Ning Zhuo relied on clumsy efforts to reach the Third Song.
Crimson pillars, carved beams, gray tiles. Sunlight slanted in from outside the corridor, casting mottled shadows on the ground. Everything looked exactly like the First Song.
He tried moving forward, and soon after, pathways appeared ahead.
But this time, he couldnât sense any formation fluctuations.
Ning Zhuo struggled to release his Divine Sense, but its detection range was suppressed to just around five feet.
He repeatedly tried other methods, but he never gathered any clues for breaking the array.
Helplessly, Ning Zhuo decisively spoke up and applied to withdraw from the trial.
The cultivators hosting the formation looked at each other in bewilderment.
They never expected Ning Zhuo would voluntarily withdraw.
"Heâs got such little knowledge about the Array Dao, yet he dared to challenge our Nine Curves Corridor Array?"
"He really doesnât take us seriously at all!"
"Heh, so-called geniusâjust like this, nothing more."
The cultivators hosting the formation immediately acted to transmit Ning Zhuo out.
The next moment, Ning Zhuo found himself at the entrance of the formation.
A large group of lined-up cultivators saw Ning Zhuo and instantly caused an uproar.
"Did I see that right? Ning Zhuo was eliminated too!"
"How long has it been?"
"Strange, didnât he just receive the copper medal? How could such a genius be so embarrassing?"
"Thatâs a fair point! A genius isnât a master of everything. Maybe he just came here to play?"
"With that kind of leisure time, why didnât he join trials where heâs more confident? Elsewhere, he might encounter opportunities, but here, he can only experience defeat, diminishing his reputation."
With such words, even some cultivators supporting Ning Zhuo closed their mouths, looking at Ning Zhuo with confusion and doubt.
Ning Zhuoâs expression remained calm, neither disappointed nor annoyed.
He turned lightly, passing through the crowd and those mocking or sympathetic glances, stepping out of the trial area one step at a time.
Occasionally, cultivators would be eliminated and then transmitted out.
As time passed, fewer and fewer cultivators were sent out.
Shen Xi was among the last few to persist.
When he was transmitted out, Su Lingkou had already arrived here, waiting for him for the time of two tea cups.
"Cousin!" Su Lingkou exclaimed.
Shen Xi was transmitted out, his head lowered, deep in thought. Awakened by Su Lingkou, he smiled.
Su Lingkou proudly said, "Cousin, you were one of the last to come out."
Shen Xi: "Unfortunately, I only reached the Sixth Song. Then, I hit the time limit. However, Iâve had some insights on breaking the Sixth Song."
Su Lingkou held Shen Xiâs arm: "Cousin, letâs go back and think it over thoroughly."
"Mm." After a few steps, Shen Xi suddenly thought of Ning Zhuo and asked, "Do you know how Daoist Fellow Ning Zhuo performed?"
Su Lingkou giggled, showing a hint of disdain: "Cousin, Ning Zhuo isnât very adept at formations. He was eliminated quite early. His result should be less than half of yours."
"Oh?" Shen Xi felt slightly surprised.
Su Lingkou: "If I were him, knowing my Array Dao was so shallow, I wouldnât have come here just to be humiliated."
Shen Xi: "That is indeed a bit strange. But Daoist Fellow Ning Zhuo canât be judged by common sense; he must have his own thoughts."
Shen Xi always held Ning Zhuo in high regard. Ning Zhuoâs failure this time didnât even slightly lower that regard.
The pair left Nine Curves Peak, and on their carriage journey back, a Flying Message arrived.
Upon reading it, it was a letter from Ning Zhuo.
"...Daoist Shen is skilled in the Nine Palace Formation; todayâs challenge surely provided insights. This humble one wishes to seek adviceâmay Brother Shen have some free time tomorrow..."
In the letter, Ning Zhuo unreservedly detailed his entire process and feelings during the challenge, sincerely seeking advice from Shen Xi.
Su Lingkou retrieved her Divine Sense after reading the letter: "I didnât expect esteemed Ning Zhuo didnât even pass the Third Song."
"Heâs quite shameless. Despite competing with you, cousin, for the trialâs first place, he still asks you for advice."
Shen Xi smiled slightly, putting the letter aside and looking at Su Lingkou: "Little sister, how do you think I should act?"
Su Lingkou paused for a moment, quickly sensing Shen Xiâs test-like intention. She thought deeply and slowly said: "Since heâs proactively seeking advice, cousin, you might as well guide him a bit."
Shen Xi: "Oh? Why do you say so?"
Su Lingkou rolled her eyes: "Cousin, Iâve reasoned it out."
"Although every cultivator has three attempts in the Nine Curves Corridor Array trial, Ning Zhuo didnât even pass the Third Song on his first try and couldnât find any clues whatsoever. He poses no threat to you, cousin."
"His formation skills, expecting rapid advances to ultimately clear the Nine Curves, are impossible in a short time!"
"Let alone competing with you, cousin, for the top spot."
Su Lingkou paused and continued: "Therefore, it doesnât hurt to take this opportunity to make amends."
"Ning Zhuo may not excel in Array Dao, but he has his strengths and is currently the most dominant genius."
"Building a good relationship with him is never wrong."
In Shen Xiâs eyes flashed a glimmer: "The most dominant genius? Little sister, youâve reminded me. Perhaps I understand one of Ning Zhuoâs intentions for this move."
Su Lingkou: "Oh? What is it?"
Shen Xi shook his head slightly: "Letâs not talk about it. Your idea makes a lot of sense, so letâs do as you say."