Mechanism

The situation reached a stalemate, and even Ning Ye was momentarily unsure of what to do.

After some thought, he decided to throw the problem back: "Then what do you want?"

The anomaly was also stumped.

If the other party said they would just stop and leave, it certainly wouldn't believe it. This Extreme Joy Sect cultivator could neither be released nor killed. Having fought the cultivator in a bitter battle, its own reserves were heavily depleted, and it was likely no match for this person—the fact that the other party dared to approach despite knowing its strength suggested they had a trump card, especially since they could identify the weaknesses of a Hualun Realm cultivator.

One must understand that there is a vast gap in strength between major realms, and the chasm between the Cang Xiang Realm and the Hualun Realm is immense. Within the same realm, it is not rare for a lower-tier fighter to defeat a middle-tier one, but it is certainly not common.

For someone at the peak of the Cang Xiang Realm to defeat someone at the initial stage of the Hualun Realm is incredibly difficult. Anyone capable of such a feat is a dragon among men, a genius among geniuses.

This person's cultivation level was insufficient, but their background was mysterious, and their audacity to challenge a Hualun Realm initial-stage cultivator was, in itself, something the anomaly clearly couldn't match.

To fight, it couldn't win; to release, it couldn't afford to; to run, it couldn't escape.

The anomaly also fell into a dilemma.

Ning Ye had already spoken: "You had best decide quickly. Two battles have occurred here; someone will notice soon. I can leave, but you might not be able to."

The anomaly said anxiously: "I know. You cultivators are too annoying; you never let us go. If I weren't clever, I would have died at your hands long ago."

Ning Ye smiled: "I have an idea, if you are willing to listen."

"Speak."

"Submit to me and become my subordinate," Ning Ye said.

"No way," the anomaly cried. "Then wouldn't I lose my freedom? Besides, how do I know you won't kill me later?"

"Freedom?" Ning Ye sneered. "Do you really think you are free right now?"

The anomaly froze. Thinking of how it spent its days like a stray dog, living in constant fear, this so-called freedom was actually not even as good as a house pet's life. So, if this person could treat it well, selling itself out might not be out of the question. The problem was how to ensure he wouldn't dismantle and absorb it.

Ning Ye had already said: "You are an earth-type anomaly, skilled in earth-type spells, which is excellent. The path I cultivate has many requirements, but I lack the time and energy to master everything. With your help, I can relax a bit regarding the earth element. Among anomalies, those with intelligence are extremely rare. I see great potential in you; follow me, and you will have more room to grow. Furthermore, I possess many secret techniques and can teach you the art of Earth Escape. With this technique, it will be much easier for you to escape in the future."

The anomaly said impatiently: "You've said so much, but why should I trust you?"

Ning Ye replied: "Time is short; you have no choice but to trust me. If you drag this out, you won't be able to leave. For me, the worst that happens is that my secret plot to steal an anomaly is discovered by the sect and I am punished. For you, it is a matter of life and death."

This sentence hit the anomaly's fatal weakness.

Although it had held the Hualun Realm cultivator hostage, the leverage wasn't enough to make Ning Ye yield.

The anomaly realized that time was running out and had no choice but to gamble: "You really won't harm me?"

"Even if I killed and absorbed you, I might not gain much benefit, especially since my strength is currently low. Even if you possess immense mysteries, I wouldn't be able to digest them. But if you remain, I gain an initial-stage Hualun Realm assistant, even if you are the weakest among them."

"And what about when your strength grows in the future?"

"You will grow stronger too. Anomalies are uncontrollable. The immortal sects have always aimed to absorb anomalies and have never studied methods of control. I don't have such a method either. If you feel I am untrustworthy, you can always find a chance to escape later... You would only lose some of your origin, which you could recover in time. But I believe that once you follow me, even if I tried to drive you away, you wouldn't want to leave."

The anomaly felt disdain; it didn't believe Ning Ye's words, but reality forced it to believe. It had no choice but to say: "Fine, I will gamble once."

As it spoke, it released the Hualun Realm cultivator.

Ning Ye didn't move, saying: "Kill him."

"Me?" the anomaly was surprised.

"What? You just said you would be my subordinate, and now you want to defy my wishes?" Ning Ye said.

The anomaly was not angry but happy. Hearing this, it realized Ning Ye was truly going to keep his word. It struck out with stone spikes and killed the cultivator.

Then, Ning Ye looted the body. After checking all the items, he picked up a small wooden box and smiled: "A heaven-sent opportunity. Follow me."

The Teacup hopped along after Ning Ye.

They arrived before the Stone Lion. Ning Ye cast a spell on the wooden box and finally stuck a talisman onto it, saying: "Hide this box inside the Stone Lion. You can do that, right?"

The anomaly understood his intentions and was shocked: "You are so cunning!"

"If I weren't, how could I protect you?" Ning Ye countered.

"Exactly! Exactly!" The anomaly loved hearing that, so it followed Ning Ye's instructions, placed the wooden box inside the Stone Lion, and then, as Ning Ye directed, tampered with the Stone Lion before they left.

On the way back, the strength the anomaly had consumed gradually recovered.

But by now, it no longer had any intention of running away.

Just as Ning Ye said, an anomaly doesn't truly crave freedom; it only lacks a master because of its unique value.

Now that a cultivator was finally willing to protect it, it would be a fool to run.

Ning Ye also gradually learned that this anomaly was born from chaos and knew nothing of its own origins. Originally, it had no intelligence, but it was once captured by an immortal who intended to refine it. Unexpectedly, the immortal was hunted down by enemies, and the refining failed, which gave the anomaly sentience. From then on, it hid itself, never daring to show its face, and whenever it was exposed, it would find a way to escape.

It was precisely because it possessed intelligence that it was able to escape several times. If it had been an ordinary, ignorant anomaly, it would have been taken by an immortal long ago.

Knowing the anomaly's situation, Ning Ye smiled: "Since you have no name, I shall give you one."

"Yes, yes!" The anomaly was overjoyed.

Ning Ye thought for a moment and said: "Let's call you Tianji."

"Tianji?"

"Correct, Heavenly Mechanism. From this moment on, you are the Heavenly Mechanism Stone!"

The Heavenly Mechanism Stone is the foundation of the Heavenly Mechanism Sect.

Ning Ye was full of anticipation for this anomaly.

One day later.

Young Master Five-Sheep, Gongsun Ye, stood in Ancient Spring Town with Yue Xiuxiu by his side.

Yue Xiuxiu had reported this location, and although he knew the chances were slim, Gongsun Ye had flown here with great speed.

Yet, looking at the devastation across the town, Gongsun Ye felt his heart sink.

Scanning his surroundings, Gongsun Ye frowned and said, "At least four groups of cultivators have been here, but only one of them took action... it was the Extreme Joy Sect."

With Gongsun Ye's experience, he could naturally identify the methods used by that cultivator at a glance.

He just didn't know if they had succeeded.

Yue Xiuxiu, meanwhile, was still lingering by the Stone Lion.

Even though Gongsun Ye had already told her that the anomaly could be transferred and was no longer inside the Stone Lion, Yue Xiuxiu still felt a sense of reluctance.

She looked at the Stone Lion curiously, feeling as if some aura upon it was attracting her, and couldn't help but say, "Master, why do I feel like there is something on this Stone Lion attracting me?"

Gongsun Ye didn't even turn his head, replying offhandedly, "You cultivate the Pure Maiden Clear Qi and the Water Cloud Sword Art, so you are more sensitive to water spiritual energy. The Stone Lion must have been contaminated with the scent of a Cloud Water Pill; since the energies are compatible, it is no surprise that it attracts you."

"So that's how it is." Yue Xiuxiu muttered, patting the head of the Stone Lion.

Just then, the Stone Lion suddenly shattered, spraying out countless poison needles. Caught off guard, Yue Xiuxiu was instantly turned into a honeycomb; her body shuddered, and she collapsed.

"Xiuxiu!" Gongsun Ye cried out in shock, catching her, only to see her body drenched in blood and riddled with potent poison. She was dead on the spot.

"Bastard!!!" Gongsun Ye roared.

To have his disciple ambushed right before his eyes felt like a vicious slap to the face.

Looking at the shattered box and poison needles inside the Stone Lion, Gongsun Ye trembled uncontrollably: "Extreme Joy Sect... this is a mechanism of the Extreme Joy Sect... what incredible audacity!"

Gongsun Ye stood up abruptly.