Ban Ji’s expression was grim: "Yes. At first, I learned from Pi Fujie that Ning Zhuo possessed a Mechanical Puppet with Golden Core technology, and I intended to seize it."
"I first investigated his background, then sent a Flying Message expressing my desire for a duel."
"Who would have thought that this Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage young man would turn out to be comparable to Situ Xing?"
"This possibility is one in a million."
Ban Jie rolled his eyes: "So, you’re saying you’re just unlucky?"
Ban Ji: "Because of this, he became my Human Tribulation."
Ban Jie shook his head: "He now holds your challenge letter, taking the initiative. He can avoid confrontation, but if he presents the challenge letter, you must face him!"
Ban Ji gritted his teeth in silence.
Ning Zhuo is a foreigner, and the force behind him maintains an air of mystery, with no reputation in Flying Cloud Country.
This is Ning Zhuo’s weakness, but at the same time, it’s an advantage. From a standpoint of influence and prestige, forcing Ning Zhuo into a duel is extremely unlikely.
In contrast, Ban Ji is different.
His situation is similar to Situ Xing and Zhu Fenxiang, others from the Ban Family could easily compel Ban Ji to fight.
In this respect, he is different from Pi Fujie.
Pi Fujie directly rejected Ning Zhuo’s challenge, which was quite natural because the Pi Family transitioned from Demon Cultivator to Righteous Path; the foundation is already set.
Ban Ji is different. The Ban Family has always been a Righteous Clan, and Ban Ji practicing Demon Skill is an exception.
In one word, the Ban Family values its reputation!
Without reputation, how can they mingle in the Righteous Path?
Ban Ji revealed a ruthless expression: "Honestly, if Ning Zhuo proactively challenges me, that would be good."
"If he seeks trouble, I’ll give him that opportunity."
"Of course, if the clan could support me with more Golden Core Level Mechanical Artifacts, my confidence would be significantly higher."
Ban Jie shook her head: "Do not be reckless."
Since she’s been appointed to support Ban Ji, she already learned the family secrets before setting out. Ban Jie not only knew Ban Ji’s King’s Order but also the dangerous near-collapse of the Clan Fate Mechanism Chain.
Ban Jie said sternly: "Ning Zhuo isn’t as simple as you think; there’s a deep mystery behind him."
Ban Ji snorted coldly: "If it weren’t for the Myriad Images Sect, given my usual demeanor, I’d have gathered forces to crush him directly."
"Even if I were to fight alone, with eight or more Golden Core Level Mechanisms, using my innate talent and Demon Skill, I’d possess battle prowess comparable to Nascent Soul level!"
"Ning Zhuo, I’d crush him like an ant underfoot."
Ban Jie sighed.
The secret of the King’s Order is unknown to Ban Ji himself. She can’t openly reveal it.
"Ban Ji’s King’s Order hasn’t emerged yet and is still weak."
"But according to the family’s plan for him, repeated Xingyun Trials will stimulate the King’s Order and formally commence the King’s Order journey."
"Ning Zhuo is a first-rate genius, the forces behind him unfathomable. He is now Ban Ji’s Human Tribulation, and his Qi Fortune currently overshadows Ban Ji. From the current general situation, Ning Zhuo holds the initiative!"
"Having Ban Ji directly confront Ning Zhuo now would be quite risky! Ban Ji currently trails behind and must catch up from a standpoint of force, continuously stimulate his King’s Order and rapidly grow his power."
"The family has exhausted countless resources, painstakingly divining the optimal route for him. Each Xingyun Trial enables mystical qualitative changes in his power!"
"Given adequate time, Ban Ji’s personal combat strength and Lifespan will soar."
"Once Ban Ji’s strength surpasses and leaves Ning Zhuo far behind, this Human Tribulation will resolve itself without conflict."
"This is the kingly path! This is the advantage of the King’s Order."
Ban Jie has already formed a plan in her mind. Of course, her plan isn’t her own creation but the collective wisdom of the Ban Family.
"Ban Ji is linked with the family’s Qi Fortune; sharing glory means sharing loss."
"Now is the time for the family to shield him from storms, buying precious time."
"The future is ours!"
Ban Jie had previously given gifts publicly, hoping to delay time, but Ning Zhuo responded intensely, as seen from the Ban Family’s perspective—this youth is too arrogant.
But this arrogance is well understood by the upper echelons of the Ban Family.
"Deluded by Qi Fortune!"
"Even if he is a first-rate genius, compared to the King’s Order, he is still a common man. Used by Heavenly Dao, reduced to the trial of King’s Order, naturally deluded by Qi Fortune, becoming a pawn in testing the King’s Order."
Now, with the challenge letter in Ning Zhuo’s hands, Ban Jie is very worried that Ning Zhuo will use it to force Ban Ji into an open confrontation.
"He is so young, yet so high-profile, openly expressing his attitude, provoking the Ban Family, indicating he must have something to rely on!"
"Ban Ji has his trump card, Ning Zhuo certainly has his own."
"The family activated the Clan Fate Mechanism Chain, yet couldn’t fully calculate his Qi Fortune, not even stabilizing the clan’s mechanism, enough to illustrate the issue."
"Even putting aside all of this, just the fact that he was chosen by Heaven, becoming Ban Ji’s Human Tribulation, already speaks volumes."
"What can be done to prevent him from using the letter to force Ban Ji into a direct battle?"
Ban Jie furrowed her brow deeply.
She glanced at Ban Ji, didn’t say a word, but decided internally: "If Ning Zhuo forces battle, even if it means knocking Ban Ji unconscious, this confrontation must be avoided. The timing is too unfavorable for us, even if the Ban Family reputation diminishes, compared to protecting the King’s Order, this cost can be borne!"
"Ning Zhuo has backing from Confucian Cultivators and Evil Slaying Hall, yet spreading rumors is still viable. Still, such actions don’t deal serious blows, merely act as a nuisance."
"We must protect Ban Ji, avert another Qinghuangzi incident by deploying substantial interference. Some might be traps, others purely benefits, as long as they distract Ning Zhuo’s attention, they’re considered gains."