Chapter 24: Ning Zhuo Enters the Immortal Palace

Ning Zhuo began to examine the items left behind by Chen Cha.

He started with the jade slip, as white as snow. Pressing it against his brow, he poured his spiritual sense into it and discovered it was a compendium of formations, titled "The Collection of Coiled Serpent Dynamic Arrays," authored by Master White Scale.

Ning Zhuo skimmed through it and revealed a trace of surprise.

"This Master White Scale is not human, but a male serpent demon."

"In his middle years, he suffered grievous injuries, and his serpent body could not recover, so he crafted mechanisms to create replacements, striving to restore his form."

"The jade slip records the various formations set upon both the mechanical serpent body and the flesh-and-blood serpent body."

Though Master White Scale left scant information, Ning Zhuo sensed that this demon possessed at least Nascent Soul-level power.

"Chen Cha obtained this jade slip, studied it diligently, thus earning his reputation as the 'Living Array Artisan,' and gained the ability to craft mechanical creations."

"It’s as if Chen Cha has handed over his most prized disciple to me."

The evidence for Ning Zhuo’s judgment lay in the jade slip itself, which was filled with Chen Cha’s personal notes, insights, records of experiments, designs, and firsthand experiences.

Knowledge is priceless.

This was Chen Cha’s foundation; even if he accepted disciples, he would likely keep some secrets.

Yet, unexpectedly, Chen Cha had given the jade slip directly to Ning Zhuo.

"Old Chen…" Ning Zhuo sighed, then opened the next bag.

Inside were over twenty wooden spheres, varying in size—some as large as a child’s fist, others as small as a pinky fingertip.

Each sphere was divided into two sides: one pitch-black, the other pure white. The black side bore the character for 'death,' the white side the character for 'life.'

"Half-Life, Half-Death Beads." Having browsed the jade slip, Ning Zhuo immediately recognized these wooden beads.

They were Chen Cha’s own invention, created by combining Master White Scale’s formation collection, his own experience, and sudden flashes of inspiration.

These beads were fundamental components for mechanical creations, used at joints.

When the bead turned to the white 'life' face, the joint could move freely; when to the black 'death' face, the joint would lock.

The marvel was that the beads possessed a hidden connection; if array patterns were carved on the main mechanism, one or several living arrays could be formed.

By controlling the beads, alternating 'life' or 'death,' one could make mechanical creations perform intricate movements.

"These are excellent."

"The range of uses for the Half-Life, Half-Death Beads is vast."

"They’ll work for the Fire-Burst Monkey Automaton, and perhaps for the Adjustable Cord as well. Their actual performance should surpass previous attempts."

Ning Zhuo’s face lit up.

He was truly fond of such mechanical creations.

To others, these beads might seem insignificant, but to Ning Zhuo, they were rare treasures and would be of great assistance.

Finally, Ning Zhuo checked the heaviest bag.

He found it contained 5,118 spirit stones.

The precise yet odd number left Ning Zhuo silent for a while.

"This must be all of Old Chen’s possessions," he sighed, feeling a pang of guilt.

He carefully stored these items and began to recuperate earnestly.

The restorative pill worked wonders, helping Ning Zhuo’s body quickly adapt to the new Five Elements spiritual power.

He dedicated himself to cultivation, striving to return to the third level of Qi Refining as soon as possible.

"When I reach the third level, will the Law Transmission Bell ring throughout the city again?"

"I must race against time, give it my all!"

"Mother was right. I am just an ordinary person, without background or resources like others."

"I’m probably far behind at this point."

Before her death, Ning Zhuo’s mother urged him to strive for a ranking, become a mechanical seed, and thus gain access to resources.

Lacking critical intelligence, Ning Zhuo made a bold decision, without hesitation, to switch to the Five Elements Qi Law.

"In addition to cultivating the Five Elements Qi Law, I must find a way to approach the Lava Immortal Palace."

Ever since the palace exploded, the volcano’s summit was under strict lockdown; not a single idle soul was permitted.

"What will the clan’s reaction be?"

"Organizing Qi Refining cultivators to collectively switch to the Five Elements Qi Law is only proper."

"If I can leverage Chen Cha’s connections, perhaps I can enter the Lava Immortal Palace through the city lord’s channels."

Ning Zhuo decided to observe for now, waiting for the situation to ferment and present the right opportunity.

His choice proved wise.

A few days later, the clan sent someone to his humble hut, informing him he had been selected as one of the Ning clan’s members to switch to the Five Elements Qi Law.

Ning Zhuo obeyed, disguised himself, and returned to the clan to attend the first group training.

"A Zhuo, you’re here too?" Ning Yong greeted him warmly.

Ning Chen also approached and nodded to Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo greeted them and looked around.

He found that most participants were from collateral branches; direct lineage members were scarce.

"I heard some elders wanted Ning Xiaohui to join, but she firmly refused and even caused an uproar," Ning Yong whispered in Ning Zhuo’s ear.

Ning Xiaohui was their fellow student, always ranked first, even in the grand exam.

Ning Chen said, "She has a talent we can only envy—Jade Ice Hands. Why risk switching cultivation methods? I think her decision is sound."

"Even I would rather cultivate the 'Snowfield Talisman Canon' than the Three-Layer Five Elements Qi Law!"

From Ning Chen’s words, Ning Zhuo heard obvious resentment.

But there was no choice; they were all minor figures.

The group training was much shorter than expected. Only the announcement: selected Ning clan members should actively switch to the new cultivation method, with different resource rewards for the top ten. That afternoon, it was declared over.

From his observations, Ning Zhuo saw that the rewards motivated the clan members to switch with greater enthusiasm.

But Ning Zhuo certainly wouldn’t claim those rewards.

No one knew that he had already reached the second level of Qi Refining.

He would keep this secret for now, not revealing it.

As he was about to leave the clan grounds, his uncle Ning Ze stopped him midway. "Cultivate well, Xiao Zhuo. I spent money to get you into this."

Ning Zhuo was taken aback, his face flushed with embarrassment and gratitude, and he thanked Ning Ze respectfully. "Uncle, I’ve troubled you."

Ning Ze nodded slightly. "As long as you know."

He had little choice. The young clan chief, Ning Xiaoren, pressed him, even threatening to add Ning Ji to the switching list.

Faced with such threats, Ning Ze’s wife, Wang Lan, immediately relented.

Ning Ze had to send a heavy gift to the young clan chief.

The chief accepted the gift and promptly arranged for Ning Zhuo to be included.

Over the following days, Ning Zhuo secretly cultivated with all his might, while attending clan training, gradually displaying his progress in the Five Elements Qi Law.

He concealed his abilities deeply, keeping his progress average and unremarkable.

But in secret, he spared no expense with spirit stones, using them wildly, so his spiritual power soared from the second to the third level.

Tonight, Ning Zhuo reached the peak of the third level.

"No room to advance. During this period, the Law Transmission Bell has been silent," Ning Zhuo sighed. "When will the Ning clan’s switching team enter the Lava Immortal Palace?"

He did not know that deep within the palace, atop a bronze stele, his name was slowly appearing.

Qi Refining Ranking, First Place: Ning Zhuo!

In the next moment, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit upon the throne let out a resounding cry.

Divine Power—Life Thread!

Invisible threads pierced through space, instantly ensnaring Ning Zhuo.

Before he could react, his soul was drawn away by the thread, passed through space, and entered the Lava Immortal Palace!