Fei Si was still uncertain about Han Ming's connections within the Soul Devouring Sect. If they captured Han Ming and provoked an ancient monster, the trouble would be immense.
The most crucial point was the Magma Fairy Palace. At present, the City Lord's Mansion and the Four Directions Powers were all devoted to exploring this Immortal Palace and didn't want any additional complications.
Therefore, Fei Si's previous thought was: "After all, it's not us who are being harassed, but Sun Lie."
"If Sun Lie can't stand it anymore and leaves Fire Persimmon City on his own, wouldn't that solve the problem?"
The City Lord's Mansion's laxity further emboldened Han Ming's arrogance until she was finally taken down by Ning Zhuo.
In a way, Sun Lie's tolerance and the City Lord's Mansion's slackness both contributed to Ning Zhuo's eventual capture of Han Ming.
"This time is different."
"Han Ming actually clashed with Meng Chong. This time, we must use all our forces to capture her!"
"Hmm..."
"Let's catch the Youthful Guest first."
"Perhaps Han Ming will take the opportunity to escape from the city."
Mobilizing all forces to capture Han Ming was a stance Fei Si had to take. However, he didn't want to take any risks. If Han Ming was indeed captured, he'd be even more worried.
Compared to Han Ming, the Youthful Guest was an easier target.
"This Youthful Guest has always been close to Sun Lingtong."
"Sun Lingtong is a disciple of the Bukong Sect. This major evil sect is well-known for its sneaky activities."
"Could the third Demon Cultivator be Sun Lingtong?"
Fei Si immediately considered this possibility but had no desire to verify it.
Like Han Ming, Sun Lingtong had a major sect as her backing. Sun Lingtong had lived in Fire Persimmon Immortal City for over a decade and was well-rooted there, making her a true local tyrant.
Dealing with her would be even more troublesome than dealing with Han Ming.
Fei Si then ordered his subordinates to search the black market for the Youthful Guest to apprehend him.
But could they find him?
Not a trace!
They searched for half a day and returned empty-handed to report.
Fei Si scolded his subordinates thoroughly, putting on a convincing show.
After stalling for a moment, he finally picked up a pill bottle and poured out a pill.
After consuming it, his sense of smell subtly changed.
With a gentle sniff, he detected a faint medicinal fragrance in the air.
"Han Ming, I hope you have the sense to leave Fire Persimmon Immortal City by now."
Fei Si personally set out, flying like a long rainbow through the skies of Fire Persimmon Immortal City.
Following the scent, he swiftly crossed the city walls and arrived at the foot of a mountain.
Fei Si felt increasingly uneasy, until he smelled a wildly intense aroma and saw a large bundle on the grass in Fire Persimmon Forest.
The bundle contained the stolen elixir pills, all neatly packed.
Suspended in mid-air, Fei Si cursed inwardly: "Damn it!"
His expression turned extremely gloomy: "They didn't even use a storage pouch, just wrapped them in cloth and tossed them in Fire Persimmon Forest."
"Arrogant, truly arrogant!"
Fei Si felt gravely provoked.
Nevertheless, he dared not enter the forest to retrieve the pill bundle.
Because the Black Shadow Demon Cultivator had previously hidden in Fire Persimmon Forest!
"This is quite possibly bait to lure me into the forest."
"Indeed, the Black Shadow Demon Cultivator must have accomplices."
"If it were Chi Dun, he would likely rush right in. But I am not a reckless fool."
With this thought, Fei Si decisively turned and flew away, heading straight to the volcanic peak to report to the Fire Persimmon City Lord.
He quickly reported everything.
The Fire Persimmon City Lord sat cross-legged in mid-air, nodded slightly, and pondered: "It might not necessarily be the Black Shadow Demon Cultivator's accomplice."
"It is also possible that someone else framed them, leading the disaster east."
If that were the case, the situation would actually be worse.
This essentially indicated that the major powers in the city had already sensed something and started targeting the City Lord's Mansion in secret.
Fei Si had previously suggested sabotaging the talented members of the Zhou and Zheng families, and the City Lord had agreed.
The plan succeeded, but it also made the City Lord feel a bit anxious.
He then arranged for Sun Lie to help his dear grandson Meng Chong master the Immortal Talent Mad Dash Thunder. Sun Lie reported his plan in advance, and the City Lord approved.
They hadn't expected that during this period, Demon Cultivators would launch an attack.
"They might not be genuine Demon Cultivators," the City Lord inevitably thought.
After contemplating for a moment, the City Lord said to Fei Si, "You have done well. Those elixirs are insignificant."
"Capturing the Demon Cultivators is also not the main focus."
"Take your time capturing them; there's no need to rush."
"For Meng Chong, supply him with ample natural treasures from the mansion's vault. Using Mad Dash Thunder consumes a lot of energy."
Because of this, the City Lord had always let Meng Chong develop naturally.
He knew Meng Chong's nature well. Once he fully mastered Immortal Talent Mad Dash Thunder, he would use it continuously.
Though effective, Mad Dash Thunder was easily overused, leaving Meng Chong exhausted to the point of damaging his foundation and future prospects.
It wasn't until recently that the City Lord felt the pressure from rival forces over the Magma Fairy Palace and changed his mind.
He used Sun Lie's help to assist Meng Chong in mastering the exceptional talent of Mad Dash Thunder.
As for the attack on Meng Chong itself, it didn't cause the City Lord much alarm.
To protect his grandson, he had already placed a talisman on Meng Chong. When in mortal danger, the talisman would activate, unleashing immense power. Even if it couldn't kill the enemy, it would give enough time for him to personally come to the rescue.
In fact, this wasn't the only measure he had. He also had items like the Escape Void Talisman.
Late at night.
Ning Zhuo lay in bed, eyes open.
"Why haven't they extracted my soul yet?"
"I need to enter the Immortal Palace!"
The boy kicked his legs restlessly in bed, growing increasingly anxious.
He gradually sensed that waiting here might delay important matters.
"Can I enter the Immortal Palace on my own?"
Ning Zhuo recalled the mark implanted in him in the preparation room earlier.
He tried to activate the Buddha Heart Demon Seal. After fumbling for a while, the "Trial Disciple" mark resurfaced on his chest.
In the next moment, an existential thread came, pierced through the space, and struck his soul directly.
Ning Zhuo's vision blackened, his soul extracted, and he entered the palace for the third time!
The main hall of the Immortal Palace.
The sleeping Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit suddenly trembled, sensing Ning Zhuo's successful entry.
It exhaled a burst of fire and again soared into the air, flying around the main hall, head and body crashing into the pillars.
Roar... Roar...
It let out continuous angry roars.
Magma Fairy Palace erupted once again.
Thousands of treasures shot in all directions, thick smoke billowed, and lava churned.
"Hmm? Another tremor!" The Fire Persimmon City Lord's eyes widened. He quickly activated the Immortal City Great Array to wholly suppress the Immortal Palace.
"What on earth is happening?!" The Fire Persimmon City Lord's face, illuminated red by the magma and firelight, looked grim, and his doubts grew.