Qingyang

"Deputy Commander Liu, Ye Xiaofan and Tie Wuqing have arrived."

The logistics Demon Suppressing Guard's voice wasn't loud, but all the Demon Suppressing Guards waiting in the training ground were cultivators at Body Refinement Seventh Layer or above.

Over a hundred people looked curiously towards Ye Xiaofan and Tie Wuqing. Even the Fire Luan Horses beside each of them snorted and tilted their heads to look.

Liu Qingyun slightly raised his gaze and nodded at Ye Xiaofan and Tie Wuqing, a glint flashing imperceptibly in his eyes.

"Commander Zuo and the City Lord have already rushed to Qingyang County overnight. Depart!"

After speaking, Liu Qingyun took the lead, mounted his Fire Luan Horse, and galloped towards the main gate.

Just as Ye Xiaofan was wondering what to do, the logistics Demon Suppressing Guard who had brought him over walked over, leading two Fire Luan Horses.

"Let's go!"

Ye Xiaofan glanced at Tie Wuqing, mounted his horse, and chased after the main group.

"Alright!"

Tie Wuqing's eyebrows curved slightly. He took a hearty swig of wine, hung the Wine Gourd at his waist, and followed Ye Xiaofan.

Night fell.

Over a hundred Demon Suppressing Guards galloped on the official road under the moonlight.

"Deputy Commander Liu, Blackwater Ravine is ahead. Beyond Blackwater Ravine is Qingyang County territory. We'll reach Qingyang City before dawn."

"Mhm, notify them to pass through Blackwater Ravine as quickly as possible."

Blackwater Ravine originated from the Thorn Swamp and eventually flowed into the Jinyang River.

Only a winding, narrow path carved into the cliff connected to Qingyang County.

The path was only wide enough for one Fire Luan Horse, and the troop's progress inevitably slowed down.

"No wonder Qingyang County could be controlled by Evil and the news couldn't get out."

Looking at the cliffs of Blackwater Ravine, Ye Xiaofan couldn't help but sigh.

"Qingyang County developed gradually after the discovery of the Blood Copper Mine. It's located amidst high mountains and rugged ridges. To the east is Blackwater Ravine, to the south is the Crimson Flame Desert, to the west is the Mountain Lord Mountain Range, and to the north is the Thorn Swamp. Of these four directions, only the Mountain Lord Mountain Range to the west is relatively easy to traverse."

Tie Wuqing heard Ye Xiaofan's sigh, took a sip of wine, and chuckled as he chimed in.

"Yeah, it's no wonder Evil chose Qingyang County. As long as Demonic creatures guard these four locations, ordinary Body Refinement Ninth Layer cultivators can't get through."

As Ye Xiaofan and Tie Wuqing were chatting, the mini dragon also emerged, hanging on Ye Xiaofan's ear like a purple-gold earring.

Holding a half-eaten Blood Qi Pill, it said in a voice only Ye Xiaofan could hear:

"Little Ye, there are definitely many Demonic creatures in Blackwater Ravine."

"Oh, how do you know?"

Ye Xiaofan asked curiously.

"It's too smelly here. According to my inherited memories, this smell that dragons dislike is the smell of Demonic creatures."

Little Purple wrinkled its nose, saying unhappily.

Ye Xiaofan became interested upon hearing this.

"Little Purple, do you know what Evil is?"

"I don't know, but it's definitely in my inherited memories. However, my strength isn't enough, so many memories haven't been unlocked."

The little one took another bite of the Blood Qi Pill and continued:

"But beings as annoying as Evil possess Soul Crystals that are very beneficial to those at Qi Condensation stage or above. Refining and absorbing them can strengthen the soul."

"Oh, there's such a treasure."

"Of course. The stronger the Evil, the better its Soul Crystal. However, refining these Soul Crystals is also very dangerous. Usually, alchemists need to refine them into pills before consumption."

Little Purple said with a hint of arrogance. Then, as if remembering something, its eyes narrowed, and a drop of clear dragon saliva dripped from the corner of its mouth.

"Hey, be careful, you're drooling."

Feeling a sticky sensation from his ear, Ye Xiaofan reminded it speechlessly.

"My inherited memories say that Evil's Soul Crystals are very delicious. Little Ye, let's catch an Evil and try it later."

Little Purple casually grabbed a strand of Ye Xiaofan's hair to wipe its mouth, saying excitedly.

Time passed as Ye Xiaofan chatted with the mini dragon.

It took a full hour to get out of Blackwater Ravine and step into Qingyang County territory.

Everyone continued to gallop towards Qingyang City at full speed.

Along the way, all the villages and towns they encountered had been reduced to ruins, with dismembered limbs everywhere.

Some small animals, influenced by the residual Demonic energy, had transformed into half-demonic monsters, constantly gnawing on the remaining flesh and blood.

"Speed up."

Liu Qingyun's expression grew increasingly grim, and a hint of anger crept into his voice.

"Demonic creatures deserve to die!"

The rest of the people also had grim expressions, cursing furiously as they looked at the tragic state of the village.

They wished they could encounter demonic creatures immediately and slaughter them all.

Ye Xiaofan and his group didn't stop to deal with the residual demonic energy; the logistics division of the Demon Suppressing Guards would handle it later.

Their job as combat personnel was to find and eliminate the demonic creatures as quickly as possible.

Without realizing it, the east began to show a sliver of dawn.

At the end of the official road, a massive city appeared before everyone's eyes.

From afar, they could see firelight reddening half the sky, and rolling smoke obscuring the sun.

The roars of powerful individuals clashing, like spring thunder, clearly reached everyone's ears.

"Brothers, follow me into the city! Leave no demonic creature alive, kill!"

Liu Qingyun roared, patting his Fire Luan Horse and charging towards the east gate of Qingyang City.

"Kill!"

Over a hundred Demon Suppressing Guards behind him roared in unison, following without hesitation.

"Gang Leader Tie, stay by my side."

Ye Xiaofan said to Tie Wuqing before charging forward as well.

Tie Wuqing's beautiful eyes flickered, a faint smile on her lips as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and followed.

Upon entering the city, Ye Xiaofan's pupils contracted sharply, and he instinctively held his breath.

An incredibly foul stench assaulted his nostrils.

The once prosperous streets were now filled with ruins, and demonic creature corpses littered the ground.

Continuing forward, they reached the central city area and saw a dense mass of demonic creatures fearlessly charging towards the county office. They didn't even look back at the Demon Suppressing Guards fighting behind them.

Ye Xiaofan was puzzled. He leaped onto the tallest pavilion to get a better look.

Although Tie Wuqing hadn't explicitly answered earlier, she had followed him to the rooftop.

He saw a middle-aged man with a single eyebrow standing like a god or demon amidst the hordes of demonic creatures.

With one hand, he held a saber, suppressing the County Magistrate, who was an Evil, with all his might.

With the other hand, he continuously punched, smashing the fearless demonic creatures into bloody mist.

The Evil roared repeatedly, and Ye Xiaofan could feel its desperate desire to escape from Commander Zuo.

However, Commander Zuo was too powerful. No matter how hard the Evil tried, it could only barely hold on with the help of the continuously dying demonic creatures.

It didn't dare to be distracted for a moment.

On another battlefield not far away, a middle-aged man with a clean face, looking like a scholar incapable of even lifting a chicken, wielded a mountain-splitting axe, fighting fiercely against a white tiger seven to eight zhang long.

Axe shadows rained down, and tiger roars shook the heavens.

It was Jiang Jingxing, the City Lord of Jinyang City.

The man and the tiger were evenly matched, neither able to overcome the other.

"Hahaha, Deputy Commander Liu, you've arrived at the perfect time! There's a demon lair below. Lead your men in, save who you can, and kill all who cannot be saved."

Sensing Liu Qingyun's arrival with his men, Commander Zuo's face lit up with joy, and he became even more arrogant, shouting with laughter.

"Brothers, follow me in!"

Liu Qingyun didn't dare to delay. He called out and led the charge into the dense demonic army.

Perhaps the Evil dared not spare any demonic creatures to stop Liu Qingyun and his men.

Liu Qingyun, with over a hundred men, easily cut through the demonic forces like slicing vegetables and entered the county office.

Seeing this, Ye Xiaofan no longer hesitated. He glanced at Tie Wuqing, leaped off the rooftop, and followed.

The group cleared out demonic creatures all the way, and soon they saw an underground entrance.

Without any hesitation, they all rushed in.

The moment they arrived at the underground demon lair, everyone was stunned by the scene before them.

The next moment, their eyes all turned red.

It was far beyond what could be described as a living hell.

"Brothers, split up and search!"

Liu Qingyun roared with red eyes, then charged into a stone chamber.

Ye Xiaofan didn't hesitate either. He kicked open a stone door and rushed in.

"Roar~"