"According to Li Leifeng's judgment, Ning Zhuo had a deep talent for mechanisms and was expected to make a mark by the age of six."
"But in fact, Ning Zhuo had remained unnoticed until the recent emergence of the Magma Fairy Palace, where he finally showcased his talent and became a prominent figure."
Zhu Xuanji had long collected much intelligence on Ning Zhuo and knew about his growth trajectory.
Previously, Zhu Xuanji had thought that Ning Zhuo had been accumulating knowledge, preparing for a grand breakthrough. After modifying his cultivation, he gradually discovered his worldly talent and then bloomed brilliantly.
But now, this jade slip from Li Leifeng shattered his previous understanding.
"If Ning Zhuo could perform Fang Qing's exoneration play at the age of five, judging by his mastery over puppets, his foundational skills were extremely solid!"
"Ning Zhuo performed poorly in the Ning Family's grand exam due to nervousness... clearly, it was an act."
"It seems Ning Zhuo had been hiding his skills and disguising himself from a very young age."
"He had kept everything hidden for more than a decade, only recently choosing to reveal himself."
"Why?" Zhu Xuanji felt very puzzled.
"Ning Zhuo, a child of a branch of the Ning Family, why hide his talents and disguise himself?"
"Why did he present himself as ordinary throughout his long academic life?"
"Clearly, if Ning Zhuo showcased his talent, the family would have given him special training!"
Zhu Xuanji thought of Ning Xiaohui.
"Could it be due to internal strife within the Ning Family?"
"The crucial point is, if this child had been disguising himself since the age of three or four, what kind of mentality is that?"
"Such thoughts are too profound!"
Zhu Xuanji shuddered at the chilling realization.
"So, Ning Zhuo had intentionally hidden himself for over ten years?"
"During this time, did Ning Zhuo completely lack the vanity or impulsiveness of youth?"
"Or perhaps... was there a master advising him behind the scenes?"
Zhu Xuanji's doubts grew increasingly numerous.
The more he discovered, the more questions arose in his mind.
"Ning Zhuo is problematic!" Zhu Xuanji concluded firmly in his heart.
He had already begun to suspect Ning Zhuo, but he knew his suspicions were baseless. He just felt something oddly unnatural and strange about Ning Zhuo.
Now it became clear to Zhu Xuanji!
"I've investigated countless cases, tracking down culprits, amassing rich experience, and honing an intuition for solving cases."
"Ning Zhuo performed well, with no obvious flaws or unreasonable points."
"However, a performance is always different from reality!"
Zhu Xuanji had seen too much of both truth and deceit. Even if logic failed, his heart sensed the odd and unnatural.
When this feeling of irregularity accumulated to a certain extent, Zhu Xuanji couldn't help but start suspecting Ning Zhuo.
"Ning Zhuo, what role are you playing in the scramble surrounding the Magma Fairy Palace?"
Zhu Xuanji frowned deeply, gazing at the night sky.
Tonight, the moonlight was hazy, obscured by clouds and mists.
All the information, countless threads, flashed vividly in Zhu Xuanji's mind, mixing and twisting into a massive vortex.
Staring at the clouds covering the moonlight, Zhu Xuanji felt like he was seeing the mist in his mind.
He had a strong sense——just one last clue was missing.
Like a puzzle, only the last crucial piece was needed!
If he could find and piece it together, he could tear away the fog before him and let the truth's moonlight fully reveal itself.
"So... the Historical Records Pavilion is that final piece!" A golden gleam flashed in Zhu Xuanji's eyes.
He felt a surge of impulsion, wanting to fly back to the Magma Fairy Palace and personally oversee Ning Xiaohui's thorough investigation of the Historical Records Pavilion.
"No, no, that won't do."
Zhu Xuanji bowed his head, pacing in deep thought.
He became completely lost in his world of contemplation, ignoring everything around him.
Zhu Hou, seeing Zhu Xuanji so absorbed, couldn't help but smile, watching quietly without making a sound.
As a senior, he felt proud and gratified to see a young royal perform so admirably.
Zhu Xuanji quickly reviewed past events. From his arrival in the Fire Persimmon Immortal City to the present, Ning Zhuo appeared far too frequently.
"Ning Zhuo must play a relatively important role."
"Perhaps he is the major fog obscuring the truth!"
"But I can't uncover it; I lack direct evidence."
"Even bringing out Li Leifeng's report won't work; Ning Zhuo could have countless explanations and excuses."
"In fact, even if he admitted to disguising himself for over a decade, so what?"
"Maybe, I should conduct a surprise inspection, checking his storage equipment for common items?"
"No, that's also wrong!"
Zhu Xuanji thought, Ning Zhuo was only at the Qi Cultivation Stage. Even if he were deeply connected to a mastermind, he was just a useful pawn.
Even if Zhu Xuanji pried open this pawn to see the hidden color beneath, so what?
"It would only alert the enemy prematurely, provoking conflict."
"Right now, Ning Xiaohui is a key figure, and Ning Zhuo is another."
Reaching this point, Zhu Xuanji decided.
First, he wrote a secret letter to inquire about Zhu Zhen.
After Zhu Zhen ended his investigation, he had secretly contacted Zhu Xuanji, offering to contribute more.
Zhu Xuanji assigned him to the Magma Fairy Palace, hiding his royal identity and disguising as an outsider cultivator to diligently complete tasks, earning merits.
Actually, Zhu Xuanji had another important task for Zhu Zhen—recently, Zhu Zhen had secretly been protecting and monitoring Ning Xiaohui!
"Now that I'm outside the Immortal Palace, it's actually an opportunity."
Zhu Xuanji prepared a secret jade slip, instructing Zhu Zhen to fully protect Ning Xiaohui!
Simultaneously, Zhu Xuanji took a dressing mirror from his storage waist belt.
This mirror was exquisitely beautiful to the extreme.
The entire mirror was surrounded by a lifelike golden phoenix. The phoenix's wings embraced the mirror, with feathers delicate as silk, as if each feather trembled gently.
The phoenix's head was raised high, its eyes full of majesty and mystery, with its beak slightly open, as if chanting ancient spells. Its long tail coiled gracefully around the frame, adding elegance and spirit to the mirror.
The Golden Phoenix Mirror!
This was what Zhu Xuanji had retrieved from the Southern Bean Royal Family's treasury.
The Nandou King had specifically told him that the Golden Phoenix Mirror originally belonged to the Magma Fairy Palace but was seized by the Emperor.
If returned to the Magma Fairy Palace, it would undoubtedly yield substantial merit!
Zhu Xuanji kept this treasure mirror on hand, intending to use it as a trump card when necessary.
Now, he decisively took it out, deciding to secretly hand it over to Ning Xiaohui through Zhu Zhen. By having Ning Xiaohui present it to the palace, she would quickly gain significant merit.
This way, Ning Xiaohui could instantly obtain a position at the Historical Records Pavilion.
Considering the current situation, this was the most crucial breakthrough!
Zhu Xuanji originally hadn't planned to pay such a heavy price. But now, with Li Leifeng's report, he felt a chill emanating from Ning Zhuo
Thus prompting his decision.
"Ning Zhuo... he's another key, the most important witness."
"He should also be fully won over!"
With this thought, Zhu Xuanji's eyes focused, and he regained his senses.
He smiled apologetically at Zhu Hou.
Zhu Hou waved his hand indifferently: "Helping you brings me great comfort."
Zhu Xuanji said: "Uncle, I've changed my mind. Tomorrow, I will attend your appointment ceremony, and I'll bring someone along."
Zhu Hou felt curious: "Oh? Were you pondering so intensely because of this person?"
Zhu Xuanji, having nothing to hide from Zhu Hou, admitted candidly: "Yes, this person's name is Ning Zhuo, the talent noted in Li Leifeng's report."
"Although he's only a cultivator at the Qi Cultivation Stage, merely sixteen years old, he is the most extraordinary young man I've ever encountered."
"Many times, I cannot fathom him!"
Zhu Hou's expression immediately showed surprise.
He had watched young Zhu Xuanji rise swiftly and knew Zhu Xuanji's talents well
It was the first time Zhu Hou saw Zhu Xuanji hold someone in such high esteem, especially someone just at the Qi Cultivation Stage and only sixteen years old.
Zhu Hou felt incredibly curious, laughing loudly: "Ha ha ha, I'm now very much looking forward to tomorrow's ceremony."
"Ning Zhuo, right? I must see what kind of young genius can catch Zhu Xuanji's eye!"
The next day.
"Something's wrong! Young Master, wake up, wake up quickly!" The anxious voice of the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit woke Ning Zhuo.
As Ning Zhuo lay in bed, he snapped his eyes open: "What's happened? Has the Magma Fairy Palace's defense shield been largely destroyed?"
Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit: "No, it's worse than that."
"This morning, Ning Xiaohui obtained a magical treasure called the Golden Phoenix Mirror and is about to present it to the palace!"
"The Golden Phoenix Mirror is originally a palace artifact, paired with the Jade Dragon Mirror, specifically for the Mirror Stand Spirit Communication Technique."
"Now, with her presenting such an important treasure, her merit will soar, instantly surpassing the minimum requirements for a position at the Historical Records Pavilion!"
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit was extremely agitated.
Ning Zhuo immediately felt a tightness in his heart, sitting up abruptly: "What?!"
He was about to question the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit further on this urgent matter, but Ning Jiufan's voice came from outside: "Ning Zhuo, wake up, I am taking you out."
Ning Zhuo's heart skipped a beat, and he rushed out in his underclothes, greeting Ning Jiufan.
Ning Jiufan grabbed Ning Zhuo's collar and soared into the sky.
On the way, he explained: "Ciyou Garden is holding an appointment ceremony today. Zhu Xuanji is hosting it, and seeing you've donated to the garden multiple times, he personally invited you to attend."
"I didn't expect Lord Zhu Xuanji to think so highly of you. Little Zhuo, you must perform well."
"Understood?"
Ning Zhuo felt a chill in his heart but showed great delight on the surface: "I have always been grateful to Lord Li Leifeng! When I was young, I stole leftovers from guests at Ciyou Garden. He found me but didn't chase me away and even treated me to many fresh tea cakes."
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit was stunned.
It watched Ning Zhuo being taken away from the Magma Fairy Palace, reflexively stretching its dragon claw, its fingers spread wide.
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit looked toward Ning Zhuo's departing figure, yelling loudly: "No——!"
"Come back."
"Ning Zhuo, come back quickly!"
"Ning Xiaohui is about to enter the Historical Records Pavilion and uncover the whole truth!!"
A frigid chill enveloped Ning Zhuo's heart, as if standing in a snowy field, cold to the bone.
"Ning Xiaohui suddenly obtained a treasure to present, and at this critical juncture, I am taken away from the Magma Fairy Palace."
"This must be Zhu Xuanji's doing!"
"Zhu Xuanji suspects me more deeply. Did I expose a flaw?"
"Could it be that Han Ming was caught?!"