Chapter 630: Human World Calamity

Ning Zhuo listened intently, murmuring softly as he repeated the key points: "First, find the vital point. Second, use Confucian methods to strike it."

"Alright!"

"How do I find the vital point? What are these Confucian methods? Can I learn them?" Ning Zhuo was very curious about new things; he wanted to learn all the hundreds of cultivation arts.

Wen Ruanyu couldn't help but ask, "Little friend Ning Zhuo, you are being so serious. Is there truly a ritual you need to disrupt?"

"Is it connected to White Paper Immortal City and the Ghost Tide?"

Ning Zhuo smiled faintly. "Senior Wen, thank you for your concern. This is a personal matter of mine. Please teach me! If you have any requests, feel free to voice them."

Wen Ruanyu shook her head. "You are Senior Sister Meng's child. I hardly have time to look after you, so how could I ask for compensation? Though the content of this ritual is incomplete, it is of a high grade. If you were to handle it alone, it would be too difficult and dangerous."

"If you need my help, just say the word!"

Ning Zhuo subtly declined again. He wanted to handle this matter himself. Wen Ruanyu seemed trustworthy, and even the White Paper City Lord had vested interests, but Ning Zhuo did not want to seek their help. The reason was simple: Meng Yao Yin had concealed all of this, not just from the White Paper City Lord, but also from the Myriad Manifestation Sect.

"My mother must have her reasons for doing this. My time in White Paper Immortal City is still too short; I am still an outsider. So, before I discover the reason for my mother's arrangements, the safest course of action is to follow her lead."

"In fact, even if they knew this secret, they couldn't help much. Just defending White Paper Immortal City requires their full effort."

Seeing Ning Zhuo's attitude, Wen Ruanyu no longer insisted and instead began to elaborate on the relevant methods. "Finding the central location is actually quite simple: you use scholarly aura."

"When scholarly aura reaches a certain level, it will attract and compete with each other. This is the mutual appreciation and competition among scholarly talents."

"This is the scholarly aura I have accumulated over time; I give it all to you. You can follow its sensation to find the center."

With that, Wen Ruanyu took out a small, exquisite storage pouch. The white storage pouch was semi-transparent, containing a ball of scholarly aura that emitted a snow-like glow, visible through the pouch.

Wen Ruanyu said with a hint of pride, "This is the Ink-Glow Snow Pouch. If a Confucian cultivator's talent is insufficient, even if they accumulate scholarly aura, it won't emit this snow-like glow. Therefore, during Confucian gatherings, people often display their Ink-Glow Snow Pouches for comparison."

Ning Zhuo immediately praised it with a few words, bringing a smile to Wen Ruanyu's face. After putting away the Ink-Glow Snow Pouch, Ning Zhuo asked what Confucian method he should use to destroy the center.

Wen Ruanyu pondered for a moment. "I've thought of six methods, all capable of destroying the center."

Ning Zhuo said, "I can learn all of them! It's just—"

Wen Ruanyu gazed deeply at Ning Zhuo. "It's just that you're pressed for time, aren't you?"

Ning Zhuo nodded candidly.

Wen Ruanyu sighed, "You, you have your mother's temperament, always wanting to bear the heaviest responsibilities. So be it. Since time is short, there is only one method that is most suitable for you."

"This Confucian art is called 'A Scholar Meets Soldiers.' Although it's a Confucian art, it uses military malice to counteract other Confucian arts."

Ning Zhuo's pupils constricted slightly; a shiver ran down his spine. Wen Ruanyu did not keep him in suspense and immediately imparted the Confucian art to him. "It is the simplest of all, and the easiest to master quickly. However, each casting consumes a significant amount of military malice, making it suitable for some Confucian generals."

Ning Zhuo quickly scanned it and realized that Wen Ruanyu was absolutely right. He was inwardly shaken, thinking, "I previously acquired 'The Art of Bearing Soldiers and Accumulating Malice,' and I've already collected a lot of military malice within my body."

"Now, this Confucian art, 'A Scholar Meets Soldiers,' and 'The Art of Bearing Soldiers and Accumulating Malice' can form a perfect combination!"

"Is this what it means to be favored by destiny?"

"No matter what I do, everything unfolds naturally and smoothly!"

In the Underworld.

Forgetfulness River Immortal City.

A subordinate hurried into the study, his face grave. For some time now, various bad news had been pouring in, causing the entire domain of the Forgetfulness River Underworld to fall into turmoil. The once unshakable and powerful Forgetfulness River Underworld now felt as if it were on the brink of collapse.

The subordinate gritted his teeth and stood at the door, softly reporting an urgent situation.

"Come in," the Forgetfulness River Prefect said.

After listening to the report, the Forgetfulness River Prefect remained calm. "Understood. You may withdraw."

The subordinate respectfully exited.

The Forgetfulness River Prefect fell into contemplation. "This time, it's a locust plague, causing three million acres of fire grain to burn."

"Which party is behind this?"

"This method, it seems to be the Lord of Ten Thousand Locusts?" This individual was a Gu cultivator of the Soul Transformation stage, and had a personal grudge against the Forgetfulness River Prefect. Acting now, it was unclear if he was instigated by others, or if he had perceived the Forgetfulness River Underworld to be at a critical juncture and acted preemptively.

"Very well, Lord of Ten Thousand Locusts, I shall remember this grudge and repay it another day." Even the Forgetfulness River Prefect felt a pang of heartache over his losses. Three million acres of fire grain fields were a major resource point for the Forgetfulness River Underworld. To manage this area, the Forgetfulness River Prefect had buried over a dozen earth gods, which helped make the land fertile.

Underworld soil was usually very barren and difficult to cultivate anything on. The Forgetfulness River Prefect had painstakingly developed these three million acres of fertile land, setting up formations to induce Yang from the extreme Yin, and then planting fire grains. These fire grains were Yang in nature; they might not be uncommon in the Yang world, but in the Underworld, they were a rare commodity. Even for ghost cultivators, it was impossible to only seek Yin; Yang was also needed for neutralization, to achieve Yin-Yang harmony.

Therefore, these fire grains were often in short supply. After the Forgetfulness River Underworld met its own needs, the remaining thirty percent were sold, and the profits alone accounted for one and a half tenths of the entire prefecture's income. Now, the Lord of Ten Thousand Locusts had brought billions of locusts to devour the fire grains, causing widespread fires and obliterating this economic pillar of the Forgetfulness River Underworld.

The Forgetfulness River Prefect chose not to retaliate. He had already dispatched too many forces during this period. Since the fire grains were already lost, there was no need to save them. His only concern was that the fire might spread and cause more damage to the surrounding areas.

"A capable minister must be dispatched for disaster relief. Otherwise, completely abandoning it would lose public support and play into the enemy's calculations." As the Forgetfulness River Prefect considered this, he frowned slightly. His capable ministers and generals, who were originally supposed to strictly guard the Heavenly Ghost Incarnation and Tribulation Tribute Ritual, now had to be diverted to stabilize the overall situation.

Just as the Forgetfulness River Prefect made a difficult decision, selected a candidate, and issued orders, another urgent report arrived.

"Iron Bones Duke!" This time, the Forgetfulness River Prefect could no longer remain calm. He slammed his palm on the desk, scattering his ink and brushes. Iron Bones Duke was a former elder statesman. Before the previous prefect passed away, he had passed his position to the Forgetfulness River Prefect, also enjoining him to treat his greatest contributor, Iron Bones Duke, well.

The Forgetfulness River Prefect had agreed to this condition and indeed treated Iron Bones Duke well, gradually sidelining him, moving him away from the core, and allowing him to retire to his hometown. Of course, the Forgetfulness River Prefect had not forgotten to assign people to constantly monitor Iron Bones Duke's daily activities, as this person was extremely senior and carried a sealed iron scroll granted by the previous prefect.

Now, Iron Bones Duke had suddenly rebelled, killed the surveillance team sent by the Forgetfulness River Prefect, rallied his old subordinates, and raised the banner of "restoring order from chaos." If this was not handled well, and this rebel army gained momentum, the Forgetfulness River Prefect's position would be severely shaken.

"A great general must be sent to confront them!"

The Forgetfulness River Prefect thought long and hard, and could only dispatch his most trusted general. This person had achieved merit by supporting the Prefect's rise, step by step, to his current position, and possessed considerable military talent. However, this talent was inferior to that of Iron Bones Duke. The latter's military achievements were beyond the reach of anyone under the Forgetfulness River Prefect's command.

"You must hold the city and contain the rebels until I can send reinforcements!" the Forgetfulness River Prefect strictly ordered.

In the afternoon, a subordinate rushed in frantically to report, "Bad news, my Lord! Mud Ball has suddenly awakened and appeared in the northwest, currently moving towards Nine Nether Mountain."

The Forgetfulness River Prefect's expression froze. Mud Ball! This was a mountain that had transformed into a demon, extremely ancient. Initially, it was just a peak, but it had grown by continuously devouring things. Now, it had become a mountain range. Yet, it was still not satisfied, determined to devour other mountains to enhance its own foundation.

Clearly, its target this time was Nine Nether Mountain. The Forgetfulness River Underworld had few mountains to begin with, and the mineral veins in Nine Nether Mountain were extremely rich, being the largest source of minerals for the Forgetfulness River Underworld, accounting for eighty percent of its total output! If Mud Ball were to devour it, the Forgetfulness River Underworld would certainly become extremely passive in the future, forced to purchase large quantities of minerals from outside.

"They want me to bring out the White Tiger Gold Light Seal." This magical treasure was one of the Forgetfulness River Prefect's hallmarks, an undisputed treasure. Only by using this treasure, in conjunction with the great formation in Nine Nether Mountain, could the boundless golden qi in the mineral veins be drawn forth to form a sharp attack, breaking open Mud Ball's mountain body and hurting it enough to make it retreat.

The Forgetfulness River Prefect had seen through the enemy's trick, but had no choice but to comply.

In the evening, another subordinate came to report that a calling card had suddenly appeared in the City Lord's public hall. The calling card was from Zeng Jide. This person was renowned; he was a cultivator of the Empty Gate in life, and after death, he transformed into a soul cultivator, becoming a notorious thief in the Underworld. He had an arrogant style; every time he planned a theft, he would send a "thief's invitation" to the owner in advance, stating when he would come and what he would steal.

"Alright, even well-known rogue cultivators are bullying me now," the Forgetfulness River Prefect took a deep breath, fully aware that his energy was inevitably being pulled in many directions. All these successive bad news had already drawn away more than half of his forces; both his capable generals and signature magical treasures were now tied up.

"Fortunately, these are not natural disasters or calamities, but human-caused troubles."

"These can all be handled, or temporarily left unhandled; they are merely pawns to tie up my strength."

"The ones truly intending to make trouble for me—Yin Jiuzhu is the first, followed by Sad Bones and No Sound. I just don't know if Painted Skin Rakshasa is traveling outside and unable to return in time."

"Most of these human-caused troubles should be the work of these three or four individuals." The Forgetfulness River Prefect was very clear about who his true mortal enemies were, those whose enmity could not be resolved and who posed a threat to him. These were the true formidable enemies he had to face. "No, these are all opponents from the Underworld. There should also be a human-caused calamity from the Yang world."

Thinking of this, the Forgetfulness River Prefect suddenly felt a tingling sensation on his scalp. He immediately awoke, realizing this was a warning from Heaven's Mandate! As the Prefect of the Underworld, he naturally bore Heaven's Mandate.

"My performance of the Tribute Ritual this time, serving the Heavens of the Underworld, has angered the Yang world."

"Therefore, in the Underworld, only human-caused troubles can obstruct my path; there are no heavenly or earthly calamities."

"But it's different in the Yang world."

"However, if the Heavens of the Yang world want to deal with me, heavenly or earthly calamities won't directly affect me. They can only manifest as human-caused troubles."

"And it seems this human-caused trouble is no small matter!"

After a moment of silence, the Forgetfulness River Prefect made up his mind: "Go ask the Grey Bones Elder. Promise him a heavy reward. No matter what, he must calculate the human-caused calamity in the Yang world!"

In the Yang world.

White Paper Immortal City.

Li Xiangshang was awakened by Ning Zhuo. He emerged from the Fetal Breath Vessel and patted the boat's hull gratefully. "What a treasure!"

"Young Master Jiao Ma, this treasure needs a good repair." The Fetal Breath Vessel's hull was covered in cracks.

Ning Zhuo said, "It does need repair. But I can't find an excellent artifact refiner right now, and I'm afraid to try it myself and fail."

Li Xiangshang suddenly fumbled in his embrace and pulled out a jade pendant, handing it to Ning Zhuo. Ning Zhuo was surprised and waved his hand, refusing. "I've told you, Senior Li, letting you use this Fetal Breath Vessel was my thanks for your talent in helping establish the army."

Li Xiangshang said, "Now that the Azure Scorched Army has been established, you still let me cultivate with the Fetal Breath Vessel."

"Truth be told, this has helped me tremendously! I was originally just a mortal fish with limited cultivation talent and insufficient physical foundation, which hindered my cultivation of the 'Ascending Dragon Transformation.' But this cultivation session has made up for the shortcomings of my physical body."

"Therefore, you have shown me great kindness, and I must thank you!"

Ning Zhuo laughed heartily and refused again. To his surprise, Li Xiangshang said with a serious expression, "Little friend Jiao Ma, this jade pendant is of extraordinary significance; you must keep it safe."

He continued, "My current journey is under the command of the Dragon Lord. But before I set off, the Turtle Prime Minister stopped me and wanted to form a good connection with me, so he specifically performed a divination for me."

"He told me that this trip to White Paper Immortal City is my cultivation opportunity, and if I act properly, I will meet a noble person who can remedy the shortcomings in my cultivation."

"At the same time, he also told me that to maintain this good fortune with a noble person, I must be willing to give."

"He advised me to give my most precious treasure to this noble person."

"After much thought, the most valuable item I possess is this Dragon Qi Jade Pendant bestowed upon me by my Lord."

"I hope you will accept it!"

At this point, Li Xiangshang, a dignified Golden Core cultivator, actually bowed to Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo had recently become increasingly aware of the profound mysteries of destiny. Hearing that the Turtle Prime Minister had performed a divination, he grew interested and also took it seriously. "What is the use of this jade pendant?"

Li Xiangshang honestly replied, "It seals a wisp of Dragon Qi from my Lord, so that I can be influenced by it and have a concrete reference object when cultivating the 'Ascending Dragon Transformation.'"

"As for any other uses, I am not aware."

After hearing this, Ning Zhuo immediately refused. "This is your treasure for achieving enlightenment; how can I take what someone cherishes?"

But Li Xiangshang's attitude became even more resolute, insisting that Ning Zhuo accept it. "The Turtle Prime Minister is a kind old man; I don't think he would harm me. Since it is to maintain my good fortune with a noble person, then what I give must be what the noble person needs. Otherwise, how can I maintain that good fortune?"

"This jade pendant, Jiao Ma, you should need it!"

Ning Zhuo fell into hesitation. At this moment, the Mechanical Ring gently contracted. He immediately felt a tingling sensation on his scalp; he wanted to refuse, and the Mechanical Ring began to contract forcefully. When he thought about agreeing, the Mechanical Ring relaxed. Ning Zhuo instantly understood: "This is the Heavens' destiny assisting me! It's truly amazing!"

He nodded slightly, finally putting the Dragon Qi Jade Pendant into his embrace.