Dayu Dynasty, Royal City Armory.
The Royal City Armory was encircled by thick, heavy city walls. Massive bronze gates at the entrance were guarded on both sides by golden stone lions.
Li Xuanxiao walked up to the bronze gates, took out the activation token, and handed it to the Armory gatekeeper.
After a series of secret verification methods, the activation token instantly turned into dust.
The gatekeeper nodded and led Li Xuanxiao into the Royal City Armory.
As soon as he entered, Li Xuanxiao was stunned by the scene before him.
The interior of the Armory was exquisitely arranged, with corridors glowing with golden light leading to various different areas.
Tall stone pillars supported a massive dome, the top of which was inlaid with gems and jade, reflecting a dazzling brilliance.
In the display areas for different types of Martial Dao resources, there were Grey-Clothed Martial Artists guarding them, whose auras were unfathomably deep.
"As expected of a place claiming to gather the pinnacle resources of the Dayu Dynasty, with this level of defensive power, perhaps even a hundred Demon Emperors arriving in person would all die here..."
Li Xuanxiao clicked his tongue secretly, inwardly marveling at the foundation and strength of Dayu.
The gatekeeper led Li Xuanxiao to a specific area and handed him a jade token inscribed with the character 'Three'.
"You may choose three items from this area to take out of the Armory."
Li Xuanxiao bowed respectfully: "Thank you, Senior, for leading the way."
"You have two hours. If you exceed the time, you will be asked to leave. Please remember this point!"
"Find me after you have made your selection, and I will take you out."
After thanking him again and watching the gatekeeper leave, Li Xuanxiao looked around like a country bumpkin entering a city, glancing left and right.
This should be the Xuan Realm area.
Although it was just one area, there were quite a few various resources.
Li Xuanxiao doubted if he could even finish reading the names of the Cultivation Techniques and Martial Arts within two hours.
Without wasting any more time, he began to examine them.
"Xuan - Crane Transformation Seven Changes Art"
"Heavenly Gate Ten Classics"
"Dao of the Limitless"
"Heavenly Dipper Earthly Fiend"
"Treading and Shattering the High Heavens"
"Southern Bright True Scripture"
"Giant Spirit Fighting Slaughter"
...
Xuan Realm Cultivation Techniques and Martial Arts, which were previously rare to see, were now abundant, all sealed within special secret containers.
If Li Xuanxiao fancied something, he could place the jade token in the corresponding area, unlock the Restriction, and take out the corresponding resource.
Cultivation Techniques, Martial Arts, Divine Weapons.
Since he could take out exactly three items, he might as well give equal attention to all three categories.
First, Cultivation Techniques. His main Cultivation Technique currently was the Buddhist Path's "Mystic Lotus Art," which provided an extra bonus to Buddhist Path Martial Arts.
However, for Martial Arts practiced by general Martial Artists, it offered no bonus whatsoever.
When he previously executed the Mirage Shadow Blade, he had already felt that it wasn't as sharp as it should be, seemingly unable to fully unleash the power of this Mystic Realm Martial Art.
The Buddhist Dharma was ultimately different from orthodox Martial Dao Cultivation Techniques. The True Qi condensed and absorbed was relatively softer and heavier, lacking the killing intent and cold sharpness of a Martial Artist!
Therefore, this time he decided to choose an orthodox Cultivation Technique that better suited a Martial Artist.
Next, Martial Arts. His current Mystic Realm Martial Art, "Mirage Shadow Blade," leaned more towards single-target combat.
But what he lacked now was a Mystic Realm level means of area-of-effect attack.
When he sparred with Jing Ruolin previously, she could summon thousands of sword shadows in an instant.
Not only could this lock down his movement space, but it also forced him into a defensive posture, making it difficult to counterattack.
His eventual victory relied mainly on the miraculous nature of the Buddhist Dharma and the inexhaustible supply of True Qi.
If facing a group of demons, this kind of area-of-effect Martial Art would be more efficient and convenient.
Li Xuanxiao considered briefly and decided to choose a Mystic Realm Martial Art suitable for area-of-effect attacks for his Martial Arts selection.
Finally, Divine Weapons. Although Divine Weapons had a relatively low presence, in reality, they demonstrated their importance in every single battle.
Not to mention that when executing Martial Arts corresponding to a weapon, higher-grade weapons often provided a greater bonus.
Even a casual slash could show a considerable difference.
From the Asura Blade and the Netherworld Blade, which were both at the Xuan Realm but of different grades, he could perceive a relatively obvious difference.
This time, he could choose a Divine Weapon that transcended levels, so the improvement should be extraordinary!
After silently considering everything in his mind, Li Xuanxiao found selecting much easier.
He scanned countless Profound Realm Martial Arts and Cultivation Techniques, searching for the types he needed.
Two hours passed quickly, and he now held two booklets and a long, slender blade emitting a sharp silver light.
Cultivation Technique — "Heavenly Origin Marvelous Martial Art".
Martial Art — "Starfall Chasing Shadow Blade".
Divine Weapon — Jingting.
Carrying the three items he had selected, he approached the previous gatekeeper:
"Senior, I have made my choices!"
The gatekeeper nodded, his gaze casually sweeping over the items in his hand, and his brow twitched slightly.
This kid certainly has discerning taste!
But items of such high grade will not be easy to Cultivate.
"Follow me, I will take you out."
Li Xuanxiao responded affirmatively.
A short while later, the two finally walked out of the Royal City Armory.
Li Xuanxiao was secretly horrified. He only then realized that the entire Royal City Armory was protected by extremely Xuan Restrictions!
If he hadn't followed the gatekeeper, he probably wouldn't have been able to find his way out at all!
Previously, he had wondered if it was too unsafe for the Dayu Dynasty to place the foundation of an entire nation so openly in the center of the Royal City.
Now it seemed he had worried too much.
With this level of defense, let alone a Demon Emperor, even a higher-level demon would likely lose its life here.
The Royal City was indeed the Royal City; there was a reason why no demons dared to cause trouble here.
Li Xuanxiao praised inwardly, then showed a look of joy. He had gotten rich again!
After bidding farewell to the gatekeeper, Li Xuanxiao headed straight for the Si Family Mansion.
Yesterday, Si Bingwen had asked him what his future plans were, and now he could finally answer!
Stay in the Royal City's Demon Slaying Division!
The Xuan Realm Cultivation Techniques and Martial Arts he needed could only be provided here, and the corresponding missions to slay Demon Emperors would only be issued here.
Although it was a slight regret, Pei Prefecture truly could no longer keep up with his rate of progress.
To become stronger and advance further, he had to stay here!
Upon returning to the Si Family Residence and informing Si Bingwen of his decision, the latter smiled slightly.
"You have made the correct choice! Welcome to the Demon Slaying Division. You are now a Martial Artist of my Demon Slaying Hall!"
Li Xuanxiao acknowledged: "Thank you, Hall Master. Can I go claim my mission now?"
Si Bingwen raised an eyebrow in surprise: "So eager? You just finished collecting your Cultivation Techniques and Martial Arts; don't you need to look them over first?"
It is precisely because he just finished collecting them that he is eager to go slay demons!
These Mystic Realm Cultivation Techniques and Martial Arts were practically crying out to be used.
Li Xuanxiao smiled and said: "Only in combat against demons can I grow faster!"
What he said was not a lie, but to Si Bingwen's ears, the image of a noble Martial Artist, who hated evil and took slaying demons as his duty, instantly materialized.
Si Bingwen smiled with satisfaction. This young man had reached this point; he was truly extraordinary!
"No need to go claim one; I have a mission for you right here..."
"It concerns the Commander of Pei Prefecture."
When speaking of his younger brother, Si Bingwen finally showed more emotion, and his voice lowered.
"This morning, Family Martial Artists sent back news that traces of my younger brother, Si Yiwu, were tracked down in the Heavenly Domain Valley, several hundred miles from the Royal City."
"However, the Demonic Qi near the bloodstains is quite mixed, making it difficult for now to discern the route he and the Demon Emperors took. I heard your Buddhist Martial Art is quite miraculous in tracking demons."
"Perhaps you can go and try!"
After speaking, Si Bingwen handed Li Xuanxiao a jade token engraved with the character 'Si'.
"According to the on-site investigation, there were at least seven Demon Emperors pursuing Si Yiwu! If you discover their whereabouts, immediately send me a message through this jade token. Remember, do not act rashly!"