Even a Recorded Captain would have some background.

Someone like him was rare, an exception.

Riding their Wind Spirit Steeds, the three of them soon vanished down the official road outside the city.

「Three days later.」

Jiang Province, Ningyang County, Yong’an City.

After three days of hard travel, they had reached their destination.

Yong’an County.

This was a county town under the jurisdiction of Ningyang County in Jiang Province.

A county town about the same size as Qingshan County.

The sky grew dark.

The three of them checked into a Post Station outside the city.

Inside a room, Feng Xiu looked at Fang Xing. "Sir, I made some inquiries. Something seems off about this Baiyang Village."

"Hm?"

Hearing Feng Xiu’s words, Fang Xing glanced at him. "Tell me the specifics."

"The villagers of Baiyang Village are fierce and unusually united. When Government Office constables came to ask questions before, they were all beaten and injured by the villagers. And it wasn’t an isolated incident; it’s happened many times."

"There’s also a temple in Baiyang Village, apparently dedicated to that Yellow Wolf Great Immortal."

"What’s more, the village offers a boy and a girl as sacrifices at regular intervals. According to the information I just gathered, tomorrow happens to be a sacrifice day."

"If we make a move, I’m afraid these villagers will be incited by that Yellow Wolf Great Immortal and attack us."

"The village is also extremely hostile toward anyone from the Government Office, and any strangers who set foot in the village will be watched. They’ll probably tip off the Yellow Wolf Great Immortal."

Listening to Feng Xiu’s report, Fang Xing’s brow furrowed.

He pondered for a moment before speaking. "What hour is the offering?"

"It should be at high noon," Feng Xiu replied.

"Then we’ll set out early tomorrow morning. We’ll assess the situation when we arrive and lock down the demon’s location first."

"Understood." The two of them nodded and left the room.

Fang Xing sat on his bed and took out the file on the demon to read.

’Yellow Wolf Great Immortal... A Weasel Spirit Monster. Heh, Great Immortal, let’s see just how tough you really are.’

Putting away the file, Fang Xing gazed at the night outside his window, a sharp glint in his eyes.

—

The next morning, after eating at the Post Station, Fang Xing’s party set out for Baiyang Village on foot.

About two hours later, the three of them reached a hillside near Baiyang Village.

From their vantage point on the hill, they could see the general layout of Baiyang Village.

In particular, a conspicuous temple stood in the center of the village.

"Sir, this demon has bewitched the people. The entire village of Baiyang is under its spell. I’m afraid it will be difficult for us to enter."

Beside him, Xu Yao spoke, her expression grave.

"Let’s not be hasty. After the main target appears, I’ll go and deal with it myself."

Fang Xing said, his eyes fixed on Baiyang Village.

Hearing this, the two looked at him. "Sir, what about us...?"

Fang Xing’s reply was two words: "Act accordingly."

The two lowered their heads and silently watched Baiyang Village in the distance.

Time passed, second by second.

Soon, it was high noon.

On the hillside, the group waited quietly.

"It’s starting."

Feng Xiu said in a low voice, his gaze fixed on the temple in the center of the village.

Fang Xing and Xu Yao also watched in silence.

In the center of the village, outside the temple, all the villagers had gathered.

Amidst the sound of clanging gongs and beating drums, a bound boy and girl appeared.

With large red flowers pinned to their chests, they were carried into the temple by several people.

Afterward, the crowd of villagers began to kowtow toward the temple, as if performing some kind of ritual, continuously chanting something under their breath.

With his Extraordinary Perception, Fang Xing managed to catch some of it.

Words like "respectfully welcoming the Yellow Wolf Great Immortal’s descent to the mortal realm."

"These villagers... using their own children as sacrifices. They’re animals!"

Xu Yao gritted her teeth, her fists clenched tight.

"No need to be angry. This is how the world is. Once we deal with the demon, these people will naturally come to their senses."

Fang Xing said calmly.

"Sir, isn’t it more likely for this demon to appear at night?"

Feng Xiu asked in a low voice as he watched.

"Just wait. Since we’ve encountered it, it will definitely show itself."

Fang Xing said.

The two nodded and continued to watch in silence.

The sacrificial ceremony lasted for an hour before it ended.

The crowd of villagers dispersed, but a few remained outside the temple.

They appeared to be standing guard.

The two looked at Fang Xing, whose face remained as calm as still water. They didn’t ask any more questions and continued to stare.

...

’Is this thing not going to show up?’

On the hillside, Fang Xing stared at the temple in the village. Two hours had passed, and there was still no sign of movement.

Outside the temple, the few young villagers were still standing there.

To avoid alerting the enemy, Fang Xing could only wait patiently.

Time gradually slipped by.

The setting sun was the color of blood. Soon, it was dusk.

Just as Fang Xing and the others were growing impatient, their pupils suddenly contracted.

Outside the temple, the few villagers on guard collapsed silently, as if they had been knocked out by a drug.

Immediately after, a plume of black smoke shot out from the side of the temple. Within the smoke, the faint shadow of a standing creature could be seen.

It was heading for the temple.

The demon!

’It’s finally here!’

Fang Xing’s heart jolted. He immediately looked at Feng Xiu and Xu Yao beside him.

"Guard the village exit!"

The two nodded.

The moment the words left his mouth, Fang Xing’s figure vanished without a trace, like a wisp of Qingfeng.

He had pushed his Wind God Step to its absolute limit, having long since reached the realm of a Wind God!

Watching Fang Xing vanish in an instant, the two of them immediately headed for the entrance of Baiyang Village.

...

In moments, Fang Xing had crossed the one-li distance to the temple entrance.

His movements were ghostly, like Qingfeng itself.

He moved with such extreme speed that no one noticed him at all.

Just as he reached the temple entrance, Fang Xing saw the Yellow Wolf Great Immortal, shrouded in black qi, walk out of the temple.

The black qi was wrapped around the bodies of the boy and girl, who had already fallen unconscious.

When it saw Fang Xing, the Yellow Wolf Great Immortal couldn’t help but freeze for a second.

As their eyes met, the very air seemed to freeze.

CLANG—!

Fang Xing drew his saber in a flash. The Demon Suppression Treasure Saber came out like a bolt of lightning, and as his Power erupted, a chilling blade gleam shot forth.

The Yellow Wolf Demon was startled. A dark light flared, forming a sharp claw that lunged forward.

But it was shattered by a single slash of the saber.

SQUELCH—!!

The smell of blood filled the air as the Yellow Wolf Demon let out a bloodcurdling scream.

It paid the boy and girl no mind, dropping them instantly as its black qi surged and it fled wildly into the distance.

VMMMM!!!

Dragon Qi condensed. A roar emanated from within Fang Xing’s body as he channeled his Power into his palm.

A Dragon Roar Palm strike shot out with the speed of a thunderclap, too fast to be dodged.

BOOM!!!

With a loud explosion, the weasel’s figure tumbled through the black smoke, letting out a pained shriek. But it wasn’t dead. In a flash, it darted into the trees.

’It’s still not dead?!’

Shocked, Fang Xing immediately activated his Wind God Step and gave chase.

The two figures sped wildly.

The weasel was fast, but Fang Xing was faster.

The Treasure Saber’s cold gleam shone as sharp Sword Qi slashed out.

The forest trembled.

The weasel let out a pained roar.

But it didn’t stop. Shrouded in black qi, it continued to flee frantically.

SWOOSH—!!

Unleashing his full power, Fang Xing’s figure vanished. The next instant, he appeared in the weasel’s path, blocking it.

The weasel was covered in blood, its eyes filled with utter ferocity.

Its jackal-sized body let out a roar. Its black eyes glowed crimson as a red mist billowed toward him.

Even with his Protective Force active, Fang Xing felt a sudden wave of dizziness.

From within the red mist, a sharp claw, like a blade, shot out.

It was as fast as lightning.

BANG!!!

He met it with a punch. Immense Power erupted, shattering the claw. A black shadow slammed into a large tree, snapping it in half.

The enveloping red mist also began to dissipate.

VMMMM—!!!

Blue Flame Force condensed. The Red Flame Divine Palm erupted instantly, striking the weasel with astonishing speed.

BOOM—!!!

The ground shook. A shrill scream rang out as the powerful, searing Flame Force inflicted excruciating pain on the heavily wounded weasel, its fur turning charred and black.

SQUELCH—!

Seizing the moment, Fang Xing struck swiftly with his saber. Blood splattered. The weasel, which had been writhing in agony, finally went still and collapsed to the ground, its life force fading away.

A crimson wisp rose from the body and entered Fang Xing.

"Hooo..."

Looking at the motionless weasel, Fang Xing let out a breath.

The demon’s Life Force was far more tenacious than he had imagined.

Its attacks were also bizarre. That red, poisonous mist had almost gotten him.