"Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit?!" Ning Zhuo heard its voice through the Life Hanging Thread.
Ning Zhuo immediately stopped his actions, feeling a tinge of joy.
Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit: "Little, Little Spirit has finally contacted the little master again."
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit tried hard to show its weak and excited state.
Whip.
The fire whip cracked again, causing the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit to grimace in pain.
It gasped for breath and continued to persuade: "Little Master, please stop and listen to me. What I'm about to say is crucial."
"The old master set up three paths for assessment and training, each with a special purpose."
"The Buddhist Path, which the little master has already passed, is deeply insightful. This path focuses on commanding other mechanical artifacts in combat and repair."
Whip!
"The Dao Path emphasizes the use of Five Elements Magic. Therefore, any cultivator who passes this path has excellent spellcasting abilities."
"The Five Elements Magic is quite balanced, with abilities in offense, defense, enemy control, and healing, among others."
Whip, whip!
"Lastly, the Demon Path specializes in cultivating assault capabilities. Much like powerful body cultivators on the battlefield, they often charge into enemy lines, slaying generals amidst thousands of troops."
"What I can tell you is limited to this. Little Master, please be careful."
Whip, whip, whip!
The more the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit spoke, the more violations it committed, leading to more frequent beatings.
Ning Zhuo heard the sound of the whip and couldn't help but curiously ask: "How strange, what is that sound?"
Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit: "Woo, woo, woo..."
Ning Zhuo felt something odd: "Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, are you crying?"
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit stiffened its neck: "Of course not. I am being flogged! Ah!"
It finally couldn't bear it anymore and let out a painful cry.
"I, I am the Palace Spirit and should maintain absolute fairness."
"But what I just said was a key reminder to the little master, which goes against this principle. Therefore, I am receiving the palace's punishment, ah!!"
When the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit said this, it couldn't help but let out another agonizing scream.
Feeling quite embarrassed, it nevertheless risked everything to gain Ning Zhuo's trust.
Ning Zhuo took a deep breath: "Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, thank you for everything you've done for me. When I take over the Immortal Palace in the future, I will remember your kindness and employ you greatly!"
Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit: ...
Upon hearing Ning Zhuo's consolation, it felt even more pained!
"Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit," Ning Zhuo called out.
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, in too much pain to speak, retracted its limbs and head into its turtle shell, silently enduring the flogging.
Occasionally, as the pain became unbearable, it let out muffled groans.
Whip.
Whip, whip.
Whip, whip, whip.
Ning Zhuo clenched his fists tightly and sighed deeply: "Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, hold on!"
"Where in the Immortal Palace are you?"
"Is there anything I can do to help you?"
"Oh yes, the Life Hanging Thread!"
"I can use the Life Hanging Thread to link with you, cast spells, and help you resist."
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit couldn't help but poke its head out, glaring angrily with eyes piercing through the air as it stared at Ning Zhuo: "Does what you say even make sense?!"
Whip.
Its head took another lash.
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit whimpered in pain, retreating back into its shell, muttering curses.
Ning Zhuo called out to the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, but hearing no response for a long time, he assumed it had become too weak from the beating, severing their connection.
Thinking over the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit's words, he pondered for a moment and understood its underlying meaning.
"If the Demon Path is meant to cultivate powerful assault roles,"
"then relying on Yuan Dasheng to clear the path greatly violates the purpose set by the Three Ancestral Masters."
"If I violate the purpose of the Three Ancestral Masters, I will certainly face consequences."
"Just like earlier when I cast a spell that triggered the bloodline of the Kung Fu Doll, adversely affecting the entire battle."
"The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit endured severe punishment just to warn me."
"This suggests that if I continue to rely on Yuan Dasheng to help me clear the path, I will certainly suffer great losses."
"No, to be precise, it came to warn me just as I was about to open the door… suggesting that I can't bring Yuan Dasheng inside?"
"For the final trial, it seems I must rely solely on myself?"
Seeing Ning Zhuo arrange for Yuan Dasheng to stay at the second trial, intending to push the door and go alone, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit felt relieved and once again transmitted a message: "Little, Little Master."
Whip.
"Why are you so eager to clear the trials?"
"Little Spirit thought Ning Xiaohui was your biggest threat."
Ning Zhuo replied: "I want to clear the trials precisely to resolve the threat posed by Ning Xiaohui."
"Clearing the Buddhist Path provides medals for roles like the Medical Pavilion. I suspect the role medal for the Historical Records Pavilion is a reward for the final trial in either the Demon Path or the Dao Path."
"As long as I obtain the corresponding role, I won't fear anyone taking up a position in the Historical Records Pavilion in the future."
"I can demote them all at a whim, achieving long-lasting peace!"
Whip.
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit grimaced in pain: "Oh dear, Little Spirit's worries were indeed correct."
"Little Master, the role medals of any of the paths do not include the role medal for the Historical Records Pavilion."
Ning Zhuo was stunned: "How can that be?"
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit revealed: "The power of the Magma Fairy Palace is divided into three parts."
"One part is me, the Palace Spirit, in charge of the operations and functions of the Magma Fairy Palace."
"One part is the Palace Seal, in charge of Three Superior Sect Techniques' inheritance. This is why you, Little Master, can influence the trial checkpoints through the Buddha Heart Demon Seal."
"The last part is the Palace Master. The Palace Master oversees personnel changes."
Whip.
"Of course, these three powers are not entirely distinct. We also manage other areas concurrently."
"For example, I oversee the operation of the Magma Fairy Palace and can also slightly intervene in the inheritance of the Three Superior Sect Techniques and the performance evaluation of cultivators in various positions."
"The Palace Seal and Palace Master are the same way."
"After trial disciples pass the trials, the roles they choose are related to the inheritance. For example, the roles in the Medical Pavilion continue to train disciples in practical repair and healing skills."
Whip.
"Similarly, the Command Platform role after the Demon Path trains disciples in command abilities during large battles."
"The role of the Historical Records Pavilion is not related to inheritance and falls under my jurisdiction as Palace Spirit. It is one of the functional buildings of the Magma Fairy Palace."
"To obtain a role in the Historical Records Pavilion, you need to accumulate contributions and merits. Of course, the position is highly significant, and only insiders can be promoted to this role. Outsiders cannot ascend to this position."
Whip.
Ning Zhuo suddenly realized: "So that's how it is. But even so, I still need to attempt to clear the trials!"
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit became anxious and frustrated. Despite explaining so clearly, why did Ning Zhuo remain so stubborn?
Ning Zhuo: "I have another plan."
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit wanted to inquire about the plan's details, as it concerned its liberation.
But Ning Zhuo remained silent and suddenly asked about the Foundation Establishment Method.
He voiced his assumptions, seeking confirmation from the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit.
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit paused for a moment before admitting the truth: "Little Master, your assumption is correct."
Whip.
"Passing one path grants a Foundation Establishment Method for one elixir field."
"Combining two Foundation Establishment Methods covers two elixir fields."
"The Foundation Establishment Methods of all three paths combined is the true Three Elixir Fields Foundation Establishment."
Whip.
"However, Little Master, why hurry? Your current focus should be on..."
Ning Zhuo directly interrupted it and continued: "To establish Three Elixir Fields, what auxiliary methods should be adopted?"
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit paused again before deciding to answer: "No auxiliary methods are necessary."
Whip.
"People often use Foundation Establishment Pills to increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment."
"Essentially, the Foundation Establishment Pills provide a large amount of energy, while coordinating the relationship between the three elixir fields."
Whip.
"The Three Superior Sect Techniques created by the old master trains the three treasures of essence, energy, and spirit, significantly enhancing them."
"Furthermore, from the seventh to the ninth layer of the advanced cultivation techniques, the Three Superior Sect Techniques emphasize the synchronization and connection of the three elixir fields."
"Therefore, as long as disciples train all three techniques to the peak of the ninth layer, they can naturally establish their foundation smoothly, without any obstacles."
Whip.
Ning Zhuo was overjoyed.
This meant that as long as he obtained the complete Foundation Establishment Method, he could accomplish Foundation Establishment!
However, he quickly calmed down.
Thinking of his current situation, even with the Foundation Establishment Method, he would still face scrutiny from the Golden Core Ancestors, and the Floating Cloud was no longer safe, making it challenging to find an opportunity for Foundation Establishment!
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit eagerly asked: "Little Master, what exactly is your plan?"
Whip.
Ning Zhuo replied: "No rush, no rush."
"Let me ask you, what is the situation about the Imperial Exam? When will it be held so that I can compete for the position of the Immortal Palace Master?"
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit took a deep breath, suppressing its irritation, and had to answer: "The condition to commence the Imperial Exam is for a certain cultivator to meet the standards."
"That cultivator's cultivation level, mechanical techniques proficiency, and contributions must all reach a certain standard, triggering the Imperial Exam."
"The lower the cultivator's cultivation level, the more contributions are required."
Whip.
"When the Imperial Exam begins, it will qualify thirty-two cultivators below the key person, who then compete alongside the key person."
"The old master designed it this way to prevent anyone with ulterior motives from manipulating the system. It also provides the key person with an opportunity to demonstrate their strengths and subdue others."
Whip.
Ning Zhuo asked again: "How do I meet the standards?"
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit replied: "Your contributions need to reach the level of a first-rank position."
Whip.
Ning Zhuo was taken aback, as he had recently been studying the tasks at the Medical Pavilion and knew the contributions required for each evaluation.
Although he held a second-rank position, that didn't mean he had second-rank contributions.
This goal was too high!
Because Ning Zhuo's contributions were, quite embarrassingly, negative.
One must know that Ning Zhuo had blown up parts of the Immortal Palace before!
"L-Little Master." The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit could no longer endure, "I am about to disconnect from you again."
"What is your plan? Please tell Little Spirit quickly."
Seeing this, Ning Zhuo finally decided to reveal his plan.
After hearing it, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit felt both delighted and terrified: "Th-This is too dangerous..."