Di Lianggong’s face instantly turned extremely unsightly.

Fang Chi said: "The Witch Plague has spread to an uncontrollable extent. Completely destroying the Mechanical Puppets to protect the peace of Shifang is an urgent primary task.

Yet Elder Di incites everyone to preserve the remaining Mechanical Puppets. Can I ask if there’s a selfish motive behind this, knowing that once the destruction plan is implemented?

The entire city will surely conduct a large-scale capture of puppets using formation stones, and by then, you won’t be able to protect your puppet wife."

"Fangru is not a puppet!"

Di Lianggong suddenly became agitated, the veins in his neck throbbing:

"She has thoughts! She has her own consciousness! She’s different from those cold, lifeless mannequins! She is my wife! Why can’t you accept her!"

"Who exactly can’t accept whom?"

Fang Geyu suddenly spoke, slowly walking down the high platform.

As she walked, she casually drew the saber from an armored guard.

The blade struck down, not injuring a single inch of flesh, but Huo Fangru’s clothes split open and slipped to her waist.

Everyone frowned with displeasure, although it was a Puppet Mecha, such an act was nevertheless quite humiliating.

The next moment, the elders’ pupils dilated in shock, gazing at the flickering purple core at the center of Huo Fangru’s chest, shockingly in the appearance of a full-blown Witch Plague.

And the infection was so deep, so virulent.

Elder Di’s wife had long been contaminated by the deadly toxin.

A strong shiver of dread welled up in everyone’s hearts.

A puppet already infected by the Witch Plague showed no signs of frenzy, seemingly no different from a normal person in the eyes of outsiders.

Fang Geyu’s expression was indifferent: "If I’m not mistaken, Elder Di’s support for the plan not to destroy the Mechanical Puppet Army must be Mrs. Hou’s proposal, right?

If everything goes as Elder Di wishes, by then Huo Fangru will tour the Puppet Army as the elder’s wife.

When the auction opens, guests will arrive from all directions, infected armies everywhere, and when that time comes, how will my Shifang City handle itself?"

Di Lianggong looked at his wife’s appearance, face utterly collapsing with shock.

"This is impossible! My Fangru... How could my Fangru possibly..."

Fang Geyu said: "When Elder Di was young, he had a childhood sweetheart, an old acquaintance named Huo Fangru. To seek the path of immortality, he married the daughter of an Immortal Sect descendant, leaving Huo Fangru to fell ill from sorrow and died young, leaving an unforgettable pain in your heart.

Years later, how could you meet a puppet in Shifang City that resembles the former acquaintance identically?

You believe that puppets have no heart, inject consciousness, everything can be as you wish.

Yet today, the creator of the puppets is trapped in the inner world of the puppet itself, manipulated at its will, unaware."

Di Lianggong’s heart turned to ash, unable to process another word.

Fang Geyu glanced around, calmly said: "Things retain their own simplicity, while craftsmanship leads to damage. Awkward words hide intent, as words exhaust and blades emerge.

All things deviating from the norm pursue matters contrary to truth; rising sun must move, full moon must wane."

The remaining elders knew Fang Geyu spoke reason, yet found it hard to accept: "Does the Third Lady truly see no other way?"

Fang Geyu turned her eyes with a cold smile: "If you can guarantee that those lying by your side, serving tea to the elderly, the children who bring you joy will, on some future day... beneath their clothes, be cold metallic bodies, purple hearts.

And still remain detached, prioritizing benefits, I can retract all I just said."

The crowd was immediately silenced.

The turmoil of the Witch Plague in Shifang City unmistakably hinted at someone attempting to extend their claws into the city step by step amidst the chaos.

Even a figure like Elder Di fell into such a trap.

Who would foresee that if the person behind the scenes aims to approach and control them, secretly killing their closest kin.

And then make an identical relative using cold mech, embedding them with daily habits information, implanting them by their side, watching their every move...

Just thinking about it feels incredibly insane!

Everyone shivered involuntarily, and an elder hesitated for a long time before saying:

"Although the Third Miss makes valid points, the choices of right and wrong in the world are never as simple as they seem.

One should know that a fish that swallows a boat cannot compete with ants on land. If we destroy all the Puppet Mechas ourselves, it is akin to abandoning the legacy left by our ancestors, like severing our own limbs.

At such a time, Shifang City would inevitably become like scattered sand. I would rather die than see that day come!"

"Indeed! We would rather live and sing out loud than die in silence!

We only know that we will never be the desert foxes, digging holes to hide deeply. If the city walls collapse, where will we depend?"

Fang Chi sneered and said: "Such righteous and bold words! If all of you choose to die heroically, I might as well send you on your way first here."

The elders trembled with anger: "You are being unreasonable!"

"Indeed, since the Third Miss has made this decision and insists on destroying the thousand-year foundation of Shifang City, we are willing to follow the Venerable Order.

But at the same time, we also hope that the Third Miss can shoulder her responsibility and find a secure way for Shifang City to preserve itself.

If not, forgive us for being unable to obey and hand over the Puppet Mechas."

Fang Chi laughed angrily and said: "Do you still have any sense of shame?"

Fang Geyu raised her hand to interrupt Fang Chi’s angry words, she smiled faintly and said: "I have my own way to ensure the legacy of Shifang City does not die, but for this, I need everyone to offer three thousand top-grade spiritual stones and various materials to refine puppets."

Everyone was instantly unwilling: "Only the City Lord has the qualification to mobilize the resources of the seven elders and the spirit stones. Although the Third Miss is the future heir of Shifang City,

since the old City Lord has not yet passed away, is the Third Miss’ request making too little of the old City Lord?"

These old fools are stubborn, and upon hearing Fang Geyu wants to touch their assets, they are absolutely unwilling.

Fang Chi said coldly: "This doesn’t work for all of you, and neither does that, you care so much for your interests, then why display such a righteous and pressing demeanor early on?"

"Steward’s statement is incorrect, we can understand the refining materials, but the Third Miss opens her mouth demanding three thousand top-grade spiritual stones, not regular ones.

One should know that three thousand top-grade spiritual stones equate to as much as three million regular spiritual stones, we really don’t know what the Third Miss needs so many spirit stones for?"

"Exactly, three thousand top-grade spiritual stones, which power across the Four Seas of the Mortal World can produce such a massive wealth at once?

Moreover, the Third Miss has always been indifferent, and for so many years in Shifang City, never made any achievements, no one can guarantee whether she is just acting impulsively."

"Now when Shifang City faces a crisis, forgive us for not understanding why the Third Miss wants so many spirit stones?"

"The Third Miss acts according to her own will, spirit stones and resources in the city, you have squandered them for so many years.

Neither the City Lord nor us have ever uttered a word of complaint.

But now you are asking for three thousand top-grade spiritual stones, we believe even your father the City Lord wouldn’t indulge you this way!"

"Indeed, the Third Miss is being somewhat unreasonable by asking for so many spirit stones."

As everyone voiced their opinions, it was clear that if Fang Geyu did not have a complete method to protect Shifang City, they would never allow her to destroy the Puppet Mechas left in the city.

However, her proposed solution was met with distrust, and they were unwilling to waste resources in vain.

Fang Geyu looked down at the crowd arguing below, her fingers lightly stroking the cracked blue gemstone on the sword hilt.

Her indifferent and casual gaze slowly concentrated, her pupils gradually narrowed into two extremely fine vertical lines, hiding a chilling intent.

"Reporting to the Third Miss, there is a visitor at Shifang City."

At this moment, a City Guard holding a long halberd stepped forward, knelt on one knee below.

Fang Geyu dispelled the cold and silent intent in her gaze, restoring her usual lazy and indifferent demeanor, and said casually: "Announce."

Soon, under the guidance of a City Guard, a young woman, covered in a grey robe and wearing a silver flowing moon mask, entered the hall.

She bowed to Fang Geyu and said: "Member of One Drop of Blood, Qingxin, greetings to the Third Miss."

Fang Geyu absentmindedly played with the tassels on the sword: "One Drop of Blood? The newly formed Demon Alliance power on the Human Continent in recent years? I don’t recall any dealings or disputes between my Shifang City and your One Drop of Blood."