Start slaying demons from the proficiency panel.

To improve travel efficiency, the Demon Subduing Bureau established the Beast Taming Workshop 160 years ago to capture and tame extraordinary beasts with unique physical characteristics that had not yet been awakened to demonic nature.

Serving as mounts for demon-slaying officers on missions across states, using exotic beasts as mounts makes them several times more efficient at traveling than horses.

"Yunxia Mountain is located in Yunze Prefecture. With the help of the mythical beasts, we can reach Yunxia Mountain faster," Ren Qianxing explained patiently.

Although Ning Xiu was a fifth-rank martial artist, he had only been with the Demon Subduing Division for a short time and knew very little.

Having someone like Ren Qianxing introduce him to Ning Xiu saved him a lot of time in understanding the Demon Subduing Division.

It's worth mentioning that Ning Xiu should actually call Ren Qianxing "senior brother." Both of them are apprentices of the Champion Camp, but Ren Qianxing was selected a year or two earlier than him.

Arriving at the Beast Taming Workshop, we found a large courtyard built in the northern corner of the Demon Subduing Bureau.

Apart from the main gate, the entire courtyard wall was constructed with iron pillars as thick as a person and as tall as three people, seemingly to prevent anything from escaping from inside.

"Roar!"

"Well!"

"Moo!"

"Meow~~"

"Ah~~~"

Before even stepping into the Beast Taming Workshop, Ning Xiu heard all sorts of strange cries coming from inside.

Some look like lions and tigers, some like cattle and sheep, and some are completely unrecognizable.

"Most of the exotic beasts in the Beast Taming Workshop were born from rare and exotic beasts captured by the predecessors of the Demon Subduing Division from dangerous places in various states during the early years of its construction. Now they have been domesticated for several generations and have lost all their wildness. If you encounter wild exotic beasts when you go out on missions in the future, you can capture them and hand them over to the Beast Taming Workshop if you don't mind the trouble. This will also increase your merit points at the end of the month."

Ren Qianxing took the lead and entered the workshop. After crossing a wide road, the three of them arrived inside the Beast Taming Workshop.

This place truly deserves to be called a hidden paradise. When Ningxiu reached the end of the road, he saw an iron bridge leading to the other side.

Beneath the bridge floats dark green duckweed, a vast pond of unknown depth.

Dragonflies can be seen flying low over the water, sometimes skimming the surface, and sometimes resting briefly on lotus leaves.

For a moment, Ning Xiu couldn't help but marvel at just how much land the Demon Subduing Division occupied in the capital.

Just as Ning Xiu was about to step onto the bridge, ripples suddenly appeared on the water to his left, spreading out in waves.

A blue crab, whose shell alone, excluding its legs, was as big as an eight-immortal table, floated directly to the surface of the water.

Immediately afterwards, the blue crab's entire body rose above the water surface, as if walking on water, and waded across the pond, which was quite miraculous.

However, before Ning Xiu could express his praise, it suddenly sank into the pond with a splash. On the other hand, a huge black shadow appeared where the blue crab had been.

As it rose above the water, Ning Xiu finally saw that it was a giant turtle that was two zhang long.

"These are aquatic mythical beasts, used specifically for exorcising demons and monsters in rivers, lakes, and seas. I remember there should be two kinds of giant snail crabs and red-armored toads down here, but they are rarely seen in daily life."

Ren Qianxing and Monk Zhengwu were clearly not visiting this place for the first time. When they saw the giant tortoise and the blue crab, there was absolutely no unusual expression on their faces.

Ning Xiu was secretly amazed, and he was very much looking forward to seeing which exotic beasts they would choose for their journey.

After crossing the iron bridge, we arrived at a grand hall, where a tall woman dressed in black silver chainmail immediately came to greet us.

This woman had almond-shaped eyes and willow-leaf eyebrows, and a heroic and spirited demeanor. Even though she was wearing the same black silver chainmail as all the other demon-subduing officers, her long legs were extremely eye-catching.

"Why are you taking so long? I've been waiting here for ages," the tall woman complained.

"Sorry, Senior Sister Xia, we were a little delayed on the way. Let me introduce you. This is Ning Xiu, the newly promoted Bronze Leopard Demon Subduer." Ren Qianxing pointed at Ning Xiu and said.

"Martial Arts Rank 5! Your subordinate Xia Yunsi greets Your Excellency." The tall woman quickly bowed.

"No need. You are Brother Ren's friend, so just call me Ning Xiu."

Although he is now a Bronze Leopard Demon-Subduing Captain, a rank one grade higher than that of Iron Horse Demon-Subduing Captains like Ren Qianxing and Xia Yunsi, Ning Xiu doesn't really like people he knows addressing him as "Master" or "Your Excellency," as it makes him feel somewhat awkward.

"Senior Sister Xia, have you chosen your beast yet?" Ren Qianxing asked.

"It's all set. I've already chosen a black tiger. We can set off as soon as you've made your selection."

Ren Qianxing nodded: "Then Zhengwu and I will choose Black Wind as always. Brother Ning, what kind of beast would you like to choose?"

Ning Xiu didn't care about this. In his mind, any strange beast would do, so there wasn't much difference. He said, "I'll be the same as you. Let's not waste time choosing."

Upon hearing his words, Xia Yunsi cast an admiring glance at him, her expression inexplicably hesitant.

She seemed to want to say something, but then she held it back.

"Alright, this way then." Ren Qianxing led everyone to the back door of the main hall, where all the strange beasts that roamed on land were kept.

...

When Ning Xiu saw the three strange beasts locked in iron cages, his expression and mood were very complicated, and he suddenly didn't want to go on this long trip anymore.

"Hmph! Hmph!"

"Hmph!"

Inside the iron cage were three wild boars with black, glossy fur.

Their eyes are bright and piercing, their limbs are muscular and powerful, and their fangs are sharp as spears.

But this... is far from the magnificent beast that Ning Xiu had imagined before he came.

Ren Qianxing, you call this 'Black Wind'? Don't you have a conscience?

"Don't underestimate Black Wind just because it's a wild boar. They're intelligent, extremely good at running and sprinting, and have incredible stamina. They can travel thousands of miles a day without getting tired. Plus, they're easy to raise. All you need to feed them when we're out is carrots and water. They're the only exotic beasts Zhengwu and I ever choose when we go out on missions," Ren Qianxing proudly introduced to Ning Xiu.

"Oink!" The three wild boars immediately sat down on their rumps, propped themselves up on their forelegs, and, with Ren Qianxing's praise, raised their heads in a very cooperative manner, looking proud.

At the same time, he didn't forget to wink at Ning Xiu and the others in a genuine flirtatious way.

"A monster! This is definitely a monster! What kind of wild boar would flirt with a human?" Ning Xiu pointed and said in surprise.

Ren Qianxing looked at the three wild boars with a look of satisfaction on his face: "Brother Ning, don't worry. Black Wind is intelligent and quick to learn. I taught them these moves. Don't you think Black Wind is particularly charming? Besides, they can also do other moves. Black Wind is beautiful and strong."

As soon as the words were spoken, the three wild boars stood up immediately, straining with all their might. Their muscles bulged out like inflated balloons, revealing clearly visible muscle lines and full muscles everywhere.

boom!

The three wild boars struck each other's hindquarters together, producing a powerful and resonant sound.

This scene... well... it's really hard to describe.

However, the fact that Ren Qianxing could use the Wild Boar Church in such a well-trained manner shows that he is indeed a talented person.

“Brother Ren, I suddenly want to change to a different beast, so… let’s choose the one in that cage in the corner.” Ning Xiu said, pointing to an iron cage not far away.

Although the strange beast inside the cage was currently curled up in a ball, its body was white and black, making it impossible to see what it actually looked like.

But I believe that no matter what, that guy should be more normal than the three wild boars that Ren Qianxing specially trained.

Ren Qianxing turned to look at the cage Ning Xiu was pointing to. Upon seeing the strange beast inside, he immediately advised, "Brother Ning, I advise you not to choose that beast. That guy is dull-witted, slow-witted, and bloated. Although it is fast enough to travel, it is not a good choice as a mount. Please look over here, and I will tell you about the other advantages of Black Wind and the others."

"Huh?"

As soon as the words were spoken, the previously motionless beast suddenly raised its round head, looking at Ning Xiu and the others with a completely blank expression.

Jet-black ears, a snow-white head, and jet-black eye circles...

“This isn’t that big bear…” Ning Xiu was shocked.

“That’s right, it’s the Iron-Eating Beast,” Ren Qianxing said.

Good heavens, you even captured a beast destined for prison and brought it back to be your mount.

Ning Xiu quickly went over and stood outside the iron cage to observe.

This iron-eating beast is significantly larger than a giant panda, and its back can easily carry a person.

Judging from its thick back and strong limbs, it should have no problem accepting the weight of itself plus the Thunder Hammer.

“Brother Ren, I’ve made up my mind, I’ll choose it,” Ning Xiu said, pointing to the iron-eating beast in the iron cage.

"Hmm." The iron-eating beast sat up and stretched, leaning against the iron cage. At the same time, it casually grabbed a bamboo stalk from the ground and started gnawing on it, watching Ning Xiu with an indifferent expression.

Just as Ren Qianxing said, this guy was indeed dull-witted and slow-witted.

Having chosen their desired mounts, the Beast Taming Workshop sent specialists to select exotic beasts for Ning Xiu and his companions, equipping them with specially made saddles and reins to make them easier to control when they went out.

Mounting their respective mythical beasts, the group quickly left the Demon Subduing Bureau through the passage reserved for mythical beasts, rushing out of Chaotian Capital and heading towards Yunze Prefecture.

[045] Mountain Bandits

The place where Chaotiandu is located is called Jingzhou, which was once the most central place in the territory of the thirty-six states of the Great Shang Dynasty.

To the southwest of Jingzhou lies Yunze Prefecture, a prefecture characterized by towering peaks, countless lofty mountains, and sheer cliffs.

The scholars of Chaotiandu have always described the thousands of mountains and peaks of Yunze Prefecture as masterpieces of nature.

A wide official road was built between Jingzhou and Yunzezhou for the transportation of people, merchants, and post stations between the two prefectures.

Unexpectedly, a few days ago, an earthquake struck Yunze Prefecture, causing more than ten mountain peaks to collapse, burying and blocking the official road, and drastically changing the terrain.

It's unclear how long it will take to clear the road and restore it to its original state.

Zhengwu was on his master's orders to visit Master Chanhui, who was stationed at Yunxia Mountain. Naturally, he did not want to be delayed by any unexpected event.

Ning Xiu and the others then followed Ren Qianxing onto another road that led to Yunze Prefecture.

However, compared to the wide and flat official road, this road was extremely dilapidated.

“It will take about one or two more days to reach Yunze Prefecture by taking this route. In the old days, before the official road was built, this was the only road for people to travel from Jingzhou to Yunze. However, in recent years, no one has come to repair it, and the ground is inevitably full of potholes.” Ren Qianxing sat on the back of a black eagle, looking at the surrounding mountain scenery as he introduced the road to Ning Xiu.

By this time, they had traveled more than 140 miles from Chaotiandu. As they moved further away from the human settlements, the natural environment outside became noticeably more primitive.

This means that the chances of encountering wild animals and evil spirits will greatly increase.

What people call evil spirits is actually just a general term for demons and evil beings, encompassing a large number of dangerous demons and evil beings.

The Demon Extermination Bureau has been established for hundreds of years, and there is actually a set of rules governing its existence.

They are roughly categorized as: evil spirits, demons, fierce gods, and malevolent spirits.

Evil spirits: Filthy and sinister things are born from places filled with yin energy, or they appear with resentment after a wronged death.

Examples include the vengeful spirits and fetuses that Ning Xiu dealt with at the Yun family's cloth shop, as well as the wandering spirits and zombies that might appear in some remote cemeteries.

Monsters: Birds and beasts that have developed intelligence and can cultivate. They feed on humans and increase their strength by consuming blood and qi.