspicion. “It seems I was overthinking things.”

“Indeed!”

“These suspects are all at the Foundation Establishment stage. How could they comprehend such a Divine Power?”

The Nan Dou royal family was deeply wary of those possessing life-related Divine Powers, because their founding empress had built her foundation and expanded her power precisely on this.

If such a Divine Power owner appeared within the Nan Dou royal family’s territory, the royal family would be more inclined to secretly eliminate them, to prevent this person from becoming too powerful and shaking the Nan Dou kingdom’s ruling position.

The Offering Ceremony concluded, and Ning Zhuo returned to his clan grounds.

Ning Zhuo closed his eyes in meditation, focusing his mind on his upper dantian.

Within his divine sea, the lotus seed had already sprouted, emitting a faint radiance.

“The embryonic form of the Lifeline Threads Divine Power.”

Ning Zhuo had already understood the Divine Power’s purpose.

The power and profundity of Divine Powers often surpassed spiritual power.

This was because Divine Powers were built upon a deep understanding of the principles of heaven and earth!

Taking Ning Zhuo as an example, on the surface, he was inspired by Immortal God stories to comprehend certain essences, triggering the Illusion-Truth Lotus Seed within his divine sea.

But in reality, this was only a catalyst. The greater prerequisite was Ning Zhuo’s own vast insights into social operations, human behavior, and thoughts.

These accumulations and insights, under the influence of the Sage Immortal Master’s stories, underwent a qualitative transformation…

Based on the Illusion-Truth Lotus Seed, the rudimentary form of the Lifeline Threads Divine Power sprouted.

Because the insights were inherently his own, once the Divine Power was comprehended, the cultivator naturally understood all its applications.
“If Han Ming’s theory of destiny holds true,” Ning Zhuo mused, enlightenment dawning within him, “then this must be the boon I’ve earned after triumphing over Yuan Dasheng, a surge in my own celestial fortune.”

The Golden-Blooded War Ape, Dasheng, shouldn’t be it. Its primary component was the corpse of Yuan Dasheng, something that was already in Ning Zhuo’s possession.

Fortuitous encounters are often like this.

For most, a story is merely entertainment, yielding no substantial benefit.

Yet, for a select few, the very same thing can bring about unimaginable rewards.

If it’s not your destined opportunity, it won’t benefit you even if presented on a silver platter.

“Uncle Ning!”

Ning Zhuo proactively sought an audience with Ning Xiaoren.

Ning Xiaoren greeted him with a smile, inquiring about his purpose.

But upon hearing it, his smile faltered, “You say you want to forgive your grand-uncle, Ning Ze?”

Ning Zhuo nodded, “Indeed.”

“These past few days, I’ve been tormented by this matter, pondering it deeply, and have decided to forgive him!”

“After all, he is my closest kin.”

Ning Xiaoren was less than enthusiastic about this development. All his efforts to curry favor and ingratiate himself were aimed at making Ning Zhuo consider him the closest and most reliable person.

“Xiao Zhuo, you truly are a kind and virtuous child!”

“An ordinary person would never forgive such an uncle, but you have done so, you have truly impressed me!”

Ning Zhuo offered a bashful smile, “Blood is thicker than water, after all. Grand-uncle Ning Ze and I are family.”

“As long as he repays the resources and spirit stones he has embezzled from me these past sixteen years!”

“Uh!” Ning Xiaoren was taken aback, finally understanding the purpose of Ning Zhuo’s visit.

He couldn’t help but internally grumble, *Could Ning Zhuo stop speaking in such a roundabout way?*

Ning Zhuo clasped his fist in a bow, “I beseech the Young Clan Leader to grant me justice.”

“This is an extremely reasonable request!” Ning Xiaoren pondered for a moment, “Xiao Zhuo, I will ensure you receive justice.”

Not long after.

The two arrived at the family’s private prison, where Ning Ze was held captive.

Upon seeing Ning Xiaoren’s arrival, Ning Ze believed he was to be released. He hastily rushed to the prison gate.

However, the next moment, Ning Zhuo revealed his intention.

“Grand-uncle, I have thought it over.”

“You are, after all, my grand-uncle. I do not wish to see you suffer,”

“As long as you agree to repay all the spirit stones and resources you have embezzled from me over the years,”

“I will choose to forgive you and refrain from denouncing you.”

Ning Ze’s eyes widened in disbelief. He glanced at Ning Zhuo, then swiftly turned to Ning Xiaoren.

But Ning Xiaoren, standing behind Ning Zhuo, was already glaring daggers at him, as if warning him, “Don’t you dare reveal anything, or you’ll regret it.”

Ning Ze’s lips trembled, filled with resentment.

He hadn’t embezzled any of Ning Zhuo’s spirit stones or cultivation resources. Ning Xiaoren had never given him any in the first place!

But he couldn’t directly expose this truth.

Seeing Ning Zhuo staring at him, he wished he could slap him right then and there.

But he knew that was impossible.

Because Ning Zhuo’s status was now vastly different, highly valued by the family. Even the Young Clan Leader, Ning Xiaoren, was doing everything to win him over.

In the end, Ning Ze took a deep breath and gritted his teeth at Ning Zhuo, “Fine, I’ll return it to you!”

“Thank you, Grand-uncle!”

Ning Zhuo beamed, then bowed to Ning Xiaoren, “Thank you, Young Clan Leader, for upholding justice for me.”

Ning Xiaoren chuckled, patting Ning Zhuo on the shoulder, but thinking to himself, *This boy is still too greedy!*

Ning Ze, on the other hand, roared inwardly, “What justice are you talking about?”

Ning Zhuo already possessed forty percent of the profits from the Clockwork Fire Monkey business. The resources distributed to him by the three families working together were already abundant and substantial.

He had no need to covet this ‘nonexistent’ allowance.

But to put Ning Xiaoren at ease, further reinforcing the impression of Ning Zhuo’s love for wealth, Ning Zhuo still chose to do this.

Several days later.

Ning Zhuo bid farewell to Ning Xiaoren, expressing his homesickness and desire to return home for a while.

Ning Xiaoren was already tired of Ning Zhuo eating and drinking excessively at his mansion, sleeping in his bedroom without paying a single copper.

Considering that Ning Zhuo had severed ties with his grand-uncle Ning Ze’s family, he feigned reluctance until Ning Zhuo pleaded repeatedly, before finally agreeing.