: Truly Worthy of Feisi

The second wave of rumors has arrived!

It perfectly follows the first wave, creating an even bigger uproar.

This second wave reveals many new details about how Divine Constable Zhu Xuanji obtained clues related to the Demonic Path True Scripture.

The rumors claim that Zhu Xuanji acquired the Mechanical Demon General—a valuable puppet with Golden Core level combat strength, left behind from the Lava Immortal Palace.

The original Demonic Path True Scripture was supposedly stored within the Mechanical Demon General. However, after obtaining it, Zhu Xuanji found the scripture missing.

Leveraging his strong investigative skills, he traced clues from the Mechanical Demon General and eventually tracked down Yuan Dasheng of the Monkey Head Gang.

He suspected that Yuan Dasheng had encountered the Mechanical Demon General earlier and stolen the Demonic Path True Scripture.

Since Yuan Dasheng had already died, and his body was obtained by Ning Zhuo, this implied that the Demonic Path True Scripture on Yuan Dasheng had fallen into Ning Zhuo's hands!

The impact of the second wave of rumors is far greater than the first.

On one hand, it involves Zhu Xuanji—a Golden Core cultivator, a member of the royal family, and a prestigious Divine Constable. His involvement naturally sparks public discussion.

On the other hand, the rumors feel incredibly real, with many convincing details.

Once the rumors spread, some cultivators sought to verify their authenticity with Zhu Xuanji.

Zhu Xuanji neither publicly clarified nor denied the rumors.

His ambiguous attitude led many to speculate and draw their own conclusions after careful consideration.

Zhu Xuanji privately communicated with the three Golden Core families.

They, too, were guessing and discussing the source of the rumors.

Ning Jiufan clenched his fists, angrily saying, "Who else could it be? If it's not one of us, it must be the City Lord's Mansion!"

"We retrieved the Mechanical Demon General from the Demon Ape King's Court and informed Meng Kui about the operation. As a Nascent Soul expert, Meng Kui likely knows everything that happened there."

Zheng ShuangGou expressed confusion, "I don't quite understand. Why announce something like the Demonic Path True Scripture? If I were the City Lord's Mansion, I'd secretly investigate, confirm the details, and then send a skilled assassin to eliminate Ning Zhuo."

"Announcing it like this—what's the point?"

Zhou Nongying smiled slightly, "It's obvious—they're trying to cover their tracks!"

"If Ning Zhuo gets assassinated later, they can blame it on demonic cultivators tempted by the rumors, taking risks to seize the scripture."

"The City Lord's Mansion is muddying the waters first, then secretly sending a powerful assassin to kill Ning Zhuo."

"Even if the assassin is caught and implicates the City Lord's Mansion, they can deny involvement, claiming it's the assassin's personal action or a frame-up."

"This is an old trick used by many major factions," Zhou Nongying added.

The Golden Core ancestors fell into silence.

They all felt an invisible pressure.

"Truly worthy of Feisi..." someone sighed, voicing everyone's thoughts.

In their view, Feisi clearly suspected a possible trap targeting Ning Zhuo.

So, how did he handle it?

Regardless of whether there was a trap, he took this step first—controlling public opinion and clearing the City Lord's Mansion of suspicion even before any assassination attempt!

Tricky.

Troublesome.

This was Zhu Xuanji's strongest impression of Feisi from the second wave of rumors.

"Besides clearing suspicion, he has another intention," Zhu Xuanji thought deeply.

He subtly observed the other Golden Core ancestors.

Their expressions were telling.

Among them, the Ning family ancestor, Ning Jiufan, looked the most troubled.

He was under immense psychological pressure.

Zhu Xuanji understood Ning Jiufan's concerns.

"If there's a traitor among us, Ning Jiufan is the least likely suspect."

"Not only because his reputation is at stake, but also because Ning Zhuo is a talented cultivator of the Ning family."

Zhu Xuanji was more concerned about whether the rumors truly originated from the City Lord's Mansion.

While the others seemed to assume so, Zhu Xuanji, as a Divine Constable, never jumped to conclusions without evidence.

"If the rumors didn't come from the City Lord's Mansion, then who else could it be?"

"Who else knows I obtained the Mechanical Demon General?"

From Zhu Xuanji's perspective, only two groups were possible: the City Lord's Mansion, or his alliance with the three families.

After some thought, Zhu Xuanji addressed the others, "The consecutive spread of rumors clearly has a mastermind behind it."

"The current situation is undoubtedly severe."

"We must strengthen our protection of Ning Zhuo. After all, he is a talented cultivator of the Ning family. As I told Fellow Daoist Ning Jiufan earlier, I will do everything to ensure his safety."

"Therefore, from now on, we will pair up and take shifts guarding Ning Zhuo."

"I will arrange all the shifts myself."

Zhu Xuanji's words made some Golden Core cultivators thoughtful.

Although Zhu Xuanji and the three families had signed a contract, such restraints were not foolproof.

Just like locks and lock-picking techniques, they evolve together.

Contracts and ways to break them are no different.

Without directly mentioning the possibility of a traitor, Zhu Xuanji divided the six Golden Core cultivators, including himself, into three teams of two.

He ensured that the Zhou and Zheng family cultivators were not in the same team, to prevent any internal betrayal.

Ning Zhuo's residence.

"What?!"

"There are such rumors?!"

Ning Zhuo exclaimed, unable to stay seated. He stood up abruptly.

His face pale, he tried to stay calm but couldn't hide his panic.

The two Ning family Foundation Establishment cultivators reporting to him exchanged glances. From Ning Zhuo's reaction, the rumors seemed likely true.

Ning Zhuo's eyes flickered uncertainly. He leaned on his desk, dazed for a moment before snapping back to reality. Waving the two cultivators away, he said, "Keep a close watch on the rumors. Report any changes to me immediately."

After they left, Ning Zhuo wiped his forehead, covered in cold sweat.

He swallowed, still feeling parched, and took a large gulp of cold tea directly from the teapot on his desk.

Sitting back down, he opened a drawer and took out a jade slip, using his spiritual sense to write a message.

It was a plea for help, addressed to Ning Jiufan.

After finishing, he thought for a moment and took out another jade slip.

This one was also a plea for help, but addressed to Zhu Xuanji.

The two pleas were sent out and soon reached Ning Jiufan and Zhu Xuanji.

The contents were similar, expressing Ning Zhuo's innocence, grievances, fear, and unease.

The general idea was:

"I really didn't obtain any Demonic Path True Scripture."

"I've been wronged; I'm innocent."

"I'm so unlucky to be caught up in this. Someone will surely try to harm me, coveting the scripture."

"They'll be disappointed—even if they kill me, they won't get the scripture!"

"But I don't want to die. I'm still young, only sixteen."

"So, Lord Ning Jiufan (Zhu Xuanji), I beg you to save me. A simple clarification could resolve this danger!"

After reading it, Zhu Xuanji expressionlessly stored the jade slip away.

Ning Jiufan, however, was not unmoved. He secretly approached Zhu Xuanji, making small talk before getting to the point: "Lord Zhu, how much do you think Meng Kui knows about our actions in the Demon Ape King's Court?"

Zhu Xuanji replied, "Meng Kui is a Nascent Soul expert, far surpassing us in cultivation and combat power."

"I informed him beforehand precisely so he could serve as our backup."

"With his methods, he must have been aware of our actions in Fire Persimmon Mountain."

"However..."

"To what extent, I'm not entirely sure."

Zhu Xuanji spoke a lot without saying much.

He had his difficulties.

He couldn't outright tell Ning Jiufan that Meng Kui knew everything about what happened to him, could he?

That would only add to Ning Jiufan's stress.

Ning Jiufan left, sighing dejectedly.

Zhu Xuanji's expression turned solemn.

Clashes in the righteous path were different from those in the demonic path, each with its own nuances.

"Through these rumors, I've already exchanged a round with the City Lord's Mansion."

"Feisi is indeed formidable."

"Just two waves of rumors have already shaken our footing."

At that moment, a cultivator walked directly toward the gate of Ning Zhuo's residence.

His actions immediately drew attention.

"Halt."

"Who goes there?"

Ning family Foundation Establishment guards intercepted him halfway.

Zhu Xuanji and Ning Jiufan also secretly focused their attention on the newcomer.

The visitor cupped his hands politely, "I am Su Mo. Apologies for disturbing you, Senior Foundation Establishment cultivators."

"I am merely a low-level Qi Refining cultivator, making a living by crafting talismans."

"I recently arrived in Fire Persimmon Immortal City and heard that the Ning family is renowned for talismans. Young Master Ning Zhuo is a prominent figure among Qi Refining cultivators in the Ning family, a young genius."

"So, I came to visit, hoping to exchange insights on talisman techniques with Ning Zhuo."

The Foundation Establishment guards exchanged disgusted looks.

"Hmph, of all times, you choose now to come. You're quite deliberate."

"Why not be honest? You're here because of the rumors about the Demonic Path True Scripture, aren't you?"

Su Mo smiled slightly, "Seniors, it's late at night—I am indeed 'coming late.'"

"I'm unaware of any rumors."

"I only know that I've come to challenge Ning Zhuo. If he refuses, it would tarnish the Ning family's reputation as talisman masters."

The two guards grew even more annoyed.

But this matter couldn't be dismissed lightly; it needed proper handling.

"Fine, fine. Wait here. I'll go inside and inform him!"

(End of )