Chapter 86: My Rapid Progress to the Third Layer Peak!

After the two geniuses from the Zhou family took their turn, the entire reform team from the Zhou family entered the formation, one by one.

"Mid-third layer."

"Mid-third layer."

"Early-third layer."

...

First came a series of third-layer cultivators, ranging from mid-third layer to early-third layer, with no late-third layer.

Then, there were peak second-layer, late second-layer, mid-second layer, and early second-layer cultivators, with none below the second layer.

After this round of testing, the discussions among the Zheng and Ning family cultivators quieted down considerably. Many Zheng family cultivators became serious, while most of the Ning family cultivators looked even more disheartened.

Though the Zhou family’s reform team had fewer members, they were very elite.

Next, it was the Zheng family's turn.

Zheng Jian, without hesitation, was the first to enter the testing formation.

"Third-layer peak," the elder announced loudly.

"Oh!!" The Zheng family cultivators cheered, creating a much louder uproar than the Zhou family’s.

It seemed they were competing in this manner.

Many young Zhou family cultivators watched silently, most of them with calm expressions.

**In the reception hall.**

The Zhou family head praised, "The Zheng family’s unity and prosperity are truly enviable, all thanks to your excellent management, Brother Zheng."

The Zheng family head laughed heartily, not showing modesty: "Like forging steel, it takes hundreds of hammer strikes to achieve tight unity and create good weapons."

The Zheng family cultivators made a lot of noise, sometimes cheering, sometimes teasing each other.

It was obvious that the Zhou family cultivators had tested their cultivation levels in advance, entering the formation in order of their cultivation levels.

The Zheng family did not do this.

This resulted in unpredictable outcomes for each Zheng family cultivator who entered.

When a cultivator achieved a good result, they cheered; when the result was not ideal, they teased, but not harshly.

This positive competitive atmosphere made the Ning family head secretly envious.

"My Ning family used to be like this too."

"Unfortunately, we suffered heavy losses during migration. After entering the city, the branch families rebelled, forcing us to adopt a policy of strengthening the main family and weakening the branches."

"Sigh, only when the main family grows stronger in both quality and quantity can we gradually loosen our grip on the branches and cultivate a good family culture."

The Ning family head, who had been in his position for many years, was well aware of the internal problems of the family.

But he had no choice.

He was from the main family, and his background determined his stance.

He couldn't betray the main family to support the branches. The branch family cultivators wouldn't accept him, and the main family cultivators would overthrow him.

"Every family has its difficulties," the Ning family head thought to himself.

He knew his reform team’s situation well. Most of them were at the first layer of Qi Refining, and the upcoming test results would surely be dismal.

Next, it was the Ning family's turn.

Ning Zhuo extended his hand, patted their shoulders, and said, "Watch me."

Amid their puzzled gazes, Ning Zhuo stepped out and entered the testing formation.

The entire martial arts field was buzzing.

By this point, the three families' quality was evident.

Though the Ning family had many cultivators, most were only at the first layer. With such cases being common, no one expected much from Ning Zhuo.

Yet, the brilliance of the testing formation was exceptionally strong.

The Zhou family elder was stunned. After confirming, he announced loudly with disbelief, "Ning Zhuo, third-layer peak!"

The entire place fell silent.

Many people began asking their companions what they had just heard.

When Ning Zhuo walked out of the formation, he was met with countless gazes.

The sixteen-year-old faced everyone without flinching, smiled slightly, and then walked back to the Ning family team with his head held high.

Numerous eyes followed him, including those of Zhou Zhendeep, Zhou Zhu, Zheng Jian, and others.

"Who is this person? How could he have such cultivation!"

"There's no mention of him in the information."

"Could the Ning family have hidden talents?"

Such questions and emotions swirled in everyone's minds.

Even the heads of the three families were among them.

Normally, they wouldn’t pay this much attention to the family's Qi Refining stage cultivators.

But now, with the Lava Immortal Palace at the mountain top, Qi Refining cultivators in the family were the main force exploring the palace, so it was essential to take them seriously!

The Zhou family head looked at the Ning family head: "I didn't expect you to have such a hidden talent, Brother Ning."

The Ning family head stroked his beard and smiled calmly: "Brother Zhou flatters me."

He didn't elaborate, which made the Zhou and Zheng family heads raise their opinions of the Ning family.

They didn’t know that the Ning family head had the same doubts as them!

Ning Zhuo's return was met with cheers from the Ning family cultivators.

Ning Chen and Ning Yong gathered around with incredulous joy: "Ah Zhuo, how did you suddenly reach the third-layer peak?"

"Yeah, you're as strong as Ning Xiaohui now!"

Numerous ears perked up, waiting for Ning Zhuo’s answer.

Ning Zhuo smiled slightly: "Maybe I'm just suited for the Five Elements Qi Regulation Art

. Cultivating this method, I progressed quickly, like a river flowing fast, making rapid progress."

Everyone fell silent.

TL Note:

Name change:

Zhou Zhendeep to Zhou Zhenshen