Li Xuanxiao sheathed his blade and immediately opened the System panel, wanting to see how much Demon value Points he had gained this time.
[Host: Li Xuanxiao]
[Realm: Origin Realm Sixth Layer]
[Cultivation Techniques:
Origin - Origin Tracing Martial Art (Major Achievement), Mahayana Origin Scripture (Major Achievement)]
[Martial Arts:
Origin - Zen Sea Thunder Sound (Major Achievement)
Mystic - Mirage Shadow Blade (Minor Achievement), Star Falling Shadow Chasing Blade (Transcendent), Universal Salvation (Transcendent), Star-Chasing Moon-Pursuing (Transcendent), Myriad Moon Shadows (Transcendent), Complete Reflection of the Great Thousand (Transcendent), Stream-Severing Breath-Cutting Slash (Transcendent)]
[Demon value Points: 1270000]
Only this little bit?
Li Xuanxiao raised an eyebrow.
But upon reflection, it made sense. After all, by the time he arrived, both the demons and humans had already suffered massive casualties.
Following that previous massive surge, a mere million or so in Demon value Points was no longer enough to satisfy him.
"It's easy to go from frugality to luxury, but hard to go from luxury to frugality..."
Li Xuanxiao sighed quietly, then immediately continued to upgrade his Cultivation Technique.
Among his current Martial Arts, the highest grade was the Buddhist Path's "Zen Sea Thunder Sound."
Therefore, compared to the "Origin Tracing Martial Art," the Buddhist Path Cultivation Technique "Mahayana Origin Scripture" had a higher priority.
After all, the Buddhist Path True Qi, when paired with the Buddhist Dharma, could unleash even greater power!
[Consuming 1,000,000 Demon value Points, Mahayana Origin Scripture has entered the Perfection Realm!]
[Remaining Demon value Points: 270,000]
Holy crap!
Does upgrading a Cultivation Technique Realm once now cost 1 million Demon value Points?
Li Xuanxiao felt a bit weary. If reaching Perfection cost 1 million, then upgrading to Transcendent...
Alas, Demon value Points is never enough!
After the "Mahayana Origin Scripture" was upgraded to Perfection, Li Xuanxiao's own Realm also advanced one layer.
He reached the Origin Realm Seventh Layer!
This officially marked his entry into the Origin Realm Late-stage!
Closing the System panel, Li Xuanxiao turned back and nodded to Ming Yanxia.
Just as he was about to use "Star-Chasing Moon-Pursuing" to head to the next pass, his waist vibrated.
He stopped his steps, took out that message-transmitting jade talisman.
Southern Demon?
Infusing it with True Qi, the Southern Demon's voice immediately came through.
"My Lord, ten Demon Venerables from the Myriad Demon Nation have descended upon Dayu! The Royal City is in danger, return quickly!"
Li Xuanxiao's pupils constricted. The demons had actually executed a secret maneuver!
While dispatching the Demon Army to interfere with visibility, they secretly sent Demon
Venerables to ambush Dayu's rear!
How cunning!
However, the Dayu higher-ups had clearly considered this possibility, which is why they only sent out six Origin Realm Martial Artists.
There were at least over ten Origin Realm experts remaining to defend Dayu's homeland!
But the Southern Demon said the Royal City was in danger...
Could even over ten Origin Realm experts be unable to resist ten Demon Venerables!?
Li Xuanxiao's mind raced.
"What happened?"
Ming Yanxia saw Li Xuanxiao's expression change and walked over to ask.
"Something happened in the Royal City. I must rush back immediately!"
Ming Yanxia was clearly startled as well: "Do you need help?"
The question hung in the air before he stopped himself. Li Xuanxiao's current Realm and strength were clearly superior to his; he probably wouldn't be much help.
Li Xuanxiao shook his head: "Sword Master Ming, just guard this place well. Who knows if the Demon Army has any hidden moves left. It's best not to end up fighting an enemy from both front and back."
Ming Yanxia nodded. They did need to guard against the demons' feint.
Li Xuanxiao immediately changed direction and flew towards the Royal City.
The fully utilized "Star-Chasing Moon-Pursuing," which had reached the Transcendent Realm, let out sustained sonic booms.
...
The Dayu Dynasty, Royal City.
Above the Royal City, ten Demon Venerables stood side-by-side, silently observing everything below.
The Demonic Qi surrounding them was dense, clearly much stronger than the Origin Realm Demon Venerables in the Demon Army!
And above the Royal City, a thick, hemispherical True Qi barrier had already manifested.
The barrier was inverted over the entire Royal City, completely covering and protecting it.
Countless citizens looked up at the ten Demon Venerables, their faces filled with terror.
The consensus among the Royal City populace was that the Royal City was free from demonic threats.
In the long period of peace, they had become accustomed to such tranquil and serene days.
They never imagined a day would come when demons would openly dominate the sky, glaring down at them.
"What are the Dayu Martial Artists doing, how did they let the demons reach the Royal City!"
"It's over, it's over... We're all going to die!"
On this day, the citizens of the Royal City finally recalled...
The terror of once being dominated by demons, and the shame of being imprisoned in a cage.
"Don't panic! The Royal Family wouldn't send out all their Martial Artists to the front lines. There must be Martial Artists left behind to guard this place!"
"Ah, right, right! No matter what, they wouldn't leave the Royal City empty. After all, there are so many Royal Family disciples here!"
As the citizens discussed, about a dozen Grey-Clothed Martial Artists immediately shot into the sky, standing opposite a few Demon Venerables within the True Qi barrier.
"It's the Grey-Clothed Group from the Royal City Armory!"
"I heard they are all top-tier Martial Artists. We are saved now!"
However, the faces of the few Grey-Clothed Martial Artists were solemn; they were clearly not as optimistic as the common folk.
There were twelve of them in the Grey-Clothed Group, and half were Pseudo-Origin.
Only six had reached the Origin Realm, and they were all Early Stage.
But these Demon Venerables currently were all pure True Origin Realm!
And with their surging Demonic Qi, their aura's depth was clearly not just Early Stage First or Second Layer!
They might even be Mid-stage Origin Realm Demon Venerables!
Fewer in number, lower in Realm—this was troublesome...
Inside the Royal Palace, two more beams of light shot into the sky, flying next to the Grey-Clothed Group.
Within the Demon Slaying Division, a figure also silently flew into the air, standing alongside the others.
The Grey-Clothed Group immediately bowed: "Greetings to the two Elders, and greetings to the Commander of the Demon Slaying Division!"
...
The Royal Court Martial Academy, Royal City.
"You should remain here and stay with the other Royal Family disciples."
Ash Ink blocked the emotionally agitated Yin Jinghui.
"Sword Master Ming taught me swordsmanship precisely so I could go into battle and kill enemies!"
Yin Jinghui's expression was resolute: "As a Dayu Martial Artist, and a Royal Family disciple, I should set an example! With great enemies at the door, this is the time for us to dedicate ourselves!"
Ash Ink's expression was moved, touched by the youth's fearless passion and genuine emotion, yet he had to harden his heart to stop him.
Yin Jinghui was the number one among the younger generation of Dayu Martial Artists... well, the former number one.
Coupled with his status as a Royal Family disciple, this made him a priority protection target for Dayu.
Such a potential Martial Artist, given time, would surely allow Dayu to gain another Origin Realm expert!
It would be too much of a pity if he perished halfway.
"What you should do is guard the Royal Court Martial Academy, protect your compatriots, and the future of Dayu."
Ash Ink sighed and continued to counsel him.
"Then I should be even more eager to fight!"
Yin Jinghui stepped forward, resolution on his face!
Ash Ink took a deep breath, his expression turning serious: "The few demons attacking this time are all Origin Realm Demon Venerables! They are not something a Mystic Realm Martial Artist like you can contend with! If you act rashly out of impulse, you will only throw your life away in vain!"
"Wake up!"
Yin Jinghui froze. The tightly clenched teeth slowly relaxed, and the tightly held fists slowly loosened.
A sense of powerlessness washed over his heart...
After cultivating for over twenty years, he had always been like a Genius.
Except for that monster Li Xuanxiao, he had never submitted to anyone on the path of Martial Arts!
But in the eyes of others, someone as talented as him now actually lacked the ability to even intervene in this war...
Infinite sorrow suddenly welled up in his heart.
What Genius, what future!
In this moment, he was nothing more than an incompetent weakling!
Taking a deep breath, he looked up and spoke softly, his tone distant.
Partly asking, partly questioning himself: "If Li Xuanxiao faced such a scene, what would he do?"
Ash Ink was startled; he hadn't expected Yin Jinghui to ask that.
"Li Xuanxiao..."
"That brat would probably charge in yelling loudly..."