Chi Yuan did not even raise her eyelids, her gaze fixed firmly on a faint disturbance in the air.
It was demonic energy.
Faint, but undeniably there.
The old man had just lowered the carrying pole from his shoulders and had not yet had time to wipe away his sweat when this unexpected visitor blocked his way.
"Sir."
Chi Yuan spoke in an even tone, without the slightest trace of emotion. "Have there been any strange occurrences around here lately? For instance... sightings of inhuman beings?"
The old man paused, then waved a hand, a somewhat helpless smile on his face.
"You must be joking, miss."
He pointed at the peaceful fields around them. "Our village has lived here for generations. The weather has been favorable, and we haven't heard so much as a whisper of 'demons' in hundreds of years."
Chi Yuan did not believe him.
She went on to question several other passersby.
Their answers were identical: all was well, and they had never seen any monsters.
When she returned beneath the umbrella, the Book of Cangxuan could not help drawing closer, tilting her head to study her troubled expression.
"Finished asking everyone?"
Chi Yuan withdrew her gaze, her brow slightly furrowed.
"They all said they hadn't seen anything."
She paused, lightly touching a point in empty space with her fingertip.
"But I can sense a presence not far from here."
"Is it powerful?"
The Book of Cangxuan blinked, a little curious.
Chi Yuan shook her head, her expression growing somewhat graver.
"Its strength is unremarkable. It's merely an ordinary Honkai energy reaction."
Then her tone shifted, and her gaze abruptly turned icy.
"But the problem is the distance. It's too close."
"The villagers are far too calm, as though they know nothing about it. Or perhaps... they're