"Be at ease, Head Seat," Feng Xian shook his head. "The master of Hao Yue is nearly half-god; if he intended harm upon these disciples, he wouldn’t resort to such roundabout methods."
Jin Yao paused, collecting himself. A wry smile crossed his face as he realized how easily the boy’s possible identity had unsettled him. "You’re right. Despite the uneasy truce between the immortal and demon realms, Hao Yue’s master has little interest in Strange City. If he were to harm the disciples, it would mean going against the entire immortal realm—a foolish risk. So why… is he here?"
"I can’t discern the master’s motives either. With his status, there’s little in Strange City that would attract him. There is only one day left until the end of the Wu Tong martial feast, and Hao Yue was also invited to Phoenix Island. When the Wu Tong artifacts are bestowed, he will appear, and you may question him directly then."
Jin Yao nodded. "That’s all we can do."
"They’ve already passed the first two trials. Where did you place the third Wu Tong Tree Heart?"
Jin Yao smiled. "I didn’t actually hide a third heartfire."
"Oh?"
"The purpose of this Wu Tong martial feast is to bring Strange City back to the Three Realms, allowing the strangers to walk among us. This was the shared wish of both the King of Strange City and myself. So, I dispersed the final heartfire above Strange City. The King of Strange City and I agreed that if the immortal and demon disciples could dispel Rong Xian’s resentment and present the Golden Core to the King, he would gather the people of Strange City to summon the last heartfire. The person chosen by the people will be the victor of this feast."
Feng Xian paused, recalling Chong Zhao’s act of saving a child from Strange City. "Chong Zhao has earned the goodwill of the strangers. They’ll surely give him the final heartfire, which explains why you believe he’ll become renowned across the Three Realms after this feast—you already had a plan in mind."
Jin Yao nodded. "A heart inclined toward justice and compassion for all in the Three Realms is what it takes to earn these three heartfires."
They exchanged smiles, and with a wave of Jin Yao’s hand, the water mirror dissolved.
In a pavilion on the far west of Phoenix Island, Tian Yu gazed at the group within the stone chamber, a playful smile at the corner of his lips. Beside him, Fu Ling’s gaze was fixed on Chong Zhao.
Tian Yu looked at her. “You know that young immortal?”
Fu Ling was startled but lifted her eyes to ask, “What does the Palace Master think of him?”
“His immortal essence is exceptional, his resolve steadfast. He has talent. Why? Do you want to use him?”
“That’s right.”
Tian Yu raised an eyebrow slightly. “He’s not like Zhe Sang, whose mind is easily swayed. His resolve is strong, and he’s on the verge of inheriting Mystical Sect. It’s unlikely he’d forsake the immortal path to join the demons.”
“A person like Zhe Sang can only stir up a bit of trouble in muddy waters, but this one—he has the potential to build an empire for Cold Spring Palace. Hao Yue Hall is a tough opponent, and the fox clan’s depths are unknown. If the Palace Master intends to lead the demon clan, he’ll need such talent.”
“Oh?” Tian Yu was surprised. “It seems you have some connection with him, valuing him this highly. However, this might not be easy…”
Fu Ling hesitated. “What do you mean, Palace Master?”
An inscrutable look passed through Tian Yu’s eyes.
“A mere Wu Tong martial feast wouldn’t warrant my personal visit to Phoenix Island. Do you know why the feast is being held in Strange City? Or why Fan Yue has appeared there?”
Fu Ling’s heart sank, and she quickly looked toward the water mirror, but Tian Yu raised his hand, and the water mirror vanished.
Fu Ling speculated, “Could it be that the King of Strange City has allied with the Palace Master?”
“Correct. I’ve been planning this for years, all leading up to today. This city has been prepared as a death trap for the master of Hao Yue Hall,” Tian Yu said softly, a slight smirk on his face.
Fu Ling felt a chill in her heart. She had sensed something unusual about Strange City but had not anticipated the depth of Tian Yu’s scheme or the secrecy with which he had plotted it.
“Palace Master, even with the allegiance of the King of Strange City, Fan Yue is already a half-god. I’m afraid he would be too much for me. Shouldn’t I enter the city and assist…”
Tian Yu looked at Fu Ling with a trace of mockery in his eyes. She quickly fell silent and knelt.
“I misspoke. The Palace Master’s plan is foolproof.”
“After tomorrow, no one will be able to leave this city alive.”
Tian Yu rose and walked over to Fu Ling. She felt his hand rest on her shoulder, and a tremor ran through her.
“But I’ll make you a promise. If an unexpected turn happens in Strange City, and that boy manages to leave the city alive, I will do whatever it takes to bring him under Cold Spring Palace.”
Tian Yu’s voice, cold yet tinged with amusement, echoed in the room, and Fu Ling kept her head down, not daring to speak.
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