Demon-Slaying City

Wen Qingxue chimed in casually, "Most who come here are outlaws living on the edge, risking their lives for coin. They might leave the city one day and never return. Naturally, they aren't picky; as long as there's a place to shield them from the wind and rain, it's enough..."

Yao Zhijian echoed from the side, "Exactly. Xiaoxiao, did you think we were here for a vacation?"

Yao Xiaoxiao pursed her lips and gave a small "Oh."

Xu Xian took a deep breath. "Let's disembark."

They bid farewell to Liu Geng.

Liu Geng tried to persuade them to stay, asking if they needed him to show them around Demon-Slaying City.

He even offered to introduce them to a few disciples from the sect who were stationed here year-round to handle acquisitions and gather intelligence.

However, Xu Xian declined.

Before coming, Xu Xian had made many inquiries within the sect and already had a fair understanding of Demon-Slaying City.

He already had a plan in mind.

Besides, with two seventh-stage experts by his side, there was truly no need to trouble the sect disciples here.

In the entire sect, there were only 210 seventh-stage experts; having two of them accompany him was more than enough.

Liu Geng did not insist further.

He simply urged Xu Xian to be careful in all things and mentioned that if they needed anything, they could find the person in charge at the shops owned by the Merchant Hall.

He even pointed out their approximate location.

After Xu Xian expressed his thanks, he led the group of three away.

After leaving the Cloud Boat, they did not enter the city immediately. Instead, they used sword control to reach the top of the high city walls. Standing atop the dilapidated, desolate stone battlements, they gazed out at the Demon Suppression Abyss beyond the city.

Standing there, the scent of blood filled their nostrils.

The wind felt eerie and cold.

It was a profound sight...

From time to time, groups of cultivators could be seen forming teams, moving between the sea of mist and the city, laughing and talking with grand ambitions.

There were unkempt men.

There were ethereal, transcendent fairies.

Daoist priests, Confucian scholars, and even Buddhist novices...

Men with swords on their backs.

Youths wielding fans.

There were many with fierce, sinister countenances, but also many with kind and gentle faces.

It was truly a motley crowd, a bizarre mix of all kinds.

As they stood on the wall, the demon hunters entering and leaving would occasionally cast glances at them, their eyes filled with scrutiny.

Their gazes held a mix of surprise and wariness.

After observing from the wall for a while, Xu Xian made several discoveries.

The cultivators here were almost all at the foundation establishment stage or higher.

There were very few in the qi refining or body refining stages. Those in the core formation stage were the most numerous, and while there were quite a few in the nascent soul stage, they were not a majority.

They seemed to serve as the leaders of their respective teams.

As for those in the sixth stage or seventh stage, they were quite rare.

Most of those individuals were accompanied by one or several young juniors, whose cultivation levels were generally below the nascent soul stage.

One didn't even need to think to know.

These experts weren't here to slay demons, but to accompany others.

Just like Wen Qingxue and Yao Zhijian.

To put it nicely, they were called dao protectors.

To put it bluntly, they were just bodyguards.

After watching for a while, Xu Xian led the group down from the wall and into the actual Demon-Slaying City. Just as they had seen from the clouds, the city was the epitome of ruin.

Buildings lined the streets in great numbers.

Most were dilapidated, with many courtyard walls collapsed. The crisscrossing main roads and alleys were even more pitted and uneven.

Everything exuded a sense of desolation and gloom.

As they moved deeper into the city, demon hunters could be seen everywhere on street corners and in alleys. Some sat alone, sharpening blades or polishing swords, while others gathered in small groups, standing by the roadside...

Each one looked travel-worn, and some were so haggard they hardly looked human.

However, regardless of gender, the eyes of these people seemed to hold a cold glint. Their killing intent was palpable; it was clear at a glance that these were veterans of killing and demon-slaying.

None of them were to be trifled with.

The city was very quiet. There was no clamor, no shouting of vendors.

Along the streets, one could occasionally see a few shops. Aside from forging workshops, they were mostly elixir pavilions...

Of course, there were also some Daoists who spread a cloth by the roadside, laying out some talismans. They looked drowsy, neither shouting nor calling out, maintaining a very passive approach to their stalls...

Occasionally, the only noise to be heard was the sound of cultivators brawling.

There was no law here.

There was no order to speak of.

Often, a simple exchange of glances could lead to a life-and-death struggle.

The atmosphere was silent and oppressive.

Yao Xiaoxiao stuck close to Xu Xian, clutching the corner of his robes and peeking around tentatively.

Xu Xian, however, walked with a brisk, confident stride, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Wen Qingxue’s eyes were like frost.

Yao Zhijian looked on with utter indifference.

With the sword robes of the Wendao Sect on their backs, as long as they didn't actively seek trouble, ninety-nine percent of the problems in this city would not touch them.

This was the power of strength.

It was also the confidence provided by their sect.

People from the Three Sects generally experienced the same.

Then again, everyone who came here was focused on killing demons. Whether they were here for experience or to make a living, no one would actively start trouble unless there was a blood feud.

They would endure what they could.

They just wanted to get by.

"Are those experts?"

"They're from the Wendao Sect..."

"Look at them, so fair-skinned and tender. Tsk tsk, they must have just arrived."

"Fresh meat. Not a day goes by in Demon-Slaying City without newcomers, and not a day goes by without someone staying here forever. It doesn't matter if you're from the Wendao Sect or the Three Sects; we'll see if you can survive first..."

"Nonsense. Those from the Three Sects, the Wendao Sect, or the Hundred Schools... do you think their lives are as cheap as yours? Take a look at who's following that girl. One nascent soul and two seventh-stage experts. How could they possibly die?"

"Heh..."

Xu Xian simply smiled and ignored the occasional whispers he overheard.

In the center of this ruined city, where the flow of people was relatively dense, Xu Xian found an abandoned house and kicked the door open.

Instantly, clouds of dust billowed out like a snowy mist.

"This will do. It's accessible from all sides, and the entrance is spacious enough."

Yao Xiaoxiao pinched her nose, peeking inside with a face full of distaste. "It's so run-down."

Xu Xian shrugged. "It's fine. It'll be good as new once we fix it up."

"Oh!"

"Alright everyone, let's get to work."

Wen Qingxue remained motionless, and Yao Zhijian looked as if it had nothing to do with him.

"What are you two standing there for? Get to work!"

The young woman and the young man looked at each other, appearing confused.

Finally, they both looked at Xu Xian in unison.

"Us?"

"Yeah!"

Wen Qingxue pondered for a moment. "I don't know how." After saying that, she turned and walked away, finding an empty spot to sit and began her meditation.

Yao Zhijian clasped his hands behind his back and looked up at the sky, saying perfunctorily, "Uh, I'll go check out the surroundings and get a feel for the situation."

In front of the ruined house, only Xu Xian and Yao Xiaoxiao were left staring at each other.

Xu Xian looked at Yao Xiaoxiao.

Yao Xiaoxiao’s eyes were full of sincerity as she said weakly, "Little Grand-Uncle, actually, I don't know how either!"

Xu Xian was speechless, his lip twitching.

"Go play over there."

"Oh!"

And so, Xu Xian rolled up his sleeves and started working alone. He first climbed onto the roof to check for leaks and patch them, then rushed into the rooms to give them a thorough cleaning.

He threw out whatever he didn't need.

Finally, he repaired the courtyard walls and gave them a fresh coat of paint.

When it came to house decoration and renovation, it truly fell within Xu Xian's expertise.

After all, in his previous life, he had graduated with a degree in civil engineering.

Doing this work felt like second nature to him.

Hammering, clanging, thumping...

Meanwhile, the three of them just watched from the side, never intending to step in and help.

Wen Qingxue said she was here to be a bodyguard and wasn't responsible for menial labor. Yao Zhijian said the same.

As for Yao Xiaoxiao, she was simply afraid of being more of a hindrance than a help.

Xu Xian didn't complain. If you wanted something done right, you had to do it yourself.

By nightfall, the candles in the house were lit. The youth finished his work, wiping away his sweat. "Phew... done!"

The three of them entered the house.

Looking at the completely transformed house, they were filled with amazement.

"Whoa! Impressive!"

"Professional!"

"As expected of the Little Grand-Uncle..."