"I have not come with good news."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.
When Flender heard Ning Fengzhi's tone shift, the fatigue in his eyes vanished and a serious expression settled over his face.
"What is it?" he asked quietly.
Ning Fengzhi did not answer immediately. His gaze moved past Flender and rested briefly on Yu Xiaogang.
"It concerns your wife," he said calmly, "and the Grandmaster of theory—Yu Xiaogang."
Ning Fengzhi reached into his sleeve and withdrew a neatly folded letter sealed with a discreet wax insignia.
"My intelligence network delivered this to me at dawn," he continued. "It took significant effort to verify its authenticity."
He extended the letter forward. Yu Xiaogang stepped ahead before Flender could react. His fingers trembled slightly as he accepted it.
As his eyes moved across the lines—
His breathing became uneven. The hand holding the parchment shook visibly.
"This… this is false…" Yu Xiaogang muttered, voice cracking. "This news is false."
Flender's heart sank at the sight. He stepped forward and firmly took the letter from Yu Xiaogang's trembling grasp.
He began to read line by line then his expression stiffened. Cold sweat formed along his brows.
Behind him, Liu Erlong's voice trembled faintly.
"What is it, Flender?"
He lowered the parchment slightly. His lips parted—
"Er Long… I…"
Impatience and fear overtook Liu Erlong, as she strode forward and snatched the letter from his hand.
She read the contents rapidly.
"A meteor fell upon the Heaven Dou Province. Upon investigation, the impact crater corresponds precisely with the location of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
After extensive search operations, no survivors have been found.
The clan is presumed annihilated."
For a split second—The world became silent.
The words did not immediately register to them.
Liu Erlong's pupils dilated, as the letter slipped from her fingers.
Her breathing hitched violently, as she swayed.
"No…"
Her voice was barely audible.
"No… that's impossible…"
Her legs gave way as she collapsed. Flender lunged forward just in time to catch her before she hit the ground.
"Er Long!"
Yu Xiaogang also stood frozen, his face drained of all color.
As Flender gently laid Liu Erlong on a nearby couch. Yu Xiaogang staggered backward, knocking into a chair.
-----
Spirit City — Nightfall
While the shocking news of destruction of one of the 3 great clans spread quietly ,Not everyone in Spirit City shared the same concerns.
Ma Hongjun walked sulkily along a dimly lit street, hands stuffed into his sleeves, muttering to himself.
"This city is a complete failure… not even one proper establishment where I can relieve myself."
His tone was irritated.
The entire city was under heightened security after Tang Hao's attack.
Entertainment districts were either shuttered or under strict surveillance.
To Ma Hongjun— It was an unbearable inconvenience.
While the rest of Shrek Academy reeled from the shocking news of the annihilation of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan— Ma Hongjun wandered in the Spirit City to satisfy his indulgence
In this timeline, things were different. He had not received the immortal herb—the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower—that could purify and stabilize his martial soul.
His Evil Fire Phoenix remained unstable.
His eyes glimmered faintly purple under the street lanterns. A reflection of the fire burning inside him.
The Evil Fire was not merely a boost in power, It gave its's master corruption and desire.
Ma Hongjun's breathing gradually grew heavier.
His steps slowed then staggered as the fire within surged. He pressed a hand to his chest.
"Damn it…"
His thoughts blurred. His vision tinged deeper violet and soon the world felt hazy.
Then— he heard soft footsteps of a young woman walking alone, approaching from a corner intersection.
Ma Hongjun's pupils contracted sharply as his instinct had overwhelmed reason.
His body moved.
In a blink—
He was behind her.
One hand clamped over her mouth before a scream could escape. The other struck precisely at the base of her neck.
She went limp instantly.
For a fraction of a second—
He hoisted her over his shoulder and dashed into a narrow alleyway between buildings.
The city patrols were farther down the street.
Huff… Huff…
His breathing became ragged as his skin flushed hot. The purple flame in his eyes intensified.
He leaned her against the wall. His hands shaking—from burning impulse.
Ma Hongjun's fingers had just brushed against the girl's collar—
When— A blinding flash erupted behind him.
Before Ma Hongjun could even turn fully— A precise chop struck the back of his neck.
His eyes rolled back instantly.
The purple black flaming hue faded as his body collapsed limply to the ground.
Silence returned to the alley.
Only the unconscious girl's faint breathing remained.
Lu Ping stepped forward calmly, retracting his hand. There was no fluctuation of aura left behind.
He looked down at the fallen Ma Hongjun with clear disgust.
Then, without turning, he spoke toward the deeper shadows.
"Do you really want this trash to be left alive?"
His voice was indifferent. As if discussing whether to discard spoiled food.
From the darkness behind him—
A cloaked figure stepped forward. The reply was a woman's voice.
"Yes… Lord Lu Ping."
The figure bowed deeply. Her shoulders trembled.
"Thank you for your kindness."
The woman slowly removed her cloak and the scattered moonlight revealed her face it was Shen Luo.
Her eyes were red from tears long suppressed.
Lu Ping scratched the back of his head awkwardly. He had never been particularly good at handling emotional scenes.
----
(Author note: Does anyone remember this character, I made on a whim?)