Well-Equipped City Guards!

Demons were terrifying monsters. Martial artists of the same level were simply no match for them. How could they dare venture into a Demon Stockade that housed so many demons?!

"Master, the Inner City is so powerful. Couldn't they just send any expert to investigate? Why do they insist on sending us?" Sixth Senior Brother Bai Dongdong asked angrily.

Xu He gave a bitter smile. "Naturally, the important figures of the Inner City do not wish to take risks. They also fear it may be a trap. To them, no matter how many Outer City martial artists die, it does not matter—not compared to the life of a single important figure from the Inner City! In short, this matter has already been decided. No one can change it. Every faction must send a certain number of people. As one of the Sixteen Outer City Martial Halls, Azure Steel Martial Hall must send thirty martial artists!"

Thirty martial artists!!!!

Everyone immediately grew worried. There were only a little over sixty martial artists in total—this meant sending out half of them!

"Disciples below Stone Skin Realm Great Accomplishment need not go. Going would only mean death!" Xu He said.

The disciples below Stone Skin Realm Great Accomplishment were overjoyed, smiles appearing on their faces. It was the first time they had felt there was an advantage to having low cultivation.

After excluding the disciples below Stone Skin Skin Major Accomplishment, there were thirty-seven people left. Seven could remain at the Martial Arts Hall.

"Ling'er, you will remain at the Martial Arts Hall as well. Your master will personally lead the team. The Martial Arts Hall cannot be left without a powerful expert to hold the fort!" Xu He arranged.

Senior Sister Xiao Ling nodded. "Yes, Master!"

Afterward, Xu He had several more disciples remain behind. The disciples left behind were all highly talented, very young, and had reached the Bronze Skin Realm.

Clearly, Xu He did not want these disciples to perish in the Demon Stockade.

As for Li Changsheng, he was not given the chance to stay behind. He too had to go to the Demon Stockade. If he refused, it would undoubtedly count as betraying Azure Steel Martial Hall. He would offend Azure Steel Martial Hall and be hunted by them.

He was only a Stone Skin Realm martial artist now. He did not dare offend Azure Steel Martial Hall.

Li Changsheng also knew that his master did not value him much. Even though he was an Eighth-grade Blacksmith and could obtain mid-grade Secret Medicine, what he had revealed was not enough to make his master think highly of him.

In Xu He's eyes, Li Changsheng was still merely a disciple with poor aptitude. Even if he had encountered some opportunities and possessed considerable wealth, after reaching the Iron Skin Realm, ordinary resources would make it difficult for him to continue breaking through rapidly. His future potential was still limited.

Those selected were all in poor spirits.

Xu He added, "What are you afraid of? Your master will be going with you. Moreover, when we eliminate the Demon Stockade this time, whatever you gain will belong to you. Those important figures of the Inner City will not take it. A Demon Stockade contains many good things. The corpse of any minor demon can yield quite a bit of Demon Blood, and many demon corpses are extremely valuable. There are also all kinds of martial arts, spiritual medicines, and Secret Medicine—each worth a great deal. As long as you return alive, you will certainly gain a vast amount of resources!"

After Xu He's impassioned speech, the fear in everyone's hearts lessened, replaced instead by a trace of longing.

Wealth moved the heart. As long as the gains were great enough, they dared risk their lives. Besides, they secretly felt that with martial artists from so many factions joining forces this time, perhaps the danger would not be so great after all!

"Master, when do we act?" Senior Brother Qin Xun asked.

"We move tomorrow. The city gates have already been sealed. No one can leave, and no one can pass the news out. Do not spread the news either. If those important figures of the Inner City mistake you for Demon Spies, then even if you are killed, you will only have yourselves to blame!" Xu He warned.

"Yes, Master!"

Everyone responded.

Since they would act tomorrow, everyone went back to speak with their families.

Li Changsheng, meanwhile, made a trip to the Demon Suppression Division and hurriedly forged several Demon-Slaying Arrows for himself. He should be able to make three Demon-Slaying Arrows.

Night fell.

Carrying three Demon-Slaying Arrows and a powerful bow, Li Changsheng returned to his small courtyard.

"Tomorrow, when we eliminate the Demon Stockade, my first priority will be staying alive!"

Li Changsheng had no desire to risk his life. He did not lack resources, so there was no need for him to fight desperately. The longer he lived, the more Dao Fruits he could obtain. Naturally, preserving his life came first.

His current strength was comparable to that of an Iron Skin Realm martial artist. With three Demon-Slaying Arrows added to the mix, as long as he remained careful, an ordinary Level 1 Minor Demon would not be able to kill him. So long as he did not provoke a Level 2 Minor Demon, there should not be much of a problem!

Besides, he also had Eighth-grade Armor, which could block attacks!

The next day.

Li Changsheng donned his Eighth-grade Armor. A weapon rack was embedded on the back of the armor, holding an Eighth-grade longsword and his bow and arrows. This did not hinder his movement or combat.

Azure Steel Martial Hall.

Li Changsheng arrived at the Martial Arts Hall, but only twenty-nine people had come this time. One person was missing, and Xu He was instantly furious.

"Ling'er, issue a bounty to hunt down that traitor Yang Ze!" Xu He ordered.

"Yes!"

Xiao Ling replied.

With one person missing, Xu He could only send one of his personal Bronze Skin Realm disciples along, keeping him by his side and doing his best to protect his life.

"Set out!" Xu He said.

Baiye Outer City, East Gate.

Martial artists from many factions had gathered here. Once nearly everyone had arrived, the City Guard came.

"Three hundred City Guards!!!!"

Li Changsheng looked at the City Guards. They were all elite soldiers, each clad in armor. The lowest grade among their armor was Eighth-grade, thick and sturdy—better even than his own Eighth-grade Armor.

The spears and battle sabers in their hands were all Eighth-grade weapons. These City Guards were not weak either. The weakest had reached Iron Skin Realm Great Accomplishment, while some were in the Bronze Skin Realm or even the Bone Refining Realm.

Most terrifying of all were the commander and ten City Guard captains. Any one of those captains seemed no weaker than his master, Xu He. That commander was likely even stronger than Xu He.

Such a City Guard force could easily sweep aside a faction like Azure Steel Martial Hall. With them present, the martial artists of the other factions also felt their confidence rise.

After the City Guard confirmed the numbers from every major faction and found them correct, City Guard Commander Xiao Long ordered, "Set out!"

Everyone left the city one after another, heading toward Qingfeng Demon Stockade over a hundred li outside the city.

The martial artists were all fast. A hundred-plus li was not far, and they soon arrived. Then the many martial artists spread out, stretching the battle line and encircling Qingfeng Demon Stockade.

"You will charge into Qingfeng Demon Stockade!" Xiao Long ordered.

Everyone had thought the City Guards would take the lead. They had not expected themselves to be used as the vanguard instead, and they cursed Xiao Long countless times in their hearts.

Yet every one of the City Guards had a bow aimed at them. If they dared refuse, the Demon-Slaying Arrows meant for demons would be fired at them instead.

"Kill!"

With Xu He's command, the martial artists of Azure Steel Martial Hall charged into Qingfeng Demon Stockade.

Li Changsheng also blended into the main force and charged in.

However, the demons of Qingfeng Demon Stockade did not appear immediately. Facing them instead were the former bandits of Qingfeng Stockade, now controlled by demons. These bandits possessed some strength, but they were certainly far inferior to the martial artists of the major factions.

Li Changsheng also encountered a bandit at Stone Skin Realm Minor Accomplishment. Yet he did not kill the man at once. Instead, he fought him to a standstill, gradually drifting away from the main battlefield.

Once there was no one around, he immediately unleashed his strength. Using Azure Steel Hand, he seized the Stone Skin Minor Accomplishment bandit's throat with his bare hand and crushed him to death.

Then, he quickly concealed himself.