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

The official road stretched far and wide, and Xu Yuan rode his horse northward.

Two days have passed since the day I met Xu Changming in the woods.

Over the past two days, Xu Yuan deliberately slowed down his journey, consolidating his foundation while traveling.

Although his cultivation of the three acupoints was already stable, the damage in his meridians still needed time to heal.

Every night, he would find a secluded place to circulate the "Mysterious Prison Suppressing Force" to nourish his meridians, while simultaneously using the "Netherworld Soul Refining Technique" to temper his soul.

After two days, the injury had healed by about 70-80%.

"At this rate, it should be fully recovered by tomorrow," Xu Yuan estimated in his mind.

At that moment, the outline of a magnificent city finally came into view on the horizon ahead.

The city wall is ten zhang high, and is built entirely of bluestone, as majestic as a mountain.

On the city wall, there is an arrow tower every hundred paces, with banners fluttering and armored soldiers standing at attention.

In front of the city gate, a large crowd gathered, including peddlers carrying loads, merchants driving carts, wandering knights with swords on their backs, and refugees with their families.

Dozens of armored soldiers stood guard on both sides of the city gate, checking passersby. These soldiers were all burly and full of vitality, and the city gate captain in charge even had the cultivation level of the seventh level of Blood Refinement.

Occasionally, someone tries to slip through the cracks, but they are immediately caught, forced to pay back taxes, or scolded and expelled.

Xu Yuan reined in his horse and looked up at the three powerful characters above the city gate—Cangzhou Prefecture.

"We've finally arrived."

Xu Yuan took a deep breath, dismounted, and joined the group.

Although his blue robe wasn't particularly luxurious, the silver epaulets on his shoulders and the standard long sword of the Demon Suppression Division at his waist made the surrounding people instinctively make way for him.

The city guards, upon seeing him, showed a hint of awe in their eyes and quickly bowed, saying, "Please, sir!"

Xu Yuan nodded slightly and led his horse into the city.

The city of Cangzhou was far more bustling than he had imagined.

Upon entering the city, one is immediately struck by its bustling atmosphere. The wide, smooth cobblestone streets are lined with shops on both sides, their wine flags fluttering in the breeze. Pedestrians throng the streets, their calls, haggling, and friendly greetings blending together, creating a stark contrast to the desolate and impoverished landscape outside the city.

"In such chaotic times, it is truly rare to see such a sight," Xu Yuan thought to himself.

Shuangshan Village was a poor and remote place, Qingyang was just a small county town, while Cangzhou Prefecture was a real important town in this chaotic world.

Following the instructions in Xiao Yunhan's letter, he inquired along the way and soon found the location of the Demon Division of Fucheng Town.

It was a government office that covered a vast area. Two majestic stone lions stood in front of the gate, and a golden plaque with the words "Cangzhou Branch of the Demon Suppression Division" hung above the gate.

Two guards in black stood at the gate, long swords at their waists, their eyes sharp as lightning; it was clear at a glance that they were experts in the Blood Refining Realm.

Xu Yuan led his horse forward and took out Xiao Yunhan's token.

The guard took the document and glanced at it. His expression immediately became more respectful, and he clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Please wait a moment, young master. I will go and inform him immediately."

Before long, a hearty laugh came from inside the mansion.

"Xu Yuan! You've finally arrived!"

Xiao Yunhan strode out to greet him, his face beaming with joy.

He had changed into a black robe today, with a silver belt around his waist, making him look even more dashing. But when his gaze fell on Xu Yuan, his smile faltered slightly, then turned into astonishment.

"You...have your acupoints solidified?!"

Xu Yuan smiled slightly: "Just lucky."

"A fluke?" Xiao Yunhan looked him up and down, his eyes filled with disbelief. "Two months ago you were only at the mid-stage of Blood Refinement, and now you've already condensed three apertures... This isn't a fluke, it's clearly a prodigy!"

He stepped forward, patted Xu Yuan's shoulder heavily, then frowned: "Are you injured?"

"It's nothing, I'll recover soon," Xu Yuan said casually.

Xiao Yunhan didn't ask any further questions, but simply gave him a deep look: "Come on, let's go inside and talk."

The interior of the Demon Suppression Bureau is even more magnificent than it appears from the outside.

The front yard was a training ground, covering an area of ​​several tens of feet square, with bluestone slabs on the ground and various weapons such as knives, spears, swords, and halberds placed along the edges.

At this moment, dozens of black-clad demon-suppressing guards were training in the field, their shouts deafening.

Passing through the front yard, you arrive at the main hall.

Xiao Yunhan led Xu Yuan into the hall, dismissed his attendants, and personally poured him tea.

"Xu Yuan, although we've only known each other for a short time, I can see that you are no ordinary person." Xiao Yunhan cut to the chase. "Now that you have condensed your Qi and made outstanding contributions, it is only natural for you to join my Demon Suppression Division. However, before that, there are some things I need to make clear to you."

Xu Yuan picked up his teacup and listened attentively with his eyes lowered.

"Cangzhou Prefecture is probably more complicated than you imagine," Xiao Yunhan said in a deep voice. "On the surface, there are three major forces that dominate this place."

"The first one, naturally, is my Demon Suppression Division. The Cangzhou branch has one commander, a powerful expert at the Divine Power Realm. There are two deputy commanders, both at the peak of the Condensation Aperture Realm. Under them are five thousand Demon Suppression Guards, divided into four battalions, each with a battalion commander. Speaking of which, thanks to your Crimson-Eyed Tiger Demon Head, I was recently promoted to deputy battalion commander of the Northern Battalion, and now I have five hundred Demon Suppression Guards under my command!"

"Secondly, there is the Green Mountain Sect." Xiao Yunhan said, giving Xu Yuan a meaningful look. "I am also an inner sect steward of the Green Mountain Sect. I'm sure you've already guessed that."

Xu Yuan nodded slightly. On the way to Shuangshan Village to hunt tiger demons, the former had mentioned that he came from a major sect.

"The Green Mountain Sect is the number one sect in Cangzhou, with a history of over a thousand years and profound foundation. The sect leader himself is also a powerful expert in the Divine Power Realm, and he has more than ten elders, all of whom are in the late stage of the Condensation Aperture Realm. There are three hundred inner disciples and over a thousand outer disciples, and its influence is spread throughout the thirteen counties of Cangzhou."

"As for the third, it is the Cangzhou Chamber of Commerce Alliance," Xiao Yunhan continued. "It is composed of six major chambers of commerce and controls more than 70% of the trade routes, mineral resources, and elixirs in Cangzhou. On the surface, it is a chamber of commerce, but in reality, it has secretly cultivated a large number of martial artists, and its strength should not be underestimated. Its president, Su Zhenshan, is at the peak of the Qi Condensation Realm and is said to have touched the threshold of the Divine Power Realm."

Three major forces stand in a tripartite balance.

Xu Yuan silently made a mental note of it.

"Besides these three major powers, there are also many small families, sects, and various independent cultivators," Xiao Yunhan said solemnly. "Cangzhou Prefecture is a melting pot of martial artists, a place where all sorts of people mingle. You are new here, so you must be cautious in your actions."

"Thank you for your guidance, Uncle Xiao." Xu Yuan cupped his hands in thanks.

Xiao Yunhan waved his hand: "There's no need for such formalities between us. Oh, right, there's something else important."

At this point, he took out a jade slip and handed it to Xu Yuan.

"One month from now is the annual Demon Suppression Conference of the Demon Suppression Division."

"The Demon-Slaying Tournament?" Xu Yuan took the jade slip and probed into it with his divine sense.

The jade slip contained information about the Demon-Slaying Tournament—at that time, powerful demon-suppressing guards from various counties and outposts within Cangzhou would gather in the prefectural city and enter a dangerous place outside the city called "Demon Spirit Valley" to hunt demons.

Scoring is based on the number and level of monsters hunted, with the top ten receiving generous rewards.

The prize for first place was, surprisingly, personal guidance from the Grand Commander of the Demon Suppression Division!