Lu Changsheng stood outside the government office, waiting quietly. He had rushed to Qing Province as fast as possible, only to find the entire city bustling prosperously as usual. It seemed the situation was better than he had anticipated, with no sign of any demonic martial artist wreaking havoc.

Before long, the governor made his appearance.

The Governor of Qing Province, Zhang Wending, was a civil servant, not a martial artist. When he laid eyes upon Lu Changsheng, he was slightly taken aback at how young Lu Changsheng was.

Is this Lu Changsheng? He's far too young!

Although Zhang Wending knew that the genius disciples of the Northern Region Heavenly Sect were typically not very old, Lu Changsheng looked no older than twenty. The other inner sect disciples Zhang Wending had met were at least over thirty. This was the first time he had ever seen one so young.

"You must be the envoy from the Heavenly Sect?"

"Greetings, Governor." Lu Changsheng gave only a slight nod. His status now far exceeded that of a governor, so there was no need to bow as he once did.

Zhang Wending made sure to choose his words carefully, knowing he could not afford to be careless with him. "May I know how to address the envoy?"

"Lu Changsheng."

Zhang Wending nodded. "Envoy, please, let us speak inside the prefecture government office."

Once they were inside, Zhang Wending went on in a lowered voice, "Envoy, I have already gathered many Divine Fortification martial artists. They are veterans and well-known experts from Qing Province and across the jianghu of the Great Moon Dynasty. They are... somewhat unruly, so if they show any disrespect, I ask for your understanding."

Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow. Show disrespect...?

Now, Lu Changsheng truly enjoyed the benefits of a high status. The way Zhang Wending addressed him as "Envoy" and even presented himself as a subordinate was testament to the heights he had reached.

If even a governor behaved this way, how could those martial artists of the jianghu not show respect? No matter how unruly they were, surely they would not dare act carelessly before a disciple of the Northern Region Heavenly Sect.

"Is it because of the demonic essence blood?" Lu Changsheng asked suddenly, fixing his gaze on the governor.

"Well... Perhaps," Zhang Wending said tentatively, unsure of how to answer.

Matters involving demonic essence blood were always kept in the shadows. On the surface, demonic martial artists were condemned by all, hunted and denounced wherever they appeared. No one would dare openly study demonic essence blood. But in private, things were quite different.

Lu Changsheng said nothing more and made his way toward the main hall of the prefecture government office.

Since accepting this mission, he had learned quite a bit about demonic martial artists. The most valuable thing to a demonic martial artist was its demonic essence blood, which could extend a person's lifespan. That alone was enough to drive countless people into a frenzy.

Lu Changsheng had once killed a demonic martial artist, but at the time, he had known nothing about demonic essence blood and therefore had not obtained any. Now, however, he understood its unique value.

Those Divine Fortification martial artists, the so-called veterans and renowned experts of the jianghu, most likely accepted this mission because they were all coveting that demonic essence blood.

Lu Changsheng stepped into the main hall, instantly drawing the gaze of dozens. He swept his eyes across the room and met the gazes of the martial artists, who all carried an imposing presence.

Those had to be the jianghu experts Zhang Wending had gathered. Most of them were in the Divine Fortification Realm, as either dominant figures in their regions or long-established veterans of the jianghu. Not a single one was to be taken lightly.

"Greetings, Envoy!"

Despite their extraordinary backgrounds, none of them dared to neglect proper courtesy in front of Lu Changsheng. Whether willing or not, they all bowed respectfully. Such was the status of a disciple of the Heavenly Sect.

"Envoy, allow me to introduce the men..."

Zhang Wending stepped forward and began introducing each of the martial artists one by one. As expected, as the prominent figures of Qing Province's jianghu, every single one of them had an impressive background. Only a handful of rogue cultivators who wanted nothing to do with such matters had stayed away, but everyone else who mattered was there.

Lu Changsheng did not care for pleasantries. He had come here to deal with a demonic martial artist, not to play games of intrigue.

"I don't know what plans you have, but all of you here will now be expected to fight the demonic martial artist. Anyone who disobeys orders will be executed instantly. As for the demonic essence blood, let me clarify now that it will be taken back to the Northern Region Heavenly Sect."

At once, the expressions of the martial artists in the main hall changed drastically. All of them were here for the demonic essence blood, but Lu Changsheng had just stated that it was off limits. In other words, if they went on this mission, they would be risking their lives for practically nothing.

One of the martial artists snorted. "The envoy is mighty and unmatched, so why would you need the likes of us? This old man won't stay to make a fool of himself. I'll be taking my leave."

The seemingly hot-headed individual was an elderly man in a gray robe. Though he was slightly hunched, his eyes gleamed sharply, and his aura was restrained but formidable; he was clearly a powerful martial artist.

Dropping all courtesies, the elderly man simply turned to leave. He could not blatantly provoke Lu Changsheng, but he could certainly deny him. After all, why would he risk his life if there was no demonic essence blood to gain?

Seeing this, Zhang Wending's expression darkened.

"Who is he?" asked Lu Changsheng.

"He is the grand elder of Hulu Manor, Zhuang Tai," Zhang Wending murmured.

Lu Changsheng nodded and looked toward the old man. "Zhuang Tai, did you not hear what I said? All of you here will now be expected to fight the demonic martial artist."

Zhuang Tai did not budge. "This old body of mine is no longer what it once was. I fear I'm not up to the task. Please forgive me, Envoy. I shall take my leave."

Lu Changsheng did not stop him. Instead, he turned to the others. "Who else wishes to leave?"

More martial artists spoke up at once.

"Well, there are matters in my clan I must attend to."

"Same here..."

Nearly a third of them stepped forward, preparing to leave. All of them were experts in the Divine Fortification Realm, and they were not afraid of a Heavenly Sect disciple, regardless of his higher status.

They had seen many inner sect disciples in their days, and in the jianghu, strength still spoke louder than titles. If it came down to a fight, there were many of them, and Lu Changsheng stood alone. Would he really dare to challenge all of them? However, they did not know that Lu Changsheng was not just any inner sect disciple. He was a scion disciple, far above the rest.

Lu Changsheng quickly counted the martial artists who wished to leave. "Eight of you. Good," he said calmly. "Since you wish to leave, I will personally see you off."

The eight Divine Fortification martial artists did not sense anything unusual at first. But suddenly, the entire main hall seemed to darken, and it soon transformed into a vast, boundless, and awe-inspiring starry sky.

Seeing this, the expressions of those eight martial artists changed instantly. A Domain! The Northern Region Heavenly Sect disciple before us had actually manifested a Domain! He's intending to fight the eight of us at once!

"Attack!" they shouted.

Each of them released their own Intent. After all, these were experts who had reached the Divine Fortification Realm and had already comprehended their Intent to a high degree.

Eight different Intents surged forth at once, clashing against the Starry Sky Domain. Surprisingly, they actually managed to shake it. It looked like a single Domain was not enough to completely suppress eight Intents.

But in the next moment, Lu Changsheng manifested the Waterfall Domain. Its torrents plunged down three thousand chi and cut straight through the starry sky. In the instant the Waterfall Domain emerged, the pressure on the eight Divine Fortification martial artists doubled. With this, the eight Intents that had just barely held their ground against Lu Changsheng's Starry Sky Domain collapsed instantly.

Crack!

The eight martial artists were left trembling. They could not believe that Lu Changsheng had actually mastered two Domains.

They had seen many inner disciples of the Northern Region Heavenly Sect before. But those who could wield two Domains were exceedingly rare.

Don't tell me... Is he a scion disciple?!

Among the Northern Region Heavenly Sect, scion disciples were in a completely different league from ordinary disciples. Their status and standing were beyond comparison.

At that moment, both of Lu Changsheng's Domains descended with thunderous force, completely suppressing the martial artists. They were paralyzed, their minds rattled. Once suppressed by a Domain, even an expert in the Divine Fortification Realm became nothing more than a living target.

"Spare us!"

"Envoy, we're willing to fight the demonic martial artist!"

"Please, show mercy..."

The eight of them immediately grasped the severity of the situation. Of course, they never would have imagined that the Northern Region Heavenly Sect would send someone who could wield two Domains—most likely a scion disciple. Now, pinned down and unable to move, they were as good as dead. And when death loomed, fear took hold.

However, their pleas failed to move Lu Changsheng. He had said he would see them off, and he had no intention of going back on his word.