I Can Strengthen Everything

Otherwise, it would be hard to spot.

Based on his judgment, there had to be demons from the Evil Cult within Black Mountain County.

As for actual Demons and Monsters, that was highly unlikely.

If Demons and Monsters were hiding in the city, they would have to be at the Demon King Level. But a Demon King Level being wouldn’t produce such a small amount of Demonic Qi.

Gazing at the wisps of Demonic Qi mixed in with the fiery aura of life above the city, Fang Xing wasn’t surprised.

This wasn’t the only place like this. Practically every city, big or small, had some amount of Demonic Qi.

But trying to find members of the Evil Cult based on this faint trace of Demonic Qi was practically impossible.

At least, not with his current abilities.

The sky had already darkened by the time he entered the County Town. As Fang Xing passed the County Yamen, he paused for a moment to scan the building.

A faint purple aura lingered above the County Yamen. This was the unique aura of Court officials, commonly known as Official Aura!

The higher the official rank, the stronger the Official Aura!

Even an official with no martial prowess whatsoever could keep ghosts and demons at bay, so long as they were protected by a strong Official Aura.

Spirits couldn’t get near them; Official Aura was a natural deterrent to all things demonic and ghostly.

To ordinary people, it simply manifested as the imposing presence of a superior.

Only Fang Xing, possessing the unique Golden Eyes of Truth, could discern it.

As he stared at the sky above the County Yamen, he noticed faint threads of Demonic Qi mixed in with the pale purple aura.

Fang Xing gave it a glance, then departed without a word. He crossed the street and found a nearby inn to check into.

This mission was different.

All he knew for sure was that members of the Black Death Sect were somewhere in Black Mountain County, but the county itself was vast.

Whether they were in the main town or hidden in the surrounding villages was information he would have to uncover himself.

The County Magistrate was his bait. Fang Xing planned to shake the mountain to startle the tiger.

’I’ll just reveal my identity outright.’

However, it was late. After a full day of traveling at top speed across thousands of miles, he needed to recover and return to his peak condition.

Although the three Black Death Sect leaders weren’t much of a threat to him, there was no guarantee that there were *only* three of them.

Who knew if there were other Black Death Sect experts lurking about?

He had to be in peak condition for this "fishing" trip to ensure a decisive victory.

One careless mistake could lead to utter failure.

Even with his current level of Cultivation, he wouldn’t let his guard down.

Inside his room at the inn, Fang Xing sat cross-legged and summoned his status panel with a thought.

Name: Fang Xing

Cultivation: True Qi Seventh Layer!

Enhancement Level: Five-Star (2%)

Enhancement Points: 12,894.

’It takes one hundred thousand points just to raise it by one percent. At this rate, to achieve another Star Break, I’ll need...’

’Ten million!’

Fang Xing’s expression darkened as he did the math in his head.

To reach the Six-star Level, he would need to spend at least ten million Enhancement Points.

’Looks like I’ll have to slay a whole lot of Demons and Monsters...’ Fang Xing thought to himself.

Ten million Enhancement Points was an astronomical figure.

Then again, the stronger he became, the faster he could earn Enhancement Points.

’One step at a time. No need to rush.’

Fang Xing let out a breath and closed the panel. He then began to circulate the Longevity Technique and started his Cultivation.

...

The night passed in a flash.

It wasn’t until 7:00 AM the next day that Fang Xing finally strolled out of the inn.

Upon arriving at the County Yamen and revealing his identity, a Constable politely ushered Fang Xing into the Inner Hall.

Inside the Inner Hall, Fang Xing took the main seat with an air of authority. The middle-aged Constable before him respectfully poured a cup of hot tea.

Fang Xing glanced at him and asked coolly, "Where’s the County Magistrate?"

"My lord," the middle-aged Constable began with a fawning smile, "the County Magistrate has gone out on an inspection tour. He should be back very soon."

"Is the County Deputy not here either?" Fang Xing’s gaze turned icy as an invisible pressure filled the room.

The immense pressure instantly made the Constable, a man at the Peak of Bright Force, tremble. "M-My lord... I... I’ll go inform them right away! Please, wait just a moment, my lord."

At his words, Fang Xing retracted his aura instantly and gave a slight nod. "I’ll give you the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn."

"Yes, yes, of course! I’ll go right now!" The middle-aged Constable nodded frantically, wiped the cold sweat from his brow, and quickly scurried out of the Inner Hall.

A short while later, a middle-aged man in a purple robe entered the Inner Hall.

However, this was not the County Magistrate described in his mission briefing, but rather the County Deputy of Black Mountain County.

Fang Xing gave him a once-over, and the relevant information from his files surfaced in his mind.

The County Deputy of Black Mountain’s record was clean. He had only recently been appointed to his post in Black Mountain County and had no known ties to the Black Death Sect.

"I am Yang Wanli. Greetings, my lord. I was unaware of your arrival and have failed to welcome you properly. I beg your forgiveness."

The County Deputy hurried forward and bowed, his posture exceedingly deferential.

Fang Xing gave a slight nod. "Lord Yang," he said, looking at the County Deputy, "there’s no need to be nervous. I’m just here to take a look around and discuss a small matter with the County Magistrate. Please, have a seat."

Hearing this, County Deputy Yang Wanli visibly relaxed and took a seat to the side. He looked at Fang Xing with a warm and eager expression. "May I ask what business brings you to our humble county, my lord? Perhaps I can be of assistance."

Looking at the eager Yang Wanli, a subtle glint flashed in Fang Xing’s eyes. He smiled. "I’ve come on account of an Evil Cult. I’ve heard rumors that one is causing trouble here in Black Mountain County. Have you, Lord Yang, heard anything about it?"

"An Evil Cult!"

Yang Wanli’s expression changed at his words. He looked at Fang Xing and said, "An Evil Cult, my lord? Yes, I have heard some rumors."

"Oh?" Fang Xing raised an eyebrow, looking at Yang Wanli with keen interest. "Do tell."

Yang Wanli began at once. "When I first arrived in Black Mountain County, I did some investigating of my own. I heard talk from the common folk about an Evil Cult, rumors that an Evil Cult named the Black Death Sect had a presence here. However, despite my inquiries, I have yet to find any concrete information about them."