This premonition had no discernible origin, and Ning Zhuo himself found it quite odd.

This undoubtedly increased his wariness of Ban Ji. After some thought, he first penned a reply to Ban Ji, politely declining the invitation.

Then, he summoned Gongsun Yan.

Gongsun Yan clasped his hands in greeting and asked, “Young Master, what are your orders?”

Ning Zhuo replied, “Help me investigate someone.”

He handed Gongsun Yan Ban Ji’s letter, his own reply, and then a bag of spirit stones to facilitate the task.

Gongsun Yan took Ning Zhuo’s reply and followed the flying letter all the way to a mountain peak. He stood before a cave dwelling and, holding Ning Zhuo’s reply, requested an audience.

The cave dwelling opened, and Gongsun Yan was welcomed inside.

Within the dwelling, a small banquet was underway. There was singing, dancing, fine food, and excellent wine, creating a lively atmosphere.

The hosts and main guests of the banquet were Pi Fujie and Ban Ji.

Pi Fujie had gray hair and deep-set, skull-like eyes. He was still wearing his wide, skin-stitched robes, but at this moment, his expression showed no arrogance; instead, he was smiling broadly and conversing in a low voice with Ban Ji beside him.

Gongsun Yan knew Pi Fujie. Ning Zhuo always kept his subordinates informed about his enemies. Understanding that Pi Fujie harbored strong hostility, Gongsun Yan remained impassive and showed no fear.

Seeing the flying letter follow the scent directly to Ban Ji, Gongsun Yan paid particular attention to this man.

Ban Ji appeared youthful, with a yellowish complexion, slightly high cheekbones, an aquiline nose, and thin, pursed lips, giving him a shrewd and greedy appearance.

He was lean and capable, of average height, with long arms and neck that tilted forward noticeably. When he sat, he resembled a vulture poised to strike its prey.

Gongsun Yan greeted Pi Fujie and Ban Ji in turn, stating Ning Zhuo’s purpose neither subserviently nor arrogantly.

Ban Ji sat cross-legged, one hand holding a wine cup, the other resting on his knee. Only after Gongsun Yan finished speaking did he raise his eyes, shifting his gaze from the wine cup to Gongsun Yan.

It was then that Gongsun Yan saw Ban Ji’s eyes.

The whites of his eyes were prominent, and his pupils were murky yellowish-brown, like two ancient pieces of amber.

Ban Ji chuckled, saying proudly, “Your attendant is quite good. How long has he been with Ning Zhuo? Was he assigned to Ning Zhuo specifically for joining the Wanxiang Sect this time?”

Gongsun Yan cupped his hands and clarified the truth, stating that he was originally a guest elder of the Lin family, assisting Lin Jinglong in joining the Wanxiang Sect, and had only recently pledged allegiance to Ning Zhuo.

Ban Ji’s expression remained neutral as he twirled the wine cup in his fingers.

He was slightly surprised in his heart, but his voice remained calm, “Oh? The Lin family is also quite good. How much did Ning Zhuo offer to make you abandon Lin Jinglong?”

Gongsun Yan shook his head slightly, “That is not something to be shared with outsiders.”

Ban Ji chuckled. Just a moment ago, he had scanned the letter with his spiritual sense and understood Ning Zhuo’s refusal.

He then waved his arm, “Alright, I have received the letter. Since Ning Zhuo does not have time, then we will wait until the time is right to arrange a sparring match.”

Pi Fujie, standing nearby, frowned slightly.

He had deliberately befriended Ban Ji and offered him substantial gifts. Although Ban Ji had agreed and sent a challenge letter, he immediately backed down after Ning Zhuo declined.

Pi Fujie took a swig of wine, watched Gongsun Yan leave, and was about to speak to Ban Ji.

Ban Ji, however, spoke first, “Daoist Pi, please don’t be so anxious.”

“As the saying goes, one doesn’t hit a smiling face. Ning Zhuo’s reply was polite and courteous, and he did not outright refuse; he merely said he didn’t have time at the moment.”

“With this letter, it would not be good for me to spread rumors that Ning Zhuo is cowardly or afraid to fight, which would tarnish his reputation.”

Pi Fujie shook his head, his face slightly cold, “Daoist Ban Ji, why speak such words to me? When have you ever been so tolerant of an enemy?”

“Moreover, this is clearly a delaying tactic by Ning Zhuo!”

“He is unsure of your capabilities, so he deliberately sent his subordinate to deliver the reply. Most likely, he will now exert all his effort to investigate your information, hoping to gain a greater advantage in dealing with you.”

Seeing Pi Fujie’s expression change, Ban Ji’s own face immediately darkened, “Of course I know that.”

“Ever since your last letter mentioning Ning Zhuo, I have also begun investigating this fellow.”

“Did you know that he participated in Chu Xuangui’s Xingyun Minor Trial this morning and came out on top?”

Pi Fujie frowned, looking puzzled, “Chu Xuangui?”

He thought for a moment and then recalled Chu Xuangui’s information, becoming even more perplexed, “He is a Confucian cultivator, of the Golden Core stage, and one of the pillars of the Confucian cultivation group within the Wanxiang Sect.”

“What? Is this year’s Confucian minor trial so easy? How could it allow an outsider like Ning Zhuo to win?”

Pi Fujie was indeed not very clear on this piece of information.

Ban Ji sneered, “If it were merely that the difficulty of the minor trial had plummeted, that would be a relatively good situation. I’m afraid—hehe.”

“Let me tell you something else: Bai Jiyun, Liu Fushu, and Kong Ran also participated in this minor trial.”

Pi Fujie shook his head, “I don’t know much about Liu Fushu, but I’ve long heard of Bai Jiyun and Kong Ran.”

“Kong Ran is the son of the current prime minister, and Bai Jiyun is comparable to us, as well as Situ Xing and Lin Jinglong.”

“They are genuine Confucian cultivators, and they were actually defeated by Ning Zhuo?”

Pi Fujie grew alarmed and uncertain.

Ban Ji had been observing Pi Fujie’s expression for a while, and seeing no flaws, he subtly raised his head, “You can investigate the details yourself.”

“This person seems not as simple as he appears on the surface.”

“Therefore, I need to diligently gather information and postpone dealing with him for now.”

At this point, Ban Ji recalled the words his grandfather had personally told him when he set off from his family: “Good great-grandson, I have used the family’s mechanisms to calculate your journey to the Wanxiang Sect.”

“This journey will be very perilous for you, but it also contains a great opportunity.”

“You have cultivated demonic arts and diminished much of your Yang virtue. Now, wanting to join the Wanxiang Sect and advance further, you have triggered your human tribulation.”

Ban Ji felt troubled, “Old Ancestor, the Wanxiang Sect gathers elites, so many geniuses and powerful individuals. How do I identify which one is my human tribulation?”

His grandfather stroked his beard and smiled slightly, “I have already marked it for you using the family’s mechanism.”

“When you encounter him, you will naturally feel a spiritual tremor.”

“However, once this method is activated, the other party will also sense it. You need to be cautious, extremely cautious!”

Ban Ji nodded gravely, “Old Ancestor, I will remember that well.”

“Since I chose to cultivate demonic arts, frequent tribulations are to be expected. I have never regretted it!”

“The previous few tribulations, I managed to avoid with your advance warning. But this time, it cannot be avoided!”

“I must join the Wanxiang Sect, as that offers a greater future.”

“Hehe, I’d like to see what human tribulation can hinder my path!”

When Pi Fujie sent the flying letter inviting Ban Ji to deal with Ning Zhuo, Ban Ji felt a tremor deep in his soul the moment he received the letter.

“Ning Zhuo?”

“Is he my human tribulation this time?”

Ban Ji forcibly suppressed the spiritual tremor within him. His cautiousness towards Ning Zhuo was far beyond what Pi Fujie could have imagined.

Therefore, he was extremely prudent with Ning Zhuo and immediately took very strong measures in secret to actively investigate Ning Zhuo’s information.

When Ban Ji learned of the results of Chu Xuangui’s Xingyun Minor Trial around noon, his apprehension towards Ning Zhuo increased slightly.

Pi Fujie urged Ban Ji to act, but Ban Ji felt that acting rashly would only mean facing the tribulation prematurely, rushing things, and suffering a terrible defeat.

Therefore, he decided to temporarily postpone action and conduct a thorough investigation.

“I successfully avoided the previous few tribulations, you know.”

“This tribulation, I’m afraid, will be more powerful than any before.”

“The person who can become my human tribulation must not be simple!”

“I must be extremely cautious!!”

“However, it’s fortunate that he is only a cultivator in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage—”

“Based on the current intelligence, the difficulty of overcoming this tribulation likely lies in the powerful forces supporting him from behind.”

“If I defeat Ning Zhuo, I’m afraid it will invite many unexpected and powerful retaliations!”