Dashing Student Chapter 1417 1417: First Encounter in Fengdu

The abrupt arrival of an individual caught both Chen Nan and the Divine Calculator off guard, as neither had sensed their approach.

He must have resided in the depths of the Heavenly Cutting Abyss for such an extended period that his aura has completely intertwined with the pervasive Yin energy here, rendering him imperceptible, Chen Nan mused internally. He discreetly unleashed his Divine Sense and confirmed his suspicion: his Divine Sense failed to detect any living presence within the city, only an overwhelming density of Yin energy.

The man standing before them possessed a pallid complexion and a gaunt physique, clad in simple hemp attire. His eyes were utterly devoid of light, making him appear almost like a revenant. Yet, he seemed genuinely delighted to encounter newcomers.

Nonetheless, his peculiar smile evoked a sense of unease in both Chen Nan and the Divine Calculator.

"Who precisely are you, and how do you subsist in this place?"

The Divine Calculator took a step forward, fixing his gaze on the man as he posed the question.

The man tilted his head slightly, a flicker of bewilderment in his expression. "We... have always resided here."

The Divine Calculator was about to press further, but Chen Nan intervened with a soft warning, "A frog in a well mistakes its pond for the entire world; probing them further will yield no worthwhile answers."

"That is indeed true." The Divine Calculator nodded in agreement before posing another question, "You referred to us as outsiders; have any others come before us?"

"Yes, merely a few months past, some peculiarly formed individuals arrived; they too were outsiders."

"Peculiarly formed? It must be that Demon Clan!"

Chen Nan and the Divine Calculator exchanged a knowing glance, their words echoing in unison.

"Where have they gone?" Chen Nan inquired urgently.

Earlier, he had harbored doubts about Luan Kong's stated reason for sealing the Demon Clan beneath the Heavenly Cutting Abyss – ostensibly to ensure their survival and appease the Human Clan cultivators. Furthermore, considering the Divine Calculator's revelation that the skies above the Heavenly Cutting Abyss were impassable, it seemed their only potential route to the Inner Sea lay through the abyss itself. A theory began to form in his mind.

This implied that Luan Kong's act of sealing the Demon Clan under the Heavenly Cutting Abyss was, in fact, intended to grant them access to the Inner Sea!

If this hypothesis held true, their objective was likely identical to that of the Demon Clan, who had arrived months prior and might have already uncovered something significant.

Therefore, locating the Demon Clan could potentially reveal the pathway to the Inner Sea.

After conveying this theory to the Divine Calculator, who became visibly excited, Chen Nan eagerly questioned the man.

The man simply shook his head and sighed, "I know not; they were quite aggressive. We were relieved when they departed, so why would we inquire about their destination?"

As they conversed, they proceeded into Fengdu City. The streets appeared to teem with people, yet Chen Nan and the Divine Calculator sensed no semblance of life's vital essence.

The pedestrians bore a striking resemblance to the man accompanying them – thin, pale, and with vacant, lifeless eyes.

That they could endure existence amidst the Yin energy without succumbing to madness was, in itself, a marvel.

It is a known fact that individuals capable of surviving in extremely Yin-infused environments typically transform into monstrosities, corrupted by the pervasive Yin energy, much like the vengeful spirits Chen Nan had previously vanquished.

"Spirit Fruit, freshly harvested Spirit Fruit!"

"Hearty soup, piping hot!"

The vendors' calls from either side piqued Chen Nan's interest. Upon closer inspection, he observed that the Spirit Fruit resembled apples, albeit possessing a pale purple hue and an unappetizing appearance.

The ingredients of the steaming soup remained a mystery, yet it exuded a rich aroma and a distinct fragrance.

"Is this your sustenance?" the Divine Calculator inquired, his curiosity piqued.

The man nodded enthusiastically. "Indeed, allow me to offer you some."

The currency he employed consisted of peculiar stones, akin to Spirit Stones. However, whereas Spirit Stones are pure condensations of natural spiritual energy, these stones were solidified forms of Yin energy.

Chen Nan accepted two of these stones, intrigued, and felt the stone's inherent Yin energy permeate his body, radiating an intense chill that seemed intent on freezing his very Divine Soul.

He surmised that the biting cold experienced within the bleak confines of the Heavenly Cutting Abyss was emanated by these very Yin Qi Crystals.

The man procured two Spirit Fruits and two bowls of the steaming soup, extending an invitation to Chen Nan and the Divine Calculator to partake. Despite their reservations, both decided to try them.

The Spirit Fruit offered little discernible flavor, akin to consuming wax, and the hot soup proved equally unremarkable. Though visibly steaming, consuming it induced not warmth but a profound chill.

It was abundantly clear that the local fare was entirely unsuitable for those originating from outside the Heavenly Cutting Abyss.

After sampling the Spirit Fruit and hot soup, the man guided them through Fengdu City, commenting on the architecture. The structures bore a resemblance to those in the outside world, yet they appeared perpetually veiled in an ethereal shroud of Yin energy.

Arriving at a particular location, they observed that numerous structures lay in ruins, bearing the marks of a fierce conflict. Many individuals were actively engaged in clearing the debris as part of reconstruction efforts.

"What transpired here?" Chen Nan inquired, a look of curiosity on his face.

A nearby resident responded with a deep sigh, "It was those Demons you spoke of. They became belligerent and subjected us to their whims, leading to the destruction of these buildings. Fortunately, they departed a considerable time ago."

"Hmph, a truly barbaric band of creatures!" The Divine Calculator remarked, observing the struggling figures amidst the rubble, a wave of sympathy washing over him.

"Allow me to lend a hand!"

With a surge of energy, he stepped forward. As a cultivator in the Nascent Soul Realm, clearing a section of ruins was a simple task. He effortlessly tossed aside massive stones and meticulously piled the scattered debris.

Chen Nan sensed an unusual atmosphere, a feeling that something was amiss throughout the area, though he couldn't quite place it. He decided to join in the effort.

With their combined efforts, the rubble was swiftly removed, and the onlookers' faces were alight with gratitude.

Even a group of children emerged, frolicking around them as if they were witnessing celestial beings.

In the children's eyes, the effortless lifting of heavy stones, the manipulation of rubble with spiritual energy, and the summoning of winds with a mere gesture all appeared to be the actions of Immortals.

An elderly woman approached, carrying two bowls of warm soup, and said with a smile, "Thank you for your hard work. Please have some hot soup."

Although the soup lacked a distinct flavor, Chen Nan and the Divine Calculator could not bring themselves to refuse the old woman's genuine kindness, downing the soup in a single gulp.

"You are truly good people. Those unruly individuals claimed our soup tasted bad, yet it is the finest sustenance we possess," the old woman declared, her eyes glistening as she clasped their hands.

The Divine Calculator let out a cold laugh, "They are merely ignorant and shameless individuals; pay them no mind!"

Thanks to the spontaneous generosity of Chen Nan and the Divine Calculator, the residents of Fengdu City offered them a warm reception, presenting their most prized food and wine in a gesture of hospitable celebration.

The children clustered around Chen Nan, imploring him to share tales of the world beyond their city.

"Beyond, is there truly a sun and moon? We've never seen the sun, having grown up here,"