activa-t Chapter 86 Frenzied Slaughter, Exploding Dao Fruits
Chapter 86 Frenzied Slaughter, Exploding Dao Fruits
Chapter 86 Frenzied Slaughter, Exploding Dao Fruits
An earthquake, accompanied by a violent storm, swept across the vast Green Lake. Within days, the lake was engulfed by huge waves, and the streams from the depths of Feilong Mountain swelled. With the river overflowing, the vast wilderness was submerged in water.
The outer wall of Xinyu City was torn open by the ground, leaving a shocking crack.
The earthquake caused severe building collapses, chaos ensued in the city, prisons collapsed, and a large number of fugitives were freed.
This group of thugs wreaked havoc throughout the chaotic city before fleeing in all directions.
Along the way, large numbers of refugees fled in panic, like flocks of sheep.
The city lord, Wang Hui, was quite responsible. From the beginning of the earthquake, he worked hard to provide disaster relief and resettle the people who had fled from all directions.
However, the biggest problem is not the disaster caused by the earthquake and rainstorm, but that Feilong Mountain and Green Lake have been completely changed after this shocking event.
Just yesterday, someone reported that a terrifying lake monster had appeared in Green Lake, devouring fishermen everywhere.
The local people living near Feilong Mountain say that many mountain monsters have sprung out of the mountain, robbing people, eating people and livestock, which is extremely terrifying.
The city patrol was forced to leave the city to capture fugitives and monsters, causing chaos in the city.
Dressed in blue, he was heroic and majestic.
Although he is only a trainee demon slayer, Song Shen has already gained control over a portion of the life and death power of the Demon Suppression Division.
If you see a demon, you may kill it.
If you encounter the Demonic Sect, you may kill them.
Song Shen, Xiao Pingzhe, and Li Chan stood silently on the city wall.
"Elder Li, if the demons can be resurrected, they will surely attack this city first. How about you stay and guard this city, while Song Shen and I go into the mountains together?"
Li Chan objected, "I am at the Innate Realm, shouldn't I also be allowed to enter the mountains? I haven't avenged the Cao family head yet."
"What Elder Li said makes sense, but only a true innate expert is qualified to guard a city."
Li Chan's pride was greatly satisfied, and at the same time he knew that the city was in such a mess. After being away for so long, his first thought upon returning was still the city.
But Hsiao Ping-che's words went deeper.
"This is only the initial stage of the earth's upheaval; the subsequent chaos is what we need to focus on. Therefore, we need to do three things: First, wipe out the demons in the mountains; second, maintain the stability of the city so that the scattered people will not be homeless, and to hold the city, we need strong strength; third, we need to consult with the various monsters that have roamed from the mountains to the nearby villages and waterways."
"The first task is the most difficult, and I, Xiao Pingzhe, am the Purple-Clad Demon Exorcist, so naturally I will take on the task without hesitation."
The second task is the most important, and I hope Elder Li will not refuse it. The third task is relatively safe and free, and will also earn you merit.
"Song Shen, you're the best person to do this."
He paused after speaking, then said, "To catch the thief, catch the king first. As long as we kill the centipede monster behind the snake and rat lords, the rest are nothing to fear. When Elder Li wants to take action personally, I wholeheartedly agree."
"The people of Xinyu City are all good people. These days I have traveled all over the mountains and rivers, and often talked with the people in the countryside. I found that the people here are simple and kind. I really can't bear to see these demons and monsters running rampant and causing harm. We must not slack off on our respective duties."
Xiao Pingzhe, as expected of his own demon hunter, analyzed the situation perfectly, emphasizing that the three masters were each in their proper place, leaving Li Chan speechless.
"My good disciple, can you handle this?"
"With a formidable enemy at hand, who else but me should be responsible for protecting the borders and ensuring the safety of the people?" Song Shen declared that he had no problem with it.
Xiao Pingzhe and Li Chan were both immediately impressed by Song Shen's righteous indignation. It was truly remarkable that he possessed such extraordinary spirit at such a young age.
"Song Shen, I know you want to go into the mountains." Xiao Pingzhe spoke calmly, his tone no longer casual but more serious.
"But it's not the right time yet."
Song Shen didn't speak, but simply pressed the hilt of the knife at his waist.
Xiao Pingzhe continued, "The duty of the Demon Suppression Division is not to play the hero or to gain empty fame by slaying demons. Our duty is to quell demonic rebellions and protect the people. The situation deep within Flying Dragon Mountain is currently unclear. The old demon has resurrected, and we don't know where Xiang Shengtian and the rat demon are hiding. If you rashly enter the mountain and get trapped, no one will be able to save you."
He paused, then pointed to the vast, misty green lake outside the city.
"Your task is to clear out the monsters on the outskirts. In Green Lake and around Flying Dragon Mountain, kill every water monster and mountain monster that has mutated due to the leakage of the earthquake's essence. This will allow you to accumulate merit points and stabilize the situation outside the city, preventing these monsters from further harassing the people."
Traveling alone?
Song Shen liked it.
Having not obtained a Dao Fruit for a long time, Song Shen was itching to get one.
"Xiao Ziyi must be used to fighting alone."
However, the last time Old Cao went into the mountains alone, his fate was extremely tragic.
"Of course." Xiao Pingzhe frowned. "Leveling a mountain is the task the Marquis gave me on this trip."
Xiao Pingzhe gazed into the depths of Flying Dragon Mountain and slowly said, "I left this trip without anyone by my side. I want to become the sharpest blade of my Great Yong Demon Suppression Division through this life-and-death experience, to make meritorious contributions, and to fight on the battlefield. This has been my ambition since I was a child."
"This Flying Dragon Mountain is my battlefield."
After saying that, he suddenly turned around and said, "Your strength is not bad, but I have already observed it."
"However," he smiled slightly, "Song Shen, your brilliance is too overwhelming. First, you offended the people of Cangyun Sect and Feixue Manor. Although those two old geezers are not particularly strong, they are still at the Innate Realm. Your strength is not bad, but if it really comes down to a life-or-death struggle, you are no match for them. In addition, there are the people of Huang Mansion, the demons of Liansheng Sect, and, well, those two demons in the mountains."
When Song Shen counted them, he was shocked.
Dude, why is everyone in this world my enemy?
In fact, Xiao Pingzhe underestimated the number. In Xinyu City and Feilong Mountain, there was at least one Sand Boat Gang member who wanted to kill Song Shen.
Xiao Pingzhe laughed heartily: "What I mean is definitely not that you should live cautiously and avoid offending others in the future."
In fact, I have offended more and stronger people than you! But so what? I am still alive and well, while those who have died are my enemies.
"6
"As for you, you haven't grown up yet. The most important thing is that you haven't cultivated true qi, so you can't be considered to have entered the Dao through martial arts. Your ability to protect yourself is ultimately limited. Therefore, the third mission is the most suitable for you to play your role. After all, I don't want Elder Li's disciple to die in my hands. In the long run, the casualty rate of my Demon Suppression Division is as high as 40%. I don't want something to happen to you as soon as you enter the sect."
Song Shen smiled wryly and said, "Do you have a bad feeling about this? Otherwise, why are you rambling on and on? I knew exactly what you meant after you said just a couple of sentences."
Xiao Ping patted Song Shen on the shoulder and said, "We're on a mission, so naturally we need to make things clear."
Li Chan stroked his beard and nodded, "Xiao Ziyi is right. My good disciple, although you are not weak, there is a huge gap between the innate and non-innate realms. That old demon in the mountain is not someone you can deal with at your current level."
Song Shen was silent for a moment, then suddenly grinned: "I never said I was going to the mountains to die. Killing some monsters and accumulating some merit points, isn't that good enough?"
Xiao Pingzhe's lips curled slightly: "Then it's settled. You stay outside the city to hunt down the water monsters and mountain monsters and maintain the city's stability. I'll go into the mountains to check for that old demon's whereabouts and, while I'm at it, meet that old snake."
Li Chan said, "I will stay in the city to guard against any eventuality."
Song Shen said, "I'm out there leveling up by grinding monsters."
Xiao Pingzhe gave him a look of utter exasperation, then took out a flawless jade pendant.
"This item is called the Demon-Repelling Jade. It will react and warn you if demons or evil spirits appear nearby, and can be used to protect you. Also, the Mountain-Searching and Qi-Observing Technique that I am passing on to you should not be underestimated. Demons often hide in places with rich earth veins. This Mountain-Searching and Qi-Observing Technique can help you travel across mountains and rivers to find the traces of demons."
"clear."
The three exchanged a glance and clasped their hands in a fist salute.
Having said that, he took off into the air, leaping through the rain for a moment before disappearing into the distance like a torrent of water carrying stones.
"Is this what a master of innate cultivation looks like?"
Song Shen was filled with anticipation.
I myself, how I wish I could soar so high!
However, cultivation depends on comprehension and hard work, both of which Song Shen happens to possess, so he does not underestimate himself.
Li Chan said, "Disciple, you must remember what Xiao Pingzhe just said; these are invaluable words. This man is good. Although he comes from a noble family, he is not arrogant. You should listen carefully to what he says."
"I understand." Song Shenyi raised his sword and suddenly said, "By the way, I haven't seen Senior Sister these past few days. Could she have already set off for the sect?"
"Not yet. He recently took on a temporary job as a constable, helping the government clean up troubles."
"Alright, then I'm heading out of the city."
"Take care of yourself."
"Take care of yourself!"
The autumn wind is bleak.
A surge of waves rose.
The water level of Green Lake has risen several feet higher than it did a few days ago. The murky surface is littered with broken logs and the carcasses of dead animals, as well as many household items belonging to the people. These items seem to have been used just yesterday, but today they have become the innocent souls of their owners in this flood, a sight that evokes pity.
Song Shen found an abandoned raft and poled it away from the shore.
He didn't bring anyone with him; Liu Shuisheng and Zhang Baolu were left in the city to help maintain order. In this kind of water battle, having too many people would only be a burden.
The raft slowly drifted into the depths of the marsh.
The raft was something he casually made on the lakeside; it was just a few dead trees tied together with vines, incredibly rudimentary.
But Song Shen's boat-handling skills were already at the master level. The raft was like a living thing in his hands, cutting through the murky lake water quickly and steadily.
He did not go straight to the center of the lake.
He took Xiao Pingzhe's words to heart—first the outer perimeter, then the interior. And those fishing villages scattered along the shores of Green Lake are the places most likely to be affected by the disaster right now.
Song Shen recalled that there were seven or eight fishing villages around Green Lake, the largest of which was called Liujiawan, followed by Chenjiadu and Baiqiong Island. In the past, when the Caofu Fishing Ground was still there, he often led his men to collect fish in those villages and met many fishermen.
As the raft sailed across a familiar stretch of water, the sight on the shore made Song Shen frown.
We arrived at Liujiawan in the blink of an eye.
The house was mostly destroyed, as if it had been crushed by some enormous force.
Fishing nets were scattered all over the ground, and several broken boats were stranded on the mudflats, their bottoms facing the sky.
Only a few houses located on the hills remained in the entire village, and were not submerged by the flood.
Several mutilated corpses floated in the river bend, bearing signs of tearing and biting, suggesting that a monster had once roamed the area.
Song Shen jumped off the raft, waded through the muddy village path, and used his agility to run towards the first house on the hill.
nobody.
Song Shen was greatly disappointed.
"The entire village wiped out?" Song Shen felt a heavy weight in his heart. He arrived at the dock and was pleasantly surprised to find some drag marks. Perhaps the villagers had managed to escape.
Suddenly, he stopped.
By the water's edge, a dark, indistinct shape was wriggling.
It was a strange fish, nearly ten feet long, covered in slimy black scales. Its head was flat, and its large mouth, almost half the length of its body, revealed countless ring-shaped sharp teeth. It had been lying on the shore gnawing at something, and two long whiskers near its mouth had mutated into thick tentacles covered with barbs.
Hearing footsteps, he turned around abruptly, his brownish-red vertical pupils locking onto Song Shen.
This is a mutated blackfish—a carnivorous fish that originally existed in Green Lake, presumably a product of this earthworm's upheaval.
The mutilated corpse we just saw was most likely the work of this monster.
The strange fish was clearly tainted with some demonic power; upon seeing Song Shen, it opened its mouth and bit him with astonishing speed.
"You beast!"
Song Shen did not draw his sword.
He stepped aside to avoid the giant mouth, then turned his five fingers into a palm and slapped it onto the fish's head.
Bang!
The spiraling, ferocious force of the Vajra Palm pierced through the fish's bones, shattering its skull instantly. Its massive body convulsed violently on the mudflat, its tail whipping and splashing up large amounts of mud and water. After a few breaths, it lay completely still.
[Obtained the Essence Dao Fruit: Demonized Rotten Beard (One year and nine months)]
"Hmm, more than one?"
Song Shen steered his boat into the water. His small boat was just a tiny wooden raft. In an instant, from all directions, his bloodthirsty eyes shot out a thirst for flesh and blood.
Splash!
Five strange fish suddenly leaped out of the water and lunged at Song Shen.
The sound of wind and thunder pierced the sky.
Song Shen drew several cold flashes, and his long sword instantly returned to its sheath.
[Obtained Essence Dao Fruit: Demonized Rotten Beard x5 (Seven Years and Three Months)]
The severed fish body flew off and scattered, landing on the water's surface. Song Shen focused his senses for a moment, but couldn't detect any monsters around him, before leaping back to shore.
They rushed to the remaining household.
At the entrance, there was only a table and chair, on which was a piece of letter paper.
The letter was yellowed and the ink was somewhat blurred, but it was still legible: "Fellow villagers of Liujiawan: The earth has turned upside down, and demons are rising everywhere. Anyone who wishes to evacuate should go to Baiqiong Island Wharf within three days. Someone will meet you there. No one will wait for you after that time."
There was no signature or endnote.
Song Shen folded the letter and put it in his pocket, then continued to pole forward.
Baiqiong Island?
A secluded island deep in Green Lake, far from the shore, was occupied by the Sand Boat Gang and became a paradise for the nearest fugitives.
But that's the territory of the Sand Boat Gang.
Who's picking them up there? Government officials? Gangs? Or some other force?
"interesting."
He turned and left the house, jumped onto the raft, and headed towards Chenjiadu.
"Hopefully, some will survive."
Song Shen steered the boat swiftly, encountering several monsters along the way, all of which he slew and transformed into Dao Fruit power.
The impact of the earth dragon's upheaval was enormous; it seemed that some kind of demonic force deep within the earth was corrupting these originally normal creatures.
Half an hour later, at Chenjiadu.
A figure in green robes darted ashore, lingered for a long time, and sighed deeply.
The house was almost completely razed to the ground, leaving only a few wooden stakes standing forlornly on the ground.
Just as it swooped down to the ground, a gaping maw lunged out from behind.
Song Shen turned around and unleashed a palm strike, the explosive force of which sent the monster crashing back into the water. Song Shen then somersaulted back to the shore.
On the water's surface, only two cold, vertical pupils were staring at Song Shen from afar.
Bloodthirsty demonic nature.
Song Shen stood on the shore, smiling as he looked at the crocodile, the only water monster that could take a hit from his hand.
A line of water on the lake surface gradually drew closer, its speed increasing rapidly, until finally it turned into a low roar, bursting out of the water and biting Song Shen's large hand.
It had sharp, large teeth and began to tear and bite fiercely.
After a long while, a hint of horror gradually appeared in the strange crocodile's vertical pupils.
Why can't this human's big, fleshy hand bite it off by itself?
Song Shen smiled and asked, "Can you even bite it?"
With a quick pull, the crocodile's back, covered in barbs, emerged from the water, and the large hand that had been bitten transformed into a powerful palm strike, causing the strange crocodile to let out a violent scream.
Song Shen slammed his large hand down on his vulnerable abdomen, the spiraling force continuously attacking, twisting, and exploding at this fragile area.
Finally, a large hole appeared in the crocodile's back, and Song Shen flicked his hand, throwing the crocodile carcass back into the water.
[Obtained Essence Dao Fruit: Bloodthirsty Ironclad Crocodile (Four Years and Three Months)]
He used his movement technique to search the houses on the high ground again, and soon he found the damp, greasy letter paper again.
"—Arriving at Baiqiong Island Wharf, someone will be there to meet you—"
The edges of the notice were blurred by water, but the writing was still legible.
"Hopefully it's not some evil entity."
Song Shen looked into the distance and sailed away again.
"The deeper you go, the more monsters you encounter?"
Song Shen gazed into the distance. Feilong Mountain lay at the edge of the lake, shrouded in mist and rain. As he traveled, he clearly saw the lake monster.
"We need to think of a way to gather these water monsters together; this is too inefficient."
He hesitated for a moment, then slashed his finger with a knife, letting his blood, shimmering with the glow of the sunset, flow out. He soaked the blood in a cotton cloth and placed it in water.
Half an hour later, Song Shen left the waters and continued on his way.
[Essence of Dao Fruit: 39 years and 5 months]
[Skill and Dao Fruition: Thirty-eight years and four months]
The lake was covered with the corpses of monsters, and a lone boat sailed on the vast expanse of misty water.
Heavy rain for several days.
The lake surface was churning and surging, just like the sea.
Baiqiong Island, once a vast island, is now mostly submerged, its streets washed by murky yellow water, and mud everywhere.
The various casinos and brothels that were once painstakingly built are now stained with black mud, and the entire island is filled with an atmosphere of decay.
"Chief Yue, are we really going to take these people with us? If we abandon them and flee for our lives, we might still have a chance to survive."
The speaker was a fugitive wanted by the government for many years, who had been hiding on this island for a long time.
Yue Zhong looked at the dirty people on the island with a gloomy gaze and said with a bitter smile, "Look at the boatmen and fishermen under my command. These people are their family members or neighbors. The core of my sandboat gang is fishermen and boatmen. Now you want me to abandon these people? How can my sandboat gang continue to operate?"
Every power needs a foundation to survive; relying on pure violence will only lead to its downfall in the end.
Yue Zhong knew clearly that he could not abandon the fishermen, boatmen, and the refugees who were their families and elders.
Of course, wasn't he himself a boy who grew up by the water?
"I just wanted to gather the refugees in the area and escape, but who knew we'd run into such a huge monster?"
At this moment, the leader of the White Tiger Hall burst in with a gloomy expression. "Chief, that monster is still outside. We're probably in deep trouble this time."
Yue Zhong let out a breath; he was going to go crazy if things continued like this.
As everyone left the house, the giant warship Red Whale of the Sand Ship Gang floated on the water in the distance.
On the murky water, a huge ghostly face floated on the surface, resting motionless on the Red Whale, gazing at the humans on the island.
Its head is flat and broad, with two bony growths on either side of its frontal bone, resembling demon horns; a vertical crack runs along the tip of its nose, like a split nose bridge; its eye sockets are deep-set, and its pupils glow with an eerie green light. Most terrifying of all are the scales on its forehead—whether by coincidence or mutation, the irregular scales form a distorted, ghostly face: high brow ridges, prominent cheekbones, and downturned corners of the mouth, making it look extremely bizarre and frightening, filled with a strong demonic aura.
Yue Zhong sighed, "Damn it, the fortune teller said I'd make a fortune after forty-five, but it was all a lie. I'm only forty-four and I'm about to die. We江湖 (jianghu, the underworld) rascals, no matter how high we climb, are all destined to be killed in the end."
The leader of the Azure Dragon Hall suggested, "Chief, all our small boats are gone. Could we arrange for the people to try to escape on the Crimson Whale?"
Yue Zhong glanced at him sideways. "You mean you're using these refugees as bait, right?"
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The leader of the Azure Dragon Hall remained silent. "Waiting like this will only lead to the same result in the end. This monster is simply beyond our ability to handle."
This is truly cruel.
But they only had one large ship, and the ghost-faced turtle had clearly developed some intelligence, cunningly leaning against the side of the large ship.
They did consider sending in experts to try, but anyone who got close was swallowed up on the spot by that gaping maw.
At his wits' end, Yue Zhong also found it difficult to decide whether to abandon the refugees, and he was in great turmoil.
Someone shouted, "Someone's coming!"
Yue Zhong and the other skilled members of the sandboat gang gazed into the distance.
In the drizzle, a raft came from afar on the gurgling water.
The rudimentary wooden raft sped across the water at an astonishing speed, a speed far beyond what a raft could possibly possess.