"Hold on tight."

Zhou Haoyu reminded Lingling and Chen Ying, then directly scooped them both up and flew toward Fire Pillar Mountain.

With a flap of the Thunderbolt Wings behind him, he shot out like lightning.

This Winged Magic Tool was of extremely high quality—its speed surpassed even a Wind High-Tier mage's Wind Wings, comparable to a Commander-level Winged Demon.

Soon, Zhou Haoyu brought Chen Ying and Lingling to hover in the skies above Fire Pillar Mountain.

Looking down, a forest of fiery clouds filled their pupils.

Even though Zhou Haoyu wasn't a Fire mage, he could feel the pouring fire elements—Fire-Element mages training here would absolutely reap double the results.

No wonder this place could give birth to the Flame Empress!

Very quickly, Zhou Haoyu's gaze fell on a gigantic dead tree.

No leaves grew on this massive tree, yet its branches were dense and flourishing, still standing proud like an enormous parasol.

"Starseeker Sky Tree…"

Zhou Haoyu could not help but marvel inwardly. As the birthplace of the Flame Empress, the Starseeker Sky Tree was naturally priceless.

But this one had almost no life force left—it could only produce one last Little Flame Empress.

Right then, not far from the Starseeker Sky Tree, the Flame Witch sensed movement and swiftly picked the Fire Calamity Fruit from its branch.

Zhou Haoyu's expression remained calm. He knew well that the Fire Calamity Fruit needed to undergo the Fire Calamity to hatch into a Little Flame Empress.

Besides, his objective wasn't the Little Flame Empress, but the Flame Witch Jiang Feng.

After taking the fruit, Jiang Feng vigilantly looked toward the trio—her eyes finally stopping on Chen Ying.

It seemed she recognized Chen Ying; her flaming figure visibly trembled, and she tried saying something in a stuttering voice.

"Ling~Ling~~"

Neither Lingling nor Chen Ying could understand it—they thought the Flame Witch was just warning them for trespassing on her territory.

But Zhou Haoyu understood clearly—Jiang Feng had voiced only a single name: Chen Ying.

Even after so many years, Jiang Feng still recognized her daughter.

"Jiang Feng, I can help reunite you with your daughter."

Zhou Haoyu used his Psychic power to speak directly into Jiang Feng's mind.

The Flame Witch froze the instant she heard that voice—how did this man know who she was?

At that moment Chen Ying urgently said to Zhou Haoyu, "Zhou Haoyu, we can't beat her. Let's pull back and reconsider."

Chen Ying had come to the Northern Corner entirely because of her mother's request—only by obtaining the Fire Calamity Fruit could she help her mother return to a normal human form.

But she knew that she and Zhou Haoyu weren't a match for this Flame Witch.

Only by regrouping with her father and mother would they stand a chance at taking the Fire Calamity Fruit.

Though deep down she had doubts—the Flame Witch gave her a faint feeling of closeness. Probably just her imagination.

Zhou Haoyu ignored Chen Ying and continued communicating with Jiang Feng through his Psychic ability.

"When did that guy awaken the Psychic Element?"

Lingling wasn't a mage, but she was knowledgeable. She quickly realized Zhou Haoyu was conversing mentally—which only Psychic mages with strong Spiritual Energy could do.

To show his sincerity, Zhou Haoyu told Jiang Feng the Ghost Bride's entire plan in full detail.

The Ghost Bride was a criminal wanted by the military. She had once been saved by Jiang Feng.

Yet instead of gratitude, she had impersonated Jiang Feng and now intended to steal the Fire Calamity Fruit.

Just like the tale of "The Farmer and the Snake," played perfectly clear.

"LING!!!"

Jiang Feng let out a sharp shriek—as if her flame-like hair had come alive—whipping wildly in every direction.

Seeing her rage, Zhou Haoyu immediately said, "I can help you kill her, and I can help you reunite with your daughter. In exchange, I need one favor from you."

"LING~~~!!!"

{The Fire Calamity Fruit cannot be given to you.}

Though furious, Jiang Feng hadn't lost her reason—the authenticity of this man's words had yet to be proven.

And whether they were true or not, she could not hand such a thing to someone she couldn't fully trust.

Zhou Haoyu remained calm and smiled. "You should be able to sense I'm not a Fire mage. The Little Flame Empress may be a dream contract beast for Summoners—but to me, she isn't that important."

Seeing his sincerity and lack of deception in his expression, Jiang Feng's vigilance eased.

"LING~~~"

{Then what do you need me to do?}

"Very simple. I know the location of a Fire Vein and I need a Fire Elemental Spirit like you to help open it." Zhou Haoyu responded honestly.

Jiang Feng pondered for a long time, looking at Chen Ying several times before finally nodding.

"LING~~~"

{I can help you, but only after the Fire Calamity Fruit matures.}

"Of course, no problem. I'll deal with that Ghost Bride for you first."

Zhou Haoyu agreed instantly. With Jiang Feng's character, she would not go back on her word.

After the negotiation, Zhou Haoyu descended and set Chen Ying and Lingling down onto the ground.

Seeing Chen Ying still staring at Jiang Feng nervously, Zhou Haoyu hesitated, then told her about the Ghost Bride.

After understanding the entire situation, Chen Ying's face was filled with disbelief.

Zhou Haoyu didn't mind whether she believed him or not—he had a way to present undeniable evidence of the Ghost Bride's true identity.

Over the next two days, the trio remained atop Fire Pillar Mountain. Zhou Haoyu had brought along plenty of food and water.

Even if they got tired of rations, they could go into the forest to hunt.

After ending his cultivation, Zhou Haoyu calculated silently, The Fire Calamity should be over; Zhao Yulin's group should arrive soon.

At the same moment, commotion came from deep within the distant forest—a team was heading toward the Starseeker Sky Tree.

Noticing the startled bird flocks, Zhou Haoyu smirked and said to Chen Ying, "Come on, I'll let you see that Ghost Bride's real face clearly."

Chen Ying said nothing. Over the past two days, she was starting to believe Zhou Haoyu's words.

After all, he had no reason to lie to her… but the thought that she had treated a fraud as her own mother left her heart in turmoil.

Right then, Lingling walked to Zhou Haoyu's side and asked curiously, "How do you know so much?"

"I've investigated a lot concerning the Northern Corner, and the Ghost Bride was one of them. Combined with talking to Chen Ying's mother, I reached a conclusion." Zhou Haoyu said half-truthfully.

Lingling suddenly stopped and stared at him solemnly. "You weren't… taken over by something, were you? Or did you suddenly attain enlightenment?"

Zhou Haoyu's face went black and he pinched her cheek hard. "Stop reading those xuanhuan novels. There's no such thing as possession in this world!"

"Of course there is—some powerful demons can control people through Spiritual power." Lingling snorted.

"If I were a demon, you'd be the first I'd eat."

...

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