Ning Zhuo immediately reviewed every instance of the Buddha Heart Demon Seal’s activation, summarizing their commonalities.
He quickly realized that each time the seal activated, it was during moments when he was feeling anxious or unsettled.
When he formally took action, using the heart seal to command the mechanical monkeys into rebellion.
When Zhu Xuanji saved Yuan Dasheng.
When Ning Zhuo barged into the back courtyard and saw the unconscious Yuan Dasheng, almost tempted to act impulsively.
When Yuan Er initially refused to surrender Yuan Dasheng after being persuaded, Ning Zhuo was again tempted to act.
"So, this is fate energy clashing, disturbing my mental state? My emotions nearly lost control—any misstep would have given Yuan Dasheng a new chance to survive."
"On one hand, I relied on rationality, forcing myself to stay calm; on the other, the Buddha Heart Demon Seal silently supported me, guiding me through at least four crises."
Guiding others into demonhood, guiding oneself to enlightenment!
Upon uncovering this truth, Ning Zhuo broke into a cold sweat once again.
He realized the dangers hidden within this matter, completely unaware of them before.
If he hadn’t learned about the Theory of Fate from Han Ming, he might never have understood.
"From this perspective, the Buddha Heart Demon Seal must be a treasure capable of stabilizing fate energy."
"Triggering the Buddha to guide oneself can prevent the emotional disturbances caused by fate energy clashes, guarding against mistakes."
Ning Zhuo rejoiced inwardly, as he had now discovered another function of the Buddha Heart Demon Seal.
"However, with this revelation, my innate talent might be different than I thought."
Previously, he had estimated himself to possess supreme talent.
Now, it seemed he might only have high-grade talent.
This time, his ability to eliminate Yuan Dasheng was partly due to Yuan Dasheng’s reliance on Yuan Er, and partly because of the Buddha Heart Demon Seal’s stabilizing effect.
Ning Zhuo sat cross-legged on a meditation mat, cultivating the Mirror Platform Spirit Communication Technique.
"With a mirror’s clarity, nurture the heart’s vehicle."
"See the emptiness of the five aggregates, transcend all suffering through wisdom."
"Contemplate the empty nature of all dharmas—neither born nor perishing, neither pure nor defiled, neither increasing nor decreasing."
"Reflect upon one’s true nature."
"Hold it firmly within, beyond form, feeling, thought, conduct, or consciousness."
"No eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind; no form, sound, smell, taste, touch, or dharma; no realm of sight, nor any realm of consciousness; no ignorance, nor the end of ignorance…"
After an incense stick’s worth of time, Ning Zhuo slowly opened his eyes, a hint of joy on his face.
"Third level of Spirit Refining."
"Now, I can push open that Buddhist Gate and begin exploring."
Upon learning the Theory of Fate, Ning Zhuo had been pondering the location of his opportunities.
The most likely place was the Lava Immortal Palace.
Cultivating in three dantians simultaneously, he had reached the third level in both qi refining and essence refining, with spirit refining trailing behind but now catching up.
Without hesitation, Ning Zhuo activated the “trial disciple” imprint and entered the Immortal Palace with his soul.
With various techniques at his disposal, Ning Zhuo smoothly arrived before the three gates.
The challenges of the Dao Gate and Demonic Gate were quite difficult; Ning Zhuo could likely pass them, but it would require a substantial investment of time and energy.
Given the recent crisis posed by Yuan Dasheng, Ning Zhuo had been forced to prioritize addressing that danger.
"What lies beyond the Buddhist Gate?"
"Hopefully, something beneficial awaits me."
Ning Zhuo pushed open the door and entered.
Inside the room, coffins filled the space.
Not only were there coffins on the ground, but coffins also stood embedded in the walls, with chains suspending several more from the ceiling.
The sight was unexpected.
"At least it’s not filled with Dao or Demonic Gate obstacles or puppets."
At this moment, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit watched Ning Zhuo intently, its face a mixture of seriousness and solemnity, its gaze fixed unwaveringly on him.
Reluctantly, it transmitted key information directly to Ning Zhuo’s mind through the Life-Hanging Thread.
"Use the Mirror Platform Spirit Communication Technique to sense the spirit within each coffin. Once successful, the coffin lid will open."
"Choose one, and you may offer it to the furnace for cremation to receive a spiritual mechanical construct."
"Alternatively, you can transfer an external corpse, send it to the furnace, and obtain a corresponding mechanical construct."
"Note: This construct requires careful maintenance and can be transported in and out of the Lava Immortal Palace."
Receiving the information, Ning Zhuo immediately set to work.
With his third-level Mirror Platform Spirit Communication Technique, he had little trouble connecting with some of the coffins on the ground.
Before long, he managed to open a few coffins, discovering inside each one a fire snake, a fire velvet mouse, and a flame shadow flower.
Everything had a spiritual nature.
Ning Zhuo then attempted to connect with the coffins embedded in the four walls.
These were harder to sense, but he faintly perceived they contained other beasts and spirit plants from Fire Persimmon Mountain, though their power and essence in life were significantly higher.
"This suggests the corpses in the hanging coffins must be of the highest level."
Tilting his head, Ning Zhuo used a hanging loop to hoist himself up.
With both hands in contact with the coffin’s exterior, he poured all his energy into the Mirror Platform Spirit Communication Technique, barely achieving a faint, indistinct sense.
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit watched closely, its dragon claws clenched, visibly anxious.
After investigating, Ning Zhuo scanned his surroundings, finally settling his gaze on a standing coffin within the wall.
"Given my current spirit refining level, the fire snake in this coffin seems the best target."
Thinking this, Ning Zhuo tilted his head again, lengthening the rope, lowering himself, and moving to the vertical coffin.
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit hummed, eager to see Ning Zhuo interact with this coffin.
Yet Ning Zhuo hesitated, his movement pausing.
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit grew even more tense, growling softly, emitting a wisp of flame as if urging Ning Zhuo to proceed.
Ning Zhuo, however, remained thoughtful, unmoving, causing the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit to grow restless, scratching at the ground, clearly agitated.
What captivated Ning Zhuo was a particular detail in the information—the mention of transferring external corpses to the furnace for corresponding constructs.
The more he pondered, the more curious he became: "If I capture a golden core stage spirit beast alive and bring it into the Lava Immortal Palace, would I then obtain an extraordinary spiritual construct?"
He couldn’t produce a golden core stage spirit beast himself, so his mind naturally turned to Yuan Dasheng!
Yuan Dasheng’s soul clung stubbornly to his unyielding gold bones, making disposal difficult.
Ning Zhuo had planned to extract the bones for use in constructing a mechanism.
Now, however, a new opportunity lay before him.
If he could bring Yuan Dasheng’s body into the Lava Immortal Palace, he could simply leave it to the palace’s mechanisms, thus gaining a corresponding construct.
The thought grew more appealing the more he considered it.
Not only would this save considerable effort, but it would also eliminate numerous potential risks.
After all, the sooner he dealt with Yuan Dasheng’s body, the better.
Furthermore, Ning Zhuo held no high regard for his own mechanical arts skills, trusting instead in the expertise of the Sages of the Three Sects.
"Bring Yuan Dasheng’s corpse in!" Ning Zhuo made up his mind.
But how?
He questioned himself internally.
Logically, this was the point at which the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit should provide an answer.
Yet, at that moment, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit clamped its mouth shut, ignoring the fiery whip lashing at it, stubbornly refusing to speak!
Ning Zhuo exited the Immortal Palace and returned to the external world.
Approaching Yuan Dasheng’s corpse, he thought for a moment, then poured the essence blood he had previously drawn back into the monkey corpse.
He retrieved two storage pouches filled with supplies and placed them on and inside the monkey’s body.
Then, lying down beside the corpse, he placed a hand on it while sensing the trial disciple imprint.
The next moment, he reappeared in the room beyond the Buddhist Gate, with Yuan Dasheng’s body beside him.
Success!