Chapter 442

The grand array surrounding the Heavenly Pillar Giant Tree was revoked.

The three Nascent Soul cultivators, including Ink Abyss, waved their hands one after another, taking back the array flags, array disks, and so on into their storage bags.

The three cultivators turned into rainbows and flew into the sky, heading toward their sect's station.

On the way back, the Cave Master of Demon Heart communicated via spiritual sense, expressing his confusion: "Great Cave Master, the three of us arrived together, and we have strength in numbers. Why was it necessary to take out a heavy treasure like the Western Pure Land and hand it to the Old Monster in the Stone?"

"We could have completely forced him to sign the Ginseng-Beard Long Wang's divine decree!"

A cold light flashed in Lu Hongtu's eyes.

"Did you not feel it?"

"On the Old Monster in the Stone's body, there was already a trace of Soul Transformation-level aura!"

The Cave Masters of Demon Heart and Blood Shadow were both stunned.

The Cave Master of Demon Heart said with suspicion: "Could it be that the Old Monster in the Stone has already ascended to the Soul Transformation Stage?"

Lu Hongtu shook his head slightly.

"This cultivator was born as a ten-thousand-year earth essence, and his own accumulation is extremely profound. However, he once swallowed a fragment of the Treasure-Dividing Rock."

"Although he gained the divine ability of the Stone-Casting Earth Treasure, this fortuitous encounter was not without its drawbacks—it greatly dragged down his cultivation speed."

This was a very common situation.

Cultivators, in the process of cultivation, must face this difficult choice.

That is, to increase cultivation base and power, or to master divine abilities and techniques?

If the cultivation base is raised, one's own foundation will be strengthened, and there will be growth in all aspects.

But if one only has cultivation base without divine abilities and techniques to rely on, the cultivator's combat effectiveness will be very worrying.

Having deep magic power but no combat power makes it very difficult to survive when encountering disasters.

However, if one focuses on divine abilities and techniques, spending a lot of time and energy on them, it will also drag down the progress of one's own cultivation base.

Once the progress of the cultivation base is too slow, by the time the lifespan limit is reached, if the cultivator has not yet broken through to the next stage... then it is equivalent to seeking one's own death.

Therefore, choosing cultivation base or choosing divine abilities and techniques has never been a single-choice question.

As a normal cultivator, one must take care of both.

But which is light and which is heavy, at what time period, and what to choose as the focus of cultivation, all vary from person to person.

After the Old Monster in the Stone swallowed the fragment of the Treasure-Dividing Rock back then, he made rapid progress in divine abilities and techniques, and a qualitative change occurred!

But this wonderful divine ability also dragged down the progress of his cultivation base.

Lu Hongtu had a good understanding of this.

He shook his head.

"If the Old Monster in the Stone had ascended to the Soul Transformation Stage, his attitude toward us would not be like this."

"It can only be said that he is already on the verge of Soul Transformation, facing the critical stage of breakthrough."

"Under these circumstances, my gift of the Western Pure Land is just right."

The Cave Masters of Demon Heart and Blood Shadow immediately understood.

Facing the Old Monster in the Stone who was about to undergo Soul Transformation, the Cave Master of Ink Abyss needed to show goodwill.

If the Old Monster in the Stone were to ascend to Soul Transformation in the future, and the Cave Master of Ink Abyss had previously had friction with him, he would inevitably be under pressure and would not be able to get a good outcome.

It is better to send the Western Pure Land now.

The Old Monster in the Stone's true form is a ten-thousand-year earth essence, and an Earth-element Merit Treasure like the Western Pure Land is extremely helpful to him, capable of bringing about a qualitative change.

This will greatly increase the possibility of him ascending to the Soul Transformation Stage.

The grudge between Lu Hongtu and the Old Monster in the Stone was not a deep hatred. If this treasure is sent out and the Old Monster in the Stone successfully ascends in the future, they will inevitably bury the hatchet, and he will even return the favor to the Great Cave Master of Ink Abyss.

Even if the Old Monster in the Stone fails to ascend, the Western Pure Land still has a huge effect on him.

The favor of the Great Cave Master of Ink Abyss still exists.

And it also sounds very good when spread around.

The Great Cave Master of Ink Abyss did not force other Nascent Soul cultivators to join the Great Alliance of the Thousand Peaks Forest.

Instead, he actively gave out a heavy treasure like the Western Pure Land, achieving cooperation through inducement. In this way, the Cave Master of Ink Abyss is sacrificing himself for others, actively giving up his own interests for the future of the entire Thousand Peaks Forest; this is an act of high moral character!

It is worth mentioning that the Six Caves Sect is not a purely demonic force, but is both righteous and evil.

Lu Hongtu has a deep insight into the overall situation; he knows that to deal with the native forces of the Thousand Peaks Forest, one must have a tough and overbearing side, so he absorbed Nascent Soul cultivators like Demon Heart and Blood Shadow.

At the same time, he also understands that if one is only tough, overbearing, and vicious, it is equivalent to cutting oneself off from the outside world, and such a Six Caves Sect has no future.

Therefore, he absorbed the other two cave masters and actively established good relationships with the outside world.

The Six Caves Sect's demonic overbearingness is mostly used internally, which helps them gain a firm foothold in the Thousand Peaks Forest. Their righteous conduct allows them to have more contact with the outside world, helping them exchange for countless cultivation resources.

Possessing channels for communication with the outside world enables the Six Caves Sect to utilize the resources of the Thousand Peaks Forest to conduct extensive contact, trade, and friendship with outside forces. On the other hand, they sell outside resources to large and small forces within the Thousand Peaks Forest, earning a fortune, and their status has gradually become transcendent.

This is all the merit of Lu Hongtu's management!

At this moment, this Cave Master of Ink Abyss was calculating the future.

"If the Old Monster in the Stone can really break through to Soul Transformation, then he and the Ginseng-Beard Long Wang will inevitably have a battle!"

As the only Soul Transformation-level existence in the Thousand Peaks Ridge, the Ginseng-Beard Long Wang has been entrenched here, operating for countless years, with deep roots and numerous believers.

One mountain cannot accommodate two tigers.

If the Old Monster in the Stone wants to continue cultivating in the Thousand Peaks Ridge, he will inevitably involve the earth veins of the Thousand Peaks Forest, which will seriously touch upon the Ginseng-Beard Long Wang's fundamental interests.

"By then, when two tigers fight, one will inevitably be injured!"

When the Cave Master of Ink Abyss thought of this, his eyes were filled with brilliance, and his heart was moved.

"Does an opportunity for me exist in this?"

"However, all of this must wait until the conquering army of the Two Note Kingdoms retreats..."

At the bottom of the cave.

After the stone ball had been silent for a long time, it finally began to loosen.

Crack, crack.

Cracks appeared on the surface of the stone ball.

The cracks spread rapidly, finally breaking open, and Sun and Ning drilled out from within.

After confirming that the three Nascent Soul cultivators had all left, they still waited patiently for a period of time before drilling out.

"So exciting, it was truly so exciting!" Sun Lingtong's stone clothing had already been broken by Unlike Ning Zhuo at this time.

He had reapplied a layer of medicinal mud and was now free to move.

Even though Sun Lingtong was an evil-path cultivator who loved to pursue excitement, he was now limp all over, unable to muster a shred of strength.

The situation just now was too dangerous; a slight carelessness or a mistake in response would have led to the three Nascent Soul cultivators seeing through them.

The consequences for Sun and Ning at that time were too terrifying to imagine!

An intense feeling of lingering fear enveloped Sun Lingtong's body and mind, making him not want to move for a while.

Unlike Ning Zhuo's gaze was focused on the ground to the side, where there was a handful of Western Pure Land.

The exchange with the three Nascent Soul cultivators had some things within his expectations and some that were beyond them.

Unlike Ning Zhuo had not expected Lu Hongtu to take out the Western Pure Land, nor had he expected that they would be forced to sign the Ginseng-Beard Long Wang's divine decree.

"From this, it can be seen that Lu Hongtu came prepared!"

"According to the information collected, this person has a good grasp of the overall situation and was even able to pay out of his own pocket to unite with other Nascent Soul cultivators."

"Moreover, under the huge pressure of the Two Note Kingdoms' army's conquest, the Thousand Peaks Forest is changing its old state of being filled with independent strongholds, and a large number of figures and forces here are rapidly integrating."

Unlike Ning Zhuo immediately confirmed the change in the situation in the Thousand Peaks Forest from this matter.

In such a critical moment, having a powerful leader is truly too crucial.

The Thousand Peaks Forest benefited because of the Ginseng-Beard Long Wang, avoiding the situation of being a scattered mess.

The Ginseng-Beard Long Wang is the local deity. Based on the characteristics of a deity, and as the biggest beneficiary, He Himself must be the most steadfast defender in the Thousand Peaks Forest.

At the same time, He is also the strongest combat power at the Soul Transformation level.

Therefore, various cultivators and forces who are unwilling to become homeless dogs are gathering around this backbone and are actively uniting.

Lu Hongtu bringing the divine decree made it easier for Sun and Ning to muddle through.

But this benefit is also a disadvantage.

Currently, both Sun and Ning have signed the divine decree and are under the control of others.

Just a moment ago, Sun and Ning used the Fetal Breath Spirit Boat and utilized the Stone-Casting Earth Treasure divine ability to merge themselves with the stone ball, being seen by heaven and earth as a complete fetus.

Sun Lingtong's acting, Unlike Ning Zhuo's manipulation, and the stone ball's own disguise were all indispensable.

The three merged into one, utilizing the profoundness of the "Heaven-Born Earth-Nurtured Fetal Breath Great Method," which was how they deceived the three Nascent Soul-level cultivators, including Ink Abyss.

Ink Abyss forced the Old Monster in the Stone to sign the divine decree, and Sun and Ning had no choice but to comply.

Their spiritual senses were mixed into one, and through the disguise of the Stone-Casting Earth Treasure divine ability, they came into contact with the divine decree together, knowing the clear intent within. Finally, they used their spiritual senses to sign this divine decree.

Therefore, the divine decree constrained Unlike Ning Zhuo, Sun Lingtong, and the stone ball simultaneously.

"What should we do next?" Unlike Ning Zhuo felt worried about this.

Sun Lingtong asked directly: "Little Zhuo, do you feel we can break this divine decree?"

Unlike Ning Zhuo had a grave expression, shook his head slowly, and said in a low voice: "This is a Soul Transformation-level method. Although it is not impossible to break, the price to be paid is truly too huge."

"If we seek help from the Two Note Kingdoms' military, we will inevitably expose our itinerary, leak our trump cards, and the secret that the Old Monster in the Stone has already passed away."

"Judging from the secret operation Lu Hongtu revealed earlier, the Thousand Peaks Forest must have planted many eyes and ears within the Two Note Kingdoms' army."

"Therefore, they were able to learn the major military intelligence that the new army in Azure Forest Xiancheng was about to set off."

"If we seek help from the Two Note Kingdoms' military, there is no one we can trust."

"It is very likely that our information will be leaked. If the Thousand Peaks Forest side learns of this matter, and we have already signed the divine decree, then just one thought from the Ginseng-Beard Long Wang would be enough to leave us without a place to be buried."

Sun Lingtong fell into silence.

What Unlike Ning Zhuo said made a lot of sense.

Sun Lingtong sighed: "Yes, we have suffered so much, paid such a huge price, and finally obtained an astonishing amount of wealth."

"Even if the Two Note Kingdoms' military doesn't leak this secret, if we want to break the constraints of a Soul Transformation-level divine decree, I'm afraid the wealth we just obtained will be exhausted."

"If we run into some unscrupulous people who raise prices on the spot, we might even have to pay a higher price."

"If the Two Note Kingdoms' commander-in-chief, Du Tiechuan, knew we possessed the Ten Thousand Mile Wandering Dragon, I'm afraid he would force us to constantly head deep into the Thousand Peaks Forest to spy on military intelligence!"

"Then, what about returning to the Southern Bean Kingdom?"

Sun Lingtong had just said this when he shook his head himself.

There simply wasn't enough time.

According to the time requirement on the divine decree, the new army of Azure Forest Xiancheng was set to depart in four days.

By then, Sun and Ning must participate in the attack on the Two Note Kingdoms' army with all their might, complying with the divine decree without violating it, to have a chance of surviving.

"Sigh, what else can we do? Let's just take it one step at a time." Unlike Ning Zhuo shook his head.

"Don't mine the rest of the Old Monster in the Stone's body. This is part of the divine decree's constraints; it can be seen as our two bodies."

"If we take action in the future and it doesn't match the full state at the time the divine decree was signed, and we are deemed not to have gone all out, that would be terrible."

Sun and Ning discussed briefly, and having no other way, they could only continue their previous actions.

After Unlike Ning Zhuo realized the complete divine ability of the Stone-Casting Earth Treasure, he cooperated with Sun Lingtong to dig out the entire stone ball.

The two did not mine it, but stuffed it directly into the Ten Thousand Mile Wandering Dragon.

Finally, they rode the Ten Thousand Mile Wandering Dragon, shuttled through the void again, and returned to the vicinity of Azure Forest Xiancheng.

The Ten Thousand Mile Wandering Dragon had become even more dilapidated.

It had already been fifty percent damaged before, and after this round trip, the outer shell was severely broken, and many dragon scales were lost.

There were also many places that had become petrified.

Unlike Ning Zhuo took the dilapidated Ten Thousand Mile Wandering Dragon, used it as a belt, wrapped it around his waist, and walked slowly, returning to the Three Generals Camp once again.

"The military advisor is back!" When the soldiers saw Unlike Ning Zhuo, they all took the initiative to salute and greet him.

Unlike Ning Zhuo had previously shocked the entire audience on the platform with his "Tree World Descent" spell, thus gaining the respect of the entire army.

Unlike Ning Zhuo observed the training of the three generals, Liu, Guan, and Zhang.

Seeing that they hadn't noticed at all that he had misappropriated public funds, he shook his head secretly.

These three generals were truly bold.

He returned to his tent and calculated the account books.

Midway, he stopped his pen and sighed.

Not long ago, his life was hanging by a thread, but now he was in his tent, with the occasional shouting of the three generals and the cries of the cultivators outside, and a sense of security welled up.

Unlike Ning Zhuo had a feeling of being in another world, an unreal sensation.

"The military intelligence of the Two Note Kingdoms has been leaked, and the Thousand Peaks Forest side is about to ambush the new army."

"I am the military advisor of the Three Generals Camp; when the time comes, we will inevitably march together, and I will become a target for an ambush by a group of Nascent Soul and Golden Core cultivators."

"What's even worse is that Sun and I have signed a divine decree and must deal with the Two Note Kingdoms, and we have to go all out!"

"What should be done about this?"

This truly made Unlike Ning Zhuo feel troubled.

At this moment, the tent curtain was lifted, and Liu Er walked in.

Seeing Unlike Ning Zhuo frowning, Liu Er immediately showed a kind smile: "Military advisor, it is truly difficult for you to manage the account books."

Unlike Ning Zhuo hurriedly stood up and saluted.

Liu Er waved his hand, kindly indicating that they were all their own people and did not need such empty formalities.

Liu Er did not put on airs, and his way of dealing with people was like a spring breeze, which indeed made Unlike Ning Zhuo feel relieved.

Unlike Ning Zhuo sighed: "The military accounts can be calculated clearly, but the prospects are worrying, my lord."

"Currently, our military funds can only last for three months."

In reality, Unlike Ning Zhuo had misappropriated a large amount of spirit stones, which was no longer enough to support them for three months.

He had not yet had time to balance the accounts.

Unlike Ning Zhuo added: "And in the process of calculating the accounts, my heart was touched, and I had many bad premonitions."

"I feel the prospects are dim, which is why I sighed deeply and felt low."

Upon hearing this, Liu Er became interested: "For the military advisor to have such a feeling, could it be that you have the ability to divine?"

Unlike Ning Zhuo smiled slightly: "To say I am a diviner, I dare not accept such a title."

"But I have indeed practiced one or two methods of divination, and I am most proficient in array-based calculation."

"My lord, please allow me to use some military funds to set up an array to calculate the prospects of our Three Generals Camp!"

Liu Er hurriedly asked about the cost in detail.

Unlike Ning Zhuo gave a number.

Liu Er fell into hesitation. Military funds were already scarce, and if this were to be spent on divination, they wouldn't even be able to last for three months.

"These military funds do not belong to me alone; I must discuss this with my second and third brothers," Liu Er replied after thinking for a while.

Unlike Ning Zhuo reached out: "Please discuss it as soon as possible, my lord; there is no time to lose."

Liu Er nodded and sighed: "I will go and ask them now; military advisor, please wait a moment."

Liu Er left the tent to find Zhang Hei and Guan Hong, who were still training the troops.

Seeing him act this way, Unlike Ning Zhuo knew that he no longer needed to pay back the money in the Three Generals Camp.