The Seven Demons of She Mountain

Two days later, the four arrived in Qingzhou City.

Passing through the city gate and walking along the familiar streets, we soon arrived at the gate of the Demon Suppression Division and headed straight for the Demon-Slaying Battalion.

Zhou Zheng walked at the front, pushed open the courtyard gate, and walked across the Bluestone path, pausing slightly in his steps.

Something's not right.

At this hour, the Demon Suppression Division's courtyard should be bustling with people.

But at this moment, the huge courtyard was unusually quiet.

Yan Tieyi frowned.

Where did everyone go?

Meng Jiu looked around, his gaze landing on the row of empty weapon racks at the end of the Martial Arts Arena and the Martial Arts Arena.

"Everyone in the camp has left." Yan Tieyi clicked his tongue. "This doesn't seem like the commotion of just one or two Deputy General going out."

"Go ask Lord Li."

Meng Jiu's gaze fell on the main hall.

The four entered the main hall.

Li Hanguang looked up from behind the pile of documents on his desk, a faint smile appearing in his eyes.

"You're back?"

"Yes." Yan Tieyi stepped forward, glancing at Yang Xiao almost imperceptibly. "The Mystic Bone Sect mission has been successfully completed."

Just as he was about to take his leave, Li Hanguang called him back.

"Etc."

He stood up, walked over to the group, and looked serious.

"You've just gotten back, and we should let you rest, but there's something I need to tell you."

"Something has happened in Azure Mist City."

"According to our scouts, the Seven Demons of She Mountain have been unusually gathering in Azure Mist City recently, seemingly plotting something; their movements are quite strange."

"The Seven Demons of She Mountain?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Tieyi's face darkened. "Are they those seven Great Demons at the Aperture-Opening Realm?"

"Exactly." Li Hanguang nodded, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

"Why would the Seven Demons suddenly unite?" Meng Jiu frowned.

"The Demon-Slaying Battalion has fought against the Seven Demons of She Mountain many times before, but each time they would hide deep in She Mountain, making it impossible to pursue them."

"I don't know either," Li Hanguang shook his head.

"The scouts only reported that the Seven Demons had joined forces to attack the city. As for the reason, it's still under investigation. But one thing is certain: White Ape Lord leader of the seven Seven Demons, the White Ape, has apparently broken through to the Mysterious Core Realm."

Mysterious Core Realm!

Zhou Zheng and the other two exchanged glances, their expressions changing.

Li Hanguang withdrew his hand and turned to look at the four people.

"After the news came back, the Deputy General in the camp who had no work to do had already gone there first."

He glanced at the empty courtyard.

"As you can see, all the able-bodied fighters in the camp have left."

"You've just returned, and you should be allowed to rest, but the situation in Azure Mist City waits for no one. Do you want to catch up?"

After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent for a moment.

Yan Tieyi was the first to speak.

"I'll go." His voice was crisp and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

"I have already reached the peak of the Aperture-Penetration Realm, and I only need a few more minor cultivations to exchange for the Core Condensation Method. The Seven Demons of She Mountain are all Aperture-Opening Realm, with abundant Merit. It would be a pity to miss such an opportunity."

Meng Jiu followed closely behind, smiled, and said, "I'll go too."

He shrugged, his tone relaxed, "I'm good at finding Demon Traces. Once we get to Azure Mist City, I'll find out where the Seven Demons are. I'll always find an opportunity to earn merit. Only a fool wouldn't take advantage of a chance to do so."

After they finished speaking, their eyes both fell on Zhou Zheng.

Zhou Zheng remained silent for a moment.

His cultivation level is at the early stage of the Aperture-Penetration Realm, which is not outstanding among the deputy generals of the Demon-Slaying Battalion Deputy General. The Seven Demons of She Mountain are all Aperture-Opening Realm, so he may not be able to gain much advantage.

But...

He recalled his days in the bureau. Day after day, he took on missions, killed minor demons, and accumulated Merit, but his cultivation level remained stagnant.

Instead of wasting time in the office, I might as well go out for a walk; maybe I can even exchange a few minor merits for some precious medicine.

"I'll go too." Zhou Zheng nodded. "Staying in the department won't raise your cultivation level on its own."

After the three finished expressing their opinions, their gazes finally fell on Yang Xiao.

Yang Xiao remained silent.

He was listening.

Seven Aperture-Opening Realm demons at the Enlightenment Realm joined forces, one of whom was at the Mysterious Core Realm.

This news might sound extremely dangerous to others, but to Yang Xiao, the first thing that came to his mind was not danger.

"Only seven heads?"

Li Hanguang was slightly taken aback, but then he understood what he meant.

"The Seven Demons of She Mountain are renowned demons within the Aperture-Opening Realm of Qingzhou. They have occupied She Mountain for decades, and naturally, they have a considerable number of vassal Demon following them."

He looked at Yang Xiao, his tone becoming more serious.

"There are at least a dozen or so vassals at the Aperture-Opening Realm, and even more at the Liquid Condensation Realm. Even if those powerful demons are difficult to deal with, there will always be some lone lesser demons. Even if you are a newcomer, you will still have a chance."

Yang Xiao sensed that Li Hanguang seemed to have misunderstood something, but he didn't pay much attention to it.

"Then I'll go too."

Zhou Zheng, who had known Yang Xiao for a long time, was the only one who understood Yang Xiao's subtext and was speechless for a moment.

"Then you should go back and prepare before setting off."

Li Hanguang said nothing more, then sat back down at his desk and picked up the case file.

"The other Deputy General have already set off, including several veterans at the peak of the Aperture-Opening Realm. If you arrive late, you'll miss out on the benefits."

The four took their leave and walked out of the main hall.

Yan Tieyi was walking at the front when he suddenly stopped, turned around and looked at Yang Xiao with a serious look in his eyes.

"Deputy General Yang."

"Huh?" Yang Xiao stopped and turned around in confusion.

"Regardless, Bear Mountain Lord died at your hands." Yan Tieyi grinned, revealing his white teeth. "It's just a pity I didn't witness it myself. When we get to Azure Mist City, let's see who kills more demons."

He patted Yang Xiao on the shoulder, quite forcefully.

Do you dare?

Yang Xiao looked at his provocative gaze and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"No problem."

"Then it's settled!" Yan Tieyi laughed heartily, turned around, and strode away.

Meng Jiu shook his head and smiled wryly, cupped his hands in farewell, nodded slightly to Yang Xiao, and left.

Only Zhou Zheng and Yang Xiao remained in the courtyard.

Zhou Zheng didn't rush to leave, but instead led Yang Xiao towards a Side Room.

"Wait a moment, I have something to give you."

A moment later, Zhou Zheng came out and handed over a jade bottle about half the size of a palm, its entire surface pure white.

"This is called Qi-Gathering Bottle."

Zhou Zheng handed the bottle to Yang Xiao.

"Each Deputy General in the Demon-Slaying Battalion is issued one upon joining the camp; I simply forgot to."

Yang Xiao took the bottle and examined it. The runes on the bottle shimmered with a faint luster, and it felt cool to the touch.

How do I use this?

"After killing the Demon, bring the Qi-Gathering Bottle close to the Demon's corpse, and the runes at the bottle's opening will automatically absorb the Demon's energy."

"After returning, submit your merits to the Merit Hall, where your Merit will be calculated based on your aura level."

"I will have Yan Tieyi and Meng Jiu witness your minor skill training at the Mystic Bone Sect this time, so that when you need to change your skill, the amount will definitely be correct."

Zhou Zheng paused, then added, "Another function of the Qi-Gathering Bottle is communication."

"Send a message?"

"Yes." Zhou Zheng took out his Qi-Gathering Bottle from his waist and injected a wisp of Spiritual Power into the bottle opening, causing the bottle to glow slightly.

"By channeling Spiritual Power into the bottle's opening, a short signal can be emitted. In case of emergency, crushing the bottle will transmit the signal to all the bottle-bearing Deputy General within a hundred miles."

"This feature is very useful, especially when dealing with situations like the Seven Demons of She Mountain. You can explore it on your own later."

This feature is indeed excellent. Yang Xiao carefully stored the Qi-Gathering Bottle on his waist.

"Thank you, Deputy General Zhou."