The total number of accumulated Demon Points instantly reached 250,000.

But Gu Zheng didn’t stop.

He continued to control his 360 blades, sending them whirling through the air to slay the bizarre Demon Fiends that rushed out from the depths. Then, he used Spirit Capturing to obtain Demon Points.

’The Death God Mantis and the Gold Demon Techniques can form a new Divine Seed. That means the Demon Points needed for a breakthrough will increase to 290,000.’

It wasn’t that Gu Zheng absolutely had to form multiple Divine Seeds.

However, since he had the opportunity, it was naturally a case of the more Divine Seeds, the better.

With the Human Emperor’s Seal, no amount of Divine Seeds would affect his breakthrough.

So...

SWISH SWISH SWISH~!

"THUNK! THUNK! THUNK~"

Streaks of blade light crisscrossed the air, darting about rapidly.

One after another, the bizarre Demon Fiends were annihilated the moment they broke the water’s surface, their numbers quickly dwindling.

Sensing this, the Crowned Flower Demon immediately stopped its summoning and spewed out a Poisonous Fog.

SWOOSH!

The Silkworm darted forward and inhaled the mist.

Seizing the opportunity, the Crowned Flower Demon dove downward, attempting to retreat to the bottom of the water.

"SLICE~"

A Sword Gang tore through the air, striking the fleeing Crowned Flower Demon with perfect accuracy. It carved deep gashes into the creature, severing its roots and leaves.

SLICE! SLICE! SLICE~!

Gu Zheng didn’t let up. A Divine Wondrous power surged from his Red Abyss Blade as he unleashed one Sword Gang after another from a distance, giving the Crowned Flower Demon no chance to escape.

He activated his True Skill, Ten Thousand Blades Heaven Slaughter. A relentless barrage of Sword Gangs pinned the Crowned Flower Demon, dicing it from the outside in.

All the while, the Crowned Flower Demon spewed Poisonous Fog and its floral vines thrashed wildly, but it was unable to break free.

It was shredded into countless pieces, leaving behind a Demon Pill that resembled the heart of a cabbage.

Spirit Capturing!

Gu Zheng retrieved the Demon Pill from a distance.

Because it was a Demon Plant, he didn’t obtain any Demon Essence or Bloodshed.

However, the energy and unique aura contained within this one Demon Pill far surpassed that of most Demon Fiends.

Gu Zheng carefully inspected it with his senses for a moment before placing it in his Storage Pouch.

SWOOSH~!

His figure blurred as he took to the air, speeding toward a nearby area filled with screams and cries of alarm.

As he drew closer, he discovered the street-side area was swarming with active Evil Spirits.

Evil Spirits shot out of the water one after another, moving with incredible speed as they pounced on the dodging civilians.

The gruesome scenes of immediate possession and brutal slaughter were everywhere.

SWISH SWISH SWISH!

The three hundred and sixty blades shot out, whistling through the air as they pierced the heads of one Evil Spirit after another.

Instantly, sharp shrieks rang out, followed by incessant, agonizing wails.

The Evil Spirits were torn apart and slain, dissipating one after another.

Although he wasn’t gaining any Demon Points from them, Gu Zheng didn’t spare a single one.

Gu Zheng only recalled his blades after he had killed every Evil Spirit that emerged from the water, and no more dared to surface.

A glance around revealed many dead, but even more who were still alive.

He had arrived just in time.

"Hm?"

Just as he finished scanning the area and was about to leave, Gu Zheng’s gaze suddenly froze, fixed on a spot beneath the eaves of a house.

Right before his eyes, a Source Fruit rapidly materialized beneath the roof tiles.

Spirit Capturing!

SWOOSH~

He remotely retrieved the Source Fruit and placed it in his inventory.

[Source Fruit: Divine Enlightenment]

’What a treasure!’

’A Source Fruit that boosts comprehension!’

Divine Enlightenment referred to an incredibly powerful epiphany, a moment of total clarity, or a deep state of understanding.

For example, if Gu Zheng were to create a new True Skill, eating this Source Fruit would all but guarantee his success, provided the underlying theory was sound.

It would also be helpful for forming a Domain when breaking through to the King’s Body.

It would be a massive help.

This Source Fruit couldn’t have come at a better time.

Satisfied, Gu Zheng placed it in his Storage Leaf.

He continued on, rounding two street corners.

Another chorus of screams and panicked shouts reached him.

SWOOSH!

He sped over and saw them: strange, ribbonfish-like Demon Fiends, surging from the water to attack the Demon Suppression Guards stationed by the street, on rooftops, and inside buildings.

These were Demon Suppression Guards from the Wind Kingdom’s Demon Slayer Bureau. The color of their armor and cloaks differed from that of the Jing Country, but their strength was by no means inferior.

They swung their blades, unleashing waves of Sword Qi to defend themselves.

However, the bizarre Demon Fiends were numerous and their hard scales were even tougher. Although some were knocked back into the water, their attacks were ferocious and came with increasing frequency.

If a Demon Suppression Guard’s armor was struck, it was instantly pierced, and the guard would die on the spot.

In just a few moments, more than half of the dozen or so Demon Suppression Guards were dead or injured.

SWISH SWISH SWISH~

Gu Zheng sent his blades shooting through the air.

"THUNK~ THUNK~ THUNK!"

A series of sickening thuds rang out as the 360 blades transformed into 360 streaks of light, weaving a deadly net through the air.

One after another, the bizarre Demon Fiends were killed instantly.

Spirit Capturing!

[Demon Points +19]

[Demon Points +21]

...

Gu Zheng hovered in the air, effortlessly controlling his 360 blades to reap the bizarre Demon Fiends, using Spirit Capturing to collect Demon Points.

A thousand points, two thousand, three thousand...

After his accumulated harvest of Demon Points exceeded ten thousand, the assault from the bizarre Demon Fiends finally ceased, and no more emerged from the water.

"Thank you, My Lord!"

On a rooftop, a Demon Suppression Guard captain sheathed his weapon and bowed gratefully to Gu Zheng in the air.

Gu Zheng nodded without a word, then his figure flickered and vanished from sight.

"Amazing... That lord is incredible. He must be at the Heroic Body Realm."

"I wonder which Noble Family he’s from, to have reached the Heroic Body Realm at such a young age."

"He’s not necessarily from a Noble Family. He could belong to some other organization."

"..."

The surviving Demon Suppression Guards gathered, murmuring amongst themselves in a mixture of awe and envy.

「Meanwhile.」

A smile touched Gu Zheng’s lips.

’A Demon Technique!’

By killing a certain number of the bizarre Demon Fiends, he had obtained a new Demon Technique.

Wood Manipulation!

’How odd,’ he thought. ’An aquatic Demon Fiend granted a Demon Technique related to growing plants and trees.’

For Gu Zheng, however, it was a crucial acquisition that completed his set of the Five Elements.

Fire Manipulation, Water Manipulation, Earth Manipulation, Wood Manipulation, and Gold Manipulation.