Chapter 529: The Heavenly Craft Forging Sound Score

Thousand Peaks Forest.Edge of the battlefield.In an无人 (uninhabited/deserted) mountain valley, lay a secluded thatched hut.Before the hut, in an open clearing, Lin Bufan sat upon a low stool made from a tree stump, leisurely sipping tea and gazing at the distant mountains beneath the clear sky.A ripple stirred the air, then Zhu Xuanji's form penetrated the illusionary formation, appearing before Lin Bufan.Lin Bufan was slightly taken aback, then set down his cup.Since he had been "conscripted" by Zhu Xuanji, brought to the latter's side, the two had secretly established many encampments.This was merely one of them.Lin Bufan favored the scenery here, and thus often resided in this place.As for Zhu Xuanji, he was like a divine dragon, seen only by the head, never the tail, rarely lingering in these secret encampments.Lin Bufan knew clearly: According to the state of the Two Zhu Nations, the Southern Bean Nation was surely deeply connected to Thousand Peaks Forest. Zhu Xuanji had been dispatched here to maintain close contact with the pro-Southern Bean Nation forces within Thousand Peaks Forest. Even, the Thousand Peaks Forest concealed personnel and powers personally placed there by the Southern Bean Nation.The Two Zhu Nations' creation of a new grand army, the dispatch of Du Tiechuan to conquer Thousand Peaks Forest, from the very beginning, was not a matter of the Two Zhu Nations themselves, but one involving other nations.Seeing Zhu Xuanji come to find him, Lin Bufan understood that there was an urgent matter requiring his attention.Indeed, Zhu Xuanji tossed him a jade slip.Divine sense manipulating objects.The jade slip floated before Lin Bufan, slowly descending into the palm of his outstretched hand.Lin Bufan swept his divine sense over it, immediately revealing a strange expression: "Unexpectedly, the first matter I must attend to is still related to this fellow Ning Zhuo."The latest intelligence in the jade slip recorded that Ning Zhuo was accompanying the army on an expedition to attack Ten Li Burning Forest.Zhu Xuanji said: "Ning Zhuo's safety is tied to the ownership of Fire Persimmon Immortal City, thus the implications are vast, and no mistakes can be tolerated.""Daoist Friend Lin might as well go and secretly protect him. The Three Generals' Camp is not crucial, only the preservation of Ning Zhuo's life and freedom is needed."Lin Bufan shook his head and smiled bitterly: "This fellow still does not know that he has been targeted by the Old Monster in Stone and the Dual Ghosts of Heaven and Earth.""The Old Monster in Stone is suspected to be of the Nascent Soul stage, possessing extreme cunning and utterly mysterious whereabouts.""The Dual Ghosts of Heaven and Earth are powerful experts of the Soul Devouring Sect, their prestige far-reaching, renowned throughout the nations. According to Ning Zhuo's current battle prowess, even with the assistance of mechanical armies, facing the Dual Ghosts of Heaven and Earth would surely result in death!""If I were him, I would surely obediently shrink back within the front-line grand camp."Speaking of this, Lin Bufan picked up his cup, took a sip of tea, and sighed: "Alas, this task is not easy to handle."Zhu Xuanji smiled: "The Ning family and your Ten Thousand Medicine Sect also cooperate very closely, and I have also heard that Miss Lin of your esteemed sect has a very close relationship with Ning Zhuo.""Perhaps in the future, you will even be one family."Lin Bufan immediately widened his eyes: "Do not speak such words carelessly!""This fellow Ning Zhuo has a family, and his wife is the inheritor of a nation's Grand General's manor. Tsk tsk—."Lin Bufan looked at Zhu Xuanji, speaking with a hint of banter: "Speaking of which, ever since Ning Zhuo appeared in Azure Forest Immortal City, he has repeatedly declared publicly that he has a marriage contract with your Zhu family. Now that he has caused this stir, does your Zhu family not have any response?""This fellow—" Zhu Xuanji shook his head and smiled ruefully.Regarding Ning Zhuo's spreading of such rumors, he did not expose them, nor did he even show anger.This was all because in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, he had deeply and truly experienced Ning Zhuo's patience, cunning, and skill in disguise.Seeing that he could not glean any information, Lin Bufan finished the tea in his cup, stood up: "Let it be known beforehand, whether it be the Dual Ghosts of Heaven and Earth or the Old Monster in Stone, I cannot defeat them.""When necessary, I will abandon Ning Zhuo and preserve myself."Zhu Xuanji nodded: "That is naturally so.""If Ning Zhuo perishes here, it is also his fate to be extinguished.""You should prioritize self-preservation.""As for your remuneration for this mission and any potential future actions, seek it from Ning Zhuo. This fellow can now fund the Three Generals' Camp and the Crimson Flower Camp, he is exceedingly wealthy."Lin Bufan nodded, immediately rose, left this secret encampment, and urgently rushed to Ten Li Burning Forest.He concealed his presence and flew at a low altitude, all the while pondering every word Zhu Xuanji had spoken and the changes in his expression."I had previously thought that Ning Zhuo's talk of marriage with the Zhu family was merely boastful words. But Zhu Xuanji did not deny it just now.""Furthermore, although Zhu Xuanji spoke of 'fate to be extinguished,' it made me feel that he has considerable confidence in Ning Zhuo!""Strange.""Although Ning Zhuo has high talent and great potential, in such circumstances, why does Zhu Xuanji still have such confidence in him?"

Near the front-line grand camp of the Two Zhu Nations.The Dual Ghosts of Heaven and Earth lay hidden in the shadows, still as mountain rocks.From time to time, ghost creatures would return to their side, providing detailed reports."Hmm?" Suddenly, the white-robed ghost cultivator Tian Shuang slightly raised an eyebrow, immediately transmitting a divine sense message to the black-robed ghost cultivator Di Hui beside him, "News received from the Alliance. The Three Generals' Camp has suddenly departed the grand camp to attack Ten Li Burning Forest."Di Hui immediately reacted: "Is this fellow Ning Zhuo among them?"Tian Shuang: "The intelligence does not specify.When the Dual Ghosts of Heaven and Earth returned to the front-line battlefield, they had just missed the departure of the Three Generals' Camp.After all, they were outsiders, and the intelligence they received, apart from their own direct reconnaissance, was basically secondhand from the Alliance. Therefore, there was a time delay.Di Hui thought for a moment and said: "If Ning Zhuo constantly hunkers down within the grand camp, we have no way to capture him.""Now, however, is a good opportunity!""Regardless of whether he has accompanied the army, such an opportunity is sufficient for us to set out and investigate."Tian Shuang: "That is also what I was thinking.""The only concern is, what if Ning Zhuo remains in the grand camp? After we leave this place, he might go out alone to harvest ginseng dragon whiskers. Wouldn't we miss an opportunity?"Di Hui thought for a moment, then immediately shook his head: "Thousand Peaks Forest contains Nascent Soul level combat power, we absolutely cannot separate casually. Then we must choose one option, I suggest leaving here and heading to Ten Li Burning Forest.""Even if we return empty-handed, we can still annihilate the Three Generals' Camp, greatly depleting the strength around Ning Zhuo."Unexpectedly, Tian Shuang shook his head: "Not appropriate.""This fellow Ning Zhuo has formidable means and has gotten involved with Mu Lan, becoming husband and wife.""If the Three Generals' Camp is annihilated by us, Ning Zhuo will most likely join the Crimson Flower Camp. The Crimson Flower Camp can form battle formation phantoms, which are much more difficult to deal with than the Three Generals' Camp."Di Hui was stunned for a moment, then reacted: "That is true. Then what should be done next—"Before Di Hui could finish speaking, a flying message arrived.The Dual Ghosts of Heaven and Earth immediately sensed it and quickly received the flying message."Oh? Someone is interested in the three layers of treasures we displayed and wants to join forces to obtain them!""Unexpectedly, there would be three Nascent Soul cultivators, and one of them is Fairy Crimson Sleeve."Regarding this female cultivator who possessed the divine ability of moving mountains, the Dual Ghosts of Heaven and Earth also attached considerable importance.Thus, the scales within their hearts immediately tilted heavily, favoring remaining at this location.After all, by staying here, they had the chance to acquire three heavy treasures. Even if they could not collect the treasures, should they be driven away by the main army of the Two Zhu Nations, they still had the opportunity to obtain the souls of their companions to create ghosts.In comparison, Ning Zhuo was merely of the Foundation Establishment stage, even if he possessed Golden Core level combat power or even the means of the Strange Dao, he was not considered a threat in the hearts of the Dual Ghosts of Heaven and Earth.The reason they accepted this sect mission was simply because they happened to be in Thousand Peaks Forest, and it was a matter of convenience.

Ten Li Burning Forest.The soldiers of the Three Generals' Camp cheered in unison, their morale rising by ten percent.The rat swarm and oyster swarm voluntarily retreated, allowing them to win the first engagement, making their confidence even more abundant.Liu, Guan, Zhang, and Ning showed no trace of complacency.They were well aware of the intelligence: the Tinder Rats and Crimson Refining Swarm in Ten Li Burning Forest were specially bred, but not for defensive warfare, but rather for assisting in artifact refining.Tinder Rats belonged to the scavengers, with a wide diet, not only capable of eating exploded bark and roots, but also swallowing the debris left over from large-scale artifact refining, and so on.After they died, the undigested杂物 (miscellaneous items/impurities) remaining in their bodies could be further refined, often yielding precious materials.The Crimson Refining Swarm, on the other hand, when cultivators needed to inscribe formation patterns or talismans during artifact refining, would attract a swarm. Through divine sense control, they would land on magical artifacts or treasures, arranging themselves into the shape of talismans or magical formations. By sacrificing themselves one by one, they would imprint markings, quickly forming talismans and formations."This is merely the enemy's probing. All troops listen to orders, continue to advance!" After Liu Er waited for the whole army to cheer for a while, he shouted loudly to stop them.The entire army continued to advance.After another two li of travel, the soldiers had to stop.The surrounding blazing flames suddenly changed drastically, transforming into walls of fire, enveloping the entire army.Subsequently, these fire walls burned higher and higher, connecting heaven and earth, forming a canopy, like a giant crimson bowl overturned, covering the Three Generals' Camp within the bowl.The earth soldiers were in a momentary panic and commotion, but seeing that the three generals Liu, Guan, and Zhang were all calm, they quickly regained composure.Fairy Flowing Flame, who was presiding over the formation, stood before the Vermilion Bird Burning Incense Brazier, exerting her full power to mobilize the might of the grand formation.Immediately, the giant image of a Vermilion Bird appeared on the canopy.The surrounding air temperature rapidly escalated.Waves of flames attacked the Three Generals' Camp, and the ground also became scorching hot, emitting countless fire seedlings.The fire seedlings rapidly grew, transforming into a land of fire.The entire Three Generals' Camp was engulfed in a sea of fire, and the Frost White talismans on their bodies rapidly depleted.Seeing this, Liu Er immediately ordered: "Change to the Iron Barrel Formation!"Guan Hong and Zhang Hei immediately coordinated, both employing military strategy.Speed is paramount in warfare!The actions of the officers and soldiers became very nimble, generally maintaining composure, with few making mistakes.Soon, the Iron Barrel Formation was successfully established.Once the battle formation was formed, it immediately provided powerful protection to the entire army. The soldiers immediately felt the temperature drop significantly, and the rate of depletion of their Frost White talismans also decreased by more than threefold.Their morale stabilized once more.However, the soldiers could still feel that the surrounding temperature was still slowly rising, and their protective Frost White talismans were still being consumed, only at a speed slower than before by more than threefold.Liu, Guan, Zhang, and Ning immediately realized that prolonged defense would inevitably lead to loss.Zhang Hei, being impetuous, was the first to act, once again brandishing his Black Snake Spear, employing the military strategy of "Army Pressing Down."Black Water soldiers emerged again, but before they could冲 to the Crimson Fire Canopy, they were incinerated midway.Guan Hong wielded the Blood Dragon Saber in his hand, releasing a massive saber light that slashed at the canopy.The canopy swayed for a moment, then quickly stabilized.Liu Er held the Mysterious Yellow Sword, but did not act.The three generals each had their focus; Guan Hong's attack methods were often potent yet contained, the most concentrated. The current situation was suitable for breaking through a point to shatter the surface.In comparison, even if Liu Er were to act, he might not achieve such good results. Military power was precious, and although it could be quickly restored, what was consumed was the battle prowess and stamina of the soldiers and so on.Guan Hong continued to act, striking three consecutive blows, splitting a large opening in the canopy.Seeing this, Liu Er took advantage of Guan Hong's moment of respite to supplement with a sword strike.This sword strike was just right, exceeding the canopy's limit of endurance, cleaving it open.The canopy directly dispersed.The soldiers cheered again, and were able to continue their advance.

The Ten Li Burning Forest was so named for a reason. Its front and back distance was roughly ten li.But the Three Generals' Camp did not need to march ten li; they only needed to advance five li to roughly break through to the central area and see the Fire Crown Divine Fir.This divine tree was the king tree of Ten Li Burning Forest, a symbolic giant tree.The Three Generals' Camp had already marched three li, with only the final two li remaining.However, the difficulty of the subsequent journey sharply increased.One after another, fire curtains were generated, covering the Three Generals' Camp, making their movement exceedingly difficult.Although Guan Hong could cleave through the fire curtains, such frequent attacks also caused him significant exhaustion.He was of the Golden Core level, already feeling weary, and the rest of the soldiers were even more so.The closer they approached the center of the Burning Forest, the more vigorous the flames became, the higher the temperature rose, and the Three Generals' Camp's consumption rapidly increased.The number of times each person replenished their talismans increased, and the soldiers' physical strength was largely depleted. Although they consumed some medicinal pills and military rations along the way, their physical strength was still insufficient to meet the demands.Just as they were about to approach four li, a loud bell rang out.The sound of the bell vibrated, stirring the blazing flames.The soldiers' armor, talismans, and even weapons appeared with cracks and rapidly disintegrated.In this critical situation, Liu Er quickly employed the military strategy of "Defending Soil and Securing Roots," gaining crucial time.Taking advantage of this time, the soldiers quickly replenished their talismans, and Ning Zhuo also cast spells, doing his best to alleviate the predicament.During the arduous process of resisting the bell sound, Ning Zhuo's thoughts raced, inspiration flashing through his divine sea like lightning. He exclaimed in surprise: "Could it be the Heavenly Craft Forging Sound Manual?!"Zhang Hei: "Huh?"Guan Hong also had a look of confusion.Liu Er's eyes, however, lit up: "Exactly, it must be this method."Yan Jin, the main craftsman who primarily cultivated the Heavenly Craft Forging Sound Manual, was the master of Ten Li Burning Forest. At this moment, he stood before a giant bronze bell, each time he swung his fist and palm, he fiercely struck the bronze bell, unleashing waves of mighty sound.The bell sound could forge iron and temper steel, treating the entire Three Generals' Camp as ore to be smelted!The Three Generals' Camp was in a difficult situation, and the three generals Liu, Guan, and Zhang were helpless.This was all because the bell sound was difficult to defend against; even if they used their means, they could not change the situation of being passively attacked."By delaying our advance with layer upon layer of fire curtains. Then using the bell sound forging to kill us." Ning Zhuo looked around, already seeing many soldiers bleeding from their mouths and noses.This was because their internal organs could not withstand the bell sound, and had already suffered massive internal bleeding."The Heavenly Craft Forging Sound Manual is an artifact refining method, amplifying its power through a large bell. As long as the large bell is destroyed, this move can be neutralized.""According to the intelligence, the forest master of Ten Li Burning Forest is the Nascent Soul cultivator Luo Chen. He has not shown himself all this time.""The Three Generals' Camp's marching speed is slow, they need to rely on the Iron Barrel Formation for defense; switching to other battle formations would be tantamount to suicide. The three generals Liu, Guan, and Zhang are only at the Golden Core level. Once they leave the Iron Barrel Formation to destroy the large bell, they will inevitably be attacked by Luo Chen.""It is time for me to act."Thinking of this, Ning Zhuo twisted the mechanical ring on his finger.The ring had no reaction.He immediately extended his divine sense into his storage belt and took out one mechanical puppet after another.The mechanical army made its appearance!