Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

"What, Ning Zhuo actually cleared the eighth level in one go?!" Ning Xiaohui exclaimed in disbelief upon learning the news.

After confirming the situation multiple times, Ning Xiaohui's face turned pale and grim.

Recalling her experience of helping Ning Zhuo through the levels, she sneered, "This Ning Zhuo really knows how to put on an act."

"I originally thought that after witnessing the power of the Ice Jade Hand, he would willingly submit."

"Unexpectedly, he secretly gathered strength, with ambitious plans, and did something like this as soon as he acted."

"He actually played me, very well, very well!"

Ning Xiaohui felt her pride was trampled by Ning Zhuo and spat a few times in frustration.

"The eighth level?"

"I'll go too!"

Furious, Ning Xiaohui began to gather the Qi Refining cultivators from the modification team.

Her grandmother, upon hearing about this, gently advised, "That Ning Zhuo had more than ten people helping him. Xiaohui, you're only bringing five. You're already at a disadvantage in numbers. Are you sure you want to venture into the Immortal Palace to surpass Ning Zhuo's achievement?"

Ning Xiaohui found herself in a bit of an awkward position.

When the modification team was first formed, members of the main lineage of the Ning family made every excuse to avoid involvement, so the branch lineage ended up taking the majority of the positions.

"Yes, I'm sure!" Ning Xiaohui nodded slowly, her gaze sharp and determined.

She looked at her grandmother and said, "Having fewer people has its own advantages. The difficulty of the Lava Immortal Palace varies depending on the number of participants. With fewer people, our difficulty will naturally increase, but the palace won't further amplify it."

"So even if we encounter those Mechanical Apes, it will likely be in the later stages." Ning Xiaohui confidently speculated.

Not long after.

She led five members of the main lineage's modification team, pushed open the first door, and officially entered the second room.

The Ice Jade Hand froze the mechanisms along the way. Just as they were about to clear the stage, the second door was pushed open.

Yuan Dasheng entered the second level from the third in a grand manner.

Ning Xiaohui: ?!!

The others: …

Bang bang bang bang bang.

Yuan Dasheng attacked, and with a series of muffled sounds, he blew up all the Ning family's mechanical puppets.

"Ah—!" Ning Xiaohui's soul returned to her body, and she screamed angrily towards the sky.

Her grandmother comforted her, "Ning Zhuo only saw the Mechanical Apes when he reached the eighth level. This shows that their strength is far inferior to yours, Xiaohui."

"Looking at the location of the Mechanical Apes, Ning Zhuo may have talent, but it's still insignificant!"

Hearing her grandmother's words, Xiaohui finally felt somewhat relieved.

At Ning Ze's residence.

Ning Xiaoren, with a regretful expression, explained the situation to Ning Zhuo, "That's the way it is."

Ning Zhuo frowned and said incredulously, "Uncle Xiaoren, my accomplishments aren't enough to earn some Ice Jade Wine?"

Ning Xiaoren replied, "Nephew, it's not that simple. Ice Jade Wine is excellent for improving mana cultivation, but your team's mana is limited to the third layer peak. Without follow-up techniques, there's no way to break through. Using Ice Jade Wine would be a waste of such a treasure."

Ning Zhuo spread his hands, "I was planning to acquire some Ice Jade Wine, store it away, and save it for later use. Isn't that a good plan?"

Ning Xiaoren chuckled, somewhat insincerely, "Nephew, it's not always about what you want, and the family will just give it to you."

"After all, you're only at the third layer of Qi Refining, just a member of the modification team. The family leaders have far more to consider than you do."

"You need to trust the family. The family manages everything with the big picture in mind."

"Being so assertive in asking for rewards doesn't reflect well. Take my advice, don't do that; it leaves a bad impression."

Ning Zhuo frowned, "So what will the family reward me with? I made it all the way to the eighth level this time."

Ning Xiaoren smiled and said a few words.

Ning Zhuo was dumbfounded and immediately expressed his dissatisfaction, "That's it? Are they treating me like a beggar?!"

Ning Xiaoren's heart felt as if it had been pricked with a needle. The intense resentment and disgust made him frown briefly, but he quickly relaxed, "Nephew, you can't say that."

"The family's resources are limited. Compared to many others in the family, your cultivation and qualifications don't stand out."

"Can you understand that?"

Ning Zhuo shook his head and flatly refused, "I can't understand!"

"If their cultivation or qualifications are higher than mine, can they enter the Immortal Palace and reach the eighth level?"

"If they can, I wouldn't mind them receiving the higher rewards."

This time, Ning Xiaoren couldn't help but frown, "Nephew, I think you've misunderstood something."

"Your exploration of the Lava Immortal Palace isn't for rewards; it's to contribute to the family."

"This is a time when the Ning family needs you, a time for you to enhance the family's reputation."

Ning Zhuo shook his head again, "Uncle Xiaoren, I don't know about others, but I joined the modification team and explored the Lava Immortal Palace purely for rewards."

"I like money, you know that."

"I like a lot of money."

"The more, the better!"

Ning Xiaoren's eye twitched as he suppressed the urge to whip Ning Zhuo.

Taking a deep breath to calm his emotions, he smiled again, "Nephew, your ambition is commendable."

"Since we've come this far, and you're so mature, I'll be frank with you."

"If you want various rewards, it's not impossible, but…"

Ning Xiaoren stopped speaking and transmitted his words directly into Ning Zhuo's mind.

Ning Zhuo listened patiently, but his expression darkened, "What? You want me to join a certain faction of the family leaders and sign a contract?"

"Is the division between the main and branch lineages really this serious, Uncle Xiaoren?"

Ning Xiaoren sighed deeply and said, "Where there are people, there are conflicts. Nephew, even though I admire you and want to support you, my hands are tied."

"I'm just the young clan leader, and my faction is only one of the eight main branches."

Ning Zhuo fell into a long silence.

Seeing this, Ning Xiaoren gently tried to persuade him with many kind words.

Ning Zhuo, however, remained silent throughout.

Ning Xiaoren smiled slightly and patted Ning Zhuo on the shoulder, "Originally, I wasn't going to tell you about these matters. Your father saved my life, and I wanted to protect your youthful innocence."

"But little Zhuo, you're too outstanding, encountering this level so early."

"Perhaps this is a test from the heavens. For exceptional people, the heavens always give more trials."

"This time, I hope you adjust your mindset and pass this trial."

Ning Zhuo asked, "What should I do, Uncle Xiaoren?"

Ning Xiaoren's smile deepened, "For example, you've modified several mechanical components in the Lava Immortal Palace's preparation room."

"After practical testing, these components have proven to be quite good."

"I suggest you proactively submit the relevant designs. No matter which faction you choose, the leaders will appreciate your proactive approach."

"Doing so will greatly increase your chances of obtaining the Ice Jade Wine."

Ning Zhuo's face turned grim, "Uncle Xiaoren, I need to think about it."

"Take your time, there's no rush. You're still at the third layer peak with no follow-up techniques, so there's no need to hurry." Ning Xiaoren patted Ning Zhuo on the shoulder and stood up to leave slowly.

But until he reached the doorway, Ning Zhuo did not call him back.

Ning Xiaoren sneered inwardly, shook his head slightly, then returned to his normal pace and left Ning Ze's residence.

Wang Lan had been waiting for some time and met Ning Xiaoren halfway, mentioning Ning Ze's release.

Ning Xiaoren, still seething from his conversation with Ning Zhuo, immediately put on a stern face and responded stiffly, "This has to wait until the time is right, no need to ask further."

…

In a private room at the restaurant.

Zheng Jian and Zhou Zhenshen were invited by Ning Zhuo.

After seating them, Ning Zhuo got straight to the point, "I invited you two here today to sell highly valuable information related to the Lava Immortal Palace."

Zheng Jian asked, "Brother Ning Zhuo, I heard you performed remarkably, clearing levels continuously until the eighth room. Is that true?"

Ning Zhuo nodded, "This information is what I discovered while clearing the eight levels."

"It's absolutely worth the price."

"If you're interested, it will cost this much."

Ning Zhuo raised three fingers.

Zheng Jian and Zhou Zhenshen exchanged glances and both decided to purchase the information.

"So, there's also a Trial Disciple's Mark?"

"This information is indeed worth the price," Zheng Jian was the first to acknowledge.

Zhou Zhenshen, in a tone that seemed to show concern for Ning Zhuo, said, "Brother Ning Zhuo, selling such critical information, won't your family…

be upset?"

Ning Zhuo sneered, "Hmph, there's no need for Brother Zhou to worry about that. I know what I'm doing."

A flicker of dark intent flashed in Zhou Zhenshen's eyes as he quickly clasped his hands, "Oh, sorry, I overstepped."

Zheng and Zhou both paid for the information and handed Ning Zhuo a generous sum.

…

"Trial Disciple's Mark?" Zhu Xuanji's eyes lit up when he heard this.

He immediately enlisted several Qi Refining cultivators who had received the mark through the Golden Core ancestors of the three families for an experiment.

Zhu Xuanji brought these cultivators to the front of the Lava Immortal Palace.

In the next moment, the palace emitted a brilliant light, absorbing everyone inside, including those Qi Refining cultivators.

"It works!"

"The Trial Disciple's Mark does indeed grant access to the palace."

"And some of these people are absolutely terrible at mechanism arts, as if they know nothing."

"Maybe I can use these people…"

Zhu Xuanji, along with these trial disciples, began exploring the Lava Immortal Palace.

He soon discovered that many buildings and facilities within the palace were inaccessible to him but available to the trial disciples, either for a fee or even for free.

In some aspects, the trial disciples' authority far surpassed that of him, a member of the royal family!

For example—the Disposal Room.

This room stored a vast number of mechanical creations, all discarded as scrap.

"Even the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit couldn't repair them?"

"Many of these mechanical creations could be reused with just minor repairs."

Through the trial disciples' perspective, Zhu Xuanji gained a deeper understanding of the Lava Immortal Palace.

"Wait, what's that?!"