Chapter 166: The Protectors

The Demon Suppression Domain is a place whose nature is somewhat similar to the Demon-Locking Tower in the Xianjian game.

Demons are also spirits born of heaven and earth; although they can die, if they do not die properly, they can be reborn after death, making them impossible to eradicate completely.

Thus, the Demon Suppression Bureau uses a special space to suppress all kinds of demons; if a certain demon is caught but there is worry that killing it won't be thorough enough to prevent rebirth, it is better to throw this demon into this space to suppress and seal it. The special properties of this space allow the demon to grow weaker day by day through accumulation until it perishes.

It is essentially a special prison built for demons.

Later, it was discovered that after various demons were concentrated, their unique properties mixed and influenced each other, causing the environment to become special as well, often giving birth to some very peculiar treasures.

Thus, the prison began to evolve into a secret realm, where demons of different levels were placed on different floors to transform and nourish different environments, becoming a place for the imperial court to cultivate treasures, while the shallow layers were also used as common training grounds.

The Demon Suppression Bureau's Martial Arts Hall requires training in this place, and Sheng Yuanyao, a graduate of the Demon Suppression Bureau's Martial Arts Hall, is extremely familiar with it.

The Heavenly Yao Holy Land also frequently sends people to train here; Miss Qingli came here when she was very young.

Hmm... if we follow the "legal regulations," then the Flame Demon that Lu Xingzhou currently uses as the main soul of the Soul Banner must be locked in this prison, becoming part of the nourishing environment.

Regarding this, Lu Xingzhou did not have any saintly sighs about "there might be good demons locked up, is this too excessive." Because demons not only think differently from humans, but even differently from demons; for example, the existence of the Flame Demon is to burn and destroy, with only the possibility of conquest and control, and no possibility of reforming the "demon quality."

If a true saint's heart took over and released the demons, it would truly be a global catastrophe. Lu Xingzhou himself would not dare to release the Flame Demon, which currently seems very obedient.

He was rather worried that if the Flame Demon followed him into the Demon Suppression Domain, it might be suppressed and eliminated because it was too weak...

"It shouldn't happen; after all, I am the main soul of the Thousand Soul Banner, and I am of the fourth grade." The Flame Demon hesitated as it discussed with its master: "I actually think this place might have benefits for me; for instance, the master could find a few of my kind for me to eat, and perhaps I could ascend, simultaneously helping the Soul Banner ascend, so you wouldn't need to go through great hardships to collect ten thousand souls... I always feel that with your trash... oh, with the master's kindness, ten thousand souls might never be gathered in this lifetime, so another path must be sought."

Lu Xingzhou grabbed the Flame Demon out of the Soul Banner and beat it up.

Things have been truly miserable recently; not only was he plucked without reason, but even a tamed demon soul dares to scold its master.

Mainly because the current path is different from before; cultivating the Soul Banner is indeed a bit difficult, and if the Flame Demon believes there is such a path to ascend, it is indeed worth trying.

"This time there will undoubtedly be considerable risks... this is a closed secret realm with demons rampaging and ambushing inside; no one is surprised if someone dies in there, even in the shallow layers... I don't believe the Huo family can resist plotting foul play at a time like this; even if the two elders can hold back, the younger ones cannot."

A'nuo raised her hand: "Then what preparations should we make?"

"Lady Ye said that without a teacher or elder accompanying us, this matter is unlikely; generally, such activities definitely have a leading Mr. in charge to control the overall situation... but the problem is that this Mr. may not be reliable; he might even be someone from the Huo family. Therefore, we cannot rely on him; we should even treat him directly as an enemy."

Lu Xingzhou paced a few steps and added: "None of the fellow students can be trusted either; we have no way of knowing who has been secretly bribed or controlled. In this situation, we become a lone army, and the external protectors become the only ones to strive for; if even the protectors are on the other side's team, then for this trial, we can just pretend to have diarrhea and not go..."

A'nuo: "..."

Lu Xingzhou smiled, baring his teeth: "This place is generally arranged by the Demon Suppression Bureau; I'll go find Melon Sister."

Sheng Yuanyao, who was organizing intelligence from all sides, was very happy to see Lu Xingzhou visit: "What wind blew you here today? I thought you were hiding in the academy with your green tea, unaware of the world."

Lu Xingzhou's gaze fell on her intelligence documents, and he couldn't help but laugh: "It seems this job suits you very well."

"Not the same, not the same." Sheng Yuanyao sighed: "This kind of paper-based gossip, reading it like a storybook, although it has the benefit of peeking into people's privacy... ahem, overall it feels different from going to gossip oneself. More importantly, real family privacy and the data we need to compile the Hero List are unrelated; often these won't be delivered to me; it's all combat intelligence and such, so why am I doing this!"

Lu Xingzhou smiled: "Isn't combat intelligence important?"

"The problem is that much combat intelligence is hearsay; how can the Demon Suppression Bureau witness every battle personally... I feel I've been deceived; instead, I sit at my desk all day filtering which data is trustworthy, and it's driving me crazy."

Lu Xingzhou said with a smile: "Isn't it easy to quit? Go find your dad and make a scene."

"If Old Sheng knew you were instigating his daughter to cause trouble with him, he'd beat you to death." Sheng Yuanyao propped her chin: "No good deed comes without a purpose; you coming to find me surely means no good. Speak, what do you want?"

"It is absolutely good news; aren't you tired of the desk work? Now there is a combat mission; you can ask your dad for work."

Sheng Yuanyao's eyes lit up immediately: "What mission, what mission? I've been in the office recently and haven't heard about these."

"Go to the Demon Suppression Domain to protect the students of the Alchemy Academy; you should be very familiar with it, right?"

"The first floor? Then I know this well! Going to the first floor of the Demon Suppression Domain is like going home for me!" Sheng Yuanyao swept out of the office like a gust of wind: "Wait a moment, I'll go get the work."

Sheng Qingfeng looked at his daughter who came to slap the table to demand work, feeling quite speechless: "I was already planning to let you do this; what are you making a fuss about here?"

Sheng Yuanyao: "..."

"In the current world, cultivation is ultimately the first priority; your current cultivation at the mid-stage of the fifth grade ranks in the lower-middle on the Newcomer List... although being able to make the Newcomer List is itself a glory, and even the lower-middle has already given your father face, but I think you yourself should not be fully satisfied, especially seeing other young women of the same age so dazzling..."

Sheng Qingfeng had another sentence he didn't say out loud—especially given the current rumors between Lu Xingzhou and Pei Chuyun, dad feels you are about to explode.

But you really can't defeat Pei Chuyun.

Sheng Yuanyao, having her heart touched, felt somewhat depressed: "Then what can be done? Although our Sheng family's inherited technique can be cultivated to reach first grade, it is obviously inferior compared to the Pei family's technique. My talent is also..."

"Do not belittle yourself, whether in technique or talent." Sheng Qingfeng said seriously: "Our Sheng family's ancestral technique was originally for battlefield slaughter; now that wars are fewer, there are just no suitable places for our training. Besides, fortune is also very important; I do not believe that Miss Qingli and Pei Chuyun, having cultivated to their current level at such a young age, would have completely avoided consuming heavenly treasures and earthly gems; that is impossible."

Sheng Yuanyao's eyes brightened slightly: "So..."

"You have been to the Demon Suppression Domain many times before, but places like the Demon Suppression Domain may yield different gains each time. Just because you didn't get anything before doesn't mean you won't get anything this time. Lu Xingzhou is a person with fortune; if you are with him, perhaps you will gain something this time. Therefore, for this protection mission, your father originally designated you."

Sheng Yuanyao pinched her old man's shoulders like a sycophant: "Old Sheng, using power for personal gain this time was done beautifully."

Sheng Qingfeng didn't buy it; his expression instead became quite unpleasant: "Using power for personal gain is hardly the case; your official rank and cultivation are originally very suitable for this kind of mission. As for why you are so happy, is it because there is training to go to, or because you are with Lu Xingzhou?"

"What does Lu Xingzhou have to do with it? I am happy because I can be with A'nuo; I and A'nuo are much closer than with Lu Xingzhou."

"No one listens to your nonsense." Sheng Qingfeng said expressionlessly: "This mission is not for you to go on a spring outing; there will be danger; you must be fully alert."

"The danger in the first layer of the Demon Suppression Domain, I am too familiar with..."

"I am not talking about the Demon Suppression Domain itself. What is the harm of demons compared to the human heart?"

Sheng Yuanyao was stunned for a moment, and her expression became serious: "I understand."

Father's hint was very obvious; then the personnel brought this time must be ones she could absolutely trust.

Sheng Yuanyao's head was spinning from picking people when suddenly the familiar white fur and blue eyes appeared before her.

"Why are you here?" Sheng Yuanyao greeted Miss Qingli strangely: "I am very busy, no time for catching up; speak directly."

A subordinate had once seen her attitude when Lu Xingzhou visited, and couldn't bear to look, turning her head away.

Miss Qingli didn't care about her attitude and said indifferently: "Following the master's order, I am participating in this protection mission."

Sheng Yuanyao was stunned; a curse was stuck in her throat, almost spilling out. Just when it seemed this time there was no part for the Pei family's green tea, another Bai Mao appeared.

You people with colors are so annoying.

"Does the Imperial Preceptor not trust our Demon Suppression Bureau?" Not to mention Sheng Yuanyao, the other subordinates of the Demon Suppression Bureau also had expressions that were not very good.

Miss Qingli was very calm: "Sorry, I only trust the sword in my hand."

The crowd of the Demon Suppression Bureau rolled up their sleeves, pretending to attack.

Sheng Yuanyao stopped everyone, looked her up and down, and said: "You have ability; if you encounter any problems, don't ask the Demon Suppression Bureau for help."

Dugu Qingli crossed her arms, eyes cast down: "No."

"Just a reminder—Lu Xingzhou is my Demon-Suppression Bureau's Hall of Heroes List consultant, and also belongs to the Demon-Suppression Bureau."

Dugu Qingli fell silent.

Sheng Yuanyao glanced at her sidelong—could there really be something fishy going on? Strange, she couldn't tell at all… Suppressing the sourness in her heart, she said in a cool tone: "How did things go with Pei Chuyun? Didn't you two not decide a winner that day? Not going to keep fighting until blood flows like a river?"

Dugu Qingli answered honestly: "I pull out her hair every day, so she'll probably be in a lot of pain these next few days."

Sheng Yuanyao: "?"

Just as she was about to ask, the doorway grew noisy as a Mr. from the Alchemy Academy came pouring in with his students: "Chief Editor Sheng, this trip to the Demon-Subduing Domain is entrusted to the Demon-Suppression Bureau…"

Sheng Yuanyao's gaze swept past the crowd and landed on the wheelchair-bound person at the very back; a faint smile flickered in her eyes: "Don't worry—for the sake of a certain money tree, Sheng here will risk her life to keep everyone safe."

In early April, the trumpet creepers in Qingyao Garden had already bloomed, and the famed "Hundred-Foot Trumpet Vine" had now become a real-life sight.

Qingyao Garden had become the most profitable scenic spot in the capital recently; every day the crowds packed in so tightly the managers were drenched in sweat, their hands cramping from taking money.

The Garden's owner Sheng, who used to happily go collect money after work every day, was nowhere to be seen—she was leading several dozen Demon-Suppression Bureau subordinates, plus one Bai Mao, escorting this year's twenty-eight students of the capital's Alchemy Academy as they stepped into the Demon-Subduing Domain.

————

PS: Seems like monthly tickets will be available mid-month, right? Gimme one, gimme one~

(End of this chapter)