Chapter 606: Tracking, Escaping, and the Ten Thousand Spirit Forest [Part 2]
Chapter 606: Tracking, Escaping, and the Ten Thousand Spirit Forest [Part 2]
Yu Zhong Ge's cultivation and combat strength were well understood by Mo Gan Yun and Xue Wan Ren.
Among the three, while he couldn't claim to be the absolute strongest, he was on par with Mo Gan Yun. They often sparred, with each winning some and losing some.
Within the Life and Death Patrol Team, their combat strength consistently ranked among the top three.
But even with such cultivation and combat prowess, when facing the Night Demon, he was almost killed in a single move!
This was simply inconceivable!
Yu Zhong Ge regained his senses, applied some medicinal ointment to his wounds, and took a pill.
Taking a deep breath, he said, "There's a significant gap in strength. Although I suddenly rushed forward without using my full strength, the Night Demon must have also encountered an unexpected situation, so he probably didn't use his full power either."
"His sword tip reached my throat, and I instantly twisted away. Although the movement was fast, I still got injured, but the Night Demon didn't have time to exert his full force, which is evident."
"So, if we're talking about true combat power, the Night Demon's strength should be slightly inferior to the Boss, but it's much stronger than the rest of us."
Yu Zhong Ge sighed, "We still lack real life-and-death battles. This is a significant gap. Moreover, our cultivation is far from reaching the level of true geniuses... Today's setback was quite a blow."
"Let's push ourselves harder from now on."
Mo Gan Yun paused and said.
Xue Wan Ren remained silent, not speaking, but he sighed again, contemplating his own life.
You guys still need to work harder... When can I ever catch up?
I'm already so far behind...
The three fell silent for a moment. Yu Zhong Ge gazed at the vast mountain forest, feeling a bit dissatisfied, and said, "Let's go back... Even if we catch up to the Night Demon now, it won't make any difference."
Xue Wan Ren reminded, "How did the Night Demon suddenly appear? He must have done something in White Cloud Continent, so we should hurry back and investigate."
"That's right, let's go back!"
The three of them vanished like lightning.
...
Yu Zhong Ge's shout of 'Night Demon' not only startled his own people but also those nearby.
Not far away in the city, Feng Yun, who had just settled down, clearly heard his shout.
"Night Demon!"
Feng Yun's eyes narrowed, "Feng Yi! Bring the Night Demon back!"
"Yes!"
With a whoosh, Feng Yi broke through the air, and this 'Yes' came from a thousand feet away.
Feng Yun's expression turned solemn, and he sent a message to Seal Deity Palace, "Seal Deity Palace, what is the Night Demon doing in White Cloud Continent?"
Seal Deity Palace was startled by the question.
How did Feng Yun find out so quickly?
They quickly replied, "I sent him to kill someone."
"Who?" Feng Yun pressed.
"Meng Chengzheng from White Cloud Martial Academy. This person has removed many of my spies in the academy over the years, and recently, he's been investigating again. It's convenient since the Night Demon is not far from Donghu Continent..."
Seal Deity Palace could only make up an excuse, as they had no choice.
After all, taking out Meng Chengzheng would be a meritorious deed, and it was their idea. This was to pave the way for their disciple. If they admitted that Meng Chengzheng was their person, it would be useless... Not only would the Night Demon's merit fly away, but it would also leave a handle for others to grasp.
If Yan Fuzhaozhu knew about this, it would be fine, but Feng Yun shouldn't know.
"Recently, the Southeastern Seventeen Provinces have been relatively stable!"
Feng Yun warned, "It's already been a while, and with White Cloud Continent in such a tense situation, it's not appropriate to take any further action."
"Yes."
"Did the Night Demon kill Meng Chengzheng?"
"He hasn't replied yet."
"Where is the Night Demon going next?"
"He should be looking for a place to seclude himself."
Seal Deity Palace felt that there was nothing wrong with this response.
The Night Demon is searching for the Blood Dragon Ginseng to comprehend the Hantian Blade, isn't that equivalent to seclusion? So... this is the truth.
"A place for seclusion?"
Feng Yun frowned, "What level is the Night Demon trying to break through?"
"The Lord level."
Seal Deity Palace was at a loss.
They could only answer the question themselves.
Because they had to distinguish between the Night Demon and Fang Che's identities from various aspects. Although Feng Yun had never explicitly stated it, based on Seal Deity Palace's many years of experience in the cultivation world, they judged that Feng Yun must have become suspicious.
Because, under normal circumstances, a mere Night Demon wouldn't be worth Feng Yun repeatedly bringing him up.
Unless Feng Yun had discovered or guessed something.
"The Lord level?"
Feng Yun clearly didn't believe it, "Is the Night Demon only at the Lord level now?"
"Yes. About a month ago, he mentioned that he wanted to seclude himself to break through to the Lord level."
Seal Deity Palace replied.
Feng Yun fell silent for a moment.
"You may withdraw now."
"Yes."
After ending the communication, Seal Deity Palace immediately summarized the information they had shared, writing it down on a piece of paper: To Feng Yun's Report: The Night Demon is about to seclude himself to break through to the Lord level.
They read it over several times, memorizing it.
Then, they burned the paper.
Seal Deity Palace sent a message to Yan Nan, "Just now, Young Master Feng Yun was inquiring about the Night Demon's cultivation. To distinguish between the Night Demon and Fang Che, I told him that the Night Demon is at the peak of the Lord level and about to break through."
Then, they sent a message to the Night Demon, "I told Feng Yun that you are currently at the peak of the Lord level and about to break through."
Only then did they exhale in relief.
They slumped into a chair.
For a moment, they felt mentally and physically exhausted.
Gradually, they realized that they had become a master of lies, as they hadn't spoken the truth to anyone except for Yan Nan and the Night Demon.
Feng Yun held the communication jade in his hand, his face betraying a hint of dissatisfaction.
"He's not here yet."
"This Seal Deity Palace is obviously not telling the truth."
Feng Er said, "Wait until Big Brother brings the Night Demon back, and everything will be clear."
Feng Yun fell silent for a moment, then spoke softly, "He won't be caught."
...
Feng Yi directly tore through space, taking a step outside the city.
Using his spiritual sense, he instantly teleported to the spot where the Night Demon and Yu Zhong Ge had just clashed.
He could sense the lingering traces of battle.
Feng Yi extended his hand, and his mental power returned to its source, gathering the remnants of the battle. Suddenly, he unleashed his power.
In an instant.
His eyes caught a glimpse of a faint sword light soaring into the sky, and a sword in the air, falling precisely, its trajectory so faint that it was almost indiscernible.
But Feng Yi, using his divine skill and spiritual sense, had managed to restore the scene of the Night Demon and Yu Zhong Ge's clash for that fleeting moment.
The sword light vanished, and the killing intent dissipated.
Feng Yi suddenly looked up, his gaze fixed on the direction where the Night Demon had fled. With a swift movement, he soared into the air like a demon god, crossing through the rain veil as if he were a silent black light.
He felt a slight regret.
Unfortunately, the incessant autumn rain had washed away too many traces, and if it weren't for this rain, his tracking would have been even more foolproof.
But it was still manageable. With his cultivation and the Night Demon's cultivation, it shouldn't be too late.
The black-clad figure, crossing through the autumn rain in the night sky, could clearly see that each step covered a thousand zhang.
And in the thousand zhang of space he crossed, his spiritual sense instantly scanned the entire area.
His speed was so fast that there was no room for any oversight.
Demon Sage Observing World Technique!
The top-tier tracking method of the Only Righteous Sect!
The Night Demon's aura had completely disappeared in the autumn rain, but the direction Feng Yi had been tracking was such that if the Night Demon had turned back to look, he would have been shocked beyond belief! Because Feng Yi's tracking direction was precisely the path the Night Demon had taken!
Throughout the pursuit, there had been no deviation at all!
Feng Yi continuously teleported, keeping the Demon Sage Observing World Technique active. He wouldn't give up! Since the young master had said to bring the Night Demon back, he had to make it happen!
Fang Che was running ahead.
At this moment, he was already a thousand li away from White Cloud Continent.
But he felt a suffocating pressure on his mind, as if something was constantly weighing on him. This feeling made him very uncomfortable.
It was as if some ancient beast was staring at him.
And the overwhelming pressure from behind was becoming increasingly apparent.
He paused for a moment.
Closing his eyes, he felt that behind him, in the direction of White Cloud Continent, there was an enormous pressure heading straight for him.
"They're after me?!"
Fang Che was shocked.
How could there be such an existence in White Cloud Continent? I've already traveled over a thousand li, and in this pouring autumn rain, they can still catch up to me?
With a 'whoosh', he soared into the sky, and a mouthful of fresh blood sprayed out.
The best escape method of the Only Righteous Sect.
Blood Burning Technique.
The top-tier Blood Burning Technique, improved and refined by the Blood Demon, was activated at full power.
In an instant.
Fang Che's body surpassed the speed of lightning, disappearing into the vast mountains.
Just one breath later.
Feng Yi's demon-like figure took a giant step, covering a distance of several thousand zhang in a single stride, arriving at the very spot where the Night Demon had spat blood.
Now, the blood threads the Night Demon had spat high into the sky were just about to fall to the ground, carried by the autumn rain.
Feng Yi extended his hand, and an invisible giant spirit palm appeared, sealing the space within a ten zhang radius.
A faintly red drop of blood appeared in Feng Yi's palm.
"Blood Burning Technique!"
Feng Yi stared at the blood pearl, and even after the autumn rain had washed away the blood, using all his demonic power, he could only collect blood traces mixed with a large amount of rainwater.
He soared into the sky, gazing at the direction where the target had disappeared.
He couldn't help but take a deep breath.
The endless autumn rain fell on his face and hair, and Feng Yi's massive body slowly shrank, returning to a normal human size.
He pinched his fingers.
The faintly red blood pearl shattered in his hand.
"I can't catch up."
"The Night Demon's spiritual sense and divine sense are at least at the level of a Supreme!"
Feng Yi couldn't resist praising, "No wonder he's a figure who can stir up the Southeast in the subordinate sects of the Only Righteous Sect! Truly remarkable!"
Turning around, he directly tore through space and headed towards White Cloud Continent.
A short while later.
Feng Yun watched as Feng Yi returned empty-handed, frowning, "You didn't catch him?"
"No."
"This Night Demon's potential is immeasurable."
"Oh?"
Feng Yun looked at Feng Yi with great interest, smiling, "Feng Yi, it's rare to see you so impressed by a young man."
"Alert, quick-witted, decisive, powerful spiritual sense, powerful divine sense, powerful sixth sense, powerful soul, and the Blood Burning Technique for escape at the highest level."
Feng Yi said, "This Night Demon is truly an extraordinary person."
Feng Yun nodded silently, "I understand."
He smiled, "Actually, I knew you wouldn't be able to catch him as soon as you left.
Fang Yi remained silent.
...
Fang Che unleashed the Blood Burning Technique and sprinted forward, changing directions seventeen times and using the technique three times.
By dawn, he had traveled five thousand li.
Deep into the forest.
Here, he felt a chill, and he had left the endless rain clouds behind.
Feeling completely relaxed and sensing no threats, he ran another seven hundred li and changed directions three times—this was the most crucial escape tactic.
Many pursuers, thinking they were safe and lowering their guard, or unable to resist fatigue and taking a brief rest, were captured, leading to their regret in the afterlife.
Therefore, even if Fang Che was exhausted, he had to endure this period—setting up a false trail in a safe situation would yield the best results!
He silently entered a large tree hollow.
Grabbing a bear inside, he threw it out, kicking its buttocks and sending it flying several dozen zhang away.
The black bear cried and fled.
Then, Fang Che concealed his breath and rested in the tree hollow for a while.
Only then did he have time to consider: Who was chasing me, the Guardian or the Only I Sect?
Wasn't this a bit too persistent?
...
White Cloud Continent.
From the early morning, the wind suddenly howled, and the grass seemed to be soldiers. Each unit began to investigate, wondering what had happened.
The Dream Demon had appeared again in the White Cloud Continent.
And must have done something.
This news energized everyone.
The White Cloud Martial Arts Academy also launched an investigation.
But the academy was too big, and Meng Chengzheng's position was relatively leisurely; sometimes he came, sometimes he didn't.
In the morning, Gao Qingyu, the Academy Head, suddenly remembered that he hadn't seen Meng Chengzheng, the old stickler, today. So he asked, "Where's Meng Chengzheng?"
Huang Yifan also felt something was amiss and said, "I haven't seen him since early morning."
"Are the others here?"
"They're all here, and those not present have been contacted."
At this point, the two glanced at each other, their faces changing.
Simultaneously, they soared into the sky, using their body techniques to rush towards Meng Chengzheng's courtyard.
They landed in the courtyard, four feet touching down.
There was no movement.
Scattered autumn rain continued to fall, but both felt an ominous premonition—a bloody scent faintly permeated the air.
"Old Meng!"
Gao Qingyu shouted.
There was no response.
Huang Yifan kicked open the door, and with a boom, they opened the study door, ready for any possible attack.
There was no movement.
But both saw the study, completely drenched in blood.
And Meng Chengzheng's body, severed at the neck, half-corpse.
Meng Chengzheng's face was filled with shock, his mouth slightly open, as if he wanted to say something, but he could never speak again.
At his throat, a red dot, vivid and eye-catching.
"Old Meng!"
Huang Yifan and Gao Qingyu weren't particularly close to Meng Chengzheng, but seeing him die so horribly, they couldn't help but redden their eyes and cry out.
"This Dream Demon... How cruel!
Huang Yifan's anger surged.
Looking at the blood-soaked walls, his eyes burning with rage: "This is Old Meng's flesh and blood! What deep grudge or hatred did he have that he had to trample the corpse like this after death? This damn Dream Demon has no humanity!"
But Gao Qingyu calmly observed everything in the room.
Finally, his gaze froze: "Old Huang, look."
Huang Yifan turned and saw a small patch of white on the blood-soaked wall, with a few words written on it.
The words were crooked but filled with killing intent.
"The consequence of meddling!"
Huang Yifan felt his heart almost explode with anger, and he was also puzzled: "What did Old Meng meddle in?"
Gao Qingyu was also baffled.
Hurriedly searching for other clues.
But there were no traces left.
They could tell the Dream Demon had taken something, but they couldn't discern what it was.
Meng Chengzheng's body was mostly shattered, and any items he might have had on him were likely taken by the Dream Demon.
A rocket shot into the sky.
After a moment, Yu Zhongge and others swiftly arrived, immediately securing the area.
"Undoubtedly, it was the Dream Demon's doing."
"One of the Dream Demon's purposes in appearing in the White Cloud Continent was to assassinate Meng Chengzheng."
"Other activities are still unknown."
"Indeed, killing without shedding blood, a single point of red on the sword, is the Dream Demon's signature move!"
"The chest cavity and meridians are completely shattered. Let's split open his head and take a look..." Gao Qingyu's face was filled with pain: "Let Meng Chengzheng... rest in peace."
"Okay."
The news spread.
The entire White Cloud Martial Arts Academy was shocked.
All the faculty and students of the academy, few had any good feelings towards Meng Chengzheng; this was because he was too rigid in his daily life.
He was completely inflexible.
Whatever matter reached his hands, he never showed any favoritism and strictly followed the rules, reaching the extreme of rigidity!
Those rules and regulations were as if engraved in his bones.
The strict adherence to principles and rules, is there any fault in that? They followed the regulations to the letter, what wrong could there be?
They were rigid, serious, and unyielding, but did they harm anyone? No!
Or perhaps it could be said that it was precisely because of people with such personalities that those who wanted to take shortcuts, who had the ability, background, and connections to do so, were unable to succeed.
This ensured a basic level of fairness within the Baiyun Wu Academy.
The entire school observed a moment of silence.
Especially Li Changkong, who sighed deeply.
The sense of regret had reached its peak.
"If I hadn't refused last night and chosen to go drinking with Old Meng, this might not have happened!"
Li Changkong looked up to the sky, filled with regret and remorse.
"Organize a grand funeral for Meng. He has no family, only us."
Gao Qingyu's eyes reddened, and he gave the order with a heavy heart.
"Pass down the order... All students and staff who have graduated from Baiyun Wu Academy, it is your duty to slay that demon!"
"Regardless of the cost, we must kill this demon! To avenge Meng!"
Next, they reviewed the case.
Some people raised questions.
"Why did the Dream Demon want to kill Meng Chengzheng?"
"What did Meng Chengzheng do to provoke him?"
"If the Dream Demon destroyed most of the body, why did he leave the head and sword marks intact?"
"What is the reason for this?"
But these questions were soon answered.
"The Dream Demon kills whoever he wants! Does such an evil demon need a reason to kill?"
"Meng definitely did something, that's for sure. But since it annoyed the Dream Demon, it must have been something good."
"As for leaving the head and sword marks, it's even simpler. The Dream Demon is arrogant and cruel, and this is undoubtedly a show of force towards us!"
"..."
"It is said that last night, after the Dream Demon killed Meng, he also exchanged blows with Yu Zhongge. If it weren't for Mo Gan Yun and Xue Wanren rushing out to support, perhaps Yu Zhongge would have..."
"Is the Dream Demon that powerful?"
"Hehe... Not powerful? A super demon wanted by the entire continent, and you say he's not powerful?"
Yu Zhongge, Mo Gan Yun, and others, along with the guards of the main hall, worked together to reconstruct the scene.
Especially the exchange of blows from the previous night, which they rehearsed dozens of times.
Countless people could clearly recognize it at a glance.
"The signature move of the One Heart Sect's Palace Master Yin, the Blood Spirit Seven Swords!"
"Currently, it is the signature move of the Dream Demon."
Slay the Dream Demon!
Now in Baiyun Continent, everyone was united in their determination.
The Dream Demon had committed countless crimes in Baiyun Continent, and his sins were too numerous to record.
However, the higher-ups were filled with worries.
The Dream Demon's cultivation was getting higher and higher. When he was causing trouble for the Zhu family in Baiyun Continent, he was not nearly as strong.
Mentioning this matter, Yu Zhongge and Mo Gan Yun also received new intelligence: Fang Che had once fought the Dream Demon and was not his match, almost dying in that battle.
"So the Dream Demon's blood debt also includes Fang Che!"
Yu Zhongge's killing intent soared: "We must avenge Old Fang!"
"Avenge Old Fang!"
...
In the southern mountain range, Fang Che was searching for a particular mountain peak.
"Achoo! Achoo!"
Fang Che sneezed twice in a row, rubbing his nose in confusion: "Who's talking about me..."
In his hand, he held a jade pendant.
This was the key to the secret formation of the Only Me Sect.
With this pendant, he could locate the valley.
However, Fang Che had already searched hundreds of valleys without any response.
"Damn it... Where am I supposed to find it?"
Fang Che was getting lost.
The Ten Thousand Spirit Forest was too vast!
He was now approaching the forbidden zone of the forest.
Further inside was the legendary Warrior Forbidden Zone! Countless super-rank demons resided there.
Both the Only I Sect and the Guardians considered this area a forbidden zone. Mysterious demons dwelled within.
And not just one! It was said that even the Cloud Sword Rankings experts couldn't handle this place—although Fang Che didn't believe this claim.
He didn't believe that even experts like Xue Fu Xiao and others couldn't traverse it.
But there were also no legends outside about 'Xue Fu Xiao once slashed through the Ten Thousand Spirit Forest' and the like.
So, the truth about this place was actually unknown to everyone.
Fang Che perched on a large tree branch, his body almost blending in with the dense foliage.
Looking ahead at a blank area without any trees, a distance of several hundred li, with a river in the middle, shimmering like a golden ribbon under the sun's rays, crossing the blank area.
In this blank area, there were countless skeletons. Some human, some demonic.
This was the forbidden isolation zone known as the 'Eight Hundred Li Life and Death Boundary.'
(End of Chapter)
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