He had always thought that one had to practice Cultivation Techniques corresponding to their current Realm. He believed that was the only way to advance his cultivation.
Looking at it now, it seemed there were other ways to increase one's Realm?
"In our Pei Prefecture Demon Slaying Division, there are eight Hall Masters, as well as Vice Generals and even the Commander. The only ones who have truly practiced Mystic Realm techniques are the Commander and Vice General Yang. The seven Hall Masters, including myself, all advanced to the Mystic Realm by practicing multiple Late Xuan Realm techniques."
That was possible!?
Li Xuanxiao felt like his horizons had been broadened today. Just based on this information alone, this demon-slaying trip was already worth it!
He immediately bowed respectfully: "Thank you for your guidance, Hall Master. This information is worth a thousand gold!"
The other two Martial Artists also bowed. Hearing this information was an unexpected bonus for them, and they felt a bit of gratitude toward Li Xuanxiao. If it weren't for Li Xuanxiao, they wouldn't have been able to hear this.
The Patrol Hall Master chuckled: "No matter! You would have found out sooner or later anyway; I've just told you a bit early today. Your compensation still stands. When you return in triumph, you may come here to find me."
"I will do my best to satisfy your request within my power!" Li Xuanxiao bowed solemnly: "Thank you, Hall Master!" (ง•̀.•́)ง
The Patrol Hall Master nodded and introduced the two Martial Artists to Li Xuanxiao.
Both were actually Late Xuan Realm Martial Artists—one at the seventh layer and one at the eighth!
This was quite a formidable combat force!
"They are from Vice General Yang's Purification Hall and are powerful Martial Artists. You will follow them to slay the demons this time."
Li Xuanxiao was secretly surprised. Si Miaoyin had previously introduced the Purification Hall to him; it was the hall with the strongest combat power among the eight. The Martial Artists who could enter the Purification Hall were all Genius-level, the strongest of their peers!
He hadn't expected to meet two of them today.
"Your Realm is low, so remember not to be overly ambitious or reckless. While outside, defer to these two seniors!"
...
After leaving the Patrol Hall, the three introduced themselves to each other.
Li Xuanxiao also learned their names.
The male Martial Artist was named Shen Tianyou, at the seventh layer of the Xuan Realm. He was a bearded man about forty years old.
The female Martial Artist was named Lian Meini, at the eighth layer of the Xuan Realm. She was a voluptuous beauty around thirty-five years old.
Shen Tianyou slapped Li Xuanxiao's shoulder heartily: "Kid, don't be afraid, I'll look out for you!" ✦(▀・▀)✦
Beside him, Lian Meini's eyes were like silk. The Martial Artist uniform, which looked baggy on others, could only be described as a 'perfect fit' on certain parts of her body. Especially at the chest, the originally flat fabric was now completely stretched out into two towering peaks!
One could hardly imagine what kind of terrifyingly massive objects were wrapped behind that fabric.
She hooked Li Xuanxiao's chin with her finger: "What a handsome young master!" ('ᴗᵔ❁)
Li Xuanxiao felt a bit embarrassed: "You two, let's set off first. Time waits for no one."
The bearded man nodded and immediately drew the giant sword from his back. As his True Qi surged, he flew into the air riding the giant sword.
"Meini, do you want to ride with me? There's plenty of room on my giant sword!"
Lian Meini glared at him: "You unkempt brute, you wish!"
Her tone shifted, becoming affectionately tender: "If it were this handsome young master, I would be quite willing~"
Uh... Li Xuanxiao couldn't quite handle this: "I'm sorry, I'm used to traveling alone."
He immediately performed the Rainbow Light Movement, transforming into a streak of Rainbow Light and soaring into the sky. His speed was actually much faster than the bearded man's!
Lian Meini stood there indignantly: "What a lack of taste! A woman at my age is at her prime, you know?"
Saying no more, she performed her Martial Arts and rose into the air, chasing after the two!
...
Youpu City, Pei Prefecture.
Countless crows circled in the sky. The once bustling and prosperous city was now deathly silent. Even the sunlight seemed to deliberately avoid the place, adding a few more degrees of gray gloom. Severed limbs and highly decomposed corpses could be seen everywhere. Everywhere the eye could see was a scene of despair and darkness, like a Hell on earth.
In the distance, an exceptionally dazzling ball of Rainbow Light was rapidly approaching.
Behind it were two people, one standing on a giant sword and the other surrounded by a long whip.
"How is this kid's speed even faster than ours?"
The bearded man, Shen Tianyou, stood on his giant sword and looked at Li Xuanxiao, who had already reached Youpu City in the distance.
The voluptuous beauty, Lian Meini, had a long whip dancing around her like a living thing, stirring up gusts of wind that propelled her forward at high speed.
She smiled: "I didn't expect this young master to have quite some skill! Although this flying martial art of his is a bit too showy and attracts attention, its speed is truly undeniable. Its grade must be at least Medium Grade Xuan Realm!"
Shen Tianyou smacked his lips with some emotion: "Tsk, my Sky-Soaring Sword Control Technique is only Low Grade Xuan Realm! Heh, if he didn't have some skill, how could he be teamed up with us to slay demons at the first layer of the Xuan Realm!"
The two had also arrived outside Youpu City, and they immediately changed their True Qi flow to begin a slow descent.
Li Xuanxiao had arrived before them and was already surveying the surroundings.
The Buddha's Illuminating Lamp Seal had a built-in passive effect that didn't require conscious activation. Faint golden marks appeared deep in Li Xuanxiao's eyes, and many things invisible to ordinary people began to emerge.
He scanned the entire Youpu City bit by bit. In his vision, countless crimson lines were rising from the city. But most were very thin; clearly, much of the Demonic Qi had dissipated over time.
After scanning the area, Li Xuanxiao's gaze fixed on the place where the crimson was most concentrated.
He turned to the two from the Purification Hall and pointed in a direction: "There seems to be something over there."
The two were stunned when they saw the golden marks in Li Xuanxiao's eyes. Li Xuanxiao's eyes actually exuded a hint of Buddhist nature! Compared to a blood-stained Martial Artist who killed decisively, he looked more like a High Monk who had attained the Dao.
The two exchanged a shocked look and immediately set off toward the place Li Xuanxiao had pointed. Before coming, the Purification Hall Master, Yang Zhiru, had given them instructions. He had explained Li Xuanxiao's uniqueness to them.
If it came to fighting demons, the two of them would naturally take the lead. But in other matters, they were to consult Li Xuanxiao's suggestions.
They had originally been dismissive—why was it necessary to value the suggestions of a first-layer Xuan Realm Martial Artist so much?
But now, after witnessing the miraculous traits of him with their own eyes, the two set aside their slight disdain.
This kid really had something! He seemed to be able to see things that others couldn't!
The three were very fast, and in a few moments, they reached the location Li Xuanxiao had indicated.
"This is..."
Shen Tianyou's expression changed drastically, his entire face darkening instantly.
"Those damned demons!"
Lian Meini turned her face away, unable to bear looking any longer.
Li Xuanxiao's face was calm, but the veins on the hand gripping his blade bulged.
"This is..."
"A Jingguan..."