Meanwhile,

In the northern part of the Yu Xiu Marsh, Hua Zhi was embroiled in a fierce battle.

Suspended mid-air, a crimson bird with a wingspan of about ten feet flapped its wings, shaking off numerous red feathers like flames. The feathers ignited in the air, transforming into fist-sized fireballs that rained down on Hua Zhi below.

Realizing there was nowhere to hide, Hua Zhi plunged his hands into the ground, and dozens of vines instantly shot up from the earth. Interlacing and entwining, they formed a dark purple vine cage around and above him.

In the next instant, the fireballs collided with the vine cage, exploding one after another. The scattered flames landed on the vines, instantly turning them into rolling balls of fire.

However, thanks to the “True Water Ring” given by Yuan Ming, which protected his body, the flames did not actually ignite the vines. Still, Hua Zhi dared not let the flames crawl back along the vines to his body. He quickly flung the vine cage aside, withdrew his hands, and severed the connection with the vines.

Once separated from Hua Zhi, the vine cage, no longer protected by the “True Water Ring,” exploded under the intense flames. The burning vine fragments scattered on the ground, and the rising white smoke was actually marsh vapor, evaporated by the high temperature of the flames.

Amidst the rising steam, Hua Zhi heard a sharp phoenix cry. Looking up, he saw the crimson bird circling half a turn in the sky before suddenly diving straight towards him.

Hua Zhi quickly dodged backward, while simultaneously waving his hands in front of him. A burst of green light flickered, and dozens of wooden flying swords materialized, shooting towards the crimson bird all at once.

However, the crimson bird did not dodge or evade, colliding head-on with the flying swords.

The swords pierced the body of the crimson bird as if entering an illusion, passing straight through without pause, only carrying away sparks that turned the swords to ash.

Seeing no escape, Hua Zhi immediately tried to flee underground, but just as he moved, a talisman shot from afar and landed on the ground not far away.

In an instant, the soft, moist earth within several feet of Hua Zhi’s feet became as hard as rock, preventing him from burrowing in.

With no other choice, Hua Zhi crossed his arms at the last moment, transforming them into a wooden shield in front of him, bracing for the crimson bird’s collision.

But at the moment of impact, the crimson bird completely disintegrated from head to tail, turning into several red flame chains that tightly bound Hua Zhi.

Hua Zhi struggled immediately, but the more he struggled, the tighter the chains bound him. However, for some reason, although the chains were made of flames, they did not spread onto his body.

“Surprising, this beast has some tricks up its sleeve. If I didn’t happen to have a Solid Earth Talisman on me, you might have actually escaped,” said a young man dressed in a red dragon-patterned robe with a gold-jade belt, emerging from the woods.

The man was quite handsome, with a high nose bridge, fair skin, and eyes as bright as dancing flames. His hair was particularly striking, black with hints of red, which added an exotic charm to his male figure.

“Today is your lucky day. I’m in need of a spirit pet, so from now on, you’ll follow me,” the man said with a smile.

“I already have a master!” Hua Zhi shouted inwardly, twisting his body in protest.

However, the man couldn’t hear Hua Zhi’s voice and continued, “Hehe, you must be thrilled, right? After all, following me, Di Chen, is the fortune of eight lifetimes.”

Just then, a white jade shuttle suddenly flew in from the horizon, landing not far away.

Yuan Ming stepped off the shuttle and saw Hua Zhi bound by the flame chains. He frowned, but after noticing that Hua Zhi seemed unharmed, he relaxed.

“Fellow Daoist, this is a spirit beast I’ve been raising here. I’m not sure what offended you, but please show mercy and let him go,” Yuan Ming said to Di Chen, bowing politely.

“Your spirit beast? Do you have proof?” Di Chen asked, frowning slightly.

“Have you noticed the jade ring on his body? That’s the fire-protection artifact I left for him,” Yuan Ming replied.

Hearing this, Di Chen manipulated his magic, and the flame chains writhing around Hua Zhi quickly removed the True Water Ring.

“Tsk, to give a spirit beast such a fine artifact for protection, it seems you truly care for this beast. However, I’ve taken a liking to him as well. How about this, name your price—how many spirit stones are you willing to sell him for?” Di Chen asked, examining the True Water Ring.

Yuan Ming shook his head: “Sorry, to me, Hua Zhi is not only a spirit beast but also a partner, not something to be priced in spirit stones.”

“Hehe, no rush, think it over. Are you sure you won’t sell?” Di Chen narrowed his eyes, his spiritual power surging.

Seeing this, Yuan Ming sighed and raised his right hand, summoning a green flying sword out of thin air, pointing it directly at Di Chen.

A glint flashed in Di Chen’s eyes. With a single hand gesture, he suddenly spat out a small crimson bird from his mouth. With a flap of its wings, it expanded to ten feet long.

Yuan Ming didn’t hesitate, silently performing a sword gesture with one hand to control the green flying sword towards Di Chen, while his other hand also performed a magic gesture, pointing towards Di Chen’s feet.

In an instant, four or five green wooden dragons burst from the ground, lunging at Di Chen.

Yet, Di Chen was not afraid. With a change of hand gesture, the crimson bird in the sky suddenly exploded, turning into dozens of flaming swords that whistled down from the sky, pinning the wooden dragons to the ground.

At the same time, a red long knife appeared in Di Chen’s other hand, which he used to engage the flying sword in combat.

Seeing his attack easily blocked, Yuan Ming’s expression darkened. Di Chen, noticing his reaction, revealed a smug look but was suddenly startled.

A chill crept up Di Chen’s back, and without thinking, he slapped a talisman onto himself.

The next moment, a red light shone brightly on his body, and the intense heat wave rippled out, deflecting the black needle that had been aimed at his back.

Had his reaction been a step slower, he would have been pierced by the black needle.

Di Chen looked at Yuan Ming with lingering fear and said, “Nice move.”

Yuan Ming did not reply, raising his hand to release the Vajra, while also preparing to cast another spell.

But just then, Di Chen’s expression changed drastically. He immediately recalled the red long knife and released the chains binding Hua Zhi.

“Today is your lucky day. We’ll fight another day,” Di Chen said harshly, then took out a flying artifact and fled to the east.

Seeing this, Yuan Ming suspected a trick and did not pursue, nor did he let down his guard.

After a long while, Di Chen did not return, nor did he launch a sneak attack.

Yuan Ming was puzzled and was about to ask Hua Zhi for details when suddenly, another red light descended from the sky, landing in front of him.

From within the red light, a capable-looking woman in a gold-edged, fire-patterned long dress with a ponytail emerged.

Her skin was as flawless as jade, her slender eyebrows sat above deep, starry eyes, and her red lips were as vibrant as a blooming lotus.

Her hair color was similar to Di Chen’s, also black with hints of red, but it did not appear flamboyant; instead, it added a touch of valiant grace.

She surveyed the surroundings, noticed the traces of Di Chen’s and Yuan Ming’s fight, and her eyebrows knitted slightly as she bowed to Yuan Ming.

“May I ask, fellow Daoist, did you just engage in a fight with a man whose hair color is similar to mine?”

“Indeed, he suddenly ran off to the east in the middle of the fight,” Yuan Ming nodded.

“Figures. My brother has caused you trouble. If you hold any grudges, please leave a message at the Five Elements Inn in Xiaohu City, and say you’re looking for Di Yue from Huoque Gate. Once I catch my brother, I will bring him to apologize in person.” Before Di Yue could finish, she was already on her flying artifact, and by the time the word “apologize” fell, she had chased dozens of feet in the direction Di Chen had fled.

Yuan Ming watched the rapidly disappearing red light, inwardly grumbling.

He had inexplicably fought with someone, and although it hadn’t escalated to real anger, the abruptness of it all left him feeling inexplicably frustrated. And this sister was so hasty, even her speech seemed rushed.

But why had Huoque Gate, located in the eastern part of the Great Jin, come near Xiaohu City?

As Yuan Ming pondered, he turned to Hua Zhi and said, “It seems your injuries are almost healed. Stay close to me for now to avoid being captured by other cultivators who mistake you for a beast.”

Hua Zhi wanted to retort that he wasn’t that weak, but having almost been captured again, he couldn’t voice his argument and could only nod in frustration.

At that moment, from a nearby tree, Vajra leaped down, patted its chest at Hua Zhi, and let out an unmistakable laugh:

“Bean sprout, you almost got burned as firewood this time.”

“Monkey, come out and fight me if you dare!” Hua Zhi was furious, immediately baring his teeth and claws.

“Enough, let’s head back,” Yuan Ming said, and without waiting for a response, he tapped his storage bag at his waist, collecting both Hua Zhi and Vajra.

Shaking his head, he then mounted his artifact and flew towards Xiaohu City.

Months later.

Outside Xiaohu City, a continuous drizzle soaked the earth, and thunder rumbled through the clouds, lingering between heaven and earth.

The usual gloomy weather, but today, aside from the dark clouds, there were streaks of light from flying artifacts crossing the sky, landing at the city gates like falling stars, transforming into cultivators of various attire.

Under the azure protective barrier, Xiaohu City was exceptionally lively today.

The streets were filled with more cultivators than usual, and amidst the surging crowd, many in light blue robes with a four-story tower emblem on their backs directed the flow of people, maintaining order in the city.

These were the City Lord’s personal guards, usually responsible for defending the City Lord’s Mansion and rarely seen by the residents. Only on such important days would they appear on the streets, filling the gap left by the city guards and displaying the majesty and order of the City Lord’s Mansion.

On both sides of the street, shops hung flower decorations at their entrances and simultaneously offered discounts—this one 50% off, that one 40% off, all seemingly at great expense. However, few noticed that the original prices above their discounted rates seemed to be much higher than usual.