Li Sheng struggled to climb to the ninth step before giving up. His spirit had already been heavily damaged, and the pressure on these stone steps targeted one's will and mental strength. Continuing would only worsen his injuries, which was not worth it.
After leaving the training ground, Li Sheng first went to the Spiritual Spring Pool and then to the Transmission Hall. The Spiritual Spring Pool had not changed in size but felt even deeper. The spring water was filled with abundant vitality; after tasting it, his fatigue vanished completely.
In the Transmission Hall, Li Sheng placed his hand on the massive memory crystal, using his thoughts to transmit his insights on the Turtle-Snake Body Refinement Technique. Moments later, a flash of white light appeared, and a crystal the size of a fingernail fell down. After inspecting it briefly, he realized its function was similar to that of the memory crystals from the Hundred Battles Arena.
While playing with the memory crystal in his hand, Li Sheng arrived at the Spirit Gathering Room. Sensing the rich spiritual energy around him, he didn't rush to cultivate but instead began to contemplate his future path. The Great Flame had five states, twelve prefectures, and forty-seven counties. Li Sheng was located in Lingchuan Prefecture, which had five counties under it, with Qingshan City governed by Anxi County.
The recent outbreak of the Demon Disaster had affected the entire Linxi County. Including Qingshan City, a total of thirteen cities were involved, not to mention countless villages. The total population was no less than three million. When he first crossed over, he had encountered a similar disaster; if not for the rescue of the Qingshan Sect's master, he would have found it hard to escape such dire straits.
Because of his previous experience, he understood the terror and despair of the Demon Disaster. Ordinary people faced certain death, with no chance of survival; only those who reached the sixth rank of Body Refining could barely contend with those demonic creatures.
"Three million lives; if this were man-made..." Just thinking about it sent chills down his spine. "The Great Flame Dynasty... Hongyu Holy Land..." He murmured softly, his words filled with coldness. Li Sheng sighed and thought, "I hope my junior sister and senior sisters are safe..."
---
After the Qingshan Sect members entered the city, they split into three groups. Bai Ye was responsible for buying cultivation resources. Liu Hongfeng was in charge of acquiring food, seeds, and young livestock. Liu Hongying was busy posting notices and finally hired a group of porters to help.
Currently, the atmosphere in the city was somewhat oppressive. Ordinary people were fine and noticed nothing unusual, but those with connections to the two-star sects and the Hundred Treasures Pavilion had already sensed something was amiss. The disappearance of major forces had spread throughout the martial arts circle, causing panic among the people.
In various inns, tea houses, and brothels, discussions about this matter buzzed. In the Yuelai Book Building, many martial artists were talking loudly.
"It's confirmed, the second-rate sects within the Changqing Mountain Range have all relocated."
"The Hundred Treasures Pavilion is empty as well... What on earth happened?"
"Brother Yun, your family is a three-star force; do you have any insider information?" a burly man inquired.
"Insider information?" The man in white shook his head and said helplessly, "If I knew, Brother Li probably wouldn't see me again."
The two exchanged a knowing smile and sighed. At that moment, another robust man called out from another table, "What are we fussing about? With the upcoming provincial competition, it's just a good time to avoid disaster... Anyone planning to leave, let's team up."
"Brother Erleng has a point."
Just then, someone noticed the old man Chen on the stage and shouted, "Old Chen, you always have the latest news; do you know what's going on?"
"Old Chen is here, quickly tell us..."
Old Chen, accompanied by his granddaughter, stepped onto the stage and smiled at the crowd.
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"Everyone, please calm down. I have a few notices released by the Qingshan Sect."
As soon as the name Qingshan Sect was mentioned, the previously lively scene fell silent.
"Monster Li?"
"That's a great demon; he even dares to kill people from the court and the Holy Land. His demonic nature is profound."
"Silence! The last time Liu's young man discussed this here, he was caught by that great demon, leading to the destruction of the Liu family."
"Wow..."
The crowd gasped, quickly silencing themselves and turning their eyes to the stage. Seeing this scene, Old Chen shook his head and sighed at Monster Li's infamous reputation before clearing his throat.
"Cough"
"This time, the Qingshan Sect has posted three notices, and I will read them out for everyone."
"......"
Everyone remained silent, watching intently.
"The first is a clarification notice. I am a kind person, disliking conflict; those I have slain all brought it upon themselves. As for the deaths of Lord Li and Lord Fei, they have nothing to do with me. I express my regret and condemn the murderer, hoping all fellow practitioners can see clearly and not be blinded by rumors."
Just then, three strong men walked in. One of them, hearing Old Chen's words, immediately sneered.
"That Monster Li is deeply malicious; Lord Li and Lord Fei must have died at his hands. Last night, my Star Fire Sect's master, along with four elders, went to the Qingshan Sect to seek justice for the two lords. As of today, they have not returned; they must have fallen victim to that Monster Li."
With his words, the crowd erupted in uproar.
"What? The Star Fire Sect, including their master, has fallen?"
"That's a five-rank Blood-Moving master; several have even reached the perfect stage, and they couldn't withstand that Monster Li..."
"This..."
"Right, the major forces have all withdrawn; since they've returned, they must know the truth."
"Yes, fellow members of the Star Fire Sect, can you tell us why you relocated? What exactly happened?"
The crowd buzzed, questioning the three men.
"We also do not know; we were just following the master's orders to wait at the first line of the gorge. However, after a day passed and the master and the others did not return, we came to investigate and report Monster Li's evil deeds to the stationed guards."
"Monster Li's evil deeds?"
A cold voice came from behind the three men.
As the crowd turned their attention, Bai Ye in a white dress walked in. Her cold aura and stunning beauty immediately captivated the crowd.
When they recognized her face, their pupils constricted. Someone exclaimed, "The White Witch!!"
"The Grand Elder of the Qingshan Sect?" The three men from the Star Fire Sect turned to look at her, all captivated by her beauty, then coldly asked, "Where are our master and the four elders?"
"Those who slander my senior brother deserve death!"
"As for them... you will see them soon."
With that, Bai Ye's figure vanished, and a flash of cold light struck fiercely.
"Bold!"
"One person dares to challenge three of our Star Fire Sect's six-rank masters; if we capture you, you won't escape from Monster Li..."
"Enough with the nonsense!" Bai Ye retracted her sword and vanished again.
A line of blood sprayed from her chest, and she fell to the ground.
"What!"
"Our brother is a six-rank perfect master; how could he be killed in an instant?!"
The remaining two hurriedly gathered together, cautiously wielding their weapons and watching the surrounding shadows.
"Useless struggles!"
As her words fell, a cold light descended heavily from the left.
The two were startled and dared not be negligent, swinging their long knives with all their might to counter.
"Clang!"
The clash of blades rang out.
Bai Ye's sword contained a force of 150,000 pounds, far beyond what the two could withstand. This single strike not only shattered their weapons but also cut the two of them apart.
The expected battle did not occur; the entire fight from start to finish lasted barely two breaths.
Bai Ye glanced at the corpses on the ground, her icy gaze sweeping over the crowd. Wherever her eyes passed, everyone lowered their heads.