This premonition was without reason, and Ning Zhuo found it quite strange.
This undoubtedly increased his attention towards Ban Ji. After some consideration, he first wrote a reply, giving it to Ban Ji, gently refusing.
Then, he summoned Gongsun Yan.
Gongsun Yan clasped his fists and bowed, "Young Master, what are your instructions?"
Ning Zhuo: "Help me investigate a person."
He handed Gongsun Yan the letter from Ban Ji, along with his own reply, and then gave him a bag of Spirit Stones to handle the matter.
Gongsun Yan took Ning Zhuo’s reply and followed the Flying Message to a peak, standing before a cave mansion, indicating his request for an audience with Ning Zhuo’s reply.
The cave mansion opened, and Gongsun Yan was invited inside.
Inside, there was a small feast with songs, dances, fine food, and wine, the atmosphere lively.
The hosts of the banquet were Pi Fujie and Ban Ji.
Pi Fujie, with gray hair and sunken eyes like a skull, still wore his wide robe sewn from hide. But now, his expression was no longer arrogant, as he engaged in a small, smiling conversation with Ban Ji beside him.
Gongsun Yan knew Pi Fujie; whoever Ning Zhuo had a grudge with, his subordinates would naturally pay attention. Realizing the opponent harbored strong hostility, he showed no fear and remained expressionless.
Seeing the Flying Message follow the aura directly to Ban Ji, Gongsun Yan focused on scrutinizing the individual.
Ban Ji appeared as a young man with a yellowish complexion, slightly high cheekbones, a hooked nose, and thin lips, making him seem mean and greedy.
He was lean and trim, neither tall nor short, with rather long arms and neck, and a notable forward lean, sitting like a vulture ready to pounce for prey.
Gongsun Yan greeted Pi Fujie and Ban Ji in turn, representing Ning Zhuo’s intent, maintaining dignity without subservience.
Ban Ji sat cross-legged, holding a wine cup in one hand and supporting his knee with the other. He only lifted his gaze from the cup to Gongsun Yan after listening.
Only then did Gongsun Yan see Ban Ji’s eyes.
His sclera was more prominent, and the pupils were a muddy yellow-brown, like two ancient ambers.
Ban Ji chuckled arrogantly, "This attendant of yours is impressive. How long has he been with Ning Zhuo? Was he assigned to Ning Zhuo because he’s joining the Myriad Images Sect?"
Gongsun Yan clasped his hands, explaining the truth, stating he was originally a Guest Elder of the Lin Family, assisting Lin Jinglong’s participation in the Myriad Images Sect, and had only recently pledged loyalty to Ning Zhuo.
Ban Ji’s expression remained unchanged as he fiddled with the cup in his hand.
He was slightly startled internally, yet remained indifferent verbally, "Oh? The Lin Family isn’t bad. How much did Ning Zhuo offer to sway you away from Lin Jinglong?"
Gongsun Yan softly shook his head, "That’s not something to speak of to outsiders."
Ban Ji chuckled. He had already used his Divine Sense to read the letter, understanding Ning Zhuo’s refusal.
Immediately, he waved an arm, "Alright, I’ve received the letter. Since Ning Zhuo is unavailable, let’s wait for the right opportunity to spar."
Pi Fujie beside him frowned slightly.
He had intentionally befriended Ban Ji, gifting lavishly. Ban Ji had agreed and sent a challenge letter, but once Ning Zhuo declined, Ban Ji immediately withdrew.
Pi Fujie took a silent sip of wine, watching as Gongsun Yan left, just about to converse with Ban Ji.
Ban Ji had already spoken ahead, "Friend Pi, be patient."
"As it is said, don’t hit a smiling face. Ning Zhuo’s letter was polite and didn’t outright refuse, just mentioned lacking time at the moment."
"I have the letter. I can’t publicly claim Ning Zhuo is cowardly to tarnish his reputation."
Pi Fujie shook his head, face slightly chilly, "Friend Ban Ji, why deceive me with these words? When have you ever been so tolerant of an enemy?"
"Moreover, this is clearly Ning Zhuo’s delaying tactic!"
"He can’t gauge your strength, so he sent a subordinate to deliver the reply. I fear he’ll fully investigate your intelligence to prepare better against you."
Ban Ji, seeing Pi Fujie’s expression, also let his own face drop, "Of course I know that."
"Since your last letter mentioned Ning Zhuo, I’ve started investigating him as well."
"Do you know he participated in Chu Xuangu’s Feiyun Minor Trial this morning and took first place?"
Pi Fujie furrowed his brow, showing confusion, "Chu Xuangu?"
He pondered for a moment, recalling Chu Xuangu’s information, feeling more perplexed, "He’s a Confucian Cultivator, Golden Core Level, a pillar among the Confucian group in Myriad Images Sect."
"What? This year’s Confucian Minor Trial was so easy? How could an outsider like Ning Zhuo win?"
This information truly wasn’t clear to Pi Fujie.
Ban Ji sneered, "If it’s just the trial’s difficulty plummeting, that would be better. But I fear... hehe."
"Let me tell you another thing, Bai Jiyun, Liu Fushu, and Kong Ran also participated in this trial."
Pi Fujie shook his head, "I’m not familiar with Liu Fushu, but I’ve long heard of Bai Jiyun and Kong Ran."
"Kong Ran is the current Prime Minister’s son, Bai Jiyun is comparable to us and the likes of Situ Xing and Lin Jinglong."
"They are genuine Confucian Cultivators and even they lost to Ning Zhuo?"
Pi Fujie’s suspicions deepened.
Having observed Pi Fujie’s expression with no flaw, Ban Ji slightly raised his head, "You should investigate the details yourself."
"This person seems far from simple on the surface."
"Therefore, I endeavor to gather intelligence and delay action against him."
At this point, Ban Ji recalled his grandfather’s words upon leaving the family, "Good great-grandson, as you head to the Myriad Images Sect, I’ve used the family’s mechanism to calculate your journey."
"This trip is dangerous for you, yet it contains great opportunities."
"Your cultivation of Demon Skills has cost much Yang virtue. Now wanting to join the Myriad Images Sect and advance further has triggered your Human Tribulation."
Ban Ji felt troubled, "Ancestor, with so many talents and strong people in Myriad Images Sect, how do I discern who is my Human Tribulation?"
His grandfather stroked his beard with a slight smile, "I’ve used the family mechanism to mark it for you."
"When you encounter them, your mind will naturally be moved."
"But this technique alerts the opponent as well. You need to be cautious, very cautious!"
Ban Ji nodded heavily, "Ancestor, I remember everything."
"Since I chose to cultivate Demon Skills, frequently encountering tribulations is expected. I’ve never regretted it!"
"In my past tribulations, I avoided them with your help. But this time, it’s unavoidable!"
"I must join the Myriad Images Sect; that’s where greater prospects lie."
"Haha, I’ll see what Human Tribulation can block my path!"
When Pi Fujie sent the Flying Message inviting Ban Ji to deal with Ning Zhuo, the moment Ban Ji received the message, a tremor stirred within him.
"Ning Zhuo?"
"Is he my Human Tribulation this time?"
Ban Ji forcibly suppressed the tremor, his attention toward Ning Zhuo was beyond Pi Fujie’s expectations.
Therefore, he was quite careful with Ning Zhuo, immediately taking significant measures to clandestinely gather Ning Zhuo’s intelligence.
When Ban Ji learned the results of Chu Xuangu’s Feiyun Minor Trial at noon, he grew slightly wary of Ning Zhuo.
Pi Fujie urged Ban Ji to act, but Ban Ji felt that acting rashly might precipitate a premature tribulation, leading to a rushed, catastrophic defeat.
Thus, he decided to postpone actions and conduct a thorough investigation.
"You know I’ve successfully avoided tribulations several times before."
"This tribulation might be stronger than any prior."
"One who can be my Human Tribulation won’t be simple!"
"I must be exceedingly cautious!!"
"Thankfully, he’s merely a Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage Cultivator..."
"According to the current information, overcoming this tribulation might be difficult because there’s a strong force behind him."
"If I act recklessly, I fear I’d be prematurely confronting the tribulation and suffer a great defeat."
"So, I’ve decided to pause and investigate carefully."
"To become someone’s Human Tribulation must not be simple!"
"Caution is paramount!!"
"""