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

After a night of fighting, the sky was already beginning to lighten.

In the early morning in the mountains and forests, the mist is thick and the dew wets our clothes.

Xu Yuan walked steadily, processing what he had learned the previous night as he made his way.

First, there's his own cultivation level. After absorbing the essence of the Crimson-Eyed Tiger Demon's flesh and blood, his martial arts realm has skyrocketed from the peak of the fifth level of Blood Refining to the early stage of the seventh level. This kind of progress is terrifying, but it also brings many hidden dangers—an unstable foundation, weak blood and qi, and he is easily suspected.

Fortunately, after successfully crafting the Golden-Eyed Servant, the Servant Compendium unlocked a new and extremely useful trait: Concealing Breath.

[Concealing Aura: Can hide one's true cultivation level and aura, simulating a false aura of no more than two minor cultivation levels]

With a thought, Xu Yuan quietly activated his concealment ability.

The next moment, the surging blood and qi in his body calmed down, and the aura he emitted also quickly dropped from the seventh level of Blood Refinement, eventually stabilizing at the level of the initial sixth level of Blood Refinement.

"Blood Refinement Level Six, that's about right." Xu Yuan nodded in satisfaction.

This level of understanding can explain the improvement in one's strength, since it is reasonable to make a breakthrough after experiencing life-and-death battles, but it is not too shocking and would attract unnecessary attention.

Secondly, there's the cultivation technique. The "Three Talents Archery Technique" requires continuous accumulation, so there's no rush. However, a miscellaneous book that Xu Yuan found in the Golden-Eyed Old Ghost's storage bag caught his attention.

The miscellaneous book is titled "Record of Yin Sha Refining Souls." It is not a complete cultivation method, but rather a record of several methods for utilizing the power of Yin souls, including the crafting of Yin Soul Arrows, the cultivation of Yin souls, and a simple formation called "Yin Sha Formation."

Although these methods are unorthodox and unorthodox, they have many similarities with Xu Yuan's ability to draw diagrams, and with a little learning, they can be put to use.

"The Yin Sha Formation... might come in handy when defending the city." Xu Yuan silently memorized the key points of the formation.

Finally, there were the dozen or so stones that emitted a faint glow. Xu Yuan had seen miniature versions of them in Shen Qingyi's hands. They were considered "spirit stones" commonly used in this world and could be used to set up formations and activate magical artifacts.

After sorting through all the spoils, Xu Yuan was already close to the rocky beach.

From afar, he heard Xiao Yunhan's deep voice: "Separate teams! Find them alive or dead!"

Xu Yuan quickened his pace, pushed aside the bushes, and deliberately exposed himself to the crowd.

"Young Master Xu!" Shen Qingyi, holding a compass, was the first to spot him, her eyes filled with surprise and worry. "Are you alright? Last night you pursued them alone, and soon a thick fog rolled in into the mountains. We couldn't find our way and had no choice but to retreat here..."

"I'm fine." Xu Yuan shook his head. His injuries looked serious, but they had mostly healed after he broke through by consuming the essence of the tiger demon's flesh and blood.

Xiao Yunhan strode forward and carefully examined Xu Yuan. Seeing that his aura was stable at the early stage of the sixth level of Blood Refinement, and that although he was injured, he was clearly not seriously hurt, he breathed a sigh of relief: "It's good that you're back. Where are the tiger demon and that person in the shadows?"

"They're all dead." Xu Yuan immediately delivered the prepared statement. "I chased them for dozens of miles. The person in the shadows and the tiger demon seemed to have a long-standing grudge. The two were fighting for their lives in the valley. When I arrived, they were both severely injured. The former had half his body torn apart by the tiger demon, and the tiger demon had been pierced through the heart by an arrow. I... luckily got the better of them."

As he spoke, he took out the head of the Crimson-Eyed Tiger Demon from his storage bag, which was undoubtedly the most compelling evidence.

When the head of the demon general-level tiger demon appeared, everyone was shocked. Even though it had been dead for several hours, the demonic aura remaining on the tiger's head still made people feel uneasy.

"It really is a tiger demon..." Zhao, the registrar, muttered to himself, "A demon general-level being... and he's dead just like that..."

Xiao Yunhan took the head and carefully examined the wounds.

There was indeed an arrow hole between the tiger demon's eyebrows, running straight through, clearly a fatal wound.

The lingering scent at the arrow hole was identical to the archery skills used by the person in the shadows last night.

"Where is that person's body?" Xiao Yunhan asked.

"He turned into black smoke and disappeared," Xu Yuan said. "Before he died, he seemed to have used some kind of evil magic, which destroyed even his clothes, leaving only this bow."

He handed over the Ghost Cry Bow—this was the evidence that had to be handed over. As for the "Three Talents Archery Technique" and the other items in the storage bag, he temporarily concealed them and did not mention them.

Xiao Yunhan took the Ghost Cry Bow. It was icy cold to the touch, and two ancient seal characters were engraved on the bow. He examined it carefully for a moment, his expression gradually becoming serious: "This bow... seems to come from the Demon Suppression Division. And with the Blood-Guiding Pearl from before, this person's identity is probably not that simple."

He looked at Xu Yuan: "Did you get anything out of him?"

Xu Yuan shook his head and gave some information, half-truthfully and half-jokingly: "He was cursing the tiger demon until his death, saying crazy things like 'years of planning ruined in an instant' and 'the entrance to the Netherworld.' I was only focused on finishing him off at the time and didn't listen carefully."

"The Netherworld?" Xiao Yunhan frowned. He seemed to have heard the word somewhere before, but he couldn't quite place it.

Shen Qingyi, standing to the side, wore a thoughtful expression: "Among my father's books, there is a book called 'Study of Ancient Relics,' which seems to mention the word 'Netherworld,' but the record is vague. I will look for it and examine it carefully after we return to the manor."

"We'll discuss this later." Xiao Yunhan handed the Ghost Cry Bow back to Xu Yuan, then put away the tiger demon's head. "Xu Yuan, you deserve immense credit for slaying the tiger demon this time. According to the rules of the Demon Suppression Division, slaying a demon general-level monster earns a minor merit, a reward of one hundred low-grade spirit stones, and a Yellow-rank cultivation technique. In addition..."

He paused for a moment, then said, "You can make a reasonable request. As long as it doesn't violate morality or the law, I can apply to higher authorities on your behalf."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan's heart stirred, and he quickly said, "Lord Xiao, I do have a request."

"Please feel free to speak."

"Shuangshan Village is located in a remote area with barren land, and has suffered from a severe drought in recent years, making it difficult for the villagers to make a living. Although the tiger demon has been eliminated, the Xiongnu cavalry is about to march south. Therefore, I would like to ask the Demon Suppression Division for assistance in relocating the villagers to the area around the prefectural city."

This was a request made after careful consideration by Xu Yuan.

Even when the tiger demon was causing trouble, the old village chief's first choice was to go to Qingyang County for help, because in these chaotic and famine-stricken times, no one wanted to become a refugee whose life depended on their fate.

But at this moment, the Xiongnu were about to invade from the south, and the back mountain concealed a dangerous place like the Underworld. The situation of Shuangshan Village was predictable.

He is about to go to Qingyang County to assist in the defense of the city, and it is impossible for him to stay in Shuangshan Village for a long time. If Shuangshan Village can be moved to the prefectural city, it would naturally be the best choice.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yunhan pondered for a moment: "The relocation of the village involves many matters such as household registration, land, and resettlement, and normally it would take at least six months for approval..."

He looked at the tiger demon's head: "However, since you killed a tiger demon at the demon general level, we can make an exception if you pay off the debt with a minor merit... But are you sure you want to use up the minor merit you just gained?"

"I beg Lord Xiao for your help," Xu Yuan said without hesitation, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect.

A hint of appreciation flashed in Xiao Yunhan's eyes, and he nodded: "How about this, I will apply to the government for a special permit for the 'relocation of meritorious citizens' in the name of the Demon Suppression Division. The villagers of Shuangshan Village can move to the eastern suburbs of the prefectural city, where there are a hundred acres of government land and more than thirty houses. Although they are not rich, they are enough to make a living."

Xu Yuan was overjoyed and bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you, Lord Xiao!"