A Compendium of One Hundred Demons: My Path to Immortality in a World of Demons and Monsters

Back in his guest room at the Shen residence, Xu Yuan first treated his wounds.

With his physical abilities further enhanced at the fourth level of Blood Refinement, and aided by the Hungry Ghost Compendium, the skin and flesh wounds from last night scabbed over in just two hours.

He then took out the mountain spirit flesh and blood he had brought back from the trip, as well as the medicinal herbs that replenished his blood and qi and tempered his bones and muscles.

Without the slightest hesitation, Xu Yuan began to devour the food.

"boom---"

The violent medicinal power exploded within his body instantly! Xu Yuan felt his bones groaning, and his blood and qi churning like boiling water.

He immediately activated the Blood Refining Technique, guiding the energy along his meridians. At the same time, the Hungry Ghost Compendium also started automatically, greedily devouring all kinds of essence.

One cycle, two cycles, three cycles...

The energy cluster in Xu Yuan's dantian expanded at a visible speed, doubling in size from the size of a fist, and its color changed from deep red to dark red.

As his blood and qi surged, Xu Yuan could clearly feel his flesh, bones, and muscles being repeatedly tempered, their strength constantly increasing.

What surprised him even more was that as the mountain spirit's flesh and blood were completely digested, an instinctive memory about traversing mountains and forests and stealthily moving about began to flood his mind!

Current cultivation level: Blood Refinement Level 5

[Hungry Ghost: 51% progress]

[Ability: Extremely efficient digestion]

【Characteristics: Unlimited food intake, enhanced strength, enhanced agility, and the ability to traverse mountains and forests (20%)】

[Changgui: 12% progress]

[Ability: Taming Animals (0/3)]

【Characteristic: Yin Energy Sensing】

Breakthrough!

Xu Yuan suddenly opened his eyes, his pupils gleaming. He clenched his fists, feeling the surging power within him—at least twice as strong as before!

He broke through to the fifth level of Blood Refinement in a natural and effortless manner!

In just two days, he broke through two realms. Such a speed of progress would be astonishing to outsiders, but Xu Yuan was used to it.

He tried to use his newly acquired "Mountain and Forest Traverse" ability. In a flash, he moved around the room like a ghost, silently. If he were in the mountains and forests, this speed would be 30% faster.

"Impressive ability!" Xu Yuan felt inexplicably excited.

With this characteristic, as long as he is in the mountains and forests, even if he faces an opponent who is one or two realms higher than him, he can escape even if he can't win.

For the next two days, Xu Yuan stayed indoors, focusing on consolidating his realm while cultivating the Blood Fiend Blade Technique.

Every day, besides practicing breathing exercises and blood cultivation, he also practiced swordsmanship. The backyard of the Shen family mansion had become his training ground. His sword flashed and his aura was chilling. With a single slash, the wind from the sword could reach three zhang (approximately 10 meters). Wherever the sword passed, the bluestone floor was cut open like tofu.

That very evening, Uncle Fu finally came to report: "Young Master Xu, the demon-suppressing envoy dispatched by the prefectural city will arrive first thing tomorrow morning!"

Xu Yuan exhaled and sheathed his sword, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

finally come!

...........

Early morning, outside the east gate of Qingyang County.

Three horse-drawn carriages and more than ten riders lined up and waited quietly in the morning mist.

Xu Yuan led a black horse, carrying a long sword on his back and a powerful crossbow at his waist. His black outfit accentuated his tall and straight figure.

After the battle at Black Wind Stronghold, his demeanor became even more composed, and the occasional flash of sharpness in his eyes made the surrounding servants of the Shen family dare not look him in the eye.

Standing beside Xu Yuan was Xu Laogen, the old village chief, who had changed into a clean set of coarse cloth clothes, but the wrinkles on his face and the worry in his eyes were not diminished at all.

Shen Qingyi stepped down from a carriage. Today, she wore a light gray cloak, her long hair was simply tied up, and a small brocade pouch hung at her waist—her talisman bag.

"Is everything ready?" Shen Qingyi asked.

Xu Yuan patted the packs at his waist and on his back: "I've taken the powerful crossbow, crossbow bolts, leather armor, and the three 'Evil-Slaying Thunderbolts' that General Chen gave me."

"Breaking Evil Thunder" is a powerful weapon used by the army to deal with demons. It is made by mixing sulfur, saltpeter and bone powder of demon beasts. When detonated, it has great power and can also release yang evil energy that can suppress yin evil.

Chen Hanchuan only gave Xu Yuan three coins in total, saying that they might be a lifesaver in a critical moment.

Shen Qingyi nodded, then looked at the old village chief: "Uncle Xu, you're getting old, you could actually stay in the city..."

"No." Xu Laogen shook his head stubbornly, his tone firm. "I'm the village head. Such a big thing has happened in the village, I have to go back. Besides..." He paused, a trace of pain flashing in his eyes, "My son Changming also died in the mountains back then. This time, hunting the tiger demon... I have to see it with my own eyes no matter what!"

Xu Yuan and Shen Qingyi exchanged a glance and stopped trying to dissuade them.

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from afar, and three fast horses galloped out of the city. The one in the lead was none other than Zhao, the registrar of the Demon Suppression Division of Qingyang County.

Behind him followed two young men, both dressed as members of the Demon Suppression Division, one carrying a bow on his back and the other a sword at his side.

"Registrar Zhao," Xu Yuan said, bowing.

Registrar Zhao sized Xu Yuan up and down, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Fifth level of Blood Refinement? Only a few days ago..."

"Thanks to the care of Miss Shen and General Chen, I was fortunate enough to break through," Xu Yuan said modestly.

Shen Qingyi shook her head: "It's your own extraordinary talent, there's no need to be so modest."

Zhao, the registrar, dismounted and patted Xu Yuan on the shoulder: "Kid, well done. General Chen told me about your performance in the battle of Black Wind Stronghold."

He pointed to the two people behind him: "This is Li Hu, and this is Zhang Tao. They are both experts in our Demon Suppression Division, at the third level of Blood Refinement, and are skilled in combined attack techniques."

Xu Yuan looked at the two men. Li Hu was tall and carried a longbow that was almost as tall as a person. Zhang Tao was shorter, but he was wiry and had two short knives hanging at his waist.

Both men were in their early twenties, with sharp eyes, and nodded at Xu Yuan.

At this moment, Shen Qingyi asked, "Registrar Zhao, where is the Demon Suppression Envoy?"

Clerk Zhao glanced at the sky: "We should be there soon."

As soon as he finished speaking, dust rose up on the distant official road.

"They're here!" Xu Yuan looked up towards the city gate.

A stern-faced man dressed in black, who looked to be around thirty years old, rode up on horseback.

This man was slender, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. He had a long sword called Autumn Water hanging at his waist, and the scabbard faintly glowed with a blue light.

"Let me introduce you. This is Lord Xiao Yunhan, the Demon Suppression Envoy sent by the prefectural city. He is Chief Clerk Xiao." Chief Clerk Zhao quickly stepped forward and introduced him. "Chief Clerk Xiao is a Condensation Realm expert and is also the main force for our mission to deal with the tiger demon."

Xiao Yunhan nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Xu Yuan for a moment: "Fifth level of Blood Refinement, solid foundation, not bad, not bad."

His voice was calm, yet it carried an air of authority. However, these words caused quite a stir in the ears of Chief Clerk Zhao.

Of all those present, he was the only one who knew Xiao Yunhan's background, and he also knew how discerning this demon-suppressing envoy from the prefectural city was.

For Xu Yuan, a country boy, to receive two consecutive "not bad" compliments from the other party was even more shocking than when he learned that the former had broken through two realms in a short period of time.

"Greetings, Steward Xiao." Xu Yuan cupped his hands in greeting. His perception was now far beyond that of other martial artists of the same realm. The blood and qi on Xiao Yunhan's body were as refined as mercury, far beyond what was comparable to those in the Blood Refining Realm.

The Condensation Realm is indeed extraordinary!

"This is Miss Shen Qingyi, the eldest daughter of the Shen family. She is proficient in array formations and talismans, and is in charge of setting up the demon-sealing array this time," Chief Clerk Zhao said, suppressing his thoughts as he continued the introduction.

Xiao Yunhan looked at Shen Qingyi, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes again: "Miss Shen, you're so young, yet you can set up a demon-sealing array?"

"I know a little bit," Shen Qingyi said, neither humble nor arrogant.

Xiao Yunhan nodded and said no more.