The Calm Before the Storm

Half an hour later, the mansion courtyard was already full of people. Even Chang Kong, Zhang Yunji, Zhang Yunji, and Liu Ying Zhou Zhuling, who lived in the capital, had come.

"Teacher, what happened?" Chang Kong noticed that something seemed amiss and went to Ma Feifei's side to ask in a low voice.

Ma Feifei frowned, glanced at everyone, and said, "It's not a big deal, it's just that the Sky-reaching Ape Monkey has gone missing, and the Bookstore is currently unattended. I plan to set off back now. If any of you want to stay in the capital for a few more days, that's fine too, but you'll probably have to return to Dubian Town on your own then."

After thinking for half an hour, Ma Feifei's restless heart had calmed down. He still didn't know if the other party would launch a surprise attack, and even if they did, it would probably take some time. The capital was not far from Dubian Town. According to Yun Qingyang's flying speed, it would only take half a day. If it were Luan Feng, the time would be even faster, and they should be able to get back to Dubian Town in time.

"The Sky-reaching Ape Monkey has gone missing!" Upon hearing this, everyone was startled and exchanged surprised glances.

In terms of combat power, apart from the mysterious Saint, the strongest being in the Mysterious Bookstore is undoubtedly the Sky-reaching Ape Monkey.

This is not only because the Sky-reaching Ape Monkey has also entered the Immortal Realm, but more importantly, because the Sky-reaching Ape Monkey possesses a complete set of divine artifacts. With the blessing of the divine artifacts, even the Luan Feng has also entered the Immortal Realm, dares not say that it can gain an advantage, let alone defeat the Sky-reaching Ape Monkey.

The employees of the Immortal Realm in the Mysterious Bookstore basically represent the strength of the entire Azure Dragon Continent. As the Sky-reaching Ape Monkey, standing at the top of the food chain, there is practically no one in this world who can defeat it.

But if it wasn't kidnapped, how could the Sky-reaching Ape Monkey have disappeared without a trace?

"Zhang Ke and Xun Ling also disappeared along with them." Ma Feifei's tone had calmed down, as if she were recounting something very ordinary.

"Zhang Ke and Xun Ling!" Upon hearing these two names, a few people were shocked, while most were still puzzled.

Ma Feifei didn't have time to explain. She glanced at Chang Kong and the others and asked, "Are you all going back together?"

There's no need to ask about Yun Qingyang and the others, since their home isn't in the capital. It's just Chang Kong's family, Zhou Zhuling, and a few Book-holding woman. In fact, the Book-holding woman can't even be counted, because their home isn't in Dubian Town either.

"Of course we'll go back together," Chang Kong replied without hesitation, cupping his hands in response.

"I just received a message from the Wantong Trading Market. The number of people visiting the market has dropped by 50% in the past two days, and the transaction volume has decreased by 70%. For the first time, not all the stalls have been sold. So something must have happened. Even if you hadn't told me, I was planning to rush back today."

Zhou Zhuling also said worriedly from the side, "The Wantong Trading Market is an industry given to me by the Empress, and it is closely related to the Mysterious Bookstore. As the president of the Wantong Trading Market, she certainly cannot stand idly by when the flow of people in the Wantong Trading Market has plummeted."

Everyone else nodded in agreement, even the Book-holding woman, seemingly wanting to go back and see what had happened.

Ma Feifei nodded slightly, looked at Luan Feng, and said, "Luan Feng."

"Yes!" Luan Feng replied in a deep voice.

A moment later.

"Eek!"

A phoenix cry resounded throughout the entire capital city, and a Fenghuang covered in fire soared into the sky, heading towards Dubian Town.

"Divine Beast! Divine Beast!"

"It's the Fenghuang, one of the Ten Ancient Divine Beast!"

"My God! There looks like there are people standing up there!"

The departure of Ma Feifei and the others caused a sensation in the capital, and this sensation spread in all directions, extending to the entire Azure Dragon Continent.

Dubian Town.

The Dubian Town was acting strangely today. Whether it was because of the New Year or something else, there were few pedestrians on the road, and those who were walking hurriedly, as if something terrible was about to happen.

Buildings and ground collapsed in many places, and the air was thick with the smell of blood.

Everywhere you look on the streets are armored soldiers running around, each carrying a long spear, moving at a rapid pace.

The Wantong Trading Market used to be the busiest market in Dubian Town, is now extremely deserted. Anyone who stands outside and watches for ten minutes will notice that the number of cultivators coming and going is vastly different from before.

Even many of the stalls inside were not stocked with goods, which is simply impossible for the Wantong Trading Market, which occupies 70% of the market in Dubian Town.

But that's the reality; the Wantong Trading Market has become this depressed in just a few days.

Furthermore, the flow of people in Dubian Town is constantly spreading in all directions, with large numbers of practitioners leaving every minute from both the Zhenbei and south sides of the town.

"Where are these people going?" Ma Feifei and his group got off at the Zhenbei gate of the town and watched as a group of people walked outside, each with a puzzled look on their face.

Even Ma Feifei found it a bit strange, but his intuition told him that this matter was very likely related to Zhang Ke and the others leaving.

"I'll go and bring Steward Wang over," Zhou Zhuling said. The best way to get the latest news was to ask someone.

"Hmm." Ma Feifei nodded slightly, glancing casually at the crowd around him. He noticed that they were all looking at him with fear and even apprehension on their faces, which made him even more puzzled.

On the way back to the Bookstore, Ma Feifei was met with mostly the same stares, which deepened her doubts.

Everyone knew that something seemed amiss, and they all fell silent. Chang Kong and Zhang Yunji even offered to go out and investigate, and Ma Feifei did not stop them, letting them leave.

A short while later, Zhou Zhuling arrived with Steward Wang.

"Shopkeeper, you're finally back! If you hadn't come back, the sky would have fallen!" As soon as Steward Wang saw Ma Feifei, he immediately knelt down in front of Ma Feifei, tears streaming down his face, and prostrated himself on the ground.

"Get up quickly and tell me what happened." Ma Feifei gestured to Ba Jiu to help the person up and asked kindly.

Steward Wang wiped away tears from the corners of his eyes and said mournfully, "The day after you left, your employee Sky-reaching Ape Monkey, went berserk for some unknown reason. He launched an indiscriminate attack on Dubian Town, smashing anyone he saw. Countless people were killed or injured in an instant. Many powerful figures at the Spirit Saint level tried to stop him, but they were either killed or injured. Even Mayor Zhou Wuji was seriously injured and is now lying unconscious in his mansion."

"Ah!" As soon as Steward Wang finished speaking, Zhou Zhuling exclaimed in shock. Without even saying goodbye to Ma Feifei, she ran straight outside.

"Ling Xian, go see if you can help." Ling Xian is the last disciple of the Medicine Saint Shaoyao, and she has a very deep understanding of medicine. In addition, Ma Feifei gave her a copy of the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, so she should be able to help.

"Yes!" Ling Xian nodded, turned around and followed her out.

Ma Feifei then turned her gaze to Steward Wang and asked, "Please continue."