Chapter 312: Chapter 110: Punching the Air (10/10)
Ordinary Government Officials were not very strong and wouldn’t be of much use when encountering Demon Evils. As for Pulse Condensation Warriors, they could handle a Ghostly Level Fiend, but if it was above Ghostly Level, they would be of no help.
According to the information received, the Demon Evil hidden within Fengqiu Mountain was definitely not as simple as just being at the Ghostly Level.
Knowing this, Shen Changqing didn’t entertain the idea of bringing along too many burdens. On the contrary, if there were too many people, it might scare off the Demon Evil and prevent it from easily showing itself. After all, Demon Evils were not entirely devoid of intelligence. If they truly sensed a threat, they too would seek fortune and avoid harm.
Watching Shen Changqing enter the mountain, Chang Cai ultimately did not stop him. In his view, since the other party was a Heaven Rank Demon Hunter, even if he really encountered a Demon Evil, it was unlikely that any problem would arise. His strength was apparent. Moreover, if even a Heaven Rank Demon Hunter couldn’t solve the problem, then the issue with Fengqiu Mountain would be quite serious.
"Stay put and wait for Lord Shen’s return!" Chang Cai ordered.
As his words fell, some Government Officials entered the village to discuss temporary lodging with the villagers. Chang Cai and the few Pulse Condensation Warriors all remained where they were.
At this moment, an elder in brown clothes asked in a deep voice, "Lord Chang, what kind of background does Lord Shen have that he dares to enter Fengqiu Mountain alone?"
Doubt filled his eyes. The current problem with Fengqiu Mountain had become quite severe. For him to dare to enter alone at this time, he clearly had a certain level of confidence. Furthermore, judging from Chang Cai’s attitude from beginning to end, Shen Changqing’s identity was definitely not simple.
Facing a mysterious expert, the several Jianghu experts hired by the Yamen also shared similar questions.
Chang Cai said, "In today’s world, who can still go alone to face a Demon Evil after hearing news of it?"
"The Demon-Subduing Division!" the elder in brown clothes exclaimed, his brows raised.
A faint smile appeared on Chang Cai’s greasy face. "Correct, it is indeed the Demon-Subduing Division."
Hearing this, their hearts trembled slightly. Indeed, it was someone from the Demon-Subduing Division. It made sense. Only someone from the Demon-Subduing Division could be treated with such respect by Chang Cai, and only someone from the Demon-Subduing Division would dare to go alone to Fengqiu Mountain knowing there was a Demon Evil present there.
There were many strong people in the world, but the Demon-Subduing Division accounted for the vast majority of them.
Immediately, the elder in brown clothes asked again, "May I ask, Lord Chang, what rank of Demon Hunter is that Lord?"
"Much more formidable than you imagine," Chang Cai said, a mysterious smile on his face, avoiding a direct answer.
More formidable than imagined? At once, some of them considered certain possibilities.
"Could it be an Earth Rank Demon Hunter?"
The Demon Evil in Fengqiu Mountain was clearly beyond what a Pulse Condensation Warrior could handle. If the Demon-Subduing Division were to send someone, it would most likely be a Profound Rank Demon Hunter. However, considering Chang Cai’s words, Shen Changqing was evidently more than just a Profound Rank Demon Hunter.
Upon hearing this, Chang Cai simply smiled and did not answer.
Some things were best kept to himself. Sharing so much with others was unnecessary.
However, Chang Cai’s demeanor, in the eyes of the others, was as good as an affirmation.
It really was a Grandmaster!
A look of reverence unconsciously appeared on their faces. Grandmaster experts! In Jianghu, they were considered preeminent figures. Only the large sects had Grandmaster-level experts in residence, while others hardly had a chance to even glimpse a Grandmaster. Despite being Pulse Condensation Realm Martial Artists with some standing in Jianghu, when compared to a Grandmaster, the difference was as vast as that between clouds and mud.
「—」
"So this is Fengqiu Mountain!" Having entered the mountain, Shen Changqing surveyed the surrounding trees and forests, releasing his Divine Sense. Within a radius of over three hundred meters, no stir of wind or rustle of grass could escape his notice. The sounds of chirping insects and calling birds reached his ears, occasionally punctuated by the faint roars of Fierce Beasts.
Ahead of him, a narrow mountain path appeared. Clearly, it was a path created by hunters who frequented Fengqiu Mountain. The mountain was dense with thick forests. If there were no set paths, one could easily get lost. Furthermore, one might encounter unpredictable dangers. Therefore, it was only natural for man-made paths to exist within Fengqiu Mountain.
Shen Changqing followed the narrow path deeper into the mountain.
The missing hunters, as well as those Government Officials and Jianghu Martial Artists who had disappeared after entering the mountain, most likely all followed this path. By following the same route, locating the hidden Demon Evil wouldn’t be too difficult.
Amplifying his perception, Shen Changqing walked on, observing his surroundings. But as he ventured deeper, he still did not find any sign of the Demon Evil. Never mind traces of the Demon Evil; he hadn’t sensed even a wisp of Yin Evil Aura.
The mountain is tall and the forest dense, making it difficult for sunlight to penetrate. If there truly is Yin Evil Aura, it wouldn’t dissipate so quickly. It seems that the Demon Evil is indeed in the deeper parts of Fengqiu Mountain.
He shook his head to himself. Shen Changqing continued to walk forward.
Suddenly, the underbrush rustled, and a leopard burst out. Its emerald-green eyes locked onto the person before it, clearly intending to pounce at any moment.
Seeing this, he was about to strike and kill the leopard when—
"WHOO! WHOO!" Tiankui, which had been sitting quietly on his shoulder, suddenly became agitated. It faced the leopard, emitting a threatening sound from its mouth. Immediately after, the leopard’s gaze shifted from Shen Changqing to Tiankui. Then, its limbs gradually moved backward, as if it had seen some terrifying threat.
As the leopard retreated, Tiankui became even more excited. Its front paws gestured continuously as it uttered WHOOING sounds.
At this moment, Shen Changqing thought he understood what Tiankui was trying to convey. Eat! It wanted to eat the leopard before it.
Watching the leopard, now frightened by Tiankui into retreating step by step, he did not hesitate. He flicked his finger, and a strand of energy shot out, piercing the leopard’s head in an instant. Until death, the leopard didn’t realize what had happened.
As the animal fell to the ground, Shen Changqing patted Tiankui’s head, "Go ahead and eat, but don’t waste too much time."
"WHOO! WHOO!" Tiankui responded, then immediately jumped down from his shoulder and dashed towards the leopard. When it reached the leopard, it pounced on the body and bit down with its small mouth. The thick fur could not stop Tiankui’s teeth at all. As Tiankui lay on the leopard, continuously swallowing, the leopard’s carcass shrank at a speed visible to the naked eye.
In less than a quarter of an hour, the once-stout leopard had become much thinner, as if a great amount of blood had been drained from it. A moment later, Tiankui burped contentedly and staggered towards Shen Changqing. Compared to the agility shown earlier, its movements were now much clumsier.
Bending down, he picked Tiankui up, placed it back on his shoulder, and continued forward.
Tiankui itself was a Fierce Beast. Since it was feeding on the blood of a ferocious beast, it meant he could skip feeding it for now.
As he ventured deeper into Fengqiu Mountain, traces of Fierce Beasts became fewer. Even the sounds of insects chirping and birds calling gradually fell silent. The entirety of Fengqiu Mountain seemed to have fallen into a deathly stillness, devoid of any living thing.
There’s a problem!
The eerie surroundings made Shen Changqing’s expression instantly grow solemn. Several hours had passed since he entered Fengqiu Mountain. The sun, which had been beating down fiercely at first, had now set behind the western mountains. Combined with the tall, dense forest, the visibility around him had already grown much dimmer.
He silently estimated his progress. Without a doubt, after several hours, he had reached the deepest part of Fengqiu Mountain. Everything within the range of his Divine Sense also indicated that things were far from ordinary. But the problem was—even now, with the situation being so unusual, Shen Changqing had still not detected where the hidden Demon Evil was. Despite being here for so long, he had not sensed any Yin Evil Aura.
In that case, there were only two possibilities. First, the Demon Evil was simply not in the areas he had traversed. Second, the Demon Evil’s method of concealment was exceptionally powerful. And yet—up until now, that Demon Evil hadn’t made a move against him.
Shen Changqing couldn’t help but wonder if the Demon Evil had sensed his formidable strength and thus didn’t dare to risk an attack.
After roaming Fengqiu Mountain for a while longer, he eventually gave up his search for the Demon Evil.
The Demon Evil of Fengqiu Mountain was proving far more elusive than he had anticipated. Shen Changqing wasn’t afraid of powerful Demon Evils. Even if this one was formidable, with his current abilities, dealing with it wouldn’t pose much of a challenge. After all, if there was truly a powerful Demon Evil lurking in Fengqiu Mountain, the commotion it caused couldn’t possibly be this minor. What he most feared was the current situation: being completely unable to trace the Demon Evil’s whereabouts. That feeling was like throwing a punch into empty air—completely ineffective. I need to think of a solution...
He took a deep look at his surroundings. He then decided to abandon his current attempt to find the Demon Evil and began to retrace his steps.
「Outside Fengqiu Mountain」
Chang Cai and the others were still waiting there.
The elder in brown clothes looked worried, "That Lord has been in Fengqiu Mountain for several hours now. It’s already getting dark, yet there’s still no sign of activity. He couldn’t have disappeared like the others, could he?"
The anticipated great battle had not erupted. In fact, there had been no sound of activity at all. Because of this, it was impossible not to speculate.
"Don’t speak nonsense! No matter how strong the Demon Evil of Fengqiu Mountain is, it can’t possibly be a match for Lord Shen!" Chang Cai’s smile faded as he scolded.
Others might not know, but he was well aware that the other party was a Heaven Rank Demon Hunter. Such a powerful individual, how could he possibly fall in Fengqiu Mountain?
However—what the elder in brown clothes said also had some truth to it. Shen Changqing had been in Fengqiu Mountain for such a long time without any news. To tell the truth, a slight, almost imperceptible concern also gnawed at Chang Cai deep in his heart.