Ciyou Garden.
The five-story Puppet Tower.
This was the tallest building in Ciyou Garden, and also where Li Leifeng often performed while he was alive. Most fund-raising events were held here.
Although it was morning, many cultivators had already gathered here.
The Puppet Tower had a square structure with a theater stage in the central hall.
For Zhu Hou's succession, the stage had been newly decorated.
On either side of the stage, two vermilion pillars stood, each inscribed with a couplet—'Benevolence and Mercy Spread Far, Virtue and Morality Across the World.'
More than a dozen round tables were placed below the stage.
Round stools were distributed around these tables.
Many cultivators sat, eating the snacks on the tables while chatting. Some stood in corners, engaging in hushed conversations.
All of them wore luxurious robes and carried themselves with grace. Their conversations were soft, hinting at elegance.
Their discussion topics revolved around Li Leifeng, Zhu Hou, and donations.
They subtly probed each other regarding how much they would donate at Zhu Hou's succession ceremony.
Donation was a delicate matter.
It couldn't be too high or too low. Some donated more to seek fame, while for others, the reputation of the righteous path became a burden. Even if their pockets were tight, they had to donate a large sum.
In these tentative exchanges, they feigned seriousness, joked lightly, bluffed, and hinted subtly. Only after each gained something did they truly relax.
The topic soon shifted to the siege by demon beasts.
"So far, the City Lord's Mansion hasn't asked Southern Bean's capital for help. This shows the situation is still under control. Although Fire Persimmon Immortal City is newly built, it can hold on!"
"Every part of a fallen Red Flame Demon Beast has value, regardless of the species. So, in a way, these demon beast tides besieging the city are tides of spirit stones."
"Ha ha ha..." everyone laughed heartily.
Overall, because the Magma Fairy Palace was bearing the brunt of the beast tide's pressure, the situation in Fire Persimmon Immortal City was quite stable, and the residents' morale remained high.
Some had a clear view of the situation: "The real key to this demon beast tide isn't Fire Persimmon Immortal City but Magma Fairy Palace!"
"You may not know the situation at the peak. Most of the view is obscured by clouds and mist."
"I heard from a friend who entered the Immortal Palace; the beast tide there is truly terrifying!"
"If not for Lord Meng Kui urgently deploying many Golden Core cultivators to the Immortal Palace battlefield, the Magma Fairy Palace would have fallen alone."
"If Magma Fairy Palace falls, Fire Persimmon Immortal City is doomed!"
This insightful opinion was met with sneers from the surrounding cultivators, who generally felt that this cultivator was overly pessimistic.
The cultivator stood firm, not backing down in front of everyone: "The clouds and mist at the peak are proof. Our City Lord's Mansion does not want us to see the truth. Why?"
"Because they fear that seeing the true beast tide would cause morale to collapse, and when people have the chance to flee, they'd choose to leave. This would be detrimental to the greater plan."
"There's another sign. You all heard the rumors, right? It's said they plan to unite all cultivators, including those from the Demon Path and Evil Sects, in the city's defense."
"If the pressure wasn't so great, why would the City Lord's Mansion do such a thing?"
"Exactly because the front line is tight, the pressure immense, they must mobilize all combat forces!"
This immediately caused jeers.
The dissenting voices were quite assertive: "Fool! The City Lord's Mansion does this to keep those Demon and Evil Path cultivators under close watch. The recent Golden Core melee is the best warning. Unsupervised demon cultivators are detestable, they can cause big trouble if not monitored."
"If it weren't for the Recruitment Decree, our Fire Persimmon Immortal City wouldn't be infiltrated by so many miscellaneous people."
"The Monarch has grand plans, but I wish Magma Fairy Palace could be solely utilized by our Fire Persimmon Immortal City..."
As soon as this opponent finished speaking, others echoed his sentiments.
"Such rumors are groundless!"
"I don't believe the dignified City Lord's Mansion needs to ally with demon and evil cultivators. This discredits the righteous path and disgraces Southern Bean."
"Such evil cultivators should only operate in the shadows, in dark corners."
"Look around here; is there any demon or evil cultivator in this grand hall?"
More people joined in agreement: "Yeah, absolutely."
"True, true."
"Brothers, I have a question. I recently heard that the Monkey Head Gang is organizing a team to eliminate lone Red Flame Demon Beasts outside the city and join the defense system. Are people like them considered evil?"
"Certainly!"
"Humph, the founder of the Monkey Head Gang is named Yuan Yi. I know him. In his early years, he relied on a pet monkey named Yuan Dasheng to rise to power."
"He himself is not a good person, having risen from the bottom by merging many small factions."
"Originally, the Monkey Head Gang was decent, but recently they wiped out the Poisonous Snake Gang and joined the black market. Laughable!"
"Indeed, the current gang leader of the Monkey Head Gang is brainless. Making such foolish decisions, they have stained themselves. They can no longer mix with the righteous path, their ceiling is capped."
"I disagree. The new Monkey Head Gang leader is smart. He is making a bold gamble by attaching himself to a powerful figure. You should know that the current Black Market Master is Ning Zhuo, a member of the Ning Family and a righteous cultivator!"
"Ning Zhuo, I know. Before the recent Golden Core melee, there were rumors about him possessing a True Scripture. It turned out to be false."
"From my perspective, he's foolish. He didn't maintain his righteous identity and instead dipped into the black market for some petty gains. Short-sighted, abandoning his righteous future. Even with his talent, his life will be marred by this mud, criticized by all."
At that moment, the door swung open.
The cultivator responsible for guiding the esteemed guests stood at the entrance and loudly announced:
"Divine Hunter Office's Master Zhu Xuanji has arrived—!"
"Ning Zhuo of the Ning Family has arrived—!"
The chattering hall immediately fell silent.
The cultivators turned to look.
A middle-aged man with hands behind his back stepped over the high threshold and entered the hall.
He had a square face, eyes shimmering with golden light, wearing a grand red brocade robe with black cuffs, exuding an air of upright solemnity.
It was Zhu Xuanji.
The cultivators did not dare to be negligent, standing up to greet Zhu Xuanji.
Zhu Xuanji nodded indifferently, his face expressionless.
Ning Zhuo, a step behind him, also entered the hall.
He still wore a white robe, his eyes clear and bright, with a face bearing the youthful innocence of a sixteen-year-old, yet exhibiting an air of poise and determination.
From his appearance, it was hard to believe this handsome youth was the one who took over the black market and annihilated the Poisonous Snake Gang overnight.
Ning Zhuo followed Zhu Xuanji and leisurely ascended the tower.
Those with esteemed status were all arranged in private rooms upstairs.
This time, Ning Zhuo was considered to have benefited from Zhu Xuanji's prominence.
Watching them ascend and disappear from sight, the cultivators in the hall resumed their seats.
On the surface, they shifted their topics, but secretly, they transmitted messages to each other.
"Did you see that, did you see that!" The cultivator who had spoken about the Monkey Head Gang leader attaching to a powerful figure was excitedly transmitting messages to many people.
"You think Ning Zhuo is a simple person?"
"How did a mere Qi Refinement youth become the Black Market Master?"
"It's because he had support. The Recruitment Decree required stability in the black market, so Ning Zhuo was pushed forward by the high authorities."
"Ning Zhuo even toppled the Young Clan Leader of the Ning Family, showing his ruthlessness. Though from a branch lineage, he had talent and was placed in the Black Market to stabilize the situation."
"Ning Zhuo is thus supported by the four major powers of Fire Persimmon Immortal City. He often associates with the geniuses of the Zhou and Zheng Families. Most of the criminals he captures in the black market are handed over to Lord Fei Si to enhance his achievements."
"See him now, following Zhu Xuanji!"
"Zhu Xuanji brought no one else, yet he brought Ning Zhuo?"
"It's clear, Ning Zhuo is valued by Zhu Xuanji too! When he leaves the black market, his future will be incredibly bright!"
"Just think a bit, and you'll understand!"
Some were hesitant, replying: "But Ning Zhuo's involvement in the black market tarnishes his record."
The Monkey Head Gang supporter scoffed, disdainful: "You saw it, Ning Zhuo, sixteen years old, he's just sixteen!"
"So young."
"There's a saying, 'A prodigal who returns is more valuable than gold!'"
"Making mistakes at such a young age is normal. Returning to the righteous path later, his dark past will prove his growth. What's the big deal?"
The cultivator snorted proudly, looking down on everyone with satisfaction.
A silence fell over the crowd.
They wanted to refute, but Zhu Xuanji's public appearance with Ning Zhuo was the most solid evidence.
They were convinced.
Many gazed toward the third floor, harboring the thought of befriending Ning Zhuo.
They were righteous cultivators, previously believing that association with Ning Zhuo, the Black Market Master, was inappropriate. But after today, they realized Ning Zhuo's future seemed quite promising!
Little did they know, Ning Zhuo was already deeply suspected by Zhu Xuanji. Zhu Xuanji took him along not as an honor but with the intent to act against him.
With a single mistake, Ning Zhuo could be captured and detained by Zhu Xuanji on the spot.
If Ning Zhuo lost his freedom, he would undoubtedly be eliminated, losing all competition for the position of Immortal Palace Master!
Zhu Xuanji was the first important figure to arrive.
Following him was a Golden Core True Transmission from the Purple Dawn Pavilion.
This True Disciple had played the role of Black Shadow Demon Cultivator during the Golden Core melee and was pursued by Zhu Xuanji out of the city. Eventually, he had to reveal his Purple Dawn Pavilion's signature spell to escape Zhu Xuanji.
Upon entering, he first ascended to greet Zhu Xuanji, then returned to his private room.
The entire process was natural, without a hint of awkwardness.
It exuded a righteous demeanor.
After the Purple Dawn Pavilion disciple, only some Foundation Establishment figures arrived.
These included artifact refiners from the Artifact Refining Workshop, pharmaceutical masters from the Elixir Pill Hall, or chefs from the Golden Feast Hall.
Normally, more cultivators would attend the succession ceremony. Out of respect for the Southern Bean Royal Family, there would be more than just two Golden Core cultivators.
But now, during the demon beast siege, everything had to be simple. Most Golden Core cultivators were defending the Magma Fairy Palace, unable to leave.