Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Zhu Xuanji nodded to the shop assistant, then looked at Ning Zhuo and said, "You little rascal, always eager to make progress."

"At such a young age, you've already become the master of the black market. You're so skilled at maneuvering, this type of 'walking on clouds' seems perfect for you."

Zhu Xuanji teased Ning Zhuo.

However, Ning Zhuo felt a heavy burden in his heart. He couldn't figure out whether Zhu Xuanji had followed him here.

Ever since Zhu Xuanji inspected his three dantians last time, Ning Zhuo felt that Zhu Xuanji's attention on him had not diminished, but was actually increasing!

Ning Zhuo smiled bitterly and explained, "Master Zhu, you surely know my situation well, so why mock me?"

"If the circumstances allowed, I wouldn't want to get involved with the black market either."

As Ning Zhuo spoke, he removed his mask, revealing his true face.

With Zhu Xuanji present, Ning Zhuo wasn't worried about being assassinated.

In fact, the previous assassination attempt was just a facade, or one could say it was merely a trend.

The shop assistant saw Ning Zhuo's true face and immediately recognized this rising young genius. He bowed and greeted, "So it's Young Master Ning, the genius cultivator of the Ning family! It's truly an honor for our shop to have your presence."

Cloud merchants were indeed good at business. Even an ordinary shop assistant could speak eloquent flattery, one phrase after another, without repetition.

"Alright, you may leave now." At that moment, another figure gradually emerged.

This Golden Core cultivator had wide nostrils, giving off an impression of great stability. He was none other than the leader of the Cloud Merchant Group, Song Fuli, the Lord of Cloud Whale.

Song Fuli first greeted Zhu Xuanji and then smiled at Ning Zhuo, saying, "Young friend Ning Zhuo, is it alright if I address you this way?"

Ning Zhuo shrugged, indicating that Lord Song could address him however he liked.

With the head of the Cloud Merchant Group personally attending to them, the shop assistant obediently bowed his head and quietly withdrew.

Song Fuli asked Zhu Xuanji what he wanted to purchase, offering to accompany them and provide some suggestions.

Zhu Xuanji's purpose wasn't actually to buy flying treasures. He just wanted to have a brief conversation with Ning Zhuo while having Zhu Zhen, who was hiding on the side, confirm the target of his investigation this time.

Zhu Xuanji said, "I'm just here to take a look. The one who really wants to buy something is him."

Ning Zhuo responded, "I also just want to look around first, not necessarily buy anything."

Zhu Xuanji chuckled, "You seem to lack this kind of flying tool, don't you? The 'Walking on Clouds' from the Cloud Kingdom is one of the most classic flying artifacts, very easy to use. It's a good opportunity to get one now, quite suitable for you."

"Don't tell me you're out of money. Now that you're managing the black market, you're practically earning a fortune every day!"

Ning Zhuo smiled bitterly again.

Just as he was about to refute, Song Fuli interrupted, "It must be fate for me to meet the two of you here today. As the leader of the merchant group, I'll make the decision to give you both a 20% discount on any 'Walking on Clouds' you purchase today."

Ning Zhuo immediately looked at him and, in a somewhat displeased tone, said, "Wait a moment, how can the esteemed Master Zhu, a detective of the Detective Division and a member of the Southern Dou royal family, only receive a 20% discount? Lord Song, aren't you underestimating him?"

Song Fuli was stunned.

Zhu Xuanji chuckled and scolded, pointing at Ning Zhuo, "You rascal, my reputation isn't for you to use for bargaining."

Song Fuli laughed heartily and promptly said, "Alright, a 40% discount, everything is 40% off."

Even Zhu Xuanji felt tempted now.

A 40% discount was quite generous. These 'Walking on Clouds' flying artifacts never lacked buyers. Song Fuli offering them at this price was entirely to build goodwill with Zhu Xuanji and Ning Zhuo, with no intention of profiting.

Next, Song Fuli led the two of them to the top floor, where he introduced various flying artifacts.

Song Fuli explained, "When selecting a good 'Walking on Clouds,' you shouldn't only consider its grade, but also its quality."

"In terms of grade, of course, Foundation Establishment grade is weaker than Golden Core grade, and so on."

"In terms of quality, the key is the kind of spells used to refine the flying artifact and what type of cloud qi was used as the main material."

"In short, the grade reflects the present, but good quality represents potential and the upper limits of future growth."

"The flying artifacts and treasures on this top floor are all of extremely high quality, the best of the best."

"Because they are made with excellent cloud materials, they can at least be upgraded by one grade in the future, for example, from Foundation Establishment grade to Golden Core grade."

Ning Zhuo was in no hurry. He carefully browsed through the 'Walking on Clouds' on the top floor.

Since he was still in the Qi Refining stage, even if he advanced, he would only reach the Foundation Establishment stage. So, the most suitable choice for him was a Foundation Establishment-grade 'Walking on Clouds.'

But Ning Zhuo was also considering whether he should get a 'Walking on Clouds' for Yuan Dasheng and Qi Bai as well.

Yuan Dasheng hadn't reached the Golden Core stage before his death, but Ning Zhuo had prepared a new mechanical body for him, using Golden Core-grade materials. In other words, Yuan Dasheng's new body was of Golden Core level.

Qi Bai had been at the Golden Core stage during his lifetime. Although the materials used for the Nether Envoy, Qi Bai, were relatively ordinary, they still contained his Golden Core from his previous life. At full power, he possessed the strength of a Golden Core!

Song Fuli continued to carefully introduce the various 'Walking on Clouds' to Ning Zhuo and Zhu Xuanji.

On the top floor, besides the previously mentioned Somersault Cloud, Seven-Colored Auspicious Cloud, and Stepping Clouds, there were also Thunder Clouds, Cold Snow Clouds, Iron Clouds, Hail Clouds, and many others.

After considering for a while, both Ning Zhuo and Zhu Xuanji made their choices. Ning Zhuo bought five 'Walking on Clouds.'

He purchased a Golden Core-grade Iron Cloud for Yuan Dasheng. This cloud had a large carrying capacity, was extremely thick, and had the strongest defensive capabilities.

He also bought a Foundation Establishment-grade Cold Snow Cloud to pair with his Weather Sphere, Ice Crystal Snow. This mechanical sphere had the highest level of spiritual intelligence among all his creations, second only to Yuan Dasheng, with a full ten parts of spiritual intelligence, allowing it to operate independently.

In this regard, even the Nether Envoy, Qi Bai, couldn't compare to it.

Ning Zhuo originally wanted to get a Golden Core-grade Ghost Cloud for Qi Bai, but it wasn't available here.

He also wanted to choose a Blood Cloud, but it wasn't available either.

In the end, Ning Zhuo bought two Foundation Establishment-grade Somersault Clouds and one Golden Core-grade Seven-Colored Auspicious Cloud.

Such a large purchase caused Song Fuli to stare at Ning Zhuo for quite a while.

"Is the black market really that profitable?" Zhu Xuanji was also surprised.

Ning Zhuo chuckled softly and changed the subject, "I didn't expect you, Master Zhu, to recommend the Stepping Clouds to me earlier, and yet in the end, you chose this one yourself."

Zhu Xuanji laughed heartily, "After careful consideration, this cloud still suits me the best."

"Honored guests, please accept this invitation." Song Fuli took out two platinum-colored invitations from his storage bracelet and handed them to Ning Zhuo and Zhu Xuanji.

Zhu Xuanji opened one and asked, "An auction?"

Song Fuli smiled and nodded, "Yes."

"We're hosting the Cloud Market, and the most high-end event is the auction."

"When the time comes, if the two of you can attend, it will surely bring even more prestige to the auction."

Ning Zhuo curiously inquired, "Lord Song, could you tell us what will be auctioned? Could you give us a sneak peek?"

Song Fuli responded, "Mainly some special products from our Cloud Kingdom."

"For example, premium cloud tea, picked from ancient tea trees deep within the Myriad Cloud Sea. This is the finest spiritual food in the world. Drinking it over time could give one the chance to comprehend the Dao of Clouds."

"To develop divine abilities, one must involve a certain kind of Dao principle. This would be an excellent choice for Golden Core cultivators who aspire to master divine abilities."

"For example, there's also the Myriad Cloud Seeds. If a cultivator incubates and nurtures them, they may raise powerful cloud beasts such as Cloud Whales or Cloud Dragons, providing a major opportunity in their cultivation journey."

"And then there's Ruoshui."

"Its full name is 'Shangshan Ruoshui,' one of the Seven Great True Waters, a treasure of water-element virtue. Although there are only three drops, they are enough to produce numerous phenomena and solve countless strange and difficult problems."

"For instance, if someone is cursed, using this water can convert the curse's power into Ruosh

ui, allowing it to flow away."

Ning Zhuo's heart stirred, and he couldn't help but think: If I could obtain Shangshan Ruoshui, not only would it greatly aid my Foundation Establishment, but I could also take the opportunity to rid myself of all the various monitoring methods left on me by the Golden Core cultivators!

Zhu Xuanji was also tempted.

"Shangshan Ruoshui…" he muttered softly.

The main reason was that this True Water was just too practical; it could be used in many aspects of cultivation.

This made Ning Zhuo feel intense pressure.

"If the bidding starts, how could my financial strength compete with Golden Core cultivators?"

He had already spent most of his resources just purchasing the 'Walking on Clouds.'

Facing the auction in a few days, he felt even less confident.

A thought flashed through Ning Zhuo's mind, and he asked, "Lord Song, will the auction only accept spirit stones?"

Song Fuli immediately understood Ning Zhuo's meaning and smiled, "Of course, it won't be limited to just spirit stones!"

"For those participating in the auction, we will rigorously appraise any treasures they bring in exchange for their bids."

"For some treasures, depending on our needs, we may offer a valuation several times, or even more than ten times higher than usual."

Zhu Xuanji curiously pursued, "What treasures receive such inflated valuations?"

Song Fuli smiled and said, "For example, Spirit Stone Mines, Night Rain Demonic Weapons, Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends, Yin-Yang Self-Rotation Technique, and Cloud Veil Hidden Bud... oh, here's the list."

As he spoke, Song Fuli handed each of them a jade slip.

Ning Zhuo accepted the jade slip. Since he wasn't yet a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he could only press the jade slip to his forehead to view it.

Zhu Xuanji, who had spiritual sense, found it more convenient. All he had to do was hold the jade slip in his hand and inject his spiritual sense into it, and he could immediately see all its contents.

"These are all rare treasures of the world," Zhu Xuanji marveled.

"The Spirit Stone Mine can be planted deep underground and can transform ordinary stones into spirit stones, creating a new spirit stone vein out of thin air."

"The Night Rain Demonic Weapon is extremely sharp. Many powerful beings have collected it in an attempt to uncover the secrets of the Night Rain Dynasty."

"Both Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends are rare resources, essential for cultivation beyond the Nascent Soul stage."

"The Yin-Yang Self-Rotation Technique is quite famous. It's said that practicing this technique can generate a continuous flow of Yin and Yang energy within the body, and when Yin and Yang combine for dual cultivation, one's cultivation base can skyrocket on its own."

"What exactly is this Cloud Veil Hidden Bud?"

Zhu Xuanji's question made Ning Zhuo's heart skip a beat.

Song Fuli glanced at Ning Zhuo from the corner of his eye and smiled as he explained, "Not long ago, Immortal Butterfly Dream, the master of the Ten Thousand Flower Garden, compiled a list of the world's rarest and most exotic plants."

"On that list, Cloud Veil Hidden Bud ranked sixth."

"As for its specific use…"

Song Fuli spread his hands, "I have no idea either."

(End of this chapter)

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