Fesi cast a disdainful glance at him, “You brute, you’re being led by the nose by the enemy and don’t even realize it.”

He then cupped his hands in a salute towards the City Lord, “All thanks to your sagaciousness, Lord City Lord, for decisively controlling the chaotic situation, steadfastly guarding the peak of the volcano, unshakeable, leaving no opportunity for the enemy.”

“As long as you, Lord City Lord, personally oversee the situation, who could dare to infiltrate the Molten Immortal Palace before your very eyes?”

“This is the ingenious method of using immutability to counter all changes, a masterstroke of simplicity, leaving the enemy in the shadows to only sigh in despair, without a chance!”

Chi Dun was scolded again, and immediately raged, “After all that talk, you haven’t gotten to the point. What about the demonic cultivator hiding in the Fire Persimmon Forest? If he triggers a chain reaction of explosions in the forest, wouldn’t the centuries of accumulation of Fire Persimmon City be ruined?”

Fesi shook his head and sighed, “Now that things have come to this, we can only prepare for the worst.”

“However, I believe the possibility of him actively detonating is not high.”

“He is a demonic cultivator, not an idiot. If the entire Fire Persimmon Forest is detonated, the power will shake the entire Fire Persimmon Immortal Mountain, and he himself will be blasted to smithereens, dying a miserable death.”

After a pause, Fesi continued, “He has already been struck by the Calcareous Heart Art. The longer the time drags on, the more severe his injuries will become.”

“We are the ones who hold the advantage. We should proceed slowly and deliberately, and must not be hasty and create opportunities for the enemy.”

“In my humble opinion, we should contact the other three families to discuss together how to deal with this demonic cultivator. This will enhance unity and distinguish loyalty. If someone is truly the mastermind or an internal collaborator, it will be easier for us to discover.”

“In addition, we should wait until after the Fire Persimmon Festival to take action. At that time, the large-scale harvesting of fire persimmons can minimize our losses as much as possible.”

Chi Dun glared, shouting in disbelief, “You still want to hold the Fire Persimmon Festival?!”

“Do you want to send the entire city to their deaths?”

“Once the Fire Persimmon Forest is detonated in a chain reaction, how many casualties will there be?”

“At that time, Lord City Lord will definitely be held accountable and may even be directly dismissed!”

Fesi had anticipated this, “Since I proposed this, I naturally have countermeasures.”

“Lord City Lord, please take a look at this mechanical monkey.”

With that, Fesi took out a mechanical creation from his storage pouch.

This mechanical being was half a person tall, with scarlet monkey fur and bulging muscles, lifelike. It was none other than a Fire Burst Monkey.

With a hint of pride, Fesi continued to introduce it, “Just three days ago, Chen Cha presented this machine. Using it, fire persimmons can be easily harvested, avoiding casualties.”

The City Lord was expressionless. With a thought, he summoned the mechanical monkey and examined it before his eyes.

After a few breaths, he nodded slightly, “Barely passable. Only the control center in the monkey’s brain has some petty cleverness.”

As a Nascent Soul cultivator, he had a broad perspective. In his view, the design of the Fire Burst Monkey was unremarkable and lacking in merit.

“Who is Chen Cha?” The City Lord was somewhat interested in the creator.

Fesi replied, “Many years ago, you, Lord City Lord, ordered your subordinates to recruit mechanical engineers. Chen Cha is one of them, invited by your subordinate to live in Fire Persimmon City.”

“This person is a Foundation Establishment cultivator with solid formation skills and is good at arranging dynamic arrays. However, he lacks inspiration in mechanical arts and has never had outstanding works.”

“Now, he finally has some results.”

When the City Lord heard that Chen Cha was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he lost interest and waved his hand, “Let this matter be handled as such.”

“Chi Dun, from now on, you will fully cooperate with Fesi.”

Chi Dun said sullenly, “Your subordinate obeys!”

The Ning Family.

The Clan Head summoned the Young Clan Head to his study.

He first handed over a list.

The Young Clan Head, Ning Xiaoren, took it and examined it. He first saw Ning Zhanji among the victims, and then saw Ning Zhuo’s name on the list of survivors.

The Clan Head sighed, “Ning Zhanji’s death is a great loss to our Ning Family.”

Ning Xiaoren said, “It is an honor for members of the branch family to sacrifice for the family.”

The Clan Head said, “You are in charge of the family’s logistics. You will be responsible for the compensation of the family cultivators this time.”

Ning Xiaoren quickly said, “Father, rest assured, your son will definitely handle this matter properly.”

“Mm.” The Clan Head nodded and tested him, “Xiaoren, what do you think of the emergence of the Molten Immortal Palace this time?”

Ning Xiaoren pondered for a moment before saying, “The emergence of the Immortal Palace forces us to accelerate the exploration progress. Our family was the last to learn of this matter, and the situation is even more unfavorable than before.”

“We have not been able to invite outstanding mechanical engineers. Relying solely on our family’s strength, it will be difficult to compete with the other three parties.”

The Clan Head sighed, his tone heavy, “Currently, the selection criteria for the Immortal Palace have been lowered to the Qi Refining stage. Perhaps our family should fully organize a large number of cultivators to switch to the Five Elements Qi Rhythm Technique.”

Ning Xiaoren frowned, “Father, this is the matter that worries me the most.”

“How many people should be organized to switch to the new technique? What kind of people should be used? Most importantly, how many people from the main line, who should be chosen? And how many people from the branch line, who should be chosen?”

“The current situation is unclear. How to do it is quite difficult.”

Upon hearing these words, the Clan Head couldn’t help but show a look of satisfaction, “Xiaoren, your understanding of this point makes you a qualified Young Clan Head.”

“I need to gather the Elders to discuss this matter properly.”

“You go and take care of your affairs.”

Ning Xiaoren saluted and took his leave.

Back in his study, a family cultivator came to ask how the family’s compensation should be distributed this time.

Ning Xiaoren said without thinking, “Compensation? What compensation?”

“Aren’t these Ning family members all members of the Demon Hunting Association? The Demon Hunting Association has its own compensation.”

The family cultivator looked embarrassed, “But, they are all from our Ning Family…”

Ning Xiaoren interrupted, “It is precisely because the family is in difficulty and the financial resources are scarce that we encourage family members to join other organizations to maintain their livelihoods. As a member of the Ning Family, one should think of the family!”

The family cultivator had no choice but to retreat.

Ning Xiaoren was still very angry and summoned Ning Ze, Ning Zhuo’s uncle.

Ning Xiaoren’s face was ashen as he tapped the table with his knuckles, making a drumming sound, “Ning Ze, how are you an uncle? Ning Zhuo ran into the Crimson Flame Demon Melt Cave and almost lost his life, do you know that?”

Ning Ze wiped the sweat from his brow and quickly said, “I know, I know!”

He had finally “thought of” a brilliant plan to provoke Ning Zhuo into joining the Demon Hunting Association. As a result, the Immortal Palace emerged, and Ning Zhanji, who was responsible for recruiting Ning Zhuo, also died.

Ning Zhuo did not actually join the Demon Hunting Association, and Ning Ze’s arrangement was discovered by Ning Xiaoren. The latter was naturally furious!

Ning Ze said with a bitter smile, “But Young Clan Head, it’s not that I don’t want to arrange things for Zhuo. It’s just that he’s too stubborn…”

*Pa.*

Before Ning Ze could finish speaking, he was hit on the head by an inkstone thrown by Ning Xiaoren.

Intense pain struck, and at the same time, a warm stream flowed quickly down his forehead to his chin.

Ning Ze’s nostrils were filled with the smell of iron rust.

He knew that his forehead had been broken again by the Young Clan Head.

“Don’t pretend to be stupid!” The Young Clan Head pointed to the door, “Get out, next time, I want to hear good news!”

Ning Ze’s face was full of pain, and blood was flowing from his head, but he didn’t dare to treat it on the spot and retreated with gritted teeth.