Chapter 546: New Cyansteel Armor

A suit of silver-gray mechanical battle armor,靜靜地懸停在半空之中。battle armor, laden with scars, its faint iridescent light已消散無蹤。The entirety of the battle armor was dark and dim,various talismans utterly consumed,due to extreme usage, the battle armor verged on collapse.Precisely the Cang Tie Han Jia (Dark Iron Valiant Armor).

Ning Zhuo stood before the Cang Tie Han Jia,crossed his arms, deeply immersed in thought, a frown upon his brow.The battle against the Two Heavenly and Earthly Fiends had benefited him greatly.Not merely the multitude of spoils of war reaped,but Ning Zhuo, having survived such a life-and-death struggle,felt deeply, seeing too many shortcomings in himself.

“The Cang Tie Han Jia was left to me by my mother,consuming Foundation Establishment Pills, granting me Foundation Establishment level combat powerwhile still in the Qi Refining stage.”“But with my advancement to the Foundation Establishment stage,this mechanical battle armor has been rarely used.”“Coming to Liangzhu Country to enlist, due to the amplification of military power and national strength,I myself could ascend to Golden Core level combat power,making this mechanical battle armor even closer to being obsolete.”“Previously, facing the Two Heavenly and Earthly Fiends,with even the Somesault Cloud destroyed,I could only utilize this mechanical battle armor as an aid for flight.”

Thinking thus, Ning Zhuo turned to Sun Lingtong beside him and said,“Boss, I plan to modify the Cang Tie Han Jia,transforming it into my aerial tool.”“In the battle against the Two Heavenly and Earthly Fiends, I realized,the ability to fly is truly essential!”“My previous perspective and understanding were quite narrow.”“For normal combat, I must possess potent flying capability.”

Upon hearing this, Sun Lingtong couldn’t help but turn his head to glance at Ning Zhuo:“Normally speaking, Xiao Zhuo, you are merely at Foundation Establishment stage two,you can begin practicing flight now.”For cultivators, flight is indeed a fundamental ability.Qi Refining cultivators cannot fly on swords,Foundation Establishment cultivators can fly on swords,but their spiritual energy cannot sustain it for long.Reaching the Golden Core level, cultivators can fly on swords for extended periods,traveling vast distances, and begin to grasp the art of escape light.But the escape light consumes Golden Core energy too fiercely,and cannot be sustained for long either.This is the norm.

But what Ning Zhuo desired was clearly not the standard under this norm.He yearned for exceedingly potent flying capability,so that when he faced the Two Heavenly and Earthly Fiends in the future,he would possess the means to contend.Sun Lingtong understood Ning Zhuo deeply and advised,“I say, we are but Foundation Establishment cultivators.Do not always think about battling the Two Heavenly and Earthly Fiends.This is too strenuous!”“The more correct approach is to flee far away,to hide, to escape, to cultivate diligently and patiently,waiting until your strength approaches, then engaging in activities.”“Where in the world is there a person in the Foundation Establishment stage,yet pondering how to deal with Nascent Soul cultivators?”

Ning Zhuo let out an “Ah” sound, somewhat enlightened, yet somewhat bewildered.He scratched the back of his head:“Will the enemy spare you just because you are weak?Must we, being weak, only encounter enemies of a similar level?”“Reality is cruel.”“Regardless of how powerful the enemy, we must give our utmost!”

Sun Lingtong fell into silence.He knew Ning Zhuo’s words were entirely from the heart.After all, since the age of two, the latter had been contemplating, day and night,how to deal with the City Lord’s Mansion, led by the Nascent Soul cultivator Meng Kui.Ning Zhuo truly did not feel that this thought was in any way amiss.After all, this was how he had lived.And in the struggle for the Lava Immortal Palace, he had even defeated Meng Kui, Zhu Xuanji, and others,being the one who benefited the most in the end.

Sun Lingtong thought again: “Truthfully, Xiao Zhuo’s combat poweris indeed a bit monstrous.”“His current cultivation is only Foundation Establishment stage two,but by leveraging factors such as military strategy, automaton art, Five Elements realm, and so forth,he already possesses the formidable combat power of the Golden Core level.”“Such a cultivator, plotting to battle against Nascent Soul level powerhouses,does not seem so out of place.”

In the ancient times, the hundred arts of cultivation were not yet developed.The primary standard for measuring a cultivator’s combat power was their own cultivation.By the middle period, the hundred arts of cultivation had seen much improvement,magical treasures, divine abilities, and the like, became important components of combat power,leading to many cultivators being able to defeat those of higher stages.By the later period, the hundred arts of cultivation blossomed like a hundred flowers,for instance, the military strategist’s art of gathering the masses reached a qualitative change,the importance of cultivation in the composition of combat power significantly decreased again.And now, in the flourishing era of cultivation, it is like a profusion of flowers, like oil fueling a fierce fire.Cultivation is merely one aspect influencing combat power.

Sun Lingtong shrugged his shoulders: “Xiao Zhuo, do as you wish.Normal standards do not apply to you, you are a genius!”Ning Zhuo gave a wry smile: “Boss, at this moment… between us,don’t speak such polite words. I am merely an unfortunate soul,who has encountered the pursuit of the Two Heavenly and Earthly Fiends.”“What else can I do?”“I can only give my utmost, diligently strengthening myself,to deal with such a powerful enemy, that is all.”

Ning Zhuo gazed intently at the Cang Tie Han Jia:“Boss, the Cang Tie Han Jia was left to me by my mother,I have affection for it.”“This time, it once again helped me in battle.”“Wearing it in combat, it feels as if my mother is helping me,this feeling is quite wonderful.”“Therefore, I want to modify it well,to elevate it, making it my flying sharp weapon for dealing with powerful enemies.”

Sun Lingtong asked curiously: “Then what is your preliminary modification plan?”Ning Zhuo clearly had a well-thought-out plan, having conceived it long ago, and immediately said:“Firstly, its energy core, originally a Foundation Establishment Pill,but I am thinking, can it be directly replaced with a cultivator’s Golden Core?”

Sun Lingtong was startled for a moment: “This should be possible.”“Think about it, our Ten Thousand Li Roaming Dragon requires a Nascent Soul as its energy core.Elevating the energy core standard of the Cang Tie Han Jia,from a Foundation Establishment Pill to a Golden Core, is very reasonable.”

“Right!” Ning Zhuo said, “In the design plan for this part,I heavily referenced the Ten Thousand Li Roaming Dragon.”“Only, Golden Cores are difficult to find…”

Sun Lingtong immediately interrupted: “Nonsense, what’s so difficult about that?”“In the past, perhaps Golden Cores were indeed hard to find.But Xiao Zhuo, don’t forget, we are currently in a great war.”“In the battle just now, against the Two Heavenly and Earthly Fiends,many Nascent Soul level cultivators sacrificed their lives.I believe, even more Golden Core level cultivators will inevitably be sacrificed.”“Aren’t we about to receive a large sum of military merits?”“Let’s use it to exchange for Golden Cores with Liangzhu Country.”“Even if the conquest of the Thousand Peaks Forest has reached this point,and the main army of Liangzhu Country has not yet seized a single one.I do not believe that the national treasury of Liangzhu Country has none.”“Only we need to be mindful, how many military merits are needed to exchange for one Golden Core.”“Another person’s Golden Core is after all an external object.The national strength brick is most beneficial to us.The opportunity for a cultivation nation to open its national strength brickis quite rare!”

Ning Zhuo was reminded by Sun Lingtong, his eyes immediately brightened,he let out a soft “Oh?”: “Boss, since we can exchange for Golden Cores…can we exchange for Nascent Souls?”“With a Nascent Soul, we won’t need to expend spirit stones to drive the Ten Thousand Li Roaming Dragon,but will utilize the Nascent Soul instead.”Previously, Sun and Ning used fire essences.Afterward, when fire essences were insufficient, they used spirit stones.But whether fire essences or spirit stones, they are consumables, once used, they are gone.Using a Nascent Soul to drive it is different.If the Nascent Soul is consumed too much, it can operate cultivation techniques,absorbing surrounding spiritual energy to recover.Not only that, the Nascent Soul using its own spiritual energy,is much more efficient than purely consuming fire essences or spirit stones!In short, using a Nascent Soul is very cost-effective.

Sun Lingtong was slightly stunned: “Exchanging for a Nascent Soul will be very difficult!”“Because a Nascent Soul has its own will,for a cultivation nation to reward it as an itemis quite taboo.”“This is no different from demonic or crooked ways.”“But Golden Cores are fine, many elixirs use Golden Cores as ingredients.When setting up arrays, Golden Cores are also used to fill the array eyes.”

Ning Zhuo let out an “Oh” sound: “So that’s how it is.”“I should first contact the Three Generals Camp, no,directly contact Zhao Xi, and see through himif it’s possible to exchange for a Nascent Soul.”“If there’s no way to exchange for it, then just exchange for Golden Cores.”Last time, Zhao Xi exchanged the Three Constellations Intertwining Treasure Talismans for Ning Zhuo,with extremely high efficiency. This ability to handle matters deeply impressed both Sun and Ning.No wonder Zhao Xi was so successful in the officialdom of Liangzhu Country!Therefore, this time, even knowing that the matter of the Nascent Soul was taboo,he still held a glimmer of hope.This was his expectation for Zhao Xi.

Ning Zhuo continued: “Besides upgrading the energy core to a Golden Core,most of the materials for the Cang Tie Han Jianeed to be replaced with Golden Core level, or even Nascent Soul level ones.”“I have three automaton platforms, all at the Nascent Soul level.I also have a large batch of treasure materials in hand,processing materials, producing semi-finished products, automaton accessories, and components is not a problem.”After the energy core was upgraded, the original body of the Cang Tie Han Jia was far behind.A Foundation Establishment level body is difficult to bear the exertion of Golden Core power.Used to a certain extent, it might even collapse and disintegrate on its own.

Sun Lingtong strongly agreed with Ning Zhuo’s plan.Because upgrading the body materials was something that should have been done,and was inevitable.“Next, is the focus of the modification.”Ning Zhuo said here, a solemn look in his eyes.While gesturing with his hands, pointing and indicating the Cang Tie Han Jia, he said:“I plan to add a pair of wings to the Cang Tie Han Jia,modify its automaton structure,retain its automaton art Wind and Thunder Movement,improve the automaton art Azure Dragon Striking the Sky,and cancel the automaton art Iron Armor Chill.”

After considering, Sun Lingtong once again expressed his agreement:“Our Somesault Cloud has been destroyed,and even the magical treasure level Dark Iron Cloud is gone.”“Dealing with cultivators of the Golden Core level and above, requires flight.This is the basis of combat.”“If we are on the ground, it is too passive!”“You want to improve the Cang Tie Han Jia to achieve this goal.This is excellent, I fully support you, but how specifically will you do it?”“Will this pair of wings be bio-mimicking a certain type of bird,or just a simple shape, propelled by formations?”

Ning Zhuo thought for a moment: “For sustained flight,of course, bio-mimicking is the most natural and suitable.”“If it’s a simple shape, it relies on brute force to fly,depending on the ferocious exertion of Golden Core power.”“I still want to go the technical route, ha ha ha.”

Sun Lingtong nodded and smiled.The two then began to engross themselves in designing the blueprints together.The Cang Tie Han Jia itself was a ground combat mecha,now to be modified into an item primarily focused on flight,besides the wings, the shape of the Cang Tie Han Jia itself also needed to be modified.Sun and Ning first designed separately, then compared with each other,and finally selected and discarded, reaching the final result.The result was that the ends of the shoulder pads no longer curved upwards,but were changed to a streamlined drooping shape.The waist was made thinner, the arms and legs were lengthened,the arms could fit closely to the sides of the body, and could even be fixed.At the heels of the legs, fish fin-like shapes could extend,which could help the cultivator adjust the direction of flight.Runes and formations were also designed at the feet,with talismans pressing down on the array eyes,when necessary, igniting the talismans could unleash powerful thrust.

The focus of the design was the wings.Sun and Ning were indeed in sync, both chose the shape of a swallow’s wings.However, the former used a spring swallow, while the latter used a petrel.After combining their ideas, and in conjunction with the new mecha design,the final wing shape bio-mimicked the golden swallow.The golden swallow’s speed limit is very high, the maximum speed is quite exaggerated.The disadvantage is its insufficient burst power and lack of quick acceleration.But placed on the Cang Tie Han Jia, this drawback is eliminated.Because acceleration and burst power can be powerfully boosted by Golden Cores and talismans!This is the power and excellence of automaton art —it can leverage strengths and compensate for weaknesses.

Since it is golden swallow wings,naturally, materials of the metal element are the most suitable.At the beginning of the design, Ning Zhuo had no special requirements for materials,so he first used the most widely available material — gold essence.Modifying the external shape was very easy,Ning Zhuo quickly completed it using the automaton platform.Talismans and formations were not hastily added,Ning Zhuo first put it on and conducted a low-altitude flight test.The preliminary test was successful.The Cang Tie Han Jia’s excellent shape could cleave through the atmosphere,effectively reducing wind resistance.

Ning Zhuo began to design the formations.The most basic core of the formations is the energy core part.One must design from here first, before proceeding outwards,broadly expanding.Because it is no longer a Foundation Establishment Pill, but a Golden Core is used,the old parts of the energy core must be discarded.Considering the unknown attribute of the Golden Core,Ning Zhuo thought for a moment, and decided to adopt the structure of the Five Elements Golden Core Wheel.This idea, on one hand, came from the old Foundation Establishment Pill slot,on the other hand, from the Five Elements Spirit Turning Plate.The Five Elements Spirit Turning Plate was one of the items Ning Zhuo acquiredwhile challenging the stages in the Lava Immortal Palace.He had used it several times, and it left a deep impression.Combining the design concepts from both aspects,Ning Zhuo integrated them and quickly created the Five Elements Golden Core Wheel.The wheel has a groove for embedding the Golden Core.As long as the Golden Core belongs to the Five Elements, the wheel can transform its spiritual energy,transforming it into the other four elements.

Having designed the energy core part, Ning Zhuo followed the momentum and deduced outwards.A Sharp Arrow Formation was placed on the Golden Swallow Wings to break through the air.An Evergreen Formation was placed at the waist and abdomen for endurance.Inside the Cang Tie Han Jia, a large number of Flow Returning Formations were inscribed,used to balance and regulate the internal and external pressure of the mecha.A Flame Spraying Formation was designed at the soles of the feet,which could accelerate the mecha.And a Earth Cover Formation was placed on the helmet to enhance defense.The automaton platform once again played a powerful role,allowing Sun and Ning to rapidly engrave various array patternson each automaton component.After assembling, the new Cang Tie Han Jiaonly retained the internal spine section,the rest of the areas used entirely new treasure materials.Array patterns – after linking, Ning Zhuo began to activate the formations one by one.All the formations passed the tests in one go, with no problems.

Sun Lingtong exclaimed from the bottom of his heart:“If it were us setting up the formations, we would definitely get one or two formations wrong.The automaton platform is really easy to use!”With the initial product ready, Ning Zhuo put it on and immediately conducted tests.Because all the formations were designed with the most conservative approach,the test results were also very good.Thirty-odd consecutive tests were conducted,with only five instances of issues.All minor issues, such as the uneven thrust from the flame spraying formation at the soles of the feet, requiring adjustment.Or for long-distance flight, the knee joints would easily bend,leading to excessive wind resistance and overheating, requiring a solution for localized high temperatures,otherwise, after one battle, the knees would be ruined first.

Uneven flame thrust was easily resolved.Ning Zhuo drew a new array pattern, linking the two foot-sole formations,regulating their flame spraying intensity.In addition, Ning Zhuo modified a small part of the foot-sole formations,allowing these two formations to sense each other.This way, it also played a role in adjusting the uneven thrust.These two approaches worked in tandem to prevent situationslike array patterns being destroyed during battle.Once there was an accident, there was at least a backup plan to step in for emergency.

After extensive modifications,Ice Frost Returning Flow Rings were added to the knee joints,perfectly matching with the Returning Flow Formation, solving the overheating problem.The flame spraying formation at the soles of the feet was upgraded to the Li Fire Spitting Tongue Formation.The thrust ability of the Li Fire is over ten times that of before.The Sharp Arrow Formation on the Golden Swallow Wings was upgraded to the White Tiger Breaker Formation.This formation is primarily based on runes, serving as the array eyes.The Evergreen Formation at the waist and abdomen was directly moved outwards,vacating the original position for the Returning Flow Formation.Ning Zhuo specially designed a mechanical rope,and placed the Evergreen Formation on the rope.After being wrapped around the waist, the activation of the Evergreen Formationcould benefit the entire mechanical body.The Returning Flow Formation, originally limited to the interior of the Cang Tie Han Jia,was upgraded to the Two Poles Returning Flow Formation,Yin and Yang within and without, more beneficial for regulating and balancing the mecha’s interior and exterior.The performance of these formations, on average, increased by over ten times,causing the entire mecha’s performance to surge immensely.

But after Ning Zhuo’s tests, he discovered issues again.The gold essence material could not bear such powerful performance,and the Golden Swallow Wings bore the most pressure, thus collapsing first.Ning Zhuo first changed the material, and then altered the structure of the Golden Swallow Wings.Previously, it was a two-fold design, now it is a three-fold!After the golden wings no longer caused problems,Ning Zhuo further optimized the curvature of the wings in subsequent tests.Tolerance corrections were made to the Five Elements Golden Core Wheel.In the spine section, twelve Split Soul Mirrors were respectively placed,more conducive to control.Thus, the Cang Tie Han Jia was reborn!