Chapter 5: The Exorcist Expert and the Dark Side of the World

Zhou Yan swiftly and effortlessly claimed victory in the second round with his furious Crow Strike.

As Zheng Keren fell on the stage, Zheng Zhichang in the audience suddenly sat up straight, his hands gripping the armrests of his chair so tightly that his fingers left deep impressions.

That boy’s sword speed, precision, and power—

At the peak of the Fierce level!?

Where on earth did Luo Xuan find such a wild prodigy?

Zheng Zhichang knew his son’s true abilities very well. During last year’s exchange tournament, he had already edged into the borders of the Fierce level. With Zheng Zhichang’s relentless and costly cultivation efforts, this year his son had physically solidified his status as a standard Fierce-level swordsman. Aside from some rough edges in technique, the most difficult aspect to improve — the mental fortitude — had yet to show significant progress.

But the Li Huo Pavilion exchange tournament, a minor competition selecting elite swordmasters, never had opponents of overwhelming strength.

He had sent his son with the aim of securing fourth place and contending for second. Yet now, to fall at the quarterfinals was a bitter defeat. For an ordinary student, such a result might be admirable, but compared to the resources granted to semifinalists or even the runner-up, it was a vast difference.

“Zhou Yan. I will remember you.” Zheng Zhichang fixed his gaze fiercely on Zhou Yan inside the arena, his face darkening with displeasure.

Meanwhile, on stage, Zheng Keren, having lost two rounds in a row without any resistance, was no fool. He clearly understood the enormous gap between himself and his opponent.

After the referee released his protective gear, he turned away with a sullen expression and exited the stage.

It was obvious there was no need to continue to the third round.

The referee promptly announced Zhou Yan’s victory in a loud voice.

In the front row of the audience, upon hearing the announcement, Luo Ke could no longer contain herself and leapt up: “Yes! Brother Zhou Yan is in the semifinals, semifinals!”

Next to her, Luo Xuan found her sister’s noisy excitement embarrassing and immediately reached out to press her back into her seat. “Don’t shout so loudly. The Pavilion Master is right beside us.”

Beside them, Cong Shiyun gently clapped her hands and looked at Luo Xuan with delight. “Luo Xuan, Zhou Yan not only harmonizes well with the breathing technique but even the secret sword Crow Strike is executed with incredible speed. Is that his main skill?”

Luo Xuan tried to maintain a calm expression, but the faint curve of her lips betrayed her. “No, his first secret sword technique was actually Swallow’s Frenzy.”

“Swallow’s Frenzy?” Cong Shiyun’s face showed some surprise. “You’re quite traditional. That technique is difficult to master and use. Nowadays, very few pavilion heads teach it right from the start. Some don’t even teach it after completing the three Southern Ming secret swords.”

Luo Xuan spoke softly, “Until five days ago, Zhou Yan only knew Swallow’s Frenzy. He learned Poison Crow just one day before coming to Yi City. As for Crow Strike and Chongming, he picked those up two days ago.”

Cong Shiyun immediately straightened up, her eyebrows twitching. “He learned Crow Strike for just two days and can already wield it at this level!? Luo Xuan, you know lying won’t get you anywhere.”

“I have no reason to lie, especially about something so easy to expose.” Luo Xuan shook her head calmly.

Cong Shiyun paused briefly, unable to hide her excitement. “By your account, it’s almost certain Zhou Yan is not inferior to Li Guanqi, and may even rival your own genius!”

Luo Xuan’s lips curved slightly. “You could say that.”

Cong Shiyun pondered for a moment, then looked up earnestly at her. “Luo Xuan, I have a proposal. I want to hear your thoughts.”

“Please, Pavilion Master.”

“After the exchange tournament, I will immediately hold the Mastery Level assessment for you. If you pass, you should resign as the pavilion head of the Tianzun City Sword Pavilion.”

Luo Xuan frowned. “Pavilion Master, what do you mean? That position was passed down from my father.”

“Don’t be hasty.” Cong Shiyun raised a hand, motioning for Luo Xuan to be patient.

Then she smiled. “When you, as the ‘First Genius,’ chose to leave the Zhuque Palace headquarters and return to Tianzun City to inherit your father’s pavilion, many seniors who had high hopes for you thought it a pity. I was often criticized by those bigwigs for it. But you must know, languishing in a small city pavilion without resource support, even the most extraordinary talent will fade into obscurity.”

Luo Xuan’s expression grew cold. “Father died unexpectedly, and my younger sister is alone. How could I possibly feel at ease training at headquarters? Besides, I mainly want to uncover the cause of my father’s death.”

Cong Shiyun shook her head. “You see, you’re anxious again.”

She smiled as she spoke, “This time, after you advance to Mastery Level and resign as pavilion head, come straight to my Li Huo Pavilion’s ‘Demon Removal Division’ to serve as a ‘Demon Removal Specialist.’ I will grant you access to review the missions your father once took part in. How does that sound?”

Luo Xuan’s expression shifted. “Pavilion Master, before you said it was enough for me to reach Mastery Level. Now you’re asking me to become a Demon Removal Specialist?”

Cong Shiyun looked helpless. “When did I ever say that reaching Mastery Level was all there was? I said it was a ‘prerequisite,’ and this prerequisite is to qualify you for becoming a Demon Removal Specialist.”

She shifted her tone. “Moreover, aside from no longer having to worry about managing the pavilion’s affairs and thereby freeing up time for your cultivation, you will receive abundant preferential resources from the Li Huo Pavilion.”

“Don’t you want to retrieve your father’s remains and let him rest in peace?”

“Remains!?” Luo Xuan’s eyes brightened with excitement. Luo Ke beside her also looked eager.

Luo Xuan leaned forward involuntarily. “Pavilion Master, you told me before that my father’s body was shattered beyond recognition and no remains were found.”

Cong Shiyun shook her head. “Luo Xuan, you’re not yet a Demon Removal Specialist, so I can’t tell you everything. But recently, anomalies have surged across the land. The higher-ups have warned of impending calamities and decided to restart some secret missions that were once sealed, including the one in which your father perished. To participate, your identity must at least be—”

Luo Xuan immediately interrupted, “Pavilion Master, no need to say more. I entrust everything to your arrangement.”

“Good!” Cong Shiyun seemed very pleased. “Now I will no longer be scolded by those bigwigs.”

“But!” Luo Xuan glanced at her sister beside her, “What about my sister and Zhou Yan? How do you plan to arrange that?”

At Luo Xuan’s question, Cong Shiyun smiled faintly. “Of course, all will come together to Yi City. Your sister will start university in Zhuque Star City in September, right? Yi City is very close to Star City, making it convenient for you to watch over her. As for Zhou Yan—”

She looked straight at Luo Xuan. “Every Demon Removal Specialist leads their own independent squad within the Division. You will have priority in selecting your team members. The requirement is that they must belong to Zhuque Palace and have reached the Fierce level.”

“Understood.” Luo Xuan nodded and quickly made her decision. “Zhou Yan will be my first team member!”

“I knew it.” Cong Shiyun clapped her hands and smiled. “Then it’s settled!”

“Settled!”

*

That evening, back in his room, Zhou Yan was informed by Luo Xuan of the outcome of her discussion with Cong Shiyun.

“This is basically the situation.” Luo Xuan finished speaking and looked at Zhou Yan seriously. “Whether you want to come or not, I will respect your decision.”

“Hm, I think I understand.” Zhou Yan rubbed his chin and asked a more practical question. “How are the benefits at the Demon Removal Division? And where would I live?”

Luo Xuan: “...”

Zhou Yan glanced at her. “You didn’t ask?”

Luo Xuan turned her head guiltily.

Luo Ke next to her slapped her fair thigh. “Big sister, you’re so clueless!”

Luo Xuan’s cheeks reddened, then she stared blankly at Zhou Yan. “I’ll ask the Pavilion Master tomorrow. So, are you coming or not?”

“Of course.” Zhou Yan smiled gently. “Whether at the sword pavilion or the Demon Removal Division, I’ll be stuck either way.”

Luo Xuan’s frown relaxed. “Just so you know, the work at the Demon Removal Division involves dealing with rare and dangerous anomalies. Life-threatening situations are common. Are you sure you want to come with me?”

Zhou Yan sighed and looked at Luo Xuan earnestly. “Xiao Xuan, it’s precisely because it’s dangerous that I want to be by your side.”

As he said this, Zhou Yan silently thought: ‘This Demon Removal Division must be the ‘special department’ of the Heavenly Origin Dominion Empire, right?’

‘It handles anomalies. Could these anomalies be connected to that “Chaos Rift” event that the Order Great One mentioned?’

‘Backed by such a large organization, it should be much easier than me blindly searching on my own.’

‘Nice—if I get sleepy, someone will hand me a pillow.’

Zhou Yan pondered quietly.

Across from him, Luo Xuan’s eyes flickered upon hearing his words.

‘Is he staying by my side because he fears for my safety?’

The icy girl’s lips unconsciously curved.

She looked at Zhou Yan with a barely perceptible softness. “Since we agree on this, and you will come to Li Huo Pavilion to develop your career, I’ll briefly explain what the so-called ‘Demon Removal Division’ actually does.”

Zhou Yan sat up with interest.

Luo Xuan hesitated for a moment, as if collecting her thoughts.

Then she slowly spoke: “From ancient times until now, this world is not as ordinary as it appears on the surface.”

“In deep mountains, desolate forests, and uninhabited places, certain hidden regions occasionally birth phenomena that should not exist in this realm.”

Her expression grew grave.

Beside her, Luo Ke shrank her neck and secretly scooted closer to Zhou Yan.

Luo Xuan glanced at Luo Ke with an inexplicable look. “Luo Ke, since you didn’t follow the path of martial cultivation, I didn’t tell you some things before because I didn’t want to worry you.”

She said in a low voice, “Our father, as a Mastery-Level expert serving Zhuque Palace, besides his official role as a sword pavilion head, was sometimes summoned to assist in resolving anomalies. Some of these were caused by humans, but many were not.”

“Sis, you’re not telling ghost stories, right? Can we keep it normal? I’m scared.” Luo Ke linked arms with Zhou Yan.

Luo Xuan cast a cold glance at the way Luo Ke clung to Zhou Yan but said nothing, continuing her explanation.

“Places rarely touched by humans or those with special properties may suddenly exhibit spatial rifts—phenomena that, in ancient times, were called ‘Demon Caves,’ and are known in modern times as ‘Rifts.’”

“If left unchecked, from these will emerge—”

Her voice turned icy.

“Non-human entities that bring ruin to the world.”