Chapter 266: Chapter 64 Luyang City
The sky was gray, with not a single ray of sunlight piercing through. The desolate streets were littered with various items. It was as if, after a moment of panic, the residents had all fled, leaving behind only the things they hadn’t managed to take with them.
The wind was blowing, like ghosts and gods howling in rage.
Inside an abandoned shop, a middle-aged man stained with blood looked around vigilantly, not daring to let his guard down. Only after the sound of the wind died down did he let out a long sigh of relief.
"It seems to have passed for now," he muttered. After a bitter smile, the middle-aged man spat on the ground, his face contorted with anger. "That damned thing! After slaughtering all the people in the city, it has become much stronger. I was caught off guard and actually fell into its hands! It’s infuriating that the 200,000 people of Luyang City suffered such a tragic fate at the hands of the Demon Evil, and we from the Demon-Subduing Division had no means to intervene—"
This person was, without a doubt, Xun Qu, the Defender Envoy from the Demon-Subduing Division stationed in Mountain-Breaking City.
Thinking of the strength of that Demon Evil, deep wariness surfaced on Xun Qu’s face. Having been trapped in Luyang City for several days, he had naturally clashed with that Demon Evil. However, after slaughtering 200,000 people in the city, the Demon Evil had grown much more powerful, so much so that even he could not contend with it. If it weren’t for his exceptional skills, he might not have been able to escape its clutches at all. Yet, even having escaped the clutches of the Demon Evil, he was still trapped within Luyang City.
Xun Qu understood that the Demon Evil was ceaselessly searching for his whereabouts. After all, an injured Defender Envoy was a delectable treat to a Demon Evil. If it manages to devour me, its strength will undoubtedly break through once again. By then, there won’t be many in South Nether Prefecture who can counter that Demon Evil. Whether for my own life or for the sake of others in South Nether Prefecture, I cannot afford to sacrifice myself easily.
However—
Luyang City was enveloped in a thick fog, much like a Barrier, preventing most of nature’s spiritual energy from flowing in. Ordinarily, Defender Envoys could draw on nature’s spiritual energy and go ten days or even half a month without food without major issue. But here, sustaining himself for that long would be difficult. Not to mention, the previous battle had taken a heavy toll. Recovering from his injuries had already consumed a significant amount of his reserves.
My remaining strength isn’t much now. Even if I keep hiding and the Demon Evil doesn’t find me, I’ll nearly lose my fighting ability within half a month. After another month or two, I’ll starve to death. It’s been four days! Mountain-Breaking City should have responded by now. Ji Tianlu, if you don’t come soon, you’ll be collecting my corpse! Xun Qu cursed inwardly.
He had held on for so long for one primary reason: waiting for rescue from Mountain-Breaking City. But four days had passed. A full four days. Not only had there been no reinforcements, but he hadn’t seen so much as a strand of hair. Xun Qu even suspected Ji Tianlu might be trying to use this opportunity to eliminate a rival and let him die here in Luyang City.
At that moment, another gust of wind swept through the streets outside. The ordinarily gentle breeze felt particularly eerie as it moved through the desolate streets. If one listened carefully, they could even hear faint, indistinct footsteps, as if invisible beings, not wind, were patrolling back and forth.
CLANG! CLANG!
The doors and windows rattled violently, as if someone outside was forcefully banging on the main door.
Xun Qu’s expression regained its composure. He watched the incessantly shaking door but made no move. Having been trapped in Luyang City for several days, this Defender Envoy had gained some experience.
A clear break indicated a scene change.
"Elder Shen, Luyang City is just ahead!" Deng Gu, riding forward whip in hand, pointed to where his gaze was fixed.
In truth, Deng Gu needn’t have pointed it out; Shen Changqing had already spotted the dense fog ahead.
The fog covered a vast area. Up close, it seemed to blot out the sky, dividing Heaven and Earth with its density. From a distance, though still extensive, the fog didn’t appear quite so overwhelmingly vast.
"Luyang City!" Shen Changqing murmured, looking at the fog. Even with the eyesight of a Grandmaster Peak, he couldn’t penetrate it in the slightest. The swirling fog seemed like a living entity. The sight of it gave one the illusion of being devoured.
The two stopped nearly a hundred zhang from Luyang City.
Deng Gu sighed. "I’ve visited Luyang City a few times. Though not as prosperous as Mountain-Breaking City, it was still a captivating place. I never imagined that in such a short time, it would become like this!"
Ordinary people were pitifully weak before Demon Evils. Although he hadn’t truly seen Luyang City behind the dense fog, he could already guess that its people had almost certainly fallen into the hands of a Demon Evil. The consequences needed no elaboration.
"What a powerful Barrier!"
Only when truly approaching Luyang City could Shen Changqing accurately feel the immense strength of the Barrier before him. It was different from a Domain naturally formed by a natural disaster. A powerful Demon Evil could also use its own strength to erect an imposing Barrier. Within such a Barrier, not only was the Demon Evil’s power somewhat amplified, but anyone trapped inside without the strength to break it would find escape impossible.
Now, Shen Changqing finally understood why the common people of Luyang City hadn’t escaped, and why even the experts from the Demon-Subduing Division had vanished as if they’d sunk into the sea. The reason lay in the Barrier before his eyes. However, it was impossible to ascertain the Demon Evil’s strength from the Barrier alone.
He turned his head toward Deng Gu. "The Barrier of Luyang City is powerful, and the Demon Evil inside possesses extraordinary means. Exorcist Deng, you should remain here. If I don’t emerge from the Barrier within three days, return to the Demon-Subduing Division for assistance. Also, tell Ji Tianlu that if the Demon Evil in Luyang City devours both Xun Qu and me, its strength will surely grow to a terrifying level. At that point, whether Mountain-Breaking City can withstand it will be a serious question."
Without waiting for Deng Gu’s reply, Shen Changqing walked directly toward the Barrier.
Xun Qu had been trapped in Luyang City for four or five days, yet Ji Tianlu had made no move to resolve the situation. Whether Ji Tianlu was prioritizing Mountain-Breaking City’s safety or was wary of the Demon Evil in Luyang City, Shen Changqing felt it had nothing to do with him. However, he also didn’t wish to be trapped in Luyang City like Xun Qu, forced to wait until Mountain-Breaking City amassed sufficient strength before a rescue attempt was made.
To put it bluntly, I came to Luyang City to rescue people and earn some Slaughter Value on the side, not to court death.
The message he had Deng Gu convey contained an implicit threat. Of course, it was also a statement of fact. Ji Tianlu’s strength is definitely not on par with Dongfang Zhao’s. The Demon Evil in Luyang City is clearly no ordinary foe. If it swallows a Defender Envoy and a Grandmaster of the Great Sun Furnace, the probability of it breaking through to a higher level is significant. Moreover, Luyang City isn’t very far from Mountain-Breaking City. If the Luyang City Demon Evil successfully breaks through, Mountain-Breaking City will inevitably become its next target. At that time, I don’t believe Ji Tianlu possesses the means to withstand such a threat.Mulling over these matters, he walked steadily toward the Barrier.
As his body touched the dense fog, a surge of powerful Yin Evil Aura appeared abruptly, its might enough to make an ordinary Grandmaster’s expression change.
Shen Changqing’s body gave a slight jolt. His blood qi, hot as the blazing Great Sun, circulated and effortlessly dispersed the Yin Evil Aura.
Stronger than a Fiend Level Strange Monster, but still far from Wang Mubai’s aura. Although it reaches the level of a Demon Evil, it’s not nearly as terrifying as Wang Mubai. he thought.
In an instant, he had a preliminary assessment of the Demon Evil’s strength. It was stronger than Fiend Level, firmly at the Demon Evil tier, but far inferior to a Great Demon; there was no comparison.
Meanwhile, Deng Gu watched with a worried expression as Shen Changqing entered the dense fog and disappeared completely from sight.
I wonder if Elder Shen can rescue Defender Xun!
He already knew that Xun Qu was trapped inside. When he first received the news, Deng Gu had been shocked. A Defender Envoy, trapped in Luyang City! If this news spread, it would be enough to cause a major tremor within the Demon-Subduing Division.
At the same time, he gained a more comprehensive understanding of Shen Changqing’s strength. Not a late-stage Grandmaster as he had imagined, but a powerhouse at the peak of the Physical System.
Grandmaster Peak!
Deng Gu never imagined Elder Shen would be a being of such a Realm. He also indirectly understood why Ji Tianlu would allow Shen Changqing to enter Luyang City to rescue Xun Qu. A Grandmaster Peak was no weaker than an ordinary Defender Envoy. In the entire Demon-Subduing Division of Mountain-Breaking City, those who could match such strength could be counted on one hand.
Now, Deng Gu simply stood there, waiting silently. He had no intention of accompanying Shen Changqing into Luyang City. As Elder Shen said, the Demon Evil in Luyang City is too strong. I’m just a Grandmaster; I’d have no chance of resisting and might even distract him if he had to worry about my safety. Besides, there’s this slight, imperceptible fear in my heart—fear of the unknown and powerful being.
A clear break indicated a scene change.
Venturing deeper into the dense fog, Shen Changqing maintained his direction, moving steadily forward. Perhaps a quarter of an hour passed, or maybe half a two-hour period. Then, the outline of a city appeared in his vision.
The city was large, but in the dense fog, it presented only as a dark, oppressive shadow, giving the impression not of a city, but of a terrifying giant beast lying dormant.
Only when Shen Changqing drew near could he clearly see the city’s facade. Mottled traces marked its surface, a testament to the city’s long history. The main gate stood wide open, and shrouded by the dense fog, it resembled the gaping maw of a colossal beast, poised to devour anyone who dared to enter.
His footsteps paused briefly. Then, Shen Changqing strode forward and walked inside.