Chapter 23 - A Daemon Dragon Appears

Days turned into weeks as things within the Xin household began to operate like a well oiled machine under the trained leadership of Lu Wén.

Barracks that had been commissioned, as well as several new pavilions, gardens and beautiful paintings with stunning scenes and intricate carvings around every door had turned the once small house into a grand Mansion.

Lu Qiáng at this point had already gathered roughly 2 dozen cultivators between the levels of Level 6 Spirit Apprentice up to Level 4 Spirit Warrior to act as commanders for the 2000 Mortal Troops that had been hired and moved into the new housing.

The training that Lu Qiáng and the other officers put the new recruits through was hellish to say the least. They woke up every morning before dawn, ran the 20 kilometers around the walls of Sky City, were forced to pick up and carry massive stone boulders until their muscles screamed for mercy, and then they would spar against one another until they all collapsed from exhaustion.

Xin Jin and the ladies were not idle during this time either.

Luo Mei practiced her new movement technique as well as her new wind blade ability with a new level 4 Treasure Fan made of Blue Opal inlaid with pure silver.

This particular fan had once been owned by a powerful wind cultivator more than 5 centuries ago know simply as 'Lady Breeze' before she died during a failed Ascension when several of her longtime enemies used this opportunity where she was nearly defenseless to strike a mortal blow.

Gu Xian'er began to switch to the new cultivation technique she received while also studying the new tome filled with all new Mid-Level Formations and Talismans. She planned on learning a more powerful barrier first in to order build a protective formation around the house for security purposes.

Xin Jin on the other hand had split most of his time between cultivating, which had slowed to a near crawl when compared to before, talking to Lu Wén about something business related, or guiding Han Yi, who was a beginner, in the proper method of meditation and or how to execute her new movement technique and sword skill.

He was pretty sure that she was using these opportunities to be needlessly childish in order to gain his attention, which slightly got on his nerves, however he decided to let it slide for now since she was still young, but he would need to eventually set up some boundaries. Some level of playfulness is fine, but in the end it was necessary to know how to behave properly in the necessary situation.

Xin Jin, who was currently cultivating under the blossoming Apricot tree, suddenly felt a wave of powerful energy rise up within him, he felt like he might be about to break through to Spirit Master Level 2.

However, before he could explore this new aspect of his cultivation, his brow suddenly furrowed as he sensed faint traces of killing intent approaching Sky City.

Opening his eyes, he looked around and saw that all of the cultivators and soldiers in the area had also stopped what they were doing and were looking up at the sky.

In the distance, a dark cloud had formed, and it was rapidly approaching their location. Xin Jin immediately recognized this as a daemonic energy cloud, a sign that a powerful daemonic beast was approaching.

Without hesitation, he jumped up from under the tree and called out to his companions. "Everyone, get ready for battle! A daemonic beast is coming!"

Lu Qiáng quickly organized the troops and cultivators into formation, while Luo Mei and Gu Xian'er stood with their weapons at the ready, prepared for a possible battle. Han Yi, who was still a beginner, stood nervously behind Xin Jin, but he assured her that he would protect her.

As the daemonic energy cloud drew closer, the group could see a massive beast flying within it. It was a dark blue, serpentine dragon, with sharp claws and glowing azure eyes that seemed to be fixed on them.

It was not immediately clear why the dragon was fixated on their group. However, Xin Jin suspected that it might have been attracted by either the powerful spiritual energy emanating from the newly established mansion, a random treasure, or the cultivators and soldiers residing within it.

Daemonic beasts were known to be drawn to areas with strong spiritual energy, treasures, or great beauties, and the presence of so many powerful cultivators and items in one place would have been an irresistible lure for such creatures.

The nearly 100 meter long Dragon, or flood Dragon, since the Draconian energy that was emanating from its body was not entirely pure, halted its advance on sky city, hovering high above in the sky with a piercing gaze and an arrogant air.

Despite appearing alone, as a powerful being with an aura in the 6th Level of Spirit Grandmaster, it was still a creature that demanded fear and respect in the Lower Daemon Realm.

With a grand, booming voice that shook the walls of the city, it spoke with with utter disdain, "Brat Xin Jin, if you understand what is good for you, step forth and accept the consequences of your foolish actions!" it bellowed, releasing all of its magnificent aura that nearly brought all of Sky City to its knees.

The look on Xin Jin's face darkened even further when he heard these words that left him baffled.

He had only been in this world a few weeks, and other than his first day, he had spent all of his time within Sky City.

Who could he have offended for a powerhouse of the Lower Daemon Realm to search him out directly? He had no idea.

At this point in time, just when he was trying to figure out the cause, an energetic and sweet voice sounded out from behind him as Gu Xian'er appeared on his left and grasped his hand, "If I had to make a guess, then this situation most likely has to do with that scum, Huo Shaoyang." She said with a decent degree of contempt in her voice.

"Huo Shaoyang?" He muttered in a barely audible voice, "Who is that?" He added with genuine confusion.

Xin Jin wasn't joking at this moment. He literally had no recollection of the arrogant hothead he met only recently at the Abundant Treasures Imporium auction.

"Haha, I'm sure Young Master Huo's head would actually explode from rage if he heard you say that." Gu Xian'er said while holding her sides.