Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

However, the Kunyuan Sect had always kept a low profile. Aside from gathering various kinds of intelligence from across the nine provinces for the Red Flame Demon Sect and engaging in clandestine activities, they did not participate in the last massacre, which puzzled Hu Lie. He wondered how the Jing Tian Department came to know about them.

Or rather, for what reason their existence had been exposed.

Now that the Jing Tian Department had come knocking, Hu Lie had nothing to say, and immediately engaged in combat with Huang Xiu.

Boom!

Ferocious Gangqi burst forth from his body, and as Hu Lie\'s Daoist robe fluttered noisily, he lashed out with a palm strike. The Gang Wind was overwhelming, the force of the palm was violent, and its power immensely strong.

Yet, Huang Xiu\'s heart relaxed slightly. It was a good thing that the leader of the Kunyuan Sect, Hu Lie, was at the inner Gang Qi Stage and not yet at the exterior Gang Qi Stage; otherwise, he would have to consider taking Cao Zhen and the others and fleeing immediately.

Seeing Hu Lie\'s palm strike coming, Huang Xiu refused to show weakness. With a cold snort, his qi energy exploded around him. He channeled the Gangqi into his palm and forcefully struck out.

Boom!

Another explosion rang out, the dense waves of qi radiating in all directions, reducing everything within several yards of Huang Xiu and Hu Lie to dust.

Every casual strike of a Gang Qi Stage warrior held immense power, and no one below that stage could withstand it.

For warriors wishing to reach the Gang Qi Stage must first convert the internal energy within their bodies into Gangqi, which is far more powerful and numerous times more solid and pure than internal energy. Therefore, each Gang Qi Stage warrior, across the nine provinces, can be regarded as a top-tier fighter.

Even for powers like the Seven Sects and Eight Factions, which are the top-notch forces in the nine provinces, Gang Qi Stage warriors could hold the position of elders.

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Even those exceptional warriors who had reached the second level of the Vajra Stage, with bodies forged like a unified cast of copper and iron, were no match for a warrior at the Gang Qi Stage.

It can be said that there is a chasm between the Vajra Stage and the Gang Qi Stage.

And for Vajra Stage warriors hoping to reach the Gang Qi Stage, it is exceedingly difficult; converting internal energy into Gangqi is no easy feat. Even a genius like Chen Yu had to undergo difficult cultivation for two years, plus various opportunities he encountered, to reach the Gang Qi Stage so quickly.

Otherwise, relying solely on personal cultivation, even a genius would need at least five years to accumulate the first strand of Gangqi within their body.

Thus, the clash between Gang Qi Stage warriors is terrifyingly formidable, and not even the aftereffects are something any of the bystanders can handle, including those at the inner Gang Qi Stage.

Seeing Huang Xiu and Hu Lie engage, everyone quickly retreated a great distance, lest they be collateral damage.

"Kill!"

Song Yu and Wang Yan, along with a group of second-order Metropolitan Procurators, coldly shouted as they charged forward, brandishing their swords and engaging in fierce battle with the external Qi Stage disciples of the Kunyuan Sect.

Meanwhile, Xu Qing and the other seven first-order Metropolitan Procurators sought out the Vajra Stage warriors of the Kunyuan Sect. But at that moment, several more Vajra Stage warriors emerged from the depths of the Kunyuan Sect\'s stronghold.

At this juncture, the number of Vajra Stage warriors on the side of the Kunyuan Sect increased to twelve, who in turn surrounded Xu Qing and the others.

But Xu Qing and his companions remained unfazed. Those who could attain the rank of first-order Metropolitan Procurator in the Jing Tian Department were all seasoned veterans. Compared to the unpredictable and sinister demons, these Vajra Stage warriors from the Kunyuan Sect did not warrant much attention from Xu Qing and the others.

"Die!"

Xu Qing and the other seven first-order Metropolitan Procurators bellowed in rage, and a faint golden luster shimmered on their skin – a phenomenon unique to the corporeal bodies of those at the Vajra Stage.

Bang!

In just the blink of an eye, the twelve Vajra Stage warriors of the Kunyuan Sect were sent flying. They were no match for Xu Qing and his companions.

At this moment, Cao Zhen, Liang Xu, and Zhuo Zhibin stood to the side without joining the fray. Zhuo Zhibin, in particular, was pampered and rarely participated in combat. Watching the countless people engaged in a melee, his legs began to tremble.

Liang Xu was equally dazed and shocked. Having mostly stayed in Tiandu, they both believed the world to be at peace and had never witnessed such scenes of battle. Blood spattered intermittently, the scent of it growing increasingly pungent, and even a head with eyes wide open in death rolled to their feet, startling both Liang Xu and Zhuo Zhibin.

As for Cao Zhen, he appeared much more composed. Marquis of Pingxi had been stationed at the borders for years. Although there were no major conflicts in recent years, there were still frequent small-scale skirmishes. Under the Marquis of Pingxi\'s orders, Cao Zhen had participated in many battles, so he wasn\'t particularly disturbed by the scene before him.

Hu Lie was engaged in fierce battle with Huang Xiu, but his eyes darted to the sidelines and saw his disciples being steadily defeated, clearly no match for the forces of the Jing Tian Department, which made him increasingly anxious.

Seeing the situation stabilize, with the Jing Tian Department\'s forces gaining the upper hand, Huang Xiu was in no rush. He began to fight a guerrilla battle against Hu Lie, not seeking to defeat the enemy, but merely to hold Hu Lie at bay.

"What are you waiting for?!"

Just then, Hu Lie saw one of his Vajra Stage elders slain by the Jing Tian Department\'s forces, and he became urgently alarmed.

"Master Hu, do not panic. How can a warrior grow without experiencing life-and-death battles?"

A cold and indifferent voice suddenly sounded. From the deepest part of the Kunyuan Sect stronghold, a group of black-clad warriors with red blossoms embroidered on their chest, representing the Red Flame Demon Sect, rushed out.

At a glance, there were easily fifty or sixty people, among them eight Vajra Stage warriors.

And this was not all. Behind these people, three figures emerged, two of whom were a pair of gloomy-eyed old men who had nearly been caught by Chen Yu in the county town.

"Three Gang Qi Stage warriors?!" Xu Qing caught a glimpse from the corner of his eye and was immediately struck with alarm.

The other first-order Metropolitan Procurators also frowned upon seeing this, sensing that the situation was taking a turn for the worse.

The appearance of those three Gang Qi Stage warriors immediately put the Jing Tian Department\'s team at a disadvantage.

The two elders made their way to Hu Lie\'s side without delay, and the three of them together began to besiege Huang Xiu.

"So you had a plan in advance!"

Huang Xiu\'s face suddenly changed, filled with extreme horror, for he knew these two elders possessed the strength of exterior Gang Qi, something he could not contend with.

The two elders spoke menacingly, "We thought we could lure in the big fish, Chen Yu, and then capture all of you in one fell swoop. But it turns out Chen Yu is quite cautious, staying hidden in the county town and not coming out. No matter, today you will be his scapegoat!"

"Pfft!"

After just a brief encounter, Huang Xiu spit out blood and suffered severe injuries.

Meanwhile, four of the eight newly emerged Red Flame Demon Sect Vajra Stage warriors joined the fray, moving to confront Xu Qing and the rest.

The remaining four individuals targeted Cao Zhen and his companions, with one of them proceeding to massacre those of the Jing Tian Department at the second rank of Metropolitan Procurator.

Seeing that they were being targeted, Cao Zhen and his two companions\' expressions changed drastically, and their hearts filled with panic. Zhuo Zhibin, especially, became so flustered he couldn\'t even speak clearly, stammering, "What… what should we do?"

The threat of death loomed over him, and he was so anxious he was nearly crying.

Liang Xu\'s eyes were filled with panic as he looked toward Cao Zhen.

Cao Zhen\'s expression was solemn as he said, "There\'s no escaping, fleeing will only get us killed faster, we can only fight!"

Showing resilience, he immediately faced the challenge head-on as soon as he finished speaking.

Seeing this, Liang Xu quickly followed behind Cao Zhen, and the two managed to block two Vajra Stage warriors.

The remaining Red Flame Demon Sect Vajra Stage warrior, with a savage smile, advanced towards Zhuo Zhibin.

"Help... help me!"

Zhuo Zhibin\'s face went pale with terror, and he turned to run in sheer panic.

But with only the cultivation level of the Outer Qi Stage, he stood no chance against the Demon Sect\'s Vajra Stage warrior. With a cold laugh, the Vajra Stage warrior dashed forward, simply reaching out with a hand.

Thump!

Zhuo Zhibin suddenly stopped in his tracks; blood flowed incessantly from the corners of his mouth. Looking down, he saw a black hand protruding from his chest, holding a bright red heart in its palm.

"This is mine..."

As the thought flashed through his mind, Zhuo Zhibin\'s world went dark as he plunged into an endless abyss.

"Zhibin!"

Seeing Zhuo Zhibin fall, Liang Xu\'s eyes reddened with rage. The two had been close since they were young and had always gotten along well; he was heartbroken by the loss of Zhuo Zhibin.

"Focus on the enemy before you!" Cao Zhen shouted. If Liang Xu were to die as well, their opponent would be free to come after him next.

At that moment, Cao Zhen felt a pang of regret. He had not anticipated the Red Flame Demon Sect\'s thorough preparation. He should not have sent his personal guard to the Blood Garment Building with a bounty on Gu Chen\'s head.

Together, they might have stood a chance.

After all, that was a warrior of the Vajra Stage at full culmination, immensely powerful.

"Go there!"

Cao Zhen commanded coldly, directing Liang Xu to lead their foe in a particular direction, toward where Gu Chen was located.

At that moment, Gu Chen too was facing off against the last of the Red Flame Demon Sect\'s Vajra Stage warriors.

This Demon Sect warrior had not fused with any demons, but his cultivation was high, significantly stronger than the bald Red Flame Demon Sect warrior Gu Chen had slain.

But even so, he was no match for Gu Chen, who forced him into a steady retreat.

Bang!

A punch from Gu Chen executed the Great Vajra Fist, causing his opponent to spit out blood. The Demon Sect warrior was astonished, having assumed Gu Chen would be an easy target, only to find his teeth shattering on contact.

At that moment, Gu Chen\'s gaze shifted as he noticed Cao Zhen and Liang Xu running towards him, chased by three Vajra Stage warriors.

"Brother Gu, save us!"

As he ran, Cao Zhen also shouted for help, convinced under the watchful eyes of the crowd that Gu Chen would not stand by without aiding him.

Among the three Demon Sect warriors pursuing Cao Zhen, one, surrounded by swirling black smoke and the strongest of the trio, had fused with a demon.

Noticing this, Gu Chen\'s eyes lit up, and he actively stepped forward to intercept Cao Zhen and Liang Xu.

"Brother Cao, this one is injured; I\'ll leave him to you!" Gu Chen said.

Seeing this, Cao Zhen\'s eyes lit up with joy, and he quickly responded, "Alright, no problem, Brother Gu, be careful!"

But Liang Xu\'s face fell. What about him?

Gu Chen\'s expression was one of regret, as if to say, you\'re on your own.

Then, he took on two of the Demon Sect\'s Vajra Stage warriors by himself.

"Thump!"

Liang Xu, who had only recently broken through to the Vajra Stage, was no match for his opponent, a long-time Vajra Stage fighter with late-stage cultivation. It was already a feat that he had managed to hold on for so long.

"I..."

Liang Xu\'s mouth was full of blood, trying to speak, but his foe didn\'t give him a chance.

Thump!

The punch from the Demon Sect\'s Vajra Stage warrior pierced right through Liang Xu\'s chest.

Liang Xu\'s lips moved, his face showing utter unwillingness to accept his fate. As a descendant of the Marquis of Pingxi, he was quite accomplished for his age, having reached the Vajra Stage with great potential ahead. Even if he did nothing else, he could have lived a life of luxury.

But Liang Xu could never have imagined dying here.

Before leaving, he had treated this as a mere formal outing.

For no apparent reason, resentment towards Cao Zhen began to well up inside Liang Xu. It was Cao Zhen\'s suggestion that had led them to accompany the Jing Tian Department on this mission.

In his final moments, Liang Xu died with his eyes wide open, bulging in a dead stare towards the direction where Cao Zhen was.