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

Lei Zhen nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Xu Yuan for a moment, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Xu Yuan did not deliberately use the [Concealing Breath] property at this moment, so Lei Zhen could naturally see that although the young man in front of him had concealed his aura, the faint fluctuation of true essence clearly indicated that he was undoubtedly at the Condensation Aperture Realm.

Such a young Nascent Soul Realm cultivator is rare even in Cangzhou Prefecture.

"A promising talent." Lei Zhen said only three words and then said no more.

"Xu Yuan, sit here." Xiao Yunhan pointed to the seat to his right.

Xu Yuan sat down as instructed.

As soon as I sat down, I felt several scrutinizing gazes directed at me.

There was curiosity, scrutiny, and perhaps... a subtle hostility.

Xu Yuan remained calm and took a sip of tea.

"Gentlemen," Xiao Yunhan raised his wine cup, his voice booming like a bell, "this is Xu Yuan. In the battle to defend Qingyang, he faced the Xiongnu army head-on, burning their supplies and destroying their equipment, and finally, with a single stroke, beheading that old shaman dog!"

"If Qingyang can be defended, Brother Xu deserves the greatest credit!"

These words were met with cheers from the audience.

"good!"

"Heroes emerge from among the young!"

"Deputy Battalion Commander Xiao's judgment is indeed sharp!"

Xu Yuan stood up, raised his cup in return, and said calmly, "Uncle Xiao, you flatter me. Qingyang was able to be defended because all the soldiers in the city risked their lives. I only did my bit."

A hint of appreciation flashed in Xiao Yunhan's and Lei Zhen's eyes at the same time, and they raised their cups to drink again.

The scene became quite lively for a while.

However, after a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere at the table began to become somewhat subtle.

"Brother Xu." A man in his early thirties put down his wine cup and looked over with a half-smile. "I heard that you were just a hunter from a mountain village before you joined the Bureau. You jumped from Blood Refining to Qi Condensation in just two months. Such a speed of progress is probably rare even in our Cangzhou Prefecture."

These words immediately silenced the room.

The speaker sat to Lei Zhen's left, with slender eyebrows and eyes, slightly high cheekbones, and a smile on his face, but the smile did not reach his eyes.

Xu Yuan remembered Xiao Yunhan's introduction earlier—Zhou Yuankai, one of the captains of the Northern Camp, had condensed the five apertures and had been in service for seven years, making him a veteran in the camp.

"Lieutenant Zhou, please speak frankly if you have something to say," Xu Yuan said calmly, putting down his chopsticks.

Zhou Yuankai's smile remained unchanged: "Brother Xu, please don't misunderstand. I'm just curious. After all, even if an ordinary person ate pills like candy every day, they still couldn't achieve the goal of going from Blood Refining to Qi Condensation in two months. Brother Xu's good fortune is truly enviable."

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere at the table became even more subtle.

Zhou Yuankai's words sounded like he was praising Xu Yuan, but in reality, they were a barb that was actually quite sharp.

The four words "opportunity and good fortune" that he mentioned are often directly associated with "evil and crooked ways" in a place like the Demon Suppression Bureau.

Xiao Yunhan frowned, about to speak, but was stopped by a look from Lei Zhen.

Xu Yuan lowered his eyes, picked up a piece of braised beef, put it in his mouth, and chewed it slowly.

Three breaths later, he looked up at Zhou Yuankai.

"Captain Zhou has been on the job for seven years, and it took him an average of one and a half years to condense the first aperture, going from one aperture to five apertures." He spoke calmly, as if stating a fact. "I, Xu, went from refining blood to condensing apertures in two months, which is indeed faster than yours."

"but--"

He paused, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Opportunities are a matter of individual ability. If Commander Zhou is not convinced, why not tell me how many realms you could break through in two months back then? I'm all ears."

"you---!"

Zhou Yuankai's face stiffened, and he slammed his wine glass heavily on the table.

The people around him quickly tried to smooth things over, but Zhou Yuankai just snorted and said nothing more.

Xu Yuan continued eating as if nothing had happened.

Xiao Yunhan lowered his head to drink, but a smile appeared on his lips.

Lei Zhen observed all of this and suddenly asked, "Xu Yuan, how many apertures have you condensed yet?"

Xu Yuan's heart stirred.

Although he did not deliberately use the [Concealing Breath] property, as long as he did not actively reveal it, it would be difficult for others to see through his true level.

"I was lucky enough to condense three apertures." Xu Yuan thought for a moment and chose to tell the truth.

Lei Zhen nodded, then suddenly raised his hand and slapped Xu Yuan on the shoulder!

The palm strike was fierce and the force was contained. This palm strike seemed casual, but in fact it had the power of at least the mid-stage of the Qi Condensation Realm!

Xu Yuan's pupils contracted slightly, but he did not flinch.

In a flash, the true essence of his three orifices surged simultaneously, instantly converging on his right shoulder along the meridians.

"Bang---!"

With a muffled thud, Xu Yuan swayed slightly before regaining his balance.

Lei Zhen withdrew his hand, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Good!" He nodded. "Your true essence is solid and your foundation is firm. It's indeed something you've achieved through hard work."

Zhou Yuankai watched from the side, his eyelids twitching.

That palm strike just now might not have been understood by others, but he knew exactly what it meant.

That was Lei Zhen's unique technique, "Wild Mountain Force." It looked like a light, casual palm strike, but it could actually shatter the opponent's qi and blood.

If someone in the early stages of the Qi Condensation Realm were to take this hit head-on, they would at least have to retreat in a sorry state to neutralize the force.

Xu Yuan, however, only swayed slightly.

This kid... really only has three orifices?

Xu Yuan's expression remained unchanged, but he was secretly on high alert.

Lei Zhen's palm strike may have seemed like a test, but it could also have been a warning.

There are undercurrents in Cangzhou Prefecture. It seems that the Demon Suppression Division is not to be underestimated. As a newcomer, it would be best to keep a low profile.

"Xu Yuan," Lei Zhen spoke again, but this time his tone was more serious.

"You have rendered a great service, and Deputy Battalion Commander Xiao has already requested an entry bonus for you. According to the rules, newly recruited Demon Suppression Envoys are entitled to a low-grade Xuan-rank cultivation technique. I see that you have already cultivated the 'Mysterious Fiend Prison Suppression Technique,' so I will supplement it with the subsequent chapter of the Condensation Aperture Technique. Do you have any objections?"

Xu Yuan shook his head: "The camp commander can arrange it."

"Alright." Lei Zhen nodded. "Also, are you interested in participating in the Demon-Slaying Tournament in a month?"

Demon-Slaying Tournament!

Xu Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly, but his expression remained unchanged: "I would like to hear the details."

Lei Zhen raised his hand, signaling everyone to continue eating and drinking, while he led Xu Yuan and Xiao Yunhan to the window.

"The Demon-Slaying Tournament is held annually, and all members of the Demon-Suppressing Division under the age of thirty-five within Cangzhou are eligible to participate," Lei Zhen said slowly. "Although it says under thirty-five, in previous years, those in the early stages of the Qi Condensation Realm were the main force. Although you've just joined, your strength is sufficient."

"The tournament will be held in Demon Spirit Valley, a training ground designated by the Demon Suppression Bureau. It contains numerous demons, ranging from demon soldiers to demon generals. Participants will hunt demons, and points will be awarded based on the number and level of monsters killed. The top ten will receive generous rewards, and as for the first place—"

He looked at Xu Yuan: "Could we please have the Grand Commander personally guide us for three days?"

Xu Yuan's heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained calm: "What does the Thunder Camp Commander mean?"

"I want you to represent the Northern Camp in the battle," Lei Zhen said bluntly. "The Northern Camp's performance in the Demon-Slaying Tournament has been mediocre these past few years, constantly overshadowed by those guys from other camps. Since you were able to kill the Guza Shaman, your strength is indeed remarkable. You're perfect to go and show them what's what."

Xiao Yunhan added from the side, "Xu Yuan, if you agree, you can have priority access to the cultivation resources of the Northern Camp for this month. Spirit stones, pills, cultivation techniques—just ask if you need them."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan pondered for a moment before nodding.

Even if Lei Zhen hadn't proposed the deal, Xu Yuan was still planning to participate in the Demon-Slaying Conference. Since that was the case, it was better to have the best of both worlds.

Seeing Xu Yuan agree, Lei Zhen immediately patted him on the shoulder: "Great! Have a good drink tonight. Tomorrow I'll have someone deliver the first batch of cultivation resources to your residence. You won't be disappointed."

The three returned to their seats, and the atmosphere became even more lively.

Although Zhou Yuankai still disliked Xu Yuan, Lei Zhen's current attitude left him no choice but to drink in silence.

After a few rounds of drinks, a young demon-suppressing guard quietly approached Xu Yuan and whispered, "Brother Xu, don't take what Captain Zhou said to heart. That's just his personality; he can't stand seeing newcomers rise to prominence."

Xu Yuan glanced at him.

He was in his early twenties, with regular features, and his aura indicated that he was at the eighth level of Blood Refinement. He was probably more than just an ordinary demon-suppressing guard from the Northern Camp.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Meng Hu, and I just joined last year." The young man grinned. "Brother Xu's exploits in defending Qingyang are practically legendary throughout our Northern Camp. He single-handedly burned the Xiongnu's supplies, fought a shaman one-on-one, and finally chopped that old dog to pieces. In short—amazing!"

Xu Yuan smiled but didn't say anything more.

Meng Hu didn't care and continued, "Brother Xu, the Demon-Slaying Tournament is not easy to pass. There are several formidable characters in the other three camps, especially that Shen Moyan from the Southern Camp. He has already condensed the Eight Apertures and almost won first place in last year's tournament. I heard that he is in seclusion this year to break through to the Ninth Aperture. If he succeeds, I'm afraid no one can stop him."

"And there's Lin Xiaotian from the East Camp, Qin Shuang from the West Camp..." Meng Hu listed them off as if they were his own family. "In short, if Brother Xu wants to participate, he'd better prepare well."

Xu Yuan silently made a note of it.

Condensing eight or nine orifices... with my current cultivation at the peak of three orifices, I am indeed still far from that level.

However, if we make good use of this month, we might just be able to give it a shot!

By the time the banquet ended, it was already 11:45 PM.

Xu Yuan bid farewell to Xiao Yunhan and Lei Zhen and returned to the villa in the east of the city alone.

The moonlight, like water, spilled onto the bluestone path.

Xu Yuan was walking in the alley when he suddenly stopped.

This was because, according to his [Yin Qi Perception], an extremely faint aura was quietly following him from thirty feet behind.