Start slaying demons from the proficiency panel.

However, after hearing the other party's message, Ning Xiu's expression remained completely unchanged, which was the professional expression management required of a Demon Slayer.

Firstly, the old man in front of me has a mysterious background. Secondly, he claims to be a demon-subduing envoy, yet he so directly reveals his identity to me, which is far too straightforward. If I were a demon, I could spread this news and make sure this demon has nowhere to be buried.

In the outer realms, the Demon Slayer is extremely hated; his identity is so exposed that he would soon be left to rot in the wilderness.

In any case, we must be extremely cautious.

Ning Xiu said calmly, "Old sir, are you serious?"

"I can tell at a glance who is the Demon-Subduing Commander and who is not. Young friend, rest assured, there is no danger within a hundred miles of this place. We are absolutely safe. This time, something really serious has happened, which is why I took the initiative to offer myself and ask you for help."

Liu Zaiyi flicked his hand, and a dark shadow shot towards Ning Xiu, which Ning Xiu then grabbed.

Upon releasing his grip, he discovered that it was actually a bronze leopard-slaying talisman with one half broken.

For the Demon-Subduing Guards, the token is a very important symbol, and there is a saying that the token should never leave their body, and the body should never leave the token.

The Demon-Subduing Tokens forged by the Shang Dynasty themselves contain hidden secrets that cannot be counterfeited. To prevent demons from obtaining them and impersonating Demon-Subduing Officers, any captured Demon-Subduing Officers would destroy their own tokens at the cost of their lives, leaving no chance for them to be left behind.

The shattering of the Demon-Subduing Token in his hand at this moment meant that a Demon-Subduing Officer had encountered a life-or-death crisis and was very likely killed.

Liu Zaiyi whispered again, "This time, Fang Jingzhou escaped into the Four Symbols Prefecture with the Vermilion Bird's blood, attracting many Demon-Subduing Officers who had received the summons. However, for some reason, Fang Jingzhou was being heavily protected by the Black Heaven Gate demons. Many Demon-Subduing Officers who were unaware of the situation were exposed and unfortunately killed when they infiltrated to investigate."

Some of the Demon-Slaying Officers have been captured alive by the demons of the Black Heaven Gate. As a Demon-Slaying Envoy, I couldn't stand by and watch. I had no choice but to search for colleagues in hiding to help me organize a rescue operation. If you have the time, please lend me a hand. Every Demon-Slaying Officer is an elite of the Great Shang Dynasty and cannot be easily abandoned.”

"What makes you think I'm a Demon-Subduing Commander?" Ning Xiu waved the broken Demon-Subduing Token in his hand and said indifferently.

"The Demon-Subduing Envoy has his own way of judging people. I can tell whether someone is a Demon-Subduing Officer or not. If it weren't for the many Demon-Subduing Officers being in trouble, I certainly wouldn't have taken the initiative to appear and ask you for help today. Young friend, you can take a look at this to dispel any doubts you may have about me." Liu Zaiyi threw out another item, which Ning Xiu caught.

Upon seeing this, Ning Xiu finally nodded.

In his hand was a two-star badge with the image of Mahakala on the back. This was a special badge made by the Frontier Demon-Subduing Commander for the Demon-Subduing Secret Envoy, which could not be counterfeited by normal means and was the symbol of the Demon-Subduing Secret Envoy.

The Demon-Subduing Envoys do not have tokens, as carrying such a thing could easily expose their identities if they were not careful. Therefore, the Great Black Heaven Badge is the unique 'token' of the Demon-Subduing Secret History, and only Demon-Subduing Captains of the Bronze Leopard rank and above know about it.

The Demon-Subduing Envoy has five stars, each representing the envoy's status in the outer realms; the higher the status, the higher the star rating.

"Where did you get this token?" Ning Xiu asked.

"It was left behind by a Demon Slayer before he died. Unfortunately, I could only watch helplessly as he died, and I couldn't save him," Liu Zaiyi sighed.

Logically speaking, the Demon-Subduing Envoy should absolutely not reveal their identity in the outer realms, not even if they encounter the Demon-Subduing Commander.

Unless it was an emergency, judging from Liu Zaiyi's act of blocking the road to ask for help, it seems that the number of Demon-Subduing Officers captured by the Black Heaven Gate this time is indeed quite large.

"Your token"

[116] The Four Symbols activate three-quarters of the energy.

As Liu Zaiyi approached on a cloud, Ning Xiu noticed that what he was sitting on was not a real cloud, but a white, swirling beast that was exhaling white smoke.

It has a round body and two small, featherless wings on its sides. It is thanks to these wings that the cloud is able to carry people into flight.

It has to be said that Liu Zaiyi was very lucky to be able to capture such a rare and exotic beast in the outer realms.

Once they were closer, Liu Zaiyi took out a top-down map and began explaining it to Ning Xiu.

It turns out that Liu Zaiyi was sent to Sixiang Prefecture by the Jingzhou Demon-Subduing Commander thirty years ago to serve as a Demon-Subduing Envoy, a collector of intelligence. He had no resources or assistance from the Demon-Subduing Division and struggled alone for decades before finally settling down.

Years ago, Liu Zaiyi seized an opportunity to join the Black Heaven Gate and steal intelligence from it.

Because he held a minor position in the Black Heaven Gate, he was able to be promoted to a 2-star Demon Subduing Envoy.

Not long ago, the Black Heaven Gate held the Four Symbols Altar. In order to collect the corresponding power of the four symbols, the Black Heaven Gate did not hesitate to use certain conditions to lure Fang Jingzhou, an official of the Great Shang Dynasty, into corruption. He fled the territory of the Great Shang Dynasty overnight with the treasure, the Vermilion Bird Blood.

This Vermilion Bird blood was used hundreds of years ago to suppress the evil spirits and demons in the southern part of the Shang Dynasty. After the evil spirits and demons were subdued by the Demon-Subduing Officer, the Vermilion Bird blood was enshrined in the temples of the prefecture for commemorative purposes.

Unexpectedly, the state official Jingzhou changed his mind and brought the Vermilion Bird Blood to the Four Symbols State. Along the way, all the Demon Subduing Officers sent to retrieve the Vermilion Bird Blood perished.

After the summons for subduing demons was issued, a large number of demon-subduing officers went to Sixiang Prefecture to investigate the whereabouts of Fang Jingzhou.

According to Liu Zaiyi, Fang Jingzhou was well protected by the Black Heaven Gate, and many of the Demon Subduing Officers who wanted to capture him and bring back the Vermilion Bird Blood had accidents.

With the Four Symbols Altar about to be completed, and many Demon Subduing Guards still captured at the altar, Liu Zaiyi had no choice but to search for people to rescue them.

"Before you, I had already found several Demon-Subduing Officers who had come to the outer realms. They were also willing to go with me to rescue people. Now, with you joining us, young friend, the rescue force has been greatly increased," Liu Zaiyi said with a smile.

"Have you investigated the specific defensive forces at the Black Heaven Gate's Four Symbols Altar?" Ning Xiu asked.

"Currently, we know of four third-rank demons and two second-rank demons. Given that this is to build an altar for the White Mountain Elephant Kingdom, the demons from the Black Heaven Gate are taking this altar very seriously."

"No first-grade demons?" Ning Xiu raised an eyebrow, looking suspicious.

Since it's such an important matter, I doubt that the Black Heaven Sect would fail to send even a first-rank demon to oversee it.

“My rank within the Black Heaven Gate is too low, and I cannot investigate the details regarding whether there are any first-rank demons. However, young friend, you don’t need to worry. Our rescue team includes a first-rank Demon-Subduing Officer, which is enough to put us to the test against the Black Heaven Gate.”

"Oh." Ning Xiu nodded.

Led by Liu Zaiyi, the road ahead changed slightly, and the two arrived at a desolate mountain, where they were surprised to find a dilapidated temple.

Just as Ning Xiu and his companion approached within a mile of the dilapidated temple, the temple gate suddenly twisted and transformed into a black lion with drooping eyes.

The lion's body was round and plump, and the entire dilapidated temple was its body. If someone who did not know this wanted to enter the temple, they would simply enter the belly of this strange beast and die without even knowing how.

“Mr. Qian, it’s me.” Liu Zaiyi landed on the white cloud demon beast and said.

Three people emerged from the black lion's mouth. The leader was an old woman who held a jade cane. Her body was brimming with spiritual energy, and sparks, water droplets, electric arcs, leaves, and other strange phenomena would occasionally flash around her.

These are not physical objects, but signs of spiritual energy that has reached its peak due to an excessive abundance of spiritual energy, giving rise to unusual phenomena that could potentially transform into supernatural powers at any time.

This old woman is a second-level immortal, she's really something!

To the left of the old woman was a very thin young man in a white robe. His panda eyes looked as if he hadn't slept in a long time. He carried a sword sheath on his back, but judging from the lack of calluses on his hands, it seemed more like a decoration.

Third level martial arts.

To the left of the old woman was a fat monk in a red robe, with narrow eyes and upturned corners of his mouth; even without speaking, he gave the impression of always smiling.

The two categories: Buddhism and Taoism.

Ning Xiu nodded. Liu Zaiyi's search for Demon-Subduing Officers to rescue people wasn't random; the criteria were all set within the upper three ranks. However, it was indeed necessary. If Demon-Subduing Officers below the upper three ranks went with them to the Four Symbols Altar to rescue people, it would be beneficial.

It's likely a case of nine out of ten chances of survival, a self-inflicted death.

"A first-rank Buddhist general!" The three Demon Subduing Generals present were immediately impressed when they saw the Demon Buddha flying over from the black lotus platform. Although they couldn't see the Demon Buddha's appearance clearly, the addition of another first-rank general would be of great help to the rescue operation.

The old woman then turned her attention to Ning Xiu. With Ning Xiu's current level of concealment technique, he could only conceal himself from the detection of experts below the second rank. The old woman was able to see his true strength.

Compared to the first rank of the Demon Buddha, Ning Xiu's third rank in martial arts is merely icing on the cake.

"Grandma Meishan greets Your Excellency," the old woman said to the Demon Buddha.

The First Rank is a very special position within the Demon Subduing Division. This level of strength is between that of the Golden Dragon Demon Subduing Captain and the Silver Tiger Demon Subduing Captain. However, just because you can reach the First Rank does not mean you can become a Golden Dragon Demon Subduing Captain. You still need to undergo some tests issued by the Demon Subduing Captain.

But no matter what, it's definitely right to call the Buddha "Master".

"Which Golden Dragon level official in the department is this gentleman?" the fat monk asked with a smile.

"I have been fighting on the frontier for many years, and I have never met this sir." The young man with the sword on his back shook his head and said calmly.

Ning Xiu landed and explained, "Greetings, everyone. I am Ning Xiu, a Bronze Leopard level cultivator."

"To reach the third rank at such a young age, your talent is limitless in the future," said Granny Meishan.

However, when the Demon Buddha landed right after him, everyone's expression changed drastically again, except for Liu Zaiyi, who remained the most composed.

He had already been surprised that the Demon Buddha looked exactly like Ning Xiu. Although he hadn't asked Ning Xiu about it in detail, he figured there must be an inseparable relationship between the Demon Buddha and Ning Xiu.

"This is also me, please don't be surprised," Ning Xiu explained.

Although the sentence was simple, it was like a thunderclap to everyone's hearts.

Ning Xiu is Ning Xiu, and the Demon Buddha is also Ning Xiu? What does this mean?

Regardless, the fact that this Demon Buddha is Ning Xiu is enough to increase Ning Xiu's status and importance.

He alone represents the combined combat power of both the first and third rank, making him the main force in this rescue operation.

Just as everyone was staring at each other, the black lion suddenly roared, and a powerful figure emerged from its mouth.

Ning Xiu stared intently, recognizing this person as the first-rank expert Liu Zaiyi had mentioned earlier.

This person had long, flowing hair and dressed simply, but his entire body was as sharp as a razor-sharp sword. Ning Xiu could vaguely see a huge, deep blue giant sword behind him.

But when you focus your gaze to get a clearer look, you'll find that the sword shadow vanishes without a trace, as if you'd just imagined it.

"Martial arts first rank, truly extraordinary," Ning Xiu thought to himself.

Immortal arts encompass a variety of techniques, including wind, forest, fire, mountain, thunder, water, air, and ice. Martial arts also have their own distinct categories.

For example, fists, legs, swords, knives, guns, etc. The first-rank martial arts master, Demon Subduer, that Ning Xiu saw should be someone who mainly focuses on swordsmanship.

This is why one possesses the illusion of a broadsword; it's a sign that one's strength has reached a bottleneck and a major breakthrough is imminent.

"Time is running out. It's already good enough to have such helpers at this critical juncture. Everyone, set off immediately," the man said expressionlessly.

"Yes, sir!" Upon hearing the man's words, the others nodded in agreement.

The black lion suddenly began to shrink, becoming the size of an ordinary lion. It walked to the old woman's side and carried her on its back; it was her mount.

This lion can grow large or small, and can even transform into a dilapidated temple for people to live in. It is by no means an ordinary demon beast. Even within the territory of the Great Shang Dynasty, there are few creatures with such strange supernatural powers.

The man took a single step, and without any wind, he floated away and disappeared from the spot. When he reappeared in everyone's sight, he was already several miles away.

This was not some kind of supernatural power, but a speed truly unleashed by physical strength. Looking at the huge crater left where the man stood, everyone's expressions were incredibly interesting.

"This is Lord Li Xianhe, the Golden Dragon Demon Subduer," Liu Zaiyi introduced to Ning Xiu.

"Golden Dragon Demon Subduer!"

This was Ning Xiu's first time meeting the Golden Dragon Demon Subduer. In the past, in Chaotian Capital and even Jingzhou, the Golden Dragon Demon Subduer was a mysterious figure who was rarely seen. Meeting them depended entirely on luck. He never expected that he would meet one on this trip to the outer realms. It was a worthwhile trip.

Seeing that Li Xianhe had already set off, Ning Xiu and the others did not linger in place and each used their own methods to prepare to follow in Li Xianhe's footsteps.

The old woman's name was Ning Lian, and she shared the same surname as Ning Xiu. With the magical beast, the black-skinned lion, she could leap over mountains and climb slopes with ease, her four legs moving as if she were ascending clouds and treading the moon, light and swift.

Liu Zaiyi's white cloud bird followed closely behind, neither too fast nor too slow.

The fat monk used a strange footwork technique. With each step, he would become ethereal, disappearing from his spot for a moment before appearing hundreds of meters away in the next instant.

It bears some resemblance to the technique of shrinking the earth to an inch.

The young swordsman with dark circles under his eyes was the most direct, walking straight up to Ning Xiu and asking, "Good brother, can you give me a ride? I really don't want to move anymore, I'm sleepy."