Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1451: Chapter 590: Nascent Soul Joins! (Part 2)

Originally, Flowing Gold Guest’s expression concealed apprehension. Upon hearing this, his eyes brightened, and he responded through Divine Sense Transmission: "That’s something you must promise!"

Jin Mantang replied without hesitation: "Of course!"

Flowing Gold Guest then flew into a rage, pointing at Ning Zhuo: "Good, good, good. You’re arrogant enough, you’re bold enough. This contract for a Life and Death Battle, I’ll sign it!"

He immediately signed the contract.

Ning Zhuo laughed heartily and gestured with his hand: "Please, Brother, take a seat and observe the ceremony. Once it concludes, we’ll certainly fight to the end."

The contract was signed in triplicate. One copy was burned to ashes as an offering to the Gods. The other two were kept separately.

Flowing Gold Guest chuckled coldly, took his copy, found a corner table, and sat alone.

Ning Zhuo looked at him with a smile and suddenly called out: "Innkeeper, please first serve this Brother separately with a table of wine and food so he can savor it well. Though I am a Righteous Cultivator, even if Brother behaves this way, I must still arrange a sumptuous last meal for him."

Bang.

Upon hearing this, Flowing Gold Guest slammed the table and stood up abruptly: "Ning Zhuo! You’re audacious! Come on, if you serve it up now, I’ll teach you a lesson for your ignorance."

Ning Zhuo smiled gently: "Brother, we’ve already signed the contract, publicly reached an agreement. Are you going to break it now?"

Flowing Gold Guest stood frozen on the spot, his face flushed with anger, glaring at Ning Zhuo, his eyes bloodshot, pointing at Ning Zhuo, squeezing out a sentence through clenched teeth: "Very well, you’re very good."

Ning Zhuo clasped his hands: "Thank you for the compliment, Brother!"

Situ Xing shook his head with a smile, feeling quite familiar: "Brother Ning surely has a way of getting under people’s skin."

Flowing Gold Guest was suffocating with frustration, feeling a strong impulse to leave angrily, but ultimately suppressed it, forcing himself to sit down.

Just then, a steady and powerful sound of footsteps was heard coming from outside the door.

The footsteps were firm and rhythmic, like drumbeats, striking everyone’s heart. The crowd turned to look, only to see four figures entering the door one by one. They were dressed in uniform blue-grey short jackets, with sleeves tightly bound, and a palm-sized Iron Token hanging at their waist, engraved with the character "兵" (meaning soldier).

People from Armor Peak!

Each of the four held a long wooden box in their hands. The boxes were made of Purple Sandalwood, their surfaces smooth as a mirror, edges inlaid with copper strips, with dense runes engraved on the copper strips.

The wooden boxes varied in size, some longer and some shorter.

The four approached Ning Zhuo, and the leader stepped forward slightly and bowed: "Armor Peak, commissioned to come and offer congratulations!"

Ning Zhuo clasped his hands: "Four Daoists have come a long way, forgive Ning for not welcoming you in person, my apologies, my apologies."

The four opened the wooden boxes in their hands one by one, revealing four pieces of Mysterious Armor: a sword, an axe, a hook, and a piece of armor, each exuding the aura of a Golden Core-Level Magic Treasure.

Ning Zhuo’s face lit up with joy: "Many thanks for your Peak’s divine favor, and to the four Daoists for kindly bringing these gifts."

The leader remained expressionless: "Young Master need not be courteous. Armor Peak acts based only on whether it’s worthwhile. Since you’re deserving of this gift, Armor Peak presents this gift. No need for thanks, nor refusal."

Ning Zhuo invited: "Four Daoists, please take a seat and await the alliance ceremony."

The leader nodded and departed with the three others, searching for a spot to sit.

Ning Zhuo put away the four pieces of Mysterious Armor. He felt that the Mysterious Armor he had in hand before was of lower grade, and did not expect this invitation for Armor Peak to observe the ceremony would bring gifts that hit his heart.

He subconsciously looked towards Flowing Gold Guest, pondering, "I could try demonstrating the new Mysterious Armor on him."

Flowing Gold Guest had been watching Ning Zhuo and immediately sensed the ill intentions in Ning Zhuo’s gaze, glaring back at Ning Zhuo with rage.

Ning Zhuo gave him a slight smile.

Soon, more guests arrived.

Five figures entered the doorway one after another.

Each of their Daoist robes was embroidered with different patterns: the blue ones with pine and cypress, the red ones with blazing fire lotus, the yellow ones with Thick Earth mountains and rivers, the white ones with sharp swords, and the black ones with waves of rivers and seas.

People from Five Elements Peak.

"Five Elements Peak’s Reincarnation Hall, commissioned to come and offer congratulations," said the leader of the five, bowing.

"Five Elements Peak congratulates Young Master Ning on the joy of establishing an alliance, presenting humble gifts that are inadequate but sincere."

One is Taibai Essence, refined from the golden stone veins, using Gold Element Magic Power.

Second is Mystic Water Essence, gathered from the deep sea spring, nurtured with Water Element Magic Power.

Third is Thick Earth Essence, fourth is Red Flame Essence, fifth is Green Wood Essence.

Five treasures, all of Golden Core Level, each corresponding to one of the Five Elements.

After Ning Zhuo put away the treasures, the leader clasped his hands again: "Our Peak Master remains intent on inviting you to serve as the Vice Hall Master of Reincarnation Hall."

Ning Zhuo shook his head slightly, declining: "I intend to establish the alliance at this peak, and must painfully decline your Peak’s kind offer."

The leader shook his head as well: "The Peak Master said the position of Vice Hall Master at Reincarnation Hall will always be available for you!"

Ning Zhuo sighed: "What qualities do I possess to be valued so highly by the Peak Master? The five Daoists, please take a seat and enjoy some tea."

The five clasped their hands and began searching for seats below.

They all gave Flowing Gold Guest a peculiar look as all other tables in the hall had no dishes, except his, which was an exception.

Flowing Gold Guest: ...

The five wisely chose an empty table to sit at after transmitting thoughts through Divine Sense.

Pi Fujie looked at Flowing Gold Guest, his gaze filled with sympathy.

Ye Qingming and Jin Mantang’s glances continuously moved from the four people from Armor Peak to the five envoys from Five Elements Peak.

Both of them marveled at the attention Ning Zhuo received. Although it was hinted at in intelligence reports, the actual scene before them still provided a powerful impact.

Even an Ascetic Monk like Li Ku could think: "Ning Zhuo received such attention from two Peaks, with intelligence suggesting that he has even been appreciated by Zhong Dao and Tuoba Huang. This is the treatment of a first-rate genius, often seen in previous events, but typically only within the same category. That preference stems from distinct differences between these few factions, showing Ning Zhuo’s extraordinary strength, spanning multiple domains."

"Indeed, only such a genius would have the courage to establish an alliance and ascend!

The successive arrival of guests successfully accentuated and proved Ning Zhuo’s excellence. Even if the youth didn’t act, solely relying on these connections would make the cultivators there increasingly value him, constantly upgrading their evaluation of him in their hearts.

"Yet, it’s been so long, and the cultivators in the hall are at most Golden Core level. No Nascent Soul Level cultivators have arrived yet."

"This is merely the observation of a ceremony."

"Hence, Ning Zhuo’s influence is thus superficial; it doesn’t affect many, nor does it penetrate deeply."

"Golden Core Level forces don’t pose too much of a threat."

While analyzing, the first Nascent Soul Cultivator suddenly arrived at the scene!

He had long fiery red hair cascading on his shoulders, resembling a burning banner.

He wore a crimson-gold robe, embroidered with nine Fire Dragons, their heads held high to the sky, claws extended like hooks, and tails winding like vines.

Nine Fire Dragon Lord!

He strode boldly into the hall, stood firm in the center with his hands behind him, and after a sweeping glance, fixed his gaze on Ning Zhuo.

Nine Fire Dragon Lord’s face was gloomy, his brows furrowed as he scrutinized Ning Zhuo from a high vantage point.

Ning Zhuo looked at Nine Fire Dragon Lord with anticipation, without a trace of fear, and said calmly: "Dragon Lord, your distinguished presence indicates careful consideration, doesn’t it?"

Nine Fire Dragon Lord snorted coldly, gritting his teeth: "Ning Zhuo, with your alliance establishment, I’ve decided to join."

Upon hearing this, the entire place was shocked!

The guests looked at each other, some widened their eyes, others opened their mouths, while some tilted their goblets, spilling tea.

Nine Fire Dragon Lord!

A Nascent Soul Level Demon Cultivator, Honored Guest Elder of Danxia Peak, a powerful being with the Fire Dragon Bloodline. Such a presence wants to join Ning Zhuo’s alliance?

This isn’t an observation of the ceremony; it’s not just to offer congratulations—this is joining the alliance.

Ye Qingming, Jin Mantang, and Li Ku all saw the solemn expressions on each other’s faces.

With the entry of a Nascent Soul, Nanming Village immediately became a formidable force within Flowing Cloud Peak, no longer allowing any slight disregard.

Ning Zhuo, however, showed no hint of joy, he cupped his hands and said: "Dragon Lord shows favor, Ning is overwhelmed. If no other Nascent Soul cultivators join, you, Dragon Lord, will be the Great Village Chief of Nanming Village."

Nine Fire Dragon Lord snorted coldly and did not speak, indicating consent.

He didn’t wish to join this small village, but how could he when he owed money to the Black Market?