Chapter 28

Volume One: Mountain Ghost Rumor, Chapter 28: Upper Grade

Xiaoshi Village is under Erniu Mountain.

Zhao Chan and Wu Ting had agreed to hold the funeral for Lao Liu today.

It's just that, since demons attacked Youju Town yesterday, how could Xiaoshi Village, which is so close to the big mountain, be spared? He only now understood where the wolf pack and tiger demon he killed on Erniu Mountain came from; they all came from Eren Mountain.

"The Demon Slayers of the Demon Slaying Division really aren't afraid of death."

Several outsiders stood at the edge of the town, lazily looking at the mountains, as Zhao Chan's figure flashed into their field of vision.

"Before coming to Youju Town, I thought such a small place wouldn't have a Demon Slaying Division. I didn't expect the influence of the Demon Slaying Division to reach even here."

"The Xitang Kingdom is the small country where the Demon Slaying Division has the strictest control. Compared to those other dynasties, how could they have the confidence to bargain with the Demon Slaying Division?"

One outsider was disfigured, as if scorched by flames, his face full of ugly scars. He said: "Xitang Kingdom? Heh. This small country is surrounded by big countries. If the flames of war rise again, the territory of the country will surely be filled with smoke everywhere, the people will live in misery, and the Demon Slaying Division will have to stare blankly!"

"Hey, Brother Fan is wrong, wrong!"

"Oh? What is wrong?"

"Brother Fan happened to travel to the Xitang Kingdom and doesn't know the power of this small country. The Xitang Kingdom has an Iron-Clad Force of less than ten thousand people, which makes the surrounding big countries particularly wary. Moreover, there are many mountains and waters within the Xitang Kingdom, making it very difficult to deploy troops and arrange formations. Only a small number of elite troops can achieve anything, but if there are few armored soldiers, they will surely be wiped out if they encounter that Iron-Clad Force."

Another person also said: "This country only has sixteen proper Mountain Sects. To be able to stand as a country for a hundred years and survive several clashes between big countries, the Xitang Kingdom cannot be underestimated."

The outsider cultivator surnamed Fan was surprised: "Since that is the case, why does this Xitang Kingdom still let the Demon Slaying Division infiltrate to this extent?"

"Don't know."

"Ha, I have heard a few rumors."

"Please speak."

"In other big countries and dynasties, the seeds of cultivation are monopolized by the imperial court and the Mountain Sects. The Demon Slaying Divisions there don't have a large number of geniuses joining, so they are slow to grow."

"And the Xitang Kingdom, although it seems like a small country with many mountains and waters, is actually a place where outstanding people and spirits gather, and cultivators with outstanding cultivation talent emerge one after another."

"The Demon Slaying Division reached a deal with the Xitang imperial court. The court allows the Demon Slaying Division to spread throughout the country, and the Demon Slaying Division also helps the Xitang Kingdom resist the invasions of surrounding big countries. Moreover, this small country only has sixteen named Mountain Sects; with the Demon Slaying Division there, they have to tuck their tails and look at the faces of the court and the Demon Slaying Division to live."

"I also have a rumor here. The Iron-Clad Force of less than ten thousand in the Xitang Kingdom has an unclear relationship with the Demon Slaying Division."

The outsider cultivator surnamed Fan suddenly realized: "In that case, the most powerful force in the Xitang Kingdom is actually the Demon Slaying Division?"

"Exactly."

"Will we be in danger working under the nose of the Demon Slaying Division?"

"Heh, no. Youju Town is surrounded by mountains and waters on all sides, and the nearest Yang County requires crossing heavy mountains. Speaking of which, this place is considered an out-of-the-way place."

"I also don't believe the Demon Slaying Division can track us down after the fact."

One person pointed at the running Zhao Chan: "Who dares to test the cultivation of that young Demon Slayer?"

"Haha... interesting. Since the young Demon Slayer has taken the initiative to leave Youju Town, we can just kill him and then disguise it as him being killed by demons, so the boy doesn't buzz like a mosquito on the fifteenth of the eighth month and ruin our good deeds."

Another person walked over and happened to hear what they were discussing. This person smiled and said: "Warrior Wang Huan of the Youju Town Demon Slaying Division claims that the Demon Slaying Division is now left with only him and that boy. Kill him, then kill Wang Huan, and won't Youju Town become our possession?"

"Who dares to go?"

"I'll come!" The outsider cultivator surnamed Fan volunteered, the scars on his face suddenly becoming ferocious and terrifying. "However, my condition is to have two more tenths of the treasures in Pan Xi's Cave Abode!"

"Lion's mouth wide open, at most half a tenth," one person mocked. "Just killing a fledgling, only his identity is valuable. If it weren't for him being a Demon Slayer, I wouldn't even give you half a tenth."

"Fan Pingjian, giving you half a tenth is our generosity."

Fan Pingjian scratched the back of his head: "Half a tenth is half a tenth then."

"Go and return quickly, lest you expose your tracks."

Watching Fan Pingjian chase after Zhao Chan.

The remaining people sneered: "Idiot."

The Demon Slaying Division controls the Xitang Kingdom; who can guarantee that the Youju Town incident won't be exposed?

If Fan Pingjian's private killing of a Demon Slayer is exposed, given the Demon Slaying Division's tendency to protect its own, even if he runs to the ends of the earth, he might be wanted and hunted by the Demon Slaying Division.

However, does the Demon Slaying Division really care about Youju Town, which is surrounded by mountains and waters?

This is also the confidence they have in plotting against that young Demon Slayer.

In a small place far from the emperor, perhaps killing him is just killing him, with no impact.

Huangfu Changqiu, who was drinking tea at the Xizhao Inn, suddenly said: "A cultivator in the Lower-grade Qi Gathering Realm, I'm a bit worried the boy won't be able to handle it."

On the table were pastries served by Xie Wanxin. Xun Lan picked up a piece and put it in her mouth, chewing slowly, and said slowly: "Go over and take a look."

"Don't you think more highly of the boy than I do? Why do you look more worried than me?" Huangfu Changqiu asked with a smile.

Xun Lan was unhurried, having thought about the words she wanted to say, and said slowly: "A cultivator who has traveled everywhere and has rich experience in fighting, how can a simple mountain boy deal with him? And this person is one realm higher than the boy. The Qi Gathering Realm has mastered True Qi."

"Let's go, let's go take a look, don't let such a good piece of jade die inexplicably."

Xun Lan very much agreed with Huangfu Changqiu's words, "Disciples valued by Mountain Sects often have Protectors to protect them, but this boy has nothing, it is indeed dangerous."

A genius who dies young is nothing; at most, one sighs upon hearing about it.

The two left the Xizhao Inn, and Xun Lan took away the plate of tasty pastries.

Bai Yuqing watched Huangfu Changqiu and Xun Lan out of the corner of her eye: "Qing..."

"Mm, elder sister?" Bai Youjun wondered why she started a sentence but had no follow-up.

Bai Yuqing faintly sensed something, paused, and said with heroic eyebrows raised: "Did you see them? They should be cultivators with a higher realm than me."

"Ah?!" Bai Youjun was very surprised, "How could there be cultivators in Youju Town with a higher realm than elder sister?"

"There are people beyond people, heavens beyond heavens." Bai Yuqing stood up, "Go, follow them."

"What if they make a move on elder sister?"

"Heh, what if the realm is high? Could it be that their killing power is higher than mine?"

Bai Youjun patted her head, almost forgetting that the old Daoist priest who lived in seclusion on Da'e Mountain once said that elder sister's killing power was particularly unreasonable. Even if one was a whole major realm higher than elder sister, one should still die; it was best to be two major realms higher, or one might be able to save one's life. If it weren't for elder sister's slow improvement in realm, she would have long ago stabbed the nagging old Daoist priest with a sword.

Huangfu Changqiu and Xun Lan drifted toward Zhao Chan like a breeze.

"Those two are following us," Huangfu Changqiu smiled.

Xun Lan pondered: "I want to kill the one who left her name in the 'Baize Jade Record'."

"Because of your little grand-master?"

"Yes."

"I advise you not to act rashly. If you kill her, the Demon Slaying Division will definitely make a scene at the Hengwu Pavilion."

"Test her weight." This time, Xun Lan spoke extremely fast.

She turned suddenly, and her whisk lashed toward Bai Yuqing.

Pale purple True Qi formed a curved blade, spinning rapidly.

Where the curved blade passed, the air seemed to distort.

Bai Yuqing grabbed the long sword named Fufeng and also slashed a sword.

The sword Qi looked like a white python, crashing into the curved blade and winding toward Xun Lan unscathed.

This sword made both Huangfu Changqiu and Xun Lan change color simultaneously.

Xun Lan no longer held back, her True Qi surged, and in an instant, seventeen curved blades appeared. As she waved her whisk, the curved blades flew toward Bai Yuqing one after another.

First the white python was shredded, then the mud on the ground flew up, as if a sandstorm had started.

"Elder sister!"

"Small scene." Bai Yuqing was full of heroic spirit and smiled.

She threw herself into the curved blades, and when she reappeared in Xun Lan's sight, all seventeen curved blades had vanished into smoke, and even the rising sandstorm had ceased.

Neither of them had killing intent.

Huangfu Changqiu smoothed things over: "What handsome sword intent! Huangfu Changqiu of the Baoyu Studio pays her respects."

Xun Lan cupped her hands: "Xun Lan of the Hengwu Pavilion."

Seeing them give a way out, Bai Yuqing bowed slightly: "Bai Yuqing of Da'e Mountain."

"You are Bai Yuqing?" Huangfu Changqiu asked in surprise.

Bai Youjun said prettily: "Authentic! My elder sister is Bai Yuqing of Da'e Mountain!"

"I heard that the Baize Hall of the Xitang Kingdom's Demon Slaying Division produced a Bai Yuqing with extremely high killing power. I didn't expect to meet you in this small place." Huangfu Changqiu looked her up and down curiously.

"Baoyu Studio and Hengwu Pavilion are both not in the Xitang Kingdom. What are you doing here?" Bai Yuqing asked with her eyebrows raised.

Huangfu Changqiu explained with a smile: "Senior sister Xun and I met by chance in Fengzhou City. However, we each have sect missions, so it is not convenient to tell Fairy Bai."

Xun Lan spoke slowly, deliberately saying: "With you here, those outsider cultivators won't be able to turn the sky over."

Bai Yuqing remained silent.

And just as Bai Youjun was about to speak, she was glared at, and immediately closed her mouth.

Huangfu Changqiu and Xun Lan looked at each other, thinking to themselves, could it be that it is not convenient for Bai Yuqing to make a big move?

Xun Lan knew extremely clearly in her heart that during the fight just now, every time Bai Yuqing delivered a sword, she tried her best to erase her overflowing aura, as if she was afraid that her existence would be noticed.

Seeing Bai Yuqing not speaking, Xun Lan then smiled. After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, she said: "I might have guessed it. The reason Fairy Bai is staying here is to cover her tracks. Presumably, the Xitang Kingdom Demon Slaying Division is going to..."

"Even if the Hengwu Pavilion is not in the Xitang Kingdom, the Demon Slaying Division where you are located can also visit your mountain," Bai Yuqing interrupted, threatening.

Huangfu Changqiu quickly smoothed things over: "Is Miss Bai also here for that boy?"

Bai Yuqing looked into the distance, where an outsider cultivator was about to catch up with Zhao Chan.

Xun Lan pointed at Zhao Chan: "I thought we were the first to discover that good seedling, but it turns out he was already spotted by Miss Bai."

Bai Youjun hugged her elder sister's arm tightly, nervously saying: "That person wants to kill the young man."

"Don't be impatient, Zhao Chan won't die."

Huangfu Changqiu sighed: "That person thinks the emperor is far away and the Demon Slaying Division doesn't care about the life or death of a Demon Slayer in a small place. If it were me, after killing the boy, I would frame it on the demons. Anyway, a Demon Slayer dying under the claws of a demon is the most reasonable."

Bai Youjun was even more terrified.

Zhao Chan had already discovered Fan Pingjian, who had a face full of scars.

Seeing that this person had no weapons on him but was full of killing intent, he kept a bit of caution and ran toward a forest ahead.

Fan Pingjian gradually became anxious, took a few large steps, instantly closing the distance with Zhao Chan, and his right hand took out a dart from his bosom, aiming at Zhao Chan's vital points, and threw it with force.

The dart was only made of refined iron, but there was faint cyan True Qi at the tail. Zhao Chan didn't know what that was, but felt his hair stand on end, and hurriedly threw himself behind the nearest big tree.

Before he could get up after falling to the ground, he heard a loud noise. Looking up, the dart had already pierced through the tree trunk. If he had been standing behind the tree, the dart would definitely have pierced his body too.

Zhao Chan knew that hiding behind this tree was not safe, so he hurriedly flashed to another tree.

There was still a distance to the forest, and there were only these two trees here.

Without time to think, he hugged the tree trunk with both hands and scrambled up the tree like an agile mountain monkey.

Before he could catch his breath, another dart pierced through the trunk of this tree.

His right hand pulled out the three-foot peach branch, and his body flexibly turned from behind the tree to the front. This movement was something Zhao Chan often used when climbing mountains and wading through water to collect lacquer; to him, it was more than familiar.

One foot wrapped around the tree trunk, his upper body leaned forward significantly, and the other leg was bent, with his foot stepping on the tree trunk.

He stared down at Fan Pingjian, who was chasing him.

Zhao Chan didn't know why this stranger wanted to kill him, but he would never be foolish enough to ask now. With the matter at hand, only by killing this person would he have the chance to ask, we have no enmity, why do you kill me?

Fan Pingjian looked up at the young man with the strange posture.

The dart in his hand was infused with a wisp of True Qi and hit him.

At the same time, the young man was like a falcon ready to go. The moment Fan Pingjian raised his hand, he kicked the tree trunk with force, and his whole body pounced high, as if a falcon had locked onto its prey, and what followed was a swift and decisive hunt.

The dart grazed Zhao Chan's left leg and pierced the tree trunk.

And he raised the peach branch.

His gaze was fixed on Fan Pingjian.

Even though this stranger grabbed another dart, he still held the peach branch steadily, his arm not wavering in the slightest.

It was either you die or I die.

A very simple matter.

The third form of the "Shake God Sword", Sword Trace, slashed toward Fan Pingjian from top to bottom.

He was faster than Fan Pingjian's move.

With a distance of two zhang between them, Zhao Chan, like a falcon catching its prey, pounced in front of Fan Pingjian like a shooting star chasing the moon.

The peach branch slashed Fan Pingjian's raised right forearm, and before the dart could fall to the ground, the peach branch cut off his head in one go.

Hot fresh blood suddenly stained half of Zhao Chan's body.

He rolled nimbly to dissipate the force of hitting the ground.

He got up.

He looked back at Fan Pingjian, who was lying on his back.

Zhao Chan suppressed his anger and asked very calmly: "We have no enmity, why do you kill me?"

After speaking, he inserted the peach branch back into his waist, grabbed Fan Pingjian's head with one hand, and dragged his feet with the other, heading toward the demons that had been attracted.

That was a wolf demon.

It should be a demon beast, not as good as the wolf pack he killed on Erniu Mountain before, and close to those five wolves.

He threw Fan Pingjian's corpse to the wolf demon.

It looked at Zhao Chan with hostility, but its bloodthirsty instinct took the upper hand. It lowered its head and swallowed the fresh head in three or four bites, then tore at the bleeding corpse with big bites.

Zhao Chan waited until the wolf demon had eaten enough, then pulled out the peach branch again, ran to the wolf demon, and still using the Sword Trace form, slashed the wolf demon into two halves.

The peach branch with new buds seemed to have a god sitting on it.

When he killed Fan Pingjian, he noticed that the strength in his muscles and bones had transformed. It wasn't just that the strength connected his whole body as one, but he also felt his strength had at least doubled several times, and his internal organs, hearing, vision, sense of smell, etc., were all rapidly strengthening.

He felt that the current him was stronger than that mold ghost.

If he could do it all over again, he would never allow the mold ghost to say a single word.

Not even one word!

Huangfu Changqiu looked at Xun Lan.

Xun Lan's gaze shifted, and her eyes shone brightly as she looked at Zhao Chan: "Upper Grade Body Refining Realm."