Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1399: Chapter 556: Countermeasures

Ever since Ning Zhuo received divination and hints from Buddhist Doctor Meng Yaoyin, he began paying more attention to Flowing Cloud Peak.

Just as analyzed before, clashing head-on with Danxia Peak is surely a fool’s errand.

Yet Danxia Peak firmly controls the situation, even if Ning Zhuo forcefully holds onto the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit, he’s in a passive state.

Sun Lingtong said, "These righteous cultivators won’t stop until they get satisfactory benefits. Three days won’t be enough!"

Ning Zhuo’s complexion was heavy, he nodded slightly, just about to say something when his Storage Waist Belt quivered slightly.

His Divine Sense probed inside, and he immediately discovered the Divine Statue within the belt.

Ning Zhuo and Zhu Fenxiang used this Divine Statue for secret communications.

"Is Zhu Fenxiang contacting me? Wait a moment, boss." Ning Zhuo greeted, then plunged his Divine Sense into the statue and received a message.

The message revealed Zhu Fenxiang’s repeated attempts to recruit Ning Zhuo, stating she could help him invoke the gods and augment the might and Divine Power of the Nanming Vermilion Bird Divine Spirit.

In this way, Ning Zhuo would surely perform better in tomorrow’s fourth round of the minor trial.

The cost, however, would be Ning Zhuo signing a secret contract with the Zhu Family, granting them partial sovereignty if he acquired the Nanming Fire Furnace.

"But Zhu Fenxiang doesn’t know she was brought up by Little Zhuo personally. If we truly assess her strength, at most she can cause ripples in the pink light pillar. She miscalculated the real situation." Sun Lingtong said.

Ning Zhuo nodded slightly, "But this move can be considered experienced."

"From the surface, both Zhu Fenxiang and I, along with Situ Xing, rank first. If Zhu Fenxiang forms a secret contract with me, then a competitor is turned into an ally, reducing formidable foes and enhancing our chances of victory."

"Her mother has been by her side all along and hasn’t returned."

"If she truly obtains the Nanming Fire Furnace, such a Spirit Treasure level Pill Furnace would surely elevate her faction’s status within the Zhu Family immensely."

Ning Zhuo had already formed a clear guess about Zhu Fenxiang’s interests and desires.

Danxia Peak.

Inside a tea room.

Wang Yu sat on the east side of the table, donned a Daoist robe in a hue resembling Danxia, its embroidery of a Pill Furnace shimmered faintly in the candlelight.

Chun Yangzi sat on the west side of the table. His hair was tied up with a golden crown, set with a red-golden stone that billowed subtly with flames, mirrored by the light in his eyes.

Wang Yu lifted the teapot, poured a cup for Chun Yangzi, then one for himself. The tea gushed from the spout like a fine red line, landing in the cups and stirring circles of ripples. The fragrance of tea wafted between the two as steam rose.

"Danxia Peak’s Xiaguang Tea truly lives up to its reputation. Tea as rosy as the dawn, fragrance like light, drinking it feels like being in the presence of the morning glow." Chun Yangzi praised.

Wang Yu followed suit, "If the Pure Yang Palace Master joins my peak, Xiaguang Tea will never be scarce."

Chun Yangzi lifted the teacup, gently blew the surface heat, took a sip, savoring carefully. The tea left a sweet aftertaste, lingering like the cloud sea of Danxia Peak, endlessly surging.

"Peak Master Wang, you should know, I’ve not come alone." Chun Yangzi placed down the teacup, his gaze fixed on Wang Yu’s face, "My visit this time is on behalf of the entire sect. Thousands of disciples of Pure Yang Palace are awaiting my news."

Chun Yangzi’s voice was unhurried, every word articulated clearly: "Thus, this issue is significant and requires careful consideration."

Wang Yu understood the underlying meaning in Chun Yangzi’s words, smiled without replying.

Chun Yangzi continued, "Both Danxia Peak and Alchemy Hall possess deep foundations and considerable strength. However, within Myriad Images Sect, factions stronger than Danxia Peak are not absent."

"So, Peak Master Wang." Chun Yangzi raised his teacup slightly towards Wang Yu, as if toasting, "If I choose to join Danxia Peak, what can you offer me?"

Wang Yu mulled over the offer.

If Ning Zhuo, Situ Xing, Zhu Fenxiang hadn’t appeared, if the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit hadn’t reacted in the third round of the minor trial, he would have the best bargaining chip at this moment — directly pre-allocate the Nanming Fire Furnace to Chun Yangzi!

Once the contract is formed, whether Chun Yangzi would be able to repair the Nanming Fire Furnace in future no longer concerns Wang Yu.

But now, things are different.

He hadn’t anticipated so many people would cause the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit to form affection and affinity.

This indicated that the Nanming Fire Furnace was still salvageable.

Such value cannot be relinquished easily.

Wang Yu pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke, "Danxia Peak can offer a sub-peak for the establishment of Pure Yang Peak, settling the Pure Yang Palace Master’s subordinates, thus preserving the independence and heritage of Pure Yang Palace."

"Furthermore, members of Pure Yang Peak can be favored over other factions in utilizing Danxia Peak’s alchemy resources and spiritual materials. Any purchase of elixir pills from the Alchemy Hall will come with a twenty percent discount for three years."

"Friend Chun Yangzi, you may assume the role of Deputy Peak Master of Danxia Peak, enjoying Elder-level benefits!"

Chun Yangzi listened, merely chuckled.

"Peak Master Wang." Chun Yangzi placed the teacup down, leaned forward slightly, gazing directly into Wang Yu’s eyes, "My main purpose in coming with the entire sect is for the Nanming Fire Furnace."

"With this furnace at hand, joining Danxia Peak naturally follows. You should be aware that my performance at the formation today already shows much promise."

"Perhaps the Peak Master might offer some advice on this aspect?"

Wang Yu nearly rolled his eyes.

He knew full well and complained silently to himself: "You have a flimsy hope! Your cultivation level is at Nascent Soul, being firmly rejected by the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit, there’s no need to even try. The one truly paving your way into the fourth round now sits right across from you."

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