Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master - Chapter 1234 - 475: Vast Energy_2
Chapter 1234: Chapter 475: Vast Energy_2
“Although I’m not clear on the specifics of Haoran Xuan’s refining method, I’m certain it must involve Vast Energy.”
“As for this kind of energy, I possess none of it. Moreover, it’s difficult for others to wield!”
“And, presiding over the third round is Situ Gu. He’s not Lu Zai or Nangong Zhi; his stance is clearly biased towards Gu Qing, and he might even secretly target me.”
“Alas, within the Confucian Cultivator group, Chu Xuangu and Song Taosheng are more inclined towards me, yet they are organizers and do not participate.”
“At this moment, their hearts are likely filled with a yearning for Heart Learning. Compared to that, I am insignificant.”
As for Heart Fire Essence in the fourth round, it’s borrowed from Monster Path’s spirit paper; it’s quite peculiar and hard to understand.
Ning Zhuo had estimated his performance beforehand: the first two rounds would yield the best results.
Yet the reality is that, despite this, he has already lost twice to Gu Qing.
“I have no expectation of winning first place, nor do I care.”
“As long as I can obtain the refining method for the Inheriting Dao Jade Page, I’ll be satisfied.”
Ning Zhuo has always been pragmatic.
Losing to Gu Qing doesn’t matter. What matters is obtaining the refining method for the Inheriting Dao Jade Page.
“Last time, during an open class, I sought Zhao Hansheng’s guidance on the Knowledge and Action Unity technique, but he merely brushed me off.”
“However, this time, I seek the refining method of the Inheriting Dao Jade Page; he cannot brush me off again.”
This is the Xingyun Trial. If Zhao Hansheng continues to act this way, Ning Zhuo would laugh even in his sleep. It would be akin to digging one’s own grave.
“Since Zhao Hansheng seeks accomplishments at Wanxiang Sect’s Main Mountain Gate, he certainly won’t do so.”
“However, obtaining the Creation Method for the Inheriting Dao Jade Page won’t be simple.”
“Since Zhao Hansheng proactively brought it forth, it must come with certain conditions or restrictions.”
Evil Extermination Hall Main Hall.
Each Demon Suppression Talisman emits a cold light.
Zhong Dao sat behind the Mystic Iron Writing Desk, broad shoulders straight and firm like an unbending tower.
“Hmph, Demon Cultivators here still wreak havoc. They must be killed! The local County Magistrate is utterly incompetent and deserves death even more!” He gazed at the dossier in hand, brows furrowing, lines like knife carvings, expressing hatred and killing intent towards the demons.
A subordinate entered the grand hall, stopping ten steps before the desk, bowing in salute, his voice distinct in the spacious hall: “Hall Master, the first round of the Xingyun Trial has concluded. Here are the profiles of the selected outstanding individuals for your review. The second round is in preparation.”
A Jade Slip was gently placed on the Mystic Iron Writing Desk.
Zhong Dao’s knife-like gaze shifted from the dossier to the Jade Slip.
A few breaths later, he slowly reached out to pick up the Jade Slip.
With a sweep of his Divine Sense, the contents became clear.
Among them was Lu Xuan’an, hailed as the Righteous Sword. He once, unable to bear mortals suffering from cultivator conflicts, severed the Spirit Vein with a single strike, quelled the chaos, but at the cost of his own Cultivation Level and wounded Dao Foundation, yet he bore no regrets.
Originally a True Disciple of Qingyun Sword Sect with Golden Core Cultivation, he faced marginalization and oppression due to severe injury, leading him to leave the sect and join Myriad Images Sect.
He traversed the Sinking Sin Swamp with calm steps and a serene expression, radiating openness and integrity, naturally dispersing the grey mist, while the mud barely covered his feet.
Another was Gu Huaijiu, whose family was a noble lineage in Flying Cloud Country, but was destroyed by a corrupt official controlled by Evil Cultivators. He cloaked his identity, specializing in killing officials and Evil Cultivators who had fallen into the Demon Path, executing promptly, yet all he removed were deserving of death, earning the folk title of “White Eyebrow Hero.”
Though he acted righteously, he didn’t conform to officialdom, leading to being fully wanted by Flying Cloud Country.
He too was at the Golden Core Stage, finding no other path, he turned to Myriad Images Sect.
He walked in the Sinking Sin Swamp with steady steps, the swamp barely exerting suction, his brow lightly furrowed, exuding a lofty air filled with resentment and solitude.
Then there was Yun Niaoniao, born into a family of herbalists, who consistently treated poor folks and injured cultivators for free, hence called “Little Bodhisattva.”
She was at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, walking in the Sinking Sin Swamp with mud just reaching her ankles.
…
All of them were promising talents.
Every time Zhong Dao observed these righteous emerging talents, his mood significantly improved.
Finally, his Divine Sense paused slightly, fixed on the name “Ning Zhuo.”
Among these distinguished talents, Ning Zhuo remained the most dazzling.
Initially, Ning Zhuo’s performance in The Three Questions of the Heart left Zhong Dao quite impressed. Now, the Jade Slip recorded his latest achievements.
Zhong Dao saw Ning Zhuo’s performance in Xuan Armor Cave, then observed Ning Zhuo’s Martial Arts Hall contest with Gu Qing, and saw now his participation in the three trials of Confucian Cultivators, consecutively losing two rounds to Gu Qing, yet earning broad support.
A hint of doubt flashed in Zhong Dao’s eyes.
In Xuan Armor Cave, Ning Zhuo thoroughly grasped people’s hearts, repelling foes with words, showcasing the demeanor of a Confucian Cultivator. Again in the Martial Arts Hall, in the public eye, his arguments drove Gu Qing into a corner.
Recently, in Mountain and River Page, and Heavenly Star Paper, Ning Zhuo first deliberately consumed Dragon Energy, creating Top-Grade Spiritual Paper, offsetting the negative impact of losing to Gu Qing. Then, during the star brilliance drawing process, he demonstrated astounding computational abilities…
This led Zhong Dao to wonder: Can a cultivator so adept at manipulation, so skilled at understanding human nature, truly be filled with righteousness? Was his response to The Three Questions of the Heart entirely genuine, without deception?
Zhong Dao gently placed down the Jade Slip and inquired of the subordinate standing before him, “Has Ning Zhuo’s background and identity been thoroughly investigated?”
“Reporting to Hall Master, according to the timeline, it should be soon.”
Zhong Dao felt dissatisfied with this answer: “What do you mean by ’should’?”
The subordinate’s forehead began to sweat: “Hall Master, the investigation into Ning Zhuo is progressing slowly. Each time he lands or appears, the distances are vast. We suspect he may have traversed long distances by slipping into void space.”
Zhong Dao tapped his finger on the tabletop: “Quickly clarify Ning Zhuo’s background.”
He suddenly recalled another piece of information.
Duanmu Zhang, a friend of his, mentioned the trial in a recent letter. Zhong Dao at that moment recalled details of the trial.
“I remember the third round is Haoran Xuan?”
“If so…”
With that thought, Zhong Dao suddenly commanded: “Go to the hall’s treasury, fetch the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival. You are to personally run an errand and deliver it into Ning Zhuo’s hands. It’s lent to him.”
“Understood!” The subordinate left the hall, inwardly admiring, “That Ning Zhuo truly caught the Hall Master’s Dharma Eye. For the Hall Master to personally lend out the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival, that’s a very rare action.”
“Wait, why precisely the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival?”
“Could it be because Ning Zhuo’s background hasn’t been investigated, so the Hall Master uses this treasure to test him?”
Thinking this, the subordinate felt a chill.
“If Ning Zhuo has been secretly deceitful, faking answers during The Three Questions of the Heart, the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival will expose him! If his reputation holds true, this treasure will complement him perfectly.”
The next day.
Within Array Space, nearly a thousand cultivators sat neatly.
In front of them were the necessary tools for papermaking: a desk, mortars, bamboo screens, wooden troughs, and Green Jade Bamboo Juice and Purple Qi Dew, which emitted pure spirit.
Situ Gu stood on the platform, his old-fashioned face cold and hard as stone. His gaze swept over the assembly below, his voice flat yet unmistakably clear: “The refining method has been taught, everyone, this round of the trial spans three Two Hours, assessed by quality and quantity.”
“Begin.”
The expressions of the cultivators below were almost all heavy and serious.
Producing spirit paper was inherently difficult, and Confucian Cultivators could use their Literary Palace, Literary Energy, and Literary Heart to great advantage. But this time, the spirit paper refining method had an additional critical element.
That was Vast Energy!
Haoran Xuan, Haoran Xuan, as the name suggests, involves the use of Vast Energy.
Gu Qing, having been in silent contemplation, slowly opened his eyes now, releasing a burst of Literary Energy.
Literary Energy surged, enveloping his body.
Then, a completely different energy was drawn from Gu Qing’s body.
It was indeed Vast Energy!
Source: Webnovel.com, updated by novlove.com
