A Compendium of One Hundred Demons: My Path to Immortality in a World of Demons and Monsters

"you say."

"First, regardless of whether the town's demon envoy arrives in six days, I must return to the village. If the tiger demon breaks the seal at that time, I must protect the villagers and evacuate them first."

"Alright." Shen Qingyi nodded. "The Shen family will provide several horse-drawn carriages to help the villagers evacuate."

"Secondly," Xu Yuan looked at Zhao, the registrar, "I need a real cultivation method, not just a basic technique. It should be able to cultivate to at least the ninth level of Blood Refining, and if possible... a technique for the Qi Condensation Realm would be even better."

Clerk Zhao's face darkened: "Boy, do you know what the Qi Condensation Realm cultivation technique means? Even in the Demon Suppression Division of the prefecture, not everyone is qualified to cultivate it!"

"I know," Xu Yuan said calmly. "That's why I only said 'if possible,' but surely they should have the cultivation technique for the ninth level of Blood Refinement? Otherwise, with my insufficient strength, going up the city wall would just be suicide, and it would be of no benefit to the defense of the city."

Clerk Zhao stared at him for a long time, then suddenly laughed: "Good lad, you know how to bargain. The Blood Refining Ninth Level technique does exist in my Qingyang County Demon Suppression Division, but according to the rules, it cannot be taught to unofficial members."

"Then let me become a full member," Xu Yuan said calmly.

A glint of light flashed in Zhao Zhubu's eyes:

"You want to join the Demon Suppression Division?"

"I will only hold the title, receive no salary, and not be subject to orders, except when evil spirits cause chaos or when defending a city," Xu Yuan stated his terms. "If I am still alive after the Xiongnu retreat, then we can discuss whether I stay or leave."

The conditions sounded rather harsh, but Chief Clerk Zhao did not refuse immediately. Instead, he pondered for a moment. Now that the Demon Suppression Division was suffering from a shortage of talent, it would not be a bad thing to have a martial artist like Xu Yuan, who was exceptionally talented and had methods to restrain demons and evil spirits, join the division, even if it was just in name only.

More importantly, this young man has a good character: he values ​​relationships, knows when to advance and retreat, and is grateful. He is not the kind of reckless young man who thinks he is above the law just because he has some ability.

"Alright." Chief Clerk Zhao finally nodded in agreement, "But you must swear a solemn oath to your heart, that you will do your utmost to defend the city and that you must not desert your post."

The Great Oath of the Inner Demon is one of the constraints in this world. It takes one's own martial arts future as the cause and effect of the oath. If one breaks the oath, at best one's cultivation will stagnate, and at worst one will suffer a qi deviation.

Without hesitation, Xu Yuan solemnly declared, "I, Xu Yuan, swear that if you two help me resolve the crisis in my village, I will do my utmost to defend the city when the Xiongnu attack, until the city falls or the enemy retreats. If I break this oath, may my martial arts be severed!"

As soon as he finished speaking, as if sensing something in the darkness, an invisible constraint was planted in Xu Yuan's heart.

Chief Clerk Zhao nodded in satisfaction, took out a black iron token from his pocket, and handed it to Xu Yuan: "This is the token for the outer members of the Demon Suppression Division. With this token, you can freely enter and exit the Demon Suppression Division and consult the cultivation manuals of the Blood Refining Realm. As for the cultivation manuals of the Condensation Realm... it's not too late to talk about it after you have made enough merits."

Xu Yuan took the token; it was icy cold to the touch. The front was engraved with the words "Suppress Demons," and the back had a number: Jia Seventeen.

"Is the Demon Suppression Division so short-staffed right now?" Xu Yuan asked casually, glancing at the number.

Clerk Zhao's face darkened: "Don't ask what you shouldn't ask!"

Shen Qingyi covered her mouth and chuckled, explaining, "Back when the Great Qian Dynasty was still powerful, the Demon Suppression Division in Qingyang County was organized into three groups: A, B, and C, with each group having a full complement of thirty people. Nowadays, it would be considered good if we could gather twenty people."

Xu Yuan immediately understood. In chaotic times, the Demon Suppression Division, a government office that deals with demons and evil spirits, would likely have an extremely high casualty rate.

"The cultivation manual is inside the Demon Suppression Bureau; you can go there anytime." Clerk Zhao stood up. "As for cultivation resources, since Miss Shen has agreed to help you, then go find her. I have official business to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

After seeing off Registrar Zhao, only Xu Yuan, Shen Qingyi, and the old village chief remained in the flower hall.

Shen Qingyi said gently to the old village chief, "Uncle Xu, you don't need to worry too much about the village's affairs. I have already arranged for someone to send a batch of grain. Since the Shen family has promised to help, they will certainly not go back on their word."

Xu Laogen expressed his gratitude profusely and left with the help of his servants.

After he had walked away, Shen Qingyi looked at Xu Yuan, her eyes becoming serious: "Young Master Xu, do you know why Registrar Zhao agreed to your conditions so easily?"

"Is it because the Demon Suppression Division is short of people, especially people like me who have special methods to deal with demons and evil spirits?" Xu Yuan calmly analyzed.

"That's only one aspect." Shen Qingyi walked to the window, gazing at the scenery in the courtyard. "The more important reason is that Qingyang County... cannot be defended!"

Xu Yuan's pupils contracted.

"Of the five hundred garrison troops in the city, only three hundred are truly capable of fighting. The guards and able-bodied men from various households can barely make up seven hundred, totaling a thousand men. Among them, fewer than fifty are at or above the third level of Blood Refinement." Shen Qingyi's voice was calm, yet she spoke the cruelest truth. "Meanwhile, the three thousand cavalry of the Xiongnu vanguard are all battle-hardened elites, at least half of whom are at the Blood Refinement realm, and the centurion leading the army must be a Condensation Realm expert."

"Then why bother guarding it?" Xu Yuan asked, puzzled.

"Because we cannot afford not to defend it!" Shen Qingyi turned around, her eyes flashing with determination. "Qingyang County is the gateway to the prefectural city. If this place is easily lost, the Xiongnu cavalry can drive straight in, and then the prefectural city will be in danger."

"We must hold off the Xiongnu here to buy time for the city to be fortified. So the goal of defending the city is not to win, but to stall for time, the longer the better."

She paused, then continued, "Registrar Zhao values ​​you not only because you have the means to deal with demons, but more importantly because he values ​​your potential. If you can survive the city defense battle, you will definitely become a backbone of the Demon Suppression Division in the future. For the Demon Suppression Division, which is currently facing a shortage of capable leaders, this is undoubtedly a worthwhile investment."

Xu Yuan fell silent. So that's how it is. This is not just a transaction, but also a disguised investment.

"Then why is Miss Shen helping me so much?" Xu Yuan suddenly asked. "The Shen family has been a scholarly family for generations; it seems they don't need to get involved in such a war."

Shen Qingyi smiled, a hint of helplessness in her smile: "The Shen family has indeed been scholars for generations, but precisely because of this, we understand the principle that 'when the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact.' If the Xiongnu breach the city, they will not show mercy just because the Shen family is a scholarly family. Rather than waiting to be killed, we should take the initiative to change our course."

After saying that, she took out a light blue jade pendant from her sleeve and handed it to Xu Yuan: "This 'Pure Heart Pendant' has the effect of calming the mind and resisting evil spirits. You can keep it for now. You can cultivate in the Shen residence for the next few days. I will have someone send you the pills and meat you need on time. I hope that in six days, you can really break through to the fourth level of Blood Refinement as Zhao Zhubu said."

Xu Yuan did not refuse and accepted the jade pendant. It felt warm and smooth to the touch, and a cool sensation flowed into his body along his arm, calming his blood and qi, which had been somewhat agitated due to his recent breakthrough.

"Thank you," Xu Yuan said solemnly.

"No need for thanks, this is a deal." Shen Qingyi waved her hand. "Go ahead. Besides the basic cultivation techniques, the records about demons in the library might be useful to you."

Xu Yuan took his leave and returned to his guest room, where he sat cross-legged and laid out all that he had gained that day:

The Blood Refining Technique, the Blood Fiend Blade Technique, the Demon Suppression Commander's Token, the Heart-Cleansing Pendant, and that mysterious piece of black iron.

"Six more days..." Xu Yuan muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming.

Time was of the essence, and he had to seize every opportunity to improve his strength. He had to deal with the tiger demon and participate in the defense of the city, but all of this depended on his survival!

Xu Yuan opened the "Blood Fiend Blade Technique" and studied it carefully.

This sword technique is indeed domineering, emphasizing the use of killing to nourish the blade. With each kill of a person or demon, the murderous aura on the blade intensifies, and its power increases! When mastered, the blade will always draw blood, and its murderous aura can terrify the soul.

However, the drawbacks are also obvious—excessive killing can easily lead to a loss of mind, and the backlash of the murderous aura can damage one's foundation. The booklet specifically notes at the end: "Those who are not determined should not practice this, and those who are not full of qi and blood should not practice this."

Xu Yuan smiled. Resolute will? Having lived two lives, his will was far beyond that of a teenager. Abundant blood and qi? With the Hungry Ghost Compendium, the one thing he had in abundance was the ability to devour and transform blood and qi.

As for the backlash of evil energy... a hungry ghost can devour even demonic power and yin energy, so why would it fear mere evil energy?

"This swordsmanship is practically tailor-made for me!" Xu Yuan's eyes gleamed.