The most powerful government body in the Great Jing.

It was also more powerful than any single Martial Dao Upper Sect.

It was filled with Martial Dao Masters.

Everyone present knew how formidable this department was.

The three of them frowned as they looked at the Supreme Profound Upper Sect disciples before them, though they weren’t particularly surprised.

It wasn’t surprising that the disciples of a Martial Dao Upper Sect could recognize them.

Fang Xing frowned deeply as he felt the others’ gazes on him.

’Drawing attention to oneself in a situation like this isn’t a good thing.’

"I am Lin Ze, a disciple of the Supreme Profound Upper Sect. And how may I address you?" the leader, Lin Ze, asked with a smile, looking at the trio.

Shen Ye looked at Lin Ze, his expression placid. "Shen Ye. These two are my friends."

Fang Xing and Baili Yanran remained silent.

Hearing this, Lin Ze didn’t press the matter. He looked at Shen Ye and said with a smile, "You three must have come for the Demons and Monsters as well. If so, perhaps we could cooperate. What do you say?"

Shen Ye nodded lightly. "Of course, cooperation is no problem. Protecting the realm and its people is the Court’s responsibility. We should be the ones thanking you."

Lin Ze smiled. "You’re too kind, sir. We disciples of the Supreme Profound Upper Sect also consider it our duty to slay demons and vanquish evil."

"There are many Demons and Monsters on Lake Heart Island. With your help, I’m confident this venture will be a success."

Shen Ye smiled. "And I am certain that with the help of you Upper Sect disciples, our mission will be a complete success."

The two exchanged flatteries.

They had reached a verbal "cooperation"!

Although there was friction between the Martial Dao Upper Sects and the Observatory, they stood on a united front when it came to facing Demons and Monsters.

Cooperation was no issue. As for how to divide the spoils, that was a matter to be settled after the Demons and Monsters were slain.

...

The time it takes for an incense stick to burn passed quickly.

The morning sun rose, illuminating the shores of Dongting Lake.

From the harbor, the great ship set off, sailing toward Lake Heart Island.

The great ship sailed across the lake, stirring the waves.

Standing at the edge of the deck, Fang Xing gazed out over the vast expanse of the lake.

Lake Heart Island was an island deep within Dongting Lake.

An archipelago.

Three islands linked together.

It was once a resting place for passing ships, but now, it had become a forbidden zone.

The great ship moved quickly, and Jinhu Town soon disappeared from view.

’I wonder how many Demons and Monsters there are...’ Gazing toward the heart of the island, Fang Xing gently stroked his Demon Suppression Treasure Saber.

’The more Demons and Monsters, the more Enhancement Points I can get.’

At least for him, Demons and Monsters were a good thing.

Of course, they were a good thing for the other Exorcists, too.

They could slay them to earn bounties.

The more they killed, the higher the bounty!

’With so many people, it probably won’t be that easy.’

Fang Xing sighed inwardly.

Disciples from a Martial Dao Upper Sect, plus over a hundred Exorcists.

An operation like this was much safer, but trying to be the one to slay the Demons and Monsters among so many people would be difficult.

’If there are plenty of Demons and Monsters, it’ll be fine. But if they’re few and far between, the difficulty will skyrocket.’

...

「The sun reached its zenith.」

On the vast surface of Dongting Lake, a great ship several dozen zhang long appeared.

On deck, all eyes turned toward an island that had come into view.

Lake Heart Island!

An island dozens of li in size.

The island seemed to be shrouded in a sinister aura.

Though it was broad daylight, they could feel an inexplicable, bone-chilling cold.

"We’re here!"

Fang Xing tightened his grip on his Demon Suppression Treasure Saber, his eyes fixed on Lake Heart Island.

The island was covered with jagged rocks and dense forests.

The island, dozens of li across, sat in the center of Dongting Lake.

There were no other islands for dozens of li in any direction.

As they drew closer to the island, Fang Xing could feel an increasingly intense, bone-chilling aura emanating from its depths.

Under the sun, Lake Heart Island was eerily still; not even a single bird could be seen in the sky.

It was like an island cut off from the rest of the world.

The great ship drew closer to Lake Heart Island.

The Exorcists on board were all rubbing their hands in anticipation. Their eyes held no fear of Demons and Monsters, only greed for coin.

Exorcists made their living by slaying demons and vanquishing evil.

They might go a while without a contract, but a single job could feed them for a year without issue.

"Hm?"

On deck, as he watched the great ship approach the island, Fang Xing’s gaze suddenly sharpened, and he looked down at the surface of the lake.

"A demon is approaching..." Fang Xing murmured.

Beside him, Baili Yanran and Shen Ye paused, a look of astonishment on their faces as they turned to Fang Xing.

Neither of them had sensed any demonic aura.

But they didn’t question him, merely raising their guard.

BOOM!!!

Just then, a tremendous crash came from the hull, as if the ship had struck a massive boulder.

The entire ship shuddered violently.

SPLASH—!!!

The lake instantly churned with violent waves, as if a terrifying behemoth was hiding in the depths.

Everyone on the ship was startled, their nerves instantly tensing.

BOOM!!!

Immediately after, a second tremendous crash came from beneath the hull, shaking the entire ship.

Water poured into the hull from below, and the great ship began to sink.

The sturdy hull was breached. With a deafening CRACK, the entire ship splintered into pieces.

Figures flashed through the air, landing on the wreckage of the great ship now scattered across the lake’s surface.

Some fell into the water, but most landed on the broken wreckage, standing firm on the lake’s surface.

The lake churned and frothed, and a ferocious roar exploded across its surface.

ROAR—!!!

The roar sounded like a tiger’s, and a monster about ten feet tall emerged from the water.

All eyes turned to see a monster covered in long, cyan fur. It resembled a giant ape and emanated a powerful, ferocious, and evil aura.

Its roar was like thunder!

SHIIING—!!

But just then, a massive blast of Flame Blade Qi, dozens of feet long, tore through the air. The combination of intense heat and powerful Blade Qi seemed to rip the very air apart.