Chapter 500

The first formal training of troops successfully concluded the battle array, which made both Sun and Ning feel happy.

"The speed of concluding the battle array can be done even faster!"

"That's right. We have to be more stable; after all, the pressure we have to face on the battlefield is far beyond what it is now."

The two discussed that the focus of future cultivation would be changed to training troops.

Training troops consumes little personal magic power, but consumes a lot of spiritual sense.

In this aspect, it is necessary to supplement corresponding pills and spiritual food, which can extend the time for training troops.

What consumes the most is spirit stones.

Every mechanical puppet is loaded with spirit stones. Often after a training session, the spirit stones on the mechanical puppets are exhausted. Even if not, they are close to drying up.

Fortunately, Ning Zhuo is rich now. If it were before, he wouldn't even be able to support two or three training sessions.

Zhang Zhongyi, who came to inquire, also watched a training session of the mechanical army, and after learning the amount of spirit stones consumed, couldn't help but sigh: "It's really extravagant!"

Although Mu Lan no longer watched, she always kept her attention.

As the days passed, the manipulation techniques of Sun and Ning became more and more mature.

Mu Lan's evaluation of the combat power of the mechanical army in her heart also rose accordingly. From the initial drag to barely acceptable, then to just so-so, and then to slightly reliable...

Ning Zhuo did not interrupt his own cultivation.

Mirror Platform Spirit-Connecting Sutra, Five Elements Qi Law, Blood-Stained Tendon Demon Art, these three cultivation techniques were activated by him in turn.

Previously, with the help of four National Power Bricks, he saved nine years of accumulated hard work, achieved unobstructed field opening, and entered the stage of treasure medicine gestation.

At this stage, what he needs to do is not the fusion of the three treasures, letting essence, qi, and spirit pull each other, enter the other two dantians, and reach the state of you in me and me in you.

Therefore, the time spent on cultivation is actually slightly less than before.

The biggest problem plaguing Ning Zhuo is no longer the speed of cultivation. War merits and National Power Bricks have become the shortcuts he is looking for.

What he is worried about now is the maintenance of the mechanical puppets.

During the training of troops, he and Sun Lingtong only broke two or three.

"In actual combat, I have to use the sacrifice of comrades... oh, the Warrior's Return Art."

"This requires sacrificing many mechanical puppets."

"Therefore, after every actual battle, the mechanical puppets will suffer heavy losses and need to be replenished in time."

"The Ten-Thousand-Mile Swimming Dragon can be modified to have several maintenance cabins, but..."

Ning Zhuo took precautions, knowing his current shortcomings.

"I need to hoard a large amount of materials and purchase some mechanical pedestals."

There are many mechanical pedestals in the Magma Immortal Palace. This kind of pedestal can manufacture a certain mechanical part in large quantities and at high speed, or specifically perform a certain operation, such as crushing with great force, precision cutting, etc., which is the basic infrastructure for repairing and manufacturing mechanical creations.

Ning Zhuo took the initiative to look for these in the market and actively purchased them.

"Auction?"

In a shop, Ning Zhuo heard a piece of news from the shopkeeper.

After subsequent understanding, Ning Zhuo knew more information.

Although the auction is not large in scale, the grade is quite high, specifically aimed at cultivators who are about to go to war. It is led by the City Lord of Canglin Immortal City, carried by many large merchants in the city, and has obtained official permission from the two kingdoms, purchasing many good items from official channels.

Therefore, for Ning Zhuo, participating in it is not insignificant.

The shopkeeper reminded him: "Lord Military Advisor, it is not easy to participate in this auction; a recommendation letter is required. As far as I know, only the City Lord has extra recommendation letters."

Ning Zhuo heard the string and knew the elegance, immediately judging that this was the City Lord taking the opportunity to collect money.

The auction has not yet taken place, and he can use this operation to gather a large amount of funds before then.

Ning Zhuo did not intend to contact the City Lord of Canglin Immortal City.

He first found the three generals Liu, Generals Guan, and Zhang to tell them about this, but the three generals knew even less than him, and it was the first time they had heard of it.

Ning Zhuo found Mu Lan again.

Mu Lan nodded: "There is such a thing."

Mu Lan had little interest.

It wasn't that she was busy training troops, but simply that she had no money!

Seeing that Ning Zhuo wanted to go, she directly stuffed the recommendation letter into Ning Zhuo's hand.

Ning Zhuo expressed his gratitude and politely invited Mu Lan to participate together.

Mu Lan nodded and agreed immediately.

The auction was held in the City Lord's Mansion.

Late at night, the hall was brightly lit.

Mu Lan, Ning Zhuo, Shuang Jing, Xu Dali, Sun Gan, and others all entered the venue.

The City Lord of Canglin Immortal City was tall and thin, with a goat beard and high cheekbones, and presided over it himself: "Everyone, there are many treasures in this small auction today that can allow you to lead the way on the battlefield or save your lives."

"To tell you the truth, in order to prepare for this auction, I started preparing and raising funds half a year in advance."

"I believe it will not disappoint everyone!"

"Alright, the auction begins."

The City Lord of Canglin Immortal City was very sensible, didn't say much, and went straight to the point.

The City Lord walked off the stage, and a Golden Core-level cultivator took the stage to preside.

Two attendants worked together to lift a large wooden box onto the auction stage.

The presiding Golden Core cultivator gave a light pat and opened the wooden box.

What was presented to everyone was a box of thunder beads.

"This is a Earth-Splitting Thunder Bead; infuse a little magic power as a fuse, and throw it out to detonate."

"This was forged by a cultivator specializing in the Earth Element; after the thunder bead explodes, it can tear the surface of the earth, and is best at breaking hard mountain rocks."

"This big box has a full four thousand thunder beads!"

The Golden Core cultivator then quoted the price, and immediately there were many responders.

The great battle that follows will inevitably be a large number of mountain battles, and these thunder beads will have a place to show their power.

The Earth-Splitting Thunder Beads were soon bought by someone.

The second item was a flying sword, named Tianyi. Both offense and defense are weak, only the speed is extremely fast.

The flying sword also sold for a high price.

Ning Zhuo took a look, and the one who bought the flying sword was an old acquaintance—Shuang Jing of the Baiyu Camp.

Obviously, this was Shuang Jing buying the Tianyi flying sword as a trump card to escape alive in case of defeat in the future. Although he already had many similar trump cards.

The third item was a suit of armor, named Xuanwu Great Armor.

The armor was very heavy, obviously designed for body cultivators, and was bought by Xu Dali.

When it came to the fourth item, the one the attendants led up was a cultivator.

This cultivator's figure was like a willow, slender and long, with light steps. Her face was like coagulated fat, her skin color was mottled, her pupils were huge, occupying almost 30% of her face, and her gaze was calm.

Her hair was brightly colored and layered. Her clothes were woven from vines and petals, with a clear and quiet color, purple with red, and covered with small flowers.

Her height was only half that of a normal person, which reminded Ning Zhuo of Hua Guzi.

Hua Guzi was only half-human and half-demon, while this female cultivator was a complete demon cultivator.

"Everyone must have seen that this is a Rhododendron Flower Demon."

"This is a flower demon Dao soldier cultivated by the Demon Soldier View, possessing the ability to heal wounds, and also possessing a certain power of blood sacrifice."

Saying this, the auctioning cultivator gave an order to let the Rhododendron Flower Demon Dao soldier demonstrate her healing methods in public.

Please... collect... 6... 9... book...!

The fourth item was these eighty Rhododendron Flower Demon Dao soldiers.

War is dangerous; as long as you go to the battlefield, there will inevitably be wounded.

If you can have such a Dao soldier to act as a doctor, you can quickly treat the wounded, allowing them to return to the battlefield.

Several generals at the scene all had their eyes shining.

When the bidding started, Mu Lan also participated in it rarely.

But she was the first to be brushed off.

Xu Dali was the second.

Sun Gan and Shuang Jing competed fiercely.

Seeing the price climb to the limit, the speed of the two's bidding became slower and slower, and the time for consideration became longer and longer.

Just when everyone thought the two were about to decide the winner, Ning Zhuo suddenly spoke up and directly quoted a double price.

For a moment, the whole audience looked sideways.

Sun Gan and Shuang Jing stared, their gazes forcing Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo did not show malice, but stood up, clasped his fists and smiled, bowed to the whole audience, his attitude humble.

Sun Gan and Shuang Jing each snorted coldly and took the initiative to withdraw.

Ning Zhuo got these Dao soldiers and transferred them to Mu Lan on the spot.

Mu Lan opened her mouth slightly, subconsciously wanting to refuse.

Ning Zhuo transmitted his spiritual sense: "Accept it, General Mu. Without your recommendation letter, I wouldn't be able to get involved in this auction."

"I know the Red Flower Camp has suffered heavy losses, and these Dao soldiers come from the Demon Soldier View, are well-trained, and can be used immediately, which can just make up for your shortage of soldiers."

"They should be very compatible with the Red Flower Battle Array."

"The Red Flower Camp is in urgent need of doctors, don't let Lord Zhang Zhongyi be too tired."

Ning Zhuo's persuasion reached Mu Lan's heart. She nodded slightly, and transmitted with complex blood: "Thank you."

Ning Zhuo waved his hand, feeling like it was just a small amount of money, giving you a gift, just doing it casually, no need to be too serious.

After selling six more items, Ning Zhuo finally waited for what he wanted.

Mechanical Pedestal—Clever Hand Cabinet.

"This is a Golden Core-level mechanical pedestal..."

After the cultivator introduced it, he finally said: "Selling price 1.08 million mid-grade spirit stones."

"Two million!" Ning Zhuo was the first to quote.

The whole audience was silent.

The cultivators who were slightly interested, hearing this exaggerated quote, had to give up.

Just when Ning Zhuo thought he had succeeded, a light female voice suddenly came: "2.01 million."

Ning Zhuo increased the price: "2.2 million."

Female voice: "2.21 million."

Ning Zhuo frowned and continued to increase the price: "2.6 million."

The female voice sneered: "Three million."

Ning Zhuo continued: "3.6 million!"

The female voice laughed: "Six million!!"

In an instant, the whole audience looked sideways.

Ning Zhuo also cast his gaze, and saw a female cultivator wearing a mask, with her right arm replaced by a mechanical arm.

From her gray-white long hair, it could be seen that she was quite old.

The masked female cultivator turned her head slightly and looked at Ning Zhuo: "Child, where are your elders?"

Seemingly a question, it was actually full of insults and provocation.

Ning Zhuo's face sank: "May I ask your name?"

The masked female cultivator raised her head slightly: "Shuang Ling."

All the cultivators at the scene were shocked—Mechanical Princess!

Shuang Jing gave a wry smile and stood up, bowing in public: "Aunt, you have also come to participate in the war?"

Mechanical Princess Shuang Ling snorted coldly: "If you had performed slightly better in the ambush battle, I wouldn't have had to go to such trouble to come and support you."

Shuang Jing bowed again: "It is Jing'er's dereliction of duty, fighting unfavorably!"

Mechanical Princess snorted coldly again: "Fighting unfavorably is one thing, you actually couldn't even compete for a wife against a foreigner."

She looked at Ning Zhuo: "The successor of the dignified Upper General's Mansion—Mu Lan, your husband is actually just a Foundation Establishment cultivator?"

Ning Zhuo and Mu Lan's faces changed.

The whole audience was in an uproar.

"What, what's the situation?!"

"How does General Mu Lan have a husband?"

"Is it Ning Zhuo? It seems to be him, what exactly happened!"

"Impossible! This is impossible, how could the tiger daughter of the Upper General's Mansion be married as a wife?!"

(End of this chapter)