The faction within the Xuan Armor Cave is a distinct group within the Myriad Images Sect, with significant heritage, exuding a sense of calm and composure amidst changing fortunes.
"From a realistic perspective, the Mysterious Armor within Xuan Armor Cave must have at least three at the Nascent Soul Level. But do they possess any Mysterious Armor at the Transforming Spirit Level?"
Ning Zhuo secretly shook his head.
The likelihood is very low.
The significance of the Transforming Spirit Level is immense, something that the Nascent Soul Level cannot aspire to.
"This opportunity is not small!"
"Even if there aren’t many improvements in the next two realms, the Xuan Armor Cave’s influence alone has enough value to maintain a good relationship."
With this in mind, Ning Zhuo took advantage of a mid-journey rest to express his gratitude to Qingwu Langjun.
Qingwu Langjun nodded slightly, outwardly claiming it was for his own path, but internally he thought: Ning Zhuo, this younger generation, truly lives up to being from a great family, knowing etiquette, rules, and gratitude. Meeting him is undoubtedly a stroke of luck. He is bound to have a promising future, and maintaining a close relationship given his alliance with the Myriad Images Sect is very necessary.
After the rest, Qingwu Langjun resumed, "Little friend Ning Zhuo, next is the Soldier Dao, prepare yourself!"
Ning Zhuo looked solemn, feeling more confident than before: "Please demonstrate, Langjun!"
In an instant, Ning Zhuo felt as if he had been thrown into an Asura Battlefield.
Bloodthirsty and chaotic, the cries of battle were deafening, flashing blades and swords were dazzling, severed limbs and remains flew around, the aura of death pressed down on every nerve like a tangible presence.
His vision blurred, countless scenes flashed past like a slideshow.
Infantry, cavalry, archers, scouts... numerous troop types flew past his eyes.
Square formations, circular formations, wedge formations... various formations appeared like lightning and thunder.
Banners, drumbeats, supplies, water, camps... concepts came rushing in.
Beyond the True Intent, there was also rationale.
The rationale engulfed him, making Ning Zhuo feel as if he were being cut by blades, pierced by arrows, and trampled by warhorses.
He felt an illusory fatigue, as if he had experienced a brutal bloodbath, his muscles ached and even spasmed from the countless fights.
Ning Zhuo’s face turned pale, his whole body trembled, breaking out in a hot sweat.
At the end of this round, the sounds of slaughter, wailing, and clashing iron was still ringing in his ears. An overwhelming nausea and dizziness relentlessly assaulted his mental defenses like a tidal wave.
The second round was much more grueling than the first.
After slightly calming his breath, Ning Zhuo felt genuine joy.
His realm in the Soldier Dao had reached the peak of the apprentice level!
In Fire Persimmon Immortal City, he had rarely delved into this field. The battle in the Thousand Peak Forest had greatly supplemented his knowledge, but even after surviving the White Paper Immortal City campaign, his level in the Soldier Dao remained at the apprentice level.
He had also tried hard to learn military books, but while Qing Chi mastered them, Ning Zhuo had little success.
The battle formations he comprehended through Soldier Helmet and Gao Sheng’s Legacy have yet to be fully mastered.
"Perhaps my talent in the Soldier Dao isn’t outstanding."
"Maybe that’s why enduring the principal intent, rationale of the military, was more difficult than before."
As Ning Zhuo pondered deeply, his complexion regained some color, his breath steadied, and the visible fatigue of the spirit saw significant alleviation.
Qingwu Langjun, who had been observing intently, was very pleased, and grew more appreciative of Ning Zhuo.
Even Sun Lingtong, secretly observing Ning Zhuo’s condition with Life Hanging Thread, was surprised, thinking, "Little Zhuo’s body has some peculiarities, surprisingly able to bear so much foreign rationale without disaster."
"I have never discovered this before."
"Is it related to his mysterious innate talent?"
Qingwu Langjun continued to impart True Intent and rationale support.
Still focused on the Soldier Dao.
Ning Zhuo once again felt as if he was in the battlefield. But this time, his tension was greatly reduced, and the chaotic battleground scenes became orderly.
One battle campaign after another unfolded in his mind: scout reconnaissance, analyzing enemy information, designing tactics, selecting formations, commanding battles, battlefield adjustments, post-war evaluations...
The Sharp Arrow Formation favored breakthroughs, Crane Wing Formation excelled in encirclement, and the advantages or disadvantages of terrain had a significant impact... these insights and experiences poured into Ning Zhuo’s mind like a deluge.
His realm in the Military School easily surpassed the apprentice level, reaching the Artisan Realm.
While Ning Zhuo absorbed True Intent and rationale en masse, information about him was also spreading.
The Evil Slaying Hall.
Zhong Dao was buried in transactions.
Among the pile of Jade Slips at the corner of his desk was an Intelligence Jade Scroll, containing aligned information about Ning Zhuo and others.
The Commerce Hall.
Cao Gui sighed lightly as he thought of the newly received intelligence: "Ning Zhuo..."
Previously, after Ning Zhuo’s display of genius, a family friend suggested re-establishing contact with him to serve as a springboard.
Cao Gui knew well that behind the friend must be higher-up instructions.
"This time, Ning Zhuo defeated Ban Ji and even claimed the top spot. I’m afraid the family’s higher-ups will visit me personally to persuade."
Qingzhu Peak.
Qinghuangzi placed the Intelligence Jade Scroll by his side, laughed heartily, took a sip of tea, stood up, and walked out of the bamboo house.
He entered the depths of the bamboo grove.
Before long, enchanting flute music emanated from the grove, pleasing to the ear.
Qiuli Cave.
"Congratulations to Young Master Pi on relocating to your new residence!" At the banquet, many cultivators surrounded Pi Fujie, offering their congratulations.
Pi Fujie laughed heartily, raising his wine cup: "Come, drink up, drink up."
At this moment, a Flying Message was delivered into his hands.
His Divine Sense swept over it, and his heart skipped: "Ning Zhuo..."
The joyful expression immediately faded considerably.
"This kid really took action to intercept Ban Ji. He even took first place and defeated Ban Ji again in Xuan Armor Cave!"
"This time is different from what happened at Qingzhu Peak."
"Let them fight it out; it has nothing to do with me."
Pi Fujie secretly rejoiced.
Originally, he had provoked Ning Zhuo, but turned the troubles onto Ban Ji. He had thought Ban Ji would adequately teach Ning Zhuo a lesson. Yet reality turned on its head, with Ning Zhuo having twice taught Ban Ji a lesson instead.
This was not just a minor deviation from his plan; it was completely contrary!
Martial Arts Hall.
Two groups confronted each other, the atmosphere tense.
Yan Linglong whispered to Situ Xing, informing him about Zhu Fenxiang’s newly revealed techniques ahead of today’s martial challenge.
Their agreed duel was officially commencing today!
Both sides engaged in intense intelligence warfare.
Shen Xi suddenly received a Flying Message, and upon reading it, his eyebrows slightly raised.
This expression caught Situ Xing’s attention.
Situ Xing: "Is there any latest intelligence about Zhu Fenxiang?"
Shen Xi shook his head: "It’s not about Zhu Fenxiang."
Coincidentally, Yan Linglong also received a Flying Message at this time. After reading it, she glanced at Shen Xi, her gaze flashing subtly: "I think, Young Master Shen’s message should concern Ning Zhuo?"
Shen Xi immediately felt a sense of unease.
Situ Xing’s heart stirred: "Oh?"
Yan Linglong handed the letter to Situ Xing.
A gleam of cold light flashed in Situ Xing’s eyes: "Ning Zhuo eliminated Ban Ji in the Xuan Armor Cave trial? And even took first place!"
"This person... is indeed exceptional."
"Hmph! Let me first defeat Zhu Fenxiang, then suppress this person, and completely control the situation."
Having said that, Situ Xing tossed the letter into the air, stood with chest out, and strode boldly into the Martial Arts Arena.
From the opposing group, a female cultivator also stepped forward, equally filled with fighting spirit.
Commerce Hall.
Every few days, Che Zhuzi would come here to survey the market, facilitating the pricing of his spider silk.
At the same time, he gathered other intelligence.
"Ning Zhuo eliminated Ban Ji in Xuan Armor Cave?"
"Does this kid have overly formidable intuition? Truly a genius!"
"Xuan Armor Cave..."
Che Zhuzi’s face turned gloomy, a heavy scene from deep in his memory rising to the surface.
He was invited to the residence of Dun Jia Xuan Master, only to find his friend at death’s door.
Che Zhuzi was shocked, hurried to help, but it was to no avail.
He asked his friend why he had fallen into such dire straits?
Dun Jia Xuan Master said: "I was forced by Xuan Armor Cave to perform a divination, paying the price with my remaining lifespan. You’re my only friend; I called you to entrust my legacy to you."
Che Zhuzi let out a cry, filled with resentment towards Xuan Armor Cave.
Dun Jia Xuan Master: "I have placed all my legacy inside a Turtle Shell. Please, my dear friend, upon my death, cremate my body, but leave this Turtle Shell for a destined person."
Che Zhuzi grasped Dun Jia Xuan Master’s hand, his eyes reddening: "I will surely fulfill your last wish, my old friend. But who will inherit your legacy? I do not possess the discernment."
Dun Jia Xuan Master smiled slightly: "I’ve already calculated it. Leave the Turtle Shell in the treasury, do not touch it. One day, it will be stolen. That person will be the one I hope will inherit my legacy."