Chapter 1 An Advancement in Strength

Wu Qi was delighted to learn of his young master's great improvement in strength. "Young master, how about I have Sanya prepare you something to eat?"

"Good, I am actually a little hungry," Xu Jingming nodded.

"Sanya…"

Wu Qi immediately went to arrange for the maids to prepare food.

Xu Jingming was in a particularly cheerful mood at the moment. The fact that his magic power in the Demon Subduing World could be improved meant that his mental strength had also reached a new stage.

Ordinarily, only eighth-order cosmic lifeforms could cultivate into fourth-realm demon subduers.

Even with the Ice Flower Spirit Liquid, his mental strength still had to reach the level of a top-tier seventh-order before he could cultivate to the fourth realm.

"Five months after joining the Yuanchu Research Institute, my mental strength has finally reached the top-tier of the seventh-order," Xu Jingming looked forward to it. "I hope to reach the eighth-order as soon as possible."

"Reaching the eighth-order is only considered a real start for peripheral members of the Yuanchu Research Institute."

The peerless geniuses who could be recruited all had the strongest inheritances and the Ice Flower Spirit Liquid, allowing them to reach the eighth-order in a short period.

The only difficult thing was going from the eighth-order to the ninth-order.

It generally took hundreds of years, or even more than a thousand!

"Master." Two maids smiled as they brought over food, fruit, and fine wine on wooden trays. These two maids also knew that their master was a powerful demon subduer, so they naturally felt very proud.

Being a maid for ordinary wealthy households was completely different from being a maid for a powerful demon subduer.

Neighbors, relatives, who wouldn't be polite to them?

On the night of his breakthrough to the fourth-realm demon subduer, Xu Jingming finally mastered the Divine Power 'Starry Sky Divine Body'.

"Having come to the Demon Subduing World, my three main spells—thunder techniques, Luo Net Technique, and protective starlight—this protective starlight is the last to be upgraded to the Divine Power level," Xu Jingming thought.

He sat cross-legged on the bed, with endless starlight constantly pouring into his body.

His body was slowly transforming, with his muscles and bones changing from ordinary flesh and blood into a Starry Sky Divine Body based on demon-subduing magic power and starlight as energy.

The transformation process lasted more than three hours. "Starry Sky Divine Body, I've finally gotten the hang of it."

Xu Jingming sat there, thinking, "The divine body can gather and scatter; scattered, it is endless starlight."

Whoosh.

Xu Jingming, who was sitting cross-legged, scattered into a ray of starlight. With a flash of starlight, he flew out of the window, circling the courtyard several times in the blink of an eye, flying around in the high sky, and finally returning to the room.

"Gathered, I have great power in my body." The starlight condensed into Xu Jingming again. He was already sitting cross-legged on the bed. With a slight clench of his right hand, boom! The air exploded.

"It feels a bit like an origin lifeform," Xu Jingming experienced. "An origin lifeform's body is formed from cosmic origin power and can transform the body, but the evolution and transformation of the body in reality… is much more complicated, and my knowledge is far from enough."

Xu Jingming got up, walked to the corner of the room, and picked up the spear bag on the ground.

"It's been many days since I got this divine spear, but I still can't wield it," Xu Jingming sighed with some emotion. With only an ordinary flesh body, even with cellular control, he could only barely lift it.

But to use spear techniques skillfully? Strength was far from enough.

Now that he had cultivated the Starry Sky Divine Body, he could easily carry the spear bag.

Whoosh.

A ray of starlight flashed, and Xu Jingming was already in an open space in the back garden.

"This speed is already supersonic," Xu Jingming thought. "Moreover, there is no sound or movement when flying as starlight."

He took out the two sections of the spear from the spear bag, connected them, and locked them in place. Then, Xu Jingming began to practice his spear techniques. He didn't deliberately pursue speed, but simply performed them according to his will. Surrounded by starlight, the air vibrations caused by Xu Jingming's spear were naturally borne by the starlight, without damaging the surrounding vegetation.

"It still feels better to practice spear techniques." After all, Xu Jingming had been practicing weapons since he was a child. Having come to the Demon Subduing World, he had been casting spells remotely all the time, and he was not really used to it.

When encountering a demon, he instinctively wanted to charge up with a spear!

But before, with his mortal body, charging up would be suicide.

"Now that I have cultivated the three Divine Powers—Five Thunder Law, Heavenly Net, and Starry Sky Divine Body—I should focus on the Starry Sky Divine Body in the future," Xu Jingming thought. "Firstly, I can take advantage of my real combat skills, and the combination of melee weapons and spells will be more effective when fighting enemies. Secondly, I can also train in real combat in the Demon Subduing World."

His combat ability was considered excellent among eighth-order cosmic lifeforms, but there was still considerable room for improvement.

******

Cheng'an Prefecture, Bai County.

The old patriarch of the Chen family was hosting County Magistrate Wang.

"Old Chen," Magistrate Wang said, drunk, with a smile. "I have some good news to tell you."

"What good news?" The old patriarch raised an eyebrow. As the patriarch of the Chen family, one of the leading clans in Bai County, the magistrate had to show him some respect.

"That Chen Qi you expelled from the family," Magistrate Wang said in a low voice, "is a remarkable demon subduer. Just a while ago, he killed a earth demon in the Prefectural City and became sworn brothers with the Qi family head in the Prefectural City."

The old patriarch's triangular eyes grew colder. He said softly, "Killed a earth demon? Became sworn brothers with the Qi family head in the Prefectural City?"

"This is news from the Prefectural City. Not many people in Bai County know about it yet," Magistrate Wang said. "Old Chen, Chen Qi is still family, after all; even if you break the bones, they are still connected! As long as the Chen family apologizes, bows its head, and gives Chen Qi enough face… I believe he will still be willing to return to the Chen family."

The old patriarch nodded slightly. "What Magistrate Wang says makes sense. I must think of a way when I get back."

"By the way, Chen Qi changed his name when he went to the Prefectural City. He is called Wu Ming now," Magistrate Wang said.

"Changed his name?" The old patriarch frowned. "Surname Wu?"

"He must have grievances in his heart," Magistrate Wang said with a smile. "I felt that the Chen family was a bit ruthless in the past, so how could Chen Qi not have grievances? In short, I have said what I need to say. How you deal with it is up to the Chen family."

"Thank you, Magistrate Wang," the old patriarch nodded. "By the way, who was the earth demon he killed? The earth demons within Cheng'an Prefecture should all be somewhat well-known."

"Zhang Xiu, one of the thirty-six envoys of Dongming Mountain who serves as patrol envoy," Magistrate Wang said.

The old patriarch nodded slightly.

Night.

The old patriarch of the Chen family summoned Chen Shi'an.

"Shi'an, you know the situation," the old patriarch said, looking at Chen Shi'an. "Chen Qi is your son; tell me, what should we do?"

Chen Shi'an was still a bit dumbfounded. "Him? Became a demon subduer and killed a earth demon?"

Was this son of his so powerful?

"Magistrate Wang wouldn't lie about something like this," the old patriarch said. "Your son's talent is extraordinary. To become such a powerful demon subduer at such a young age, he may become even more powerful in the future. This is a rare opportunity for our Chen family! With a powerful demon subduer in charge, the family will also be much stronger."

Chen Shi'an couldn't help but say, "But we have already removed him from the family tree."

"We can write him back in," the old patriarch said. "These are all minor matters; what's most important is to get Chen Qi to forgive the family."

"How do we get him to forgive us?" Chen Shi'an asked. "The kid has even changed his surname to Wu."

The old patriarch smiled. "That's why we need someone of sufficient stature to come forward and personally apologize. I would really like to go myself, but I am old and frail after all. So I hope that you, as his father, will make a trip to the Prefectural City and personally pay your respects. After all, you are father and son; after so many years of affection, I believe there is nothing you can't talk about."

"Me go to the Prefectural City?" Chen Shi'an's eyes widened. "It's hundreds of miles from Bai County to the Prefectural City, and the journey is dangerous and unpredictable."

"You must go for the family," the old patriarch said.

"I'm not going, I'm not going."

Chen Shi'an said bluntly, shaking his head. "Uncle, don't force me; no matter how much you force me, I won't go! You manage the affairs of the main branch; you can't ask the head of the second branch to go to his death."

"You…" the old patriarch said, gritting his teeth in anger.

"What's more, my son killed a earth demon from Dongming Mountain; it's hard to say whether it's a blessing or a curse," Chen Shi'an said with a snort. "If we go to recognize him now, the demons of Dongming Mountain might come and kill us."

The old patriarch nodded. "That's why I want you to go to the Prefectural City quietly, first meet with your son and become more intimate. When the time is right, we can make his relationship with our Chen family public."

"Uncle, if you want to go, you can take the trouble to go yourself; I, Chen Shi'an, would never go to the Prefectural City, no matter how far," Chen Shi'an said, getting up. "I, Chen Shi'an, have no great ambitions in this life, but I will definitely not do anything that sends me to my death."

With that, Chen Shi'an walked out.

"Merchant teams often go to the Prefectural City; it's not as dangerous as you say," the old patriarch said quickly.

"If it's not dangerous, you can go yourself; I'm definitely not going," Chen Shi'an had already walked out the door, ignoring the patriarch.

"You, you, you…"

The old patriarch's face turned ugly, but he couldn't do anything about it. He had no right to force the head of the second branch to go to the Prefectural City.

"In that case, let's wait a little longer," the old patriarch sat down, his face flickering uncertainly in the candlelight. "Perhaps Chen Qi will die at the hands of Dongming Mountain in a few days."

"It's not too late to go to the Prefectural City after we see the situation clearly," the old patriarch thought to himself.

*******

Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, more than three months had passed since Xu Jingming killed the earth demon Zhang Xiu.

Early morning, just before dawn. "Whoosh."

On a river in the Prefectural City, a stream of water flowed ashore, condensing into a human figure on the bank—a blue-clad man with a birthmark on his face.

He walked step by step. At first, there were still water stains under his feet, but later he became like an ordinary person.

"It's been a long time since I've been to the Prefectural City," the Azure Lake Demon God looked at the surrounding scenery; in the distance, there were already some people getting up early.

"It's been more than three months since my brother Zhang Xiu was killed. It's time for me to take action," the Azure Lake Demon God walked leisurely along the way. He completely restrained his aura. The more powerful the demon, the harder it was to detect when they restrained their aura.

With the Azure Lake Demon God's strength, even if a fifth-realm demon subduer cast a spell to investigate, it would be difficult to discover him when he completely restrained his aura.

This was also why the Patrol Envoy Zhang Xiu dared to move around frequently in the Prefectural City.

As long as he didn't take action, the chances of being exposed were very low.

"According to Dongming Mountain's intelligence, the demon subduer Wu Ming lives in that residence ahead," the Azure Lake Demon God looked at the residence in the distance. He had walked all the way here, and it was already dawn. "Now, I just need to wait for him to come out."

The Azure Lake Demon God glanced at it, turned around, and checked into an inn nearby, waiting patiently.

The Azure Lake Demon God waited patiently.

One day, two days, three days… five days… ten days…

At first, the Azure Lake Demon God was very patient, but gradually, he began to suspect that the intelligence was wrong.

"Everyone around says that's where the demon subduer Wu Ming lives," the Azure Lake Demon God looked and thought, "But why hasn't he come out all this time? He just stays at home; doesn't he find it boring?"

The Azure Lake Demon God sat in the teahouse, drinking tea and waiting boredly.

Having waited this long, he naturally had to continue waiting!

"It's Mr. Wu."

"Mr. Wu is really easy to approach."

Suddenly, many people in the teahouse noticed.

"Hmm?"

The Azure Lake Demon God, who was bored drinking tea, perked up his ears and immediately looked up. He immediately saw the residence in the distance, and a young man carrying a spear bag and a servant walked out. The young man's appearance… was exactly as depicted in Dongming Mountain's intelligence.

"Wu Ming, he's finally come out," the Azure Lake Demon God felt excited, having waited too long.

This prey had finally appeared!

........

Xu Jingming and Wu Qi walked out of the residence gate together.

"Young master, you should go out more often," Wu Qi said, nagging, "It's been more than half a month since you stepped out the door; that won't do."

"I know, Uncle Qi," Xu Jingming said with a smile. "I'm in seclusion, so I need to be more focused on comprehending the demon-subduing secret techniques."

"I don't understand demon-subduing secret techniques."

Wu Qi said, "But I know that people should enjoy life more. That's what Miss did back then; she exhausted her efforts for the Chen family, but how did the Chen family repay her? Even you, young master, were kicked out."

"Yes, yes, I'll go out more often in the future," Xu Jingming said.

He had been in seclusion recently because of the Divine Power Starry Sky Divine Body. After killing Zhang Xiu, he had been studying the *Light* chapter every day, accumulating more and more insights. The Divine Power Five Thunder Law naturally took a further step, reaching the combination of three lightning bolts! The Divine Power Five Thunder Law reached the 'minor success' realm.

However, the Starry Sky Divine Body was still only at the 'entry' level.

Clearly, he had spent the most effort on the Starry Sky Divine Body, but progress was slow. Xu Jingming was a little unconvinced. He secluded himself and pondered, and after more than half a month, he finally broke through to the 'minor success' realm today.

"Young master, which restaurant do you want to go to for lunch?" Wu Qi asked.

"Let's go to that one in the north of the city; their pasta is excellent," Xu Jingming said, already feeling a bit greedy.

The two chatted as they walked towards the north of the city.

However, they didn't notice that among the bustling crowd on the street, there was a blue-clad man with a saber following them from two or three hundred meters away.