Chapter 53 - Capture the Demon Cultivator

“The Ancient Flame Domain?” Wu Hongfei, the Lord of White Emperor City, sighed in relief upon hearing these words, hoping it had nothing to do with him.

He promptly bowed and said, “The Ancient Flame Domain emerges every fifty years, and it’s indeed nearing the time of its emergence. Is the Saintess here for the Flame Domain token entrusted to White Emperor City?”

Yan Linglong nodded and replied, “My cultivation has reached the peak of the Divine Mansion stage, and I’m just a step away from breaking through to the Embodied Spirit realm.”

Wu Hongfei smiled and commented, “I see. The Ancient Flame Domain possesses the primordial fire, which is undoubtedly well-suited for your fiery lineage.”

He then instructed someone to fetch the Flame Domain Token from the inner treasury, saying, “Please have the steward retrieve the token.”

“Of course.”

Wu Hongfei raised his cup to the Saintess and added, “It’s remarkable that the Saintess is on the verge of reaching the Embodied Spirit realm at such a young age. In comparison, it took me 120 years to attain the Divine Abode stage. I feel quite inadequate.”

Elder Tong couldn’t help but snort, remarking, “The Saintess possesses extraordinary talent, ranking among the top five of the entire younger generation in the Nine Realms. You can’t compare to her.”

Wu Hongfei quickly agreed, saying, “Elder Tong is absolutely right. Please pardon my remarks, Saintess.”

Yan Linglong, in a good mood due to the impending acquisition of the Flame Domain Token, responded, “There’s no need for such formalities.”

However, shortly after, Yan Linglong furrowed her brows, and the atmosphere in the room grew tense.

Wu Hongfei noticed the change and asked, “What’s wrong? We’ve been drinking for a while now; the musicians have changed, but the steward hasn’t brought the token.”@@novelbin@@

Wu Hongfei got up and shouted, “Where is the steward? Why hasn’t he come?”

The servants outside exchanged uneasy glances and remained silent. Wu Hongfei was furious, but the anxious housekeeper rushed in before he could express his anger.

“My lord, I apologize, but couldn’t bring the token.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Elder Tong slammed the table and questioned Wu Hongfei, and Yan Linglong’s displeasure was evident.

Wu Hongfei tried to soothe them, saying, “Elder Tong, please calm down, Saintess, please calm down. Let me inquire.”

He turned to the housekeeper and demanded, “What happened? Where is the Flame Domain Token?”

The housekeeper seemed conflicted as if he wanted to speak but was hesitant.

Wu Hongfei was exasperated and berated the housekeeper, “Tell me, what’s going on with the token!”

The housekeeper finally spoke in a hushed tone, “The young master took out the Flame Domain Token a year ago to flaunt and make a bet. Unfortunately, he lost to the grandson of the Liu family…”

Wu Hongfei became even angrier upon hearing the words and exclaimed, “Then go to the Liu family and retrieve it for me. Don’t you know which one is more important?”

The butler’s expression turned even more despondent as he replied, “I just went to the Liu family, but they informed me that their young master had gone for training six months ago and was killed by a demon cultivator. The demon took all his belongings, including the Flame Domain token.”

Wu Hongfei’s heart sank upon hearing this, and he asked in a last-ditch effort, “Where is this demon cultivator now?”

The butler lowered his head and audibly replied, “His whereabouts are unknown. According to the Liu family’s investigation, the demon cultivator’s name is Qiu San, and he’s at the Foundation Establishment stage. We have no information about his appearance.”

This news thoroughly disheartened Wu Hongfei. He turned to the saint, but Elder Tong grabbed him by the collar before he could speak, seething with rage.

“Wu Hongfei, you’ve lost something of immense importance. I should cut you down where you stand!”

Wu Hongfei, terrified at the prospect of Elder Tong’s anger, pleaded for mercy, “Elder Tong, spare me! Holy Saintess, spare me! The birth of the Ancient Flame Domain is still some time away. I promise to retrieve the token before that!”

Yan Linglong, though burning with anger, held back the urge to kill Wu Hongfei. She had escaped secretly and had no one else to rely on but him. With time running out, she had no choice but to rely on Wu Hongfei to recover the token. She warned him, “You have three days to retrieve the Flame Domain token, or I will personally ensure your demise.”

While noting the saint’s words, Elder Tong dropped Wu Hongfei to the ground and ordered him, “Go!”

“Understood! I’ll go right away!” Wu Hongfei replied, wiping his sweat. He got up and ran out, shouting, “Someone, come with me to the Liu family!”

Shortly after, an announcement echoed throughout White Emperor City:

“I am the Lord of White Emperor City, and today, I issue a wanted notice. The wanted individual is Qiu San, a demon cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage. His description is posted on the notice board outside the City Lord’s Mansion. If anyone can capture and bring him to the City Lord’s Mansion within three days, they will be rewarded with fifty thousand spirit stones!”

The announcement sent ripples of excitement throughout White Emperor City. The reward of 500,000 spirit stones was exceptionally generous!

[Ding! Large-scale regional mission: capture the demon cultivator Qiu San! Difficulty: Nightmare!][Do you want to accept the task?]

At this time, in front of the gate of the City Lord’s Mansion, Gu Liuyun looked at the portrait of Qiu San that had been pasted up, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

“Accept.”