Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1161: Chapter 440: Ban Ji Eliminated

The wind came from the heavens, rolling up vast expanses of clouds.

The sea of clouds churned, sometimes gathering like a crumbling snow mountain, sometimes dispersing like a torn white silk.

Under the shade of the pines, Ban Jie sat upright.

She held a teacup in one hand, inhaling the fragrance of the tea, while pondering the latest battle situation of the Xuan Armor Cave in her mind.

Just now, the latest intelligence had already been delivered into her hands.

"The three Golden Core contenders, Tie Zheng won."

"This was expected, and also the result I wanted to achieve."

Ban Jie knew well the strength of the Blade Beast! Especially since Tie Zheng had already used the Blade Beast in the second round.

If Ao Pan and Lu Zeng didn’t have other cards to play, Tie Zheng would inevitably win. The advantage the Blade Beast provided was too great.

Sure enough, Ao Pan and Lu Zeng were successively eliminated, and Tie Zheng, fighting one against two, won relying on the Blade Beast.

"Even so, the Blade Beast cannot last long in battle; they’ve already done their best to weaken him."

In the past, Tie Zheng and Ao Pan would have teamed up to deal with Lu Zeng. The eventual winner would also have been Tie Zheng.

But now, although Tie Zheng had eliminated Ao Pan and Lu Zeng, the expenditure was much greater than before.

"Such a device as the Blade Beast is inherently not suited for prolonged combat. And the Blade Beast itself uses Mysterious Armor as its main material, making it even less durable."

"Tie Zheng has a Heart Demon, and he must have fought with all his might. After such a bloody and fierce battle, how much longer can the Blade Beast be sustained?"

Ban Jie smiled slightly, thinking of Ban Ji.

"My second wave of hidden soldiers has already heavily injured Ning Zhuo. Going forward, when they fight Tie Zheng, they will undoubtedly further weaken him, creating the final opportunity for Ban Ji."

"Ning Zhuo was heavily wounded and even lost his shield. He is Ban Ji’s Human Tribulation, and only when Ban Ji breaks it himself does it hold meaning."

As Ban Jie contemplated, the pair of Mysterious Copper Eyebrow Nails at her temples seemed to continuously rotate like gear pivots.

"Next, Ban Ji will, under the watchful eye of the second wave of hidden soldiers, personally eliminate Ning Zhuo, and then sweep away other Foundation Establishment cultivators."

"After Tie Zheng is weakened, he will engage in the final contention with Ban Ji."

"The final victory will depend on Ban Ji’s performance."

"What I’ve done so far should be just right."

Ban Jie needed to leave enough challenges for Ban Ji; without honing, the King’s Order could not be stimulated.

The sea of clouds was reflected in her deep eyes.

"But ultimately, the second wave of hidden soldiers was somewhat excessive."

"An apology to Xuan Armor Cave is needed afterward! After all, Ban Ji will join the Myriad Images Sect in the future, and they will constantly meet with Xuan Armor Cave."

Appointed here by the Ban Family, Ban Jie naturally had her strategies.

At this moment, the Xingyun Trial had not yet concluded, and she was already calculating how to wrap it up.

The cultivators of Xuan Armor Cave generally did not look pleased.

"There was already a wave before, and now there’s a second one?"

"The Ban Family has gone too far! Openly cheating, what image does that leave us in Xuan Armor Cave?!"

In every Feiyun Conference, Xuan Armor Cave hosted countless similar Xingyun Trials. If a large-scale cheating impression was left, it would significantly impact their reputation.

As long as there is cheating, it proves a lack of fairness, and cultivators who come to participate in the Xingyun Trial will have more reservations and hesitations. At the same time, it also proves their internal members are corrupted, which would make outsiders look down on Xuan Armor Cave’s internal forces.

The Hao-surnamed cultivator crossed his arms, a flash of sharpness flickering in his eyes.

He was one of the individuals corrupted.

"The Ban Family isn’t honorable, doing things this blatantly to support Ban Ji!"

"Once this Xingyun Trial is over, the higher-ups will definitely send people to investigate."

By then, once it’s discovered that the Hao-surnamed cultivator had accepted bribes, he would inevitably face punishment.

"The Ban Family didn’t just bribe me alone."

"Fortunately, I sensed the unfavorable situation earlier and prepared ahead."

"Otherwise, I would be in a passive position now!"

The Hao-surnamed cultivator quickly surveyed the surroundings, a cold smile in his heart.

Ban Ji watched several people clasp their fists and greet others, squeezing out a smile while continuously retreating.

He pondered, "Is this also Ban Jie’s handiwork?"

The second wave of hidden soldiers fabricated a reason, claiming to owe the Ban Family a favor, attacking Ning Zhuo as a repayment. No one present believed this reason, and Ban Ji was no exception.

However, he couldn’t understand: "Clearly, so many people have infiltrated, why not launch a full offensive during the first wave?"

"Could it be Ban Jie doesn’t want too much attention?"

"This nearly overt cheating does indeed strain relations between us and Xuan Armor Cave!"

"Forget it for the moment, just eliminate that kid Ning Zhuo first!"

A sharp glint flashed in Ban Ji’s eyes.

From the start of this Xingyun Trial, Ning Zhuo had caused him many troubles, which he now intended to settle properly.

Ning Zhuo was in poor condition, his body having undergone multiple repairs, now exhausted, with wounds still bleeding.

Strike him while he’s down!

Upholding this concept, Ban Ji armed himself and was about to rush towards Ning Zhuo.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Two arrows came flying, each imbued with the power of Fire-attribute and Ice Element.

Ban Ji swiftly dodged, looking in surprise and uncertainty towards the direction of the arrows: "Sir Tie Zheng, what do you intend to do?"

In Tie Zheng’s eyes was nothing but disdain and disgust: "Do you not know what I hate most are hypocrisy and betrayal?"

He had a Heart Demon.

At this moment, despite having eliminated Ao Pan, he was still in a certain reactive state.

Previously, the second wave of hidden soldiers originally cooperated with Ning Zhuo to jointly attack Ban Ji, but suddenly "betrayed" their ally Ning Zhuo, aiding Ban Ji.

Although Tie Zheng practiced alone in the wilderness, he was born of a great family, naturally not foolish, and at a glance, he could see through the intrigue within.

Ning Zhuo’s situation of being betrayed was just like he had just experienced with Ao Pan’s "betrayal."