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

For the next two weeks, Xu Yuan's life became regular again.

During the day, he still served in the Northern Camp, occasionally taking on small tasks to kill low-level monsters, accumulating combat experience while also collecting monster materials.

At night, he would transform into "Bloody Hand" and wait at Yongchang Pawnshop in the south of the city to secretly observe the movements of Youying Tower.

After Shan Xiongfei's death, Youyinglou seemed to fall into a brief period of chaos.

According to the news brought by Huamei, signs of division have emerged within Youying Tower—some want to seize the opportunity to rise to power, some want to escape Cangzhou, and others... are looking for new backers.

"Master." That day, Huamei hurriedly came to the villa. "There's some movement at Youying Tower."

Xu Yuan put down the book "True Explanation of the Demon Contract" and looked at her: "Speak."

"This afternoon, the Grand Elder secretly received someone," Hua Mei said in a low voice. "That person was wearing a cloak, so we couldn't see their face, but their aura... was very strong. At least at the peak of the Qi Condensation Realm!"

Xu Yuan's eyes flickered slightly.

Above the peak of the Qi Condensation Realm?

Is the person behind Youying Tower finally about to surface?

"Did you hear what they were saying?"

Hua Mei shook her head: "The Grand Elder's secret chamber is protected by a magic barrier, and I dare not approach it. But when that person left, I vaguely heard a sentence—'Proceed according to plan in three days.'"

Three days later?

Xu Yuan frowned slightly.

Three days later, the Demon-Slaying Tournament will begin.

"Interesting." A slight smile played on his lips. "It seems they're trying to make a scene at the Demon-Slaying Tournament."

The thrush said worriedly, "Master, should I...?"

"No need," Xu Yuan waved his hand. "You continue to keep an eye on things, and report back immediately if there's any unusual activity."

"Yes."

The thrush withdrew.

Xu Yuan stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the night sky.

The Shadow Pavilion, the Green Mountain Sect, the Liu Family, the Xiongnu...

Within Cangzhou, various forces are stirring up trouble.

And he had unknowingly found himself right at the center of this vortex.

"It's been half a month..." he murmured, "It's about time I broke through."

He sat down cross-legged and took out dozens of spirit stones and the pills he had seized from Shan Xiongfei from his storage bag.

The Xuan Sha Zhen Yu Jin was fully activated, and the true essence surged through the meridians like a river.

Silent all night.

The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight shone into the courtyard, Xu Yuan slowly opened his eyes.

[Sixth acupoint "Mingmen" opening progress: 100%]

[Seventh acupoint "Yangguan" unlocking progress: 12%]

The true essence was more solid than before, and the senses expanded once again.

He stood up and threw a punch, which exploded in the air.

"Just one step away from condensing the seven orifices..." Xu Yuan's lips curled into a smile.

"The Demon-Slaying Tournament..." he murmured, "It's time to go and meet those so-called 'prodigies'."

------

Two days later, the Demon-Slaying Assembly arrived as scheduled.

On this day, the city of Cangzhou was deserted as everyone flocked to the streets.

As dawn broke, a dense crowd had already gathered outside the city gates.

Among them were ordinary people watching the ceremony, spies from various forces, independent martial artists, and merchants and vendors who came from various counties to join in the fun.

Demon Spirit Valley is located on the outskirts of Cangzhou Prefecture. It is a trial ground designated by the Demon Suppression Division. It is usually heavily guarded and ordinary people are not allowed to enter. It is only open to the public during the seven-day annual Demon Slaying Conference.

Of course, only the outer areas are open to the public.

When Xu Yuan followed the Northern Camp out of the city, the roadsides were already crowded with people.

"Make way! Make way!" A constable cleared the way. "The Northern Camp of the Demon Suppression Division is passing through. Passengers, please make way!"

The crowd automatically parted to make way, and countless eyes fell on the black-clad group riding past.

"Are those people from the Northern Camp?"

"I heard a ruthless guy emerged from the Northern Camp this year, what's his name... Xu Yuan?"

"Yes, yes, yes! I heard about it too, the one who defended Qingyang! It's said that he burned the Xiongnu's grain supplies and even killed a Xiongnu shaman!"

"A newcomer at the Qi Condensation Realm? This year's Demon Slaying Tournament is going to be interesting..."

Whispers drifted on the wind, but Xu Yuan remained expressionless as he spurred his horse onward.

Beside him, Meng Hu excitedly whispered, "Brother Xu, did you hear that? You're famous now!"

Xu Yuan smiled but didn't reply.

famous?

This is nothing.

After the Demon-Slaying Assembly, he will let the entire Cangzhou Prefecture know that there is a man named Xu Yuan who has come from the poor and remote Shuangshan Village to stand before everyone.

After the group had been marching for about half an hour, the view ahead suddenly opened up.

We've arrived at Demon Valley!

It was a valley surrounded by mountains, spanning dozens of miles. At the entrance stood a massive stone gate, with three large, blood-red characters carved on the lintel—"Demon Spirit Valley."

On either side of the stone gate stood ten black-clad demon-suppressing guards, all of whom were at the peak of the Blood Refinement stage.

Inside the gate was a dense primeval forest, with towering trees and swirling mist, where the roars of beasts could be faintly heard from the depths.

Outside the stone gate was a wide open space.

Dozens of tents have been erected on the open ground, with flags waving and crowds of people.

To the east was the garrison of the four battalions of the Demon Suppression Division, to the west were the viewing seats of the Green Mountain Sect and various aristocratic families, and in the center was a three-zhang-high wooden platform with several grand master chairs placed on it.

Xu Yuan glanced at the west side, his gaze lingering slightly on a certain spot.

There, Liu Ruyan, dressed in a fiery red dress, sat regally in the family's seat, next to a square-faced, dignified middle-aged man.

The head of the Liu family, Liu Zhenshan.

Late stage of condensation.

Liu Ruyan seemed to sense something and turned to look.

Their eyes met, and a cold killing intent flashed in Liu Ruyan's eyes.

Xu Yuan simply smiled faintly and looked away.

"Brother Xu, have you seen Liu Ruyan?" Meng Hu leaned closer and lowered his voice. "I heard she's representing the Liu family at the Demon-Slaying Conference, and her strength has already reached the Nine Apertures stage!"

Condensing the nine orifices.

Xu Yuan silently assessed the situation in his mind, but remained outwardly calm: "Indeed, it's quite good."

"Not bad?" Meng Hu's eyes widened. "Brother Xu, the way you're talking... do you even know what it means to condense nine apertures? That's just one step away from entering the mid-stage of the Aperture Condensation realm! In our Northern Camp, apart from the Camp Commander and Deputy Camp Commander Xiao, no one is her match!"

Xu Yuan patted him on the shoulder without explaining anything.

Soon, the team arrived at the North Camp's encampment.

Lei Zhen and Xiao Yunhan had arrived earlier and were talking with several imposing figures.

Seeing Xu Yuan approach, Lei Zhen waved: "Xu Yuan, come and greet the camp commanders."

Xu Yuan stepped forward and bowed with clasped hands.

Among those people, the three in the lead were particularly eye-catching.

A burly man with a full beard and an arrogant demeanor—the Eastern Camp Commander, Lieshan Hong, at the peak of the Qi Condensation Realm.

A slender man with a cold and stern face and sharp eyes like an eagle—Shen Qianshan, the commander of the Southern Camp, at the peak of the Qi Condensation Realm.

One was a woman in her early thirties, with a beautiful face, but exuding a coldness that kept people at a distance—Qin Hongyu, the commander of the Western Camp, a late-stage Qi Condensation Realm cultivator.

"Is this the new talent your Northern Camp has brought out this year?" Lie Shan Hong looked Xu Yuan up and down, grinning. "Early stage of Qi Condensation? Not bad, but the Demon Slaying Tournament is no joke. Don't come crying later."

Shen Qianshan merely glanced at Xu Yuan indifferently without saying a word.

Qin Hongyu glanced at Xu Yuan a few more times, seemingly lost in thought.

Xu Yuan's expression remained unchanged as he clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Commander Lie."

Lieshan Hong laughed and said nothing more.

At that moment, a loud voice came from the high platform.