"O heroes! We're about to start filming!"
After ending that slightly heavy and rather unpleasant conversation, Ju Fufu returned to filming.
But during the shoot, she sensed that something was wrong.
A massive surge of miasma suddenly swept in.
"Everyone, run! This place is dangerous!"
By now, both the actors and the crew had noticed the danger. But how could human legs outrun the spreading miasma?
Aether erosion and miasma contamination caused the ordinary people present to fall into hallucinations.
"M-Monsters! Monsters are coming—run!"
"Papa! Mama!"
"Hero! Please save us!"
"That's right! We still have the Tiger Hero and the Young Tiger Hero!"
"…"
The Ethereals were mistaken for the "demons of Demon-Subduing Mountain." People scattered in panic, and their only hope became the Tiger Hero and the Young Tiger Hero.
"I'll protect the people here with Evelyn. Fufu, go save the others!"
After joining Suibian Film & Media, Astra Yao hadn't just been singing and acting. From time to time, she also received guidance from Arden, training in skills to counter Ethereals and Hollows in case of emergencies.
Though her training time was short, Astra Yao was exceptionally talented—handling low-level Ethereals was no problem.
"Got it!"
Ju Fufu agreed and immediately entered the zone.
"What vile entity dares cause chaos here!"
Ju Fufu—no! Hero Fufu—pressed her index and middle fingers together into a sword sign, pointing at an incoming Ethereal while striking a handsome, cool pose.
"I am Ju Fufu of Yunxiao Mountain! Surrender at once!"
"Hero Fufu? Hero Fufu is here! We're saved!"
"H-Hero! Please save my daughter—she's still trapped in the village…"
"…"
"Everyone, do not panic! For I, Hero Fufu, have arrived!"
Hero Fufu revealed her weapon—the twin tiger claws. "Where Hero Fufu stands, there shall only be justice, never sorrow!"
Cough, cough! Alright—Ju Fufu hadn't suddenly gone full chuuni, nor was she hallucinating due to miasma. It was simply the extras who were affected by the contamination.
In reality, after exchanging a few words with Astra Yao and Evelyn, Ju Fufu dashed off to rescue the others.
From afar, hidden in the shadows, Arden and Yixuan watched everything unfold.
Seeing Ju Fufu's performance, Yixuan curved her lips slightly. "Looks like we won't need to intervene."
"Indeed."
Arden, meanwhile, was focused on Astra Yao.
This talent… If she devoted herself fully to cultivation, even Shifu and I might not compare.
After rescuing the entire crew, Ju Fufu returned to Suibian Temple, intending to report what had happened to Arden and Yixuan.
However, she couldn't find either of them. Only a disciple was there to pass on a message.
"You're saying… Shifu and Brother Arden went to stay overnight at the Starloop Tower and won't be back tonight?"
Ju Fufu's eyes widened, her small mouth slightly open, sharp tiger fangs showing.
Staying at a five-star hotel overnight and didn't even invite me!
A wave of irritation rose in her heart, but she quickly shook her head and pushed those thoughts aside.
Now's not the time for that.
"Did Shifu and Brother Arden say anything else?"
"The Grandmaster didn't explain much, only saying… 'Old grudges are hard to settle—only the one who tied the knot can untie it.'"
Two question marks practically popped up over Ju Fufu's head. She didn't really understand.
"Oh, right! Senior Brother Xu also left a message. He said… 'If Fufu doesn't understand Shifu's words, tell her this: to advance her cultivation further, she must resolve her inner demon herself.'"
Along with the message, the disciple handed Ju Fufu a voice recorder.
Based on Arden and Yixuan's observations, Ju Fufu was already on the verge of a breakthrough. She just seemed to be blocked by a mental barrier. And what was happening now, in their unanimous opinion, was the perfect opportunity for Ju Fufu to overcome her "inner demon."
"Senior Sister, I still have things to do, so I'll take my leave."
"Mm, I understand."
After the disciple left, Ju Fufu looked at the recorder in her hand. "What are Brother Arden and Shifu up to, being all mysterious…"
She turned it on.
A fanatical voice immediately rang out.
["Souls without faith cannot ascend the sheltered stairway. Yet there are always certain kindlings and motes of dust more special than others…"]
"That voice… it's a priest of the Exaltists!"
The manner of speaking instantly made Ju Fufu think of the Exaltists.
["Ms. Fufu, it was an honor to invite you to participate in my play. But it seems you did not cooperate properly with my performance… A pity. I can only temporarily shatter this splendid illusion and discuss the terms of our transaction with you in the cruel, tedious reality."]
The terms were simple: the Exaltists had taken the crew hostage, and they demanded Ju Fufu come alone—using herself as the exchange.
["The Hollow coordinates are recorded on the data disk. Come alone. Otherwise…"]
The recording ended there.
Ju Fufu frowned deeply.
This was obviously a trap. Under normal circumstances, she would definitely consult Arden and Shifu Yixuan. But remembering their earlier messages—
"So… I have to face this alone."
Having made up her mind, Ju Fufu headed straight for the Hollow.
Of course, Arden and Yixuan wouldn't let Ju Fufu take such a risk alone while they enjoyed themselves at a luxury hotel.
"Wife, do you think Fufu will make it through smoothly?"
Arden's voice reached Yixuan as the two followed Ju Fufu from afar into the Hollow.
They didn't get too close. Ju Fufu's senses were extremely sharp, and even Arden and Yixuan couldn't guarantee they wouldn't be detected. So, they stayed outside her perception range, tracking her via the positioning talisman Arden had given her.
Originally, the talisman was meant for emergency location—everyone close to Arden had one.
Using it for tracking now worked just as well.
"I trust my disciple."
Yixuan's tone was firm.
"Mm. So do I."
Just as Arden and Yixuan expected, even though Ju Fufu was alone, she moved through the Hollow like a swimming dragon, smoothly reaching the designated location.
But what she didn't expect was that, besides the priest of the Exaltists, she also saw Cang Huang.
And judging by their demeanor—they were clearly on the same side!
"Truly, you two heroes have worked hard!"
"If not for how rare tiger Thirens are… If not for the extremely demanding conditions required to activate the [Tigerbane Bell]…"
Then the Exaltists priest launched into the customary pre–boss fight explanation.
In short, to activate the [Tigerbane Bell], a forbidden relic of the tiger Thiren race, one needed to devour tiger Thirens. That was why they had gone to such lengths to stage this elaborate performance.
However—
Like a mantis stalking a cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it—the true mastermind behind everything… was actually Mr. Cang Huang.
===BREAK===
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