CHAPTER 64: CHAPTER 57 ENDLESS CANDLE SERPENT

The remaining few people were overwhelmed by the smell of blood and vomit, clutching garbage bags as they retched.

The instructor and the Martial Guard continued their conversation without turning back, while the guards at the door looked at them sympathetically.

Zhou Leng felt his stomach churn, using True Qi to suppress it.

The five people vomited intermittently, and the smell in the room grew increasingly unbearable.

It was only after the five emptied their stomachs that the Martial Guard in front turned around.

They smiled slightly and took a quick glance at Zhou Leng.

"Today is a field lesson. We’ll teach you how to identify the various branches of the Demon Worship Sect and will also ask questions. Those who can’t answer will lose credits and war merits," Deng Zhijue said.

The group silently lamented, having thought they’d just be spectators, not expecting an on-the-spot exam.

"Does this method resemble that of the Huang Meng Sect? Feng Wenhao, what do you think?"

Feng Wenhao leaned against the wall, wiping the corner of his mouth, and weakly replied, "No. The Huang Meng Sect typically writes ’Huang Meng Sect’ on the wall after committing a crime, and they are known for decapitating with a blade. Moreover, the Huang Meng Sect generally operates elsewhere... they’re unlikely to commit crimes in a civilian residential area like this."

Deng Zhijue asked again, "Given the bloodiness, could it be the Fishman Sect? Lu Juncai, your thoughts?"

"Unlikely. The Fishman Sect’s bloody formations or symbols primarily center around the Star Blood Tree and Blood and Flesh Tree Root. These formations here clearly aren’t in the Fishman Sect’s style."

"What about Poisonous People Island, Wei Hong?"

Wei Hong gulped and slowly said, "The primary symbols of the Poisonous People Island’s formations are twisted carp and blood-colored volcanoes, accompanied by numerous shattered black and white patterns, which are absent here."

"Zhou Leng, which branch of the Demon Worship Sect do you think it is?"

The other five students were momentarily stunned, then each smirked at Zhou Leng’s predicament, his question being much more difficult than theirs.

Zhou Leng said, "This clearly isn’t a sacrifice by the Demon Worship Sect."

As Zhou Leng spoke, he walked inward, his face somewhat pale, but still in a much better state than the other five students.

Zhou Leng pointed to the eighteen-pointed star symbol on the ceiling and said, "The eighteen-pointed star signifies the Eighteen Layers of Demon Purgatory, clearly aimed at summoning the Demon Purgatory Demon. The symbols within the eighteen points, such as the black T-shape, radiating circular stripes, and wailing faces, indicate the summoning target is the Demon of the Temple of Despair, known as the Desperate Priest."

Zhou Leng continued speaking while observing.

"The demon from the Temple of Despair has a humanoid form and doesn’t enjoy eating people directly. So, after being summoned, it didn’t consume the people but instead tore everyone present apart."

"Look at the marks near their wounds; it’s obvious that they were torn by hands roughly the size of humans."

"There’s a bite mark on one of the children’s necks, not a vampire’s mark, but sharp humanoid teeth..."

Zhou Leng pointed out every visible detail.

Zhou Leng continued, "These two families gathered together, for reasons unknown, summoned a demon, and then..."

Zhou Leng fell into thought as everyone silently waited.

"Then, the summoned Desperate Priest became enraged and killed five. Such an occurrence is exceedingly rare."

"I know of only three possibilities."

"One is the presence of the power or aura of the ’Supreme Saint,’ a master of the ’Heterodox Sanctuary,’ a branch of the Temple of Despair. The Temple of Despair has been purging the Heterodox Sanctuary."

"Another possibility is the presence of the Temple of Despair’s arch-enemy, the presence of the Queen of Joy."

"The third possibility is that these five people were actually under the influence of another demon’s power, causing the summoned Desperate Priest to be unable to gain power, resulting in an outburst of anger and slaughter. Based on the current scene, the third possibility is more likely."

"Good, your analysis is clear and well-organized, war merits plus 1," Deng Zhijue said.

The other members of the Martial Guard nodded slightly.

This performance was ordinary among the Martial Guard but exceptional among the new students at the Martial Arts Hall.

Zhou Leng continued, "So our investigation focus this time should not be misled by the superficial Blood and Flesh Demon Array but should probe into exactly what kind of demonic power influenced these five people and why they chose to summon the Temple of Despair."

After speaking, Zhou Leng suddenly approached a corpse, staring into its eyes, squinting.

When entering the room, the Summoning Array of the Temple of Despair made Zhou Leng uncomfortable, and the eyes of these corpses also unsettled him, though in a different way.

"Very well. And you?" Deng Zhijue turned to the other five students.

Those five exchanged glances, wondering if this line of questioning was useful.

"Now, the six of you will analyze samples in batches, then complete the group investigation report."

The six began working and then proceeded outside to fill out the investigation report.

The six of them successively submitted their investigation reports in the group, after which Deng Zhijue posted the Martial Guard’s investigation report.

Its content was more detailed, including the backgrounds of the five people.

Zhou Leng watched for a moment and then sighed softly.

"What’s wrong?"

"The two children both attended Fifty-Ninth Middle School, as did I during middle school," Zhou Leng said.

Deng Zhijue said, "We’ve already sent someone to investigate Fifty-Ninth Middle School. Do any of you have other breakthroughs?"

Everyone shook their heads.

Zhou Leng fell into thought.

After completing the routine procedures, the six followed Deng Zhijue away, leaving the remaining Martial Guard at the scene.

Back at the Martial Arts Hall, the six continued their training, deflecting classmates’ questions with the excuse of confidentiality.

Zhou Leng quietly used the demonized equipment, sensing he had overlooked something.

After training, utterly exhausted, Zhou Leng sat on the floor, listening to the others chat.

Suddenly, Zhou Leng stood up and exited the Martial Arts Dojo, initiating a voice call with Deng Zhijue.

"What’s the matter?"

"Instructor, I need to report something very important to you. It’s best discussed in person."

"Alright, come to my office."

Zhou Leng entered Deng Zhijue’s office and said, "Instructor, do you remember the blood streaks in the eyes of the five deceased?"

"Yes, they were affected by demonic forces, resulting in particularly prominent blood streaks in their eyes. But it’s impossible to determine if it’s the doing of the Desperate Priest."

"When purchasing pills a few days ago, I encountered an assistant group leader from Guoyun Exploration Company, and his eyes showed similar changes. So I suspect..."

Zhou Leng looked at Deng Zhijue.

"Tell me the identity of that assistant group leader immediately, so we can investigate his location."

As Zhou Leng spoke, Deng Zhijue simultaneously accessed the Martial Guard Bureau’s system for an investigation.

Soon, watching the computer screen, he said, "He’s still with Guoyun Exploration Company. To prevent him from escaping, we’ll go directly. Would you like to join the mission?"

Deng Zhijue looked at Zhou Leng.

"I’d like to try," Zhou Leng replied.

"Alright, come with me. But be careful. If we encounter Demon Worshipers, stay behind me and don’t engage recklessly."

"Yes."

Deng Zhijue drove, first picking up the previous six members of the Martial Guard, then the eight headed straight to Guoyun Exploration Company.

On the way, Deng Zhijue contacted Wang Boxiong, who dispatched a team of Martial Guard and city police.

Driving, Deng Zhijue imparted his experience to Zhou Leng.

"The Martial Guard’s handling of cases differs from that of the city police. Due to the unpredictability of the Demon Worship Sect, speed is paramount to us."

"In the past, even a day’s delay could lead to the Demon Worship Sect realizing or completing their ritual, causing severe consequences."

"Thus, even if we alert the enemy, it’s better than doing nothing."

"According to our estimates, the demon this time shouldn’t be too powerful, below the Innate level, so adding a support team suffices."

Zhou Leng asked, "What kind of demon causes blood streaks in the eyes?"

"Hall Master Wang, with his vast experience, suspects it to be the power of the Endless Candle Serpent. Now, let me test you: share the information on this Lord."