136: Get away Baoyue River God

Wu Capital.

Demon Suppression Division.

Inside the majestic Demon Suppression Division, in a private study.

Outside the study, a thin young man knocked on the study door.

"Come in!"

A voice came from inside the study, and the young man pushed the door open and entered.

Inside the study, Hong Xuanji was sitting at the desk, looking at the memorial in front of him.

"My lord, there's an important situation."

The young man came before Hong Xuanji and bowed.

"Speak, what is the situation?" Hong Xuanji looked at the young man and said.

"My lord, the situation is this: in Mo Prefecture, Jing Prefecture, Jiang Prefecture... in these places, all the strongholds of the Three Demonic Sects have been cleared, and not only that, but all forces related to the Three Demonic Sects have also been cleared. Currently, it is still unknown who is responsible!"

As the young man reported the situation, Hong Xuanji's eyes flashed.

"This kid... moves so fast?"

Listening to the young man's report, Hong Xuanji was very surprised.

Analyzing the situation, he already knew who was responsible.

It must be Han Li.

However, Hong Xuanji hadn't expected him to act so quickly in just a few days.

The Demonic Sect strongholds and their subordinate forces in several prefectures were all swept clean.

Is this guy really not afraid of the Three Demonic Sects turning desperate and ganging up on him?

He completely ignored his reminder!

But then again, for Han Li to resolve it so quickly, his current strength must be extraordinary.

"Alright, I understand. You may leave." Hong Xuanji nodded.

The young man: "???"

That's... it?

My lord doesn't seem very surprised. Could it be that this was my lord's order?

But such a large movement would surely require a great deal of power to be deployed. Why had he not heard a single piece of news while in the Demon Suppression Division?

"My lord, you..."

"Don't ask too many questions about things you shouldn't know." Before the young man could finish speaking, Hong Xuanji interrupted.

"..."

"Yes, this subordinate takes his leave."

The young man cupped his hands in salute, then exited the study.

"Such a big commotion. It seems this guy isn't content." Hong Xuanji sighed.

"But why is this guy in such a hurry? Could it be some deep-seated hatred with the Demonic Sect?"

Thoughts flashed through Hong Xuanji's mind. After pondering for a moment, Hong Xuanji got up and left the study... A moment later, Wu Capital Imperial City.

Jade Emperor Hall, Hong Xuanji's figure appeared.

At the entrance, two eunuchs immediately saluted upon seeing him.

"Lord Hong."

"Is Your Majesty inside?" Hong Xuanji asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty is. Lord Hong, please enter." The eunuch nodded.

Hong Xuanji then stepped into the Jade Emperor Hall.

Inside the grand hall, a figure in a golden Dragon robe appeared in Hong Xuanji's sight.

It was none other than Emperor Jianwu.

"This subject greets Your Majesty."

Hong Xuanji bowed in salute.

Emperor Jianwu moved, taking a step that brought him before Hong Xuanji.

"Lord Hong, there's no need for such formalities."

"Your Majesty, this subject has come to report something." Hong Xuanji said.

"Sit down and speak." Emperor Jianwu gestured with his hand. Hong Xuanji nodded and then sat on a chair nearby.

"What is it?" Emperor Jianwu sat down and looked at Hong Xuanji.

Hong Xuanji: "Does Your Majesty still remember Han Li from the Nine Provinces Tournament?"

"Hmm?"

Emperor Jianwu looked at Hong Xuanji and nodded slightly: "This young man is a rare Genius. I still remember him."

"This person came to Wu Capital a few days ago and requested information regarding the Three Demonic Sects."

Hong Xuanji began.

"Oh?" Hearing this, Emperor Jianwu felt a slight surprise.

"Continue."

Hong Xuanji nodded and then said: "Just today, this subject just received intelligence that, except for You Prefecture, all the strongholds of the Three Demonic Sects in the other prefectures have been eradicated, along with all related forces, which have also been completely wiped out."

"Was this done by Han Li?" Emperor Jianwu asked.

Hong Xuanji nodded.

"It should be. He left Wu Capital a few days ago, so the timing matches. However, this subject did not expect his actions to be so swift."

"This is indeed an interesting young man."

Emperor Jianwu smiled.

Hong Xuanji looked at Emperor Jianwu and said: "Your Majesty, with his actions, the Eternal Sky Sect will likely not let it go. It shouldn't be long before there are major movements."

"This is bound to happen sooner or later. The plans of those few guys from the Eternal Sky Sect are almost complete, and they also have ties with the Tian Mo Sect. When that time comes, a great battle will be unavoidable."

Emperor Jianwu said.

Hong Xuanji frowned, looked at Emperor Jianwu, and said: "Your Majesty, the power of the Tian Mo Sect should not be underestimated. If they join forces with the Eternal Sky Sect, I fear there will be great trouble."

"This is not the Central Plains, and the Tian Mo Sect's reach cannot extend that far. It is only a portion of their power."

"Then it seems we need to be prepared." Hong Xuanji said.

"As long as the situation with the Twelve Sects is stable, this portion of power can also be utilized." Emperor Jianwu said.

Hong Xuanji frowned and said: "But Your Majesty, the Twelve Sects may not act easily."

"Don't worry about that. They will act." Emperor Jianwu said lightly.

"Where is this Han Li now?" Emperor Jianwu asked, looking at Hong Xuanji.

"Next, he might go to You Prefecture. The Three Demonic Sects have probably already been alerted. If he acts in You Prefecture, there's a high possibility he'll be targeted by those few guys from the Demonic Sect, which might cause some trouble."

Hong Xuanji said.

"You Prefecture... that place is indeed a bit troublesome." Emperor Jianwu nodded.

Hong Xuanji looked at Emperor Jianwu and said: "Your Majesty, this subject believes we can offer some assistance. This person's talent is exceptional. If nothing unexpected happens in the future, he will surely reach the God Realm. At that time, our Wu Dynasty will have another powerhouse, and this person's desire to slay Demonic Sect members is very strong. In the future, he should also be a very good assistant."

Emperor Jianwu nodded: "You are right. How about this, I will notify King Tian You to intervene at an appropriate time."

"Your Majesty is wise." Hong Xuanji nodded.

"Hmm, do you have anything else?" Emperor Jianwu asked, looking at Hong Xuanji.

"This subject has nothing else."

"Then accompany me for a walk to clear my mind." Emperor Jianwu said, and with that, he got up and walked out of the Jade Emperor Hall.

Hong Xuanji got up and followed behind Emperor Jianwu, heading out of the Jade Emperor Hall... You Prefecture, Tiannan Commandery.

Anchang County, on a hillside outside the city, a golden light descended from the sky, revealing a figure.

It was Han Li.

Looking at Anchang County city, Han Li let out a breath.

After days of frantic activity, he had annihilated ninety-nine percent of over a hundred strongholds.

The harvest was bountiful.

His own strength was also rapidly increasing.

In just a few days, with the help of the blood Qi from killing, Han Li's Dragon Elephant Overlord Body Art achieved an astonishing Breakthrough.

The Gleaming Overlord Body was completely Cultivated!

And the Dragon Elephant Primordial Embryo had also been Cultivated to one hundred.

Deep within his flesh and blood, one hundred Dragon Elephant Primordial Embryos emitted powerful vitality. The power of the Dragon Elephant circulated within his body, enough for his strength to easily shatter mountains and rivers.

Among them, the Dragon Elephant Divine Embryo had increased to thirty-five.

His power reached nearly six million jin.

Compared to when he left Wu Capital, his strength had almost doubled.

However, compared to the God Realm, the gap was still too great.

Six million jin of power was only one hundred and fifty thousand ding of power, and compared to a million ding, it hadn't even reached one-third.

And this was just the difference in power compared to the God Realm.

God Realm Supremes communicate with the power of heaven and earth, unleashing not just their own power.

The more one Cultivates, the clearer the gap becomes.

Below the God Realm, he was invincible, but above the God Realm, he still couldn't achieve a one-for-one exchange.

"With the commotion these past few days, the Three Demonic Sects in You Prefecture must know about it. If I act now, I'll likely be targeted by a God Realm Supreme..."

Looking at Anchang County city, a thought flashed through Han Li's mind.

"Too much is as bad as too little... Acting in You Prefecture at this time carries too much risk. I'll pass for now. After I go to the barbarian tribes and come back, the overall timing should be about right."

Han Li pondered for a moment. Finally, after comprehensive consideration, he temporarily halted his demon-slaying plan.

Wiping out the Demonic Sect strongholds in the other prefectures in one fell swoop, in reality, his demon-slaying plan was already very successful.

While the blood Qi from killing increased rapidly, no matter how fast, he still couldn't reach a level where he could contend with a God Realm expert.

He had that much self-awareness.

If he was too reckless, You Prefecture might become his burial ground.

The Demonic Sect members were not fools. If he acted now, he would surely fall into their trap. At that time, he would truly be beyond help.

Although the Kun Peng Transformation Art could reach a speed of over two hundred li per breath.

But Han Li couldn't gamble with his life. The Divine Ability of the God Realm was a completely different level from the Innate Realm.

Beneath the calm You Prefecture, the hidden storm was not small.

Temporarily stopping the plan and moving on to the next step, he had no need to take such a risk.

"Whoosh—!"

A golden light flashed, and Han Li's figure instantly vanished from his original spot... Five days later, on the peak of a desolate mountain in the Southern Continent, Han Li's figure appeared.

Looking into the distance, Han Li took out his ruyi compass to check his current location.

"Across this mountain is Baoyue Country."

Han Li looked back.

This was his first time stepping outside the Wu Dynasty.

Baoyue Country, this nation, Han Li first learned about it from Tang Sanzang.

They had met in Tianling, and Han Li had also inquired about the situation in Baoyue Country.

Although he had never been there, he wasn't completely in the dark.

Withdrawing his gaze, Han Li transformed into a golden stream of light and vanished without a trace... You Prefecture, Dark City.

Inside the City Lord's Mansion.

In a Cultivation room, a black-robed middle-aged man was sitting cross-legged on a futon, Cultivating, with Qi surging around him.

This person was the City Lord of Dark City.

"Who!"

Suddenly, the City Lord of Dark City opened his eyes and stood up abruptly.

In the Cultivation room, the air in front of him suddenly twisted, and a middle-aged man in a purple-gold robe stepped out.

The City Lord of Dark City's pores instantly constricted, his hair stood on end, and True Qi swirled around his body.

"What, you don't recognize this King anymore?" A calm voice sounded.

When the City Lord of Dark City clearly saw the appearance of the man in the purple-gold robe, he was instantly stunned.

"King... King Tian You, why have you come here?" The City Lord of Dark City immediately reacted, saying incredulously.

"This King has been ordered by Your Majesty to assist someone and resolve some troubles." King Tian You said lightly.

"Your Majesty's order..."

Listening to this, the Dark City Lord was even more astonished, looking at King Tian You with disbelief.

"Your Highness, what matter requires your personal presence here? Just give the word, and I can handle it."

The Dark City Lord said.

"You?" King Tian You looked at the Dark City Lord and shook his head lightly: "You can't do it. This trouble is related to several God Realm giants of the Demonic Sects, and your strength isn't enough."

"?!"

Those God Realm giants of the Demonic Sects.

Could it be that the imperial court is finally making a move?!

And that's why King Tian You was dispatched?

That's not right either.

There are nine God Realm giants in the Demonic Sects, and among them, three are Divine Hidden Realm giants. King Tian You alone might not be enough!

Could it be that the main force is yet to come?

Or perhaps, His Majesty is personally leading the expedition!

Countless thoughts flashed through the Dark City Lord's mind.

Thinking of this, he even felt a little excited.

His body trembled involuntarily.

King Tian You: "?"

Seeing the somewhat excited Dark City Lord, King Tian You frowned.

"Are you alright?"

"Your Highness, what do you need me to do?"

The Dark City Lord recovered and asked King Tian You.

"Help this king keep an eye on someone," King Tian You said.

"?"

Keep an eye on someone!

That's it?

"May I ask who Your Highness needs me to keep an eye on?" The Dark City Lord asked, looking puzzled.

"Buzz—!"

King Tian You waved his hand, a light flashed, revealing a clear image of a person.

"Han Li!"

The Dark City Lord's eyes widened instantly as he recognized the person's appearance.

"Yes, it's him," King Tian You nodded.

"Uh, Your Highness, why should I keep an eye on him?" The Dark City Lord asked King Tian You.

"His Majesty is concerned about this person. He might appear in You Prefecture recently, and it's highly possible he'll come to Dark City. The Three Demonic Sects will make a move on him, so keep an eye on him. This king will be staying here with you for a while."

King Tian You said.

"..."

It's not a war... Listening to this, the Dark City Lord sighed inwardly.

"Do you understand?"

King Tian You looked at him and said.

"Understood. Your Highness staying here is certainly no problem. I will send people to keep an eye out, and I will inform Your Highness immediately if there's any news," the Dark City Lord nodded.

"Mm, there's nothing else," King Tian You nodded. Immediately, the door of the Cultivation room automatically opened, and he stepped out of the Cultivation room.

The Dark City Lord followed closely behind, stepping out of the Cultivation room... "Oh, great River God, I beg you to bless our Chentang Village with favorable weather and abundant harvests!"

In a temple, a group of people were kowtowing and worshipping a statue of a god.

In front of the statue, various offerings were laid out.

And one of the offerings was actually a little girl.

She looked no more than seven or eight years old.

Her tender body was tightly bound with ropes, unable to move, her face covered in tears, looking utterly despondent.

"Worshipping the River God with a living person as an offering?"

Outside the temple, Han Li noticed this scene and was slightly surprised.

He had just passed by and stopped to look when he saw this.

Han Li truly hadn't expected such a thing to happen here.

"River God... this is probably eighty percent a demon."

Han Li's gaze swept around, and a thought flashed through his mind.

At this moment, after a series of prayers and kowtows, the group of people in the temple retreated.

"Mom, save me! I don't want to be eaten by the River God!"

At this, the little girl in the temple cried out, and among the crowd, a woman's face was also covered in tears.

"Child, don't cry. If you anger the River God, our whole family will lose their lives, boo hoo..."

The woman was in tears, and people nearby offered comfort.

"Alright, wife, after this year's offering, the River God will calm down, and then our Chentang Village will be safe."

A middle-aged man patted her shoulder, comforting her.

However, there was also a look of heartache on his face.

"Elder, what kind of demon is this River God?" Han Li asked an elder beside him.

"Oh, young man, you mustn't speak nonsense. That is the River God Immortal, not a demon. If the River God knows you speak such wild words, you will lose your life," the elder said, looking at Han Li with fright.

His expression was panicked.

Han Li: "..."

"Young man, you must be an outsider. Hurry and leave. The River God will be here soon. If you stay here, you will anger the River God, and then he will eat you too."

Another old woman looked at Han Li and said.

"..."

"It seems the demons here are quite rampant!"

Looking at the panicked expressions on the faces of this group of people, Han Li sighed.

Is this Baoyue Country?

There are also major forces existing, so why is this place so chaotic?

In the Wu Dynasty, there were also demons, but no one would sacrifice their own daughter to a demon.

They would either fight, even if they were no match, they would still resist the demons.

But in Baoyue Country, it seemed different. These people seemed to have become accustomed to feeding demons in this way, hoping to satisfy their appetites.

"If a demon could be satisfied with its appetite, then it wouldn't be a demon..."

Han Li sighed in his heart.

And the government doesn't care?

In such a large Baoyue Country, are all government officials ordinary people?

Are there no Martial Artists?

Or rather, they know but dare not interfere?

What kind of imperial court is this... "Young man, why are you standing there stunned? Hurry up and leave!" The elder tugged at his clothes, urging him.

"I am a Cultivator. Slaying demons and devils is my duty. Today, I shall wait here," Han Li smiled.

As he spoke, his True Qi moved, and in front of the statue, the ropes binding the little girl instantly broke. The powerful True Qi lifted the little girl and brought her before him, amidst the stunned gazes of the crowd.

"Mother!"

As soon as the little girl landed, she immediately ran to the woman.

"Oh my god, he... he is an Immortal!"

One person exclaimed.

Everyone then came to their senses and looked at Han Li.

Standing still, he directly made the little girl fly out on her own. This method instantly shocked everyone.

"Immortal!"

The elder's face instantly changed.

"Immortal!"

A group of people knelt down in unison, kowtowing to Han Li.

"No need for this. Please rise, everyone. I am not an Immortal, just a Cultivator. Please leave for now. I will wait here for the demon."

Han Li's voice rang out, and the crowd stood up.

"Immortal, that River God can ride the clouds and mists," a strong man looked at Han Li and said.

"It's fine."

Han Li smiled.

A group of people showed hesitation, but seeing Han Li's methods just now, it instantly swayed their hearts.

"Immortal, this... can it work?" an old man hesitated.

"Leave. Don't worry, I'll wait here," Han Li nodded.

Hearing this, the crowd's hearts pounded. Although they were still somewhat doubtful, this young man seemed completely fearless, which instantly sparked a glimmer of hope in their hearts.

And at this moment, a strong wind suddenly swept through the air, and the clear sky instantly changed color.

"The River God is here!"

The crowd panicked, and at this point, they couldn't care about doubting anything, immediately scattering and fleeing.

Han Li stood in front of the temple, his gaze fixed on the sky.

A surge of black Qi emerged from the sky.

"Such powerful Demonic Qi, it seems to be a Demon King!"

Han Li murmured to himself.

Soon, the black Qi in the sky swept over, descending in front of the temple, revealing a monster with a fish head and a human body.

Dressed in a red robe, it looked majestic.

"Intermediate Demon King!"

Han Li instantly made a judgment based on the aura.

"Who are you, daring to be here? This king is in a good mood today, I won't eat you, now scram."

The fish-headed monster spoke human words, and as it spoke, it was about to step into the temple.

But the next second, a figure blocked its path. The fish-headed monster instantly became furious, but before it could speak, with a bang, the fish-headed Demon King's body flew out directly, heavily smashing onto the ground.

"Pfft—!"

The fish-headed Demon King immediately spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

"The River God is injured!"

Not far away, the panicked crowd looked at the fish-headed Demon King on the ground, one person exclaimed, and the other fleeing people immediately stopped.

"Whoosh—!"

Before the fish-headed monster could react, a terrifying sword shadow instantly broke through the air and descended.

Sword Qi permeated, like a dazzling divine sword striking. The fish-headed Demon King instantly felt the aura of death.

In the nick of time, the fish-headed Demon King opened its mouth and spat out. A golden light flashed, and a golden scale, like a shield, blocked its front.

"Pfft—!"

However, facing Han Li's sword, the fish-headed monster's golden shield was instantly pierced through. One sword directly penetrated the fish head, severing its life.

Blood Qi emerged, merging into its body, instantly sealed.

A light flashed, and this fish-headed Demon King instantly revealed its true form, a red carp fully ten feet long.

"The River... the River God is dead!"

Looking at the ten-foot-long red carp, the people not far away were completely stunned.

In their hearts, the River God was invincible, but today, in the hands of this young man, it was instantly annihilated.

"Dead, truly dead!"

"That's great, we don't have to worship the River God anymore!" A group of people showed excited and thrilled expressions.

"Eh, where's the Immortal?"

When the crowd came to their senses, Han Li's figure was gone.

Coming before the dead red carp Demon King, they only saw the broken corpse.

In the temple, Han Li's figure was also gone.

"The Immortal is gone..."

A group of people showed disappointed expressions.

Immediately, they recovered, knelt down in unison, kowtowed and worshipped in one direction, then, a group of people stood up, looking at the fish-headed Demon King's corpse on the ground, their faces filled with excitement.

"This was killed by the Immortal, it's the Immortal's reward. Let's carry the body back. Tonight, everyone will have fish soup."

One person spoke, and the rest cheered in unison. Immediately, over a dozen people joined forces, lifted the dead Demon King's body, and walked towards the village.

"It seems this Baoyue Country is also a place where demons run rampant..."

In the distance, on a hillside, Han Li watched a group of people carrying the corpse into the village. Then, he turned, took a step, and disappeared from the hillside.

Twelve thousand, seeking support.