In the domain of the bizarre night, rain fell incessantly, and it had become commonplace to put on damp clothes in the morning. Even the swallows nesting under the eaves would have water droplets clinging to their wings.
This kind of weather seemed to foreshadow something ill-fated.
In Qinglong Town, within the imposing structure of the Demon Extermination Division, stood a young man dressed in opulent attire. He paced the room, his expression erratic. He propped his chin on his right hand, the brocade on his thigh creased by the sweat from his palm.
If Xu Mu were present, he would recognize this youth who had used him as a shield at a glance.
His name was Wang Jue.
Wang Jue was tormented because tomorrow was the day when Bu Luo City would host the convention of ability users for experience exchange.
At that time, the Demon Extermination Division was to publicly disclose all the details of the West Mountain battle, rewarding those who had performed well and punishing those who had erred.
He had caused the death of a Demon Extermination Division ability user, and without a doubt, that was an offense.
What was more critical was that the ability user seemed to have a considerable connection with the Yin family. Yin Zhongxiu, the superintendent of the division, the man who had covered the retreat of several second-tier ability users with his spear, had repeatedly demanded his life!
Wang Jue's brow was furrowed with worry. Although this matter had been smoothed over by his family, Bu Luo City was, after all, the other party's territory. If they truly wanted to do something to him, how could he resist?
Therefore, he had requested support from his family, and today was supposed to be the day an elder from the clan would arrive.
*Creak.*
Amidst the anxious wait, the sound of a door opening made Wang Jue immediately turn around, his gaze fixed on the entrance with a hint of tension.
Light illuminated a column of dust motes in the air. Entering the room was a tall, slender man with an aquiline nose, dressed in a red robe.
He was the deputy superintendent of the third division of the Demon Extermination Division, Wang Jue's uncle, Wang Hua.
"Uncle, how is it?"
Wang Jue asked nervously.
"He can't come." The man's expression was gloomy. "The elders in the clan have more important matters to attend to and no time for you."
"What matters more than me?"
Wang Jue asked incredulously, a hint of panic in his voice.
He had never imagined that his family would ignore his plea for help.
He was clearly the most favored one in the imperial city!
Wang Hua let out a cold laugh:
"What else could it be but the Heavenly Book?"
"Somehow, the news of Vilitas appearing with the Heavenly Book has spread throughout the entire Great Xia. The entire northwest has become lively because of him."
"His Majesty has directly ordered all clans to capture Vilitas alive. As for the Heavenly Book, whoever obtains it keeps it, but it must not be taken by the Golden Tent Royal Court."
Speaking of the Heavenly Book, a trace of longing involuntarily appeared on the man's face.
That was a sacred relic that existed only in legends, containing the most exquisite ability techniques in the world, teaching people how to cultivate and break through realms, refine pills, and set up formations. It could even allow ability users to transcend traditional elemental boundaries…
Such a divine object, everyone desired to possess it.
"The appearance of the Heavenly Book has attracted the covetous gazes of countless old monsters. The entire northwest is searching for Vilitas's whereabouts. So, do you understand why the family won't bother with you?"
Wang Hua sipped his tea, his gaze fixed on the pale-faced youth.
His nephew, instead of staying in the imperial city or attending the Imperial Star Academy, which countless people scrambled to get into, insisted on coming to this desolate place for experience.
Training was fine; it was good for young people. Wang Jue was one of the top three geniuses of his generation in the Wang family, so all his requests should be met.
However, training was one thing; causing trouble was another.
The man's eyes turned cold:
"The Old Ancestor also said that you are to sincerely apologize to the Yin family tomorrow, and then quickly return to the imperial city. Don't keep embarrassing us outside!"
"The latter part was also said by the Old Ancestor?" Wang Jue grumbled inwardly but dared not show any disrespect to his uncle. "Then, what if they can't help but attack me…"
"There is no 'what if'," Wang Jue interrupted him impatiently. "You should have confidence in the main family. And the Yin family in the imperial city, having remained neutral in that matter, will not easily offend us."
"But Yin Zhongxiu is a man who understands propriety and will not attack you. However, there is one person who might."
"Who?" Concerned for his life, Wang Jue quickly asked.
"Xu Mu's master." Wang Hua looked at the youth with a grave expression. "That kid, although he's an auxiliary member of the Demon Extermination Division, he has a very powerful master."
"You've only recently arrived in Gui Ye, so you might not be aware, but here, there has always been a mysterious swordsman. He is extremely powerful and often travels through dangerous regions, solving many thorny problems for us. His strength is undeniable."
"Everyone wants to know who he is, but even the Fifth Division, which specializes in investigating such matters, has never uncovered his true identity."
"It was only recently that the Demon Extermination Division pinpointed his residence in Fengqing Village. On the night of West Mountain, he single-handedly dealt with two sources of pollution!"
"The young man who died for you was precisely the night watchman of Fengqing Village. Why do you think a night watchman is an ability user?"
Hearing the man's question, Wang Jue's heart sank to the bottom. He stammered, "Because… Xu Mu is his disciple."
"Sigh."
Wang Hua shook his head. According to the past records of the Fifth Division, that third-tier swordsman had awakened at least two abilities, and he was proficient in both, possessing immense strength, even implicitly surpassing that of their third division superintendent.
Such a figure, unwilling to join the Demon Extermination Division, had taken a disciple in a small village.
And now, his disciple was dead.
Although he had pulled strings to have Xu Mu's death classified as an accident, there were too many witnesses that night. How could he possibly conceal it from that person!
"Then… if he makes a move, you won't be able to protect me either, Uncle?" Wang Jue gulped down a cup of water, calming down slightly.
He was, after all, a second-tier ability user. Facing such a formidable enemy, he wouldn't be so terrified as to lose the will to fight.
"I am only at the initial stage of the third tier, so naturally I cannot protect you. But someone can," Wang Hua sneered, then took out a wooden box. "This contains a precious piece of blood coral."
"The master of the largest medical clinic in Bu Luo City, Taoist Shuju, has been searching for this item for a long time. I will take you to visit him tomorrow, and this matter will be settled."
"Blood coral…" Wang Jue took the box and carefully pried open a seam. Instantly, a scarlet light illuminated the room, and a dense aura of blood and medicinal fragrance surged into their pores.
In an instant, their blood began to boil, their souls nourished, and their spirits rejuvenated.
Even, a simultaneous urge to devour it directly arose in both their hearts.
The terrifying efficacy of a fifth-tier spiritual medicine was thus!
*Crack!*
The man's expression was enraptured, but in the next second, he immediately snapped the lid shut.
Wang Hua's expression turned serious:
"The Old Ancestor said that your current life is not worth this piece of blood coral."
"If you don't break through to the Huacai realm within ten years, he will throw you into the coral medicinal sea to be re-fed into another piece!"
Wang Jue nodded repeatedly in fear and no longer dared to covet the contents of the box, quickly tucking it into his embrace.