"Your subordinate, Fei Si, requests an audience with the City Lord." Fei Si stood at the peak of Fire Persimmon Mountain, bowing to the heavy clouds above.
The rolling clouds opened like curtains, revealing the figure of the Fire Persimmon City Lord.
Fei Si slowly flew up, and after approaching the City Lord, he bowed again and began reporting the major affairs of the city.
Most of the affairs in Fire Persimmon Immortal City were handled by him, and only significant matters were reported to the City Lord.
On most days, the City Lord focused primarily on his own cultivation.
He was the only Nascent Soul cultivator in Fire Persimmon Immortal City. As long as he maintained his condition, the city would remain stable.
Currently, the most important matter was, of course, the Magma Fairy Palace.
The matter of the Dharma Transmission Bell had indeed caught the City Lord off guard. However, afterward, he personally took action, overseeing the situation from the peak.
Even though the Magma Fairy Palace had several disturbances, he suppressed them all without much trouble.
Fei Si focused on reporting the arrangements for the Fire Persimmon Festival.
The Fire Persimmon Festival was imminent.
"Currently, we have about two thousand Explosive Flame Monkeys crafted."
"I have negotiated with the Zhou, Zheng, and Ning families. The Foundation Establishment cultivators who will control the Explosive Flame Monkeys are primarily from these families."
"Additionally, Yuan Er, the current leader of the Monkey Head Gang, volunteered to participate despite the risks."
"Moved by his loyalty and considering the labor shortage, I temporarily agreed to let the Monkey Head Gang get involved."
"In past Fire Persimmon Festivals, it was usually the Monkey Head Gang's monkey pets that played the main role in picking fire persimmons. Their involvement would provide an extra layer of security."
"As for the plan to eradicate the Black Shadow Demon Cultivator, I have made some arrangements, all documented in this jade slip."
The City Lord infused his divine sense into the jade slip, seeing the arrangements clearly outlined, with meticulous steps and numerous contingency plans.
The primary force to surround and eradicate the Black Shadow Demon Cultivator would naturally be the City Lord's Mansion and the Golden Core cultivators from the Zhou and Zheng families. The Ning Family Ancestor, still in seclusion for healing, would also make a rare appearance as a backup.
Since the appearance of the Black Shadow Demon Cultivator, Fei Si had, on behalf of the City Lord's Mansion, proactively contacted the other three families to plan a coordinated attack.
Using this as a pretext, the City Lord's Mansion managed to unite the three families.
Fei Si observed covertly but found no evidence of collusion between the three families and the Black Shadow Demon Cultivator.
"Proceed accordingly," the Fire Persimmon City Lord said after reviewing the plan, approving Fei Si's arrangements.
This plan to eradicate did not include the City Lord himself.
The opponent was just a Golden Core cultivator, while the plan involved mobilizing four Golden Core cultivators from Fire Persimmon Immortal City.
This level of combat power was more than sufficient.
From the City's perspective, the City Lord remaining at the mountain peak was the most appropriate action.
It was clear that the Black Shadow Demon Cultivator had been trying hard to enter the Magma Fairy Palace. The first attempt was thwarted by Zheng Shuanggou, and the second attempt near the dungeon was discovered by Chi Dun, who wore the Alert Heart Bell.
If there were indeed accomplices, the third attempt was to raid Ziyang Courtyard, and throw down elixirs in the Fire Persimmon Forest, blatantly attracting the City Lord to capture him.
The more the enemy wanted something, the less it should be allowed to happen!
As long as the City Lord remained at the mountain peak, they would stand invincible.
"My Lord, there is one urgent matter I need to report," Fei Si said, "Since failing the last trial, Young Master Meng Chong has once again entered seclusion for special training."
"He uses the Immortal Talent Mad Dash Thunder far too frequently. Such a terrifying consumption cannot be sustained."
"I am very worried."
"I have advised Young Master Meng Chong multiple times, but he hasn't listened. He continues to act on his own."
Saying this, Fei Si presented another jade slip.
The jade slip recorded Meng Chong's latest training appearance.
His once sturdy figure had disappeared.
Now, he was noticeably thin. His cheekbones protruded, his eyes were sunken, yet his gaze had become increasingly bright, giving the impression that he had practiced some demonic arts, burning his life to gain temporary power.
The City Lord smiled faintly, "Then let him continue to act on his own."
Fei Si was taken aback, "City Lord, you mean..."
The Fire Persimmon City Lord replied leisurely, "Talent and nature are inherently interconnected and can be viewed as one. To express one's nature is to expand one's talent."
"The higher the talent, the more profound the nature."
"Fully utilizing one's nature is the way to maximize talent potential."
"Let me ask you, how has Chong'er progressed these past months?"
Fei Si replied, "His progress has been astonishing, leaving me in awe."
Indeed, this was the case.
At first, Meng Chong couldn't even avoid the Thousand-Jin Heavy Hammer Platform. Later, he avoided the heavy hammer but couldn't escape the Golden Silk Net. Then, he passed the net but couldn't control his speed and was cut into pieces by fine threads.
After special training, he completely adapted to the high speeds, becoming agile and rapid, effortlessly crossing numerous obstacles.
The City Lord continued, "From the jade slip, I can see that his current training is also on the verge of a breakthrough. Previously, his use of Mad Dash Thunder was straightforward and monotonous. Now, he has begun adjusting his breath, having highs and lows."
"He gradually understood that rigidity cannot last and learned the principle of bending and stretching."
"Once he breaks through, he will be able to move rhythmically, alternating between fast and slow, accelerating even further during high speeds."
"At that time, he will become more controlled in his energies, embodying the cyclical balance of yin and yang, achieving a complete cycle."
Fei Si suddenly understood, "I see."
"Nature can enhance talent, and the progress in talent can also refine nature."
"Young Master Meng Chong previously only knew to rush forward recklessly. Once he breaks through this time, his nature will refine, achieving a balance."
The City Lord smiled, "The path of cultivation is just that: extreme yin gives birth to yang, extreme yang gives birth to yin, as the saying goes, adversity brings change."
"Possessing superior talent means having the potential for immortality. It must not be treated with ordinary logic."
"Since his superior talent is fully activated, let him develop and explore it to the fullest. As his talent advances, his nature will also improve."
"Chong'er has his unique path of cultivation."
"As long as it doesn't endanger his life, there is no need to strongly intervene."
"We should supply him with elixir pills to help replenish his nutrition as much as possible."
"Additionally, we need to gather people and form a team to support him in the future."
"The trials of the Magma Fairy Palace cannot be overcome by an individual alone."
"Coexistence and cooperation are the true ways, as the Three Ancestral Masters envisioned. Their compassionate hearts seek to save all beings."
Fei Si quickly added, "When Young Master Meng Chong started his special training, the mansion already organized a team of thirty people to train alongside him."
"After his first exploration, the team expanded to fifty people."
"But few of them possess significant talent and are still adjusting, not yet reaching the third level peak."
"According to my investigation, our mansion's team is in the best condition. The Zhou family ranks second due to their Gathering and Dispersing As Desired Spirit Tide Array. The Zheng family ranks third, and the Ning family ranks last."
The City Lord nodded, giving a faint commendation, "You handle matters prudently."
Fei Si's face lit with joy, just about to respond, when a sudden voice interrupted, "Meng Kui."
"You deeply understand the principle of extreme yin giving birth to yang. Why then do you covet the Magma Fairy Palace? Are you not afraid of exceeding moderation?"
"Who goes there?" Fei Si shouted angrily, extending his divine sense to search for the intruder.
The Fire Persimmon City Lord, however, showed a hint of surprise, gesturing for Fei Si to remain calm.
The City Lord directed his gaze to the clouds on the right.
There, a figure slowly emerged.
It was a middle-aged man dressed in a bright red brocade robe with black edges.
With a square face, dark eyes emitting golden glints, he bore no concealment, revealing his Golden Core aura. Facing the City Lord and Fei Si, he carried a composed demeanor and a slight smile, his presence overwhelming those opposite him.
Seeing the familiar brocade robe and the three words "Divine Hunter Office" on his waist token, Fei Si's eyes twitched. He quickly bowed, "Fei Si greets the Divine Hunter, daring to ask for your esteemed name."
The middle-aged man smiled faintly, "My name is Zhu Xuanji."
"Zhu?" Fei Si's heart trembled slightly as he pondered, "Zhu is the royal surname. Could it be that this person..."
Zhu Xuanji nodded directly, candidly admitting, "You should have guessed it by now. Indeed, I am not only affiliated with the Divine Hunter Office, but also a member of the Southern Bean Immortal Kingdom Royal Family."
"I am here to investigate the Magma Fairy Palace!"