The sound of hooves was urgent,

A few horsemen gritted their teeth and urged their horses with all their might, each one staring dead ahead with shock and fear in their eyes.

In the sky, locusts blotted out the sun.

On the distant mountain peak, blood-colored flames surged straight into the heavens, the light so eerie that the dark mass of locusts formed a black vortex that was frantically being devoured by it.

"Faster!"

The leading horseman roared, "The manor is in great trouble; we must find True Man Zhang at all costs, use True Qi to spur the horses!"

Using True Qi to drive the horses, although it could increase speed temporarily, would ruin even the finest horses afterwards, showing how urgent these people truly were.

However, as they neared the mountain foot, the sky-darkening swarm of locusts had already disappeared, gold light wrapped around the mountain, and terrifying roars were constantly echoing.

With a huge bang, the monstrous roar echoing through the mountains ceased, followed by a beam of golden light soaring skyward, accompanied by a thunderous rumbling sound, breaking through the clouds and disappearing into the sky…

"It's over…"

The leading horseman stopped his horse, his face pale, and said tremblingly, "True Man Zhang has already left, we missed him by a step."

Another horseman took a deep breath, "True Man Zhang has quelled the locust plague of the world, coming and going in haste, like a dragon glimpsed in flashes but never fully seen, how would he bother with our small matters."

Saying this, he gritted his teeth, his face turning ferocious, "In this chaotic world, relying on others is not as good as relying on ourselves. Let's go back and organize our people, and fight against those demons!"

"Right, Brother Zhou is right, let's fight!"

"Where else can we hide?"

The other horsemen nodded angrily in agreement.

Zhang Kui, flying with Sword Flight in the sky, was unaware of what had happened below. And indeed, as the horseman said, sporadic locusts were appearing in several places; time was running out.

Passing through the clouds and looking down from a high altitude, the terrain was flat, with streams crisscrossing, a small stream every three steps, a large lake every five steps, like a Ze Country, hence it has been known as Zezhou since ancient times.

Moreover, in the southwestern direction, a vast lake hundreds of miles wide was rippling with emerald waves and steaming water vapor, with demon Qi faintly rising into the sky.

That was where Yunmeng Water Mansion resided.

Not only that, but even farther thousands of miles away, the terrain suddenly jutted high, with ancient trees towering, a vast sea of green stretching to the horizon, with extraordinary Profound Light occasionally rising.

There is Cangkong Mountain among the "Three Mountains," blocking the southwestern part of the Central State. There were rumors among sea travelers that across Cangkong Mountain was countless archipelagos and countries, islands with cannibal tribes and bloody sacrifices.

In Zezhou, there is a mountain and a water mansion, extremely dangerous for Zhang Kui.

Fortunately, there has never been any record of anything wreaking havoc on the mortal realm from within the Three Mountains, and Zhang Kui had once gazed from afar at the further Fallen Immortal Mountain in Shazhou, seeing only a white expanse connected to the sky.

What puzzled Zhang Kui was that despite the commotion he had caused, Yunmeng Water Mansion still showed no sign of disturbance, seemingly uninterested in his Divine Court Bell.

Zhang Kui couldn't be bothered to ponder the reason, Sword Qi crisscrossed as he traversed, falling on a barren mountain after exiting Zezhou, where Fatty Tiger, who had been awaiting him for a long time, sprang out, carrying him as black smoke and Yin wind continued their journey.

Sword Flight inherently consumed True Qi, and on top of that, there was the need to individually dispel Locust Demons. Even though mana recovery was swift, the spirit could not endure.

At this time, Zhang Kui would rest for a while, riding Fatty Tiger under the stars and moon, traversing desolate mountains and wilderness.

In the following month, Zhang Kui first appeared in White State and Northern Border State, where snow had just melted, and then proceeded along the coastline to Bozhou, Quanzhou, and other places.

Wherever he went, locusts gathered, blotting out the sky and sun; the incarnations of Locust Demon were also individually suppressed.

Good news came one after another, the populace jubilant, everyone knowing this dreadful locust plague would soon end.

Those with discerning eyes could see Zhang Kui's path clearly—first clearing the central part of the Central State, then proceeding along the Southern Border, Northern Border, and coastal areas.

Among them, the people of Jiangzhou were the most assured. Although sporadic locusts had already started flying amid the fields and wilderness, grain had been centrally managed, and importantly, True Man Zhang was soon to hold fort here.

However, it wasn't that easy for Zhang Kui.

Not all Forbidden Lands and Evil Spirits were indifferent to the Divine Court Bell, fortunately, he alternated between Sword Flight in the sky and ground stealth, dodging them all from heaven to earth.

Of course, the rewards were not insignificant.

First were the Locust Demon incarnations, each suppression earned over sixty points. Passing through Zezhou, White State, Northern Border State, Bozhou, and Quanzhou, he garnered over three hundred points.

Secondly, was his broadened horizon.

He saw countless ancient relics silently standing in valleys and wilderness, including giant divine and Buddha statues hundreds of meters high, and ancient cities mottled with overgrown grasses…

He had seen all of the "Three Mountains, Four Caves, and Five Water Mansions."

In the Black River Water Mansion of White State, an enormous river clam over a hundred meters tall inhaled and exhaled spirit light beneath the moon, its demon pill vying for splendor with the moon...

In the Celestial River Water Mansion of Northern Border State, nestled among snow-capped peaks, the river water shimmered crystal blue, merging with the sky, as ancient divine and demonic statues continually echoed...

In the Jingjiang Water Mansion of Bozhou, hidden deep within the mountains, black mist of Yin Qi pierced the sky, and ghost ships completely sealed off all waterways...

The Spiritual Sect of the Ten Thousand Demons Cave in Quanzhou, though situated in an isolated mountain overseas, harbored numerous demons mingling with humans. In Quanzhou, as in the previous dynasty, many secretly nurtured demons...

Of course, there is an even more terrifying Profound Yin Mountain in the Quanzhou Sea Region, where black light shoots skyward, shrouded by gloomy clouds all year round, lightning flickering. Occasionally seen by fishermen, it is called the Netherworld Ghost Realm...

It is worth mentioning that on the way to Bozhou, the Huo Yu with Double Pupils informed through the Incense Burner Primordial Divine Statue about the constant disturbances at the Jingjiang Water Mansion, suggesting intentions towards the Divine Court Bell and advising a temporary retreat.

Unexpectedly, the Divine Corpse wandered to Bozhou.

Indeed, in these chaotic times, the Divine Corpse has become a moving calamity, traversing the wilderness causing demon ghosts to retreat, passing through human towns with continuous earthquakes, resulting in heavy casualties.

This time, Jingjiang Water Mansion found itself directly in the Divine Corpse's path, truly an ill-favored fate.

Yet they remained unafraid, several Mahayana Realm demons emerged, old acquaintance Immortal Wu also appeared, battling fiercely with flying sand and stones, causing massive mountain ranges to collapse.

Unfortunately, the Divine Corpse, like an indestructible machine, acted purely on instinct, forcing them to find ways to divert it after a prolonged struggle.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Zhang Kui boldly killed the Locust Demon and then leisurely departed via Sword Flight.

To the common people, of course, such events seemed as distant as natural disasters or myths of gods and demons; they were more concerned with human misfortunes.

Thugs wielded swords to kill, demon practitioners spread evil skills, powerful figures armed themselves and prepared to rise, while rangers ventured to uphold justice.

In short, without a unified dynasty, Central State plunged back into a chaotic and dark era devoid of order.

...

Jiangzhou, in the hot month, mid-summer.

Even after a recent rain, the air grew even more oppressive. Wing-dampened locusts leaped and gnawed at the fields, their rustling sound irritating to no end.

The usual cicada songs were absent, for any cicada emerging from the ground would be instantly devoured by swarming locusts.

Amidst barren mountains and treacherous waters, a group secretly made their way, like specters in swirling black smoke, carefully choosing shadowy paths.

"Damn it!"

A greasy, fat man suddenly halted, slapping his belly with a large hand, instantly sending transparent ripples spreading outward, turning the surrounding locusts into dust.

"Yao Chu, what are you doing!"

The leader immediately turned around, his single bloodshot eye gleaming—it was Xiahou Ba.

The fat man called Yao Chu chuckled, "Xiahou, why so angry? These bugs are really annoying."

Xiahou Ba's face turned as dark as water,

"We are heading to snatch the treasures from the General's Tomb. If you wish to die, don't drag us down."

The man at the forefront also slowly turned, the two yellow eyebrows under his hat floating, "Taoist Friend Yao, do not delude yourself!"

Since the previous incident, the Yellow Eyebrow Monk was no longer the benign figure he once appeared to be. He needed these people, but if they disrupted his plans, he wouldn't hesitate to act decisively.

In these chaotic times, the death of a few National Guardians was no longer a rare event.

Seeing the unfriendly gazes surrounding him, the fat man Yao Chu felt a chill down his spine and awkwardly smiled.

"Hehe, I know, I know, it's all that little pest Zhang Kui's fault, not clearing his own area first..."

Yet no one paid him any heed.

Yao Chu shrank his neck and hurriedly shut his mouth.

The group darted and dodged, finally reaching the summit of a tall mountain. Standing under the shade, they looked down to find a sizeable town concealed within, completely isolated and self-sufficient.

Under the brim of his hat, the Yellow Eyebrow Monk's eyes were filled with murderous intent.

"During my wandering, I once passed through here. The mountain folks worship the Mountain Ghost God, unaware of the current dynasty. At the time, it seemed like a utopia, but now it seems to be nurturing a Divine Strange Pearl."

"This place and the General's Tomb lie east and west of each other. I don't know whose hidden hand is involved, but it hasn't escaped my eyes."

"Take action!"

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