By the shores of Moon Rhinoceros Lake, banners fluttered brightly.
Several viewing platforms were erected on the spacious area of the lakeshore, beneath brightly colored canopies sat the Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the five prominent families of the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District.
Xu Changfeng, clad in an indigo robe, sat in the main seat, with Mao Cheng and the Li Family Head on either side.
"Fellow Taoists."
Xu Changfeng spoke aloud,
"Despite the fierce incoming beast tide, it is indeed a grand event we haven’t witnessed at the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District for a century. Today, we hold this Demon Hunting Conference; all who slay demon beasts can exchange demon cores for rewards, and the top ten will be awarded Foundation Establishment Pills!"
Over a thousand cultivators below boiled with excitement.
These cultivators were mostly elite family members and capable Loose Cultivators, all eager and raring to go.
On the temporarily constructed viewing stands by the lakeshore, countless mortals gathered to watch.
Outside the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District’s grand array, there was a densely packed mass of demon beasts!
"It’s too soon to be excited!"
Xu Changfeng gave a mysterious smile, paused for a moment, then declared,
"And the one who takes first place will be bestowed with a Second Tier Middle Grade protective magical treasure! Named the Wind Manipulation Order!"
"What?!"
This was a magical treasure, and a protective one at that!
Not to mention Loose Cultivators, even those family disciples’ eyes turned red with envy, eager to leap forth and slay demons.
"The Xu Family, truly generous. This Wind Manipulation Order was once your ancestor’s protective magical treasure, yet you offer it away so freely."
This person was a middle-aged cultivator with white hair and beard.
With a lean face, a yellow gourd hanging from his waist, and dressed in a Taoist robe, he was none other than Mao Cheng!
Xu Changfeng assumed a righteous air: "Fellow cultivators, we are all of the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District! A mere Second Tier magical treasure, what is it worth? Better to reward you all, to support your cultivation!"
"Good! Elder Xu, so honorable!"
"We shall fight to slay demons with all our might!"
A group of young cultivators were moved to tears.
"Tch..."
The Li Family Head shook his head.
The Xu Family truly knew how to maneuver; they clearly aimed to clear out the beast tide, yet the Xu Family turned it into a Demon Hunting Conference, motivating other cultivators to join.
Of course,
Only Qi Refining cultivators participated in the Demon Hunting Conference, while other Foundation Establishment Cultivators remained to assist and hunt Foundation Establishment level demon beasts.
"I wonder... Is the Xu Family deliberately promoting someone?"
The Li Family Head thought to himself, doubting that the Xu Family would willingly part with a Second Tier Middle Grade magical treasure,
"I’ve long heard that the Xu Family has an unparalleled genius. If she participates, wouldn’t she assuredly take first place? Obtaining the magical treasure that was meant for her, and gaining fame throughout the land, paving her path..."
Thinking this, when he looked again at the cheering young disciples, his gaze carried a hint of mockery.
Ha.
Ultimately, you are all merely stepping stones for her...
"Slay the demons!"
With Xu Changfeng’s order, the grand array opened a breach, and the family cultivators shot towards the beast horde like arrows.
Among the crowd,
Chen Ye clapped Qing Jun and Zhiwei on the shoulder, signaling for them to enter the fray.
Prior to this,
Xu Changhe had approached him, asking for Qing Jun to make her debut today.
Coupling this with Xu Changfeng’s announcement of rewards, Chen Ye understood:
"They call it a Demon Hunting Conference, but it’s really just a stage for Qing Jun alone... Damn it, even Master doesn’t have a Second Tier protective magical treasure!"
The two girls nodded and rushed outside the array.
This venture had a group of Foundation Establishment Cultivators overseeing, along with Xu Changhe accompanying, so Chen Ye was not worried for their safety.
Besides,
If he were unwilling to let his apprentices face any danger, they would become sheltered flowers, and when an unavoidable crisis came, it would be too late.
"Boom!"
The grand array opened, and the demon beasts outside roared to life.
Especially at one corner of Moon Rhinoceros Lake, where over a dozen crocodile-like demon beasts with bone spikes on their backs broke through the water. The lead crocodile demon was three zhang long, with faintly emanating Foundation Establishment pressure—it was a crocodile demon on the verge of reaching Foundation Establishment!
Other cultivators hesitated, turning to deal with other demon beasts.
Yet Qing Jun pushed off with her toes, transforming into a silver streak, shooting towards the demon beasts!
"Reckless!"
Mao Cheng furrowed his brows, for the area over Moon Rhinoceros Lake was under his watch.
He had intended to handle this group of demon beasts himself, but unexpectedly, a junior rushed in to take the initiative!
"Which family’s child is so foolhardy?!"
Xu Changfeng feigned surprise: "Doesn’t Taoist Friend Mao recognize? That is..."
Before he finished speaking, he was amazed into silence.
In the distance, the sword light was magnificent.
With flowing silver hair, the girl wielded her sword momentum like a tidal wave, layer upon layer, subduing the group of crocodile demons.
Suddenly, her sword momentum shifted, silver light surged, slashing at the crocodile demon!
The crocodile demon’s protective black Qi was shredded like thin paper, the Xiaohan Sword directly piercing its left eye!
"Roar—""The demon beast roared in pain, thrashing its massive head, its thick tail raising towering waves.
Qing Jun glided like a swimming fish along the crocodile’s back, hands forming incantations, unleashing another Array Destruction Seal on the demon beast.
The other crocodile demons attempted to come to its aid, but were intercepted by another unassuming black-haired girl.
The viewing stands buzzed with exclamations.
Mao Cheng silently glanced at the Xiaohan Sword in the girl’s hands, then quickly looked away.
He adjusted the yellow gourd at his waist, his expression grave: "Whose disciple is this? Her swordsmanship is remarkable, magic frequent..."
"Wait, Taoist Friend Mao, watch that girl’s movements!"
Xu Changfeng was amazed, with no time to answer Mao Cheng, pointing at the girl in admiration.
Mao Cheng sighed inwardly, both a sigh and a breath of relief.
He had no heirs; that girl was his only descendant. How could he not care?
But he and his daughter always had a strained relationship, and when his daughter once brought Qing Jun to seek his help, he, for the sake of gratitude, had coldly sent them back to the Xu Family...
Although eventually unable to rest easy, ignoring rumors, he personally brought Qing Zhu back home, shielding her from the Xu Family’s criticism.
Yet some actions, once done, remain done.
To this day, he couldn’t bring himself to acknowledge Qing Jun.