'Bounty Mission: Demonic Cultivators' 'Mission Content: The Zhou Family of Qinghe County is suspected of colluding with the Demonic Path. Investigate the truth and determine whether the Zhou Family practices demonic cultivation.' 'Mission Reward: 10,000 contribution points.'
After accepting the bounty mission, Jiang Li immediately chose to set out.
Aboard the large Spirit Boat.
The three of them huddled together, examining the intelligence gathered by the Law Enforcement Hall.
What Jiang Li cared about was the Zhou Family's overall strength.
Because the third Option Mission required him to wipe out Zhou Yang's entire network of connections, rather than simply investigate the evidence. This meant he would have to confront a cultivation family head-on. If its roots ran too deep, he would have to consider fighting by detour.
"The Zhou Family ancestor broke through to Foundation Establishment five years ago. Even if he cultivates demonic arts, his cultivation should not exceed the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. We can take him."
Jiang Li thought to himself.
As long as there was no combat power above the Golden Core Realm, he was confident.
What Li Xi cared about, meanwhile, was the strength of the Cloudmist Dynasty.
"How strange. The Cloudmist Dynasty commands the lands of the Nine Provinces, and the Demon Suppression Division governs cultivators throughout the realm. Every county seat has a Vanguard General at the Foundation Establishment Realm or above stationed there. Above the county seats are Golden Core Realm commanding generals and Nascent Soul Realm grand generals. Since this Zhou Family cultivates demonic arts, there should be no way not even the slightest clue could be found."
Murong Qing took over. "Because the Cloudmist Dynasty's ancestor failed his breakthrough to Spirit Transformation and perished. The other two dynasties swarmed forth to attack, forcing all cultivators above the Golden Core Realm to go provide support. The strongest forces remaining in the various county seats are only at the Foundation Establishment Realm."
Jiang Li fell into thought.
Although he was an undercover agent, he had only traveled back and forth between the Ten Thousand Demons Sect and the Heavenly Mystery Holy Land. He did not know much about the overall situation in the Cultivation World.
From Murong Qing and Li Xi's conversation, Jiang Li formed a picture of the Cloudmist Dynasty's overall territory.
The Cloudmist Dynasty commanded the lands of the Nine Provinces and controlled sixty-four county seats in total. Qinghe County was one of the twelve county seats under Li Province.
The highest combat power was only Foundation Establishment.
Then wouldn't he be slaughtering them with ease... Jiang Li felt much more at peace.
Though he possessed only Qi Refining stage cultivation, his body-refining arts rivaled a Body Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. He also cultivated brilliant golden Mana, along with the Dragon Slaying Sword at the major mastery stage.
In terms of overall strength, he absolutely did not fear cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.
Add to that a bug that could infinitely stack Mana, and as long as he had enough time, he could handle anyone below the Golden Core Realm.
What Murong Qing cared about was Qinghe County's situation.
"The Zhou Family practices demonic arts and has also grasped a channel for Incense and Fire Prayer Power. This means Qinghe County's situation has already spiraled out of control. The Demon Suppression Division can no longer suppress these cultivation families. If we move against the Zhou Family, Qinghe County will very likely react."
As Jiang Li listened, his body-refining cultivation art emerged again.
Ding. The cultivation art "Emperor's World-Shocking Art" furiously cursed these treacherous ministers and rebels. Wherever the sun and moon shine belongs to My territory; no one shall be permitted to encroach upon it. The Incense and Fire Prayer Power is all Mine as well.
The cultivation art "Emperor's World-Shocking Art" wants to beat the Zhou Family to ruin and regather the incense and fire. Would you like to place it under automatic control?
Jiang Li: ...
No.
Why were you so filled with righteous indignation?
This seemed to be Cloudmist Dynasty territory, didn't it? When had it become yours?
You were a treacherous minister and rebel too, damn it.
And even more ruthless.
Others merely occupied one county, but you wanted to directly steal someone else's empire.
So who exactly was being more excessive?
Jiang Li could not help but complain inwardly.
However, there was one thing the cultivation art "Emperor's World-Shocking Art" had not gotten wrong. If he beat the Zhou Family to ruin, he could collect the Incense and Fire Prayer Power of all Qinghe County, use it to condense Imperial Dynasty Dragon Qi, and aid the cultivation of his body-refining arts.
This Zhou Family was truly made up of good people.
They had simultaneously triggered the switches of the "Profound Yellow Heart Refining Art" and the "Emperor's World-Shocking Art."
One mission, double the provisions.
"It doesn't matter. Compared to us, the Demon Suppression Division surely wants even more to see the Zhou Family destroyed."
Three days later.
Li Province—Qinghe County.
After landing, the three of them headed straight for the Demon Suppression Division's office.
Before they even approached, they heard cries of grievance.
A disheveled young woman knelt on the ground, holding a child not yet three years old in her arms. With one hand, she beat the grievance drum outside the Demon Suppression Division's office.
"I beg the lords of the Demon Suppression Division to seek justice for this humble woman! The Zhou Family has lost all conscience and murdered my husband. Now they even want to snatch away my child. They are not human!"
The woman's shrill voice stirred no small commotion.
The surrounding citizens stopped to watch.
However...
Upon hearing the name "Zhou Family," the citizens scattered like startled birds.
Not a single person dared remain to watch the spectacle.
Even the boldest among them only dared hide far away, turning half their heads to peek.
The gates of the Demon Suppression Division's office opened.
A young captain emerged, a saber hanging at his waist. He wore a Fish-Dragon Uniform and was only around thirty years old, yet his cultivation had already reached the late Qi Refining stage.
The young captain helped the woman up and was just about to speak when three figures emerged onto the street.
The young master at their head wore splendid brocade robes and held a folding fan before him. His Qi Refining Level 6 cultivation was openly displayed. Behind him followed two lackeys, fawning at his heels and barking orders, imposing in their swagger.
"You stinking whore, you've come here to make a spectacle of yourself? Get back with us now! If not for Young Master Zhou's mercy, how could you and your little bastard have lived until today?"
One of the shifty-eyed lackeys stepped forward and cursed.
He reached out to tug at the child in the woman's arms.
The woman's face twisted savagely. Without a second thought, she opened her mouth and bit down.
"Bitch!"
The lackey flew into a rage and raised his hand to strike her.
The young captain stopped the vile act and shouted, "What do you think you're doing? In broad daylight, right in front of me, a captain of the Demon Suppression Division, you dare lay hands on her?"
The young master stepped forward, his smile not reaching his eyes. "Captain, this is the Zhou Family's private matter. That lowly maid is my lackey's newly married wife, but she has some mental problems. We will take her away now and won't disturb the Demon Suppression Division in carrying out its duties."
"No, don't! Captain, the Zhou Family eats people! Several families' children have disappeared one after another around here. They were all taken to the Zhou Family. They are all dead!"
The young woman screamed.
She fell to her knees and sprawled on the ground.
Clutching the child in her arms with all her might.
"Take her away."
The young master lost his patience, a vicious expression surfacing on his face.
The two lackeys desperately seized the woman. No matter how she struggled, it was useless.
The young captain's eyes reddened. "Zhou Yi, does your Zhou Family truly think there is no one left in the Demon Suppression Division?"
The young master, Zhou Yi, darkened his face. "What is Captain talking about? This truly is a private matter of my Zhou Family. Even the Demon Suppression Division has no right to interfere. If not for my Zhou Family, Qinghe County would have descended into chaos long ago. So don't meddle in what does not concern you. Take her away."
"No, no!"
The woman cried out desperately.
The two lackeys laughed wildly.
The young master paused to admire the sight, his expression cruel and unruly.
The young captain's eyes were about to split with rage. His hand gripped the saber hilt tightly, so hard that half the silver-white blade had already slid from its sheath.
Farther away, the citizens were more saddened than dead at heart. One after another, they lowered their heads, unable to bear watching any longer.
Jiang Li watched silently.
His eyes were as still as an ancient well.
In the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, he had seen things far more miserable than this.
He could still accept this much.
But...
The cultivation art could not endure it.
Ding. The cultivation art "Emperor's World-Shocking Art" listened to the prayers of the myriad people. Their prayers ultimately converged into one command—kill every member of the Zhou Family. The Emperor's Heart has begun responding to this call. Dragon Qi condensation speed has increased. Would you like to place it under automatic control?
"Place it under automatic control."
Jiang Li answered silently in his heart.
This was not the Heavenly Mystery Holy Land, but distant Qinghe County. No one here knew him, much less knew his Undercover Identity.
In other words.
No matter how much of a commotion he caused, it did not matter.
The next instant.
The cultivation art "Emperor's World-Shocking Art" took control of his body.
He walked straight out.
He strode like a dragon and paced like a tiger, majesty draped over him as though an emperor were inspecting his own territory.
Zhou Yi noticed Jiang Li's arrival.
But he did not pay much attention to him.
He had seen plenty of idealistic men.
Yet beneath the Zhou Family's prestige, those idealistic men would kneel at the Zhou Family's gates within half a day and beg for his forgiveness.
However...
Jiang Li did not say a single word.
Without any superfluous movement, he kicked out.
"Die!"
Not a trace of warmth lay in his voice.
Nor did he hold back any strength. At the peak of his power, he unleashed a kick filled with towering fury.
Bang!
A thunderous boom rang out.
Zhou Yi was kicked flying whole.
He smashed through more than a dozen shops.
His breastbone shattered into fragments. Blood seeped from all over his body, his limbs hung limp, and his head drooped to one side.
The light in his eyes was gone as well, completely dimmed.
Like a dead dog, he lay sprawled on the streets of Qinghe County.
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