It must be said that Zhang Long and Zhao Fang's plan had no issues in theory. This was because a powerful Ghostly Level Fiend could practically run rampant in the Pulse Condensation Realm. Even Apprentice Demon Hunters, at best, would have only just entered the Pulse Condensation Realm. Even if a few of them arrived, they couldn't possibly withstand a powerful Ghostly Level Fiend; the more likely outcome would be their complete consumption by the Strange Monster.
Unfortunately, the situation did not unfold as the two of them had anticipated.
First of all, due to the Demon-Subduing Division's recent loss of many operatives, only Shen Changqing arrived, not several Apprentice Demon Hunters as they had imagined.
Moreover, although Shen Changqing was an Apprentice Demon Hunter, his true strength was already no weaker than that of a top Yellow Rank Demon Hunter. In fact, he was even more formidable.
With fifteen levels of the Henglian Technique and eight levels of the Pure Yang Technique, his foundation was simply incomparable to that of an ordinary Pulse Condensation Warrior.
This was especially true for the former. Outer Techniques were easy to start, but reaching a profound level required a significant amount of time. Almost no one would waste too much time on Outer Techniques. Conversely, once an Outer Technique reached a profound level, the power it could unleash was unimaginable.
Take Zhang Long's earlier sneak attack, for instance: that single slash would have decapitated a normal Pulse Condensation Warrior. Yet, against Shen Changqing, it couldn't even break his skin. Such was the power of the Henglian Technique.
Zhang Long is dealt with, but the Strange Monster in Guyue Village is still here. I need to take care of it first!
Shen Changqing took a brief look at Zhang Long's body, then paid him no further mind and turned back to the courtyard he had come from.
At this moment, there wasn't much change in the courtyard, but an intense chill was rising from all around, at least twice as strong as when he had first entered.
Without needing to think, Shen Changqing understood that the Strange Monster dwelling in the courtyard had been thoroughly enraged.
Suddenly, a cold sensation attacked him from behind.
In an instant, Shen Changqing turned around and slashed with his blade, just in time to collide with a ghastly white palm.
The palm seemed insubstantial. The moment it touched the blade, it vanished utterly, as if it had never appeared, leaving no trace. Yet, the blade the palm had touched seemed caught in an endless winter. An extreme cold swept up from it, causing a faint layer of frost to form on the blade.
Pure Yang True Qi burst forth, and the layer of frost on the blade dissipated.
Soon, an endless chill surged once more. A disheveled head suddenly landed on Shen Changqing's shoulder. When he turned to look, he came face-to-face with a greenish, rotting visage, and goosebumps instantly rose all over his body.
Without hesitation, Shen Changqing circulated Pure Yang True Qi throughout his body. He delivered a powerful elbow strike, and a shrill scream rang out beside his ear, briefly muddling his mind.
The next instant, a pale palm shot out from under his armpit, heading straight for his chest.
His clothes tore as a bone-chilling cold erupted.
His Flesh, which had previously withstood Zhang Long's attacks without damage, was now torn open by the Strange Monster's assault.
The painful sensation in his chest made Shen Changqing's anger surge. He thrust out a palm, all eight levels of his Pure Yang True Qi erupting from it, directly dispersing the ghastly pale hand.
As soon as the hand vanished, a greater chill assaulted him from behind.
He stepped forward, his long blade sweeping out from under his armpit in a backhanded stroke. It seemed to strike something, and a piercing shriek immediately followed. Soon after, the courtyard quieted down.
Shen Changqing stood with his blade, eyes vigilantly scanning the surroundings, his senses fully extended, daring not to miss any subtle movement.
The wound on his chest had already scabbed over, but the pain still lingered, a testament to what had just transpired.
Truly troublesome!
Shen Changqing exhaled. This was his first time facing a Strange Monster head-on, and a powerful Ghostly Level Fiend at that. Although he had crammed much knowledge about Strange Monsters in the Scripture Pavilion, facing one in reality revealed discrepancies with what was written in the books.
At this moment, Shen Changqing completely understood the terror of powerful Strange Monsters.
Setting other things aside, that single attack alone could have gouged out the heart of an ordinary Pulse Condensation Warrior. In such a confrontation, a single misstep meant death.
Whether it's a Ghostly Level Fiend or a Resentment Level Monster, none of them have a tangible form. They must attach themselves to something to survive!
Shen Changqing recalled information about Strange Monsters as his gaze swept across the courtyard. Lower-level Strange Monsters don't possess a tangible form. Precisely because of this, they have a fatal vulnerability: they must attach themselves to certain objects. These objects are akin to the Strange Monster's lifeline. As long as those things are destroyed, even if the Strange Monster isn't killed, it will be severely injured. The problem, however, is that there are too many objects a Strange Monster might attach to. It could be a stone on the ground or some inconspicuous item. Accurately finding it in such a vast courtyard definitely won't be easy.
If I can't find the object the Strange Monster is attached to, it can continue its endless sneak attacks. I might not be able to outlast it in a battle of attrition. If this drags on, I'll most likely be the one to lose—
Of course, Shen Changqing was confident that if he chose to retreat, the Ghostly Level Fiend definitely wouldn't be able to stop him.
Suddenly, he strode towards the room where the first attack had occurred.
Upon reaching the doorway, Shen Changqing abruptly stopped and then changed direction.
Chilliness pervaded the courtyard. A thick mist covered the area, completely blocking the harsh sun and plunging the surroundings into a night-like gloom. But Shen Changqing could already see in the dark. Even though the environment was dim, it didn't affect him much.
After changing directions several times, the Strange Monster made no move, as if it had completely fallen silent or vanished altogether. But Shen Changqing knew very well that the Strange Monster was silently observing him from somewhere. It understood from their earlier skirmish that he wasn't easy to deal with, so it now dared not act rashly.
It was waiting for a suitable opportunity to strike.
All of a sudden, Shen Changqing changed direction again, sprinting towards the large tree in the center of the courtyard.
WHIRR—
A chill surged and swept across the courtyard as an ear-piercing, mournful wail arose from nowhere, sharp enough to freeze one's soul. Two pale hands abruptly appeared, reaching for Shen Changqing's face and chest.