Zhu Xuanji quickly recalled.
"Sun Lingtong has served as the Black Market Master in Fire Persimmon Immortal City for years, always laying out plans. The underground secret base exposed during the battle with Qi Bai is clear evidence."
"At the beginning of the Golden Core melee, it was also Yang Chanyu who deliberately exposed the Demon Dao True Scripture. However, this so-called True Scripture turned out to be fake, causing the Zheng Family to face repercussions from the Taiqing Palace."
"The Bukong Sect used such schemes to break our tight alliance with the three families. They succeeded!"
"Well done, worthy of being a major faction in the Evil Sect, the most skilled in stealing under the heavens."
"So, you started your preparations at least over a decade ago, a truly long-term plan."
Zhu Xuanji was about to keep listening when a letter flew in through the window.
The flying letter hovered in front of Zhu Xuanji, evidently meant for him.
Zhu Xuanji unfolded the letter. His divine sense scanned it, and his expression changed abruptly.
The letter was from a Golden Core Cultivator of the Zheng Family, informing Zhu Xuanji that a sudden upheaval had occurred in the Magma Fairy Palace. The spherical light shield had been breached, allowing a flood of Red Flame Demon Beasts in, threatening the Historical Records Pavilion. They hoped Zhu Xuanji could immediately come to their aid!
Zhu Xuanji felt an intense sense of foreboding. When he checked the time on the letter, he realized that a tea's worth of time had already passed since it had been sent.
"Damn it!" Zhu Xuanji could no longer sit still and stood up directly.
"Master?" Ning Zhuo quickly asked.
Zhu Xuanji looked at him, "A major incident has occurred at the Magma Fairy Palace. I must deal with this first. We'll discuss your matter later."
"Wait!" Ning Zhuo suddenly shouted.
"Lord Zhu!" Ning Zhuo's face was full of urgency, "Did the Bukong Sect people strike again?"
"You must take me with you, take me along!"
"I fear they may have already realized I've defected to the light. Leaving me here alone, I'm scared!"
"It's too dangerous for me. I need to stay by your side!"
Zhu Xuanji was momentarily speechless.
But upon reconsideration, he found Ning Zhuo's words made sense.
"You brat…" Zhu Xuanji grabbed Ning Zhuo by the collar and leaped out of the window, transforming into a long rainbow, flying towards the Huoshi Mountain Summit.
On the way, three more flying letters arrived.
Zhu Xuanji didn't look closely at them nor did he pause, flying full speed towards the Magma Fairy Palace.
The peak of Fire Persimmon Mountain was not far.
After about ten breaths, Zhu Xuanji arrived at the volcano's summit.
Upon arrival, several more flying letters flew towards him.
Zhu Xuanji swept them into his arms with a wave.
He multitasked, using his divine sense to read the letters while his eyes fixed on the Magma Fairy Palace, staring at the breach in the spherical light shield, his brows furrowing deeply.
Outside the breach, Meng Kui had already engaged numerous Red Flame Demon Beasts.
With the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit no longer siphoning power, the spherical light shield received an ample infusion of mana, and the breach was rapidly closing.
Zhu Xuanji's expression shifted once more. His aura surged, showing intense killing intent for the first time.
Because he had read from the letters, "The Historical Records Pavilion has been destroyed, Ning Xiaohui is dead, and Yang Chanyu is still on the run!"
"Well, well done, Bukong Sect."
Zhu Xuanji was furious, gritting his teeth.
He and Ning Zhuo rushed towards the Magma Fairy Palace.
Outside the palace, the Red Flame Demon Beasts had already gone berserk, frantically attacking the spherical light shield.
Zhu Xuanji's unrestrained actions drew the attention of many demon beasts, redirecting their attacks towards him.
But the flames and magma attacks were all blocked by Meng Kui's Nascent Soul techniques.
Zhu Xuanji smoothly approached the Magma Fairy Palace with Ning Zhuo, who was safely caught in the protective light.
Entering the palace, Zhu Xuanji let out a long howl.
The howl echoed throughout the palace, the powerful sound waves resonating within the spherical light shield.
Zhu Zhen and the Golden Core Cultivators of the three families heard the sound and were delighted to know Zhu Xuanji had returned.
Soon, they reunited in mid-air.
"Divine Hunter!"
"Quickly, we just lost track of Yang Chanyu. We urgently need your help."
"It's precisely the moment for your Golden Eyes Talent to shine!"
Upon regrouping, they faced yet another piece of bad news.
Zhu Xuanji's expression darkened, "Wasn't Yang Chanyu marked with a tracking method?"
The Golden Core Cultivators sighed, and one of them said, "It's The Highest Good is Like Water! I sensed she used a drop, quickly neutralizing my technique."
"Take me to the last known location immediately." Zhu Xuanji dared not waste time.
The Golden Pill Ancestors swiftly flew over.
At the site, Zhu Xuanji's eyes glowed golden as he employed various tracking methods.
He held Ning Zhuo in one hand while leading the cultivators in their pursuit.
The clues they found multiplied, leading their trail to diverge into multiple paths.
Finally, Zhu Xuanji halted, his face grim, "Indeed, Bukong Sect's true disciples are extremely skilled at forging false traces."
The Golden Core Cultivators exchanged glances.
Zhu Zhen said, "Brother, this isn't your fault. Many areas within the Magma Fairy Palace are off-limits to us."
"This makes it extremely easy for Yang Chanyu to hide."
Zhu Xuanji's face hardened as he turned to the Golden Core Cultivators, coldly saying, "Return to the Historical Records Pavilion."
At the same time.
Yang Chanyu and Sun Lingtong reunited.
"This time, we've really enraged Zhu Xuanji. I just saw him, wow, his expression was terrifying." Yang Chanyu laughed.
Sun Lingtong said solemnly, "From now on, we might have to face Zhu Xuanji and Meng Kui joining forces."
Yang Chanyu shrugged, unconcerned about the impending situation.
She took a few steps forward, approaching Sun Lingtong, then bent down and closely examined him.
Sun Lingtong frowned, instinctively wanting to retreat, but unwilling to lose his stance, he straightened his neck and stared wide-eyed, "What are you doing?"
Yang Chanyu stared into Sun Lingtong's eyes, "The Water Virtue Supreme Treasure is indeed useful!"
"You do care about me, huh."
"If it weren't for you delivering it promptly, I would've been chased around by Zhu Xuanji, running everywhere."
"I can sense his Golden Eyes Talent is nearing divine skills!"
Sun Lingtong rolled his eyes, "It's good you understand this."
He then shifted direction, trying to move past Yang Chanyu, intending to proceed.
But Yang Chanyu stepped sideways, blocking Sun Lingtong again.
Her cunning eyes were fixed on him, closing the gap until their faces were only a fist apart.
Sun Lingtong finally couldn't stand it, stepping back and shouting, "What's your deal now? Walk properly!"
Yang Chanyu chuckled, her gaze turning sharp, "Tell me, what's your actual relationship with that Ning Zhuo?"
"Haven't I told you already? It's a collaborative relationship!" Sun Lingtong spread his hands.
Yang Chanyu, "But I still find it unusual."
"Ning Zhuo was called out of the palace by Zhu Xuanji. As soon as he left, you asked me to act against Ning Xiaohui. You also informed me that Golden Core Cultivators might ambush us."
"Did you take this opportunity to clear him of suspicion?"
"Well, you've executed your plan right under Zhu Xuanji's nose, with the Divine Hunter as your eyewitness. Quite impressive, very clever!"
Sun Lingtong took a step back, and Yang Chanyu advanced a step forward.
Continuing to press him, she said, "Also, the Five Elements Turret's attack—it's you, right?"
"Your arrangements in the palace are all recorded in the Historical Records Pavilion. So, you just blasted it into ruins."
"You targeted Ning Xiaohui because this naive girl, with her Historical Records Pavilion duties, might discover your crimes!"
Sun Lingtong loudly said, "What are you thinking?"
"Can we control the Five Elements Turret? Your imagination is wild."
Yang Chanyu wasn't stupid, she gave a cold laugh, "Why not control the Five Elements Turret? Ning Zhuo controlled the hospital and even secretly arranged for an outsider like me to be in there."
"The Five Elements Turret and the hospital are essentially the same."
"Concealing things from me won't work anymore!"
"I don't want to end up fleeing from a Golden Core Cultivator only to be blasted by the Five Elements Turret!"
Yang Chanyu showed her determination to learn the inside story.
Sun Lingtong sighed inwardly, thinking: This woman is indeed difficult! Such a headache.
For a moment, Sun Lingtong felt a headache coming on, quickly weighing what to say and what not to say.
The struggle for the Magma Fairy Palace had reached its final critical point.
Yang Chanyu's valuable combat power needed to be won over at all costs.
But Sun Lingtong couldn't give her too much hope, as she was backed by Elder Qing. Giving too much promise might attract Elder Qing and others.
Nor could he give her no hope. He had to make her feel that this mission was worthwhile and beneficial to her, ensuring her continued cooperation.
Sun Lingtong carefully considered his words.
Zhu Xuanji brought Ning Zhuo and others to the former site of the Historical Records Pavilion.
It was now a massive crater, with the Historical Records Pavilion thoroughly destroyed, leaving not a trace.
Zhu Xuanji used his tracking methods but found nothing.
His expression became terrifyingly grim.
Ning Zhuo held his breath, not daring to make any noise.
The other Golden Core Cultivators also remained silent.
After a while, Zhu Xuanji finally spoke, "Let's go to the next location."
Soon, they arrived at the Gourd Fire Furnace Forest.
They stood before a silver furnace.
The silver furnace had been destroyed.
The one who did it was Zheng Danlian.
"I had a monitoring spell on Ning Xiaohui."
"Sensed her losing her life, and in my panic, I destroyed this silver furnace."
"But… I ultimately couldn't save her."
Zhu Xuanji ignored him, standing amidst the ruins, with silver furnace fragments scattered underfoot.
He activated his Golden Eyes, and used the Trace Back spell.
Soon, he "saw" Ning Xiaohui in a panic, hiding inside the silver furnace.
He "saw" Sun Lingtong casting the Cremation Prajna Spirit Liberation Sutra to burn Ning Xiaohui.
Finally, he saw Ning Xiaohui, desperate for survival in the furnace, using her last bits of mana to carve words into an ice brick after realizing death was certain!
It turned out that Ning Xiaohui, filled with a strong desire for revenge, had used all her strength to leave a clue for Zhu Xuanji.
Being far enough from Ning Xiaohui and previously too distant across the Magma Fairy Palace, Ning Zhuo already found communication difficult. Once inside the silver furnace, the burning flames further obscured their connection.
The small, hidden words Ning Xiaohui left in the ice brick went unnoticed by both Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong!