Chapter 65: The Attack on the City
Song Yueyao was taken aback. She had assumed it was the work of some passing expert or perhaps a general from the Xia family. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be the Demon Subduing Division.
And it was just an ordinary Demon Subduing Officer?
Suddenly, she noticed the young man's face; there was something startlingly familiar about it.
...
Where had she seen him before?
...Earlier this morning?
Song Yueyao, who typically paid little attention to people, treating them like trees and grass, was somewhat face-blind. But her memory wasn’t poor. She quickly recalled that this youth was one of the five newcomers who had reported to the Demon Subduing Division that morning.
He was also a disciple from Tangong Academy.
Thinking about his identity, Song Yueyao suddenly remembered that when she had visited Courtyard A earlier, there had been a youth carrying a wild hare—this was the same person before her now.
But now that he was dressed in his black uniform, she felt he seemed a bit different.
At the same time, Li Hao also noticed the woman approaching from behind. He turned his head slightly, and for an instant, their gazes met.
Li Hao paid little attention, giving her a slight nod before carrying on with his Demon-Slaying Blade.
Song Yueyao, however, felt as if she had been struck by lightning, frozen on the tree. That profile he’d just shown as he turned his head...was so familiar!
A scene from that cave suddenly flashed in her mind, a fleeting image of that face in profile.
“It’s him?!”
Song Yueyao was dumbfounded. The disciple who had secretly crossed the River of Death...was him?!
She found it hard to believe, but seeing the corpses of ape demons scattered around them, she was suddenly struck by clarity, convinced she wasn’t mistaken this time.
Among the Outer Academy disciples, who else could cross the River of Death other than the person standing before her?
Her figure flickered as she descended from the treetops, rushing to catch up with Li Hao. "Wait."
Li Hao paused, turning slightly to look at her. "Senior Sister?"
The way he called her “Senior Sister” gave Song Yueyao an inexplicable sense of security, making her tightly wound heart relax just a little.
She quickly asked, “Did you kill all these ape demons?”
Although she already knew the answer, she couldn’t help but ask.
“...”
Li Hao fell silent, wondering if this Senior Sister’s eyesight might be lacking. Was there anyone else here who could have done it?
This scene of death was so obvious that even Conan or Genta could solve it.
Seeing Li Hao’s strange gaze, Song Yueyao's cheeks flushed. She realized her question was a bit redundant.
She glanced at the Demon-Slaying Blade in his hand, its blood-stained, nicked edge hinting at how many battles it had endured.
“That great demon on the mountain peak...did you kill it too?” she asked, her gaze fixed on Li Hao.
Li Hao nodded slightly. It was merely a group of Spiritual Wandering demons and one Fifteen-Li demon. Nothing too significant.
Seeing Li Hao nod, Song Yueyao’s heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't resist asking, “How...how old are you?”
“...Asking a guy’s age is rather rude,” Li Hao replied.
“...”
Song Yueyao almost choked. Amidst this sea of corpses, he still had the energy to joke?
Even if Li Hao hadn’t said, she could tell he was no more than fourteen or fifteen. The maximum age for new students at Tangong Academy was sixteen.
A Fifteen-Li level at fourteen or fifteen years old?
She felt as if she had been struck hard, shaken to the core. It was unbelievable.
She herself was still a step...two or three steps away from that realm.
She was the top talent of Tangong Academy, possessing a Ninth-Class Battle Body!
Before the Grandmaster Realm, having a Ninth-Class Battle Body was a significant advantage for cultivation. Yet, despite that, she had been left so far behind by someone else?
The last time she had heard of a genius this extraordinary, her grandfather had mentioned a certain “Li Jiulang.”
But she had been young then and hadn’t seen it for herself, like hearing a myth. Now, this youth was standing right in front of her, a myth made reality, making her feel as though she were in a dream.
“Are you here alone? How did you come here?” Song Yueyao couldn’t help but ask.
Seeing his black uniform with so little blood on it and only his Demon-Slaying Blade battered, he appeared almost unscathed.
It seemed he could slay demons with ease.
“Senior Sister, are you interrogating me?” Li Hao replied, helplessly.
Song Yueyao was speechless, rarely this curious about someone, only to be dismissed.
“There were demons here, and I was free, so I came by.”
Seeing her uncomfortable expression, Li Hao softened and explained briefly, then turned to leave, blade in hand.
While he was chatting, he still had work to do.
With a light leap, he stood atop a tree, sent out his Divine Soul, and swept his Demon-Slaying Blade forward as he resumed his patrol.
Seeing this, Song Yueyao's pupils contracted slightly. No words could compare to what she witnessed with her own eyes.
Her face turned pale. Her grandfather’s stories no longer seemed exaggerated or like mere praise. It appeared that such geniuses truly existed in the world!
But how was this possible?
A Ninth-Class Battle Body was already top-tier. As one of the chosen talents, how could she only catch a glimpse of this youth’s shadow?
...
Not long after, the Demon-Slaying Blade flew back into Li Hao’s hand.
After flicking off the blood, Li Hao, having cleared the mountain range, turned back, preparing to deal with any remaining demons on his path.
“Wait for me!” Song Yueyao called out, realizing and quickly following after him.
Catching up to him, she glanced at his profile and asked, “Were you the one who crossed the River of Death at Tangong?”
Li Hao looked at her, feeling a slight pang of guilt even though Tangong had promised a reward for passing.
After all, that was supposed to be the entrance test for the other new students...
“Yes, it was me.”
“How did you cross it? The palace master has issued a reward, so why haven’t you claimed it?” Song Yueyao asked, curiosity evident in her voice.
How had he passed?
Li Hao himself wasn’t entirely sure. It felt as though he had crossed it while drawing.
Thinking back, maybe that black-robed scholar had felt inferior and fled in embarrassment.
When Li Hao remained silent, Song Yueyao urged, “Hmm?”
Li Hao came back to his senses. “Is the reward the Crimson Sky Sword?”
“Mm.”
“As you can see, I’m at the Fifteen-Li level,” Li Hao replied.
“...”
Song Yueyao felt as if she’d been struck by a heavy blow, her face a mix of shock and frustration.
Fifteen-Li, and he thought Crimson Sky wasn’t good enough?
Unbelievable!
...
She clenched her teeth slightly, both intrigued and annoyed by this youth.
Suddenly, in the distance, a signal flare shot up, blooming into a purple smoke trail.
Song Yueyao’s eyes widened, and she gasped, “Purple smoke? That’s the signal for a demon assault on the city!”
Li Hao paused, momentarily taken aback. As a member of a military family, he recognized this signal.
Purple smoke meant severe danger. It wouldn’t be used unless the threat was dire.
Once released, the city gates would close, and the entire city would go on high alert!
A demon assault?
He suddenly recalled what the bear demon had said—something about demons in the north.
“I have to go back,” Li Hao said immediately. Without further delay, his figure blurred, transforming into a dark silhouette that disappeared from Song Yueyao’s sight.
Body Control Flight!
Song Yueyao watched in astonishment, noting that Li Hao’s speed in flight seemed faster than any other Fifteen-Li cultivator she had seen.
But...
Couldn’t he have given her a lift?!
Frustrated, Song Yueyao stomped her foot, biting her lip as she dashed through the forest, making her way back to the city.