: Unacceptable (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

"What? Ning Zhuo actually cleared all the way to the eighth level in one go?!" Upon hearing the news, Ning Xiaohui exclaimed in disbelief.

After confirming it repeatedly, her face turned ashen and gloomy.

Recalling her experience bringing Ning Zhuo through the levels, she sneered, "That Ning Zhuo is quite the actor."

"I thought that last time, after he witnessed the power of the Jade Ice Hand, he would willingly submit."

"Turns out he was secretly building up his strength, ambitious all along, and pulled off something like this as soon as he made his move."

"To think he played me—fine, just fine!"

Ning Xiaohui felt her pride had been trampled by Ning Zhuo, and spat on it a few times for good measure.

"Eighth level?"

"I'll give it a shot too!"

"There's no way you, Ning Zhuo, can do it, but I, a main branch member, can't."

In her anger, Ning Xiaohui began gathering the Qi Refinement cultivators from the modification team.

Her grandmother, learning of this, gently advised, "Ning Zhuo had over a dozen people supporting him. Xiaohui, you only have five this time—you're at a disadvantage in numbers. Are you really set on exploring the Immortal Palace and surpassing Ning Zhuo's achievement?"

Ning Xiaohui's situation was somewhat awkward.

It stemmed mainly from when the modification team was formed; members of the Ning family's main branch had tried every excuse to avoid joining, leaving the subsidiary branches to make up the vast majority.

"Confirmed!" Ning Xiaohui nodded slowly, her gaze firm and sharp.

She looked at her grandmother. "Having fewer people has its advantages too. The difficulty of the Lava Immortal Palace varies by person. With fewer people, the challenge for us will be greater, so the Immortal Palace won't need to add extra difficulty."

"Therefore, even if we encounter that mechanical ape, it will definitely be in the latter half." Ning Xiaohui speculated with confidence.

Not long after,

she led the five main branch modification team members, pushed open the first door, and officially entered the second room.

The Jade Ice Hand froze the mechanisms along the way. Just as they were about to clear the level, the second door was pushed open.

Yuan Dasheng openly strode from the third level into the second.

Ning Xiaohui: ?!!

The others: ...

*Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud.*

Yuan Dasheng attacked. After a series of silent thuds, he destroyed all the Ning family mechanical puppets.

"Ah—!" Ning Xiaohui's soul returned to her body, and she screamed furiously at the sky.

Her grandmother comforted her, "Ning Zhuo only encountered the mechanical ape at the eighth level. This shows their strength is far inferior to your team, Xiaohui."

"Judging by the mechanical ape's position, even if Ning Zhuo has talent, it's probably insignificant!"

Hearing this, Xiaohui's distress eased somewhat.

Ning Ze's residence.

Ning Xiaoren spoke to Ning Zhuo with a regretful expression. "That's the situation."

Ning Zhuo frowned, finding it hard to believe. "Uncle Xiaoren, with such a contribution, I still don't qualify for Ice Jade Wine?"

Ning Xiaoren said, "Nephew, it's not that simple. Ice Jade Wine is excellent for boosting cultivation, but your modification team's cultivation is stuck at the peak of the third layer. Without subsequent techniques, you can't break through. Using Ice Jade Wine would be a waste of such a treasure."

Ning Zhuo spread his hands. "I plan to acquire some Ice Jade Wine and save it for later use. Isn't that a good plan?"

Ning Xiaoren chuckled, a somewhat forced smile. "Nephew, often, it's not about what you want; the family grants you based on their considerations."

"After all, you're only at Qi Refinement third layer, a member of the modification team. The family elders are extremely busy and have far more to consider than you."

"You must trust the family. The family coordinates everything for the greater good."

"Demanding rewards so forcefully isn't a good look. Listen to your uncle—don't do it. It leaves a bad impression."

Ning Zhuo frowned deeply. "Then what will the family reward me with? I made it to the eighth level this time."

Ning Xiaoren smiled and explained.

Ning Zhuo was stunned, openly displeased. "That's all? Are you treating me like a beggar?!"

Ning Xiaoren felt as if pricked by a needle. Extreme disgust made him frown briefly, but he quickly smoothed his expression. "Nephew, that's not the way to put it."

"The family's resources are limited. Your cultivation and seniority, compared to many clansmen, are lacking."

"Do you understand?"

Ning Zhuo shook his head, outright rejecting it. "I don't understand!"

"If their cultivation or seniority is higher, can they enter the Immortal Palace and reach the eighth level?"

"If they can, I have no issue with them getting higher rewards."

This time, Ning Xiaoren finally couldn't help but frown. "Nephew, it seems you've misunderstood something."

"Are you exploring the Lava Immortal Palace for rewards? This is about contributing to the family."

"This is the Ning family needing you, a time to showcase the family's prestige."

Ning Zhuo shook his head again. "Uncle Xiaoren, I can't speak for others, but I joined the modification team and explore the Lava Immortal Palace for the rewards."

"I like money—you know that."

"I like a lot of money."

"The more, the better!"

Ning Xiaoren's eye twitched upon hearing this; he felt like whipping Ning Zhuo.

He took a deep breath, steadied his mind, relaxed his brow, and smiled again. "Nephew, it's good that you're so ambitious."

"Since we've come this far, and you're so mature, I'll be frank with you."

"It's not impossible for you to get various rewards, but..."

Ning Xiaoren didn't speak aloud but transmitted his words.

Ning Zhuo listened patiently, then said unhappily, "What? I have to pledge allegiance to a certain faction among the family elders and sign a contract?"

"Is the divide between the main and subsidiary branches really that severe, Uncle Xiaoren?"

Ning Xiaoren sighed deeply. "Where there are people, there are conflicts. Nephew, even if I appreciate you and want to promote you, my hands are tied."

"I'm only the young clan leader, and my faction is just one of the eight main branch factions."

Ning Zhuo fell into a long silence.

Seeing this, Ning Xiaoren gently advised him at length.

Ning Zhuo remained silent throughout.

Ning Xiaoren smiled slightly and patted Ning Zhuo's shoulder. "Originally, I didn't plan to tell you this. Your father saved my life, and I wanted to protect your youthful innocence."

"But, Xiao Zhuo, you're too outstanding—you've reached this level so early."

"Perhaps this is a test specially given to you by heaven. The heavens always give more tests to the exceptional."

"This time, Uncle hopes you can adjust your attitude positively and pass this test."

Ning Zhuo: "What should I do, Uncle Xiaoren?"

Ning Xiaoren's smile widened. "For example, you modified several mechanical components in the Lava Immortal Palace preparation room."

"After practical testing, those components are indeed quite good."

"I suggest you proactively submit the related blueprints, to any faction—just let the elders see your willingness to align yourself."

"That way, your chances of obtaining Ice Jade Wine will greatly increase."

Ning Zhuo looked displeased. "Uncle Xiaoren, I need to think about it."

"Take your time. There's no rush. You're at the peak of the third layer with no follow-up techniques—no hurry at all." Ning Xiaoren patted Ning Zhuo's shoulder, stood up, and slowly left.

But even as he stepped out the door, he didn't hear Ning Zhuo call him back.

He sneered inwardly, shook his head slightly, resumed his normal pace, and left Ning Ze's residence.

Wang Lan had been waiting for a long time. She intercepted Ning Xiaoren halfway, bringing up the matter of Ning Ze's release.

Ning Xiaoren, still irritated by Ning Zhuo, immediately put on a stern face, his tone stiff. "We must wait for the right time. Don't ask further."

Private room in a restaurant.

Zheng Jian and Zhou Zeshen were invited by Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo seated them and got straight to the point. "I invited you two today to sell a highly valuable piece of information related to the Lava Immortal Palace."

Zheng Jian: "Brother Ning Zhuo, we heard you were incredibly powerful this time, clearing level after level up to the eighth room. Is it true?"

Ning Zhuo nodded. "This information is exactly what I discovered while clearing eight levels in a row."

"It's absolutely worth the price."

"If you want to buy it, it'll cost this much."

Ning Zhuo held up three fingers.

Zheng Jian and Zhou Zeshen exchanged glances and decided to purchase the information.

"So, there's also a trial disciple mark?"

"This information is indeed worth it."

Zheng Jian was the first to affirm.

Zhou Zeshen, sounding concerned for Ning Zhuo, worriedly said, "Brother Ning Zhuo, by selling such important information, won't your family... be angry?"

Ning Zhuo snorted coldly. "Hmph, no need for Brother Zhou to worry. I know what I'm doing."

A faint glint of malice flashed in Zhou Zeshen's eyes, and he quickly clasped his hands. "Oh, apologies, I was presumptuous."

Both Zheng and Zhou paid for the information, handing Ning Zhuo a substantial sum.

"Trial disciple mark?" Zhu Xuanji's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

He immediately, through the Golden Core ancestors of the three families, recruited several Qi Refinement cultivators who had received the mark and conducted a test.

He brought these Qi Refinement cultivators to the front of the Lava Immortal Palace.

The next moment, the Immortal Palace glowed, drawing everyone inside, including those Qi Refinement cultivators.

"It works!"

"The trial disciple mark identity really allows them to enter the Immortal Palace physically too."

"And in fact, one of them has abysmal mechanical skills, practically a blank slate."

"Perhaps I can use these people..."

Zhu Xuanji explored the Immortal Palace with them.

He quickly discovered that many buildings and facilities in the Immortal Palace were closed to him but were available to the trial disciples for a fee, or even free.

In some aspects, the trial disciples had greater permissions than he, a royal family member!

For example—the Discard Room.

It stored a vast quantity of mechanical constructs, all scrapped.

"Can't even the Long Yuan Fire Spirit repair them?"

"Many just need minor repairs to be usable again."

Through the trial disciples' perspectives, Zhu Xuanji gained a deeper understanding of the Lava Immortal Palace.

"Wait, what's that?!"

(End of )