Chapter 44: The Arrogance of the Demonic Cultivator

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Fei Si was still uncertain about Han Ming’s connections within the Soul Devouring Sect. If they were to capture Han Ming and provoke some ancient monster that had been lurking for years, the trouble would be immeasurable.

But the most crucial matter was the Lava Immortal Palace. At present, the City Lord’s Mansion and the other three factions were fully focused on exploring this immortal palace, with no desire to complicate things further.

Therefore, Fei Si’s earlier thought was: “After all, it’s not us being harassed, but Sun Lie.”

“When Sun Lie finally can’t stand it anymore and leaves Fire Persimmon City of his own accord, won’t the problem be solved?”

The City Lord’s Mansion’s leniency only fueled Han Ming’s arrogance, until she was finally subdued by Ning Zhuo.

In a sense, Sun Lie’s tolerance and the City Lord’s Mansion’s indifference both assisted Ning Zhuo in ultimately capturing Han Ming alive.

“This time is different.”

“Han Ming actually clashed with Meng Chong. Now we must use all our strength to capture her!”

“Hmm…”

“Let’s catch the Child Guest first.”

“Perhaps Han Ming might seize the opportunity to escape the city.”

Mobilizing every available force to pursue Han Ming was a stance Fei Si had to demonstrate, but he had no intention of taking risks. If Han Ming were truly caught, he’d actually be even more worried.

Compared to Han Ming, the Child Guest was a much easier target.

“The Child Guest has always been close to Sun Ling Tong.”

“Sun Ling Tong is a disciple of the Temple of Emptiness. That infamous sect excels at sneaky tricks.”

“Could the third demon cultivator be Sun Ling Tong?”

Fei Si immediately considered this possibility, but had no intention of verifying it.

Sun Ling Tong, like Han Ming, had a major sect backing him. Sun Ling Tong had lived in Fire Persimmon Immortal City for over a decade, deeply rooted—a true local overlord.

Taking action against him would be even more troublesome than dealing with Han Ming.

Fei Si thus ordered his subordinates to search the black market for the Child Guest and attempt an arrest.

But where could the Child Guest be found?

Not even a shadow was seen!

After searching for most of the day, his subordinates returned empty-handed to report.

Fei Si berated them fiercely, putting on a convincing show.

After this brief delay, he finally picked up a bottle of pills and poured out one.

After swallowing it, his sense of smell subtly changed.

With a gentle sniff, he detected a faint medicinal fragrance lingering in the air.

“Han Ming, I hope you have the sense to have already left Fire Persimmon Immortal City by now.”

Fei Si set out personally, transforming into a rainbow streak, soaring high above Fire Persimmon Immortal City.

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Following the medicinal scent, he sliced through wind and cloud, swiftly crossing the city walls to reach the foot of the mountain.

Fei Si’s unease grew by the moment, until he finally caught a pungent aroma and saw with his own eyes a massive bundle lying on the grass of the Fire Persimmon Forest.

Inside the bundle were the stolen pills, wrapped up.

Fei Si hovered in midair, cursing inwardly, “Damn it!”

His expression was grim. “They didn’t even bother with a storage pouch—they just wrapped them in cloth and tossed them in the Fire Persimmon Forest.”

“Arrogant, utterly arrogant!”

Fei Si felt deeply provoked.

Yet he dared not enter the forest to retrieve the pill bundle.

Because the shadow demon cultivator had previously hidden in the Fire Persimmon Forest!

“This is likely a bait, meant to lure me into the forest.”

“So, the shadow demon cultivator really does have accomplices.”

“If it were Chi Dun, he’d probably rush right in. But I’m not some reckless fool.”

With this in mind, Fei Si decisively turned away, flying to the volcano’s peak to report to the City Lord of Fire Persimmon.

He quickly gave a full account.

The City Lord sat cross-legged in the sky, nodding slightly and pondering aloud, “It may not necessarily be the shadow demon cultivator’s accomplice.”

“It could also be someone framing them, shifting the blame.”

If so, the situation was actually worse.

Because it essentially meant the major factions in the city had sensed something and begun plotting against the City Lord’s Mansion behind the scenes.

Fei Si had previously proposed undermining the talents of the Zhou and Zheng clans, and the City Lord had agreed.

The scheme had succeeded, but the City Lord now felt a sense of urgency.

He arranged for Sun Lie to help his grandson Meng Chong master the innate skill, Rampaging Thunder. Sun Lie had reported his plan in advance, and the City Lord approved it.

He hadn’t expected a demon cultivator to launch a raid during this process.

“It may not be a real demon cultivator,” the City Lord mused inevitably.

After a moment’s thought, he told Fei Si, “You did well. Those pills are of no importance.”

“Chasing demon cultivators isn’t the priority.”

“Take your time catching them—no need to rush.”

“As for Meng Chong, open the treasury and furnish him with all the natural treasures he needs. The use of Rampaging Thunder drains his vitality, spirit, and essence severely.”

It was for this reason that the City Lord had always let Meng Chong develop at his own pace.

He understood his grandson’s temperament well. Once Meng Chong fully mastered Rampaging Thunder, he would use it incessantly.

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Rampaging Thunder yielded extraordinary results, but it was easy to overuse, leaving Meng Chong weakened to the point of harming his foundation and future prospects.

It wasn’t until recently, driven by the pressure from the other two factions in pursuit of the Lava Immortal Palace, that the City Lord changed his mind.

He enlisted Sun Lie’s help to ensure Meng Chong mastered the incredible talent of Rampaging Thunder.

As for Meng Chong’s ambush, it didn’t alarm the City Lord.

To protect his grandson, he had long ago marked Meng Chong with a talisman. Should he ever face mortal danger, the talisman would activate, unleashing unparalleled power. Even if it couldn’t kill the enemy outright, it would buy enough time for the City Lord to arrive and assist.

In fact, there were more such measures—escape talismans and the like.

Midnight.

Ning Zhuo lay on his bed, eyes open.

“Why haven’t they drawn my soul yet?”

“I need to enter the Immortal Palace!”

The youth kicked his legs restlessly, growing increasingly anxious.

He began to sense that waiting like this would delay important matters.

“Can I actively send my soul into the Immortal Palace?”

Ning Zhuo recalled the mark left upon him in the preparation chamber.

He tried to manipulate the Buddha Heart Demon Seal. After fumbling for a while, the “Trial Disciple” mark resurfaced on his chest.

In the next instant, a thread of fate pierced through space, striking his soul directly.

Ning Zhuo’s vision went black; his soul was extracted, and for the third time, he entered the palace!

Main Hall of the Immortal Palace.

The Fire Dragon Turtle, deep in slumber, suddenly shuddered, sensing Ning Zhuo’s successful entry.

It spewed a torrent of flames, soared into the air, flying wildly around the main hall, smashing head and body against the pillars.

Roaring…

It let out a series of furious howls.

The Lava Immortal Palace erupted into chaos once more.

Hundreds of dazzling treasures shot everywhere, thick smoke billowed, and magma surged.

“Huh? It’s shaking again!” The City Lord of Fire Persimmon widened his eyes, hastily activating the city’s grand array to suppress the palace with all his might.

“What on earth is happening?!” The City Lord’s face, illuminated by magma and firelight, was red as blood, his expression darkening with mounting doubts.