Immortal Creation.

Chapter 740 The "Innocent" Boy

The formation that the Spider Woman was about to set up was called the "Garden of Harmony and Softness".

This magic array was carefully selected by Ning Zhuo after considering the abilities of the Spider Lady.

Its main materials are: Golden Silkworm Steel Cable and Dark Moon Water Essence.

The former is a metal rope forged from ten thousand years of cold iron and the essence of red sun gold, and then forged through countless hammerings on a mechanical platform.

The latter is a uniquely soft and exquisite object produced from the depths of the Nine Nether Sea Eye, with a peculiar shape; it is a slowly flowing mass of deep blue gel.

The Spider Woman had already prepared herself and began to activate her natal demonic fire, enveloping a ball of golden silkworm steel rope.

The Golden Silkworm Steel Cable was not easy to forge. The Spider Lady painstakingly burned it for almost half an hour before the surface of the cable began to melt slightly.

However, after the qualitative change occurred, the subsequent burning became easier, with more and more of the steel cable melting away at an increasingly faster pace.

Once the steel cable melted down to the point where it could barely maintain its shape, the Spider Woman immediately began to stretch it precisely and reshape it.

In an instant, her ten fingers flew like phantoms, stretching and shaping the steel cable while also carving intricate patterns on it.

The Golden Silkworm Steel Cable contains abundant Yang Metal energy, sharp as a needle. Every time the Spider Maiden inscribes array patterns, it inevitably shoots out, piercing her fingertips, penetrating beneath the skin of her arms, and damaging her meridians.

Pan Si Niangzi's face gradually turned pale, and her ten fingers and arms were pierced by the Yang Metal Qi, from which blood beads kept seeping out.

She gritted her teeth and persevered, forging strands of golden silkworm steel cables.

When the pressure finally eased, she straightened up, let out a low roar, and poured all her magical power into embedding all the golden silkworm steel cables into the walls of the mechanical cabin.

puff.

She knelt on the ground, her face turning deathly pale, sweat pouring down her face, and she gasped weakly for breath.

After swallowing the elixir and sitting cross-legged to regulate her breathing, the Spider Lady regained her composure.

The Spider Woman carefully took out a ball of Dark Moon Essence. This substance was extremely cold in nature and could not be shaped using conventional methods.

The Spider Lady first spat out her own spider silk and hastily set up a temporary array. Then she sat cross-legged in the array, holding the Nether Moon Water Essence in her hands and directing her divine sense.

Divine sense pierced into the interior of the Dark Moon Water Essence, forcibly guiding its flow, constructing it step by step from the inside out, in order to obtain a new form that met the requirements.

The extremely cold and yin energy of the Moonlit Water Essence eroded through her divine sense, causing the Spider Maiden's divine sea to feel as if it had fallen into an icy hell, and her soul to feel a faint stinging pain.

Under her forceful guidance, the Moon Moon Water Spirit wove together a series of Lesser Yin Spirit-Nourishing Talismans.

When the Spider Woman finished processing the Moon Crystal, only half a cup of tea's time had passed.

However, Pan Si Niangzi was extremely exhausted. Her eyes were closed, and drops of blood seeped from between her brows. She collapsed to the ground, her whole body soaked in sweat. Waves of intense dizziness kept coming, bringing her to the brink of unconsciousness.

Properly handling the two main materials is the first step in setting up the formation.

Next, she will place several clusters of Dark Moon Water Essence in the cabin to form a base of hardness and softness.

She was to carve the Yin-Yang dual-colored stone with the Yin-Yang Transformation Talisman, which was the most crucial pivotal rune.

She wanted to lay out the dry, withered wood into pipes to draw in the yang fire. She also wanted to make the frost stones into thin pipes to receive the yin energy.

The biggest challenge is activating the array for the first time. The Spider Lady needs to act as the human-shaped array base, operate the Yin-Yang Guiding Technique, and use her own meridians as a bridge to forcibly guide the violent Yin and Yang energies to initially merge!

Pan Si Niangzi's breathing gradually returned to normal. She weakly sat up again and began to rest as quickly as possible.

Following Ning Zhuo's orders, she needed to do everything in her power to complete the Peiyuan Garden, which combines strength and gentleness, as soon as possible.

There was nothing she could do; she had already become Ning Zhuo's slave.

Bound by a powerful contract, the Spider Woman had no choice but to obey.

However, compared to before, Pan Si Niangzi now felt much more awe.

She saw through more of Ning Zhuo's secrets: "Where I am now should be within the magical artifact—the Thousand-Mile Dragon!"

"This thing can grow large or small, rise or fall, be noisy or hidden... It can traverse the void as if walking on flat ground. It is at least a treasure of the Nascent Soul level!"

Pan Si Niangzi remembered very clearly that Ban Ji had once casually mentioned that he admired and longed for the Wanli Youlong (a mythical dragon soaring across the land).

"Ning Zhuo actually possesses such a magical treasure!"

"If Ban Ji finds out about this, it will surely fuel his intense greed and make him even more determined to take action against Ning Zhuo."

Pan Si Niangzi had collaborated with Ban Ji many times and knew Ban Ji's character very well. The latter would almost always go all out for excellent mechanical creations, sparing no means to obtain them.

"But how can I reveal this secret?"

The reason why the Spider Woman obeyed Ning Zhuo was twofold: firstly, because of the slave contract, and secondly, because Ning Zhuo's soul-searching ability was too strong, which made her tremble with fear and had no choice but to submit.

But she didn't want to live like this forever.

She quickly realized that she needed to incite Ban Ji to deal with Ning Zhuo and create chaos so that she could gain a chance to regain her freedom.

Be cautious and careful!

"I've already made a mistake once, I can't afford to be careless again!"

"Ning Zhuo's personal strength is indeed remarkable, but he is ultimately just a junior in the Foundation Establishment stage. How could he possibly possess and control such a treasure? This is definitely not something he has built up himself!"

"His family is incredibly powerful; they actually entrusted a mechanical dragon to a younger member of the family for protection."

A sharp glint flashed in the eyes of the Spider Woman.

"Since he can even bestow upon Nascent Soul level mechanical treasures, Ning Zhuo must have someone protecting him."

"Based on the rank of the mechanical dragon, this guardian is at least a Golden Core level expert, and may even possess the means to rival a Nascent Soul expert for a short period of time."

It is extremely rare for a true Nascent Soul level cultivator to provide personal protection.

In the world of cultivation, great power is often concentrated in an individual.

Once a cultivator reaches the Nascent Soul stage, they become subject to supervision. Even rogue cultivators, who are free to act, are constantly watched and monitored by those around them and by various forces.

For righteous forces, cultivators at the Nascent Soul level need prior communication and permission or invitation to cross borders before they can act. Otherwise, it will be seen as espionage, provocation, or even an attack.

This is a long-standing social consensus.

In Pan Si Niangzi's view, an outstanding junior like Ning Zhuo, who is the hope of the family, must have a trump card to protect him.

Within the scope of this trump card, a Nascent Soul level mechanical dragon is normal, but a Nascent Soul level cultivator is abnormal.

Unless Ning Zhuo reported to the Myriad Manifestations Sect in advance.

However, once the report is filed, the Myriad Manifestations Sect, out of respect (and caution) for Nascent Soul cultivators, will inevitably take actions such as hosting a banquet and inviting them to a banquet.

At least Banji and Pansiniangzi did not detect such behavior or traces.

Spider Lady dared not make any rash moves. "This powerful protector of Ning Zhuo is very likely also hiding in this vast dragon-shaped mountain. Perhaps he is meditating and monitoring me right next to me."

Thinking of this, Pan Si Niangzi felt a chill run down her spine.

When she was setting up the formation, she dared not slack off in the slightest. Her all-out effort was partly due to being constrained by Ning Zhuo, and partly a "deliberate performance" under the watchful eye of a "master in the shadows".

"I need to be extra careful!"

"We must do our utmost to perform well and try to lull Ning Zhuo and the hidden master into a false sense of security, then patiently wait for the right opportunity..."

Unbeknownst to her, there was always an invisible thread hanging above her head.

One end of the suspended thread was connected to her, while the other end went straight up, disappearing midway, but in reality it was connected to Ning Zhuo.

Supernatural power—life hangs by a thread!
Ning Zhuo was cautious by nature, and this time he made proper arrangements to put the Spider Lady into the mechanical dragon.

The supernatural power he possessed, the ability to hang by a thread, was the most reliable defense. This power allowed Ning Zhuo to check on the Spider Woman's condition at any time.

By observing the degree of solidity in the life-or-death situation, Ning Zhuo could "see" the loyalty of the person on the line.

Clearly, the Spider Woman was not tall.

“But she did a good job.” Ning Zhuo was on the stone platform, occasionally checking on the Spider Maiden. He was slightly surprised to find that the latter was diligent and dedicated.

Ning Zhuo quickly realized what was going on.

"It seems she has chosen to endure it."

"He's a smart person."

Ning Zhuo is extremely knowledgeable and has a lot to say about the art of forbearance. He started practicing forbearance when he was just two years old.

Ning Zhuo became the biggest beneficiary of the struggle for the Lava Immortal Palace on Fire Persimmon Mountain. This was the result of his more than ten years of forbearance, which can be described as remarkable.

The entrance to the Hall of Exorcising Evil, the stone platform within the formation.

The elderly cultivator nodded slightly, his eyes revealing his appreciation for Ning Zhuo. He stroked his beard and said, "Second question: The sins of the world are deeply rooted. It is easy to cut off the branches and leaves, but difficult to sever the root."

“Even worse, some harbor filth and evil, using the absence of legal prohibitions as a shield and ‘willing to hit or be hit’ as a blade to engage in illegal trade that nourishes evil spirits and disrupts the moral order.”

"This kind of despicable and vile scheme erodes people's moral foundation, yet it is deeply rooted and has far-reaching implications. If we encounter such a situation, how should we deal with it?"

Ning Zhuo's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately sensed that the second question was more complex and subtle than the first. It was both a reaffirmation of the cultivator's attitude towards evil and a test of the cultivator's methods.

"But I can't show too many 'tricks,' as that doesn't match the 'young genius' image I project."

"I should focus more on demonstrating the right attitude."

Ning Zhuo's political acumen far surpassed his age and appearance; he was extremely mature. Even Zhu Xuanji had been deceived by him for a time in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, so deceiving these people now was naturally a piece of cake.

Ning Zhu pondered for a few moments, then his lips curled into a cold, sharp smile: "'No prohibition by law'? Evil thoughts are filth! When filth breeds, it must be eradicated by thunder!"

"'Willing to be hit and willing to be hit'? It's nothing but poisonous bait used by jackals to lure foolish sheep into their trap! All such things are demonic obstacles and should be punished!"

"No matter how deep its roots are or how wide its connections, once it is discovered, its roots must be severed, its nest burned, and its lifeline cut off!"

"Even if there are countless threads, we must sever them with our swords! This kind of insidious disease, if left unchecked for even a day, will harm another person. Hesitation will only lead to more chaos!"

Without buying, there would be no killing.

Upon hearing Ning Zhuo's answer, many of the high-ranking cultivators of the Demon Extermination Hall raised their eyebrows, sensing the young man's sharpness and determination.

The old cultivator stroked his beard again, assessing in his heart: "Although his skills are lacking and his understanding is not profound, is this what a young man should look like?"

"Never tolerate any sin, good young man."

"If everyone in this world thought like that, how could there be so many illicit transactions hidden in the shadows?"

"Even if most people think this way, the world will still be bright and the righteous path will prosper!"

"such a pity."

"People are often worldly-wise, but they lack the spirit of youth and this 'innocence'!"

In a short time, the older cultivators and others grew to like Ning Zhuo, who appeared "naive," even more.

at the same time.

The main gate of Wanxiangzong, Qianzao Peak.

Yu Heye led Sun Lingtong, descending discreetly on a cloud, and said, "This is Thousand Stove Peak."

Sun Lingtong looked down at the mountain peak.

Unlike most fairy mountains shrouded in clouds and mist with craggy rocks, Qianzhao Peak has a relatively solid mountain body with a gentle slope, and its body is covered with countless caves carved out in layers.

The entrances to these cave dwellings varied in size and were simple and rough, lacking the tranquil elegance of a celestial abode and resembling more like earthly cave dwellings. The entrances were often adorned with dried spirit beast meat, sun-dried spirit grains, and repaired magical artifacts and farm tools, exuding a strong sense of everyday life.

Yu Heye sighed, "This is one of the largest gathering places for independent cultivators in the sect. I also lived here for a period of time."

“We’ve come at the wrong time. Every mealtime, the mountain’s protective array is activated, and thousands of cooking stoves light up all over the mountain. Countless wisps of smoke rise from the cooking stoves, and in no time at all, tens of thousands of servings of spiritual food can be made.”

“These spiritual foods are extremely important to the low-level cultivators. Three meals a day of spiritual food can provide them with the cheapest and most stable resources to help them replenish their vital energy and aid their cultivation. It is much more cost-effective than using spirit stones themselves.”

Sun Lingtong recalled the intelligence and nodded slightly, secretly transmitting her thoughts: "I know that the protective array of Thousand Stove Peak was mainly set up by Gan Douding, the head of the Spirit Kitchen Hall, in collaboration with many cultivators from Heavy Array Peak."

"Its main power and wonder lies in the timed and large-scale production of spiritual food."

Yu Heye: "It's like this... come this way."

He led Sun Lingtong to a market.

On Thousand Stove Peak, spontaneous markets have sprung up in front of several relatively flat mountain hollows or larger caves. The items for sale are mostly low-grade pills, talismans, spiritual plant seeds, second-hand magical artifacts, cooking tips, and even some mundane utensils.

The two walked through it.

The air was filled with shouts, bargaining, and the sounds of exchanging cultivation tips, interspersed with the clatter of pots and pans and the low growls of spirit beasts—a cacophony of noise yet brimming with vitality.

This is a giant "shantytown" built on a sacred mountain.

Yu Heye walked in front, followed by Sun Lingtong, the two of them remaining silent as they made their way through. After passing through several increasingly deserted narrow alleys, they arrived at a dilapidated house.

Yu Heye pushed open a rotten wooden door as if he knew the way well and entered the courtyard.

The courtyard was deserted and uninhabited.

Yu Heye did not enter the inner room, but jumped directly into the only dry well in the courtyard.

(End of this chapter)