Chapter 300: This Is Alarming
"It's somewhat terrifying, and yet peculiar," Wang Xuan mused as he gazed towards the distant mountains on the horizon. The ancient legends and stories seemed to be coming to life once again.
In his early years, when he first embarked on the path of the old arts, he had doubted the existence of the immortals, believing that the ancients were most likely long gone.
Now, it had all been confirmed. The creatures of the ancient times were not only alive but also intent on reviving the bloody scenes of their past.
He stood there for a long time, not moving immediately, pondering some questions. He was prepared to unleash a massacre, to eliminate those demons that preyed on humans for sustenance, but this wasn't a battle he could fight alone. He needed to involve more people.
Descending from the sky, he stowed his flying vessel and began walking on the ground. Each step he took covered one or two hundred meters, as if he was shrinking the earth beneath his feet, moving at incredible speed.
In fact, each time he exerted force, he briefly flew just above the ground, traversing the land.
Approaching the outskirts of Sicheng, Wang Xuan moved stealthily, soon noticing something amiss. There was an ancient-styled mountain inn, quaint and catering to climbers and adventurers.
But the four staff members seemed off. Had they been replaced? Their spirits consumed?
Within their bodies resided the spirits of demonic birds and beasts.
Wang Xuan observed them from the shadows for a long time, listening to their conversations.
"Once we're familiar with these identities, we can enter the bustling mortal world. With a bit of caution, we can continually change bodies and feast on fresh blood."
In the short term, these demons were adapting to the rules of modern society, targeting people in secluded places.
Soon, once they fully integrated into society, they planned to move into the cities, letting their current bodies "die" of seemingly natural causes.
Their strategy was chillingly methodical and almost impossible to guard against. In the vast urban populations of the New World, teeming with life, these demons saw an abundant hunting ground, a paradise of blood.
Times had changed, and so had their tactics. No longer did they favor the overt and brutal methods of the past, where blood drenched the earth for all to see. Such explicit violence was unsustainable. Now, they sought a silent return.
"Our leaders are preparing," one of them said. "Soon, we'll take over the bodies of tycoons and heads of major organizations, steering the bigger picture. But actually, this freedom we have now is better. This planet is beautiful, life is so vibrant, and there are so many humans. I prefer this world to the ancient times."
Wang Xuan listened, his resolve hardening. The demons had evolved, becoming more insidious and dangerous. It was time to act, not just to avenge Qian An, but to protect the unsuspecting millions from these hidden predators.
......
Inside one of the men, the spirit of a fierce bird resided. Its beak was curved like a hook, its claws sharp, and its smile chillingly cold.
Wang Xuan observed them quietly from a distance, studying the nature of these demons, uncovering their secrets.
He frowned, recognizing that these were merely low-ranking members. The higher-ups were at Hanwu Mountain, but even from their brief conversations, he realized they were not to be underestimated. These demons planned to silently infiltrate human
society, a move that would typically go unnoticed.
"All over the land, feeding on blood, blending among them, stealthily harvesting... It's quite thrilling," one of them mused.
"Even if the transcendent world collapses, as long as we have a steady supply of blood and consume spirits, our own spirits could slowly strengthen. At the very least, they won't degrade, right?"
Within another man, the spirit of a black wolf bared its fangs, grinning at the thought of entering the city and blending into this new era.
...
Wang Xuan remained silent and hidden. In this society, various demons were returning, living among humans, unseen in their bloodthirsty endeavors. While there was no overt bloodshed like the past massacres, the long-term implications were just as dire.
He refrained from acting immediately, not wanting to startle them and reveal his presence.
Moreover, he soon discovered several forest rangers in the mountains who had also been replaced by demons.
He moved silently through the forest, his gaze fixed on the distant Hanwu Mountain. Through his psychic vision, he saw the miasma of demonic energy, but the demons themselves were gone. Their stronghold was abandoned. The demons' leaders had decisively left their base, giving Wang Xuan no chance to investigate further. He hadn't planned to confront them alone, but their abrupt departure was surprising and cautious.
"Have they fled, or are they leading me on, drawing me into their trap?" he pondered.
This visit was prompted by an unexpected call from Qian An. Was it a genuine plea for help, or a ploy by the demons? Unfortunately, with Qian An dead, Wang Xuan had no way of knowing – he hadn't thought to ask at the time.
On his way back, Wang Xuan executed the demonic spirits residing in the bodies of the forest rangers. Watching their lifeless forms collapse silently, he sighed lightly. Then, he proceeded to eliminate the four demons at the mountain inn.
Returning to the Qian residence, Wang Xuan gazed intently at an ancient Taoist temple, now steeped in a deathly aura. The celestial bones within, once revered, had been consumed by the demons.
"I thought it was the genuine bones of a great Taoist figure. Demons really are indiscriminate in their prey, not even sparing the immortals when given a chance," he mused, realizing that the truly powerful beings likely hid their remains more secretly.
This matter needed to be brought to the Taoist community's attention. Why should he, a modern transcendent, bear the burden of exorcising demons alone? Unless the immortals were in collusion with the demons, offering only token resistance or none at all, the situation would be dire.
The Qian family was busy preparing for a mass relocation as part of their long-standing Primordial Plan. They were well-prepared, so the process was orderly and methodical.
"I've avenged Old Qian, but only on the surface. The real culprits, the mastermind demons, are still out there. Don't you want to take revenge before you leave?" Wang Xuan discussed with Qian An's brothers.
"Of course, we want revenge. My brother died horribly, his soul consumed, turned into a monster's meal. It's a humiliating and dismal end," they replied, anger simmering within them. With their departure imminent, they were more than willing to strike back.
"Look, the descendants of the immortals are holding press conferences, claiming their integration into modern society. We should start by bringing them into this," Wang Xuan suggested. "The Taoist masters who have recently crossed over should be brought here to see your temple. They'll have to react."
Wang Xuan spoke at length with the Qian family. If he acted alone, it would only cause minor ripples and place him in danger. A more significant upheaval was needed, one that would also serve as an opportunity to gauge the reactions of various factions and understand the underlying issues.
He was determined to take action, not just for Old Qian's revenge but to curb the rampant and arrogant demons. They were still hunting humans freely, basking in their past bloody glories. Wang Xuan was ready to unleash a widespread slaughter.
However, he had to consider his own safety. Engaging in a direct confrontation would draw the attention of formidable beings like Qi Teng, the ancestor of the celestial immortals, and Qi Yi, the legendary demon. He couldn't afford to have their focus solely on him.
Soon after, a true immortal from the Zheng family arrived to meet with Wang Xuan. The stage was set for a confrontation, one that would involve more than just him, a battle against the resurgence of ancient demons in the modern world.
......
"I'm now Wang Xuan, inadvertently caught in the conflict involving the Qian family, demons, Zhou Chong, and others. I need you to thoroughly investigate this for me, to ensure I'm not unexpectedly targeted and taken out as Wang Xuan. Also, are the Immortal Elixir and the Five-Colored Soil I requested ready?" Wang Xuan inquired.
The Zheng family's true immortal nodded seriously. They were currently looking into the specifics.
"Within two days at the latest, they'll be delivered from the higher-ups. These divine items
are extremely precious and not easy to find even in the immortal realm, but we've almost gathered everything," the true immortal assured.
...
It was undeniable that some descendants of the immortals had adapted remarkably well to modern society, blending in seamlessly and indistinguishably from the young people of New World.
Following their daytime press conference, some representatives appeared in several large-scale live streams in the evening, bridging the gap with the public and dispelling various negative rumors.
"In this new era, with dazzling technology, even
ordinary people can traverse the starry seas. Times have changed, altering everything. The immortals too have evolved, keeping pace with the times, shedding the rigid stereotypes people have of them," they explained.
People pondered this. So far, the descendants of the immortals didn't seem to have any negative track record.
"We are striving to integrate into this society, cherishing everything we have now. I've even signed a contract to become a singer. I really enjoy my current life," said Zhou Shiqi, radiating youthful beauty and surrounded by an ethereal aura. She didn't seem like a creature capable of massacring ordinary people.
A record company also stepped forward to support her, stating her dedication to her work and teasing an upcoming new song release.
Wang Xuan was closely monitoring their every move, as he was planning to involve them in the unfolding drama. Seeing this scene, he was momentarily lost in thought and speechless.
"Somebody invested with me to open a sanatorium, offering life-extension services for the elderly and beauty enhancement for the young. These are secret techniques of the immortals. I'm working hard and trying to integrate into modern life," added Chen Yan, who, though not a top-tier beauty, possessed an extraordinary aura that left a positive impression, calming the restless public sentiment following the departure of the Zhong family.
The emergence of Kong Yun, Cao Qingyu, and others, handsome and modest, initially gave a good impression. Wang Xuan observed silently, not fearing the Celestial Immortals confronting warships but rather dreading their complete integration into this era. The transition from the old financial tycoons to a new era dominated by Celestial Immortal and demonic tycoons could spell even greater terror.
However, Wang Xuan recognized that this phase might be beneficial. These individuals have declared their intentions; it was time to see their true actions as they were provided with a stage to perform.
Not all descendants of immortals and demons were well-received. Huang Ming's debut was particularly poorly received when he expressed a desire to embrace life on New Star by seeking employment as a bodyguard. Despite his humble approach and his lineage as a descendant of a celestial being, public opinion was overwhelmingly negative.
Comments ridiculed him, likening him to a deceitful creature, doubting the safety he could offer as a protector, and branding him with his ancestor's name, Huang Da Xian (Great Immortal Huang), in a derogatory manner. Frustrated, Huang Ming internally criticized their superficiality and obsession with appearances.
The situation escalated when Qian An's death was reported, followed by the revelation that high-ranking members of the financial conglomerates had been devoured by demonic entities. This set off a shockwave across the world, further fuelled by the news of four inn guests and six forest rangers having their souls consumed by demonic beings.
The morning on New Star was tumultuous, with public outrage boiling over. Accusations flew, condemning the demonic beings for their heinous acts, challenging the earlier portrayals of them as graceful immortals and beautiful young men. The incident sparked a widespread demand for an explanation, questioning how these entities would justify their actions in the face of such horror.
The public outrage on New Star reached a boiling point, fueled by revelations of the ancient horrors wrought by demonic entities and the recent actions of these beings consuming human souls. The prospect of the Celestial Immortals and demons becoming ordinary people in the face of a declining supernatural presence sparked widespread anger and calls for retribution.
The mention of a potential "retreat" of the supernatural forces within a year or three only intensified the public's response. People were incensed at the idea of being preyed upon and reduced to mere sustenance by these once-revered beings. The advancements in technology, such as big data and facial recognition, which have become even more sophisticated over the past century, were highlighted as tools for ensuring these entities could not hide or escape retribution.
The public's reaction was a mix of fear, anger, and determination. They condemned the notion of Celestial Immortals and demons attempting to massacre cities and cleanse the earth with blood, vowing to fight back and reduce these beings to mere animals, confined and controlled. The collective sentiment was clear: there would be no place for these entities to hide, and their time of reckoning was near.
......
Chen Yongjie called up right away, speaking in code with Wang Xuan. "What's going on?"
"Just focus on finding the lotus seeds, and do it quickly. Don't get involved in this mess," Wang Xuan responded calmly.
"This seems pretty serious. Is it related to you? Could it be dangerous?" Chen Yongjie asked, also expressing sorrow for Qian An's death.
"People I know died, and many others have been used as food by them. I'm truly angered and must take action. But I'll be fine. There's a group taking the lead in the assault, and I'll follow behind to wreak havoc. It's about to start," Wang Xuan explained to him.
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