: All Parties

Author: Gu Zhenren

Date: 2024-07-31

: All Parties

Feisi’s expression darkened.

The Fire Persimmon City Lord’s gaze also tightened slightly.

Ever since the Molten Rock Immortal Palace emerged, he had done his utmost to block the news, fully aware that it would eventually attract the attention of the dynasty’s higher-ups.

But he never expected them to arrive so quickly!

Feisi’s mind swirled with doubts: “Could someone have deliberately leaked the information?”

“The Zheng and Zhou families are unlikely suspects—they’re more interested in reaping benefits from the Molten Rock Immortal Palace.”

“Could it be the Ning family? Seeing themselves lagging behind, did they decide to bring in outsiders?”

Zhu Xuanji, observing their silence, chuckled lightly: “Meng Kui, your Meng family already controls Purple Mist City, Frost Cyan City, and Earthen Womb City. Do you really intend to seize Fire Persimmon Immortal City as well?”

“Let me be frank with you. Five hundred years ago, the royal family already knew that the Molten Rock Immortal Palace was buried within these mountains. Why do you think they never attempted to open it?”

Feisi was stunned.

City Lord Meng Kui also showed a flicker of emotion.

As a Divine Constable and an emissary of the royal family, Zhu Xuanji wouldn’t spout nonsense without cause.

But if this were true, then all of Meng Kui’s efforts and schemes up to this point might have been nothing but a joke!

Zhu Xuanji sighed: “The Molten Rock Immortal Palace should never have emerged at this time. There must be something fishy going on! That’s why I was dispatched by the royal family and the Divine Constable Bureau to investigate.”

“This is the imperial decree.”

Meng Kui could no longer remain seated. He stood up, bowed, and received the decree with both hands.

After reading it and confirming its authenticity, Meng Kui asked, “What are your orders, Emissary?”

Zhu Xuanji replied, “I need to uncover the true reason behind the Immortal Palace’s emergence. For now, have Chi Dun assist me in conducting investigations and inquiries.”

“If I require your cooperation in the future, I will inform you.”

He showed no deference to Meng Kui, despite the latter being at the Nascent Soul stage.

Meng Kui immediately summoned Chi Dun and introduced him to Zhu Xuanji.

A short while later, Feisi watched the departing figures of Chi and Zhu with deep concern: “My lord, I never expected the royal family to send someone so quickly!”

“It seems the royal family knows some secrets about the Molten Rock Immortal Palace.”

The City Lord pondered: “In the past, the Three Sects’ Sage and the Southern Bean’s Supreme Emperor shared a close relationship for a time.”

“It’s not surprising that the royal family knows some hidden details.”

“From what I see, Zhu Xuanji is here for investigation and has no intention of interfering in the struggle for the Molten Rock Immortal Palace.”

“We will proceed as usual.”

Feisi bowed and accepted the order: “Yes.”

After he withdrew, mist and clouds once again shrouded Meng Kui.

The Fire Persimmon City Lord’s expression finally turned openly gloomy, no longer concealed.

Though the Meng family was powerful, they were merely one of the major clans in the Southern Bean Kingdom.

Though Meng Kui was strong, a Nascent Soul expert guarding a mountain city, he was ultimately just a city lord.

Meng Kui glanced around, feeling for the first time that the surrounding mist and clouds felt heavy and oppressive.

The Zhou and Zheng family leaders met in secret.

“Brother Zhou, not long ago, your family suffered another attack, which put our clan on high alert for days!” the Zheng family leader said deliberately.

The Zhou family leader smiled faintly.

Previously, Zhou Zhu’s entry into the Molten Rock Immortal Palace had caused Zhou Zeshen to make a blunder. Since the incident had already attracted attention, the Zhou elders decided to play along, staging a fake enemy attack to deceive the other families and buy more time.

Now, it seemed they had gained some time, but it wasn’t particularly useful.

Because the trials within the Molten Rock Immortal Palace were too difficult!

After analyzing the intelligence brought back by Zhou Zhu and Zheng Jian, the Zhou and Zheng families realized that cooperation was the only way to pass the trials.

Thus, they proactively approached the City Lord’s residence, seeking collaboration, but were rejected by Meng Chong.

This rejection made them anxious.

What did it mean?

It meant that Meng Chong, from the City Lord’s residence, believed he could clear the trials alone!

Truly, the talent of a supreme-grade genius.

After this realization, the two families’ higher-ups immediately decided to unite against the City Lord’s residence.

Otherwise, they stood no chance of success.

The Zhou family leader sighed: “The Meng family is a major clan in our kingdom, fully controlling three immortal cities.”

“Our two families cannot compare to the Meng family—we are confined to a single city.”

“Forget about the inheritance of the Molten Rock Immortal Palace for now. If Meng Chong becomes the master of Fire Persimmon Immortal City and the Molten Rock Immortal Palace suppresses the fire persimmons, the Meng family will have the perfect excuse to station more forces here.”

“What will become of our two families then?”

“Lately, whenever I think of this, I am deeply troubled.”

These words resonated with the Zheng family leader: “Only through unity can we find a path to victory.”

The Zhou family leader added: “In my opinion, we should also bring the Ning family into our alliance. Only by uniting our three families can we stand a chance against the City Lord’s residence.”

The Zheng family leader pondered for a moment before nodding firmly: “Very well, let’s bring in the Ning family!”

“Families are enduring, but city lords come and go.”

“Fire Persimmon Immortal City is already crowded with three families—we cannot allow the Meng family to encroach further!”

The Ning family leader paced anxiously in his courtyard.

A servant arrived with good news, and he clapped his hands in delight: “It’s done!”

Feeling that his family was falling behind, the Ning family leader had taken the initiative to bribe the Zhou family leader to form an alliance.

The envoy sent by the Zhou family leader brought not only good news but also valuable intelligence.

The Ning family leader was shocked: “So the trial method for Qi Refinement stage cultivators has changed so drastically! Quickly, check what level Ning Xiaohui has reached now!”

The servant soon returned: “She has reached the second level.”

“What about the others?”

The servant replied: “A few have reached the first level, but most have only just finished dispersing their cultivation.”

“Too slow! This is far too slow!” The Ning family leader nearly stamped his foot in frustration and immediately ordered an increase in rewards to encourage those undergoing cultivation changes to practice day and night.

He felt deeply worried: “Our Ning family migrated here from elsewhere—we are outsiders.”

“Now, with the opportunity presented by the Molten Rock Immortal Palace, we must seize it to cooperate with the other two families and strengthen our ties.”

“City lords may come and go, but the Zhou and Zheng families will remain.”

“Our Ning family has always been the weakest among the three major families. Only by taking things step by step can we have a chance to grow stronger.”

Monkey Head Gang.

The current gang leader, Yuan Er, summoned all the elders.

His expression was stern, his tone grave: “Everyone has seen the Mechanical Blaze Monkeys.”

“Their threat is too great!”

“Therefore, during this Fire Persimmon Festival, even if demonic cultivators threaten our lives, we must give our all to demonstrate our value to the higher-ups of Fire Persimmon Immortal City!”

“Otherwise, the business of harvesting fire persimmons will be taken over by these fake monkeys.”

The elders, aware of the critical situation, immediately voiced their agreement with Yuan Er’s decision.

Seeing their consensus, Yuan Er showed a hint of relief: “We must not let go of our core business. Only by holding onto it can the Monkey Head Gang continue to develop.”

“Once we overcome this hurdle, if the Monkey Head Gang grows stronger, we might even become the fifth major power in Fire Persimmon Immortal City.”

Before he could finish speaking, a gang member rushed in, panicked: “Leader! Elders! Something terrible has happened!”

“Our monkeys have been poisoned—many have died!”

The gang’s higher-ups stood up in shock and fury.

“Who dares to oppose us?”

“They deserve death!”

(End of )