In the center of Huashan City, the site of the previous major battle, was cordoned off by a red barrier.
This area would remain sealed for some time before it could be opened to ordinary citizens within the city.
A robust elder with short white hair was leading a team of demon hunters in white uniforms through the vicinity. They moved slowly, stopping occasionally to examine traces that were indecipherable to bystanders.
These demon hunters were known as 'Investigators.' Their primary task was not combat but the collection and analysis of intelligence.
They were responsible for gathering all information concerning Calamity-level threats and above, assessing their danger.
If a threat posed a significant danger to the Hunter Association and had the potential to cause mass casualties, it would become a priority for the Association to handle.
Those harboring malicious intent but not yet engaged in large-scale actions could be dealt with later.
As for those who showed no hostility towards the Association, they would be courted for cooperation.
While the Investigators' combat strength might not be formidable, and their fame inconspicuous, it was precisely due to their existence that the Hunter Association could maintain the stability of the Federation.
If the Hunters were the swords wielded by the Hunter Association for killing, then the Investigators were the brains that analyzed the situation for the Association.
Their process for determining threats was highly complex and exceptionally rigorous, leaving virtually no room for error. Consequently, they were deeply trusted by the Association's highest echelons and possessed terrifyingly high authority.
After they had finished collecting all the information here, the white-haired elder sat down on a rock and asked, "Regarding this newly emerged Calamity-level powerhouse, do you have any news or opinions?"
An Investigator with glasses, who appeared somewhat dull-witted, produced a thick notebook. After flipping through a few pages, he said to the elder, "Including this time, 'Black Cross' has made several appearances. This is the only occasion where his true form has descended."
"Had he not appeared, the Pious Mutterers of Ou Ye Water City and that True Order monster calling itself the Divine Wing Attendant would have inflicted significant casualties on the Association, and... many more people would have died in Huashan City!"
"What can be confirmed now is that this mysterious True Order powerhouse has shown no malice towards the Association thus far. On the contrary, he has greatly aided the Association and saved a large number of civilians."
"I personally believe the Association can cooperate with him. If further contact can be established, attempts can be made to have him become the Association's ninth Executor!"
After his report, the others began to discuss, while the white-haired elder remained silent.
An Investigator with a long, narrow face and dark lips stepped forward and said sarcastically, "Mr. Yin Hu, the operating styles of Investigators and Hunters are different. Don't try to handle Investigator work with the same methods you used as a Hunter."
"We still don't know much about 'Black Cross.' We should proceed with caution. According to my investigation, the operational areas of Black Cross and his subordinates overlap with the Hunter codenamed 'Ghost Investigator.' The two might have some connection."
"I suggest I interrogate the Hunter 'Ghost Investigator' to find out how he..."
"I object," Yin Hu frowned. "Apar, what you call interrogation is actually torture."
"If that Hunter has no connection to 'Black Cross,' this will be an incident. If he does, this might provoke 'Black Cross' and turn him into our enemy..."
Apar retorted mockingly, "Indecisive, you can't accomplish anything significant..."
"That's enough. The discussion ends here. For now, we will not attempt to contact 'Black Cross,' nor will we interrogate the Hunter Ghost Investigator. Everything will be considered at length."
"Yes!"
All those in white bowed in unison to the elder.
Next, the elder placed his hand on the ground, and wisps of residual black energy gathered in his palm.
Looking at that strand of pitch-black energy, the elder's expression became thoughtful.
"Who exactly are you... The Federation could not have suddenly produced someone like you..."
...
Ou Ye Water City, the Pious Mutterer returned to his residence and entered sleep with a heart full of trepidation.
This dream was a vast grassland covered in blue-purple flowers. Within the grassland, a colossal creature, as large as a mountain, lay on the ground, fast asleep. This creature was the ancient god Ensuke.
Only within this dreamscape could one possibly see the entirety of the ancient god Ensuke. Although his true body also lay dormant in the outside world, a thick layer of dust had accumulated on it, making it resemble an underwater mountain range.
If not for the oral traditions passed down through generations in Ou Ye Water City, no one would have ever realized that it was a colossal sleeping being.
Before Ensuke's head, there was a temple without a roof. More than a dozen strangely shaped creatures knelt in orderly fashion within the temple, listening to the ancient god Ensuke's incoherent ramblings.
These strange sounds would drive ordinary creatures mad, but only the Pious Mutterers of the Water City could understand the meaning of these words. It was through the assistance of their ancient god's power that they had become powerful beings of the Calamity True Order.
The Pious Mutterer knelt fearfully in the center of the temple and recounted everything he had encountered in Huashan City to the ancient god Ensuke. Afterward, he bowed his head to the ground, awaiting Ensuke's judgment.
If what Black Cross had said was true, he might receive some reward.
If what he said was false...
Then, although Ensuke would not execute the Pious Mutterer, he would not fare well either.
After hearing the Pious Mutterer's account, the ancient god showed no reaction. Instead, as if murmuring in his dream, he uttered a name.
"Wenli... Wenli..."
...
In the Inner World, there was an eerie red moon.
The so-called red moon was actually a peculiar red planet. This planet could wander freely through the cosmos. Whichever planet's inhabitants were fortunate enough to behold this red moon, disaster would befall that planet.
At this moment, on the red moon, a fierce battle was raging within an inconspicuous, small-scale mine.
One side of the battle consisted of countless skeletal creatures, some humanoid, others bestial.
The other side was Wenli, and the subordinates Wenli had recruited from that mental institution. Besides the familiar monsters from Wenli's past, there were also many newly joined monsters.
These monsters shared a common characteristic: they did not appear to be living beings! Sudancast.com
This small-scale mine produced a rare mineral, and these minerals would become Wenli's resources.
Before ascending to this world, Wenli thought he was a chosen one. However, upon arriving here, he was met with endless slaughter.
On this strange red planet, killings occurred constantly. These monsters no longer possessed the privilege of immortality; upon being killed, they became nourishment for their enemies, making the latter stronger.
This was a vast, boundless arena of carnage. A mere Calamity-level strength was nothing here.