The cloud sea before their eyes surged and changed, which to Ban Jie, was like the rapidly shifting situation in Xuanjia Cave—making it incredibly difficult to control.

She furrowed her brow and pondered deeply, fully analyzing the current state of affairs.

“The three Golden Core cultivators are still fighting each other. Since the engagement began, Lu Zeng has been at a disadvantage and his situation is getting progressively worse.”

“If he doesn’t have a trump card to change this situation, I’m afraid the result will be that he is eliminated first.”

Ban Jie was not surprised by this anticipated outcome; she understood it completely.

The purpose of Xuanjia Cave’s Xingyun Small Trial was to promote Xuanbing Jia with all their might!

Therefore, the content of their Xingyun Small Trial, once decided, rarely changed. Xuanjia Cave’s Xingyun Small Trial was merely a three-layered sieve, designed to select the cultivators most suitable for refining Xuanbing Jia.

In a sense, this was an investment.

Investing in these suitable cultivators meant that if they succeeded in the future, they might give back to Xuanjia Cave. Even without direct reciprocation, the mere fact that these cultivators benefited from using Xuanbing Jia brought prestige to Xuanjia Cave.

In fact, most cultivators, upon gaining some advantage, would quickly return and provide positive feedback to Xuanjia Cave.

There were two main reasons for this.

Firstly, Xuanbing Jia was not durable; repairing it required Qingliu Tong. This artificial treasure material was quite rare, and only Xuanjia Cave possessed the unique formula and refining methods.

Secondly, Xuanjia Cave also offered more cooperative opportunities to cultivators who gave feedback. For example, selling other Xuanbing Jia. Once cultivators experienced the practicality and benefits of Xuanbing Jia, they naturally developed a stronger desire to purchase other Xuanbing Jia and were more willing to pay the price.

Who was suitable for using Xuanbing Jia?

According to the usage methods of Xuanbing Jia, they were martial cultivators, body cultivators, and mechanism cultivators. This perfectly corresponded to Tie Zheng, Ao Pan, and Lu Zeng.

The former two were almost all proficient in close combat, making Xuanbing Jia very suitable for them. The last, mechanism cultivators, could control them remotely with their divine sense. Xuanbing Jia itself had the ability to fight independently, akin to a kind of mechanical creation, making it very practical for mechanism cultivators.

The origin and design of Xuanbing Jia itself came from the ancient sect Jishu Sect.

Xuanjia Cave’s power itself was also a legacy passed down from the Jishu Sect, consisting of its descendants.

Ban Jie had read detailed intelligence on Xuanjia Cave and knew many precedents. She clearly observed that, judging from the results of various Xingyun Small Trials, martial cultivators and body cultivators had a distinct advantage, and if mechanism cultivators were not proficient in close combat, Xuanjia Cave’s small trial was very unfriendly to them.

“Once Lu Zeng is defeated and eliminated, what will Ao Pan and Tie Zheng choose?”

These two Golden Core cultivators had gone through one battle, so their combat strength must have declined. Inside Xuanjia Cave, with the suppression of the grand formation, Golden Core cultivators, while having an advantage against Foundation Establishment cultivators, did not have as great an advantage as they would outside the cave.

Ban Jie estimated that since Ao Pan and Tie Zheng had already cooperated once, they would certainly follow their successful experience and continue to join forces, first eliminating all the Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Ban Jie reviewed relevant intelligence and found that in the Xingyun Small Trials within Xuanjia Cave, whenever a similar situation arose, the probability of Golden Core cultivators forming an alliance was very high.

“I must do my best to ensure Ban Ji secures the first place.”

“In this small trial, the real obstacle isn’t Ning Zhuo, but these three Golden Core cultivators. They must be made to wear each other down to their limits as much as possible!”

Ban Jie had made preparations in this regard.

“Ban Ji, fight well, first try your best to defeat the Foundation Establishment cultivators and accumulate Xuanbing Jia. These things are not durable in the third stage, so the more, the better!”

Ban Jie cheered for Ban Ji in her heart.

In her opinion, Ban Ji’s calm retreat, without getting entangled with Xiu Zaijiang and Ning Zhuo, was the most correct choice.

According to Ning Zhuo’s current displayed combat power, Ban Ji’s battle with Ning Zhuo, at best, would be a tragic victory.

But in that case, how would Ban Ji contend with the victorious Golden Core cultivators?

If he couldn’t ultimately win, how could he secure the first place in this trial?

“But this Ning Zhuo is indeed tricky—”

Although Ban Jie had not seen it with her own eyes, the detailed intelligence she had showed her Ning Zhuo’s skilled and seasoned righteous methods.

“Xiu Zaijiang has always been a Demonic cultivator, a rogue cultivator. In terms of debate, he is simply no match for Ning Zhuo.”

“Whether he accepts the challenge or not, Ning Zhuo can gain an advantage. Ban Ji leaving with Xiu Zaijiang also achieved Ning Zhuo’s objective.”

“But he can rally so many outsiders to help him; what benefits did he secretly promise these people?”

Thinking of this, Ban Jie’s expression involuntarily darkened slightly.

“I had Xuanjia Cave’s informants secretly act, framing Zhang Dadan, causing him to be eliminated in the first stage—”

“I didn’t expect that although Ning Zhuo’s wings were clipped, his eloquence was outstanding. Whether Zhang Dadan was there or not didn’t matter at all!”

“Ning Zhuo, I’ll let you be proud for a while first. I don’t only have Zhang Wangxing and his group.”

Ban Jie was not too worried about Ban Ji.

Because she still had hidden troops.

Once Ban Ji was on the verge of elimination, the hidden troops would act.

For now, they would not be used!

“The Mandate of Heaven needs setbacks and pressure to be stimulated.”

“If Ban Ji becomes too powerful, it might make the Golden Core cultivators feel threatened and cause them to team up prematurely!”

Ban Jie could mobilize vast resources. This was because the Ban family supported Ban Ji to an extent far beyond what ordinary people expected.

A mountain breeze swept through, refreshing and invigorating, and Ban Jie’s tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly.

It was not easy for her to be stationed here.

The situation she faced was quite complex, and outsiders had no idea. Just the surge of the Mandate of Heaven alone was a headache, making it difficult to gauge the proper measure. Now, in the melee within Xuanjia Cave, there were many factors to consider, and the rapid thoughts had just eliminated most of Ban Jie’s mental energy in her spiritual sea.

Taking a deep breath, Ban Jie began to silently circulate her mystic art, replenishing the thoughts in her upper Dantian.

Xuanjia Cave.

Gusts of strong winds blew, and the deafening clanging of metal echoed.

Ban Ji and Xiu Zaijiang were already wounded in multiple places, retreating steadily under the dazzling flurry of bronze weapons.

Ban Ji gritted his teeth and shouted at Ning Zhuo, “Ning Zhuo, you rely on your glib tongue to incite the masses to attack us. Even if you win, what then?”

“If you have the guts, fight me one-on-one!”

Ning Zhuo sneered, “Just now, when you outnumbered us and attacked me together, why didn’t you say that?”

“Ban Ji, though you come from a righteous sect, you have fallen to become a demonic cultivator. You seize personal gain and poison fellow cultivators. Today, I shall avenge the innocent cultivators who died wrongfully by your hand!”

Ban Ji sneered, continuing his provocation, “Hehe, Ning Zhuo, you’re scared!”

Ning Zhuo interrupted him directly, shouting loudly, “Act for Heaven, eradicate evil and uphold justice! Everyone, follow me to defeat the enemy!”

Ning Zhuo’s voice boomed like a bell, filled with righteous indignation, as he continuously urged the bronze weapons to launch an offensive.

Ban Ji’s face was so dark it could drip water. While parrying and blocking, he wasn’t paying attention, allowing one of Ning Zhuo’s bronze weapons to penetrate his defenses and rush toward him.

It was precisely the blank Qingliu Tong that Ning Zhuo had refined, which he had transformed into an old cold leg.

What was his most proficient martial art?

It must be the Bitter Cold Scripture he accidentally obtained while in the Wan Yao Sect.

The Old Cold Leg was one of the martial arts within it. Ning Zhuo had once used mechanical legs to execute this technique. Now, with Xuanbing Jia, its power was only stronger, not weaker.

The Old Cold Leg kicked Ban Ji in the chest, directly knocking him down with such force that Ban Ji even bounced on the stone ground.

Xiu Zaijiang saw Ban Ji knocked down and quickly rushed over to shield him.

Innate Talent—Golden Malice!

He activated his innate talent, waving both hands, and streaks of dark golden malevolent energy shot out in all directions. Wherever it passed, the air was filled with a heavy metallic rust smell.

Many bronze weapons were tainted by the Golden Malice, their surfaces visibly losing luster and rapidly developing a large amount of bronze rust, becoming thin and brittle.

When Xiu Zaijiang’s weapons collided, any Xuanbing Jia affected by Golden Malice was inevitably destroyed and then quickly teleported out of the battlefield by the grand formation.

For a time, the cultivators besieging the two suffered heavy losses.

Ning Zhuo’s pupils also constricted slightly, “Golden Malice Innate Talent, this counters any metal! Xuanbing Jia within this range is completely suppressed.”

Xiu Zaijiang gained momentum, successfully buying Ban Ji time. Ban Ji stood up and re-entered the battle.

Ban Ji’s face was filled with resentment, “Ning Zhuo is the core, let’s combine our strength and take him down directly! At this critical moment, use all means, don’t hold back!”

After speaking, Ban Ji charged out, shouting wildly, raising his bronze mace high.

He charged fiercely, truly fighting desperately, like a cornered beast driven to its limits!

The cultivators who had been besieging the two had just been hit by a wave of Golden Malice. Most of the Xuanbing Jia they possessed had reached the damaged standard and were taken away by the formation.

The cultivators were feeling pained, and seeing Ban Ji’s reckless charge, their resolve was naturally shaken, and they retreated one after another.

Their mentality was different from Ban Ji’s and Xiu Zaijiang’s.

They were instigated by Ning Zhuo, partly feeling the pressure from Ban Ji and sensing their own dangerous situation, and partly eyeing Ning Zhuo’s promised rewards, coming to take advantage.

Now, Ban Ji and Xiu Zaijiang were both covered in wounds, some even bloody and mangled, which significantly reduced the pressure in everyone’s hearts. More crucially, they had just suffered a severe setback from the Golden Malice innate talent.

As a result, the cultivators’ belief in fighting resolutely became quite weak, and they were unwilling to rush to the forefront.

Xiu Zaijiang followed Ban Ji’s counter-charge, meeting little resistance, and successfully reached Ning Zhuo’s front.

Clang, clang, clang—

Ning Zhuo held his shield high, steadily blocking Ban Ji’s mace, which was almost a blur of motion.

Xiu Zaijiang sneered, “Relying on your shield, are you? I’ll destroy it for you right now!”

Before his words finished, he unleashed a large amount of metal-element malevolent energy with a wave of his palm.

Ning Zhuo wanted to retreat, but Ban Ji attacked fiercely from the side, temporarily tying up Ning Zhuo’s movements.

The surrounding cultivators could have intervened to help, but they all reacted a beat too slow.

Their hearts were not united!

Among all the people present, only Ning Zhuo possessed the sole shield, which was a visible advantage.

Others had to rely on bronze weapons to attack as defense, but Ning Zhuo could defend himself flawlessly with just one shield.

Everyone was here for the Xingyun Small Trial. Now, with Ban Ji appearing weak and Ning Zhuo strong, their other thoughts began to surge.

Watching Ning Zhuo’s shield about to be tainted by Golden Malice, the Xuanjia Cave members who had been observing showed no concern at all.

The next moment, Ning Zhuo flicked his long sleeve, unleashing a piece of Xuanbing Jia. The latter instantly materialized above Ning Zhuo’s head, transforming into a bronze fan.

It was Ning Zhuo’s sixth piece of Xuanbing Jia!

The fan waved continuously, sending out over a dozen wind blades that swept away the Golden Malice.

Then it shook violently, unleashing surging waves of fire that forced Ban Ji back.

Ban Ji roared unwillingly, his eyes bloodshot from the stimulation.

Ning Zhuo regrouped, shouting loudly, “Fellow Daoists, let’s first eliminate this powder-wielding one!”

If it were other weapons, close-range attacks might be suppressed by the Golden Malice. But Ning Zhuo’s bronze fan was better suited for long-range attacks, avoiding direct contact, which greatly reduced Xiu Zaijiang’s threat.

Seeing Ning Zhuo once again taking the lead and rushing to the front, the cultivators instantly became more active.

Cultivator Hao, observing with folded arms, watched until now, his eyes gleaming with sharp light, and his evaluation of Ning Zhuo continuously rising, “This junior Ning Zhuo is truly formidable, not only incredibly insightful but also exceptionally seasoned in righteous methods.”

Ning Zhuo keenly sensed the change in people’s hearts, so he wisely abandoned Ban Ji and went after Xiu Zaijiang.

In everyone’s eyes, Ning Zhuo and Ban Ji were both descendants of great families, the face of genius, and the cost of offending them was very high. But Xiu Zaijiang was different; he was a demonic cultivator, a lone wolf.

On the other hand, Xiu Zaijiang’s innate talent, Golden Malice, was indeed too much of a counter to Xuanbing Jia. In the outside world, cultivators might have other means to supplement and alleviate this counter-relationship. But in the small trial within the cave, everyone relied most heavily on Xuanbing Jia.

A handful of golden powder from Xiu Zaijiang could cause most bronze weapons to rust and be eliminated.

This threat was too great!

To deal with Ban Ji, others would hesitate, worried that Ning Zhuo would become too powerful and a final threat. Dealing with Xiu Zaijiang was what everyone wanted!

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Two wind blades, taking advantage of Xiu Zaijiang’s desperate parries, broke through his defenses and struck Xiu Zaijiang’s arm, severing it on the spot.

There was no fresh blood, and the wound was not flesh and blood, but a metallic斷面 (fracture surface).

But that was enough!

“No!” Ban Ji roared, but he himself was in a dangerous situation and could only watch helplessly as Xiu Zaijiang was engulfed by the subsequent wave of attacks.

Xiu Zaijiang endured for a few breaths before being deemed eliminated and teleported out by the grand formation.

“It’s your turn!” Ning Zhuo’s eyes were bright, and he stared at Ban Ji with righteous indignation.

Ban Ji’s face was pale.

Lu Zeng, meanwhile, was retreating steadily.

His weapons were already exhausted, with only two remaining; the disadvantage was simply too great.

“Although I’m very unwilling, this time there’s nothing I can do to turn the tide,” Lu Zeng sighed helplessly in his heart.

Just as he was about to admit defeat, a mysterious voice reached him, informing him about his various performances in the second stage.

“Who are you? What do you want to do?” Lu Zeng instantly regained hope; he keenly sensed conspiracy and chaos. And the midst of change was precisely the opportunity he had desperately awaited.

The mysterious voice quickly responded, “I must first prove to you that I have the ability to detect the intelligence of everyone in the second stage.”

“Now, I’ll tell you a crucial piece of information: among you three Golden Core cultivators, Tie Zheng is the strongest, surpassing you by a significant margin. This is because he possesses a blade beast, which was transformed from Xuanbing Jia!”

Lu Zeng responded with a bitter smile, “What use is telling me how strong Tie Zheng is? Quickly tell me his weakness! I’m about to collapse!”

The mysterious voice chuckled.

Lu Zeng quickly reacted, “Wait a moment—”

He immediately understood the intention of the mysterious troublemaker!

At this moment, he saw hope for a breakthrough!

He immediately transmitted a divine sense message to Ao Pan in secret.

Ao Pan’s expression remained unchanged, but his heart was shaken. Just now, he too had been informed by the mysterious voice about his performance in the second stage, as well as Tie Zheng’s significant trump card of possessing a blade beast.

This gave Ao Pan a new judgment of the situation.

He hesitated only briefly before agreeing to Lu Zeng’s suggestion of forming an alliance.

The bronze long whip attacked Tie Zheng by surprise. Lu Zeng took the opportunity to swing his sword, cutting Tie Zheng’s chest, causing blood to splatter.

Tie Zheng retreated explosively, staring intently at Ao Pan, “You betrayed me too?!”