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“Shidi, how did it go?” Liu Taotao and Tang Xuan immediately approached him.

They were among the steadfast Inner Sect disciples who chose to remain during the dojo’s turmoil earlier.

Fang Xi shook his head. “Taking advantage of the strange creatures’ retreat, I checked near the city gates… The area outside is enveloped by a layer of black mist, obstructed by some peculiar force for anyone attempting to pass through. Fearfully, Blackstone City may truly be cut off from the world.”

Tang Xuan felt utterly despairing.

Fang Xi gazed thoughtfully at the towering tree canopy at the city center. “I suggest… we relocate closer to the edge of Blackstone City, near the city walls, and establish a stronghold before deciding our next steps…”

“Why?”

The question came from Mu Piaomiao. After escorting her father to rest in their room, she had remained silent until now.

“It’s because that Demon Tree continues to grow taller…” Fang Xi explained. “Any living creature beneath its canopy will undoubtedly face harassment from those descending pneumatophores, making it extremely dangerous…”

In his mind, Fang Xi had another unspoken suspicion - that the Demon Tree would continue to grow taller indefinitely.

If this trend persisted, there would inevitably come a day when it reaches towering heights, its canopy overshadowing the entire Blackstone City like a new sky!

At that point, it would spell doom for all within Blackstone City!

‘Of course, we cannot rule out the possibility that the Demon Tree might exhibit intelligence, choosing to selectively keep some humans as livestock for periodic consumption…’

‘Demons… truly fascinating beings! Based on Mu Canglong’s description, could this blockade be a “Demonic Domain”? It seems somewhat akin to the early stages of an array formation.’

“Cough, cough!”

Mu Canglong emerged unexpectedly, clearing his throat before saying, “Fang Xi is right; let’s follow his plan… Additionally, during the dojo’s relocation, everything else can be sacrificed except for food and fresh water…”

“Papa, what about your health?” Mu Piaomiao looked at her father with concern.

Fang Xi also noticed that the tadpole-shaped dark patterns on Mu Canglong’s body had spread further, reaching up to his chin.

“It’s futile. This poison acts not only as venom but also as a ‘curse’,” Mu Canglong replied bitterly.

“Master, may I ask what you mean by ‘curse’?” Fang Xi’s interest was piqued.

“Demons and monsters may just appear peculiarly shaped, possess greater strength, or have some unique abilities…” Mu Canglong waved his hand dismissively. “However, curses are entirely different! They represent a specific type of demonic power - Curse Energy! Its terror far surpasses even the vital energy, blood qi, or true force of cultivators… Once afflicted, it clings like a bone-deep infection, ensuring certain death…”

“I see,” Fang Xi nodded, then saluted with cupped hands. “Master, I need to go home briefly to attend to some matters. I’ll rejoin you later.”

Outside, all the monsters had been hung from tree canopies, making the area remarkably safe now.

Many remaining disciples had already discreetly slipped away earlier.

Fang Xi formally bid farewell, being considerate as always.

“Um… Master, I also need to head home for a bit,” Liu Taotao timidly echoed.

“Hmm.” Mu Canglong nodded without any objection. “Remember, we will regroup at the eastern city gate. Fang Xi’s previous assessment was correct; the farther from the Demon Tree’s main body, the better… Additionally, beware of those demon servants. Although they’re merely infected by the demonic curse energy, they still pose a significant challenge.”

“Weren’t we promised a leisurely experience? How did it suddenly turn into surviving a demonic apocalypse?” Fang Xi walked down the devastated streets, gazing at shattered shops and broken corpses scattered on the ground. Occasionally, wary eyes peered out from behind windows, leaving him speechless. ‘And to make it worse, it feels like a battle royale version with a toxic circle constantly expanding outward…’

Fortunately,

Fang Xi could sense that if he wished, he could still return to the southern wilderness’s cultivation world.

With this as his trump card, Fang Xi wasn’t overly anxious.

He made his way, stopping intermittently, until he reached his mansion.

The main gate lay splintered and collapsed to one side.

Several guards’ bodies were strewn around, some frozen in their final enraged poses.

“Of course…” Fang Xi had anticipated this, his eyes flickering, as he stepped into the inner quarters.

A few maids lay dead in pools of blood, still clutching emerald leaves, pearls, gold jewelry, and other valuables…

‘Damn, even amidst danger, they thought only of stealing from their master before fleeing…’

As he continued through the residence, he confirmed that monsters had indeed attacked his home, resulting in severe casualties among the servants.

Most of the survivors had also fled, taking numerous valuables with them.

‘Well, let it be; consider it their severance pay.’

Fang Xi remained unperturbed, understanding that material possessions were transient.

He approached his bedroom, suddenly pausing before pushing open the door.

The room was equally chaotic inside.

Reality proved that prohibitions from the master during an apocalypse were about as effective as farting against a storm.

Unconcerned by the mess, Fang Xi walked towards a finely carved dragon and phoenix cabinet made of red sandalwood and knocked on its door.

“Ahhh!”

With a shriek, a petite figure burst out, wielding a pair of scissors for a swift attack.

Snap!

Speechless, Fang Xi effortlessly swatted away the scissors and delivered a slap alongside, “Lily, wake up! It’s me!”

Hidden within the cabinet was none other than the maid Lily.

A vivid red handprint swiftly appeared on her cheek, starkly contrasting with her fair, delicate skin. However, she seemed to finally regain her senses, sobbing uncontrollably and barely managing to say through tears, “Th-there are monsters… Sweet Pea, Jade Orchid… they… they’re all dead…”

“Where’s Yuegui?” Fang Xi asked.

Lily shook her head, “I didn’t see her…”

Recalling their journey, Fang Xi hadn’t spotted Yuegui’s body, which was reassuring news.

He gently stroked Lily’s hair, feeling almost like petting a cat: “Now that Blackstone City is ruined, I’ll give you two choices. First, come with me; second, take one hundred taels of gold along with your release deed and leave on your own. Choose one!”

Fang Xi glanced around the bedroom, finding nothing significant to pack. In today’s Blackstone City, precious metals might as well be mere rubble - it would be more valuable to grab extra bags of rice from the kitchen instead!

‘Wait, I could buy mortal rice from the cultivation world without even needing to carry them…’

“I…” A spark of life returned to Lily’s eyes. “I will go with Gongzi…”

“Wonderful!” Fang Xi nodded approvingly, impressed by this clever young girl. “In that case, quickly get up and gather some essentials. Take a bag of rice from the kitchen before we leave…”

Near the eastern gate of Blackstone City, there stood residential houses along the city wall.

Baiyun Dojo had chosen this location as its temporary base, already at the outskirts of the city.

The small courtyard was packed with dojo apprentices and their relatives. Apart from Fang Xi bringing his maid, Liu Taotao and Tang Xuan had also brought their parents.

Surprisingly, even Second Senior Brother Wu Ji arrived with a beautiful woman, rumored to be his wife, boldly claiming one of the rooms for themselves.

In the vicinity, numerous influential factions, mostly dojo masters with their apprentices, had driven away the original residents to secure prime real estate around this area.

With order collapsing within the city, might made right!

As a result, Mu Canglong, despite his crippled state, had no choice but to feign cooperation with these dojo masters.

Late at night,

Mu Canglong gathered several key disciples to discuss the day’s events.

“Cough… According to the information I’ve gathered, that Demon Tree can parasitize human and animal bodies. Initially, it descended upon the official residence, leading to the brutal deaths of our governor and most high-ranking officials…”

A single flickering lamp illuminated the faces filled with shock and fear among those present. Mu Canglong’s voice conveyed his helplessness, “Currently… numerous dojos have gathered near the eastern gate, while Yuanhe Mountain controls the southern gate area. The situation at the northern gate is unknown, likely perilous territory. As for the western gate, sporadic reports indicate it has amassed a large number of refugees…”

“The monsters controlled by the Demon Tree predominantly emerge at night, not during the day. Their numbers aren’t overwhelming; if we remain cautious, we should be able to hold out for some time…”

Mu Piaomiao looked deeply concerned, “Father… our stored food and water can barely sustain us for one month.”

“One month?” Mu Canglong’s mood visibly sank.

In reality, many people had perished within Blackstone City. For those unafraid of danger, avoiding the core areas dominated by the tree canopy and its monstrous creations, it wouldn’t be difficult to search residences and grain shops for supplies.

The true challenge lay in maintaining hope!

‘In truth, all the high-ranking officials must know they’ll inevitably be abandoned by the Great Liang imperial court…’

‘These gatherings now are merely prolonging their desperate struggle.’

Fang Xi crossed his arms and leaned against a pillar, fully comprehending the situation: ‘Our persistence now is merely clinging to an incredibly faint hope, hoping that this demonic entity will leave on its own after being sated…’

‘But no one could have anticipated that the demon would be a tree! It might not depart at all, or even if it does, possibly only after spreading its canopy across the entire sky and killing everyone with its aerial roots…’

‘Of course, based on its current rate of expansion, this process may take several months to a year… So initially, the greatest danger was actually… from other people!’

As Fang Xi pondered these thoughts, Mu Canglong’s expression suddenly changed. He coughed out a mouthful of black blood and collapsed into unconsciousness.

“Papa!” Mu Piaomiao cried out, rushing to support him.

Ignoring the frantic commotion around them, Fang Xi stepped outside the room, gazing up at the gloomy sky.

With Baiyun Dojo’s strongest fighter incapacitated, they likely couldn’t hide their vulnerability from those who sought trouble. Danger seemed imminent!