The joint team of three families had five Qi Refining stage geniuses as the clear leaders, the core figures of the battle.
Any combat plan essentially revolved around these five people.
Ning Zhuo's decision to hide his abilities proved to be beneficial at this moment. He made up his mind to listen carefully, remember attentively, and then think of counter-strategies.
Ning Zhuo and the other four entered a secret chamber.
The layout of the chamber resembled a classroom, with a middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator standing at the front.
The five of them each found a place to sit.
"My name is Zheng Hua," the middle-aged cultivator introduced himself, "I'm here to explain the general strategy for this joint operation."
Ning Zhuo immediately recalled the information about Zheng Hua.
He was a mid-Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, yet he already served as an elder of the Zheng family due to his unique talent—he could handle many materials that were difficult to refine, known as "Gold and Stone Opener."
Zheng Hua also had considerable expertise in artifact refinement, reaching the level of a master, making him one of the top artifact cultivators in the entire Huoshi Immortal City.
Zheng Hua released his mana, and it condensed into the form of a Golden-Blooded Battle Ape, Dasheng, vividly lifelike in midair.
Zheng Hua said, "Everyone should be familiar with this mechanical ape, or at least deeply impressed by it."
Zhou Zhenshen, Zhou Zhu, Zheng Jian, and others all looked serious.
Ning Xiaohui's face was grim.
Ning Zhuo frowned deeply.
Zheng Hua continued, "According to the current intelligence gathered, this ape puppet primarily engages in close combat."
"Its body seems to be made of Zhu Fire Glaze, a material refined from Zhu Flame Stone. The best way to deal with this material is by using ice-based techniques."
"Its skeleton contains Scarlet Gold Mysterious Iron, and the surface of the bones is inscribed with prohibitions."
"Judging by the pattern of these prohibitions and its combat behavior, it's likely a defensive prohibition. I personally suspect it's a Vajra Body Protection Technique." �
"So, using lightning-based techniques to erode the prohibitions is also a meaningful tactic!"
"The puppet's brain likely contains a special calculation component. If we can destroy this part, it will significantly affect the battle."
"Because, although the puppet's material isn't particularly outstanding, its combat skills are extraordinary. To achieve this, the calculation component must be highly sophisticated."
"If we can't destroy its head, then its hands are the next primary target."
"There are probably several martial arts talismans hidden in its hands. Destroying these talismans will also reduce its combat ability."
Zheng Hua's analysis slightly eased the expressions of the five.
Next, with a thought, the image of Yuan Dasheng formed by mana suddenly collapsed. When it reformed, it had turned into the Netherworld Envoy, Qi Bai.
Zheng Hua's expression grew much more serious. "In my opinion, although this puppet has appeared fewer times, it's even more dangerous than the mechanical ape."
"Its skeleton is made of Ghostly Blue Underworld Iron, and parts of its bones have been replaced with Soul Wood. While the exact age of the Soul Wood is unknown, based on the specifications of the mechanical ape, it should be at least a hundred years old."
"But just these materials alone aren't enough to allow this puppet to control so many ghosts."
"There must be other critical components on its body that help it manipulate the ghosts."
"This puppet has the ability to weaken souls in its attacks, and judging by the mana fluctuations, it closely resembles the Soul Devouring Art."
"There's a component in its neck that can emit drum-like sound waves, causing intense tremors in living souls. Once this sound is released, it's very difficult to defend against it with just our bodies."
"Its eyes are a key design, made from mixed materials, though their exact power is unknown. I suspect they contain some sort of trump card!"
"All over its body are small holes for projectile attacks. Once activated, these small holes can rapidly shoot out Yin-attribute Silk Gold. The Silk Gold can merge in an instant, forming a black robe as a protective barrier with excellent defensive capabilities."
"Based on this, perhaps we can use mud-based spells to block all the holes."
Zheng Hua concluded by saying, "This ghost slave puppet has at least two arrays on its body. There are at least eighteen spell talismans, making it clearly a long-range type of puppet. I strongly recommend engaging it in close combat."
From the perspective of quality, spiritual treasures were already at the highest level. Throughout history, the town-guarding treasures of the great sects, families, and immortal nations were invariably spiritual treasures.
"This person seems to be the Golden Core ancestor of my family?" Ning Zhuo observed the jade slip, naturally seeing the scene where his family's ancestor was struck on the head by a walnut and forced to retreat.
Without showing any emotion, he passed the jade slip to the next person.
"The three families' understanding of Yuan Dasheng and Qi Bai is already quite deep."
"They've even guessed the truth about spiritual intelligence control!"
"Indeed, to become a great family in Immortal City, they possess the foundations and strength not to be underestimated."
"However, they’ve only guessed part of it and are
still some distance from the truth."
But that wasn’t their fault.
They were simply missing key information. Once they had it, they would be able to fill in the gaps and uncover the truth!
"It’s easy to imagine that if they reached the coffin chamber and learned about the Fire Burial Prajna Spirit-Resolving Sutra, they would quickly suspect the true identities of Yuan Dasheng and Qi Bai."
"But I’ve already raised all the stone walls of the Buddhist and Demon Sects."
Previously, Ning Zhuo had a flaw.
In the second transfer hall, the Buddhist and Demon Sects were still visible.
However, as the embryonic form of his divine ability, "Life Hanging by a Thread," neared completion and Ning Zhuo's cultivation and soul power greatly improved, he finally managed to fully raise the stone walls in the second transfer hall, completely blocking them off.
Ning Zhuo deliberately said, "With just this information, I don't think we stand a high chance of defeating the mechanical ape and ghost slave puppet."
"I suggest delaying the operation, continuing to investigate, and gathering more comprehensive information."
"Only after fully preparing should we launch a large-scale exploration of the Lava Immortal Palace!"
Zhou Zhenshen immediately gave Ning Zhuo an approving look, thinking, "Ning Zhuo thinks the same as me. We're both people who use our brains."
Ning Xiaohui snorted coldly, "Ning Zhuo, how can you be so timid before even fighting?"
"You want to gather information, but we can use this opportunity to have a good fight with that damned mechanical ape!"
"Once we tear it apart, won’t we have gathered all the key information?"
Ning Zhuo snorted coldly, "Ning Xiaohui, I know you’ve often been slaughtered by the mechanical ape. I understand your eagerness for revenge."
"But that doesn't mean you can fight recklessly."
"Your recklessness will only bring more failure!"
"You!" Ning Xiaohui glared, her face full of anger and disbelief.
No one had ever, or rather, no peer had ever been so blunt with her!
Ning Zhuo was the first.
And he did it right in front of others, directly ridiculing her.
"You, a mere branch family..." Ning Xiaohui gritted her teeth, her eyes practically shooting flames.
Ning Zhuo mercilessly interrupted, "And you, as the main family, can't even match half of my achievements, so what are you?"
Ning Xiaohui suddenly stood up straight, her entire body radiating cold air.
A ghost as white as snow and icy cold rose from her body, glaring sinisterly at Ning Zhuo, "When did the Ning family’s branch become so arrogant?"
Ning Zhuo's pupils shrank, and he quickly leaped back, creating distance while staring intently at the ghost, "What are you?!"
The ghost trembled with anger, "I am also from the Ning family's main branch!!"