Ban Ji let out a cold snort, his gaze turning icy as he charged directly towards his chosen target.
In the hands of the unlucky cultivator was a bronze sword.
Ning Zhuo watched Ban Ji and the Rust Disaster Craftsman leave, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes.
He provoked Ban Ji with words, but it was actually a strategy to retreat by advancing. On the surface, it seemed to force Ban Ji to enter the fray, but in reality, it was to compel him to take a step back.
The Ban Family’s reputation had to be considered. Ban Ji, as the face of the Ban Family at the Foundation Establishment level, naturally had to uphold the family’s honor.
If Ban Ji impulsively joined the battle, Ning Zhuo also had a backup plan.
What he needed was a definite answer. Otherwise, constantly worrying about Ban Ji and the Rust Disaster Craftsman getting involved would distract him, making it difficult to focus and deal with the siege.
Clang clang clang...
Bronze weapons flew everywhere, swords, spears, knives, and halberds clashing non-stop, with sparks flying and deafening explosions.
Using the shield, Ning Zhuo stood his ground steadily, no longer in his previous predicament.
In just a short moment, the shield was already covered in scars.
Ning Zhuo, being sharp and observant, naturally noticed this: "The Mysterious Armor I just repaired is now more damaged than it was in the second stage!"
In the chaotic battle of the third stage, the Mysterious Armor was controlled by cultivators and infused with mana, fighting fiercely without holding back, making the intensity much higher.
"At this rate, my five pieces of Mysterious Armor won’t hold up, reaching the damaged standard and getting taken by the Great Array Formation!"
Ning Zhuo knew well in his heart that although Zhang Wangxing and his group failed in their surprise attack, they persisted in their strong assault, also with this intention.
The Great Array in the Xuan Armor Cave prohibited almost all other methods, allowing only cultivators to use Mysterious Armor and martial arts. Additionally, relevant innate abilities were also permitted.
In the end, Ning Zhuo suffered from being alone.
He had only brought out five pieces of Mysterious Armor, whereas the people besieging him, including Zhang Wangxing, were four in total.
Each of them had at least five pieces, totaling twenty pieces of Mysterious Armor against Ning Zhuo’s five, further magnifying their advantage in numbers through their weapons.
Ning Zhuo, of course, had hidden cards, but he didn’t want to use them just yet.
Here, Five Elements Magic, which he used the most, was forbidden, and his most effective mechanisms couldn’t be deployed, greatly limiting his tactics. If not for this, he wouldn’t have had to seize every learning opportunity so tightly in the early stage.
"I have very few hidden cards, and this chaotic fight has just begun."
Thinking of this, Ning Zhuo spread his divine sense and transmitted thoughts secretly, communicating with other cultivators.
Thanks to the initial conversations and exchanges outside the cave entrance, he communicated with these cultivators secretly, accurately stating each of their names while honestly expressing that he was seeking help this time; regardless of the outcome, there would be compensation afterward.
"As for what kind of person the Rust Disaster Craftsman is, just a little inquiry will reveal it!"
"I just exposed his secrets, all information I specifically acquired from the Commerce Hall."
"These are all easily verifiable. I, Ning Zhuo, act with integrity and swear by my reputation; there’s absolutely no need to deceive everyone!"
"So, don’t listen to the Rust Disaster Craftsman’s excuses. Ban Ji not saying a word is already an implicit acknowledgment."
Ning Zhuo first offered incentives, sparking interest in the other cultivators to continue their exchange, then exaggerated the power of the enemy.
He certainly couldn’t provide evidence to prove that Zhang Wangxing and the others were acting on behalf of the Ban Family. But he had an advantage—everything he said was true and verifiable.
Subsequently, Ning Zhuo emphasized: "I’m a thorn in Ban Ji’s side, so he’s the first to come after me."
"Next, you will also become his enemies. Even if you don’t want to surrender, Ban Ji might still try to eliminate you."
"If it’s a one-on-one battle or forming temporary alliances, it’s one thing. The key is the Ban Family’s fraudulent behavior, colluding in advance to boost their family’s genius reputation!"
"Tell me, if you’re defeated by this group, will you be satisfied?!"
Ning Zhuo, eloquent as a lotus, countered the siege while continuously persuading in secret; his words stirred the other cultivators greatly.
But being stirred isn’t the same as taking action.
Ning Zhuo was still under siege, and the bronze sword finally couldn’t hold on, reaching the damaged standard and promptly being transported away by the array.
These Mysterious Armor pieces were temporarily rented; only in the third stage’s restoration phase could cultivators refine the blank Mysterious Armor to make them their own.
Ning Zhuo sighed inwardly: "It’s a pity that Zhang Dandan was eliminated; otherwise, if he were the first to make a move, it would certainly break the deadlock and draw out more followers."
Ning Zhuo knew very well that what he lacked was an opportunity!
Missing a bronze sword, Ning Zhuo was left with only four pieces, making his situation immediately precarious.
Seeing this scene, Zhang Wangxing’s spirits soared, and his morale surged: "Keep attacking, let’s see how long his weapons can last!"
Clang clang clang...
In the next moment, over a dozen bronze weapons joined the fray.
Ning Zhuo’s pressure plummeted; his persuasion had a remarkable effect!
The four who besieged him were surrounded by eight cultivators.
A moment earlier, the cultivators were also using divine sense to communicate among themselves.
"What do you think, should we help Ning Zhuo?"
"If we help, the rewards will be substantial. We definitely won’t get the top spot, maybe not even in the top ten. But helping Ning Zhuo this time, our gains will be greater."
No one believed Ning Zhuo would renege on his promise.
This is the benefit of the Righteous Path.
People naturally have trust in you, and this trust facilitates cooperation, even if it’s your first meeting.
Previously, in Ning Zhuo’s initial conversation at the Xuan Armor Cave, he left a very good and affable impression on these people.
Not long ago, Ning Zhuo had cornered the Rust Disaster Craftsman in argument, leaving the latter resorting to curses and profanities, clearly in a rage from being exposed.