"The situation developed too suddenly. By the time I realized what was happening, it was already irreversible."
He Sangguang, the City Lord of Dalang City, stood before Xiao Cangqing, his hands clasped together, looking anxious and ill at ease.
He began to report on the current situation in detail. "Based on our experience fighting Evil Spirits and directives from above, all of Dalang City has been placed under a complete blockade. All Martial Artist forces have been gathered at the city's perimeter."
Xiao Cangqing listened and shook his head lightly, a hint of disdain on his face. "Evil Spirits are not something humans can easily contain with a blockade.
They have a natural advantage, able to manipulate illusions, affect a person's reason and judgment, and even pass through walls to possess human bodies.
How can a simple blockade possibly stop abilities like these?"
At these words, He Sangguang's face grew even paler. He pulled out a handkerchief and repeatedly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
As a trusted subordinate of Her Majesty the Queen,
he had only just been transferred to Dalang City when this crisis erupted. 'This is just my rotten luck.'
Fortunately, the Great Qin Empire had a history of wars between humans and Evil Spirits, so He Sangguang could at least draw upon the experience of his predecessors.
He had unhesitatingly mobilized all the Martial Artist forces in Dalang City to completely surround it.
"Gather all the Martial Artists. You will follow me deep into Dalang City."
Xiao Cangqing said coldly, "Only by completely slaughtering those Evil Spirits can Dalang City know peace again. And only then can you, as the City Lord, keep your position secure."
Xiao Cangqing, of course, knew of the worry and terror in He Sangguang's heart.
He had always scoffed at politicians like him.
Still, he could understand. After all, everyone had their own way of surviving.
Just like Chu He, who, despite his lack of strength, was always trying to use various tricks to compensate for his shortcomings.
'In my eyes, people like that are nothing more than pitiful wretches.'
"Everything will be as Mr. Xiao arranges."
He Sangguang was oblivious to Xiao Cangqing's thoughts. He only felt that this new National Guardian War God's expression was unreadable, but it eventually settled back into a look of calm arrogance.
He hastily stated his compliance, afraid of angering this powerful individual.
Soon, a large group of Martial Artists was assembled, standing silently before Xiao Cangqing.
Their ages varied. The youngest were just in their early twenties, while the oldest were already over fifty.
They all wore specially-made Soft Armor, which was covered in complex Runes.
These Runes had been specially treated to provide a certain degree of defense against the attacks of Evil Spirits.
But against the coming tide of Evil Spirits, how much of a difference could these defensive measures really make?
"How many King-level experts are among you?"
Xiao Cangqing's gaze swept through the crowd.
From the crowd, two men slowly stepped forward. Their auras were steady and profound; they were clearly King-level existences.
"Martial Artists of the Fifth Grade and above will enter the city with me. The rest will stay here. Otherwise, you'll just be a burden."
Xiao Cangqing's words were cold and direct, devoid of any emotion.
As soon as he said this, the Martial Artists below the Fifth Grade showed looks of displeasure.
But faced with Xiao Cangqing's imposing presence, they only dared to glare, not making the slightest move.
Xiao Cangqing ignored them.
In a crisis like this, only the strong had the right to decide anything.
'What's the use of an ant's fury?'
'It's still just an ant.'
After that, nearly a hundred Martial Artists stepped out from the crowd.
Among them, there were very few Ninth Grade Martial Artists, and only a dozen or so Eighth Grade Martial Artists.
As for the rest, in Xiao Cangqing's eyes, they were merely run-of-the-mill.
Under Xiao Cangqing's lead, the group headed straight for Dalang City.
Trailing behind them were seven or eight reporters. Although their Cultivation wasn't high, it was around the Third and Fourth Grades, enough to ensure they could keep filming even in dangerous situations.
"Where is the most powerful Evil Spirit?"
The moment they entered Dalang City, Xiao Cangqing stopped and looked at the two King-level experts.
"This... We don't know either."
The two King-level experts shook their heads awkwardly, a flash of shame on their faces.
"Useless," Xiao Cangqing glanced at them, his eyes full of contempt.
"You!"
The two King-level experts were furious. As King-level experts, when had they ever suffered such humiliation?
Before they could erupt, Xiao Cangqing had already flicked his sleeve.
Immense Elemental Power burst forth between them like a torrential river of stars. The fierce force was like the stampede of ten thousand bulls, making the ground tremble, unable to bear its might.
Before this power, the two King-level experts were forced back uncontrollably, retreating nearly a hundred meters before they managed to awkwardly regain their footing.
And the only reason they could regain their footing at all was because Xiao Cangqing had held back.
Otherwise, in that instant, the two King-level experts would have suffered minor injuries.
The two King-level experts steadied themselves and stood in place, expressions of fear on their faces.
They were shocked to discover that the Xiao Cangqing before them was also a King-level expert, but his strength was far beyond their own.
The other Martial Artists were equally horrified.
"There are levels even among the King Level," Xiao Cangqing stated, his voice filled with arrogance.
"So cool!"
"Those two King-level experts couldn't even withstand a single flick of his sleeve! This Xiao Cangqing's power is terrifying!"
"Yeah, if he had been the one to go to the Demon Cave to suppress the Evil Spirits, the entire Great Jing Empire would probably be rid of them by now!"
"The people of Dalang City are so lucky to have such a powerful expert come to save them!"
"That Chu He was such a disappointment! This whole situation is his fault!"
The people in the livestream chat watched as Xiao Cangqing displayed his immense, oppressive power,
and the entire screen was spammed with messages of praise.
Then, Xiao Cangqing's eyes suddenly focused, becoming like a deep night sky swallowing the stars.
His Spiritual Power spread out in all directions like invisible tentacles, searching for the threats hidden in the shadows.
Immediately after, his figure blurred. He moved with such speed that he became a phantom, racing through the city streets.
The two King-level experts and the other Martial Artists were now completely in awe of Xiao Cangqing's strength.
Although a sense of unwillingness still lingered in their hearts, faced with such a powerful opponent, they could only follow silently behind Xiao Cangqing, struggling to keep up.
Before long, Xiao Cangqing came to a stop in front of a towering building.
Elemental Power surged within him. Then, he let out a sudden, mighty shout, his voice booming like thunder and echoing through every corner of the city. "Are you going to come out on your own, or do I have to come in and kill you?"
"He found it?"
The two King-level experts looked at each other, their eyes filled with shock and anticipation.
They stared intently at the office building, their expressions grave, ready for a major battle at any moment.
The reporters in charge of the livestream also quickly aimed their equipment at the building.
However, the inside of the building was deathly silent, with only a sinister, cold aura seeping out.
The group could feel the heavy, oppressive presence, but they couldn't be sure if an Evil Spirit was truly lurking inside.
However, since Xiao Cangqing had stopped here, they trusted his judgment.
Just as everyone held their breath in anticipation, a sigh suddenly echoed from within the building.
The sound was low and gloomy, like a wind drifting up from the depths of Hell, carrying with it an endless chill and despair.
It sent a shiver down everyone's spine, making them feel as if an invisible hand was tightly gripping their throat.
"Sigh... It seems I've been sealed for too long.
You all act like you're Chu He, as if just anyone has the right to act so insolently before me."
After that sigh,
a cold and arrogant voice slowly rose, mocking the crowd for their ignorance and arrogance.