Escaping

Dawn was just breaking.

In the roll-call hall, four scout squads of ten men each stood in neat, silent formation.

Ye Xiaofan, disguised as Sun Chenguang, blended in like a ghost at the end of Sun Wucai's squad, his peripheral vision constantly scanning the others.

When he saw the squad responsible for investigating the western demonic creatures' intelligence, a middle-aged man with sparse eyebrows, narrow eyes, a dark complexion, and a sturdy build sent a tremor through his heart.

This was an instinctive reaction he'd had since becoming a cultivator whenever he encountered someone who posed a threat to him.

Only powerful figures like Tie Wuqing and Xiao Qiaofeng had ever given him such a feeling.

"The Demon Suppression Division has such hidden experts? Could this be Uncle Xiao's arrangement?"

The dark-complexioned middle-aged man seemed to sense Ye Xiaofan's gaze and turned to look at him, grinning and revealing a mouth full of pearly white teeth.

Just then, Xiao Qiaofeng walked out.

The dark-complexioned middle-aged man turned back, and Ye Xiaofan stopped his surreptitious glances.

Looking at Xiao Qiaofeng ahead, Ye Xiaofan frowned, feeling something was very strange, though he couldn't quite pinpoint it.

His strength?

The invisible aura felt different from the Xiao Qiaofeng he knew.

Xiao Qiaofeng surveyed the crowd and cleared his throat.

"Everyone, this mission is arduous. I won't say much more. While ensuring your own safety, try your best to investigate the demonic creatures' strength and distribution. I wish you all a safe return."

"Please rest assured, Commander Xiao. We will definitely complete the mission."

Everyone clasped their fists in unison and shouted.

"Good, depart!"

Upon receiving the order, the four scout squads, led by their respective banners, filed out.

Ye Xiaofan followed his banner leader, Sun Wucai, mounted the horses that had been prepared, and galloped towards the north city gate.

The sky grew dark.

An inn appeared by the side of the official road.

The inn's gate was askew, already in disarray.

"We'll rest here for the night. Tomorrow, we'll split into pairs and head towards the Thorn Swamp to investigate the demonic creatures' distribution. We'll rendezvous two days later in the coniferous forest west of the Thorn Swamp entrance."

Sun Wucai ordered after sending scouts to check the surroundings for any demonic creatures.

The group led their horses into the inn. Inside, broken tables and chairs were scattered everywhere, and blackish bloodstains marred the floor and walls.

It was clear the place had been attacked by demonic creatures.

They stabled their horses in the inn's stable, gave them some fodder, and returned to the inn's main hall.

"Tonight, four people will form a watch group. The first watch will be Li Dana..."

Ye Xiaofan, impersonating Sun Chenguang, was not assigned to the night watch. The other eight members remained silent about Sun Wucai's blatant use of his authority to favor his subordinate.

It was clear they were accustomed to such favoritism.

After Sun Wucai assigned the night watch, everyone dispersed to find clean spots and began eating dry rations from their packs.

No one spoke, and no fires were lit.

Ye Xiaofan found a spot by the window and feigned sleep, waiting.

In the dead of night, the pale crescent moon fearfully hid behind dark clouds.

Ye Xiaofan's brow twitched, and he suddenly opened his eyes, looking towards the roof.

He had just heard a faint sound of footsteps from the rooftop.

"A master with profound movement technique skills. Is this Uncle Xiao's arrangement?"

Ye Xiaofan scanned the inn's main hall, seeing that everyone's breathing was steady and showed no abnormality. Just as he was about to get up and investigate outside, a startled cry came from outside.

"Demonic creatures! Demonic creatures..."

Everyone in the hall was jolted awake, grabbing their weapons and rushing out with Sun Wucai.

"What..."

Sun Wucai's lips had just moved when he was stunned by the sight before him.

A group of about thirty demonic creatures was charging towards them. The leading wolf-demon was as long as ten feet, exuding a terrifying aura of the Body Refinement Seventh Layer.

"What should we do, Squad Leader Sun?"

A Demon Suppressing Guard asked, swallowing hard, his voice trembling.

Ye Xiaofan glanced at the demonic creatures and then paid them no further attention. He no longer considered mere Body Refinement Seventh Layer threats.

While everyone's attention was focused on the demonic creatures, Ye Xiaofan subtly shifted his body to look towards the inn's rooftop.

He saw a blurred figure standing on the roof; it was vaguely discernible as a woman.

It also gave him a sense of danger.

"An accident, or Uncle Xiao's arrangement?"

Ye Xiaofan couldn't quite figure it out for a moment.

The person on the roof noticed Ye Xiaofan's gaze and nodded at him.

Ye Xiaofan immediately understood that this was someone arranged by Xiao Qiaofeng, and he relaxed, turning his attention back to the charging demonic creatures.

He wanted to see how Sun Wucai, who was at the Sixth Layer of Body Refinement, would handle it.

"Split up and flee. Remember to rendezvous at the coniferous forest west of the Thorn Swamp entrance in two days."

As soon as Sun Wucai finished speaking, he had already darted out two zhang away, not even caring about his 'family's hope'.

Seeing that Sun Wucai had fled first, the others cursed inwardly and each used their movement techniques to charge in different directions.

Ye Xiaofan glanced one last time at the person on the roof and drifted rapidly towards the north.

As soon as Ye Xiaofan moved, the person on the roof also started moving.

Sensing the faint whistling sound of air being broken from behind him, Ye Xiaofan raised an eyebrow and sped up a bit more.

The person behind him remained unhurried, maintaining a safe distance as they followed Ye Xiaofan.

Ye Xiaofan ran for over twenty li in one go, and after shaking off the demonic creatures pursuing him, he stopped and turned to face the blurry figure rapidly approaching him.

As the figure drew closer, Ye Xiaofan froze.

He recognized the person very well: a faceless bronze mask and a wine gourd hanging from his waist.

"Gang Leader Tie, why is it you?"

"Why can't it be me!"

Tie Wuqing arrived in front of Ye Xiaofan, looked him up and down with curiosity, then took a swig from the wine gourd at his waist, speaking in a slightly lazy tone.

"Gang Leader Tie, are you also leaving Qingyang County?"

"That's right!"

After drinking a few mouthfuls, Tie Wuqing hung the wine gourd back on his waist with a sense of lingering satisfaction. The wine was scarce, and he had to drink it sparingly.

Ye Xiaofan's heart leaped with joy. With Tie Wuqing accompanying him, if they were unlucky enough to encounter a Thorn Crocodile Turtle at the Ninth Level of Body Refinement with two Blood Replacements, his chances of escape would be even higher.

Possessing the top-tier movement technique, Wind Shadow Steps, he didn't believe Tie Wuqing's speed could be faster than his.

"Let's go. We need to get to Jinyang Prefecture City as quickly as possible. Preferably, we can invite an expert before the evil one reacts."

Tie Wuqing's deep eyes were filled with worry. She had already learned from Xiao Qiaofeng that the County Magistrate was the evil hidden in Qingyang County, which was why she agreed to help.

At this moment, In the Demon Suppression Division of Qingyang County.

The fake 'Ye Xiaofan' was cultivating on the bed in the room.

"Creak~"

The room door opened automatically. The fake 'Ye Xiaofan' suddenly opened his eyes and saw a person standing inside.

This person had a demonic face, a furrowed brow, and endless rage in their eyes.

The terrifying aura seemed to freeze the air in the room.

"They're here so soon. I wonder if Xiaofan can successfully escape."

The fake 'Ye Xiaofan' sighed inwardly, staring expressionlessly at the County Magistrate who had appeared before him.

"Speak, where did Ye Xiaofan go?"

The County Magistrate flashed forward, grabbed the fake 'Ye Xiaofan' by the neck, and lifted him up, suppressing the anger in his chest as he asked in a cold voice.

Ever since he had personally seen Ye Xiaofan, the County Magistrate immediately understood that Ye Xiaofan was his opportunity, his chance to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage in the future.

Before he became an evil entity, he was just an ordinary cultivator. His potential could only support him up to the Ninth Level of Body Refinement with one Blood Replacement at most.

After becoming an evil entity, he hid in Qingyang County, constantly capturing humans in secret and torturing them to absorb emotions like despair, fear, resentment, and unwillingness.

In just a few years, he broke through to the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining.

However, after reaching the Fourth Layer of Body Refinement, he found his cultivation speed had become very slow, a sign that his potential was about to be exhausted.

But Ye Xiaofan's appearance gave him hope.

As long as he could devour the Soul Origin of this monstrous prodigy, Ye Xiaofan, he was confident he could reach the Foundation Establishment Stage within twenty years.

"Cough, cough, County, County Magistrate, sir, I, I don't understand what you're saying?"

The fake 'Ye Xiaofan' said with a red face, struggling to breathe.

"Hmph!"

The County Magistrate snorted coldly, tightened his grip, and carried the fake 'Ye Xiaofan' away.

He had a good idea in mind.

At that time, he would not only be able to devour the Soul Origin of a monstrous prodigy but also absorb a wave of the prodigy's Seven Emotions and Six Desires along the way.

The County Magistrate, like a king in the darkness, carried the unconscious Luo Ming as the Demon Suppressing Guards patrolled without incident to Xiao Qiaofeng's courtyard.

Upon realizing that the Xiao Qiaofeng before him was also a fake.

"Good! Good! Good! I'll waste a little time playing with you all."

The County Magistrate laughed in extreme anger. He could guess that Xiao Qiaofeng and Ye Xiaofan must have blended into the scout team that left today.

"To think you can escape my grasp is simply laughable."

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