Yang Zhengchu's meaning was very clear.

It means that the time for the tribulation has come, and if he delays further, he might perish before the tribulation arrives.

Of course.

It's not strictly today or tomorrow, but rather this period of time.

Even if it could be delayed, it would only be by a year or two at most.

Perhaps in that time he might find one or two more rare tribulation treasures, but Yang Zhengchu needs far more than just that.

If it were so simple as to gather all materials with a little more effort, the Yang Family wouldn't have spent hundreds of years setting up this plan.

So things have come to this point.

No matter what Yang Zhengchu's final choice is, the meeting with Ma Ning is inevitable.

As for whether Yang Zhengchu will agree to the Taoshu Commerce Association's proposal, it depends on Ma Ning's performance.

Since the Taoshu Commerce Association is already aware of Yang Zhengchu's existence, the meeting location remained unchanged.

It was once again set in this secret chamber.

However, only two clan elders accompanied this meeting, these being the two most prominent figures of the Yang Family.

After all, the rabbits never mentioned the existence of the other three hidden clan elders, so there was no need to reveal all their cards.

A quarter of an hour later.

Yang Wanli brought Ma Ning to the entrance of the secret chamber.

At this time, Ma Ning's expression was quite serious, with even a hint of determination in his eyes.

Not even when he went to UNESCO for a Chinese literature report was he this nervous.

To be honest.

He is afraid of death, and he doesn't want to die.

But most of his current anxiety isn't due to a fear of death.

It's more about worrying that his mistakes might cause their entire local plan to fail.

Just like Jing Ke back then, success or failure concerns the fate of the nation.

But unlike Jing Ke.

Yang Zhengchu is not Emperor Shi, and Ma Ning does not have Qin Wuyang by his side, but rather a more reliable support—a small device at Ma Ning's waist quietly vibrated the moment he entered the secret chamber.

This was a signal feedback from within the secret chamber, indicating that the command center was closely monitoring the situation inside.

It might not allow communication, but it inexplicably brought peace of mind.

Just like when Choji Akimichi saw that sign after defeating the Sound Ninjas in Naruto.

Silent yet reassuring, reminding you that you have not been abandoned.

After entering the chamber.

Yang Bolin first introduced the identities of the two clan elders to Ma Ning:

"Shopkeeper Ma, this is my fourth uncle Yang Qi, and the other is the clan's living fossil, Elder Yang Wenbing."

Ma Ning politely bowed to the two of them in a respectful manner befitting a junior.

While Yang Qi was older, Yang Wenbing was truly at least over two hundred years old, older than the history of some diarrhea-ridden eagles.

Thus, it was appropriate to show them the respect of a younger generation, out of humanitarian regard.

Yang Wenbing nodded slightly, while the tall Yang Qi snorted disdainfully.

Yang Qi's father and brother both perished in the perilous Star Sea because of a rare treasure named Thousand Burial Flowers.

And Thousand Burial Flowers was a crucial part of some tribulation arrays.

Thus, Yang Qi was innately predisposed to dislike—or rather, distrust Ma Ning.

He genuinely didn't believe Taoshu Commerce Association possessed such Heaven-defying methods.

Yang Bolin then shifted his focus, about to introduce Yang Zhengchu.

But Yang Zhengchu proactively gestured towards Ma Ning:

"Shopkeeper Ma, I am Yang Zhengchu, also one of the Yang Clan Elders. You can call me Elder Yang."

Ma Ning quickly returned the gesture:

"Greetings, Elder Yang."

Then Yang Zhengchu indicated for everyone to take their seats.

Though the chamber was small, it was well-equipped. Then he spoke:

"Shopkeeper Ma, I wonder if your side could elaborate on the thunder tribulation plan...?"

Ma Ning nodded, composed his words, and said:

"Elder Yang.

Before discussing the plan, allow me to keep some suspense and demonstrate a principle with an object first.

Of course.

This object is only to explain a concept and won't be used in the tribulation."

Yang Zhengchu was slightly taken aback but quickly understood:

"If Shopkeeper Ma requires, feel free to demonstrate whether here or elsewhere...?"

Ma Ning looked at the ceiling five to six meters high and said:

"Right here in the chamber will do."

Then he took out a spatial bag and handed it to Yang Bolin:

"Shopkeeper Yang, kindly help me by taking out what's inside the bag.

I am merely a mortal and find myself quite incapable with this item."

Yang Bolin took the spatial bag, glancing at Yang Zhengchu.

Yang Zhengchu nodded gently.

With Yang Zhengchu's approval, he didn't hesitate and immediately infused the spatial bag with spiritual power.

Moments later.

An odd object appeared before them.

It was a metal apparatus somewhat resembling a cage, about two meters high and over a meter wide.

Sealed top and bottom, with fine meshes on all sides.

Ma Ning pointed to the metal cage and introduced:

"This item is called a Faraday Cage, invented by a sage named Faraday.

This man's Dao title was Magnetic Pole Immortal, a renowned Thunder Cultivator from Ancient Times."

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhengchu's heart immediately grew solemn.

Simultaneously, a sliver of anticipation arose.

An artifact from an ancient Thunder Cultivator....

Perhaps it could indeed offer some surprises?

Thus he quickly asked:

"May I ask, Shopkeeper Ma, what functions does this item have and how should it be used?"

Ma Ning smiled and said:

"The principle of the Faraday Cage, allow me... ahem, I will explain later, as for its function...

I will demonstrate it for you to understand."

Yang Zhengchu gestured to him:

"Please."

Ma Ning bowed once more, then carefully inspected the Faraday Cage.

Ensuring it was steadily grounded, he opened the iron door and entered.

Then he locked the cage from inside and continued fiddling for half a minute.

When his waist again indicated the command center's confirmation of the successful process.

He raised his head and calmly said to Yang Bolin:

"Shopkeeper Yang, could you use lightning techniques or lightning talismans to strike the cage?

By the way.

As long as the cage isn't damaged, just try to envelop the whole cage with electricity."

Yang Bolin was taken aback and then frowned:

"Shopkeeper Yang, are you courting death?"

Even though the Damo Realm lacks scientific theories, it doesn't lack basic knowledge.

Like how metal conducts electricity, boiling steam burns the skin, and readers are all either handsome guys or beautiful gals, etc.

During the item retrieval.

Yang Bolin used Divine Sense to scan the strange item called the Faraday Cage.

He confirmed that it was just an ordinary metal cage, lacking any protective talismans or arrays.

Even if he controlled the lightning technique to not destroy the cage, with metal's conductive property, Ma Ning would surely die.

As for the possibility of Ma Ning secretly having a talisman for protection...

That's a joke.

Does he really think the present Core Formation and false Nascent Soul cultivators are just idly standing by?

Not to mention, if it were to test some defensive talisman, Ma Ning would have no need to create such a cage.

With Purple Treasure Pavilion and Taoshu Commerce Association's multiple trades complete, Yang Bolin had developed some personal rapport with Ma Ning.

At least, apart from business, Yang Bolin privately enjoyed interacting with people like Ma Ning without prejudice because of their cultivation difference.

Even if Ma Ning revealed Yang Zhengchu's existence, it would only astonish Yang Bolin rather than anger him.

In such circumstances, asking Yang Bolin to watch Ma Ning die for no reason.

He hesitated somewhat in his heart.

Seeing Yang Bolin's hesitance, Ma Ning remained firm in his stance:

"Shopkeeper Yang, rest assured and proceed boldly. I want to live till the finale."

Yang Bolin sighed at this.

Knowing that further persuasion was pointless, he pulled a lightning talisman from his sleeve.

He then activated the talisman, directing it towards the Faraday Cage.

Zzzzzz—

Electricity rapidly enveloped the cage from all sides.

The dazzling white light tightly wrapped the entire cage, like the core confrontation between Harry Potter and Voldemort.

Yet beneath such intense electric lights, Ma Ning remained safe....

....

Note:

The Faraday Cage is just a prelude and not related to the actual plan.

Don't worry, my settings aren't that low; if a Faraday Cage could block a thunder tribulation, it would be rather mundane and uninteresting.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.