NOVPUBSu Changkong said to Helian Yuan.
"If you encounter characters like Xie Kui again, the Spirit Taoist Sect doesn’t need to clash head-on. Just wait for me to handle it."
"Good, take care on your journey," Helian Yuan nodded, not asking where Su Changkong was headed.
"I’m going to check out the situation at the Demon Suppressing Department." After greeting Helian Yuan, Su Changkong set off from the Spirit Taoist Sect, aiming to visit Duanmu Tao at the Demon Suppressing Department.
What Su Changkong needed to do now was to strengthen his power and foundation.
If there were enough Spirit Veins, Su Changkong could directly use the Guiding Technique to extract Spiritual Energy and condense it into Innate Qi, which would allow the Turtle Breath Technique to improve rapidly. Su Changkong had no qualms about laying hands on those from the Evil Sect and Demon Gate to plunder their Spirit Veins—it was doing a good deed!
As Lord Duanmu was in charge of the Demon Suppressing Department’s intelligence system, which was incomparable to the average person, asking him about the whereabouts of the Evil Sect and Demon Gate then making a visit would allow Su Changkong to quickly obtain Innate Qi!
Of course, he must also act with caution. The Evil Sect and Demon Gate have survived for a reason; they undoubtedly have top-tier powerhouses stationed behind them, and there might even be a Martial Saint among them!
After leaving the Spirit Taoist Sect for a distance, Su Changkong used the White Crane Escapes technique, conjuring the shadow of a white crane. He leaped onto its back and shot up into the sky, weaving through the clouds toward Great Flame City.
Without a doubt, the most prosperous city in Central State is Great Flame City at the heart of the Great Flame Empire.
Inside Great Flame City, the Yan Imperial Family resides within the "Imperial City," a city within the city.
The headquarters of the Demon Suppressing Department is also located in Great Flame City.
Su Changkong rushed towards Great Flame City, but within a grand hall of the Demon Suppressing Department, the atmosphere was extraordinarily tense!
"Two of our Three Flowers Gathering at the Top martial artists from the Demon Suppressing Department have been killed around Ambush Elephant Mountain.
According to the information provided by the martial artist who escaped, the one who killed them was most likely Che Yuchen, an Elder of the Life Extinguishing Association…" Duanmu Tao looked at the intelligence report in his hands, his expression extremely solemn.
Not long ago, there was suspected Demon Monster unrest near Ambush Elephant Mountain in the Great Flood State within the Flame Empire’s territory. Martial artists from the nearby Demon Suppressing Department went to investigate and resolve the situation, but the result was nearly a complete annihilation!
The one who killed the formidable martial artists from the Demon Suppressing Department was none other than the prominent figure, most likely He Yuchen, a member of the Life Extinguishing Association’s Elder Council.
Each Elder of the Life Extinguishing Association undeniably stands as a strong figure among the strong, a Five-Qi Grandmaster who has successfully fused with a superior Demon Monster Crystal Core, and only then might they have a chance to become part of the Elder Council.
Every Elder of the Life Extinguishing Association is extremely fearsome, rarely meeting a match within the Innate realm—ordinary Five-Qi Grandmasters encountering them would be on a one-way path to death!
"He Yuchen appeared on Ambush Elephant Mountain... Does Ambush Elephant Mountain have any special significance?" Duanmu Tao pondered.
An Elder of the Life Extinguishing Association would not easily make a move, and He Yuchen’s appearance on Ambush Elephant Mountain likely involved something of great importance.
"Lord, the two esteemed individuals Yun Han and Yun Qing lost their lives at the hands of He Yuchen. We cannot let it pass easily!"
Below, a martial artist from the Demon Suppressing Department shouted angrily, with the two Three Flowers Gathering at the Top martial artists who died holding very high prestige within the department, both being martial artists with great potential. Yet, they ended up killed by the Monster Men of the Life Extinguishing Association, inciting righteous indignation in everyone.
After a long silence, Duanmu Tao finally made a decision, "Then let’s make a trip..."
In the Demon Suppressing Department, only Duanmu Tao had the capability to face the Life Extinguishing Association’s Elder-tier powerhouses; it was a matter that required his personal intervention!
And Duanmu Tao’s heart was even more solemn, as he understood that He Yuchen’s appearance on Ambush Elephant Mountain in the Great Flood State couldn’t be that simple!
But the only thing Duanmu Tao could do was to personally go and assess the situation, as it was his duty; and if it truly could not be resolved, then it would be time to ask the Yan Imperial Family to take action.
Duanmu Tao gathered experts like Lian Tianlu from the Demon Suppressing Department and rushed towards Ambush Elephant Mountain in the Great Flood State.
...
Two days later, at the city gate of Great Flame City in Central State, a stern-faced black-clothed blade man appeared.
"Is this the center of Central State, Great Flame City?"
The black-clothed blade man was none other than Su Changkong; he admired the towering city walls before him.
Although Su Changkong had been in Central State for several years now, it was his first time coming to the largest, most bustling city of the Great Flame Empire.
Reining in his emotions, Su Changkong stepped into Great Flame City.
"That direction... Is that where the Imperial City is located? It’s as if there’s a true dragon coiling in the sky!" Su Changkong looked towards the distant sky, his expression becoming focused.
The Imperial City in the center of Great Flame City is a place heavily guarded and difficult for outsiders to enter, also serving as the nation’s hub where the Flame Emperor is seated, undoubtedly of paramount importance.
Su Changkong merely glanced a few times before withdrawing his gaze, not dawdling. After asking passersby along the way and learning the location of the Demon Suppressing Department’s station, he proceeded straight there.
Outside a majestic complex, pedestrians circumvented it. At the entrance stood martial artists with swords at their waists, proud and upright—this was the location of the Demon Suppressing Department!
"No trespassing for idlers!"
The approach of Su Changkong attracted the attention of the guards of the Demon Suppressing Department. Seeing his attire, different from their own, someone called out to stop him.
Su Changkong stopped in his tracks, saying, "Would you trouble yourself to inform Lord Duanmu that my name is Dao Wufeng?"
"Dao Wufeng?"
Upon hearing this name, the expressions of the guards of the Demon Suppressing Department changed slightly.
In other places, not many would recognize this name, but within the Demon Suppressing Department, most had heard of it, since their third-in-command Qi Gang’s defection was put to an end by a blade man named Dao Wufeng!
