Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

He first inspected the surrounding facilities and found no surveillance methods in place. Then, he took a closer look at the formation laid out in the chamber.

The formation was complex, intricately connected to the Ning Family’s main formation.

The Ning Family’s main formation, in turn, was linked to one of the formation pillars of the grand formation around the Puppet Immortal City.

With this layered and refined setup, the formation in Ning Ze\'s cultivation chamber could provide a relatively abundant supply of spiritual energy.

The source of this spiritual energy was the boundless fire element spiritual energy within Mount Huoshi.

This immense fire element spiritual energy was tainted with toxic miasma, but after being refined by the grand formation of Puppet Immortal City, it became purified fire element spiritual energy.

The fire element spiritual energy was then transformed into neutral spiritual energy through a series of intricate formations.

When it reached the Ning Family’s territory, the neutral spiritual energy was further converted into ice or water element spiritual energy.

This was because the mainstream cultivation methods of the Ning Family primarily contained ice or water elements.

After Ning Zhuo modified his cultivation technique, he practiced the "Five Elements Qi Regulation Art," which was broad in scope and allowed him to directly absorb any spiritual energy related to the five elements.

Thus, this cultivation chamber was suitable for his use.

Soon, floating clouds began to drift inside the chamber.

The clouds layered upon each other, covering Ning Zhuo entirely, wrapping him into a large ball of cotton.

However, due to the spaciousness of the chamber, the clouds only gathered around Ning Zhuo and could not fill the entire chamber.

When the Ning Family set up their family estate, they had put in a great deal of effort and spared no expense.

Wrapped in the floating clouds, Ning Zhuo first took out some spiritual food pastries, savoring their lingering fragrance on his tongue. Then, he drank a bottle of specially-made juice worth hundreds of spiritual stones, causing his internal spiritual energy to surge, leaving his entire body slightly swollen.

After all, taking too many pills could lead to medicinal toxicity, so he refrained from consuming any.

Spiritual food didn’t have this drawback, though its downside was that it was prone to spoilage, difficult to store for long, and expensive.

Spiritual food was much more costly than pills.

But who could stop Ning Zhuo when he was so wealthy!

Besides the profits from the Mechanical Explosive Monkey, Ning Zhuo\'s current income also included periodic leaderboard rewards from the Lava Immortal Palace, as well as resources swindled from his uncle’s scheme.

The largest sum, however, came from the cultivation resources jointly distributed by the three families. The share had always been substantial, but the recent attacks on the three families\' geniuses had greatly stimulated them, causing the resources they distributed to increase by three to four times!

Ning Zhuo had already demonstrated his cultivation level and potentially undetected talent, earning him top-tier resource shares, on par with Zheng Jian and others!

Therefore, Ning Zhuo had the means to lavishly indulge in spiritual food.

After consuming the spiritual food, he also prepared some pills.

In addition, his meditation cushion was an excellent auxiliary tool for cultivation.

Today, another batch of new resources was distributed by the three families. The Sharp Progress Needle and the Ice Light Strong Pulse Talisman made Ning Zhuo’s eyes light up. These were resources usually reserved for top-tier geniuses like Ning Xiaohui!

Practicing the "Five Elements Qi Regulation Art," cultivating the "Demonic Blood Tendon Technique," and meditating with the "Mirror Platform Spirit Technique"…

With resources maxed out, his progress was almost visibly fast.

At first, five-colored divine light swirled around Ning Zhuo, staining the inner layer of the clouds. Then, his face became covered in red demonic light, with blood energy overflowing. Finally, his aura contracted, and a sense of Buddha-like compassion rose, filling his face with a serene expression.

Once his body reached its limit of absorption, Ning Zhuo decisively stopped.

Rapid progress in cultivation wasn’t always good.

The body, especially the three dantians, needed time to adapt and buffer.

Improving one’s cultivation too quickly could lead to unstable foundations, which was why caution was necessary.

However, Ning Zhuo’s resources included many items that accelerated adaptation, and he didn’t hesitate to use them.

“For me, it’s essential to exert all my efforts and seize the Lava Immortal Palace as quickly as possible.”

“Wealth is merely an external possession. If I fail to seize the palace and lose my life, no amount of spiritual stones will matter.”

Ning Zhuo had a deep understanding of this.

He opened the door to the chamber and walked out.

He wore a smile on his face.

The results of this cultivation session were greater than any previous ones.

“The Sharp Progress Needle and the Ice Light Strong Pulse Talisman were truly effective.”

“If I could combine them with the Gather-Disperse Spirit Tide Formation, the effect would be even better.”

“Unfortunately, I can’t use it.”

Ning Zhuo was deeply wary of the Zhou Family’s power and their way of doing things.

Among the three major families, Ning Zhuo was well-versed in the Ning Family and had some confidence. The Zheng Family was straightforward and easy to predict.

But the Zhou Family was different.

In terms of strength, the Zhou Family was undoubtedly the strongest of the three, and even the Zheng Family acknowledged a gap in hard power between them.

However, in Puppet Immortal City, the most prominent family was not the Zhou Family, but the Zheng Family.

The Zhou Family members liked to act only after careful planning and were known for their deep schemes. Zhou Zhu was an exception, but Zhou Zhenshen was a true representative of the Zhou Family’s style and characteristics.

“I accidentally stumbled upon the Zhou Family’s little scheme using the Golden-Blooded Battle Ape, Dasheng.”

“Even now, the Zhou Family has kept it under wraps.”

Ning Zhuo certainly wouldn’t reveal it voluntarily.

The Zhou Family’s temporary secrecy was to his advantage.

“Masters, please this way. Young Master Ning Zhuo is in the side hall,” the servant said as he led Ning Chen and Ning Yong in.

Entering the side hall, the two saw Ning Zhuo.

“Ah Zhuo!” Ning Yong raised his arm excitedly and waved.

Ning Chen smiled and greeted Ning Zhuo with a salute.

Ning Zhuo waved his hand, “With our relationship, there’s no need for such formalities. Let’s sit down and chat over some food.”

“Indeed! Why be so polite with Ah Zhuo? We’ve been through life and death together,” Ning Yong said as he walked down and saw the various spiritual food pastries on the round table, his eyes widening.

“Heavens, so much spiritual food!” Ning Yong exclaimed.

Ning Chen also showed a look of surprise as he sat down.

Both had been cultivating at home when a servant informed them of Ning Zhuo’s invitation.

Ning Zhuo had changed considerably since before, and the two now felt a mix of affection, admiration, and hidden guilt toward him, leading them to gladly accept the invitation and leave their homes to come here.

The three chatted in the side hall.

Ning Yong’s cheeks puffed up as he ate, never deflating, as he devoured the food.

Ning Chen, initially a bit reserved and awkward, also ended up eating a lot after Ning Zhuo’s urging.

As soon as he saw the two, Ning Zhuo began to exercise the embryonic form of his divine ability, "Life Hanging by a Thread."

It took him a full two cups of tea’s worth of time to successfully place a "Life Hanging by a Thread" on each of their heads.

However, compared to his older cousin Ning Ji and his aunt Wang Lan, the threads on Ning Chen and Ning Yong were much thinner and semi-transparent.

“Knowing the target influences the execution of the ‘Life Hanging by a Thread’ technique so much!”

Ning Zhuo reflected inwardly.

The embryonic form of the divine ability only informed him that he had mastered the technique.

It was like growing legs, making Ning Zhuo aware that he could walk and run. But how far he could walk, how fast he could run, and how high he could jump—these all required Ning Zhuo to figure out through practice.

Only through practice could one gain true knowledge.

Now, Ning Zhuo realized his previous estimates were overly optimistic.

“Ning Chen and Ning Yong have been my classmates for fourteen years. Although we weren’t particularly close, we’re familiar with each other and know each other’s general information.”

“My cultivation is higher than theirs, yet it still took two cups of tea’s time to place the threads.”

This indicated that the "Life Hanging by a Thread" divine ability had limited value in actual combat.

Most opponents in battle wouldn’t be familiar.

In the heat of combat, with rapid offensive and defensive exchanges and the threat of life, who could methodically connect the "Life Hanging by a Thread"?

At least for now, Ning Zhuo couldn’t.

“This divine ability is primarily for managing influence rather than excelling in combat.”

“Unless I prepare in advance and lay down the threads beforehand.”

“But from what I see now, placing the threads requires the targets to be very close—beyond three steps, it’s nearly impossible!”

With the "Life Hanging by a Thread" finally placed, Ning Zhuo stopped chatting and took the initiative to speak, “I invited you two here to give you a hand.”

“Your cultivation is currently lagging behind mine. I’ve reached the peak of the third layer and have plenty of experience.”

“I can pass all this experience on to you.”

Ning Yong and Ning Chen exchanged glances, both seeing the joy in each other’s eyes.

“This is wonderful!” Ning Yong cheered.

Ning Chen stood up with a solemn expression and bowed deeply to Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo immediately stood up and smiled as he helped him up.

Seeing this, Ning Yong quickly followed suit, bowing and thanking him.

“We’ve been classmates for over ten years and have been through life and death together—no need for such formality,” Ning Zhuo said with a hearty laugh. “How about this, you two come with me to the cultivation chamber, and I’ll personally guide you.”

The three of them then entered the main house’s cultivation chamber.

“This is the main family’s chamber. In our house, my grandfather uses it the most, followed by my father. I only get to use it occasionally,” Ning Yong sighed. “Ah Zhuo, it seems your uncle treats you quite well.”

Ning Chen chuckled lightly, “It must be Ah Zhuo’s uncle’s recent change of heart! If the stories of mistreatment were just rumors, they couldn’t have persisted throughout his ten years of school life.”

Ning Zhuo smiled but neither confirmed nor denied it, saying, “My uncle has a secret mission. He’s been out on an assignment recently, so I’ve been able to use this chamber.”

This was the official explanation.

The incident involving Ning Ze hadn’t escalated and was confined to a few people.

On one hand, Ning Xiaoren knew it was his own scheme, so he wouldn’t spread it. On the other hand, Ning Ze cared about his reputation and wouldn’t disclose it even under threat of death. Finally, Ning Ze had no motivation to reveal this scandal to the outside world. Wang Lan and Ning Ji were busy trying to keep the secret, so why would they spread it?

Ning Zhuo had the two sit down.

Both of them were part of the modification team and took out their meditation cushions from their storage bags, starting to absorb energy.

Ning Zhuo moved around them, immediately beginning to apply acupuncture needles.

They also had their own sets of Sharp Progress Needles and Ice Light Strong Pulse Talismans.

Ning Zhuo used their own sets of Sharp Progress Needles but used a mix of their and his own Ice Light Strong Pulse Talismans.

This was a layer of concealment, a precautionary measure.