The blade hummed, casting a chilling glint.

With a slash through the air, a beam of Red Flame Blade Qi, dozens of feet long, shot forward.

The slash, infused with Red Flame True Qi, seemed to scorch the very air.

"ROAR—!!!"

Sensing the mortal danger, the Water Monster shrieked. A black light enveloped it, forming a protective shell that covered its entire body.

However, the Water Monster’s defense proved utterly fragile before this strike.

The Red Flame Blade Qi shattered its defense.

"SPLURCH—!"

The Red Flame Blade Qi struck the Water Monster’s body as if it were a tangible Divine Weapon, and its grotesque head went flying.

"THUD!"

The Water Monster’s body collapsed to the ground, its head rolling to one side. Blood streamed out, filling the air with a putrid, coppery stench.

A wisp of crimson light appeared and sank into his body.

It all happened in the blink of an eye.

"!!!"

Watching the slain Demon Water Monster, Shen Ye and Baili Yanran stood to the side, stunned. They had both sensed the immense danger from that Flame Blade Qi.

This Flame Blade Qi seemed completely different from normal Flame Attribute Martial Arts.

’Eight hundred points... So there are fluctuations. Hmm, that’s to be expected.’

Fang Xing checked the Enhancement Points on his panel.

For slaying this Demon Water Monster, he had only received eight hundred Enhancement Points.

Although the amount varied, Fang Xing wasn’t too surprised.

After all, Demons and Monsters varied in strength.

This Demon Water Monster must have been one of the weakest types.

The three of them walked over to the dead Demon Water Monster to get a closer look.

"The Demons and Monsters from the water are coming ashore so brazenly now. It seems a lot has changed these past few days."

Shen Ye’s expression was grave.

Fang Xing scanned the area but, for the time being, found no traces of other Demons and Monsters.

Then, the three continued to investigate Baishui Village.

Especially the area near the shores of Dongting Lake.

Aside from their encounter with the Demon Water Monster, they found nothing else of note in the village.

The trio arrived at the shore of Dongting Lake just outside the village. The icy water was unusually calm. A quick scan revealed nothing out of the ordinary.

"The local Government Office has already been here a few times. Let’s go to the next place."

Baili Yanran said.

The two men nodded, and they promptly left Baishui Village, heading for their next destination.

About the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the trio arrived at another village.

Xiahe Village.

It was not far from Baishui Village, only a dozen or so li away.

This place, however, showed some signs of life.

It looked, however, like the village had also been attacked by Demons and Monsters.

Many of the houses were destroyed.

Standing on the village’s stone bridge, Fang Xing gazed toward a dilapidated temple in the distance.

Inside the dilapidated temple, several figures in tattered clothes were huddled together.

Their hair was disheveled and their eyes were laced with blood.

Thanks to his Extraordinary Perception Power, Fang Xing could even hear the people inside the ruined temple muttering something.

Words like "Demons and Monsters" and "monsters."

"Where are you folks from?"

Just then, a tall, thin old man approached them.

Fang Xing and his companions turned their gazes to the old man.

The old man’s face was covered in dust, and he wore a gray, short jacket. He cut a rather sorry figure.

"We’re from the Government Office, here to assess the situation," Baili Yanran said with a smile.

"From the Government Office?"

The old man sized up the trio, his expression skeptical. But after taking in their attire, some of the suspicion in his eyes faded.

"I am the chief of this village. Honored officials, you’ve come because of those Demons and Monsters, haven’t you?"

The village chief inquired.

Shen Ye nodded. "Yes, that’s right. It looks like your village has been attacked by Demons and Monsters as well. What’s the situation?"

At these words, a pained expression crossed the village chief’s face as he recounted what had happened.

Xiahe Village was in a slightly better state than Baishui Village, but not by much.

They had also been attacked by Demons and Monsters—by several of them, in fact.

However, when the attack occurred, a few Martial Artists had appeared and slain the raiding Demons and Monsters.

And, according to the village chief, these Martial Artists claimed to be from the Supreme Profound Upper Sect.