55: Danger in the City

Lin Chuping was in high spirits and full of drive.

With a gentle flick of his fingertip, strands of golden Incense appeared like fireflies, accurately landing within each rat demon.

All the rat demons who participated in luring and killing the Skeleton Monster suddenly felt a warmth spread through their bodies; the wounds that had been scorched by the Skeleton Monster's evil Qi instantly healed.

Rat Li and Rat Ling received the most Incense; with ten points of Incense Value entering their bodies, the two rats immediately felt their minds clear, and the demonic power within them subtly showed signs of a Breakthrough.

The other rat cubs who participated in the operation also received one point of Incense Value.

After the rat pack retreated, the Divine Temple returned to silence.

* * *

Lin Chuping's consciousness sank into his Sea of Consciousness, looking at the System panel's balance of 2.14 million Incense Value, a slight smile played on his lips.

"Tong Ge, upgrade Thunder Punishment."

"Ding! Thunder Punishment upgraded, consuming 10,000 Incense Value."

In the Sea of Consciousness, the purple rune representing Thunder Punishment suddenly lit up, and streaks of electric snakes darted between the runes.

Lin Chuping could clearly feel that when he now cast Thunder Punishment, its power had increased by at least 30%.

"Tong Ge, this price increase is too steep. It cost a thousand to buy, but ten thousand to upgrade?"

"Ding! Genuine goods at a fair price, no deception."

"Tong Ge, continue to upgrade."

"Ding! Thunder Punishment upgraded to Lv2, consuming 100,000 Incense Value."

The purple rune exploded with a roar, transforming into a swirling thundercloud.

Lin Chuping's Divine Sense barely touched it and felt a tingling sensation in his fingertips.

This Incense Value was well spent!

"The next upgrade won't cost a million, will it?"

He muttered, bringing up his personal information:

"Host: Lin Chuping"

"Jurisdiction: Chang Sheng Village, Nan Shu Village"

"Divine Power: 5140"

"Divine Arts: Enter Dream, Blessing +, Thunder Punishment Lv2 +, Rain Summoning Technique +"

"Incense Value: 2.03 million (can be used to convert Divine Power, purchase Divine Arts)"

"System Mall: Lv1"

After spending a large amount of Incense Value, Lin Chuping settled down, his restless heart gradually calming.

After coming to this world, he had been confined to his jurisdiction. Although he was happy to see these two villages improve day by day, even the best scenery would become boring after a long time.

His previous life as a corporate slave still wanted to travel occasionally.

But what was the upgrade standard for this jurisdiction?

Lin Chuping stroked his chin in thought. Previously, after all the people in Nan Shu Village became his believers, the jurisdiction suddenly expanded.

Since all the people in Nan Shu Village becoming believers triggered the expansion, would it be possible to continue expanding the jurisdiction by making more villagers believers?

But now, the entire population of Qingzhou had been gathered in Prefecture City, so how could he break this deadlock?

* * *

Just as Lin Chuping was studying the jurisdiction, the common people who had returned to Prefecture City were deeply mired in suffering and misery.

Just a month ago, this small city still had a semblance of Life Qi, and occasionally laughter could be heard on the streets. But now, it was completely enveloped by a pall of sickness, like a living hell.

Looking around, everyone in the city had sallow faces, gaunt figures, and walked with a sway, looking gravely ill and not long for this world.

In the slums of the west of the city, one could see people who had quietly passed away in their sleep everywhere. Their eyes were closed, their faces serene, as if they had simply fallen into an eternal slumber from which they would never awaken.

The villagers who were captured initially cried out in despair, but now they had no strength left.

Inside the ancient courtyard in the center of the city, five black-robed Elders sat in the main hall, each with an abnormally grayish-green complexion.

"Grand Elder, we should have listened to us back then!"

The youngest Elder slammed his hand on the table. With a "crack," the sturdy table instantly shattered into dust under his angry blow, wood chips flying.

"That's right, we strongly opposed you offering the Spirit-奪取 Array to Blood Fiend back then, but you just wouldn't listen!"

Another Elder echoed, his tone filled with blame and indignation.

"Now look, after Blood Fiend got the Formation Plate of the Spirit-奪取 Array, he became utterly reckless and did as he pleased! The Life Qi of the entire Prefecture City is almost sucked dry by this evil Spirit-奪取 Array!"

"Indeed, even we Cultivators can barely endure it, let alone those Mortals who are powerless."

"Cough cough! In front of Blood Fiend, you all acted like cowards, but now you come to me to show off your might. If you have so much backbone, why didn't you come out to oppose him like the Sixth Elder back then!"

"At the very least, you could have died fighting alongside the Sect Master!"

"A bunch of hypocritical bastards!"

The Grand Elder, being cursed at directly, was also shamed into anger.

Back then, each of them was like a soft persimmon, unable to stand up for themselves.

So much time has passed, and now they've suddenly grown a backbone?

"This time, I'll listen to you. What do you say we do!"

After some arguing, neither side came up with an idea, so they could only continue to Cultivate.

If this torment continued, they wouldn't be able to hold on much longer either.

Martial Artists are also human. They are usually busy with other matters and can often only spare time to Cultivate to maintain their cultivation. But this Spirit-奪取 Array is completely different; since its activation, it has been running non-stop, endlessly, frantically devouring the Life Qi of all living beings within the Formation.

If this continues, even a Seventh-Rank Martial Artist, given enough time, could be sucked dry.

"What else can we do? Now, Prefecture City allows entry but not exit, unless one is willing to become a human traitor for Blood Fiend."

"I secretly inquired and found that Blood Fiend's previous way of doing things was rather gentle. Who knew he would become like this now..."

"Hmph, that's all nonsense! Blood Fiend might have had some apprehension towards us before, but now, he has clearly gone completely mad. He must have used the core power of the Formation Plate. How dare he! Doesn't he fear that everyone in the city will die?"

"Ridiculous! Why should he fear? In his eyes, if the people of Qingzhou die out, he can just go to other places to capture more. If there aren't enough people, he can even capture some demonic beasts to make up the numbers. As long as that Formation Plate is in his hands, what can he not get!"

"Then what do we do? Do we just wait for death?"

Since being confined to Prefecture City by Blood Fiend, such arguments have occurred frequently, each time ending fruitlessly.

However, the longer it went on, the more clearly everyone realized one thing: Blood Fiend was truly insane.

This time, they were probably truly beyond salvation.

Unless a miracle occurred.