< Chapter 55: Zhu Xuanji >
“Your subordinate, Fei Si, requests an audience with the Lord of the City,” Fei Si said, bowing towards the dense clouds above the peak of Mount Huoshi.
The rolling clouds parted like a curtain, revealing the figure of the Lord of Huoshi City.
Fei Si slowly ascended, and upon approaching the city lord, he bowed once more and began reporting the essential matters of the city.
Most affairs in Huoshi Immortal City were managed by him, with only significant matters reported to the city lord. The city lord of Huoshi City spent most of his time in cultivation. As the city’s sole Nascent Soul stage cultivator, as long as he remained in good condition, the entire city would remain stable.
Currently, the most crucial matter was, of course, the Lava Immortal Palace. The incident with the transmission bell had caught the city lord off guard, but he personally intervened, stationed at the mountain peak amidst the clouds, to stabilize the situation. Even though the Lava Immortal Palace frequently erupted, he suppressed the disturbances, preventing any significant chaos.
Fei Si focused on reporting the arrangements for the Huoshi Festival. The festival was imminent.
“Currently, nearly two thousand Mechanical Fire Monkeys have been manufactured.”
“I have discussed and finalized arrangements with the Zhou, Zheng, and Ning families. The Foundation Establishment stage cultivators who will control the Fire Monkeys will primarily be dispatched by these three families.”
“In addition, Yuan Er, the current leader of the Monkey Head Gang, has volunteered to participate despite the risks.”
“Moved by his loyalty and considering the shortage of manpower, I have temporarily agreed to let the Monkey Head Gang participate.”
“In previous Huoshi Festivals, the monkey pets from this gang have always played a major role in picking the fire persimmons. Having them participate again provides an extra layer of security.”
“Regarding the encirclement and suppression of the shadow demon cultivators, I have made some arrangements, all detailed in this jade slip.”
The City Lord infused his spiritual sense into the jade slip and saw that the various arrangements were clear and methodical, with rigorous steps. Besides the main arrangements, there were also many contingency plans.
The main force for the encirclement of the shadow demon cultivators would naturally be the Golden Core cultivators from the City Lord’s Mansion, the Zhou family, and the Zheng family. The Ning family patriarch was still in seclusion for recuperation, but he would appear as a backup.
Speaking of which, ever since the appearance of the shadow demon cultivators, Fei Si, representing the City Lord’s Mansion, had proactively contacted the other three families to discuss the encirclement plan.
Using this as a pretext, the City Lord’s Mansion managed to unite the three families.
Fei Si observed in secret but found no evidence of collusion between the three families and the shadow demon cultivators.
“Proceed as planned,” the Huoshi City Lord approved after reviewing the arrangements.
The plan for the encirclement did not include the City Lord.
The opponent was merely a Golden Core cultivator, and Huoshi Immortal City’s plan involved deploying four Golden Core cultivators.
This combat force configuration was entirely sufficient.
From the perspective of the City Lord’s Mansion, the most appropriate action was for the Huoshi City Lord to remain stationed at the mountain peak.
It was evident that the shadow demon cultivators had been trying their utmost to enter the Lava Immortal Palace. The first time, they were stopped by Zheng Shuanggou. The second time, when they tried to sneak near the dungeon, they were discovered by Chi Dun, who was carrying the Alert Heart Bell.
If they truly had accomplices, then the third time they attacked Ziyang Courtyard and left pills in the Huoshi Forest, it was clearly to lure the Huoshi City Lord into capturing them.
The more the enemy wanted to achieve something, the more they couldn’t be allowed to succeed!
As long as the City Lord remained stationed at the mountain peak, he would stand in an invincible position.
“Sir, there is another urgent matter I must report,” Fei Si said. “Since the last failed trial, Young Master Meng Chong has once again gone into seclusion for special training.”
“He has been using the Immortal’s Wild Sprint Thunderclap far too frequently. Such a terrifying consumption of resources is unsustainable.”
“I am deeply worried.”
“I have tried to persuade Young Master Meng Chong many times, but he refuses to listen and continues as he pleases.”
As he spoke, Fei Si handed over a jade slip.
The jade slip recorded Meng Chong’s latest condition during his special training.
His previously robust physique was no longer visible.
He was now noticeably thin. His cheekbones were prominent, his eye sockets deep, but his gaze had become increasingly bright, giving the impression of someone who had practiced demonic techniques, burning life force to achieve a temporary state of power.
The City Lord smiled slightly, “Then let him continue as he pleases.”
Fei Si was stunned, “City Lord, you…?”
Huoshi City Lord spoke leisurely, “Talent and temperament are two sides of the same coin and can be considered as one. Expressing one’s temperament is to unleash one’s talent.”
“The higher the talent, the stronger the temperament.”
“Fully expressing one’s temperament is the way to maximize the potential of one’s talent.”
“Let me ask you, how has Chong’er progressed in the past month or two?”
Fei Si replied, “His progress has been rapid, leaving me in awe.”
Indeed, this was the case.
In the beginning, Meng Chong couldn’t even dodge the Thousand-pound Hammer Platform. Later, he managed to dodge the hammer but couldn’t evade the Golden Silk Fishing Net. After that, he broke through the net but couldn’t control his speed, getting sliced into pieces by the fine threads.
After the special training, he completely adapted to the extreme speed. His movements became incredibly agile and swift, allowing him to easily navigate through numerous obstacles.
The City Lord continued, “From the images in the jade slip, it is evident that he is on the verge of a breakthrough in this special training. Previously, his use of Wild Sprint Thunderclap was straightforward and monotonous. Now, he has started to adjust his breathing, incorporating fluctuations.”
“He has gradually grasped the principle that rigidity cannot last, understanding the law of yielding and extending.”
“Once he breaks through, he will be able to achieve rhythm, with speed that includes moments of slowness and vice versa, allowing him to accelerate even within extreme speed.”
“At that point, he will achieve balance and moderation. This is the cyclical transformation of yin and yang, where all things become complete.”
Fei Si suddenly understood, “I see.”
“Temperament can enhance talent, and the progress of talent can also improve temperament.”
“Young Master Meng Chong previously only knew how to charge recklessly. Once he breaks through this time, his temperament will improve, enabling him to achieve balance and moderation.”
The City Lord smiled, “This is the path of cultivation. Extremes of yin give birth to yang, and extremes of yang give birth to yin. It is said that when the limit is reached, change occurs.”
“Possessing extraordinary talent is the seed for immortality cultivation. It cannot be treated with common sense.”
“Since his extraordinary talent is fully stimulated, let him fully develop and explore it. As his talent advances, his temperament will also improve.”
“Chong’er has his unique path of cultivation.”
“As long as it does not endanger his life, there is no need to intervene harshly.”
“We will provide him with nourishing pills and try to help him replenish his nutrition.”
“In addition, we will gather personnel and form a team to assist him in the future.”
“Passing the trials of the Lava Immortal Palace is difficult to achieve by individual effort alone.”
“Only through coexistence and cooperation can the true path be revealed. From this, it is evident that the three sect elders are indeed venerable monks, truly compassionate and intent on saving all beings.”
Fei Si hurriedly said, “When Young Master Meng Chong switched his cultivation method, the mansion had already organized a team of thirty people to assist in the modification.”
“Upon Young Master Meng Chong’s first return from exploration, the size of the modification team expanded to fifty people.”
“However, they lack talent and are still in the process of modification, still some distance from the peak of the third layer.”
“Based on my investigation, our mansion’s modification team is in the best condition. The Zhou family ranks second due to the Gather-Disperse Spirit Tide Formation. The Zheng family is third, and the Ning family is the worst.”
The city lord nodded and mildly praised, “You handle matters prudently.”
Fei Si immediately showed a joyful expression and was about to respond when suddenly a voice rang out, “Meng Kui.”
“You have already deeply understood the principle of extreme Yin giving birth to Yang. Why then do you still covet the Lava Immortal Palace? Aren’t you worried about going too far and making mistakes?”
“Who is it?” Fei Si shouted in anger and shock, releasing his spiritual sense to search for the enemy.
The Huoshi City Lord, however, showed a hint of surprise and waved to Fei Si to calm him down.
The city lord directed his gaze towards the right side of the clouds. There, a figure gradually emerged.
It was a middle-aged man, dressed in a bright red brocade robe with black embroidered edges. His face was square-shaped, and in the center of his pitch-black pupils, tiny golden lights flickered.
He did not conceal his presence, revealing the aura of a Golden Core cultivator. Facing the city lord and Fei Si, he exuded an air of nobility and smiled faintly, his imposing manner overwhelmingly superior.
Fei Si, recognizing the familiar brocade robe and the three large characters “Divine Inspector” on the waist tag of the middle-aged man, twitched slightly at the corners of his eyes and quickly saluted, “Fei Si pays respects to the Divine Inspector. May I be bold enough to ask for your esteemed name?”
The middle-aged man smiled slightly, “I am Zhu Xuanji.”
“Surname Zhu?” Fei Si’s heart trembled slightly as he pondered, “The surname Zhu is the royal surname. Could it be that the person before me…”
Zhu Xuanji nodded directly, candidly admitting, “You should have guessed it by now. That’s right, I, Zhu, am not only part of the Divine Inspector Office but also a member of the Southern Dou Immortal Country’s royal family.”
“This time, I have come to investigate the Lava Immortal Palace!”