One more catty, one more attribute point

With the circulation of his strength, a large hollow formed within the fog.

However, it was useless.

As the True Qi within Su Heng gradually calmed down,

the surrounding fog turned into a vortex, quickly filling up the hollow that had just formed.

"At the beginning, the Fog Demon's power was weak, and the fog it released could only confuse the senses. But as time passed, the Fog Demon must have undergone a transformation. This fog has already started to affect humans, no wonder it dares to appear actively in Changqing County."

"And that white leopard... Damn, the Fog Demon must also have the talent to enhance creatures. Is this talent also accomplished through these peculiar fungi? Very likely."

"Abilities weird, intelligence extremely high. This demon is really troublesome."

"We must find a way to locate the true body of the Fog Demon, to put an end to this monster once and for all."

"Damn it... I've lived in Changqing County for over ten years, now I'm about to get lost here, how can we find the Fog Demon's true body?"

"Will Su Li's demon-seeking plate work? It's worth a try."

"Is there any other detail I've overlooked..." Su Heng furrowed his brows, a glint of inspiration flashing through his mind.

"Right!"

He remembered the first time he encountered the Fog Demon in Heikui Mountain.

The mountain was shrouded in fog, thick enough that you couldn't see your hand in front of your face, nor could you discern direction, always at risk of being ambushed by lurking demons.

But then it suddenly started to rain...

The rain drove away the fog in the mountains, and the demons lurking within seized the opportunity to leave.

"Rain seems to counteract the Fog Demon, much like a water ghost languishes in a dry and scorching environment."

There's a possible interrelationship of mutual restraint and influence between demons and their environment.

Su Heng couldn't be completely certain, but it was highly probable.

*

*

*

Su Heng conducted an investigation around the city.

He saw many strange sights, but didn't find anything particularly noteworthy.

As the fog grew denser, worried about his family, Su Heng didn't continue to linger outside and instead, turned to head back to his residence.

Su Heng smelled the scent of demon blood.

He then saw Su Li crouching on the ground, holding a brush in her hand, scribbling on the floor, walls, and tree trunks.

The special patterns she drew seemed to harness a certain power, gathering the breeze, continuously swirling, dispersing the fog.

Although the fog had submerged the entire city,

only the Su Family's residence remained unscathed thanks to the power of the protective patterns.

Su Gui and Su Mother stood together, surrounded by several Protectors and the accountant, discussing fervently. They hadn't yet realized the horrors of the situation, only sensing that the weather was truly strange. Just moments ago, it had been a clear sky, but in the blink of an eye, thick clouds covered the sun, and one couldn't see their own hand in front of their face, which was unnerving.

Su Shang was there too.

Although this little brother always acted mature beyond his years,

he was still young and couldn't suppress his curiosity.

He was currently on tiptoes next to Su Li, engrossed in watching his elder sister create those cryptic symbols on the ground.

He was so captivated that he gnawed on his own finger, clueless as drool dripped down onto his sleeve.

"You're back..."

Su Li looked up, a smile appearing on her face.

She put down her brush and wiped the sweat from her forehead, "I just took some demon blood from your secret chamber to draw these patterns, you don't mind, do you?"

"Whew..."

Su Heng walked up to Su Li and blew a breath on her forehead.

Su Li's jet-black, fine hair lifted like dark clouds, unveiling her smooth, fair forehead.

"What are you doing!"

Su Li's eyebrows shot up, "Out of nowhere."

"I was just making sure you were a real person..." A smile flickered across Su Heng's face, then his expression became serious.

He told Su Li about what he had just encountered.

"You mean, this mist is not an ordinary fog, but countless dense spores?" Su Li shuddered, "This is troublesome."

"What would happen if someone came into contact with these spores?" Su Shang also said.

"They would turn into mummies, I guess..." Su Heng said.

"Chuang Tian Xia Tavern!?" An unexpected voice interrupted the conversation among the siblings, belonging to a shocked Protector who had just overheard them.

"Is there something wrong with this tavern?" Su Heng asked.

He stepped forward.

Positioning himself in front of Su Li and Su Shang.

"That tavern, it was clearly burnt down not long ago." The young Protector had not noticed this detail, he mused aloud to himself as he spoke.

"Burnt down?"

Su Heng was stunned, "How is that possible, I saw it with my own eyes."

"Who burnt it down, and why?" Su Heng continued to ask.

"It was set on fire by the officials..." the young Protector said, "It is said that someone had eaten something unclean in the tavern, and many people went mad. Fearing another demon trick, the officials simply decided to burn the tavern down."

"Unclean things?" Su Heng asked, "Could it be something dug up from Heikui Mountain?"

"Exactly, exactly!" The Protector hurriedly said, "It was indeed dug up from Heikui Mountain, supposedly a very precious ginseng, though it grew from the soil, it was said to be more delicious than dragon meat. Everyone who ate it praised it..."

"If you ask me, the officials are just collecting protection money."

The Protector swallowed his saliva, his emotions growing more agitated, a strange glint in his eyes, "Such delicious ginseng, how could it be problematic."

"That ginseng... have you eaten it too?" Su Heng took a deep breath, staring intently at him.

"Yes, I've eaten it too." The Protector said with a smile, "I didn't just eat it, but I also brought a piece for you, young master."

"Ah!!!"

A scream of terror echoed through the courtyard.

Su Li quickly grabbed Su Shang into her arms and covered his eyes with her hand.

The Protector actually unraveled his clothing at the collar, revealing a chest filled with white fungal threads. The flesh inside was already rotting and dry. He gently tore open his own chest, then reached inside to pull out a beating heart, presenting it in both hands before Su Heng.

"Young master! Young master!"

The Protector's face had a smile, yet it looked uglier than crying.

His consciousness seemed to regain some clarity for a moment, his eyes bulging out bloodshot, his face twisted in horror, "What's happening to me, young master, save me!"

He wailed.

White mist slowly seeped from his ears, nose, and mouth, spreading outwards under the influence of the patterns.

"Damn it!" Su Heng's face drastically changed.

Hiss!

His body suddenly swelled up, his black fibrous tissues looking horrifying.

Yang Extreme True Qi ran recklessly through his body, waves of heat rising like a volcanic eruption, forming thick red smoke that burned and danced around him.

Bang!

Su Heng spread his fingers open.

He slapped down, the twisted air formed shadows.

The Protector's head abruptly disappeared into his chest, and then his entire body, fueled by the Yang Extreme True Qi, began to burn, instantly turning into a huge torch.