Chapter 593: Streetlights

Ning Zhuo had originally planned to investigate a bit about the "fuel" of the Fire Burial Prajna Solution Spirit Sutra. He hadn't expected to unexpectedly find some key points in the paper figure giant statue.

Inside the Wan Li You Long, Sun Ling Tong's eyes gleamed as he rubbed his hands and said:"Little Zhuo, let's not say anything for now. We'll wait until no one is around and secretly come back to take your mother's treasure."

Ning Zhuo rubbed the ring for a moment but shook his head:"There's no need for that. We're not just going to take it directly, we're going to take it right in front of Wen Ruan Yu!"

Sun Ling Tong was momentarily stunned.

Ning Zhuo explained:"If there really is a treasure left by my mother here, then based on the White Paper City Lord's previous behavior and his recognition of me as the savior of White Paper Immortal City, he will definitely 'return the object to its rightful owner'. It is only right and proper for me to inherit the treasure my mother left behind!"

"If not, and it's just an empty joy, we can also show our sincerity."

Sun Ling Tong shook his head:"No, no, no, Little Zhuo, you've forgotten one possibility."

"If the treasure your mother left is very powerful and precious, aren't we afraid the White Paper City Lord will seize it?"

"Even if he doesn't forcefully seize it, there will always be various reasons to embezzle it. You know the consistent facade of the righteous path!"

Ning Zhuo nodded slightly:"Old big, what you said is very reasonable."

"But I still won't do this."

"Because this is an arrangement left by my mother. She was benevolent and generous, and she paid so much for White Paper Immortal City. The treasure she left is even more so for this Immortal City."

"I am her son. Coming here is not only to follow in her footsteps but, to some extent, to inherit her will, the things she worried about but couldn't complete in her lifetime!"

"So, if this situation happens, as long as the White Paper City Lord uses the treasure to protect the Immortal City and maintain the well-being of the city's people, I will accept it willingly."

Sun Ling Tong was convinced and sincerely sighed:"Little Zhuo, you are becoming more and more like someone from the righteous path."

He continued to explain:"You know, the 'righteous path' I'm talking about is the literal meaning of the term."

"I know, old big." Ning Zhuo secretly chuckled softly. "I'm just learning my mother's way of dealing with the world."

Speaking of this, Ning Zhuo's voice became lighter:"Following her style, completing the things she wanted to complete, only then do I feel like my mother is by my side, teaching me."

Sun Ling Tong sighed and said nothing more.

Ning Zhuo then called for Wen Ruan Yu and directly told him about the secret he had discovered.

Wen Ruan Yu was surprised and happy:"The City Lord is wise! Appointing you to investigate, unexpectedly one move has led to a shocking breakthrough!"

"From this, it seems your attainment in array formations is very profound. This is not something ordinary people can discern."

Wen Ruan Yu continued to sigh:"And there's still Senior Sister Meng! Following the path has its use, and reversing the path has another. This idea is extremely clever. Who would have thought to reverse this array formation?"

Having been guided to the key point, Wen Ruan Yu also saw the tricky aspect.

Under his gaze, Ning Zhuo reversed a certain array formation, triggering the spatial area within the array formation and opening a channel.

Ning Zhuo and Wen Ruan Yu entered one after another and then discovered that the spatial area of the array formation was supported by eight stone pillars, from top to bottom.

At the very center of the spatial area was a huge well.

Inside the well, yin energy surged like a tide, emitting a roaring sound like a galloping river.

And directly above the well's mouth, an eight-cornered palace lamp was suspended.

The lamp body of this lamp was octagonal, with a total height of four feet two inches and a diameter of one foot eight inches. Its top converged in a dome shape, and its bottom was flat and square, implying the principle of a round sky and square earth.

The palace lamp seemed to be made of brass and sandalwood, emitting a weak yellow light.

But it was this weak layer of light that firmly suppressed the surging tide of yin energy, even faintly penetrating inside.

While Ning Zhuo was still observing, Wen Ruan Yu blurted out:"This is my Wan Xiang Sect's Qian Mo Lamp! I didn't expect Senior Sister Meng to hide it here secretly."

This answer was a bit unexpected for both Sun and Ning.

"Qian Mo Lamp?" Ning Zhuo asked.

Wen Ruan Yu nodded, pointing at this Yuan Ying level treasure:"This lamp can greatly adjust the earth's energy in an area, making the soil fertile for fields, and it can facilitate travel between different places."

"Senior Sister Meng used it here to suppress this yin tide."

"Alas, that year, because she lost this treasure, she could have soared straight up in the Fei Yun Grand Meeting, but instead, her name fell behind."

"The price she paid was originally more than what we once saw!"

Ning Zhuo then looked towards the yin tide and said through gritted teeth:"How can this vast yin tide be fundamentally cured? How can it be done once and for all?"

Wen Ruan Yu sighed and shook his head:"That's too difficult!"

"The Black Swamp Wetland of the Yin Tide was precisely formed by the deep and long-term erosion of the yin tide, resulting in its unique landscape and resources."

"As the saying goes, those who live by the mountains eat from the mountains, and those who live by the water eat from the water. This yin tide is the lifeline for the development of our White Paper Immortal City."

"For this, the City Lord was even willing to sacrifice himself, suppressing the yin tide year-round, and now his body is not his own due to severe yin energy erosion, falling into a predicament."

Ning Zhuo frowned:"This palace lamp has always suppressed the yin tide. White Paper Immortal City has been able to persist until now, its merit can be said to be indelible!"

"Although it is a possession of the Wan Xiang Sect, this matter concerns the lives of countless people in White Paper Immortal City, both high and low, and cannot be taken lightly."

"In my opinion, it would be best if you, Master Wen, pretend not to have seen it, just feign ignorance, and fulfill Senior Meng Yao Yin's arrangements and good intentions."

But Wen Ruan Yu shook his head, a bitter laugh escaping his lips:"I cannot do that."

"This palace lamp itself is extraordinary, but its origin is even more so. It is even a component of the Bai Hua Fei Zhou."

"The Bai Hua Fei Zhou is the Wan Xiang Sect's sect-protecting spirit treasure, and it has been lost for many years."

"This palace lamp, a part of the flying boat, is an important clue! That year, Senior Sister Meng took on this task precisely to use this lamp to search for the location of the flying boat everywhere."

"This matter concerns the sect-protecting spirit treasure, I cannot conceal it and not report!"

"I will report this matter to the sect. Of course, I will also report it to the White Paper City Lord simultaneously."

Sun Ling Tong slapped his forehead:"Oh dear, oh dear, if I had known earlier, we wouldn't have unraveled this array formation face-to-face."

Ning Zhuo was silent for a moment, but then agreed:"Alright. But since I discovered this place, I have one request."

"Since the Wan Xiang Sect has found their Qian Mo Lamp, as a super sect, they should show some generosity."

"At the very least, they should take out a treasure of equal value to replace the Qian Mo Lamp and continue to suppress this place. What do you think?"

Wen Ruan Yu heard his words and couldn't help but size up Ning Zhuo with a different gaze.

Ning Zhuo didn't understand:"Why is Master Wen looking at me like this?"

Wen Ruan Yu sighed:"I didn't expect you, Jiao Ma, to have such capacity and disposition, thinking for White Paper Immortal City for the first time. This is rarely seen at your age."

Wen Ruan Yu looked at Ning Zhuo with new eyes.

He was a Confucian cultivator, emphasizing cultivating oneself, managing one's family, governing the country, and bringing peace to the world. His pursuit was to establish a heart for heaven and earth, establish a life for living beings, carry on the lost teachings of past sages, and usher in an era of great peace for ten thousand generations.

Therefore, Ning Zhuo's action greatly suited his taste.

He smiled slightly and said:"Rest assured. Not only will I ask the sect for a treasure to continue suppressing this place, but I will also request merit for you!"

"For so many years, no one in White Paper Immortal City, from top to bottom, discovered the secret here."

"Your merit cannot be buried!"

"I will strive to convince the sect to give you the opportunity to join our Wan Xiang Sect."

"Jiao Ma, with your achievements, merely becoming a male consort in White Paper Immortal City is too much of a waste of talent."

"For you, even White Paper Immortal City, this piece of Black Swamp Wetland, is too small. You should join a super sect; that will be the grand stage for your life to shine brightly!"

Ning Zhuo was stunned:"Join the Wan Xiang Sect?"

His heart skipped a beat.

All because if he could join this sect, he could come into contact with more of his mother's past, search for more fuel, and further supplement Meng Yao Yin's spirituality.

Besides that, there was his personal development.

Ning Zhuo asked:"I don't want to change my main cultivation method. What about bringing my own art and teacher?"

Wen Ruan Yu pondered and said:"My Wan Xiang Sect is inclusive of all, like the sea accepting a hundred rivers. There are too many who bring their own art and teacher."

"Speaking of which, if you enter the sect, the timing is just right."

"This session's Fei Yun Grand Meeting is about to take place. If you perform well in this grand event, you can quickly shed the identity of a miscellaneous disciple, even skip the identity of an outer disciple, and in one step become an inner disciple!"

Ning Zhuo heard Wen Ruan Yu mention the Fei Yun Grand Meeting for the second time and immediately asked for details.

Wen Ruan Yu then explained:"My Wan Xiang Sect's selection of talent has always been unconventional. The Fei Yun Grand Meeting is a grand ceremony for promoting talent. Its scope is very large, affecting the entire Fei Yun Country and even foreign countries."

"Many people in the sect are not content with their current position and often prepare for the Fei Yun Grand Meeting for many years."

"At that time, the Wan Xiang Sect will issue all the tasks within the sect, to be taken by disciples within the sect and scattered cultivators outside. Through communicating with the gods of heaven and earth, the results of each cultivator's completed tasks and their contributions are instantly recorded, and their abilities are accurately judged."

"That year, Senior Sister Meng obtained this palace lamp precisely by taking a task in the Fei Yun Grand Meeting."

"Alas, Senior Sister Meng was still too benevolent."

"She left this palace lamp here, but because she lost it, she was severely deducted points and failed the selection in the Fei Yun Grand Meeting!"

Ning Zhuo's heart suddenly stirred, and a trace of doubt arose in his mind.

He suppressed the doubt and cupped his hands to Wen Ruan Yu in thanks:"If I can receive your recommendation, senior, and enter the Wan Xiang Sect, it is naturally a great thing! Thank you for your promotion, senior."

Wen Ruan Yu:"I also gain sect contribution by recommending talent to the sect. Of course, I also want to form a good karma with you, Jiao Ma."

He didn't conceal anything, and his honest demeanor evoked a good feeling.

Ning Zhuo put down his hands in a gesture of politeness:"But before that, I want to refine this palace lamp first."

Wen Ruan Yu:?

Hesitation showed on his face. He was about to speak but then caught a glimpse of Ning Zhuo's resolute eyes.

Wen Ruan Yu suddenly understood that the latter's will was firm, and this matter was not negotiable.

Ning Zhuo's face was expressionless, and his tone was even somewhat stiff:"Senior Wen, as long as you fulfill your promise, I will immediately exchange this treasure for another."

At this moment, what came to Wen Ruan Yu's mind was the scene of Ning Zhuo capturing three Gold Dan level ghost cultivators alive by himself.

He smiled slightly:"Alright."

Ning Zhuo:"Please also ask Master Wen to personally report the situation here to the City Lord. I will stay here and refine this palace lamp."

Wen Ruan Yu nodded:"This matter is important, and indeed I need to report it personally to ensure it's handled properly."

"But you standing here alone is not safe."

"How about this, I'll leave a clone to protect you on either side!"

It was clear that he was worried about Ning Zhuo swallowing the treasure and disappearing, but Wen Ruan Yu put it nicely.

Although there was a smile on his face, Ning Zhuo could feel his insistence on this point.

Ning Zhuo nodded:"Alright."

Seeing him agree, Wen Ruan Yu immediately took out a scroll from his storage belt.

He infused magical power and unfolded the scroll.

The person in the painting was his self-portrait.

Wen Ruan Yu's clone walked out of the portrait and landed in this spatial area of the array formation, slowly bowing.

The clone's aura unexpectedly reached the Gold Dan level!

Ning Zhuo curiously sized it up for a moment and praised:"I heard that Confucian cultivators usually cultivate the four arts, namely qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Today, I have personally witnessed that Senior Wen's attainment in Confucian cultivation is truly profound."

Wen Ruan Yu laughed and humbly said a few sentences.

He arranged the clone in one place, far from the palace lamp to avoid suspicion. After making these arrangements, he wasted no time and withdrew and left.

Ning Zhuo floated to mid-air, slowly approaching the palace lamp. Finally, he gently caressed it with both hands, his hands resting on the surface of the palace lamp.

He concentrated his mind, infused magical power, and began to refine the treasure.

Sun Ling Tong then hid inside the Wan Li You Long, closely guarding Ning Zhuo and watching out for Wen Ruan Yu's portrait clone.

"Little Zhuo, did you find something else?"

Ning Zhuo transmitted with his divine sense:"I have a guess. I can probably confirm it after I refine this palace lamp."

Ning Zhuo was not skilled in refining treasures, nor did he have any superior methods for refining treasures.

However, when he had refined it by 30%, his heart trembled, and he discovered more of Meng Yao Yin's arrangements, also confirming his previous guess.

"Indeed, my mother had other arrangements!"

Ning Zhuo had just heard Wen Ruan Yu's sigh and felt strange in his heart.

He thought at the time:"My mother is so wise, why didn't she go report to the sect and directly exchange the treasure? Why did she suffer such a great loss and fail the selection in the Fei Yun Grand Meeting? Unless she had other difficulties or plans!"

Ning Zhuo gradually refined the palace lamp and also gradually uncovered more of Meng Yao Yin's arrangements.

He discovered that the power of this palace lamp had unexpectedly penetrated into the vast yin tide, forming fixed passages one by one.

These passages were all very hidden and not activated by the palace lamp, almost non-existent. The passages were very long, seemingly extending infinitely, and he didn't know how deep they went.

When Ning Zhuo had refined the palace lamp by 60%, he obtained the answer to this question — these passages unexpectedly penetrated yin and yang, leading directly to the underworld!

Sun Ling Tong learned this information, his face full of shock:"Little Zhuo, your mother's hand is truly not small. She unexpectedly has arrangements in the underworld. Although she borrowed the special geography of the Black Swamp Wetland of the Yin Tide, being able to connect yin and yang is truly very bold."

Ning Zhuo's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and a bigger doubt arose in his heart:"My mother did not hesitate to fail the selection in the Fei Yun Grand Meeting, temporarily sacrificing her future in the sect, just to borrow the palace lamp and make arrangements in the underworld."

"Why did she do this?"

"There must be a compelling reason!"

When Ning Zhuo had refined the palace lamp by 80%, his body and mind were greatly shocked.

"This is?!"