NOVPUB
Chapter 490: Chapter 486: Deterrence
"Sizzle!"
As the video played in the Video Stone ended, the images projected by the Heavenly Light Instrument also converged, displaying a series of numbers after some intense changes.
"Ding!"
Six hundred and twenty-nine billion, five thousand and twenty-four million.
This number was precisely an integer.
"Not bad."
Seeing this number, Gu Jinlai nodded slightly.
It was much higher than he had anticipated.
He had thought that the Holy Dynasty would significantly lower the Demon Emperor’s bounty, but it seemed the system of the Demon-slaying Hall hadn’t completely corrupted after all.
After all, when the Holy Dynasty was first established, the founders of the Six Great Cave Heavens had been willing to fight the devils to the death, and it was during that time that the Demon-slaying Hall system was established.
And with a "ding" from the Heavenly Light Instrument, the few Saints and Martial Saints who were still in shock finally came to their senses.
However, seeing the astonishing number displayed on the Heavenly Light Instrument, everyone couldn’t help but take in a sharp breath of air again.
"Six hundred and twenty-nine billion!? How many devils did he... he actually slay!?"
"Four... four Demon Emperors!? Including a top Demon Emperor!? Plus dozens of Demon Kings, has Gu Jinlai... conquered a demon territory!?"
"Four Demon Emperors and dozens of Demon Kings... Even a National Guardian Saint would be at risk of being surrounded and killed if trapped within! How could Gu Jinlai be so powerful!?"
The thoughts of various Saints and Martial Saints surged.
Even City Lord Zhao Hua’s heart couldn’t calm down for a long time.
As a National Guardian Saint, with the power of a Divine Weapon, even the top Demon Emperor wouldn’t last long against him and would be bombed to death.
But if...
The top Demon Emperor were to attract his attack, with three Demon Emperors assisting from the side and dozens of fearless Demon Kings depleting his strength, over time, he too would be exhausted to death.
Not to mention the countless number of cannon fodder devils from all directions.
Yet now, what he couldn’t do had been accomplished by Gu Jinlai!
Plus with the scenes projected from the Video Stone, the bursts of intense white light that erupted occasionally...
It was definitely a technique on par with top Divine Skills.
His Divine Weapon Space Stabilizing Pearl was a binding type and was not good at defense or slaying.
If it were struck head-on by a top Divine Skill like Gu Jinlai’s...
His end would not be much better than that of the top Demon Emperor.
"The contribution value is out."
Gu Jinlai made a statement, "The Heavenly Light Instrument is indeed fair and just."
He turned to the others, "By the way, City Lord Zhao, Cao Junzhu, and the Martial Arts Academy Master, may I know if you have come here for a specific reason?"
Cao Wudao and Wu Tianya, after glancing at the staggering number, silently turned their gaze to Zhao Hua.
But Zhao Hua turned his gaze towards Cao Wudao.
His look was clear with inquiry.
After all, Gu Jinlai had just slain Cao Tiangang, the heir whom Cao Wudao had painstakingly cultivated.
However, Cao Wudao seemed not to understand the meaning conveyed by Zhao Hua’s eyes, assuming a stance that deferred to City Lord Zhao for the next steps.
For a moment, Zhao Hua found himself in a difficult position.
A being with the combat power of a Sixth Rank Saint...
No, wrong!
Perhaps already beyond the constraints of the Sixth Rank, reaching a level comparable to the Seventh Rank!
Such a terrifyingly strong individual, even though he was the City Lord of Wind and Rain City and held the geographical advantage, couldn’t touch Gu Jinlai at all if the City Protection Array hadn’t been activated.
Yet if they completely offended such a strong person and pushed him into a hostile position...
All of them would never have peace again.
Unless the higher-ups were willing to dispatch a Void Immortal for reinforcement.
But if a Void Immortal came based on their actions over the years in Wind and Rain City...
His tenure as City Lord would end, and he might even lose the Divine Weapon he had held on to for so long without a rightful wielder.
By then, his status would plummet from the highly respected City Lord and National Guardian Saint to a top Saint much like Cao Wudao.
And that was under the best of circumstances.
If that Void Immortal also failed to kill Gu Jinlai, and he, having thoroughly offended such a powerful Seventh Rank, were to be targeted once more after laying low for a while, falling to a top Fourth Rank Saint...
It would certainly mean death.
With this thought, Zhao Hua managed a forced smile, "We... we heard about the recent glorious achievements of Ancient Martial Saint in slaying the devils, and we specially came to witness it."
"Is that so." 𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙥𝒖𝒃.𝙘𝙤𝒎
Gu Jinlai nodded, turning his gaze to Jin Fantian, "Since the esteemed Hall Master Jin and others are present, I plan to exchange these contribution values for cultivation resources. Please assist me, Hall Master Jin. I want three thousand portions of Thunder Magnetic Elemental Gold."
"Three thousand portions of Thunder Magnetic Elemental Gold..."
Jin Fantian thought about the cultivation technique practiced by Gu Jinlai.
If he really did exchange for three thousand portions of Thunder Magnetic Elemental Gold...
"Hm? What? Is that not allowed?"
Gu Jinlai looked towards Jin Fantian, "The exchange system of the Demon Slayer Hall was established at the commencement of the Holy Dynasty, serving as one of the crucial foundations for the dynasty’s stable governance. As the Demon Slayer Hall Master, you surely can carry out the relevant operations, can’t you?"
Jin Fantian glanced at the silent Zhao Hua, Cao Wudao, Wu Tianya, and others.
Was he to face Gu Jinlai alone?
He certainly was not willing to.
Right away, he nodded, "Of course, it can be done."
"Bring me my Demon Slaying Order."
Gu Jinlai turned to Jin Haifeng who stood by, visibly trembling with fear.
Upon seeing the giant Jin Fantian not daring to utter a single word out of turn, Jin Haifeng reluctantly left the grand hall and soon brought out a well-crafted Demon Slaying Order.
Gu Jinlai took the Demon Slaying Order and adeptly imprinted it with a spirit.
Then he placed it on the Heavenly Light Instrument.
Suddenly, the six hundred and twenty-nine billion contribution points calculated by the Heavenly Light Instrument were entirely infused into the token.
And the color of the token changed from white to green, then to blue, and finally to purple, forming three purple stripes.
This signified that Gu Jinlai, through his contribution points, had swiftly ascended through the ranks of Demon Slayer, High-level Demon Slayer, and Special Level Demon Slayer, directly earning the title of Demon Slayer.
The honors associated with this title were comparable to those of any city’s Deputy City Lord or Vice Hall Master of the Demon-slaying Hall.
"Hall Master Jin, shall we go and make the exchange?"
Gu Jinlai said.
"Alright."
Jin Fantian nodded.
At this moment, Zong Yan suddenly exclaimed, "Ancient Martial Saint, have you bulldozed through a demon territory!?"
"Is there a problem?"
Gu Jinlai asked.
"A problem? It’s a huge problem."
Zong Yan took a deep breath and sternly said, "Do you realize that the peace we and the surrounding cities have enjoyed for these years has been because of a tacit agreement with the demons? The demons do not gather their forces to attack our Holy Dynasty’s cities, and our Human Clan experts are not to venture into territories controlled by demons to hunt Spirit Venerables, many of whom can transform into Demon Emperors. You’ve slaughtered four Demon Emperors in one fell swoop, undoubtedly including Spirit Venerable level beings."
"Oh, and then what?"
Gu Jinlai said calmly.
"And then?"
Zong Yan said angrily, "This act of yours essentially breaks the tacit agreement between both parties. Subsequently, the demons will use this as a reason to launch a massive counterattack, possibly even leading a Demon Emperor to stir up a demonic wave. By then, countless demons will assault Wind and Rain City, as well as the neighboring Liuhuo City and Purple Thunder City. When that happens, these cities will face utter devastation, and countless families will suffer..."
"Do you all think what Martial Saint Zong is saying makes sense?"
Gu Jinlai’s gaze shifted towards Zhao Hua, Jin Fantian, Cao Wudao, Wu Tianya, and the others.
After a moment of silence, Zhao Hua, having no choice, finally said, "This matter... indeed isn’t trivial. If Ancient Martial Saint’s leveling of a demon territory breaks the mutual understanding and draws the Demon Emperor’s attack, it indeed could cause massive carnage, thus, we need to act with caution..."
"Once the Demon Emperor strikes, causing countless deaths, Gu Jinlai, you will be the culprit for Wind and Rain City, Liuhuo City, and Purple Thunder City!"
Zong Yan shouted sternly.
"The initial intent behind establishing the Holy Dynasty was to unite everyone to oppose demons. The earliest laws of the dynasty included ensuring the basic right to survival for the Human Clan and the extermination of demons! Now that I have leveled a demon territory, Martial Saint Zong seems to think not only is this not meritorious, but it’s actually a transgression! Since when did slaying demons become an offense?"
"Gu Jinlai!"
Zong Yan said, furrowing his brow, "Don’t tell me you are unaware of these unspoken rules..."
"What unspoken rules!? I know of no such thing!"
Gu Jinlai declared loudly, "All I know is that I traveled thousands of miles, enduring hardship to reach the Holy Dynasty because I see it as the only holy land for our Human Clan to stand against demons! Yet now, you tell me there is an understanding with the demons that we cannot act against them!?"
"You..."
Zong Yan, looking urgent, said, "Gu Jinlai, you know what I mean! Don’t twist my words to confuse the issue!"
"No, I am speaking clearly, and so do the laws of the Holy Dynasty remember clearly! The purpose of the Holy Dynasty is to unite all human forces against the demons! But now, you tell me that it’s wrong to kill demons, that we shouldn’t take action against them!"
As Gu Jinlai spoke, his aura began to rise dramatically, his words full of righteous indignation, "I have reason to suspect that Martial Saint Zong has secretly conspired with the demons! Perhaps you have even become a demonic cultist. All your actions now aim to deceive and divide the Holy Dynasty, undermining its foundation! According to the dynasty’s regulations, such acts against the Holy Dynasty, against humanity..."
As he spoke, ferocious thunder suddenly erupted from his body.
The Thunder Light Domain became fully operational, wildly spreading towards Zong Yan.
Zong Yan speaking up was actually Zhao Hua’s hint, trying to pressure Gu Jinlai into taking responsibility for the Demon Emperor’s potential retaliation.
Therefore, he, along with Jin Fantian, Cao Wudao, and others, had already been prepared. At this moment, seeing that Gu Jinlai was indeed daring enough to make a direct move, they all changed their expressions simultaneously.
Zhao Hua even let out a great shout, "Stop!"
In an instant, a force seemingly capable of sealing the void dispersed from him.
"Boom!"
Thunder roared.
The power of the Thunder Light Domain instantly formed six thunder dragons that rushed towards the six mighty figures in the center.
Meanwhile, Gu Jinlai merely clasped his empty hand, and a cluster of thunder light instantly took shape in his hand, transforming into the Thunder Sword.
The Sword Blade, pointing directly at Zong Yan...
"By law, he shall be executed!"
