Chapter 539: Laying the Foundation

Random Recommendation:

Sun Lingtong's expression was anxious, his gaze fixed on the Ice Pipa: "Little Zhuo, you tie down Sky Frost, I'll attempt to pilfer this magical treasure!"

Ning Zhuo: "My Buddha on high, such Buddhist treasures wreak havoc upon the world. The sooner they are cleansed, the sooner the world benefits."

Sun Lingtong was speechless for a moment: "Alright, Little Zhuo, I'm making my move."

Even as he spoke, Sky Frost took a deep breath, his palms clapping together fiercely before his chest.

Divine Ability—Mysterious Yin Frozen Realm!

In an instant, centered around Sky Frost, a hundred-zhang ice mist barrier unfolded.

Within the barrier, mist filled the air, condensing into countless inverted ice cones. These ice cones displayed a ghastly, deep black, their surfaces etched with sinister talismans. Sealed within each ice cone was a Hell-Cry Ghost, lending the cones a tremendously threatening lethality.

Sun and Ning, trapped by the barrier, felt their hairs stand on end.

Sun Lingtong shouted a warning: "Little Zhuo, be extremely careful!"

They had both long since obtained intelligence on the Twin Ghosts of Heaven and Earth, and one piece of information detailed the Mysterious Yin Frozen Realm.

This was originally a spell, involving various profound mysteries and subtle applications of space, ice, and the path of ghosts.

Sky Frost had comprehended the inner essence of the spell, grasping its principles, thus transforming it into a divine ability!

Upon unleashing this divine ability, he could form a massive barrier in an extremely short time. Within the barrier, chilling energy surged, capable of freezing body and soul. The talismans on the ice cones not only served a sealing purpose but could also cooperate with the Hell-Cry Ghosts for soul exchange.

Hell-Cry Ghosts were bound within a brutally cold prison, attracting external living beings through their lamentations, seeking sympathy.

Their cries could be heart-wrenching, or faint whimpers, or mournfully melodious, varying from person to person, most likely to move a specific target.

Once this target being was infected, shedding tears out of sympathy, the Hell-Cry Ghost would succeed, exchanging its soul with the target's soul, thus escaping the icy prison.

Should Ning Zhuo be ensnared, his own soul would fall into an ice cone, while his physical body would be occupied by one of the ghosts within the ice cone!

Chilling energy surged, assailing him, greatly interfering with Ning Zhuo's vision.

Countless ice cones shot forth, piercing through the cold smoke, aimed at Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo, riding the Somersault Cloud, rapidly dodged in the air, occasionally flipping, solely focused on evasion, lacking any power to retaliate.

This was because he was currently under attack from the sound of the pipa.

"My liege, your humble servant shall protect you!" In this moment of crisis, Yuan Dasheng once again stepped forward, using his body as a shield, blocking almost all of the ice cones for Ning Zhuo.

Hundreds of ice cones were embedded in his body, densely packed, even layered upon each other.

The Black Iron Cloud beneath his feet also suffered, completely disintegrating! This magical treasure-level cloud vehicle was tragically destroyed under the terrifying onslaught of the ice cones.

Yuan Dasheng turned his head with difficulty to look at Ning Zhuo, then the light in his eyes quickly faded.

"You have worked hard. Come back!" Ning Zhuo sighed, unleashing flames to burn.

The ice cones on Yuan Dasheng's body shrieked as they were burned, scattering in all directions.

Ning Zhuo retrieved the heavily armored Blood Ape · Dasheng, charred beyond recognition, back into his pouch.

Crying sounds emerged from his body.

Although he had dodged everywhere and had Yuan Dasheng's protection, he had still been struck by a few ice cones.

The ice cones embedded in his body, the Hell-Cry Ghosts within them immediately launched their attack. Cries emanated from within his body, instantly causing Ning Zhuo's eyes to redden.

"Damn it! Little Zhuo, your Sea of Consciousness is filled with Buddhist thoughts." Sun Lingtong was greatly alarmed.

"Buddha is merciful!" Ning Zhuo wore a look of bitter sorrow, "As the saying goes, if I do not enter hell, who will enter hell..."

"Nonsense!" Sun Lingtong roared. At this critical moment, he could no longer restrain himself and directly made his move.

Thieving Art—Substantial Plunder!

The few ice cones embedded in Ning Zhuo's body instantly vanished, appearing within the Myriad Miles Soaring Dragon.

Ning Zhuo was saved from danger!

However, through this incident, Sun Lingtong was exposed to the eyes of Sky Frost, Zhu Xuanji, Lin Bufan, and the Immortal Hongxiu.

Immortal Hongxiu let out a soft exclamation.

Lin Bufan furrowed his brow: "The one who just acted doesn't seem to be Ning Zhuo."

Zhu Xuanji nodded: "Of course."

As a Divine Constable, he had long known that Sun Lingtong was beside Ning Zhuo. He had interacted with Sun Lingtong back in Fire Persimmon Immortal City and had been deeply impressed by him.

After all, in Zhu Xuanji's life, he had rarely been subjected to such brazen attempts at extortion and being clung to by the leg in the street.

Sky Frost roared: "No matter how many helpers you hide, you will all perish within my Mysterious Yin Frozen Realm!"

Half of his Buddhist thoughts had been extinguished, allowing his own power to be unleashed further.

Ning Zhuo, controlling the Somersault Cloud, was scrambling to survive within the Mysterious Yin Frozen Realm.

His Somersault Cloud was merely at the artifact level and quickly became useless.

"Little Zhuo, use mine!" Sun Lingtong immediately lent him his Somersault Cloud.

Back then, in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, Ning Zhuo had also bought one for Sun Lingtong.

Since Sun Lingtong had willingly lent it, Ning Zhuo used it without any hindrance.

But clearly, this artifact-level cloud vehicle wouldn't last long either.

Sky Frost roared and flung out another magical treasure.

This was a completely transparent coffin made of cold jade, emitting an ice-blue radiance. The coffin was carved from Mysterious Yin Cold Jade found in extremely cold regions, crystal clear. Just by looking at it, one could feel a bone-deep chill.

Intricate and ancient talismans were carved around the coffin's body. These talismans emitted a faint blue light.

Ice crystals were embedded along the edges of the coffin. Frost condensed from the chilling energy formed natural patterns on the coffin's surface, like snowflakes blooming in the cold winter.

The coffin lid was covered with complex formation patterns, which combined to form a magic array. The center of the magic array was at the center of the coffin lid, forming the shape of an ice-blue ghost eye.

Four cold pearls of different colors were embedded around the coffin lid. Each of these cold pearls contained four streams of extreme cold force, capable of enhancing the power of the Mysterious Yin Ice Coffin.

Through the transparent coffin body, one could vaguely see the ice-sealed corpse puppet within from the outside.

The corpse puppet was sealed within the cold jade, its face contorted in a grimace, carrying the resentment and unwillingness of its life, sending shivers down one's spine.

Magical Treasure—Mysterious Yin Ice Coffin!

Seeing Sky Frost produce the ice coffin, Earth Ghost immediately spoke: "What are you messing around with? Don't randomly open the coffin, do you know how much wealth I have to spend to open it once?!"

"To deal with a mere Foundation Establishment realm cultivator, you still need to open the coffin?!"

"Hmph! You shut up." Sky Frost retorted, and ultimately did not open the coffin, but instead activated the ice coffin itself, unleashing a wave of chilling energy.

The chilling energy rushed towards Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo's fingers tingled with pain, and his heart immediately tightened.

At the critical moment, the mechanical ring warned him not to take the blow head-on. Taking it head-on would undoubtedly be life-threatening!

Ning Zhuo hurriedly dodged. Azure Iron Stout Armor!

To increase his speed, he pushed himself to the limit, even instantly donning the mechanical armor.

Mechanics Art—Wind Thunder Movement!

The spirit stones within the Azure Iron Stout Armor were consumed frantically, transforming into a vast spiritual power. This spiritual power was ultimately transmitted to two palm-sized, intricately patterned talismans of wind and thunder.

The talismans each unleashed the power of wind and thunder, following the internal formation patterns of the Azure Iron Stout Armor, merging and combining, finally forming a new force—

Wind Thunder Movement!

Green-blue electric light swirled around the Azure Iron Stout Armor.

In an instant, the speed of the Azure Iron Stout Armor soared to the extreme.

Mechanics Art—Iron Robe Chill!

The defensive formation within the Azure Iron Stout Armor was pushed to its strongest state, buzzing as it operated.

Within the magic array, the power of Metal and Water erupted, emitting a biting chill, yet also carrying the essence of Metal, covering the entire body of the Azure Iron Stout Armor, making it both offensive and defensive, its defense soaring to the extreme.

The two major mechanics arts of the Azure Iron Stout Armor were activated by Ning Zhuo almost simultaneously.

After ten breaths.

The Somersault Cloud lent to Ning Zhuo was rendered useless, and the surface of the Azure Iron Stout Armor was covered in wounds. This was the result after Ning Zhuo had dodged with all his might.

Mechanics Art—Azure Dragon Clawing the Void!

The back, shoulder blades, and elbows and wrists of the Azure Iron Stout Armor suddenly flipped open panels, revealing hidden explosive talismans.

The talismans glowed with dazzling white light, assisting Ning Zhuo with his movements and posture, propelling Ning Zhuo to a sudden surge in speed in a certain direction.

The mechanics art originally used for combat, considered the embodiment of the Azure Iron Stout Armor's fighting strength, could only be used by Ning Zhuo for dodging and alleviating the crisis when facing a powerful enemy like Sky Frost.

As Sky Frost's combat power was unleashed more and more, Ning Zhuo's dodging became increasingly precarious.

The mechanical ring frequently issued warnings, and Sun Lingtong continuously acted from within the mechanical dragon. Both provided Ning Zhuo with powerful assistance, allowing him to continue to struggle for survival within the Mysterious Yin Frozen Realm.

Mechanism—Floating Ice White Jade Hand!

Ning Zhuo used mechanical constructs to freeze a certain part of his limb, healing himself.

His divine sense spread out, observing the Three Generals' Camp.

The Three Generals' Camp was constantly being beaten, in an extremely passive situation. The three generals were also panting from exhaustion. In contrast, Earth Ghost remained far outside, without even a trace of additional injury.

Ning Zhuo had originally placed hope in Liu Er and the others. Seeing this scene, he couldn't help but sigh deeply.

"Little Zhuo, we should retreat! Staying any longer is of no benefit." Sun Lingtong issued an urgent reminder.

Ning Zhuo remained silent.

Lin Bufan, hidden in the dark, also spoke: "Ning Zhuo has endured until now, far exceeding my expectations. It is extremely difficult. If there are any means or arrangements, they should be activated as soon as possible to prevent any mishaps."

Zhu Xuanji nodded, then suddenly smiled, shifting his gaze to the distance: "My arrangements have arrived."

Lin Bufan also followed his gaze, only seeing a dense mountain forest.

He observed carefully again, using spells and his divine sense, and discovered a hint.

Lin Bufan's pupils immediately constricted: "Quite a few people have arrived. Impressive. This level of concealment is already comparable to my One Leaf Blinds the Eye technique."

These words immediately drew a sidelong glance from Zhu Xuanji, who seemed hesitant to speak.

"Twin Ghosts of Heaven and Earth, you still dare to come here!" "The previous grudge, I will have you repay a hundredfold!"

"Kill, utterly annihilate these two ghosts!!"

A group of cultivators suddenly appeared, forcefully intervening in the battlefield.

The unexpected appearance of reinforcements filled Liu, Guan, Zhang, Ning, and Sun with both surprise and joy.

Ning Zhuo recognized that the group of reinforcements were all familiar faces, Nascent Soul cultivators from the main forces of the Two Stakes Country.

"How did they get here? It's a bit too timely." Ning Zhuo couldn't help but feel curious.

He was unaware that the movements of the Twin Ghosts of Heaven and Earth had already been revealed to the main forces of the Two Stakes Country by Zhu Xuanji through an inside informant.

"Heaven Ghost, Daoist Blazing Sun is here!"

Daoist Blazing Sun flew high into the sky, taking out his destined magical treasure, the Golden Crow Burning Heaven Mirror.

He activated his main cultivation technique, the Golden Crow Patrolling Heaven Formula, and immediately summoned the phantom of a three-legged Golden Crow from the Golden Crow Burning Heaven Mirror.

The phantom flapped its wings and soared high, charging into the Mysterious Yin Frozen Realm, heading straight for the ice coffin.

Wherever it passed, waves of heat surged, and the chilling energy dissipated greatly. Even the lid of the ice coffin showed signs of melting under this extremely dazzling golden sunlight.

Sky Frost hurriedly put away the ice coffin, activating countless ice cones, shooting them out of the barrier, and pouncing on Daoist Blazing Sun.

The second cultivator flew behind Daoist Blazing Sun, none other than Daoist Master Mountain Peak.

Mountain Peak had already gathered his power and brewed his technique. At this moment, he formed hand seals and unleashed a spell—Five Peaks Soul Suppression Seal!

A spell seal rapidly expanded, swelling to the size of a small mountain.

Within the light and shadow of the seal, one could vaguely see the eight square ancient characters "敕令萬鬼、五岳鎮魂" (By Imperial Decree, Command All Ghosts, Five Peaks Suppress Souls) carved at the bottom of the seal.

As soon as the spell seal appeared, it immediately suppressed all the ice cones.

The Hell-Cry Ghosts within the ice cones were utterly powerless to resist, all being suppressed completely.

The third Nascent Soul cultivator was a hunched old man, holding a damaged bronze sundial.

He dripped Time Snake Poison onto the sundial. The sundial was triggered, operating in reverse, emitting a bronze radiance.

The radiance illuminated the barrier. The entire Mysterious Yin Frozen Realm seemed to flow backward in time, automatically retracting, completely dissipating within a few breaths.

Sky Frost coughed up a small mouthful of blood, glanced at the three Nascent Soul cultivators, and instead of retreating, charged towards Ning Zhuo!

Capturing Ning Zhuo and completing his sect's mission was his greatest objective on this trip.

Ning Zhuo retreated at full speed, detonating all the talismans in the Azure Iron Stout Armor without hesitation, increasing his speed to the limit.

The hunched old man slightly rotated his wrist, allowing the bronze radiance to also shine on Ning Zhuo's body.

In an instant, Ning Zhuo's own time accelerated, causing him to rapidly widen the distance between himself and Sky Frost, quickly escaping danger.

The reinforcements from the Two Stakes Country were clearly well-prepared, not only targeting Sky Frost but also dealing with Earth Ghost simultaneously.

Last time, the Twin Ghosts of Heaven and Earth and other cultivators seized treasures beneath the battlefield, suppressing the main forces of the Two Stakes Country and bringing great humiliation to the latter.

Having suffered losses, the main forces of the Two Stakes Country reflected afterward, fully leveraging their advantage of large numbers and vast resources. This time, the assembled group not only consisted of carefully selected personnel, but the means employed were also meticulously planned.

"Divine Constable Zhu is truly a master strategist!" Seeing this, Lin Bufan sighed deeply, speaking from the heart.

He connected the events before and after and understood many things.

Since Immortal Hongxiu was the Southern Bean Country's arrangement in the Thousand Peaks Forest, then the previous arrangement for Immortal Hongxiu and others to invite the Twin Ghosts of Heaven and Earth to seize the important treasure was naturally instructed by Zhu Xuanji from behind the scenes.

At that time, Zhu Xuanji on one hand arranged for Lin Bufan to look after Ning Zhuo, who was attacking the Ten Li Burning Forest, and on the other hand, arranged for Immortal Hongxiu to guide the Twin Ghosts of Heaven and Earth to cause chaos on the battlefield.

This plan not only prevented the Twin Ghosts of Heaven and Earth from having time to capture Ning Zhuo for the time being, but also had another purpose, which was to create a conflict between the Twin Ghosts of Heaven and Earth and the main forces of the Two Stakes Country.

Now, this conflict had exploded, being used by Zhu Xuanji.

This allowed Zhu Xuanji to watch from the sidelines, using the power of the Two Stakes Country to deal with the Twin Ghosts of Heaven and Earth. On one hand, he could protect his own man, Ning Zhuo, and on the other hand, he could weaken the forces of the Two Stakes Country and the Thousand Peaks Forest, further increasing their friction and animosity.