Chapter 987

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Protagonist:

Xu Zhangqing

Not long after, Xu Zhangqing stepped into the Central Region's territory.

Demons ran rampant here; Zhu Hong's aura had long since been masked by the dense demonic qi, leaving no trace.

Moreover, the chaos in the Central Region far exceeded imagination. Li Lingbi, as the ruler of the Black Rust Dynasty, was also his in-law; presumably he knew quite a few inside details.

After thinking it over, Xu Zhangqing decided to go to the Imperial City and meet with the other party.

However, he had only traveled a few li when a group of lesser demons suddenly burst out ahead.

About a dozen or so, each green-faced and fanged, their bodies covered in gray-black short fur.

Their figures were hunched like apes, foul-smelling drool dripping from their pointed mouths.

Their eyes were blood-red, and they let out strange "ao ao" cries from their mouths.

Seeing Xu Zhangqing alone, and with his aura restrained, they mistook him for a bullyable loose cultivator, and one by one pounced at him with bared fangs and claws.

Some extended sharp claws, wanting to tear his clothes to shreds.

Some opened their bloody maws, wishing they could swallow him alive.

"Human cultivator, tender meat!"

"Drink his blood!"

"Eat his flesh!"

This kind of suicidal provocation made a trace of impatience flash through Xu Zhangqing's eyes.

He did not stop, merely waving his hand casually; invisible magical power erupted, sweeping across like sharp blades.

With several muffled "pu pu pu" sounds, that group of lesser demons couldn't even get close before their bodies were sliced to pieces, flesh and blood scattering across the ground.

But this brief commotion still alarmed a Demon King not far away.

Only to see a bear demon leap up and land on a nearby mountain peak.

Its figure was burly as an iron tower, at least thirty to forty zhang tall, its whole body covered in dense brown-black fur, with dried bloodstains still clinging to the fur.

A pair of copper-bell-sized eyes, filled with bloodshot veins.

In its palm it gripped a giant axe covered in cracks, fresh blood droplets still dripping from the blade.

This bear Demon King stared fixedly at Xu Zhangqing, yet a trace of wariness flashed in its eyes.

Someone who could instantly kill a group of lesser demons with a casual wave was absolutely no ordinary cultivator.

Therefore, it did not act rashly, merely sizing up Xu Zhangqing tightly, committing his appearance to memory, then let out a low roar from its throat, leapt up, and left this place at extreme speed, without the slightest hesitation.

Xu Zhangqing glanced at the direction the bear Demon King departed, the corner of his mouth hooking into a cold smile: "Quite sensible."

He did not take this bear Demon King to heart; right now revenge and investigating the situation were urgent. He immediately withdrew his gaze and continued speeding toward the Black Rust Dynasty's Imperial City.

Along the way, he encountered several more waves of shortsighted lesser demons, all instantly killed with a casual wave.

On the other side, that bear Demon King traveled non-stop and soon arrived at a concealed mountain valley. Inside the valley, demonic qi was so dense it couldn't be dispersed. On the stone platform in the very center, a peacock sat perched.

This peacock not only had cultivation reaching the Demon Emperor level, but was also a descendant of the Demon God Kong Fang.

Named Kong Ling, its whole body covered in brilliant seven-colored feathers.

Its tail feathers were long and gorgeous, growing dozens of simulated eyes on them, each eye lifelike, flashing with eerie red light.

Its bearing was tall and straight, head slightly raised, its brows and eyes carrying a few parts of innate arrogance.

A pair of golden pupils, gaze icy and sharp, terrifying demonic qi permeating its whole body.

The bear Demon King knelt before the stone platform, head lowered, speaking respectfully: "Reporting to the Demon Emperor, your subordinate discovered a human cultivator halfway. The other party entered the Central Region alone, strength extremely formidable, able to instantly kill a group of hundred-year lesser demons with a casual wave.

Your subordinate sensed his cultivation was extraordinary, did not dare act rashly, and specially came to report to you."

"Oh?"

Kong Ling's golden pupils moved slightly, a trace of curiosity flashing: "A human cultivator who entered the Central Region alone?"

The bear Demon King hurriedly replied: "This person's cultivation, at minimum Nascent Soul stage.

Ordinary appearance, dressed in a blue robe, yet aura restrained, absolutely no ordinary cultivator."

Hearing this, a trace of greed flashed in Kong Ling's golden pupils: "Quite a good prey. Among human cultivators, the strong ones' divine souls and flesh are the most nourishing.

Since he delivered himself to the door, don't let him escape."

It flicked its tail feathers, the simulated eyes on them flashing with faint light: "You go watch his movements; the moment he stops, report immediately. This Emperor wants to personally meet this person."

"Subordinate obeys!"

The bear Demon King hurriedly acknowledged, then turned and left.

……

……

Not long after, Xu Zhangqing saw the Black Rust Dynasty's Imperial City from afar.

At this moment, the entire city was enveloped in a layer of pale golden spiritual light.

As the light flowed, it isolated all the demons and demonic qi outside the city.

On the city walls, dense demon-repelling spiritual runes were carved. As long as a demon approached, regardless of cultivation depth or body size, the runes would automatically trigger, strangling the invading demons.

Many cultivators held magic tools, divided into several squads, guarding the city walls day and night, each face alert, cooperating with each other, strictly guarding against demons breaking in.

Xu Zhangqing's figure flashed, landing outside the city gate. The guarding cultivators saw his aura steady, not like ordinary refugees, and hurried forward to ask: "Who might you be, sir?"

Xu Zhangqing's tone was flat, without superfluous nonsense, directly saying: "I'm looking for Li Lingbi, please pass on a message."

Hearing this, a trace of shock flashed in the guarding cultivators' eyes.

The Li Clan now controls the entire Black Rust Dynasty, and Li Lingbi is even the Family Head.

For the person before him to call him by name directly, that was absolutely no ordinary cultivator.

Therefore, the city-guarding cultivator hurriedly bowed and said: "Please wait a moment, sir, I will go report immediately."

Not long after, the city-guarding cultivator came out following the Li Clan's steward.

The steward's expression was respectful; he bowed to Xu Zhangqing and said: "Sect Master Xu's grand carriage graces us with its presence; we failed to welcome you from afar. Please follow me into the manor to rest."

Xu Zhangqing nodded slightly and followed the steward into the Imperial City.

Along the way, one only saw the city streets cold and quiet, every household's doors and windows tightly shut; occasionally one could see patrolling cultivators, and they too all had nervous expressions.

Very soon, the two arrived at the Li Clan manor.

The steward ushered him into the hall, presented Spirit Tea, then bowed and withdrew.

Xu Zhangqing sat in the hall, fingertips rubbing the tea cup, pondering the current situation in his heart.

About half an incense stick's time later, a burst of footsteps came from outside the door, and then Li Lingbi walked in.

He wore a dragon-patterned brocade robe; though his face was calm and steady, his brow carried a few traces of weariness.

Upon seeing Xu Zhangqing, a flash of pleasant surprise flickered in Li Lingbi's eyes, and then he smiled and asked: "Changqing, how did you come to be here?"

Xu Zhangqing looked at the other party and said in a deep voice: "Hu Bugui is dead."

Li Lingbi froze for a moment: "Seems like he was your friend?"

Regarding this person Hu Bugui, his impression was not very deep.

After all, the other party had not entered his Law Eye; it was only because Xu Zhangqing existed that he barely remembered this name, nothing more.

Xu Zhangqing nodded and explained: "Internal strife in the Yanguang Sect; an Elder named Zhu Hong killed Hu Bugui and his Dao Companion Lin Xiaoyan."

"I pursued and killed all the way, and discovered this person fled to the Central Region."

Hearing this, Li Lingbi couldn't help but frown: "That won't be easy to find."

The Central Region right now, the situation is as chaotic as it can be.

In the past, finding a person only needed a single sentence.

But now everyone is in peril, everyone only cares about self-preservation; who has the spare time and energy to look for people!