Since they are Demon Cultivators, their reputation is very poor, making them easy targets for attacks.
In comparison, even though Ning Zhuo lacks reputation, at least he isn’t as completely negative as Ban Ji.
So, in the first Xingyun Trial of Master Qinghuangzi, he took advantage of this weakness and successfully united a large group of cultivators.
Ban Ji’s own arrogant attack posture also helped Ning Zhuo from another perspective.
After all, most people knew of Ban Ji and had a sense of dread towards him.
As for whether it was unfair to attack as a group?
Of course not—what fairness is there in dealing with Demon Cultivators? Everyone just stands together!
In their previous conversation, Ning Zhuo once again solidified this fact to the crowd—Ban Ji is a Demon Cultivator, while I, Ning Zhuo, belong to the Righteous Path. We are all good people, and collectively opposing Ban Ji is a righteous act!
For this reason, Ning Zhuo listed many pieces of evidence to convince everyone.
Black Kite Chen San cast his gaze towards Ning Zhuo: "Young Master Ning, you must be careful. Do you have any elders accompanying you?"
"Whether it’s Pi Fujie or Ban Ji’s family, they are famous throughout our country."
Chen San is slim, with dark skin and sharp eyes, combined with a hint of shrewdness and vigilance. He feigns concern, but in reality, he probes for Ning Zhuo’s background.
When involved in such matters, background is naturally considered.
Ning Zhuo smiled slightly: "To be honest with you all, this is my first time at the main mountain gate of the Myriad Images Sect, a fresh arrival."
"I aim to be kind to others, never intending to offend."
"However, if it’s people like Pi Fujie and Ban Ji, offending them is not a concern."
"My elders did not blame me; they only advised me not to be timid!"
Ning Zhuo didn’t reveal any information, but the eyes of others flickered slightly.
Faced with the Pi Family and the Ban Family, Ning Zhuo’s elders still maintained a tough stance, indicating that Ning Zhuo’s background is significant!
Ning Zhuo’s tone turned gentle, unwilling to be overly forceful: "Once this Feiyun Conference is over, I should become a disciple of the Myriad Images Sect."
"If Ban Ji and Pi Fujie also join successfully, we will be fellow members. Our conflicts can be resolved face-to-face in the Martial Arts Hall."
"If they fail, as a member of the Myriad Images Sect, I would not fear them."
Ning Zhuo’s optimistic attitude and outlook immediately resonated with everyone, successfully shifting the topic away.
These five cultivators are here at the main mountain gate of the Myriad Images Sect, naturally intending to join as well.
According to Ning Zhuo’s recent communications with them, he learned that all five are Loose Cultivators, each skilled in mechanical techniques.
For example, Patchwork Sun is good at repairs, Zhang Dadan has artifact refining skills, specializing in heavy mechanisms, and Huoniao’er has deep experience in explosive mechanical artifacts...
"Joining the Myriad Images Sect—it’s easy if it’s easy, and not easy if it’s not!"
"If I could obtain the legacy of Master Qinghuangzi, could I ensure my admission into the Myriad Images Sect?"
"That would definitely secure it. Haven’t you heard? The legacy of Master Qinghuangzi even includes the Summit Master Token of Qingzhu Peak."
Everyone shared the same goal, fueling a lively conversation.
Ning Zhuo listened for a moment, occasionally chiming in.
Someone smoothly introduced the "Vowel Reeds Book," and the discussion shifted focus to the rewards of this Qinghuangzi Trial.
Together with Ning Zhuo, a total of twelve winners received a copy of the "Vowel Reeds Book" each.
Zhang Dadan expressed his concern: "I’m clueless about melodies; participating in subsequent trials might be disastrous."
Huoniao’er raised an eyebrow: "What’s there to fear? At worst, you just lose."
Chen San then looked at the female cultivator: "I think Jiang Daoist has the most potential."
The young female cultivator Jiang Xiaobian, appearing young, had sallow skin and dry yellow hair that she always tied into a small braid at the back of her head.
A few bamboo tubes hung from her waist, occasionally producing quiet insect sounds.
Jiang Xiaobian excels at using spiritual insects as the primary material to create tiny mechanical insects.
Whenever facing an enemy, she would open the bamboo tube to release a large number of small mechanical insects.
Due to the vast number of insects, she certainly couldn’t control them individually with mana suspended threads. Instead, she played the insect flute to control various mechanical insects through sound.
And in Qinghuangzi’s mechanical approach, music plays a significant role.
The "Vowel Reeds Book" is a mechanical classic discussing the crafting of mechanical components. In total, there are twenty sorts of reeds, each capable of producing different vowel effects. Conversely, cultivators can emit vowels to evoke resonance in specific reeds, thereby controlling mechanical creations from thin air.
Jiang Xiaobian: "Speaking of which, I’ve already skimmed through the ’Vowel Reeds Book’ hastily."
"Regarding one part—’West Mountain fine copper casts a clear sound in the teeth row, tooth gaps contain empty valley patterns. Bathe in the heavenly dew of the fourth and ninth hour; once the dew dissipates, the teeth are clear like ice crystals. Placed in the thoracic, drawing wind to guide breath, teeth vibrate and cleanse the eight lands of dust’—how do you interpret it?"
Thus, everyone’s focus shifted to this section, each presenting their own opinion in lively discussion.
Smiling, Ning Zhuo participated throughout.
Even though he had a deeper understanding, he chose to conceal it in this situation.
There was no need to showcase his excellence right now. Ban Ji had already been eliminated, and in the upcoming Qinghuangzi Trial, Ning Zhuo’s opponents would be the other eleven participants.
Including the five present here.
Despite Ning Zhuo’s young age, he was quite mature, never having the urge to showcase his intelligence unnecessarily.
After a brief exchange, everyone began to argue over differing opinions.
Ning Zhuo immediately interjected, stabilizing the situation: "Gentlemen, let’s pause our discussion of the ’Vowel Reeds Book’ for now, shall we? Perhaps we could proceed to the next Qinghuangzi Trial with our respective understandings."
"Let’s agree upfront: no matter who amongst us eventually gains the complete legacy, they must host a meal!"
"We’re not like Ban Ji and his ilk. Meeting is fate, isn’t that right?"
With Ning Zhuo hosting the banquet, both as the host and with an unusual status, his words garnered support.
Zhang Dadan already foresaw he wouldn’t reach the end: "Even if all I gain is this book, it’s a significant achievement."
Patchwork Sun consoled Zhang Dadan: "Actually, Master Qinghuangzi also had a Loose Cultivator background, similar to us."
"Though his mechanical techniques were unique, they weren’t considered top-tier."
"Indeed." Chen San nodded, "Within our Myriad Images Sect, there’s a top mechanical family—located on Purple Thunder Peak, the Meng Family!"
Ning Zhuo’s heart stirred at these words.
This wasn’t the first time he’d heard of this.
Back in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, Ning Zhuo had heard about this family from Song Fuli.
Upon arriving at the Myriad Images Sect, while gathering information, Ning Zhuo also came across details about the Meng Family.
"Although my mother is a Meng, she has nothing to do with this Meng Family."
"If there were any relation, she would have told me long ago."
"But that’s a relief."
"If I’m entangled in such relations, I fear getting caught up in the most deep-seated and terrifying internal conflicts within the Myriad Images Sect right now."
"Perhaps, I wouldn’t even know how I died!"
Chen San continued, "If the Meng Family of Purple Thunder Peak conducted an Xingyun Trial, I’d be ready to participate at all costs!"
"Unfortunately, for years, the Meng Family has kept a low profile with few actions."
"In this Feiyun Conference, they will likely stay hidden."
The banquet ended with both guests and hosts in good spirits, bidding reluctant goodbyes.
Alone, Ning Zhuo took out the "Vowel Reeds Book" jade slip for detailed study.
He then recalled the conversations and profiles from others, naturally assessing internally:
"Patchwork Sun is trapped in ’tools,’ seeking art through techniques. Chen San is good at ’change,’ neglecting purity. Zhang Dadan holds to ’order,’ reinforcing form, while Jiang Xiaobian connects with ’life,’ confused by spirit. Huoniao’er focuses on ’utility,’ oblivious to mystery."
"In truth, the poem ’Heavenly Dew,’ ’Four Nine,’ ’Ice Crystal Clear’ holds three layers of guidance."
"One points to discerning purity from impurity; heavenly dew need not be renowned for its name but treasured for its clarity and purity. Another refers to the cosmic cycle, ’Four Nine’ isn’t a fixed number but the cycle for the emergence of clear sounds. Lastly, it symbolizes the zenith of spirituality, ’Ice Crystal Clear’ doesn’t describe its form but metaphorically sounds like a cold spring cleansing the soul..."
For Ning Zhuo, this classic was straightforward and clear; after reading through several times, he had no further doubts.
But for reassurance, he still used the Ideograph Brush with the help of the Luoshu Book Pages to "read" it once more.
This time, he gained unforeseen new insights.