The cultivators hosting the trial held Jade Slips in their hands, recording the performances of cultivators at various locations.
From the beginning to the present, Ning Zhuo’s performance has been recorded in many Jade Slips.
The cultivators who sell these Jade Slips often earn a considerable income.
The battle at Ning Zhuo’s side is no longer intense, tending towards peace, as cultivators gradually shift their focus to others.
Tie Zheng, carrying the Qilin Beast Head Saber, walks forward with an indifferent face. He already has a sword and a saber in hand, having defeated two pieces of Mysterious Armor.
Lu Zeng holds a bronze hammer in his hand, contending with a bronze spear, and has completely gained the upper hand.
The ruler on his chest occasionally flashes with a faint light, reminding Lu Zeng that someone is always watching.
Lu Zeng knows in his heart, "I’m afraid my current battle scenes have been recorded in many Jade Slips."
"Xingyun trials are numerous, with many cultivators involved, the intelligence leaked becomes more extensive."
"This process is also a way for the Myriad Images Sect to understand newcomers."
This is the expected price.
Elsewhere, Ao Pan swings the bronze whip with a loud crack.
As his opponent, even though the bronze rod produces rod shadows, it is forced to retreat step by step.
The bronze whip moves like a snake, suddenly wrapping around the long rod.
Ao Pan forcefully pulls, drawing the rod to himself, then grips it firmly, letting energy surge wildly as he refines it forcefully.
The long rod struggles continuously, but the range becomes smaller and smaller, soon quieting completely, becoming Ao Pan’s.
Among those secretly watching, someone spoke softly, "This Ao Pan has already collected three pieces of Mysterious Armor, this kind of speed is rare even in the past."
Someone who has been observing Ao Pan introduces, "This person’s whip techniques are extremely outstanding. Except for the first match facing the bronze whip, he had to use punches and kicks. In the second and third matches, from start to finish, he stood in place without taking a single step."
Evidently, the previous pieces of Mysterious Armor couldn’t provide Ao Pan any challenge.
An elder murmurs, "In whip techniques, his realm is at least Master Level, there’s a possibility he’s a master."
A cultivator next to the elder interjects, "He introduces himself as from Fubo Country, following this clue, lots of intelligence can be verified."
Ao Pan puts away the bronze long rod, swings it a few times. With just a display, he showcases that he has deep expertise in rod techniques too.
Ao Pan thinks for a moment, then stores the already damaged bronze whip, carrying the long rod as he continues.
As a Golden Core Level Body Cultivation cultivator, he’s most skilled in whip techniques, while also being proficient in other types of armaments and weapons.
In fact, born a fisherman, joining the ship gang, since the mortal period, relying on knives, spears, and fish spears, he progressed from this path. For him, the Xingyun trial of the Nine-layered Profound Armor is very suitable.
This is the second stage within the Xuan Armor Cave, even with cultivation restricted, Ao Pan still relies on martial arts foundation, maintaining a leading position.
Some cultivators refocus on Ning Zhuo.
"Why is he still contending with the bronze sword?"
"Quickly refine it and proceed to the next round of battle. Dragging on like this may mean elimination!"
Some secretly worry for Ning Zhuo.
On one hand, compared to Ban Ji, normally people prefer the Righteous Path follower Ning Zhuo. On the other hand, they also hope Ning Zhuo advances, leaking more of his intelligence, helping them profit from selling intelligence.
They observe the whole picture, very clearly knowing: Ning Zhuo’s pace is very slow, he has fallen behind the main group.
Ban Ji, Zhang Wangxing, and Rust Disaster Craftsman have already acquired their first bronze artifact, all vying to secure the second, and gaining the upper hand in battle.
Ning Zhuo is now still embroiled with the first.
"Can’t understand what he’s stalling for?"
"He’s learning! Close-quarter skills are indeed rapidly improving, visible to the naked eye."
"Learning while testing, he truly is bold."
"Seems like he has great confidence in his learning ability. This might be a genius. Cannot judge by common sense!"
More and more cultivators shift their focus, after all watching others is way more interesting than watching Ning Zhuo.
After a moment.
Ning Zhuo suddenly steps forward, slightly tilting his body, avoiding the bronze sword’s thrust.
He seizes the opportunity to grip the sword’s hilt firmly.
The bronze sword struggles intensely but quickly loses spirit, subdued and thoroughly refined by Ning Zhuo.
A cultivator glimpses this scene, blinking, showing doubt: "What did I just see? It seems like Ning Zhuo’s speed in refining the Mysterious Armor is somewhat unusual?"
Divine Refining! Qi Refining!
Ning Zhuo uses both methods to secure the bronze sword within three breaths.
He could do it faster, the Three Superior Sect Techniques allowing him Three Dantians Cultivation, enabling simultaneous Divine Refining, Qi Refining, and Refining!
But there’s no need here. With others observing, Ning Zhuo doesn’t want to expose his cultivation level in the Essence Sea.
Discretion, concealing skill, has always been his dominant trait.
"So this is the Nine-layered Profound Armor."
"No, to be precise, it’s just the First Layer of Mystic Armor."
Ning Zhuo carefully observes the bronze sword in hand.
He moves slightly in thought, the bronze sword flows like water, suspended in mid-air, reverting to a piece of bronze armor.
The bronze armor bears countless engravings, these marks intersect, depicting a Basic Sword Skill.
"The crafting method of the Nine-layered Profound Armor is very unique."
"They create Green Flowing Copper as the sole material. Based on it, Divine Refining is primarily used to engrave martial arts and martial techniques. Once refined, each piece of armor can have two forms. One is the armor itself, the other corresponds to the martial art and technique as a weapon."
Ning Zhuo recalls the relevant intelligence.
Holding the sword hilt, he swings it a few times, discovering with each sword move it’s very standard. Even when intentionally crooked, the bronze sword can autonomously correct.
Ning Zhuo inputs mana into the sword, then casts it forward.
The bronze sword is thrown into the air, hovering, and upon Ning Zhuo’s command, it frequently swings its blade, displaying basic sword moves, slashing the air, just like when combating Ning Zhuo before.
This is the usage of the Nine-layered Profound Armor.
When reverted, it acts as armor, providing close defense. As a weapon, it can be deployed, allowing autonomous combat; or wielded by cultivators directly, correcting moves, uniting person and tool, enhancing power.
"In this trial’s second stage, one can encounter up to nine bronze artifacts, nine pieces of Mysterious Armor."
"According to rules, as long as one collects nine here, there’s no need to participate in the third stage, directly securing the top title. However this rarely happens. Historically, those who’ve accomplished this, can be counted on fingers."
"I surely can’t do it."
Ning Zhuo always has self-awareness.
"In this regard, I am weaker than others."
"So, I need to fully leverage the second stage, seize every learning opportunity, ultimately competing with Ban Ji in the third stage!"
"In the end, my results might not match his."
"But it doesn’t matter, as long as I can disrupt him, preventing him from securing nine pieces in the third stage and winning the top title."
Ning Zhuo knows Ban Ji has expertise in close combat, skilled with swords and knives, as well as combining techniques.
He keeps gathering intelligence on Ban Ji, paying particular attention to this aspect of preparation.
While pondering, Ning Zhuo proceeds, still relying on Divine Sense for guidance. The second stage also tests the foundation of Divine Sense.
Soon, the second bronze artifact appears in front of him—a bronze knife.
No words needed, Ning Zhuo uses the sword against the knife, starting a new round of learning.
Ban Ji, holding a bronze flying knife in one hand and a bronze chain hammer in the other, hurriedly moves.
"Damn it!"
"Among all armaments and weapons, I’m most adept with knives and swords. Using Sword and Saber Combination as one of my trump cards has defeated many formidable enemies."
"How come there’s neither knife nor sword?"
"Though this appears randomly, relying on luck. But knives and swords are the most common, yet I’ve consecutively encountered rare flying knives and chain hammers!"
Ban Ji pauses, seeing the third bronze artifact—a bronze Wolf Fang Club.
"Ahhh, where’s the knife, the sword? I want knives and swords!"