Chapter 266: I Will Ignite This Fire with My Own Hands!
The stage creaked as the background structures slowly collapsed, transitioning to the next scene.
The audience remained silent, already fully immersed.
Only a few musicians, while playing their instruments vigorously, couldn't help but glance at the top of the stage where Ning Zhuo stood. They were astonished—this young cultivator's mastery over the puppetry techniques was nearly indistinguishable from Li Leifeng when he was alive.
Ning Zhuo's eyes sparkled as his entire body was drenched in sweat.
Seizing the brief transition between scenes, he communicated through the "Life Hanging by a Thread" technique to the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit: "Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit!"
"I'm outside the Immortal Palace, using the Life Hanging by a Thread to influence Ning Xiaohui to this extent. That's already my limit."
"From here on, it’s all up to you!"
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit let out an urgent roar: "No, Young Master Ning Zhuo."
"My authority is restricted, I can’t even…"
Before it could finish, Ning Zhuo interrupted: "Sorry, the next scene is about to start. Right now, I can’t even protect myself."
"As for the Immortal Palace, you can only win!"
Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit: …
On the stage, a powerful minister's residence was being set up, the lighting dim and foreboding.
The jinghu music was continuous but low in tone.
The puppet of the minister lay on a bed, listening silently as a puppet of a black-clad emissary came to report.
The black-clad emissary sang, "My lord, I have persuaded the common folk to falsely accuse that Fang Qing."
"Tomorrow in court, the accusations will bring him disgrace. Fang Qing is upright and unyielding; he won’t be able to bear it."
"Kill the commoner, and he will have fallen right into the trap."
The minister puppet, dressed in an official's robe, reclined on the bed, his head slightly turning, vividly lifelike.
He sang proudly, "Good, kill him well! Tomorrow’s situation is already certain. Fang Qing is trapped; he won’t be able to clear his name. His righteous reputation will be ruined overnight. Let’s see how he can continue to stand in court! Hahaha."
The minister laughed heartily.
The lights gradually dimmed, and the jinghu music grew intense.
As the stage clattered once more, Ning Zhuo took a deep breath, his gaze flickering.
The third act ended, and the fourth act began.
The stage transitioned back to the courtroom, brightly lit. The jinghu played urgently, accompanied by the clashing of gongs and drums.
The Fang Qing puppet sat upright at the magistrate’s seat, striking the gavel, singing, "Today’s trial resumes, the mirror before the hall is clear. Who is the real culprit? Let everything be made clear."
The criminal puppet knelt below, and each time he raised his head, a soft drumbeat sounded.
Finally, he mustered his courage and shouted angrily, singing, "Fang Qing, you false official! Greedy and corrupt, bringing disaster to the people!"
"You are the real culprit, silencing me to cover your crimes, committing unspeakable evil!"
Clang!
The sound of gongs stirred the hearts of the audience.
The Fang Qing puppet stood up in shock.
The jinghu turned sharp, as Fang Qing suppressed his fury and sang, "Shameless scoundrel, how dare you falsely accuse me! Bold beyond measure, daring to cast blame recklessly!"
He took a deep breath, "If I were to use my authority today, executing you would be easy, but I won’t."
"Justice must be upheld, and the law must examine me first!"
At that moment, Fang Qing slowly sat down, playing two roles, eventually declaring himself a suspect and temporarily placing himself in prison.
"My lord!" The constables in the courtroom cried out in shock at this ruling.
"My lord!" The puppet commoners outside the hall also cried out in astonishment.
Fang Qing bound his own hands, standing tall, leading the constables as he withdrew.
The lights dimmed, leaving only the criminal puppet alone, enveloped in a pillar of light.
"My lord…" The criminal puppet wailed, sobbing with tears streaming down its face.
Ning Xiaohui was on the verge of tears herself!
She ran wildly across the chaotic battlefield, doing everything in her power to fight for her life!
"Help me!"
"Is there anyone who can save me?!"
She kept crying for help, screaming in desperation.
Several times, she was at the brink of life and death. Her innate Ice Jade Hand ability continued to perform admirably, and it was thanks to this that Ning Xiaohui barely clung to life.
The Golden Core cultivators no longer paid attention to her.
Because a sea of Scarlet Flame Demonic Beasts was about to engulf the Record Pavilion!
The Golden Core cultivators from the three families, along with Zhu Zhen, had all received solemn instructions from Zhu Xuanji beforehand—the Record Pavilion was of utmost importance, and it must not be lost!
Compared to the Record Pavilion, Ning Xiaohui was no longer as important. Especially since Ning Xiaohui had already told the Moon Hook Clone that she hadn’t had time to review the information inside the Record Pavilion.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Golden Core-level spells continuously bombarded the Scarlet Flame Demonic Beasts, tearing through their flesh and causing them to collapse.
But there were too many Scarlet Flame Demonic Beasts, replenishing endlessly like a never-ending tide.
"Damn it, trying to protect the Record Pavilion is restraining us! We can’t fight with full strength!"
"We must patch up the hole in the spherical barrier quickly, or the Scarlet Flame Demonic Beasts will keep coming!"
"Damn, the hole in the barrier seems to be getting bigger!"
The Golden Core cultivators exchanged their frustrations.
Because they were forced to protect the Record Pavilion, Yang Chanyu also narrowly survived.
She hid on the side, focusing all her efforts on removing the markings others had placed on her body.
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit couldn’t directly attack Ning Xiaohui, so it could only command the mechanical constructs to try and drive the Scarlet Flame Demonic Beasts toward Ning Xiaohui.
But the Scarlet Flame Demonic Beasts were unruly and often chose to fight the puppet soldiers instead, making them difficult to direct.
At the brink of life and death, Ning Xiaohui unleashed her full potential.
She plunged headlong into the weakest area.
After turning a corner, her vision suddenly opened up, and she found herself in the Gourd Furnace Forest.
This wasn’t the first time Ning Xiaohui had come here. Previously, she had completed several artifact crafting missions here.
The familiar scene gave Ning Xiaohui a sense of safety.
A Foundation Establishment-level Scarlet Flame Demonic Beast spotted her and charged.
Ning Xiaohui quickly fled.
In her panic, she dashed into the Furnace Forest, and just as the Scarlet Flame Demonic Beast was about to catch up to her, she chose a silver furnace, opened the door, and dove inside!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The Scarlet Flame Demonic Beast furiously attacked the furnace from the outside.
Ning Xiaohui desperately held the door shut, using her Ice Jade Hand to create ice, sealing the gaps and reinforcing the furnace.
She remained on edge for a long while until the Scarlet Flame Demonic Beast finally gave up and left. Only then did she relax.
"Sob… sob…"
She collapsed, overwhelmed by the emotions of surviving by a hair's breadth. The joy, fear, and relief made her cover her face and cry.
The criminal puppet was also crying.
On the stage, the fifth act had already begun.
Fang Qing's actions completely moved the criminal puppet.
Both of them were imprisoned, separated by a corridor.
The criminal puppet confessed everything to Fang Qing, revealing the truth, admitting to his crime, and exposing the treacherous minister, expressing his willingness to be punished.
Fang Qing let out a long sigh, singing, "A prodigal son returning home is worth more than gold, knowing yourself brings purity to the heart."
"You have confessed your crime and shown sincere repentance. This world will surely forgive."
"Don’t lose sight of your true self, rebuild your life, walk the right path, and your life will be renewed!"
At this point in the performance, Ning Zhuo was deeply moved!
He understood Zhu Xuanji's meaning.
Zhu Xuanji was urging him to surrender and walk the right path.
"Can I really take this path?" Ning Zhuo asked himself.
His gaze flickered as hesitation appeared on his face.
The puppet show continued.
The puppet commoners gathered, waving flags and shouting, pleading on Fang Qing’s behalf.
The puppet playing the role of a god was also moved, descending to meet the king.
The matter escalated, becoming known throughout the kingdom. The king decided to personally oversee the case.
The treacherous minister, aware of this, immediately sent the black-clad emissary to kill the criminal in prison, leaving no evidence behind!
The minister then actively fabricated more charges, doing everything he could to frame Fang Qing.
The sixth act began.
In the golden throne hall, Fang Qing and the treacherous minister confronted each other.
The minister was well-prepared, leaving Fang Qing at
an absolute disadvantage.
The king had anticipated this and clapped his hands, summoning the Flame of Purity.
This was one of the seven great flames, capable of burning away lies and distinguishing truth from falsehood to some degree.
The king sang, "The two of you are at an impasse, so let the fire be the judge."
"Who is true and who is false will be clear at a glance."
The minister hesitated, singing, "Proving oneself in fire is extremely dangerous. Word of mouth is not always accurate..."
But Fang Qing leaped into the fire without hesitation.
At this moment, the opera reached its climax!
The jinghu music quickened, the gongs thundered, and the audience unconsciously held their breath.
On the stage, white flames with a faint glow engulfed the Fang Qing puppet, burning fiercely.
This special flame made Fang Qing stand out, shining like the sole protagonist of the stage.
In the fire, Fang Qing sang at the top of his lungs!
"If I am to clear my name, let the flames sever the lies."
"My heart is pure, with no shame to the heavens and earth. Why should I fear death or the scorching heat!"
"This is—"
"My heart is pure and clear like the sun and moon."
"I would rather sacrifice my life for my innocence."
"Life and death are fleeting matters."
"My unwavering resolve will last for eternity!"
On the stage, the flames blazed brightly.
The blue-white flames reflected on Ning Zhuo’s face, and for a moment, he was entranced.
In the Lava Immortal Palace, within the main hall.
The enormous body of the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit pressed tightly against the door and roof, the firelight it emitted illuminating every corner of the hall.
It roared and shouted, calling out to Ning Zhuo: "Young Master! Young Master!!"
On the battlefield around the Record Pavilion.
The flames on the Scarlet Flame Demonic Beasts reflected off the bodies of the Golden Core cultivators.
The chaotic battle raged on.
The Golden Core cultivators formed a tightly-knit defensive line, and the fight had reached a stalemate.
Zhu Xuanji stood by the window, gazing down at Ning Zhuo on the stage.
"Ning Zhuo, don’t disappoint me!" The golden light in his eyes revealed his expectations.
Ning Zhuo's gaze flickered, and he couldn’t help but think—perhaps he could also cleanse himself in the Flame of Purity!
He wouldn’t need to hide anymore, wouldn’t need to bear the overwhelming pressure. He could walk in the light, head held high, with ease.
He sat on the high platform, looking down at the audience, seeing everything clearly.
"So this is the view Li Leifeng had all those years ago? No wonder he found me as a child."
"Now I’ve reached this seat as well."
"Perhaps I can keep sitting here, in this place of glory…"
"Hm?"
Ning Zhuo's expression shifted. In a daze, he saw his former self.
It was as if he had crossed over a decade of time. The current Ning Zhuo saw his younger self.
That small figure, hiding in the shadows, drooling at the sight of the guests’ pastries. Whenever anyone’s gaze swept over, he would instinctively hunch his shoulders and shrink back. Like… like…
A thief.
Ning Zhuo squinted and looked again.
In a blur, that child’s face was no longer his but Sun Lingtong’s!
A flood of memories surged.
Ning Zhuo had once snuck into a prison to rescue Sun Lingtong.
"Boss, you failed again this time." Ning Zhuo had said with a helpless smile.
Sun Lingtong had laughed, "Ah, got caught again. Thanks, little brother!"
Ning Zhuo had shaken his head. "I don’t understand why you keep stealing. It’s not like we’re short on money anymore."
Sun Lingtong, using his hand as a pillow, had swaggered through the prison gate as he walked out, saying, "I’m a thief. If I don’t steal, what else would I do?"
Ning Zhuo had shaken his head again, still not understanding. "Even if you’re going to steal, there’s no need to seal your own cultivation, right?"
Sun Lingtong had said, "Don’t you find it thrilling?"
"I’ve already reached the Foundation Establishment stage. With my true strength, unless it’s a Golden Core cultivator, stealing from others isn’t challenging."
"That’s why I have to seal my cultivation."
"This peaceful life is unbearable. I need some challenges to make it less boring!"
At this point, Sun Lingtong had stopped, looking seriously at Ning Zhuo, and said, "You understand, don’t you? You’re just like me."
Ning Zhuo had raised an eyebrow, exclaiming, "How could that be?! Deliberately taking risks like that is utterly foolish."
"Ah, did you just call me a fool?!"
Ning Zhuo had quickly waved his hands, "I accidentally let my true thoughts slip, no, boss, boss, let me explain!"
Sun Lingtong had leaped forward, shouting, "Take this headbutt, you brat!"
Another memory surfaced.
Under the moonlight, two youths washed their hands by a small river in Immortal City.
That was the first time Ning Zhuo had taken someone’s life.
The blood flowed down the river, quickly dissipating. By the time it passed under a stone bridge forty paces away, it was almost unnoticeable.
Sun Lingtong had told him, "Every time I go out to steal, I tell myself beforehand that this could be the time I don’t come back, the time I lose my life."
"If that’s the result of my life’s gamble, I accept it."
"I’m always prepared to face my death, even in the next second."
"That’s my resolve!"
"What about yours?"
The leaves on both sides of the river swayed gently in the night breeze.
Silver moonlight danced on the river’s surface, glimmering like countless tiny diamonds jumping in the water.
The ripples of the river’s light reflected in Ning Zhuo’s eyes.
When he snapped back to reality, he was still seated high on the stage, overlooking countless distinguished cultivators in the audience. The Fang Qing puppet on stage was still engulfed in the pure white flames.
Silent tears streamed down Ning Zhuo’s face.
"Oh?" Zhu Xuanji noticed this keenly, showing a hint of satisfaction.
"Ning Zhuo! Ning Zhuo!!" The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit roared in his ear.
Strangely, Ning Zhuo had just completely blocked out that voice.
But in fact, he had heard every word of the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit’s desperate cries.
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit told Ning Zhuo everything that was happening inside the Lava Immortal Palace.
"Boss Sun," Ning Zhuo used the "Life Hanging by a Thread" technique to contact Sun Lingtong.
Sun Lingtong was pleasantly surprised: "Little brother, you finally made a move!"
"The situation on the battlefield is like this..."
Ning Zhuo interrupted him: "I know."
Sun Lingtong: "Are we doing it?"
Ning Zhuo: "Boss, thank you."
Sun Lingtong: "Huh?"
Ning Zhuo smiled silently, "I mean, let's do it."
Sun Lingtong’s eyes gleamed sharply: "Got it!"
Inside the furnace, Ning Xiaohui had gradually calmed her emotions.
"I didn’t die, I survived!"
"Haha, hahaha!"
"In the end, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit has its limitations. It can only use external forces and can’t directly kill me."
"Once I get through this, I’ll go directly to the Golden Core Ancestor to seek help. I’ll expose the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, I’ll expose Ning Zhuo!"
"I will… what is this?!"
Boom.
With a soft sound, flames suddenly ignited inside the furnace.
Ning Xiaohui’s pupils shrank to the size of pinpoints!
She immediately backed away, rushing toward the furnace door.
She pushed with all her might.
The furnace door didn’t budge.
Faintly, the sound of Buddhist scriptures being chanted could be heard.
"Who, who’s out there?!"
The temperature rose rapidly, and the furnace turned a fiery red.
"Let me go, let me go, please, spare my life."
"I’ll give you anything you want!"
"I can’t die, I’ve already discovered the truth."
"I don’t want to die, I really don’t want to die!!"
Ning Xiaohui wailed, begging for mercy, struggling in despair.
She frantically used her Ice Jade Hand ability, creating large blocks of ice inside the furnace, desperately holding on.
Meanwhile, the situation at the Record Pavilion had reached a critical point.
The mechanical constructs drove the Scarlet Flame Demonic Beasts en masse, forming a tidal wave that engulfed the Golden Core cultivators' formation.
The formation protected the Record Pavilion!
"Young Master Ning Zhuo, now is the time!" The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit shouted.
Ning Zhuo’s gaze turned icy as he assumed his role as tower commander.
The Five
Elements Cannon Tower rose once more, and after charging its cannon, it fired with a thunderous roar, hitting the mountain of demonic beasts.
Boom!
Countless demonic beasts died, reduced to ashes in the explosion of the cannon infused with Five Elements Mana.
The formation shattered.
"We can’t hold it anymore!"
"It’s impossible to defend!!"
"Retreat quickly."
The Golden Core cultivators, helpless, were forced to retreat to protect themselves.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The continuous cannon fire covered the formation, engulfing the Record Pavilion.
Nearly all the Scarlet Flame Demonic Beasts perished, and the former site of the Record Pavilion was now nothing but ruins.
What historical records?
Not even a trace remained!
"I did it!!" The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit raised its head and howled, exhilarated.
In the next moment, a guillotine made of flames descended from the sky, severing its head from its neck in one swift stroke!
In the Gourd Furnace Forest.
Under the terrifying heat, the ice blocks created by the Ice Jade Hand only lasted for a dozen breaths.
Ning Xiaohui’s body was reduced to ashes in the flames, leaving behind traces of spiritual energy, like fireflies dancing in the air.
There was no longer any Ning Family genius, no more Ice Jade Hand.
The furnace returned to its calm state.
The flames, like a serene dancer, gracefully stretched out in gentle movements.
The red-orange firelight filled the furnace, casting a warm and peaceful glow.
On the stage, Ning Zhuo’s expression also became tranquil.
The pure white flames reflected in his eyes, burning away his hesitation, burning away his luck, burning away his fear, burning away his inferiority.
The opera "Fang Qing Clears His Name" had reached its conclusion.
Fang Qing stepped out of the flames, bringing the Flame of Purity to the treacherous minister.
The minister retreated again and again, but was still enveloped by the fire, turning to ashes in a moment.
"I too long to be bathed in fire."
"If one day, I carelessly play with fire and end up burning myself..."
"Then, I hope the fire is one I ignite with my own hands!"
(End of the chapter)