Fantasy: Immortality Begins with Absorbing Demons

Chapter 266 Interrogation (Part 1)

A muscular man with a wide cloak, a full beard, a bald head, a fierce appearance, but a gentle temperament slowly emerged from the sea of ​​fire.

"They all look very energetic, that's great!"

He calmed the surging blood and qi in his body, looked at the crowd of people bowing respectfully around him, and said with a smile.

"Oh my, isn't this our Grand Master Aoyang? You've finally decided to come back?"

Qu Jingxian was the first to raise his head, and said in a somewhat sarcastic tone.

It's no wonder he was so dissatisfied. It was fine for Aoyang to go on a trip, but once he left, he was gone for months without a trace, leaving him with all the responsibilities and tasks, which caused him a lot of headaches.

"Hahaha!" Ao Yang laughed heartily. He walked to Qu Jingxian's side, patted Qu Jingxian's shoulder, and said, "Old Qu, isn't everything alright because you're here? Besides, I came back as soon as I got the news, and everything's fine. Don't worry about the details..."

"Hey, you..." Qu Jingxian staggered from the slap, and was about to get angry when he suddenly seemed to remember something. He simply shook off Ao Yang's arm with dissatisfaction.

He and Aoyang had known each other for many years, but their relationship had always been strained, with them constantly at odds and unable to stand each other.

However, he almost always lost to Aoyang. There was nothing he could do; Aoyang was simply far superior.

Therefore, even if I get angry and fight back, Aoyang has probably already made his next move. It's better to just interrupt his plan in a different way.

Besides, I'm no match for him, so why bother losing face?

In any case, the Crimson Flame Sect is currently in a state of panic, and Ao Yang's timely return at this critical moment has undoubtedly reassured everyone and put their minds at ease.

"Humph!"

Qu Jingxian simply flicked his sleeves and strode away. The flames in the black market had been extinguished, and he could now direct his men to handle the aftermath.

"Vice Sect Master Qu, once you've handled it, don't forget to let me know."

As soon as he turned around, Ao Yang smiled and emphasized the word "deputy".

Qu Jingxian stopped abruptly. He closed his eyes, lowered his head, and inhaled, a gloomy look covering his usually refined face.

He paused briefly, then sped up and left quickly.

Ao Yang returned, and although the atmosphere seemed more stable, his mood was even worse. Behind Qu Jingxian, Ao Yang smiled nonchalantly, his eyes slightly narrowed like a sleeping tiger, seemingly deep in thought.

----------------------------------------------

Three days later, the black market ruins.

When Han Yi arrived at the black market again, all that remained before him was a charred and broken pile of embers. The door had been burned to two pieces of charcoal and was hanging halfway up the doorway. There were still some corners inside where wisps of smoke were rising, as if the embers in some places had not been completely extinguished.

The high walls surrounding the black market are still there, but the stone surfaces are covered with black burn marks.

After three days of rest, along with the application of external and internal healing medicines, even though he deliberately suppressed the rejuvenating properties of his internal energy, his injuries were almost completely healed.

Strangely, for three whole days, everything was quiet and nothing happened. No one bothered him, and there were no questions or interrogations. It was as if the events in the black market had simply passed by.

But Han Yi knew perfectly well that this matter would not simply pass by; the current calm was merely the calm before the storm.

Three days ago, while he was listening to Huang Ze reminisce, Huang Ze was suddenly called away and never returned.

Clearly, the fact that the black market has turned into a ghostly realm has alarmed higher-ups within the sect, and an investigation is currently underway.

Therefore, the first person to be questioned was Elder Huang Ze, who was in charge of managing the black market.

But Han Yi estimated that Huang Ze probably wouldn't have any problems, and that contacting him was just a routine inquiry.

He gleaned several conjectures from Danyangzi's fragmented and incoherent soliloquy.

Looking at the whole sequence of events, Danyangzi was just an ordinary person before. There must be other forces or demons behind him!

He, or she, or perhaps they, clearly intended to create an artificial ghost realm through the black market and by sacrificing living people.

It's possible that there's an inside agent within the Crimson Flame Sect involved in this matter, but it's unlikely that Huang Ze was behind it. It's more probable that someone wants to pin the blame on him.

It's very simple. Even a rabbit won't eat the grass near its burrow. If something happens in the black market, the first person they'll contact is Huang Ze. If he did that, wouldn't he be walking into a trap?

So Huang Ze was just someone who was called over to ask a question.

Han Yi, perhaps seeing how badly he was injured, or perhaps thinking he was just an insignificant soldier, decided to leave him alone for the time being.

In short, Han Yi had a very comfortable time these past few days. He was well taken care of by Shen San, and he was injured and unable to practice his skills. He spent his days eating and sleeping. After his injuries healed, he gained seven or eight pounds.

Of course, what I mean by not practicing martial arts here is only an outward appearance of not being able to. In the dead of night, when all is quiet, he will still familiarize himself with and practice the characteristics of the Swimming Dragon Force.

"System, panel."

Han Yi glanced at Shen San, who was not far behind him, and silently thought to himself.

Name: Han Yi (17/195)

[Realm]: Early stage of Meridian Opening, First-level Martial Master; Sword Realm: One kill in ten steps; Sword Realm: As heavy as a mountain

[Martial Arts]: Qianyang Gong (Entry-level martial art, Qianyang Jin, characteristics: Rejuvenation, Evil Extermination, Perfected Strength); Feilong Gong (Entry-level martial art, Youlong Jin, characteristics: Speed, Fire and Poison, Great Strength 20/50)

[Martial Arts]: Thunder Palm Technique (Minor Proficiency 11/50, Special Effects: Shattering Stones and Splitting Earth, Frenzied Strike, Can be Upgraded); Dual Sword and Saber Technique (Proficiency 11/30, Can be Upgraded, Special Effects: Concentration, Dual Wielding, Can be Upgraded); Golden Muscle and Jade Bone Skill (Proficiency 8/20, Special Effects: Iron Wall, Can be Upgraded)

[Secret Technique]: Moon Concealment (Special Effect: Concealing Breath and Illusion)

[Elemental Power Value]: 12

The Flying Dragon Skill primarily trains the lower body, while the Swimming Dragon Force mainly tempers the meridians of the lower limbs. Its rapid nature greatly enhances the explosive power, endurance, speed, and agility of his movements and legs.

Furthermore, the fire and poison properties of the Dragon's Fury have significantly enhanced his attack power and his ability to sustain battles.

"Ouch!"

Han Yi slowly walked into the black stone wall, pretending to be still recovering from a serious illness and lacking strength. He used his hand to support himself on the stone wall to straighten up.

"Mr. Han, are you alright?"

Shen San, who was behind him, quickly ran over and helped Han Yi up.

"It's okay, it's okay. I haven't been out of bed for several days, so my legs are a little weak. I'll feel better after moving around a bit."

Han Yi smiled, raised his arm, and waved his hand.

He gently pushed away Shen San's support and continued walking into the black market, his eyes seemingly casually sweeping over the stone wall where his hands had just touched.

That area was originally white, with some smoke stains turning it slightly yellow, but after Han Yi touched it, it turned completely black, blending seamlessly with the overall scorched black marks.

'The Dragon's Fury... it's truly powerful...'

Han Yi glanced at it only once before quickly turning back to look ahead, and sighed inwardly.

This Flying Dragon Skill is different from the balanced and peaceful martial arts like the Qianyang Skill. It is a powerful martial art that he specially developed and created by expending his Yuan energy for fighting and combat.

The difference in power is simply too great.

Shattering this stone wall with Qianyang Force wouldn't be difficult, but achieving this effect would be virtually impossible. He carefully sensed the Flying Dragon Force power within his body.

Just now, by activating the force, only a trace of the Dragon Force was consumed, yet it was able to burn marks on the stone wall. If this trace of force hit an ordinary person, it would be close to death, if not burn to death on the spot.

Moreover, the Dragon Force also has the effect of rapidly increasing speed, making it far more practical than the Qianyang Skill.

"What's the situation on the black market now?"

Han Yi walked along, looking around at his surroundings.

He had been lying in bed for the past few days and was less familiar with the news outside than Shen San, who was always running around.

"They didn't say anything, they just temporarily designated the black market as a restricted area, prohibiting any outsiders from entering. It's probably because there are still embers inside. They'll deal with it once they're completely extinguished."

Shen San followed behind Han Yi, speaking in hushed tones. He had been paying close attention to the black market these past few days, especially after his near-death experience there. "It's temporarily designated a restricted area...?"

Han Yi frowned as he looked at the now deserted black market.

The once bustling black market streets were now almost deserted, with only patrolling disciples specially arranged by the Crimson Flame Sect walking back and forth.

Inside the black market, there were only ruins and no servants, craftsmen, or other workers to clean up or deal with the remains.

"Looks like we have to give up..."

He sighed. If the higher-ups of the Crimson Flame Sect wanted to make use of the black market again, it would definitely not be like this. Even if they blocked the news from the outside, they would at least find some people inside to deal with it.

This stance clearly indicates a disregard for consequences and a determination to abolish the black market.

"The Ghost Realm... it's still just an unformed Ghost Realm, are we really going to abandon this golden goose that brings in so much money every day...?"

Han Yi pushed open the half-open door, blackened by smoke, and strode into the black market, which had been completely transformed.

Shen San also volunteered to go in and check the situation, and he was walking behind Han Yi at this time.

"Master Han, after this fire, there's really nothing left in the black market..."

He sighed, feeling somewhat wistful. There were over eighty outer disciples and hundreds of servants in the black market, plus the live goods stored by the brokers, totaling at least a thousand people.

Unexpectedly, after the fire, only a dozen or so people survived...

“These past few days, I’ve heard from quite a few people that before this black market was built, it was a chaotic graveyard. Those ghostly things must be ghosts born from the dead…” Shen San said in a low voice, “This land was always eerie before, no wonder such a big thing happened…”

"Oh?"

Han Yi turned to look at him, not expecting that Shen San was so well-informed and knew so much inside information.

"I was just chatting with someone, and I heard it from them. I don't take it seriously, I don't take it seriously..." Shen San said with a forced smile when he saw Han Yi turn around.

"It's alright, what you said makes some sense."

Han Yi smiled and let Shen San continue.