Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1474: Chapter 602: How Does the Foreign Affairs Hall Handle Its Business?

Ning Zhuo fell asleep with a slight intoxication.

That night, he slept soundly and sweetly.

By the time he awoke, it was already the next morning.

He began his daily studies.

First was the Three Superior Sect Techniques, especially the Demon-infused Bloodline Technique, which has always been a focal point. This demon skill requires long-term accumulation. Unless he acquires a suitable enough Demon Soul, this skill will not see a significant leap in advancement.

Next was the practice of cultivation techniques.

Lastly were combat strategies.

Ning Zhuo reflected on the recent two battles, becoming increasingly aware.

"In terms of cultivation level, Situ Xing is merely at the Foundation Establishment Stage, beneath the Flowing Gold Guest."

"But if talking about the completeness of the combat system, the complexity of tactics, and strategical adaptability during battle, Situ Xing is actually above the Flowing Gold Guest."

Situ Xing is backed by the Situ Family.

He possesses the Lifebound Flying Sword, the Star-drawing Sword, and a complete set of Star Path equipment including the Seven Star Crown, Starlight Robe, Star Dust Cloak, Xingxuan Bracelet, and Star Track Boots. He has the Beidou Seven Luminaries Sword Formation, the All Heaven Star Battle Array Map, and the three Golden Core Demon Beasts: the Star-maned Sword Wolf, Seven-star Sword Butterfly, and Star Shining Sword Falcon as reinforcements.

Moreover, Situ Xing is a genius. As a Sword Cultivator, his sword momentum is sharp, and his array formations are methodical. In the early stages, he uses the Flying Sword Technique to suppress, and his residual power sets up the battlefield. Once the Sword Array is complete, his combat power directly reaches the Golden Core Level.

Looking back at the Flowing Gold Guest, strong as he may be, his strength lies solely in his innate talent.

The Golden Liquid Returning Pill Body allows his Golden Blood as the source, with gold element magical power inherent in his blood, capable of absorbing Gold Qi and sustaining the Golden Blood long-term.

His mana reserves far surpass those of the same stage, and he is fierce in close combat, able to transform Golden Blood into needles, cover his body in golden armor, and turn objects to gold. Even after decapitation, he can reconnect using the golden liquid, coming back to life.

Such an innate talent is truly astonishing.

But because of this, the Flowing Gold Guest’s combat style relies too heavily on the Golden Liquid Returning Pill Body.

His Gold Touching Technique, Golden Needle, and golden armor all derive from the Golden Blood. He is like a naturally sharp blade, but his path is too straightforward with too few variations. Once Ning Zhuo uses Flame Washing Gold Contamination Technique to cleanse the gold invasive effects, the Flowing Gold Guest’s crucial advantage in attrition battles is nullified.

After two battles, Ning Zhuo clearly felt that fighting Situ Xing was more stressful.

If not for having Luoshu’s secret assistance, the support of the Array Realm, plus disassembling attacks with various Mechanical Artifacts, Ning Zhuo would not have won easily.

The battle with the Flowing Gold Guest, while seemingly spectacular for cutting down a Golden Core, was essentially a war of attrition.

He is a Loose Cultivator and lacks a system.

Situ Xing, on the other hand, is a genius from a noble family, with a comprehensive set of tactics.

"These two battles have also revealed my two weaknesses."

First, there’s a lack in Mechanical Techniques.

Though he has many Mechanical Artifacts and profound depth, he has yet to truly master the Mechanical Techniques in the Empty Valley Sound Green Mechanism Tube. Without the support of Mechanical Techniques, many Mechanical Artifacts only exert their inherent power, struggling to increase exponentially.

Second, the mana consumption is too high.

Ultimately, he is only at the Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage.

The Five Elements Life and Death Fan, though capable of cycling through the Five Elements and expanding mana; the Iron Han Armor contains the Golden Core Wheel; but consistently activating Golden Core treasures, Golden Core mechanisms, and Five Elements Magic during battles leads to heavy consumption. Should there be an opponent adept at prolonged combat or taking turns, Ning Zhuo may not always remain calm.

"I need methods to replenish mana in battle."

Elixir Pills, Spiritual Wine, Energy Storage Mechanisms, Special Talismans, all should be considered.

"Mechanical Techniques can be sought from the Empty Valley Sound Green Mechanism Tube’s heritage and practiced."

"Additionally, the piano score Phoenix Cry at Dawn given by Dong Nishang can supplement the Mechanical Bird Group."

"Lastly, the poem gifted by Bai Jiyun also aids the Mechanical Bird Group."

During the previous battle with the Flowing Gold Guest, this poem’s usefulness was evident, bolstering Ning Zhuo’s offense. Though it has ceased to function, it’s only temporary. As long as it is infused and nurtured with Literary Energy, it can be activated again. Only when the poems and words are completely eroded will it truly lose effectiveness.

"Next up, my opponent should still be the Flowing Gold Guest."

"After all, I purposely left a gap, publicly announcing that I would challenge the Flowing Gold Guest again to fulfill the Headless Promise!"

The Golden Liquid Returning Pill Body has its drawbacks.

The Golden Liquid Returning Pill Body allows the Flowing Gold Guest to reconnect his head, the Upper Dantian having already vanished, with divine sense, divine awareness, and even soul perception deeply integrated with the body, golden liquid, and blood. This method establishes his resilience to being killed but also causes him to lose much of the convenience enjoyed by ordinary cultivators.

Ordinary cultivators refining treasures require detailed use of Divine Sense.

Yet the Flowing Gold Guest’s divine sense is blended with flesh and golden liquid, making his flesh and blood like an artifact, but also causing most conventional treasures to be hard to equip. Even if they can be reluctantly equipped, they are difficult to control smoothly.

Thus, the external aids available to the Flowing Gold Guest must be very limited.

If the enemies intend to use him against Ning Zhuo, restrained by the Myriad Images Sect’s rules, the Flowing Gold Guest is indeed the most suitable pawn, a blade that has already been drawn.

Gifting him Gold Element Treasure Materials to aid his golden blood recovery.

Giving him targeted talismans to remedy mobility and defense.

Providing him with objects that can counter the Mechanical Bird Group and Fire Purification.

Even finding special treasures that can align with the Golden Liquid Returning Pill Body.

Only...

Ning Zhuo’s lips curled slightly.

These are not easy!

Conventional treasures offer minimal assistance to the Flowing Gold Guest!

Ning Zhuo looks forward to the Flowing Gold Guest coming again.

The next battle, on the surface against the Flowing Gold Guest, is actually a probe by the enemy forces with added stakes in the shadows. As long as Ning Zhuo receives the challenge, more can be revealed.

Who gave him the treasures?

Where do the resources come from?

Which faction are his techniques aligned with?

Is the person behind it a remnant force from Flowing Cloud Peak, or is there another sect leader making a move?

In Ning Zhuo’s setup, the Flowing Gold Guest has become his bait, with Ning Zhuo’s fishing line hanging over him.