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The ranking list from the Palace Examination quickly leaked out.

Meng Kui, Zhu Xuanji, and others couldn’t stop it in time, nor could they prevent it.

The source of the leak came from rogue cultivators.

As soon as such explosive news spread, it immediately caused widespread discussion in the Lava Immortal Palace and Fire Persimmon Immortal City.

Even with the threat of the beast tide, countless people’s attention was drawn to this news!

“After the Palace Examination, shouldn’t the Palace Master of the Lava Immortal Palace be decided?”

“Once the Lava Immortal Palace has a Palace Master, it can unleash its full power and easily eradicate the beast tide, right?”

“Speaking of which, the Venerables of the Three Sects are truly compassionate. This temporary palace they set up is going to save Fire Persimmon Mountain again. And the number of times the Lava Immortal Palace has done this throughout history is countless!”

Fei Si ground his teeth.

He stared at the admission standards in the intelligence report, feeling a blatant mockery.

“Bu Kong Sect, Sun Lingtong!” He secretly remembered this grudge.

Fei Si relied on his strategies and was quite pleased with himself, so experiences of being so brazenly played with were rare.

Therefore, each such experience left a deep and unforgettable impression on him.

Afterwards, he discovered Ning Zhuo’s ranking, which was even ahead of Meng Chong.

This made Fei Si’s lips curl slightly: “This ambitious brat has truly stolen the spotlight this time.”

“You need to be careful.”

Regarding Ning Zhuo, Fei Si clearly felt more empathy.

Ning Xiaoren threw the intelligence report on the ground and growled in frustration: “Bah! This cunning and insidious little brat actually got into the final Palace Examination list.”

“Why didn’t I think of getting rid of this menace at that time?”

Ning Xiaoren had already been released from the dungeon and gained his freedom through his father’s plan of offering the improved talisman.

On the surface, he had been expelled from the Ning family and became a wandering cultivator.

Following the Ning family patriarch’s instructions, Ning Xiaoren also entered the Lava Immortal Palace, trying hard to get close to Ning Zhuo and striving to gain the latter’s understanding.

But he did not succeed. Ning Zhuo wouldn’t even look at him.

This made Ning Xiaoren feel deeply humiliated, and his hatred for Ning Zhuo grew even stronger.

In the Ning family territory.

Ning Xiaohui’s grandmother was so angry that she wanted to tear the intelligence report in her hand to shreds.

Her face was distorted, and she shrieked with all her might: “Xiaohui, where is my Xiaohui? What is this Ning Zhuo? Is he worthy of being on the rankings? Since he is there, it’s impossible that Xiaohui isn’t.”

“Xiaohui must be ranked ahead of him.”

Ning Xiaohui’s grandmother pressed the intelligence report to her face, her eyes only a fingernail’s width away from the paper.

She searched hard, looking at every single word, but still couldn’t find it.

She roared in anger, tore the intelligence report in her hand, and hissed like a venomous snake: “Fake, fake, this information is fake!”

“Hehehe, hahahaha!”

Lava Immortal Palace, Main Hall.

The Flood Dragon Tortoise Fire Spirit was even weaker.

Because it had secretly interfered with the normal functioning of the Lava Immortal Palace and used the beast tide to destroy a core mechanism building within the palace, it suffered another fire blade beheading.

Having been severely wounded for the second time, the Flood Dragon Tortoise Fire Spirit’s condition at this moment was less than 50% of its peak state.

Throughout the entire Palace Examination ranking list, it only paid attention to three people.

One was Zhu Xuanji, who was first after all, from the South Bean Royal Family, and knew many secrets of the Lava Immortal Palace.

One was Meng Chong. The Flood Dragon Tortoise Fire Spirit had always hoped that he would inherit the Lava Immortal Palace.

The last one was Ning Zhuo.

“How did Ning Zhuo sense that the Palace Examination was about to begin?”

The Flood Dragon Tortoise Fire Spirit had too many matters to attend to, especially at the moment, the beast tide was where it needed to focus more attention.

Therefore, it had neglected Ning Zhuo during this recent period.

However, it had witnessed the scene where Ning Zhuo resolutely offered the Heart Devil Seal of My Buddha with its own eyes.

Such determination and decisiveness made the Flood Dragon Tortoise Fire Spirit feel a chill throughout its body, and a sudden coldness arose.

Facing this little monster Ning Zhuo, it felt increasingly afraid.

“He must not be allowed to obtain the position of Palace Master.”

“Otherwise, if I can’t escape, how will I live my future days?!”

People began to guess who the final victor of the Palace Examination would be? Who could have the last laugh and finally seize the Lava Immortal Palace.

Most people agreed that the first place was Zhu Xuanji. He was ranked first, represented the South Bean Royal Family, was famous throughout the country, and had high strength.

The general public believed that the City Lord’s side was too weak. Just looking at the ranking list, there were only some Qi Refining juniors like Meng Chong. However, those who were truly knowledgeable knew that the main force of the Meng family was in the second tier, eyeing the top three positions with anticipation and ready to strike.

Just as the public discussion was heating up, the first eliminated person appeared.

To be precise, his body was found on the afternoon of the same day the list was announced.

This was an assassination.

His heart was destroyed, and his soul had disappeared without a trace.

This immediately reminded people of Zheng Jian, as the death was similarly gruesome.

Thus, a black pot was placed on Yang Chanyu!

“Someone is impersonating me and starting to eliminate competitors. Humph!” Being framed made Yang Chanyu feel quite unhappy.

But she did not act, but instead hid deeper with Sun Lingtong.

Their situation was currently dangerous, and if they showed their faces, they would surely be surrounded and attacked.

Before, Yang Chanyu was the main target of concentrated attacks. But once the “admission standard” came out, Sun Lingtong attracted even more hatred than Yang Chanyu.

Now, with the public opinion, everyone believed that the top place in the Palace Examination would become the Master of the Immortal Palace.

Many cultivators were envious. Even if they were not on the list, they held a侥幸心理 and wondered if killing someone on the list would get them on the list?

Such an opportunity might only come once in a lifetime. So, there were many who took risks and gambled big!

Ning Zhuo had already gambled. He had bet his future in the righteous path, his name, his life, and even the Heart Devil Seal of My Buddha.

“Once the Palace Examination is out, it will be difficult for me to find an opportunity to build my foundation in a short time,” Ning Zhuo sighed.

As soon as he knew about the list, he ran to Ning Jiufan’s side.

“Ancestor, it’s too scary. I’m also on the list, I’m so scared, so scared of being killed.” Ning Zhuo did not hide his intention of seeking protection.

Ning Jiufan scolded him for lacking integrity, but still took him along.

Not only Ning Zhuo, but also several others like Ning Chen and Ning Yong were also on the list and were brought to Ning Jiufan’s side for protection.

Soon after, Zhu Xuanji gathered everyone in one place.

Ning Zhuo then discovered that not only Ning Jiufan, but also the Golden Core ancestors of the Zhou and Zheng families were also bringing their Qi Refining juniors with them during their actions, providing real-time protection.

After all, they only had Qi Refining cultivation, their strength was too weak, and it was difficult for them to protect themselves.

Before, it was possible that Sun Lingtong and Yang Chanyu of the Bu Kong Sect would strike, but now that the Palace Examination list was out, well, even righteous cultivators could become murderers!

Zhu Xuanji, considering this point, once again gathered everyone, unified their front, and agreed to cooperate as much as possible, instead of consuming each other internally in the early stage.

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 pieces and fragments of the golden furnace.

He never gave up on this crucial clue.

It’s just that before, the golden furnace was difficult to approach, as it was an important area of the Immortal Palace. Even for trial disciples, it was the same.

But now, the red flame beast tide covered the outer circle of the Immortal Palace, and the offensive on the inner circle was constantly ongoing.

If the beast tide affected the area of the golden furnace, then the defense restrictions of the Lava Immortal Palace would inevitably be relaxed, allowing cultivators to approach.

“These broken bricks of the golden furnace have the value of tracing back the source.” This was Zhu Xuanji’s original words.

Ning Zhuo was present at the scene, heard it, and inwardly marveled at how difficult this Divine Constable was to deal with. Even at this stage of the Palace Examination, he was still concerned about clues.

“He might be hoping to use these clues to find Yang Chanyu and Old Man Sun.”

“If that scene truly appears in the future, I’ll have to use the Five Elements Cannon Towers to clear the area.” Ning Zhuo secretly reminded himself.

The Palace Examination came faster than everyone expected.

A teleportation aura and a piece of information appeared simultaneously—

The first round of the Palace Examination has begun.

Please step into the aura. If you are late, it will be considered as giving up.

Everyone did not hesitate and directly stepped into the aura.

The next moment, they arrived at a huge square.

In the square, there were tables and futons.

Each table had a pile of a dozen or so jade slips.

Each cultivator was arranged in front of a table.

They looked at each other, and then at the tables in front of them. Some impatient ones directly sat on the futons.

New information was transmitted, and everyone knew: This was the first round of the Palace Examination, which involved answering test questions to obtain performance scores.

The ranking list would be adjusted according to the specific performance scores.

The bottom ten on the list would be eliminated.

Those who attacked others, plotted against others, or attempted to cheat during the examination would be eliminated!

In an instant, everyone became nervous.

Ning Zhuo was especially so.

After all, his current ranking was the last one.

“Hey, are you going to be okay?” Yang Chanyu shouted to Sun Lingtong, “You’re in the last place.”

Her shout immediately attracted everyone’s attention.

“As expected!” In an instant, everyone confirmed their guesses.

Meng Chong glared at Sun Lingtong even more angrily. It was this childlike demonic cultivator who had played him!

Sun Lingtong was full of worry for Ning Zhuo in his heart and consistently avoided looking in Ning Zhuo’s direction. He chuckled, acted carefree, and expressed abundant confidence.

The Palace Examination officially began.

Ning Zhuo’s heartbeat quickened slightly. He quickly grabbed a jade slip and placed it on his forehead to examine it.

There were many test questions, and he needed to inscribe the answers on the jade slips with his spiritual sense one by one.

Ning Zhuo’s eyebrows twitched, and his mood soared.

Question 1: “Mirror reflects Yin and Yang, observing inside and out.” The ‘Mirror Terrace Spirit Communication Art’ uses a mirror to perceive things. How can it combine Yin and Yang and penetrate to know the truth or falsehood of things? Please explain the Dao of Mirror Terrace Spirit Communication in conjunction with the changes of Yin and Yang.

Question 2: “When the sinews are dyed, the bones are also strong.” The ‘Demonic Blood Dyeing Sinew Technique’ has a method of dyeing sinews and bones with blood. How can it make sinews and bones equally strong and double the strength? Please discuss its effect on cultivators in conjunction with the relationship between sinews and bones.

Question 3: There are five paths of Five Elements magic power in the Five Elements Spirit Turning Plate. How many ways are there for a cultivator to have two paths of Water and Wood magic power remaining after canceling out three paths of Fire magic spells?

Everyone: “The Demonic Blood Dyeing Sinew Technique is indeed one of the Three Sects’ superior techniques, but the content of Qi Refining Layer Five does not involve the level of dyeing sinews and bones with blood at all?”

“Also, what the heck is the Five Elements Spirit Turning Plate?”

“What is the ‘Mirror Terrace Spirit Communication Art’ again? It looks like it’s also one of the Three Sects’ superior techniques! But I haven’t seen it at all!”

“It’s over, it’s over!”

“Don’t panic, calm down. If I don’t know, others won’t either!”

“Yes, yes, yes, everyone doesn’t know, so the final ranking won’t change much. It won’t!”