Ning Zhuo sat cross-legged on the ground, slowly closing his eyes.

The cultivators of Xuanjia Cave found this strange.

Ning Zhuo wasn’t injured in the recent battle. He also hadn’t practiced with his newly acquired bronze spear. Shouldn’t he be seizing the moment to fight and secure the sixth Xuanbing Jia?

The more Xuanbing Jia a cultivator possessed, the greater their advantage would undoubtedly be in the third round.

Although the cultivators didn’t understand, they stopped questioning him aloud.

Ning Zhuo had learned and tested simultaneously, starting behind but catching up later and steadily securing his promotion. This made everyone realize Ning Zhuo’s extraordinary nature, and they dared not casually comment.

The other cultivators couldn’t see the threads of life, but Ning Zhuo used this divine ability to communicate closely with Sun Ling-tong, who was far away in Shuyuzhai.

“Boss, the shield is useful! I want to keep it in my hand and guard myself at all times,” Ning Zhuo suggested.

Sun Ling-tong replied, “Exactly. The fifth spear can already win without specific moves. Without a protective item, it’s easy to suffer a great loss.”

“And this also aligns with your temperament—steady and cautious.”

“The battle formation we designed this time is for you, so it naturally has to suit your disposition.”

Ning Zhuo added, “Defense first, offense second. The remaining Xuanbing Jia should launch attacks.”

Sun Ling-tong pondered, “Then what weapon should be the primary one?”

Ning Zhuo thought for a moment before saying, “Mainly swords and sabers. Firstly, these weapons are the most common. In the third round, I might be able to snatch other people’s swords and sabers as replacements. Secondly, we previously designed three saber-sword combined attacks that can be fully integrated into the battle formation, preserving these trump cards.”

Sun Ling-tong nodded, “Logical!”

The two quickly finalized the design goal: with Ning Zhuo’s body as the shield defense base, and the other Xuanbing Jia as the formation eyes, emphasizing offense with defense as a supplement.

The design steps were thus established.

First, design the formation base, then the formation eyes, and finally, integrate and optimize.

Sun Ling-tong said, “Xiao Zhuo, stand up and practice with the shield.”

Ning Zhuo decisively opened his eyes, held the shield, and performed a set of moves on the spot.

The shield was his fourth Xuanbing Jia, possessing basic moves, continuous combos, and routines. It could also leverage momentum, giving it a certain agility.

“Ning Zhuo has indeed started practicing again.”

“At this point, he’s highly likely sure he’s advanced to the third round. So, he’s not in a hurry.”

“So, he was resting just now…”

No sooner had the cultivators finished discussing than they saw Ning Zhuo sit down again, closing his eyes to rest.

“Uh.”

“Only practicing once?”

“Why practice with the shield? The bronze spear is the latest Xuanbing Jia he acquired!”

The cultivators were a bit confused by Ning Zhuo.

Sun Ling-tong’s comprehension surpassed Ning Zhuo’s, his memory was exceptional, and his foundation in martial arts was deeper than Ning Zhuo’s.

Just one viewing was enough for him.

Ning Zhuo and Sun Ling-tong discussed continuously. With the blessing of Luo Shu, every calculation they made was swift, quick, and always correct.

This greatly improved efficiency.

In the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, Sun and Ning had designed 30% of the battle formation, temporarily completing the formation base.

They began designing the formation eyes.

Dynamic formations were often used in group battles. In armies, the formation eyes of dynamic formations were usually held by generals.

Therefore, when generals fell, the dynamic formation suffered significant losses. If the sole main general was lost, it would greatly damage the combat effectiveness of the entire army.

Despite this huge drawback, the heavy responsibility of the dynamic formation’s eyes still fell on the generals. Because dynamic formations were active, the demands on their eyes were much higher than for static formations.

When Sun and Ning designed their formation, however, they used Xuanbing Jia as the formation eyes.

Xuanbing Jia were not ordinary weapons; their refining methods were special, their materials unique, and they contained martial arts principles, even capable of responding to enemies on their own.

Using them as the eyes of a dynamic formation, surprisingly, was quite fitting.

Sun and Ning had already decided to focus on sabers and swords, so Ning Zhuo used his spiritual sense to control and practice with the saber and sword hovering in the air around him.

Afterward, it was the spear and gauntlets’ turn.

Then, these several bronze artifacts swayed around Ning Zhuo. Sometimes the saber and sword merged, sometimes the spear was in front and the saber behind, and sometimes the gauntlets were arranged on the left and right.

The positions of the four Xuanbing Jia were constantly adjusted, occasionally performing moves, conducting intermittent practice.

The cultivators became even more puzzled.

“What exactly is Ning Zhuo doing?”

“He… seems to be thinking about something.”

“Could it be that he’s designing a battle formation?”

For a moment, everyone’s hearts trembled.

“Is he trying to design a battle formation, or a dynamic formation, on the fly?”

“How profound is his attainments in array dao to make him so confident?”

“It looks like he’s probably designing a dynamic formation. This involves not only array dao but also military strategies.”

If it were anyone else, the cultivators would have already sneered with disdain.

But they had just been proven wrong by Ning Zhuo’s performance, so they wisely kept quiet and watched Ning Zhuo’s actions.

Sun and Ning had already designed six methods, but none were satisfactory.

Time was limited, and Ning Zhuo was about to choose one.

“Wait, wait, I have an idea!” Sun Ling-tong suddenly exclaimed, grasping a sudden flash of inspiration in his spiritual sea. “Yes! Rotation! We’ll alternate. One saber passes, a sword arrives; a sword hasn’t finished, another saber rises!”

He spoke excitedly, faster and faster, unconsciously gesticulating in the air with his right hand.

Ning Zhuo listened patiently to Sun Ling-tong’s description, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes: “Good idea! Boss, did you expand on the Water-Splitting Moon-Lifting Style?”

Sun Ling-tong laughed heartily, “Little brother, you truly understand me.”

The Water-Splitting Moon-Lifting Style was one of the three saber-sword combined attacks they had previously co-created, primarily relying on feedback to propel the saber and sword, forming continuous attacks.

With this part of the design complete, 80% of the dynamic formation was done.

The remaining 20% was about organization, refinement, and improvement.

Ning Zhuo stood up again, holding the shield, using himself as the formation base. The four Xuanbing Jia hovered around his body.

Suddenly, the weapons spun rapidly. The saber had just slashed, and the sword came again; the spear had just swept, followed by the gauntlets.

Initially, there was some clumsiness. After all, it was Ning Zhuo’s first time practicing.

But after a dozen or so breaths, the weapons operated smoothly.

Hao, the cultivator, saw this scene, and his pupils suddenly contracted: “Battle formation! Ning Zhuo actually did it. He improvised, designed a dynamic formation specifically based on the existing Xuanbing Jia.”

The people around him were already in an uproar.

“Is this what a genius is?”

“This is a bit too exaggerated!”

“I don’t know much about dynamic formations. Who can comment, in case it’s just superficial…”

The cultivators subconsciously looked at one of their companions.

This cultivator also cultivated dynamic formations, and the more he watched, the wider his mouth opened, his face filled with astonishment.

Seeing his expression, everyone immediately had their answer.

Thus, when they looked at Ning Zhuo again, each of their expressions became much more complex.

Such an achievement was completely beyond their personal capabilities. But the young man before them had achieved it with ease.

Comparing oneself to others can be infuriating.

Yet, Ning Zhuo, who had achieved this, showed no trace of complacency.

As he practiced, he discussed with Sun Ling-tong: “Offense and defense rotating, core stable, hovering weapons variable, alternating attacks—how about we call it the ‘Shouzhuo Rotating Slash Formation’?”

Sun Ling-tong shrugged on the other end, “Xiao Zhuo, whatever you like.”

Ning Zhuo sighed, “It’s a pity neither of us has high attainments in military strategy, and my array arranging skill is only at the artisan level.”

Sun Ling-tong laughed heartily, “What’s the rush, little brother? You’re in Wanxiang Sect now. All sorts of Xingyun trials are great opportunities for you to improve your various realms!”

Sun Ling-tong thought highly of Ning Zhuo.

This was a prosperous era of cultivation, with myriad methods, a thousand schools, and a hundred arts!

Broadly, their realms could all be categorized by the same standards: Apprentice, Artisan, Master, Grandmaster, Sect Master—

Apprentice involved learning basic theories, recognizing basic materials, tools, runes, incantations, and so on. This was the foundational stage. Apprentices often knew how things worked but not why.

At the Artisan realm, one could independently complete standard processes, master core basic skills, and have a preliminary understanding of the underlying principles, becoming proficient through practice.

Upon reaching the Master realm, cultivators could handle complex problems, optimize processes, have a deeper understanding of principles, and consistently produce high-quality standard components. Sometimes, unique craftsmanship often bore the imprint of personal style.

Ning Zhuo had laid a solid foundation in Huoshi Xiancheng, bringing all four major cultivation arts to the Artisan realm. However, he rarely displayed this publicly; even the Ning family’s academy was unaware.

In addition, Ning Zhuo primarily cultivated Organ Arts, having already reached the Master realm. Ning Zhuo’s original creations, the Fiery Monkey, Shadow Blade: Night Tiger, Snow Blossom Maiden: Hui, and Snow Hub Guardian: Xie, were the best proof. These mechanisms were his unique creations, bearing his distinctive craftsmanship.

But his highest realm was the Five Elements realm, which had reached at least the Sect Master level. Below Sect Master was Grandmaster, and below Grandmaster was Master.

Grandmaster-level transcended shallow craftsmanship, while Sect Master-level could found a new school. Every Five Elements spell Ning Zhuo created in battle could serve as the foundation for establishing a sect.

The Five Elements realm was Ning Zhuo’s opportunity. Excluding this, Ning Zhuo’s attainments in Organ Arts and the four major cultivation arts were already extraordinary and outstanding achievements.

This was the result of his over a decade of diligent study and practice during his period of self-restraint, never slacking off for a moment.

In terms of martial arts, Ning Zhuo had always been at the Apprentice level. After traveling the world, he remedied this shortcoming, experienced battlefields, and by now, he was at the Martial Artisan level.

Ning Zhuo still couldn’t achieve victory without specific moves, not having reached the Master realm.

However, how much time had he spent? The cost invested was so little it was almost unbelievable.

The combination of the Soul-Burning Ferrying Art and his innate talent would propel him to higher realms in more aspects. Given time, Ning Zhuo’s strength was bound to surge.

Practicing and learning simultaneously was not only Ning Zhuo’s approach in this Xingyun trial but would also frequently appear in other trials.

Appropriately revealing his comprehension and terrifying learning ability to the outside world was also a deliberate act by Ning Zhuo.

This was his explanation to the public, and also a layer of disguise.

As Sun and Ning practiced and refined their formation, Rust Bane Artisan’s confrontation with his sixth Xuanbing Jia had reached a critical moment.

The halberd struck down fiercely!

With a loud bang, the bronze weapon Rust Bane Artisan used to block was directly cut into two pieces.

Rust Bane Artisan struggled to turn sideways, his rust-covered cast iron robe flaring up, revealing his arm.

After the clang of metal, the halberd blade almost severed Rust Bane Artisan’s arm, which he had hastily raised to block.

Rust Bane Artisan’s arm shimmered with a metallic luster; it was clearly a mechanical creation.

The halberd blade vibrated, stuck in his arm, trying to pull itself out.

Rust Bane Artisan was already battered and exhausted.

He keenly sensed that this might be his last opportunity for a counterattack, so he decisively put all his strength into this final strike.

Innate Talent—Golden Malice!

The Golden Malice power he had painstakingly accumulated in his body now surged out without reservation, spreading over the halberd.

The halberd, which had been glowing, instantly dimmed under the attack, covered in a thick layer of rust.

The Golden Malice power rapidly permeated the halberd, destroying its internal structure.

The halberd became heavily rusted, its aura plummeting, and was finally refined by Rust Bane Artisan, who seized the opportunity.

Rust Bane Artisan half-knelt on the ground, momentarily exhausted, leaving the halberd embedded in his arm.

He had paid a heavy price, almost completely depleted.

The cultivators of Xuanjia Cave were silent for a moment before they began to discuss.

“Alas, that fellow still won.”

“It matches the intelligence; his innate talent is confirmed as Golden Malice, which has a great restraining effect on metal-element items.”

“He’s even an偃人 (yanren, automaton). I probably understand why he wanted to get close to Ban Ji now.”

By this point, Rust Bane Artisan, despite his careful attempts to conceal it, had almost completely revealed his true nature.

Rust Bane Artisan launched a desperate counterattack, perilously securing his sixth bronze artifact.

Ban Ji was still in a stalemate.

He panted heavily like an ox, each breath accompanied by pain, as if his lungs were burning.

The nunchaku in his hand had broken into two halves, and he had few throwing knives left—all five Xuanbing Jia were severely damaged.

But compared to these, Ban Ji’s arm bones were already fractured, and the web between his thumb and forefinger was bleeding.

Yet, the bronze artifact he sought to subdue was still full of vigor, its attacks suppressing Ban Ji, leaving him breathless.

Sweat mixed with blood flowed into his eyes, blurring his vision. He could only rely on instinct to parry the Xuanbing Jia, his bones and muscles groaning, his internal organs churning, each step back on the verge of collapse.

“Why is the sixth Xuanbing Jia so strong?”

“This doesn’t match the intelligence!”

“Persevere, I must persevere…”

Sharing his sentiment was Zhang Wang-xing.

This person was chased by the sixth Xuanbing Jia, leaping and dodging across the battlefield. Because his physical flesh could dramatically deform, this provided him the basis for perilous evasions.

Even so, he was covered in blood, dared not turn to fight, and scurried around, struggling to survive.

Ning Zhuo looked at his sixth Xuanbing Jia.

It was a fan.

The fan struck, was knocked away by Ning Zhuo’s shield, then unfurled in mid-air, fanning fiercely at Ning Zhuo.

Instantly, several wind blades, incredibly sharp, cut straight towards him.

Ning Zhuo curled his body behind the shield.

Clang, clang, clang—

All defended!