Chapter 68: A Glimmer of Hope

"Uncle Monkey!" Yuan Er finally snapped out of it, crying out in shock as he saw the fallen ape.

He rushed to the monkey's side.

But the ape remained motionless.

Overwhelmed with grief, Yuan Er burst into tears.

"Someone, save Uncle Monkey!"

"Who can save him?!"

"Quickly open the formation, open the formation! We need a medic, we need a healer!!"

Yuan Er dragged Yuan Dasheng toward the edge of the formation, accidentally tearing off his arm in the process.

Yuan Er slumped to the ground, staring blankly at the scene before him.

"Open the formation." Zhu Xuanji suddenly appeared beside Fei Si.

Fei Si was startled, unable to detect Zhu Xuanji's stealth technique: "Lord Zhu, with this sudden turn of events, it's likely the work of a Shadow Demon cultivator. It's best to remain calm and observe..."

But Zhu Xuanji stared at him, golden light flashing in his eyes, his expression stern: "I said, open the formation!"

Fei Si's pupils constricted, forcing a smile: "Since the Divine Constable wishes to act and apprehend the true culprit, I will naturally cooperate."

The formation was opened.

Zhu Xuanji came to Yuan Er's side, activating a spell and aiming it at Yuan Dasheng.

Under his healing, Yuan Dasheng's severed arm was reattached, his injuries stabilized, and his heart began to beat again, showing a faint trace of life.

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

But Zhu Xuanji sighed softly: "His injuries are too severe. Even with my best efforts, I can only temporarily keep him alive."

"This is a Late Autumn Life-Preserving Pill. Give it to him, and it will save his life."

"But from now on, he will be confined to his sickbed."

Zhu Xuanji looked at the dying Yuan Dasheng, filled with emotion.

He possessed Golden Eyes; others' vision might be obscured by the explosion, but he had seen it clearly.

In the moment of the explosion, Yuan Dasheng had wanted to unleash his demonic power for full defense. But he didn't. Instead, he used his magical energy to protect Yuan Er in his arms.

He had used his own flesh and blood to withstand the explosion, willing to sacrifice himself to save Yuan Er!

"He possesses demonic power, yet he doesn't use it."

"He must be worried that his demonic cultivator identity would be exposed, leading to misunderstandings and attacks, ultimately involving Yuan Er."

"This ape is loyal and righteous."

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

"Zhu Xuanji!!!" From the hillside, Ning Zhuo, having witnessed Zhu Xuanji saving Yuan Dasheng, glared with icy intent.

"You dare ruin my plans!" Ning Zhuo gnashed his teeth inwardly.

He had painstakingly designed this trap, cleverly utilizing the situation and calculating the reactions of most people. He never expected Zhu Xuanji to act in such a way.

"I lack too much intelligence on Zhu Xuanji."

"What to do?"

Because of Zhu Xuanji's intervention, Yuan Dasheng, who was supposed to die, had survived.

"Even though his condition is extremely poor, and he's on the verge of death, almost all of it is physical injury. His soul is intact."

"He can still have his soul extracted and brought into the palace."

"If he encounters Meng Chong, Zhou Zhu, or Zheng Jian, these three factions will surely offer aid and actively heal him."

"Damn it, damn it!"

When Zheng Shuangou learned that Ning Zhuo had designed the Explosive Flame Monkey, he immediately revealed his intention to recruit him. The Four Great Powers' desire for artificing talent was clear.

If they knew that Yuan Dasheng could independently reach Room Seven, they would surely go mad!

"What to do? What should I do?" Ning Zhuo thought rapidly, racking his brains until his face turned pale and his head swam.

It was too difficult!

Designing such a trap had already exhausted him, drained him dry.

He had analyzed a vast amount of information and painstakingly conceived it over many days.

He was only sixteen years old after all!

Fei Si's expression was also quite unpleasant.

Zhu Xuanji had just forced him to open the formation, a blatant slap in the face! He hadn't considered the setting at all.

Fei Si, with his dark thoughts and cruel methods, gnashed his teeth inwardly, vowing to repay Zhu Xuanji for this one day. So what if he was from the Divine Constable or a member of the royal family?

"We are all righteous cultivators; we must act according to the rules. You humiliated me today, very well, don't let me catch you!"

"My Lord, the Flying Disc Workshop has sent someone to see you." Shortly after, a guard came to report.

Soon, Ning Zhuo was brought over.

Fei Si was in a bad mood: "Boy, you better have something substantial to say, something truly important!"

Ning Zhuo smiled and transmitted his voice: "Lord Fei Si, that Zhu Xuanji is exceedingly rude. I have a plan here that can resolve your worries."

Fei Si immediately scolded: "Lord Zhu is a member of the royal family, a dignified Divine Constable! What is your status, a mere Qi Refinement cultivator, that you dare call him by his name? Such audacity!"

Although it was a scolding, Fei Si transmitted his voice, preventing anyone else from hearing.

Ning Zhuo smiled inwardly and continued: "This one was reckless. But that Zhu Xuanji must be out of his mind, actually healing that ape! He is showing great disrespect to our Fire Persimmon Immortal City!"

Seeing Fei Si frown, revealing his displeasure, Ning Zhuo quickly said: "My Lord, now everyone in the city knows that Zhu Xuanji acted to save that ape; he doesn't want the ape to die. Then, what if the ape really does die?"

Upon hearing this, Fei Si's brow relaxed, and he pointed at Ning Zhuo: "Boy, you are too calculating. Are you worried that the ape will recover and compete with you for the business of harvesting Fire Persimmons?"

Seeing that Fei Si had "seen through" him, Ning Zhuo openly admitted: "Lord Fei Si has sharp eyes, how could my small thoughts escape your keen gaze? In fact, I never intended to hide anything from you, my Lord."

Fei Si shook his head: "This matter is inappropriate. Put aside your petty schemes. What would others say if they knew? They would say that this official is narrow-minded and at odds with Lord Zhu. My own reputation is insignificant, but I fear it would affect Lord City Lord and the reputation of our Fire Persimmon Immortal City."

Ning Zhuo then smiled: "My Lord's concerns, I understand. Rest assured, my Lord, I will not act personally and leave any handles for others. Just a warrant from you, my Lord, and I will act in this manner, so and so… Then, even if Zhu Xuanji comes looking for trouble, there will be no justification!"

"Oh?" Fei Si thought for a moment, realizing that this plan had some merit.

He tossed a warrant on the ground, deliberately saying: "Oh dear, I've dropped a warrant. What should I do?"

Ning Zhuo quickly picked up the warrant: "Please wait, my Lord, I will retrieve it for you."

Ning Zhuo bowed and took his leave, leaving Fei Si staring at his departing figure.

Fei Si sighed inwardly: "This Ning family boy is quite observant."

Regardless of whether this plan succeeds or not, he felt that he was growing to appreciate Ning Zhuo more and more.

Ning Zhuo, having obtained the warrant, walked faster and faster, heading towards the temporary base of the Monkey Head Gang.

The plan was good, but its execution was uncertain.

He didn't know if this trip would be successful, but he had to try his best, had to seize every opportunity.

Yuan Dasheng still had a glimmer of hope, and Ning Zhuo had only that one glimmer of hope as well!

If Yuan Dasheng lived, Ning Zhuo would have to die.

For Ning Zhuo to survive, Yuan Dasheng must perish.

It was either you die or I die!

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

Among these Four Great Powers, in front of Zhu Xuanji, he was too ordinary, too weak, too alone.

He could only enter the game himself, act personally, and kill Yuan Dasheng again!