Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master - Chapter 1378
Chapter 1378: Chapter 545: The Jade Token Chooses Its Master (2)
Then, Chef put the spirit beast meat into the pot and quickly stir-fried it. The slices of meat rolled in the pot, their edges curling slightly, changing from bright red to golden yellow, with a crisp, charred surface forming a fragrant crust.
Next, he added the chili.
In an instant, the aroma burst out.
Dominant, passionate! Like a flame exploding in the nasal cavity.
The spiciness of the chili intertwined with the deliciousness of the spirit beast meat, forming a complex, layered fragrance that filled the space, occupying every corner.
After turning off the heat, Chef placed the dish from the pot into a green porcelain plate. The color of the dish shone bright red, the glossy shine of the oil, with the red of the chili complementing the golden yellow of the meat slices, the aroma enticing, making one salivate at the thought.
He reached out, presenting the green porcelain plate before the jade token.
The jade token rotated slowly.
No reaction.
Chef’s eyes slightly narrowed: “The chili I chose is of the fire attribute, it should be closest to the nature of the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit, right? And yet it hasn’t been swayed…”
Chef’s strategy differed from others; he deployed his trump card right from the start.
Failing to succeed, the Chef immediately made a new decision: “Since that’s the case, the next thing I should do is try the other two directions to gather more intelligence for the young master.”
Moments later, Chef also flew out from the back cliff, becoming one of the eliminated.
Ning Zhuo’s vision suddenly brightened as he entered the array space.
The four walls were transparent spirit light, slightly tinged with pink, like an eggshell.
The ground was smooth bluestone, filled with densely packed array patterns. Filled with vermillion, under the warm glow, it shone with a dark red luster, spreading out like a giant spider web from the center.
Ning Zhuo first looked at the light wall: “This should be a variant application of the Light Wall Array.”
Then, his gaze swept across the bluestone tiles, lingering on the vermillion: “A Triple Array using vermillion as the guide.”
“The first layer is the Sky Green Earth Reversal Formation. Earth transformed into heaven, using earth as the heaven, perfectly fitting the unfettered nature of dreams, brilliant.”
“The second layer is the Star Constellation Array. No, it’s just the Twenty-eight Star Constellations Array Patterns.” Ning Zhuo’s divine sense penetrated into the bluestone tiles.
“I judged wrong before, it’s only a two-layer array. The constellation patterns don’t form an array, yet they can still filter out chaotic, meaningless information.”
“The innermost layer is the Four Symbols Formation. Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, the four symbols each guard a direction, especially centered on the Vermilion Bird. Naturally, given the artifact spirit is in the form of a vermilion bird, it just matches the Nanming Pill Furnace.”
Ning Zhuo possessed an array realm that was difficult for others to reach, and what he observed was naturally deeper than that of others.
He slightly raised his head, focusing his gaze on the jade token above.
The big-headed youth slightly furrowed his brows, musing silently: “This jade token should be an array device, matching the core method of the dream realm. But simultaneously, it is also the array heart of this array space. Multi-purpose, truly brilliant.”
Ning Zhuo wished to observe more closely, moving towards the jade token.
In the next moment, the jade token lit up, flying directly towards Ning Zhuo.
Ning Zhuo instinctively reached out to catch it, and in an instant, he was transported away from the array, finding himself in a pavilion halfway up the mountainside.
“Congratulations, ah, it’s Young Master Ning Zhuo.”
“Congratulations, the method you employed has gained initial recognition from the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit.”
“With this token, you will qualify to advance to the next round of the trial.”
Ning Zhuo was a bit bewildered.
He had just gone in, observed for a few moments, without showcasing the methods he had prepared.
How did he succeed in one go?
“Was it really that easy? I did nothing and still passed.” Ning Zhuo pondered, the initial joy dissipating quickly, replaced by a sense of unease.
He looked at the guardian cultivator: “There should be quite a few cultivators who got recognized, right?”
The guardian cultivator was puzzled for a moment: “Uh, as per my observation, not many.”
Ning Zhuo nodded slightly and inquired about the start time of the next round.
Guardian cultivator: “Based on the current results, approximately two days from now, you, young master, will be able to participate in the next round of the trial.”
Ning Zhuo flew away from Danxia Peak, returning to Bluestone Cave Mansion.
Soon after, Chef, Sun Lingtong, and others all returned.
Ning Zhuo asked about their experiences and encounters.
Sun Lingtong shrugged: “I saw the jade token was fine, reached out, grabbed it, and got transported away.”
Qing Chi also said: “It’s strange, my Green Flame had yet to be used, then the jade token was with me, recognized by the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit.”
Chef, hearing their words, found it somewhat unbelievable.
He talked about his experiences, failing three consecutive times.
“But the last time, young master, I tried making a lotus seed soup. My thought was—lotus seed, neutral in nature, sweet in flavor, entering the heart, spleen, and kidney meridians, can soothe the heart and calm the mind, nourish the spleen and benefit the kidneys. Perhaps it could calm the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit.”
“After making it, the jade token trembled slightly twice, but ultimately didn’t fall into my hands.”
Ning Zhuo nodded, noting this valuable information.
He looked at everyone, indicating that he was the same, like Sun Lingtong and Qing Chi, he did not display any methods; just by getting close to the jade token, he obtained it.
As for why this situation arose, Ning Zhuo was still full of doubts, with no answers in sight.
“Let’s see what Gongsun Yan says upon returning.”
In a short while, Gongsun Yan also returned to the Bluestone Cave Mansion.
“That was close. In the final third round, I had to showcase my Heavenly Talent Heart Fire. Only then did the jade token recognize me, flying into my hand.”
Gongsun Yan also felt that this trial was extremely difficult.
His greatest trump card had been used; he had no confidence in the second round of the trial.
“Strange, strange.” Ning Zhuo initially wanted to find a pattern from which to draw a rule, but only sank into deeper confusion.
Sun Lingtong suggested: “Little Zhuo, judging from the number of people eliminated, this trial is indeed extremely difficult. The situation with the three of us is indeed a bit peculiar, how about we ask others?”.
Ning Zhuo nodded, immediately agreeing with Sun Lingtong’s suggestion.
If they expanded the sample size, they might see the pattern and use it in the next round to increase their probability of success.
Having been in Myriad Images Sect for a while now, Ning Zhuo was both kind and skillful in socializing, his circle of connections expanding with many friends.
Ning Zhuo sent flying messages widely, contacting Shen Xi and others, while also using the divine statue to secretly communicate with Zhu Fenxiang.
As he sent the flying messages, he also received them.
The first reply came from Yun Niaoniao.
This female cultivator, with only Foundation Establishment cultivation level, was born into a family of medicine, offering free medical treatment to the poor and injured cultivators for many years, known as “Little Bodhisattva.”
She had cooperated with Ning Zhuo during the Xingyun Trial in the Evil Slaying Hall and heard of Ning Zhuo’s reputation, holding him in high regard.
Ning Zhuo opened the letter: “Yun Niaoniao also passed the first round, but it was during a second chance, showcasing medical skills to gain the jade token’s recognition.”
“I remember… she also performed outstandingly in the trial of the Sinking Sin Swamp. When stepping into the marsh, the mud barely reached her ankles.”
Soon after, Shen Xi replied, informing Ning Zhuo: he himself had been eliminated, but both Situ Xing and Lin Jinglong were selected and advanced to the next round.
By evening, Ning Zhuo checked the divine statue and found that Zhu Fenxiang had also replied.
“Zhu Fenxiang also passed the first round. She first invoked the gods, bursting with vitality, thereby gaining the recognition of the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit.”
“Next, she plans to seek assistance from gods that are more fitting. Her highest goal is the South Vermilion Bird, one of the Four Symbols.”
“If she can invoke it to provide assistance, the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit might be drawn to it?”
Ning Zhuo pondered a bit, discerning Zhu Fenxiang’s underlying meaning.
On one hand, Zhu Fenxiang demonstrated her own strength, expressing her determination to contend for the Nanming Fire Furnace. On the other hand, she suggested to Ning Zhuo, if he also wanted divine assistance, he could “seek” her help.
“Once I initiate the request, Zhu Fenxiang gains the upper hand in pricing.” Ning Zhuo chuckled softly.
Then he collected his laughter, his brow furrowing slightly. Despite asking around, he failed to find a clear pattern.