Gou Zai Wudao Shicheng Dao

Fang Xia's hand paused almost imperceptibly, and her eyes suddenly became extremely strange.

He remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was filled with complaints.

"Break off the engagement? Fortune changes every thirty years? Don't underestimate a young man's potential?"

"This scene...this vibe is way too overpowering!"

Has the "annulment of engagement" trope become popular in this world as well?

Could Xiao Yuan be the destined protagonist from a storybook from my past life?

With thoughts racing through her mind, Fang Xia subconsciously glanced at You Qian out of the corner of her eye.

Seeing You Qian's beaming face and undiminished enthusiasm, Fang Xia's lips twitched slightly.

"Tsk... Senior Brother You's animated and vivid descriptions..."

It was as if they had witnessed the annulment of the engagement firsthand, and they couldn't help but embellish the story.

Such behavior is exactly what you'd expect from a villainous extra who's all show and no substance, just there to make the protagonist look bad!

"Senior Brother You has quite the makings of a villain!"

Fang Xia shook her head inwardly, forcibly suppressing the sense of absurdity in her heart.

"Forget it, forget it. Whether it's the protagonist or the villain, it's still someone else's fate."

This martial arts world is full of strange and wonderful things, and anything can happen.

Xiao Yuan's ability to proclaim "Thirty years east of the river" speaks volumes about his ambition. Whether he's a dragon or a worm remains to be seen. As for me…”

Fang Xia's gaze hardened again, as firm as a deep pool.

"I am destined to be a late bloomer, and my efforts will surely be rewarded."

The most urgent task is to take advantage of this autumn hunt to obtain the flesh and blood of demons to nourish my blood and energy, and break through to a higher realm.

Upon realizing this, the strange feeling that had been rising in Fang Xia's heart completely dissipated.

"The protagonist of destiny" is often a person with great fortune, but also a person who is like a vortex of disaster.

Surrounded by powerful enemies, calamities are endless!

All who approach will either become stepping stones or be reduced to ashes.

Fang Xia's mind raced, "Looks like I'll have to stay away from 'Xiao Yuan' in the future, lest I get splattered with blood..."

Although he was destined to achieve great things later in life, his abilities were ultimately meager.

In the eyes of a master of the Stone Skin Realm, a mere intermediate-stage cultivator is no different from an ant, let alone being swept up in the karmic torrent of the Chosen One.

"My destiny has given me the steady 'dripping water wears away the stone' approach, not the reckless gamble of 'pulling chestnuts out of the fire'," Fang Xia thought to himself, a sense of self-reflection.

Whether Xiao Yuan will soar to great heights or fade into obscurity is none of his concern.

The thought flashed through Fang Xia's mind like lightning.

Dust rose slightly on the distant official road as a line of heavily armored soldiers marched in with synchronized steps.

An atmosphere of solemnity instantly filled the air, drowning out the noise of the autumn hunting grounds.

The two leaders, with their imposing presence like mountains, became the focus of attention the moment they appeared.

The man on the left is dressed in the black robes of a centurion of the Demon Suppression Division, with a ferocious mythical beast embroidered on his shoulder. He has a cold face and sharp eyes.

The man on the right was dressed in a crimson county military officer's robe; he was burly and imposing, exuding authority even without anger.

Fang Xia's pupils contracted slightly as he keenly sensed the change in the atmosphere around him.

Those usually imposing experts at the Qi Gathering and Meridian Opening Realm were now all lowering their stances.

They took a few steps forward and bowed to the two people who had come.

"Greetings, Captain Song! Greetings, Commander Hong!"

The voices were unified and resonated with a deep sense of awe.

Fang Xia felt a chill run down her spine and subconsciously looked at You Qian beside her, asking in a low voice, "Senior Brother You, who are these two...?"

You Qian withdrew his gaze, his playful expression vanishing, replaced by an unusual seriousness. He lowered his voice to a whisper: "The one in black on the left is Commander Song, the Hundred-Household Commander of the Demon Suppression Division stationed at the Black Mountain front!"

He was in charge of the Black Mountain Guard of the Demon Suppression Division, which was responsible for exterminating the demons in the mountains. It was the front line for Black Mountain County to resist demons!

The man in the red robe on the right is our Heishan County Commandant, Chief Hong!

Commanding three thousand elite soldiers of the city defense battalion, he usually sits in the county town, intimidating the three major families, two major gangs, and eight martial arts schools in the inner city—these "local bullies."

It is the cornerstone of maintaining order in Heishan County!

"These two are important figures from the county town!"

His cultivation level... is unfathomable! It is rumored that he has already surpassed the ninth realm of the Acquired Realm and entered... the Innate Realm!

"Above the ninth realm of the Acquired Realm? A master of the Innate Realm!"

Fang Xia's heart skipped a beat, and a look of shock flashed in her eyes.

He recalled what Ning Tianyang had said when he was instructing the inner court disciples.

The day after tomorrow there will be nine heavens.

External cultivation of the four heavenly gates.

The Three Heavenly Ladders of Internal Refinement.

First, one must clear the meridians and gather vital energy, and only then can one... transcend the mundane and attain true enlightenment, achieving perfect fulfillment.

The innate state is a truly extraordinary realm.

Lifespan greatly increases, true energy transforms into essence, and one possesses all sorts of incredible powers!

"Yes, above the ninth level of the Acquired Realm! A master of the Innate Realm!" You Qian's voice carried a hint of longing and awe.

Fang Xia's gaze swept over Captain Song and Chief Hong, his heart filled with turmoil.

This world is teeming with demons and monsters, fraught with unpredictable dangers.

Without a powerful military deterrent, the human territory would have long since become a hunting ground for demons.

Therefore, all officials of the imperial court were selected from the military examinations and possessed martial arts skills!

In particular, the Demon Suppression Division and the County Commandant, who wield power through violence, are more powerful than even the nominal county magistrate.

There's no other reason than that in this chaotic world of demons and monsters, strength is the only true measure of power!

Without the power to suppress fierce demons, all positions of authority are but a mirage.

Just as Fang Xia was thinking rapidly, Captain Song and Chief Hong had already stepped onto the makeshift platform.

Chief Hong stepped forward and said calmly.

Fellow practitioners!

Hong Dutou's gaze swept across the entire area.

"This autumn hunt is of great importance!"

This not only concerns your own cultivation resources, but also the safety of millions of people in Heishan County!

"Every demon beast you kill is an inch of the calamity of demons being nipped in the bud!"

The Black Mountain stretches for three thousand miles, brimming with vitality, and breeds monsters as wild as weeds!

If we don't take advantage of this autumn hunt to clear out the surrounding monsters, and their numbers get out of control, they will be forced by the pressure to survive in the mountains to migrate in droves towards our human towns in search of food...

At that time, it won't just be innocent civilians who suffer.

Your medicinal gardens, mines, and estates outside the city will be the first to be destroyed and will be reduced to scorched earth and ruins!

This is not an exaggeration; it is a bloody lesson!

"We understand! We will unite as one to eradicate the demonic beasts!"

Below the stage, the leaders of various factions responded solemnly, creating a tense and deadly atmosphere.

Fang Xia nodded slightly; what Chief Hong said was spot on.

"The threat of the Black Mountain monsters is like a sword hanging over our heads."

Autumn hunting is not only an opportunity to acquire resources, but also a responsibility to protect our homeland.

Seeing the crowd's response, Chief Commander Hong turned slightly to the side and looked at Captain Song beside him.

Commander Song understood, took a step forward, and his black robes fluttered without wind.

A chilling and murderous aura spread out, adding even more of a steely edge to Hong Dutou's presence.

His voice wasn't loud, but it rang clearly in everyone's ears.

"Firstly!" Captain Song's gaze swept over the leaders of several major forces below the stage.

"The Black Tiger Gang and the Cao family have suffered a great calamity and are severely weakened, making them unable to participate in this year's autumn hunt."

"Since you, the 'Three Families, Two Gangs, and Eight Martial Arts Schools,' have already taken over the benefits they relinquished, you will all share the burden of this purge!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the leaders of several major forces, including the Han family, the Xiao family, and the Zhenyue Hall, immediately turned rather unpleasant.

Although they had received benefits from the concessions made by the Cao family and the Black Tiger Gang, they were naturally not happy about having to shoulder the heavy "task" assigned to them.

Captain Song seemed to have anticipated this, and with a change of tone, he offered an enticing bait.

"Secondly! To reward everyone for their hard work, the 'merit' value for hunting demonic beasts will be increased by 10% this autumn!

also--"

He paused deliberately, his gaze sharp, and said, "Those who accumulate the top three merits this time will be awarded an additional scroll... a high-grade Yellow-rank cultivation technique!"

"Whoosh!"

These words immediately caused a huge uproar!

The leaders of several major forces, whose expressions had just been slightly somber, suddenly had a burning light flash in their eyes.

The gloom on his face vanished, replaced by an air of determination to win!

High-grade Yellow Rank Cultivation Technique!

This is a treasure that can be passed down as the core of a powerful force!

Even for powerful clans like the Han and Xiao families within the inner city, the number of high-grade Yellow-rank cultivation techniques they possess is extremely limited!

Not only the major powers, but also the leaders of the smaller powers, had a burning desire in their eyes and were eager to fight.

The allure of a high-level Yellow-grade cultivation technique is enough to make anyone present risk their life!

Fang Xia's heart also stirred.

High-grade Yellow Rank Cultivation Technique!

If he could obtain this technique, it would be of great significance to his future path in martial arts!

But he quickly calmed down. Top three... how difficult that was.

This place has gathered almost all the martial artists in Heishan County, and there are no fewer than ten martial artists at the Qi Gathering and Meridian Opening Realm.

For someone at the mid-level of the Stone Skin Realm to want to break into the top three is nothing short of a pipe dream.

The thought flashed through Fang Xia's mind, and she looked at You Qian beside her, asking in a low voice, "Senior Brother You, what exactly is the meaning of the Demon Suppression Division's merit points? What is their value?"

You Qian's face was also filled with excitement, but upon hearing this, he shook his head, somewhat embarrassed: "This... my knowledge is really limited."

They only knew that merit points could be exchanged for resources within the Demon Suppression Division, but they were unclear about the specifics of how it worked and its value.

At this moment, Zhou Cheng, who had been silent all along, spoke up, his voice carrying a hint of solemnity: "The Demon Suppression Division is no ordinary government office."

It was established by the Great Xia Dynasty and all the martial arts sects in the world, a behemoth dedicated to suppressing demons and eradicating evil forces.

His "demon-hunting achievements" have been endorsed and recognized by both the imperial court and martial arts sects across the land!

Zhou Cheng's words made Fang Xia and You Qian both prick up their ears.

"This merit," Zhou Cheng continued, his tone tinged with longing, "can not only be exchanged for resources in the imperial treasury, but also..."

Exchange your treasured cultivation techniques, rare medicines, divine weapons, and secret arts from the treasuries of all the major martial arts sects in the world!

boom!

Zhou Cheng's words exploded in Fang Xia's mind like a thunderclap!

His pupils suddenly contracted, and a huge wave surged in his heart!

The world's martial arts resources...are monopolized by the imperial court and martial arts sects!

Top-tier cultivation techniques, rare and precious medicines, divine weapons...

These treasures, coveted by martial artists, are all in their hands!

Is the value of this "Demon Hunter Merit" really that high?

No wonder it has driven the leaders of various companies crazy.

This is practically a universal pass!

Behind it lies the treasure trove of the entire Great Xia Dynasty and all the martial arts sects in the world!

Its value cannot be measured by worldly gold and silver!

You Qian was also visibly shocked and couldn't help but ask, "Senior Brother Zhou, how did you know such a secret?"

Zhou Cheng remained calm and explained, "I once accompanied Master Ning on official business to the Demon Suppression Division, and it was Master Ning who told me this information."

He glanced at You Qian and said, "Your family is a newly wealthy household, but your foundation is still shallow, so you may not be able to access these levels."

And some things, even if you come into contact with them, you may not truly understand their significance unless someone points out the key to them.

Upon hearing this, You Qian nodded thoughtfully.

Indeed, some circles and information require a solid foundation and a mentor.

Fang Xia turned his gaze back to Captain Song and Chief Hong on the high platform, a longing for the "Demon Hunting Merit" growing in his heart.