: The Palace Exam

The ranking list for the Palace Exam was quickly leaked. Meng Kui, Zhu Xuanji, and others had no time to stop it, nor could they contain it. The source of the leak came from rogue cultivators.

Once this explosive news spread, it immediately sparked widespread discussion throughout the Molten Rock Immortal Palace and Fire Persimmon Immortal City. Even with the threat of the beast tide, countless people's attention was captured by this news!

"After the Palace Exam, the master of the Molten Rock Immortal Palace will be decided, right?"

"Once the Molten Rock Immortal Palace has a master, it can unleash its full power and easily eliminate the beast tide, correct?"

"Speaking of which, the Three Sects' Sages are truly compassionate. Establishing this palace to save Fire Persimmon Mountain again. The number of times the Molten Rock Immortal Palace has done this throughout the ages is countless!"

Fei Si, however, was grinding his teeth in frustration. Staring at the admission criteria in the intelligence report, he felt a blatant sense of ridicule. "Bukong Sect, Sun Lingtong!" He secretly vowed to remember this grudge. Fei Si prided himself on his strategic mind, and such an experience of being openly mocked and toyed with was rare for him. Therefore, every such experience left a deep impression on him, even branding itself onto his bones.

Subsequently, he discovered that Ning Zhuo's ranking was even ahead of Meng Chong. This caused Fei Si's lips to curl slightly: "That ambitious kid is really stealing the spotlight this time." "You'd better be careful." Fei Si clearly felt more empathy towards Ning Zhuo.

Ning Xiaoren threw the intelligence report to the ground, fuming as he growled in a low voice: "Pah! That cunning, sinister little brat actually managed to get into the final Palace Exam list." "Why didn't I think of eliminating this scourge back then?"

Ning Xiaoren had already been freed from the dungeon and regained his freedom by presenting the improved talisman through his father's plan. On the surface, he had been expelled from the Ning family and became a wandering cultivator. Following the Ning Clan Leader's instructions, Ning Xiaoren also entered the Molten Rock Immortal Palace, trying hard to get close to Ning Zhuo and desperately seeking the latter's forgiveness. But he didn't succeed; Ning Zhuo wouldn't even look at him. This made Ning Xiaoren feel deeply humiliated, and his hatred for Ning Zhuo grew stronger.

Ning Family Territory. Ning Xiaohui's grandmother was so angry she wanted to tear the intelligence report in her hands to shreds. Her face was twisted as she strained to scream: "Xiaohui, where is my Xiaohui? What kind of thing is this Ning Zhuo? How is he qualified to be on the ranking list? If he's on it, Xiaohui must be too." "Xiaohui must be ranked ahead of him."

Ning Xiaohui's grandmother pressed the intelligence report against her face, her eyeballs barely a fingernail's distance from the paper. She searched desperately, scrutinizing every single word, but found nothing. Enraged, she roared, tore the intelligence report to pieces, and hissed like a venomous snake: "Fake! It's all fake!" "Heh heh, ha ha ha ha!"

Molten Rock Immortal Palace, Main Hall. The Longyuan Fire Spirit was even weaker. Because it had secretly hindered the normal operation of the Molten Rock Immortal Palace and used the beast tide to destroy a core mechanical structure within the palace, it suffered another fiery blade decapitation punishment. After this second heavy blow, the Longyuan Fire Spirit's current condition was less than fifty percent of its peak.

Of the entire Palace Exam ranking list, it only paid attention to three people. One was Zhu Xuanji, after all, he was first, from the Southern Bean Royal Family, and knew many secrets of the Molten Rock Immortal Palace. Another was Meng Chong. The Longyuan Fire Spirit had always hoped he would inherit the Molten Rock Immortal Palace. The last one was Ning Zhuo.

"How did Ning Zhuo sense that the Palace Exam was about to begin?" The Longyuan Fire Spirit had too many matters demanding its attention, especially now, with the beast tide requiring its constant vigilance. Therefore, it had neglected to monitor Ning Zhuo closely recently. However, it had witnessed Ning Zhuo brazenly offering the My Buddha Heart Demon Seal firsthand. Such determination and decisiveness sent a chill down the Longyuan Fire Spirit's spine, making it shudder. Facing this little monster Ning Zhuo, it felt increasingly afraid. "I must never let him obtain the position of Palace Master." "Otherwise, if I can't escape, how will I live in the future?!"

People began to speculate about who would be the final victor of the Palace Exam? Who would have the last laugh and ultimately seize the Molten Rock Immortal Palace? The majority agreed the top contender was Zhu Xuanji. He ranked first, represented the Southern Bean Royal Family, was famous throughout the country, and possessed superior strength.

The general consensus was that the City Lord's faction was too weak. Judging solely from the ranking list, only Meng Chong and some other Qi Refining juniors were present. Those truly in the know understood that the main force of the Meng family was in the second echelon, eyeing the top three spots covetously, poised to strike.

Just as the public discussion heated up, the first eliminated contestant appeared. To be precise, his body was discovered on the afternoon the list was published. It was an assassination. The victim's heart was destroyed, and his soul had vanished without a trace. This immediately reminded people of Zheng Jian, who had died in the same manner. Thus, a black mark was conveniently pinned on Yang Chanyu!

"Someone is impersonating me to eliminate competitors. Hmph!" Being framed made Yang Chanyu feel extremely displeased. But she didn't take action. Instead, she and Sun Lingtong hid themselves even deeper. Their situation was dangerous; once they showed themselves, they would inevitably be besieged. Previously, Yang Chanyu was the main target. But after the "admission criteria" were revealed, Sun Lingtong attracted even more hatred than Yang Chanyu.

Given the current public sentiment, most believed the top ranker in the Palace Exam would become the Immortal Palace Master. Many cultivators were green with envy. Even those not on the list harbored the wishful thought that perhaps by eliminating someone on the list, they could take their place. An opportunity like this might come only once in a lifetime. So there were plenty of people willing to take great risks and gamble!

Ning Zhuo had already gambled long ago. He had staked his future on the righteous path, his name, his life, and even the My Buddha Heart Demon Seal. "With the Palace Exam starting, it will be difficult for me to find an opportunity to build my foundation anytime soon," Ning Zhuo sighed. As soon as he learned about the list, he went to Ning Jiufan's side.

"Ancestor, it's terrifying. I'm also on the list. I'm so scared, scared of being killed." Ning Zhuo made no attempt to hide his intention to seek protection. Ning Jiufan scolded him for having no backbone but still took him along. It wasn't just Ning Zhuo; Ning Chen, Ning Yong, and several others who were also on the list were brought under Ning Jiufan's protection.

Soon after, Zhu Xuanji gathered everyone in one place. Ning Zhuo then saw that not only Ning Jiufan, but also the Golden Core ancestors of the Zhou and Zheng families were keeping the Qi Refining juniors close by for real-time protection during their movements. After all, with only Qi Refining cultivation, their strength was too weak for self-preservation. Before, only Sun Lingtong and Yang Chanyu of the Bukong Sect might strike. But now, with the Palace Exam list out, well, even righteous path cultivators could become attackers!

Considering this, Zhu Xuanji once again gathered everyone to unify their front, agreeing to cooperate as much as possible and avoid internal conflict in the early stages. His proposal was immediately recognized and approved by the Golden Core cultivators of the three families.

Zhu Xuanji also instructed them: If possible, try to collect fragments or pieces of the Golden Furnace. He never gave up on this crucial clue. It's just that before, the Golden Furnace was extremely difficult to approach, being a restricted area of the Immortal Palace. Even trial disciples found it so. But now, the Scarlet Flame Beast Tide covered the outer ring of the Immortal Palace, and its assault on the inner ring was constant. If the beast tide affected the Golden Furnace area, the Molten Rock Immortal Palace's defensive restrictions would likely be loosened, allowing cultivators to get closer.

"These broken bricks from the Golden Furnace all have value for tracing origins." These were Zhu Xuanji's exact words. Ning Zhuo was present and heard it, sighing inwardly at how tenacious this Divine Constable was. Even at this stage of the Palace Exam, he was still fixated on clues. "He probably hopes to use these clues to find Yang Chanyu and Boss Sun." "If that really happens in the future, I'll still need to use the Five Elements Artillery Tower to cleanse the area," Ning Zhuo reminded himself.

The Palace Exam arrived sooner than anyone expected. Teleportation rings of light and a stream of information appeared simultaneously —

The first round of the Palace Exam begins.

Please step into the ring of light. Those who fail to enter in time will be considered as having forfeited.

No one hesitated; they all stepped directly into the rings of light. The next moment, they arrived at a huge plaza. The plaza was furnished with desks and meditation cushions. On each desk were piled over a dozen jade slips. Each cultivator was assigned to a desk. They looked at each other, then at the desks before them. Some of the more impatient ones directly sat down on the cushions.

New information was conveyed, and everyone understood: This was the first round of the Palace Exam, conducted by answering test questions to obtain exam scores. Based on the specific scores, the ranking list would be adjusted. The last ten on the list would be eliminated. Anyone attacking others, scheming against them, or attempting to cheat during the process would be disqualified!

Instantly, everyone grew tense. Ning Zhuo especially so. After all, his current ranking was last.

"Hey, can you handle this?" Yang Chanyu called out to Sun Lingtong, "You're in last place, you know." Her shout immediately attracted everyone's attention. "Sure enough!" In an instant, everyone confirmed their suspicions. Meng Chong especially glared angrily at Sun Lingtong; it was this child-like demonic cultivator who had made a fool of him!

Sun Lingtong, full of worry for Ning Zhuo in her heart, deliberately avoided looking in his direction. She giggled carefreely, projecting an air of abundant confidence.

The Palace Exam officially began. Ning Zhuo's heartbeat quickened slightly. He swiftly picked up a jade slip and pressed it against his forehead to examine it. There were many test questions. He needed to use his spiritual sense to inscribe his answers onto the jade slips one by one. Ning Zhuo's eyebrows twitched slightly, and his mood lifted.

Question 1: "The mirror merges Yin and Yang, observing both inside and out." How does the "Mirror Platform Spirit Communication Art" use the mirror to investigate matters, merging Yin and Yang to perceive the truth and falsehood of things? Please explain the path of Mirror Platform Spirit Communication in relation to the changes of Yin and Yang.

Question 2: "When the sinews are tainted, the bones also harden." The "Demonic Tainted Blood Sinew Art" has a method of tainting sinews and bones with blood. How does it make sinews and bones equally strong, doubling strength? Please discuss its effects on the cultivator in relation to the connection between sinews and bones.

Question 3: The Five Elements Spirit Rotation Plate contains one unit of Five Elements spiritual power each. In how many ways can a cultivator, after neutralizing three Fire Element spells, be left with two units each of Water Element and Wood Element spiritual power?

The others exclaimed: "So the 'Demonic Tainted Blood Sinew Art' is indeed one of the Three Sects' Supreme Methods! But the content for the fifth level of Qi Refining doesn't touch upon the level of tainting sinews and bones at all!"

"And what is the Five Elements Spirit Rotation Plate?"

"What is the 'Mirror Platform Spirit Communication Art'? It seems like it's also one of the Three Sects' Supreme Methods! But I've never seen it before!"

"I'm done for, done for!"

"Don't panic, stay calm. If I don't know, others won't either!"

"Right, right! If nobody knows, the final rankings won't change much. They won't!"

(End of )