When Zhu Xuanji arrived, thunder reverberated, and when he departed, winds howled, attracting considerable attention.

With his cultivation at the Golden Core level, coupled with his status as a royal member and the renowned Divine Constable of the nation, his every move was bound to draw notice.

His grand gesture had already stirred up a storm within the city.

Countless people were filled with curiosity and doubts: what had happened that prompted Zhu Xuanji to act so conspicuously?

Soon, rumors spread like wildfire, and Ning Zhuo was thrust into the public eye.

Although Ning Zhuo was merely a minor cultivator at the Qi Refining Third Layer, a closer look revealed his not-so-ordinary background.

He possessed mysterious talents and had recently emerged as a rising star, enjoying considerable acclaim.

Not only had he dethroned the young patriarch of the Ning family’s main branch, but he had also achieved remarkable and astounding accomplishments in exploring the Lava Immortal Palace.

Even Ning Jiu Fan, the Golden Core Ancestor of the Ning family, held Ning Zhuo in high regard, openly declaring that Ning Zhuo had made contributions to the Ning family.

On one side was Zhu Xuanji, and on the other was Ning Zhuo.

What exactly had transpired between these two that led Zhu Xuanji to act in such a manner?

For a time, the entire city was consumed with curiosity about the truth behind the matter.

After returning to his residence, Zhu Xuanji issued an order, summoning the three Golden Core Ancestors.

The three Golden Core Ancestors were already curious about Zhu Xuanji’s behavior. Upon receiving his summons, they gladly went.

Soon, they gathered before Zhu Xuanji.

Their relationship had grown even closer after their expedition to the Fire-Melting Demon Ape’s lair.

They were natural allies of Zhu Xuanji.

Because the stance of the three major cultivation families in Fire Persimmon City was to jointly support the Southern Bean Royalty in resisting the Meng family!

If Zhu Xuanji of the royal family could become the master of the Lava Immortal Palace, then Fire Persimmon City could maintain its current state.

If the Meng family were to seize control of the Lava Immortal Palace, then the entire Meng family’s forces would aggressively encroach upon Fire Persimmon City.

Eventually, the city would become the private property of the Meng family. At that time, the three families would have no room to survive and would only be pushed out.

In the reception hall.

Zhu Xuanji wore a solemn expression as he scanned the room, saying in a deep voice, “Everyone is here.”

“I know everyone has questions in their minds.”

“Before we discuss this in detail, please sign this oath first.”

With that, Zhu Xuanji took out a scroll from his bosom.

The scroll was of high quality, at the level of a magical treasure, resembling an imperial edict of the Southern Bean Royalty.

Unfolding the scroll revealed extremely intricate arrays laid out on its surface. Occasionally, in a certain direction of light, one could see dense array patterns flashing momentarily.

Even the three Golden Core Ancestors were seeing such a high-quality contract treasure for the first time.

Zhu Xuanji continued, “Please, everyone present, use this scroll in front of everyone to swear that you have no connection with the Shadow Demon Cultivator.”

As soon as these words came out, the three Golden Cores were surprised.

Recently, Zhu Xuanji had stopped investigating the Immortal Palace bombing.

His focus had shifted to exploring the Immortal Palace with all his might, seeking more merits and contributions.

How could it suddenly involve the Shadow Demon Cultivator again?

Although they didn’t understand what Zhu Xuanji was up to, the three Golden Core Ancestors still held the scroll one by one and made a public oath as he requested.

Seeing that the oath was established, Zhu Xuanji’s expression softened a bit.

“As expected.”

He slowly put away the edict and said to everyone, “Since none of you have any secret involvement with the Shadow Demon Cultivator, then I’ll speak plainly.”

“The source of all this is this Blood Path Diagram Board.”

Zhu Xuanji took out the Blood Path Diagram Board and gave it to everyone for inspection.

This Blood Path Diagram Board was of high quality, at the level of a magical treasure, with a smooth surface.

Zheng Shuang Gou, a Golden Core cultivator from the Zheng family, was the first to see the clues, revealing a hint of shock in his expression.

“Such a high-grade Blood Path Diagram Board should have originally recorded a True Scripture.”

“True Scripture?!” Everyone was surprised.

Zhu Xuanji nodded slightly, acknowledging, “That’s right.”

“This Blood Path Diagram Board is a mechanical component that I took out from the body of the Mechanical Demon General.”

“The Mechanical Demon General itself has no spirituality. But possessing this diagram board and True Scripture allows it to operate the True Scripture’s content and use cultivation techniques.”

“The Mechanical Demon General is confirmed to be at the Golden Core level of combat power, which means that the demon technique True Scripture on this diagram board is at least at the Golden Core level as well.”

Upon hearing this, everyone couldn’t help but feel greatly encouraged.

Ning Jiu Fan stroked his beard, saying, “Superior San Zong’s life was filled with unique twists and turns, and he practiced three cultivation techniques simultaneously, a rare occurrence in history. It’s not surprising that he wanted to leave behind some demon techniques.”

The Zhou family’s Golden Core Ancestor then said, “I have heard of the so-called Superior San Zong Dharma for a long time. Superior San Zong left behind a mechanical inheritance in the Lava Immortal Palace, the most valuable of which is the Superior San Zong Dharma. In addition to the Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art, there are two other cultivation techniques, respectively corresponding to the three Dantian within the human body.”

“As long as the three cultivation techniques are practiced simultaneously, it can form a three-Dantian foundation.”

“Now that the Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art has emerged, perhaps the demon technique on this Blood Path Diagram Board is also one of the Superior San Zong Dharma?”

Zhu Xuanji nodded, revealing a faint smile.

“I have the same thoughts as you.”

“I am also quite curious about the content of the True Scripture that was once recorded on this Blood Path Diagram Board.”

“If I can obtain it, I might be able to catch a glimpse of the Superior San Zong Dharma and confirm whether this rumor is true.”

“In addition, if I recover the True Scripture, it will also greatly benefit the merits and contributions I receive when handing over the Mechanical Demon General.”

“So, I used the Root-Tracing Source-Searching Art on this Blood Path Diagram Board.”

“I obtained a crucial clue – in the early years, a small monkey accidentally came into contact with a battle-damaged Mechanical Demon General.”

“Upon contact, the demon technique True Scripture took the initiative to enter the small monkey’s body.”

“I want to recover the True Scripture but don’t know what the little monkey looks like now.”

“So, seven days ago, I secretly wrote to the Southern Bean Royalty, seeking help.”

“The cultivators of the royal family helped me deduce the appearance of the little monkey in its adulthood and old age.”

“With this image clue, I can use the Fire-Melting Demon Ape tribes in Fire Persimmon Mountain to help me investigate and search.”

Speaking of this, Zhu Xuanji couldn’t help but look at Ning Jiu Fan.

Ning Jiu Fan’s face sank slightly, and he immediately understood Zhu Xuanji’s meaning.
Since the last exploration of the Fire Persimmon Mountain’s depths, he had become a cherished guest, deeply welcomed within the largest tribe of the Fire-Melting Demon Apes.

If he were to step forward, bearing these image clues, seeking their assistance, the Fire-Melting Demon Ape tribe would, in all likelihood, lend their aid.

Relying solely on verbal communication, the intellect of the Fire-Melting Demon Ape tribe might struggle to grasp the situation clearly.

However, with these images, they would possess an unambiguous understanding of what to investigate.

Zhu Xuanji continued, “Today, I received a response from the royal court.”

“And thus, I learned the appearances of the young ape, both in its adulthood and old age.”

“The result was astonishing – this young ape is none other than Yuan Dasheng!”

“Yuan Dasheng?” The Golden Core Ancestors exchanged bewildered glances, none having heard of this insignificant figure.

Ning Jiufan inquired, “Since Lord Zhu recognizes him, where is this ape now?”

“Yuan Dasheng!” The Zhou family’s Golden Core Ancestor frowned, a strange expression flickering across his face. “He is already dead.”

The other Golden Core Ancestors turned to him in unison.

Thus, the Zhou family’s Golden Core recounted in detail the series of events that had unfolded during the Fire Persimmon Festival.

At that time, the shadowy demonic cultivator had vanished without a trace. The City Lord’s Manor, along with the Golden Core Ancestors, scoured the earth but could not find the demonic cultivator, causing the upper echelons of Fire Persimmon Immortal City to lose face.

The Zhou family’s Golden Core suspected that the body of Yuan Dasheng might conceal the demonic cultivator. Therefore, he, along with Fei Si and Zhu Xuanji, ventured to the Monkey Head Gang to investigate.

Upon arriving, they learned that Yuan Dasheng was dead and then went to the Flying Disc Mechanism Workshop to confirm the corpse.

“So, Yuan Dasheng’s corpse ultimately fell into the hands of Ning Zhuo?” Ning Jiufan asked, astonished.

Zheng Shuanggou, however, exclaimed in realization, “I see! So, after learning it was Yuan Dasheng, Lord Zhu immediately set out, found Ning Zhuo, and sought to recover the true scripture.”

Zhu Xuanji nodded. “But I was unable to retrieve it. Ning Zhuo told me that he was completely unaware.”

The three families’ Golden Cores exchanged glances.

The Zhou family’s Golden Core Ancestor mused, “Lord Zhu possesses the Heavenly Gold Eyes and various spells that can detect falsehoods. None of us can conceal a lie from him.”

“Ning Zhuo is merely a minor Qi Refining Stage Three cultivator. If he claims to know nothing, it must be true.”

“Then, where has the true scripture gone?”

Zheng Shuanggou was filled with bewilderment. “Indeed, if the true scripture is not on Ning Zhuo, where could it be?”

At this moment, Zhu Xuanji stated, “This is precisely why I summoned you here, to have you publicly swear an oath.”

Speaking thus, Zhu Xuanji grasped the contract decree and publicly swore, “What I am about to say may not be the absolute truth, but it is mostly based on my personal experiences, and there is not a shred of falsehood in it.”

Having finished these words, Zhu Xuanji took a deep breath and slowly began to speak.

“We all know that Ning Zhuo is the inventor of the Mechanical Fireblast Monkey. He once presented an incomplete Mechanical Fireblast Monkey to Chen Cha, the workshop master of the Flying Disc Workshop, for advice. Chen Cha is someone recruited by Fei Si. After that consultation, Chen Cha and Ning Zhuo reached an agreement, with his mechanism workshop responsible for producing and selling the Mechanical Apes.”

“Soon after, the shadowy demonic cultivator attempted to approach the Lava Immortal Palace and was discovered by Daoist Zheng Shuanggou. The two engaged in fierce combat. During the battle, a Fireblast Monkey carrying a large quantity of Fire Essence detonated near the Immortal Palace, causing the Lava Immortal Palace to emerge ahead of schedule, and the bell of scripture transmission resounded throughout the city.”

“Daoist Zheng Shuanggou personally rescued Ning Zhuo and the other Ning family cultivators. Shortly thereafter, the shadowy demonic cultivator appeared near the dungeon, and Chi Dun launched an attack, attempting to capture him. However, the shadowy demonic cultivator fled into the Fire Persimmon Forest. Fei Si intervened to protect the Fire Persimmon Forest, preventing Chi Dun from continuing the pursuit.”

“I began investigating the Mechanical Apes and discovered that these mechanical creations were ubiquitous in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, selling like wildfire. I also investigated the sales channels for Fire Essence and found that there were no records of any large-scale purchases in the market.”

“As I struggled with a lack of leads, Chi Dun offered encouragement, and Fei Si extended an invitation, asking me to take action against the shadowy demonic cultivator during the Fire Persimmon Festival. I agreed to their request.”

“When the Fire Persimmon Festival arrived… Everyone present participated and witnessed Yuan Dasheng of the Monkey Head Gang being attacked by over a dozen Mechanical Fireblast Monkeys. The attack was unsuccessful.”

“But after that, Yuan Dasheng made an inexplicable mistake while picking fire persimmons, triggering a terrifying explosion. During the explosion, I observed through my Golden Eyes that Yuan Dasheng had wanted to use demonic arts to protect himself but forcibly suppressed them. It seemed he was unwilling to implicate the son of his former master.”

“Touched by his loyalty and righteousness, I appeared in public and ordered Fei Si to open the formation. Fei Si was initially reluctant, but I forced the issue, and he opened the passage. After entering, I treated Yuan Dasheng, giving him a sliver of life. He fell into a coma and was then carried back to the gang’s headquarters by the members of the Monkey Head Gang.”

“Fei Si gave his waist token to Ning Zhuo. Ning Zhuo carried the waist token, ventured deep into the Monkey Head Gang headquarters, and persuaded Yuan Er to abandon Yuan Dasheng to his fate. Yuan Dasheng ultimately succumbed to his injuries, and Ning Zhuo took his corpse away.”

“We searched for the shadowy demonic cultivator in the Fire Persimmon Forest, but he remained elusive. Daoist Zhou suspected that the corpse of Yuan Dasheng might conceal someone, so he, Fei Si, and I went together to investigate.”

“We first went to the Monkey Head Gang headquarters, learned that Yuan Dasheng had died and that his corpse had been taken by Ning Zhuo, and then immediately went to Chen Cha’s mechanism workshop. By the time we arrived, the essence blood of Yuan Dasheng had already been drained from his body!”

*Hiss…*

The Golden Cores of the three families all gasped in unison.

They understood!

“It’s the City Lord’s Manor?!” Zheng Shuanggou exclaimed, a look of disbelief on his face. “So, the shadowy demonic cultivator is someone from the City Lord’s Manor. They detonated the Immortal Palace, but why?”

Zheng Shuanggou’s face was filled with confusion. “Before this, the Meng family secretly joined forces with my Zheng family and the Zhou family, and we had secretly reached an agreement.”