Human Clan Defender
Chapter 58 Too Quiet

Fortunately, not all bodies can turn into Corpse Puppets. Only those relatively well-preserved can undergo this transformation; otherwise, the number of Corpse Puppets would grow substantially. Shen Changqing drew his long saber from its sheath and cut down a Corpse Puppet that lunged at him. Although the number of Corpse Puppets that had risen was considerable, it hadn’t reached a level of despair. In my opinion, the powerful being who had sealed the Demon’s Essence Blood here probably hadn’t expected this place to become a Mass Burial Mound one day.

"This place is under my watch! When did it become rampant with Demon Evil?!" Shen Changqing shouted coldly. Stepping forward, his Blade Gang burst out, instantly tearing through the air and beheading more than a dozen Corpse Puppets.

"Gang Qi released!"

This scene was directly witnessed by the others, sending a chill through their hearts.

Gang Qi released! That was the hallmark of an Innate Outer Gang expert. Although some Martial Arts could also achieve Gang Qi release even if the Martial Artist hadn’t reached the Outer Gang Realm—who could be certain that this Lord Shen wasn’t an Innate Outer Gang Realm expert?

Amidst their shock, they also felt a great deal of relief. The number of Corpse Puppets was quite large, imposing considerable pressure on these Jianghu folk. Now, with an Innate Outer Gang Realm expert present, the Corpse Puppets no longer posed a significant problem.

As for their thoughts, Shen Changqing paid them no mind. After all, the fact that I have broken through to the Innate Realm cannot be concealed. But with the Heavenly Martial Gang Qi, I have an explanation for the Demon-Subduing Division. As long as I don’t intentionally expose it, nobody will know I am already an Innate Outer Gang Martial Artist. This is because the special trait of the Heavenly Martial Gang Qi allows for Gang Qi release upon breaking through to the Innate Realm.

Shen Changqing’s action was nothing short of inspiring. Instantly, the others also sped up their pace in slaying the Corpse Puppets.

In less than an hour, not a single Corpse Puppet emerged from the deep gorge. The slain Corpse Puppets were all thrown back where they came from.

At this moment, blood-red light surged upwards. Sounds akin to a formidable beast’s deep roar echoed endlessly within the deep gorge, causing everyone’s expression to change. It was coming out!

Sheathing his saber, Shen Changqing’s hand unconsciously rested on the hilt. His gaze was grave, and he dared not relax his mind in the slightest. The strength of a Demon Evil is incomparable to an ordinary Strange Monster. Just how powerful could a single, unrestricted drop of Demon’s Essence Blood be? I’m not sure. From the preceding Earth Dragon’s Turnover to the revival of the dead, it’s clear that the Demon’s Essence Blood is far from ordinary.

Immediately afterward, Shen Changqing’s gaze swept over Cui Cheng and the others. Even at my Realm, I feel immense pressure. Relying solely on these Pulse Condensation Realm Martial Artists, do they truly have a method to subdue the Demon’s Essence Blood? About that... I harbor a great deal of skepticism.

The scene fell silent; only the roaring and bellowing echoed endlessly. Before long, a fist-sized, emerald-green blood sphere emerged from the deep gorge, drawing the gazes of everyone present. Upon closer inspection, one could discern intertwined red lights within the emerald-green blood sphere. Rumbling, heart-shaking roars emanated from it.

"Move!" It was unclear who shouted first, but then people were seen rushing toward the emerald-green blood sphere. Their purpose in coming here was precisely for the Demon’s Essence Blood. Now that it had appeared, no one could contain their impulse. After the first person acted, a second and then a third followed in the next instant. Even Cui Cheng, Ming Zhengyang, and the others struggled to maintain their composure.

"The Demon’s Essence Blood belongs to the Guiyuan Sword Sect! No one else can take it!" Cui Cheng drew his longsword, its cold light glinting as he aimed for the Martial Artist closest to the Essence Blood.

Simultaneously, Ming Zhengyang stepped forward, his figure flickering like a phantom before vanishing. In the next instant, he reappeared near the Demon’s Essence Blood, his Folding Fan thrusting out like a longsword, its fierce aura causing expressions to change.

"The Guiyuan Sword Sect wishes to monopolize the Demon’s Essence Blood? That’s rather presumptuous! This Essence Blood, the Qiyao Sect claims it. If everyone can give us some face, I, Ming, and the Qiyao Sect will definitely show our gratitude in the future!"

"Whatever rewards the Qiyao Sect can offer, my Saber Blade Sect will double! Why not let me have the Demon’s Essence Blood?" Xiao Bo laughed heartily, drawing the long saber from his back. A sharp, unparalleled saber qi erupted, instantly cleaving the air.

Before the Demon’s Essence Blood emerged, these members of the major sects had shown some restraint. But now that it had truly surfaced, they cast aside all scruples.

A chaotic battle erupted instantly! Everyone wanted the Demon’s Essence Blood, ensuring no peaceful resolution was possible among those present.

Shen Changqing took two steps back, silently watching the crowd fight over the Demon’s Essence Blood, with no intention of intervening himself. As I assessed from the start, the Demon’s Essence Blood is precious, but that’s relative. So, while other factions see it as exceedingly valuable, to the Demon-Subduing Division, though still precious, it’s not something we absolutely must acquire.

Shen Changqing’s gaze fell on Ming Zhengyang. The Qiyao Sect’s Martial Arts movements seem rather gentle, somewhat reminiscent of the Confucian style. I heard the founder of the Qiyao Sect was originally a Great Confucian in the imperial court. It seems the rumors are true.

Among everyone present, his strength is arguably the greatest. By comparison, even the two from the Saber Blade Sect, which also has a Grandmaster, are a notch below Ming Zhengyang in terms of power. Although a sect’s strength doesn’t perfectly dictate its disciples’ strength, a stronger sect possesses a deeper foundation. Consequently, individuals nurtured there tend to be much stronger than average.

If I were to rank everyone present, Ming Zhengyang would be in the first tier. The two from the Saber Blade Sect would be in the second tier, and the disciples from the remaining sects would barely bridge the second and third tiers. The unaligned Martial Artists would all be classified below the third tier.

Combat between Martial Artists is a battle of life and death. Especially now, under the influence of the Demon’s Essence Blood, everyone’s killing intent was invisibly amplified. As a result, not long after the fighting began, some had already fallen, never to rise again.

Suddenly, a cold and sinister aura permeated the surroundings. Shen Changqing’s expression changed slightly. Tapping his toes lightly on the ground, he soared backward like a large bird, instantly distancing himself from the Demon’s Essence Blood.

As he retreated, a thick fog surged before his eyes. The previously clear scene instantly blurred.

Demon Evil! Having slain a few Demon Evils with his own hands, Shen Changqing had become sensitive to their aura.

Originally, upon seeing the Demon’s Essence Blood, I also harbored some doubts. So many Jianghu figures came to compete for it; why was there no movement from the Demon Evil side? Later, I attributed it to the fact that I had slain all the Demon Evils dispatched by the Eternal Alliance, which was why none had appeared.

But I didn’t expect the Demon Evil to actually have a contingency plan. Now, the area in the Mass Burial Mound where everyone is fighting for the Demon’s Essence Blood has been enveloped by fog, and the fog shows signs of spreading further outward.

With his keen perception, Shen Changqing could sense an intense danger within the fog. Therefore, as soon as he began to retreat from the fog-covered area, he didn’t pause, immediately using lightness techniques to leap away and leave the Mass Burial Mound.

The Demon Evil appeared in the Mass Burial Mound for the Demon’s Essence Blood... then what about Lin’an City? Those countless commoners are probably also coveted by the Demon Evil— Shen Changqing didn’t stop, already rushing towards Lin’an City.

Since Demon Evil have appeared in the Mass Burial Mound, it’s likely they’ll also appear in Lin’an City. I haven’t forgotten my primary mission: to defend Lin’an City. If Lin’an City falls to the Demon Evil, my mission will be a failure.

Moreover—even if not for the mission, I, Shen Changqing, have no reason to stand idly by while I have the ability to act, allowing so many commoners to perish at the hands of Demon Evil.

Shen Changqing pondered, The Demon Evil at the Mass Burial Mound make me feel threatened. There must be at least one Resentment Level Monster, possibly more. Besides, the Mass Burial Mound is inherently a burial ground for corpses; it’s not advisable to engage them there for now. As for those Jianghu people... it’s up to their luck.

To be honest, I don’t think Cui Cheng and the others have any chance of surviving. After all, even I, having reached the Innate Outer Gang Realm, feel threatened. One can only imagine the fate of those who haven’t even reached the Innate Realm.

However, since they dared to vie for the Demon’s Essence Blood, they naturally have to bear the consequences. Besides, compared to the commoners of Lin’an City, that group of Jianghu people is expendable.

So, Shen Changqing withdrew, quite decisively. The Demon Evil at the Mass Burial Mound seemed to sense how difficult he was to deal with, as they made no attempt to stop him when he retreated.

Before long, Shen Changqing returned to Lin’an City.

The Earth Dragon’s Turnover had now ended. Combined with his earlier orders for all citizens to take shelter in their homes, the once-crowded streets had become deserted. The entire city, even, exuded an unusual tranquility.

The Earth Dragon’s Turnover had occurred around noon. However, he had been delayed for a considerable time at the Mass Burial Mound. By the time Shen Changqing returned, although it was not yet nightfall, the sun had already set, and darkness had begun to cloak the sky.

Walking through the silent streets, Shen Changqing’s right hand tightly gripped the hilt of his saber, his gaze calm as he steadily headed toward the Yamen. It’s too quiet! The surroundings are excessively, eerily silent. This street, which isn’t particularly long, now seems endless to me.