I Truly Am The Villian

Inside this Lotus Pond Secluded Path, there are mostly trading places.

Even gold coins do not circulate here; bartering is more common.

A few of them walked through, passing several streets before encountering an inn.

The inn was packed with people.

With the arrival of the Blazing Flame Grand Envoy, all expenses at the Lotus Pond Secluded Path were covered by the Tianhuo family.

Therefore, people naturally thought that passing up a bargain would be foolish.

"Let's go, see if there's a quiet private room inside," Xu Zimei said.

The three of them entered, and the innkeeper was too busy to even attend to them.

"Find yourselves a place to sit, sirs, just speak loudly if you need anything," shouted the innkeeper.

"Is there a private room available?" asked Sage Zixia.

"Dear guests, not to mention a private room, even finding a seat in this hall is quite good," the innkeeper said with a wry smile.

They, too, were busy and sweating profusely.

However, luck was on their side as a group beside them happened to leave a table.

The people who had been waiting charge forward in a rush.

But Sage Zixia was evidently faster, sitting down at the table in an instant.

Since the table had four seats, apart from Xu Zimei's trio, there was also a scholarly young man.

He appeared frail and weak, yet he managed to join them.

Once seated, the young man shouted to the innkeeper, "Innkeeper, bring us one of each of the house specialties.

Dragon-Phoenix Liver Meat, Stir-fried Scorpion Emperor.

And three pounds of Deep-fried Camel Hump, plus a jug of Immortal Drunk."

"Right away, sir," the shout of the innkeeper replied.

Xu Zimei's trio did not make a fuss, simply ordering a few dishes.

Those were all common dishes, which left the young man slightly confused.

He looked at Xu Zimei and his group, reminding, "Everyone, the meals today are on the Tianhuo family.

What you usually can't afford, you can indulge in today.

Ordering those common dishes isn't worth it."

"No worries, we are not here for the food," Xu Zimei said, smiling and shaking his head.

"You probably aren't from the Lotus Pond Secluded Path, are you?" the man laughed.

"I have lived here for twenty-three years, and I recognize almost everyone.

But you all are unfamiliar faces."

"We are planning to go to the Fire Domain," Xu Zimei nodded.

It wasn't necessary to hide this from others.

After all, everyone came to the Lotus Pond Secluded Path for this purpose.

"The Fire Domain, huh.

Not everyone can go there," the young man replied.

"You must be tested by the Tianhuo family."

"The passages connecting the Nine Domains were originally communal.

How have they become someone's private property now?" Sage Zixia scoffed.

"You'd better keep your voice down," the young man quickly replied.

"Here in the Lotus Pond Secluded Path, the Tianhuo family calls the shots.

There's no other reason, it's simply because they are strong."

"I heard the Blazing Flame Grand Envoy has arrived?" Sage Zixia asked.

"Upstairs, indeed. The Tianhuo family members are busy attending to them," the young man pointed up to the second floor of the inn, speaking cautiously.

"I heard there was originally a reception planned at the Tianhuo family's manor.

But the envoy insisted on dining outside and chose this inn."

"That is interesting; the envoy probably wants to assess the entire Lotus Pond Secluded Path," Xu Zimei commented.

"Who knows, the previous envoys were always well-entertained.

Nearly birds of a feather," the young man shook his head and laughed.

"Let's eat and drink well, no need to mind so much."

As they spoke, the once noisy inn suddenly fell silent.

The sound of footsteps was heard.

A woman, like the moon surrounded by stars, descended from the second floor.

The woman wore a fiery red cloak.

A golden long robe as if a Valkyrie, showing heroic flair.

Her hair on the temples was red.

Like flames, with phoenix eyes and crescent moon eyebrows.

Several attendants accompanied her respectfully at her side.

"See the middle-aged man on the left?" the young man pointed out the entourage, speaking in a low voice.

"That's the Family Head of the Tianhuo family, Huo Tianxiong."

"And the young man on the right is the Great Young Master of the Tianhuo family, Huoyun Feiyang."

"It's rare, though, that this time the Blazing Flame Grand Envoy is a woman."

The crowd watched as the figures disappeared from view under the Tianhuo family's escort.

Only after they vanished did they retract their gazes.

"Do you know how to get to the Fire Domain?" Xu Zimei asked the young man.

"First, you need to present a visiting card to the Tianhuo family.

Once they permit, they will assess your qualifications.

Only after passing the test do you pay enough Spirit Crystals to enter the Fire Domain."

"That's too troublesome," Xu Zimei shook his head.

He looked at Sage Zixia and said: "Later you should visit the Tianhuo family.

Since we've come, there's no need to worry about too much."

Observing Xu Zimei and his companions, their demeanor hinted at a unique status.

The young man knew better than to speak further.

By the afternoon, the flow of people in the inn finally decreased.

Xu Zimei and the Bright Moon Fairy booked two rooms in the inn.

While Sage Zixia went to visit the Tianhuo family.

......

The Tianhuo family was located at the center of the Lotus Pond Secluded Path.

Precisely at the position of the flower's pistil.

There was a fire source here.

It's rumored to be the Heavenly Bright Fire, capable of harmonizing all things.

In front of the spacious manor, two guards stood solemnly and meticulously at the entrance.

Sage Zixia approached step by step.

His presence emanated a treasure-like aura.

"Who goes there?" Just as he reached the entrance, the guard stepped forward.

"I wish to visit the Fire Domain," Sage Zixia stated directly.

"Go leave a visiting card, come back once the Family Head agrees," the guard replied blandly.

"I don't have that much time.

The entrance to the Fire Domain was originally communal.

I don't mind if the Tianhuo family monopolizes it.

But don't block my path," Sage Zixia declared.

"I want to see your Family Head."

"The Blazing Flame Grand Envoy is here; our Family Head isn't seeing anyone for the moment," the guard replied.

"I don't care who you are, but here in the Lotus Pond Secluded Path, you better behave," the guard warned.

Sage Zixia did not quibble with a guard.

Gathering spiritual energy in his voice,

he released his grand Holy Power, shouting, "Where is the Family Head of the Tianhuo family? Please come out and meet with me."

This voice echoed within a hundred Baili's radius.

Instantly, the entire Tianhuo family felt like a pot had burst into flames.

"Who dares to be insolent in front of my Tianhuo family?" several imposing auras surged skyward.

In a flash, powerful presences seemed to lock onto Sage Zixia.

However, Sage Zixia was still as calm as ever.

He simply said indifferently, "I wish to go to the Fire Domain and have come to seek the Tianhuo family's Family Head. Is there anything wrong with that?"

As his voice fell, several figures emerged from the manor.

"There is nothing wrong with that," a voice followed.

Sage Zixia looked up to see that the speaker was none other than Huo Tianxiong.

The newly appointed Family Head of the Tianhuo family.