Chapter 43: Being Humble

Ning Zuo's left arm retained a warmth for a short while, which gradually faded away.

"The true nature of this talent remains to be discovered in the future."

Ning Zuo set it aside for the moment, examining himself and confirming that his soul's foundation had indeed surged threefold!

The gains were immense.

"Han Ming still holds much value, and this is only the first instance."

The youth's heart held even greater anticipation for the future.

He returned to inspect the prison cell, even feeding Han Ming, who was still unconscious, a medicinal pill.

Afterward, he re-entered the teleportation chamber, using it to return to his own underground workshop.

He began his daily review.

This risky endeavor was undoubtedly a success.

Han Ming had been captured, his soul's foundation had soared threefold, and the matter of renaming the ranking list was showing the dawn of success.

In addition to this, Ning Zuo had also obtained a piece of invaluable intelligence.

That was – Meng Chong was still in the process of dissipating his cultivation!

This explained why only his name was on the ranking list.

Of course, Ning Zuo had also paid a considerable price.

Enlisting Sun Lingtong's assistance wasn't free; it had consumed nearly half of his wealth.

Of the Foundation Establishment pills remaining in the Azure Iron Armor, only ten percent was left; this operation had used seven parts, leaving only three.

Furthermore, the identity of the Child-like Guest was now forfeit, certainly leading to a city-wide manhunt.

"All of this is worth it."

In truth, even if he had to sacrifice the entire Azure Iron Armor and exhaust his entire fortune, Ning Zuo would not have hesitated in the slightest.

Ning Zuo understood very clearly that in the current situation, preserving his life was paramount.

"The matter of Foundation Establishment pills is even more urgent."

"Should I acquire them through Sun Lingtong? He has access to black market channels, which are much more convenient than mine."

Ning Zuo was somewhat hesitant.

"If the rewards for clearing the trials in the Immortal Palace included Foundation Establishment pills, that would be ideal."

"But so far, all the rewards have been related to mechanical arts."

Ning Zuo couldn't make a decision for the time being.

This wasn't a matter of whether he trusted Sun Lingtong, but rather that pills like Foundation Establishment pills were extremely important, of great significance, and always under the control of various forces.

The vast majority of cultivators lacked talent and exceptional cultivation methods; they relied almost entirely on Foundation Establishment pills to reach the Foundation Establishment stage.

By controlling Foundation Establishment pills, major forces could help their own cultivators advance, maintaining and expanding their power.

Competition for Foundation Establishment pills had even spread to the medicinal herb market.

The main and crucial ingredients for Foundation Establishment pills were heavily regulated.

Controlling the trade of these herbs would also curb the production of Foundation Establishment pills by other forces, indirectly suppressing them.

And one's own Foundation Establishment pills could be used to attract external talents to join.

Basically, Foundation Establishment pills were consumed internally and rarely flowed outward. The Foundation Establishment pills circulating in the market were limited and their movements were clear.

Foundation Establishment pills were often featured as one of the final items at auctions, stirring up a climax of bidding.

Foundation Establishment pills circulating in the black market were exceedingly rare.

Even if they existed, they were often bait used by certain forces to lure in unsuspecting victims.

Regarding such matters, Ning Zuo had collected information for over a decade, witnessing it happen several times!

"If my identity is exposed, relying on the Azure Iron Armor's Foundation Establishment combat power will be no match for the Golden Core and Nascent Soul stages."

"Not to mention, there's also the Immortal City's grand formation."

"Exploring the Magma Immortal Palace doesn't require the Azure Iron Armor."

"The Child-like Guest's identity has been exposed, so the Azure Iron Armor can't be used for the time being."

Ning Zuo considered everything and decided to postpone the matter for now.

"I am now the number one on the ranking list!"

Only at this moment did Ning Zuo feel a hint of surprise and joy at this fact.

All along, he had been exploring the Magma Immortal Palace with a mindset of catching up.

He had tried his best not to be left behind by Meng Chong and the others, but unexpectedly, he had become the number one!

"Stay calm."

"There's nothing to be proud of."

"Meng Chong is only behind because he was too strong before, so the time for dissipating his cultivation is longer."

"He was also ambushed, which delayed him."

"Not just him, but also Zhou Zhu, Zheng Jian, and others."

Ning Zuo analyzed the situation and felt that his lead was due to his information advantage, the Buddha-Hearted Devil Imprint's direct conversion of magical power, and his restraint in concealing his true strength, causing no one to pay attention to him.

"All of this was given to me by Mother."

"What do I have?"

"I only have a low-grade talent. Even if I try my best, I'm only temporarily ahead."

"Without the treasure imprint and the information, could I have achieved this?" Ning Zuo shook his head inwardly.

"Meng Chong and the others will soon catch up to me, surpass me." He revealed a cautious look.

Ning Zuo gave himself a pep talk, trying to adjust his mentality to the best state.

"One must always be humble."

"Look at Han Ming, relying on his status as a disciple of a major Demonic Sect, too arrogant and boastful. What's the result now?"

"This is a bloody lesson that must be learned and remembered!"

Ning Zuo constantly reminded himself, and the slight joy and pride he had previously felt soon disappeared completely.

"Next, I just need to wait for the Magma Immortal Palace to draw me in again."

Ning Zuo's soul state was excellent, surpassing his previous peak by a full threefold.

He looked forward to his third entry into the palace.

But he waited and waited, but it didn't come.

"Strange, what's going on?"

"Before, during the second time, my soul hadn't fully recovered, but I was drawn in."

"Why is it so slow now?"

Ning Zuo wondered.

At this moment.

Inside the main hall of the Magma Immortal Palace.

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit lay on the throne, its dragon head slightly raised, its gaze penetrating space to observe Ning Zuo.

Seeing Ning Zuo's expectant look, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit couldn't help but snort, exhaling two small flames from its nostrils.

Then, it closed its eyes, turned its head to the side, and stopped looking at Ning Zuo.

Fei Si personally escorted Meng Chong back to the City Lord's mansion.

Seeing Meng Chong once again heavily protected, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Soon after, a subordinate reported, bringing a jade slip.

Fei Si's divine sense penetrated the jade slip, and he saw the results of the investigation into the attack on Purple Sun Villa.

The mechanical creations left behind by the demonic cultivators were common products and could not provide valuable clues.

Based on the confessions and traces at the scene, it was estimated that there were three demonic cultivators involved in the raid. Two of them had revealed their identities, while the third was well-hidden. After stealing all the pills in the medicine storage room, they disappeared without a trace.

Fei Si focused on the two demonic cultivators who had revealed their identities.

The jade slip contained lifelike portraits of the two.

One was the cold and sinister female cultivator Han Ming, and the other was an old man with a stooped back leaning on a cane.

"Han Ming… sigh." Fei Si sighed.

Han Ming had been causing trouble for Sun Lie before, harassing him many times. Sun Lie had also reported it to the authorities, but under Fei Si's implicit instructions, the subordinates had acted perfunctorily.

The reason was that Han Ming came from the Soul Devouring Sect, a major sect in the Demonic Path!