Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1471 - 600: Qiyuan Cloud Nest_2

"The Hall Master has another plan to discuss with the young master."

Ning Zhuo: "Please go ahead."

The Envoy: "The Nanming Village aims to ascend the peak, not just to make a name, but also to establish a foothold. On Flowing Cloud Peak, the clouds are the densest, and the mountain body absorbs and emits Cloud Qi, producing countless cloud phenomena all year round. The small mountain peaks are entangled, with old powers and new organizations closely intertwined. If one only occupies a common Cave Mansion, even if the flag is successfully planted, it will be difficult to operate long-term."

"For other small forces wishing to join Flowing Cloud Peak, it's manageable. But with Nanming Village having five Nascent Soul combatants today, entering Flowing Cloud Peak is akin to a clash between the Overseas Dragon and local tyrants. If not handled well, it could provoke a siege and risk the disintegration of the entire village."

Ning Zhuo's expression was solemn.

The words hit the mark, echoing his innermost worries.

Nanming Village is formidable but newly established, and not at all united, with weak resistance to pressure. It's best to fight favorable battles.

Today's successful alliance has already raised the alertness of the various forces on Flowing Cloud Peak. Everyone knows that Nanming Village poses a great threat, and every force, even every Loose Cultivator, fears that Nanming Village might choose their territory to occupy and drive them out!

The political situation is quite severe.

The Envoy infused Mana into the Jade Slip.

The Jade Slip emitted a faint white light, projecting a segment of Flowing Cloud Peak on the table.

Amidst the swirling mist, a Fire Vein within a mountain belly was marked. It wasn't at the peak, nor the place with the most abundant Spiritual Energy, but on the southwestern side of Flowing Cloud Peak, behind a precipice. The cloud layer outside the precipice was extraordinarily dense, hanging year-round like a curtain; within the precipice, a faint red glow flickered, as if an unextinguished ember was hidden within the depths of the mist.

The Envoy spoke: "This place is called Qiyuan Cloud Nest."

Ning Zhuo focused intently.

The Envoy continued: "Flowing Cloud Peak has dense clouds, with the mountain body absorbing and emitting Cloud Qi, producing countless cloud phenomena year-round. This place is special; the Cloud Qi presses downward while Earth Fire surges upwards, and the two do not disperse but instead form a warm fire nest within the mountain belly."

"Inside the nest are three items most suited for the Nanming Fire Furnace."

"The first is Warm Cloud Marrow."

"This is not fierce Firewood but something to nurture the Artifact Spirit. The Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit was once extremely terrified by an explosion but was calmed and forcibly controlled by the young master, yet it still holds remnants of fear. Warm Cloud Marrow entered the furnace not to reinforce the furnace walls but to soothe the Furnace Spirit. It allows the Artifact Spirit's Heart Spirit to be less disturbed, reducing its fear and helping it to be close to the furnace body again."

Ning Zhuo's eyes flickered.

He knew the state of the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit best. It was only being forcibly controlled by the Life Hanging Divine Power, and its state of fear and anxiety was far worse than outsiders imagined. If he could obtain this treasure, it would solve this problem. Indeed, it was excellent.

The Envoy added: "The second is Vermilion Feather Flame Sand."

"This sand forms on the inner wall of the Qiyuan Cloud Nest, colored like red feathers, with a Fire Element that isn't fiery, mainly promoting growth and continuity. The Vermilion Bird belongs to fire but is not a mere consuming fire. If the last two-tenths of the Nanming Fire Furnace are forcibly supplemented with ferocious Firewood, the furnace body might endure, but the Artifact Spirit might not be comfortable. Vermilion Feather Flame Sand can allow fractured fire veins to regenerate slowly, making the repair seams connect like feather veins without showing the flaws of forced assembly."

Ning Zhuo lightly nodded.

The growth of the Vermilion Bird Master signifies vigorous upward progression.

If the sand is truly as the Envoy described, it indeed suits the Nanming Fire Furnace.

The Envoy continued: "The third is the Red Phoenix Root."

"This is from the Inverted Fire Phoenix Tree, with roots reaching deep into the Cloud and Fire Border, the root tips resembling phoenix claws, entwined in red clouds."

"These roots can be refined into the furnace's Array Patterns at the bottom, helping the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit feel a sense of returning home. The furnace is its body, and the furnace's heart is its nest. The Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit now fears fire, the furnace, and the old explosive incident. Without a sense of returning home, it will be prone to reliving fright even if the Nanming Vermilion Bird Fire is successfully nurtured in the future."

The Envoy withdrew his hand and said: "The Hall Master mentioned that the real difficulty of the last two-tenths of the Nanming Fire Furnace is not just in the materials. If it's merely reinforcing the furnace body, the Artifact Refining Hall has a myriad of solutions. The true challenge is harmonizing the furnace body, fire veins, and Artifact Spirit."

"The Qiyuan Cloud Nest has three treasures that can solve this worry, allowing the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit to be truly stable and the Nanming Fire Furnace to be fully complete."

Ning Zhuo said nothing.

He mused internally: "Tie Kuang is truly formidable. Though rough on the outside, he deeply understands human nature, much like an Artifact Refining Master mastering fire control. Today the alliance succeeded, and he immediately adjusted his strategy, targeting my specific situation."

Ning Zhuo was genuinely moved.

This location can not only help repair the final two-tenths of the Nanming Fire Furnace but also provide Nanming Village with a truly valuable foundation within Flowing Cloud Peak. If managed well, Nanming Village can rely on resources to sustain people, use fire veins to maintain the furnace, and leverage geographical advantages to establish a foothold.

But Tie Kuang will inevitably use this to get involved.

If Nanming Village gains land due to Tie Kuang's strategy, future furnace maintenance, guarding the land, and resource extraction will all involve the Artifact Refining Hall.

Ning Zhuo picked up the teacup and took a light sip.

The tea was already slightly cool.

He put down the teacup and said: "What Iron Hall Master said carries significant weight."

The Envoy lowered his head: "The Hall Master also said that the young master's talent will surely discern the weight in it!"

On the surface, it seemed like praise, but it implied that Tie Kuang had accurately assessed Ning Zhuo and was naturally a step ahead of Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo looked at the Envoy, gently smiling, probing: "Qiyuan Cloud Nest, such a treasured place, might not be easy to take, right?"

The Envoy candidly replied: "Indeed so. Qiyuan Cloud Nest is not an ownerless place and has been managed by a hidden force for many years. The Hall Master cannot reveal specifics here."

The Envoy raised his hand, retracting the Cloud Map into the Jade Slip.

"The Hall Master instructed me to pass on to the young master that he has secret allies who can assist Nanming Village in entering the game, reducing the obstacles in ascending the peak. If the young master wishes to further discuss with the Hall Master, he can demonstrate sincerity in cooperation by taking a step regarding the Qiyuan Cloud Nest affair."

After speaking, the Envoy focused on Ning Zhuo, saying nothing more.

Ning Zhuo pondered for a long while before saying: "I already understand Iron Hall Master's intention."

The Envoy asked: "Does the young master have a reply?"

Ning Zhuo sighed deeply: "The matter of Qiyuan Cloud Nest is of great importance. I cannot decide based solely on a picture and a few words. Please convey to Iron Hall Master that Ning Zhuo will consider it carefully."

The Envoy did not urge, only nodded: "The Hall Master said if the young master agreed on the spot, it wouldn't be Ning Zhuo."

Ning Zhuo couldn't help but laugh.

The Envoy stood up, taking back the Black Iron Token, but leaving the Cloud Pattern Jade Slip on the table.

"This map is a gift from the Hall Master to the young master. You can verify its truth for yourself."

Ning Zhuo rose to see him off.

Soon, a cultivator entered the Cave Mansion in secret to meet Ning Zhuo.

It was Tu Yuanzi.

Ning Zhuo had some concerns about this Mysterious Nascent Soul.

The yellow-clothed youth Tu Yuanzi straightforwardly handed Ning Zhuo an introduction letter.

The letter came from Cang Yazi.

After reading it, Ning Zhuo felt a great weight lift from his heart and revealed a sincere smile. He stepped forward, stretching out his arms, and grabbed Tu Yuanzi's arm: "Daoist Fellow Tu Yuanzi, it turns out we're on the same side!"

Tu Yuanzi was taken aback by Ning Zhuo's action but was immediately infected by the latter's abundant enthusiasm, unconsciously smiling as well: "Yes, my master sent me to help you."

"And I will help you to fulfill your wish!" Ning Zhuo said, "I know Senior Cang Yazi wishes to perform Spirit Awakening on the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit. If it were me, I would also be very anxious and worried if a companion couldn't undergo Transformation."

"If they, like me, have been together for many years, they are family!"

Tu Yuanzi nodded heavily: "Yes, that's right, they are my family. Daoist Fellow Ning Zhuo, you truly are different from most cultivators, my master chose well!"

Ning Zhuo burst into hearty laughter: "Hahaha."

"Come." He led Tu Yuanzi to a seat, "What kind of tea do you like?"

Tu Yuanzi paused: "What tea is good?"

Cang Yazi lived reclusively, indifferent to food and drink. Moreover, as Tu Yuanzi isn't a cultivator, he is not familiar with these things.

Ning Zhuo smiled: "That depends on personal taste. But no hurry, we will try all the teas available for purchase in the future, and then you'll know, Tu Yuanzi."

"Oh, by the way, do you drink alcohol?"

Tu Yuanzi paused again: "I know of alcohol but don't know which kind tastes good."

Ning Zhuo laughed again, patting Tu Yuanzi's shoulder: "No worries, I'll have you taste it now!"