: A Glimmer of Hope

July 31, 2024 by Gu Zhenren

"Uncle Monkey!" Yuan Er finally snapped back to reality, crying out in shock at the sight of the motionless ape on the ground.

He rushed to the ape's side.

But the ape remained completely still.

Overwhelmed with grief, Yuan Er broke down, tears streaming down his face.

"Someone, please save Uncle Monkey!"

"Can anyone save him!?"

"Open the barrier, open the barrier! We need a healer, we need a healer now!!"

Dragging Yuan Dasheng toward the edge of the barrier, Yuan Er accidentally tore off its arm in his panic.

He collapsed to the ground, staring blankly at the scene before him.

"Open the barrier," Zhu Xuanji suddenly appeared beside Fei Si.

Fei Si was startled, having failed to detect Zhu Xuanji's stealth technique. "Lord Zhu, given the current anomaly, which is likely the work of the shadowy demonic cultivator, it's best to remain calm and wait..."

Zhu Xuanji fixed him with a sharp, golden-glinting gaze, his expression stern. "I said, open the barrier!"

Fei Si's pupils contracted slightly as he forced a smile. "Since the Divine Hunter wishes to take action to capture the true culprit, I will naturally cooperate."

The barrier was opened.

Zhu Xuanji approached Yuan Er, activated a spell, and directed it at Yuan Dasheng.

Under his treatment, Yuan Dasheng's severed arm reattached, its wounds stabilized, its heartbeat returned, and a faint trace of life energy emerged.

"My lord, thank you, my lord!" Yuan Er kowtowed repeatedly to the unfamiliar Golden Core cultivator Zhu Xuanji.

Zhu Xuanji sighed softly. "Its injuries are too severe. Even with my utmost effort, I've only managed to revive it temporarily."

"Here is a Late Autumn Life-Preserving Pill. Administer it, and its life will be spared."

"However, from now on, it will be confined to a sickbed."

Zhu Xuanji looked at the critically injured Yuan Dasheng with deep emotion.

Possessing Golden Eyes, while others' vision was obscured by the explosion, he had seen everything clearly.

At the moment of the explosion, Yuan Dasheng had considered channeling its demonic power for full defense. But it chose not to. Instead, it used its spiritual energy to protect Yuan Er in its embrace.

It had withstood the explosion with its own flesh and blood, sacrificing itself to save Yuan Er!

"It had demonic power but refrained from using it."

"It must have feared that exposing its identity as a demonic cultivator would cause misunderstandings, lead to attacks, and ultimately implicate Yuan Er."

"This ape is truly loyal and righteous."

Deeply moved, Zhu Xuanji had revealed himself and personally intervened to save Yuan Dasheng's life.

"Zhu Xuanji!!!" On the mountainside, Ning Zhuo, who had witnessed Zhu Xuanji saving Yuan Dasheng, glared with cold fury.

"You've ruined my plans!" Ning Zhuo gritted his teeth secretly.

He had painstakingly designed this trap, cleverly exploiting the situation and calculating most people's reactions. He never expected Zhu Xuanji to act this way.

"I lacked sufficient intelligence on Zhu Xuanji."

"What should I do now?"

Thanks to Zhu Xuanji's interference, Yuan Dasheng, who should have died, was now alive again.

"Despite its critical condition, barely clinging to life, its injuries are mostly physical—its soul remains intact."

"It can still have its soul extracted for the Soul Palace."

"If it encounters Meng Chong, Zhou Zhu, or Zheng Jian, these three factions will certainly extend help and actively treat it."

"Damn it, damn it!"

When Zheng Shuang Gou learned that Ning Zhuo had engineered the mechanical explosive monkey, he immediately showed intent to recruit him. The four major factions' desire for mechanical talent was evident.

If they discovered that Yuan Dasheng could single-handedly reach Room Seven, they would go crazy!

"What to do? What should I do?" Ning Zhuo racked his brains desperately, thinking until his face turned pale and his head spun.

It was too difficult!

Designing such a trap had already required exhausting all his mental energy.

It was the result of continuously analyzing vast amounts of intelligence and days of intense contemplation.

After all, he was only sixteen!

Fei Si's expression was also quite grim.

Zhu Xuanji forcing him to open the barrier earlier was a slap in the face! Utterly disregarding the occasion.

Fei Si, with his sinister mind and ruthless methods, secretly swore: He would remember this and repay Zhu Xuanji in the future. So what if he was from the Divine Hunter Division or the royal family?

"We're all righteous path followers; we should abide by the rules. You embarrassed me today? Fine, just don't let me get an opportunity!"

"Sir, someone from the Flying Disc Workshop requests an audience." Shortly after, a guard came to report.

Soon, Ning Zhuo was brought in.

Fei Si was in a foul mood. "Boy, you'd better have something important to say!"

Ning Zhuo smiled and transmitted his voice: "Lord Fei Si, that Zhu Xuanji is truly insolent. I happen to have a plan that could ease your worries."

Fei Si immediately scolded him via transmission, ensuring no third party heard: "Lord Zhu is a royal family member, a distinguished Divine Hunter. What is your status, a mere Qi Refining cultivator, daring to call him by name? You have some nerve!"

Though reprimanding, Fei Si's tone via transmission hinted at interest.

Ning Zhuo chuckled inwardly and continued: "I was reckless. But Zhu Xuanji, for some unknown reason, actually saved that ape. He has no regard for our Fire Persimmon Immortal City!"

Seeing Fei Si frown with displeasure, Ning Zhuo quickly added: "Sir, now the entire city knows Zhu Xuanji saved the ape; he doesn't want it to die. So, what if the ape actually dies?"

Hearing this, Fei Si's brows relaxed. He pointed at Ning Zhuo: "Boy, your mind is too cunning. Worried that the ape might recover and compete with you for the fire persimmon harvesting business, aren't you?"

Seeing that Fei Si had "seen through" him, Ning Zhuo admitted openly: "Lord Fei Si, your insight is unparalleled. How could my petty thoughts escape your notice? In fact, I never intended to hide them from you."

Fei Si shook his head: "This matter is inappropriate. Abandon such thoughts. If outsiders found out, what would they say? That I'm narrow-minded and hold a grudge against Lord Zhu. My personal reputation matters little, but I fear implicating the City Lord and tarnishing the reputation of Fire Persimmon Immortal City."

Ning Zhuo smiled: "I understand your concern, sir. Rest assured, I won't act personally and leave evidence. With just a warrant from you, I can proceed like this... and like that... Even if Zhu Xuanji comes looking for trouble, he'll have no grounds!"

"Oh?" Fei Si thought for a moment and saw some feasibility in the plan.

He tossed a warrant onto the ground deliberately and said: "Oh dear, I've lost a warrant. What should I do?"

Ning Zhuo promptly picked it up: "Please wait, sir. I'll retrieve it for you immediately."

Ning Zhuo bowed and took his leave.

Fei Si watched his retreating back thoughtfully.

Fei Si sighed inwardly: "This Ning kid is quite perceptive."

Regardless of whether the plan succeeded, he felt himself growing more appreciative of Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo, now holding the warrant, quickened his pace toward the Ape Head Gang's temporary base.

The plan was good, but its execution had changed.

He didn't know if this attempt would succeed, but he had to try, to seize every glimmer of hope.

Yuan Dasheng still had a sliver of life left; Ning Zhuo, too, had only this one chance!

If Yuan Dasheng lived, Ning Zhuo would die.

For Ning Zhuo to survive, Yuan Dasheng must perish.

It's either you die or I die!

Ning Zhuo knew he was taking a risk, but he had no choice.

Among the four major factions, before Zhu Xuanji, he was too ordinary, too weak, too alone.

He had to enter the game personally, take action himself, and kill Yuan Dasheng again!

(End of )