The morning bell at Qingxu Temple had just sounded three times, yet the main hall was already filled with people. Tang Xiao Qi sat upright in the main seat, with Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng and Third Senior Sister Liu Yun seated on his left and right respectively. Below the hall, Zhao Tiezhu, Ao Qin, Feng Qingyin, and other top experts from all races had gathered, each wearing solemn expressions. Suspended in the center of the hall was a massive Qiankun World Map, marked with nearly a hundred flickering red dots—these were all areas where mutated demonic creatures had recently appeared.
"Everyone has seen the situation." Xiao Qi's voice echoed through the hall. "The spread rate of mutated demonic creatures has far exceeded expectations, and ordinary purification methods are no longer sufficient. I have decided to establish a dedicated 'Demon Suppression Bureau' to address this matter."
He turned his gaze to Third Senior Sister Liu Yun. "Third Senior Sister, you will serve as the Chief Director, overseeing all demon annihilation affairs."
Liu Yun rose and clasped her fist, the Sinister-Slaying Sword humming in its sheath. "I will not disgrace this mission."
"Zhao Tiezhu." Xiao Qi looked at the Body Cultivation Academy head. "You will serve as Deputy Director, responsible for frontline combat operations."
Zhao Tiezhu pounded his chest. "Rest assured, Alliance Leader. I'll beat those demon brats until their teeth scatter on the ground!"
"Ao Qin, Feng Qingyin." Xiao Qi looked at the representatives of the dragon and phoenix clans. "You two will also serve as Deputy Directors, overseeing demon elimination in water domains and aerial domains respectively."
The two accepted their appointments in unison. This arrangement considered each clan's specialties while balancing various forces—truly well-considered.
"The Demon Suppression Bureau will consist of four halls beneath it." Xiao Qi continued deploying. "The Intelligence Hall will be responsible for gathering intelligence, overseen by Xuanji Sacred Land; the Tactics Hall will formulate combat strategies, composed of overseas sects; the Logistics Hall will manage material allocation, under Qingxu Temple's coordination; and the Research Hall will analyze demonic creature characteristics, led by Second Senior Brother."
This structure was extremely thorough, with frontline combat units, logistics support, and research institutions—a complete military organization in every sense.
"The first batch of members will be selected from elite cultivators of all sects." Xiao Qi emphasized finally. "Remember—quality over quantity. The Demon Suppression Bureau needs experts who can stand on their own, not young masters here for resume padding."
The orders spread, shocking the three realms. All sects eagerly recommended their most outstanding disciples. Everyone understood that joining the Demon Suppression Bureau meant not only honor but also the opportunity to rapidly improve their strength through battles against demonic creatures.
Three days later, the Demon Suppression Bureau's selection was held at Qingxu Temple's martial training grounds. Surprisingly, the one presiding over the selection was no other than Chief Director Liu Yun. She sat upright on the high platform, before her three testing artifacts: the Mirror of Hearts for testing willpower, the Spirit Stone Monument for testing cultivation, and the Illusory Demon Array for testing actual combat.
"First trial—hearts." Liu Yun's voice was cold and clear. "The primary requirement for Demon Suppression Bureau members is firm will, unshakable by demonic energy."
The first to step forward for testing was the senior disciple of Golden Gate Sect. When he stood before the Mirror of Hearts, various illusions immediately manifested within: piles of spirit stones, beauties of unmatched elegance, supreme power... these were common temptation methods used by demonic energy. The disciple initially maintained composure, but when the mirror showed his tragically deceased master, his mind finally faltered, and he was thrown backward by the mirror's light.
"Disqualified." Liu Yun's expression remained impassive. "Next."
Successive dozens of candidates all fell before the Mirror of Hearts. These elite disciples from various sects were not weak in cultivation, but their flaws in willpower were impossible to conceal.
It was not until a young woman in plain white Daoist robes stepped forward. She was Lin Suwen, a newly promoted disciple of Qingxu Temple, with only Foundation Establishment late-stage cultivation, yet she stood unmoved before the Mirror of Hearts. Regardless of what illusions appeared in the mirror, her gaze remained clear as ever.
"This woman is extraordinary." Ouyezi, who was observing, exclaimed in admiration. "Such pure heart and will—rare even once in a thousand years."
Liu Yun nodded slightly, drawing a checkmark next to Lin Suwen's name.
The second trial tested cultivation. Fewer people were eliminated this round, since all recommended candidates were elite. But the third trial's Illusory Demon Array amazed everyone.
The Illusory Demon Array simulated attacks from various mutated demonic creatures. Contestants needed to hold their ground for the duration of one incense stick while also protecting illusory common folk at the array's core. This trial tested not only strength but also judgment under pressure.
Zhao Tiezhu personally supervised outside the array, laughing heartily when he saw outstanding performances and cursing furiously when he saw cowardice. Several overseas cultivators who tried to cheat were seen through by his sharp eyes and directly disqualified.
"The Demon Suppression Bureau wants no cowards!" His voice thundered like a great bell. "Anyone afraid of death can get out now!"
After three rounds of strict screening, only one hundred and eight people ultimately passed the assessment, becoming the first batch of Demon Suppression Bureau members. This number seemed small, but each was a capable expert who could stand on their own.
At the inauguration ceremony, Liu Yun presented the black banner embroidered with the character "Suppress" to the heads of each hall. This banner was woven from ten-thousand-year Mysterious Silkworm threads, inscribed with Qingxu Temple's Demon Suppression Incantations, naturally suppressing all demonic creatures.
"From this day forward, you are members of the Demon Suppression Bureau." Liu Yun's voice carried across the entire gathering. "Remember your mission: slay demons and evil, protect all living beings!"
"Slay demons and evil, protect all living beings!" Everyone shouted in unison, their voices shaking the nine heavens.
The ceremony had barely ended when the Intelligence Hall delivered urgent intelligence: the Miasma Demons in the Northern Wastelands were moving toward the densely populated southern regions!
"Just in time!" Zhao Tiezhu rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Perfect to test our skills on them!"
But Liu Yun remained calm. "Do not underestimate the enemy. Tactics Hall, immediately formulate a combat plan; Logistics Hall, prepare purification artifacts; Research Hall, analyze the Miasma Demons' weaknesses."
Under Liu Yun's command, the entire Demon Suppression Bureau operated with high efficiency. In less than half an hour, a detailed combat plan had already been placed before everyone.
"According to the Research Hall's analysis, the core of Miasma Demons is extreme cold resentful energy." Lin Suwen, as the Research Hall's representative, delivered the report. "Ordinary flames have limited effect on them. Pure Yang True Fire is needed."
"Leave that to me!" Zhao Tiezhu pounded his chest. "Body cultivators' blood energy is most yang in nature—I'll burn them to ashes!"
But Liu Yun shook her head. "No brute force. Ao Qin, lead the dragon clan to set up the Nine Yang Heaven-Scorching Formation; Feng Qingyin, take the phoenix clan to provide aerial support; Tiezhu, lead the body cultivators to pin them down on the ground."
She then looked at Lin Suwen. "Take the Research Hall cultivators to set up monitoring arrays outside, recording every change in the Miasma Demons."
This deployment was flawless, fully utilizing each clan's strengths while maintaining reserves. Even Xiao Qi, who was observing, nodded secretly—Third Senior Sister's growth over these years was truly remarkable.
As the Demon Suppression Bureau's forces marched toward the Northern Wastelands, the entire cultivation world watched this battle with bated breath. The outcome of this battle would determine whether the three realms could truly contain the spread of mutated demonic creatures.
And at this moment, in the depths of the distant Demon Abyss, a pair of eyes also gazed upon all this. The demonic entity's whisper echoed through the void:
"Come then... let me see how long you can hold on..."