Fei Si was still uncertain about Han Ming’s connections within the Soul Devouring Sect.
If capturing Han Ming provoked some ancient monster of the sect, it would be a disaster.
More crucially, there was the Lava Immortal Palace.
Currently, the forces of the City Lord’s Mansion and three other major factions were all focused on exploring the palace and had no desire for any additional complications.
Therefore, Fei Si's previous thinking was: "After all, it’s not us being harassed, but rather Sun Lie."
"Once Sun Lie can no longer bear it and decides to leave Fire Persimmon City, won’t that resolve the issue?"
The City Lord’s leniency only further encouraged Han Ming’s arrogance—until Ning Zhuo finally subdued her.
To some extent, Sun Lie’s tolerance and the City Lord’s indifference played a part in Ning Zhuo’s eventual capture of Han Ming.
"This time is different."
"Han Ming actually clashed with Meng Chong. This time, we must pull out all the stops to apprehend her!"
"Hmm... perhaps it would be best to capture the Mysterious Puppet Master first."
"Maybe Han Ming will take the chance to escape the city."
Fei Si knew he had to show his determination by mobilizing all resources to capture Han Ming, but he had no desire to take risks.
If they really did capture Han Ming, he would be even more worried.
Compared to Han Ming, the Mysterious Puppet Master seemed like an easier target.
“That Mysterious Puppet Master has always been close to Sun Lingtong.”
"Sun Lingtong is a disciple of the Void Sect, a demonic sect infamous for their sneaky tactics."
"Could the third demon cultivator be Sun Lingtong himself?"
Fei Si considered the possibility but had no intention of investigating further.
Both Sun Lingtong and Han Ming had powerful sects backing them.
Sun Lingtong had lived in Fire Persimmon Immortal City for over a decade, deeply rooted—a local tyrant, through and through.
Dealing with him would be even more troublesome than Han Ming.
Thus, Fei Si ordered his subordinates to search the Black Market for the Mysterious Puppet Master and capture him.
But where could they find the Mysterious Puppet Master?
Not a trace!
After searching for most of the day, the subordinates returned empty-handed to report.
Fei Si scolded them thoroughly, putting on quite a show.
After a brief delay, he finally picked up a pill bottle and poured out a pill.
After swallowing it, his sense of smell underwent a subtle change.
With a light sniff, he caught a faint medicinal fragrance lingering in the air.
“Han Ming, I hope you have some sense and have already left Fire Persimmon Immortal City.”
Fei Si took to the skies himself, transforming into a long rainbow and soaring above Fire Persimmon Immortal City.
Following the medicinal scent, he pierced through wind and clouds, swiftly flying over the city walls and arriving at the base of the mountain.
Fei Si increasingly felt that something was off until he smelled a particularly intense aroma and spotted a large bundle on the grass in Fire Persimmon Forest.
Inside the bundle lay the stolen pills, neatly packed.
Hovering mid-air, Fei Si cursed under his breath, "Damn it!"
His expression darkened to the extreme. “They didn’t even use a storage pouch—just wrapped it in cloth and tossed it here in Fire Persimmon Forest.”
“Arrogant—unbelievably arrogant!”
Fei Si felt gravely provoked.
Yet, he dared not enter the forest to retrieve the pill bundle.
After all, a Shadow Demon Cultivator had previously hidden within Fire Persimmon Forest!
“This is likely bait, meant to lure me into the forest.”
“So, this Shadow Demon Cultivator has accomplices.”
“If it were Chi Dun, he’d probably charge in headfirst. But I am no reckless fool.”
With this thought, Fei Si decisively turned and flew up to the peak of the volcano to report to the City Lord of Fire Persimmon.
He swiftly recounted everything.
Sitting cross-legged high in the sky, the City Lord nodded slightly and murmured, “It may not be the accomplice of that Shadow Demon Cultivator.”
“Someone else framing them, diverting the blame, is also a possibility.”
If that were the case, it would be even worse.
It would mean that the major factions in the city had noticed something and were secretly targeting the City Lord’s Mansion.
Fei Si had previously suggested plotting against the prodigies of the Zhou and Zheng families, and the City Lord had agreed.
The plan succeeded, but the City Lord felt an urgency as well.
He then arranged for Sun Lie to help his beloved grandson Meng Chong master the Wild Sprint Thunderclap ability.
Sun Lie had reported his approach in advance, and the City Lord had given his approval.
Little did he expect, a demon cultivator would launch a surprise attack during the process.
“It might not be a real demon cultivator.” The City Lord couldn't help but think.
After a moment’s consideration, the City Lord said to Fei Si, “You’ve done well. Those pills are of little importance.”
“Capturing the demon cultivator isn’t the priority either.”
“Take your time with their capture. No need to rush.”
“As for Meng Chong, exhaust the entire treasury if needed, and grant him ample heavenly materials and earthly treasures."
"After all, using the Wild Sprint Thunderclap consumes his essence, energy, and spirit.”
For this reason, the City Lord had always allowed Meng Chong to develop naturally.
He understood his grandson’s nature well.
Once Meng Chong fully mastered Wild Sprint Thunderclap, he would undoubtedly overuse it.
Wild Sprint Thunderclap had extraordinary effects, but overuse would leave Meng Chong weak, potentially harming his foundation and future prospects.
It wasn’t until recently, feeling pressure from the other two factions competing for the Lava Immortal Palace, that the City Lord changed his stance.
With Sun Lie’s help, Meng Chong successfully mastered the exceptional talent of Wild Sprint Thunderclap.
As for the attack on Meng Chong, it hadn’t caused the City Lord any concern.
To protect his grandson, he had long placed talismans on Meng Chong.
In the event of a life-or-death crisis, the talismans would activate, unleashing tremendous power.
Even if it couldn’t kill the enemy, it would buy enough time for the City Lord to arrive personally.
In fact, there were multiple contingencies in place, including Void Traversing Talismans and other measures.
....
Midnight.
Ning Zhuo lay on his bed, his eyes open.
“Why haven’t they extracted my soul yet?”
“I want to enter the Immortal Palace!”
The youth kicked his legs on the bed, gradually becoming anxious.
He had a premonition that if he continued waiting, he might miss something important.
“Can I enter the Immortal Palace by initiating the soul extraction myself?”
Ning Zhuo remembered the mark imprinted on him in the preparation chamber.
He attempted to activate the Buddha Heart Demon Seal.
After some trial and error, the "Trial Disciple" insignia reappeared on his chest.
The next instant, a Life-Hanging Thread emerged, piercing through space, striking his soul directly.
Ning Zhuo’s vision darkened, and his soul was drawn out, entering the palace for the third time!
Main Hall of the Immortal Palace.
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, sound asleep, suddenly shuddered, sensing Ning Zhuo’s successful entry.
It spouted a blast of fire, then soared into the air, ramming into the pillars of the main hall.
Roaring angrily, the entire Lava Immortal Palace trembled once more.
Hundreds of beams of treasure light shot in all directions, smoke billowed, and magma churned.
“Hm? Another tremor!”
The Fire Persimmon City Lord's eyes widened as he quickly mobilized the Immortal City Grand Formation to suppress the palace.
“What on earth is going on?!”
The City Lord’s face was illuminated by the magma and flames, his expression darkening, and his doubts deepening.