Anning had just fallen asleep for a short time when she received news from two Flower Spirits.

It was said that an unidentified demon appeared by the lake of Yao Family Garden, and even Bai Rong couldn’t discern its cultivation. Worried that this demon might pose a threat to the Yao Family, she specifically informed Anning.

Anning sat up from the bed, didn’t even change her clothes, draped a cape over her shoulders, and walked out.

Her feet almost didn’t touch the ground, as if she was riding the wind.

In a very short time, Anning arrived at the Yao Family’s back garden.

The dark figure was still there, probing the lakeside.

"Strange, there are no signs of a fight here. How could Zhu Zhu just disappear?"

The Black Flood Dragon muttered to himself as he investigated, "With Zhu Zhu’s cultivation, ordinary demons couldn’t defeat her. Who could silently capture her?"

After watching for a while, the Black Flood Dragon decided to personally inspect the lake bottom.

He emitted a long sound of indescribable frequency, causing the water in the lake to part to the sides, and the Black Flood Dragon, remarkably impressive, raised his foot to walk toward the lake bottom.

Just as he stepped out with one foot, suddenly his vision went black, and he collapsed limply.

Anning held a large stick in her hand; she had just used this stick to stealthily attack the Black Flood Dragon, knocking him unconscious.

Anning reached out and grabbed the Black Flood Dragon, who had already revealed his true form, holding him in her hand.

Bai Rong and Hong Luo, seeing Anning had dealt with the Black Flood Dragon, stopped hiding.

The two girls emerged from their original forms and bowed to Anning, "Greetings, Master."

Anning, holding the big stick in one hand and the black fish in the other, smiled at the two girls, "Rise. It’s just a transcendental spirit black fish. Look at how scared you two are. It shows your cultivation is still insufficient, so train harder in the future."

"Yes," Bai Rong quickly agreed.

Anning tore off a few scales from the Black Flood Dragon and tossed them to Bai Rong and Hong Luo, "Grind them up for flower fertilizer and strengthen your bodies."

"Thank you, Master," Bai Rong and Hong Luo were overjoyed, taking the fish scales with a flurry of thanks.

Anning waved her hand, "Alright, I’ll be heading back now. I plan to have a full fish feast tomorrow morning."

Anning thought about the time she nearly exterminated the Insect Clan in an interstellar world, and remembered the delightful taste after the Insect Clan was cleansed. She felt a bit hungry.

She glanced at the Black Flood Dragon disdainfully, "This black fish has killed quite a few people, full of blood and karmic debt. It needs a thorough purification before it can be considered edible."

After her laments, Anning carried the black fish back home.

By the time she returned, it was almost dawn. Without resting, she carried the black fish into the kitchen, purified its blood aura, and began cooking.

Anning skillfully prepared sashimi, fish balls, steamed dishes, braised dishes, sweet and sour dishes, and various fish products.

The Black Flood Dragon’s body was large enough, and Anning hadn’t finished cooking yet.

She preserved the leftovers in salt, planning to eat them slowly.

When Mrs. Luo woke up, she smelled a mouth-watering aroma.

Anning stood by her bedside with a bowl of fish soup, "Mother, I made this fish soup early in the morning. Please try it."

Mrs. Luo was feeling quite hungry from the smell.

She accepted the fish soup and took a sip, finding it incredibly savory and refreshing throughout her body.

"This fish soup is truly delicious."

Anning smiled, "I’ve made a full fish feast. Mother, please try it after you get up."

"Oh, my dear daughter has truly grown capable, able to make a full fish feast now. I must taste it properly," Mrs. Luo quickly got up, washed up, and joined Anning for the meal.

When she arrived, the table was covered with fish dishes, all visually appealing, aromatic, and surely delicious to taste.

Mrs. Luo was instantly tempted and began eating with Anning, the two indulging in a hearty breakfast, eating until they were full.

The leftover dishes Anning had distributed to the maids and some servants.

This black fish had been cultivating for over a thousand years, its entire body rich in Spiritual Energy. Its meat was a nutritious delicacy, capable of increasing longevity, so naturally, it was put to good use.

The remaining preserved fish meat Anning specifically used an enchantment to store its Spiritual Energy, intending to prepare some for Luo Anqing upon her return to help replenish her body and restore her lost Qi.

While Anning was thinking of ways to utilize black fish meat for food, the Yao Family, led by Old Master Yao, was also looking for ways to avenge Luo Anqing.

Yao Family had some influence in Ding City, and additionally, Prime Minister Luo had previously served there as Prefect of Ding City. Due to his integrity and benevolence, having done much good for the local people, even now, many in Ding City still remember Prime Minister Luo’s kindness.

This was why Li Pengcheng sought ways to go to Ding City.

He was Prime Minister Luo’s son-in-law; going to Ding City, with the prestige left by Prime Minister Luo, many things were easier to accomplish, and it also helped build his reputation.

He intended to use Ding City as a starting point to achieve some accomplishments and then seek further growth in the Six Ministries of the Capital, with aspirations of reaching high office.

Old Master Yao aimed to ensure that people in Ding City were not deceived by Li Pengcheng and to support personnel to challenge him.

Mrs. Luo selected Li Pengcheng’s opponent as the sub-prefect of Ding City.

The sub-prefect, surnamed Yu, had served in Ding City for many years, extremely familiar with its affairs, and had many capable people under him, virtually regarded as the local emperor of Ding City.

He had actually intended to use connections to get promoted to Prefect after the previous prefect was transferred, but Li Pengcheng seized the opportunity he desired, leading to his dissatisfaction. After Li Pengcheng took office, this sub-prefect would certainly create trouble for him.

Mrs. Luo’s intention was for the Luo Family and Yao Family members to assist the sub-prefect in causing trouble for Li Pengcheng.

Additionally, Mrs. Luo aimed to gather charges against Li Pengcheng, fiercely striking him to leave him with nothing.

Old Master Yao was wary of others, deciding to personally oversee matters in Ding City.

The Yao Family had branches residing there, and within Ding City’s government office, some minor officials were Yao Family members. Old Master Yao also maintained good relationships with many scholars in Ding City.

Upon arriving in Ding City, he did not go to see Li Pengcheng but instead discreetly visited some friends.

Then, Old Master Yao met with the sub-prefect.

He conversed with the sub-prefect for nearly two hours before leaving.

Throughout all of this, Li Pengcheng remained completely unaware.

Dongting

The Black Flood Dragon’s son, Hei Hu, knelt in front of He Ji’s cave mansion, pleading tearfully, "Aunt He, you must avenge my father. He died so miserably."

He Ji emerged from the cave, seeing Hei Hu sobbing uncontrollably, reached out to raise the child, "What exactly happened?"

Hei Hu cried as he wiped his tears, "My father’s Life Plate shattered; he... we are blood-linked, and I sensed using a Secret Technique that my father was killed by someone, he died miserably. Not only did he die, but the person even cut his flesh to eat, leaving no remains, his meat was eaten, bones boiled into soup, I..."

Thinking about the Black Flood Dragon’s fate, Hei Hu couldn’t stop crying.

Listening to this, He Ji was filled with rage, "Outrageous! Daring to kill my brother."

She patted Hei Hu’s shoulder, "Good child, go back to the cave mansion and bring your father’s Life Plate. I will use a Secret Technique to investigate. Once we find the culprit, we will exact a thousand cuts upon them."