Chapter 2686 - 2685: Framing Others

Ling Feng and Chao Yue, the three disciples, heavily crashed onto the ground from mid-air, stirring up a cloud of dust.

Ling Feng glanced at the master and disciple who flew through the air with swords, and couldn’t help but roll his eyes; these two Taoists were truly exceptional.

Indeed, one cannot underestimate this world. Even a Taoist from a countryside temple can perform Sword Flight. In the future, those vying with me for the secrets of the Nine Provinces might even overturn mountains and seas!

Little Fei and the later arriving Jin Gang quietly followed beside Ling Feng, while master and disciple Chao Yue casually sheathed their swords and walked along the small path of Dongzheng Mountain.

Originally, Ling Feng thought they would directly descend at the mountaintop, but the experienced Chao Yue suggested they should only land at the foot of the mountain, or at most halfway down.

Just as Ling Feng felt puzzled, Chao Yun stepped forward to explain:

"In past times, when my master and I came here to remove demons, we always landed at the foot of the mountain, next to the village. The monsters here are generally weaker, some are mere demons bored of the solitude and wanting to indulge."

"Dongzheng Mountain is the first mountain in the Lands of Chasm where the Devil Clan resides. The higher up the mountain, the stronger and more dangerous they become, posing considerable risk to careless adventurers."

"Therefore, if you wish to give a warning to the Devil Clan here, it’s best to start from the bottom. Recklessly ascending would offend the powerful entities of the Devil Clan, easily sparking a war between humans and demons."

Ling Feng looked up at the peak of Dongzheng Mountain, and sure enough, he saw a purple-black aura swirling ceaselessly, even blocking sunlight from penetrating.

"If these monsters are so formidable, why are they trapped in the Lands of Chasm or Dongzheng Mountain?"

Chao Yue laughed heartily: "Their strength is indeed formidable, born to the will of the heavens, absorbing vast Essence of Sun and Moon, far stronger than us humans,"

"However, countless talented individuals have emerged among the Human Race over millennia, tirelessly safeguarding ordinary people’s safety,"

"It is precisely because of their presence that they shock the millions of Devil Clan into daring not to invade us humans."

Chao Yue reminisced, hands behind his back: "In ancient times, humans and demons waged a brutally intense war, both sides suffering grievous losses almost to the point of extinction,"

"Thus, the Human Emperor and Demon King signed a ceasefire agreement, partitioning Nine Provinces between humans and demons, agreeing that neither side shall initiate war or challenge the other’s boundary without cause."

"At the time, humans held slightly stronger power, thus claiming a larger portion of Nine Provinces land, while the territory occupied by the Devil Clan is what we human call the Lands of Chasm,"

"Through these thousands of years, humans and demons have remained peaceful, but as time passes, some have forgotten the bitter outcome of human-demon war and begin to stir restlessness,"

"Such unease appears among both demons and humans. Demons consuming humans to grow their Cultivation, humans enslaving demons, or harvesting them for medicine and Devil Beast essence are commonplace occurrences."

Chao Yue sighed, worry deep in his eyes: "In my view, another war is inevitable, the emergence of the Nine Provinces’ secret treasure is the opportunity, certainly propelling the long-standing grievances between humans and demons to the peak,"

"By then, who knows how many innocent civilians will perish full of hatred!"

After listening to Chao Yue’s narration, Ling Feng gained a renewed understanding of Nine Provinces’ dynamic and layout, familiar with these kinds of plots; it’s just another survival struggle between two races.

In the past, Ling Feng might have been interested, but now he truly doesn’t have the leisure to care about affairs of other worlds.

What if the Devil Clan or Human Race, even both races became extinct? It doesn’t concern Ling Feng; he just needs to ensure he secures the treasure in the end.

This land expedition to vanquish demons holds little interest to Ling Feng, who accompanies Chao Yue’s disciples not for altruism but merely to see if the Devil Clan harbors any treasures or Spirit Pets.

Furthermore, to establish good relations with the Taoists, for although Ling Feng is not of this world, he’s not particularly familiar with it, requiring Chao Yue’s disciples’ help when competing for the treasure.

Ling Feng felt no remorse about it; while the Taoists ponder compassionately saving lives, Ling Feng just wants to live well in this world, perhaps protect those he cares for and loves.

What does Nine Provinces’ world have to do with him?

What does the multitude of living beings have to do with him?

Ling Feng’s lips curled into a smile, following the footsteps of Chao Yue’s disciples ahead.

The three of us traversed uphill along the mountain path; the old and young Taoists drew their Treasured Swords but saw no sign of monsters.

What’s more uncanny is even the insects were silent, only morning wind gusting through the mountains.

Feeling the atmosphere was wrong, Ling Feng furrowed his brow, even more so for Chao Yue, deeply familiar with the place.

"Strange, why aren’t there any monsters along the way? Normally I encounter one or two at the foot of the mountain. But this Dongzheng Mountain..." Chao Yun said confusedly.

Chao Yue remained silent for a long time before cautiously saying: "Keep your weapons ready; I sense a very vile aura."

Though Ling Feng outwardly remained calm, he silently directed Little Fei and Jin Gang to remain vigilant, attentive to their surroundings.

"Whoosh——" A black shadow darted past everyone, stirring a piercing gust of wind.

Ling Feng was the first to notice the shadow, followed by Chao Yue.

With seasoned wisdom, the old Taoist immediately shouted: "Evil creature, come out and fight!"

Yet, there was no response heard. The three continued upward, eventually discovering their first monster beneath a tall tree.

A monster carcass...

Chao Yue briskly walked over to examine the bird-beast’s injuries, finding it had no slash marks at all, nor any blood seeping through.

No sign of injury, yet all over exuded an aura of death.

Ling Feng merely glanced at the devil beast and knew it was thoroughly dead, not long ago, almost dying just when they ascended, surely not exceeding this time frame.

Chao Yue stood up, his brows deeply furrowed. He then slowly continued forward; Chao Yun and Ling Feng exchanged a look, saying nothing and followed in step.

Since uncovering the bird-beast corpse, the path ahead revealed more and more dead devil beasts, all without a wound, yet their bodies still warm to touch.

Meaning they had just recently died.

Dark-feathered bird-beasts, tiger beasts with concealed forehead patterns of strength, even Giant Pythons draped in Scale Armor, almost every kind of beast had its number of dead spread.

Ling Feng’s heart finally stirred with an odd sensation; he felt coming to Dongzheng Mountain was an error, as if triggering something horrific, but he couldn’t quite articulate what that strange feeling was.

Ling Feng slowed his pace, deliberately trailing behind the Taoists, stealthily expanding his Divine Sense, aiming to probe the mountain’s situation.

A thick purple-black mist instantly enveloped Ling Feng’s Divine Sense, shocking him, hurriedly closing his Divine Sense.

It was his first experience with Divine Sense uncovering no useful insights, yet the bizarre purple-black fog informed Ling Feng that Dongzheng Mountain was far from simple.

At the least, not just a mere Devil Beast habitat.

The trio reached an open forest glade, just a bit further before the mountaintop.

Ling Feng once more discovered numerous devil beast corpses, but this time, as he and Chao Yue inspected the beasts, the originally woundless devil beasts suddenly jolted violently.

Seemingly coming back to life, and then abruptly, numerous injuries appeared on their bodies, as if carved by sharp weapons, blood immediately seeped through.

Chao Yue witnessed the sudden anomaly, his mind in Chaos.

Ling Feng closely observed those familiar wounds and suddenly realized something.

"Hahaha!" A piercing laugh resounded between heaven and earth, thick with mocking disdain.

The three sharply looked up, and ahead appeared a purple mist. A robust demon beast in human form gradually emerged from within, its body exuding dense Devilish Qi.

This demon beast had transformed into a human form, with the appearance of a middle-aged man, garbed in deep purple robes, emitting intense authority and pressure.

Its gaze fixated on the ground littered with beast corpses, suddenly bursting with rage; it bellowed skyward:

"Humans! Why did you kill my followers!"

Ling Feng’s peculiar feeling in his heart finally proved true; indeed, the worst-case scenario had transpired!