"Master," Fire Fairy Tang Xinlian greeted respectfully, bowing deeply before the man in red.
All the guards present knelt on one knee in unison. The pressure released by the man who had just appeared was like a blazing sun—undeniable, domineering, revered.
It was as though their emperor had arrived.
Mo Luo, the Lord of the Flame Temple.
With a casual wave of his hand, the world around them blurred. The reception hall disappeared, replaced by a vast and silent square. Now, only five figures remained—Mo Luo, Ye Feng, Tang Xinlian, Ying Huanhuan, and Mu Lingshan.
The square was empty, yet the air seemed heavier, as though the space itself respected the people standing within it.
Before Mo Luo could speak, Tang Xinlian couldn't contain her curiosity. She glanced at Ye Feng, her eyebrows arched slightly. "Are you that ranked number one on the Rookie List?"
Ye Feng nodded nonchalantly. "Yeah."
Tang Xinlian snorted. "Master says you're powerful… but looking at you now, it's hard to believe."
"Xinlian." Mo Luo frowned. "Don't be so quick to judge. Don't measure the ocean with a bucket. What you see is not always the truth."
Turning to Ye Feng, Mo Luo tone grew serious.
"Some months ago, while traveling beyond the borders, I stumbled upon the Thunder Ancestral Talisman. I've kept it hidden until now. The real reason I'm organizing the tournament isn't just for show—it's a trap."
"A trap?" Ye Feng raised an eyebrow.
Mo Luo nodded. "According to our intel, the alien demons have grown more cautious. They no longer appear openly. Instead, they hide within human hosts, implanting Demon Seeds and granting them great power."
"And those possessed have entered the tournament under false identities, hoping to seize the Thunder Ancestral Talisman?"
"Exactly." Mo Luo expression turned grim. "We can't tell who's real and who's possessed. If one of them wins the tournament, not only will the ancestral talisman fall into the hands of the enemy, but they'll also expose our bait. The entire operation will collapse."
Ye Feng folded his arms. "So the plan is to let a normal human win—force the hidden demons to reveal themselves and snatch the talisman, giving you a chance to strike."
"That's the plan." Mo Luo nodded. "I already have my suspicions. One of them is Xu Xiu, the faceless man who ranks fifth on the Rookie List. The other is Hua Chen, a recent powerhouse who emerged from Yuanmen in the Eastern Xuan Territory."
After finishing his explanation, Mo Luo turned to Ye Feng. "So? What do you think?"
Ye Feng looked indifferent. "What expression were you hoping for? Surprise? Admiration? You want me to play along with this farce?"
"You're not interested?"
"Not at all." Ye Feng's tone was cold. "Alien demons come in three grades—Generals, Kings, and Emperors. You're trying to bait a demon with a talisman. But what they truly want… is the Demon Emperor. To them, the ancestral talismans are secondary. With their Emperor, they believe no one—not even the talismans—can stop them."
"You think you're clever, but they're not fools."
Mo Luo fell silent.
Ying Huanhuan stepped in. "Mo Luo, he's right. If a Demon General appears, your Flame Temple can hold its own. But if a Demon King shows up, even you won't be able to stop it."
She added solemnly, "Among the Eight Ancient Lords… one of us died. The rest were forced into slumber, or like me, were reincarnated just to survive."
"…Eight Ancient Lords?" Mo Luo eyes narrowed. "You mean…?"
"I'm the Ice Lord," Ying Huanhuan said simply.
"What?!"
Mo Luo staggered back in shock.
"Ice Lord?!" Tang Xinlian's eyes widened as well.
"Excuse me, but… have you fully recovered your strength?" Mo Luo asked cautiously.
Ying Huanhuan nodded. "Yes."
"Then now more than ever, we need your help." Mo Luo tone was earnest. "You carry a great responsibility. The world still needs your protection."
"Mo Luo, I'm not interested," she replied. "Feng and I are working on a greater plan. If you're wise, cancel the tournament. Gather your forces. Prepare for the Second Heaven-Earth War."
Mo Luo expression froze. "You want… to break the seal on the Demon Emperor?"
Ye Feng smirked. "What else?"
"…Very well." Mo Luo exhaled deeply. "You have your plans, and I have mine. The tournament will still be held—in five days. Until then, stay in Dayan City. If you need anything, Xinlian is in charge of the law enforcement team."
Tang Xinlian turned to Ye Feng, her expression cool and composed. "I won't bend the law for personal favor. This is the Flame Temple's territory. If you obey the rules, no one will dare touch you. But if you cause trouble—"
She flipped her fiery hair over her shoulder and walked away. Her slender figure, strong yet elegant, disappeared into the distance, leaving behind a trail of heat and lingering admiration.
Ying Huanhuan chuckled, watching her go. "She's got guts, I'll give her that."
Mo Luo laughed too. "What do you think? Isn't my chief disciple impressive? She's talented, beautiful, and sharp. You're both young… Maybe there's potential?"
Ye Feng smiled faintly. He said nothing.
And then, without a gesture or word, he and Ying Huanhuan vanished into thin air.
A moment passed. Mo Luo stared at the empty space where they once stood, lips curled in admiration.
"His cultivation is even deeper than I imagined…"
Just then, the air beside him twisted. From the void emerged an elderly figure in crimson robes.
"Great Elder," Mo Luo greeted.
The elder nodded. "If you truly want Xinlian to form a connection with Ye Feng, you'll need a plan. With her pride and independence, she won't pursue him without reason. If you don't intervene, they'll remain strangers."
"If not Ye Feng," Mo Luo mused, "there's still Lin Dong, Lin Langtian, and Chi Hao. All talented… all his disciples."
"Yes." The elder nodded. "Each of them carries incredible potential."
Mo Luo sighed. "He's not just a cultivator—he's a leader. His disciples are already rising stars."
He paused, then asked, "What about Xu Xiu and Hua Chen?"
"They haven't shown up yet," the elder replied. "If Ye Feng hadn't intervened, Xinlian may not have been able to stop them."
Mo Luo eyes gleamed with a calculating light.
"Then let it be."
"If I can't stop them… I won't try."
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