Ning Ninglong was in low spirits the whole way.
She had thought she had found hope, only to meet with disappointment again.
Zi Fang noticed her dejection and comforted her. "Don't worry, Miss Ning. Once I return and report this to the Academy, that old turtle will have bitter fruit to swallow!"
Ning Ninglong forced a smile.
Heaven was high and the emperor far away. Which of the mighty cultivators at the Academy would come to a place like this?
Besides, that old turtle was in cahoots with the local authorities.
He also had plenty of fanatical believers here.
Even if the Academy wanted to intervene, it had neither a proper mandate nor a rightful cause.
"Don't worry. I'm used to it," Ning Ninglong said.
Zi Fang thought for a moment. "Why not return to the Academy with me, Miss Ning? Then you can serve as a witness when I bring it up."
Ning Ninglong could tell he genuinely wanted to help her and felt grateful.
After a brief hesitation, she nodded.
"All right. Let me go back and pack a few things."
The two immediately headed to Ning Ninglong's residence.
Ning Ninglong's residence was in a dilapidated temple on the outskirts of Tortoise-Carried City.
It received few offerings, and compared with the Turtle God Temple, its scale was as far apart as clouds and mud.
But Ning Ninglong sincerely helped the common people, unlike that old turtle, who, if people failed to offer him incense,
would kill them at the slightest provocation.
Zi Fang surveyed the dilapidated surroundings and let out a long sigh.
When had the world become like this?
Just then, a lesser demon hurried inside.
"Boss! Boss!"
Ning Ninglong said, "What has you in such a panic?"
The lesser demon panted. "...That old turtle... he, he..."