Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1536: Chapter 633: Be Cautious of Taint, Skillful in Transformation (Part 2)

...

Ah Ci, born a mortal, later worked as a female worker at the Cloud Weaving Workshop. In childhood, a high fever damaged her spirit, leaving her mind often like that of a ten-year-old child. She loved washing white cloth and folding cloud silk the most. Her neat hands brought her into the Cloud Weaving Workshop as a servant. By chance, she entered a formation, and the White Cloud Nature drew close to her, staying nestled in her sleeve. Afterward, although Ah Ci could not weave complex cloud cloth, she could purify turbid clouds and dust clouds, returning them to their pristine white. She once saved over three hundred rolls of cloud silk after a polluted evil mishap.

White Cloud Nature is easily tinted and most requires cleansing. Ah Ci’s simple mind only recognizes the word ’clean,’ which ironically became her specialty. Having this nature, she could not engage in combat, but she could purify with white clouds, washing away superficial evil qi, ash, and medicinal grime.

...

Ning Zhuo discovered that those who gained the White Cloud Nature were extremely rare, roughly as few as those with Traveling Cloud Nature.

He also noted that cultivators who acquired White Cloud Nature were either simple-minded or worldly-wise, having shed all worldly ties.

"No wonder Sister Yun Sang was so surprised when I gained the White Cloud Nature."

Ning Zhuo felt a sudden realization: "I excel in Buddhist Skill, practicing the Mirror Stand Spirit Communication Technique, the fastest among the Three Superior Sect Techniques. Gaining White Cloud Nature signifies that I am destined for Buddhism."

Sister Yun Sang’s voice came at this moment: "Your information will also be recorded, but crucial details like your name will be concealed."

"White Cloud Nature is precious and often invites covetousness and malevolence. Therefore, this special reward is always conducted in secret."

"I also advise you to keep this matter confidential in the future."

Ning Zhuo nodded. He had just seen in the Jade Slip that some information was obscured. He reckoned his own information would be similar. Only trivial, inconsequential information was left exposed.

Having finished reading, Ning Zhuo withdrew his divine sense and gazed silently at the warm jade slip in his hand.

He understood Yun Sang’s intention in showing him the jade slip, deepening his comprehension of cloud nature.

Cloud nature is not a treasure that directly enhances combat power. It’s more like a seed, a mirror, a path that grows with the cultivator.

Thunder Cloud Nature achieved Wen Jinglei, amplifying his fierceness.

Rain Accumulation Cloud Nature achieved Xu Hanshuang, deepening her contemplation.

Hidden Cloud Nature once saved mortals, allowing Zhou Beixiu to hide his thoughts deeply.

Dawn Cloud Nature can protect herbs and tempt people to chase superficial splendor.

Sister Yun Sang said, "Have you finished reading?"

Ning Zhuo respectfully returned the jade slip: "Finished. Thank you, Senior."

Sister Yun Sang took the jade slip and sighed: "Now you should understand why I said it would be difficult to teach you."

Ning Zhuo nodded: "The White Cloud Nature has no fixed direction. It seems ordinary but is extremely special. If I blindly follow old examples, it would prematurely define the White Cloud."

Sister Yun Sang’s eyes revealed a trace of approval: "Exactly. Regarding this, I only have four words of advice for you—take care in staining, excel in transformation."

Ning Zhuo’s gaze slightly froze.

Sister Yun Sang slowly said: "Take care in staining means not letting it be entirely tainted by transient emotions, particular environments, or a type of mana. You have water and fire, mechanisms, the Alchemy Dao, and Array Dao. In the future, you’ll encounter Smoke Evil, Thunder, Earth and Wood, Yin Yang. The White Cloud Nature will imitate you and may also get tainted. You must always be aware of what it has absorbed."

"Excel in transformation means not fearing its change. If the White Cloud Nature remains forever blank, it is just blank. Its value lies not in never staining, but in being purified after staining, transformed after setting, and returned after deviating."

Ning Zhuo listened, his heart deeply shaken.

Take care in staining, excel in transformation.

These four words nearly encapsulate the essence of White Cloud Nature.

Ning Zhuo sincerely said: "Junior remembers!"

Sister Yun Sang looked at him and suddenly said in a soft voice: "The pioneers of each generation who gain cloud nature are often led by it. Some achieve greater accomplishment, while others become more obstinate. You have gained White Cloud Nature; whether it brings blessing or disaster is hard to assess, and it requires great caution in cultivation."

Having said this, she waved her hand: "You may go now."

Ning Zhuo nodded, collecting his thoughts, offered a solemn bow, then turned and left the small courtyard.

As he walked out of the Cloud Corridor, the evening light was softly descending outside.

Ning Zhuo sensed the cloud nature within his Divine Ocean Dantian, silently reciting to himself, "Take care in staining, excel in transformation."

He had a vague feeling that these four words would be of utmost importance to his future cultivation!

The second round of the Five Victories Martial Arts Competition was set in the Thick Earth Martial Arts Arena.

This time it was Territorial Expansion Alliance’s turn to take the lead, allowing them to select the venue first, per the agreement.

Thick Earth Martial Arts Arena is fundamentally different from Clear Sky Martial Arts Arena.

Here, there’s no clear blue sky, no floating clouds and steps, nor a blazing formation sun suspended in the firmament.

The field is a broad yellow earth plain, surrounded by low mountain walls on all sides, covered in earth-colored spiritual patterns. The play of light and shadow on the patterns makes the whole arena resemble an earth bowl deeply embedded in the mountain, trapping cultivators inside for martial arts exercises.

The terrain is uneven.

There are rifts, earth mounds, stone pillars, and sunken mud pits. Heavy earth energy slowly emanates from every fissure in the ground, like the earth breathing lowly.

When cultivators enter this place, they feel a slight heaviness on their shoulders, and their mana seems subtly drawn by the thick earth.

Nanming Village, Territorial Expansion Alliance, and White Cloud Village were still seated separately, watching the battle.

After losing the first match, Nanming Village’s atmosphere was no longer relaxed. The Nine Fire Dragon Lord hadn’t arrived, while the Red Robe Guest sat further back, his gaze indifferent. Tan Zhu’s eyes were half-closed, his expression somber.

Tu Yuanzi was staring at the yellow earth in the arena, his eyes somewhat complex, his mind awash with thoughts: "This martial arts arena is quite suitable for me."

Ning Zhuo sat slightly behind Chun Yangzi.

It was not surprising that Territorial Expansion Alliance selected this venue.

Their representative was precisely an Earth Element Cultivator.

Standing here, he seemed like a fish in water. The earth energy, terrestrial veins, mountain walls, and rifts were all at his disposal.

Ning Zhuo had acquired basic intelligence, knowing this person’s origins.

This person was named Shi Heng True Monarch, a Nascent Soul Cultivator from Territorial Expansion Alliance, skilled in defensive and enduring battles.

He was burly, broad-shouldered, with a face etched in deep lines, like yellow rocks fractured by mountain winds. He wore a short earth-colored robe, with narrow cuffs and a large axe at his waist, and a triangular yellow flag strapped to his back.

He silently entered the martial arts arena, his steps heavy and slow, reminding people of the weight and persistence of earth and stone.

After taking his position, he raised his head to the Nanming Village seats and spoke in a deep voice: "Territorial Expansion Alliance, second match, Shi Heng, here to experience Nanming Village’s high moves."

In the Nanming Village seats, Chun Yangzi slowly stood up.

For this battle, Chun Yangzi would personally take action!

After the defeat of the Nine Fire Dragon Lord, he felt pressured. Therefore, after receiving Ning Zhuo’s response and deliberation, he voluntarily took on the responsibility for the second match.

Chun Yangzi walked into the martial arts arena, his steps unhurried.

The earth energy dispersed throughout the Thick Earth Martial Arts Arena approached his feet, only to be dispelled by a faint golden light.

A jade chime sounded.

The second match begins!

Shi Heng True Monarch was the first to act.

He pulled out the axe from his waist. The axe was gray-black in color, with a wide, thick blade, resembling a mountain stone being ground.

He held the big axe in his hand, which did not appear sharp but carried an imposing force capable of splitting mountains and cliffs.

He stomped on the ground.

Boom!

Three long cracks appeared on the ground, each emitting a beam of earth-colored light, transforming into three earthen walls, encircling Chun Yangzi.

At the same time, the yellow flag on his back flew up by itself, unfurling with a rustle, immediately causing the yellow earth to churn. Countless mud and sand coalesced into large hands, reaching out toward Chun Yangzi from all directions.

The tactics were simple and unadorned.

Chun Yangzi flicked his sleeve, and a streak of golden light instantly shot out from within.

Initially as thin as a hair, the golden light expanded with the wind outside the sleeve, transforming into a three-foot golden beam.

It took no detours, cut no curves, and sliced precisely forward.

The first earthen wall was effortlessly bisected.

When the golden light descended, there was no explosive sound, only a clear, resonant tone like a gentle strike on a golden bell. The earthen wall split in half, and the fracture was illuminated by pure yang qi, causing the earth element power to dissipate quickly, like snow under the sun.

The second earthen wall followed pressing closely, followed by the third.

All were broken by the three-foot golden beam!

Chun Yangzi formed a seal with his left hand, and a small golden sun emerged from his palm.

The golden sun was only the size of a cup, yet radiated bright light.

Suspended before Chun Yangzi, it trembled gently, shooting out seven golden threads.

The golden threads pierced through the mud and sand hands, all of which stiffened in mid-air, collapsing from their palms back into dry yellow earth, cascading to the ground.

You Yunshou observed and sighed: "For one who can lead the Pure Yang Palace, he’s certainly no mere emblem."