The conversation between the Ban Family’s Grand Elders and Dunyi Sanren changed Ban Ji, and also changed the entire Ban Family.

After three days and three nights of intense discussion, the Grand Elders made a major decision: to fully support Ban Ji’s ascent to kingship! They secretly activated the Clan Fate Nexus Chain, tightly linking the Ban Family’s and Ban Ji’s destinies, forming an unbreakable bond where one’s glory meant the other’s, and one’s loss meant the other’s. This became the family’s biggest secret!

They continuously consumed Dunyi Sanren’s precious materials to divine Ban Ji’s future path. Ban Ji also grew rapidly along the predetermined path, and despite cultivating demonic arts and frequently acting out of line, he always maintained a good relationship with the family.

The Ban Family and Ban Ji had begun preparing for this session of the Feiyun Grand Assembly more than a decade ago. Whatever was divined, they prepared for. Of course, due to the long time interval, sometimes earlier divinations contradicted later ones. Divination is merely a calculation and deduction; the actual outcome of the real world can also change due to many unforeseen factors.

Several years ago, the Grand Elders used the Clan Fate Nexus Chain to divine that the starting point of Ban Ji’s royal destiny would be at the Wuxiang Sect’s main mountain gate. The time was this session of the Feiyun Grand Assembly. All subsequent divinations yielded the same result. Qinghuangzi’s legacy, the Kongguyinjie Qingjitong, Chezhu zi’s Xukong Zhusi, and the Blind Foolish Old Man’s Mangyu Shenshu were all cultivation resources for Ban Ji, the fuel for the formal eruption of his royal destiny.

In addition to the Xingyun Xiaoshi, there were also various tasks upon officially reaching the Feiyun Grand Assembly. The family thoughtfully arranged the sequence for Ban Ji to acquire these opportunities. Frequent divinations caused the family’s luck to continuously decline, secretly consuming a vast amount of resources and incurring an extremely significant cost.

Outwardly, the Ban Family appeared prosperous, but the extensive sacrifices made for Ban Ji had almost emptied the family treasury. Fortunately, this was the final investment period; once the royal destiny fully erupted, its power would become evident. At that time, blessings would come effortlessly, and everything would go smoothly and prosperously. Any minor setbacks would turn into blessings, and misfortunes would transform into opportunities. The Ban Family’s decades-long, cost-regardless investment would also enter its period of return.

Inside the Jikuo Dongfu.

Ban Ji was drenched in sweat, gritting his teeth as he excised the mechanical foreign object from the end of his right leg. Some blood splattered, but the wound was immediately sealed by spiritual power, stopping the bleeding almost instantly. Ban Ji applied healing methods. His technique was extremely skilled, almost instinctual. There was no other way; he had experienced this situation far too many times. Soon, his right leg grew back, the newly regenerated section of skin noticeably fairer and more tender than other parts. Ban Ji flexed his calf, ankle, and toes, then weakly stood up.

He walked to the mechanical accumulation as large as a carriage compartment in front of him, carefully took out a scroll, and infused it with spiritual power. The scroll spewed countless tiny runes, which encircled the area, forming a three-dimensional magic array that enveloped the mechanical accumulation. Subsequently, Ban Ji murmured, increasing the spiritual power infusion, causing countless runes to radiate light, and the magic array activated at full power. The light was dazzling but vanished instantly. Along with the vanishing magic array, Ban Ji’s right lower leg also disappeared.

The scroll became heavy, several times heavier than before. Countless runes formed circles, at the very center of which was a carriage-like mechanical drawing, with a giant iron hand growing beneath the mechanism. The entire mechanism exuded faint wisps of purple energy. And these purple wisps had already begun to penetrate and corrode the surrounding runes. The runes were temporarily stable, but Ban Ji knew very well that they could only last a few months before collapsing. At that point, Ban Ji would have to reactivate the magic array to seal it again. Of course, that would no longer be his concern, but the Ban Family’s.

For over a decade, Ban Ji had been using various methods to suppress his Xianzi Wanyuan Mogui, allowing it to activate and exert its power only at intervals. Each time the Wanyuan Mogui acted up, Ban Ji’s body would mutate, forming strange and terrifying mechanical accumulations. These mechanical accumulations were essentially infused with the principles of organ crafting, demonic arts, and monstrous paths. While appearing bizarre and harmful, their actual value was quite high. They were equivalent to countless secret manuals and classics, recording principles from these three aspects, bestowed by heaven! Because of the Xianzi Wanyuan Mogui, these heaven-bestowed principles were carried by Ban Ji’s physical body. Over ten years, the number of these flesh-and-blood scriptures had approached ten thousand. Ban Ji had not successfully read a single “scripture.”

“If it were just the principles of organ crafting and demonic arts, ordinary people could read and learn them. But they are mixed with monstrous paths—sigh!” Ban Ji sighed deeply, rolled up the sealed scroll, and temporarily put it in his怀. His eyes flashed with brilliant light, and he mused, “This time, surviving the Xianzi’s activation was much easier than before.”

“All thanks to Mangyu Shenshu.”

“Heh heh. The world thinks I mastered Mangyu Shenshu to fight enemies. In reality, using it on myself was my original purpose!” According to previous experiences, Ban Ji would have to cut off at least two legs, and sometimes even cut off his lower body at the waist, to finally endure a round of principle infusion. But this time, Ban Ji only cut off his right leg, and not even the whole leg. The help Mangyu Shenshu brought him was indeed immense and undeniable!

“Father almost exhausted the family fortune and risked his reputation for me, activating the Clan Fate Nexus Chain multiple times to divine the future path.”

“Mangyu Shenshu truly has a miraculous effect on me!”

“Then, the previous Kongguyinjie Qingjitong, Xukong Zhusi—” Thinking of this, Ban Ji’s face darkened. He gritted his teeth, a cold killing intent spreading from his heart: “Ning Zhuo, these two opportunities will be temporarily stored with you.”

“Hmph, when the time is right, I will personally come and retrieve them.”

“My personal tribulation, I will break it myself!”

“At that time, taking your life along the way would be no problem.”

“Before that, the legacy of the Jiuchong Xuanbingjia is the most important. If I can acquire this armor, it might positively influence, or even control, the mechanisms that mutate from my flesh and blood body when the Xianzi activates!” Time was limited, and this legacy was clearly more important. Ban Ji could only put Ning Zhuo aside for now.

The next day.

Ban Ji arrived at Bingjia Peak early. This peak stood above a sea of clouds, appearing like a bronze giant blade pointing obliquely at the sky from afar. The towering mountain body was composed of countless layers of dark green rock. Streaks of crimson gold ore veins seeped from the rock crevices, like blood grooves after a weapon had been quenched. The main mountain ridge was as sharp as a blade’s back, with hundreds of forged rock slabs extending on both sides. Although these slabs were also dark green, they had a grayish-white hue. The crimson gold ore veins mostly appeared within the mountain belly. From a distance, it looked as if streams of golden liquid continuously overflowed from the peak, eventually collecting in the mountain belly to form golden rivers and lakes. The legacy site of the Jiuchong Xuanbingjia was not on the peak but in a certain cave within the mountain belly—the Xuanjia Cave!

“It’s Ban Ji!”

“Sure enough, it’s him.”

“Bad luck, why did we run into him here?”

“Stay calm, the Xingyun Xiaoshi for the Jiuchong Xuanbingjia has been held every year. Although there are contests, they are not intense.”

“Yes, few people die inside the Xuanjia Cave, and as long as you reach the third stage, every cultivator can obtain a piece of armor.” Many cultivators recognized Ban Ji. Ban Ji had also received a stone token, and although his prominence was not as strong as the first wave of Ning Zhuo and Situ Xing, he had still stood out. More importantly, many rumors circulating at the Wuxiang Sect’s mountain gate recently involved Ban Ji and Ning Zhuo.

Ban Ji leaned against the mountain wall, listening to the discussions about him. His eyes narrowed, revealing amber-like cold light through the slits. As time passed, more and more cultivators gathered at the entrance of the Xuanjia Cave. They also observed each other, exchanged greetings, and silently calculated the strength of their competitors and their own positions. Naturally, few cultivators could attract Ban Ji’s attention.

“Ao Pan. A Core Formation Body Cultivator, skilled in whip techniques. His meridians stretch like a dragon, capable of extending from his body to crush magical artifacts.”

“Zhang Wangxing. A Foundation Establishment Body Cultivator, combined with a lower-grade innate talent, can cause his entire body’s flesh, blood, and bones to undergo drastic and inexplicable transformations.”

“Tie Zheng. A Core Formation Martial Cultivator, skilled in saber techniques, cultivating twelve Core Formation-level saber beasts.”

“Lu Zeng. A Core Formation Organ Cultivator, skilled in making various mechanical components, adaptable to a large number of mechanical creations.”

The Xingyun Xiaoshi related to the Jiuchong Xuanbingjia certainly wasn’t just this one round. From Ban Ji’s perspective, only four individuals caused him to be wary. Because the Jiuchong Xuanbingjia itself was of the Spirit Treasure level, each armor piece was a magical artifact, quite practical, thus attracting the participation of Core Formation-level cultivators. Some Xingyun Xiaoshi hosts would strictly specify cultivation levels. For example, Qinghuangzi’s Xingyun Xiaoshi only required Foundation Establishment-level cultivators to participate. The two minor trials of the Confucian cultivation group secretly favored Ning Zhuo, limiting the cultivation range to the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment stages. The Jiuchong Xuanbingjia’s Xingyun Xiaoshi was restricted to the Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, and Core Formation stages.

However, in reality, very few Qi Refining stage cultivators came to participate. The largest prize here, the Jiuchong armor pieces, were all magical artifacts. For Qi Refining cultivators, their grade was a bit too high and not very suitable. With so many Xingyun Xiaoshi available, Qi Refining cultivators naturally chose those that were suitable for them, offered greater help, and had a higher chance of success, so there was no need to force their way into the Xuanjia Cave’s excitement. It wasn’t that no cultivators had ever come to take risks. But forcing their way often resulted in themselves becoming a laughing stock, entertaining others.

Ban Ji silently assessed his true opponents: “Only four pose a threat, and with so many people, the chance of encountering them is not high.”

“Even if we do encounter them, it should be a mutual restraint, to eliminate others. That would be the wise move.” Ban Ji’s own cultivation was at the peak of Foundation Establishment, but he possessed Core Formation-level combat power. Thus, he was not intimidated by Core Formation cultivators. While he was observing others, others were also observing him. They saw Ban Ji leaning against the mountain wall, maintaining an aloof posture, his eyes narrowed as he scrutinized others, indeed possessing a certain demeanor. Both his Ban Family background and his past impressive combat record against Core Formation cultivators made others take him seriously. Many experts were also evaluating and considering whom to avoid as much as possible in the upcoming Xingyun Xiaoshi.

Suddenly, Ban Ji’s eyes widened, and he changed his stance. He turned around, leaned against the mountain wall, his eyes flashing with fierce light, his jaw clenched, staring intently at mid-air. Seeing Ban Ji as if facing a formidable enemy, everyone was startled and turned to look in the direction of his gaze. They saw a white-clothed youth, riding a mechanical python made of green bamboo, drifting over. The youth’s head was slightly large—it was Ning Zhuo. The mechanism he was riding was the Chuanlin Qingmangyuan from the legacy of the Kongguyinjie Qingjitong.

“Ning Zhuo! Why is he here?!”

“Did he guess I was here? Or was my information leaked?!” In an instant, Ban Ji’s expression changed dramatically, revealing a surge of anger. “The mechanical python he’s riding, judging by its craftsmanship and style, must be Qinghuangzi’s legacy?”

“Damn it! This should have been mine!!” Thinking of this, a surge of hatred was also revealed in Ban Ji’s eyes. The cultivators stirred in that moment.

“It’s Ning Zhuo!”

“Although this child is not from our country, his talent is extraordinary, and his future is boundless. He is a first-class genius of this generation.”

“Did Ning Zhuo come here for the Jiuchong Xuanbingjia, or specifically to target Ban Ji?”

“Hahaha, whatever the reason, there’s a good show to watch.” Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Ban Ji couldn’t possibly leave—what about the Ban Family’s reputation? Ban Ji carried the secret of his royal destiny, though he himself didn’t know it. The Ban Family had sacrificed so much for him, and he had seen it and taken it to heart. Therefore, he would consider the Ban Family.

Ning Zhuo landed, cupped his hands to the surrounding cultivators, and introduced himself with a smile. Most cultivators returned his smile or nodded in goodwill. No one wanted to offend a talented cultivator with a bright future. According to past precedents, almost none of the cultivators who emerged in the first wave were not absorbed by the Wuxiang Sect. After greeting, Ning Zhuo walked straight towards Ban Ji. The crowd, eager to watch the show, immediately parted to make a path.

Ning Zhuo stood in front of Ban Ji with a poker face: “Daoist friend Ban Ji, we meet again.”

Ban Ji gritted his teeth, his killing intent chilling, wishing he could act on the spot and grind this white-clothed boy into dust. But this was the main mountain gate of the Wuxiang Sect. There were rules, he couldn’t act, nor did he dare to. Ban Ji only said fiercely: “Ning Zhuo, this is not like on Qingzhu Peak. You actually came to obstruct me again. Who gave you the guts? What makes you think you can defeat me? Heh heh, you will suffer the consequences of your arrogance!”

Ning Zhuo immediately showed a stern expression: “Suffer the consequences? I act uprightly, with a clear conscience, honorable and pure. What evil deeds have I done? How could I suffer the consequences?” Ning Zhuo frowned, and said with righteous indignation: “On the contrary, you, who commit many injustices, will surely perish by your own hand! You tried to harm me out of greed for my Core Formation mechanical puppet. You should know that my coming to deal with you this time is not just for myself, but also for the countless innocent people who were persecuted and ambushed by you!”

“Your Ban Family wants to offer a heavy gift to settle this?”

“Hmph, how could I, Ning Zhuo, be someone who forgets righteousness for profit? You underestimate me too much!”

“I am here this time to deal with you, to stop you, to let you know what it means to suffer the consequences, what it means for evil not to triumph over good, and what it means for justice to prevail!”