Chapter 402 309: Abnormal Change (2)

"But my Spiritual Sense didn't detect a single thing."

The more the Abnormal Person thought about it, the more terrified he became.

"It looks like this is beyond our scope."

"Let's retreat and report this to Director Tong."

The tall man felt an indescribable horror, as if he'd fallen into a pit swarming with venomous snakes.

"I'm afraid we might not be able to get out."

The Abnormal Person sighed.

"We have to try, no matter what."

"It's better than just waiting here to die,"

the tall man said in a low voice.

The two of them immediately started back the way they came, attempting to leave Shunping County Town.

Just then,

RUMBLE!!

The earth trembled violently as nearby houses began to collapse chaotically.

Thick, grayish-white tree roots, covered in rotten slime, appeared before the tall man and the Abnormal Person.

"Damn it!"

"I'll cover you!"

"Go, now!"

Seeing the situation, the tall man let out a low roar as explosive Divine Power erupted from his body. Wielding his long spear, he charged fiercely at the roots.

The Abnormal Person saw his chance, gritted his teeth, and turned to flee.

But he hadn't gotten far when the ground beneath his feet suddenly split open, forming a massive chasm like an abyssal maw that instantly swallowed him whole.

.....

Han Yuan had been focusing on his Cultivation at the Great Demon's Headquarters lately, rarely venturing out. He would only leave when a new Spiritual Land emerged.

Host: Han Yuan

Five Emperors Great Demon Divine Skill: Second Layer (2673/4000)

Nine Mountains Heart Guarding True Skill: Third Layer (1146/3000)

Celestial Spirit Divine Fist: Perfection (Demon Suppression)

Azure Heaven Annihilation Saber: Perfection (Gloom Death Light)

.....

'I'm about to reach the Third Layer of the Five Emperors Great Demon Divine Skill.'

'When that happens, I'll have to go back to the Great Demon Palace and ask Situ Hui for the subsequent Cultivation Technique.'

'That means Situ Hui will always be in control of my Cultivation progress...'

'What is that old bastard planning...'

Han Yuan mused as he sat in the main hall.

He knew perfectly well that Situ Hui had not taken him on as a disciple with good intentions.

However, for the sake of the Five Emperors Great Demon Divine Skill, he had no choice but to continue playing this game with the old man.

Just then, Tan Yong walked into the main hall, cupped his fists, and announced, "Supervisor Han, Director Tong is here to see you."

'Tong Fengyang? What is that guy doing here?'

'Haven't I been keeping a low profile lately?'

Han Yuan was momentarily stunned, but he waved his hand anyway. "Please show Director Tong in."

Tan Yong nodded and left the main hall.

Before long, Tong Fengyang strode into the hall, his expression grave.

"Director Tong, judging by your expression, something major must have happened."

Han Yuan had a premonition that his peaceful life was about to come to an end.

"You guessed right."

Tong Fengyang nodded.

"Three days ago, a strange gray mist suddenly appeared over a County Town in Changming Province."

"After I received the news, I sent two experts to deal with it, but they went in and were never heard from again."

"Right now, the County Town is completely cut off from the outside world, and no one knows what the situation is inside."

"I've come to ask you, Supervisor Han, to join me on an investigative trip to Shunping County Town,"

Tong Fengyang said with a serious expression.

"Shrouded in gray mist, cut off from the outside world."

"Sounds an awful lot like an Evil Demon Seed..."

Han Yuan said thoughtfully.

"I suspect it might be an Evil Demon Seed as well, but we can't be sure yet,"

Tong Fengyang said softly.

"Alright, I'll accompany you, Director Tong. It's been a while since I've had a chance to stretch my legs, anyway."

Han Yuan agreed.

As the Supervisor of the Great Demon's Headquarters, he did indeed have a duty to assist the Celestial Net Department.

Besides, since Director Tong had come to ask for help in person, it would have been rude to refuse.

"Supervisor Han, you truly understand the greater good!"

Tong Fengyang breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Han Yuan agree.

He wasn't confident about entering Shunping County Town alone, which was precisely why he had come to invite Han Yuan.

He paused, then continued, "Well then, Supervisor Han, shall we set off this afternoon?"

This matter had to be dealt with quickly.

If the gray mist were to appear over another city, countless more civilians would die.

Moreover, as it absorbed living beings, the power behind the mist could grow wildly and spiral out of control.

Han Yuan nodded. "No problem."

After they agreed on a time and place, Tong Fengyang took his leave.

Han Yuan called Tan Yong back in.

"Have you heard about the situation in Shunping County Town?"

Han Yuan asked.

"I only received the news today myself."

"Shunping County Town is currently shrouded in gray mist and has lost all contact with the outside world,"

Tan Yong replied gravely.

'So, Tong Fengyang wasn't lying after all.'

"Here's the plan. This afternoon, I'm going to Shunping County Town with Tong Fengyang."

"If I'm not back in ten days, I want you to write a letter to the Great Demon Palace asking for help."

Han Yuan was making sure he had a backup plan.

His current strength was by no means weak.

But in the current state of the Great Li Dynasty, anything was possible.

What if it wasn't an Evil Demon Seed causing trouble in Shunping County Town, but a Source Evil Seed?

If that were the case, he could be in real danger.

Not to mention that time he went to the Forging Soldiers Sect in Yan Province and nearly encountered a revived piece of Source Seed Shredded Meat.

Therefore, caution was paramount.

"Understood."

Tan Yong nodded.

His fate was now deeply intertwined with Han Yuan's.

Everyone in Changming Province City considered him Han Yuan's most trusted subordinate.

So, Tan Yong sincerely hoped nothing would happen to Han Yuan.

Otherwise, he too could be caught in the fallout.

"Remember this: don't entrust the letter to anyone. You have to deliver it yourself."

Han Yuan added.

He was worried that if it were sent as a secret message, it could be intercepted by Dong Sen or Zheng Xi before it ever reached Situ Hui.

Tan Yong understood Han Yuan's concern and nodded again.

"That will be all. You're dismissed."

"I need to start preparing as well."

Han Yuan waved his hand casually.

Tan Yong cupped his fists and left.

"Meow~"

"Han Yuan, do you really think that Old Sir Situ will come save you?"

"I get the feeling that old man is no good."

The Orange Cat leaped onto the table and asked curiously.

"I still have value to him. That old bastard won't be willing to let me die so easily,"

Han Yuan said with a smile.

"Alright, fine. You humans are so complicated."

The Orange Cat couldn't help but shake its head.

"Let's go."

Han Yuan didn't dwell on the matter any longer.

He returned to his quarters, picked up his Heaven-Defying Saber, and packed some Elixir Pills and a change of clothes.

Once everything was ready, he waited for the afternoon, left the Great Demon's Headquarters, and walked out of Changming Province City.

At the city gates,

Tong Fengyang had been waiting for some time.

Besides him stood two large, magnificent horses.

"Supervisor Han, these are Dragon Blood Horses, exclusive to our Celestial Net Department. They can travel a thousand li in a day."

Hearing this, Han Yuan curiously studied the two horses before him and realized they were indeed extraordinary.

These Dragon Blood Horses were significantly larger than ordinary steeds, with bulging muscles and manes like fire. They radiated intense heat, like living furnaces.

"Interesting."

"It seems your Celestial Net Department has no shortage of good things,"

Han Yuan teased with a smile.

Back when he was in the Observatory, he'd had to travel everywhere on his own two feet.

"We are responsible for all of Changming Province City, after all. Wasting too much time traveling would delay important matters,"

Tong Fengyang explained with a smile.

The two mounted up and galloped toward Shunping County Town.

Shunping County Town was not far from Changming Province City. Thanks to the speed of the Dragon Blood Horses, Han Yuan and Tong Fengyang arrived in just two days.

The town was situated on a plain. From a great distance, Han Yuan could already see the massive city shrouded in gray mist.

He could only faintly make out its silhouette.

"Supervisor Han, Shunping County Town is just ahead."

"Two days have passed, and it's still shrouded in the gray mist. That could mean there are still people alive inside."

Tong Fengyang's gaze was grave as he looked forward.

"Regardless, let's go in and take a look,"

Han Yuan said, his expression calm.

"Alright."

"Let's find a place to secure the Dragon Blood Horses first."

Tong Fengyang nodded.

After finding a nearby stump and tying the Dragon Blood Horses to it, Han Yuan and Tong Fengyang swiftly approached Shunping County Town.

Having already decided on their strategy, they didn't hesitate, plunging directly into the massive city enveloped by the thick gray mist.