Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

Changchang Prefecture, Dark Rock Town.

"Dad, I'm back."

Zhang Dahuhu flashed into the courtyard and quickly shut the door behind him.

He looked up at the Evil-Repelling Talisman affixed to the doorframe and couldn't help but take a deep breath of relief.

"How are things outside?"

An old man with dark skin and a face full of worry approached, "Did you find anyone?"

"I did!"

Zhang Dahuhu wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "The Wan Wu family, the Sun Cheng family, and the Li Zhen family, they all agreed to team up with us and leave. We will meet on the Chi Path at 5 a.m. tomorrow, no waiting for stragglers!"

"Sigh."

Elder Zhang sighed heavily, "Let's hope it goes well."

Unless absolutely necessary, Elder Zhang truly didn't want to leave the small town that had seen his birth and upbringing.

But the current situation in the town had deteriorated to the point that it was almost impossible to survive, and if they didn't leave soon, it would be only a matter of time before they perished.

"I wonder if the county seat will send an Exorcist over."

He still harbored a last shred of hope. Explore more at empire

"Forget it."

Zhang Dahuhu said, his voice heavy with resignation, "Li Zhen told me that the county seat is also dealing with Evil Wraiths. They are too busy with their own troubles to dispatch Battle Cultivators to purge the Evil Wraiths. We'd better just run."

Upon hearing this, Elder Zhang's face grew even more troubled, "That's all we can do, then."

Zhang Dahuhu wanted to offer some words of comfort, but suddenly his expression changed dramatically, "Fog is rolling in, quick, into the house!"

The father and son hurried back into the room and scurried into the secret passage under the floor panel.

In the secret chamber below, their wives and children were already waiting.

Even though there was still some time before nightfall, the small remote town was shrouded in an eerie fog that had crept in unnoticed.

One by one, the houses in the town were tightly shut, silent as the grave, with dead silence enfolding everything. The occasional cries of a baby could be heard, only to disappear as quickly as they emerged, as if someone's mouth had been covered.

As night descended, Dark Rock Town grew even more quiet and desolate. The howling wind swept through the town's streets, picking up a few fallen leaves.

A mournful sob could be heard from somewhere, as if it was telling a sad, desolate tale.

The taverns and teahouses that would normally be bustling at this time were all closed, dark and unlit, as if they were hiding fierce beasts ready to strike at anyone who passed by.

Only the many Evil-Repelling Talismans hanging beneath the eaves of each household were still flickering faintly.

But they were like candles in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment!

Suddenly, a sinister gust of wind blew through, and a number of Evil-Repelling Talismans spontaneously ignited, rapidly turning to ash.

A short while later, a series of sharp, brief screams erupted throughout the town.

However, no one ventured out to check; the surviving townsfolk huddled in their own secret chambers, eyes wide open, desperately waiting for the long night to end.

This included Zhang Dahuhu and his family.

The night was especially long and excruciating. By the time dawn approached, everyone was on the verge of falling asleep.

Zhang Dahuhu's eyelids were constantly fighting each other until a rough palm slapped heavily on the back of his head, waking him up with a start, "Who's that?"

"Me!"

Elder Zhang, irritated, spoke, "Hurry up, don't miss the time to meet up!"

Zhang Dahuhu's body jolted wide awake, "Let's go!"

The family's grain, valuables, and some daily necessities were already packed in the Storage Bag, with garments and other belongings wrapped into luggage. The family of six hurried out of their house.

Zhang Dahuhu was carrying a large backpack, holding his young son in his arms, and leading his wife by the hand.

"Dad, Mom, keep up."

Old Man Zhang said in a grave voice, "Rest assured, even if we die, we won't drag you down."

These were not words of resentment or sarcasm, but a firm decision!

Zhang Dahuhu's heart was filled with immense sorrow, "If we die, we die together."

"Don't be foolish!"

Old Man Zhang slapped him again, "If you all die, our Zhang Family will be wiped out!"

The family ran across the desolate and chilly streets at the fastest speed they could manage, seeing very few pedestrians along the way.

But by the town gate, on the side of the Chi Path, a large group of townsfolk with wives and children in tow had already gathered.

Many held weapons or clutched Talismans, warily looking around.

Upon seeing these people, Zhang Dahuhu's heart steadied and he hurried over to greet them, "Li Zhen, Sun Cheng..."

These were friends he had known since childhood, with whom he shared very good relations.

Now, with Dark Rock Town tormented by the Evil Wraith, people had been disappearing or harmed every day, making life unbearable, so they agreed to leave together as a group today.

Dark Rock Town was over two hundred miles from the county town, and even though it was connected by the Chi Path, everyone knew it was not an easy journey.

If they did not stick together, it was all too easy for something to go wrong.

"Where's Wan Wu?"

Zhang Dahuhu didn't see his best friend in the crowd and his heart sank.

Sun Cheng answered with a ghastly pale face, "When I came over, I saw the door of Wan Wu's house open, and all the Evil-Repelling Talismans were gone."

Zhang Dahuhu was at a loss for words.

This meant that Wan Wu's family was more likely dead than alive, probably having met with disaster.

Sun Cheng hung his head, "I... I didn't dare to go in and check."

He was ashamed, but no one would blame him, because if it were themselves, they likely would have made the same choice.

"The time has come!"

By now, the fog enveloping the town had completely dispersed, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the clouds, illuminating the Chi Path and bringing people the warmth they had long missed.

A group of anxious townsfolk embarked on the journey of escape, forming a long line on the Chi Path.

No one knew what lay ahead, but leaving meant a sliver of chance for survival, while staying guaranteed death.

After traveling a dozen miles along the Chi Path, leaving the town far behind them without any incidents, everyone's suppressed moods began to ease.

The atmosphere in the group also improved a lot.

However, a shadow loomed over Zhang Dahuhu's heart, feeling that this smooth progress wouldn't last.

As a Cultivator on the third level of Qi Cultivation, he could have traveled much faster alone if he left the group behind.

But his mother and wife were both Mortals, and neither could be abandoned.

He hoped his feelings were wrong!

"Look!"

Just as Zhang Dahuhu was comforting himself, a shout suddenly came from beside him, "What's that?"

Zhang Dahuhu followed the direction of the pointing hand and saw a large expanse of dark clouds suddenly appear in the west, swiftly drifting toward their location.

Upon closer inspection, he realized that the mass of dark clouds were actually made up of large Black Crows! Their eyes were blood-red, and as they let out piercing cries, they swooped over the crowd in an instant and plunged down towards them.

What's worse, gray mist began rising from the surrounding fields, sweeping toward the Chi Path.

Zhang Dahuhu's heart sank sharply, and he could not help clenching his fists!

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The second update is here.