"What, Ning Zhuo actually broke through to the eighth gate in one go?!" Ning Xiaohui, upon learning this, exclaimed in disbelief.
After triple-checking the information, Ning Xiaohui's face turned ashen and grim.
Recalling her experience taking Ning Zhuo through the trials, she sneered, "This Ning Zhuo sure knows how to put on an act."
"I originally thought that time, when he witnessed the power of the Ice-jade Hands, he would submit willingly."
"Unexpectedly, he went on to accumulate his strength secretly, ambitious and bold, achieving such a feat at once."
"Playing tricks on me, huh? Very well, very well!"
Ning Xiaohui felt her pride trampled by Ning Zhuo and spat several times in disgust.
"The eighth gate?"
"I'm coming as well!"
"It's absurd that Ning Zhuo could do it and not our main bloodline."
Enraged, Ning Xiaohui began gathering the Qi Refining Cultivators of the renovation team.
Her grandmother, upon hearing this, gently advised, "That Ning Zhuo has a dozen people aiding him. Xiaohui, you only have five. You are at a disadvantage in numbers. Do you really insist on exploring the Immortal Palace to surpass Ning Zhuo's achievement?"
Ning Xiaohui's situation became somewhat awkward.
Primarily, during the formation of the renovation team, the main bloodline members of the Ning Family had many excuses and ultimately, the majority were from the collateral branches.
"I'm certain!" Ning Xiaohui nodded slowly, her gaze determined and sharp.
She looked at her grandmother, "Having fewer people also has its advantages. The difficulty of the Magma Fairy Palace varies. With fewer people, our challenge will be harder, so the palace won't add more difficulty."
"Therefore, even if we encounter that Mechanical Monkey, it will certainly be in the latter stages." Ning Xiaohui confidently speculated.
Soon after.
She led five main bloodline renovation members and pushed open the first door, officially entering Room Two.
The Ice-jade Hands froze the mechanisms along the way. Just as they were about to clear the level, the second door was pushed open.
Yuan Dasheng grandiosely entered Room Two from Level Three.
Ning Xiaohui: ?!!
The others: ...
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Yuan Dasheng attacked. After several muffled thuds, he smashed all the Ning Family's Mechanical Puppets to pieces.
"Ah——!" Ning Xiaohui's soul returned to her body, and she shouted to the sky in anger.
Her grandmother consoled, "Ning Zhuo reached the eighth gate and only then saw the Mechanical Monkey. This shows that their strength is far inferior to yours, Xiaohui."
"Considering the Mechanical Monkey's location, even though Ning Zhuo has talent, he is probably insignificant!"
With her grandmother's words, Xiaohui's distress eased somewhat.
Ning Ze's Residence.
Ning Xiaoren brought a look of regret as he spoke to Ning Zhuo, "That's the situation."
Ning Zhuo frowned, incredulous, "Uncle Xiaoren, my achievements, still not enough for Ice Jade Wine?"
Ning Xiaoren replied, "My dear nephew, it's not like that. Ice Jade Wine is excellent for enhancing Mana and cultivation. But your team's Mana is limited to the peak of the third layer, without a subsequent cultivation technique, you can't break through. Using Ice Jade Wine would only waste it."
Ning Zhuo spread his hands, "I was planning to get some Ice Jade Wine to store for future use. Isn't that a good plan?"
Ning Xiaoren chuckled with a somewhat insincere smile, "Dear nephew, many times, it's not about what you want, and the family just gives it to you."
"You are only at the third layer of Qi Refining and a part of the renovation team. The family's high-ups are busy managing myriad affairs, considering much more than you."
"You must trust the family; everything is orchestrated with the bigger picture in mind."
"Insisting on receiving a reward like this is not a good image. Take uncle's advice; don't do this. It leaves a very bad impression."
Ning Zhuo frowned deeply, "Then what does the family reward me with? I broke through to the eighth gate this time."
Ning Xiaoren smiled and said a few words.
Ning Zhuo looked appalled, openly showing his dissatisfaction, "Just this bit? Are you treating me like a beggar?!"
Ning Xiaoren felt a sting in his heart, intense disapproval, and irritation made him frown, but he soon relaxed, "Dear nephew, you shouldn't speak like that."
"The family's resources are limited. Compared to many clan members, your cultivation and experience are actually quite lacking."
"Do you understand?"
Ning Zhuo shook his head, directly denying, "I don't understand!"
"Their cultivation or experience may be higher, but can they enter Immortal Palace and reach the eighth gate?"
"If they can, I don't mind them getting high rewards."
This time Ning Xiaoren couldn't help but frown, "Dear nephew, it seems you misunderstood something."
"Your exploration of the Magma Fairy Palace, is it for rewards? It's about contributing to the family."
"This is the Ning Family needing you, your time to shine and bring honor to the family."
Ning Zhuo shook his head again, "Uncle Xiaoren, I don't know about others. I joined the renovation team and explored the Magma Fairy Palace for the rewards."
"I like money; you know this."
"The more money, the better!"
Ning Xiaoren's eye twitched, anger rising, wanting to whip Ning Zhuo.
He took a deep breath, calmed his mind, relaxed his brows, and smiled again, "Dear nephew, your ambition is commendable."
"Since we've come to this point, and you are so mature, I'll speak frankly."
"You want various rewards, it's not impossible, but..."
Ning Xiaoren conveyed the rest through a sound transmission.
Ning Zhuo patiently listened, feeling highly displeased, "What? You want me to join a faction within the family's high-ups and sign a contract?"
"Is the division between main and collateral branches really this severe, Uncle Xiaoren?"
Ning Xiaoren sighed deeply, "Where there are people, there are struggles. Dear nephew, even if I admire you and want to support you, I am powerless."
"I am merely the Young Clan Leader, and my faction is but one of the eight main factions."
Ning Zhuo then fell into a prolonged silence.
Ning Xiaoren saw this and gently persuaded much more.
Ning Zhuo remained silent throughout.
Ning Xiaoren smiled faintly, patted Ning Zhuo's shoulder, "Originally, I didn't intend to tell you this. Your father saved my life, and I want to protect your youthful innocence."
"But, Little Zhuo, you are too outstanding, encountering this level so soon."
"Perhaps it's a test from heaven especially for you. Heaven tends to test the exceptional more."
"This time, I hope you can adjust your mindset positively and pass this test."
Ning Zhuo: "What should I do, Uncle Xiaoren?"
Ning Xiaoren's smile deepened, "For instance, you've modified several mechanical parts in the preparation room of the Magma Fairy Palace."
"After practical testing, those mechanical parts are indeed quite good."
"I suggest you proactively submit the relevant drawings, regardless of which faction, just let the high-ups see your inclination to align."
"This way, your chances of getting Ice Jade Wine will significantly increase."
Ning Zhuo's expression was poor, "Uncle Xiaoren, I need to think about it."
"Take your time to think, there is no rush. You are at the peak of the third layer now, without subsequent techniques, there's no hurry at all." Ning Xiaoren patted Ning Zhuo's shoulder, stood up, and slowly left.
But until he walked out the door, he didn't hear Ning Zhuo call out to him.
He sneered silently, shook his head slightly, resumed his normal pace, and left Ning Ze's residence.
Wang Lan had been waiting for quite some time, greeted Ning Xiaoren halfway, and mentioned Ning Ze's release.
Ning Xiaoren, still simmering with frustration from Ning Zhuo, immediately put on a stern face and said stiffly, "Wait for the right time, don't ask more."
...
A private room in a restaurant.
Zheng Jian and Zhou Zeshen were invited by Ning Zhuo.
Ning Zhuo led them to their seats and got straight to the point, "I invited you both here today to sell valuable information related to the Magma Fairy Palace."
Zheng Jian: "Brother Ning Zhuo, I heard you showed great prowess this time, advancing through the gates continuously until the eighth room, is it true?"
Ning Zhuo nodded, "This information was precisely what I discovered while passing through eight gates."
"It is absolutely worth the price."
"To purchase it, it only costs this much."
Ning Zhuo held up three fingers.
Zheng Jian and Zhou Zeshen exchanged glances and decided to buy Ning Zhuo's information.
"So, there's a Trial Disciple's badge?"
"This information is indeed worth its price."
Zheng Jian was the first to affirm it.
Zhou Zeshen then spoke with a tone of concern for Ning Zhuo's welfare, "Brother Ning Zhuo, revealing such important information for sale, won't your family be angry?"
Ning Zhuo sneered, "Hmph, Brother Zhou, there's no need for you to worry about this. I have my discretion."
A sharp glint briefly flickered in Zhou Zeshen's eyes as he quickly bowed, "Oh, I apologize, that was presumptuous of me."
Zheng Jian and Zhou Zeshen both paid for the information, giving Ning Zhuo a substantial amount of money.
...
"Trial Disciple's badge?" Zhu Xuanji's eyes lit up upon learning this.
He immediately mobilized several Qi Refining Cultivators who had received the badge through the Golden Pill Ancestors of the three families and conducted a test.
He led these Qi Refining Cultivators to the front of the Magma Fairy Palace.
The next moment, the Magma Fairy Palace emitted a burst of brilliance, absorbing everyone inside, including the Qi Refining Cultivators.
"It works!"
"The Trial Disciple's badge indeed allows them to enter the Immortal Palace."
"In fact, some of them are utterly unskilled in Mechanical Techniques, like blank slates."
"Perhaps I can make use of these people..."
Zhu Xuanji continued exploring the Magma Fairy Palace with these individuals.
He quickly discovered that many structures and amenities in the palace were not accessible to him but were available to the trial disciples, sometimes for a fee, sometimes for free.
In some aspects, the trial disciple's privileges were much greater than those of a Royal Family member like him!
For instance——the Abandoned Room.
This room stored a vast amount of mechanical artifacts, all discarded.
"Even the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit couldn't repair them?"
"Many mechanical artifacts only need minor repairs to be reusable."
Through the trial disciples' perspectives, Zhu Xuanji gained a deeper understanding of the Magma Fairy Palace.
"Wait a minute, what's that?!"