188: Chapter 188: Demon Control City

The next day.

Shen Xingchen boarded the skyship bound for Snowfield Dragon City.

Although he was gazing into the distance, his thoughts had long since drifted far away.

Last night, Shen Xingchen had fallen asleep holding Jiang Qingyao, because she said she didn't want to miss a single moment they had together.

Though they hadn't actually done anything.

Still...

Thinking back to the alluring scene last night and the scent lingering at the tip of his nose...

Just as he was spacing out...

Suddenly...

Yu Juezhi walked over, looking at the sea of clouds beneath them. "Every time I see the mountains and rivers of Huaxia, I silently resolve to keep all the demons outside our borders."

Shen Xingchen turned his head and asked, "What kind of place is Snowfield Dragon City?"

Yu Juezhi thought for a moment and said, "It is the second home of heroes."

Shen Xingchen looked at Yu Juezhi and saw only a sense of uninhibited freedom.

He had heard a saying before.

When disaster strikes, all humanity can rely on is nothing more than that inextinguishable flame deep within their hearts.

In Shen Xingchen's eyes, Yu Juezhi was exactly that kind of person.

He looked out at the sea of clouds as well. "Though I may not reach it, my heart longs for it."

Yu Juezhi smiled. "That was just a poetic sentiment earlier. The real Snowfield Dragon City is simply a massive wall, spanning across the border and towering above the clouds."

Shen Xingchen asked, "You mentioned before that you were the commander of the Yulong Army?"

Yu Juezhi nodded. "That was over a decade ago. I currently command all Twelve Legions."

"The Twelve Legions?"

Yu Juezhi explained, "The Twelve Legions are the most elite forces in Snowfield Dragon City. The soldiers are the backbone of our strength, with cultivations ranging from Rank Four at the lowest to Rank Seven at the highest. Their commanders are all experts of the Xiang Realm."

"Besides the Yulong Army, what are the other Twelve Legions?"

Yu Juezhi replied without hesitation, "The Yulin Army, the Xuanjia Army, the Yanwu Army, the Longqi Army... and finally, the Xue Family Army."

Shen Xingchen was surprised. "The Xue Family Army?!"

"Yes, that is the army built by your teacher. They were named directly after Chief Xue, as the Xue Family Army." Yu Juezhi gave a mysterious smile. "Can you guess who the current commander of the Xue Family Army is?"

Shen Xingchen said with a bit of uncertainty, "My Eldest Senior Brother... Marshal Gu Qinglin?"

Mainly because he didn't know anyone else in Snowfield Dragon City.

Yu Juezhi nodded. "Correct! Your Senior Brother Gu is now known as Marshal Gu, and he's quite formidable."

Shen Xingchen was a bit dumbfounded.

It really was Senior Brother Gu...

Calculating from his age, Senior Brother Gu seemed to be only in his early thirties.

A Xiang Realm expert in his early thirties?!

Seeing Shen Xingchen's astonishment, Yu Juezhi explained, "That senior brother of yours is indeed exceptionally gifted. Even in a place like Snowfield Dragon City, which is crawling with top experts, he shines like gold."

Shen Xingchen nodded, agreeing completely.

Old Man Xue had mentioned that although Eldest Senior Brother looked cold on the outside, he was actually a good person.

Generally speaking, he didn't like to talk because he suffered from social anxiety.

And because of his extraordinary strength, he appeared somewhat distant and aloof.

This argument was well-founded.

There was a saying: "When a handsome guy stays silent, he's aloof; when an ugly guy stays silent, he's just emotionless."

Old Man Xue had also said that if he ever got bullied in Snowfield Dragon City, he should just go find Eldest Senior Brother, who would surely put the bullies in their place.

It seemed Senior Brother had plenty of strength; as for his personality, he would have to verify that in person.

Yu Juezhi sized Shen Xingchen up and said, "I need to make a preliminary judgment of your strength. Let me test you right now."

With that...

Yu Juezhi walked toward the open area in the middle of the skyship. "Use every technique at your disposal to attack my weakest spot."

Shen Xingchen shot him a weird look. "You're this old and you still don't have a wife."

"???" Yu Juezhi.

Wait, what?

Qiyuan, sitting by the edge of the ship, burst out laughing upon hearing this exchange.

Shen Xingchen feigned innocence. "Is that not allowed?"

Yu Juezhi's face darkened. "What do you think?"

He seriously suspected that Shen Xingchen was getting revenge for him making Jiang Qingyao cry yesterday.

Shen Xingchen chuckled awkwardly and walked to the center of the skyship as well. "Alright then."

As he spoke, silver armor enveloped his body.

Blue-and-white lightning energy poured into it, causing the armor to radiate a dazzling white light.

Shen Xingchen's aura erupted outward.

Rank Five, Level Five.

Rank Five, Level Seven.

...

Rank Six, Level Three!

And it wasn't over yet.

In Shen Xingchen's pupils, strange runes of intertwined fate flared to life.

Over the silver-white armor, a golden veil draped over him, making his aura grow increasingly sacred and inviolable.

Yu Juezhi was surprised.

Although he had investigated Shen Xingchen's background, it was still somewhat unexpected that the kid could boost his combat power to this level so effortlessly.

Tap—

Shen Xingchen kicked off the deck and charged forward.

Midway through his charge, a rust-stained spear suddenly materialized in his hand.

The spear was quickly infused with the power of his silver armor, turning pure white.

At the tip of the spear...

A fiery red flame blazed.

That was the opening stance of the Fire Dance Flowing Flame Style!

Buzz—

The sharp crackle of the spear tearing through the wind echoed in the air.

Shen Xingchen swung his spear violently, striking toward Yu Juezhi without holding back.

Yu Juezhi took it all in.

This was his first time witnessing Shen Xingchen's talent for martial techniques.

Shen Xingchen was using a Heaven-tier spear technique, and he had already cultivated it to the Mastery stage.

At the same time, the purity of Shen Xingchen's spiritual energy far surpassed that of ordinary people.

Yu Juezhi casually raised a hand.

Bang—

The collision of spiritual energy whipped up a localized whirlwind.

Feeling the force behind Shen Xingchen's attack, Yu Juezhi roughly estimated it to be equivalent to the strength of a Rank Seven, Level Five combatant.

He smiled faintly and caught Shen Xingchen's spear. "Not bad."

Shen Xingchen gave a bitter smile.

In all his battles, this was the first time someone had caught his spear with bare hands.

The gap between him and the Xiang Realm was still too vast.

Seeing through his thoughts, Yu Juezhi chuckled, "At your realm, wanting to fight a Xiang Realm expert seems a bit unreasonable, doesn't it?"

This kid really is... daydreaming.

Judging by Shen Xingchen's combat power, Yu Juezhi would likely feel pressure once the boy newly entered the Xiang Realm.

Such a future was truly something to look forward to.

Just as their fight concluded...

A city appeared beneath the skyship.

It was surrounded by an ancient stone wall that enclosed the entire city, telling tales of time and history.

Yu Juezhi introduced, "This is Yumo City. Once you reach here, you've officially entered the territory of Snowfield Dragon City."

The skyship slowly descended.

Countless curious glances gathered upon them.

Shen Xingchen and Qiyuan followed Yu Juezhi down the spiral ladder.