Ning Zhuo's residence.
Zhu Xuanji and Ning Zhuo stood facing each other.
Ning Zhuo's breathing was steady, but his heart was tense as he said, "This moment, it has finally come."
Since Zhu Xuanji appeared and entered Fire Persimmon Immortal City...
Since Ning Zhuo came into contact with the Three Superior Sect Techniques, deciding to cultivate these three methods...
Ning Zhuo had already calculated this moment would come.
No, to be precise, the timing was even earlier. More than a decade ago, Ning Zhuo had anticipated this moment.
He had long expected his cultivation level would be examined.
He had also prepared early for this.
Yet, when the real test finally came, Ning Zhuo still couldn't help but feel his heart race.
If it were any other Golden Core, it would be fine, but facing Zhu Xuanji who had the Golden Eyes talent, Ning Zhuo had no experience and couldn't grasp the details.
As a Qi Refinement realm cultivator, to conceal his cultivation from a Golden Core cultivator was extremely difficult.
Zhu Xuanji immediately noticed Ning Zhuo's accelerated heartbeat.
He gently said, "Your heartbeat is a bit fast. Why, are you a little nervous?"
Ning Zhuo grinned: "Of course, Lord Zhu. This Demon-infused Bloodline Technique, is it paired with the Five Elements Qi Regulation Art?"
"Is the rumored Three Superior Sect Techniques really true?"
Ning Zhuo's face was full of expectation for the Three Superior Sect Techniques.
Concerning his path, involving the Three Superior Sect Techniques, it was only natural for his heartbeat to quicken a bit.
Zhu Xuanji chuckled softly: "Since you asked, I'll tell you some good news."
"As of now, the Demon Sect True Scripture we acquired does indeed pair with the Five Elements Qi Regulation Art."
"Although this Demon Sect True Scripture only goes up to the fifth level of the Qi Refinement realm, the content already shows some connection to the Five Elements Qi Regulation Art."
Then, Zhu Xuanji's tone shifted: "The Three Superior Sect Techniques cultivate the upper, middle, and lower dantians respectively."
"Once you can build a foundation using these three techniques, your future prospects will undoubtedly be bright."
"In this world, methods that use the three dantians to build a foundation are exceedingly rare!"
"So this time, I didn't just come to examine your aptitude. I will not only check your Qi Sea but also your Essence Sea. I'll even help you examine your Divine Sea, how about that?"
Did Ning Zhuo dare refuse?
He immediately showed a look of joy and eagerly said: "Lord Zhu, that would be wonderful! Trouble you to proceed with a thorough examination."
While Ning Zhuo spoke, he secretly activated the Buddha Heart Demon Seal and the Cloud Concealed Bud under his tongue.
These two treasures were key to resisting the examination!
Zhu Xuanji emitted a trace of blood qi, penetrating Ning Zhuo's body, delving all the way into his lower dantian Essence Sea.
Apart from magical treasures, only blood qi could enter and exit the lower dantian Essence Sea.
Zhu Xuanji's blood qi carried his divine sense, circling above Ning Zhuo's Essence Sea, scanning its entirety.
The Cloud Concealed Bud played its role, firmly covering the true appearance of the Essence Sea, showing Zhu Xuanji only the scene Ning Zhuo had meticulously arranged.
For more than a decade, Ning Zhuo had been training this tirelessly. He had become so proficient at it that it was like second nature.
As Zhu Xuanji investigated the Essence Sea, he saw it was similar to those of ordinary cultivators, though its foundation was somewhat richer. After all, Ning Zhuo had been consuming a lot of spirit food lately.
Zhu Xuanji retracted his blood qi and then infused mana into Ning Zhuo's body.
Likewise, his mana carried his divine sense.
Zhu Xuanji's mana penetrated Ning Zhuo's middle dantian Qi Sea, seeing five-colored clouds churning within and sensing Ning Zhuo's cultivation had reached the fourth stage, already at the peak of the fourth layer.
"It seems the Five Elements Qi Regulation Art is quite suitable for you," Zhu Xuanji praised lightly, retracting his mana.
Finally, he directly released his divine sense to probe Ning Zhuo's upper dantian Divine Sea.
The Divine Sea's protection was Ning Zhuo's most fortified place.
Not only did he have the Cloud Concealed Bud to cover the true scene, but he also had the Buddha Heart Demon Seal suppressing within, benefiting both himself and others.
Indeed, after Zhu Xuanji's scan, he found Ning Zhuo's Divine Sea empty but vast in its capacity.
This made Zhu Xuanji ponder Ning Zhuo's talent.
To this day, Ning Zhuo's talent had yet to be identified by the Ning Family.
But from the Divine Sea, some clues could be seen.
Zhu Xuanji withdrew his divine sense.
The golden glimmers in his eyes gradually dispersed.
"I have good news for you."
"Very good!"
"All three of your dantians are suitable for cultivating the Three Superior Sect Techniques."
"You have talent, it's within your Divine Sea. Given this, pursuing a divine cultivation technique is the most fitting for you."
"Just like the Bukong Sect's principal technique—Void Sutra, which focuses on Divine Sea cultivation while also training the Essence Sea."
"Do you know of the Bukong Sect?"
"Perhaps... you are more familiar with Sun Lingtong."
Ning Zhuo replied, "Of course, I know Sun Lingtong. He was the controller of the last black market."
"I've thought about my talent as well."
"But I think the Three Superior Sect Techniques suit me better. Now that I have the Five Elements Qi Regulation Art and the Demon-infused Bloodline Technique, in the future, I might even obtain the upper dantian divine cultivation technique."
Zhu Xuanji nodded: "Indeed."
He looked seriously at Ning Zhuo: "But I must remind you, don't get too complacent."
"Even though we have the Demon Sect True Scripture, your situation still has risks."
Ning Zhuo showed a look of surprise: "Lord Zhu, what do you mean by that?"
"I am considered dangerous because a lot of people thought the Demon Sect True Scripture was in my possession."
"Now the Demon Sect True Scripture has emerged and was taken by the Zheng Family's patriarch. Many saw this happen."
The battle between the Golden Cores had captured much attention.
Within the Immortal City, there were many cultivators, all equipped with various spells, making it easy to observe the battlefield from a distance.
Zhu Xuanji sighed.
"On the surface, this is how it appears."
"But to be candid, I have a sense that things are not so simple."
Ning Zhuo immediately cupped his hands and bowed deeply: "Please, Lord Zhu, enlighten me."
Zhu Xuanji sighed again: "Ning Zhuo, you must have seen puppet shows, right? I feel as if there's a hidden hand behind the scenes."
"The recent Golden Core battle resembled a puppet show, with all the participating Golden Core cultivators acting as puppets, unaware of their strings."
"The recent stage might have been deliberately set by this hidden hand."
Ning Zhuo was taken aback: "Lord Zhu, are you suggesting the City Lord's Mansion?"
"Indeed, in the recent fight, only Chi Dun from the City Lord's Mansion took action, while Fei Si remained inactive."
"Moreover, the City Lord himself watched the entire time. If he had intervened, he could have subdued everyone."
Zhu Xuanji shook his head and sighed: "Getting him to act is difficult. You probably don't understand his way of doing things. For him to intervene personally, the situation must be extremely dire."
"Maybe it is the City Lord's Mansion?"
Ning Zhuo said, "When it comes to investigating cases, Lord Zhu, I'm not particularly knowledgeable. But I believe you will surely succeed!"
Zhu Xuanji's expression changed slightly, and he chuckled: "You seem to have a lot of confidence in me."
Ning Zhuo laughed: "Of course, because you are a divine hunter. You are Zhu Xuanji, who brings peace and justice—you're the most righteous person I've ever met."
"The righteous path is bound to prevail."
Zhu Xuanji was momentarily stunned, seriously observing the young man before him.
Ning Zhuo's eyes were clear; his words were heartfelt. At that moment, he revealed his firm belief in the righteous path.
Seeing Ning Zhuo like this, Zhu Xuanji seemed, for a fleeting moment, to see his younger self.
Like Ning Zhuo, he too had been filled with unwavering faith in the righteous path.
Zhu Xuanji chuckled again: "You rascal, framing Yuan Dasheng earlier, that counts as your righteous path?"
Ning Zhuo spread his hands: "The Monkey Head Gang was a gang to begin with, and exterminating a monkey isn't such a big deal, is it?"
"As for the black market, here's how I see it."
"By controlling the black market, I can make it more orderly, maintain stability, and reduce bloodshed. At the same time, I can also ensure my clan members live better."
"So why shouldn't I do it?"
"I feel the three major families all want to dip into the black market, but they're too concerned with appearances."
"I also care about appearances, but I can't help it, I'm hungry."
"I need to fill my belly first before I can uphold my righteous path and help my clan members."
Zhu Xuanji nodded slightly, patting Ning Zhuo's shoulder: "At least you're pragmatic."
With that, the conversation ended.
Zhu Xuanji bade farewell.
Ning Zhuo saw him to the courtyard gate, watching until Zhu Xuanji disappeared from sight.
Ning Zhuo turned and walked back inside, his eyebrows gradually lifting and more joy appearing on his face.
Once back in his room, he couldn't help but clench his fists and pump his arms, feeling immensely pleased.
This action alone showed he was very happy.
After all, he had just gained the Demon-infused Bloodline Technique, had his aptitude recognized by Zhu Xuanji, and had been told that dual-cultivating the Three Superior Sect Techniques posed no problems.
Ning Zhuo, brimming with excitement, entered the underground chamber to begin his cultivation.
However, whether he was studying mechanical techniques or meditating, he seemed somewhat distracted.
From time to time, he would pause and grin foolishly to himself.
These small actions laid bare his youthful exuberance.
Occasionally, he would also furrow his brow, showing a hint of doubt, seemingly thinking of the final conversation with Zhu Xuanji.
But soon, he shook his head, as if to say, why worry about this, let the taller ones deal with it if the sky falls!
He even murmured to himself, "Isn't there still Lord Zhu Xuanji?"