Sun Lie slightly opened his mouth upon hearing this and shook his head after a while: "Very few."
"So, the true value of the Magma Fairy Palace does not lie in the mechanical techniques inheritance but in the foundational cultivation techniques of the three sects and three elixir fields?"
Fei Si nodded: "The City Lord has far-reaching plans, which are beyond our simple guesses."
"Mechanical techniques have always been the most obscure of the many arts in the cultivation world, what's worth pursuing in them?"
"Such foundational cultivation techniques of the three sects are the most valuable treasures!"
Sun Lie nodded and sighed: "I see."
With his fists clenched, Meng Chong's fighting spirit was ignited: "I must obtain the cultivation techniques of the three sects and cultivate all three elixir fields!"
"I can't wait any longer. Elder Sun, quickly tell me how to use Frenzied Rushing Thunder to aid in dissipating my cultivation!"
Sun Lie laughed: "It's very simple."
"After this fight, you should be able to control Frenzied Rushing Thunder at will."
"When you're dissipating your cultivation, activating Frenzied Rushing Thunder simultaneously will speed up the process."
"The applications of Frenzied Rushing Thunder are vast, not just in dissipating power, it can also accelerate mana accumulation during cultivation."
"In fierce battles, it can enhance your thunder-based abilities, restraining yin-attribute enemies."
"Ordinary cultivators need to progress step by step to refine divine skills from their life-bound spells. You, possessing the Immortal Talent Mad Dash Thunder, have a seed of divine power. Growing methodically, it will transform into a divine skill!"
"There are other applications, which you will gradually experience and uncover in the future."
"However, be mindful that this talent consumes your essence, energy, and spirit; do not use it excessively."
Meng Chong acknowledged with a sound and bowed in thanks.
Sun Lie then looked at Fei Si: "That Han Ming has been spying on me several times before, obsessed with the Phoenix Soul Blood Fragrance Pill."
"Previously, I tolerated it because she was a disciple of the Soul Devouring Sect and did not pursue it further."
"This time, she actually tried to take my life. She and I are now mortal enemies!"
"On those six Phoenix Soul Blood Fragrance Pills, I secretly added a tasteless fragrance. Once I refine an elixir, and you consume it, you will be able to smell that fragrance."
"By following the fragrance, you can track the Phoenix Soul Blood Fragrance Pill! Even if it's been consumed by a cultivator, as long as it's undetected and not disarmed, it can be smelled within a few months."
Though Sun Lie was crude and unrestrained, he had not survived in the cultivation world for so many years by being naive.
In fact, someone who could set up a situation to activate Meng Chong's innate talents could not lack in strategy.
Fei Si nodded and changed his attitude, bowing his hand: "The master of the Alchemy Dao indeed. Previously, I misunderstood, please forgive me."
He, a dignified Golden Core cultivator, saluting a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator in such a manner, made Sun Lie think more highly of him.
Sun Lie, too a veteran of the martial world, nodded slightly and no longer mocked Fei Si, instead praising him with deep meaning: "The Lord of Fire Persimmon City has a good subordinate."
After dividing the spoils, Sun Lingtong and the Youthful Guest Ning Zhuo said their farewells.
Ning Zhuo's voice was hoarse and his expression indifferent: "Elder Sun, it was thanks to your help this time. I will remember this favor."
Sun Lingtong giggled: "Hey, younger brother, how about reconsidering my earlier suggestion?"
"Joining the Bukong Sect?" Ning Zhuo shook his head, "I'm not interested."
In Ning Zhuo's view, he was of the Ning Family and the Righteous Path; fighting for the Magma Fairy Palace, why would he join the Demon Path?
Though strictly speaking, the Bukong Sect was not yet considered a Demon Sect, it was definitively an evil sect.
Sun Lingtong also shook her head: "But you are most suited to join our sect."
This made Ning Zhuo's heart stir slightly.
He recalled his suspicions in the Magma Fairy Palace; he might harbor an innate talent superior to early wisdom.
Ning Zhuo probed: "I've heard that the Bukong Sect likes to recruit cultivators with hand-related innate talents. Such as Stealing Fragrance and Jade Hand, Void Displacement Hand, Streaming Light Weaving Shadow Hand, Seven Skillful Hands, Piercing Cloud Hand, and so on."
"Are you saying I have such talents, which is why you're always focusing on me, Elder Sun?"
Sun Lingtong shook her head: "I'm not a Guiding Elder of the sect, how could I see through that?"
"I believe you were born with the temperament of a Demon Path person."
Ning Zhuo's tone turned heavy: "Stop making such jokes in the future."
Sun Lingtong widened her eyes and shouted: "Don't disbelieve me! My eyes are always accurate in judging people."
"Enough." Ning Zhuo interrupted.
Sun Lingtong snorted: "Fine then. What about these stolen elixir pills?"
Ning Zhuo said: "Capturing Han Ming was my true purpose. These elixir pills are too hot to handle, dispose of them all."
"I don't believe that Sun Lie, who was spied on by Han Ming multiple times, didn't tamper with the elixir pills."
Sun Lingtong gave a thumbs up: "Brother, you are as cautious as ever. But isn't it a pity to dispose of them all?"
"With Bukong Sect's methods, given some time, even the most hidden tricks can be detected."
"After all, Sun Lie is only at the peak of the Foundation Establishment Stage."
Ning Zhuo shook his head: "I strongly advise against it."
"This time, we unexpectedly encountered Meng Chong. He is the grandson of a Nascent Soul cultivator, so our actions might be seen as a plot against Meng Chong."
"I'm afraid Fei Si has already begun investigating us."
"Time is pressing, no room for slow detection. Be cautious, dispose of all these elixir pills immediately!" Ning Zhuo emphasized again.
Sun Lingtong patted her chest and nodded: "You're right, I still want to stay in Fire Persimmon Immortal City."
"But how should we handle them?"
Ning Zhuo snorted coldly: "Isn't it simple? Just throw them into Fire Persimmon Forest."
Sun Lingtong was momentarily stunned, then her eyes sparkled, clapping her hands in praise: "Brilliant, truly brilliant!"
After bidding farewell to Sun Lingtong, Ning Zhuo returned to the underground base with the spoils of war.
In the dimly lit underground prison.
A basin of cold water splashed onto Han Ming's face.
Han Ming lowered her head, eyes closed, not moving.
The Youthful Guest Ning Zhuo let out a hoarse, cold laugh: "Stop pretending, Han Ming. You regained consciousness half a tea's time ago."
Han Ming gritted her teeth and suddenly opened her eyes, revealing undisguised murderous intent and hatred: "You dare double-cross me!"
"I'm a disciple of the Soul Devouring Sect, think of the consequences if you kill me!"
Ning Zhuo sighed inwardly: He had planned to stay hidden, silently striving, and seize the Magma Fairy Palace without offending the major Demon Sects.
But he had no choice.
His current situation left him with no option but to move forward. Taking a step back, no, even slowing down meant falling into a bottomless abyss with no hope of recovery.
"Even a rabbit bites when cornered, let alone a person."
The helplessness in his heart did not need to be voiced.
Ning Zhuo looked at Han Ming, quietly staring at her.
Han Ming, under Ning Zhuo's gaze, grew increasingly fearful.
She gradually misunderstood, her expression softened, showing a helpless and meek demeanor in surrender to survive: "Fine, this time I admit defeat, let me go, and I'll do anything you ask."