Chapter 40: Throw Them All Away!

Sun Lie listened, his mouth slightly agape, and after a long pause, shook his head. “Hardly any.”

“So, it seems the true value of the Lava Immortal Palace lies not in the inheritance of mechanical arts, but in the foundational techniques of the Three Gates and Three Fields?”

Fei Si nodded. “The City Lord is far-sighted; how could we possibly fathom his intentions?”

“Mechanical arts have always been a marginal pursuit among the myriad disciplines of cultivation, from ancient times to the present. What is there to chase after?”

“It’s these foundational methods of the three sects that are the real treasures.”

Sun Lie nodded, sighing. “So that’s how it is.”

Meng Chong clenched his fists, his fighting spirit ignited. “I must obtain the three sects’ techniques and cultivate all three dantian!”

“I can’t wait any longer. Elder Sun, please tell me how to use Rampant Thunder to aid in dispersing my cultivation.”

Sun Lie laughed. “It’s quite simple.”

“After this battle, you should be able to control Rampant Thunder at will.”

“When you begin dispersing your cultivation, just activate Rampant Thunder at the same time to accelerate the process.”

“The uses of Rampant Thunder are vast—not just for dispersing cultivation, but also for accumulating spiritual power during practice.”

“In fierce combat, it helps you add lightning’s might, countering enemies of the yin attribute.”

“Ordinary cultivators must cultivate their innate spells step by step to develop a supernatural power. With your immortal talent, Rampant Thunder is like the seed of a supernatural ability. Let it grow in due course, and it will transform!”

“You’ll discover other uses as you explore and develop it in the future.”

“But remember, this talent consumes your three treasures: essence, energy, and spirit. Use it wisely and never to excess.”

Meng Chong responded with a respectful salute.

Sun Lie turned to Fei Si. “Han Ming has tried to probe me several times, obsessed with the Phoenix Soul Blood Fragrant Pill.”

“I tolerated her before, since she’s a disciple of the Soul Devourer Sect, and let it slide.”

“This time, she tried to take my life. Now, she’s my mortal enemy!”

“I’ve added a scentless medicinal fragrance to all six Phoenix Soul Blood Fragrant Pills. Once I refine a bottle of pills, if you take them, you’ll be able to detect that fragrance.”

“Following the scent, you can track the Phoenix Soul Blood Fragrant Pill. Even if a cultivator consumes it, as long as they don’t notice or break the spell, you’ll be able to smell it for several months.”

Though Sun Lie was rough and unconcerned with minor matters, he’d wandered the cultivation world for years and was no fool.

In truth, anyone capable of orchestrating a scheme to awaken Meng Chong’s nature must have considerable cunning.

Fei Si nodded, changing his demeanor. He cupped his hands in respect. “You are indeed a master of alchemy. I misunderstood you before—please accept my apology.”

He, a dignified Golden Core cultivator, saluted a Foundation Establishment, which made Sun Lie regard him more highly.

Sun Lie was an old hand, so he nodded slightly and refrained from mocking Fei Si, instead offering praise with deep meaning. “The City Lord of Fire Persimmon has a fine subordinate.”

After dividing the spoils, Sun Ling Tong bid farewell to the Shaggy Guest Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo’s voice was raspy, his expression indifferent. “Old Sun, I owe you for your help this time. I won’t forget it.”

Sun Ling Tong giggled. “Hey, little brother, have you reconsidered my earlier suggestion?”

“Joining the Gate of Emptiness?” Ning Zhuo shook his head. “I’m not interested.”

To Ning Zhuo, he was of the Ning family, on the righteous path, seeking the Lava Immortal Palace—why forsake a good life to join the demonic sects?

Strictly speaking, the Gate of Emptiness wasn’t truly demonic, but it was certainly heretical.

Sun Ling Tong shook her head as well. “But you’re perfect for my sect.”

That remark stirred Ning Zhuo’s heart.

He recalled his suspicions in the Lava Immortal Palace—that he might possess a hidden talent, superior even to Early Wisdom.

Ning Zhuo probed, “I’ve heard the Gate of Emptiness favors recruits with hand-related talents—like the Hand of Stealing Fragrance, Spatial Displacement Hand, Streamer Weaving Shadow Hand, Seven Ingenious Hand, Cloud Piercing Hand, and so on.”

“Is it because I have such a talent that you, Old Sun, have always valued me?”

Sun Ling Tong shook her head. “I’m not a recruiting elder of the sect. How could I know?”

“I just think your temperament is naturally suited for the demonic path.”

Ning Zhuo’s tone darkened. “Don’t joke about that again.”

Sun Ling Tong widened her eyes. “Don’t doubt me! My eyes are the best at judging people.”

“That’s enough,” Ning Zhuo interrupted.

Sun Ling Tong chuckled. “All right. So, what do we do with these stolen pills?”

Ning Zhuo replied, “Capturing Han Ming alive is my real goal. These pills are hot potatoes—better dispose of them.”

“I don’t believe Sun Lie, after being probed so many times by Han Ming, wouldn’t have tampered with the pills.”

Sun Ling Tong gave a thumbs-up. “Little brother, you’re as cautious as ever. But isn’t it a pity to get rid of them all?”

“With the Gate of Emptiness’s means, give me time to test them, and even the most hidden tricks can be revealed.”

“After all, Sun Lie is only at the peak of Foundation Establishment.”

Ning Zhuo shook his head. “I strongly advise against it.”

“This time, we ran into Meng Chong by chance. He’s the grandson of a Nascent Soul cultivator. Our actions could easily be seen as plotting against him.”

“I suspect Fei Si is already investigating us.”

“Time is short; you can’t leisurely test them. Caution is warranted—dispose of the pills immediately!” Ning Zhuo insisted.

Sun Ling Tong patted her chest and nodded. “You’re right, I do want to stay in Fire Persimmon Immortal City.”

“But how should we dispose of them?”

Ning Zhuo snorted coldly. “Isn’t it simple? Just toss them into the Fire Persimmon Forest.”

Sun Ling Tong was stunned, then her eyes sparkled and she clapped. “Brilliant, truly brilliant!”

After bidding Sun Ling Tong farewell, Ning Zhuo took his spoils and returned to the underground base.

In the gloomy underground prison.

A basin of cold water was splashed onto Han Ming’s face.

Han Ming lowered her head, eyes tightly shut, unmoving.

The Shaggy Guest Ning Zhuo let out a raspy, cold laugh. “Stop pretending, Han Ming. You regained consciousness half a tea’s time ago.”

Han Ming gritted her teeth, suddenly opening her eyes, her murderous intent and hatred undisguised. “You dare double-cross me!”

“I’m a disciple of the Soul Devourer Sect. If you kill me, think of the consequences!”

Ning Zhuo sighed inwardly. He’d hoped to keep a low profile, work secretly, and seize the Lava Immortal Palace, never intending to offend the great demonic sects.

But there was no choice.

In his current situation, he had to press forward. Retreating, even a moment’s hesitation, would mean a plunge into the abyss, never to return.

“When cornered, even a rabbit bites—how much more so a person?”

He kept his silent frustrations to himself.

Ning Zhuo looked at Han Ming, quietly staring her down.

Han Ming felt uneasy under Ning Zhuo’s gaze.

She gradually misunderstood, her expression softening, adopting a helpless, fragile demeanor as if she must yield to survive. “Fine, I concede this time. Spare me, and I’ll do whatever you ask.”