Chapter 39: Demon Attack on Sangyu, Returning to Reinforce via Crane Flight

A true disciple?

The Guardian Overseer naturally noticed Xie Jingxing's conspicuous yellow robes, but in his eyes, no matter how powerful a Qi Refining disciple might be, they were no match for a Foundation Establishment master.

However, since the other party had put it that way, to question his strength further would only cause offense.

Furthermore, with the demon calamity raging, he had no desire to dwell on the matter. Thus, after cupping his hands in a salute to this true disciple, he briefly explained the situation regarding the demon calamity.

"Ten-odd days ago, a Stone-Skin Pig Demon suddenly appeared in the western woods and even broke into the village to eat several villagers. Initially, we did not take this matter seriously—

Demons eating humans is a common occurrence, and the Stone-Skin Pig Demon is one of the most common types of demons, often appearing near villages. Therefore, the Demon Suppression Division only dispatched a few demon-patrol officers to slay it."

At this point, the Guardian Overseer's expression darkened.

"As it turned out, the ferocity of that Stone-Skin Pig Demon far exceeded its kind. Of those patrol officers, only two managed to escape, bringing back news of the demon's mutation.

Upon learning of this, Wei Changfeng, the Garrison Commander of the Demon Suppression Division, personally led a team to hunt the demon. Unexpectedly, as soon as they stepped into the forest, they fell into an ambush by three Stone-Skin Pig Demons.

Brother Wei fought desperately to slay one of the demons, but was heavily wounded by the other two, and the rest of the disciples suffered heavy losses... Sanglin Town is isolated on the frontier, and the provincial government could not send reinforcements in time. After weighing our options, we turned to the Taixuan Sect for help."

Having heard the whole story, Xie Jingxing finally spoke, "Where is Wei Changfeng? I want to ask him exactly how much capability this Stone-Skin Pig Demon possesses."

The Guardian Overseer replied, "Since being injured, Brother Wei has been bedridden. I will take you to see him immediately."

Xie Jingxing nodded, then instructed Jiang Youling and the other miscellaneous disciple, "The two of you stay here and wait. We shall return shortly."

"Yes."

Seeing the group walk away, Qian Zefei's expression became more lively as he looked at Jiang Youling beside him. "You look quite young. How many years has it been since you joined the sect?"

"Two months."

"Two months?"

Qian Zefei let out a strange cry. "You've offended a Deacon Senior Brother in just two months? When I joined two months ago, I didn't even know what a Deacon Senior Brother looked like."

Jiang Youling's expression remained calm, seemingly unbothered by this. She simply asked, "How much does Senior Brother know about the Stone-Skin Pig Demon?"

When discussing demons, Qian Zefei's expression turned more serious.

"The Stone-Skin Pig Demon is one of the most common low-level demons. They are massive in size, with skin as thick and tough as rock. Ordinary blades and swords can hardly scratch them, and they are unstoppable when charging.

However, they have low intelligence and clumsy bodies, so they aren't exactly difficult to deal with; even an ordinary White-Robed Senior Brother can kill one.

But if the Stone-Skin Pig Demons here have mutated, then it's hard to say."

Jiang Youling remembered what the Guardian Overseer had just said and recalled the sight of the broken ancient trees she had seen in the forest earlier. She had a premonition that these Stone-Skin Pig Demons would not be easy to kill.

Seeing the young girl's face tense and her expression solemn, Qian Zefei patted her shoulder, feigning a relaxed attitude.

"What are you panicking for? We miscellaneous disciples are responsible for logistics; we don't need to face the might of demons directly, so there's no threat to our lives.

The fact that Senior Brother Zhao made you follow this mission is likely just to scare you a bit and teach you some rules."

Qian Zefei then shared some emergency countermeasures for encountering demon beasts, just as the figures of Senior Brother Xie and the others appeared in the distance.

In addition to the Guardian Overseer, there was now a tall, pale middle-aged man beside the group.

The man coughed with every few steps; he was none other than Wei Changfeng, the Garrison Commander of the Demon Suppression Division, who had been heavily wounded by the Stone-Skin Pig Demon not long ago.

"Little Immortal Elder Xie, that Stone-Skin Pig Demon is truly strange. Not only has its strength improved by leaps and bounds, but it has also learned ambush and encirclement tactics, as if it has suddenly grown a brain.

It would be unwise to blindly seek out the enemy. It would be better to plan carefully; it won't be too late to kill the demon after I have recovered from my injuries. *Cough, cough, cough...*"

"Commander Wei," Xie Jingxing looked at Wei Changfeng calmly.

"Every moment we delay in slaying the demon is another household that may meet disaster. Since we have learned the methods of demon suppression, how can we sit idly by while demons cause chaos?"

Wei Changfeng hurriedly explained, "That is not what I meant. It's just that the pig demon is truly peculiar. I lost five or six skilled men under my command, and even I almost lost my life on the spot..."

Before he could finish, he was interrupted by a cold laugh.

"In the end, are you all still questioning my Senior Brother's strength?"

Zhao Cheng looked at Wei Changfeng with displeasure. "Since you have come to my Taixuan Sect for help, all matters regarding demon suppression shall be handled according to the arrangements of our Immortal Sect!"

Helpless, Wei Changfeng had no choice but to swallow his words and silently lead the way.

The Guardian Overseer remained in Sangyu Town to oversee the situation and guard against sudden demon attacks.

Seeing the Senior Brothers heading off to subdue the demon, Qian Zefei quickly gave Jiang Youling a meaningful look, signaling her to follow.

Jiang Youling silently followed behind the group.

The group moved as fast as the wind. Zhao Cheng was certain that Jiang Youling would not be able to keep up with their pace, and he intended to wait patiently for her to fall behind and become isolated, which would earn her the displeasure of Senior Brother Xie.

To his surprise, after traveling at high speed for about fifteen minutes, the girl followed closely behind the group without uttering a single word.

Zhao Cheng's scheme had failed, leaving him feeling incredibly stifled and increasingly annoyed by Jiang Youling.

"A little further ahead is where I was ambushed," Wei Changfeng pointed toward the mountain forest ahead, a hint of worry appearing on his face.

Xie Jingxing, however, acted as if he hadn't noticed the expression on the man's face, striding boldly into the forest.

Seeing the other Taixuan disciples following him into the woods, Wei Changfeng shook his head helplessly and followed out of resignation.

But at that moment, a faint yet urgent whistling sound suddenly came from behind. Immediately following, a streak of white light shot toward the sky, lingering for a long time.

Wei Changfeng's expression changed slightly as he hurriedly looked up. "Not good! A demon attack!! The demons are attacking Sangyu Town!"

Xie Jingxing's brow furrowed. He acted decisively, taking out a paper whistle to summon a celestial crane. Riding the crane, he vanished like a streak of flowing light.

The others followed suit, each blowing their paper whistles to command their celestial cranes to return along the original path.

As Qian Zefei mounted his crane, he did not forget to pull Wei Changfeng along with him.

The speed of the flying cranes was far beyond human capability; in just a few dozen breaths, the group had returned to Sangyu Town.

However, compared to fifteen minutes ago, Sangyu Town had already transformed into a different place.

Houses were collapsed, and ruins were everywhere.

Wails echoed across the land, and a foul, bloody wind swept toward them.

On the bluestone streets, a thick, dark green liquid had emerged, corroding the bricks and stones with a "hissing" sound, sending up wisps of pungent green smoke.

Three Stone-Skin Pig Demons were rampaging like tigers among sheep, easily smashing through the temporary defensive line organized by the Guardian Overseer. They were "crunching" and "munching" on half-eaten remains.

"Seeking death!"

Witnessing this scene of demons devouring humans, the disciples led by Xie Jingxing all glared with fury.

Xie Jingxing leapt from the back of the crane, a sword appearing in his hand at some unknown moment—it was "Frost-Condenser."

Frost-Condenser was unleashed in anger, like a bolt of silver lightning tearing through the sky. In an instant, a brilliant cold light erupted; wherever it passed, the air condensed into ice crystals, and even the grass on the ground was frozen into frost.

(End of Chapter)