The specially crafted flying boat was indeed swift. In less than two days, they reached the region where Yun Jin's assigned mission lay.
This was within the borders of Luo Kingdom, a higher-ranked nation. In recent years, the mortals across the Qingxiao region, including those in Canglan Kingdom, had lived difficult lives.
Demonic cultivators ran rampant. Although there were many orthodox cultivators, most secluded themselves in cultivation, ignoring the world outside. The demons knew this well. They rarely provoked sect disciples, instead preying upon mortals and loose cultivators.
The cries of mortals and loose cultivators were too feeble. No matter how they struggled to shout, their pleas never reached beyond their suffering lands.
Over time, the flaws of this negligence grew clear.
Mortals were oppressed, yet cultivators were all born from mortals. To abandon mortals was to sever the roots of future cultivators. Thus, fewer and fewer geniuses appeared in the Qingxiao region. The decline of cultivators here was inseparably tied to the indulgence of Qingxiao Pavilion toward the demonic path.
The Demon-Slaying Alliance did carry out missions at times.
But once higher-ups became complacent, the Demon-Slaying Halls under them followed suit. Most only put on a show, while few truly acted.
Such paltry strength could not possibly stem the tide of the demonic path's growth.
Within Luo Kingdom alone, five separate demonic factions had emerged, each led by a Mahayana cultivator.
Though Luo Kingdom ranked higher than Canglan Kingdom as a nation, its cultivation strength was even weaker. Most cultivators, once given the chance, abandoned their homeland without hesitation to join sects. As long as one joined a sect, demons would not target them.
Under such circumstances, demonic power in Luo Kingdom only grew more rampant.
Before Yun Jin's arrival, the situation had still been somewhat suppressed. If not for Zhai Ge's ulterior motives this time, the true severity of matters here would likely have remained concealed.
When they were still some distance from their target, Yun Jin dismissed the flying boat.
The group concealed their auras and advanced on foot.
As they neared the location—
Suddenly, someone recklessly flared their spiritual power.
Yun Jin turned, her gaze narrowing slightly.
Excellent.
It was one of the sect disciples.
That disciple looked at her with an innocent face. "Hall Master, I'm sorry. I lost control of my spiritual power by accident. But since the disturbance was so large, those demons must have noticed already. What should we do now?"
He wore a mask of fear and worry.
Yun Jin smiled faintly at him. "It was an accident. This Hall Master understands."
A flicker of disdain flashed in the disciple's eyes.
So quickly cowed?
Of course. With his background, what could Yun Jin possibly do to him?
He was just thinking this when—
His head suddenly felt light. He instinctively lowered his gaze.
Why… why could he see his body below?
Why were his head and body… separated?
He twisted his view and saw Yun Jin's cold face.
Yun Jin's smile was soft. "Since you're so careless, remember to be more careful in your next life."
His pupils dilated in horror.
This…
Deacon Shi had merely ordered them to cause some disruption to Yun Jin's mission. He had only made the smallest move. And Yun Jin truly dared to take his life?
"You…" He struggled to speak, wanting to threaten her, wanting to demand if she knew who stood behind him—
But before he could say another word, flames flicked from Yun Jin's fingertips. His Yuányīng was annihilated on the spot, sent straight into reincarnation.
The scene fell utterly silent.
Yun Jin looked around with a radiant smile. "You all know I'm not quite normal, don't you?"
No one answered.
But staring at the scorched mark on the ground, even those who hadn't known before understood it now.
"So you'd better behave. Otherwise, if I lose control, even I can't predict what I'll do." Yun Jin kept smiling.
A shiver ran through the crowd.
Those who had planned mischief now had only one thought.
Lucky.
They were lucky someone else acted first. Otherwise, it would be their corpses lying there. Even if Yun Jin were later punished by the deputy hall masters for killing a fellow disciple, none of them would dare stand out now. Whoever stood up first would simply die.
Once dead, what use was worrying about later?
They all understood one thing. This was a killing god. Best not to provoke her. Threats that worked on others would only make Yun Jin more dangerous. She might eventually be punished, but no one wanted to become her sacrifice.
"Remember this. If anyone causes trouble, before I kill the demons, I'll kill you first." Yun Jin's smile was sharp as a blade.
Her words had barely fallen when, sensing the commotion, demonic cultivators began to surge forward.
Yun Jin tilted her head with a playful smile. "You all had better perform well. Until their leader appears, this Hall Master will not fight seriously."
With that, she stepped back behind the group.
The crowd: "???"
Was she serious?
But before they could process it, the demonic cultivators were already upon them.
The loose cultivators quickly steadied themselves. They were used to such missions and knew how to adapt. Who struck first, who supported later, formations, talismans—these they used with practiced ease.
Yun Jin watched and nodded inwardly.
Individually, these loose cultivators were weak. But together, their combined strength was formidable.
She then shifted her gaze to the sect disciples.
They were stronger alone, but being from different sects, most lacked battlefield experience. One sect disciple was stronger than one loose cultivator. Ten sect disciples, however, were not as effective as ten loose cultivators.
Yun Jin arched a brow.
It was said these loose cultivators had once been a disorderly rabble before Hong Ye.
Now, it seemed she had forged them into disciplined fighters. If subordinates were like soldiers, then Hong Ye was clearly a commander of rare talent. A glint of appreciation flashed in Yun Jin's eyes. She was indeed short of such a talent at her side.
Hong Ye might be worth recruiting.
Meanwhile, the sect disciples began slacking off, thinking Yun Jin would not notice amid the chaos. But the moment someone held back their strike, a flicker of flame lashed their shoulder in warning. Groans of pain followed.
The sect disciples secretly despaired. What kind of nightmare was this?
They were fighting for their lives against demons, yet had to worry about being burned alive from behind by their own hall master.
Yun Jin's flames hurt worse than blades.
They had no choice but to fight desperately with all their strength.
Yun Jin had chosen this first stronghold deliberately. It was the weakest. Demonic cultivators here were generally weaker than orthodox ones.
So after a round of battle, Yun Jin's side secured overwhelming advantage.