Yin Mountain County.
After He Fenghua's group arrived, they rested briefly before the Yellow-rank Demon Hunters were assigned to patrol their respective areas to familiarize themselves with the environment.
Gu Qingfeng took Wang Fatty and Xu Daizi directly to Black Water Village.
On the road, Gu Qingfeng rode his horse at the front, with Wang Fatty and Xu Daizi following closely behind on their own horses.
Wang Fatty watched Gu Qingfeng riding ahead, the weapons at his waist jingling and clanking, feeling bewildered in his heart.
"Lord Gu, aren't you tired carrying four weapons?"
Without turning his head, Gu Qingfeng replied, "Aren't you weighed down wearing two sets of armor?"
"Uh..."
Wang Fatty was left speechless, but continued making small talk: "My Lord, we're almost at the outskirts of Black Water Village. Why don't we just circle around the area and head back to report?"
"Enough nonsense. If you don't want to go, you can head back first."
That single sentence silenced Wang Fatty. Though he wasn't one to care about face, deserting a mission was something he couldn't bring himself to do.
Especially fleeing before even encountering any demons - after that, he might as well quit the Demon Suppression Bureau altogether.
He could only steel himself and continue following Gu Qingfeng.
About two hours later, as dusk approached, the light grew dim. Shadows flickered in the surrounding forest, tree leaves swaying in the gentle breeze, as if monsters lurked in the darkness.
Wang Fatty was visibly tense, sweat beading on his forehead despite wearing two layers of armor.
Finally, after passing through the forest, Black Water Village appeared before them.
Unlike the desolate and eerie scene they had imagined, from a distance, the village houses were neatly arranged, with wisps of cooking smoke rising from their roofs. Children could be seen playing in the fields.
The faint sounds of crowing roosters and barking dogs could be heard.
It was a perfectly idyllic and harmonious scene, like a paradise removed from the world.
Gu Qingfeng stared wide-eyed for a good while before saying, "Are there really demons in Black Water Village?"
Wang Fatty also relaxed slightly: "Perhaps the Earth-rank Demon Hunter was right, and the demon moves around to commit its crimes?"
"Let's go take a look first," Gu Qingfeng strode forward leading the way.
The children playing in the fields cast curious glances their way.
After entering Black Water Village, they soon encountered scattered villagers who looked at Gu Qingfeng's group with reverent gazes.
Because they recognized the official uniform Gu Qingfeng wore.
Gu Qingfeng casually asked a villager: "Where can I find your village chief?"
"Sir, you're looking for the village chief? Please wait a moment, I'll go call him for you."
With that, the villager ran off.
Shortly after, an elderly man walking with difficulty and leaning on a cane slowly approached.
"This humble one is Hu Liang, paying respects to the three officials from the Demon Suppression Bureau."
"No need for formalities, elder. I am Yellow-rank Demon Hunter Gu Qingfeng from the Demon Suppression Bureau. From now on, I will be handling all demon-related matters in your Black Water Village."
Gu Qingfeng showed his badge and official documents to confirm his identity.
Village Chief Hu Liang grew even more respectful: "Lord Gu, you've become a Yellow-rank Demon Hunter at such a young age - truly an outstanding youth. Having such a pillar protecting our Black Water Village is truly our village's fortune."
Gu Qingfeng didn't engage in excessive pleasantries, but directly shifted the topic to the demon situation.
Hu Liang naturally told everything he knew as they walked through the village talking.
After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Gu Qingfeng finally understood the whole story.
It went like this: a month ago, children suddenly started disappearing from Black Water Village. At first, people didn't pay much attention, assuming wild animals had taken them.
But in the following days, more children went missing from the village, some even disappearing from inside their homes. Witnesses claimed they saw a black wind sweep through, making it impossible to keep their eyes open, and when they could see again, the children were gone.
The village chief had traveled far and wide in his youth and had seen demon techniques before. He immediately determined it was the work of demons and quickly reported it to the Yellow-rank Demon Hunter responsible for Black Water Village. After investigating, the Yellow-rank Demon Hunter reported it to Lord Yang, a Mysterious-rank Demon Hunter.
Then came the story of Lord Yang's team being completely wiped out.
According to the village chief, Lord Yang had tracked the demon's trail and determined it was in the Dead Bone Forest behind Black Water Village. He went in, and then died.
Later, when the Earth-rank Demon Hunter came, he searched the Dead Bone Forest for days but returned empty-handed. Not only did he fail to find the demon, but he couldn't even find Lord Yang and his team's bodies.
Strangely though, after Lord Yang's team was wiped out, children stopped disappearing from the village. It seemed as if the demon had truly moved on, just as the Earth-rank Demon Hunter had suggested.
After understanding the course of events, Gu Qingfeng sent Village Chief Hu Liang home for dinner, as he wanted to check out the Dead Bone Forest. Such a place heavy with yin energy wasn't suitable for the elderly to visit.
By now, Wang Fatty had completely relaxed after hearing the village chief's account, even removing one layer of his armor.
"That's wonderful, Lord Gu! There hasn't been any demon activity for many days. It seems the demon really has left. Why don't we head back to report?"
"Shut up. If you want to leave, go by yourself. I'm staying in Black Water Village tonight," Gu Qingfeng said irritably.
For Gu Qingfeng, he wasn't afraid of encountering demons - what he feared most was not finding them.
Demons preferred to act at night, so he decided to stay for one night.
Seeing Gu Qingfeng's anger, Wang Fatty dared not say more.
He still held some reverence for this superior who was only at the fourth level of Qi Gathering.
Because he knew of Gu Qingfeng's battle achievements - defeating those half a step into the Internal Energy realm.
Such strength was far beyond what a mediocre eighth level Qi Gathering practitioner like himself could compare to.
The three wandered through the village, heading toward Dead Bone Forest.
Gu Qingfeng carefully scanned every corner of the village but couldn't spot anything unusual.
"Candied haws! Cheap and delicious candied haws!"
Suddenly, a vendor's call caught Gu Qingfeng's attention.
The vendor stood with his back to the setting sun, his whole body illuminated by the dim light, making his features unclear.
Not far from him, in a corner by the wall, several five or six-year-old children were running and playing.
Gulp.
A swallowing sound came from beside Gu Qingfeng - it was Wang Fatty.
The large, round candied haws coated in sugar looked truly appetizing, appearing golden in the sunset's glow.
"My Lord, would you like one?"
Gu Qingfeng was also tempted and nodded.
Wang Fatty then looked at Xu Daizi: "How about you?"
"The books say that eating sugar..."
"Alright, alright, forget I asked."
Then Wang Fatty walked toward the candied haw vendor.
The vendor seemed to be preparing to pack up and head home for dinner. Being too far away, he hadn't noticed Gu Qingfeng's group, and was busy packing up his stall before turning to leave.
Wang Fatty's hunger got the better of him - he wouldn't be satisfied until he got some candied haws today. He called out while running: "Hey! Wait up, candied haw vendor!"
Whether the vendor was hard of hearing or not, he didn't turn around, instead turning into a small alley.
Though Wang Fatty was fat, he was genuinely at the eighth level of Body Tempering. With one burst of energy, he reached the alley's entrance.
At this moment, the vendor's figure had just turned into the alley, with Wang Fatty following almost immediately behind.
Gu Qingfeng shook his head helplessly: "I didn't expect this fatty to run so fast when food is invol..."
Before Gu Qingfeng could finish speaking, suddenly! A piercing scream came from Wang Fatty in the alley!
Ahhhh!!!
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
Explosive Plot Song Gua crossed over into another world, bringing along a whole crew of his doppelgangers—all of them mischief-makers. This was a world where everyone could choose a class. Song Gua became a "Bondweaver," capable of borrowing power, while his doppelgangers took on a wide variety of classes, covering just about everything. The number of doppelgangers grew day by day, each one a talented individual with a charming way of speaking. Under Song Gua's brilliant leadership, they would "greet" each other daily and engage in friendly "sparring," pulling off one major scheme after another on Earth. Sometimes they were bandits—stealing bosses, plundering mines, snatching resources. Sometimes they were saviors—descending like divine warriors to face world bosses threatening to massacre cities. Sometimes they even went undercover, infiltrating various major factions to stir up trouble from within, keeping their enemies constantly on edge. To prevent their doppelganger abilities from being exposed, Song Gua made them wear masks with mahjong tile patterns and don Taoist robes in various colors. "Remember, in front of outsiders, call me 'The Dice.'" "Got it! Boss!" "Not 'Boss'—it's 'The Dice.' Think about the vibe, pay attention to the vibe." "Yes! Boss!" "For crying out loud..." From then on, whenever they appeared, they would have their own theme song playing: ~Hey~ paying respects at the mountain stronghold at night~ whose arm is draped over whose shoulder~ gather your courage and follow along...
Resolve] Gu Yang was once a true disciple of the Falling Cloud Sect, but after failing to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, his cultivation regressed, his foundation was damaged, his lifespan was nearing its end, and he was about to be demoted to a menial servant. At his moment of despair, he awakened the [Daily Intelligence System]. By refreshing it daily, he could learn about countless hidden opportunities and secrets within the cultivation world! [Today's intelligence has been refreshed] [White Intelligence: One month ago, the Foundation Establishment spiritual item "Profound Ice Spirit Marrow" used by the host to attempt his breakthrough contained a trace of the poison "Bone-Corrobing Spirit-Dissolving Powder".] [Purple Intelligence: Tonight during the Yin hour (3-5 AM), a wisp of "Golden Crow Primordial Flame" will overflow... If this flame is devoured, it can recast the shattered cultivation foundation, fully restore cultivation, and awaken the one-in-ten-thousand—Primordial Supreme Yang Body. [Click to view coordinates]] [Golden Intelligence: Shen Qingyue, a Golden Core elder of the Falling Cloud Sect who possesses the Nine Yin Body, suffers from backlash of cold energy every full moon night, causing her strength to plummet and excruciating pain. Grand Elder Zhao Wuji has secretly bribed Shen Qingyue's personal maid, Hongxiu, and learned the rear gate array node of the protective formation "Clouds and Mist Veiling the Sun Array". Tomorrow late at night, he intends to take advantage of Shen Qingyue's flare-up of the cold poison, when she is weak and unable to resist, to use a secret technique to refine her into a cauldron and force her into a Daoist partnership. [Click to view coordinates]] The cultivation world is a jungle where the strong prey on the weak, and human hearts are as treacherous as ghosts? Sorry, but I can read the script! From then on, relying on his informational advantage, Gu Yang proceeded step by step with careful planning. Seizing opportunities, plundering fortunes. Selling intelligence. Playing rivals against each other. Step by step, he ultimately became the Immortal Emperor!
ine. During your journey, you save an abandoned baby girl and become her elder brother】 【You rely on each other, becoming each other's support】 【At the end of the simulation, you shield the now-grown girl with your life, sacrificing yourself to block numerous demonic cultivators. You die, and the light in the girl's eyes fades】 …… 【Second Simulation: You are transported to a world where steam and magic coexist】 【You immerse yourself in the study of magic, obsessed with its research. One day, while out, you encounter a half-blooded demon girl wandering the streets. You take her in as your student】 【You teach the demoness what it means to be human, show her the beauty of the world, and nurture her into a miracle that surpasses even the gods】 【At the end of the simulation, you die of old age in front of the nearly immortal demoness due to your mortal lifespan】 …… One simulation after another, one encounter after another. Xu Xi suddenly felt something was off: "Wait, you said you're coming to the real world to find me?"
