Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master - Chapter 1523

Chapter 1523: Chapter 627: Five Victories Martial Arts Competition Begins

Three Lights Heavenly Dao Cave Mansion.

Ning Zhuo unfolded Chun Yangzi’s Flying Message.

The writing, line by line, was neat and vigorous, exuding the demeanor of the Pure Yang Palace Master, grand yet meticulous.

“The Flowing Gold Guest has newly surrendered, affecting the prestige of the Flowing Cloud Peak forces. Since he has entered Nanming Village, he is now one of our own. Ensure his complete protection, and do not let him be ambushed, coerced, or converted again.”

Ning Zhuo replied: “Rest assured, Great Village Chief, since the Flowing Gold Guest has surrendered, I will settle him according to the village rules. The Flowing Cloud Peak forces will surely be displeased, but the upcoming duel concerning the Sun Raising Yang Locking Cloud Altar should sufficiently distract them. Of course, if they plan any covert moves, Nanming Village has never been afraid.”

The second Flying Message from Chun Yangzi contained only a few words.

“Take care of yourself.”

Ning Zhuo looked at these five words, slightly taken aback, then smiled.

This sentence was unlike Chun Yangzi’s usual grand manner, just a clean and crisp reminder. But precisely because of this, it felt genuine.

Ning Zhuo understood this was Chun Yangzi’s heartfelt concern.

The latter worried that someone within Flowing Cloud Peak might act irrationally. After all, this time, Ning Zhuo had significantly embarrassed the Flowing Cloud Peak forces.

Ning Zhuo had also considered this aspect, having estimated the extent of the situation.

“The Flowing Cloud Peak forces seem united, but in reality, each has its own plans. Now that the Flowing Gold Guest has surrendered, if anyone risks making a move against him or me, regardless of success or failure, they must face the sect’s disciplinary risks, and if they fail, they will face retaliation from Nanming Village. Others could easily take advantage and even divide their power.”

A faint smile appeared on Ning Zhuo’s lips.

“In a pile of loose sand, who would step forward and take the risk, allowing others to benefit?”

Ning Zhuo did not reply further and turned to enter the Cultivation Room.

He released Snow-colored Girl·Hui.

Her snow porcelain face mask remained cool and aloof, yet bore many cracks. Her Ice Silkworm Silk Green Hair draped over her shoulders and back, mostly missing by now.

The Three-color Enamel Armor was intact, but other parts had marks and cracks.

Additionally, the inside of Snow-colored Girl·Hui’s body also harbored many damages.

Although mostly made of ice, Snow-colored Girl·Hui indeed contained metallic components. The Swallowing Gold Divine Domain’s suppression on her was far less intense than on the Mystic Armor or The Humbleheart Broken-Blade Guard, but it still had some effect.

However, these were few, deeply hidden, and crucial operations could be concealed by freezing with the Ice-jade Hands.

“Fortunately, I constructed this myself, allowing me to secretly freeze during battle and sculpt ice with my Divine Sense to temporarily replace damaged parts.”

Ning Zhuo began the repairs.

A Jade Needle pierced a crack.

The ice crystal softened, and starlike dim light slowly spread across the inner wall of the crack.

Gongsun Yan was in another room, fulfilling Ning Zhuo’s assignment to refine treasure materials.

Snow-colored Girl·Hui’s six arms remained still, yet her Spiritual Nature conveyed strands of eager intent.

She wanted to become stronger.

Greatly so!

In previous encounters with the Mother of Lightning and the Earth God, she had been at a disadvantage, a fact she never accepted. Today, although she excelled against the Flowing Gold Guest, the cracks on her body served as a reminder: she wasn’t strong enough.

Through the Life Hanging Thread, Ning Zhuo sensed this emotion and could not help but smile: “Don’t worry, you’ve earned your merits this time. I’ll provide all the necessary repairs. You’ve accumulated more experience firsthand in this battle.”

“Remember the sensations of me maneuvering your form, recall those critical decisions, and how I utilized your body for close combat.”

Ning Zhuo continued repairing while advising Snow-colored Girl·Hui.

For Ning Zhuo, this repair work was naturally a straightforward task.

As he repaired, he could simultaneously divide his Heart Spirit to review the three battles with the Flowing Gold Guest.

In Mechanical Techniques, the issues were quite apparent.

The Empty Valley Transmission Skill was usable, but specifics were hard to control. The Mechanical Birds, having different models, and variations in sound holes, reeds, and bamboo structures, would inevitably lead to issues like lag or mistiming if merely following script without adaptation.

The Bamboo Hole Hidden Sound Skill presented its own complications.

The Pre-hidden Sound Order appeared sophisticated, yet heavily depended on combat experience. Timing for triggering, subsequent maneuvers, and counter-measures when enemies intentionally provoke should not be perfected overnight through mere intensive short-term training.

“I can seek Qinghuangzi for guidance.”

Yet, doing so would inevitably consume time and energy.

What Ning Zhuo lacked was precisely these resources.

“In this battle, the Mechanical Bird Group performed remarkably.”

Many Mechanical Birds were destroyed, suffering heavy losses, but they completed their mission.

They initially probed valuable intelligence about the Flowing Gold Guest’s Quasi-Divine Power endurance, Chaotic String Split Sound Fork interference, Swallowing Gold Divine Domain’s suppression range, golden mesh robe’s protective characteristics, and more, laying a solid foundation for the appearance of Snow-colored Girl·Hui.

Without these sacrifices, Ning Zhuo would never accurately judge and let Snow-colored Girl·Hui rapidly enter the scene.

“The Blood Ash Tinder card wasn’t used in the end.”

This was quite normal.

Preparation in life doesn’t always come into play effectively.

True battle isn’t just about playing all your cards in sequence but deciding which card best suits the moment.

Since Snow-colored Girl·Hui’s Ice-jade Hands were enough to freeze the outer golden blood of the Flowing Gold Guest, there was no need to reveal that card.

Waiting for Gongsun Yan to finish processing the treasure materials, Ning Zhuo temporarily paused the repair of Snow-colored Girl·Hui.

Ning Zhuo sent a Flying Message to the Red Robe Guest.

The message was simple and straightforward: “The Blood Ash Tinder borrowed from Senior was not used in this battle. The Flowing Gold Guest has surrendered, yet the situation is unresolved. With the Five Victories Martial Arts Competition at the Sun Raising Yang Locking Cloud Altar approaching, the Flowing Cloud Peak forces are bound to have follow-up moves. This tinder might soon have a place to be used. I humbly request Senior to extend the borrowing term.”