Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1412: Chapter 562: Ode to the Fire Furnace! (Part 2)

The achievements of the Red Robe Guest have once again proven this point.

Not long after, it was Zhong Limei’s turn.

He no longer infused his own Elixir Qi, but instead displayed a massive amount of treasures!

He not only acted personally but also revealed two demon pets.

The treasures he used were far too many, over twenty times that of the previous round, making him undeniably the first among the cultivators participating in this small trial at the Nascent Soul Level.

As an Elder of Danxia Peak, Zhong Limei undoubtedly received support from Danxia Peak itself.

One of the Eight Main Peaks indeed acts extravagantly!

Zhong Limei directly overshadowed others, gaining five cries. There was no other reason; Zhong Limei had restored the missing part of the Pill Furnace the most, and the amount of treasures he used was also the most. His main strategy was to use strength to break through the barriers, overwhelming everything with sheer force.

The Nascent Soul cultivators were the main forces in restoring the Pill Furnace, but subsequently, Hundred Herbs Elder and Jiang Ping also did not fall behind, each gaining three cries.

The former had already joined Hundred Herbs Peak and received its support. Jiang Ping, as Wang Yu’s disciple, was naturally the second choice for Danxia Peak’s support.

Some followed up, but some withdrew.

Tao Liang stepped forward, stroked the Pill Furnace, and tried to communicate, to no avail, without provoking any anomalies of the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit.

As for the Cloud Wanderer, although he qualified for promotion in the previous round, he simply did not appear in this round.

Zhu Fenxiang and Situ Xing acted successively, each earning two cries.

The treasures they consumed were similar to the previous round. They were also backed by their respective families, but the support was far less than several Nascent Soul cultivators.

Now, they only hope that the promotion criteria for this round remain the same standard of "inducing anomalies of the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit."

From the current situation, this seems very likely.

From Danxia Peak’s perspective, they could effortlessly elongate this small trial since the rules lack clarity on the exact number of rounds.

Previously, the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit was precariously situated, barely surviving the constant threat. Now, most of the Pill Furnace has been repaired, and the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit consoled. The situation is entirely different from before.

Wang Yu’s intentions are precisely this.

He is thoroughly happy with observing the various bets from each side.

"At the very least, it’s imperative to drain the foundation of Pure Yang Palace as much as possible. This will enhance my ability to persuade them to join my Danxia Peak!"

The voice of the Host Cultivator echoed in the Void Eaves Courtyard: "Next, Daoist Fellow Ning Zhuo."

Ning Zhuo stepped out of the crowd, his pace not fast or slow, yet attracting countless gazes.

Nascent Soul Level cultivators were secretly attentive.

In their view, Ning Zhuo is backed by the Evil Slaying Hall and has surely gained substantial support. In addition, he possesses a unique advantage others do not—Spirit Communication Technique!

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Ning Zhuo simply walked calmly to the Nanming Fire Furnace, halted his steps, and gently caressed the furnace wall.

Compared to before, the entire furnace body was restored around eighty percent, with the missing parts primarily at the edges.

The furnace wall was warm, the remaining cracks on the furnace body had healed about eighty to ninety percent, and the dark red glow circulated in the morning light.

At this moment, the Nanming Fire Furnace seemed to have fallen into a gentle slumber, its breaths even, its heartbeat steady.

Indeed, it was markedly different from before.

"Mmm? What does Ning Zhuo intend to do?"

"Is he also planning to forsake it like the Cloud Wanderer?"

"That’s unlikely, right?"

Logically, everyone has limited time, and must seize every second and minute. Before, figures like Cang Yazi, Chun Yangzi, Red Robe Guest, Nine Fire Dragon Lord, and Zhong Limei all did so.

Ning Zhuo did not follow suit.

The discussions rose and fell, leaving the crowd puzzled, yet some who had watched Ning Zhuo’s trial earlier faintly sensed that Ning Zhuo was about to make a startling move.

Ning Zhuo summoned the Spirit Communication Mirror from the Upper Dantian Divine Sea.

The smooth silver-white mirror surface glowed as Mana was injected, shining brightly.

Ning Zhuo then took out the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival, and this time, he infused the emergent Vast Energy into the Spirit Communication Mirror as well.

Platinum brilliance enveloped Ning Zhuo, rendering his figure elusive, mysterious, and sacred.

Ning Zhuo declared aloud:

Oh alas, wondrous and mystical souls!

The Nanming Furnace, born amid the flames of primordials.

The Vermilion Bird Spirit, perched at the peak of Danxia.

For ten thousand years the furnace fire refines the True Pill, a thousand years a single call shakes the Qiankun.

The furnace opens for a myriad tribulations, the Pill first forms, the furnace closes for millennia, the spirit rests in peace.

Yet one day the furnace is cracked, spirit light shattered! Scorch marks like tears, cracks like wounds.

Flames extinguished, smoke cools, soul dim and spirit wounded. Once in resplendence, now in shambles.

Not hearing the furnace fires, but only chirps—the lamenting cries, touching the hearts of all who hear.

Fortunately, I hold the mirror, settling your divine heart. All the wise gather, treasures abound. What is broken restores, what is absent completes. The furnace gradually awakens, the spirit light gradually returns. The twittering sound is heard thrice each day.

Yet—though the body recovers, scars remain; though the flame burns, the heart is still cold.

I know your fear, is in your soul and your bones. I know your weariness, unable to rest for millennia.

For thousands of years the furnace fire never extinguishes, for centuries it sleeplessly burns day and night.

For others you make pills, for others you make medicine, when will you find a half-day’s rest for yourself?

If you follow me, I will not let you down. The furnace fire follows the heart, ignites and fades as you will.

No one pushes for pills, no one forces the flame. Rest and recuperate, return to your true self.

You are not a tool, but my friend; you are not a servant, but my kin.

This heart can face the sun and moon in pure light, this act does not deceive gods and ghost spirits.

Only seeking a promise to share in departure, together embracing the human world’s dawn and dusk.

...

Ning Zhuo finished chanting and calmly stood before the Nanming Fire Furnace, without any further action.

Everyone watched in a bit of confusion.

Among the large crowd of cultivators, someone suddenly sneered: "Who does he think he is? Does he believe reciting a passage can make the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit recognize him as its master?"

Another cultivator chimed in: "Simply delusional! The Treasure Furnace possesses a spirit, what it needs is tangible restoration, genuine effort. Do a few pretty words move the artifact spirit? Then shall we go recite poems too?!"

This cultivator, nearing the end of his words, suddenly widened his eyes, his voice abruptly rising, revealing an extremely bewildered expression.

Not only him, even the Nascent Soul Level cultivators revealed a hue of astonishment.

For everyone present witnessed this bizarre scene—the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit protruded its bird head, then its body, and directly flew out, departing from the entire furnace.

It flew straight toward Ning Zhuo, and the next moment, it fused into Ning Zhuo’s forehead, the upper dantian between the brows.

The entire venue fell dead silent.

A few breaths later, the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit flew out again from Ning Zhuo’s upper dantian divine sea.

But it was already different, enveloped in a layer of bright mirror light, carrying Ning Zhuo’s rich aura.

It had recognized its master!!

The crowd exploded.

"What?!" The Nine Fire Dragon Lord clenched his fists, his eyes wide open, pupils filled with disbelief.

He roared within his heart: "Why? Ning Zhuo did nothing, why can he be chosen by the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit?!"

Chun Yangzi’s face remained calm as usual, but deep inside, something shattered.

At this moment, he thought of himself, of the Pure Yang Palace, of so much foundation and heritage, all, all gone!

The sole victor of this small trial had emerged, and it was Ning Zhuo.

Red Robe Guest’s expression turned incredibly cold, like a venomous snake glaring fiercely at the big-headed youth.

Cang Yazi’s aura was very low, his beast pet likewise, silently gazing at Ning Zhuo with iron-like resentment.

Zhong Limei was devoid of his usual smile, his face full of bitterness.

Hundred Herbs Elder’s expression was rigid; though clearly the big-headed youth was his defeated opponent, the greatest beneficiary of this little trial turned out to be him!

Even Jiang Ping unusually displayed a look of jealousy.

Zhu Fenxiang looked at Ning Zhuo, his gaze extremely complicated.

Situ Xing showed intense apprehension after initial shock.

Mu Yuehua’s face lost its usual coolness, replaced by a difficult-to-conceal complex emotion.

Dong Nishang, however, smiled. She had no intention to compete anymore, but seeing Ning Zhuo prevail and accepting this astonishing outcome, she was pleased to witness it.

At the moment the artifact spirit embraced him, Wang Yu had stood up anxiously, nearly activating an array to stop it all.

Now, his face was full of bitterness.

All because Ning Zhuo’s action had completely shattered all his plans and arrangements.

Recalling Ning Zhuo’s earlier recitation, he couldn’t help but wonder: "Does Ning Zhuo have an advantage in spirit communication, thereby genuinely discerning the artifact spirit’s thoughts? Has my peak’s excessive use of the Nanming Fire Furnace made the artifact spirit too weary?"

Facts were undeniable, and Wang Yu began to reflect.

And right then, Ning Zhuo stood by the Nanming Fire Furnace. He cupped his hands to everyone: "Respected elders, Daoist fellows, this youth today is victorious, fortunate to be chosen by the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit, purely by chance."

"Day after day, you all spared no efforts in restoration, nearly exhausting foundation to bring the Nanming Fire Furnace close to recovery."

"This youth dare not claim undeserved achievements, nor seize others’ merits."

"Moreover, my family holds this ethos—no merit, no reward!"

"Thus, the contributions of Daoist fellows and elders, this youth will acknowledge them all! May we settle accounts individually thereafter."

This speech resounded louder than the previous recitation.

The cultivators were once again taken aback.

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