Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1274: Chapter 494: Recruitment (Part 2)

On the other hand, during practice, Ning Zhuo also borrowed from Luoshu, using the Awl-Thorn Vigilance Art.

"But going further, it won’t be something that can be achieved in a short time."

Ning Zhuo put away the "Taixu Cutting Form Book" and took out the Taixu Disintegration Ruler.

"I’ve just begun learning, though I’ve already successfully started, the distance to refine the Taixu Disintegration Ruler is still extremely far."

Ning Zhuo was not discouraged, nor was there any disappointment.

For such a situation was within his expectations.

"I haven’t thoroughly studied the ’Taixu Cutting Form Book’ yet. Whether cultivation of this book can help me refine the Taixu Disintegration Ruler in the future is still hard to see."

"Even if it’s of no help in the future, just mastering the skill of cutting will deeply benefit artifact refining, alchemy, talisman making, array formation, and many others!"

Just as Ning Zhuo first referred to the "Taixu Cutting Form Book," at the Ten Thousand Beasts Peak.

On a protruding cliff on the mountain waist, there is a palace with three sides suspended and only the back leaning against the mountain.

The front of the palace has no fence, just a large spread of naturally grey-blue rocks, with unknown dwarf pines growing between the cracks, rugged and robust, always tilted to one side by the Astral Wind.

Tuoba Huang sat in the main seat, his figure like a mountain.

"Having tea is never as free as drinking wine!" Tuoba Huang’s rough voice echoed, lifting the tea cup and downing it in one go, caring nothing for savoring the taste.

The scalding tea flowed down his lion-mane-like beard, dripping onto the beast skin cape on his chest, he didn’t wipe it, just smacked his lips.

Wang Yu, sitting in the guest seat, smiled slightly.

Peak Master Danxia still wore a cloud-patterned Daoist robe, with Danxia hues flowing, like morning clouds reflecting snow. His composed and rounded sitting posture formed a sharp contrast with Tuoba Huang’s ruggedness.

"Master Tuoba, your boldness, this Cloud Mist Peak surely doesn’t suit your taste. Someday, I’ll have my disciple send you a jar of Firethorn Brew; its robustness might suit your palate."

Tuoba Huang waved his large hand: "Get to the point. What brings you to visit personally today?"

Wang Yu didn’t answer, leisurely poured himself a cup of tea, blew on it gently, then spoke:

"Master Tuoba, have you heard about the young cultivator who has been making waves in the sect recently?"

"Ning Zhuo?" Tuoba Huang’s crimson eyes flashed, and he sneered: "His Vast Energy soars through the skies, then he publicly returned the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival, tsk tsk. Now, who in the Myriad Images Sect hasn’t heard of this big-headed lad?"

He paused, his rugged beard slightly lifted, revealing a hint of admiration in his tone: "Old man Zhong Dao picked up a gem this time."

Wang Yu’s eyebrows moved slightly: "Master Tuoba has some understanding of Ning Zhuo?"

Tuoba Huang shook his head: "Not understanding, just heard a few times. After all, it was at the Feiyun Conference, I also wish to recruit some talents for my peak."

Wang Yu nodded: "Not long ago, Ning Zhuo took first place in the second trial at the Evil Slaying Hall, but when it came time to accept the grand prize for the first place, he declined Zhong Dao’s implicit offer."

"Oh?" Tuoba Huang was surprised, "Tell me more."

Wang Yu then recounted the details.

After hearing it, Tuoba Huang couldn’t help but laugh: "Ning Zhuo is a kid with his own ideas. Haha, never thought old Zhong Dao would have a setback too."

Tuoba Huang had been displeased with Zhong Dao for a long time.

Especially before, during the Eight Peaks meeting, discussing the White Paper Immortal City, the peak masters found ways to seek Zhong Dao’s assistance. In the end, Zhong Dao sharply questioned them, leaving the peak masters unable to save face, Tuoba Huang included.

Wang Yu smiled, took a sip of tea, expressing his extreme optimism about Ning Zhuo’s future, even suggesting Ning Zhuo might become the second Zhong Dao.

This made Tuoba Huang furrow his brows, rough voice: "Though I dislike old man Zhong, truthfully, he is quite unique. His innate talent is extraordinary, and he has great opportunities. A cultivator of his caliber appears once every few centuries in the Myriad Images Sect."

"Will Ning Zhuo grow to Zhong Dao’s status?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of meaningful light flashed in Wang Yu’s eyes: "Master Tuoba, you are mistaken."

"Master Tuoba, do you know how Zhong Dao joined the Myriad Images Sect back then?"

Tuoba Huang was stunned, then fell into deep thought.

Of course, he knew.

Like many, he suffered setbacks from Zhong Dao, collected information several times, trying to regain ground.

As he recalled, he suddenly somewhat understood the hint in Wang Yu’s words.

Wang Yu held the teacup, without drinking but just staring at his reflection in the tea: "Ning Zhuo’s current performance is not much different from when Zhong Dao joined the Myriad Images Sect. Vast Energy piercing the clouds, and the top second trial. Especially publicly declining Zhong Dao’s invitation—Zhong Dao hadn’t achieved that back then."

Tuoba Huang remained silent.

Wang Yu continued: "When Zhong Dao joined the Myriad Images Sect, no one anticipated his achievements today. If someone had seen his potential back then, fully nurtured it..."

He didn’t finish, but the implication was clear.

Tuoba Huang stared at Wang Yu, in his crimson eyes a glitter flashing, pondering the deeper meaning of these words.

For a long while, he spoke muffledly: "So you came to remind me to pay heed to this kid?"

Wang Yu smiled, rose, and lightly flicked his horsetail whisk: "Master Tuoba is wise, do I need to remind you? Just chatting casually, as a side to the tea."

He slightly cupped his hands: "The tea session is over, I take my leave."

After Wang Yu’s departure, Tuoba Huang sat alone in the hall.

Outside, the Astral Wind howled, rustling the dwarf pines. Clouds churned, sometimes swallowing the hall, sometimes dispersing, revealing the abyss below.

Tuoba Huang remained motionless, as silent as the mountains.

His mind endlessly replayed Wang Yu’s words.

Tuoba Huang’s brows furrowed more and more tightly.

He gradually realized that Wang Yu’s visit was far from a simple "casual chat."

Peak Master Danxia always had deep thoughts, his speech and actions purposeful. He specifically mentioned Ning Zhuo, pointed out Zhong Dao as a comparison, and stressed "full nurturing" — a reminder.

A reminder that Ning Zhuo could become the next Zhong Dao.

Even if in Tuoba Huang’s heart, the likelihood seemed slim. But what if?

"If Ning Zhuo becomes the second Zhong Dao..."

Tuoba Huang muttered to himself, a hint of dread flashing in his red eyes.

One Zhong Dao was troubling enough. Another one, and how far would the Evil Slaying Hall’s power and influence expand?

When the Eight Peaks meeting’s situation occurs again, how would Ten Thousand Beasts Peak speak?

"No."

Tuoba Huang suddenly slapped the tea table, shattering it, his powerful aura instantly radiating, "Cannot let this kid join the Evil Slaying Hall."

His lion-mane-like beard moved without wind, flames surged around him, seemingly creating a scorching atmosphere in the air.

"Come!"

"What does the Peak Master command?"

"Prepare a generous gift and publicly deliver it to Ning Zhuo; I want to recruit him heavily!"

"Remember to specify — this gift only showcases my sincerity, let Ning Zhuo accept without concerns. I’m unlike some, making no demands in this aspect. Hahaha!"

Tuoba Huang’s impatience made his subordinates act swiftly.

Soon, drums sounded.

A squad of cultivators, riding on several carriages, drawn by exotic beasts, moved grandly towards the Bluestone Cave Mansion. Along the way, attracting more and more cultivators to follow and watch.

On the stone platform outside the Bluestone Cave Mansion, the envoys from the Ten Thousand Beasts Peak opened the treasure chests one by one, revealing the treasures inside.

The sunlight hit them, refracting brightly colored exposure, dazzling the eyes.

"So many top-grade spiritual stones?!" Many cultivators squinted, dazzled by the brilliance.

"Is that the egg of a Red Flame Tiger?" Some knowledgeable cultivators’ voices changed pitch.

A Golden Core Stage cultivator squeezed to the front, staring at a beast bone inside one of the treasure chests, his pupils contracted sharply: "Did I see wrong? This seems like the remains of a Transforming Spirit Level demon beast?!"

"Ning Zhuo is just a Foundation Establishment Cultivator."

"What is Ten Thousand Beasts Peak planning? Offering Transforming Spirit Level resources to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator?!"

Many people were puzzled.