Chapter 617: Flesh is Weak, Mechanisms Ascend

"Hahahaha!" Sun Lingtong laughed loudly in the underworld.

After moving away from the Water Burial Valley, he continued his journey to find Luo Si and communicated with Unlike Ning Zhuo again.

Unlike Ning Zhuo naturally wouldn't hide anything from him and told him about his major discovery, which made Sun Lingtong laugh loudly on the ox's back.

Unlike Ning Zhuo was speechless for a while.

After Sun Lingtong's laughter subsided, he sighed: "Boss, the matter between me and Miss Seeing Qing Chi is not the key. It is the matter itself that makes my scalp tingle!"

"Think about it, my selection of the 'Bearing Soldier and Burdening Evil Art' happened not long ago. As a result, when it comes to Seeing Qing Chi, it seems as if I had prepared it specifically for her!"

"Is this the Dao of fate? It's a bit too terrifying."

Sun Lingtong grinned, still laughing: "I actually think this matter is very interesting, quite interesting!"

"Through this incident, I have now completely discovered: it turns out that intangible things like fate are treasures under heaven."

"If we could steal other people's fate and benefit ourselves, wouldn't you say it would be wonderful?"

"We would always be lucky, everything would go as we wish, just like Seeing Qing Chi building an army, all smooth sailing!"

Unlike Ning Zhuo's expression was still not good: "Boss, that's not what I meant."

Sun Lingtong laughed: "Of course I know what you mean."

"You feel that you and I are both chess pieces, manipulated by heaven? Just like your purchase of the 'Bearing Soldier and Burdening Evil Art', it was actually controlled and manipulated by the master of heaven and earth?"

Unlike Ning Zhuo nodded: "Yes, Boss. Are we also following a script arranged by heaven along the way?"

"We are like characters in a book, puppets in a play, always thinking we are free, but not knowing that everything is controlled by a supreme master! Even, there are countless spectators observing us from angles we can hardly understand?"

"Our self-righteous freedom is just an illusion!"

Sun Lingtong was silent for a moment and shrugged: "I don't know the answer to this question either."

"What I think is, even if it is so, what of it?"

"We can't surpass heaven, can we?"

"Can the legendary immortals surpass heaven? I don't know either."

"But I know that small people like us, even if manipulated, are just performing small tricks."

"What does freedom or lack thereof have to do with anything?"

"Even if we are puppets in a play, isn't it good to enjoy the play at the moment? In short, these things are all very interesting, aren't they?"

Unlike Ning Zhuo fell into silence.

Sun Lingtong comforted him: "In short, we are still too weak. Deeply investigating such difficult problems now, there is no hope of getting an answer at all."

"It's better to enjoy the current adventure, cultivate step by step, and when we become big figures in the future, it won't be too late to think about this problem."

Unlike Ning Zhuo pondered: "Boss, I thought about it, and I think this purchase of the 'Bearing Soldier and Burdening Evil Art' should be my own idea."

"I looked at the introductions of the military tactics in the All-Book Building, compared them many times, and it was always this military tactic that was the most suitable."

"If heaven is supreme and can arrange everything, how could there be figures like the Lord of the River of Oblivion?"

Sun Lingtong clapped his hands and praised: "Isn't that so! Your brain is still better, Little Zhuo; didn't you figure it out?"

"If heaven could arrange everything, it would definitely not arrange for a cultivator who goes against heaven to appear. Otherwise, wouldn't this be asking for trouble?"

"I like this answer very much."

"In this way, everything is not an arrangement on the script, not fixed, and this is much more interesting."

Speaking of this, Sun Lingtong could not help but recall the poem Unlike Ning Zhuo recited in the Molten Immortal Palace—Sixteen years of bitter endurance, thousands of hardships deepen the will. Reason and emotion intertwine like puppet strings, all living things bow down to the eternal ruler—

Sun Lingtong sighed: "Actually, we and the Lord of the River of Oblivion are the same kind of people. On the contrary, the Gray Bone Elder who helps us is the one who follows heaven and obeys fate."

Unlike Ning Zhuo showed a different look: "Mentioning the Gray Bone Elder, if there is a chance in the future, I really want to ask him for advice."

"If possible, I would like to take him as my teacher even more!"

Sun Lingtong: "I also want to learn divination techniques, but I am worried that the old man's rules are too strict. Among the hundred arts of cultivation, the divination art is the one that studies the mystery of fate the deepest."

"I want to learn too!"

Unlike Ning Zhuo, however, broke his heart: "Boss, you want to learn it so you can steal other people's fate, right?"

Sun Lingtong: "Haha, don't you think this is very interesting? Perhaps in the future, I can successfully steal it, and others won't even know their treasure is lost."

"As long as I think about this picture, I feel it is very interesting!"

Unlike Ning Zhuo: "Divination is not a popular study; I hope the Gray Bone Elder can pass on some mysteries to me, considering I am the variable of the mortal world."

Sun Lingtong shook his head: "I don't think it's reliable. We are not the same kind of people as the Gray Bone Elder; I have been in contact with his avatar once, and this old guy gives me a feeling of being as clear as fire and unfathomable."

"Compared to taking him as a teacher, I think it might be more hopeful for you to join the Myriad Phenomena Sect in the future and collect divination techniques."

Sun Lingtong has always had a sharp insight into the human heart.

Back in Fire Persimmon Xiancheng, he saw through Zhu Xuanji's true nature, hugged his thigh, and acted shamelessly, which really left Zhu Xuanji with no way to deal with him.

Unlike Ning Zhuo naturally knew his boss's ability and immediately lowered his expectations for the Gray Bone Elder in his heart.

"I still have to visit the Gray Bone Elder personally. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work."

"As a super force, the Myriad Phenomena Sect should have divination techniques, and perhaps I can come into contact with them."

"Even if these two don't work, we must pay close attention to collecting divination techniques in the future. Boss, what do you think?"

Sun Lingtong immediately said: "I agree with both hands and feet!"

With this experience, both of them completely realized the power of the divination art and were very moved.

In the underworld, Sun Lingtong led the ox-cavalry and went deep into the hinterland of the River of Oblivion Prefecture.

On this trip, he had to find Luo Si and seek some help.

In the mortal world, Unlike Ning Zhuo continued his cultivation while paying attention to Sun Lingtong's movements and actively paying attention to the movements of White Paper Xiancheng.

Unlike Ning Zhuo's soul cultivation has been suspended, mainly because the foundation of his soul is too rapid and too strong, pressing on his physical body.

Therefore, his cultivation has been adjusted—most of his time is used to hide in the fetal breath spirit, improving his physical foundation.

Besides that, it is cultivating the 'Bearing Soldier and Burdening Evil Art'; on the contrary, the three sect supreme methods, because time is too tight, have almost been suspended.

The 'Bearing Soldier and Burdening Evil Art' can collect evil energy from outside the body, gather it as one, and condense it into military evil, which can be used in many aspects when appropriate.

For example, when used in spells, it can make spells more sharp.

Especially military evil restrains ghost entities and petty people, which is very helpful for Unlike Ning Zhuo to deal with those ghost entities.

Unlike Ning Zhuo collects military evil to satisfy one of the three conditions and destroy the century-old grand plan of the Lord of the River of Oblivion in the future.

Seeing Qing Chi collects military evil to accelerate the condensation of her own military heart.

Unlike Ning Zhuo practiced inside the paper figure colossus, and Seeing Qing Chi sat at the feet of the colossus.

The latter's comprehension is also quite remarkable; she soon understood this military tactic and used it continuously, becoming more and more proficient.

The condensation speed of the military heart rose all the way, and there were different phenomena every day.

Unlike Ning Zhuo saw Seeing Qing Chi's progress in his eyes.

He had kept Seeing Qing Chi at a distance before; after all, he was not Jiao Ma at all, and he didn't want to delay other people's happiness in life.

But now, the situation has changed, concerning the century-old poison plan of the Lord of the River of Oblivion, concerning the safety of the ten thousand people in White Paper Xiancheng,

concerning his mother's dying wish, Unlike Ning Zhuo can only adjust his strategy.

Therefore, in the gaps of cultivation, he took the initiative to host a banquet for Seeing Qing Chi and Li Xiangshang.

Seeing Qing Chi was overjoyed, agreed every time, and actively attended the banquet. She tried her best to persuade Unlike Ning Zhuo to drink, wanting to get him drunk, and her intentions were quite bad.

Unlike Ning Zhuo identified this and tried to invite Seeing Qing Chi less and Li Xiangshang more.

Contacting Li Xiangshang can also help Unlike Ning Zhuo understand the condensation progress of Seeing Qing Chi's military heart.

After several banquets, Unlike Ning Zhuo's understanding of Li Xiangshang was also quite profound.

He knew that Li Xiangshang was an ascetic. His original body was a carp, caught by Lady Moon-Fishing in a net.

The White-Headed Dragon King had long ago forbidden fishing in the Cang River.

Lady Moon-Fishing's move was a deliberate provocation, so the White-Headed Dragon King appeared, stopped Lady Moon-Fishing, and made a bet with her.

The specific content of the bet was: the White-Headed Dragon King chose a carp from the fishing net, cultivated it, placed it in a pool of weak water, and bet that it could achieve success in cultivation, rise continuously, and finally escape the trap of the weak water.

Obviously, Li Xiangshang was that lucky carp.

He was originally confused and muddled; relying on himself alone, it was almost impossible to embark on the path of cultivation.

But after being chosen by the Dragon King, he was directly taught the precious scripture "Ascending Dragon Transformation" and was constantly supplied with top-tier cultivation resources, just to win the bet.

Li Xiangshang finally lived up to expectations, cultivated ascetically, rose to higher levels of weak water, approached the water surface step by step, and finally leaped out, jumping out of the limitations of his life.

Li Xiangshang was grateful to the White-Headed Dragon King and respected him extremely; after helping the Dragon King win the bet, he was taken as a subordinate by the Dragon King.

On weekdays, Li Xiangshang still focused on ascetic cultivation and rarely socialized.

This time, he was summoned by the Dragon King while in closed-door cultivation. The latter ordered him to carry the Golden Nest Demon Seed, come to White Paper Xiancheng, and execute a support mission.

Unlike Ning Zhuo explored the foundation and secretly marveled in his heart. With his wrist, he soon drew closer to Li Xiangshang.

Li Xiangshang initially had a negative view of Unlike Ning Zhuo, but Unlike Ning Zhuo was always as warm as a spring breeze, which made Li Xiangshang change his view rapidly.

During this period, Unlike Ning Zhuo borrowed the influence of alcohol and, taking advantage of a time when Seeing Qing Chi was not present, took the initiative to propose a sparring session with Li Xiangshang.

This sparring session directly won Li Xiangshang's respect!

Unlike Ning Zhuo raised his glass: "Senior Li, I am really curious and increasingly unable to endure. But I am also worried that if this question is asked, it will be suspected of exploring the mysteries of others' cultivation and offending you, Senior."

Li Xiangshang touched glasses with Unlike Ning Zhuo, and after drinking, laughed: "You want to ask about my talent, right? Actually, if you ask Seeing Qing Chi, she will definitely answer you. She not only knows the name of my talent but has also been blessed by my talent and has personal experience."

Unlike Ning Zhuo shook his head: "This is your cultivation secret, Senior. If I inquire from others, it is not putting you in my eyes, and this is not the attitude of treating a friend."

"I would rather ask you directly, Senior. If you don't want to tell me, I will definitely understand, punish myself with three cups, and never ask again!"

Li Xiangshang heard this and his favor for Unlike Ning Zhuo increased again.

He touched the back of his head: "Heh, there is actually nothing to hide; many people know."

"My talent is only low-tier, called 'Making up the Numbers with Rotten Fish'. As the name suggests, it can lower many cultivation standards."

"For example, the military heart is difficult to gather, but with my assistance, Miss Seeing Qing Chi can step over this initial threshold."

Unlike Ning Zhuo heard this, his eyes lit up, and his fingers subconsciously exerted a little force, squeezing the wine glass.

He pursued: "How much can it lower the cultivation standard, and what are the limitations?"

Li Xiangshang answered, saying that he had pondered for a long time, and most cultivation standards could be lowered. The degree of reduction was limited,

and there were major drawbacks.

Li Xiangshang gave a bitter smile: "This drawback is quite serious; otherwise, my 'Making up the Numbers with Rotten Fish' wouldn't just be low-tier."

Unlike Ning Zhuo let out an "oh" and guessed: "Senior Li, let me guess, will this talent cause rotten sores after use?"

Li Xiangshang shook his head: "It is much more serious than rotten sores."

He lifted the armor on his abdomen and stretched out his finger, pressing it on his fish scales.

Unlike Ning Zhuo saw the fish scales sink to a very deep level immediately, and there was no rebound, directly denting into a small pit.

Unlike Ning Zhuo realized something.

Li Xiangshang took the initiative to reveal the mystery: "Most of the flesh and blood on my body has already rotted. If I hadn't tried my best to maintain it and constantly heal, I would have rotted to death long ago."

"My combat strength now is less than one-tenth of what it was."

"Every time I use my talent, I have to recuperate for a long time. The Dragon King once sought many spiritual medicines for me,"

"and even he himself took action to heal me, but the effect was mediocre."

"This is a low-tier talent, but I am already satisfied!"

"If I didn't have this talent, how would I have been chosen by the Dragon King? If I didn't have this talent to lower the cultivation standard, how could I have practiced the 'Ascending Dragon Transformation'?"

"Compared to countless ordinary carp, I am already very lucky."

Unlike Ning Zhuo praised: "Senior's mentality is as peaceful as the sea, worthy of my learning."

He narrowed his eyes slightly, his thumb pressed lightly on the mechanism ring, and said meaningfully: "Talent is talent; even if it is a low-tier talent, as long as it is used correctly, it can exert unexpected and unimaginable power and wonderful uses!"

Just like Zheng Jian's 'Heart-Piercing Insight'.

This talent is mid-tier and can give cultivators amazing intuition. Its biggest drawback is that it can only be triggered when the mood is calm.

But Zheng Jian's spirituality is entrusted to the mechanism ring, without thinking, always calm, which means its biggest drawback has been eliminated.

Unlike Ning Zhuo looked at Li Xiangshang in front of him and really wanted to ask: "Senior Li, have you ever considered changing your body to cultivate? Flesh is weak, mechanisms ascend." ===== CHAPTER 618 =====

Unlike Ning Zhuo looked at Li Xiangshang before him, and in the depths of his heart, he really wanted to ask: "Has Senior Li ever considered changing into a different shell for cultivation? Flesh and blood are weak; mechanical ascension is the way."