Ning Zhuo, dressed in clean, crisp white robes, entered the cave dwelling.

Before meeting Qingwu Langjun, he had already received treatment and been arranged for a bath.

The interior of the cave dwelling was quite simple, almost empty, with only a bronze armor enshrined on a profound altar.

The plates of this armor were extremely thick, covered in verdigris like moss, and bore scars from sword slashes and axe blows.

Its style was clearly not contemporary, exuding an aura as profound as mountains and as ancient as rivers.

Upon seeing Ning Zhuo, the bronze armor emitted a faint white light. Within the white light, a figure emerged from inside the armor.

It was a middle-aged male cultivator, eight feet tall and robust, with bulging, knotted muscles. His face was chiseled by wind and frost, and his short beard resembled a bronze short halberd.

His eyes glowed with a deep blue light, fixed on Ning Zhuo.

From this gaze, Ning Zhuo immediately felt a cold sharpness, like a weapon.

Ning Zhuo bowed respectfully: “Junior Ning Zhuo pays his respects to Langjun!”

He was well-informed and naturally understood that this deity before him was the highest leader of Xuanjia Dong, an artifact spirit that had transformed into a deity.

Qingwu Langjun withdrew his gaze and said indifferently: “No need for such formality.”

He continued: “This deity has seen the footage of your trial, and your performance was astonishing.”

“Initially, your strength was low, and no one favored you, but you relied on extraordinary talent, learning as you practiced, and ultimately achieved first place, which was truly brilliant.”

“You were able to create a battle formation, make careful plans amidst surrounded cultivators, and leverage strength to break the deadlock—your intelligence, temperament, and comprehension are all top-notch. Achieving first place this time is well-deserved.”

“I believe that once the results are spread, you will once again become famous within the Wanxiang Zong mountain gate.”

Ning Zhuo replied: “Shenjun overpraises me; this junior is humbled. It was merely a small bit of wisdom, acting on circumstances, and more due to good fortune. I dare not accept such high praise.”

“You are worthy of it,” Qingwu Langjun’s blue eyes shifted slightly. “As you know, the purpose of Xuanjia Dong holding the Xingyun Xiaoshi is to circulate as many Xuanbing Jia as possible and entrust them to suitable cultivators.”

“The first-place prize for every Xingyun Xiaoshi held by Xuanjia Dong is also based on this, so the prizes are mostly similar each time.”

“But this time—” Qingwu Langjun’s tone shifted, “the prize is different.”

He gazed at Ning Zhuo: “I will bestow upon you three Daoyin, and strip away the corresponding Daoli, injecting all of them into your body!”

Ning Zhuo: ?!

His eyes widened in disbelief, looking up at Qingwu Langjun, feeling as if he had misheard.

He knew all too well the weight of a “Daoyin”!

Previously, the Wuxing Shenzhu had imparted to him the profound mysteries of the five elements, which involved instilling his own Wuxing Daoyin into him.

Ning Zhuo’s Wuxing realm had soared as a result, providing immense help during his subsequent travels across the world, benefiting countless times from his Wuxing realm.

Now, this ancient deity also wanted to instill his own Daoyin and Daoli into him?

Ning Zhuo frowned, unable to comprehend this.

The main reason he participated in this Xingyun Xiaoshi was to intercept Ban Ji. When the time came, he also strove for first place.

He was familiar with the information regarding the first-place prize and didn’t have much expectation for it.

He never imagined that this time’s first-place prize would be so generous!

After the surprise came doubt.

Ning Zhuo carefully chose his words and slowly spoke: “Langjun’s generous gift, this junior is—overwhelmed with gratitude!”

“Daoyin is precious, and this junior can still try his best to bear and comprehend a little. But this Daoli—this junior is only at the Foundation Establishment cultivation level, with a humble soul and fragile body, how can I bear such a heavy burden from heaven and earth?”

Ning Zhuo was confident about the infusion of Daoyin.

But the infusion of Daoli was another matter entirely. This was akin to artifact refining, where cultivators constantly hammered the artifact blank, shaping it while also forcibly imbuing it with various types of Daoli.

Cultivators arranged formations and carved talismans on the artifact blank, imbuing it with various Daoli, giving the final product different powers and wondrous uses.

The artifact blank was forged from various precious materials, usually inanimate objects, and felt no pain. But a cultivator’s body was alive; to have Daoli infused meant treating the cultivator’s body as an artifact blank for refining.

This was not only extremely painful, but the more terrifying consequences could range from cultivation紊亂 (wěnluàn, chaotic) to the destruction of the physical body, leading to demise.

Daoyin infusion involved comprehending with the heart, testing one’s comprehension, which was a matter of the mind.

Daoli infusion involved experience, with the core point being the body’s ability to withstand it, a matter of the body.

Examples of Daoli infusion were everywhere. Most magical treasures and artifacts belonged to this category. They were inanimate objects and could not comprehend Daoli, but the Daoli engraved on them allowed them to have various effects.

Xuanbing Jia was also like this.

They were used by cultivators, and in the process of use, many martial arts Daoli were recorded. Therefore, even if these Xuanbing Jia left their original owners, they could still independently perform their past martial arts moves and so on.

Ning Zhuo was confident in his comprehension and leaned towards Daoyin infusion. But for Daoli infusion, he was reluctant.

Qingwu Langjun shook his head slightly.

Ning Zhuo had two attitudes towards Daoyin and Daoli, but Qingwu Langjun needed Ning Zhuo to bear both.

He needed to purify his Dao path!

That meant abandoning the other three paths.

Normal cultivators would actively choose one path, not overly involving themselves in other paths. Qingwu Langjun’s origin was special; he was an artifact spirit.

The Jiuchong Xuanbing Jia itself originated from Jishu Zong. Its main body was forged using techniques of artifact refining and mechanisms, while also containing Daoli of the military and martial arts.

The Jiuchong Xuanbing Jia has existed until now, and the Feiyun Dahui and more Xingyun Xiaoshi have allowed many cultivators to possess their own Xuanbing Jia. When these Xuanbing Jia were fed back to the main body of the Jiuchong Xuanbing Jia, it continuously accumulated in these four aspects.

Qingwu Langjun had no choice but to passively accumulate.

By the time he achieved the divine position, most of these accumulations had become a burden.

And to shed these burdens, it was necessary to relinquish both Daoyin and Daoli simultaneously.

Qingwu Langjun persuaded Ning Zhuo: “No need to worry too much, Ning Zhuo. Others cannot do it, but you can.”

Ning Zhuo was astonished, meeting Qingwu Langjun’s azure eyes, feeling the other party’s certainty. It was a confidence far stronger than his own.

“Why? How?” Ning Zhuo’s face was full of such questions.

Qingwu Langjun’s eyes flickered slightly, and he spoke in a low voice, recounting a past event to Ning Zhuo.

“Twelve years ago, trapped by a bottleneck in my divine path, I secretly sought out a demon cultivator skilled in divination. He was known as the Dun Jia Xuan Shi—”

Ning Zhuo listened carefully, his expression changing.

After Qingwu Langjun finished speaking, Ning Zhuo’s brows furrowed even more deeply: “So, I am your ‘fated person,’ Langjun?”

Qingwu Langjun nodded: “I myself was somewhat skeptical. However, twelve years have passed, the divination period has arrived, first place has been decided, and you have appeared before me.”

“The Xuan Shi calculated that you possess extraordinary talent and prosperous fortune, far beyond what ordinary people can compare! As for using your body to perform this Daoyin stripping and Daoli infusion method—the Xuan Shi asserted that you can bear it!

“Regarding Daoyin, you should know that this is also a great opportunity for you.”

“As for Daoli infusion, perhaps I can try a little first, just a small test. If it doesn’t work, I can stop in time.”

Ning Zhuo frowned in thought, questioning Sun Lingtong in his mind.

The Renming Xuansi divine ability allowed Ning Zhuo to communicate secretly even in front of Qingwu Langjun.

Inside Shuyu Zhai, Sun Lingtong shrugged: “Langjun’s suggestion is good. Even if some Daoli are infused, at worst I can help you remove them later.”

“The foundation of Xuanjia Dong’s power is in Wanxiang Zong. He also needs to abide by the sect’s rules, so if he wants to harm you, he will face severe punishment from the entire Wanxiang Zong.”

“He also honestly explained the reasons, so his sincerity is evident.”

Sun Lingtong’s view was very similar to Ning Zhuo’s.

“The Dun Jia Xuan Shi calculated that I am the fated person. If this is true, I should have the ability to bear these Daoli!” Ning Zhuo’s experience in Baizhi Xiancheng also added much confidence.

After a brief rest, Ning Zhuo sat cross-legged on a futon, facing the main body of the Jiuchong Xuanbing Jia.

Before imparting, Qingwu Langjun said with a solemn expression: “My comprehension of the military, artifact refining, and mechanisms is all within this. Be ready!”

Buzz—!

The mottled and heavy bronze armor suddenly shone brightly, no longer dull, erupting with dazzling blue-gold divine light!

The ancient runes on the armor plates appeared, like billions of swimming tadpoles, rapidly moving and colliding with each other.

Innumerable collisions stirred up thousands of sparks.

A vast Daoyin erupted from this, carrying an invisible impact force that made Ning Zhuo’s upper body sway, almost falling backward.

Ning Zhuo felt like a stone, thrown into an incredibly huge, churning millstone.

The initial sensation was one of complexity, chaos, almost suffocating from being overwhelmed.

At the same time, tens of thousands of different images of ores, spirit woods, bone materials, beast skins, demon blood, and other precious materials flew past his eyes, like snowflakes.

Hammers, pliers, anvils, files, tweezers, carving knives, melting furnaces—and other artifact refining tools, mixed with the most basic and superficial refining techniques, surged like a tide, directly overwhelming Ning Zhuo’s divine sea in a whirlwind.

Ning Zhuo was dazzled, his spirit highly concentrated, with a slightly tense emotion, rapidly receiving this Daoyin.

He had experience, and his ability to learn and comprehend had significantly improved, allowing him to handle it with ease at this moment.

“Excellent comprehension!” Qingwu Langjun praised in his heart. “Next, it’s the infusion of Daoli into the body.”

Then, in the next moment, Ning Zhuo’s body felt something.

His entire skin seemed to be experiencing the friction of various materials—the rough coldness of ores, the warmth of spirit woods,
the residual heat after metal burning, the sticky slipperiness of demon blood—

His nostrils were filled with the scents of sulfur, charcoal, molten metal, herbal juices, and various other smells, some fragrant, some rich, some bitter, some pungent—

His ears were filled with the roar of the furnace fire, the clanging of metal, the cracking of materials, the low hum of the artifact blank—

Empathic!

Qingwu Langjun slowly stopped, his eyes sparkling with joy: “You truly are my destiny!”

This was agreed upon by both parties: to first try cultivation and see the effect.

The first attempt was a great success!

“In just a short moment, my artifact refining realm has reached the peak of the craftsman level!” Ning Zhuo was delighted in his heart, not too surprised by his absorption and comprehension of Daoyin.

What surprised him was his physical body.

“The infusion of Daoli into my body was actually perfectly withstood, and it even aligned with the relevant Daoyin, helping me to understand more deeply from the perspective of experience!”

“This is truly amazing!”

Sun Lingtong had been closely monitoring the situation.

Upon learning this, he immediately exclaimed: “Xiao Zhuo, your body possesses unique profound mysteries. Under normal circumstances, these Daoli infused into the body would be like refining a flesh and blood body as a magical treasure. It would be strange if you weren’t injured!”

“I originally estimated that you would suffer some minor injuries.”

“But the result is like this, how strange!”

Ning Zhuo pondered: “Is this related to my second innate talent?”

He then carefully examined his body and found that only his muscles were tense, with a thin layer of sweat.

“How do you feel?” Qingwu Langjun asked.

Ning Zhuo’s eyes glowed: “Very good, please continue, Langjun.”

Qingwu Langjun smiled slightly and immediately began again.

With Daoyin infusion and Daoli imbuement, Ning Zhuo’s foundation was dramatically surging at an unbelievable rate, every minute and every second!

In another cave dwelling.

Ban Ji’s expression changed slightly.

Ban Jie was discussing their next action plan with him, and seeing his change in expression, immediately asked.

Ban Ji slowly shook his head, instinctively covering his heart: “Just now, I suddenly felt empty, as if an important treasure had been taken from me.”

Speaking of this, Ban Ji couldn’t help but laugh: “This is just an illusion, nothing to worry about.”

Hearing this, Ban Jie’s heart sank, and he couldn’t help but think of Xuanjia Dong: “The first-place prize from Xuanjia Dong, though generous, is merely that. What truly helps Ban Ji must be something else. But what it is, is now impossible to investigate. Alas—”

Ban Jie sighed in his heart, but on the surface, he was calm: “Even if Ning Zhuo wins the first-place prize, it’s nothing more than that.”

“Ban Ji, our failure this time does not affect the overall situation.”

“The family is even increasing its efforts and is about to send a bottle of Bailian Jinshan Dan.”

Ban Ji immediately raised an eyebrow, showing a hint of surprise: “What? This precious elixir can enhance my physical foundation, greatly reducing the difficulty of surviving the onset of the Wanyan Mogua.”

“The family has finally found such a medicinal pill. I’ve asked for it countless times before.”

Speaking of this, Ban Ji took out a Xuanbing Jia.

This Xuanbing Jia was refined by him from Tonghu, a reward that every cultivator could obtain after passing the third stage.

As for the Xuanbing Jia they “subdued” in the second stage, they were all treasures of Xuanjia Dong, temporarily rented to the cultivators who were challenging the stages.

Ban Ji looked at the Xuanbing Jia in his hand: “If I had known about the Bailian Jinshan Dan, why would I have sought any Xuanbing Jia?”

The onset of the Wanyan Mogua Immortal Talent put Ban Ji in danger because the Daoli of mechanisms and monstrous paths were infused into his body, making it difficult for Ban Ji to bear.

After refining the Xuanbing Jia, it became one with the body. This gave Ban Ji more space to bear the Daoli.

The Bailian Jinshan Dan, on the other hand, was an auxiliary elixir that could harmonize and properly arrange the Daoli within a cultivator’s body.

If the help the Xuanbing Jia provided to Ban Ji was one, then the help from the Bailian Jinshan Dan was at least fifty!

With the Bailian Jinshan Dan, Ban Ji suddenly looked down on the Xuanbing Jia.

Ban Jie knew the truth, but sighed again in his heart: “The family had long ago found such elixirs, but to advance the great plan of Wang Ming, they had kept them unused.”

“But this Xingyun Xiaoshi, the human tribulation was fierce, and Ban Ji failed again. After calculations using the Clan Fortune Hub Chain, the family determined that Ban Ji must be strengthened, otherwise the future would be bleak, let alone activating Wang Ming.”

“Only then did they retrieve the elixir and send it over.”

Ban Jie thought of Ning Zhuo: “I wonder what he will get?”

“Some opportunities that greatly benefit Ban Ji may not be suitable for others.”

“It might even be a disaster, not a blessing.”

Ban Jie comforted himself, but his thoughts couldn’t help but drift: “But Ban Ji’s recent sense of loss was probably not an illusion—”

“And this failure caused Ban Ji’s destiny to drop sharply, requiring him to consume precious elixirs to compensate.”

“Will Ning Zhuo’s destiny rise greatly?”