Deep within the town, there was a relatively sturdy stone house where dozens of surviving townspeople hid, peering out through the cracks in the stone walls in fear.
Their faces were pale, their eyes filled with terror. When they saw Fang Han and his group approaching, they were first startled, then breathed a sigh of relief.
They opened the door to the stone house and stepped out.
"Yes... it's Master Martial Artist!"
An elderly man stepped forward shakily and knelt down with a thud.
"Martial arts masters, we beg you, please save us!"
The townspeople behind him also knelt down, their cries and pleas mingling together.
"Please get up, sir."
Chen Wanjun stepped forward and helped the old man up.
"The monster in the town has been slain by us; you are safe now."
Upon hearing this, the old man burst into tears and was about to kneel down and kowtow when Chen Wanjun stopped him.
Fang Han to the side, his gaze sweeping over the townspeople who had survived the disaster, but a hint of doubt arose in his heart.
In today's world, humanity is the master.
The monsters have been driven into the deep mountains and forests, and attacks on villages and towns by monsters have become rare.
Was this attack on Clear Creek Town by monsters a coincidence, or did something unexpected happen?
He turned his head to look at the old man and asked.
"Old man, is this the first time a monster has attacked a village, or has it happened before?"
The old man wiped his tears with his sleeve and said in a trembling voice:
"In response to your question, Martial Arts Master, this... this is not the first time."
"As far as I know, a few days ago, Liu Family Village in the north was also attacked by demons, and many people died. The same thing happened to Stone Gully in the east..."
"Have monster attacks also occurred in nearby villages and towns?"
Fang Han frowned, and Chen Wanjun's expression darkened.
"Yes... yes."
The old man nodded repeatedly.
"Those who fled here said that it wasn't just our area; many places were affected by the disaster..."
Chen Wanjun and Fang Han exchanged a glance, both seeing seriousness in each other's eyes.
This is by no means a coincidence.
If it were just a village or town that was attacked by a monster, it could perhaps be explained as a coincidence.
However, the fact that multiple villages and towns have been attacked by monsters suggests that some kind of unforeseen event must have occurred.
"Vice Hall Master Chen."
Fang Han spoke in a low voice.
"This matter is probably not simple."
Chen Wanjun nodded slightly, a thoughtful look flashing in his bright, star-like eyes.
He remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking:
"This matter is indeed strange. However, we are all injured and it is inconvenient for us to investigate further. Let's return to the sect first and report this matter to the sect leader so that the sect can make a decision."
Fang Han nodded.
Chen Wanjun's words made sense. They had just returned from fleeing in East Foothills Prefecture, and all of them were injured and in poor condition.
If we rashly delve into the investigation, and happen to encounter a powerful demon, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"Thank you so much, Martial Arts Master, for saving my life!"
When the old man saw that everyone was about to leave, he knelt down and kowtowed again.
Chen Wanjun helped him up and said gently:
"Old man, there's no need for that. The demon in the town has been eliminated. You should settle the victims properly and collect their remains."
After saying that, he turned around and led the group out of town.
Behind him, the surviving townspeople knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly in gratitude.
Without formidable military strength, one cannot control one's own destiny; this is the tragedy of ordinary people in this world.
After leaving Clear Creek Town, the group continued along the official road towards the Azure Profound Sect.
However, everyone's mood was much heavier than before.
Monsters attacked villages and towns, and not just in one place, which clearly indicates that something bad has happened.
The group continued on their way.
However, the following day, they encountered two more attacks on the village by monsters.
The first time was when we passed through a village called " Willow Gully ".
The village is small, with only a few dozen households, built around a grove of willows.
When they arrived, monsters were rampaging through the village.
A monster resembling Giant Bear was rampaging through the village, causing houses to collapse and screams to echo wherever it went.
Fang Han made his move and killed him with a single sword strike.
The second time was when we passed through a town called " Stone Gate Flats ".
The town is slightly larger than Clear Creek Town, with more than a hundred households.
When they arrived, three monsters were wreaking havoc in the town.
Mad Butcher, Luo Yuntian, Yun Muyao attacked simultaneously, killing the three demonic creatures.
These two experiences weighed heavily on everyone's minds.
The monsters' attack on the village was not accidental, and the scope of this event was wider than they had imagined.
"It seems that monsters have been attacking villages and towns throughout the entire Qingyang Prefecture."
Chen Wanjun stood with his hands behind his back by the official road, gazing at the undulating mountains in the distance, his voice low and deep.
"Such a large-scale disturbance by demonic creatures must have already been noticed by the sect."
Fang Han beside Chen Wanjun without saying a word.
His gaze was fixed on the direction of the Azure Profound Sect, and a thoughtful light flickered in his calm eyes.
Why did monsters suddenly launch a large-scale attack on villages and towns?
Does the sect know the reason?
Let's go.
Chen Wanjun withdrew his gaze and strode forward.
"Let's go back to the sect first."
The group followed, their figures gradually disappearing into the distance along the official road.
As dusk deepened, the last rays of sunset were swallowed by the night.
The fields on both sides of the official road gradually blurred in the twilight, and the distant mountains turned into a deep silhouette.
Two days later, in the afternoon.
The majestic gate of the Azure Profound Sect finally came into view at the edge of the horizon.
Fang Han slowed his pace slightly, gazing at the familiar stone gate, a sense of indescribable peace welling up in his heart.
The ancient trees on both sides of the mountain gate rustled in the early summer breeze, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone ground.
The disciples on duty along the way were slightly taken aback when they saw this group of people, and then quickly bowed and paid their respects.
Fang Han and his group nodded slightly in response, continuing their journey.
Stepping through the mountain gate, we walked along the bluestone path to the mountainside.
Reaching the fork in the road at True Transmission Courtyard, Chen Wanjun stopped and turned around.
"You must be tired after traveling for several days. Go back and rest."
His gaze swept over the crowd, his voice steady.
"I will go and report to the sect leader on what happened during this trip."
Luo Yuntian, Yun Muyao, and the others nodded in agreement.
Although the journey these past two days wasn't as desperate as before, the injuries I sustained had taken a toll.
Returning to the sect at this moment, the tension in my heart suddenly relaxed, and fatigue surged up like a tide.
The crowd gradually dispersed, each heading back to their own lodgings.
Fang Han, however, did not move.
" Fang Han?"
Chen Wanjun turned his head to look at Fang Han, his eyes filled with inquiry.
"Vice Hall Master Chen."
Fang Han met Chen Wanjun's gaze and said.
"This disciple has something to report to the sect leader and wishes to accompany you to pay your respects."
"Good."
Chen Wanjun glanced at Fang Han, but didn't ask any further questions; he simply nodded slightly.
The two turned around and headed towards the summit along another fork in the road.
The mountain path winds its way through the landscape, and the ancient trees on both sides grow ever more verdant.
Sunlight was filtered through layers of branches and leaves, creating dappled patterns that fell onto the bluestone steps.
In the distance, the faint sound of bells could be heard, melodious and lingering, echoing through the mountains and forests.
Fang Han walked beside Chen Wanjun with a composed gait.
Before long, the outline of the Sect Master's Hall came into view.
The majestic palace gleamed with a warm glow in the afternoon sun, its flying eaves and brackets exuding an ancient charm.
The disciples guarding the palace gate immediately bowed and greeted Chen Wanjun and Fang Han.
"Vice Hall Master Chen, Senior Brother Fang, the Sect Master is aware of your arrival and is currently waiting inside the hall."
Chen Wanjun nodded slightly and stepped into the hall.
Fang Han followed closely behind.
The hall was brightly lit, and the air was filled with the fragrance of Sandalwood Incense.
Chen Tianyuan at the head of the table. Hearing footsteps, he raised his eyes, a hint of relief flashing in his gentle gaze.
"You're back."
Chen Wanjun stepped forward and bowed.
"Sect Master, your subordinate has returned with his troops and has come to report back."
"Disciple Fang Han greets Sect Master."
Fang Han also bowed in greeting.
"No need for formalities, please sit."
Chen Tianyuan gestured for the two to sit down.
Fang Han and Chen Wanjun sat down on the pear wood chairs at the lower end of the table. Maid served them fragrant tea and then quietly withdrew.
What unexpected event occurred during this trip that forced you to seek help in such a special way?
Chen Tianyuan's gaze fell on Chen Wanjun, his voice calm.
Chen Wanjun picked up his teacup, took a small sip, put it down, and recounted his entire journey in detail.
From entering the Ancient Ruins to the successive challenges faced by the outstanding talents from various counties.
Fang Han made his way to the eighth level, breaking the previous record of the Ancient Ruins.
After leaving the ruins, they were ambushed by the Thunderlight Pavilion and the Crimson Flame Sect. Xue Yuanlang was killed by Fang Han, while Meng Zhao escaped.
Then, the Supreme Elder Gu Changqing intervened and stopped the pursuers, and the group returned safely...
His narration was concise and clear, without embellishment or omission of key points.
Chen Tianyuan listened quietly.
When he heard that Fang Han had reached the eighth level, a hint of undisguised surprise flashed in his gentle eyes.
His expression darkened when he heard that the Thunderlight Pavilion and the Crimson Flame Sect had ambushed him.
His expression softened slightly when he heard that the Supreme Elder had intervened to stop the pursuers.
After Chen Wanjun finished speaking, the hall fell into a brief silence.
" Thunderlight Pavilion, Crimson Flame Sect."
Chen Tianyuan, his voice not loud, but carrying a chilling aura that sent shivers down one's spine.
"To commit such a despicable act."
He paused, then tapped his fingers lightly twice on the armrest, making a soft tapping sound.
"The sect will hold both sects accountable for this matter."
His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable determination.
Then, his gaze fell on Fang Han.
" Fang Han, what's wrong?"
"Yes."
Fang Han stood up and took out a dark brown animal hide booklet that he had prepared in advance from his bosom.
The booklet feels slightly heavy in the hand. The cover is made of a type of animal hide with a fine and tough texture, and it remains intact despite the passage of time.
On the cover, four large characters are written in ancient seal script, "< The Great Void Wind God Sword >".
Chen Tianyuan's gaze fell on the booklet, and his pupils contracted slightly.
Fang Han held the booklet in both hands, stepped forward, and presented it to Chen Tianyuan.
"Metropolitan."
His voice was steady, carrying a composure beyond his years.
"As a reward for passing the eighth level of the Ancient Ruins, this disciple has obtained a Sword Technique."
He paused, then continued.
"According to the book, this is a Middle-Grade Artistic Conception Sword Technique, and I wish to submit Sword Technique to the sect."