The Ning cultivators in the prison cells were arguing.
The technique transmitted by the bell was called the Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art, and it only contained the first three levels.
Yet after everyone exchanged notes on those first three levels, they discovered that each of them had understood something slightly different.
For example, regarding the passage on condensing metal qi, some had comprehended: Metal qi enters the palm and spreads through all the meridians, traveling from the palm to the lungs, moistening the viscera and nourishing the organs. Those who cultivate this must keep an open heart and breathe evenly. Metal qi governs dryness; if used improperly, it can easily injure the yin lungs.
Others had heard: Metal qi enters the palm... Let the will surge wildly and breathe swiftly. Metal qi is sharp and fierce, governing decisive slaughter. Follow its current and rise.
The former required cultivators to circulate their power slowly, while the latter demanded that they advance with courage and vigor.
They had clearly all heard the same bell, yet each had gained a different understanding. Naturally, the debate went on without end.
"It seems you still do not understand what a Dharma Transmission Bell is." Before long, Chi Dun appeared, with Ning Chen and Ning Yong behind him.
By this point, he had finished interrogating every Ning cultivator.
The Ning cultivators all looked over. Someone bowed. "We ask Lord Chi Dun for guidance."
Ning Zhuo looked at Ning Chen and Ning Yong, smiling.
Ning Chen and Ning Yong's gazes were somewhat evasive. Just moments ago, during their interrogation, they had confessed everything, including receiving Ning Zhanji's orders and provoking Ning Zhuo into entering the cave.
Chi Dun explained, "As its name suggests, a Dharma Transmission Bell exists to transmit teachings."
"The advantage of turning bell chimes into cultivation techniques is that beings of different languages, even different races, can all gain some understanding from them."
"The Three Sects Forefathers held compassion in their hearts and saved all living beings. Thus, they left behind Dharma Transmission Bells not merely to save people, but to save other forms of life as well."
"Dharma Transmission Bells also vary in quality. With more ordinary ones, the methods transmitted through the bell chimes are identical. But exceptional bell chimes convey cultivation techniques that differ from person to person."
Most were astonished, though a few showed thoughtful expressions.
Chi Dun continued, "The cultivation techniques each of you received are all correct, because they were subtly adjusted based on yourselves."
"So that's how it is!" The cultivators suddenly understood, and looks of delight appeared on their faces.
"Any cultivation technique draws energy from the outside world, allowing us to digest, absorb, store, and use it. They can all be continually refined."
"That is right. Ancient cultivation techniques struggle to compete with newer methods precisely because the external environment changes, while seas turn into mulberry fields."
"The Three Sects Forefathers truly are compassionate, looking after every one of us."
Chi Dun said, "That is also the Buddhist style. Buddhism excels most at conversion—cleansing external power and transforming it into corresponding Buddhist power. As the saying goes, 'Lay down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot.' Even the power of a demonic cultivator accumulated over many years can be transformed into Buddhist power."
"Do not overestimate the effect, either. There are limits to transmitting teachings through bell chimes. Since it must account for all the living beings in the city, the degree of adjustment is certainly limited."
"So do not mistakenly believe this cultivation technique is perfect. You may still attempt to improve it during cultivation."
The Ning cultivators exchanged glances.
Someone smiled bitterly. "Improving a cultivation technique is far too difficult! Lord Chi Dun thinks too highly of us."
Another added, "Those capable of modifying cultivation techniques either possess profound research into them or extraordinary talent and brilliance. We cannot do it."
Chi Dun naturally knew that as well. He was merely offering a well-intentioned reminder.
"Enough. Your suspicions have been cleared. Follow me, and stop taking up space in the dungeon."
He had released the Ning cultivators deliberately.
In this way, Chi Dun was discreetly extending goodwill toward the Ning clan, showing that interrogating their people had not been his intention, only his duty.
The Ning cultivators thanked him repeatedly and followed Chi Dun out of the cells.
Just as they emerged from the dungeon and saw the first light of dawn, the Heart Warning Bell on Chi Dun's body suddenly erupted in a piercing clamor.
Chi Dun's expression changed sharply. His aura surged as he shot away in the direction indicated by the Heart Warning Bell.
The billowing shockwave directly sent the surrounding Ning cultivators flying.
Boom!
The next instant, a tremendous explosion rang out. The ground shook violently, and dust rose into the air.
A figure shot out from the smoke and dust.
The Ning cultivators all cried out, "It's that Black Shadow Demonic Cultivator!"
"Thief, your audacity reaches the heavens! You dare spy on the dungeon!" Chi Dun roared in fury and gave chase.
The Black Shadow Demonic Cultivator let out a sinister cackle, his voice hoarse as he fought while retreating.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The two leaped and battled through swathes of houses and halls. Wherever they clashed, buildings large and small crumbled and shattered.
The city residents fled in every direction, plunging into chaos.
"We need to leave too!" The Ning cultivators fled in the opposite direction.
Ning Chen and Ning Yong also tried to drag Ning Zhuo away.
But Ning Zhuo said, "Why leave? Let's go back to the dungeon. It's safer there!"
The two froze.
Ning Zhuo directly grabbed their hands. "You won't go wrong listening to me."
The three of them returned to the dungeon.
When they reentered the cell, the fruit on the table had not even been cleared away.
Ning Zhuo and the others sat down again.
Ning Zhuo explained, "Although the Immortal City Array protects the city and greatly weakens every cultivator's combat strength, Golden Core cultivators are still beings we cannot resist at all."
"What if they keep fighting and end up right beside us?"
"Just like what happened in the Crimson Flame Demon Lava Cave!"
"Lord Chi Dun is very strong. He is a body cultivator, so his combat strength is suppressed the least in Fire Persimmon Immortal City. His chances of victory are very high."
"We should wait until he kills that Black Shadow Demonic Cultivator before going out. That is the safest option."
After hearing this, Ning Chen and Ning Yong both felt that Ning Zhuo made a great deal of sense.
Boom! Boom! Boom...
The clash between the two Golden Core cultivators continued. Every impact shook the entire dungeon, scattering dust from overhead.
Ning Chen and Ning Yong could neither sit nor stand at ease.
Ning Zhuo, however, remained leisurely and composed, eating fruit and drinking tea with a somewhat carefree air.
Seeing their fellow student act this way, Ning Chen and Ning Yong admired him even more.
Ning Zhuo explained, "Ah, I've made peace with it! If those two Golden Core cultivators fight their way here, we're definitely dead. In that worst-case scenario, we might as well eat more, so we do not become starving ghosts."
Ning Chen was speechless.
Ning Yong slapped his forehead and gave Ning Zhuo a thumbs-up. "A Zhuo, you're right. Smart!"
He grabbed a handful of grapes and stuffed them into his mouth, then called to Ning Chen, "You should eat too. Hurry up and eat."
Ning Chen rolled his eyes at him. His expression and mood were both heavy as he shook his head. "You two eat. I can't eat."
The battle between the two Golden Core cultivators did not last long.
The three kept watching and listening. They found that the commotion was growing quieter, the explosions farther away, and gradually relaxed.
Only after the sounds vanished completely, and a prison guard came to urge the three Ning youths onward, did they finally leave the dungeon again.
Chi Dun and the Black Shadow Demonic Cultivator had completely disappeared. According to others, they had chased each other out of the city.
Vast stretches of houses had collapsed into ruins.
Among the rubble, corpses lay scattered everywhere. The survivors' wails made this morning feel bitterly cold.
The three Ning youths all wore heavy expressions.
"Strange. I actually used to think the immortal city was safe!" Ning Yong said.
Ning Chen sighed. "This already counts as fortunate. With the Immortal City Array suppressing them, even Golden Core cultivators cannot unleash their full combat strength. Otherwise, if a Golden Core-level spell came crashing down, half the city would suffer disaster."
Ning Zhuo urged, "This is not something we can control. Let's go back. Right now, I just want to collapse onto my bed and sleep with my head under the covers."
The moment he said this, the exhaustion and haggardness of his two fellow students were immediately stirred awake.
After walking together for a while, Ning Zhuo parted ways with them.
The previous night's experiences had been far too eventful. Ning Zhuo was exhausted as well, and he fell asleep the moment he lay down.
He slept until evening before slowly waking.
After eating a little, he entered the Underground Workshop.
Sitting cross-legged on the prayer mat, he began his first attempt at cultivating the Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art.
He had previously cultivated the Snowy Region Talisman Compendium, one of the Ning clan's three great cultivation techniques. Under normal circumstances, he would first need to disperse all his Talisman Compendium Power and empty himself completely before recultivating another technique.
But Ning Zhuo did not need to do that.
My Buddha Heart Demon Seal!
A demon to others, a Buddha to oneself.
Saving oneself was not merely about suppressing his thoughts, remaining free of sorrow and joy, and guarding against detection. It also had the wondrous use of transforming power.
At once, his Talisman Compendium Power continuously transformed directly into Five Elements Power with astonishing efficiency!