When Qin Fang reached Hundred Rivers Square, he found it visibly deserted compared to before.
Only a few disciples who looked very young stood scattered in twos and threes, murmuring about something and occasionally looking up at the scarlet sky—
The Sect-Guarding Formation held that scarlet tide several hundred meters overhead, but it was still visible from below.
There were noticeably fewer Inner Sect disciples.
Qin Fang frowned and landed in Hundred Rivers Square, immediately drawing a great many gazes.
Unfamiliarity and puzzlement showed in some of their eyes as they cautiously studied him.
"Senior Brother Qin! You're back?"
Just then, an excited voice came from the crowd.
Qin Fang turned and saw an Inner Sect disciple looking at him with excitement written all over his face.
The disciple looked rather pale and was clearly injured.
Qin Fang knew him. He was a disciple of Origin Return Valley and had once studied Leaf Techniques under him.
Qin Fang nodded, then frowned and asked, "Why are there... so few people?"
The disciple froze at the question, then collected himself and hurriedly answered, "Senior Brother, a sudden, drastic change struck the world, and urgent reports arrived from every commandery and county. Many of our fellow disciples were dispatched to kill the evil demons there—"
Qin Fang was somewhat surprised. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "In those commanderies and counties... are there still people alive?"
The disciple's expression immediately darkened, and he spoke through gritted teeth. "Almost no one survived! But our elders said we can't leave those monsters alone either. They can keep growing by devouring each other. If we let them be, sooner or later the tail will grow too large to control, and they'll become a tremendous scourge. So the sect needs to search everywhere and kill as many