For some reason, Dingyuan City had suddenly lifted its restrictions, allowing people to come and go freely, as though the two thefts had simply been put behind them.
Not only that, Chu Mo also noticed signs that the city's inhabitants were beginning to move away.
He had once discreetly sounded Mo Yuan out and learned from him that there were signs of a "Calamity" emerging.
After learning this, Chu Mo and the others did not remain in Dingyuan City. They only wanted to confirm the Calamity's whereabouts, not clash with it head-on.
Of course, none of them left for other provinces or commanderies. Each merely found a small city near the edge of Yi Province, cultivating while keeping track of news about the Calamity.
And so, in his third month in the Profound Sun Realm, sustained by a large supply of Demon Essence Pills, Chu Mo successfully condensed his natal power and reached Qi Refining Perfection.
But he did not pause to rest. Instead, he dug out the false divine ability, [Three Corpses Severing Form Profound Capital Sword], which had dropped from Old Man Li back then, and began practicing it.
Unlike Chu Mo's peaceful cultivation, the atmosphere in Dingyuan City had grown unbearably heavy.
The Li River had surged several times, swallowing every village along its banks. Amid the muddy waves, the churning forms of more than ten Baleful-class demons had already been observed, with countless more Fierce-class demons lurking beneath.
From deep in the river's heart came occasional strange, low sounds that sent dread coursing through anyone who heard them, as though some colossal creature were awakening underwater. The threat of a "Calamity"-class disaster was no longer a vague omen, but an imminent danger.
Martial Saint Yue Cangming had long since taken the [Dingyuan Seal] to the riverbank