Just like previous demon assaults on the city, humans suffered enormous losses, but also made the Demon Worship Sect pay a price.

Killed several in the Innate Realm and a large number in the Qi Blood Realm.

What weighed heavily on Zhou Leng was the preliminary tally of the casualties.

Over 3000 people.

During this attack, the Huang Meng Sect sporadically assaulted some people in the Martial Mansion, with some successes and some failures.

Zhou Leng looked at the collection of evidence photos, even videos.

All of those killed by the Huang Meng Sect were beheaded, with the beheading knife left at the scene.

On the nearby walls, two bloody large characters were written.

Huang Meng.

Decapitation, Blood Blade, Huang Meng — these are the three major signs of the Huang Meng Sect.

After examining the identities and detailed information on the deceased, he discovered many tainted records, confirming it was the handiwork of the Huang Meng Sect.

The Huang Meng Sect does not kill the innocent.

The Hell Knight Order only executes the wicked.

He searched Tian Wenhua's information, looking up according to time.

Indeed, just before his battle with Tian Wenhua, the Martial Guard Department received intelligence that Tian Wenhua obtained the "Innate Demon Heart."

The reason behind the intervention of the two Innate experts was thus found.

Zhou Leng pondered for a moment before sending a message to Wang Boxiong.

"Hall Master, I just returned from the airport, how are you?"

"Did you rescue Zhao Nandi?"

"Yes."

"You are very lucky."

"Hmm? Shouldn't it be her who is lucky?"

"You are going to the Captain Competition Camp tomorrow, clear it in one day."

"But my arm is injured."

"What does such a minor wound count for? I'm injured, too."

"Ah? Did you battle with a Grandmaster Demon?"

"Grandmaster's Secret Treasure caused trouble, drawing action from grandmasters across realms. While chasing a demon, I encountered an Executioner Evil Statue tracking the secret treasure's traces and got a minor injury."

"How's the injury?"

"It's nothing significant."

"Then… what exactly is the Grandmaster's Secret Treasure?"

"Unclear, it's said to be crucial, even drawing the attention of the Ten Realms Martial Saints and demigods."

"What a pity. I'll rest well today and join the Competition Camp tomorrow."

"Remember, clear it in one day, you are only permitted to win, not fail."

"Understood."

Zhou Leng raced back to the Fierce Beast Realm, consumed the healing medicine from the Eight-toothed Mammoth clan, then brewed a big pot of Tiger-striped Bamboo Water, gulping it down, and jumped into the Mammoth Lake for a deep sleep.

Night.

Lianxiang Exploration Branch.

Shen Jun grabbed the teacup in front of him and smashed it against the wall with a loud crack.

"Even Tian Wenhua can be killed? What's going on!"

"We're not sure either, all we know is it's likely someone named Zhou Leng killed him."

"Zhou Leng? This name sounds familiar… Tian Wenhua wanted me to kill him, but it was disrupted by Azure Scale. Also, he's the second newcomer in Rucheng, right below Mountain and River Origin."

"Yes, exactly, we've just checked out his information."

"Nonsense, he's just been promoted to Body Refining, not to mention him, even Mountain and River Origin might not be able to kill a demonized Tian Wenhua who consumed the Innate Demon Heart."

"Perhaps he's already advanced to the Vitality Stage?"

"Vitality Early Period, killing Tian Wenhua, who was infinitely close to Innate in demonization?"

"That's true… but we have some evidence."

"Speak."

"First, the Martial Arts Brigade dispatched two Innate experts to find Zhou Leng, seemingly to rescue him, followed by them killing many people on our side. Second, Xue Tongming's people all knew this matter was related to Zhou Leng, and Xue Tongming plans to gift Zhou Leng a mine."

"Seems there's no direct connection… could it be Zhou Leng sought the Innate experts of the Martial Arts Brigade to kill Tian Wenhua?"

"There's that possibility."

"Let me see Zhou Leng's information."

"Yes."

Shen Jun meticulously reviewed Zhou Leng's data and information, and upon seeing Zhou Leng's photo, suddenly froze.

"So it's him."

"What happened?"

"On the day Rongchang Exploration Company was breached by the Martial Guard, we were ambushing under the village, and failed to ambush a squad of Martial Guard. It was then that Fan Yongrui was killed. The one who killed Fan Yongrui was this person."

"Back then, I just saw him once and couldn't find his name, I've been investigating him, unexpectedly, I found him after much effort."

"Then he's doomed, first killing Martial Guard elder Gong Futian's cousin, then killing his junior disciple. Tian Wenhua was Gong Futian's junior disciple, right?"

"Tian Wenhua was only a registered disciple, barely a junior. Tian Wenhua qualified to rise to demon thanks to Gong Futian's strong support, didn't expect…"

"Gong Futian was dispatched to Monkey Island, once he returns..."

"No rush, first have Shuangjiao's people investigate Zhou Leng, since he's in the open and we are in the shadows, we can take it slow. His strength..."

Shen Jun repeatedly examined Zhou Leng's data and information, frowning, "Growing so quickly, there must be a significant background, otherwise, the two Innate experts from the Martial Arts Brigade wouldn't find him, and Xue Tongming wouldn't give him shares of the mines for free… if his background is Chen Fenghu… we should take it slow; provoking Chen Fenghu comes with too great a price."

"I was startled to hear about the Innate experts of the Martial Arts Brigade involved myself. One tiger compared to Chen Fenghu, and Tian Wenhua is just a sick cat. Truly angering Chen Fenghu would put us in a passive position."

"I heard he fought Mountain River Celestial Peak to a draw, is that true?" Shen Jun asked.

"Draw. One human fighting to a draw with a Giant Grandmaster, and even advanced later, just thinking about it makes one's spine shiver."

"Last night, after Executioner Evil Statue was wounded by Wang Boxiong, it was chased and destroyed by Chen Fenghu, witnesses at the scene said it was like meteors falling, creating pits all over."

"Executioner Evil Statue's body is immensely strong, surpassing even Grandmaster puppets, and still lost, human experts are truly formidable."

"This Zhou Leng... Celestial Ladder? Wait, wasn't he hit by the Spirit Poison Light? How is his Body Refining Stage test data so high?"

"I'm puzzled too."

"He must have had some sort of fortuitous encounter, acquiring a powerful body, and will likely advance to the Innate stage in the future."

"As long as he doesn't advance to Grandmaster, it doesn't matter. After this Ten Realms Youth Battle, I will also surely become Innate," Shen Jun snorted softly.

"Heh, they still don't know, this Ten Realms Youth Battle..."

"You may leave. I'll call Uncle Gong Futian to report this matter. To kill Zhou Leng, it's best if he takes action upon his return; I don't want to offend that madman Chen Fenghu, even my master doesn't want to... wait."

"At your command."

"How's the collection of Blood Pearls going?"

"We've killed too few people in the Dragon Country, hence the Blood Pearls are few. Collecting them in those smaller countries is going very smoothly. In places like the Elephant Country, tens of thousands of deaths don't even matter."

"Indeed, leaving humans alive back then, while keeping all the various countries, was a clever move..."

Mammoth Lake.

After waking up, Zhou Leng walked out of the lake.

He glanced at his right fist.

The skin was freshly regenerated, with not a hint of a wound visible. Apart from a slight discomfort, everything felt normal inside.

The leg bone had long since healed.

"The Giant Body truly is strong. It wasn't for nothing that I consumed fine pills, and I should continue taking more in the future..."

Zhou Leng dressed, picked up the Magic Spirit Bag, felt his body still needed consolidation, and took out a Strengthening Body Pill and a Leopard Tendon Pill to consume.

He had already consumed a hundred Strengthening Body Pills, which were unnecessary unless injured.

Having advanced to the Vitality Stage a week ago, he had only consumed 8 Leopard Tendon Pills so far.

Exiting the Fierce Beast Realm, he received messages.

Xu Qingjin habitually greeted him good morning and advised Zhou Leng to stay safe outside.

Zhao Nandi inquired about his injuries.

Deng Zhijue mentioned that the vehicle for the Competition Camp had been dispatched and was parked at the Martial Arts Hall's entrance.

Xue Chengsong sent some bad news.

"The people from Shuangjiao suspect you of killing Tian Wenhua. However, having just faced a demon city assault, they dared not act, likely opting instead to investigate you. Be cautious, though nothing should happen."

"Got it," Zhou Leng replied.

Zhou Leng suddenly thought of Jax and realized he should exchange contact information. If the Shuangjiao company ever caused trouble, he could rely on him for a resolution.

He took out the Martial Guard Token and pinned it to his clothes.

Even if Shuangjiao company had the courage, they wouldn't dare act under such circumstances.

Zhou Leng replied to Zhao Nandi.

"I've fully recovered. I need to go to the Competition Camp today and won't be back until tomorrow. How about your injury?"

"Not severe, it's already fine. Perfect timing, I'm coming to your school to give a lecture tomorrow, then heading straight to the Ancient River Ruins Research Institute."

"Take a few more days to rest."

"Time waits for no one; we cannot delay any longer."

"I'll have Ruda's people contact you to arrange coordination."

"Okay."

Zhou Leng called Xu Qingjin directly.

"How's your mission? Don't push yourself too hard," Xu Qingjin assumed Zhou Leng was still on a mission.

"It's over. All is well, but I need to go to the Competition Camp today. Do you remember when I mentioned Teacher Zhao from the Divine Text Bureau?"

"Of course, I remember."

"She's planning to give a Divine Text lecture at Ruda tomorrow, which is crucial for our bid for the Divine Literature Academy. You'll be the coordinator; contact your teachers and have them relay the message to school leaders. They'll tell you what to do."

"A coordinator? I've never been one."

"Teacher Zhao is a nice person; just act as you normally would. Remember not to give out her contact information; you are the sole coordinator. Without her consent, no one else can contact her, understood?"

"Yes, I understand. You're trying to elevate my importance in the eyes of the teachers."

"I'll transfer her Martial Faith to you; you add her first, then communicate with the teachers and school leaders to set up the time and venue, and then promote it at school..."

"Yes, yes..." Xu Qingjin nodded in agreement.

After finishing the conversation, Zhou Leng jogged to the Martial Arts Hall entrance, got into the prepared vehicle, and headed straight to the Competition Camp.

This vehicle was a military vehicle from the Demon City Army, and the gates to the Competition Camp opened immediately upon arrival.

Zhou Leng didn't get out of the car, merely slowing down as he passed through.

The two guards recognized Zhou Leng at a glance.

The memory of passing through the camp in a single day during the previous visit was too deeply ingrained; they wouldn't encounter another like him for years.

"That's him, right?"

"It should be."

"He's likely participating in the Captain's Competition Camp this time, isn't he?"

"Can he still pass through the camp in a day?"

"The Lieutenant Camp involved only the Body Refinement stage, but the Captain's Competition Camp elevates straight to the Vitality Stage. It's been only a few months; it's challenging."

"Let's wait and see."

To the average person, the Captain's and Lieutenant's Competition Camps are worlds apart.

Zhou Leng was participating in the Captain Competition Camp.

Passing through the camp in a day still required three assessments.

Basic test, practical demon combat test, defeat at least three opponents in the first echelon.

He adeptly proceeded with the testing first.

The basic assessment of the Captain's Camp was indeed tough; Zhou Leng had to tackle the final hurdle three times to meet the standard.

He then went to Demon Lake Prison and defeated numerous Late Vitality Stage Sea Sirens, finally returning to the Competition Camp, consecutively battling three Peak Vitality Stage opponents.

The vehicle had left the Competition Camp before the sun had set.

The two soldiers from the morning, who had already changed shifts, waited specially at the gate, watching the departing shadow of the military vehicle recede into the distance.

At this moment, as if echoing that previous time.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.