"This time, the scope involves an entire province. The difficulty certainly keeps increasing."

After Wang Linchi resolved the Nutrient Solution issue, he directly entered the level 70 Abyss Difficulty dungeon.

The dungeon was named the Fall of Qing State.

Three months from now, the Abyssal Demon sealed in Qing State would be unsealed, and then it would destroy Qing State entirely.

This was the final boss. Currently, there were no clues. Additionally, numerous Abyssal Demons and Demonized Creatures were scattered everywhere.

In addition to dealing with Abyssal Demons, Wang Linchi might also have to face persecution from the Demon Suppression Alliance. Within Qing State, there was a branch of the Demon Suppression Alliance.

Yes, it was the Demon Suppression Alliance that had unsealed this terrifying Abyssal Demon. Therefore, Wang Linchi not only needed to kill this unsealed Abyssal Demon but also destroy the entire Demon Suppression Alliance branch.

The rewards were generous. The reward for dealing with the Demon Suppression Alliance branch alone far surpassed those for killing Abyssal Demons elsewhere, primarily because the Demon Suppressing Sorcerers from the Demon Suppression Alliance were truly weak.

In the eyes of ordinary people, they exorcised demons and exterminated devils, possessing great mana.

However, in the eyes of a Player, they were just a group of summoners skilled at control, inferior to genuine summoners, and even susceptible to manipulation by their own summoned creatures—a disgrace to the summoner name.

But with this identity bug, how will the Game System resolve it?

If Wang Linchi were to arrive at a place without the Demon Suppression Alliance, his identity as a Demon Suppressing Sorcerer wouldn't pose any problem, as nobody would know if he was genuine or fake.

But Qing State had the Demon Suppression Alliance. Those Demon Suppressing Sorcerers, corrupted by Abyssal Demons to the point of near insanity, could tell at a glance that something was amiss with his identity.

I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Anyway, it's not my problem. Wang Linchi didn't care much about this identity; he was here to slay, not to engage in intrigue and schemes.

Then, naturally, he headed toward the city gate closest to him.

Yes, he had spawned at the city gate again. He didn't know what special preference this Game System had, to once again have him appear here.

"Are you a Town Demon Magician, sir?"

Just as Wang Linchi was about to enter the city, a person dressed as a house servant approached, asking carefully and respectfully.

Yes, what is it? Wang Linchi thought the person sent to receive him had arrived.

After gaining an identity, the Game System would usually arrange an entry point and provide a main storyline with corresponding side quests.

It was like the previous City Lord mission; although Wang Linchi's handling had sent it a bit off track, it still offered enough assistance to make it easier for Wang Linchi to... plug in.

If he didn't plug in, he really wouldn't be able to clear the Abyss Difficulty dungeon.

"That's correct, Town Demon Magician. Our master invited you. We have already arranged a sedan chair for you," the house servant quickly responded.

As he said this, sedan chair bearers nearby promptly brought the sedan chair over.

Have to say, this treatment isn't half bad. Wang Linchi mused. The last time he had entered the city to see the City Lord, he had walked. This time, he had a sedan chair.

He got into the sedan chair, and it headed directly into the city.

The guards at the gate kept their eyes fixed forward, not daring to glance sideways, terrified of offending Wang Linchi. In Qing State, the status of a Demon Suppressing Sorcerer was not low at all; they belonged to a privileged class.

"Why has your master invited me?" Wang Linchi asked.

The house servant, waiting respectfully by his side, heard Wang Linchi's question and replied, "It's a private matter within our residence. When you arrive at our estate, our master will personally explain it to you.

"Don't worry," he added, "even if you decline this task, your trip will not have been in vain."

The servant seemed afraid Wang Linchi might leave, so he added that reassurance.

Wang Linchi didn't dwell on it. Can't just push away clues that fall into your lap.

"Hmm," Wang Linchi responded, then said no more.

At this moment, he was assessing his own strength. Logically, his game character should now be stronger than his actual self, considering the level 1,000 endgame equipment and numerous Passive Skills. These Skills not only boosted character attributes but also provided various special effects and skill enhancements.

This was power that far surpassed the current version of the game.

It was thanks to his mastery skills in weapons, armor, and accessories that he could ignore level requirements and equip them.

Otherwise, he really couldn't have become so strong using these items.

In addition to a sufficient number of Cards, he suspected that Literary Warfare, the foundational skill of his Scholar Profession, could instantly kill a level 70 boss. This was purely due to his overwhelmingly superior stats—a true 'stat monster's' advantage.

He vaguely guessed that this might be a deliberate move by the Game System to cultivate him, then use him to deal with the Abyss Offspring.

After all, Wang Linchi could clearly perceive the strength and danger posed by the Abyss Offspring.

「」

After about an hour, the sedan chair finally stopped.

Wang Linchi felt he wasn't cut out for luxury; he was starting to feel quite uncomfortable in the sedan chair.

The main issue was that the sedan chair was small, and after the long journey, the bearers would inevitably be tired, but Wang Linchi didn't hold it against them.

"Town Demon Magician, we have arrived," the house servant respectfully announced.

Before the servant could even speak, Wang Linchi had already stepped out of the sedan chair, leaving the house servant momentarily stunned.

Looking up, he saw this was no ordinary household. The high threshold and grand gate indicated these were not simple folk.

On the gate was a plaque reading "Zheng Mansion." There were also smaller plaques inscribed with phrases like 'House of Accumulated Good Deeds' and 'Virtue and Integrity,' seemingly penned by some great personage and then carved to display their prestige. As for why they were hung outside, it was obviously for others to see. If hung inside, how could they show off?

Upon entering Zheng Mansion, he was received by the head of the Zheng Family—a somewhat stout, middle-aged man named Zheng Li, whose face was etched with worry. When Zheng Li saw Wang Linchi, he was nonetheless very courteous.

"Town Demon Magician, you've finally come! I beg you to save my son!" As soon as he saw Wang Linchi, Zheng Li dispensed with pleasantries, rushed over, and grabbed Wang Linchi's hand, his expression desperate.

"Easy now, let's discuss this slowly," Wang Linchi said, calmly withdrawing his hand. It wasn't that he was averse to the touch, but if his hand was held, it would be difficult for him to attack if needed. One must always be on guard.

"I was too abrupt, Town Demon Magician. Please, this way," Zheng Li said, leading Wang Linchi into the main hall and instructing a maid to serve tea.

Once seated, Zheng Li began to recount his story.

Wang Linchi summarized the story: Zheng Li's son had been catfished—deceived in a 'net romance.' The other party was a 'kidney-harvester' now demanding ransom. Of course, 'net romance' here meant exchanging letters, and the 'kidney-harvesters' were a band of Demonized Creatures who obtained their 'human cargo' through deception, kidnapping, and robbery.

Zheng Li was deeply distressed. If it were just a group of Demon Men, he could have dealt with them. Unfortunately, an Abyssal Demon backed these Demon Men. Most of the people they captured were offered as tribute to this Abyssal Demon.

This Abyssal Demon was so powerful that even the City Lord turned a blind eye. Left with no choice, Zheng Li had to seek the assistance of the Demon Suppression Alliance to mediate.

Yes, mediate, not exterminate.

He was willing to give up the Zheng Family's fortune if his son could be returned safely.

It was fortunate for Zheng Li that he had encountered Wang Linchi. If it had been one of those 'genuine' Demon Suppressing Sorcerers, they would likely have fleeced him dry and then sent his entire family to feed the Abyssal Demon.

"This matter is quite difficult," Wang Linchi said, putting on an air of reluctance.

"Rest assured, Town Demon Magician! If you are willing to help, I will offer half of the Zheng Family's assets as recompense!" Zheng Li declared. He had his son late in life and doted on him immensely, which was why he was directly offering half his fortune for Wang Linchi's aid.

Zheng Li's son wasn't some spoiled silk-pants; on the contrary, he was a rather Excellent heir.

"Money is a secondary concern. First, tell me about that group of Demon Men," Wang Linchi said, brushing aside the topic of payment to focus on the mission.

Hearing this, Zheng Li's heart leaped with joy. This means he's interested! After a moment's thought, he explained, "These Demon Men were originally mountain folk from outside the city, near Cuiqing Mountain. They were good people, but at some unknown time, a Snake Demon came to Cuiqing Mountain. It occupied the mountain, proclaimed itself King Qing, and enslaved the mountain folk in the surrounding area, transforming them all into Demon Men."

"This is what led those Demon Men to commit such wicked deeds. They are a pitiful lot. And then there are the Warcraft, which, since then..."

Wang Linchi listened quietly. He didn't foolishly ask why the Demon Suppression Alliance hadn't sent Demon Suppressing Sorcerers to eliminate the threat. If they could have been called upon, the Cuiqing Mountain problem would have been solved long ago.

"So, are there other places like Cuiqing Mountain in this vicinity?" Wang Linchi asked.

"Yes, there are three others. They are..." Zheng Li didn't hide anything and told him everything he knew.

A chill crept into Wang Linchi's heart. These four areas... they're probably raising the people of this entire city like livestock, with the Demonized Creatures acting as their 'farmers', ready to harvest them at any moment.

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