Su Lingkuo hesitated, looking at Lin Jinglong in front of her.

Lin Jinglong and Shen Xi were similar people, both long-established young talents. Su Lingkuo knew his identity, but at this moment, her grave gaze was more focused on Gongsun Yan.

Gongsun Yan stood beside Lin Jinglong; he was Lin Jinglong’s subordinate.

This person had a unique, almost inhuman appearance, with fire radiating from his body. Spending even a short time near him would significantly raise the ambient temperature.

His skin was like bronze, covered with lava-like cracks. His right arm was wrapped in dragon-scaled fire-washing cloth, while the sinews and bones of his left arm were exposed, showing a dark golden hue. His ankles were shackled with cold marrow bindings.

What truly made Su Lingkuo pay attention was the information she had gathered about Gongsun Yan.

“This is the man right here, possessing the low-grade talent of Molten Heart. *Sigh*—if only Cousin could have a talent, how wonderful that would be.”

Lin Jinglong was tall and slender, still dressed in a green robe with gold embroidery. He smiled slightly at Shen Xi: “Brother Shen, that Ning Zhuo you recruited, why hasn’t he arrived yet? How should we count this competition of ours?”

It turned out that after Shen Xi had a gathering with Yu Heying and Ning Zhuo in the Pan Shi Dong Fu, he returned and informed Situ Xing that Ning Zhuo had been confirmed and was indeed qualified to join.

To be more convincing, Shen Xi even presented the Ghost Dao Golden Pills Ning Zhuo had given him.

Situ Xing, however, frowned slightly: “Even if this Ning Zhuo gave you Ghost Dao Golden Pills, it doesn’t prove his own strength is formidable.”

Situ Xing continued to speculate: “Ning Zhuo’s every move involves forming alliances, which is indeed typical of our great clan disciples. But he has never personally made a move. Perhaps it’s his elders behind him who subdued Yu Heying.”

“Or, more likely, he used some treasures or materials to successfully bribe Yu Heying.”

At this point, Situ Xing unreservedly looked at the Ghost Dao Golden Pills in Shen Xi’s hand, almost implying suspicion—*were you, Shen Xi, also bribed, which is why you’re speaking well of Ning Zhuo to me, to help him join?*

Situ Xing had his own pride and knew that his alliance with Lin Jinglong and Shen Xi would surely shine in the Fei Yun Da Hui.

He had been approached by many cultivators these past few days, all of whom were eager to actively join. The number of cultivators who bribed Situ Xing was also not small.

After all, joining a powerful group would make it easier to handle the Fei Yun Da Hui.

Su Lingkuo’s eyebrows shot up, and she immediately retorted: “This Ghost Dao Golden Pill is not cheap! My cousin gave up his magic weapon, the Zhen Li You Suo, just to settle this favor!”

“Situ Xing, don’t make wild guesses.”

Situ Xing snorted coldly, unwilling to argue with a young woman.

He didn’t refute Su Lingkuo but also didn’t let go of the opportunity to make things difficult.

Situ Xing was also a great clan disciple, and with a turn of his thoughts, he devised a method of obstruction.

He stared at Shen Xi, bringing up old matters, saying that he had previously defeated Shen Xi and Lin Jinglong to claim the top spot. However, the subsequent competition between the latter two had not determined a clear winner.

“Currently, as we establish a new faction, there naturally needs to be a fair and prominent ranking.”

“But it wouldn’t be elegant for you, Brother Shen, and Brother Lin to compete again. How about this: since you, Brother Shen, are so keen on recommending Ning Zhuo, let Ning Zhuo participate in the fight.”

“As for Brother Lin, he brought the most subordinates this time, so he can surely choose a capable general.”

Shen Xi thought for a moment, a smile appearing on his face, and nodded in agreement.

He had deep confidence in Ning Zhuo.

And so, this is how the scene in the Martial Arts Hall came to be.

Shen Xi hadn’t managed to contact Ning Zhuo, and this battle seemed to be lost without a fight.

Lin Jinglong cupped his hands: “In that case, I accept your concession, Brother Shen.”

Shen Xi, of course, was unwilling.

He had voluntarily given up the first seat before to maneuver Situ Xing into the lead. But he had always intended to occupy the second seat.

If he truly became third, how could he guarantee his own interests?

The second position was just right—neither too risky nor lacking in benefits. This was an ideal position in Shen Xi’s heart.

But unfortunately, Lin Jinglong had the same idea.

Which elite disciple of a great clan was simple?

“Brother Ning’s failure to arrive on time must be due to some reason,” Shen Xi argued for himself. “But to claim victory merely because the opponent hasn’t shown up—does Brother Lin truly want to take advantage of such a bargain?”

Lin Jinglong’s smile immediately diminished somewhat.

Shen Xi seized the opportunity: “How about a best-of-three series, and this round counts as your win?”

Lin Jinglong pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly.

Shen Xi was well-versed in the art of compromise and negotiation. He acknowledged Lin Jinglong’s gains but also preserved the possibility for himself to continue striving.

Lin Jinglong agreed: “Let’s do it that way then.”

Su Lingkuo, however, said indignantly: “How can there be such a cheap thing! If Ning Zhuo isn’t here, aren’t I still an option?”

She then looked at Shen Xi: “Cousin, I’ll go down and fight to win the first match for you!”

Shen Xi hesitated: “This…”

Su Lingkuo, at this moment, cast off her usual demure demeanor, flames of fighting spirit flickering in her eyes: “Cousin!”

Shen Xi gave a wry smile and reached out to stroke Su Lingkuo’s forehead: “Alright, be careful. If the battle turns unfavorable, just concede. Losing to Daoist Gongsun Yan is like losing to Brother Lin, there’s no shame in it.”

He was a great clan disciple, articulate and amiable.

A sharp glint flashed in Lin Jinglong’s eyes, and he quickly offered a few humble words, expressing his expectations for Su Lingkuo.

Then, he turned to Gongsun Yan and said: “Brother Gongsun, I’m counting on you this time.”

Gongsun Yan grunted in response: “After this is done, the firewood you promised me cannot be short.”

Lin Jinglong smiled: “That goes without saying. Brother Gongsun can rest assured.”

Gongsun Yan possessed a talent, and his status among Lin Jinglong’s subordinates was quite unusual; he indeed deserved such special treatment.

The two descended together onto the martial arts arena.

The massive plaza, paved with gray and white flagstones, was smooth as a mirror, with runes flowing along its edges. A magic array formed a light golden protective barrier, separating the inside from the outside.

Gongsun Yan and Su Lingkuo stood facing each other, and the atmosphere in the arena quickly grew tense.

Seeing Su Lingkuo’s petite figure, dressed in an oblique-collared short embroidered pleated skirt, like a girl next door, Gongsun Yan spoke in a deep voice: “Miss Su, you’re out of luck, running into me. I’ll give you a chance; you can make the first move.”

Lin Jinglong’s brow furrowed imperceptibly, then smoothed out again.

Su Lingkuo narrowed her eyes, feeling underestimated, and said coldly: “You will regret this.”

She shook her wrists, and the Xuan Shui Kan Luo Sheng and Zi Huo Li Luo Sheng shot out from her wrists like lightning.

The two ropes sliced through the air, each bringing with it fine ice crystals and splashing sparks!

Gongsun Yan took a deep breath, gathered his spirit, and cast a defensive spell, enveloping himself in a translucent fireball.

However, the two thin ropes shot forth, then immediately circled around the fireball shield.

Su Lingkuo formed hand seals, silently chanting: “Yin Yang Kou!”

The two thin ropes twisted together in mid-air, instantly forming a light clasp in the shape of a Taiji fish, with head and tail connected, flowing ceaselessly!

The Yin fish bit the Yang eye, the Yang fish swallowed the Yin light. The moment the clasp landed, a sharp whistle echoed through the martial arts arena.

A layer of black ice instantly covered the gray-white flagstones. Cold air surged upward, quickly spreading over Gongsun Yan’s feet, forming a thin sheet of ice.

Gongsun Yan, however, felt a contained heat within the cold air.

He dared not be careless, pulling out a small hammer magic tool and holding it in his hand.

The next moment, the muscles of his left arm swelled, and he struck the ice surface fiercely with the small hammer!

*Dong!* The hammer fell like a drum! The ice surface beneath the hammer shattered, but instead spewed out crimson flowing fire.

While Gongsun Yan was entangled with the flowing fire, Su Lingkuo’s gaze was calm. She slightly raised her skirt, and the seventy-two pearls adorning it silently shot out, like scattered stars, landing around Gongsun Yan.

With a thought, Su Lingkuo took out a plain silver formation disc and held it in her left hand.

Numerous thin needles were inserted into the disc, and fine threads connected the needles to each other.

“Activate Formation!” she crisply shouted, and the formation disc immediately emitted a brilliant, colorful light.

Gongsun Yan swung his hammer, scattering the flowing fire, and then took large strides, rushing towards Su Lingkuo.

However, the pearls around him glowed, forming virtual rope shadows that hindered him layer by layer.

Gongsun Yan activated a spell, imbuing his small hammer with power, and swept it horizontally again.

Although the rope shadows broke, they immediately launched thousands of needle-like brilliant lights, piercing through Gongsun Yan’s protective fire shield.

The brilliant lights struck Gongsun Yan’s bronze skin, producing metallic clanging sounds, like a continuous downpour for a while.

Gongsun Yan endured the attack, spewing two streams of golden-white fire from his nostrils.

The fire streams, like jiao-dragons, coiled around his neck, arms, and even the handle of his hammer.

The small hammer seemed to come alive, its power surging!

Gongsun Yan once again swung his hammer wildly, destroying the surrounding rope shadows one after another.

On Su Lingkuo’s side, the fine threads on her formation disc snapped one by one, and even the inserted needles broke off and flew, one scratching her cheek, leaving a trail of blood.

Su Lingkuo’s expression was grave. Without hesitation, she parted her cherry lips, bit her tongue, and spat out a mouthful of vital blood onto the formation disc.

The formation disc hummed!

Eight rope shadows suddenly expanded, wrapping around Gongsun Yan’s body and limbs. As for the small hammer in his hand, it was wrapped in layers of ropes.

Chaos Intestine Knot—clasp!

The formation disc let out a strained “ga-ai” sound. Su Lingkuo poured all her strength into trying to form a knot.

As long as this knot took shape, the formation would be complete, capable of sealing Gongsun Yan on the spot.

Gongsun Yan also knew it was a critical moment.

He didn’t hesitate; his heart pounded like a drum, beating faster, pushing out his talent, bringing forth surging heart fire.

The heart fire burned, turning him into a man of fire, yet he remained unharmed.

The heart fire landed on the rope shadows, immediately burning them red, softening them, and then melting them one by one!

Su Lingkuo also gave her all; however many ropes melted, she tried her best to add just as many.

Both sides were locked in a stalemate!

A fine crack appeared on the edge of the formation disc.

Gongsun Yan, on the other hand, bled from his seven orifices, feeling as if he was being crushed by a giant python, about to shatter from the inside out.

Outside the arena, Shen Xi and Lin Jinglong exchanged glances, and the next moment, both shouted simultaneously.

“Stop, Daoist Gongsun!”

“Cousin, stop fighting, stop fighting!”

Gongsun Yan and Su Lingkuo naturally had no deep enmity. Hearing this, they gradually withdrew their strength, eventually letting each other go.

This was originally a sparring match, not a fight to the death, nor a grudge match.

Neither Gongsun Yan nor Su Lingkuo, though not as powerful as Lin Jinglong or Shen Xi, were valuable subordinates to the latter two. If they were to injure each other gravely, it would be a huge loss.

If it also affected the subsequent Fei Yun Da Hui, that would be even worse.

“Cousin, I didn’t win—” Su Lingkuo returned to Shen Xi’s side, her face filled with guilt.

Shen Xi waved his hand, stopping her from apologizing, and comforted her: “Daoist Gongsun Yan’s strength is outstanding; there’s no need for a mutual defeat. I wouldn’t want you to fight so desperately for me.”

Su Lingkuo’s face couldn’t help but flush slightly.

Lin Jinglong interjected: “Brother Shen, how about we count this as a draw?”

Shen Xi nodded.

Lin Jinglong: “Best of three, the next battle will be in three days. Brother Shen, this time should be enough for you to call others, right?”

Shen Xi gave a wry smile: “Man proposes, Heaven disposes. I can only say I’ll do my best.”

Watching Lin Jinglong and Gongsun Yan leave, Su Lingkuo immediately looked worried: “Cousin, can that Ning Zhuo really do it?”

“His mastery of the Five Elements is indeed high, but that doesn’t mean his combat power is strong.”

Shen Xi: “I believe in Daoist Ning Zhuo.”

“However, I also haven’t seen him make a move or engage in combat.”

“In that case… I will immediately send him another flying letter, but at the same time, we must also look for other candidates.”

Ning Zhuo still hadn’t discovered the flying letters.

At this moment, he was fully engrossed in another matter.

That was the forging of his Natal Dharma Artifact!

Previously, when he practiced the Jing Tai Tong Ling Jue, his anomalous rune implantation was successful, and he obtained the Natal Tong Ling Art. From this, he created the Tong Ling Bao Jing.

Now, his second anomalous rune implantation was successful, and he obtained the Natal-level Wu Xing Sheng Mie Art, so he could naturally forge a second Natal Dharma Artifact.

This was the benefit of cultivating all three Dantian.

Most cultivators only had one Natal Dharma Artifact. But Ning Zhuo, in theory, could possess three.

The three mechanism pedestals once again provided Ning Zhuo with immense help.

A mechanism fan was freshly forged!

It had twelve fan bones, made from the Five Elements, which were the twelve spiritual axis shafts of the mechanism creation.

The fan surface was made of Yun Jiao Xiao, a blank canvas.

The fan rivets were in the shape of a five-pointed star, and it was here that Ning Zhuo carved the runic imprint of his Natal Dharma Art.

Ning Zhuo held the warm fan handle, his thumb gently pushing, then flicking it open.

With a soft *peng* sound, the twelve fan bones burst open like startled peacocks, scattering a handful of five-colored碎光.

The fan surface fully unfolded, revealing five-colored clouds and mists of nitrogen and argon swirling and constantly changing. Sometimes they erupted, sometimes they annihilated.

Ning Zhuo gently fanned once, sending out a torrent of five energies. He fanned again, and the torrent of five energies rapidly disintegrated, completely annihilating in mid-air within a few breaths.

The Five Elements and five energies beneath the fan were firmly controlled, flowing only according to Ning Zhuo’s will.

Ning Zhuo closed his five fingers, also closing the mechanism fan.

“With this fan’s assistance, my strength has increased by a notch.”

“Can I use this to solve the problem of Meng Yiehu?”

Thinking of this, Ning Zhuo immediately took out the mechanism Meng Yiehu. Its spirituality was clouded, and it remained motionless. No matter how Ning Zhuo called, it was like a stone sinking into the sea, with no response whatsoever.

Ning Zhuo unfolded the mechanism fan and fanned Meng Yiehu a few times.

Meng Yiehu remained as silent as a stone.

Ning Zhuo sighed, then took out the frozen Yuan Da Sheng, and also tried with the mechanism fan.

Failure.

“Hmm?” Ning Zhuo put away the two large mechanisms. As he collected himself, he discovered Shen Xi’s two flying letters.