"The Blind Fool Divine Skill indeed has a miraculous effect on me!"
"Then the prior [Empty Valley Sound Green Mechanism Tube], the Void Spider Silk..."
Thinking of this, Ban Ji’s face darkened.
He gritted his teeth, a cold killing intent spreading from within: "Ning Zhuo, I’ll temporarily leave these two opportunities with you."
"Hmph, when the time is ripe, I’ll personally come to take them back."
"My Human Tribulation, I must break through personally!"
"When the time comes, taking your life along won’t be a problem either."
"But before that, the inheritance of the Nine-layered Profound Armor is most crucial. If I can obtain this armor, it might positively influence and even control the mechanical creations emerging from the transformation of the flesh when Immortal Aptitude is activated!"
Time is limited, this inheritance is clearly more important.
Ban Ji had no choice but to set Ning Zhuo aside for now.
The next day.
Ban Ji arrived at Armor Peak early.
This peak stood above the sea of clouds, resembling a giant bronze blade pointing obliquely at the heavens from a distance.
The towering mountain mass was composed of layers of dark green rocks. Among the rock crevices, streams of red gold ore veins seeped out, like blood grooves of a weapon after quenching.
The main ridge line was sharp as a blade’s back, with both sides extending into planks of hammered rock, taking on a grayish-white hue despite being dark green.
Red gold ore veins appear mostly within the mountain’s belly. Observing from afar, it’s like streams of golden liquid perpetually flowing down from the mountain’s peak, eventually pooling into gold rivers and lakes within the mountain’s belly.
The inheritance site of the Nine-layered Profound Armor was not on the peak, but within a cave in the mountain’s belly—Xuan Armor Cave!
"It’s Ban Ji!"
"Indeed, it’s him."
"Unlucky, running into him here?"
"Stay calm, the Xingyun Trial of the Nine-layered Profound Armor is held every year, it’s competitive but not intense."
"Yes, there’s rarely any fatalities within Xuan Armor Cave, besides, just reaching the third stage allows every cultivator to obtain one piece of armor."
Many cultivators recognized Ban Ji.
Ban Ji had also obtained a stone token, though not as overwhelmingly impressive as the initial wave led by Ning Zhuo, Situ Xing, he had managed to stand out.
The key factor was the numerous rumors recently circulating at the Wanxiang Sect’s Main Mountain Gate, involving Ban Ji and Ning Zhuo.
Ban Ji leaned against the mountain wall, listening to the chatter about him, his eyes narrowed, emitting an amber coldness from the crevices.
As time passed, more cultivators gathered at the entrance of Xuan Armor Cave.
They mutually evaluated each other, exchanged pleasantries, silently calculating the strength of competitors, and determining their own standings.
Not many cultivators were worthy of Ban Ji’s notice.
"Ao Pan. Golden Core Body Cultivator, skilled in the Whip Technique. His muscles and tendons stretch and contract like a flood dragon, capable of detaching and shredding magic treasures."
"Zhang Wangxing. Foundation Establishment Level Body Cultivator, combined with low-level talent, can drastically reshape the flesh, bone, and body in mysterious ways."
"Tie Zheng. Golden Core Level Martial Cultivator, specializes in Blade Skill, raising twelve Golden Core Level Blade Beasts."
"Lu Zeng. Golden Core Level Mechanism Cultivator, adept in crafting various mechanism parts, adaptable to countless Mechanical Artifacts."
Regarding the Xingyun Trial of the Nine-layered Profound Armor, there were naturally more than one round. Looking over, Ban Ji found only four individuals were worthy of vigilance.
The Nine-layered Profound Armor itself was Spirit Treasure Level, with every piece being Magic Treasure Level, hence attracting the participation of Golden Core Level cultivators.
Some Xingyun Trials demand strict cultivation levels from their issuers. For instance, Qinghuangzi’s Xingyun Trial only required Foundation Establishment cultivators to participate.
The two trials from the group of Confucian Cultivators discreetly favored Ning Zhuo, limiting the cultivation range to Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment stages.
The Xingyun Trial of the Nine-layered Profound Armor, however, was confined to Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, and Golden Core.
In actuality, few Qi Refinement Realm cultivators participated. The paramount prize here, the Nine-layered Armor piece, was of Magic Treasure Level, rendered somewhat high in grade and inapplicable to Qi Refining Cultivators.
Among the numerous Xingyun Trials, Qi Refining Cultivators naturally opted for more suitable and beneficial ones with greater chances, rather than squeezing into the Xuan Armor Cave for nothing.
Some did venture to risk it.
But the forced participation often resulted in becoming a laughing stock, entertainment for others.
Ban Ji silently assessed his true opponents: "Only four are threats, the numbers are many, the chances of meeting them aren’t high."
"Even if encountered, it’s wise to restrain, eliminate others first, that’s the sensible course."
Ban Ji’s cultivation was at the Foundation Establishment Peak, yet he possessed Golden Core level combat strength. Thus, he wasn’t daunted facing Golden Core cultivators.
While observing others, he too was being observed. Ban Ji leaned against the mountain wall with an aloof demeanor, squinting at others, presenting an impressive poise.
Whether owing to the Ban Family’s heritage or his previous brilliant feats against Golden Core cultivators, he garnered considerable respect.
Numerous experts were assessing, contemplating which figures to avoid in the upcoming Xingyun Trial.
Suddenly, Ban Ji opened his eyes wide, changed his stance, turning around, back against the mountain wall, eyes flashing fiercely, mind focused intently on the air.
Seeing Ban Ji assume a stance of high alert, everyone else became aware, turning to look in the direction of his gaze.
They saw a young man in white, arriving on a mechanism python made of green bamboo.
The young man’s head was slightly large, indeed Ning Zhuo.
The mechanism he rode was the Green Forest Python Chariot from the [Empty Valley Sound Green Mechanism Tube] inheritance.
"Ning Zhuo! Why is he here?!"
"Did he guess I’m here? Or is my intelligence leaked?!"
In an instant, Ban Ji’s expression twisted, revealing a surge of fury.
"The mechanism python he’s riding, by its craftsmanship and style, is it Qinghuangzi’s inheritance?"
"Damn it! This should’ve been mine!!"
Thinking about it, a tide of resentment welled up in Ban Ji’s eyes.
The cultivators in the vicinity grew restless.
"It’s Ning Zhuo!"
"Though he’s not a native, his brilliance and promising future mark him as a top-tier genius of this generation."
"Ning Zhuo’s here for the Nine-layered Profound Armor, or to specifically target Ban Ji?"
"Hahaha, whatever the reason, there’s bound to be some good show."
With all eyes watching, Ban Ji couldn’t just leave—what of the Ban Family’s honor?
Ban Ji bore the secret of the King’s Order unknowingly. The Ban Family invested significantly in him, something he’s noted and kept in mind.
Hence, he would consider for the Ban Family.
Ning Zhuo landed on the ground, cupping his hands to the surrounding cultivators, smilingly introducing himself.
Most greeted back with smiles or nods of goodwill. No one wanted to offend a promising talent with a bright future. Traditionally, the initial emerging cultivators were almost always absorbed by the Myriad Images Sect.
After greetings, Ning Zhuo walked straight to Ban Ji.
The spectating crowd immediately made way.
Ning Zhuo stood expressionless before Ban Ji: "Fellow Daoist Ban Ji, we meet again."
Ban Ji ground his teeth, overtaken by intense killing intent, wishing to eliminate the white-clad young man before him.
But here was the Wanxiang Sect’s Main Mountain Gate, governed by rules, he couldn’t and dared not act.
Grimly, Ban Ji replied: "Ning Zhuo, this time is no match to the situation on Qingzhu Peak. You dare to obstruct me again, who gives you the courage? What makes you think you can defeat me? Haha, you will pay dearly for your arrogance!"
Ning Zhuo immediately wore a solemn expression: "Pay dearly? I walk upright, stand upright, righteous and honest, what wickedness have I done? How would I suffer consequences?"
Frowning, radiating an aura of justice, Ning Zhuo said: "On the contrary, you—those who commit injustices will surely meet a bad end! You plotted against me for my Golden Core Mechanism Puppet. You must know, dealing with you this time is not just for myself, but for the countless innocent lives you’ve persecuted, ambushed!"
"The Ban Family wishes to buy peace with lavish gifts?"
"Hmph, Ning Zhuo isn’t someone who forsakes principle for gain! You underestimated me!"
"This time, I’ve come to take you down, to stop you, to make you realize what paying dearly means, what the triumph of justice over evil signifies!"