Burning Firestone

Seeing Li Minghan leave with a taunting smile, Li Luoning wanted to give chase but was held back by the sheer number of guards. They couldn't move a step forward.

"Qiuyuan, keep an eye on them. Don't accidentally kill them; that would spoil the fun. Also, how is the other matter progressing?" Li Minghan instructed Hua Qiuyuan beside him.

"It's done as you commanded," Hua Qiuyuan replied.

"Good. I won't stay to watch this show. You watch it for me." With that, Li Minghan turned and left.

Although Li Luoning's cultivation was considerable, he and Yun Qingyi were vastly outnumbered. Knowing that this was a trap set by Li Minghan, they needed to retreat swiftly.

"Qingyi, they are too many. We must not linger. We need to retreat now," Li Luoning said, flying over to Yun Qingyi's side.

"But Master, what about Xingzhe?" Yun Qingyi asked.

"Since he knows we followed him, he wouldn't keep Xingzhe with him. We must retreat and find another way," Li Luoning replied, leading Yun Qingyi through the crowd and flying away.

The two quickly retreated to The Flatland, stopping to rest once they were sure no one was following them.

"Master, now that the Demon Lord knows we're looking for Xingzhe, won't he be in danger?" Yun Qingyi asked worriedly.

"He captured Xingzhe to lure me here. But his behavior today was strange. He neither fought me directly nor explained his reasons," Li Luoning said thoughtfully.

"Then what should we do next?"

As they spoke, a luminous amber butterfly flew toward them. Li Luoning extended his hand, and the butterfly landed, transforming into a few words: "Stone identified. Meet at The Flatland Inn."

"It's Uncle Mu Han!"

"Yes, Uncle has identified the stone and wants to meet us at the inn."

Meanwhile, Mi Xingzhe had been left in the marketplace of The Flatland. He lay on the ground, his eyes vacant. Only after the Wuming Demon Mountain guards left did he regain his senses.

"Where am I?" Mi Xingzhe rubbed his head and sat up.

"I remember fighting that impostor in the countryside. What happened next..." He tried to recall what had happened, looking down at his clothes. "What am I wearing?"

As he looked around to get his bearings, he saw Li Luoning and Yun Qingyi's figures disappear into the crowd.

"Master? Qingyi?" Mi Xingzhe rubbed his eyes in disbelief. When he looked again, they were gone. Without thinking, he got up and chased after them.

At The Flatland Inn, Li Luoning and Yun Qingyi found Mu Han waiting.

"Senior Brother." "Uncle."

"Luoning, I have identified the stone you gave me. Also, Qingyuan has agreed to help. He will take his soldiers to search the human realm for a few days, giving you time to do what you need," Mu Han said, inviting Li Luoning to sit.

"Thank you, Senior Brother. What is this stone?"

"It is called the Heavenly Blaze Stone."

"Heavenly Blaze Stone? What is that?"

"I don't know yet. The Heavenly Blaze Stone is forged with spiritual power. Unless the forger uses it again, it is difficult to trace its origins," Mu Han explained.

"Forged with spiritual power..." Li Luoning frowned.

Mu Han nodded and continued, "The ancient books of the Liao Yin Immortal Realm can only tell us this much. But in our master's library, there is a chronicle that should have more detailed records."

"Master's library? Are you planning to go back?"

"Since this matter concerns your family's past, it must be thoroughly investigated," Mu Han said with a smile, taking a sip of tea. "Have you found any trace of Yun Wan Nian?"

"We haven't seen him yet, but we are certain he is at Wuming Demon Mountain," Li Luoning said seriously.

"Wuming Demon Mountain? That place is heavily guarded, and the Demon Lord has been observing you secretly. Going there would be walking into a trap. It would be better to wait here and go with Qingyuan for the rescue," Mu Han suggested.

"I can't wait that long. The Demon Lord has already discovered us in Fanli Valley. If we delay further, who knows what he will do to Xingzhe? It is clear that his target is me. Although I don't yet know why, it must be confronted. Ignoring it as before is not an option," Li Luoning shook his head.

"Do you have a plan?" Mu Han asked.

"We fought his guard today. He won't expect me to return so soon. Tonight, I will go alone to rescue Xingzhe."

"Master, let me go with you," Yun Qingyi insisted.

"You stay here. If I go alone, I can escape more easily if things go wrong. Besides, if I manage to rescue Xingzhe, I will need someone here to assist," Li Luoning instructed.

As they spoke, Mu Han's white orchid bead string on his left wrist glowed faintly. Both Li Luoning and Mu Han noticed the change, the beads emitting a tooth-red glow.

"Senior Brother, what is this?"

Mu Han glanced at his wrist, his eyes flashing with understanding. He covered the beads with his sleeve and said, "Luoning, would you accompany me for a few drinks? Who knows when we brothers will drink together again?"

Li Luoning found it odd. They had just drunk together at Mirror Cloud Residence a month ago. Why was his senior brother suddenly so sentimental?

Outside Mirror Cloud Residence, O Shinan appeared, smiling wickedly as he looked at Bingguo lying in the courtyard.

"Immortal Ou? What are you doing here?" Yue Ruling, patrolling with her soldiers, happened to pass by. She had planned to visit Bingguo and was surprised to see O Shinan at the entrance.

Hearing her voice, O Shinan immediately replaced his previous expression with a polite smile, bowing to Yue Ruling. "General Ruling, are you here on patrol?"

"Immortal Ou, do you still believe my junior brother plotted against the Medicine King?" Yue Ruling asked, disappointed.

"The evidence is undeniable. I have no choice but to believe it," O Shinan said, slightly turning his head, his tone firm.

"Immortal Ou knows little about my junior brother. Naturally, you believe the evidence more. But I, Yue Ruling, am willing to stake my life on it. My junior brother is not the one who harmed the Medicine King."

"One may know a person's face, but not their heart. How can you stake your life on such a claim without solid proof?" O Shinan retorted.

"I..." Yue Ruling, being a warrior, was no match for O Shinan's eloquence and found herself at a loss for words.

"Rarely is Mirror Cloud Residence's entrance so lively," Yanding Dragon King's voice drifted from nearby.

"Dragon King." O Shinan and Yue Ruling both bowed respectfully.

"You both happen to be at the entrance of Mirror Cloud Residence at the same time. Is there a reason?" Yanding Dragon King asked.

"I was just patrolling and saw Immortal Ou here, so I came to see if anything was amiss," Yue Ruling replied, glancing at O Shinan.

"Oh? Then does Immortal Ou have any business here?" Yanding Dragon King asked, turning to O Shinan.

"I was merely checking if Immortal Master Xiao Yi had returned. May I ask why the Dragon King is here?" O Shinan replied.

"Luoning and Qingyi went to Wuming Demon Mountain to find their junior disciple. They won't be back anytime soon. I received a letter from the Medicine King saying he left something for me at Mirror Cloud Residence, so I came to retrieve it," Yanding Dragon King explained.

"Wuming Demon Mountain? Weren't they supposed to go to The Flatland to find Junior Brother? How did they end up at Wuming Demon Mountain?" Yue Ruling asked, surprised.

"I heard that some people handed Yun Wan Nian over to the Demon Lord of Wuming Demon Mountain. I don't know the specifics," Yanding Dragon King said.

"They handed Junior Brother over to the Demon Lord?" Yue Ruling was taken aback. "I must quickly send word to Master. Perhaps he can still help. With the many soldiers at Wuming Demon Mountain, how can just the two of them rescue Junior Brother? Dragon King, I must take my leave."

After saying this, Yue Ruling hurriedly turned and left.

"Then I will also take my leave," O Shinan said with a slight nod, preparing to leave.

Yanding Dragon King shook his head and raised his token, lightly waving it. The barrier around Mirror Cloud Residence opened.

"Dragon King, wait."

"Does Immortal Ou have something else to say?"

"I know the Dragon King and my father have always been close. Now that my father has been harmed and his soul is in peril, it is uncertain when he will recover. I am deeply grateful for the Dragon King's efforts to retrieve the Soul Gathering Lamp, despite it being damaged by accident. As a token of my gratitude, please accept this humble gift." O Shinan said, presenting a box.

"Immortal Ou, there's no need for such formalities. Your father and I are old friends. How could I stand by when he is in trouble? The truth has yet to be uncovered, and I feel deeply regretful. How could I accept a gift from someone as young as you?" Yanding Dragon King declined politely.

"It is merely a medicine my father made for the Dragon King. I am only presenting it on his behalf. Please accept it." O Shinan bowed deeply, holding the box high above his head.

"This..." Yanding Dragon King hesitated, seeing O Shinan's persistence.

"Then I shall accept it. It is rare to see such filial piety. Your father would be proud," he said, opening the box.

As the box opened, a puff of toxic gas sprayed into Yanding Dragon King's face. Taken by surprise, he inhaled a large amount of the gas. His body lost balance, and the box fell to the ground.

O Shinan's expression turned sinister. He quickly drew a crimson dagger from his sleeve and plunged it into Yanding Dragon King's body with all his might. The force caused Yanding Dragon King to stagger backward.

O Shinan then entered the barrier of Mirror Cloud Residence, picked up the fallen token, and waved it, resealing the barrier.

"You..." Yanding Dragon King fell to the ground, clutching the dagger in his chest, his eyes wide with shock. He tried to speak, but the dagger was burning through his dragon marrow.

O Shinan's demeanor changed completely. His eyes darkened, and a chilling smile appeared on his lips. He lightly touched the blood-stained dagger, bringing his fingers to his lips as if savoring a fine wine.

Nearby, Bingo was startled by the noise and immediately sensed O Shinan's malicious intent. Mustering all his strength, he released a burst of energy, pushing O Shinan away, and quickly ran to protect Yanding Dragon King.

"Hmph, an ignorant little beast." O Shinan said disdainfully, looking at Bingo, who was now standing protectively in front of Yanding Dragon King.

"You!..." Yanding Dragon King struggled to speak, his eyes trembling with realization. "It's you, beast!"

"Dragon King, if you had stayed in your deep-sea palace, none of this would have happened," O Shinan said, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the blood from his hands.

"Why? Why did you kill your father?" Yanding Dragon King's voice trembled with anger and confusion.

"Father? I was just a blood-stained flower he picked up. What father?" O Shinan said, showing no remorse for killing the Medicine King.

"Even so, he raised you. How could you betray him like this?" Yanding Dragon King struggled to keep his eyes open.

"Don't waste your breath. This Feilian Dagger was made especially for you. Your dragon clan ancestors were no match for Feilian. Moreover, this dagger is made from the bones and blood of the Tengu clan, your natural enemies. I stabbed it right into your Shenfeng Acupoint. No matter how much you try to use your powers, it will be useless. The dagger will continue to consume you until your spirit is completely extinguished," O Shinan said, enjoying the spectacle.

As soon as he finished speaking, Bingo transformed from his usual docile form into a fierce beast, his back adorned with two golden horns and his tail fur standing on end. He pounced at O Shinan.

"Hmph, overestimating yourself." O Shinan easily dodged Bingo's attacks.

Despite his fierce appearance, Bingo was not a combat beast and, being young, was no match for O Shinan. After a few exchanges, Bingo began to tire, his steps faltering.

"If you weren't still useful to me, I would have turned you into a cloak long ago."

Bored, O Shinan struck Bingo's back with a heavy blow of his energy, sending the beast crashing to the ground, unable to move.

Ignoring the fallen Bingo, O Shinan walked over to Yanding Dragon King. He formed a seal with his fingers and began chanting, pushing his palm against the Dragon King's chest.

Blue spiritual energy flowed from Yanding Dragon King's body into O Shinan's palm.

With his blood nearly drained by the dagger, Yanding Dragon King was too weak to fight back. He could only watch helplessly as his spiritual power was sucked away, feeling his life force ebbing away. He knew he was doomed.

Slowly, Yanding Dragon King released his grip on the dagger, letting his bloodied hand fall to the ground. The blood seeped into the soil of Mirror Cloud Residence, silently sprouting a seed.

O Shinan finally stopped his spell, and Yanding Dragon King lay lifeless on the ground.

With a blank expression, O Shinan summoned a pack of ghost beasts to devour the Dragon King's body.

As the beasts feasted, O Shinan turned away, only to notice that the unconscious Bingo had disappeared.