Chapter 284: Han Ming Reports the Case
After the first round of the imperial examination, the ranking list was reduced to twenty-three people.
Moreover, the rankings had undergone significant changes.
Previously, Golden Core cultivators dominated the top half of the list, but now the cultivators were mixed together, with those in the Qi Refining stage, Foundation Establishment stage, and Golden Core stage jumbled up in no particular order.
Of course, Golden Core cultivators still made up the majority, occupying more than half of the list.
From this, it seemed that the Golden Core cultivators were the main focus of the examination, while the other Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining stage cultivators were merely there to accompany them.
A sharp light flashed in Ning Zhuo's eyes, and from this, he saw hope for removing the monitoring methods placed on him.
At this moment, a new piece of information was conveyed.
It was an introduction to the second round of the examination.
In simple terms, the second round would take the form of a ranking competition, allowing each cultivator to engage in a relatively fair contest with one another.
After this information was conveyed, the ground of the plaza in front of the hall began to tremble.
Then, the floor tiles separated, swallowing all the tables and then revealing ten circular arenas.
Once the arenas were fully exposed, the tiles closed again, forming a seamless and orderly surface.
Transmission circles appeared once more around each person.
Many cultivators quickly stepped into the circles, seizing every second to prepare for the upcoming second round.
Some cultivators who had been eliminated lingered, but soon found themselves unable to move. The transmission circle beside them expanded and swallowed them, forcibly teleporting them out.
After Ning Zhuo stepped out of the transmission circle, he returned to his temporary residence.
He hurriedly ran out of the house and went next door to pay respects to Ning Jiufan.
"Ancestor," Ning Zhuo said, "the second round of the examination is about to begin, and the competition will definitely be fiercer. However, I have hidden dangers on me and fear being secretly harmed."
Ning Jiufan stroked his beard, understanding what Ning Zhuo was referring to.
Ning Zhuo was talking about the various monitoring methods that had been placed on him by some Golden Core cultivators.
Ning Zhuo told Ning Jiufan that he had once thought these monitoring methods were his protective charms. But now, with the situation having changed so drastically, was there a hidden method to control or influence him through these methods?
If there truly was a way to control or affect him, it would be extremely disadvantageous for Ning Zhuo as he was about to enter the arena to fight.
Ning Jiufan said, "I shall try to remove these methods for you."
But Ning Zhuo replied, "There's no need to trouble you, Ancestor. The second round of the examination is imminent, and you are the greatest hope of our Ning family!"
"I believe that our Ning family obtaining the Lava Immortal Palace is completely reasonable!"
"My idea is to seek help from Lord Zhu Xuanji and have him put pressure on the others to remove all the monitoring methods from me."
Ning Jiufan nodded slightly, "That is indeed a good idea. I will write a letter to inquire about Lord Zhu’s intentions."
While Ning Jiufan was writing the letter, Zhu Xuanji was also writing a letter.
He was sending it to Meng Kui!
In the letter, Zhu Xuanji recorded fragmented pieces of information related to the Mirror Platform Spirit Technique, the Demonic Blood Tendon Technique, and the Five Elements Qi Regulation Art from the test.
He wanted Meng Kui to calculate the relationship between these three techniques and determine if they were part of the Three Sect Lords' methods.
"Hopefully, I can get a reply soon."
Zhu Xuanji looked at the gap in the protective barrier and at the Red Flame Beasts that were constantly breaking in, sighing deeply.
With the retreat of the Nascent Soul stage Fire Snake, the Red Flame Beast tide had become even larger and more threatening than before.
Especially recently, due to the secret efforts of the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, a breach had appeared in the protective barrier, allowing Red Flame Beasts to continuously break through.
The difficulty of breaking into the palace was now much reduced compared to before.
This change had greatly stimulated the Red Flame Beasts. Their attacks were now more violent and reckless.
As a result, it became increasingly inconvenient for cultivators to enter and exit the Lava Immortal Palace.
In the past, Zhu Xuanji might have taken action himself, as it wasn’t far, and he could directly meet Meng Kui to urge him to calculate in person.
But now, Zhu Xuanji preferred to simply send a flying message.
After all, he needed a lot of time to properly prepare for the second round of the examination!
"According to the previous information, the second round is a one-on-one battle."
"The so-called fairness, does it mean that those with higher cultivation will be suppressed by the Immortal Palace, reducing their performance to match those with lower cultivation?"
"After all, the ranking list includes Golden Core cultivators, Foundation Establishment cultivators, and Qi Refining cultivators."
"The rules of the examination specify that only mechanisms related to the art of puppetry can be used. This description is actually quite vague."
"If I had a large number of mechanical puppets, could I use them directly in the arena?"
"If some of my mechanical puppets possessed Golden Core-level power, what would happen?"
As Zhu Xuanji was pondering, Ning Jiufan’s letter flew in front of him.
He opened it and saw that it was regarding Ning Zhuo.
Ning Jiufan’s concerns were something Zhu Xuanji agreed with.
The detective thought for a moment. Ning Zhuo’s matter was minor, but it highlighted a major internal threat within the alliance of the three families—As the competition intensified, the once united three great cultivation families would start to fracture, each acting in their own interest.
This was clearly not something Zhu Xuanji wanted to see.
He immediately decided to use Ning Zhuo’s request to summon the Golden Core cultivators of the three families and discuss important matters to strengthen the alliance!
Moments later.
The Golden Core cultivators of the three families gathered around Ning Zhuo, and one by one, they removed the monitoring methods they had placed on him.
Throughout the process, Zhu Xuanji activated his Celestial Golden Eyes and observed.
Ning Jiufan breathed a sigh of relief.
If he had tried to remove these monitoring methods by himself, he might not have succeeded, and it would have been time-consuming and laborious. Having the Golden Core cultivators remove them themselves was the best solution.
In the end, at Ning Zhuo’s request, he kept the monitoring methods from Ning Jiufan and Zhu Xuanji on his body.
Zheng Shuanggou suddenly proposed a deal to Ning Zhuo.
He wanted to purchase Ning Zhuo’s mechanical ape.
It wasn’t the Explosive Monkey, but the Golden Core-level puppet that Ning Zhuo had been preparing for a long time with great fanfare.
Naturally, Ning Zhuo was unwilling and dodged by claiming it had not yet been completed.
Zhu Xuanji, standing to the side, immediately saw through his lie.
Zheng Shuanggou was unfazed. "Even if it’s not fully constructed, it doesn’t matter. My Zheng family is still willing to purchase it at a high price."
This time, Ning Zhuo directly refused, causing Zheng Jianlian to snort coldly in anger.
During this time, Meng Kui’s reply arrived in front of Zhu Xuanji.
In the letter, Meng Kui confirmed Zhu Xuanji’s suspicion that the three techniques were indeed part of the Three Sect Lords' methods.
Meng Kui also calculated the approximate power of the Demonic Blood Tendon Technique. As for the Mirror Platform Spirit Technique, it involved creating mirrors within the sea of consciousness and dantian to directly communicate with spiritual beings. Initially, the number of mirrors would be few, but as one's cultivation progressed, the number would increase, and their quality would improve!
In an effort to gain favor, Zhu Xuanji proactively shared the contents of the letter.
Ning Zhuo, standing by, was astonished, fully realizing the deep understanding that Golden Core and Nascent Soul-level cultivators had of the path of cultivation. Even just a few words were enough for them to quickly grasp the essence of the techniques.
As news of the second round spread, Ning Zhuo began actively preparing for the battle.
However, his days were not peaceful.
One after another, people approached him, offering large sums of money, not only to purchase his Golden Core-level puppet materials but also attempting to bribe him to throw the match.
Ning Zhuo refused them all, displaying a demeanor that even surprised Ning Jiufan.
After polite approaches failed, more forceful methods were deployed.
Many people and factions began to resort to more aggressive tactics as the second round of the examination approached.
A Foundation Establishment stage rogue cultivator was found dead one night, his body discovered at noon the next day. His heart had been pierced, and his soul was completely gone.
Industries belonging to the Ning, Zheng, and Zhou families were simultaneously targeted.
Even the headquarters of the Full Book Tower in Huoshi Immortal City was robbed.
Witnesses claimed that the perpetrators were shadow demon cultivators.
However, it was evident that such precise targeting of a super sect was likely the work of another super sect taking advantage of the situation!
"The second round of the examination..."
"Hmph, they’re certainly having fun."
"Why don’t we get involved as well? What do you think, Han Ming?"
Luo Shang, residing in the Immortal City, looked towards the peak of Mount Huoshi and sneered.
Han Ming lowered her
head, her brows drooping, appearing extremely obedient. "Lord Luo Shang, what do you want me to do?"
Her heart was filled with helplessness.
She had been hiding for a long time, but due to the beast attack on the city, her tracks had been exposed, and she was eventually found by Luo Shang, who forcibly recruited her and kept her by his side.
Luo Shang said, "Go contact the City Lord’s Mansion."
"They’ll definitely be interested in your information."
"Although Ning Zhuo is just a junior in the Qi Refining stage, he made it to the second round. If something happens to him, Meng Kui’s side will have the leverage to launch an attack on Zhu Xuanji’s side."
"When two tigers fight, the scene will be much more entertaining."
"Hahaha!"
(End of chapter)