As he read the information in his hands, Fang Xing’s heart grew heavy.

The crucial detail was that even an organization like the Observatory had struggled to obtain detailed information.

This only proved how terrifying they were.

"The Blood Demon Sect’s reach is quite long!" Baili Yanran said, her brow furrowing.

"It’s only a possibility. We just need to be extra careful," Shen Ye said. "With the three of us working together, it shouldn’t be a major problem."

"If some expert at True Qi Perfection shows up, we’ll probably get wiped out," Baili Yanran said, rolling her eyes.

Shen Ye: "..."

Fang Xing: "..."

"Can’t you ever look on the bright side?" Shen Ye asked Baili Yanran, exasperated.

Baili Yanran arched an eyebrow. "I just like to plan for the worst."

"..."

"The situation isn’t as bad as you think. This time, people from a Martial Dao Upper Sect are also heading to Dongting Lake," Shen Ye said.

At his words, Baili Yanran’s eyes lit up. "Which Martial Dao Upper Sect?"

"It should be the Supreme Profound Upper Sect," Shen Ye replied.

"Supreme Profound Upper Sect..."

Hearing Shen Ye mention the name, Fang Xing quickly recalled what he knew about them.

The Supreme Profound Upper Sect was a powerful Martial Dao Upper Sect within the Great Jing Dynasty.

It was one of the Ten Great Martial Dao Upper Sects, a sect with a profound heritage.

Its martial traditions were over a thousand years old.

It was considered one of the very best among the Ten Great Martial Dao Upper Sects.

"If our paths cross, we might be able to work with them," Shen Ye said.

"Work with them? People from the Martial Dao Upper Sects are notoriously arrogant. Are you sure about that?" Baili Yanran looked at him.

Shen Ye smiled. "No guarantees. But at the very least, we’ll be on the same side. We’ll play it by ear. Our main objective is to eliminate the demonic scourge."

Baili Yanran nodded.

Fang Xing didn’t interject, silently rereading the detailed report.

He did, however, keep Shen Ye’s words in mind.

’The Martial Dao Upper Sects might be powerful and imperious, but they were ultimately on the same side.’

’Of course, he wasn’t about to pin his hopes on the Supreme Profound Upper Sect.’

’Even though they were a so-called Righteous Dao Upper Sect, they weren’t without their share of truly wicked people.’

’The Court’s laws could barely restrain the Martial Dao Upper Sects.’

’They were largely a law unto themselves.’

’It wasn’t out of the question for them to openly defy the Court.’

’Some even colluded with the Demon Path Upper Sects in secret, and there was nothing the Court could do about it.’

’These were chaotic times, plagued by foreign invaders and rampant Demons and Monsters.’

’The Sects were carving out their own territories!’

’The Court had plenty of experts, but the Martial Dao Upper Sects were no pushovers.’

’Every one of them had a thousand-year heritage!’

After reading through the detailed report, Fang Xing had a much clearer picture of the situation.

A worst-case scenario began to form in his mind.

’If I can’t beat them, I’ll run!’

...

Dongting Lake was the largest lake in Jiang Province.

It spanned a vast eight hundred li, and its waters were frigid. Even in the height of summer, the lake remained unnaturally cold.

But within Dongting Lake, there was a treasure.

Silver Shuttle Fish!

This was a type of Spirit Fish found only in Dongting Lake. Its meat was exquisite, and its restorative properties were said to rival those of a Treasure Medicine.

A single, foot-long Silver Shuttle Fish could sell for hundreds of taels of silver.

They lurked in the depths of Dongting Lake, making them extremely difficult to catch.

However, catching just one was enough for a common family to live a life of luxury.

Baishui Village was a village on the shores of Dongting Lake.

In the past, its shore bustled with a constant stream of fishing boats. Now, only a few dilapidated vessels were moored there, and not a soul was in sight.

On the dirt road outside the village, three figures appeared in the light of the morning sun.

It was Fang Xing and his two companions.

It had taken them five days to reach this place.

Baishui Village was the first stop on their mission.

This was one of the villages most severely afflicted by the demonic scourge.

Demons and Monsters had slaughtered almost the entire population of Baishui Village, over a hundred people in all.

As they neared Baishui Village, Fang Xing frowned. A putrid stench hung heavy in the air.

By the road at the village entrance, a stone stele leaned crookedly.

The words "Baishui Village" were faintly visible on its surface.

Here and there, they could see hastily made burial mounds and fragments of bone.

The once-bustling village was now a vision of purgatory on earth.

Although the report had described the scene, seeing it with their own eyes was another matter entirely.

Desolate and ruined.

Not a single soul could be seen in the entirety of Baishui Village; it was utterly devoid of life.

Though it was broad daylight, an eerie, bone-chilling feeling permeated the air.

In that moment, the grim reality of a world ravaged by Demons and Monsters was made terrifyingly clear.

"It seems the situation here is even worse than the intelligence report described."

Shen Ye’s expression was grim as he surveyed the desolate ruins, his brow deeply furrowed.

"Let’s head into the village and take a look," Baili Yanran said, walking ahead.

Fang Xing and Shen Ye followed her.

The scene grew even more ghastly as they entered Baishui Village proper.

A few water birds pecked at the rotten flesh on scattered remains. Ruined houses were everywhere; barely a single structure stood intact.

Baishui Village was adjacent to Dongting Lake, and the entire village looked as if it had been scoured by a flood.

The further they ventured, the more muddy and treacherous the ground became.

This, however, posed no obstacle to Fang Xing and his companions.

"CLANG~"

Just as the trio ventured deeper into the village, a strange noise echoed from its heart.

In an instant, all three of them looked in the same direction.

With his powerful, Extraordinary Perception, Fang Xing immediately sensed a potent surge of vital energy.

"SWOOSH—!!!"

Without a moment’s hesitation, the three of them dashed toward the sound.

A dark figure shot out from a collapsed house with incredible speed.

It was a monster, taller than a man, with a hideous face, sharp fangs, and a body covered in long, greenish-blue fur. It was soaking wet from head to toe.

Without a doubt, it was a demonic Water Monster!

"SHING—!"

Before Shen Ye and Baili Yanran could make a move, Fang Xing was the first to draw his saber.