Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master -
Chapter 1376 - 544: A Drop in the Sea of People (Part 2)
Qin Ke’s teacher is an elder at Danxia Peak, so he understands well that, although the Human Clan appears to have fallen, every Demon Cultivator within the Human Clan’s cultivation powers has a ceiling limit.
Don’t be fooled by the Myriad Images Sect’s welcoming embrace and extensive inclusivity; it’s the same situation, just hidden from view.
Gu Lianjie said, "I heard that the Nine Fire Dragon Lord can simultaneously control nine types of flames, all within a single furnace for alchemy. Such high fire control skill is truly awe-inspiring."
"If the Nanming Fire Furnace can produce Nanming Vermilion Bird Fire and be controlled by the Nine Fire Dragon Lord, wouldn’t he easily be the winner?"
Everyone’s faces turned solemn.
The Nine Fire Dragon Lord made a high-profile appearance, announcing his arrival, which immediately prompted the guardian cultivators to step forward and guide him.
The Nine Fire Dragon Lord was directly led into the main peak and disappeared from everyone’s sight.
Ning Zhuo withdrew his gaze.
Having Nascent Soul level figures participating was something he’d expected.
The intelligence collected beforehand also informed Ning Zhuo of related details about the Nine Fire Dragon Lord.
He pondered silently, "Compared to the Nine Fire Dragon Lord, how does my Fire Realm stack up?"
There were too many people.
Even in the sky, it felt crowded.
The guardian cultivators tried their best to maintain order, continuously guiding cultivators to land at the mountain’s base and climb the mountain path.
As Ning Zhuo gradually approached Danxia Peak, a clear crane cry came from the distant sky.
In an instant, the crane cry became bright and drew countless cultivators to look up in wonder.
From the depths of the clouds, a speck of ink broke through the sky.
In a moment, it reached the front of Danxia Peak.
"What speed!"
"Is that the Red-capped Black Feather Crane?"
"Another Nascent Soul level Great Cultivator!"
On the crane’s back, a person sat upright.
It was indeed Cang Yazi.
He was still in his gray-brown Daoist robe, washed to a faded white, with several stitches at the cuffs and collar showing coarse sewing, as if he had sewn it himself. Long gray-white hair casually draped, tied with a beast bone hairpin, a few loose strands fell onto his forehead, blown by the high-altitude wind making a rustling sound.
The guardian cultivators quickly flew forward, performed a salute, and guided him.
Although Cang Yazi wasn’t from Danxia Peak or the Alchemy Hall, as a high-ranking member of the same sect from Ten Thousand Beasts Peak, he naturally received such treatment.
Shen Hongyao was puzzled, "Why is a cultivator specializing in Beast Taming Skill also here?"
Qing Baizi sensed Cang Yazi’s Elixir Qi and shook his head slightly, "In my view, Cang Yazi’s mastery of Alchemy Dao is also exceptional."
Jiang Ping nodded in agreement, "Regardless of other aspects, merely speaking of his Transformation Pill refining, even at Danxia Peak, no one can compare to Cang Yazi. My master spoke of this."
Everyone’s expressions immediately became more serious.
Gu Lianjie speculated, "Cang Yazi excels in commanding Spiritual Beasts. Although the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit isn’t a beast, it is a spirit. Could it be that he has a special Magic Technique to make spirits close, or even command them?"
Everyone’s expressions became even more serious.
"The people from Hundred Herbs Peak have arrived," Jiang Ping pointed to the foot of Danxia Peak, at the starting point of a mountain path, as a reminder.
Everyone cast their gaze.
They saw a group of cultivators dressed as medicine farmers. They wore no splendid Daoist robes, didn’t reveal dazzling Magic Artifacts or Treasures, nor did they display impressive audacity.
Most were dressed in coarse cloth and short cuffs, sleeves rolled up to their forearms, revealing sun-darkened skin. Some had soil on their hands, while others had grass juice embedded in their nails that couldn’t be washed away. Their waists were mostly adorned with scythes, medicine axes, and bamboo baskets.
"They’re mostly Foundation Establishment Cultivators," Shen Hongyao said, "except for the two leaders."
Qin Ke shook his head, "Among them is one with the Dao name ’Hundred Herbs Elder,’ a new participant in this cycle, having taken part in multiple Xingyun Trials. His Alchemy Technique is commendable."
Shen Hongyao realized and then showed some disdain, "So, Hundred Herbs Peak only sent one Golden Core Cultivator this time? If they’re going to forego this opportunity, they should be straightforward. Why send a team just for show?"
Jiang Ping focused on Hundred Herbs Elder for a moment.
Originally, he was a target for absorption by Danxia Peak and the Alchemy Hall. However, seeing how close Hundred Herbs Elder had become with the cultivators from Hundred Herbs Peak, it’s likely they’ve reached some kind of agreement—after the Feiyun Conference, Hundred Herbs Elder is set to join Hundred Herbs Peak.
Jiang Ping kept the situation in mind and continued observing.
The next moment, he crouched midway up a mountain path, "If we’re talking ’abandonment,’ Purple Thunder Peak should be more thorough than Hundred Herbs Peak."
"That fox should be a close attendant by Meng Wuyan’s side."
Everyone directed their gaze and saw a young Demon Cultivator, with fox ears, properly queued to climb the mountain.
They then withdrew their gaze.
Qing Baizi’s eyes subtly shifted as he internally mused, "Speaking of which, for years now, Purple Thunder Peak has been acting very low-key. Rarely are their forces seen mobilizing on a large scale, nearly parallel to seclusion and closed-door training."
Neither the medicine farmers of Hundred Herbs Peak nor the fox youth were qualified for invitation and obediently queued.
At that moment, a large group of similarly dressed cultivators moved to a mountain path starting point, drawing numerous onlookers.
Jiang Ping said, "It looks like these are the people from the Inheritance Hall."
Gu Lianjie marveled, "Over fifty people? Inheritance Hall is very ambitious for the Nanming Fire Furnace this time."
Shen Hongyao assessed, "These people are shrouded with fire energy; it seems they all practice Fire Element Technique and are close with the Nanming Fire Furnace and Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit. This should be Inheritance Hall’s strategy."
Qing Baizi remained silent, not considering these people seriously. In his view, their Elixir Qi was too weak to pose any threat.
He mentioned other halls, "Reportedly, the Internal Affairs Hall, Foreign Affairs Hall, and Commerce Hall offered high prices nationwide in Flying Cloud Country, recruiting talents to compete for the Nanming Fire Furnace."
"Maybe they’ll really unearth one or two strong candidates."
Gu Lianjie exclaimed, "Oh! I see Ning Zhuo."
Shen Hongyao glanced but quickly looked away, "Just a Foundation Establishment."
Qin Ke didn’t even look. After so many Xingyun Trials, the talents Danxia Peak and the Alchemy Hall wish to recruit have already shown prominence.
Despite Ning Zhuo’s participation in several minor alchemy trials recently, he hasn’t excelled compared to other areas, and he isn’t on Danxia Peak’s talent list.
Jiang Ping transmitted thoughts using Divine Sense, asking Qing Baizi about Ning Zhuo’s Elixir Qi.
Qing Baizi paused for a moment, then spoke truthfully, "His Elixir Qi is weak, not his main focus."
Jiang Ping thanked him and continued to observe other cultivators.
He paid more attention to Ning Zhuo because his master Wang Yu had mentioned an opportunity to foster goodwill with Ning Zhuo.
This didn’t really require Wang Yu’s instruction; Jiang Ping knew on his own.
"Just from Ning Zhuo utilizing the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival to perform astounding acts suggests he will surely have a place in Myriad Images Sect in the future."
Ning Zhuo descended to the mountain’s base and joined the climbing queue.
His cultivation level was merely at Foundation Establishment and couldn’t reach Nascent Soul, thus no special treatment. Even Golden Core level Furnace Immortal and Hundred Herbs Elder had to queue for the climb.
Some near Ning Zhuo recognized him, but most were engrossed in their own perspectives and discussions.
After all, despite Ning Zhuo’s notable presence, he was just an emerging talent, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, in the eyes of others. Even with a strong background and bright future, he still needs to grow.
Moreover, aside from Ning Zhuo, many other talented cultivators emerged, such as Ban Ji, Pi Fujie, Situ Xing, and Zhu Guizhi.
This year’s progress in the Feiyun Conference was only about thirty percent, far from conclusion. The talents emerging now might not be the ones laughing to the end.
Ning Zhuo felt no disappointment.
This is the Golden Age of Cultivation!
"Compared to countless elixir dao masters, Nascent Souls, and Golden Cores who made their mark before me, what are my little fame and strength worth?"
Ning Zhuo rather preferred blending into the crowd.
This is what most of his life had been like. The reclusive life in Fire Persimmon Immortal City makes him feel familiar and provides a sense of security.
The queue was long, yet progressed swiftly.
In less than two hours, Ning Zhuo reached the mountain’s peak.
He stepped forward, entering the Array Space.
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