296: Old friends

Three days later.

A group of figures wrapped in black robes arrived at the capital city gate.

They varied in size, some nearly four meters tall, like walking Giants; others were as short as dwarves.

If one looked closely, they would find that beneath the black hoods were not human faces at all, but grotesque beast faces!

Yao Race!

But it was precisely such a group of Yao Race members who brazenly arrived before the city gate, yet the surrounding people seemed not to see them, walking directly past them.

It was as if they possessed some kind of treasure that rendered them invisible.

"Is this the capital of Great Zhou—the Demon Emperor City? It certainly looks more magnificent than our Demon Emperor City," the four-meter-tall Stone Giant said honestly and simply, looking at the grand city gate.

"Bah! Don't boost others' morale and diminish our own!" The Cat Demon Girl beside him spat, then turned to look at the figure at the very front, speaking respectfully, "Do you agree, Lord Hongye?"

The other Yao Race members also looked at the figure at the very front, clearly indicating that this demon was the leader of the Southern Demon Envoy this time.

If there were any elders who had participated in the Southern Demon War twenty years ago and heard the name 'Hongye,' their Souls would tremble uncontrollably with fear.

Hongye, the third-ranked among the Twelve Demon Kings, a top expert of the Late Stage of the Second Realm!

Under the hood, Hongye slowly raised his head. It was a face resembling a leopard; his true form was a Nine-Point Chrysanthemum Leopard two hundred zhang long.

He had once mercilessly slaughtered countless Human Race experts on the battlefield.

"Heh, it's nothing but a facade. Twenty years ago, our Yao Race once besieged the city; the capital city walls were also magnificent then, but what was inside was just so-so.

The people inside were all sallow and emaciated, unable to even eat their fill, unlike our Yao Race, each as strong as an ox!"

Hongye sneered, a hint of disdain in his eyes.

"But... but we still lost that battle back then..." a Goat Demon with glasses and a goat's face said despondently.

But as soon as he finished speaking, he was immediately met with murderous intent from his companions, as if they were saying: Don't bring up old wounds!

The Goat Demon immediately covered his mouth. He was good in every way, except for his habit of speaking the blunt truth.

Hongye sneered, "We came this time a month early, without notifying the Great Zhou imperial court. The main point is a surprise inspection.

Today, this King will show you how dilapidated this so-called most prosperous capital of the Human Race truly is!"

With that, he flicked his sleeve and strode towards the city gate.

The other Yao Race members followed him.

Upon entering the city gate.

The streets were bustling with traffic, and the shouts of hawkers rose and fell.

The central area was filled with tall buildings, and a dazzling array of shops made people dizzy.

People were busy with their respective duties, with happy smiles on their faces.

A scene of great prosperity.

All the demons were stunned.

"This... Lord Hongye, it's not what you said at all. This place is much more prosperous than Demon Emperor City.

The air is fresh, without the smell of excrement from random defecation in Demon Emperor City; the people here aren't sallow and emaciated either, I've already seen several big fat people; and those things look so delicious..."

The honest Goat Demon chattered on incessantly, every word he spoke harshly slapping Hongye's face.

Hongye's veins bulged on his forehead, "Shut up!!!"

"These are all just superficialities! How can a mere Great Zhou compare to our Demon Emperor City!"

"Strength is the Foundation of a nation. Look at this street; most are ordinary people with no power to fight, not a single expert. Unlike our Demon Emperor City, where at least the Nascent Soul Realm is the starting point!"

He pointed in the direction of the street and roared loudly.

The demons listened and found it somewhat reasonable, nodding in agreement.

"Excuse me, you're blocking the way. Can you move aside?"

At this moment, an untimely voice came from behind the demons.

It was a young man wrapped in a black cloak, with a large ruler on his back. His posture was straight, his face clear and handsome, and a sharp Qi emanated from his pupils.

The demons were slightly stunned. This person could actually see them?!

They had concealed their aura with a secret treasure; to outsiders, it was as if they were invisible, but this young man seemed completely unaffected by the secret treasure.

Hongye narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the young man before him, then his gaze suddenly sharpened: Early Stage Void Soul Realm!

Although Lingxiao had concealed his aura, with Hongye's strength, he could still discern his true Realm at a glance.

This person's bone age was definitely no more than half a cycle, yet he had reached the Early Stage Void Soul Realm! This was extremely rare, even in the history of the Southern Demon Kingdom!

"Could you please move aside?" Lingxiao frowned slightly, emphasizing again.

"Kid, do you know who is standing in front of you? This is..."

The Wolf Demon beside him, unable to stand Lingxiao's arrogant demeanor, was about to rebuke him, but Hongye reached out and stopped him.

"Don't act rashly. This is the capital after all. We are here for a surprise inspection this time; exposure would be meaningless," Hongye transmitted to the Wolf Demon.

Then he turned, made way for Lingxiao, and elegantly extended his hand, "Please."

Lingxiao walked past him, gazing deeply at the Southern Demon Envoy, neither servile nor overbearing.

After leaving the city gate.

Elder Yuan floated out from Lingxiao's ring.

"Kid, you were too reckless just now. The one leading them was a Great Demon of the Second Realm.

Even if you have now broken through to the Void Soul Realm, in front of such an expert, killing you would be but a thought."

He warned.

"I understand, Teacher." Lingxiao nodded slightly, then a look of determination appeared in his eyes, "But Brother Xiaobai said that on his territory, I can't be a coward. If the sky falls, he'll cover me!"

Elder Yuan: "..."

"Hehe, I knew Brother Xiaobai wasn't a bad person, and he even became the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, serving the country.

It's been so many years since we last met, I wonder how Brother Xiaobai is doing now? And I wonder if I can surprise him now?"

Lingxiao muttered to himself, a look of anticipation on his face.

These years, he had been looking for Su Xiaobai on one hand, and diligently improving himself on the other.

With Elder Yuan as his teacher guiding him, coupled with his excellent Heart-Nature and not shallow Opportunities, he finally broke through to the Void Soul Realm not long ago.

He had reached a level he once thought unattainable, becoming a powerful figure.

After hearing about Su Xiaobai's deeds, he immediately rushed to the capital without stopping.

Just thinking about seeing his longed-for Brother Xiaobai soon made him incredibly excited.

"Alas!" Elder Yuan sighed helplessly. He also knew that Lingxiao and Su Xiaobai had a deep bond, and it was this belief that helped him through several near-death situations.

He just hadn't expected that someone of Su Xiaobai's character could actually hold the position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard? The Emperor of Great Zhou must have a big Heart-Nature; he really isn't afraid of him causing chaos in the imperial court.

... ...

At this time, the Southern Demon Envoy began to delve deeper into the capital.

"That person was very strong. I want to fight him." The Lizard Demon bumped his fists together, a hint of Battle Intent in his eyes.

"Tch! He's just Early Stage Void Soul Realm. The weakest among us is also Void Soul Realm." The Cat Demon Girl said, unconvinced.

They had a total of eight Great Demons this time: three Void Soul Realm, four First Realm, and Hongye, the top Demon King of the Late Stage of the Second Realm.

"Eh~ This is wrong," the Goat Demon said earnestly, "Although that Human Race youth is only Early Stage Void Soul Realm, his Qi is extremely profound, and his Foundation is exceptionally solid.

Most importantly, he is less than thirty years old! With such terrifying Genius, if he doesn't die prematurely, he could even reach the Second Realm in the future!"

His words were like a basin of cold water poured over the hearts of the demons.

Because even these top Prodigies among the Yao Race, at Lingxiao's age, could only kneel before a Void Soul Realm Great Demon.

"Alright, the Human Race has been weak for hundreds of years. It's understandable that they got lucky and produced a Genius.

After we investigate the Human Race's hidden strength, we'll secretly eliminate him to prevent future trouble." Hongye said loudly.

"Yes!"

"We've been traveling for so long. There's a restaurant ahead; let's go in and get something to eat."

Then, Hongye led the demons, transforming into human forms, and entered a restaurant.

As soon as they entered the restaurant, a chilling coldness surged forth, making the demons shiver all over.

Even Hongye, who was in the Late Stage of the Second Realm, was no exception, though he didn't tremble as obviously as the other demons.

But strangely, the coldness was fleeting and did not cause them any harm, as if its owner had retracted it.

"Such bone-chilling coldness. I've never felt such cold before." The Snake Demon said with lingering fear.

The coldness just now had almost triggered its hibernation System, nearly making it fall asleep.

Hongye narrowed his eyes and looked towards a corner by the window.

There, a woman dressed in a blue and white palace dress sat. Her ice-blue long hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, and she wore a bamboo hat, dressed like a Jianghu person.

The chilling coldness just now had emanated from her...