Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1167: Chapter 443: Realm Ascension Begins

Ning Zhuo, clad in white, clean and refreshing, stepped into the cave mansion.

Before meeting Qingwu Langjun, he had already received treatment and was arranged to bathe.

The interior of the cave mansion was quite simple, almost empty, with only a bronze armor enshrined upon the mystic altar.

The armor’s plates were quite heavy, verdant like moss, and were marked with some cuts and axe chisel marks.

Its style was clearly not in vogue, exuding a dignified aura as solid as a mountain and ancient as a river.

Upon seeing Ning Zhuo, the bronze armor emitted a faint white glow. In the white light, a figure emerged from within the armor.

His form was that of a middle-aged cultivator, a mighty eight-foot figure with muscular knots and swelling. His face appeared chiseled by elements, and a short beard on his chin resembled a bronze short spear.

His eyes emitted a bright blue light as they fell upon Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo instantly felt an icy sharpness akin to a blade from that gaze.

Ning Zhuo bowed respectfully: "Junior Ning Zhuo, pays homage to Langjun!"

He knew the facts well, naturally understanding that the deity before him was the supreme leader of the Xuan Armor Cave, who transformed from an artifact spirit into a god.

Qingwu Langjun withdrew his gaze, indifferently saying, "No need for too much ceremony."

He continued, "This deity has seen your trial image, your performance was truly astounding."

"Initially, your strength was weak, with few optimistic about your success, yet your extraordinary talent allowed you to learn and practice simultaneously, ultimately earning the top place, truly remarkable."

"You created a battle formation, strategized effectively in the face of adversities, leveraging power to break through... Wisdom, disposition, and comprehension—it’s top-notch. Winning the top rank this time is well-deserved."

"I believe once this result spreads, you will again be famous within the Myriad Images Sect’s mountain gate."

Ning Zhuo replied, "Divine Monarch praises too highly, junior feels uneasy, just some meager intelligence borrowing momentum, more so fortunate in Qi Fortune, unworthy of such high regard."

"You’re worthy." Qingwu Langjun’s blue eyes shifted slightly, "You also know that the purpose of Xuan Armor Cave holding the Xingyun Trial is to disseminate the Mysterious Armor more widely to suitable cultivators."

"The top reward for each Xingyun Trial is based on this, leading to similar rewards each time."

"But this time..." Qingwu Langjun’s tone changed, "the reward is different."

He gazed at Ning Zhuo: "I shall grant you three True Intents, and sever the corresponding principles, fully bestowing them upon you!"

Ning Zhuo: ?!

He stared wide-eyed in disbelief, looking up at Qingwu Langjun, feeling as if he misheard.

He was acutely aware of the significance of "True Intent"!

Previously, the Five Elements God Master taught him the mystery of the Five Elements, imparting his own Five Elements True Intent to him.

Ning Zhuo’s Five Elements Realm soared afterward, extensively benefiting him on numerous journeys, providing great assistance.

Now, this ancient deity also intends to instill his True Intent and principles into him?

Ning Zhuo frowned, unable to understand this point.

The reason he participated in this Xingyun Trial was mainly to intercept Ban Ji. When the time came, he strived for the top rank.

Aware of the top reward, he felt little anticipation internally.

He never expected the top reward this time to be so lavish!

After the surprise came doubt.

Ning Zhuo carefully considered his words, slowly speaking, "Langjun’s generous gift, junior... is overwhelmed with honor!"

"True Intent is precious; junior can strive fully to grasp a part. But these ’principles’... junior is merely at the Foundation Establishment cultivation, with a humble soul, a weak body, how could one bear the weight of heaven and earth?"

Ning Zhuo was confident about receiving True Intents.

But having principles bestowed upon him was a different matter. It was similar to artifact refining, where a cultivator repeatedly hammers the artifact body, shaping it while forcibly imbuing various principles.

Cultivators set up arrays and inscribe talismans on the artifact body, infusing it with various principles, giving the final product various powers and uses.

Forged artifact bodies are refined from various treasures, generally lifeless and insensitive to pain. But a cultivator’s body is alive, receiving principles is akin to treating the body as an artifact body, undergoing refining.

This not only induces immense pain but horrific consequences, with cultivation chaotic at best, or destructive body at worst, leading to demise.

True Intent infusion engages comprehension, testing acumen, it belongs to mental comprehension.

Receiving principles engages understanding, the core lies in the body’s capacity to support, it belongs to physical comprehension.

Instances of principled bestowment abound. The majority of magic treasures and magic artifacts are of this kind. They are lifeless objects, unable to comprehend principles, yet the principles inscribed on them enable various functionalities.

Mysterious Armor is likewise.

They are utilized by cultivators, during usage, many martial arts principles are recorded on them. Hence, these Mysterious Armors can autonomously execute former martial arts moves even after parting from their original master.

Ning Zhuo has confidence in his acumen, favoring True Intent infusion. But receiving principles, he is unwilling.

Qingwu Langjun shook his head slightly.

Ning Zhuo harbors dual attitudes towards True Intent and principles, yet Qingwu Langjun requires Ning Zhuo to endure them both.

He needs to purify his paths!

That requires abandoning the other three paths.

Normally, cultivators choose one path during cultivation, avoiding overreaching other paths. Qingwu Langjun’s origin is unique; he was an artifact spirit.

The Nine-layered Profound Armor originated from the Mechanism Sect, from which the body was refined, employing artifact refining and mechanism techniques, simultaneously containing principles from military family and martial gate.