: The Final Test

September 24, 2024 by Gu Zhenren

: The Final Test

Feisi cooperated actively. In his view: Chuiaoke was clearly an elite of the Bukong Sect. Otherwise, during the battle with Qi Bai, the latter wouldn't have risked his life to rescue Sun Lingtong.

The Bukong Sect was a common enemy of both Zhu Xuanji and Meng Kui. Investigating the Bukong Sect would also drain the Zhu family's energy and time—killing two birds with one stone. There was no reason not to cooperate actively.

Two days later.

Zhu Zhen hurriedly sought out Zhu Xuanji and reported two findings.

"The City Lord's Mansion discovered numerous floating cloud threads within the Shangxia Ruyi Rope. Investigation revealed that some of these thread varieties are specialties of the Feiyun Kingdom."

"Although I found no clues regarding the Wanli Youlong, I discovered that a large number of cultivators are secretly operating, trying by all means to contact the Longyuan Fire Spirit. My subsequent investigation confirmed these cultivators all originate from the Meng family!"

Zhu Xuanji's brow furrowed deeply.

Zhu Zhen's first finding didn't garner much attention from Zhu Xuanji; it was merely supplementary evidence at best.

Zhu Zhen's second discovery was the crucial point.

After brief contemplation, Zhu Xuanji immediately understood: "It seems Meng Kui has long been aware of the issues with the Longyuan Fire Spirit."

"In that case, he has likely been holding back all along, never fully committing to resisting the Flame Beast Tide!"

Meng Kui, relying on deduction methods, had detected the Longyuan Fire Spirit's secret through fortune reading and had kept it hidden until now.

Now, Zhu Xuanji, by investigating the second golden furnace, had circled around and glimpsed part of the truth about Meng Kui.

"Good, good, good! Worthy of the Meng family's strategic general!" Zhu Xuanji raised his head, looking up at the layers of clouds and smoke above.

At this moment, his heart was filled with anger: "These feudal lords and great families!"

But immediately, Zhu Xuanji suppressed this anger deep within.

He asked Zhu Zhen to continue investigating the Wanli Youlong, while he himself sent a message to contact Meng Kui, requesting a meeting.

Meng Kui made a move to receive Zhu Xuanji and bring him to see him.

Currently, with two Yuan Infant-level Flame Beasts participating in the beast tide and frequently appearing, the Molten Immortal Palace had almost become an isolated island.

For Zhu Xuanji, a Golden Core cultivator, traveling alone to and from the Molten Immortal Palace now carried risks.

Only with Meng Kui's protection could he leave safely.

When Zhu Xuanji met Meng Kui, he acted as if unaware of Meng Kui's covert actions, speaking with a grave expression about the critical situation, that the Longyuan Fire Spirit had rebellious intentions and wanted to escape.

Meng Kui naturally feigned surprise, but inwardly he realized that Zhu Xuanji probably knew about his covert actions.

Zhu Xuanji knew about Meng Kui's covert actions but pretended not to.

Meng Kui guessed that Zhu Xuanji knew about his covert actions but also pretended not to.

Both sides knew the other was acting, and both were willing to continue the performance.

Zhu Xuanji: "Currently, the volcano is erupting, the situation is precarious. The slightest misstep could lead to the destruction of the entire immortal city and its countless citizens."

"The Longyuan Fire Spirit bombarded the Huoshi Mountain precisely to pressure us with the overall situation, creating an opportunity for its escape."

"From today onward, we must enact a Spatial Lockdown, strictly prohibiting all teleportation methods within a ten-mile radius. Activate the array's Heaven and Earth Observation ability to mark all Yuan Infant-level entities, preventing a surprise attack by Yuan Infant beasts on Huoshi Immortal City."

Meng Kui showed a hint of hesitation: "Spatial Lockdown and Heaven and Earth Observation are the city's protective grand array's ultimate measures. Deploying them too early consumes too many spirit stones, risking depletion later. Lord Zhu, what is your basis for judging that such measures are necessary now?"

Zhu Xuanji smiled slightly, taking out a Royal Decree and actively displaying it: "I need not explain to you. Lord Meng, you only need to cooperate."

Meng Kui's pupils constricted. Even as a Yuan Infant cultivator, he could not override a Royal Decree.

The Meng family was one of the pillars of the Nandou Kingdom, and Meng Kui was a court official, naturally bound by many constraints held by the Zhu royal family.

The Royal Decree in Zhu Xuanji's hand was genuine. Seeing the decree was like seeing the monarch. Unwilling to defy it, Meng Kui sighed: "My opinion differs from Lord Zhu's. But since you insist, and have produced the Royal Decree, I will act according to the order."

"However, after this matter at the Molten Immortal Palace concludes, I will surely report the details. I hope Lord Zhu Xuanji does not take offense."

"Naturally." As Zhu Xuanji spoke, the Royal Decree in his hand officially took effect, immediately turning into dust and scattering with the wind.

Royal Decrees were quite precious and possessed powerful effects.

Using one consumed it.

But Zhu Xuanji's arrangement was to try everything to block the Wanli Youlong. He also knew that forcibly activating the city's protective array was extremely costly and risky, but he had no choice!

Regarding the Wanli Youlong, Zhu Xuanji said nothing to Meng Kui.

Previously, Meng Kui had hidden the Longyuan Fire Spirit's secret from him. Now, Zhu Xuanji hid the Wanli Youlong's existence from Meng Kui. For both sides to be open and honest and cooperate sincerely wasn't impossible, but it was indeed very difficult.

As Zhu Xuanji expected, the second round of the palace examination had already reached its end. After the twenty-seventh test, it was declared over.

The performance list for the second round was announced on the spot.

None of the cultivators were surprised.

They had been carefully keeping track while participating in the examination.

Since most of the time, the ten arenas were transparent and visible, and some cultivators had byes, allowing comprehensive observation from below, the results of most arena matches could be looked up.

Even if not directly verifiable, the outcome could be roughly estimated based on the disparity in strength between the two sides.

What the cultivators didn't know was how the second round's results were integrated with the current overall ranking.

They were unclear about the weight of the second round's results in the total score and the specific calculation method.

The truly tense moment had arrived.

The overall ranking list was freshly released!

First place: Zhu Xuanji.

Second place: Shuzhong Jun.

Third place: Zheng Danlian.

Fourth place: Meng Family Cultivator A.

Fifth place: Zheng Shuanggou.

Sixth place: Golden Core True Inheritor of Zixiao Pavilion.

Seventh place: Ning Jiufan.

Eighth place: Yang Chanyu.

Ninth place: Rumén Biāozhǔn (Admission Standard).

Tenth place: Zhou Nongying.

Eleventh place: Ning Zhuo.

Twelfth place: Meng Chong.

Thirteenth place: Song Fuli.

As stated for the second round, ten more were eliminated, leaving only thirteen to enter the third round.

Once the results were out, the expressions of the cultivators in the main plaza varied.

Those who failed looked heavy-hearted, while those who passed relaxed, breathing sighs of relief, their tension easing.

A careful study of this ranking list revealed many things.

First place was Zhu Xuanji, as everyone had long expected. Zhu Xuanji originally had the highest merit, and also had the most wins in the second round.

Second place was Shuzhong Jun, which was also understandable. After all, Shuzhong Jun was already near the top in the previous merit ranking. This time, he performed very well in the second round, only losing to Zhu Xuanji multiple times.

The two Zheng family Golden Cores ranked third and fifth,不愧是以炼器为主的郑家, having many advantages in crafting constructs.

The Meng family representatives only had the external cultivator 'A' in fourth place and the Qi Refining genius Meng Chong in twelfth, showing some weakness.

The Zixiao Pavilion Golden Core True Inheritor occupying sixth place surprised no one. Zixiao Pavilion and Taiqing Palace were super sects. Since they sent Golden Core True Inheritors to compete for the palace lord position, they must have selected them carefully.

From the Zixiao Pavilion True Inheritor, one could infer that if the Taiqing Palace True Inheritor disciple hadn't died, he would likely also be on the list. In that regard, many cultivators on the list should thank Zheng Danlian.

Ning Jiufan and Ning Zhuo both made the list. Rumén Biāozhǔn and Yang Chanyu did too. In terms of overall results, the Bukong Sect and the Ning family were roughly similar.

Seeing this, some cultivators lamented the great merit Ning Zhuo had achieved. In the latter half, he severely injured the Golden Blood War Ape·Dasheng, causing Sun Lingtong's (Rumén Biāozhǔn) results to plummet, ultimately only reaching ninth place.

Zhou Nongying fell to tenth place. This was somewhat awkward.

From this perspective, the Zhou family likely suffered the greatest losses in the second round. Both Zhou Zhu and Zhou Zeshen were eliminated, leaving only one Golden Core candidate.

Actually, many Golden Core cultivators were eliminated.

For example, Zhu Zhen of the royal Zhu family. He also realized he was eliminated and withdrew early, no longer focusing energy on the palace exam, but actively completing the tasks assigned by Zhu Xuanji.

Also, two Golden Core cultivators from the Yunshang group were eliminated.

Several Meng family Golden Cores were also eliminated. The second round focused on competition through constructs, and all cultivators' cultivation levels were suppressed to the Qi Refining stage, minimizing the impact of cultivation differences.

Overall, most were Golden Core level cultivators. There was only one Foundation Establishment cultivator—Sun Lingtong. Only two were at the Qi Refining stage—Ning Zhuo and Meng Chong.

Meng Chong possessed immortal aptitude, which was quite evident in the second round. On the arena, many of his opponents conceded voluntarily, as did the Meng family Golden Core cultivators.

From this perspective, perhaps promoting Meng Chong came at the cost of significant losses among the Meng family's Golden Core strength.

Ning Zhuo's ranking actually surpassed Meng Chong's.

At first glance, this surprised many cultivators, but they quickly understood.

Ning Zhuo displayed great brilliance in the second round. Severely injuring the Golden Blood War Ape·Dasheng left a deep impression. The Five Elements Pawns he created seemed ordinary but were actually well-balanced with no obvious weaknesses. Quite a few lost to Ning Zhuo. Anyone who competed against him could truly appreciate that this young genius was not simple.

Considering Ning Zhuo's aptitude hadn't been tested, and even the immortal-aptitude Meng Chong was suppressed, everyone's imagination regarding Ning Zhuo's potential grew.

"The Ning family has produced an outstanding junior."

"Although the conflict between the main and branch families of the Ning family is deep, Ning Zhuo has already gained Ning Jiufan's attention. His future prospects are limitless!"

"With his talent, in several decades or a century, he will certainly be an important high-ranking figure in Huoshi Immortal City."

Ning Zhuo's reputation soared.

What the public didn't know was that Ning Zhuo's true ranking was even higher.

Just one day later, teleportation rings brought the thirteen cultivators once again to the plaza before the main hall.

"The third round of the palace examination begins!"

Boom.

Under the astonished gazes of everyone, the main hall's doors slowly opened for the first time in centuries.

The doorway was filled with the Five Elements spiritual energy, interweaving into a brilliantly colored vortex of spiritual power.

A powerful force erupted from the vortex, sucking all the cultivators inside.

(End of )