The Zhuge estate was as grand as Feng Zhiming had expected, perhaps even grander. Even compared to the Divine Demon Hall, the Zhuge estate stood as a testament to their immense wealth and power, a force unmatched on the dark side of the Etheria continent. The estate was vast, with marble columns lining the entrance, courtyards equipped with the finest training equipment that even the most elite sects would envy, and private lakes that shimmered under the light.
As they entered, an old man, still catching his breath, addressed them. “Forgive me, great cultivators, could I please ask you to wait in the main hall while I call the Clan Leader?”
Anissa nodded, and the old man turned to leave, dragging along a reluctant Zhuge Yue who kept trying to resist.
“Big sister, I’ll definitely return with my father!” Zhuge Yue called out, struggling to break free from the old man’s grip.
The old man managed to pull her away, closing the door behind them, leaving Feng Zhiming and Anissa alone in the room.
Anissa, ever cautious, used her divine sense to form a noise suppression field, ensuring their conversation wouldn’t be overheard. She then turned to Feng Zhiming, her eyes filled with curiosity and a bit of disbelief.
“How did you arrange all of this? Can you see the future?” she asked, still flabbergasted at how everything had played out so precisely.
Feng Zhiming, unfazed, gave her a calm smile. “It’s all due to the Forgotten One’s guidance. He told me that three men would target the duo in the alley.”
This was, of course, a blatant lie. The truth was that Feng Zhiming had orchestrated the entire event. The three men in the alley had been influenced by his demonic phenomena at the candy apple cart, and he had learned of Zhuge Yue’s routine from casual mingling with the locals. She was known to visit that restaurant regularly for their cake, a detail he had exploited.
“But I can’t believe that this Dao Lord Fury is targeting the Zhuge Clan,” Anissa continued, her voice tinged with barely contained rage. “He went through so much trouble to cover up his existence, and now he wants to act openly?”
Feng Zhiming smirked, tapping the golden chair he sat on with a sense of satisfaction. “That’s because he’s not,” he replied cryptically.
Anissa looked at him, clearly confused. “What do you mean?”
“I’ll explain later,” Feng Zhiming said, his eyes flicking toward the door. “Our host is about to arrive.”
As if on cue, the door swung open, and a tall, elegantly dressed man entered the room. He wore a crystal monocle and a dark green robe adorned with black patterns, his chin covered in a subtle stubble that added to his dignified appearance. His aura was palpable, a wave of power that filled the room, and it was immediately clear to both Anissa and Feng Zhiming that this was a man not to be trifled with.
They both stood up and cupped their hands in a show of respect. “Greetings, respected Clan Head,” they said in unison.
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It was customary to avoid addressing a Clan Head by name directly, so they referred to him simply as Clan Head. The sheer aura he was releasing would have been enough to knock out anyone below the Ethereal Core realm, a fact that only underscored his immense power.
“Please, sit down,” Zhuge Yi, the Clan Head, said, gesturing for them to take their seats. “How can I stress formalities with those who saved my daughter’s life?”
Zhuge Yi was at the Heavenly Eye realm, a level of power that demanded respect. Though Feng Zhiming had encountered the Second Elder, who was in the same realm, the elder had deliberately restrained his aura. Zhuge Yi, however, chose to release his full power as a show of strength, a common gesture when greeting guests of importance.
As Zhuge Yi took his seat in the throne-like chair at the head of the hall, Anissa sat down opposite him, while Feng Zhiming remained standing to her right.
“It is an honor to be in the presence of the illustrious leader of the Zhuge Clan. I am unworthy,” Anissa said, bowing her head slightly.
Zhuge Yi studied her with a curious gaze before turning his attention to Feng Zhiming. “You… You’re from the Evermore family. How is Liam these days?”
It was obvious to him. The distinct sword intent emanating from Anissa was something he recognized well, not to mention the hallmark light blue, ocean-like hair color that was characteristic of the Evermore family.
Sword cultivators often had a unique sword intent, and since both Liam and Anissa cultivated the Ocean Splitting Sword technique, it was natural that they shared a similar aura. Though it was possible to conceal this, it usually required a certain level of mastery and intent.
“My father has died in battle alongside the rest of my clan,” Anissa replied in a monotone voice, carefully masking her emotions.
Zhuge Yi’s expression shifted slightly, but only for a moment. “It’s hard to believe that someone as powerful as him could die, not to mention an entire clan. Was it the Absolute Asura Sect?”
Feng Zhiming recalled that the Absolute Asura Sect was one of the three great demonic sects on the dark side of the continent, known for their ruthless practices, including human sacrifice. They were feared and reviled for their brutality, even among other demonic sects.
“It was an unknown person. He called himself Dao Lord Fury,” Anissa answered, her voice steady but filled with an undercurrent of barely suppressed rage.
Zhuge Yi was deep in thought, the name sparking his suspicion. Dao Lord Fury had supposedly attacked his daughter, and now this? It was too much of a coincidence.
“Forgive me for asking, but how can you prove what you say?” Zhuge Yi asked, his tone cautious.
Anissa stood up and unsheathed her sword, the blade gleaming as she held it firmly. “Please observe my aura with your Heavenly Eye as I say his name,” she requested, her voice calm but intense.
She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, and gripped her sword tightly. “Dao Lord Fury.”
To the untrained eye, nothing would have appeared out of the ordinary. But to someone at Zhuge Yi’s level, with the Heavenly Eye, the intensity of emotions radiating from Anissa was visible, almost tangible. The red-hot hate that emanated from her was undeniable—a hatred so deep and consuming that it couldn’t be faked. It was the kind of hate that transcended simple anger, a loathing so profound that it marked an absolute refusal to coexist with the object of her fury.
“That’s enough,” Zhuge Yi said, his voice firm. “I have confirmed it.”
Anissa sheathed her sword and returned to her seat, her expression neutral but inwardly, she felt a small sense of satisfaction.
Zhuge Yi leaned back in his chair, his mind racing with thoughts. The situation was far more complicated than he had initially believed, and Dao Lord Fury’s involvement meant that the stakes were higher than ever.
Feng Zhiming, on the other hand, was quietly pleased with how things were progressing. The Zhuge Clan’s acknowledgment of Anissa’s truth meant that they had established a critical link, one that could be leveraged in the future. And now, with Zhuge Yi’s trust, the possibilities were endless.
The game was unfolding just as Feng Zhiming had anticipated. And with each passing moment, his influence over the events on the Etheria continent grew stronger.