Dashing Student Chapter 1419 1419: Midnight Terror

A seed of doubt planted, Chen Nan sensed an unsettling aura enveloping his surroundings.

Even the children, who had been eagerly soliciting stories from him in recent days, now seemed veiled in an mysterious guise, their pallid smiles almost like a taunt.

He ventured into the streets, seeking any anomaly within Fengdu City, but the entire urban landscape mirrored its state from his initial arrival.

"Identical?"

A sudden realization struck Chen Nan as he turned his gaze toward a street vendor. The stall was laden with Spirit Fruits, exclusively found at the perilous depths of Heavenly Cutting Abyss, and their quantity precisely matched the count from his very first visit.

Even their arrangement remained untouched.

The steaming hot soup at the adjacent vendor still boasted two immense barrels, a pair of sample bowls gracing the table.

A chilling sensation coursed through Chen Nan's heart; how could these minute details persist without alteration? It dawned on him that every time he passed by, the scene had appeared static.

It was as if an unchangeable painting had been brought to life!

Briefly disoriented, Chen Nan's mind flashed back to the pronouncements of the Divine Calculator upon their initial arrival in Fengdu City.

"This is a Ghost City!"

"Every inhabitant of this city is a specter!"

At that precise moment, Chen Nan's attention was drawn to a distinct figure in the distance, conspicuous amidst the throng. Clad in a heavy black robe, the individual seemed to shun any exposure of their form.

This figure moved with haste through the crowd, a stark contrast to the dense Yin Energy emanating from the Fengdu City residents. This individual radiated a palpable Demon Qi.

It was evident that a member of the Demon Clan, unable to fully suppress their innate aura, had been spotted!

Chen Nan's eyes gleamed – the Demon Clan had arrived, and they undoubtedly possessed knowledge of the unfolding events within Fengdu City. He hastened his steps, intending to intercept and question them.

To his surprise, the Demon Clan member abruptly increased their pace, seemingly aware of the pursuit.

"Curse it, I've been noticed! They're undoubtedly going to apprehend me!"

The Demon Clan member cried out internally, sensing the approaching pursuer. Gritting their teeth, they halted, spun around, and declared, "If you intend to capture me, then do so! I fear you not... mffph!"

Before the words fully escaped their lips, Chen Nan's robust hand clamped over the Demon Clan member's mouth, swiftly whisking them away toward a secluded locale.

Chen Nan's cultivation ran deep, his might far surpassing that of the Demon Clan member. Combined with his swift movement techniques, he navigated the dense crowd, reaching a deserted spot in mere moments.

He dislodged the Demon Clan member's hood, revealing a woman beneath. Her ears were adorned with fur, confirming her Demon Clan heritage.

The Demon Clan woman possessed short, golden hair, meticulously styled. Her features were delicate, possessing a beauty that would be recognized among the Human Clan, yet her eyes were now wide with unfeigned terror.

"Who... who are you, exactly?"

Pressing herself against the wall, she pointed at Chen Nan, her voice trembling.

Chen Nan's expression darkened. "I am a Human Cultivator. Now, tell me, what precisely is happening in this city?"

"Human Cultivator?" The Demon Clan woman's shock was palpable. "Impossible! How could a Human Cultivator possibly arrive here?"

"Believe it or not, but you must explain what's transpiring in this city immediately!" Chen Nan's tone grew insistent. "Furthermore, where have the other Demon Clan members gone?"

The Demon Clan woman's body quivered. "Alright, I will tell you..."

...

The Divine Calculator stretched, a gargantuan yawn escaping him, dark circles etched beneath his eyes as if his very essence had been depleted.

"Truly peculiar. Why do I feel so weakened? Could it be the pervasive Yin Energy affecting me?" He mused aloud, nudging a loose stone with his foot, his mind filled with bewilderment.

Soon, a chorus of commendations enveloped him. Several city women, despite their seemingly vacant demeanor, possessed voices as sweet as honey, skilled in the art of flattery.

Their effusive praise soothed the Divine Calculator, invigorating him as he resumed his tasks, a testament to his diligence in the Cultivation world.

Upon concluding his day's endeavors, a lavish banquet, as was customary, commenced. Intoxicating spirits flowed freely, accompanied by the melodious chatter of women, a true indulgence.

Moderately inebriated, he returned to his chambers and promptly collapsed onto the bed. Yet, in his semi-conscious state, a nagging feeling lingered, the sense of an overlooked detail. His sluggish mind churned for a prolonged period before the memory surfaced: he had completely forgotten about Chen Nan.

"That young scamp, why hasn't he shown himself all day? He was acting rather peculiar since morning."

"Never mind him, let him be. As long as this Daoist is content."

Soon, the room resonated with the sound of slumbering snores. Two hours later, the door creaked open, and a figure stealthily entered the chamber – it was Granny Qian.

However, Granny Qian's visage had shed all semblance of compassion, replaced instead by a sinister malevolence. Her eyes gleamed with avarice, the corners of her mouth stretching into an unnervingly wide grin.

"Heh heh, the Essence Energy is truly pure, but it's a pity he's almost drained out, I wonder why that other lad is so cautious, only extracted once and he noticed."

While speaking, Granny Qian had already reached the bedside, opening her mouth, her tongue extended into a tentacle, like a straw landing on the Divine Calculator's forehead.

Like drinking water, she began to siphon the Divine Calculator's essence, a look of pleasure appearing on her face.

But just then, the door was suddenly kicked open with force, Granny Qian was startled, her body shuddered, even the half-asleep Divine Calculator now drowsily opened his eyes.

"Who is it? Can't you be quieter?"

Chen Nan strode into the room, sternly shouted: "Divine Calculator, open your eyes wide and take a good look!"

The Divine Calculator forced his eyes wide open, seeing Granny Qian's mouth with a tentacle extending, the other end attaching onto his forehead.

This sight shocked him into clarity, intuitively wielding the Compass, fiercely slapping it onto Granny Qian's head!

"Oh my! Ghost!"

Granny Qian's head instantly deflated, leaving a long wound, but no blood flowed from the wound, replaced by dense black Qi.

It was the purest Yin Energy!

Chen Nan witnessed this, pupils contracting sharply, recalling the dried bloodstain beneath the collapsed building.

Granny Qian's wound wouldn't produce blood, others likely the same, and that bloodstain definitely wasn't left by Fengdu City residents, but by the Demon Clan!

Laughable he previously thought the city inhabitants were oppressed by the Demon Clan, now the situation seems possibly the reverse!

Granny Qian's head rapidly restored, wound healing swiftly, showing no sign of panic after being discovered, her grin grew even more eerie.

"Hehe, originally wanted to keep you nurtured longer, after all, your Essence Energy is a delicacy I haven't tasted in ages."

"But since you've found out, I'll have to capture you sooner!"

The Divine Calculator broke into a cold sweat, realizing the situation, hurriedly summoned all his possessions, including a copper mirror, peach wood sword, bell, and others.

"Old hag, don't think the Daoist fears you!"