A dull thud echoed as a wave of energy rippled through the courtyard.

In that instant, the energy contained within the vat of Spiritual Water was activated. It roiled and blossomed, drawn into Xiao Xianya’s body.

The vat, covered in golden patterns, trembled slightly as it contracted all the energy, focusing it into a single point to synchronize with Xiao Xianya.

Wave after wave of energy radiated out in all directions.

Gu Zheng retreated to the side. Just as he settled the ripples of energy that reached him, he sensed two sources of Demon Qi rapidly approaching.

’I thought I’d cleared out all the Demon Fiends, but it seems some were still hiding.’

’Lured by the energy they could absorb, they couldn’t resist showing themselves.’

SWISH!

Gu Zheng swung his saber, sending a streak of light flying through the air.

SHING! SHING! SHING!

The two Rank-One Thunderous Bone Demon Fiends had just peeked out when their skulls were struck, instantly shattering into fragments.

Spirit Capturing!

[Demon Points +8]

[Demon Points +10]

...

Having absorbed the Bloodshed from a distance, Gu Zheng listened intently to his surroundings.

TAP TAP TAP...

A flurry of chaotic footsteps drew near.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

It was followed by the sound of something slicing swiftly through the air.

The first thing he saw were five figures on the rooftops, leaping toward the small courtyard.

BOOM!

Gu Zheng threw a punch into the air.

The Fist Force exploded in mid-air, transforming into streams of energy that fanned out to block their path.

"Who’s there?!"

Gu Zheng didn’t speak. One of the approaching figures beat him to it, shouting, "Who are you? Treasures have always belonged to the virtuous..."

"Get lost!"

Gu Zheng’s soft shout carried with it the aura of his Heroic Body Realm, which swept outward.

"How dare you... Ugh—"

The man who had spoken turned deathly pale. His body trembled, and he nearly fell off the roof.

The others were in a similar state, finding it hard to breathe, as if a great stone were pressing down on their chests.

The group approaching on the ground also froze, their eyes filled with shock and horror. Not one of them dared to move; in fact, they couldn’t.

"Get lost!"

Gu Zheng repeated softly.

The aura of the Heroic Body Realm was abruptly withdrawn.

"Hahhh—!"

"Let’s go, let’s go."

"Lord Xie..."

The two groups, one on the rooftops and one on the ground, hastily turned and fled in a panic. The experience had been absolutely terrifying.

In a matter of moments, both groups had vanished into the distance.

However, just then, a scorching hot aura suddenly approached at high speed.

SWISH!

With a flicker of afterimages, Zuo Lingfeng revealed himself.

"Miss Xiao is in the middle of her breakthrough."

Gu Zheng looked at Zuo Lingfeng and said calmly, "Zuo, if you have nothing else to do, you can help stand guard."

"...Alright," Zuo Lingfeng replied calmly.

Then, he turned to face east, standing guard vigilantly.

Gu Zheng watched the west and north.

Seeing Zuo Lingfeng agree so readily, the corners of Gu Zheng’s mouth lifted in a slight smile.

WHOOSH WHOOSH~!

In the courtyard, Xiao Xianya had finished absorbing the Spiritual Water. All its energy converged into a single point, fusing with the focal point of energy from the vat.

At this moment, the immense energy reached its peak.

HUMMMMM!

Xiao Xianya’s aura surged relentlessly. Billowing steam rose from the vat, forming into arrows of energy that shot out in all directions.

The golden patterns on the vat’s surface activated and emerged, releasing an invisible aura that enveloped Xiao Xianya. The point of fusion trembled and pulsed.

One minute, two minutes, three minutes...

A full fifteen minutes passed.

BOOM!!

A deep, thunderous boom suddenly erupted.

An immense wave of energy erupted from Xiao Xianya in the vat, shooting straight to the heavens and piercing through the clouds.

Vast swaths of clouds shattered into countless fragments under the impact of this domineering energy, scattered by the wind in all directions.

The next moment, a familiar aura emanated from Xiao Xianya.

Heroic Body!

With the help of the Marvelous vat, Xiao Xianya had successfully broken through to the Heroic Body Realm, reaching the same level as Gu Zheng and Zuo Lingfeng.

"Haha~"

An excited laugh rang out as Xiao Xianya opened her eyes and leaped out of the vat.

She paid no mind to her soaked clothes clinging to her body, instead throwing her head back and cheering, "I did it! So this is what the Heroic Body Realm feels like. It’s totally different. This is amazing!"

"Gu, Zuo, thanks."

In her excitement, Xiao Xianya cupped her fists toward Gu Zheng and Zuo Lingfeng in thanks.

Gu Zheng, who had already turned his back, raised a hand. "You’re too kind, Miss Xiao. It was a small matter, no trouble at all."

"Indeed," Zuo Lingfeng agreed, his back also turned.

"It was still the kindness of you acting as my guardians."

Xiao Xianya saw that the house hadn’t collapsed and was empty, so she waved and said, "Gu, Zuo, wait a moment. I’m going inside to change."

Gu Zheng was speechless.

Zuo Lingfeng said nothing.

When Xiao Xianya re-emerged from the house a short while later in a fresh set of clothes, the two men were able to act much more naturally.

"Let’s go, Gu, Zuo. Come with me to the State City."

Xiao Xianya said cheerfully, "Now that I’m also a Heroic Body, I can accompany you both to the Capital City."

"So it seems," Gu Zheng nodded. "Looks like we’ll be traveling together for a while."

Zuo Lingfeng added, "Indeed."

"Haha, so our title, the ’Seven Demon Slayers,’ isn’t just for show."

Xiao Xianya laughed as they walked. "I wonder how the other four are doing. They must be close to breaking through to the Heroic Body Realm, too, right?"

"Even if they haven’t, they’re probably just like you were, Miss Xiao—one final step away," Gu Zheng replied with a smile. "All it takes is the right opportunity to cross that threshold."

As he spoke, he glanced back at the vat in the courtyard. "By the way, that vat..."

"It’s useless now."

Xiao Xianya waved a hand dismissively. "That breakthrough vat can only be used once. After I used it, it reverted to being an ordinary water vat."

Gu Zheng scanned it with his Eyes of Golden Flame and saw that it was true.

’If that thing could be used multiple times, it would be a priceless treasure.’

’Even the Jing Country’s royal family would covet it.’

’The major Noble Families would surely fight to the death over it.’

’Being a single-use item at least prevents future trouble.’

...

Xiao Xianya led the way, with Gu Zheng and Zuo Lingfeng following. The three of them headed straight for Hongzhou State City.

After arriving at the State City, Xiao Xianya treated Gu Zheng and Zuo Lingfeng to a meal at the largest restaurant in the city.

But Xiao Xianya’s family was wealthy, and even with rations in effect, she had all sorts of food delivered. She then had a famous chef prepare them, and soon, platter after platter of dishes, perfect in color, aroma, and taste, were served.

Just as they were about to pick up their chopsticks, a lean, scruffy-bearded old man showed up uninvited.

"Old man, what are you doing here?"

Xiao Xianya’s eyes widened when she saw him. "Didn’t you say you didn’t want to see me for three days?"

"...Hmph. I didn’t come to see you."

The old man rolled his eyes, ignored Xiao Xianya, and cupped his fists toward Gu Zheng and Zuo Lingfeng. "I came to see the two geniuses from the Demon Slayer Bureau. I am Zhao Xiangqian of Hongzhou..."

"So you are Commander Zhao."

Gu Zheng quickly rose to his feet. "Greetings, Commander Zhao. I am Gu Zheng of Fengzhou. Before I left, Master Meng specifically told me to pay my respects to you if I passed through Hongzhou. I didn’t expect to meet you here."

"Commander Zhao, please allow me. On behalf of Master Meng, I’d like to offer you a toast!"

With that, Gu Zheng picked up his cup, bowed respectfully to Zhao Xiangqian, and then drained it in one gulp.

"...Zuo Lingfeng, from Luozhou."

Seeing this, Zuo Lingfeng also stood up, offered a toast, and drained his cup.

"Haha, no need for such formalities, you two."

Zhao Xiangqian waved his hand and laughed heartily. "Please, sit, sit. My position as Commander is nothing special, really. Now, Zuo’s master, Yuanqian Mountain—or Big Head Yuan—he’s truly remarkable. And Gu’s master, Meng Taiqi—Meng the Big Nose—is also incredibly skilled. Compared to those two, I’m just an ordinary old man."

"You are just an ordinary old man," Xiao Xianya huffed.

"See? Do you see?" Hearing this, Zhao Xiangqian pointed a finger at Xiao Xianya and said helplessly, "This is what I get for my poor judgment. A stubborn disciple who does nothing but make me angry all day long."

"As if you don’t make me angry, too," Xiao Xianya retorted.

"That’s because you’re disrespectful to your master first!" Zhao Xiangqian glared.

"How am I disrespectful?" Xiao Xianya shot back, unconvinced. "I give you massages every day, I bring you tea, I cook for you..."

"You have the nerve to bring that up?" Zhao Xiangqian’s eyes grew even wider. "You call that a massage? It’s more like you’re trying to break my old bones! And your tea? What kind of tea was that? It had ginger, scallions, garlic, vinegar, and oil—all sorts of random junk. As for your cooking... heh, I’m lucky I haven’t been poisoned."

"Old man!"

Xiao Xianya was incensed. "You’re slandering me!"

"Have I said anything untrue?" Zhao Xiangqian leisurely picked up his teacup, took a sip, and sighed to Gu Zheng. "Ah, my young friends, you have no idea. Ever since I took on this stubborn disciple, I haven’t had a single day of peace."

Gu Zheng didn’t know what to say.

’What could he say?’

Xiao Xianya was as straightforward as a man, bold and unrestrained.

She was incapable of the delicate, gentle mannerisms of a young lady.

Being around her felt like hanging out with one of the guys.

He hadn’t expected her to be the same way with Zhao Xiangqian.

Of course, while Zhao Xiangqian complained, his eyes were full of mirth.

Clearly, this kind of bickering had become a daily routine for the two of them.

...

As the Commander of the Hongzhou Demon Slayer Bureau, Zhao Xiangqian didn’t have much free time.

After meeting Gu Zheng and Zuo Lingfeng and having a cup of tea, he left right away.

Before he left, he asked Gu Zheng and Zuo Lingfeng to look after Xiao Xianya on their way to the Capital City, for which he earned another sharp retort from her.

「Early the next morning.」

Gu Zheng, Zuo Lingfeng, and a cheerful Xiao Xianya departed from Hongzhou State City, seen off by many of their Demon Slayer Bureau colleagues as they headed for the Capital City.

They arrived at noon the following day.

...

Guangzhou, the State City.

Also the Capital City of Jing Country.

Gu Zheng had been here a few times. The environment hadn’t changed much, and neither had the atmosphere.

The trio headed straight for the Demon Slayer Bureau headquarters.

"Please follow me, all three of you."

After they announced their identities and presented their Tokens, an Internal Affairs staff member led the trio into a great hall.

As they walked through the wide doorway, they saw three people already waiting inside.

"Jiang Hao of Shuzhou, a pleasure to meet you," said a thin young man with darting eyes, cupping his fists at the three newcomers.

"Huang Dajin of Hengzhou. A pleasure," a burly man with arms thick enough to race horses on, yet with an honest-looking face, said as he followed suit with a cupped-fist salute.

"Haha, three more have arrived."

A hearty laugh rang out. The third person, an equally robust woman with a broad, ruddy face, also cupped her fists. "Zhao Danv of Muzhou, pleasure to meet you all! May I ask which states you three are from?"

Zhao Danv from Muzhou, Huang Dajin from Hengzhou, and Jiang Hao from Shuzhou.

Including Gu Zheng’s group of three.

Six of the Seven Demon Slayers were now gathered in one place!