Leaving the City

The sky was dim.

Fang Xi looked up, squinting.

Ever since the entire Black Stone City fell into the Demon Domain, no one in the city had seen the sun again.

However, during the day outside, it was like a cloudy day in the city, with some light.

At night outside, the entire city plunged into bottomless darkness.

Outside the city gate.

Fang Xi stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze returning to the layer of black mist separating the inside from the outside.

Beside him was the convoy from the White Cloud Martial Arts School.

Tang Xuan was pushing a flatbed cart, on which sat Madam Bai. Her face, though charming and beautiful, was now filled with worry as she gazed at the black mist. There were also many supplies beside her.

Liu Taotao, Mu Piaomiao, and others also carried their bundles, their faces etched with concern.

Even Zhang Junming was there, bringing a few street urchins with him.

"We've tried this black mist. No matter how far we walk out, we always end up back where we started... Even digging a tunnel, the mist is there underground too!"

Mu Canglong sighed and asked, "When do we leave?"

"We're waiting for someone!"

Fang Xi waited silently.

After about the time it takes for two sticks of incense to burn, another group arrived.

It was a convoy of dozens of people, surrounding two horse-drawn carriages in the middle.

The curtain of the front carriage was lifted, revealing a mountain of flesh – it was Fatty Han. "Haha... Brother Fang... When I got your message, Old Han immediately brought all my belongings to join you!"

Fang Xi looked at the two carriages, especially the glossy, well-fed horses, and felt a little speechless.

At a time when people in the city were starving to death, to be able to feed livestock so plump and strong was truly outrageous!

Damn it, where did this guy get his food from... Oh, right, it was me. Never mind then!

He shook his head, looked at the people following him, and his voice gradually grew solemn: "I only have one talisman, and one chance. When the passage appears, you'll have to seize it yourselves!"

Fang Xi approached the black mist and took out the 'Forbidden Breaking Talisman'.

At this moment, the giant tree in the city seemed to sense something, and countless leaves rustled.

"Awooo!"

A Yao Wolf, its body entwined with vines, roared to the sky and galloped forward on all fours.

Not only that, but in the city center, there was a giant python with half its body missing, and an ape larger than a house...

These Demon Servants, who were usually responsible for guarding the main body of the Yao Demon Tree, seemed to be making a full-scale exit!

It's anxious, it's anxious!

The corners of Fang Xi's mouth curved slightly. This scene only strengthened his confidence. "Go!"

Infused with Magical Power, the Forbidden Breaking Talisman shot out. Countless silver threads exploded from the Talisman, twisting... and disappearing into the black mist.

Whoosh!

The black mist churned violently, and then a passage appeared.

Vaguely, one could see the blurry scenery of the outside world, and wisps of sunlight!

It was the light of hope!

"Go!"

Seeing this, Fang Xi cast one last glance at Black Stone City. He saw the Yao Wolf had already reached the outer city, but he smiled calmly, grabbed Bai He, and moved like lightning, quickly darting into the passage.

"Keep up!"

Mu Canglong was about to lead his daughter to follow when he noticed someone was faster!

It was Fatty Han!

Although he looked like a ball of flesh, his movement was incredibly agile, like a sphere. With an unyielding momentum, he was the second to roll into the passage.

"Go, go!"

Watching the passage slowly blur, even showing signs of disappearing, Zhang Junming seemed to wake up. He carried a dog in one hand and Xiao Yun in the other, with a child on his back. His figure flickered, and he rushed into the passage.

Inside the passage, the sensation was disorienting.

Time and space seemed to warp.

But Fang Xi's expression was firm as he pressed forward.

Suddenly!

Intense sunlight poured down. A broken official road appeared ahead, with green hills and farmland not far away... Everything opened up.

Black Stone City behind them had long since vanished, replaced by a patch of black mist, like a giant black bowl covering the earth.

"We... are out?"

Bai He looked up at the blue sky and white clouds, tears streaming down her face.

This wasn't just excitement; it was also due to her injured eyes.

Having lived in darkness for a long time, exposure to sunlight could easily cause photophobia.

Following Fang Xi were Fatty Han, who moved like a ball, Zhang Junming, Mu Canglong...

A large crowd poured out, gazing at the green mountains and clear waters outside. One by one, they wept, "We're alive... we survived!"

At this moment, even Mu Canglong and Zhang Junming felt a sense of having survived a disaster.

As they were sighing with relief, someone suddenly shouted, "Oh no... the passage is blocked!"

It was common for people to crowd into a passage to survive, only to find themselves unable to get out.

"No, the passage is closing!"

Mu Canglong watched the passage above the black mist shrink continuously. He was also panicked and looked at Fang Xi.

"The talisman's effect is about to run out... I don't have a second one on me."

Fang Xi shook his head.

It seemed a first-tier Forbidden Breaking Talisman only had the effect of temporarily opening a passage into the Demon Domain, and it wasn't very long-lasting.

To completely break through the Yao Demon Tree's Demon Domain, at least a second-tier Forbidden Breaking Talisman would be needed, and it must be done before it advances!

A thought suddenly flashed through Fang Xi's mind, and then he chuckled and shook his head.

Without Foundation Establishment, why would I bother dealing with the Yao Demon Tree?

Just then, the passage in the black mist finally closed slowly.

The last person to emerge was Tang Xuan of the White Cloud Martial Arts School!

He stopped his cart, looked around, and then seemed a bit lost. "Liu Taotao, Junior Sister Liu... she's still behind. She even pushed me... What about her?"

If it weren't for Liu Taotao pushing him, with him on the cart and someone else on the cart, he wouldn't have been able to squeeze out!

"Fate is fate!"

Fang Xi sighed and turned to leave.

They were still too close to the Yao Demon Tree. If that Yao Demon reacted and expanded its Demon Domain, it would be a huge problem.

Seeing him leave, the other survivors seemed to have found their backbone and followed Fang Xi.

They also wanted to get as far away from this demon's den as possible!

Night fell.

Fang Xi roasted two pieces of Taisui Meat and was eating them bite by bite.

His appetite was huge now; only special Demon Meat could barely fill him up.

Beside another campfire, everyone else was ravenous, gnawing on the roasted meat they had obtained.

Even Mu Piaomiao had no ladylike demeanor now, dealing with a roasted rabbit in her hands. She even crushed the bones directly, crunching loudly!

Mu Canglong still had some semblance of manners. After finishing his roasted meat, he wiped the oil from the corners of his mouth and looked at Fang Xi, "Where are we going next?"

"Does Master Mu have any suggestions?"

Fang Xi asked back. He was truly unfamiliar with Da Liang.

Up to now, he could only confirm that Black Stone City was within Dingzhou.

As for the mountains, rivers, local customs, and traditions, he had only heard of them, never seen them.

"Hmm, Black Stone City is ruined. With the Yao Demon rampant and the people suffering... perhaps only the capital of Dingzhou, Sanyuan City, is relatively safe."

Mu Canglong offered his suggestion: "Sanyuan City is guarded by the Dingzhou army, and not far away is the main sect of Yuan He Demonuntain... It has been peaceful for over a hundred years."

"It sounds like a peaceful and good place to go."

Fang Xi didn't care where they went.

However, he might not need to go with these people.

After all, one must guard against others.

Although he claimed that the spirit pills and talismans he used to deal with the Yao Demon were bought with his own money, and that was indeed the case, what if someone didn't believe him?

What if someone reported him to the authorities or Yuan He Demonuntain?

Therefore, Fang Xi made up his mind to part ways with this group once they were outside Sanyuan City.

"Haha, Brother Fang is going to Sanyuan City?"

Not far away, a mountain of meat rolled over. It was Fatty Han!

Fang Xi had to admire this man. Not only did he escape successfully, but thanks to the cart, his concubines had all come out safely.

At this moment, Fatty Han said, "Although I, Old Han, am not a local boss in Sanyuan City, I still have some connections. Brother saved me from dire straits today. Just find Old Han another day, and I will do anything for you!"

"Mm!"

Although they had transacted a few times and were sure the other party was relatively trustworthy, Fang Xi didn't fully believe them. He just gave a casual, perfunctory reply.

The next morning.

The survivors dispersed in twos and threes. Zhang Junming also came to bid farewell.

Zhang Junming cupped his fists. "Thank you for saving my life, Brother Fang. However, I won't be going to Sanyuan City. Among these children, only Xiao Yun has relatives. I'm going to take her to stay with them! We'll meet again someday, though the mountains and rivers may change. Farewell!"

"Farewell!"

Fang Xi cupped his fists in return.

After Zhang Junming left with the gaggle of children, only the White Cloud Martial Arts School and Fatty Han's group remained.

"Heh heh... I can lend you a carriage. You can return it when you reach a populated area ahead."

Fatty Han waved his hand magnanimously.

The countless gold and silver wealth of Black Stone City was no different from bricks and mortar in the later stages of the Demon Domain. Anyone with ambition could make a fortune.

However, at this moment, a carriage was indeed quite necessary. Fang Xi didn't refuse. He arranged for Bai He and some of the women, like Tang Xuan's lover, to get into the carriage.

The group slowly set off.

After less than half an hour, Fang Xi raised his hand. "Stop!"

"What happened?"

Mu Canglong and Fatty Han immediately rushed over, their expressions vigilant.

"There's something going on."

Fang Xi closed his eyes. His enhanced hearing faintly picked up a cry from behind:

"Help... Someone... Help..."

"It's behind us!"

Fang Xi used his movement technique, instantly moving away and heading towards the rear.

Mu Canglong and Fatty Han exchanged glances and followed, bewildered.

After rounding a mountain peak, they also heard a boy's voice: "Great Hero Mu... Brother Fang... Help... Sob sob..."

"It seems to be that kid who was with Zhang Junming, named Agou, no, Gou'er," Fatty Han mused, touching his chin, a little startled.

Fang Xi's hearing was not only significantly better than his, but far surpassed it!

To be enemies with someone so perceptive would undoubtedly be extremely dangerous and terrifying.

Fortunately, they were not enemies, but friends!