CHAPTER 223: CHAPTER 21: TURNING HOSTILE ON A DIME

"What is Shen Chumo planning to do?"

Wei Lan glanced at the firelight from Minor Hillock Mountain, then turned her head to look at Shen Changqing. Dongfang Zhao had said that this trip to Minor Hillock Mountain was to be led by Shen Changqing. Since she had agreed, there was no reason to go back on her word.

Shen Changqing said, "I plan to go in alone."

"Alone?" Wei Lan’s brows furrowed. "Does Shen Chumo have confidence?" She didn’t wait for Shen Changqing to answer and continued, "According to Zhang Hongyuan, that Calamity’s strength is no longer that of a typical juvenile stage. Though it’s unlikely to have reached the growth stage, it wouldn’t be much weaker."

The growth stage?

Shen Changqing’s brow rose. "How strong is a Calamity in the growth stage?"

"A Calamity in the growth stage is no weaker than ordinary Demon Evils. There are several growth-stage Calamities across Great Qin, and even some Defender Envoys have unfortunately fallen to them." Wei Lan’s expression grew solemn.

Growth-stage Calamities were generally beyond the experience of ordinary people; even many Earth Rank Demon Hunters were unaware of just how terrifying they truly were. But she was different. As a Steward of the Heavenly Demon Exorcism Department, Wei Lan had access to far more information than other Earth Rank Demon Hunters.

Hearing this, Shen Changqing gained a certain understanding of growth-stage Calamities. If even Defender Envoys can fall to them, then the strength of a growth-stage Calamity must be at least equivalent to an expert at Grandmaster Peak. Considering their immortal nature, they are far more terrifying than an expert at Grandmaster Peak.

It was widely known that Grandmaster Peak was a completely different concept from an ordinary Grandmaster. An ordinary Grandmaster was not as strong as a Defender Envoy, but an expert at Grandmaster Peak was stronger than a typical Defender Envoy.

Suddenly, Shen Changqing thought of something. "Since there are growth-stage Calamities, there should also be mature-stage ones. How powerful are mature-stage Calamities then?"

"I don’t know."

"You don’t know?" Shen Changqing was surprised.

Wei Lan nodded. "Of all the Calamities that have appeared so far, the strongest are in the growth stage. According to the Demon-Subduing Division’s analysis, there should be a mature stage above the growth stage. But this is just analysis; no Calamity of that level has yet appeared."

"I see." Shen Changqing nodded in understanding.

If growth-stage Calamities are already so fearsome, then mature-stage ones would likely be too much for even a Defender Envoy to handle.

However, such matters were currently beyond his ability to intervene. He couldn’t even deal with growth-stage Calamities, let alone mature-stage ones.

Suppressing the stray thoughts in his mind, Shen Changqing looked towards Minor Hillock Mountain and said calmly, "I’ve encountered that Calamity before. More people going in might not necessarily be a good thing. I’ll go ahead alone first. If there’s any problem, I can retreat immediately. If a battle ensues, Steward Wei can provide timely support from outside. If we all get trapped inside, escaping wouldn’t be so easy."

Hearing this, Wei Lan fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "Shen Chumo’s plan is sound. The Calamity Domain is peculiar, and it would be problematic if both of us entered and something happened. Proceed with caution; I’ll be outside, ready to provide support."

Shen Changqing was right. Having more people enter the Domain was not necessarily a good thing. Since he was confident enough to go in alone, she wouldn’t stop him. After all, this operation was primarily led by Shen Changqing. Thus, Wei Lan agreed.

After some discussion, Shen Changqing began walking towards the interior of Minor Hillock Mountain. Wei Lan, on the other hand, moved to a higher vantage point, overlooking the scene below, ready to respond at any moment.

The darkness of the night did not impede Shen Changqing’s vision. Gazing at the surroundings, a hint of puzzlement appeared in his eyes.

Strange! Last time I was here, there was clearly a path overgrown with thorns. Why has it changed to this?

Before Shen Changqing, there was no thorny, overgrown path. Instead, the ground was paved with bluestone slabs, flanked by rows of houses, resembling a small town. Yet, from other perspectives, the area was still a desolate hill. The only part that seemed inhabited was this street before him.

Domain!

Instantly, Shen Changqing made the connection. Otherwise, there was no way to explain such a scene within Minor Hillock Mountain.

Moreover, he noticed another issue: the scenery inside the Domain was completely different from that outside. Minor Hillock Mountain itself was characterized by jagged rocks, but the streets within the Domain were neat and orderly, showing no sign of the rugged, steep terrain visible outside.

Could it be that the Domain’s expansion can completely overlay the original place?

Shen Changqing’s eyes flickered. If that was the case, once the Domain expanded to a certain extent, Minor Hillock Mountain would completely disappear.

The Calamity Domain. It was like a constantly growing behemoth, devouring everything in its path with each expansion. If a Calamity were allowed to grow without limit, the entire Heaven and Earth could be consumed by its Domain.

Annihilation! Two words surfaced in Shen Changqing’s mind.

At this moment, he understood that the danger posed by a Calamity was no less than that of other Demon Evils. The biggest problem was that a Calamity could not be killed. If a Calamity could not die, its Domain would continuously expand until it engulfed the entire Heaven and Earth.

Thinking of this, Shen Changqing had another thought. Not necessarily. If a Calamity’s growth has limits, then this scenario might not occur. But if its power can increase indefinitely, then it’s uncertain. If it truly could expand without limit, could the very Heaven and Earth I inhabit now also be a Calamity’s Domain?

This thought, as soon as it emerged, startled him. If Heaven and Earth were truly a Calamity’s Domain, then what would that make him?

Impossible! If Heaven and Earth truly were a Calamity’s Domain, how immensely powerful would that Calamity have to be? And why would such a Calamity allow new Calamities to be born within its domain, to erode its own strength?

Shen Changqing shook his head, dismissing the conjecture.

Looking towards the end of the street, he saw a small courtyard from which lights emanated. He was not unfamiliar with the courtyard. It was just like that rainy night.

Shen Changqing strode onto the street. With no discernible changes, he felt nothing to indicate he had stepped into a Calamity’s Domain; everything appeared no different from the outside.

On both sides of the street, the doors of the houses were tightly shut, and no light shone from within, creating an eerie silence. After a cursory glance, he walked towards the source of the light.

The sound of chanting came from within.

KNOCK, KNOCK!

Shen Changqing raised his hand and knocked on the courtyard gate, causing the chanting inside to pause.

"Who is it?" a slightly irritated voice called from within.

Immediately after, the gate opened to reveal Mo Zijin’s displeased face. Suddenly, upon seeing the visitor, his displeasure vanished, replaced by a look of delighted surprise.

"Brother Shen!"

"Mo Brother still remembers me?" Shen Changqing found Mo Zijin’s expression somewhat strange. If he hadn’t known the person before him was a Calamity, he might have mistaken him for a familiar friend.

Hearing this, Mo Zijin chuckled, "Brother Shen jests. Our conversation that night is unforgettable to me. It’s a pity Brother Shen left in such a hurry; I didn’t know where to find you. Your arrival now, Brother Shen, undoubtedly fulfills a wish of mine."

As he spoke, he had already stepped aside. "Quick, Brother Shen, don’t just stand outside. Come in and sit down."

"Er, thank you." Shen Changqing gave a slight bow and, after a moment’s hesitation, stepped inside.

Having come all this way, entering was unavoidable. From the current situation, it seemed Mo Zijin truly harbored no malice towards him. Of course, he wouldn’t let his guard down because of that. Calamities were capricious; when they might turn hostile was anyone’s guess.

The same hall, the same candlelight, the same scrolls laid out. Everything before him was no different from his first visit.

"Brother Shen, please sit."

"You’re too kind." Shen Changqing took an empty seat, and Mo Zijin sat opposite him.

Once both were seated, Mo Zijin eagerly asked, "It’s been a while, Brother Shen. Where have you been?"

"I’ve been traveling elsewhere. As I was passing by, I thought of you, Mo Brother, so I came to visit. I didn’t expect you to still be here." Shen Changqing gave a noncommittal laugh.

In his mind, however, he was pondering. How should I approach this? To speak directly of recruitment seems inappropriate. Mainly because Calamities are unpredictable; saying something wrong could potentially provoke his wrath.

Meanwhile, upon hearing Shen Changqing’s words, Mo Zijin’s face showed a look of envy. "Brother Shen, to be able to travel far and wide is truly enviable. Unlike myself, I can only stay here, unable to leave."

Towards the end, his tone dropped, becoming strange and chillingly cold. Under the candlelight, Mo Zijin’s originally amiable face had, at some point, begun to twist into a hideous grimace. His voice was laced with clenched teeth, and a faint Yin Evil Aura lingered, pervading the hall.

"—"

Seeing his demeanor, Shen Changqing was left speechless. What does this mean? I merely made a casual remark, and it provoked you?

Suddenly, he felt that communicating with a Calamity was indeed exceptionally challenging.

However, Shen Changqing did not simply let Mo Zijin continue his outburst. The faint Yin Evil Aura emanating from the other exerted tremendous pressure on him. If it truly came to blows, he might very well be no match. If things continued in this direction, a confrontation seemed inevitable.

His mind raced. Facing Mo Zijin’s grotesquely twisted expression, Shen Changqing continued speaking.

"—"