Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1240: Chapter 479: Ning Zhuo Returns the Treasure (Part 2)

"Good." Zhong Dao’s admiration toward Ning Zhuo grew even stronger.

Then, he looked outside the hall at the crowd who followed Ning Zhuo to witness the event and watch the spectacle: "Three days from now, the Evil Slaying Hall will commence the second round of the Xingyun Trial. Compared to previous occasions: the rewards are richer, and the opportunities are even more plentiful. Anyone aspiring to vanquish demons and uphold the righteous path is welcome to participate!"

Ning Zhuo raised his head and firmly agreed, his voice resonating through the rafters: "I will definitely be there!"

Zhong Dao nodded with a smile: "In that case, go make your preparations and await good news."

Afterwards, Ning Zhuo gracefully exited the main hall, his posture as upright as a pine, his white robe flowing like clouds.

The cultivators outside witnessing the ceremony were all shaken in their hearts.

"To gain such recognition from Zhong Dao, the Hall Master of the Evil Slaying Hall, Ning Zhuo’s future is bright indeed!"

"Why don’t I have that kind of luck?"

"Being able to erupt with such astonishing Vast Energy, Ning Zhuo is truly a rough jade in raw gold; he is destined to achieve great things! To be valued by Zhong Dao is quite natural."

"The second round of the Evil Slaying Hall trial is about to begin, and I’m a bit interested. Haha, what a coincidence, I participated in the first round before and already passed!"

"I’m more interested in seeing Ning Zhuo’s performance."

Because of Zhong Dao’s intervention, Haoran Xuan became Ning Zhuo’s stage.

Ning Zhuo not only utilized the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival, leaving a stunning impression on the entire Myriad Images Sect Mountain Gate, but also seized the top position with an undisputed advantage, and finally led a group of people to the main hall of the Evil Slaying Hall, where he returned the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival in public.

In the main hall, Ning Zhuo expressed his respect and gratitude towards the Evil Slaying Hall and Zhong Dao, and conveyed his ambition to uphold the righteous path.

Zhong Dao, on the other hand, publicly praised Ning Zhuo, expressed his expectations, and also promoted the second round of the Evil Slaying Hall Xingyun Trial.

As a result, the influence of both parties improved, especially Ning Zhuo’s.

If Ning Zhuo’s reputation thus far was merely as one of the first-tier geniuses, now, his unique performance distinguished him, and in the eyes of everyone, he had begun to significantly differ from people like Situ Xing and Zhu Fenxiang.

For a moment, discussions about the dazzling Vast Energy and various topics surrounding Ning Zhuo, filled the Myriad Images Sect’s Main Mountain Gate with noise and chatter.

The news reached Pi Fujie’s hands.

Pi Fujie’s expression was unpleasant: "Ning Zhuo is truly powerful!"

"Extremely troublesome."

"Such a righteous person is naturally an enemy of mine and the Pi Family."

"Earlier, I tried to divert disaster by attracting Ban Ji. I’m afraid even in this way, Ning Zhuo won’t let me off."

"What should I do now?"

Pi Fujie fell into distress and worry.

Ban Ji also received the intelligence and snorted coldly, crushing the Flying Message into a ball.

His gaze was sharp, filled with hatred: "Hmph, Ning Zhuo!"

"I’ll let you be arrogant for a while; once I use up the Hundred Refinement Golden Body Pill, I’ll come to settle the score with you!!"

The Ban Family soon received the news.

That evening, the Supreme Family Elder gathered many Nascent Soul-level top officials and restarted the Clan Fate Mechanism Chain.

The Pivot-Core Chain operated rapidly, the Qi Fortune scenario rising continuously like smoke and light.

It was seen that Ning Zhuo’s Qi Fortune hand was still entangled by thorn vines and eroded by book page ink rain.

But this time, the Qi Fortune hand was significantly sturdier, resisting the vines and ink rain with much more strength.

The Qi Fortune hand also emitted a faint platinum brilliance, resembling Vast Energy.

A silence enveloped the secret room.

After a long time, the Supreme Family Elder broke the silence with a raspy voice: "Didn’t expect it, Zhong Dao to intervene, suddenly helping Ning Zhuo across a difficult point. Alas..."

Clearly such a favorable situation, but it turned into a stalemate now.

One Supreme Family Elder analyzed: "Ning Zhuo had long participated in the first round of the Evil Slaying Hall trial and performed brilliantly. Zhong Dao’s favoring him could be anticipated. But..."

Another Supreme Family Elder continued: "But never expected Zhong Dao to value this kid so much! That’s the White Rainbow Righteousness Festival, and just like that, he loaned it. It shows what position Ning Zhuo holds in Zhong Dao’s heart!"

The third Supreme Family Elder sighed: "In past years, characters like Ning Zhuo did not appear. Plus during the Feiyun Conference, demons frequently emerged everywhere, Zhong Dao hates evil passionately, needless to say his feelings this time. Just at this moment, Ning Zhuo appeared, inevitably winning Zhong Dao’s strong admiration."

The Supreme Family Elder’s face was somber as water: "Judging by the Vast Energy, Ning Zhuo nearly resembles Zhong Dao in his youth. Maybe Zhong Dao sees his past self in Ning Zhuo."

"It was right for us not to intervene earlier."

"Otherwise, if the Ban Family dealt with Ning Zhuo, it would not only break the Myriad Images Sect’s rules but would also provoke Zhong Dao as a formidable enemy!"

Meanwhile.

Zhu Fenxiang expressed impatience with her mother: "Mother, it’s late, I still have cultivation to do. Can you summarize?"

Zhu Guizhi sought out Zhu Fenxiang proactively, currently smiling: "You’re aware of Ning Zhuo’s situation, aren’t you?"

Zhu Fenxiang’s expression slightly relaxed: "Of course. Ning Zhuo has truly made his name known at the Main Mountain Gate."

Zhu Guizhi nodded: "This young man is full of righteous energy, exceptionally talented. Did you hear his poetry at the scene..."

"For what need is there to leave a glorious Chapter in history... It’s referencing Zhao and Gu, the teacher-student pair from Huazhang Country."

"Adding fresh talents to the Myriad Phenomena Gate... He compares himself to new talents, expressing his eagerness to join the Myriad Images Sect, resonating with people’s hearts."

"Sharpening one’s edge before the Evil Slaying Hall... Implying he wants to join the Evil Slaying Hall, tsk tsk, no wonder Zhong Dao cooperated with him for a political showcase."

"This person is indeed excellent. It’s rare to see such outstanding individuals among the younger generation."

"He’s truly righteous, making friends with him is very reassuring. The key is that his mature and skillful righteous methods, even I might not be able to achieve such an impact."

Zhu Guizhi praised Ning Zhuo extensively in front of her daughter.

Zhu Fenxiang’s brows furrowed tighter with increasing impatience: "Mother, what exactly are you trying to say? Just say it."

Zhu Guizhi chuckled: "Aren’t you fond of Ning Zhuo, my young friend? I think, considering his remarkable performance today, unmatched in prominence, that perhaps we should make more efforts to be friendly and foster positive relations. What do you think?"

Zhu Fenxiang slightly turned sideways: "What does Mother suggest?"

Zhu Guizhi said: "I have pondered deeply before coming here. The measure of our actions must be well-calibrated, excess causes harm, and too little yields no effect."

"In my view, aren’t we already aware of the content of this Confucian cultivation trial?"

"Perhaps we could pass this secret to Ning Zhuo. What do you think?"

Zhu Fenxiang: ...

Zhu Guizhi noticed her daughter’s peculiar expression and couldn’t help but ask.

Zhu Fenxiang waved her hand: "I’ve already done such a thing before the trial began."

Zhu Guizhi: "Ah?"

Impatience reached its peak in Zhu Fenxiang as she stood up and moved towards the door: "I haven’t finished my lessons today, Mother, I won’t see you off."

Zhu Guizhi was momentarily dazed, instinctively answering: "Okay, okay."

Watching Zhu Fenxiang’s departing figure, Zhu Guizhi realized internally: "Fenxiang indeed likes Ning Zhuo, which is why she communicated secretly with him before the trial!"

"However, her actions now are several times more effective than if done later!"

"Fenxiang’s judgment, is it really better than mine?"

At the mountain top tea room.

Zhao Hansheng and Gu Qing sat opposite each other.

Zhao Hansheng stroked his beard and smiled: "This Ning Zhuo is extraordinary! Qing’er, for him to be your opponent this time, is indeed appropriate."

Gu Qing sighed: "He might have borrowed external aid, but his heart holds righteousness, able to unleash such an incredible Vast Energy. Honestly, I admire that."

He had calmed down, and with genuine reflection, couldn’t help but feel a trace of admiration for such a righteous person as Ning Zhuo.

Unlike the Monster Path, the righteous aura surrounding Ning Zhuo made even a rival like Gu Qing somewhat unable to harbor resentment.

Zhao Hansheng examined: "In that case, how will you respond next?"

Gu Qing: "Next is Heart Fire Essence, which involves spirit paper related to the Monster Path. I am not very confident; Ning Zhuo’s foundation is extraordinary; perhaps he will defeat me again."

"However!"

"In the fifth round, the Inheriting Dao Jade Page, Ning Zhuo is impossible to defeat me."

"From the very start, in this Xingyun Trial, I am destined to be the final winner!"

As he spoke, Gu Qing revealed a look of absolute certainty.