Chapter 95: Could Ning Zhuo Possess Innate Talent?!

“What’s wrong with you?” Ning Zhuo asked with a puzzled expression, sensing that the atmosphere seemed off.

Zheng Jian gave a dry laugh. “Little brother Ning Zhuo, you’re thinking about this too simply.”

Zhou Zhu nodded in agreement. “Exactly.”

Ning Xiaohui snorted coldly. “The Lava Immortal Palace was once one of the three clans’ elders’ former palaces—no trivial matter. These elders are profound practitioners who left behind a legacy trial. The difficulty is far from easy.”

“Admirable spirit, but truly like frogs in a well—arrogant and ignorant.”

“Don’t say that again.”

Ning Zhuo made a sound of surprise and quickly nodded in agreement, “Oh, oh.”

He had been carefully observing their reactions.

The reason he said this was to provoke Zheng Jian and Zhou Zhu, hoping to subtly glean their plans for the Zhou and Zheng families’ next moves.

Unexpectedly, his remark stirred painful memories for Zheng Jian and Zhou Zhu, delivering a heavy blow.

Zheng Jian forced a bitter smile. “The trial set by the three elders is incredibly difficult. Don’t laugh at me, Ning Zhuo brother—we didn’t even get past the first stage.”

“Huh?” Ning Zhuo’s eyes widened in surprise.

Among everyone present, Zheng Jian was the oldest. Moreover, he was straightforward by nature and openly admitted their poor performance without hiding anything.

In fact, Ning Zhuo was about to enter the Immortal Palace himself soon; there was no need to conceal anything from him.

“What exactly is the first stage? How could it possibly stop you and Zhou Zhu?” Ning Zhuo asked eagerly.

Ning Xiaohui let out a soft laugh, thinking to herself, “Zheng Jian’s words are somewhat generous—they haven’t even fully seen the first stage.”

She herself had never entered the Immortal Palace, not even once.

Partly because she had only recently reached the peak of the third level, and partly because she was protected by talismans preventing soul extraction.

After the Ning family received intelligence from the other two families, they concluded that even if Ning Xiaohui entered the palace, she wouldn’t be able to contribute much, so they kept her in reserve, waiting for the right moment.

Because of this, Ning Xiaohui had never tasted failure and could not empathize with Zheng Jian and Zhou Zhu’s struggles.

Just as Ning Zhuo was about to ask more, Zhou Zesheng clapped his hands, cutting him off.

“Everyone, eating and drinking alone is a bit dull.”

“Our Zhou family recently recruited a Mechanism Cultivator named Chu Xiyao, quite talented.”

“Brother Zheng, Chu Xiyao has accompanied us to this banquet and is currently waiting in the main hall.”

“Why not invite her up to set up a game board for some entertainment?”

Zheng Jian looked deeply at Zhou Zesheng and nodded. “Since Brother Zhou has such intentions, I gladly welcome it. Please bring this talented one up.”

A moment later.

Chu Xiyao entered, greeting everyone present.

She was a female cultivator, moderately attractive with an engaging aura. Her eyebrows drooped delicately, her expression wistful, and her waist was extremely slender, her figure like a fragile willow swaying in the breeze—evoking sympathy.

Though clearly at the Foundation Establishment stage, she lowered herself humbly before the Qi Refining stage cultivators present.

In the cultivation world, strength commands respect.

Yet, this scene was not unusual.

On one hand, the difference in combat power between Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining stages was not that great; many could bridge the gap.

On the other, this was the righteous path, not the savage demonic way.

Much of Chu Xiyao’s respect was due to Zheng Jian and the others’ talent.

Cultivators with spiritual roots can cultivate.

In ancient times, those with spiritual roots were extremely rare and thus held in high esteem solely for possessing one.

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As time passed and cultivators increased, the pursuit shifted toward superior spiritual roots.

Today, with richer spiritual energy, spiritual roots are no longer as valued; innate talent is what earns true admiration.

Chu Xiyao only possessed an immortal root and lacked any innate talent. Given time, Zheng Jian and the others would easily surpass her cultivation.

Therefore, her respect was essentially based on strength.

But those present were destined to become strong.

This was similar to sects recruiting cultivation seeds with excellent talent as direct disciples at the highest levels. Even at the Qi Refining stage, they held elder status and received the sect’s full respect.

Ning Xiaohui was curious. “I’ve long heard of Senior Chu’s reputation. Our Ning family once tried to recruit you with a heavy price.”

“Senior, at that time, refused, disliking constraints and preferring freedom.”

“I’m quite curious—what made Senior change your mind and join the Zhou family?”

Chu Xiyao sighed. “Isn’t it because of Zhu Xuanji?”

Chu Xiyao was indeed Foundation Establishment stage, skilled in mechanisms, meeting the Immortal Palace standards, able to enter the palace and compete for inheritance.

She had entered the palace before, suffered injuries, and gained benefits.

At the Fire Persimmon Festival, Zhu Xuanji failed to catch the Shadow Demon Cultivator. Although clues weren’t entirely lost, Zhu Xuanji believed they were traps left by the true culprit.

He collected all records from the four major forces in Fire Persimmon Immortal City and compiled a suspect list.

Starting from the top, he investigated each person.

Li Leifeng was the first.

Then Zhao Die resisted and was killed by Zhu Xuanji.

Chu Xiyao knew she was definitely on the list but didn’t want to leave the city, hoping to seize an opportunity to enter the palace.

After careful thought, she chose to temporarily ally with the Zhou family.

Why?

Two main reasons.

First, the City Lord’s Mansion was impossible. Under the Southern Bean Dynasty’s control, it was subordinate. Joining it would mean submitting to Zhu Xuanji’s strict investigations.

Second, the three major families’ conditions were more lenient and far more enticing. Even if Zhu Xuanji came after her, they couldn’t openly resist but could provide some protection. At worst, they could quietly leak information to help her escape.

The three families were well-rooted in Fire Persimmon Immortal City and highly valued their reputations.

After weighing everything, Chu Xiyao chose the strongest among them—the Zhou family.

Ning Zhuo’s eyes flickered.

He had made a name for himself tonight and gained the first valuable intelligence.

“Because of Zhu Xuanji’s actions, cultivators are starting to band together?”

“Some cultivators with clean backgrounds will likely align with the four major forces. But definitely, some demon cultivators won’t submit. They either flee far away or band together; fools who act alone rarely exist.”

“Zhu Xuanji is investigating suspects one by one. I wonder if my mother is on that list?”

Ning Zhuo felt the pressure once again.

Chu Xiyao tapped her storage pouch and produced a mechanism wooden box.

The box was square. Once placed on the ground, it quickly unfolded, assembling into a rectangular maze chessboard.

Ning Zhuo immediately recognized the board modeled after Room Number Two.

Although Zhou Zhu and Zheng Jian had fallen under the heavy hammer at the door, they glimpsed the appearance and layout of Room Two upon opening.

Having died many times, they managed to gather some valuable intelligence.

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After setting up the maze chessboard, Chu Xiyao took out pieces and distributed them to Zheng Jian and the others.

The pieces were small mechanisms, like wheels with spokes and an axle.

“Isn’t this a miniature ‘One Wheel’?” Zheng Jian examined a piece and asked.

Chu Xiyao nodded. “Yes, this is a ‘One Wheel’.”

‘One Wheel’ was a mechanical toy favored by child cultivators.

Children would pour their meager magical power into the wheel, setting it spinning, then compete to see whose wheel rolled the farthest.

Its name came from the inventor’s low strength—always eliminated in the first round of family, sect, and national competitions.

Chu Xiyao continued, “But my modified ‘One Wheel’ not only absorbs magic power but also stores a certain amount of divine intent.”

“What we need to do is infuse magic power and divine intent into the piece and place it on the maze chessboard. Whose ‘One Wheel’ travels the farthest wins.”

Zheng Jian was quick to act. As soon as she finished speaking, he launched his piece.

His wheel quickly rolled through the maze, making multiple turns before hitting a barrier and stopping.

“Interesting,” Zheng Jian said, eyes gleaming. “Both magic power and divine intent must be abundant and coordinated precisely. Every step must be calculated accurately. Otherwise, small errors accumulate rapidly, magnifying and interfering with each other until defeat.”

Chu Xiyao smiled softly, praising Zheng Jian’s sharp insight.

After Zheng Jian, Zhou Zesheng, Zhou Zhu, and Ning Xiaohui took their turns.

Zhou Zhu’s wheel traveled the shortest distance, while Zhou Zesheng, despite weaker cultivation, achieved the longest.

Ning Xiaohui’s wheel moved deftly and elegantly, second only to Zhou Zesheng.

“Now it’s Brother Ning Zhuo’s turn,” Zhou Zesheng said with a smile.

All eyes turned to Ning Zhuo.

Though Zhou Zesheng called it entertainment, it was essentially a test. The cultivation world always valued individual elites.

Undoubtedly, after this joint test, the internal competition within the three families would focus on those attending tonight’s banquet.

The others were familiar with each other, except Ning Zhuo, who had risen unexpectedly and remained the most unfamiliar despite the intelligence gathered.

Despite the obvious attention, Ning Zhuo seemed oblivious. He threw his piece and watched intently, his face tense.

The wheel twisted through obstacles, advancing slowly—not as agile as Ning Xiaohui’s, nor as precise as Zhou Zesheng’s—but it reached the farthest point, setting a record never before seen.

“How is this possible?” Zhou Zhu was stunned.

Zheng Jian and Zhou Zesheng looked at Ning Zhuo.

Even Ning Xiaohui showed surprise and looked him over anew.

Chu Xiyao’s eyes sparkled. “It’s the divine intent.”

“This young Ning family gentleman has unusually abundant divine intent for a Qi Refining cultivator.”

“Therefore, he can command the wheel longer, maintaining coordination.”

“By minimizing magic power consumption, he maximized the coordination time of divine intent and magic power, achieving the best result.”

Ning Zhuo scratched his head. “Seems like that. My divine intent is a bit stronger than peers.”

“Could it be... talent!?” The same question flashed through everyone’s minds instantly.

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