Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1441: Chapter 585: The Rising Dragon’s Song

Last time, Buddhist Doctor Meng Yaoyin used Life Hanging Thread because she cast a Monster Path technique in advance as a cover. Not only that, Buddhist Doctor Meng Yaoyin also divined the time limit. If it exceeds three days, even with the Monster Path technique as camouflage, others will recognize it.

Therefore, Ning Zhuo was increasingly reluctant to use the Life Hanging Thread divine skill publicly.

Seeing Sun Lingtong worried, Ning Zhuo comforted him, "Boss, don’t worry."

"I’m doing things according to my mother’s guidance. This direction is right, and I have Qi Fortune with me, so the benefits of acting this way far outweigh any Xingyun Trial."

"Moreover, I’m currently in the spotlight, and the Xingyun Trial might very well become a trap for me."

"After the conflict with the Ban Family, I dare not participate in the mechanism type of Xingyun Trial lightly."

"Although the alliance competition is fierce, there are no unseen dangers that I’ve detected."

Sun Lingtong was somewhat relieved by Ning Zhuo and smiled slightly, "Little Zhuo, tomorrow’s matter is something you’ll have to face on your own."

"I’ll head out shortly and go to the black market for negotiations again."

"I’ll strive to buy a suitable Demon Soul for you as soon as possible!"

"Hmm. I’ll be counting on you, Boss." Ning Zhuo chuckled.

Due to the incident at the Cloud Prison, the quality and quantity of Demon Souls have both increased sharply. Sun Lingtong had already negotiated three times with that cultivator in the black market, but the price was too high because the other party was clearly watching the market, so they never reached an agreement.

After bidding farewell to Sun Lingtong, Ning Zhuo stayed in the Martial Arts Arena and practiced diligently for another while.

With three hours until dawn, Ning Zhuo decisively stopped the additional practice, dragging his exhausted body to sleep heavily.

Ning Zhuo woke up of his own accord after sleeping for over two hours.

Although confident, he also knew that this alliance formation was deeply significant to him.

In the future, even if he leaves this faction and moves elsewhere, this foundation could be his way out. Even if the charge fails and the alliance collapses, this experience remains his credential.

"So, I’m still nervous. I’m still too young." Ning Zhuo smiled wryly.

After all, with Foundation Establishment cultivation, and not yet at the peak, he had to maneuver and utilize a large group of Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators. This was the first time in Ning Zhuo’s life.

Ning Zhuo calmed his mind through meditation, then, after grooming meticulously, took out a magic robe.

The robe was obviously at the Golden Core Level, passed down from the [Empty Valley Sound Green Mechanism Tube], named the Great Thousand Mechanism Sound Robe.

The robe was a moon-white color, not a glaring white, but a white tinged with the undertone of bamboo green, like a bamboo sea in the morning mist, hazy and profound. Under the lights, the robe’s surface vaguely showed silver threads flowing, like moonlight streaming, like bamboo shadows swaying.

Upon closer inspection, the silver threads were not mere decorations but the array patterns of a Sound Dao Array.

The robe’s collar was fashioned in the "cross-collar with right lapel" style, with deep blue [Twisted Silk Bamboo] threads embroidered in a continuous cloud and thunder pattern, intricate as if hair-thin. The inside of the collar was lined with a bamboo membrane, thin as a cicada’s wing. At the center of the collar dangled a jade button the size of a fingernail.

The sleeves of the robe were wide, in the "wide sleeves" style, but the sleeve ends were gathered, so as not to drag overly. The edge of the sleeves was decorated with golden threads in a pattern of [Startled Swan Bamboo]. Its bamboo leaves were long and swayed in the wind, vividly lifelike.

This was a significant event, and since Ning Zhuo was the advocate for the establishment of the alliance, he naturally had to dress grandly to assert his presence.

Ning Zhuo donned the magical robe, ate the breakfast prepared by Chef, instructed Chef and Qing Chi to remain in the cave mansion, and took Gongsun Yan with him.

Qing Chi stared blankly at Ning Zhuo, watching until his figure completely disappeared. It was the Ghost Clan girl’s first time seeing Ning Zhuo dressed in such full regalia, filling her heart with a sense of wonder.

Tianzhen Building was located at the summit of Treasure Peak, a seven-story pavilion with flying eaves and carved beams.

A stone lion stood on each side of the building’s entrance, with spiritual pearls set in the lion’s eyes, their light flowing, appearing lifelike.

Above the door hung a plaque, the three words "Heavenly Treasure Building" were inscribed in golden powder, gleaming brilliantly in the morning light.

Today, Ning Zhuo had spent a large sum to book the entire Heavenly Treasure Building.

He and Gongsun Yan arrived, and cultivators immediately came to lead them in.

Ning Zhuo, accompanied by Gongsun Yan, entered the Heavenly Treasure Building, inspected the main hall, and nodded in satisfaction.

He assigned Gongsun Yan to greet guests at the door while he sat inside and overlooked the events.

The cultivators of Heavenly Treasure Building followed Ning Zhuo’s orders, beginning to arrange tea and snacks, then quietly awaited guests.

The first to arrive was Cao Gui.

He had deliberately changed his attire today, wearing a dark blue brocade robe, a white jade belt at his waist, and his hair impeccably groomed. He held a brocade box in his hands, moving with a steady gait and a smile on his face.

"Fellow Daoist Cao." Gongsun Yan cupped his hands.

"Mr. Gongsun." Cao Gui returned the gesture and handed over the invitation.

Gongsun Yan accepted the invitation and stepped aside, "Please, come in."

Cao Gui entered the Heavenly Treasure Building, met immediately by a grand purple sandalwood screen, carved with a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix, each bird inlaid with golden threads, vivid and lifelike.

Going around the screen led to the main hall.

The main hall was spacious, able to accommodate over a hundred people. The floor was laid with green jade bricks, their surface smooth like a mirror, faintly reflecting silhouettes. Thirty-six glass lamps hung from the dome, their light casting through the shades to illuminate the entire hall brightly and softly.

The tables and chairs were all made of redwood, the tabletop covered with a brocade tablecloth. Each table had a celadon vase with a few fresh flowers inserted, exuding a faint floral fragrance. The tables also had exquisite tea cups and snacks.

The spot near the window offered the best view, allowing a glimpse of distant mountains like ink, with clouds surging.

Cao Gui had always made a living in the Myriad Images Sect’s Main Mountain Gate, and was naturally familiar with the Heavenly Treasure Building, having dined here before, and was not unfamiliar with the decorations.

What made him feel "strange" was Ning Zhuo.

Today’s Ning Zhuo was quite different from his impression.

The moon-white robe clung to his form, accentuating Ning Zhuo’s stature as tall and straight as bamboo. The cloud and thunder pattern at the collar gleamed a deep green under the light, complementing his long neck and handsome face.

The belt outlined a narrow waist and wide shoulders, embodying both the elegance of a scholar and the vigor of a martial artist.

The wide sleeves concealed his hands when they hung down, and revealed the bamboo lining when raised, reflecting a metallic cold light under the illumination.

This was the son of a noble family, gentle as jade, with an extraordinary demeanor, displaying elegance in every movement.

At the same time, there was an air of transcendence, untouched by worldly dust, clad in white, accompanied by a melody like an esteemed hermit.

Cao Gui quickly walked a few steps and gave a bow to Ning Zhuo, then praised Ning Zhuo’s grace.

Ning Zhuo attributed it to the exquisite magic robe.

Cao Gui shook his head, seriously saying, "No matter how good the magic robe is, it needs someone to wear it. Once the gentleman wears this Great Thousand Mechanism Sound Robe, he is like a gentleman amidst bamboo, or an immortal beneath the moon, others cannot imitate it."

Ning Zhuo smiled, no longer refusing, gestured with his hand, "Brother Cao, please be seated."

Cao Gui did not hurry to sit, but took out a brocade box from his sleeve, offered it with both hands, "A small congratulatory gift, not much to show respect. Since the gentleman is about to establish an alliance, thinking over and over, I didn’t know what to gift. Later, I realized the gentleman is a master of mechanisms and also proficient in sound rhythm, so I specially sought out this little thing, hoping the gentleman would accept with a smile."

Ning Zhuo opened the box lid, finding nine round rings placed within.

The nine rings interlocked, forming a delicate spherical shape. Each ring was similar in size, forged of silver essence, with the surface finely engraved with sound rhythm runes, the rune lines fluid like a musical score, shimmering gently under the light.

Ning Zhuo took out the Nine Linked Rings from the box and observed them closely in his palm.

The ring bodies were gentle, slightly cool to the touch. He lightly moved one ring, the ring body’s sound reed vibrated, producing a crisp "ding," like silver pearls falling on a jade plate, with lingering tones.

Then to another, the tone differed—a "dang," half a tone lower than before.

Ning Zhuo continuously moved them, the nine rings, nine musical scales, respectively: ding, dang, dong, ong, ling, qing, zheng, cheng, long.

Ning Zhuo looked at Cao Gui.

Cao Gui smiled slightly, explaining, "This object is called ’Nine Linked Rings Sound Lock,’ made by a reclusive mechanism master in his later years. It appears to be a regular nine linked rings, but it’s not—the way to unlock it is not by dismantling the rings, but by tapping them in a specific order, letting the sounds of nine rings connect in sequence to form a musical score. When the musical score is correct, it serves as a key to unlock the Nine Linked Rings."

"After the gentleman refines it, any crucial information can also be locked inside, and a new musical score can be created. And this musical score is known only to you, the gentleman."

"If an outsider gets it and uses brute force, they will destroy the information within the rings along with it."

Ning Zhuo showed a look of interest, "Good item, nine rings interlocked, each restricts the other, this is not just a gift but also a mechanism model to be studied. You put a lot of thought into it, Brother Cao!"

Cao Gui’s face showed joy, indeed it was a carefully chosen gift. But at this moment, he humbly waved his hand, saying, "The gentleman overpraises. I merely thought it was exquisite and decided to use it as a gift. To receive the gentleman’s attention and be invited to the ceremony is truly my honor."

Cao Gui saw that Ning Zhuo, with mere Foundation Establishment cultivation, could stir the winds and clouds, dare to challenge Flowing Cloud Peak, think what others do not dare to think, do what others cannot, and grew more and more admiring of Ning Zhuo from the depths of his heart.

Ning Zhuo gestured with his hand, "Brother Cao, please take a seat, more guests will arrive later, make yourself comfortable."

Cao Gui nodded, and just as he selected a seat by the window, three people walked into the hall.

They were Kong Ran, Liu Fushu, and Bai Jiyun.

Ning Zhuo welcomed them, "Young Brother Kong, Brother Liu, Brother Bai, the three of you arrived just in time."

The three, seeing Ning Zhuo’s new image, each momentarily stunned.

Bai Jiyun exclaimed, "This must be how Brother Ning looks like when he was with his family."

To this day, those who knew Ning Zhuo all thought he had a profound background, likely from a super family.

"My poetic inspiration has arrived, arrived."

"Quick, quick, quick."

"Bring out paper and pen."

Bai Jiyun’s eyes shone, brimming with vitality.

Liu Fushu and Kong Ran exchanged glances, surprised at Bai Jiyun’s sudden poetic inspiration.

They immediately took out their respective gifts, offering the official paper and bamboo pen.

Bai Jiyun immediately penned down a poem.

The poem reads: Moon-white robe with bamboo for bones, new furnace fire warms reflecting flowing clouds. Don’t say Foundation Establishment lacks ambition, just watch this place raise a dragon’s roar!

He finished writing the poem, then inscribed the title—Observing Fellow Daoist Ning Zhuo’s Establishment at Tianzhen Building.