City Destruction Realm

After the Hu people's carriage passed through the mountain gate, the noise outside immediately subsided.

Hu Zhaoying sat in the carriage, lifting the corner of the curtain with her fingers, and saw that moss grew on both sides of the mountain steps, and a stone lantern stood every ten steps.

Even in broad daylight, there was fire inside the lamp.

The flames were small, burning steadily, only swaying slightly when the wind blew, before straightening up again.

This is the mountain gate lantern of the Teruno sect.

When Hu Zhaoying was a child, her mother told her that in the year Zhaoye Sect was founded, a great demonic disaster struck Beiyang Prefecture, killing many people in the mountains. Later, the founder of Zhaoye Sect lit the first lamp here, saying that as long as the lamp was not extinguished, the mountain road would not be dark.

Now, several hundred years later, the Teruno sect has become a behemoth.

Hu Zhaoying pulled back the carriage curtain and stopped looking at the foot of the mountain.

He recalled his uncle's reaction earlier and asked, "Uncle, was there something wrong with that person?"

Hu Yanshan leaned against the other side of the carriage, his hands on his knees, his eyelids half-closed.

"Just don't provoke them."

"His cultivation level is very high?"

"I don't know."

"I don't know?"

Hu Zhaoying was taken aback; it rarely heard uncertain answers from its clan uncle.

Hu Yanshan raised his eyes: "I can't tell. It might be a misunderstanding, but it's better to avoid trouble, so let's not provoke it."

Hu Zhaoying did not ask any further questions.

He wasn't an ignorant teenager. He could speak up for the snake demon at the foot of the mountain because Zhao Yezong was there, the government officials were there, the Hu family had a reputation, and all the rules were clear.

But he had always had high aspirations; he knew that some people didn't follow the rules.

When Hu Yanshan says not to provoke someone, he means it, even if it's just a matter of chance.

The carriage traveled uphill, passing the training ground on the front mountain.

Disciples of the Zhaoye Sect were already lined up in the arena, with the older ones standing in the outer circle and the younger ones practicing their punches in the inner circle, one punch and one retraction.

Further up is the library, with two bronze plaques hanging in front of it, one inscribed with human cultivation techniques and the other with demon cultivation methods.

Hu Zhaoying glanced at the "Demon Race" sign again.

There are two ways for demons to be born: one is through family inheritance; the other is through animals gaining spiritual power.

The first type is the backbone of the demon race, while the second type is the foundation of the demon race. This is why, no matter how powerful the human race is, it cannot eliminate the demon race.

That's why the imperial court conferred titles upon sects, entrusting them with the responsibility of education and guidance. This also served as a way out for the demon race, allowing both sides to coexist peacefully on the surface.

The Teruno sect is such a sect.

As Hu Zhaoye was lost in thought, the carriage stopped outside the small courtyard on the back hill.

The steward personally lifted the curtain: "Senior Hu, Young Master Hu, please."

Hu Yanshan got off the bus first.

Hu Zhaoying followed and tucked her tail behind her robe.

The movement was very small; at the foot of the mountain, he never pressed down.

The steward acted as if he hadn't seen them, leading them through the bamboo corridor and into the courtyard.

The back mountain was much quieter than the front mountain. A few houses were built against the cliff. There were no expensive decorations in the courtyard, just a stone table and half a pile of firewood that had not been chopped.

When Hu Zhaoying saw the firewood, her eyes twitched.

The sect leader of Zhaoye, Lu Guang, actually chopped firewood himself?

The steward walked to the courtyard gate, cupped his hands, and said, "Sect Master, Senior Hu and Young Master Hu from Qingqiu have arrived, along with an urgent letter from the prefectural city."

An old man walked out from the side of the house, carrying a wood-chopping axe in his hand.

His hair was gray, and his beard was mostly white as well. He wore a short blue cloth jacket with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing thick, well-defined arms.

Judging by his face alone, he looks like an old man.

But when he stood there, with broad shoulders and a thick back, he looked like a retired general from the army.

Hu Yanshan took a half step forward, bowed his head and cupped his hands: "Hu Yanshan of Qingqiu greets Sect Leader Lu."

Hu Zhaoying immediately followed suit and bowed, saying, "Junior Hu Zhaoying greets Sect Master Lu."

Lu Guang placed the axe beside the wooden stump, washed his hands with clean water, and then walked over.

"The Hu family's presence is a sign of their hospitality; they are guests of the Teruno clan. There's no need for formalities. Please have a seat."

The Hu couple didn't stand on ceremony and waited for Lu Guang to sit down before they did.

The steward stepped forward and presented the letter with both hands: "Sect Master, this is an urgent letter that just arrived from the prefectural city. I opened and glanced at it at the foot of the mountain, but fearing it might delay things, I brought it here first."

Lu Guang took the letter, didn't read it, and placed it on the stone table: "I understand, you may leave."

"Yes." The steward withdrew.

There was only one person and two demons left in the entire backyard.

"There's no good tea on the mountain, only coarse tea. Drink it if you're used to it." Lu Guang picked up the teapot and poured tea.

Hu Yanshan smiled and said, "Sect Master, you flatter us."

Lu Guang asked, "How has Patriarch Hu been feeling lately?"

"My father went to Chengtian Prefecture for duty and has not yet returned. He was in good health before he left."

"Your father came to the Zhaoye Sect when he was young. Back then, he had a bigger temper than you. On his first day, he fought three matches with my disciples."

Lu Guang's tone softened when he said this.

Hu Zhaoying lowered her head: "My father often said that he suffered a loss at Zhaoye Sect back then, and only then did he realize that there were people outside the mountains..."

After a few casual words, the atmosphere relaxed a bit.

Hu Yanshan put down his cup and finally got to the point: "Sect Master, Zhaoying and I have come here today for two reasons: first, to observe the ceremony, and second, to make a request."

Lu Guang looked at him.

Hu Yanshan said, "Zhaoying wishes to become a disciple of the Zhaoye Sect."

Lu Guang neither immediately agreed nor refused.

The urgent letter on the stone table rustled softly in the wind.

After a short while, Lu Guang said, "Although my sect has the cultivation methods of the demon race, with the resources of the Hu family, there is no need for them to join my Zhaoye Sect."

Hu Yanshan didn't mince words: "What the sect leader said is true. The Hu family has people and money, and people outside are willing to give Qingqiu some face. But over the years, we've only reached Wangyue."

He glanced at Hu Zhaoying.

"The patriarch has been stuck at a bottleneck for over fifty years. He refused to admit it in the past, but now he doesn't say it, though he probably has given up hope. He sent Zhaoying out so that the child could see a different path."

Hu Zhaoying looked up: "Uncle..."

Hu Yanshan waved his hand, telling him not to interrupt.

"If Zhaoying can receive some guidance from the sect leader, it will be his good fortune. The Hu family is willing to form an alliance with Zhaoye Sect, and the Hu family is also willing to help with matters concerning the demons in the mountains in the future."

After saying this, he stood up and gave a solemn bow.

Hu Zhaoying also got up.

Lu Guang looked at them and put down his teacup: "Hu Yanshan, you do know how to tell the truth."

Hu Yanshan remained bowed: "In front of the sect leader, sweet words and roundabout talk are useless."

"Alright, I like frank people." Lu Guang looked at Hu Zhaoying, "You want to join the Zhaoye Sect?"

"think."

"Then it's up to you. I won't reject the Hu family, nor will I give them special treatment. Even if you are Hu Qingting's son and want to join the Zhaoye Sect, you still have to go through the examinations according to the rules. Nothing can be omitted."

"I understand."

Hu Zhaoying immediately cupped his hands in greeting.

"That's settled then. If you can join the sect, we'll have another proper talk."

Lu Guang stood up, picked up the axe beside him, and ordered the guests to leave.

The two men bowed and took their leave.

As Hu Zhaoying walked through the bamboo corridor, he noticed his palms were sweaty. He whispered, "Uncle, is the oppressive feeling of the City Destroyer Realm really that strong?"

Hu Yanshan walked slowly: "He didn't press you down."

"But I didn't dare to look up just now. What if my father did the same if he broke through to the next level?"

"If your father breaks through smoothly, he will naturally become stronger, but destroying a city is not that simple. Even if Sect Master Lu breaks through to this realm, the price will be extremely high."

"What do you mean?"

"Sect Leader Lu was also injured when he broke through to the next realm."

Hu Yanshan's voice was even lower, "The injury is in the meridians, so outsiders can't see it, and Zhao Yezong won't tell anyone. But he has rarely left the back mountain in recent years, not because he prefers quiet."

"The injuries sustained during the breakthrough are difficult to heal. I heard that Sect Master Lu has visited many important figures over the years, and even traveled to other continents, but no one has been able to cure him."

Hu Zhaoying turned to look at the small courtyard.

Another axe-like sound came from the courtyard.

"Click."

Then there was silence, as if nothing had happened.

The two immediately stopped talking and quickly walked down the mountain.