52: The second recruitment of the Demon Suppression Division

“*Cough… cough, cough, cough…*” Xia Ruofeng suddenly coughed violently, a heavy taste of blood welling up in his throat. He forcefully suppressed his churning qi and blood, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Xiao Zhuo. His hoarse voice was particularly grating on the anxious battlefield: “Young friend, what you just displayed… could it be the legendary… Domain?!”

As the word “Domain” left his lips, the air seemed to solidify!

Three gazes, sharp as solid steel needles, instantly pierced Xiao Zhuo’s face!

Fa Ning’s purple-gold Daoist robe was still stained with undried demon blood, and Zeng Jie’s charred right arm was still oozing blood beads. The aura around the three of them flickered like candles in the wind—the Bull Demon King’s desperate counterattack before his death had clearly left severe internal injuries in their bodies.

Weapon Concepts (Saber Intent, Spear Intent), they were not unfamiliar with.

Both Xia Ruofeng and Zeng Jie had already entered this realm themselves.

However, a “Domain”… that was an entirely different level of power!

It was a legend that even Divine Sea Realm powerhouses like them could only gaze at from afar, unable to even touch its threshold!

Now, this young man in the Gui Zhen Realm, who appeared to be so young, had seemingly grasped the power of a Domain, and used it to slay the Bull Demon King, whom even they couldn’t completely kill!

How could this not leave them utterly astonished and deeply shaken?

As for Xiao Zhuo’s actions of collecting the Bull Demon’s flesh and yuan dan?

In the face of the shocking discovery of a “Domain,” it had long become insignificant, completely cast aside by the three.

“Uh… is this Senior referring to this?” Xiao Zhuo felt a slight calm in his heart, seeing that the three didn’t mind his “picking up scraps” but instead focused on the Domain.

With a thought, a translucent light screen of his Domain silently spread over the scorched earth beneath his feet, instantly enveloping an area of ten zhang.

Ohm—!

Countless needle-thin Saber Qi materialized within the light screen, moving at high speed through the air as if alive, emitting a dense, buzzing sound that made one’s scalp tingle!

It was none other than Xiao Zhuo’s Tiangang Saber Domain!

The moment the light screen unfurled, the pupils of Xia Ruofeng and the other two constricted, and they instinctively tensed their bodies!

Only after realizing Xiao Zhuo had no ill intent did their guard slightly relax.

The three of them closed their eyes in unison, immersing their entire minds into this peculiar Domain space, greedily perceiving every subtle change within it.

A moment later, Zeng Jie suddenly opened his bloodshot tiger eyes!

He endured the severe pain in his right arm, his left hand pressing firmly on the token at his waist, which represented the authority of the Demon Suppression Division. His dark-red cloak flapped in the absence of wind, rustling: “Power suppression… at least thirty percent! And… no, that’s not right!”

His nostrils flared rapidly, as if trying to capture invisible traces in the air. Then he closed his eyes again and concentrated, “This isn’t a complete Domain! It’s… a prototype (proto-Domain)!”

“Good! Good! Good! A Gui Zhen Realm cultivator… actually able to condense a proto-Domain…” Xia Ruofeng extended his uninjured finger, carefully brushing it over the invisible light screen.

His fingertip skin instantly stung, and tiny blood beads quietly seeped out.

Not only was he not angry, but he instead laughed uproariously, his laughter filled with an unbelievable ecstasy and excitement!

This laughter pulled at the terrifying injuries on his chest, and dark-red bloodstains rapidly spread across his luxurious brocade robe.

Xiao Zhuo withdrew his Tiangang Saber Domain at the opportune moment and respectfully cupped his fists towards the three Seniors, whose auras were weak but whose eyes were burning: “The three Seniors flatter me! This junior merely stumbled upon a few Opportunities. If not for the three Seniors risking life and limb to heavily injure this demon to the brink of death, this junior, even with this meager Saber Domain, would never have been able to succeed so easily.” He adopted an extremely humble posture, attributing all the credit to the three.

“Hahahaha!! Young friend, you are too modest!” Fa Ning had by now forcefully suppressed the churning backlash in his body, a faint, unnatural flush appearing on his face, but his smile was very gentle, “May I know Young friend’s esteemed name? And from what Sect do you hail? This old man is Fa Ning, the Family Head of the Fa family in Yongning City. This is Lord Zeng Jie, the Pacification Envoy of Jing Prefecture’s Demon Suppression Division. And this is Xia Ruofeng, the City Lord of Yongning City.”

“This junior is Xiao Zhuo, a Disciple of the Yuyang Sect! Greetings, Senior Fa, Senior Zeng, and City Lord Xia!” Xiao Zhuo cupped his fists again, frankly stating his Sect and name.

“Yuyang Sect?” Xia Ruofeng’s sword-like brows slightly raised, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, “Your Sect’s mountain gate is several thousands of li from Yongning City. How is it that Young Master Xiao has come alone to this dangerous place?”

Xiao Zhuo’s face showed a bitter smile as he said in a deep voice: “To be honest, my Yuyang Sect is currently facing a great calamity! This junior was precisely ordered by my Sect to come to Jing Prefecture City to seek aid from His Highness the Prince. It’s just… His Highness’s definitive reply has not yet been given. This junior’s heart is burning with anxiety, and feeling the crisis of the Human Race, I accepted a Demon Suppression Division task, hoping to contribute a small effort.”

“Young friend… noble!” Zeng Jie’s eyes burst with intense admiration, his voice even rising slightly due to excitement, “If the Human Race had more young heroes like Young friend, why would we worry about the destruction of demons! May I ask Young friend… if you would be interested in joining my Demon Suppression Division?”

His gaze was burning, full of the intention to recruit.

Xiao Zhuo was slightly startled upon hearing this.

This was the second time someone had extended an olive branch from the Demon Suppression Division to him.

Thoughts raced through his mind, but on his face, he displayed a perfectly appropriate hint of hesitation.

“Young friend, there’s no need to overthink!” Seeing this, Zeng Jie immediately suppressed the severe pain of his Meridians being severed in his right arm and eagerly added, “What this envoy means is to invite Young friend to serve as a ‘Guest Elder’ of my Demon Suppression Division! This position is extraordinary, with status second only to a Pacification Envoy! With meritorious service, you can exchange for all Cultivation Techniques, Medicinal Pills, divine weapons, and other resources within the Division! Furthermore, you will have great autonomy, able to choose whether or not to accept tasks, and free to come and go! The only drawback… is that there is no fixed salary; your salary will be calculated annually based on your contributions.”

He spoke very quickly, afraid Xiao Zhuo would refuse. This excitement tugged at his injuries again, making him wince and suck in a cold breath.

Xiao Zhuo’s heart suddenly became clear! These conditions were practically tailor-made for him!

Slaying demons was already his core objective. Now, not only could he gain benefits from the demons themselves (Attribute Points, Materials), but he could also accumulate additional meritorious service to exchange for needed resources! Unrestrained and maximizing his benefits!

How could he refuse such a good offer?

He immediately stopped hesitating and cupped his fists, saying: “Thank you, Senior Zeng, for such kindness! This position of Guest Elder is indeed something this junior yearns for, and I am willing to serve the Demon Suppression Division!”

“Hahahaha! Good! Very good!” Seeing Xiao Zhuo agree, Zeng Jie immediately disregarded his pain and burst into hearty laughter, appearing immensely pleased, “Excellent! Once this envoy’s right arm… sigh, my Meridians are completely destroyed, only the ‘Continuity Profound Pill’ from Jing Prefecture City can fix it! It just so happens I need to return to the main Division to report and collect the Medicinal Pill. Would Young friend be willing to accompany me?”

“It would be this junior’s honor to accompany Senior Zeng, I couldn’t ask for more.” Xiao Zhuo smiled and agreed.

“Young friend,” Xia Ruofeng suddenly spoke again, his tone carrying a hint of gravity, “This old man saw you lead away that Mo Tian earlier… I wonder, where is that Devil Head now?”

He had clearly been distracted during the fierce battle and noticed Xiao Zhuo leading away Mo Tian, but at the time, he was too preoccupied to help. Recalling it now, he still harbored worries.

“Mo Tian?” Xiao Zhuo pondered for a moment, then understood what Xia Ruofeng was referring to, “Senior, are you speaking of that enormous demon ape wielding a giant lava club?”

“Precisely that fiend!” Xia Ruofeng’s expression was solemn.

“Senior, rest assured,” Xiao Zhuo smiled faintly, and with a flip of his right hand, a hideous giant club, pitch black and covered in lava-like dark-red patterns, appeared out of thin air in his hand. The club body subtly exuded a scorching and ferocious aura, “It will never appear again.”

“Sky-Shattering Club?!” Xia Ruofeng’s face changed several times upon seeing the club, finally settling into extreme shock and ecstasy, “You… you actually slew Mo Tian?!”

“Just a fluke.” Xiao Zhuo’s tone was calm, not denying the result, but also having no intention of elaborating on the process.

How he slew the Peak Middle Stage King level Mo Tian was his greatest trump card, and naturally, he couldn’t reveal everything.

However, these simple four words and the Sky-Shattering Club, when they fell into the ears of the three, were no less than a thunderclap from a clear sky!

If slaying the dying Bull Demon King demonstrated prodigious talent and the ability to seize Opportunity, then single-handedly slaying Mo Tian, who was in his prime and possibly even stronger than the Bull Demon King in his normal state… this simply overturned all known understanding in the Yuan Realm throughout history!

A Gui Zhen Realm cultivator defying a King level opponent, and a strong one at that? What kind of world-shaking, Heaven-Defying act was this?!

The three looked at Xiao Zhuo, their gazes instantly becoming incredibly complex, reverence and awe practically overflowing!

They still didn’t know that Mo Tian was at the Peak Middle Stage of the King level, and several points stronger than the Bull Demon King; otherwise, their eyeballs might have popped out in shock.

Xiao Zhuo’s four tasks were all completed.

Yongning City, having suffered such heavy losses, was in ruins awaiting reconstruction.

Xia Ruofeng merely used his true essence to forcibly reattach his several fractured bones in his right arm, and took a few Medicinal Pills to stabilize his injuries, then rushed back to the City Lord’s mansion to preside over the overall situation.

Fa Ning also left shortly after.

The demise of Mo Tian and the Bull Demon King, these two strongest demons, convinced the three that, given the cunning nature of demons, they would certainly not dare to easily attack the city again in the short term, before they could ascertain Yongning City’s true strength.

An hour later, Zeng Jie barely finished his meditation and suppressed his injuries.

He and Xiao Zhuo no longer delayed, transforming into two streaks of light and speeding towards Jing Prefecture City.

Zeng Jie’s right arm Meridians were completely destroyed, preventing true essence from flowing through and nourishing them. Without a rare Medicinal Pill like the “Continuity Profound Pill” to reattach the severed Meridians, this arm would likely be crippled.

Though Divine Sea Realm cultivators were strong, they ultimately couldn’t compare to the nearly immortal vitality of demons.

Along the way, Xiao Zhuo took the Opportunity to ask Zeng Jie many questions about Medicinal Pills, especially those for healing and aiding Cultivation.

The two also exchanged many insights on martial Dao Cultivation.

Zeng Jie was experienced and had unique insights, while Xiao Zhuo was quick-witted and often had novel ideas. After their conversation, both felt greatly enlightened.

As the sun set, painting the sky red, the two streaks of light finally flew above the magnificent Jing Prefecture City.

After agreeing to meet at the main headquarters of the Demon Suppression Division the next morning, the two parted ways in the air.

Xiao Zhuo flew directly to the Prince’s manor.

As he landed on the wide bluestone plaza in front of the manor gate, he saw Yao Zhuo, the chief butler of the manor, beaming with smiles and diligently seeing off a guest.

The guest seemed to be a woman. Xiao Zhuo only managed to glimpse an extremely solemn and luxurious carriage, its gilded curtains slowly falling, obscuring the view inside the carriage.

“Young Miss Yu, take care! Please be sure to convey the Prince’s greetings to your Old Ancestor.” Yao Zhuo’s voice was warmer than Xiao Zhuo had ever heard, his smile so bright it was almost Fa Ning.

“Butler Yao, please don’t see me off. The Prince’s intentions will certainly be conveyed.” A clear, cold female voice, like an icy spring, came from within the carriage, betraying no emotional fluctuations.

The coachman lightly flicked his whip, and four exceptionally spirited horses, faintly exuding a demonic aura, began to trot, pulling the carriage smoothly and swiftly away.

At this moment, Yao Zhuo also saw Xiao Zhuo standing by. The brilliant smile on his face quickly subsided a few points, replaced by a more professional, gentle smile: “Young Master Xiao has returned? I heard Young Master took on a Demon Suppression Division task and went out. Was the trip smooth?”

“Thanks to Butler Yao’s good fortune, it was quite smooth. All tasks have been completed. I’ll go to the Demon Suppression Division tomorrow to finalize them.” Xiao Zhuo also replied with a smile, his gaze seemingly inadvertently sweeping in the direction the carriage had departed, “May I ask who that distinguished guest just now was…?”

“Oh,” Yao Zhuo’s lips still held that meaningful smile, but he didn’t conceal it, “That was a noble lady from the Yu family in Jing Prefecture. Young Master, being far away in the Yuyang Sect, probably hasn’t heard of them. This Yu family is a top-tier aristocratic clan with a Myriad Manifestations Realm Old Ancestor overseeing it! It’s just… this Young Miss of the Yu family’s conduct is quite different from that of ordinary aristocratic noble ladies.”

He hinted at it but didn’t elaborate.

Xiao Zhuo understood, smiled slightly, and didn’t press further about this mysterious Young Miss Yu.

He changed the subject, asking about the matter he was most concerned about: “Butler Yao, is there any news from the Prince regarding my Yuyang Sect’s request for aid…?”

Yao Zhuo said seriously: “That Old Ancestor from the Sword Pavilion is still at the manor, conversing with the Prince, and has not yet left. I imagine… the Prince will certainly give Young Master a clear answer as soon as possible!”

“Thank you for your trouble, Butler Yao, many thanks!” Xiao Zhuo felt a little settled after getting this answer and cupped his fists in gratitude.

He did not immediately enter the Prince’s manor but turned and headed in another direction—towards Ten Thousand Medicine Pavilion!

Since the Sword Pavilion Old Ancestor was still at the manor, the Prince’s reply would likely come in the next day or two.

He had to seize the time to monetize his greatest gains from the Yongning battle—the mountain of high-grade demon flesh and blood, especially the two precious King level yuan dan—as quickly as possible!

All major pharmacies and markets always bought such demon Materials, imbued with vast qi and blood and energy, at high prices.

It was a rare Opportunity to be in a resource-rich place like Jing Prefecture City; how could he miss this excellent chance?

He needed to exchange them for enough qi and blood pills, and even other rare resources, to be fully prepared for the possibly impending great battle and his own Breakthrough!