Chapter 273: Righteous Path Rising Star Unlike Ning Zhuo

Children's Garden.

The five-story Puppet Pavilion.

This was the tallest building in the Children's Garden and also the place where Li Leifeng often performed during his lifetime. Almost every time they raised funds, it was here.

Although it was morning, many cultivators had already gathered here.

The Puppet Pavilion had a "hui"-shaped structure, with a stage set up in the central hall.

For Zhu Hou's handover, new arrangements had been made on the stage.

On both sides of the stage, two vermilion pillars were added, with two lines of characters engraved on them—"Benevolent Heart Spreads Relief, Thick Virtue Covers the World."

More than a dozen round tables were placed under the stage.

Round stools were distributed around the round tables.

Many cultivators were sitting, chatting while eating the tea and snacks on the round tables. A few were standing in corners, communicating with each other.

These people were all dressed in brocade robes, their behavior was appropriate, and their conversation was not loud, faintly revealing an elegant air.

The topics they discussed revolved around Li Leifeng, Zhu Hou, and donations.

They implicitly tested each other on how much they would donate during this Zhu Hou handover ceremony.

There was a knack to donating.

It couldn't be too high, nor too low. Some people deliberately donated more to gain fame. And for some, the reputation of the righteous path became a burden at this moment. Even if their pockets were empty, they had to donate a large sum of money.

In this kind of tentative communication, people were insincere, joking, bluffing, and beating around the bush; only after gaining something did they really relax.

The topic quickly turned to the beast tide besieging the city.

"Up to now, the City Lord's Mansion hasn't asked for reinforcements from the Nandou Kingdom. This shows that the situation is still under control. Although our Fire Persimmon Xiancheng is newly built, it can hold on!"

"Any Red Flame beast, regardless of the breed, as long as it falls, every part of its body has value. So, from another perspective, this beast tide is a spirit stone tide."

"Hahaha..." everyone laughed.

Overall, because the Magma Xian Gong bore the brunt of the beast tide's pressure, the situation on the Fire Persimmon Xiancheng side was very stable, and the morale of the city residents had always been maintained at a high level.

Some people had a very clear judgment of the situation: "This beast tide's true key is not Fire Persimmon Xiancheng, but the Magma Xian Gong!"

"You might not understand the situation on the mountain top. Most of the vision is covered by clouds and mist."

"But I heard from a fellow Daoist who can enter the Xian Gong that the beast tide there is truly terrifying!"

"If it weren't for Lord Meng Kui's emergency mobilization, allowing many Jin Dan cultivators to enter the Xian Gong battlefield, the Magma Xian Gong alone wouldn't be able to hold on."

"If the Magma Xian Gong falls, this Fire Persimmon Xiancheng definitely won't be able to be kept!"

This insightful remark was met with disdain by the surrounding cultivators, who generally felt that this cultivator was too pessimistic.

The cultivator insisted on his own opinion and did not retreat in front of the crowd: "The clouds and mist on the mountain top are actually proof. Our City Lord's Mansion doesn't want us to see the truth. Why?"

"It's because they are worried that if we see the real beast tide, our morale will plummet, our will will be lost, and even if we could choose to flee the city, we would choose to leave. This is not beneficial to the overall situation."

"There is another side proof. You have all heard the rumors recently, saying that we should unite all cultivators, including those from the demonic and evil paths, to participate in the city defense."

"If the pressure wasn't great, why would the City Lord's Mansion do such a thing?"

"It is precisely because the front line is tight and the pressure is huge that they need to mobilize all combat power!"

These words quickly drew sneers.

The opponents were also eloquent: "Fool! The City Lord's Mansion is doing this to put these demonic and evil cultivators under their supervision. The previous Jin Dan melee was the best warning. Unsupervised demon cultivators are truly hateful; if you are not careful, they will cause big trouble."

"Sigh... if it weren't for the Recruitment Order, our Fire Persimmon Xiancheng wouldn't have mixed in so many miscellaneous people."

"The King's vision is very grand, but I would rather the Magma Xian Gong be digested by our Fire Persimmon Xiancheng alone..."

After this opponent finished speaking, someone echoed.

"This kind of rumor is purely nonsense!"

"I don't believe that the dignified City Lord's Mansion would even want to win over demon cultivators and evil cultivators. This is too shameful for the righteous path and for our Nandou Kingdom."

"Such evil paths should be active in the gutters and dark corners."

"Look here, in such a hall, is there any demonic or evil path person?"

More people echoed: "Yes, yes."

"This makes sense."

"Brothers, I have a question. I heard recently that the Monkey Head Gang is organizing a team to go out of the city to clear out lone Red Flame beasts and participate in the entire city defense system. Are people like them considered evil paths?"

"Of course they count!"

"Hmph, the founder of the Monkey Head Gang is called Yuan Yi; I know him. In his early years, he relied on a monkey pet called Yuan Dasheng to make his fortune."

"He is also not a good thing; he climbed up from the bottom and annexed many small gangs."

"Originally, the Monkey Head Gang was okay, but recently, they actually destroyed the Poison Snake Gang and ran to join the black market. It's simply ridiculous."

"Yes, has the current Monkey Head Gang leader's brain been eaten by a monkey? He actually made such a stupid decision. Once stained with black, it can only be black. They can no longer mix in the righteous path; their ceiling is locked."

"I don't think so. I actually think the new Monkey Head Gang leader is very smart. He made a big gamble and latched onto a big thigh. You must know that the current master of the black market is named Unlike Ning Zhuo, who is from the Ning family and is a righteous path disciple!"

"Unlike Ning Zhuo, I know. Not long before the Jin Dan melee, there were rumors that a true scripture was on him. It turned out to be just a rumor."

"In my opinion, he is also stupid. He didn't maintain his good righteous path status and, for a few pennies, got involved in the black market. It's simply short-sighted and cut off his own righteous path future. Even with talent, his whole life will be stained by this mud and pointed at by others."

As they were talking, the main door opened.

The cultivator responsible for leading the distinguished guests stood at the door and shouted loudly:

"Lord Zhu Xuanji of the Divine Catcher Division has arrived—!"

"Young Master Unlike Ning Zhuo of the Ning family has arrived—!"

The hall, which had been discussing heatedly, suddenly quieted down.

The cultivators turned to look one after another.

They saw a middle-aged man with his hands behind his back, stepping over the high threshold and walking into the building.

He had a square face, eyes containing golden brilliance, wore a bright red brocade robe, with black sleeves, and his whole body was filled with an upright and solemn aura.

It was Zhu Xuanji.

The cultivators didn't dare to be negligent and stood up one after another to salute and greet Zhu Xuanji.

Zhu Xuanji nodded faintly, expressionless.

Unlike Ning Zhuo, who was one step behind him, also stepped into the hall.

He was still wearing a white shirt, his eyes were clear, black and white distinct, his face carried the immaturity of a sixteen-year-old youth, but his bearing was already extraordinary, neither humble nor arrogant, his gaze firm.

Based on appearance alone, it was hard to believe that such a beautiful youth was the one who controlled the black market and bloodily washed the entire Poison Snake Gang overnight.

Unlike Ning Zhuo followed Zhu Xuanji and leisurely climbed the high building.

People with noble status were all arranged in private rooms upstairs.

This time, Unlike Ning Zhuo could be considered to have benefited from Zhu Xuanji's light.

Seeing them go upstairs and disappear from view, the cultivators in the hall then sat down one after another.

On the surface, they all changed the topic, but in reality, they were secretly transmitting voices.

"Did you see, did you see!" The cultivator who had just said the Monkey Head Gang leader was hugging a big thigh was quite excited and transmitted to many people.

"Did you think Unlike Ning Zhuo was simple?"

"How could a small Qi Condensation youth sit in the position of black market master?"

"It was supported; it was because the previous black market master Sun Lingtong committed a crime, and under the Recruitment Order, there had to be a stable black market. So the upper echelons of the Xiancheng pushed Unlike Ning Zhuo out."

"Unlike Ning Zhuo was able to pull the Ning family's young clan leader off his horse; he is also a ruthless person. He comes from a branch of the Ning family but has talent, so he was pushed out by the upper echelons to control the black market and stabilize the situation first."

"Unlike Ning Zhuo has also therefore gained the favor and support of the four major forces of Fire Persimmon Xiancheng. He usually walks very close to the geniuses of the Zhou and Zheng families, and most of the criminals he caught in the black market were sent to Lord Fei Si to serve as performance records."

"Look at him now, following Zhu Xuanji!"

"Zhu Xuanji didn't bring anyone else; why did he bring him?"

"It's very obvious that Unlike Ning Zhuo is also valued by Lord Zhu Xuanji! When he withdraws from the black market in the future, what a vast future he will have!"

"Use your brains, think a little, and you'll know!"

Someone hesitated and replied: "But Unlike Ning Zhuo is in charge of the black market; his resume is unclear."

The cultivator who supported the Monkey Head Gang leader sneered and said with great disdain: "You just saw it, Unlike Ning Zhuo, sixteen years old, he is only sixteen years old!"

"So young."

"How does the saying go? A prodigal son who returns is worth more than gold!"

"So young, making some mistakes is very normal. Returning to the righteous path in the future, his dark past will instead prove his growth. What's the big deal?"

After the cultivator finished speaking, his nostrils were pointed to the sky, suppressing everyone, feeling very proud.

Everyone was silent for a while.

They wanted to refute, but Zhu Xuanji just brought Unlike Ning Zhuo to appear in public, which was the most certain evidence.

They were convinced.

Many people looked up toward the third floor, all harboring small thoughts of wanting to befriend Unlike Ning Zhuo.

They were all righteous path people and previously felt that they shouldn't get too close to Unlike Ning Zhuo, who controlled the black market. But after today's encounter, they generally discovered that Unlike Ning Zhuo's future seemed very bright!

Little did they know that Unlike Ning Zhuo had already been deeply suspected by Zhu Xuanji. The reason Zhu Xuanji brought him along was to take action against Unlike Ning Zhuo.

If Unlike Ning Zhuo didn't respond well, he might be captured and detained by Zhu Xuanji on the spot.

Once Unlike Ning Zhuo lost his freedom, he would definitely be eliminated and completely lose the opportunity to compete for the position of Magma Xian Gong Palace Master!

Zhu Xuanji was the first big shot to arrive.

Following him was the Jin Dan true disciple of the Purple Heaven Pavilion.

This true disciple had played the Shadow Demon Cultivator during the Jin Dan melee and was chased out of the city by Zhu Xuanji. In the end, he had to expose the Purple Heaven Pavilion's secret techniques to shake off Zhu Xuanji.

This time he entered, he first climbed the building, specifically greeted Zhu Xuanji, and then returned to his private room.

The whole process was very natural, without a trace of awkwardness.

It could be said that he had the demeanor of the righteous path.

Following the Purple Heaven Pavilion Jin Dan, there were only some Foundation Establishment-level figures.

For example, the refining master of the refining workshop, the pharmaceutical master of the medicine pavilion, or the head chef of the Golden Meal Hall, etc.

If it were normal times, more cultivators would participate in this handover ceremony. Looking at the face of the Nandou Royal Family, there wouldn't be only two Jin Dan cultivators.

But now, it was a wartime situation with beasts besieging the city, and everything had to be simplified. The vast majority of Jin Dan cultivators were holding their ground in the Magma Xian Gong and found it difficult to get away. ===== CHAPTER 274 =====