Chapter 1 Xu Jingming's Patience

As an eighth-order limit, Xu Jingming possessed a long lifespan, so he naturally had enough patience.

Every step on the path of evolution had to be steady. If one was impatient and went astray, one's mental strength might stagnate, or even decline.

"I'll go to the Demon Vanquishing World." Xu Jingming immediately transformed into a beam of light and flew into the Demon Vanquishing World scenario.

Demon Vanquishing World.

Xu Jingming and his servant Wu Qi had already arrived in front of a vast and majestic city.

"As expected of a Prefecture City." Xu Jingming looked at the magnificent city before him. The city walls were dozens of feet high, stretching out of sight on both sides, and there were a large number of guards on the walls.

"This is the center of the entire Chiyun Prefecture." Wu Qi's hair had also turned white, and he looked at the city in amazement. "I heard that the Prefecture City is over three hundred *li* long and wide, with a population of tens of millions. Over the years, we have traveled all over the various prefectures of Chiyun Prefecture, and now we have finally arrived at the Prefecture City."

Xu Jingming nodded.

For so many years, he had been within the territory of Chiyun Prefecture. Chiyun Prefecture had hundreds of prefectures, each of which was quite vast. Xu Jingming had traveled through ten prefectures a year on average, visiting a large number of county towns. His travels had been quite fast.

"Born in Chiyun Prefecture, I naturally have to come to the Prefecture City to take a look. Let's go, let's enter the city." Xu Jingming led Wu Qi into the city along the wide city gate.

Above the city walls, the guards looked down.

"Hmm?"

One of the black-armored guards glanced at Xu Jingming and took out a thick book from his bosom. He quickly flipped through it, stopping at one of the pages—

Wu Ming: High-Realm Demon Vanquisher (suspected to be in the eighth realm), born in the Chen family of Bai County, Cheng'an Prefecture, originally named 'Chen Qi', later changed his name to Wu Ming. This person travels through the various prefectures and counties of Chiyun Prefecture, has a chivalrous heart, and will take action when encountering weak demons. To date, he has killed over a hundred Earth Demons, and countless ordinary demons.

Once stood up for ordinary people and fought with the high-realm Demon Vanquisher 'Zhang Ke'! Zhang Ke was defeated and fled in a sorry state.

Later, he was besieged by a Heavenly Demon, Zhang Ke, and three other high-realm Demon Vanquishers. In this battle, neither side emerged victorious.

Wu Ming travels everywhere, carrying a gunny sack on his back and accompanied by a hunchbacked old servant named Wu Qi, who is skilled in swordsmanship.

"Demon Vanquisher Wu Ming?" The black-armored guard looked at the portrait attached to the paper. The portrait was lifelike, depicting Xu Jingming walking with a gunny sack on his back.

"Another high-realm Demon Vanquisher has arrived. We must report this immediately." The black-armored guard instructed his companion and immediately went down the city wall quietly.

******

Xu Jingming and Wu Qi came to a restaurant, sat down by the window, ordered a few of the restaurant's signature dishes, and chatted while eating.

"As expected of the Prefecture City, the craftsmanship is really good." Wu Qi ate very happily, praising.

"If they didn't have some skill, how could they open such a restaurant in the Prefecture City?" Xu Jingming held up his wine cup and looked at Wu Qi before him. Uncle Qi had been taking care of him wholeheartedly all these years. Xu Jingming was not made of stone, and after spending a long time together, he felt that Uncle Qi was like his own relative.

"Uncle Qi is getting old. They signed a contract in reality, obscuring their memories and descending into the Demon Vanquishing World to become original residents of the Demon Vanquishing World. But the contracts all have fixed terms. Once the term is up, their lifespan will be up, and they will all die and awaken in reality," Xu Jingming thought to himself.

No matter who it was, even a demon, claiming that their obsession would never dissipate and that they were immortal,

once their lifespan was up, they would all have to die.

After all, they were almost all planetary lifeforms with limited lifespans in reality, so it was impossible for them to stay in the Demon Vanquishing World forever.

"Uncle Qi, I don't know how long he has until his lifespan is up," Xu Jingming thought.

Suddenly—

A person walked into the restaurant. He had fair skin, making it difficult to tell whether he was male or female. Dressed in white, he walked with a smile to the table where Xu Jingming was sitting.

"Brother Wu Ming, may I sit down?" the white-clothed man said.

"So it's Brother Mi Jia, please." Xu Jingming nodded. He had some information about the high-realm Demon Vanquishers in the various prefectures and counties of Chiyun Prefecture, so he naturally recognized the other party.

The white-clothed man glanced at Wu Qi and then smiled at Xu Jingming. "I have long heard of Brother Wu Ming's great name, but Brother Wu Ming travels all over the place, and his whereabouts are unpredictable, so I have never had the chance to meet him. Until today, Brother Wu Ming has finally come to the Prefecture City."

"I go wherever I want, the whole world is my home." Xu Jingming said, "Brother Mi Jia, do you have something you want from me?"

"My Demon Vanquishing Sect, the Holy Light Sect, has quite a bit of influence in Chiyun Prefecture. There are nine high-realm Demon Vanquishers in the sect! Today, I have come to invite you, Brother Wu Ming, to join." The white-clothed man Mi Jia said, "After joining, we can join forces to deal with Heavenly Demons, and the hope of capturing Heavenly Demons will be greater."

"Heavenly Demons are difficult to capture." Xu Jingming nodded.

Difficult.

In the ten years or so since he had descended into the Demon Vanquishing World, he had only encountered a Heavenly Demon once.

That Heavenly Demon was disguised as a rich merchant's concubine, living a seemingly ordinary life. When she concealed her aura, even Xu Jingming couldn't see through her. Xu Jingming was willing to help some ordinary people. When he was investigating a case, he traced it back to the source, the concubine.

In a confrontation between the two sides, although Xu Jingming had the upper hand, he was unable to capture the concubine.

At this time, Zhang Ke, a high-realm Demon Vanquisher who had come to vent his anger, launched a sneak attack with two companions, wanting to take the opportunity to seize the Heavenly Demon. Xu Jingming counterattacked in a rage. The Heavenly Demon took advantage of the feud between the two waves of Demon Vanquishers and seized the opportunity to escape.

"Heavenly Demons all have powerful methods, and it is difficult to find them, let alone kill them." Mi Jia smiled slightly. "But the chances are much greater if everyone joins forces."

"I appreciate your kindness, but I haven't joined any forces for so many years." Xu Jingming said, "I don't have that thought now."

Mi Jia said softly, "I'll reveal a piece of information. In the past six months, eight high-realm Demon Vanquishers have been killed within the Prefecture City."

"Oh?" Xu Jingming's expression changed slightly.

Even if there were conflicts between Demon Vanquishers, they rarely directly killed each other. This was because they knew very well that even if they killed someone, they would just create a new account!

100 million universe coins might be a heartache for a seventh-order Starry Sky lifeform. But for a eighth-order limit high-realm Demon Vanquisher... it was really not worth mentioning.

"Is it a Heavenly Demon?" Xu Jingming asked.

Mi Jia nodded and said, "We have also traced some information about the dead high-realm Demon Vanquishers, and they did indeed die at the hands of Heavenly Demons."

Xu Jingming nodded. As long as they had the virtual world network contact information, they could naturally inquire about the cause of death.

"The Heavenly Demons who took action are not the same one," Mi Jia said. "In other words, there is a force composed of Heavenly Demons that is targeting high-realm Demon Vanquishers for slaughter. At this time, it's better for Brother Wu Ming to join a force."

"Thank you for the information, Brother Mi Jia. I will think about it carefully," Xu Jingming said. Although he was not afraid of death, dying

once,

his painstakingly refined Demon Vanquishing magic weapon would be lost, and he would have to create a new account and train again, which was also very troublesome.

Mi Jia raised his wine cup and toasted Xu Jingming, then drifted away.

When he came in and left, no one in the restaurant noticed anything except for Xu Jingming and Uncle Qi.

"Young Master," Wu Qi said with some worry, "According to this person, there is a group of Heavenly Demons targeting high-realm Demon Vanquishers."

"All along, it has been Demon Vanquishers chasing and killing Heavenly Demons. Now, the Heavenly Demons are also fighting back." Xu Jingming was quite looking forward to it. After all, he hadn't killed a single Heavenly Demon in over ten years.

"Young Master, you have to be careful." Wu Qi was very worried. "After all, they are Heavenly Demons."

★*****

In a secluded mansion,

several people were feasting an old man with white hair.

"Sect Leader Gu, this Heavenly Demon's strength is extraordinary. Lord Domia is also a ninth-realm Demon Vanquisher in the Demon Vanquishing World. He fought that Heavenly Demon head-on and was killed in less than ten moves." A young man said, "This Heavenly Demon's strength is extremely terrifying, surpassing normal ninth-realm Demon Vanquishers. We were just discussing that we would probably need a source of life to descend to have a full grasp of dealing with him."

"Sect Leader Gu has come, so we are fully confident."

"Domia was able to withstand seven or eight moves in front of that Heavenly Demon, but in front of Sect Leader Gu, I'm afraid he wouldn't even be able to withstand three moves."

The few of them all praised him.

The few of them were all ninth-realm Demon Vanquishers, and they were also the most terrifying old fellows in the entire Chiyun Prefecture, but in the face of this Sect Leader Gu, they all admitted that they were far inferior to him.

This was because the old man with white hair in front of them was too famous, his historical battle record was too terrifying, and his self-created "Netherworld Great Sun Secret Technique" was well-known in the Demon Vanquishing World. With this secret technique, he had roamed the world undefeated.

"I also heard of this Heavenly Demon's power, so I rushed over from the Yi Kingdom." Sect Leader Gu said, "As long as I am within the Prefecture City, I will definitely be able to discover that Heavenly Demon once he makes a move."

"We have been searching for Heavenly Demons, but even if such a powerful Heavenly Demon is delivered to our doorstep, we can't defeat him." The few of them were all a little regretful.

They were all ninth-realm Demon Vanquishers, but Lord Domia couldn't withstand ten moves, and they couldn't afford to offend him either.

"There are indeed some extremely strong Heavenly Demons that surpass ninth-realm Demon Vanquishers in strength." Sect Leader Gu was very calm. In the Demon Vanquishing World, he was enough to sweep across the world unchallenged.

"By the way," Sect Leader Gu suddenly opened his mouth, "I wonder, do you know someone named Wu Ming?"

"Wu Ming? We know him, of course we know him. In our Chiyun Prefecture, this Wu Ming is quite famous." A woman

smiled, "He is quite sympathetic to ordinary people, and he even stood up for a group of ordinary people and fought with another high-realm Demon Vanquisher."

"I received news that Wu Ming just arrived in the Prefecture City three hours ago," the young man said.

"Oh?" Sect Leader Gu's eyes lit up.

Xu Jingming and Wu Qi checked into an inn and booked a private courtyard. As night fell, Xu Jingming and Wu Qi were resting in their respective rooms.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Wu Qi draped his clothes over himself and went to open the door in confusion.

Xu Jingming also sensed a vast and mighty power fluctuation, and immediately went to the courtyard. He saw a burly old man with white hair standing outside the door.

Looking at his eyes, his temperament, it was very familiar.

"You are..." Xu Jingming was not sure.

"Gu Shan," the old man smiled.

"Senior Brother Gu Shan?" Xu Jingming was overjoyed.

Wu Qi on the side was a little confused.

Xu Jingming explained simply, "Uncle Qi, I was fortunate enough to be taught the Demon Vanquishing Secret Technique. In my lineage, Senior Brother Gu Shan is the eldest senior brother. I am the last to enter the sect, so I am the youngest junior brother."

"Oh," Wu Qi understood and said happily, "Then I will go and have them prepare some wine and dishes."

"Thank you, Uncle Qi," Xu Jingming said.

Wu Qi immediately ran out enthusiastically to find the inn's waiter.

Inside the room,

Xu Jingming and Gu Shan sat down at the wooden table, and Xu Jingming helped pour tea.

"I really didn't expect to meet Senior Brother here," Xu Jingming said happily, "I remember, Senior Brother, you are not in the Qing Kingdom."

"The sect I established is in the Yi Kingdom." Gu Shan explained with a smile, "But my mental strength index has now reached 10,000, and I am preparing to break through to become a source of life."

"You've finally reached 10,000? Congratulations, Senior Brother." Xu Jingming was also happy for his senior brother.

After all, his senior brother was over a thousand years old.

"I have tried to break through in the virtual world network, and I have succeeded eight times out of ten." Senior Brother Gu Shan shook his head, "Obviously, the preparations in all aspects must be more thorough. It just so happened that a friend told me that a terrifying Heavenly Demon had appeared in Chiyun Prefecture, Qing Kingdom, and was actively attacking Demon Vanquishers. The more powerful the Heavenly Demon, the harder it is to find. And one who actively attacks Demon Vanquishers, I just need to wait patiently... and I will be able to wait for him to make a move."

"A Heavenly Demon capable of suppressing a ninth-realm Demon Vanquisher should be of some help to me." Gu Shan said, "If my mental strength increases by a little more, I should be fully confident."

Xu Jingming could understand.

When breaking through, the body would be completely source-force-ized. Once one failed, the body would completely collapse and return to the source force. That would be complete and utter death.

Therefore, one had to be fully confident.

"Senior Brother, if there is anything you need my help with, just say it," Xu Jingming said.

"I know you have descended in Chiyun Prefecture, Qing Kingdom, and I happened to come here, so naturally I have to meet you. As for help?" Senior Brother Gu Shan thought for a moment and said, "Just be diligent in the Prefecture City and actively deal with demons. Once you encounter a Heavenly Demon! The greater the commotion, the better. I will be able to know immediately. That would be the greatest help."

"Don't worry," Xu Jingming nodded. This little matter was not worth mentioning.

"Becoming a source of life," Senior Brother Gu Shan sighed, "It's really not easy."

"In any case, Senior Brother will soon break through. Junior brothers and sisters like us are still in the accumulation period," Xu Jingming said. His mental strength index was over 5,000, so it was still early for him to break through.

Senior Brother Gu Shan looked at Xu Jingming. "I can feel that your magic power has broken through to the seventh realm. You should have reached the eighth-order limit in reality?"

"Yes," Xu Jingming nodded.

"You have only been a member of the Primordial Research Institute for eleven years, right? Eleven years ago, you were still in the seventh order." Senior Brother Gu Shan praised, "This rate of progress, tsk tsk tsk..."

"The eighth-order limit is not worth mentioning," Xu Jingming said modestly. The geniuses of the Primordial Research Institute all reached the eighth-order limit in a short period of time.

Senior Brother Gu Shan looked outside and said in a low voice, "There is one thing I must remind you of, junior brother."

"Remind me?" Xu Jingming was puzzled.

The two senior brothers and junior brother were talking in low voices.

The inn's waiter came in with wine and dishes, and Wu Qi also came in.

"Young Master, and this senior brother, try the inn's craftsmanship." Wu Qi also helped the waiter put the food and drinks on the table.

"Uncle Qi, you go and rest first. I want to have a heart-to-heart talk with my senior brother," Xu Jingming said.

"Okay," Wu Qi left with the waiter and closed the door.

Xu Jingming looked solemnly at Senior Brother Gu Shan. "Senior Brother, are you sure what you said is true?"

"I am fully confident," Gu Shan nodded.