This was a deliberate move by Li Xuanxiao; only by displaying sufficient strength could he earn a certain degree of say.
If the other party harbored ill intentions, they would have to think twice before acting.
"May I ask, sirs, are you Martial Artists from an Upper Kingdom?"
Chu Yin nodded: "We are indeed from an Upper Kingdom."
Li Xuanxiao breathed a sigh of relief; he had finally met Martial Artists from an Upper Kingdom!
"Sirs, could you perhaps take me along? My journey is precisely headed toward an Upper Kingdom."
Chu Yin and Wu Jiangming exchanged glances: "We can! But before that, we wish to know what you meant by 'demon' earlier? Is the Myriad Demon Nation not encompassing both demons and Yao Beasts?"
Li Xuanxiao was stunned. What did this mean? Were demons and Yao Beasts not a collective term?
So, he informed the two about his previous battle with the Myriad Demon Nation.
Chu Yin looked speechless, while the Fat Daoist Wu Jiangming burst into laughter.
"Young Brother Xuanxiao, demons are demons, and Yao Beasts are Yao Beasts; how can they be lumped together?"
Li Xuanxiao was greatly surprised. Did this mean that all those he had slain before only belonged to the Yao Beasts category, not the demons category?
Upon first contact with people from the Upper Kingdom, his past understanding was refreshed.
If those he had previously encountered only belonged to the category of demons,
What were demons like?
"I am ignorant and have made you two sirs laugh. May I ask what is meant by 'demons'?"
Li Xuanxiao humbly sought guidance, adopting a very low posture.
"That which is not human is a Yao Beasts; that which resembles humans is a Demon. For now, that is the only way I can explain it to you. To truly understand the difference between a demon and a Yao Beasts, you will only know once you see it with your own eyes."
Li Xuanxiao cupped his hands in salute: "I have learned much. Thank you, Brother Chu, for clarifying my doubts."
(T/N: It is a bit confusing but this is the best I can translate with all random words here. Now all 'Demons' were previously called 妖族 which also can be translated as Yao Clan which people here might be familiar with as Yao Beast race. So, what I can understand from future chapter is that everyone is Yao but one who becomes humanoid are called Demon/Devil Race by Upper Realm.)
Chu Yin raised his head slightly, seemingly pleased by the compliment.
The Fat Daoist still wore a smile: "Young Brother Xuanxiao, with your strength, you must be among the top figures in your own country, right? A person like you could live a very good life by staying in your own country. Why do you still wish to go to the Upper Kingdom?"
Li Xuanxiao showed a helpless expression: "I was forced by circumstances. I offended a formidable enemy, and their Family might hunt me down at any moment. Going to the Upper Kingdom is, firstly, to seek refuge, and secondly, to continue improving my Realm and strength."
Wu Jiangming nodded in understanding and then smiled: "Then you have truly found the right place! If there is one thing our Upper Kingdom excels at, it is that the Martial Way is prosperous, and almost the entire populace practices martial arts! No matter how powerful your enemy is, they wouldn't dare cause trouble in our Upper Kingdom!"
Chu Yin remained silent but also nodded secretly.
In the small country where Li Xuanxiao was born, reaching the Mystic Realm or Origin Realm was already the pinnacle!
In such a remote backwater, what powerful Family could he have offended? How strong could the enemy possibly be?
Never mind seeking revenge against Li Xuanxiao; they would probably cease all thoughts of troubling him the moment they heard the words 'Upper Kingdom.'
However, Li Xuanxiao wore a bitter smile, not as optimistic as the two.
The Qilin Clan was, after all, an ancient Divine Beast Family!
The Upper Kingdom might be strong, but it probably wasn't strong enough to scare away the Qilin Clan with just a name.
But the confidence the two displayed regarding the Upper Kingdom's might somewhat boosted Li Xuanxiao's own confidence.
"Hearing you two say that puts my mind at ease."
Li Xuanxiao slightly relaxed and then asked: "May I ask why the Upper Kingdom wants to destroy the Myriad Demon Nation?"
The Fat Daoist Wu Jiangming was momentarily stunned: "What does that have to do with the Upper Kingdom? How could the Lords of the Upper Kingdom care about a mere Demon Country in a small place? Eliminating the Myriad Demon Nation was just something our leading Lord did casually while passing through with this team."
Li Xuanxiao's eyes widened, Holy crap!
Was the Upper Kingdom really that awesome!?
A country composed of a considerable number of Origin Realm demons, and possibly even Demon Race above the Origin Realm.
Yet, it was casually wiped out by a team dispatched by the Upper Kingdom?
Seeing Li Xuanxiao's shocked expression, the two Upper Kingdom Martial Artists smiled.
Chu Yin said proudly: "Heh, they were merely a few destitute Demon Race members who fled in panic from the Central Continent and hid in this remote backwater, acting like tyrants. To dare arrogantly call themselves the Myriad Demon Nation—how laughable! In the Central Continent, any slightly powerful force could wipe them out with a casual wave of the hand!"
Li Xuanxiao remained silent, the Upper Kingdom's power displayed to him in the most direct way possible.
The Myriad Demon Nation, which he considered a behemoth, was casually wiped out by a small team passing through...
The higher-ups of the Upper Kingdom didn't even know about this matter, and if they did, they wouldn't care.
So, in the eyes of the Upper Kingdom's leadership, destroying an entire Demon Country was merely an insignificant trifle?
Terrifying!
Li Xuanxiao marveled inwardly, feeling even more anticipation for his journey to the Upper Kingdom.
"By the way, sirs, we've talked so much, but I still don't know the name of the Upper Kingdom. It's not just called 'Upper Kingdom,' is it?"
Chu Yin immediately shook his head: "Of course not!"
A look of pride and confidence also appeared on Wu Jiangming's face.
"Your Excellency, listen closely! Under the heavens, whose land is it but the King's! On the king's shores, whose subjects are they but the King's!"
"The Origin Land of Martial Artists! The Upper Kingdom—the Zhuxia Divine Land!"
...
Dayu Dynasty, Si Family Residence.
"He has left."
Lady Si sat next to Si Miaoyin, looking at her daughter with heartache.
During the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, Si Miaoyin's bold actions under everyone's gaze were almost a declaration to the outside world.
The moment they embraced, she tied herself to Li Xuanxiao.
In this era, such an action was almost equivalent to a private engagement.
If Li Xuanxiao also intended it, it would be a beautiful ending.
It could be described as: A private romance, made public.
However, Li Xuanxiao seemed not to have noticed his daughter's feelings.
He left abruptly, without even a proper farewell...
"I know, Mother."
Si Miaoyin's heart trembled slightly, and she managed a strained smile.
She considered her own talent to be not bad, and she had never slacked off; recently, she had reached the fifth layer of the Xuan Realm.
The fifth layer of the Xuan Realm at eighteen years old placed her among the absolute top talents in Dayu!
However, facing someone like Li Xuanxiao, it was still far from enough.
To keep up with his pace, she needed to work even harder!
Si Miaoyin's gaze gradually became firm.
"The Sword Master Ming from the Royal Court Martial Academy has specially granted you permission to study at the Royal Court Martial Academy..."
"Do you want to go?"
Si Miaoyin was surprised. Didn't the Royal Court Martial Academy only teach members of the Royal Family?
Why suddenly...
Although Si Miaoyin didn't understand, she still nodded: "Of course, I must go!"
Now, only one thought occupied her mind—get stronger!
Until one day, she could stand beside Li Xuanxiao and walk alongside him!
As they were chatting, a knock came from the door.
Turning to look, the fair-faced Ya Qin bowed in greeting.
"Madam, Young Miss, Ya Qin wishes to redeem her servitude..."