Volume One, Chapter Sixty-Five: Planting People, Not Trees

Marshal Wang was so frightened that his lips turned pale. His legs trembled as he desperately tightened his muscles to avoid wetting his pants. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect that what seemed like the greatest stroke of luck would turn into a devastating disaster.

"Spare me, hero! I didn’t know—ah!"

"You’re so sly; that’s the real issue, isn’t it?" Bai Ying said with a laugh, her cheeks flushed, making her look especially delicate.

With the alarm dismissed, Zhang Shaofei walked deeper into the cave. Inside, something unknown cast a faint glow, illuminating the cavern enough for him to survey its expanse. The cave was larger than expected, and with the forest outside as cover, it could easily serve as a secret base.

Yang Lian stepped forward, her whole body shining with white light, and a white lotus blossomed behind her.

During his sojourn in Yuanzhu City, before humanity treated him with violence, the Flame Emperor used the fire of his life to heal the locals and drive away disease. This story became the guiding thread for Ting Shu’s decision to study the fire.

Bai Li’s anxious demeanor never faded along the way. She understood her master’s feelings. She remembered how, once, a celestial maiden lost her peaches of immortality, and as a result, was banished to the mortal world, suffering endless cycles of hardship.

Shen Qingwu knew Shen Jingxuan was worried about her. She pushed away his hand and forced a smile as she spoke to him.

There was only one attendant in the teahouse, an elderly man, probably in his sixties or seventies, his hair almost entirely white, and his movements slow and awkward. Seeing Ah Shui and his companion, he hurriedly rose to greet them.

Upon hearing the offer, Xiang Yu’s eyes lit up. He said quickly, "No matter how they turn out, I’ll buy all these sugar figurines." Then he described the appearances and physiques of Qingwu, Tianming, Zhang Liang, and Shilan.

When the woods grow deep, you see the deer; when the sea turns blue, you see the whale. In dreams deep enough, you encounter the one you long for. Alas, when the woods deepen, fog arises; when the sea turns blue, waves surge. In dreams deep enough, you wake, seeing neither deer nor whale, nor the one you yearn for. Lovers in this world are, for the most part, like this.

Outside the door, Ge Nie’s sword-sharpening movements suddenly stalled. He lowered his head so slightly that his expression was unreadable. Yet the words, "Miss Duanmu… are you awake?" came from his lips, clear and laden with countless complex emotions.

"Cheng Jie? Isn’t he in Nuoli?" Having received the report from the Reverse Organization, both A-level powerhouses frowned. The trio from the Demon Devouring Sect had just left, and judging by the timing, they should arrive in Nuoli soon. For Cheng Jie to request communication now, something must have happened.

Now, they understood clearly: at the level of the Thirteen Ghost Kings of the Demonic Sect, no one could possibly match Ye Sheng. Even with underhanded tricks, they would gain little advantage.

"If Your Highness finds this plan impractical, you can use the second option: since the disaster occurred in counties under your administration, you could personally lead the relief efforts. However, this is only the middle plan because the local officials may take action—either dispersing refugees or clearing routes along the way," Mo Ran continued.

"Master, may I ask how many people are already inside the tower?" On the field, besides Su Mu, there was Jian Hao. After Su Mu asked, Jian Hao also inquired, his attraction to the tower overwhelming. Even knowing its dangers, Jian Hao had decided to enter.

Life in the Eastern Third Institute was left to the couple to handle however they pleased, as long as they didn’t cause any trouble. She couldn’t be bothered to play the role of mother-in-law or matron unless absolutely necessary.

Suddenly, the Divine Emperor Cauldron shook violently. Above it, heavenly fire swirled, as if drawn by an immense force. No matter how fiercely the Nine Heavens Demon Fire struggled, it was inexorably sucked into the Divine Emperor Cauldron.