Zhang Shaoming looked at Chen Shan with a strange expression but said nothing.

Seeing that, Chen Shan suddenly released his grip, his mood deflating. "Zhang Shaoming, if even you can’t rise above, then all those who died have perished in vain. Think carefully about it."

After saying that, he turned and left with his companions, leaving Zhang Shaoming alone in silent contemplation.

"Rise above?" muttered Zhang Shaoming.

He let out a bitter, self-deprecating laugh.

How could he rise above? His talent had once been impressive, but he was only a Qi Refining Realm cultivator. And behind the city’s destruction and the deaths of its people lay dangers so terrifying they were unimaginable.

After a moment of silence, Zhang Shaoming suddenly sat down cross-legged on the spot and closed his eyes.

A faint white mist began to spiral out from his fingertips, coiling around his body. After a few breaths, his face flushed. Sweetness rushed up his throat, and with a puff, he spat out a cloud of blood mist.

Zhang Shaoming eyes dulled as weakness came over him. "I can’t calculate it. I simply... can’t. Even with this mysterious Profound Sect Technique I somehow acquired, I cannot foresee my future. I cannot determine the source of this danger. If I can’t figure these things out, how can I avenge my family, or the innocent people of the city?"

Someone shouted from a distance, "Zhang Shaoming! Quit slacking over there! Get back to mining!"

"Coming."

Zhang Shaoming wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and got up, limping away.

Fang Chen silently watched his back until he disappeared into the mine entrance.

A thoughtful look appeared in Fang Chen’s eyes.

"Profound Sect Technique..."

The technique Zhang Shaoming had just used reminded him of Li Daoye—that white mist, and the same deduction. Could there be a connection between the two?

"One is in the Upper Three Realms’ Taicang Realm, the other in the Lower Six Realms Ancient Desolate Realm. They are far apart. Without special means, even a ninth transformation would take countless years to travel between them..."

After a moment of contemplation, Fang Chen suppressed these thoughts and sent his divine soul into the void, allowing it to fly back to his main body.

***

Half a month later.

Zhang Shaoming crawled out of the mine, handed over the ore he had just mined to the foreman, and then limped off toward the distance.

This time, Zhang Shaoming had encountered some danger deep in the mine, which resulted in his left leg getting injured.

He had only taken a few steps when he suddenly froze. Ahead, a group of miners had gathered.

He recognized both groups. They were small factions within Baisheng Mine. They seemed to be in a heated argument, their shouting even drew the cold attention of nearby overseers. Such quarrels were common at Baisheng Mine.

What made Zhang Shaoming stop in his tracks, however, was the figure lying between the two groups. It was Chen Shan, from the same hometown as him. Chen Shan’s face was pale, his eyes tightly shut, lying on the ground utterly still, as if devoid of life.

Zhang Shaoming studied him for a moment, then quietly walked toward Chen Shan.

As he drew closer, the shouting and cursing from both sides became increasingly clear. It sounded as if the two groups had started a dispute in the depths of the mine, which had continued even after they emerged. And Chen Shan had paid for it with his life.

Someone noticed him approaching and murmured, "It’s Zhang Shaoming."

The shouting gradually died down as both sides watched him silently.

Zhang Shaoming walked to Chen Shan’s body, confirmed he was dead, and then bent down to carry his body away.

Someone blocked his path. "Wait! The matter isn’t settled yet. No one leaves. Put Chen Shan down."

"He’s already dead."

The other side sneered. "Dead or alive, no one takes him. Maybe the ores we lost are on him."

Zhang Shaoming said calmly, "I don’t care what quarrel you had. Chen Shan and I are from the same place. His family is probably all dead, and now that he has died here, I’m going to collect his body for burial."

"Take care of the body? That can wait until the matter is resolved," said one of the people who had been silently watching for a while. "Or do you know where Chen Shan hid the stuff? Maybe he swallowed it? Then we’ll have to cut him open to see."

When he did, everyone else immediately shut their mouths, for his cultivation was formidable. He was at the twelfth stage of Qi Refining Realm, on the verge of Foundation Building Realm.

Zhang Shaoming tried to reason with him.

"Comrade Shan, the airflow here is strong. If Chen Shan’s body remains exposed, it’ll start to rot soon."

But the man wouldn’t listen. He walked straight up to Zhang Shaoming and slapped him to the ground.

Looking down at Zhang Shaoming, he said, "I said it before: until the matter is clarified, Chen Shan’s body cannot be taken. Even if it rots, you still can’t take it away."

Zhang Shaoming stared at him blankly, a trace of confusion in his eyes. "Even if it rots? We’re all miners. Why make things difficult for each other? Are there any cultivators suffering more than us right now?"

"Nonsense." the man scoffed.

He frowned slightly, assuming Zhang Shaoming simply hadn't adjusted to his current status yet.

The two sides lapsed into an argument once more.

"Do you want to kill them?"

A voice suddenly rang out in Zhang Shaoming’s ear.

"Who are you?"

"Me? I am the Demon Ancestor. If you want to kill them, I can help you."

"Demon Ancestor?"

Zhang Shaoming’ looked bewildered. He glanced around but couldn't see who was speaking to him.

"Yes, I am the Demon Ancestor. Quickly, answer me. Do you want to kill them? Kill them, and you can give your friend a proper burial so he can rest in peace."

Zhang Shaoming suddenly realized what was happening. "So, I've fallen into a demonic calamity."

He immediately ignored the voice in his ears and sat down cross-legged. He began reciting under his breath a satura meant to calm the mind.

Years ago, the people around him had all experienced demonic calamities. Some of the things that happened back then were still vivid in his memory. Back then, he had wondered why no calamity had befallen him. Thinking about it now, it was clear that this calamity was simply late.

After an unknown amount of time, the arguing parties finally noticed Zhang Shaoming’s strange state.

"Is this... a demonic calamity?" someone asked, sounding uncertain.

"How is there another Demonic Calamity!?" another person gasped, crying out in shock.

A supervisor who had been watching the commotion arrived through the air. When he discovered that Zhang Shaoming had fallen into a demonic calamity, his expression became incredibly solemn.

After several moments of silence, he summoned his flying sword and slashed it toward Zhang Shaoming.

The crowd was terrified but didn't dare to intervene. This supervisor was a Foundation Building Realm cultivator. Even if they all attacked at once, they couldn't stop him.

Just as the flying sword was about to strike Zhang Shaoming, a figure appeared out of nowhere and lightly pinched the tip of the blade.

The speeding sword came to an abrupt halt. The force behind it couldn't be dissipated instantly, causing the hilt to tremble violently and emit a low humming sound. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Who are you!?" exclaimed the supervisor, shaken. "Why are you stopping me from killing this man? He has fallen into a demonic calamity and is highly likely to turn demonic!"

Fang Chen casually tossed the flying sword back. "Falling into a demonic calamity does not necessarily mean one will turn demonic."

He glanced around. "Don't gather here. Everyone disperse."

After saying that, his gaze fell upon Zhang Shaoming, brows furrowing.