Countless stars hung high, dotting the Cangqiong.

A brilliant, pristine moon hung in the Void, its bright light washing over the land.

The night was even brighter than usual.

Inside the dilapidated temple, the three of them were as still as statues.

Suddenly, Fang Xing’s eyes snapped open, and he immediately stood up.

Hearing the movement, Feng Xiu and Xu Yao, who were beside him, immediately stood up as well.

Fang Xing walked to the temple entrance. Bathed in the soft moonlight, he gazed toward Baima Temple on the distant mountainside.

"Sir, is it time to make our move?"

Feng Xiu asked in a low voice.

Fang Xing nodded slightly, his hand resting on the Demon Suppression Treasure Saber at his waist. "Yes, it’s about time. Let’s move out."

Hearing this, the other two were instantly on high alert.

Then, the three figures moved as one, vanishing from the temple entrance like ghosts in the night.

As swift as the wind.

In no time, Fang Xing and the other two arrived at the foot of the mountain where Baima Temple was located.

"We’ll cover the front and back. You two will guard the temple’s front and rear exits. Kill anyone who slips through!"

Fang Xing commanded, his eyes fixed on Baima Temple up on the mountainside.

"Sir, you’re going in alone?" they asked, stunned. They looked at Fang Xing, their expressions filled with disbelief.

’He’s leading the charge himself! What kind of amazing boss is he?!’

’He’d rather face the danger himself than send his subordinates into harm’s way.’

Fang Xing gazed at Baima Temple, his expression calm. "If it’s dangerous, I can retreat at any time. You two just need to cover the outside."

Hearing this, a trace of hesitation appeared on their faces. Feng Xiu looked at him, his expression serious. "Sir, why don’t I go with you?"

"This is our assigned mission. We each have our own duties. Guarding the perimeter is just as important," Fang Xing said coolly, glancing at him.

Hearing this, neither of them said another word, but they felt a warmth spread through their chests.

’Just having us handle anyone who escapes... it’s obvious he’s looking out for us.’

’We can’t let him down!’

Looking up at Baima Temple, a resolute thought formed in both their minds.

’Even if it gets dangerous, we won’t let a single person escape.’

"Go!" With a wave of his hand from Fang Xing, the other two immediately headed for Baima Temple on the mountainside.

Fang Xing also set off, his steps as light as a breeze.

Soon, the three of them arrived silently outside Baima Temple.

They moved according to the plan.

Xu Yao took up a position at the main gate, while Feng Xiu circled around to the back of the temple and concealed himself.

Once the two were in position, Fang Xing leaped lightly.

He cleared the temple’s ten-foot-high wall with no difficulty whatsoever.

...

Late at night, Baima Temple was exceptionally quiet.

In the temple’s front courtyard, Fang Xing moved like a phantom, heading deeper into the complex.

In the quiet of the night, Fang Xing relied on his Extraordinary Perception Ability. By analyzing the fluctuations of qi and blood, he made his way to a courtyard deep within the temple.

The courtyard gate was shut tight.

Beneath the moonlight, there was not the slightest sound.

And yet, a faint scent of blood hung in the air.

Relying on his powerful Perception Power, he could sense a shocking fluctuation of qi and blood coming from inside the courtyard.

It was even more shocking than the qi and blood fluctuations of a normal Peak Neutralizing Force Martial Artist.

’Could it be... that a demon is hiding in the room in this courtyard?!’

The thought surfaced in his mind.

Fang Xing stared at the courtyard.

His Perception Power was powerful and incredibly subtle. He knew that such a shocking fluctuation of qi and blood was definitely not something a Peak Neutralizing Force Martial Artist could possibly emit.

To far surpass the qi and blood fluctuations of an ordinary Peak Neutralizing Force Martial Artist... there was only one possibility.

A demon!

Only a demon’s qi and blood could be this powerful.

The room in this courtyard was very likely the hiding place of the Mountain Cat Demon mentioned in the mission briefing.

"Hm?"

Just as Fang Xing was preparing to sneak in, he suddenly heard faint footsteps approaching the courtyard.

SWOOSH—!

In a flash, Fang Xing leaped into a large, nearby tree and concealed himself.

He completely suppressed his presence.

Not long after Fang Xing had hidden in the tree, a monk in a white robe appeared in the distance, walking under the moonlight.

He was followed by a Little Novice Monk.

’Bai Ma Abbot...’

From his perch in the tree, Fang Xing’s gaze narrowed as he watched the white-robed monk.

’What perfect timing!’

’I just got here, and I’ve already run into the Bai Ma Abbot.’

This Bai Ma Abbot was the Cult Leader, the target of his mission.

He looked benevolent, but in reality, he was the kind of person who could kill without batting an eye.

Baima Temple had secretly been abducting young men and women, who were most likely being used as blood sacrifices to feed the Demon within its walls.

The Bai Ma Abbot walked to the courtyard gate, the Little Novice Monk at his side carrying a lantern.

"Stand guard here. No one is to enter," the Abbot instructed the Little Novice Monk.

The Little Novice Monk nodded. The Abbot then pushed the door open and entered.

Up in the tree, Fang Xing remained perfectly still.

He watched the Abbot enter the room. For the instant the door was open, the scent of blood in the air intensified.

’It seems this room is most likely the demon’s hiding place.’

Fang Xing thought to himself.

However, he didn’t rush to act, instead continuing to watch quietly.

"Hm?"

’How is there no sound?’

After watching for a while, Fang Xing sensed something was wrong.

The Abbot had walked into the room but hadn’t lit a lamp. Not only that, but there was no sound of movement at all. It was as if he had vanished into thin air.

’Could there be a hidden mechanism inside?’ Fang Xing’s brow furrowed.

His intuition told him there had to be some kind of hidden mechanism or secret room inside.

The Abbot’s qi and blood fluctuations had diminished, as if he was no longer in the room at all.

Staring at the room in the courtyard, Fang Xing rested a hand on the hilt of his saber.