After Wu Jiangming's thorough explanation, both Li Xuanxiao and Long Hui benefited greatly.
"I've learned a lot! Fat Daoist, you really have some skills!" Long Hui contentedly put away his small notebook and patted Wu Jiangming on the shoulder.
Li Xuanxiao, however, was contemplating: If a mere Origin Realm little Daoist like Wu Jiangming possessed such insight, how much would his Master, Spiritual Martial Master, know?
It seemed he needed to visit the Taiyi Dao Sect often from now on. First, make a familiar impression, so he could later freeload some knowledge. Hmm, not just the Taiyi Dao Sect; he also needed to cram on the foundational Martial Arts knowledge of the Ancient Martial Mystic Court. Li Xuanxiao sighed lightly, realizing his understanding in all aspects needed to catch up!
Whether it was Realm, Luck, the current structure of the Zhuxia Divine Land, or the distribution of forces across the entire Central Continent—he needed to understand it all when he had time.
...The news that the Demon Race members on Nanping Mountain had been completely slaughtered quickly reached the royal capital of the Yunqi Kingdom. The entire court was instantly shocked!
How long had it been? Over a dozen Demon Race members were wiped out completely!?
The civil and military officials felt a sense of unreality. How helpless and terrified were they when facing the Nanping Mountain Demon Race calamity?
Yet, the Upper Kingdom had sent just a few young Martial Artists who easily resolved their deep-seated trouble. They all urged the three messengers who brought the news to elaborate in detail. The three Martial Artists recounted everything they had witnessed at the time, one by one. When they heard that Long Hui fought against four Heaven Realm Mid-stage Demon Race members single-handedly, the civil and military officials all showed surprise.
"But in our eyes, the strongest was Lord Li Xuanxiao!"
An official immediately asked, "Lord Long Hui fighting four alone is already formidable; is this Lord Li Xuanxiao even more powerful!?"
The three Origin Realm Martial Artists spoke with excitement, "Of course! Lord Li Xuanxiao faced two Heaven Realm Late Stage Martial Artists simultaneously!"
Hiss—
Sounds of sharp intakes of breath echoed one after another!
Mid-stage and Late Stage—a difference of just one word, yet the gap was vast. Under normal circumstances, one Heaven Realm Late Stage was equivalent to at least three Heaven Realm Mid-stage! Yet, Lord Li Xuanxiao, only a Heaven Realm Mid-stage, could simultaneously contend against two Heaven Realm Late Stage and achieve victory!
How terrifying!
"Is this the strength of the Upper Kingdom?"
"What kind of foundation do they possess!"
Whether it was the King or the officials, their perception of the Upper Kingdom became significantly clearer at this moment. The civil and military officials were both delighted and awestruck. Some officials discussed in low voices, praising the strength of the Upper Kingdom's Martial Artists endlessly.
"Such strength—truly worthy of being the leader of our Human Race!"
"With the Upper Kingdom's protection, our Yunqi Kingdom need no longer fear outside Demon Race members!"
"Relying on mountains leads to their collapse; relying on people leads to their departure! While building good relations with the Upper Kingdom, we must also learn their Martial Arts and culture and strengthen ourselves—that is the correct path!"
The King of Yunqi sat silently on his throne, his mind filled with a thousand thoughts. He originally thought that although Yunqi was inferior to the Upper Kingdom, the gap wouldn't be significant. But after experiencing this incident, he realized his own ignorance. If three envoys so young possessed such strength, what about the core Martial Artist echelon of the Upper Kingdom...
He couldn't imagine how much stronger they must be!
At this moment, he finally recognized the disparity between Yunqi and the Upper Kingdom. Just then, another Martial Artist requested an audience outside the hall.
"Your Majesty, after the three Upper Kingdom envoys finished slaughtering the Nanping Mountain Demon Race, another, even stronger group of Demon Race members arrived..."
This announcement immediately captured everyone present's attention!
Even stronger Demon Race members had stepped into the Yunqi Kingdom?
If so, those three Upper Kingdom envoys would be in danger!
The King's expression shifted, and he was about to order the dispatch of Martial Artists to provide support. Regardless of whether they could be effective, at least they needed to show their stance!
The Upper Kingdom envoys were fighting and dying for the Yunqi Kingdom, yet the Yunqi Martial Artists remained indifferent, watching the show?
That was absolutely unacceptable!
The King of Yunqi stood up, about to issue the order. But then, another Martial Artist came to report!
"Your Majesty, the subsequent eight Demon Race members have also been completely wiped out!"
What!?
This time, the civil and military officials could no longer remain seated. They couldn't even maintain court etiquette, desperately wanting to know what had happened. The Martial Artist who entered the hall recounted the events in detail. The King of Yunqi and the officials listened, their faces constantly changing. They could sense the heart-pounding tension of the scene from the description.
"That Envoy, he is truly strong, almost single-handedly defeating eight Heaven Realm Late Stage Demon Race members!"
From his description, the Envoy he referred to was none other than Li Xuanxiao!
"One... one person fighting eight Heaven Realm Late Stage simultaneously."
"How is that possible!"
"Did I hear that wrong?"
"Isn't that Lord Li Xuanxiao also just a Heaven Realm Mid-stage?"
The three Origin Realm Martial Artists from before spoke up, "We forgot to mention earlier, after Lord Li Xuanxiao finished slaughtering those dozen or so Demon Race members on Nanping Mountain... It seems he had an epiphany. According to the Fat Envoy traveling with him, Lord Li Xuanxiao seems to have grasped the Dao! His Realm instantly jumped from Heaven Realm Mid-stage directly to Heaven Realm Late Stage!"
The entire hall fell silent. The many people looked at each other, unsure of what to say.
This could actually happen?
Advancing on the spot was one thing, but skipping stages directly was another! A Martial Artist like Lord Li Xuanxiao would definitely be among the elite, even in the Upper Kingdom! If all Upper Kingdom Martial Artists were this monstrous, the Human Race would have already ruled the world!
Despite their awe, everyone in the hall breathed a sigh of relief, their hanging hearts finally settling down. It was good that they won!
The King of Yunqi's spirit trembled, and he secretly resolved in his heart to forge strong ties with the Upper Kingdom!
Besides ensuring the timely tribute was never neglected, they must also maintain close contact with the Upper Kingdom as much as possible. If conditions allowed, they absolutely had to send their own Martial Artists to the Upper Kingdom for advanced studies!
Li Xuanxiao's method of advancement was unheard of!
The Upper Kingdom truly was the origin of Martial Artists, and their research into Martial Arts was far more Xuan than that of small kingdoms like theirs!
Numerous thoughts flashed through his mind.
The King of Yunqi took a deep breath. Building good relations with the Upper Kingdom must start with fostering good relationships with these three envoys!
When they returned victorious this time, he would definitely receive them with the highest honors!
He immediately gave orders to prepare for the victorious return of the three envoys!
However, not long after, more news arrived.
It reported that Liang Jianqiu had joined up with Li Xuanxiao and the other two, and they left together.
"The four Lords from the Upper Kingdom seem to be heading in the direction of Yanhuang Ridge!"
The ministers were horrified: "Yanhuang Ridge... that is the well-known lair of Heaven Realm Demon Race members!"
"No matter how strong Lord Li Xuanxiao is, he absolutely cannot face so many Heaven Realm Demon Race members simultaneously!"
"Perhaps the newly arrived Lord is an even stronger Martial Artist."
The King of Yunqi mused, "No matter the situation, we must go and investigate!"
He immediately ordered the organization of a reconnaissance team to head to Yanhuang Ridge. However, when the few cautiously arrived at Yanhuang Ridge, they discovered that the former Yanhuang Ridge had long been annihilated. Several mountain peaks had been cleanly severed, and the entire ground was a mess.
"This..."
"Too terrifying! What exactly happened here!"
"This couldn't have been done by Lord Li Xuanxiao, could it?"
The few reconnaissance Martial Artists looked at each other, their spirits shaken by the scene before them.
"Return immediately! Report the situation here to the King!"