The Rainbow Light dissipated, and Li Xuanxiao swept his gaze around, nodding to the few city-guarding Martial Artists: "I'll leave the rest to you!"
Beneath the feet of the city-guarding Martial Artists, a massive lotus platform rose, enveloping all the Martial Artists and radiating vibrant life force. Wounds healed, and the pain lessened. These Martial Artists' eyes were red; the Lord from the Demon Slaying Division had come to save them.
Overwhelmed with emotion, they immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "Thank you, my Lord, for saving our lives!"
Countless common people also had red eyes, kneeling one after another, voicing their gratitude towards Li Xuanxiao.
Without Li Xuanxiao, they absolutely would not have survived today. Once the demons broke the city, they would show no mercy!
Martial Artists, commoners, the elderly, women, and children—without exception—would all eventually become rations for the demons!
Li Xuanxiao looked at the countless commoners kowtowing to him, and a sudden, ineffable urge arose in his heart.
He must slay all the demons and restore a peaceful and prosperous age for the people. Li Xuanxiao silently nodded to them, Rainbow Light emerged, and he soared into the sky once more.
"Mom, what is that beautiful light?"
"That is a Martial Artist from the Demon Slaying Division, a great hero who saved us!"
"Wow—!"
Joy filled the little girl's eyes. That light was so beautiful, and so dazzling!
Junji City, Shiyang City, Donglu City, Cuilian City, Yanhuang City, Linquan City, Yiyuan City...
With every city he passed, as long as he saw demons causing trouble, Li Xuanxiao would resolutely take action. Innumerable commoners witnessed the methods of this young Lord of the Demon Slaying Division.
The scene of kowtowing and bowing had played out countless times before Li Xuanxiao's eyes in just a few short days. Countless commoners silently imprinted that streak of Rainbow Light onto their hearts...
Li Xuanxiao suddenly realized that after becoming stronger, there were many things he could accomplish. It wasn't just for himself; there could be many deeper, more meaningful purposes.
...
Pei Prefecture, Qinghui City.
Ling Yan ascended the steps, silently walking to the edge of the city wall, gazing out at the ink-like night beyond. Ever since he was dispatched here half a month ago, he had been patrolling and guarding as a city-guarding Martial Artist.
Qinghui City was located in the relatively central region of Pei Prefecture. The demons nearby were mostly at the Extreme Realm; it was rare for a Xuan Realm Demon King to appear.
Since his arrival, he had successively dealt with several waves of attacks from Extreme Realm Great Demons. But facing Ling Yan's strength at the Third Layer of the Xuan Realm, the Extreme Realm Great Demons all retreated in defeat.
Several slower ones were even killed on the spot.
All these scenes filled the other city-guarding Martial Artists, most of whom were at the Middle Stage of the Extreme Realm, with awe.
This Martial Artist from the Demon Slaying Division is not simple!
Ling Yan showed no great reaction to these looks of reverence.
He hadn't forgotten that within the Demon Slaying Division, there was an annoying fellow who was younger than him, handsomer than him, and more favored by women!
Just at this moment, the ink-like night suddenly churned, as if some terrifying existence was lurking and waiting in the darkness. Ling Yan immediately became alert, narrowing his eyes to look.
Soon, three demons pounced out from the night!
With True Qi surging, they were actually all Xuan Realm Demon Kings!
Ling Yan shouted loudly, waking up all the city-guarding Martial Artists. It was the dead of night, the easiest time to let one's guard down!
These demons chose this time to ambush; they weren't stupid!
Ling Yan took the lead, flying up, and immediately engaged the demons in battle!
After about ten rounds, he realized something was wrong: these three Xuan Realm Demon Kings were actually all at the Middle Stage of the Xuan Realm!
Ling Yan flew up, his expression becoming even fiercer, and his attacks more ruthless. The city-guarding Martial Artists were stunned, never expecting that this Lord Ling would be so fierce, fighting three Xuan Realm Demon Kings alone!
"Lord Ling must be the strongest among the younger generation in the Demon Slaying Division..."
"Definitely. I saw that several of the Demon Slaying Division Martial Artists dispatched to the surrounding cities were only at the Extreme Realm!"
"To reach the Xuan Realm at this age, this talent is already very high!"
But as time passed, Ling Yan eventually fell into a disadvantage.
The other Extreme Realm city-guarding Martial Artists rushed forward to assist, but they were ultimately separated by a whole major Realm. The effect they could have was minuscule.
Ling Yan finally realized the gravity of the situation; at this rate, his side would definitely lose!
What should he do?
As he was thinking, a dazzling streak of Rainbow Light rapidly approached, attracting immense attention in the dark night. Ling Yan narrowed his eyes, trying to see who the visitor was, but his line of sight was completely blocked by the dazzling Rainbow Light.
His heart sank. Could it be a new demon?
Already at a disadvantage, if a new demon joined in, his side would have absolutely no chance of winning!
But soon, the Rainbow Light swooped down, instantly taking the heads of the three Xuan Realm Demon Kings!
Ling Yan's eyes widened. Such power...
It was the Mystic Realm!
He immediately cupped his hands toward the returning Rainbow Light: "I am Ling Yan of the Demon Slaying Division. May I ask which Martial Artist Senior has arrived?"
The Rainbow Light flew to Ling Yan's side and stopped. Li Xuanxiao walked out of the light with a playful smile.
"Lord Ling Yan, why did you call me Senior?"
Ling Yan was startled: "You... You, you, you are Li Xuanxiao!?"
He was truly shocked; he never expected to run into Li Xuanxiao here.
Moreover, the other party had already stepped into the Mystic Realm!?
Damn it, how is this guy Cultivating?
This speed of progress is simply Heaven-Defying!
Li Xuanxiao swept his gaze around: "Lord Ling Yan, are there any other demons nearby?"
"Since I'm here this time, I'll help you resolve them all. So I can leave for the next stop with peace of mind."
Ling Yan was stunned for a moment, even stuttering as he spoke: "N-no... no more. These few Xuan Realm Demon Kings today, I don't even know where they came from."
Is that so... Li Xuanxiao nodded: "Understood, then I won't stay long."
A massive lotus platform rose, restoring the condition of Ling Yan and the few nearby to full, causing the city-guarding Martial Artists to exclaim repeatedly.
Li Xuanxiao once again transformed into Rainbow Light and shot out.
A few seconds later, he vanished before the group.
"That person just now seemed to be a Lord from the Demon Slaying Division too!"
"He's too... too strong! With a casual slash, he killed three Xuan Realm Demon Kings!"
"Even stronger than Lord Ling..."
"Shut up! Didn't you see that even someone that strong had to respectfully call him Lord Ling Yan?"
"Lord Ling, who exactly was that Martial Artist Lord?"
Only when asked did Ling Yan gradually come back to his senses: "Oh, he is a friend of mine from the Demon Slaying Division."
Everyone marveled: "As expected of Lord Ling; he is a Genius himself, and the friends he makes are such powerful experts!"
"Birds of a feather flock together!"
Ling Yan showed a wry smile. Genius? Perhaps he used to think he was a genius, but now, he should forget it.
After seeing Li Xuanxiao step into the Mystic Realm, he finally understood that the term 'Genius' was not a title he could bear.