Chapter 508: Dragon Shadow Nine Pillars

Ning Zhuo’s heart stirred upon hearing Song Ji’s appraisal.

The first thought that arose in his mind was not the Dice Bone Demon God, but the marrow of that Void Evil God.

The Demon God was but of mere Golden Core rank, yet the Void Demon God marrow was of Nascent Soul level.

“That marrow was the greatest gain for which I expended my destiny!”

“Before Azure Sky Mountain, I still impersonated Old Monster in Stone, plundering the transport convoys of the Two Nations, gaining countless military resources.”

“Until now, that storage pouch of artifact rank has yet to be opened.”

“There must be many good things within!”

“Adding to that, I later used talismans to teleport to the Red Flower Encampment, aiding Mu Lan in slaying Di Lu with arrows and driving away the Azure Moon Ancient God. This battle merit also counts as my gain.”

“Considering all this, hiss—.”

Ning Zhuo couldn’t help but secretly inhale a cold breath.

This muddled account concerning destiny, the more he calculated, the more he was startled.

This surge of strong fortune had brought him too many benefits, and even after experiencing the fierce battle at Moon Hook Mountain, much of it still remained.

“In the beginning, how vast must this fortune have been!”

“Who is so kind as to assist me in secret?”

“Should the opportunity arise in the future, and I find him, I shall certainly repay him one or two.”

To this day, Ning Zhuo still did not know the truth.

Song Ji’s calculation also verified Ning Zhuo’s earlier speculation: “My fortune is declining. I must keep this change in mind. If I become complacent and rely solely on my strong fortune, I am highly likely to suffer a setback.”

“Therefore, humility and caution are the best strategies for navigating the world and conducting oneself.”

“I must continue to maintain these excellent habits!”

Ning Zhuo inwardly cautioned himself.

Du Tiechuan, learning of Ning Zhuo’s fortune, dispelled some hidden worries in his heart.

He spoke indifferently: “Consecrator Song, pray take Ning Zhuo down and inquire about the enemy forces’ internal details.”

Upon hearing this, Ning Zhuo immediately rose and clasped his fists: “Commander Du. In this battle, I assisted General Mu Lan, slaying one Nascent Soul and driving away another, thus gaining some battle merit.”

“Now, a great battle is imminent. If I could be allowed to expend my battle merit and preemptively procure some rare elixirs to bolster my physical foundation, it would also enable me to serve the great army better!”

“Hmm?” Du Tiechuan raised his eyes to look at Ning Zhuo, his gaze stern, his expression displeased. “My army governance has always been strict, with clear rewards and punishments.”

“According to military discipline, this is not the time to confer merits and rewards.”

“The entire army, including ourselves and the soldiers, must strictly adhere to this.”

“This is no small matter! If I were to agree, it would undoubtedly corrupt the kingdom’s system, damage military discipline, be unfair to other officers and soldiers, shake the army’s morale, weaken fighting spirit, and be extremely harmful.”

Ning Zhuo said with a bitter smile: “Sir, it is merely to procure some elixirs to augment my physical foundation.”

“Perhaps Sir is somewhat aware of Junior’s situation.”

“As Sir sees it, Junior has only meager Foundation Establishment cultivation. Charging into the battlefield is too risky.”

“If Junior’s physical body could advance rapidly in a short time, then Junior would surely add a near-Nascent Soul level combat force to our great army!”

Du Tiechuan slightly shook his head, his expression as cold as ice: “How much good effect can a mere near-Nascent Soul level have on the entire battle situation?”

“Speak no more of this.”

“Depart!”

Ning Zhuo had no choice but to bow: “As ordered, Junior takes his leave.”

Song Ji bowed and was about to leave with him.

Du Tiechuan transmitted his divine sense, communicating with him in secret, inquiring about the details: “Who bestowed such strong fortune upon Ning Zhuo?

Can Consecrator Song ascertain this?”

Song Ji replied in secret: “Exceedingly difficult.”

“I am also quite perplexed.”

“According to common sense, for such a vast and grand external fortune to be bestowed, the price paid by the practitioner of the art would be extremely significant.”

“Who is willing to make such a sacrifice just to support Ning Zhuo?”

“Even if he is the scion of a great clan, the most favored, it would not warrant such extensive assistance, would it?”

“Furthermore, there is another point that is also somewhat strange.”

Du Tiechuan: “Hmm?”

Song Ji continued: “According to common sense, external fortune augmented by such means would be consumed very fiercely and would not be sustainable at all.”

“However, when I just made my calculation, I discovered that the fortune on Ning Zhuo is not being consumed so fiercely.”

“In fact, there are even some signs of it having been nourished recently.”

Du Tiechuan pressed further: “And why is this?”

Song Ji shook his head: “Destiny is an abstruse study; what I have learned is but the branches and leaves. The methods for nourishing external fortune are varied and peculiar, each with its own strengths. I too find it difficult to judge.”

Du Tiechuan: “Then let it be.”

“Henceforth, I shall trouble Consecrator Song to thoroughly investigate the enemy situation.”

“I believe with your means, whether it be that Bone Demon God or Ning Zhuo concealing something, you will perceive it.”

Song Ji immediately accepted the order, indicating that he would surely exert his utmost effort to execute this command.

Song Ji led Ning Zhuo to a solitary tent.

Ning Zhuo released the Dice Bone Demon God: “Old Dice, you must speak as fully and truthfully as possible. But if it concerns your own safety, do not force yourself.”

Ning Zhuo specifically cautioned him.

The Dice Bone Demon God said: “Master, this old servant was not close to those in Thousand Peaks Forest. Everything I know, I have already told Master.”

Ning Zhuo nodded: “This time, here, in front of Sir Song, you just need to say it again.”

Immediately, Ning Zhuo also transmitted his divine sense to Song Ji: “I trouble Sir to cast spells and examine carefully, to strictly prevent the Dice Bone Demon God from bringing false intelligence that would mislead our army.”

“To be honest, my ability to subdue him was entirely by chance.”

“Even now, I am still somewhat uneasy.”

Seeing that Ning Zhuo had taken the initiative to request this, Song Ji did not hide anything and performed many calculation methods openly.

After about the time it takes to drink two cups of tea, Song Ji saw Ning Zhuo off.

Ning Zhuo did not obtain the precious elixirs for elevating his physical foundation from Du Tiechuan, but he was not discouraged.

After returning to the Three Generals’ Encampment, he simply informed the Three Generals of the situation.

The Three Generals breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhang Hei: “So, we’ve bluffed our way through?”

Guan Hong shook his head and remained silent.

Liu Er, however, said: “Shen Qinghe has also been secretly following us. It is only that we subdued the Dice Bone Demon God this time,

and returned victorious, so Commander Du, for the sake of the overall situation, has not yet settled this account with us.”

“Based on my understanding of Du Tiechuan, this account will be settled sooner or later.”

Ning Zhuo nodded, quite agreeing with Liu Er’s analysis.

Among the Liu, Guan, and Zhang trio, Liu Er’s discernment of others was the most outstanding.

Bidding farewell to the Three Generals, Ning Zhuo returned to his own tent, burrowed into the Mechanical Wandering Dragon, and once again began crafting mechanical puppets.

Sun Lingtong studied by his side, gaining much.

By the afternoon of the next day, Sun Lingtong was already able to operate one of the mechanical platforms, saving Ning Zhuo much time and effort.

Ning Zhuo entered the Fetal Breathing Cauldron, and with the aid of the Innate Nurturing Fetal Breathing Restriction, he was enveloped in a thick layer of stone, beginning to elevate his physical foundation.

By deep night, he broke through the stone layer and regained his freedom.

He seized every moment, pushed himself to the limit, and tirelessly began the repair work on Yuan Dasheng and Meng Yehu.

Although these two Golden Core level mechanical puppets were split into multiple pieces, their spiritual nature was not harmed, and the difficulty of repair was not very great.

“As expected, the effect is outstanding, Boss!” After Ning Zhuo’s first practice session ended, he clenched his fists, feeling an unprecedented strength brewing within him.

Ning Zhuo sincerely praised Sun Lingtong: “To be able to invent this cultivation method, Boss, you are truly a genius!”

Sun Lingtong was overjoyed by the praise, put his hands on his hips, and laughed heartily: “Of course, of course. I am your Boss, Xiao Zhuo.”

After cultivating like this for several days, Commander Du issued a new military order.

He ordered the Red Flower Encampment, the Three Generals’ Encampment, and other armies to break camp and relocate several miles outwards.

Then, he ordered the dismantling of the four walls of Wooden Wheel Town and began large-scale construction using over a dozen armies as a defensive line.

In the logistics army, numerous formation masters, artifact refiners, and even a few mechanical masters, collaborated simultaneously, employing all manner of techniques.

With abundant resources, hundreds of cultivators built day and night, quickly constructing the base of a massive structure.

Since Du Tiechuan did not forbid others from watching, this construction project attracted the attention of the entire army from the beginning.

No matter who it was, they couldn’t help but be curious — what was the purpose of such a grand and ostentatious construction?

In the evening, Ning Zhuo also took time out, leaving the Three Generals’ camp to observe the foundation of this structure.

He saw that the foundation was square in shape, wide on all four sides, and although it was only the base, it already displayed a majestic presence.

The foundation was laid with a large quantity of Dragon Chant Stones.

On the surface of these Dragon Chant Stones, dragon patterns appeared and shifted. As long as one pressed an ear against the stones, one could hear a faint dragon chant.

As the stones were piled upon each other, the larger the scale, the clearer and more powerful the dragon chant heard by outsiders became.

Around the foundation, railings were installed.

The railings were thick and heavy, made from Thunder Sky Iron, which was inherently hard and could absorb and store lightning.

In the center of the foundation, a giant pillar was also erected.

A Dragon Soul wandered and roared within the pearl.

“Dragon Chant Stone is material from a dragon脉 (ley line), obtained after being tempered by the nation’s power over a long period, elevating its essence. Therefore, it is an excellent medium for carrying and exerting national power.”

“The dragon soul within the Dragon Soul Pearl was at least of Nascent Soul rank in life. Dragon type souls are also best at stirring the power of the dragon脉 (ley line).”

“Looking at this, it seems like an altar, where a Nascent Soul level dragon soul is to be sacrificed?”

“As expected of the Commander of the Three Armies, his very first move is a grand one!”

With a heart full of emotion, Ning Zhuo returned to his tent and continued his rigorous cultivation.

In just three days, his strength had increased tenfold, his skin and flesh were hard and resilient, as if Ning Zhuo’s entire body was covered in a layer of artifact-grade leather armor.

He heard that the “altar” was already sixty percent complete, and various conjectures and discussions in the army were rampant and extremely fervent. So, he took advantage of his rest time to observe from a distance once more.

The massive structure was already more than half completed, and its trapezoidal overall shape could already be seen.

Dragon Chant Stone was still the primary material, laid from the foundation upwards, piling higher and higher.

At the base of the structure, cultivators began to lay a large number of Glazed Golden Light Tiles on the surface of the Dragon Chant Stones. This type of tile was often used in the royal palace; the tiles had a glazed texture, shone with golden light, and were radiant and magnificent, containing majesty within their grandeur.

Ning Zhuo felt puzzled by this: “Using Glazed Golden Light Tiles, it doesn’t seem like an altar anymore.”

He also saw that around the structure, eight giant pillars were also constructed. Each giant pillar was of the same height, half the height of the central Dragon Giant Pillar of the platform.

On each giant pillar, intricate and elaborate patterns were carved. At the top of the giant pillars, there were carvings of auspicious clouds and golden great roc birds.

Ning Zhuo narrowed his eyes, and from the various patterns on the giant pillars, he barely made out some talismans and the layout of formations.

“There are at least eight types of defensive talismans and twelve types of auxiliary talismans for coordinating formations.”

“As for the formations, there’s no way to see the complete picture, only that there are at least four layers of formations.”

At this point, Ning Zhuo realized that his foundation in formations was completely insufficient.

His state of mind was very calm.

“Although I have read extensively, the level is only that of the family’s school and the library open to the outside world.”

“Among the hundred arts of cultivation, formations are known for their complexity, profoundness, and difficulty to learn.”

“I have only learned the basics, and my accumulation in this area has just begun.”

Although Ning Zhuo had not yet figured out Du Tiechuan’s plan, he already clearly saw that Du Tiechuan’s actions were becoming increasingly grand.

He had made a heavy investment in this area!

“What exactly does he intend?” Not only Ning Zhuo, but many other officers and soldiers were also constantly speculating.

Another three days passed.

This massive structure that had captivated the attention of the entire army was finally completed!

The top of the trapezoidal high platform was level, with the central Dragon Soul Giant Pillar standing tall.

Around the high platform were thick railings, and eight Auspicious Cloud Golden Roc Giant Pillars stood guard.

As the formation was activated, the Glazed Golden Light tiles on the surface of the high platform became a seamless whole, without any divisions. The dragon shadows projected from within the Dragon Soul Pearl glided across the golden tiles, their forms agile, full of power and grace.

And as the dragon shadows wandered, the surrounding officers and soldiers could hear a dragon chant echoing from the depths of their hearts.

If one concentrated their attention, the dragon chant would sound majestic and powerful. If one’s attention was elsewhere, the dragon chant would be almost inaudible.

Two military flags were planted on the platform of the high stage, one on the left and one on the right of the Dragon Giant Pillar.

The military flags fluttered in the wind, the various formations coordinated and operated, and the entire structure exuded formidable military might.

At this point, the answer was revealed—this was a review stand.

The Dragon Shadow Nine Pillar Review Stand!

On the very day the review stand was completed, Du Tiechuan issued an order to the entire army, arranging a military parade.

On the second day after the review stand was completed, Du Tiechuan, fully armored, stood on the high platform, activating the art of war within the review stand. With his hands behind his back, he looked down as each army circled the Dragon Shadow Nine Pillar Review Stand, marching past his eyes.

The Three Generals’ Encampment and the Red Flower Encampment were among them.

Ning Zhuo, as the military advisor, rode on horseback, positioned beside the Three Generals, Liu, Guan, and Zhang. During the military parade, he could clearly feel layers upon layers of invisible force sweeping over, and then accumulating layer upon layer.

After the military parade ended, Ning Zhuo was drenched in sweat and his muscles were sore.

To resist the superposition of the multiple layers of invisible force, he had also struggled to support himself.

“If I hadn’t focused all my energy on elevating my physical cultivation recently, I’m afraid I would have fallen off my horse during this review and made a fool of myself in public.”

While feeling fortunate, Ning Zhuo also gained more conjectures about Du Tiechuan’s intentions through this personal experience.

Not only him, but many other generals also guessed Du Tiechuan’s thoughts.

“So that’s it!”

“Commander Du is going to use his trump card.”

“I didn’t expect the commander to use his full strength before the great battle even began. I’m truly looking forward to it!”

“Iron Flowing Plains! How many years has it been since Commander Du used this move?”