"Li Xuanxiao? He's not even a Martial Artist from our Royal City?"
"That's truly rare! It's hard to produce even one Mystic Martial Artist outside the Royal City..."
"Since the reason for initiating the Eight Halls Rotation Battle is to rebuild the Pei Prefecture Demon Slaying Division, this person must have a connection to the Peizhou faction!"
"The Si Family has operated in Peizhou for many years. The fall of the Pei Prefecture Demon Slaying Division must have significantly impacted the Si Family. Si Bingwen likely wants to cut his losses as quickly as possible."
"If he wants to cut losses quickly, isn't that easy? Have Si Bingwen give me his daughter, Si Miaoyin, as a concubine, and I guarantee his Si Family won't just avoid falling in status, they'll climb even higher!"
"Hahaha! To be fair, Si Miaoyin is indeed beautiful!"
"The first time I saw her, my heart involuntarily sped up. Those common painted faces in the Thousand Phoenix Tower can't compare to her at all."
...
Royal City, Si Family Residence.
Li Xuanxiao, unaware that his information had become the center of external discussion, was currently sitting in the pavilion in the backyard, sipping tea.
Standing beside him was Ya Qin, whose face was delicate and slightly immature, while sitting opposite him was the radiant Si Miaoyin.
Wrapped in a light pink silk gown with a white gauze cloak draped over it, her gracefully curved neck and clearly visible collarbone were revealed.
Compared to the casual attire Li Xuanxiao had seen that night, Si Miaoyin was clearly meticulously dressed today.
Li Xuanxiao casually swept his gaze over Si Miaoyin's beautiful collarbone, recalling his interactions with her at the Pei Prefecture Demon Slaying Division.
Was this girl always this pretty? I didn't pay much attention when we were in Peizhou.
Sensing Li Xuanxiao's subtle gaze, Si Miaoyin's lips curved upwards, her eyes crinkling: "Tsk, truly impressive, Lord Li. After just a few months apart, you have already stepped into the Mystic Realm."
"You dare to initiate the Eight Halls Rotation Battle right after arriving in the Royal City. You have courage!"
Li Xuanxiao smiled proudly: "Joking! I'm super brave, okay!"
After a moment of joking, Li Xuanxiao turned serious: "The Pei Prefecture Demon Slaying Division suffered severe damage and has stopped functioning. Our deterrent effect on the demons is almost nil."
"Although the overall situation is temporarily calm, who knows when the demons will stage a comeback."
"Without the Demon Slaying Division balancing things out, Peizhou will become a playground for the demons."
"Countless common people, countless Martial Artists, will become potential victims."
"So I must gain the support of the other seven halls as soon as possible; this matter cannot be delayed."
Hearing Li Xuanxiao's serious words, Si Miaoyin also dropped her teasing manner: "Just how severe is the situation at the Pei Prefecture Demon Slaying Division? And how is my uncle doing right now?"
Li Xuanxiao immediately informed Si Miaoyin of everything he knew.
She listened silently, her expression changing several times.
The Demon Slaying Division was severed in half... The Commander's Residence collapsed...
Six of the eight Hall Masters died in battle...
Si Yiwu had an arm severed, and the Demon Sovereigns went after him in pursuit...
Si Miaoyin listened until her eyes turned slightly red.
As the highest military official of the entire Peizhou Prefecture, and also its strongest Martial Artist, her uncle was a genuine Seventh Layer Mystic Martial Artist!
If even someone like him couldn't protect himself, then the fate of others could only be worse!
She never expected that after she left, Peizhou would suffer such a terrifying attack. She really should have brought Li Xuanxiao with her back then!
Si Miaoyin felt a lingering fear.
Fortunately, this kid truly had ability!
Not only did he avoid disaster, but he rode the wind and soared, growing into a Mystic Martial Artist!
I told her long ago that he had talent! Mother still thought I was lying to her, honestly!
Si Miaoyin inwardly praised her own extraordinary foresight.
Just as they were talking, Si Bingwen walked over from a distance.
The three immediately stood up and saluted.
"Father, you're here."
"Greetings, Hall Master!"
"Greetings, Family Head!"
Si Bingwen nodded and handed a list to Li Xuanxiao.
"The time for the Eight Halls Rotation Battle has been set, and the participating Martial Artists have also been confirmed."
"The level of participating Martial Artists for this Eight Halls Rotation Battle will be above the Mystic Realm, but below the Fifth Layer of the Mystic Realm."
"For every Martial Artist you defeat, you will earn one opportunity to request a rest, with the rest period lasting one day."
"Of course, you can also choose not to rest and proceed to the next match, which will significantly speed up the progress of the competition!"
"I have already spoken in advance with several Hall Masters I have good relations with."
"Excluding the two friendly halls, there are also two neutral halls that will not intentionally target you."
"Your true opponents will mainly be the three Martial Artists from the other three halls."
Li Xuanxiao nodded silently. This arrangement greatly lowered the difficulty, allowing him to achieve his goal faster.
"The Eight Halls Rotation Battle will officially commence tomorrow! Please ensure you are in your best condition."
Si Bingwen was efficient. After giving a few instructions, he hurried away again.
Li Xuanxiao watched him leave, then sat back in the pavilion and began carefully reviewing the list.
This list was quite detailed, even explicitly marking the stance of each hall.
The Flying Eagle Hall, Training Hall, and Purification Hall were hostile halls.
The Mission Hall and Patrol Hall were friendly to the Demon Slaying Hall.
The Logistics Hall and Law Enforcement Hall were neutral halls.
Based on these different stances, the cultivation Realms of the Martial Artists dispatched by each hall varied.
The friendly Mission Hall and Patrol Hall both sent Martial Artists who had just entered the Mystic Realm—truly the lowest tier, openly favoring the Demon Slaying Hall.
Next were the neutral Logistics Hall and Law Enforcement Hall, dispatching a Second Layer Mystic Realm and a Third Layer Mystic Realm Martial Artist respectively, which were relatively normal cultivation levels.
The Martial Artists dispatched by the hostile halls had their cultivation Realms clearly stepped up a level.
Besides one Fourth Layer Mystic Realm, the other two were both Fifth Layer Mystic Realm!
They were pulled directly to the highest Realm allowed by the rules, clearly showing they did not want the Demon Slaying Hall to win.
Li Xuanxiao silently scanned the list, deep in thought.
The only ones who truly posed a threat to him were those two Fifth Layer Mystic Realm Martial Artists.
They were one level above him, and as Royal City Martial Artists, they possessed abundant cultivation resources and might have some formidable secret techniques.
His greatest reliance was the Mystic Realm Cultivation Technique he had deduced, the "Mystic Lotus Art."
And the Mystic Realm Martial Art derived from Si Yiwu, the "Mirage Shadow Blade."
The former was a System product; its grade was unknown, but anything associated with the System couldn't be bad!
The latter, being a Martial Art bestowed by the Demon Slaying Division Headquarters to a Prefecture Commander, surely wouldn't be trash.
At the very least, it wouldn't be worse than the Cultivation Techniques of these ordinary Demon Slaying Division Martial Artists.
With that in mind, a battle might still be possible!
Feeling slightly more confident, Li Xuanxiao slowly stood up.
Si Miaoyin gave him a wink: "I'll be cheering for you! Go, go, go!"
Ya Qin slightly bowed, a captivating blush coloring her small face: "Sir, do you require a bath tonight...?"