Chapter 964: Do You Want to Go Back to Zijin Cave?

Sha Rulai slowly turned his head toward her. He very much wanted to ask: this is not Daluo Sacred Land's private affair. Is this really something you can reverse on a whim whenever you please? Are you joking?

In the end, however, he said nothing. When words do not meet, even half a sentence is too much...

Inside Shouque Villa, a Misty Pavilion member knocked on a door and told the man inside, "Steward Huang, Mr. Ding has returned. He asks you to go see him."

The man inside did not dare delay. He immediately rose, stepped outside, and hurried toward the restricted heart of the villa.

His name was Huang Ban. He belonged to Dayuan Sacred Land and had been temporarily seconded to Misty Pavilion. His situation was much like that of Bai Yulou, shopkeeper of the Inviting Moon Inn in Star-Plucking City, who had once been temporarily called to Tiandu Peak for the Tiandu Secret Realm affair. Ding Wei was currently presiding over Misty Pavilion and had transferred Huang Ban here to assist him.

Inside the villa's main building, Ding Wei stood before a window with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing into the distance.

Huang Ban entered, stopped behind him, and cupped his hands. "Mr. Ding."

Without turning, Ding Wei said, "Arrange the next stage of their tempering. The things on the desk are what I just brought back. Distribute them among the various factions."

"Yes!" Huang Ban acknowledged the order. He went to the desk and found a stack of small booklets. He opened one first to see what it contained.

Since he had been told to make the arrangements, naturally he needed to understand the matter.

He discovered illustrations inside. They depicted the former masters of Sacred Realm: Demon Foxes.

Although Sacred Realm was a space Shang Song had opened in ancient times, this world had already possessed masters of its own: the Demon Foxes. They had also been one of the highest forms of life here, standing at the very top of this world's food chain.

Sacred Realm had originally been called the Fox Immortal Realm. Later, after the great Sacred Venerables entered, they sought control over a forbidden treasure guarded by the Demon Foxes. Human cultivators were mobilized to hunt and kill them, and the Demon Fox clan declined. The nine Sacred Venerables occupied another's nest and became the masters of this place.

Sacred Realm, however, was an entire world. The land was vast and its environment complex. Completely exterminating every Demon Fox was nearly impossible. Even so, the hunts against them had never ceased. The former masters of this world could do nothing but hide in its corners and cling to survival.

Behind the illustrations of the Demon Foxes was a rough regional map, accompanied by text describing the areas in which the Demon Fox clan was believed to be hiding.

Seeing what the booklet contained, Huang Ban was somewhat surprised. He turned and asked, "Sir, could the next stage of the tempering be for them to hunt Demon Foxes?"

Still gazing out the window, Ding Wei nodded. With his back to Huang Ban, he said slowly, "Correct. That is their next trial. But they won't be the only ones. Misty Pavilion will also organize a hunting group of equal size. The two sides will compete against one another."

Huang Ban froze briefly, then smiled. "Sir, is there even a need to compete? In terms of understanding the terrain, the environment, and the Demon Foxes themselves, those people have never encountered any of them before. With equal numbers, how could they possibly defeat Misty Pavilion?"

Ding Wei replied mildly, "And if Misty Pavilion loses?"

"This..." Huang Ban chuckled. "How could it possibly lose?"

Ding Wei turned to face him. "If Misty Pavilion still loses despite holding every advantage, that proves Misty Pavilion's people are inferior to outsiders like them. Have you considered the consequences of that?"

The consequences? Huang Ban stared in astonishment...

Ding Wei had come in haste and departed just as quickly. Misty Pavilion oversaw too many matters for him to remain here guarding this one place. He had merely come to make sure the arrangements were implemented.

Moreover, faint undercurrents were already appearing around this affair. From a personal standpoint, he too needed to make certain preparations.

In the same hall where they had earlier been forced to write their submissions, Niu Youdao and the others, who had been wondering how long they would be confined to that courtyard, were summoned once again.

After arranging everything Ding Wei had ordered, Huang Ban departed as well. Ding Wei's warning had shaken him. The nine Sacred Venerables were plainly already dissatisfied with Misty Pavilion and had begun showing signs that they intended to reorganize it. How could Huang Ban not prepare a response of his own?

Each faction returned to the large courtyard carrying one of the small booklets. The moment they arrived, Fuhua, Lang Jingkong, Hong Gaitian, and Duan Wuchang immediately crowded into Niu Youdao's room. Shen Yidu followed right behind them.

Across the courtyard, Chao Jing could only stand under the eaves and watch longingly for a few moments. He wanted to go over, but it was inconvenient.

"Don't ask me. I genuinely don't know what's going on." Inside the room, Niu Youdao cried out repeatedly in misery as he faced the group.

Since he stubbornly refused to admit anything, there was nothing they could do. Fuhua asked uncertainly, "Could this be the 'good thing' Ding Wei mentioned earlier?"

Huang Ban had just explained the next stage to them. During this tempering, they would be competing against a group organized by Misty Pavilion. If their side won, the Misty Pavilion personnel currently occupying the relevant posts would be removed, and the participants would replace them.

In other words, those who had come for this tempering might end up becoming members of Misty Pavilion. The crucial question was how well they performed.

Niu Youdao said, "Stop looking at me. I don't know anything."

Duan Wuchang flipped through the booklet in his hand. "Demon Foxes. Legend says that after Shang Song opened this space, he made a covenant with the leader of the Demon Foxes. The Demon Fox clan was forbidden from entering the human world at will, while Shang Song promised that human cultivators would not disturb their peace. Later, Shang Song disappeared. The cultivators who came afterward violated that promise. It seems the Demon Fox leader was eventually killed by someone or other, and from that point the clan declined."

Hong Gaitian chuckled. "An innocent man is guilty for possessing jade. In the end, wasn't all of it because of the Wuliang Fruit? I hear those Demon Foxes call it the Fox Immortal Fruit."

Niu Youdao nodded slightly. He had heard the related legends as well. Whether one called it the Wuliang Fruit or the Fox Immortal Fruit, it was a forbidden object under Sacred Realm's strict control and also the sacred treasure that allowed Golden Core cultivators to break through into the Nascent Soul Realm.

According to the legends, it not only helped cultivators break through to the Nascent Soul Realm, it was also the sacred fruit that allowed Demon Foxes to shed their old form and transform into human shape. The thing had originally belonged to the latter, only to be forcibly seized and monopolized by the former.

Rumor held that every Demon Fox capable of taking human form had already been slaughtered clean. Those remaining were merely beasts that ran on all fours and hid wherever they could. Even so, they were far stronger than ordinary animals and could rightly be called vicious beasts.

Shen Yidu waved the booklet in his hand toward Niu Youdao and reminded him, "Elder Niu, three days. They're only giving us three days to study and prepare. Three days from now, we set out. If you have any ideas, you'd better warn us early."

The meaning behind his words could not have been clearer.

Niu Youdao rolled his eyes. There was truly no untangling this nonsense anymore.

The misunderstanding inside remained impossible to clear up. Outside Shouque Villa, however, a distinguished guest drifted down from the sky. Luo Fangfei had arrived, accompanied by two female attendants.

Her status was what it was. The guards of the villa found it inconvenient to stop her and could only watch as she entered.

Misty Pavilion itself was composed of personnel jointly drawn from the nine Sacred Venerables' sides. Naturally, Daluo Sacred Land had people stationed here as well. The moment word spread that she had arrived, someone immediately hurried over to pay respects.

Walking forward with graceful steps, Luo Fangfei waved a sleeve as she moved, indicating there was no need for ceremony. At the same time she asked, "Where is Ding Wei?"

The man replied, "Mr. Ding isn't here. He went out."

Not here? Luo Fangfei paused slightly, then asked, "Where are the people participating in the tempering staying? Take me to see them."

"Yes!" The man immediately led the way and brought her directly to the large courtyard.

After entering, Luo Fangfei looked around and asked, "Where is Niu Youdao?"

"Uh..." The man scanned the courtyard too, then finally pointed toward one room. "There. If Pavilion Master wishes to see him, I'll call him over for you."

"No need." Luo Fangfei declined the offer and walked directly toward Niu Youdao's room.

She was no fool. She knew perfectly well why she had come and did not want to draw too much attention to the matter.

Even so, her appearance attracted the notice of quite a few people in the courtyard. Her clothing clearly showed that she was neither Misty Pavilion personnel nor one of the tempering participants. Everyone taking part in the tempering wore glaring crimson robes and was unmistakable wherever they went.

Meanwhile, Misty Pavilion's people were all deferential in front of this woman. Clearly, her status inside Sacred Realm was extraordinary.

"Master Dao, someone's coming." Qin Guan, who had been watching the movements outside, noticed her and immediately turned to warn Niu Youdao and the others in the room.

The conversation stopped at once. They were afraid an outsider might overhear something inappropriate. Everyone turned toward the doorway together.

There was no formal announcement. Under the guide's lead, Luo Fangfei simply entered the room, expressionless as she looked over the interior.

The Misty Pavilion man who had led her there called out lightly, "Pavilion Master of Fangfei Pavilion, Daluo Sacred Land, has arrived. Niu Youdao, why haven't you come forward to pay respects?"

Everyone inside looked slightly surprised. None had met her before, but all had heard of her. Wasn't the Pavilion Master of Fangfei Pavilion in Daluo Sacred Land none other than Luo Fangfei, daughter of Luo Qiu, one of the nine Sacred Venerables?

Compared with the others, one extra thought crossed Niu Youdao's mind: this seems to be Sha Rulai's wife.

To people like them, Luo Fangfei truly counted as an enormous figure. Everyone immediately stepped forward, cupped their hands respectfully, and greeted in unison, "Greetings, Pavilion Master!"

She had named Niu Youdao, yet an entire crowd had come forward to greet her. Luo Fangfei's gaze swept over them. Unable to tell which one was Niu Youdao, she asked coldly, "Which of you is Niu Youdao?"

Niu Youdao hurriedly answered, "That would be me."

A faint, almost imperceptible arrogance colored Luo Fangfei's expression. She slowly looked Niu Youdao up and down with cold eyes. "You're that Niu Youdao?"

What do you mean, that Niu Youdao? How many of me are there? Niu Youdao muttered inwardly. He had no idea why Sha Rulai's wife had come looking for him. From the look of things, she had clearly come specifically for him. Whether that meant good or ill, he could not tell. Outwardly, he answered cautiously, "Yes."

Luo Fangfei looked over the others again. "Why are so many people crammed into such a tiny room? Does Shouque Villa lack rooms?"

Niu Youdao and the others had no good way to answer. The Misty Pavilion man who had brought her, however, knew the rules perfectly well and barked, "Anyone who doesn't belong in this room, return to your own quarters. Stop wandering around."

Fuhua and the others immediately murmured their assent and left. The moment they stepped outside, they exchanged looks, wondering what Luo Fangfei wanted with Niu Youdao.

Never mind that question for now. One thing was certain: it only made the four of them even more convinced that Niu Youdao had an inside connection in Sacred Realm. Otherwise, why would Luo Fangfei ignore everyone else and come specifically looking for Niu Youdao?

"Why is everyone carrying a little booklet?" Luo Fangfei asked, staring at the one in Niu Youdao's hand. Everyone who had just left had been holding one too, and she had noticed.

"It was just handed out..." Niu Youdao had barely opened his mouth when the Misty Pavilion man stepped forward, took the booklet directly from his hand, and presented it to Luo Fangfei with both hands. Niu Youdao had no temper left at all.

Luo Fangfei accepted the booklet, flipped through it casually, and asked, "Is your next stage of tempering to hunt Demon Foxes?"

Niu Youdao found that strange. Could it be that even she did not know what the tempering involved? Outwardly, he answered, "Yes."

Luo Fangfei casually tossed the booklet back to him, then asked in passing, "Do you want to go back to Zijin Cave?"

Niu Youdao caught the booklet and froze. He had no idea what she meant by that. So he answered with deliberately restrained hesitation. "It would be false to say I don't want to return. My master's lifespan is nearing its end. As his disciple, I ought to remain at his side and serve him. But..." He suddenly raised his head and squared his chest, wearing an expression of lofty righteousness. "The affairs of Sacred Realm are more important. I still understand which matters take priority."

Luo Fangfei was much more direct. She dropped a sentence and turned to leave. "If you want to go back, then come with me."

[End of Chapter 964]