Kyōkan

He had always thought that whatever realm one reached, one had to cultivate the techniques corresponding to that realm.

He had thought that was the only way to advance one's realm.

But now, it seemed there were other ways to improve one's realm?

"Our Pei Province Demon Slayer Division has eight Hall Masters, as well as deputy generals and even a commander-in-chief."

"Only the commander-in-chief and Deputy General Yang have truly cultivated Mystic Realm techniques."

"The seven Hall Masters besides myself all advanced to the Mystic Realm by cultivating multiple Profound Realm Late Stage techniques."

That was possible too!?

Li Xuanxiao had truly broadened his horizons today.

Just from this information alone, this demon-slaying journey had already paid for itself!

He immediately bowed respectfully. "Thank you for your guidance, Hall Master. This information is worth a thousand gold!"

The other two martial artists likewise bowed.

Being able to hear this information was a free gain for them, and they felt a measure of gratitude toward Li Xuanxiao.

If not for Li Xuanxiao, they would never have heard any of this.

The Patrol Hall Master chuckled. "No matter! You would have learned these things sooner or later. I merely told you in advance today."

"Your compensation still stands. Once you return in triumph, come find me here."

"Within the limits of my ability, I will do my utmost to meet your request!"

Li Xuanxiao bowed solemnly. "Thank you, Hall Master!"

The Patrol Hall Master nodded, then introduced the two martial artists to Li Xuanxiao.

They were both Profound Realm Late Stage martial artists—one at the Profound Realm Seventh Layer, the other at the Profound Realm Eighth Layer!

That was exceedingly formidable combat strength!

"They are from Deputy General Yang's Purification Hall, powerful martial artists. You will follow them to slay demons this time."

Li Xuanxiao was secretly astonished. Si Miaoyin had previously told him about the Purification Hall; among the eight halls, it was the one with the strongest combat power.

Every martial artist who entered the Purification Hall was a genius, the strongest fighter among their peers!

He had not expected to encounter two of them today.

"Your realm is low. Remember not to greedily seek merit and charge ahead rashly. Outside, you are to follow these two higher-realm martial artists!"

After leaving the Patrol Hall, the three introduced themselves.

Li Xuanxiao also learned their names.

The male martial artist was called Shen Tianyou, at the Profound Realm Seventh Layer. He was a burly, bearded man of around forty.

The female martial artist was called Lian Meini, at the Profound Realm Eighth Layer. She was a voluptuous, beautiful woman of about thirty-five.

Shen Tianyou heartily patted Li Xuanxiao on the shoulder. "Kid, don't be scared. I'll watch your back!"

Beside him, Lian Meini's eyes were soft and seductive.

The martial artist's uniform that looked enormously oversized on others was, in certain places on her, only barely enough.

Especially at her chest, where the fabric that should have lain flat had been stretched into two towering peaks!

One could scarcely imagine what terrifyingly massive things were wrapped beneath that cloth.

She lifted Li Xuanxiao's chin with a finger. "What a handsome young gentleman!"

Li Xuanxiao looked slightly embarrassed. "You two, we should set out first. Time waits for no one."

The bearded man nodded, immediately drawing the enormous sword from his back. As True Qi surged, he rode the greatsword into the sky.

"Meini, do you want to ride with me? There's plenty of room on my greatsword!"

Lian Meini shot him a glare. "You uncouth brute who never bothers with his appearance—you sure know how to dream!"

Then her tone shifted, becoming tender and affectionate. "If it were this handsome young gentleman, though, I'd be more than willing~"

Uh... Li Xuanxiao could not quite withstand it. "Sorry, I'm more used to being alone."

He immediately used Rainbow Light Travel, transforming into a streak of rainbow light and soaring into the heavens. He was actually much faster than the bearded man!

Lian Meini stood where she was and huffed indignantly. "What terrible taste! A woman my age is at her very best, understand?"

She said no more. As she activated her martial arts, she rose into the air and chased after the two of them!

Pei Province, Youpu City.

Countless crows circled overhead. The once bustling and prosperous city was now steeped in deathly stillness.

Even the sunlight seemed to deliberately avoid the place, adding another layer of bleak gloom.

Severed limbs and highly decomposed corpses could be seen everywhere.

Everywhere the eye fell was a scene of hopeless darkness, like hell on earth.

In the distance, a dazzling ball of rainbow light was rapidly approaching.

Behind it came two people: one standing atop a greatsword, the other surrounded by a long whip.

"How is this kid faster than us?"

The bearded Shen Tianyou stood atop his greatsword, gazing toward Li Xuanxiao, who had already arrived at Youpu City.

The voluptuous Lian Meini was surrounded by long whips that danced wildly like living creatures, stirring gust after gust of wind and carrying her swiftly onward.

She smiled. "I didn't expect this young gentleman to have some skill after all!"

"His flying martial art is far too flashy, like drawing bees and butterflies, but its speed truly is beyond reproach."

"It's at least mid-grade among Profound Realm techniques!"

Shen Tianyou smacked his lips with some feeling. "Tsk, even my Aerial Sword Control Technique is only low-grade among Profound Realm techniques!"

"Hehe, without some ability, how could he possibly form a team with the two of us to slay demons at merely the Profound Realm First Layer?"

The two had now also arrived outside Youpu City. They immediately altered the circulation of their True Qi and began to descend slowly.

Li Xuanxiao had arrived before them and was already examining the surroundings.

My Buddha Illuminates Seal came with a passive effect and required no deliberate activation.

A faint golden mark emerged deep within Li Xuanxiao's eyes, and many things invisible to ordinary people appeared before him as well.

He slowly scanned the entirety of Youpu City. Countless crimson threads rose from within the city in his sight.

But most of them were very faint. Clearly, as time had passed, much of the demonic aura had already dissipated.

After scanning the city once, Li Xuanxiao turned his gaze toward the place where the crimson was thickest.

He turned toward the two from the Purification Hall and pointed in a direction. "There seems to be something over there."

The two were both startled when they saw the golden mark in Li Xuanxiao's eyes.

There was actually a trace of Buddha-nature in Li Xuanxiao's gaze!

Compared to a decisive martial artist stained in blood from slaughter, he looked more like an enlightened eminent monk at that moment.

The two exchanged shocked looks, then immediately set off toward the place Li Xuanxiao had indicated.

Before coming here, the Purification Hall Master, Yang Zhiru, had given them instructions.

He had explained Li Xuanxiao's unusual nature to them.

If they had to fight demons, then naturally the two of them would take the lead.

But in other matters, they were instead to place greater weight on Li Xuanxiao's advice.

They had originally dismissed it with disdain. Was the advice of a Profound Realm First Layer martial artist really worth such attention?

But after witnessing the extraordinary qualities around him with their own eyes, the two put away their contempt.

This kid truly had something to him!

He seemed able to see things others could not!

The three moved quickly and reached the location Li Xuanxiao had pointed out in mere moments.

"This is..."

Shen Tianyou's expression changed drastically, his entire face turning dark in an instant.

"Those damned demons!"

Lian Meini turned her face away, unable to bear looking any longer.

Li Xuanxiao's expression remained calm, but the hand gripping his blade bulged with veins.

"This is..."

"A Kyōkan..."