Sun Lie listened, his mouth slightly agape, and after a moment shook his head, "Very few."
"So, the true value of the Lava Immortal Palace doesn't lie in the inheritance of mechanical arts but rather in the foundational techniques of the three-path, three-dantian cultivation?"
Fei Si nodded, "The City Lord's foresight is beyond what we can easily fathom."
"Mechanical arts have always been a niche within the hundred arts of cultivation. What is there worth pursuing?"
"It's these foundational techniques of the Three Sects that are the most valuable 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 dantians together!"
"I can't wait any longer. Elder Sun, tell me quickly, how can I use Wild Sprint Thunderclap to aid in dispersing my spiritual power?"
Sun Lie chuckled, "It's simple."
"After this battle, you should be able to consciously control Wild Sprint Thunderclap."
"When you disperse your spiritual power, activate Wild Sprint Thunderclap simultaneously, and it will speed up the process."
"The uses of this talent, Wild Sprint Thunderclap, are extensive. Not only can it aid in dispersing power, but it can also accelerate power accumulation during energy cultivation."
"In intense battles, it can enhance your thunder-element abilities, countering ghost-attribute foes."
"Most cultivators need to refine supernatural abilities step by step from their life-bound spells."
"With your Immortal Talent, Wild Sprint Thunderclap, it's equivalent to a seed of divine ability. Grow it step by step, and it will transform into a supernatural power!"
"There are more uses, which you can explore and discover over time."
"But be careful—this talent consumes your essence, energy, and spirit, the Three Treasures, so don't overuse it recklessly."
Meng Chong nodded and cupped his hands in thanks.
Sun Lie turned to Fei Si, "Han Ming previously tried to probe me repeatedly, never letting go of her obsession with the Phoenix Soul Blood Fragrance Pill."
"Before, I tolerated her because she was a member of the Soul Devouring Sect and didn't pursue it further in private."
"But this time, she wanted to take my life. She and I are now mortal enemies!"
"Each of those six Phoenix Soul Blood Fragrance Pills carries an additional scentless medicinal fragrance I added afterward."
"I only need to refine a pill, and after you consume it, you’ll be able to smell that scent."
"Follow the scent, and you can track down the Phoenix Soul Blood Fragrance Pill! Even if a cultivator has consumed it, as long as it hasn’t been detected or dispelled, the scent will linger for months."
Though Sun Lie seemed rough and unconcerned with details, he had roamed the cultivation world for many years and was no novice.
In fact, someone who could scheme to bring out Meng Chong's nature couldn't possibly lack in strategy.
Fei Si nodded, his previous attitude shifting as he cupped his hands, "You truly are a grandmaster of alchemy. I was mistaken before, please forgive me."
As a golden core cultivator, he showed respect to someone at the foundation establishment stage, making Sun Lie regard him more highly.
Sun Lie, a seasoned figure in the cultivation world, nodded slightly, refraining from mocking Fei Si and instead praised with meaning, "The City Lord of Fire Persimmon City has an excellent subordinate."
After dividing the spoils, Sun Lingtong and the Mysterious Puppet Master, Ning Zhuo, bid farewell.
Ning Zhuo's voice was hoarse, his expression indifferent, "Boss Sun, I owe you for this assistance. I'll remember it."
Sun Lingtong chuckled, "Hey, brother, why don’t you reconsider my previous offer?"
"Join the Void Sect?" Ning Zhuo shook his head, "I'm not interested."
To Ning Zhuo, as a member of the Ning family and a righteous path cultivator seeking the Lava Immortal Palace, why would he want to involve himself in the Demonic Path?
Though strictly speaking, the Void Sect wasn’t quite a demonic sect, it was certainly a heretical faction.
Sun Lingtong shook his head as well, "But you'd fit right in with my sect."
This stirred something in Ning Zhuo.
He recalled his suspicions in the Lava Immortal Palace—that he might possess a hidden innate talent, possibly even surpassing his early wisdom.
Ning Zhuo probed, "I’ve heard that the Void Sect prefers to recruit cultivators with hand-based innate talents, like the Stealing Incense and Jade Technique, Void Displacement Technique, Light Weaving Technique, Seven-Clever Hands, Cloud-Piercing Hand, and so on."
"Are you saying I have such a talent, and that’s why you keep an eye on me?"
Sun Lingtong shook his head, "I'm not the sect's recruiting elder, how could I know?"
"But I think your nature is inherently suited to the Demonic Path."
Ning Zhuo's tone hardened, "Enough with that joke; don’t bring it up again."
Sun Lingtong protested, "Don't be so dismissive. I have a sharp eye for people."
"Enough." Ning Zhuo cut him off.
Sun Lingtong shrugged, "Alright, then. What about these stolen pills—what should we do with them?"
Ning Zhuo replied, "Capturing Han Ming alive is my true goal. Holding onto these pills is asking for trouble; discard them."
"I don’t trust that Sun Lie hasn’t tampered with them after Han Ming’s repeated probing."
Sun Lingtong raised his thumb in admiration, "Brother, you’re as cautious as ever. But isn’t it a waste to discard them all?"
"If we use the Void Sect’s methods to inspect them, we could detect even the most subtle traps with enough time."
"After all, Sun Lie is only at the peak of foundation establishment."
Ning Zhuo shook his head, "I highly advise against it."
"By chance, we ran into Meng Chong. He’s the grandson of a Nascent Soul cultivator, and our actions could be seen as plotting against him."
"By now, Fei Si is likely investigating us."
"Time is short; careful inspection is a luxury we can’t afford. Dispose of all the pills immediately!" Ning Zhuo emphasized again.
Sun Lingtong patted his chest and nodded, "You’re right. I still want to stick around Fire Persimmon Immortal City."
"But how should we dispose of them?"
Ning Zhuo let out a cold snort, "That’s easy. Just throw them into the Fire Persimmon Forest."
Sun Lingtong was momentarily stunned, then his eyes lit up as he clapped his hands, "Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!"
After bidding Sun Lingtong farewell, Ning Zhuo returned to the underground base with his spoils.
In the dim underground prison.
A basin of cold water was splashed onto Han Ming’s face.
Han Ming’s head drooped, her eyes closed, unmoving.
The Mysterious Puppet Master, Ning Zhuo, let out a raspy laugh, "Enough pretending, Han Ming. You regained your senses half a cup of tea ago."
Han Ming gritted her teeth, her eyes snapping open, her gaze filled with unmasked hatred and killing intent, "You dare to turn on me!"
"I am a disciple of the Soul Devouring Sect! If you kill me, consider the consequences!"
Ning Zhuo sighed inwardly.
His goal had been to stay hidden, working quietly to obtain the Lava Immortal Palace.
He hadn’t intended to provoke a major Demonic Sect.
But now, there was no choice.
In his current predicament, he had no option but to press forward; even one small step back could mean an irreversible disaster.
"Even a cornered rabbit will bite. How much more so a person?"
The resignation in his heart needed no voicing.
Ning Zhuo gazed steadily at Han Ming.
Under his unflinching gaze, Han Ming felt a chill and misinterpreted it.
Her expression softened, and she adopted a helpless, conciliatory tone, appearing meekly submissive, "Fine, I’ll admit defeat this time. Spare me, and I’ll do whatever you ask."