Ning Zhuo tapped and tinkered, utilizing the facilities in the preparation room, quickly processing the previously selected mechanism parts like the hangman's noose and the small flying box.
The hangman's noose was transformed into a cocooning hangman's noose. When thrown and it made contact with an object, countless threads would burst out, wrapping the target in layers and suspending it from the ceiling like a cocoon.
The small flying box was modified into a flying shield. The shield circled around the puppet, automatically defending and absorbing various incoming spells. Once the reserve limit of spell power was reached, the small flying box shield could self-destruct, the explosion being rather significant in power.
Ning Zhuo named it "Honest Man."
Ning Zhuo processed these modified mechanism parts and distributed them to everyone else.
For a moment, everyone in the preparation room tried out the items, praising Ning Zhuo's craftsmanship.
Taking advantage of the moment when everyone else was engrossed in practice, Ning Zhuo stood before the five stone pillars. Under the disdainful gaze of the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, he "fumbled" his way to finding the Trial Disciple's insignia.
"Come and see what I've discovered!" Ning Zhuo exclaimed.
Everyone gathered around.
Ning Zhuo showed them the Trial Disciple's insignia he had "just" obtained.
Everyone was overjoyed.
Many said, "This discovery is too important!"
"This will greatly aid our future exploration of the Immortal Palace."
"A Zhuo, for this contribution, I believe you should get Ice Jade Wine!"
"Ice Jade Wine?!" Ning Zhuo's face lit up with anticipation, "I've heard about it since I was young, I really want to have a taste."
"Who doesn't?!" Everyone laughed heartily, boosting morale immensely.
Thus, Ning Zhuo led everyone, relying on the modified mechanism parts and his exceptionally outstanding control skills, they consecutively cleared the trials successfully, all the way to the eighth trial!
Yuan Dasheng appeared before them.
"This mechanical monkey has finally appeared!"
"A Zhuo, we're afraid we can only stop here this time."
"But it doesn't matter; this achievement is already remarkable. We have broken the previous record!"
"That's right, when we return to the family, A Zhuo you will surely receive a great reward."
"Maybe it will even be Ice Jade Wine, haha."
Having made it this far, the members of the Ning Family were running on empty, due to Ning Zhuo's deliberate planning. In the previous trials, he had gradually "sacrificed" some of his companions.
When Yuan Dasheng appeared, his giant puppet had shrunk significantly, leaving only five companions.
Ning Zhuo's fighting spirit was unwavering: "How can you say defeat before trying? Let us all work together and battle this mechanical monkey!"
Everyone shouted in unison, their morale fully stirred by Ning Zhuo.
However, Yuan Dasheng's power was very "strong," the heads on the massive puppet were blasted one by one.
When only Ning Zhuo was left, Yuan Dasheng knelt on one knee: "Master, I, the humble general have rebelled, daring to strike the master. Please bestow punishment."
Ning Zhuo coughed, trying to play the role of the master convincingly. He first said it was a ruse to gain trust, then ordered Yuan Dasheng to redeem himself by performing meritorious service.
Picking through the equipment, Ning Zhuo had Yuan Dasheng clear the path to pass the ninth trial, entering the transition hall.
He pushed open the first Buddhist door, successfully passing through three trials in a row.
In the reward section, since there was no Illusion True Lotus Seed to choose from, he selected a spell to enhance his ability to sense multiple mechanism artifacts simultaneously.
He entered the second transition hall, urging the Mirror Stand Spirit Communication Technique at its sixth layer peak, successfully pushing open the second Buddhist door.
"A whole new trial, here I come!" he stepped inside.
He returned defeated.
In the first trial beyond the Buddhist door, he fell just short and did not pass.
When he woke up, he was greeted by praises and congratulations from his clan, along with Ning Xiaoren's personal visit, full of joy, advising and encouraging him.
Ning Zhuo's performance this time was truly astounding!
Ning Zhuo took the opportunity to make his request: "Uncle Xiaoren, for this merit, can I get Ice Jade Wine?"
Ning Xiaoren's eyelids twitched momentarily, then he smiled broadly, clapping Ning Zhuo on the shoulder: "Alright, I will do my best to get it for you!"
...
In the capital of Southern Bean Country.
In the Golden Imperial Hall.
The Southern Bean Monarch read the memorial in front of him, deeply frowning.
This memorial was jointly submitted by the Persimmon Fire City Lord, Meng Kun, and the Divine Hunter Office, Zhu Xuanji.
"It seems there are indeed problems on Fire Persimmon Mountain!"
"Sending reinforcements..."
The Southern Bean Monarch felt deeply troubled.
This world was not dominated by Southern Bean Country alone, and the news of a Cultivating the Void level legacy would inevitably attract countless covetous eyes. Major powers would all extend their reach.
Southern Bean Country could not defend Fire Persimmon Mountain unless they deployed a heavy military force.
The Southern Bean Monarch clearly understood that the Cultivation Kingdoms had been in a frenzied state of arms race for nearly a century. Some larger countries still had some reserves left, but mid-sized countries like Southern Bean were already exhausted. As for the smaller countries, they had long fallen behind.
Southern Bean Country had heavy troops and generals posted at all key locations and borders, maintaining a stalemate with neighboring countries and forces.
If heavy troops were to be deployed, it would mean drawing on these forces, which was a matter of great consequence.
Of course, there was still spare military strength, represented by Southern Bean's strongest army—the Imperial Guard.
But this army was responsible for protecting the capital, a duty of great importance, and could not be lightly mobilized. They could not dispatch the Imperial Guard just because there was trouble at Fire Persimmon Immortal City, could they?
Moreover, Fire Persimmon Immortal City was a newly established city in Southern Bean Country, with relatively low cultivation resources and population.
Heavy military deployment was not wise, so how about deploying some powerful individuals?
The Southern Bean Monarch quickly considered the options, frowning even more tightly.
Southern Bean had been established for centuries, with the old ministers' influence deeply rooted in the court. They had intermarried and allied among each other, their interests intricately entwined.
People from the Meng Family or those close to them were out of the question.
So could they choose others then?
Eligible contenders who could stand against the Meng Family included, for example, the Su Family. Choosing someone from the Su Family would essentially allow them to vie for control of the Magma Fairy Palace, wouldn't it?
Were there candidates who were uninvolved with these old ministerial powers?
There were.
But would such individuals not be targeted or recruited?
In reality, this had happened too many times.
The Zhu Family had always struggled to stabilize its hold on Southern Bean's royal authority because, fundamentally, the founding emperor lacked a regal mandate! It all relied on the Divine Skills of the Three Ancestral Masters.
The Zhu Family had passed to the third generation, still without a regal mandate and without descendants to inherit the Divine Skills.
"If the Zhu Family can be the ruler of a country, why can't our family?" The influential Cultivation families like the Meng Family and the Su Family frequently had such thoughts.
The Southern Bean Monarch felt isolated, the loneliness of being at the top weighed heavily.
In such circumstances, only the royal family members were considered reliable!
However, the Southern Bean Royal Family's talents were dwindling, with Zhu Xuanji already counted as one of the most outstanding ones.
If not for this, the Southern Bean Monarch would not have specifically dispatched Zhu Xuanji to Fire Persimmon Immortal City.
As the monarch of a country, the Southern Bean Monarch pondered over and over, yet found no suitable candidate among the entire civil and military court to send as reinforcements!
Now, with the turbulent clouds over Fire Persimmon Immortal City and competition from all sides, how should it be handled?
The challenging issue lay before the Southern Bean Monarch.
Several days later.
The imperial envoy from the capital of Southern Bean Country floated high in the sky, reciting in a long drawl: "By the Monarch's decree, the Fire Persimmon City Lord is to receive the edict."
"In the name of the Monarch, it is declared: The Magma Fairy Palace belongs to the Three Ancestral Masters and not our country. The Three Ancestral Masters, out of compassion and pity for the people, left their palace to suppress Fire Persimmon Mountain for many years."
"Southern Bean Country built a grand array on this foundation, establishing Fire Persimmon Immortal City. The Three Ancestral Masters' contributions cannot be forgotten."
"Now, the Immortal Palace has emerged, seeking inheritors. Southern Bean Country appreciates the Masters' compassion and supports this without obstruction."
"However, the Magma Fairy Palace holds the volcano in check, concerning the safety of tens of thousands of city residents and cannot be moved. This is also the original intent of the Three Ancestral Masters."
"Hereby a Recruitment Decree is established, widely recruiting talents, regardless of background, permitting free entry to the Immortal Palace to compete for inheritance, without external prohibitions."
"The person who inherits the Immortal Palace may enter the court as an official, up to the fourth rank! Those unwilling to enter the court must, as per the Recruitment Decree, relinquish the Palace Master position. Southern Bean Country will provide ample compensation."
"Anyone who enters the city or palace without signing the decree shall be considered an enemy of Southern Bean Country and shall be killed, with those achieving it receiving great rewards from the capital..."
The imperial envoy's words were like a great bell, each syllable clear, spreading throughout Fire Persimmon Mountain.
Countless city residents looked up, listening silently.
After hearing, the previously quiet Fire Persimmon Immortal City erupted in excitement, with countless people cheering and spreading the news!
"Did you hear that?"
"The Three Ancestral Masters, they are Cultivating the Void level powerhouses."
"He is truly great; I only now realize that the greatest hero of Fire Persimmon Mountain is him!"
"He left the palace, and the Magma Fairy Palace now seeks an heir?"
"That's awesome! What a rare opportunity."
"I feel I am the future master of the Immortal Palace! My life's turning point is right here!"
Meng Kun stood up, receiving the floating imperial edict with both hands, his eyes flickering with thoughtful light.
The Southern Bean Monarch's handling of the situation somewhat surprised Meng Kun.
The dissemination of the Magma Fairy Palace's emergence was his idea.
Because Meng Kun could no longer stop Zhu Xuanji.
Zhu Xuanji frequently entered and exited the Immortal Palace with the Golden Pill Ancestors of the three great families. The significance of Meng Kui's presence was solely to suppress any possible disturbances from the Immortal Palace.
His continued presence actually provided Zhu Xuanji the best reason to draw in the three great families.
Meng Kun was worried that Zhu Xuanji might make breakthroughs on his side, eventually inheriting the Immortal Palace.
Especially after seeing Zhu Xuanji present three quasi-Golden Core level Organic Beasts to the Magma Fairy Palace in exchange for contributions.
This significant move indicated that Zhu Xuanji was well-prepared. More accurately, the Southern Bean Royal Family was strongly backing Zhu Xuanji.
With Meng Chong's frequent setbacks against the Mechanical Monkey and Mechanical Puppets, Meng Kun saw no short-term breakthrough in sight.
These factors urged Meng Kun to spread the information, thus inviting formidable allies and forming a formidable faction, compelling the royal family to respond.
Southern Bean Kingdom's internal situations were crystal clear to the Meng Family.
Meng Kun concluded that the Southern Bean Monarch could not deploy heavy troops to Fire Persimmon Immortal City's array. Thus, it would be a matter of sending powerful individuals as reinforcements.
These powerful individuals would have cultivation levels at least at the Nascent Soul Stage.
Meng Kun believed that this was the most likely scenario. He had notified the Meng Family that once this candidate was determined, the Meng Family would make all-out efforts to win them over.
But in the end, the imperial envoy brought an edict, bringing a Recruitment Decree!