Chapter 491: Relationship Exposed

The first formal drill, successfully forming a battle formation, brought joy to both Sun Ning.

"The speed of forming a battle formation can be even faster!"

"Indeed. We must also become more stable, as the pressure faced on the battlefield will far exceed what we experience now."

The two discussed, deciding that their focus of cultivation would shift to military training from now on.

Drilling did not consume much personal magical power, but it significantly drained spiritual sense.

To replenish this, they needed appropriate elixirs and spiritual food, which could prolong the drilling time.

What was most consumed were spirit stones.

Every mechanical puppet was loaded with spirit stones. Often, after a drilling session, the spirit stones within the mechanical puppets would be depleted. Even if not completely exhausted, they would be close to drying up.

Fortunately, Ning Zhuo was now wealthy. Before, he couldn't even sustain two or three drilling sessions.

Zhang Chongyi, who arrived upon hearing the news, also observed a training session of the mechanical army. Upon learning the amount of spirit stones consumed, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Truly extravagant!"

Although Mu Lan no longer watched, she always kept an eye on them.

Sun Ning's manipulation techniques matured with each passing day.

Mu Lan's evaluation of the mechanical army's combat strength also constantly rose in her heart. From being a hindrance initially, to being barely satisfactory, then passable, and finally slightly reliable.

Ning Zhuo did not interrupt his own cultivation.

The Scripture of the Spirit Mirror, the Five Elements Qi Harmony Technique, and the Demonic Blood Meridian Art – these three cultivation methods were cycled through.

Previously, with the help of the four Nation Power Bricks, he saved nine years of arduous effort, achieving unimpeded field opening and entering the stage of cultivating precious herbs.

At this stage, what he needed to do was not the fusion of the Three Treasures, allowing his essence, qi, and spirit to mutually attract each other and enter the other two dantian, reaching a state of "you in me, and me in you."

Therefore, the time spent on cultivation was slightly less than before.

The biggest problem that troubled Ning Zhuo was no longer the speed of cultivation. Military merits and Nation Power Bricks had become the shortcuts he sought.

He was now worried about the maintenance of the mechanical puppets.

During the drills, he and Sun Lingtong had only damaged two or three.

"In actual combat, I will use the Sacrifice of Fellow Warriors - oh, the Technique of Valiant Return."

"This will require sacrificing many mechanical puppets."

"So, after each actual battle, the mechanical puppets will suffer heavy losses and need to be replenished in a timely manner."

"The Ten Thousand Li Roaming Dragon can be modified to include several repair bays, but..."

Ning Zhuo prepared for the worst, knowing his current shortcomings.

"I need to stockpile a large amount of materials and acquire some mechanical bases."

There were many mechanical bases within the Lava Immortal Palace. These bases could manufacture a large quantity of mechanical parts at high speed, or specialize in certain operations, such as crushing with immense force, precise cutting, etc. They were the basic infrastructure for maintaining and manufacturing mechanical creations.

Ning Zhuo actively sought these out in the market and purchased them vigorously.

"Auction?"

In a certain shop, Ning Zhuo heard news from the shopkeeper.

After further inquiry, Ning Zhuo learned more.

Although the auction was not large in scale, it was of high quality, specifically for cultivators who were about to participate in the war. It was personally led by the City Lord of Canglin Immortal City, along with many major merchants in the city, and had obtained official permission from two official channels, acquiring many good items from official sources.

Therefore, for Ning Zhuo, participating was not insignificant.

The shopkeeper reminded him: "Military Advisor, it is not easy to attend this auction. You need a letter of recommendation. As far as I know, only the City Lord still has extra letters of recommendation."

Ning Zhuo, understanding the hidden meaning, immediately judged that the City Lord was using this opportunity to amass wealth.

Even before the auction began, he could, by this action, gather a large sum of money.

Ning Zhuo did not intend to contact the City Lord of Canglin Immortal City.

He first sought out the Three Generals Liu, Guan, and Zhang, and told them about the matter. As it turned out, the three generals knew even less than he did and were hearing about it for the first time.

Ning Zhuo then found Mu Lan.

Mu Lan nodded: "There is such a thing."

Mu Lan did not have much interest.

It wasn't that she was busy with military training, but simply that she had no money!

Seeing that Ning Zhuo wanted to go, she directly handed the letter of recommendation to Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo expressed his gratitude and politely invited Mu Lan to attend together.

Mu Lan nodded and immediately agreed.

The auction was held in the City Lord's mansion.

Late at night, the hall was brightly lit.

Mu Lan, Ning Zhuo, Shuang Jing, Xu Dali, Sun Gan, and others all entered.

The City Lord of Canglin Immortal City was tall and thin, with a goatee beard and high cheekbones. He personally presided: "Gentlemen, this small auction today contains a large number of treasures that can allow you to stand out on the battlefield or preserve your lives."

"To be honest, to prepare for this auction, this old man started preparing and arranging half a year in advance."

"I believe it will not disappoint you all!"

"Alright, the auction begins."

The City Lord of Canglin Immortal City was very sensible and did not say much, getting straight to the point.

The City Lord stepped down from the stage, and a Golden Core realm cultivator took the stage to preside.

Two attendants jointly carried a large wooden box onto the auction stage.

The presiding Golden Core cultivator gently patted it open.

Presented before everyone was a box full of thunder beads.

"These are Earth Splitting Thunder Beads. Instill a small amount of magical power as a fuse, and they can be detonated when thrown."

"These are refined by cultivators specializing in the Earth Element. After the thunder beads explode, they can tear apart the surface of the earth and are best at breaching hard mountain rocks."

"This large box contains a full four thousand thunder beads!"

The Golden Core cultivator immediately announced the price, and many responders quickly appeared.

The upcoming great war would inevitably involve a lot of mountain warfare. These thunder beads were just the thing to showcase their might.

The Earth Splitting Thunder Beads were quickly bought.

The second item for auction was a flying sword named Tian Yi. It was weak in attack and defense, but extremely fast.

The flying sword also fetched a high price.

Ning Zhuo saw that the buyer of the flying sword was an old acquaintance - Shuang Jing of the White Jade Camp.

It was clear that this was Shuang Jing preparing for the unexpected, buying the Tian Yi flying sword as a trump card to escape after a potential defeat.

Even though he already had many similar trump cards.

The third item for auction was a set of battle armor named Xuanwu Great Armor.

The armor was very heavy, clearly designed for body cultivators, and was bought by Xu Dali.

By the fourth item for auction, the attendants led up a cultivator.

This cultivator had a slender, willow-like figure and light footsteps. Her face was like congealed fat, her skin mottled, and her pupils were huge, almost occupying thirty percent of her face, her gaze serene.

Her hair was brightly colored and layered. Her clothes were woven from vines and petals, with a serene color,

Purple tinged with red, adorned with tiny flowers.

Her height was only half that of an ordinary person, which reminded Ning Zhuo of the Flower Gugu.

The Flower Gugu was only half-human, half-demon, while this female cultivator was entirely a demon cultivator.

"Gentlemen, you must have seen that this is a Rhododendron Flower Demon."

"This is a Flower Demon Dao Soldier cultivated by the Demon Soldier Observatory, possessing healing abilities and a certain amount of blood sacrifice power."

Saying this, the auctioning cultivator gave an order, telling the Rhododendron Flower Demon Dao Soldier to demonstrate her healing methods in public. The fourth item for auction was these eighty Rhododendron Flower Demon Dao Soldiers.

War is perilous and dangerous. As long as you are on the battlefield, there will inevitably be casualties.

If there was such a Dao Soldier unit to serve as physicians, they could quickly treat the wounded and allow them to return to the battlefield.

Several generals present had their eyes shining.

When the bidding began, Mu Lan also rarely participated.

But she was the first to be eliminated.

Xu Dali was the second.

Sun Gan and Shuang Jing competed fiercely.

Seeing the price soar to its limit, the two's bidding speed became slower and slower, and their deliberation time became longer and longer.

Just when everyone thought the two were about to decide the winner, Ning Zhuo suddenly spoke, directly bidding double the price.

For a moment, the entire hall was silent.

Sun Gan and Shuang Jing glared, their gazes fixed on Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo, however, did not show malice. Instead, he stood up, cupped his hands and smiled, bowing to the entire hall,

His attitude was humble.

Sun Gan and Shuang Jing each snorted coldly and voluntarily withdrew.

Ning Zhuo obtained this batch of Dao Soldiers and immediately gifted them to Mu Lan on the spot.

Mu Lan's mouth slightly opened, instinctively wanting to refuse.

Ning Zhuo sent a mental message: "Take it, General Mu. Without your letter of recommendation, I wouldn't have been able to get involved in this auction."

"I know the Red Flower Camp has suffered severe casualties. This batch of Dao Soldiers comes from the Demon Soldier Observatory, they are well-trained and can be used immediately. They can precisely fill your troop shortage."

"They should be very compatible with the Red Flower Battle Formation."

"The Red Flower Camp is in urgent need of physicians. Don't let Lord Zhang Chongyi be too exhausted."

Ning Zhuo's persuasion touched Mu Lan's heart. She nodded slightly and sent a message with complex emotions: "Thank you."

Ning Zhuo waved his hand, feeling as though this was just a small amount of money, just a gift, something done casually, no need to be too serious.

After six more items were sold, Ning Zhuo finally waited for what he wanted.

Mechanical Base - Skillful Artisan's Cabinet.

"This is a Golden Core level mechanical base..."

After the cultivator introduced it, he finally said: "The selling price is one million eighty thousand mid-grade spirit stones."

"Two million!" Ning Zhuo was the first to bid.

The entire hall fell silent.

Cultivators who were slightly interested, hearing this exaggerated bid, had to cease their efforts.

Just when Ning Zhuo thought he had succeeded, a light female voice suddenly came: "Two million one thousand." Ning Zhuo increased the bid: "Two million two hundred thousand."

Female voice: "Two million two hundred one thousand."

Ning Zhuo frowned and continued to increase the bid: "Two million six hundred thousand."

The female voice laughed: "Three million."

Ning Zhuo continued: "Three million six hundred thousand!"

The female voice laughed heartily: "Six million!!"

In an instant, the entire hall turned its gaze.

Ning Zhuo also cast his gaze and saw a female cultivator wearing a mask, with a mechanical arm replacing her right arm.

From her gray hair, it could be seen that she was quite old.

The masked female cultivator turned her head slightly and looked at Ning Zhuo: "Little one, where are your elders?"

It sounded like a question, but was actually full of insult and provocation.

Ning Zhuo's expression sank: "May I ask your name?"

The masked female cultivator slightly raised her head: "Shuang Ling."

The hearts of all the cultivators in the hall trembled - Princess Ingenious!

Shuang Jing gave a bitter smile, stood up, and bowed publicly: "Aunt, you have also come to participate in the war?"

Princess Ingenious Shuang Ling snorted coldly: "If you had performed even a little better in the ambush battle, I wouldn't have had to make such a fuss and rush here to support you."

Shuang Jing quickly bowed again: "It is Jing'er's dereliction of duty and poor combat!"

Princess Ingenious snorted again: "It's bad enough that your combat was poor, but you couldn't even snatch your wife from an outsider."

She looked at Ning Zhuo: "The successor of the esteemed Great General's Residence - Mu Lan, your husband is actually just a Foundation Establishment cultivator?"

Ning Zhuo and Mu Lan's expressions changed simultaneously.

The entire hall was in an uproar.

"What, what's going on?!"

"How does General Mu Lan have a husband?"

"Is it Ning Zhuo? It seems she's talking about him. What on earth happened!"

"Impossible! This is impossible. How could the tiger daughter of the Great General's Residence marry a husband?!"