Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1295: Chapter 504: Setting the Banquet (Part 2)

Chunyu Gui scratched his chin and said, "Now I kind of understand Ning Zhuo’s confidence in rejecting Zhong Dao and Tuoba Huang. If he really is a Great Power reincarnated, he would naturally have the pride and confidence."

"Perhaps, the reason Ning Zhuo swept through the formation trials after rejecting the two lords was to leverage the existence of our Heavy Array Peak to counteract the influence of Zhong Dao and Tuoba Huang?"

Many of the Xingyun Trials Ning Zhuo attempted, tracing back to their origins, were mostly affiliated with Heavy Array Peak’s subordinate forces.

Recruiting Ning Zhuo is risky, but not recruiting him is also troublesome.

If Ning Zhuo himself is not problematic, or if he has concealed himself from the detection methods of the Myriad Images Sect, once he grows strong, he will undoubtedly assist the power he belongs to.

If they miss out on a genius like Ning Zhuo, the five current high-ranking members of Heavy Array Peak will be hard-pressed to avoid blame and will be held accountable and punished afterward.

Ouyang Lin said, "Perhaps Ning Zhuo himself is a genius."

"Just like my feeling towards the Ice Formation. When I first encountered it, I knew this was my path! What others take ten years to understand, I grasp with a glance. You all thought I was abnormal, but that’s how I am."

"I possess innate talent."

"Ning Zhuo might also possess innate talent related to formations."

Yin Changgeng: "Then, what kind of talent allows Ning Zhuo to perform so astonishingly? The difference between his performances is too vast."

Shan Guhong: "There are many types of talents, as numerous as stars, and new talents are constantly emerging. Throughout history, there have indeed been many formation-related talents, allowing cultivators to have profound formation insights in their youth."

"But someone like Ning Zhuo, who advances so greatly, is indeed rare."

"However, if Ning Zhuo deliberately sent out some red herrings, or even if he made mistakes during his first trial, resulting in a low score, our speculation here is futile."

Ouyang Lin continued, "We don’t need to speculate too much; discussing the realities in front of us is more justified."

"You must have noticed—Ning Zhuo’s progress in formations is truly astonishing!"

"In the Nine Curves Corridor Array, he was unfamiliar when breaking the array. But in the Earth Fire Abundant Field Formation, he drew from the Nine Curves Corridor Array, using a multi-layered array to solve the problem."

"In the Ten Thousand Miles Ice Seal Formation, finding the array heart wasn’t easy. But in the Wind Thunder Formation, his demonstrated skill clearly surpassed that in the Ten Thousand Miles Ice Seal Formation."

"Five Elements Rotation Formation, Five-layered Gate Formation, Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Root Formation, Illusion Sea Formation, Heavenly Gang Beidou Formation, Qiankun Shift Formation... his progress in these formations is visible to the naked eye, very evident. Especially when we comprehensively compare his trials time and again. His progress is even more pronounced."

Yin Changgeng squinted his eyes: "Considered as possession or reincarnation, Ning Zhuo is recovering his memories. Considered as a genius or prodigy, his comprehension is terrifying, growing at an incredible speed..."

Wenren Yan smiled faintly, "Actually, there’s no need to dwell on this issue."

"We might as well privately approach Ning Zhuo first."

"First, explain our intentions. Perhaps we can slightly hint at our dilemma, asking Ning Zhuo if he has any intention to join Heavy Array Peak."

"Since Ning Zhuo successively rejected Lords Zhong Dao and Tuoba Huang, he must have grand plans and his own opinions."

"Perhaps he never even considered joining Heavy Array Peak?"

The others were slightly taken aback.

They indeed hadn’t considered this possibility.

After all, for a formation genius like Ning Zhuo, Heavy Array Peak is the best choice for him. The current Sect Master of the Myriad Images Sect is the Peak Master of Heavy Array Peak!

Heavy Array Peak is the foremost power within the Myriad Images Sect.

Moreover, having such formation aptitude, whether or not interested, he must be deeply invested in formations, having put tremendous effort into it.

Usually, when the high-ranking members of Heavy Array Peak personally recruit, even first-rate geniuses never turn them down.

But now, regarding Ning Zhuo...

The high-level members of Heavy Array Peak were reminded by Wenren Yan’s words, suddenly realizing: Ning Zhuo is different from the previous first-rate geniuses; he is quite special.

Yin Changgeng immediately praised Wenren Yan, saying she woke them up from their dream with just one sentence.

"It’s time to reach out privately and best to figure out Ning Zhuo’s real thoughts."

"Since you perceive more insightfully than us, Fellow Daoist Wenren Yan, why don’t you take on the burden and reach out to Ning Zhuo?"

This seemed to be a request, but in reality, it was an order.

Among those present, Yin Changgeng held the highest position, being one of the Deputy Peak Masters.

Wenren Yan couldn’t help but look at Yin Changgeng—who squinted and smiled, wearing an expectant expression.

She strongly suspected that Yin Changgeng had long thought of this method but staged a discussion to avoid suspicion, finally waiting for her, Wenren Yan, to propose it.

However, Wenren Yan had long heard of Ning Zhuo, and for contacting him ahead of time in private, she had no objections.

"With Ning Zhuo’s talent, he will certainly achieve great things in the future, and there’s no avoiding interaction."

"Why not take this opportunity to form a good relationship with him before he officially joins the Myriad Images Sect, while his cultivation level is only at Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage?"

Thinking of this, Wenren Yan slowly nodded, accepting the task.

Bluestone Cave Mansion.

Ning Zhuo had just finished reviewing.

He sighed deeply, expressing the greatest sentiment from his heart: "Arrays often involve other fields. For example, the Ten Thousand Miles Ice Seal Formation contains the wonders of the Ice Element, the Five Elements Rotation Formation utilizes the power of the Five Elements. Wind Thunder Formation, Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Root Formation, all are such."

"To arrange an outstanding array, having profound expertise just in formations is not enough; one also needs abilities in other fields."

"I’m only seventeen, just at Foundation Establishment, and haven’t been cultivating long."

"The Golden Age of Cultivation is so vast and prominent, brimming with talents. I still have a lot to learn, so much more."

Just then, the jade pendant at his waist trembled slightly, sending a message to Ning Zhuo’s Divine Sea.

It was a notification from Chef.

"A flying message from an important figure?"

Recently, Ning Zhuo had become quite prominent, with flying messages arriving endlessly every day.

Chef had to take time daily to carefully check these flying messages, identify the most valuable or important parts, and pass them on to Ning Zhuo to handle personally.

Soon, a flying message from Wenren Yan was delivered to Ning Zhuo’s hand.

Ning Zhuo glanced at it with his Divine Sense, revealing a smile.

"So this is the reaction from Heavy Array Peak, reaching out privately and flexibly. However, this was one of my anticipated possibilities."

Ning Zhuo thought for a moment, then immediately wrote a flying message.

This flying message left Bluestone Cave Mansion, but it wasn’t sent to Wenren Yan, rather directed to Shen Xi.

Shen Xi quickly replied, agreeing to the invitation from Ning Zhuo in the flying message, and expressed profound gratitude.

Soon, in a private room of a tavern, Ning Zhuo hosted a banquet, inviting Wenren Yan, Shen Xi, and Su Lingkou also joined the table.

Ning Zhuo was not stingy with expenses, treating everyone with fine wine and gourmet dishes.

He hosted the event, exchanging insights and experiences on various formations with Wenren Yan and Shen Xi, showcasing his strength while reaping a lot from the discussions as well.

Faced with Wenren Yan’s hints and probes, Ning Zhuo remained exceedingly calm, almost openly declaring that he currently had no plan to join Heavy Array Peak.

This statement left Su Lingkou astonished, struggling to understand how Ning Zhuo could refuse the invitation from the top faction within the Myriad Images Sect!

As the banquet drew to a close, Wenren Yan recruited Shen Xi on the spot.

She stated that unexpectedly, this trip was losing something on the south and gaining something on the east. Although regrettably not recruiting a talent like Ning Zhuo, obtaining Shen Xi as an addition was absolutely worthwhile.

Shen Xi secretly transmitted thoughts through Divine Sense, expressing sincere gratitude to Ning Zhuo. He knew that during the exchanges, Ning Zhuo had frequently praised him, expressing the help Shen Xi provided and depicting him as a refined gentleman willing to sacrifice personal interest.

This banquet was a stage that Ning Zhuo set up for Shen Xi.

Shen Xi also seized this opportunity, fully showcasing himself.