I Don't Think So

A rainbow streak rapidly approached the skies above the Demon Slayer Division. Before it even landed, it had already drawn the attention of many Demon Slayer Division warriors from afar.

Having reached perfection, "Rainbow Light Travel" had now become even more flamboyant.

The three landed one after another before the Patrol Hall. Upon seeing them, the guards immediately ushered them inside.

The Patrol Hall Master revealed a look of surprise. It had only been a few days, hadn't it?

"Hall Master, we did not fail our mission."

Shen Tianyou and Lian Meini clasped their fists in salute. Li Xuanxiao stood half a step behind them and did the same.

The Patrol Hall Master nodded. "As expected of martial elites capable of joining the Purification Hall. This efficiency is far better than those disappointing brats under me!"

The two felt somewhat ashamed and glanced at Li Xuanxiao. His face was as calm as still water, betraying no emotion.

Thinking back on everything that had happened along the way, the two were startled to realize that they seemed to...

Have done practically nothing at all?

Whether it had been finding the demons after arriving in Youpu City.

Or dealing with the demons after they appeared, or playing the decisive role in breaking one demon art after another.

None of it seemed to have had much to do with them.

It could be said that the complete slaughter of the demons had all been that boy's achievement alone!

The two of them had been like companions accompanying Li Xuanxiao on a stroll, only to watch him settle everything himself.

Not only had they failed to help him, they had nearly become burdens dragging him down.

With that thought, shame appeared on their faces. "Hall Master, you overpraise us. Our smooth return this time was not the merit of the two of us."

The Patrol Hall Master smiled. "You two are being too modest. I know that Li Xuanxiao must have played an important role in breaking the demon arts."

"But the two of you also contributed greatly to slaying demons and exterminating fiends!"

At those words, Shen Tianyou and Lian Meini became even more ashamed.

"No. Every demon this time was slain by Li Xuanxiao. The two of us were trapped by their demon arts and were barely of any help."

The Patrol Hall Master unconsciously widened his eyes, unable to remain composed. "You mean Li Xuanxiao took out four Profound Realm Late Stage demons by himself?"

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

"He is only at the Profound Realm First Layer. No matter how outrageous he is, he could not possibly slay four Profound Realm Late Stage demons!"

Shen Tianyou and Lian Meini exchanged a glance. "There were indeed not four demons."

The Patrol Hall Master wore an expression of I knew it. "That's what I said. He couldn't possibly..."

"He killed eight!"

What!?

The Patrol Hall Master's unfinished words caught in his throat, and he could no longer say another word.

Four Profound Realm Late Stage demons had been what that surviving patrol envoy personally told him.

Who would have thought there would be another twist?

His expression grew solemn. Eight! A full eight Profound Realm Late Stage demons!

The number had doubled!

Had he known earlier, he definitely would not have sent only so few people to slay the demons.

At the very least, he would have dispatched three more Profound Realm Late Stage warriors!

A lingering fear rose in his heart, along with some relief—but more than anything, shock!

Eight Profound Realm Late Stage demons had actually all been slain!

And by Li Xuanxiao!?

Was this boy some kind of monster?

Crossing realms to kill the Profound Realm Third Layer Mukade Demon while at the Profound Realm First Layer had already been shocking enough!

And now they were telling him that Li Xuanxiao had slain eight Profound Realm Late Stage demons alone?

The Patrol Hall Master examined Li Xuanxiao from head to toe, feeling that this boy had suddenly become so unfamiliar.

Li Xuanxiao felt a little awkward. This sort of praise to his face made him uncomfortable all over. He only wanted to get it over with, collect his reward, and make a run for it.

"You two give me too much credit. How could slaying eight Profound Realm demons possibly have been my achievement alone?"

"You both contributed greatly as well. For example..."

The two immediately pricked up their ears. Both wanted to hear something that demonstrated their value.

That way, they could accept their rewards with a clearer conscience.

Li Xuanxiao carefully considered his wording. "For example... you helped me draw the demons' firepower!"

Meaning, they had been ganged up on by the demons, leaving the demons with no time to bother with Li Xuanxiao...

"You gave me the opportunity to try out new martial arts!"

Meaning, they had been bound by demon arts, forcing Li Xuanxiao to use his ultimate move...

The two flushed red to their ears. Was this brat praising them or insulting them?

After Li Xuanxiao finished, he secretly sighed in relief, marveling inwardly at the profound breadth and depth of Chinese culture.

Put that way, the two of them really did seem to have played a major role.

The Patrol Hall Master swept his gaze over them in surprise, but could not be bothered to dwell on it any longer.

The mission was complete, and they had not even lost a hair.

Could there be any better outcome?

Now that the demon scourge had been eliminated, it was time to give the patrol envoys below a dose of reassurance.

"I will not pry too deeply into the various details. Completing the mission without a scratch is the best possible outcome!"

The Patrol Hall Master took out two jade plaques and handed them to Shen Tianyou and Lian Meini.

"These are your rewards: 100 Contribution Points."

The two accepted them with guilty expressions. "Thank you, Hall Master!"

"We will take our leave now."

The Patrol Hall Master nodded. "Go. Give my regards to Deputy General Yang."

The two respectfully acknowledged the order and immediately withdrew from the hall.

Li Xuanxiao raised a brow. Their rewards had been handed out, so where was his?

The Patrol Hall Master seemed to be seeing Li Xuanxiao for the first time, his gaze constantly sweeping over him.

The smile on his face grew broader, even the wrinkles on his forehead smoothing out.

Li Xuanxiao felt his scalp prickle under that stare. What was this old fellow up to? Hurry up and hand over the reward!

"Li Xuanxiao, Li Xuanxiao. How did I not realize before that you were this capable!"

"Those were eight Profound Realm Late Stage demons!"

"And they even possessed such bizarre demon arts!"

"You actually managed to slay every last one of them by your own strength?"

"Tell me honestly, what realm are you at now?"

Li Xuanxiao let out a soft sigh. "Reporting to Hall Master, I am... at the Profound Realm Peak."

Hiss—

A sharp intake of breath sounded, and the Patrol Hall Master immediately rose to his feet.

"Good! Very good! Every generation brings forth new talents, and heroes rise from the young!"

"With your talent, not just in Pei Province—even in the Great Yu Dynasty, you are one of a kind!"

"Given time, you will surely become a razor-sharp blade for our human race in its battle against demons!"

"Heaven has blessed Great Yu with a figure like you!"

"No wonder you asked me about matters beyond the Profound Realm before. You had already reached the Profound Realm Peak."

"The resources you want, I will do everything in my power to obtain them for you!"

"Including cultivation techniques and martial arts of the Mystic Realm!"

Really!?

Li Xuanxiao's heart leaped with joy. There could not have been better news than this.

If he had to slowly slay demons and exterminate fiends himself, accumulating Demon Points for deductions of Mystic Realm cultivation techniques and martial arts, it would take a very, very long time. The sooner he obtained them, the sooner he could improve his strength.

"But I also have a request..."

Li Xuanxiao's smile faded slightly.

As expected, everything had its price. How could pies possibly fall from the sky?

"I hope you will no longer put yourself in danger. It would be best if you remained within the Demon Slayer Division."

"I will report the information regarding you to the Commander-in-Chief."

"If all goes smoothly, you will no longer need to worry about cultivation resources from now on."

"The Demon Slayer Division will provide you with everything. What do you think?"

Li Xuanxiao shook his head. "I don't think so."

He knew best what he was truly worth.

What terrifying talent was there? He relied entirely on spending Demon Points!

If he truly remained in the Demon Slayer Division without Demon Points, his greatest advantage would be gone.

Both his cultivation techniques and martial arts would immediately grind to a halt.

That would not do!

He had to go out and slay demons and exterminate fiends!

The New Demon Emperor was about to descend upon Pei Province. The most direct consequence of its appearance would be the destruction of the balance between human warriors and demons.

It would inevitably stir up a storm of blood and carnage throughout Pei Province!

The turmoil caused by that shattered balance would continue for quite some time.

Until humans and demons found a new balance once more.

And during that time, who knew what might happen.

Besides, who could say with certainty that only one New Demon Emperor would emerge?

Demons were already powerful, yet they had suddenly become much more low-key in recent years. They must be plotting something else.

Li Xuanxiao had to obtain Demon Points with all his strength and improve himself to face the unpredictable future.