Start slaying demons from the proficiency panel.

"It's alright," Ning Xiu nodded in response.

Once on the dragon, following Ning Xiu's signal, the dragon immediately began to gallop swiftly across the ground at a considerable speed.

While traveling, Ning Xiu quietly observed the white-robed youth sitting not far away, who had a confused expression and unfocused eyes.

Judging from the dark circles under her eyes, she seems to have not slept for a long time, and her whole face is full of fatigue.

Ning Xiu observed that the man's body was clean and fair, with soft muscles, showing no signs of long-term training. It was quite unbelievable to Ning Xiu that such a person was a third-rank martial artist.

"Ah..." As soon as he sat on the dragon's back, the young man's expression immediately went blank.

Ning Xiu then asked, "What is your name?"

The young man remained silent for a long time before suddenly realizing what was happening and said as if waking from a dream, "He Kuang."

"Brother He, are you also a swordsman?" Ning Xiu asked.

"Haha, no, this sword is just for show," He Kuang explained, shaking his head, but he didn't mention his own studies.

Ning Xiu understood the implication, and since no one else seemed inclined to say anything, he didn't press the matter further.

In the silence, He Kuang once again immersed himself in his own quietude, spacing out and daydreaming.

The group continued their journey without a moment's rest, and over the next few days, they were getting closer and closer to the place where the Black Heaven Gate had set up the Four Symbols Altar.

The horizon, the place where heaven and earth meet.

A vast amount of spiritual energy surged forth, erupting from the ground and soaring into the sky.

Even from a great distance, Ning Xiu could see the five-colored spiritual light flowing and shimmering in the clouds, looking like glowing, fluffy things.

This is a phenomenon that only occurs when the spiritual energy is abundant to a certain degree, which is enough to prove how rich the spiritual energy is in that place.

Generally speaking, there are only two reasons for this phenomenon: one is a place with spiritual energy, and the other is that a spirit-gathering array is set up by someone to forcibly seize the spiritual energy from other places.

“We’re here, this is it,” Liu Zaiyi said.

On the earth, an altar made entirely of four-colored jade stones stood tall.

They are red, white, green, and brown, all of which are top-quality jade.

"With the support of the White Mountain Elephant Kingdom, I never expected that the Four Symbols Altar would be completed in just a few months," Liu Zaiyi said with emotion as he looked at the huge altar.

Without the support of the White Mountain Elephant Kingdom, the Black Heaven Gate's limited manpower would not have been sufficient to accomplish this task in such a short time.

If one's eyesight is good, one can see the demon soldiers patrolling below the Four Symbols Altar.

Huge monsters with elephant heads and human bodies were pacing back and forth. Each of them was as big as two adult humans combined. They were covered in armor and carried battle axes and hammers, and they looked extremely powerful.

These are the royal demon soldiers of the White Mountain Elephant Kingdom, the Elephant Demon Soldiers.

Each demon kingdom has a unique group of demon soldiers, and the types of demon soldiers vary depending on the royal family of the demon kingdom.

For the demon kingdom, this demon soldier group is the most loyal and powerful symbol. The fact that demon soldiers could appear at the Four Symbols Altar is enough to prove the importance that the White Mountain Elephant Kingdom attaches to this altar.

Around the altar, there are four smaller auxiliary pagodas. One of them, a white jade pagoda, is already burning with white flames. In the flames, a pure white tiger is looking up at the sky. Although it makes no sound, its aura already gives people a sense of inexplicable oppression.

In addition, there is a cluster of blue flames on the Jade Pagoda, as well as a blue dragon coiling around it, its figure majestic.

"The Four Symbols Altar has already activated the Azure Dragon and White Tiger, and time is running out," Liu Zaiyi said. "Only the Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise remain. It seems that the Vermilion Bird's blood has not yet been successfully used by the demons of the Black Heaven Gate. Everyone, hurry up."

However, just as he finished speaking, a cry suddenly rang out from above the Red Jade Pagoda.

A pillar of fire shot into the sky, reaching straight up into the clouds, accompanied by a giant bird with crimson feathers and scarlet eyes.

“The Vermilion Bird blood has also been activated…” Ning Lian frowned, her expression grave.

Now that things have come to this, in addition to rescuing the captured Demon-Subduing Officers, preventing the successful operation of the Four Symbols Altar has become their top priority.

The four symbols are only missing one. Once activated, the White Mountain Elephant Kingdom will gain power. Although the Great Shang Dynasty will not be greatly affected, there will inevitably be sacrifices among the soldiers on the frontier.

"Hurry up and assign positions. As long as we destroy all the branch towers, the Four Symbols Altar will fail to operate this time. Right now, we don't have enough manpower. In addition to finding those captured Demon Subduing Officers, we also need to spare some manpower to destroy the Four Symbols branch towers."

Liu Zaiyi glanced at the Demon-Slaying Guards around him: "Searching for people is extremely dangerous. Is there any sir willing to do so?"

“I’ll do it,” Li Xianhe said without hesitation.

“I think I should do it.” Ning Xiu looked at Li Xianhe, who had a calm expression, and added, “I have a first-rank and a third-rank, which should be the highest combination of combat power at present. Since this matter is the most dangerous, according to the rules of the Demon Subduing Division, it should be done by me.”

Li Xianhe glanced at Ning Xiu and said slowly, "Even among the first-rank, there are differences. You don't know the situation, so let me handle the search. Don't argue."

Liu Zaiyi nodded and said, "Lord Ning, Lord Li is a Golden Dragon Demon Subduer who has been promoted for many years. He is very strong and experienced. In my opinion, this matter should be left to Lord Li."

Since the matter had been brought up, Ning Xiu stopped arguing and nodded in agreement.

Once the search for the missing person was confirmed, the next step was to deal with the allocation of the four branch towers.

Qinglong Pagoda, Ningxiu.

White Tiger Pagoda, Ninglian.

The Vermilion Bird Pagoda, how arrogant!

Xuanwu Pagoda, Fat Monk.

As an extra person, Liu Zaiyi chose to travel with He Kuang to take care of this seemingly young Demon Slayer.

But He Kuang shook his head and said, "No, I always carry out missions alone. You're more likely to get hurt if you come with me. You should go with the others."

Ning Lian and Fat Monk glanced at He Kuang but remained silent.

It seems that He Kuang is indeed the weakest among everyone present, but his aura gives people a feeling that he can never be seen through, as if an extremely terrifying and mysterious existence is hidden within him.

"Then you can come with me," the fat monk said with a smile.

“Alright.” Liu Zaiyi nodded in agreement: “Then everyone, let’s not delay, let’s set off now.”

Li Xianhe set off immediately, with Ning Lian and the fat monk following closely behind.

"See you later," He Kuang said to Ning Xiu, then lightly leaped and floated towards the direction of the Vermilion Bird Tower.

His body was as light as a leaf, and he showed no sign of falling in the air, much like the legendary immortals soaring through the sky.

"This person is indeed extraordinary," Ning Xiu thought to himself.

Those who can enter the Demon Subduing Division and become Silver Tiger Demon Subduing Captains are no ordinary people.

[117] Great Demon General of the Demon Clan

More than ten miles north of the Four Symbols Altar, there are several overlapping peaks, and among these mountains lies a lake, which covers a vast area and stretches to the horizon.

The lake's edge is filled with clear, fresh water, but the closer you get to the center, the darker the water becomes. Ten coiled dragon stone pillars are also embedded in the water, forming a formation.

Each of the coiled dragon stone pillars has several iron locks, each as thick as an adult's fist, extending into the depths of the lake, locking something away.

On each of the coiled dragon stone pillars, a black-robed demon with a different appearance sits cross-legged at the top of the pillar, looking down at the lake.

“It’s about time. We should collect that old man’s blood essence.” A demon stood up and said.

He reached out and grasped, and immediately all the chains on the dragon-shaped stone pillar he was standing on trembled and were pulled up from underwater.

As soon as he started, the demons on the other pillars followed suit, each using their own methods to pull up the chains. Suddenly, a large amount of waves rolled up in the center of the lake, as if something was being pulled out from the bottom of the water.

boom!

As all the demons exerted their power simultaneously, a series of rumbling sounds suddenly echoed from beneath the lake, as if some creature was making a series of booming noises from below.

Upon hearing this voice, all the demons' expressions turned serious. What they were about to do was no simple matter, and they could not afford to make any mistakes.

The iron chains kept breaking free of the water, and finally, the enormous creature was forcibly pulled up from the bottom of the lake.

As the water droplets on the object returned to the surface, its full appearance was finally revealed to everyone.

A huge gray tortoise shell, its surface riddled with cracks and covered with weeds and rocks.

It turned out to be an enormous turtle.

Under the watchful eyes of the demons, a blue turtle head rose from the water, opened its eyes, and glared angrily at the crowd around it.

It had six eyes, each with a triangular pupil that was slowly rotating; it was clearly a different species.

"You imprisoned me here and dare to disturb my cultivation! Do you want to die?!" the old tortoise roared.

All the transvestites exchanged glances and nodded to signal the start of the operation.

Multiple coiled dragon stone pillars trembled simultaneously, and beams of light shot out from the pillars, striking the old tortoise.

The seemingly harmless beam of light caused the old turtle to let out a miserable wail. Its entire body trembled and slowly straightened up, rising upright from the water's surface.

On the old turtle's chin, there are many long whiskers, which, when soaked in the lake water, resemble trees, solid and thick.

Facing the surrounding dragon-shaped stone pillars, the old tortoise raised its hand and slapped out. Before its mountain-sized tortoise claws could even touch the surface of the stone pillars, they were already grabbed by the iron lock.

Taking advantage of an opportunity, the other demons quickly cast spells, controlling the light from the coiled dragon stone pillar to stir within the old turtle's body, seemingly searching for something.

The old tortoise clearly knew what these people were thinking. It opened all six eyes wide and shot out six beams of light, aiming at one of the demons.

The sorcerer flicked his sleeve, and a phantom red shield instantly formed in front of him, attempting to block the old tortoise's desperate counterattack.

boom!

The moment the beam of light struck the red shield, the demon was sent flying backward and crashed into the stone pillar. Without the demon's control, the beam of light emitted from the stone pillar immediately retreated from the old tortoise's body.

But even with one less ray of light, it wouldn't have a significant impact on the demon's plan.

As numerous rays of light pulled in unison, a dragon-headed tortoise with a black snake coiled around its back was ripped from the old tortoise's body.

"The spirit of Xuanwu! I've finally got it!" The demon was overjoyed.

After the spirit left the old turtle's body, the old turtle's expression became noticeably weaker, and its struggles became slower.

Carrying the Xuanwu Spirit Soul, the Black Heaven Sect demons quickly left the area and headed towards the Four Symbols Altar. As they left, the iron chain lost control and fell back into the lake.

The old turtle, dragged down by the iron chain, quickly sank to the bottom of the lake. Bubbles of all sizes appeared on the surface of the lake, but everything soon returned to calm.

……

Only when you get close can you truly appreciate just how formidable the defenses of the Four Symbols Altar, a site supported by the Black Heaven Gate and backed by the White Mountain Elephant Kingdom, are.

On the ground, towering walls stretched endlessly to both sides, with only one gate for entry and exit. Various beast-headed, human-bodied demon soldiers stood guard outside the gate, each emanating an aura of around the fourth or fifth rank, undoubtedly elite soldiers from the White Mountain Elephant Kingdom.

This is only the level of security near the Azure Dragon Pagoda. If one were to actually approach the area where the Four Symbols Altar is located, the danger of intruding would increase exponentially.

"A human?!" Upon seeing Ning Xiu appear riding a dragon, the demon soldiers guarding the gate spotted him immediately.