210: Slaying Demons

The Ferry traveled through the sea of clouds for a day and a night, finally arriving at the Rain God Continent's territorial port.

The Cultivators aboard the ship disembarked one after another. Most conjured clear, glistening sword light beneath their feet and gracefully departed by controlling their swords, while a small number of older individuals, whose Aura was deep and steady, slowly walked down the Ferry deck.

The three of them, including Li Pingan, also walked toward the port. Ye Hao led the way, introducing, "This is my Senior Brother Li, and this is someone I met earlier on the Ferry; she is called..."

Only when the words reached his lips did he suddenly remember he hadn't asked her name, and his speech immediately halted.

Su Yue quickly smiled and smoothed things over: "Young Master Li, you can just call me Su Yue."

Li Pingan acknowledged her with an "Mhm," slowly nodded, and revealed a friendly smile.

Since following his Revered Master and experiencing many events, he was no longer as awkward as he once was when addressed as "Young Master Li," and could now maintain a natural demeanor.

Just as the three of them stepped off the deck and walked toward the port, Ye Hao suddenly felt his sole brush against a protruding hard object on the ground.

He subconsciously stopped and lowered his eyes to look. Embedded in the seam of the dark gray stone slabs of the port was half a piece of dark golden Scale Armor, about the size of a fingernail.

"What's wrong, Junior Brother?" Li Pingan and Su Yue quickly stopped. Li Pingan asked.

Ye Hao waved his hand: "Nothing, let's go."

After exchanging a few more simple pleasantries, Ye Hao looked at Su Yue and said with a smile, "Miss Su, I wish you success in finding your Revered Master soon. If my Senior Brother and I happen to meet her along the way, we will pass on a message for you."

"Thank you, Young Master Ye," Su Yue replied softly.

Her heart felt slightly warm. She hadn't expected two Young Masters whom she had never met before to help her search for her Revered Master.

Earlier... freeloading that meal had already made her feel very embarrassed.

Although Young Master Ye had said he couldn't finish it and the rest would go to waste, she wasn't truly foolish; how could she not recognize his kindness?

The three parted ways. Li Pingan looked at Ye Hao and asked, "Junior Brother, where shall we go next?"

Ye Hao pondered for a moment and replied, "Let's go to Yunxi City first. The steward on the Ferry recommended an inn there that isn't too far from here."

Yunxi City was located south of the port. Looking from afar, the dark gray city walls wound along the mountain terrain, exuding a magnificent Aura.

The two followed the flow of people to the city gate. Ye Hao's gaze casually swept over the Cultivators coming and going, and his brow slightly lifted.

Within the Flame Continent, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator already possessed a decent cultivation base, but here, Cultivators wearing Golden Core Stage jade pendants were everywhere, and occasionally, one could even glimpse a few Nascent Soul Stage experts whose Aura was as restrained as a deep pool.

The overall level of Cultivators in the Rain God Continent was indeed much higher than in the Flame Continent.

"I didn't expect Yunxi City to be so lively."

Li Pingan looked around, his gaze sweeping past small stalls selling Magical Artifacts on the street and Cultivators lining up to enter restaurants, and commented softly.

This level of prosperity was almost comparable to the grand occasion when he attended the Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony at the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, back in the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven.

After asking for directions twice, the two quickly followed the bluestone street and found the Guiyan Inn.

The Shopkeeper behind the counter was a thin-faced middle-aged man whose fingertips were stained with ink, giving him a scholarly air. Hearing that they were "recommended by Steward Song," he immediately put down the abacus in his hand and instantly broke into a warm smile:

"So you are friends of Steward Song! I will immediately have the Waiter prepare a superior room for you, one that overlooks the street and has a view."

"Thank you, Shopkeeper." Ye Hao cupped his hands.

The Shopkeeper waved his hand, and while leading the two toward the stairs, he chatted casually, "Since you are friends of Steward Song, you must have traveled all the way from the Flame Continent, right?"

Ye Hao and his companion did not conceal the fact: "That is correct!"

"I see that both of you possess extraordinary bearing. Coming to Yunxi City at this time, you are likely here for the Demon Suppressing Tower Trial, aren't you?"

"The Demon Suppressing Tower Trial?" Ye Hao paused slightly, showing some confusion.

The Shopkeeper wasn't surprised. He simply stood at the stairwell entrance and explained in detail, "Surely you two have heard of our Rain God Continent's Demon Suppressing Tower?"

Li Pingan nodded: "I've heard of it. It's a place specifically used to imprison Yao Race captives."

Previously, when Wang Er was leeching Spiritual Qi at the Sect, Li Pingan had asked him to help temper his physique and casually heard about some matters concerning the Rain God Continent.

The Shopkeeper nodded and pointed north with his finger. "If you leave Yunxi City and travel two hundred li north, you will see a magnificent pavilion; that is the first Demon Suppressing Tower in our Rain God Continent."

"It's a waste to simply keep these Yao Race members locked up, so the Demon Suppressing Tower Lord came up with a method: every half year or so, they open a Slaying Demon Trial to the public.

Cultivators can register and enter to fight the Yao Race one-on-one. This not only hones their Divine Abilities and Techniques, but killing a Yao Race member allows them to exchange the inner core for Spirit Stones—killing two birds with one stone."

Hearing this, Ye Hao slightly narrowed his eyes: "Fighting the Yao Race up close like this, aren't they afraid that a Cultivator might be careless and perish under a demon's claw?"

The Shopkeeper laughed heartily and patted the railing: "Don't worry, little brother! Since it's a Trial, there must be comprehensive defensive measures!"

"If a Cultivator is defeated by the Yao Race, the Guard Elders in the Demon Suppressing Tower will immediately intervene and rescue them, ensuring their life is safe."

He paused, then continued:

"Not only that, but ever since this Trial began, the large Sects nearby are willing to send Elders to observe the battles.

If they spot a Cultivator who is a promising talent—for example, someone with unique Combat strategies or exceptional tenacity—they will immediately present a Sect Token on the spot and invite them to join the Sect. That is truly like a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate!"

It seems the grudge between the Rain God Continent and the Yao Race is truly deeply rooted.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have devised such a method for slaying demons.

When he reached this point, the Shopkeeper's eyes lit up, and he spoke proudly: "Two years ago, a Cultivator from a small Family, who was only at the Golden Core First Layer, killed a Golden Core Third Layer Black Tiger during the Trial and was immediately accepted as an Inner Sect Disciple by the Fenglei Sect. Now, after just two years, he has already broken through to the Golden Core Fourth Layer!"

Ye Hao politely followed up: "Breaking through three layers in two years—that truly is exceptional talent."

"Of course! There are actually many similar cases..." The Shopkeeper grew more animated as he spoke, his words filled with pride.

Li Pingan asked curiously, "Shopkeeper, how do you know so much about this?"

The Shopkeeper chuckled somewhat sheepishly, seemingly having waited all this time for that exact question: "To tell you the truth, gentlemen, that Cultivator I just mentioned is none other than my son."

"Please forgive my boasting."

So the Shopkeeper had been building up to this for so long just to show off his exceptionally talented precious son?

Ye Hao cupped his hands again: "Your son possessing such talent is truly rare. If that's the case, we really should go to the Demon Suppressing Tower and witness this Trial ourselves."

Since they had already been given two superior rooms for free, saying a few flattering words didn't cost much effort.

After bidding farewell to the Shopkeeper, who was honored due to his son, Ye Hao and his companion finally returned to their rooms.

Li Pingan said gravely, "Junior Brother, I plan to go temper my physique."

Ye Hao naturally knew what his Senior Brother meant. The most direct way to temper one's physique was, of course, through Combat with the Yao Race.

"Then let's set off tomorrow!"