Bang, bang, bang...
The Red Flame Demon Beast frenzily attacked the furnace from outside.
Ning Xiaohui pressed firmly against the furnace door, using her Ice-jade Hands to solidify ice blocks, sealing the gaps in the doorways, and at the same time, strengthening it with great force.
Ning Xiaohui held her breath for a while, until the Red Flame Demon Beast gave up and left, allowing her to finally relax.
"Wuwuwu..."
She sat down, overwhelmed with emotions from barely surviving, joy, and fear, causing her to cover her face and cry.
The puppet criminal was crying too.
On the puppet stage, the fifth act had begun.
Fang Qing's choices and actions had completely redeemed the puppet criminal.
Both were locked in prison cells, separated by a corridor.
The criminal tearfully confessed to Fang Qing, revealing the whole truth, exposing the treacherous minister, and expressing his willingness to admit his guilt.
Fang Qing sighed deeply and sang: "A prodigal son's return is worth more than gold, knowing oneself, pure-hearted and undisturbed."
"You have confessed and sincerely repented, this world will surely embrace you."
"Do not be lost within your true self, rise again, and walk the right path, your life has been renewed!"
Ning Zhuo felt a stirring in his heart as he performed this scene.
He understood what Zhu Xuanji meant.
Zhu Xuanji advised him to surrender and choose the right path.
"Can I really walk this path?" Ning Zhuo questioned himself.
His gaze flickered, revealing a look of hesitation.
The puppet show continued.
The puppets of the people gathered, waving flags and shouting, pleading for Fang Qing.
The puppet playing the deity was also moved, descending voluntarily to meet the Monarch.
The matter escalated, becoming known throughout the nation, so the Monarch decided to personally judge the case.
The treacherous minister learned of this and immediately sent a black-clad emissary to kill the criminal in the prison, leaving no evidence behind!
The treacherous minister then actively fabricated charges, fully framing Fang Qing.
The sixth act began.
In the Golden Imperial Hall, Fang Qing and the treacherous minister confronted each other.
The treacherous minister was well-prepared, and Fang Qing was at a complete disadvantage.
The Monarch, having prepared in advance, clapped his hands to summon the Pure True Fire.
This was one of the seven great flames, capable of burning falsehoods and discerning truth to a certain extent.
The Monarch sang: "Since you two cannot come to an agreement, let the fire judge."
"Who is true and who is false will be clear at a glance."
The treacherous minister hesitated and sang: "To prove oneself in the fire is fraught with danger. Spoken words alone may not be accurate..."
Unexpectedly, Fang Qing leapt into the flames.
At this moment, the opera reached its climax!
The jinghu turned sharply, gongs and drums roared, and the audience instinctively held their breath.
On stage, the white flames tinged with clear light enveloped the Fang Qing puppet, burning fiercely.
Such a special fire made Fang Qing extremely conspicuous and striking.
At this moment, he was the only protagonist on stage.
Fang Qing sang from within the flames!
"To cleanse this injustice, let the fierce flames sever the falsehoods."
"My heart is pure and unashamed before heaven and earth, why fear life and death, or the scorching fire!"
"This is—"
"This heart is pure and clear as the sun and moon,"
"I'd rather sacrifice my life to prove my innocence."
"Life and death are but a moment's matter,"
"My unwavering heart's integrity will last for ages!"
On stage, the flames blazed brightly.
The blue-white light illuminated Ning Zhuo's face, leaving him momentarily entranced.
In the Magma Fairy Palace, within the main hall.
The enormous body of the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit pressed tightly against the doors and ceiling, its light illuminating every corner of the hall.
It roared, it shouted, it called to Ning Zhuo: "Young Master! Young Master!"
On the battlefield surrounding the Historical Records Pavilion.
Light from the Red Flame Demon Beast shone on the Golden Core Cultivators.
The chaotic battle continued.
Golden Cores formed tight defensive lines, causing the fight to stagnate.
Zhu Xuanji stood at the window, looking down at Ning Zhuo on the stage.
"Ning Zhuo, do not disappoint me!" His eyes gleamed golden, reflecting his hope.
Ning Zhuo's gaze flickered, and he couldn't help but think—perhaps he too could wash away his sins in this Pure True Fire!
He did not need to hide and disguise, nor bear the mountainous pressure. He could walk proudly in the light, easing his journey.
He sat on a high platform, gazing at the audience below, seeing everything clearly.
"Is this the perspective that Elder Li Leifeng had back then? No wonder he could spot the young me."
"Now, I too, have reached this position."
"Perhaps, I can remain here, in this bright and glorious place..."
"Hmm?"
Ning Zhuo's expression changed slightly, and in a daze, he saw his former self.
As if spanning over a decade, the present-day Ning Zhuo saw the past Ning Zhuo.
That small figure, hiding in a dark corner, drooling over the guests' pastries. Whenever someone's gaze swept over, he would instinctively hunch his shoulders and cower. Like, like...
A thief.
Ning Zhuo squinted his eyes, looking more closely.
In a daze, the child's face was not his own, but Sun Lingtong's!
A memory flashed in his mind.
Ning Zhuo had secretly infiltrated the prison to rescue Sun Lingtong.
"Boss, you missed again this time." Ning Zhuo said with a wry smile.
Sun Lingtong laughed mischievously: "Oh dear, got caught. Thank you, little brother!"
Ning Zhuo shook his head: "I always wonder, why do you keep stealing? We aren't lacking money now."
Sun Lingtong rested his head on his hand, swaggering out of the prison door, and said: "I'm a thief! If I don't steal, what would I do?"
Ning Zhuo continued shaking his head, not understanding: "Even if you steal, there's no need to seal your cultivation level, right?"
Sun Lingtong said: "Don't you find it thrilling?"
"I'm already at the Foundation Establishment Stage. With my true strength, unless it's those at the Golden Core level, stealing from others is no challenge."