Ning Zhuo is somewhat different from geniuses like Situ Xing and Ban Ji.
Situ Xing, Ban Ji, and others have been famous for a long time in Flying Cloud Country, as they are the faces of major forces at the Foundation Establishment Stage. Thus, much information about them is known to the public.
However, Ning Zhuo comes from abroad and draws great attention upon his arrival. Information about him is very popular in the Commerce Hall, yet the selling price remains at the lowest tier.
Because this information only includes Ning Zhuo’s series of performances after arriving at Wanxiang Sect’s Main Mountain Gate, the overall value of the information is not high.
Thus, people are not very clear about Ning Zhuo’s situation.
Exactly what Ning Zhuo excels at, his specific age, and which country he comes from are not very clear.
Although Ning Zhuo revealed his name, main cultivation method as the Five Elements Qi Regulation Art, and his Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage cultivation level during the two registration sessions for wooden token and stone token.
But these can all be fabricated.
The rules of Wanxiang Sect have never strictly stipulated these.
However, in the later stages of registration, Wanxiang Sect will employ strict detection methods to discern lies and disguises, etc. At that stage, the cultivators’ information will truly become reliable.
Thus, most of the cultivators presiding over the Nine-layered Profound Armor trial focused much attention on Ning Zhuo.
Ning Zhuo’s initial performance facing the bronze sword left everyone shocked and greatly disappointed, but afterwards, Ning Zhuo demonstrated astonishing insight, took control of the situation, and amazed those observing in secret.
"His physical foundation is very strong. The bronze sword is part of the Mysterious Armor, extremely sharp, yet even if it severely injures him, these wounds heal rapidly."
"He clearly can refine the bronze sword strongly, why is he still delaying?"
"Is he learning?"
From observation, it can be clearly seen that Ning Zhuo’s close combat ability rapidly increases in actual combat.
"What cultivation technique is Ning Zhuo primarily focused on? The information says he is focused on a Five Elements Technique, but looking at his physical foundation, he is likely focused on Essence Sea."
"If focused on Essence Sea, akin to Body Cultivation, why is his close combat skill so weak? It doesn’t make sense."
"Perhaps he has focused his energy on other fields, having little involvement in martial arts."
"That shouldn’t be the case! How old is he? Should be forty or fifty years old, right? Throughout these years, he hasn’t involved himself in combat or martial arts? How did he cultivate during the Qi Refinement Realm? His background should be strong, with powerful forces backing him, if cultivated with care, how could he have such weaknesses?"
Qi Refinement cultivators don’t differ much in age from mortals, being over a hundred years old.
Upon reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage, a cultivator’s age multiplies, generally between two hundred to three hundred years. Forty to fifty years during the Foundation Establishment Stage equivalent to being a youth between ten to twenty years old.
Some middle-aged or elderly Qi Refinement cultivators, upon advancing to the Foundation Establishment Stage, undergo a qualitative change in life and revert to a youthful appearance, to varying degrees.
Forty to fifty years in a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s life is a youth stage. To reach the Foundation Establishment Stage at this age is certainly a mark of genius.
Therefore, although Situ Xing, Lin Jinglong, Shen Xi and others appear youthful, they are all around forty years old in age.
Ning Zhuo appears as a youth but has an extraordinary charisma, is very mature and has rich experiences, contemplating grand plans since the age of two, travelling the world after leaving Fire Persimmon Immortal City, participating in wars, having confronted the Transforming Spirit Level Lord of the Underworld. From this composed demeanor, astute individuals would not underestimate him.
Thus, all the cultivators greatly overestimate his actual age.
"Forty to fifty years of cultivation should not result in such poor martial arts skills, right?"
"Regardless of any special reasons, from this aspect alone, it at least indicates he is not a Martial Cultivator. Whether he’s a Body Cultivator is another question."
"His actions in the Martial Arts Hall have been too few, only several times and countable. Among these, some were closed off, not open to observation."
"During his confrontation with a Tiger Demon, he used a Golden Core Level ice attribute Mechanical Puppet. But this actually cannot determine that he’s focused on Mechanical Techniques."
Many feel Ning Zhuo comes from a major force, comparable to the Ban Family or the Pi Family.
Ning Zhuo’s role is similar to Ban Ji, Situ Xing, in being the facade of a major force at the Foundation Establishment Stage.
In such a situation, it’s quite likely and natural for a major force to provide a Golden Core Level Mechanical Puppet for Ning Zhuo’s protection.
"Actually, once he makes more moves in the Martial Arts Hall, much genuine skill will be revealed."
The Evil Slaying Hall has the Xingyun Trial; the Martial Arts Hall certainly does too.
In fact, in the early stages of all past conventions, among all the Xingyun Trials, the Martial Arts Hall trial is of utmost importance.
Numerous cultivators aiming to rise above would choose this significant stage to showcase themselves.
Geniuses never shy away from battle, competing within the Martial Arts Hall, suppressing opponents, while also enhancing their prestige and reaping benefits.
In the trials of the Martial Arts Hall, a bright battle record itself can yield rich rewards.
Winning first place in the Martial Arts Hall trial is of extremely high value!
Many feel that Ning Zhuo remains somewhat low-profile and will surely be a frequent figure in the Martial Arts Hall in the future.
Of course, this is understandable.
Currently, newcomers are actively participating in various Xingyun Trials; it is not yet the time for the Martial Arts Hall to truly heat up.
"I very much anticipate the duel between Ning Zhuo and Ban Ji in the Martial Arts Hall; it will surely be quite spectacular!"
"Anticipate what? This battle happens, too much intelligence gets revealed about him. How much can we sell the information we have collected so far?"