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

As night fell, bonfires flickered in the Demon Valley.

Xu Yuan stood under the ancient tree, looking at the white-clad youth ten feet away.

Shen Moyan.

He had heard this name from Meng Hu more than once—the Green Mountain Sect's prodigy who almost won the Demon Slaying Tournament last year, with his cultivation at the Eight Apertures level and his mastery of the Azure Lotus Sword Technique.

But at this moment, the aura emanating from the other party, as deep and boundless as the ocean, told him that Meng Hu's information was inaccurate, or rather, outdated.

The opponent has condensed at least thirty orifices!

"You are Xu Yuan?" Shen Moyan's voice was cold, his gaze sweeping over Xu Yuan as if examining an interesting object.

"It is indeed I," Xu Yuan said, clasping his hands in a respectful but not arrogant manner.

Shen Moyan nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Xu Yuan for a moment before he suddenly asked, "Aren't you afraid of me?"

Xu Yuan remained calm: "If you intended to make a move, you wouldn't have spoken up to warn me earlier."

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Shen Moyan's eyes, followed by a faint smile on his lips.

"Interesting." He slowly stepped forward, sat cross-legged three zhang away from Xu Yuan, and casually pointed, "Sit."

Xu Yuan did not hesitate and sat down as instructed.

The two were separated by a campfire, and the night wind blew, sending sparks flying.

"You don't need to be nervous, I mean you no harm." Shen Moyan smiled calmly. "Speaking of which, I should thank you."

"Thank me?"

"My cousin is Shen Qingyi," Shen Moyan explained calmly. "She wrote home a while ago, saying that you once saved her life. We Shen family members have always been clear about our gratitude and resentment."

Xu Yuan suddenly realized that it was related to Shen Qingyi.

No wonder the latter was able to provide so many resources to help him back then; it turns out the Shen family also had a foothold in Cangzhou Prefecture.

"Miss Shen, you're too kind. Defending the city is our duty, not a matter of saving lives. Besides, Miss Shen has been a great help."

"Whether it's saving a life or not, the Shen family knows what's going on." Shen Moyan waved his hand, his gaze returning to Xu Yuan. "However, I'm not here to thank you just to express my gratitude."

Xu Yuan didn't respond, but simply waited quietly for what would happen next.

Shen Moyan suddenly raised his hand and pointed a finger at Xu Yuan from a distance!

The finger strike was fierce and swift as lightning, aimed straight at Xu Yuan's brow!

Xu Yuan's pupils contracted slightly, but he did not dodge. His true essence instantly gathered between his eyebrows, and the [Bone Armor] property was quietly activated, with a faint layer of bone armor appearing under his skin.

The instant the wind touched his body, Xu Yuan slightly tilted his head to avoid the sharp edge, and at the same time raised his right hand and pointed out with the same finger!

"Bang--!"

The two winds collided in the air, creating a shockwave.

The campfire went out instantly, sending sparks flying everywhere.

Shen Moyan withdrew his hand, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

"Your reaction is good, and your true essence is quite solid." He said slowly, "To have such strength after condensing the six orifices, it's no wonder my sister praised you to the skies in her letter."

Xu Yuan clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute: "Young Master Shen is too kind."

"This is not flattery, but rather a test of you," Shen Moyan said bluntly. "The Demon-Slaying Tournament is full of hidden talents. If you can't even withstand this one finger of mine, you might as well not go any further."

He paused, his gaze becoming deep.

"Xu Yuan, do you know why the rules for this Demon-Slaying Tournament have been changed?"

Xu Yuan's heart stirred, but his face remained calm: "I would like to hear the details."

Shen Moyan did not answer directly, but instead took out a jade slip from his pocket and casually tossed it to Xu Yuan.

"Take a look at this."

Xu Yuan took it and probed into it with his divine sense.

The jade slip contains a summary of a martial artist's "bloodline" and "physique".

Most martial artists in this world are ordinary people who rely on arduous training to gradually climb to the peak of martial arts.

But some people are born different from others.

They possess special bloodlines or are born with unique physiques, allowing them to cultivate at a speed far exceeding that of ordinary people and have combat power far beyond that of others in the same realm.

This is what those with bloodline and constitution are.

Those with bloodlines, such as descendants of ancient divine beasts or descendants of ancient powerful beings, can inherit a portion of their ancestors' power after their bloodline awakens, resulting in an instant surge in strength.

Those with special physical constitutions are born with certain special qualities, such as "Sword Heart Clarity", "Indestructible Vajra", and "Nine Yang Sacred Body". They can achieve twice the results with half the effort when cultivating corresponding techniques, and their combat power far exceeds that of others in the same realm.

Xu Yuan's heart stirred slightly.

He had learned about his special physique from the fragments of the Golden-Eyed Servant's memories.

Xu Changming possessed the Netherworld Physique, which is why he was able to survive after falling into the entrance of the Netherworld Palace.

As for Shen Moyan in front of us...

"Do you have a special constitution?" Xu Yuan asked curiously.

Shen Moyan did not deny it: "I am a 'Sword Heart Clarity Body,' born with a sword heart, and all methods return to their origin. So when I was eighteen, I was taken in as a disciple by a big shot from the capital."

A big shot from Kyoto!

Xu Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly.

For someone to be called a "big shot" by Shen Moyan, who is at the peak of the Qi Condensation Realm, must be at least at the Divine Power Realm, or even...

"Is that important figure also present at this demon-slaying tournament?" Xu Yuan asked.

Shen Moyan nodded, then shook his head, before saying seriously, "Xu Yuan, I've come today to tell you something—this Demon-Slaying Assembly is more important than you think."

Xu Yuan's heart stirred, but his face remained calm: "Please enlighten me, Young Master Shen."

"Someone's come from Kyoto," Shen Moyan said in a low voice. "And it's not just anyone, it's... people from Tianwu Academy."

Tianwu Academy?

Xu Yuan had never heard of this name before.

Shen Moyan seemed to see his confusion and explained, "Tianwu Academy was jointly established at the beginning of this year by the Grand Tutor's Mansion, the Chief of the Demon Suppression Division, and the Royal Family, the three strongest forces in the capital. Each of the three sent a top-level expert at the Divine Power Realm to oversee it, with the aim of cultivating top geniuses of the younger generation for the Great Qian Dynasty."

"Those who can enter Tianwu Academy are all the pride of heaven from various states and prefectures. Once they enter the academy, they will not only have countless resources, but also receive personal guidance from experts at the Divine Power Realm."

"After three years of study, you'll emerge at least at the peak of the Qi Condensation stage, and your chances of reaching the Divine Ability stage will be more than ten times higher than ordinary people!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan's eyes flickered slightly.

This is indeed an incredible opportunity.

"Does Young Master Shen mean... that the people from Tianwu Academy will be selecting disciples for the Demon-Slaying Tournament in Cangzhou Prefecture this time?"

"Smart." Shen Moyan nodded slowly. "They not only came, but they're also hiding in the audience. They won't reveal their identities; they'll just observe secretly. Whoever stands out at the event is likely to be chosen by them."

He paused, then looked at Xu Yuan meaningfully: "I'm telling you this in advance because you saved Qingyi. You can decide for yourself."

Xu Yuan clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Young Master Shen."

"No need to thank me." Shen Moyan waved his hand. "How far you go depends on your own abilities, but I have to remind you—this year's Demon Slaying Tournament is full of hidden talents. There are more than twenty people at the mid-stage of the Qi Condensation Realm alone."

"Lin Xiaotian from Dongying, Qin Shuang from Xiying, and Liu Ruyan from the Liu family are all troublemakers."

"Especially Liu Ruyan." Shen Moyan's gaze narrowed slightly. "Although she has only condensed nine apertures, her master is the chief elder of the Green Mountain Sect, who is proficient in various secret techniques. If she intends to target you, you'd better be careful."

Xu Yuan nodded solemnly: "Thank you for the reminder, Young Master Shen."

Shen Moyan glanced at him and suddenly said, "You don't seem nervous at all?"

"Being nervous won't help," Xu Yuan said calmly. "What's coming will come. We'll meet force with force and water with water!"

Shen Moyan was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"What a great saying, 'When soldiers come, generals will block them; when water comes, earth will dam it'!" He patted Xu Yuan on the shoulder. "I like to hear that. Alright, I've said everything I needed to say. It's time to go. Tomorrow, when we hunt that half-step demon general, don't let him down. I want to see just how capable you really are."

With that, he vanished into the night in a flash.

Xu Yuan stood there, gazing in the direction he had left, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

Tianwu Academy...

The three major powers of Kyoto...

The water was deeper than he had imagined.

But the deeper you go, the more interesting it becomes!