Chapter 55: Zhu Xuanji

“Feisi requests an audience with the Lord of the City,” Feisi stood atop Fire Persimmon Mountain, bowing respectfully toward the thick clouds and smoke overhead.

The billowing clouds parted like a curtain, revealing the figure of the Lord of Fire Persimmon City.

Feisi slowly ascended, and once near the City Lord, he bowed again and began to report on the city’s important affairs.

Nearly all matters within Fire Persimmon Immortal City were handled by him, with only the most significant issues brought before the City Lord.

The City Lord’s daily routine was mostly devoted to his own cultivation.

He was the sole Nascent Soul cultivator in Fire Persimmon Immortal City; as long as his state was maintained, the city would never descend into chaos.

At present, the most pressing issue was certainly the Lava Immortal Palace.

The incident with the Law Transmission Bell had caught the City Lord off guard, but afterward, he personally took charge, overseeing the mountaintop clouds and maintaining control.

Even though the Lava Immortal Palace had erupted multiple times, he suppressed each disturbance, preventing any real upheaval.

Feisi focused his report on the arrangements for the Fire Persimmon Festival.

The festival was fast approaching.

“At present, nearly two thousand mechanical Firebomb Monkeys have been crafted.”

“I have reached agreements with the Zhou, Zheng, and Ning families; the Foundation Establishment cultivators who will operate the Firebomb Monkeys will mostly be dispatched from these three clans.”

“Additionally, Yuan Er, the current leader of the Monkeyhead Gang, has volunteered, disregarding the risks, to participate in this matter.”

“Moved by his loyalty and mindful of the shortage of labor, I temporarily consented to allow the Monkeyhead Gang to take part.”

“In past Fire Persimmon Festivals, the monkey pets of this gang have always been the main force in harvesting the persimmons; their involvement is an extra layer of assurance.”

“As for the campaign against the Shadow Demon cultivator, I have made some arrangements, all detailed within this jade slip.”

The City Lord infused his spiritual sense into the jade slip, finding the plans clear and methodical, steps precise, with numerous contingency strategies in addition to the main arrangements.

The principal force in the campaign against the Shadow Demon cultivator would naturally be the City Lord’s mansion and the Zhou and Zheng families’ Core Formation cultivators. The Ning family patriarch remained in secluded recuperation, but would appear as backup when the time came.

Since the appearance of the Shadow Demon cultivator, Feisi had represented the City Lord’s mansion in proactively contacting the other three families to discuss the campaign.

Using this pretext, the City Lord’s mansion had united the three families together.

Feisi had observed closely, but found no trace of collusion between the families and the demon cultivator.

“Proceed as planned,” the City Lord approved after reviewing the arrangements.

Notably, the City Lord himself was not included in the campaign plan.

Their opponent was merely a Core Formation cultivator, while Fire Persimmon Immortal City planned to deploy four Core Formation cultivators—a force more than sufficient.

From the perspective of the City Lord’s mansion, it was most prudent for the City Lord to remain stationed atop the mountain.

It was clear the Shadow Demon cultivator was determined to enter the Lava Immortal Palace. The first attempt was thwarted by Zheng Shuangou; the second, sneaking near the dungeon, was discovered by Chi Dun, who carried the Alert Bell.

If accomplices were involved, then the third attempt—the assault on the Ziyang Villa and the deliberate dropping of pills in the Fire Persimmon Forest—was clearly meant to lure the City Lord away for capture.

The more the enemy desires, the less one should allow them to succeed!

As long as the City Lord holds the mountaintop, he stands invincible.

“My lord, there is another urgent matter to report,” Feisi said. “Since failing the last trial, Young Master Meng Chong has entered seclusion for intensive training once more.”

“He is using spirit resources to recklessly pursue Thunder Dash far too often; such terrifying consumption cannot be sustained.”

“I am deeply concerned.”

“I have tried to advise Young Master Meng Chong many times, but he refuses to heed my words and persists in his own way.”

As he spoke, Feisi handed over another jade slip.

Within, Meng Chong’s latest state during his training was recorded.

His once robust physique had vanished.

Now he was noticeably thin; his cheekbones prominent, eyes sunken, but his gaze had grown even brighter, giving the impression of someone cultivating demonic arts, burning his life force for a brief surge of power.

The City Lord smiled faintly, “Let him continue his own way then.”

Feisi was taken aback, “My lord, you…”

The City Lord spoke gently, “Talent and temperament are two sides of the same coin, essentially one. Expressing one’s nature is to unleash talent.”

“The higher the talent, the more pronounced the nature.”

“Only by fully manifesting one’s nature can the potential of talent be truly mined.”

“Let me ask you, how has Chong’er’s progress been in the past month or two?”

Feisi replied, “His progress is astonishing, leaving me in awe.”

This was indeed the case.

At first, Meng Chong could not even dodge the Thousand-Pound Hammer Platform. Later, he managed to avoid the heavy hammer but failed to escape the Golden Silk Net. Afterward, he crossed the net but lost control of his speed, being sliced to pieces by the fine threads.

Through intensive training, he fully adapted to high speed; his movements became agile and swift, easily traversing numerous obstacles.

The City Lord continued, “I saw in the jade slip’s images that during this latest training, he is already on the verge of a breakthrough. Previously, his Thunder Dash was straightforward and monotonous. Now he is adjusting his breathing, creating rhythm.”

“He is gradually grasping the principle that pure force cannot last, understanding the law of flexing to advance.”

“Once he breaks through, he will find rhythm: speed within slowness, slowness within speed, and accelerate even further in extreme velocity.”

“Then, he will achieve balance and flexibility. This is the cycle of yin and yang, the transformation of all things into completeness.”

Feisi was suddenly enlightened, “I understand.”

“Nature nurtures talent, and progress in talent can also refine one’s nature.”

“Previously, Young Master Meng Chong only knew reckless charge. If he breaks through this time, his nature will improve, achieving both tension and relaxation.”

The City Lord smiled, “Such is the path of cultivation; when yin reaches its limit, yang is born, and vice versa. Change arises from extremity.”

“Possessing extraordinary talent marks one as a true cultivator. One cannot treat them by common norms.”

“Since his exceptional talent is being fully awakened, let him develop and explore it. As his use of talent progresses, his nature will be refined.”

“Chong’er has his own unique path of cultivation.”

“As long as his life is not endangered, there is no need for harsh intervention.”

“We supply him with pills and do our best to help him replenish his nutrition.”

“Furthermore, we must gather personnel and form a team to assist him in the future.”

“The trials of the Lava Immortal Palace cannot be accomplished by one person alone.”

“Cooperation is the true way; this shows that the three sect leaders are indeed wise monks, sincerely compassionate, seeking to guide all beings.”

Feisi quickly said, “When Young Master Meng Chong switched his cultivation, the mansion had already organized thirty people to follow suit.”

“After his first exploration, the team expanded to fifty.”

“However, few possess real talent; they are still retraining and remain some ways from reaching the third layer’s peak.”

“According to my investigation, our mansion’s team is in the best condition. The Zhou family is second due to their Auspicious Gathering Spiritual Array, Zheng family third, and Ning family last.”

The City Lord nodded, lightly praising, “Your work is dependable.”

Feisi's face brightened with joy, about to respond, when suddenly a voice rang out: “Meng Kui.”

“You have thoroughly grasped the principle of yin giving birth to yang. Yet why do you covet the Lava Immortal Palace? Are you not worried about excess?”

“Who’s there?” Feisi snapped indignantly, releasing his spiritual sense to search for the intruder.

The City Lord showed a hint of surprise, signaling Feisi to be calm.

He turned his gaze toward the right side of the clouds.

There, a figure gradually emerged.

He was a middle-aged man, dressed in a grand crimson brocade robe with black embroidery.

His face was square, and in the center of his jet-black eyes shimmered flecks of gold.

He made no effort to conceal his aura, revealing his Core Formation cultivation. Facing the City Lord and Feisi, he exuded a composed and serene presence that overshadowed the opposite side.

Feisi recognized the familiar brocade robe and saw the three large characters for “Divine Constabulary” on the waist badge of this middle-aged cultivator.

His eye twitched, and he hurriedly saluted, “Feisi pays respects to the Divine Constable, and dares to inquire your esteemed name.”

The middle-aged man smiled gently, “I am Zhu Xuanji.”

“Zhu?” Feisi’s heart trembled slightly as he pondered, “Zhu is the royal surname—could this man…”

Zhu Xuanji nodded directly, candidly admitting, “You should have guessed. Yes, I am not only affiliated with the Divine Constabulary, but also a member of the royal family of the Southern Bean Immortal Kingdom.”

“This time, I am here to investigate the Lava Immortal Palace!”