What exactly is a demon?

Before this, Chen Xu had a universal concept. He believed that demons should be birds and beasts that gained intelligence, wisdom, and mana.

Just like the Mouse Demon Ah Shi and Master Jiu, or even the Little Hedgehog Demon Wei Yuan.

In popular legends, demonic nature is hard to tame and often malevolent.

But so far, the demons Chen Xu encountered, whether it was the two affectionate Mouse Demons or the self-restrained and courteous Little Hedgehog Demon Wei Yuan, or the Eagle Demon with newly awakened intelligence…

None of them were evil.

Even the Fox Demon Hu Xi, whose morality was ambiguous, was actually genuinely cultivating, seeking transcendence, and pursuing the Dao.

This shows that demons with intelligence are actually not much different from humans.

Humans have good and evil, and so do demons.

Evil demons certainly exist, but one shouldn't generalize all demons as bad.

However, now Chen Xu has heard of another type of demon.

Yan Jing!

It seems it's not a beast transformed into a demon but more like a spirit born from nature.

Feng Yuanbai explained, "People often think that when birds, beasts, and plants become spirits, they are considered demons. This is not wrong.

But in the concept of cultivators, demons are actually a general term for anomalies.

A coffin turns into a spirit, that's a Coffin Demon. A ship turns into a spirit, that's a Ship Demon. A painting scroll turns into a spirit, that's a Painting Demon…

But these are not the entirety of demons.

Sometimes, natural disasters also become demons, with calamity qi soaring to the sky, causing droughts, floods, plagues, etc., all of which can become demons.

A drought is Yan Jing, a flood is Abyss Ruins. If there's an earthquake, then Earthquake Elder arrives. If it's an epidemic plague, the world calls it Lady Nine Bones.

These are Great Demons within disasters, and besides these Great Demons, there are also various Little Demons.

For example, if a drought intensifies, it is sure to spawn Locust Demons, and extremely fierce ones like Drought Demon Child, Black Snow Princess, and Flaming Wing Envoy.

Many demons from natural disasters are irrational; they only destroy, devour, invade.

The Daoist Sect's claim to eradicate demons often arises because of such calamity demons.

However, as Confucius cited Yao and Shun, 'All things grow together without harming each other';

Xunzi said, 'Nourishing the nation's mountains, forests, lakes, marshes, and plants, fish, and turtles according to the season'…"

Feng Yuanbai expanded the discussion, from the potential spread of drought from the Northern Border, to the types of demons, then to the necessity of demon eradication, and finally to the foundational theory of coexisting with demons—

It turned out he was elaborating so extensively, logically and thoroughly, all just to have another discussion with Chen Xu on the "Demon Suppression Strategy"!

This wasn't the first time Feng Yuanbai talked to Chen Xu about the Demon Suppression Strategy, but the depth of today's discussion was unprecedented.

Only then did Chen Xu truly feel the breadth of knowledge an Advanced Scholar could possess.

Even with his keen senses and photographic memory, listening to this, he couldn't help but feel deeply shaken.

Chen Xu utilized his extraordinary memory and understanding, firmly remembering everything Feng Yuanbai said this time.

Not only did he remember, but he also discussed with Feng Yuanbai, occasionally offering some of his own opinions and perspectives.

Compared to Feng Yuanbai's maturity and refinement, Chen Xu was much more imaginative.

But he wasn't just imaginative; many viewpoints he expressed made Feng Yuanbai's eyes light up repeatedly, exclaiming in wonder and delight.

Thus, the two discussed for a long time, from midday to dusk.

Feng Yuanbai quoted extensively, explaining many secrets and cases related to demons, much of which was extremely difficult for those outside the circle to access.

Ultimately, this explanation was still Feng Yuanbai paving the way for Chen Xu's provincial examination.

In the end, Feng Yuanbai said, "Xu, the Northern Border drought is ultimately not something one person or one moment can resolve.

Whether it's you or me, the realm of summoning the wind and rain, altering the heavens—it's too distant.

Since nothing can be done, it's better not to think and worry too much.

Just strive with courage, quickly obtain your academic achievement, and wait until your cultivation is complete—what worldly problems could then remain unsolved?

I'm telling you this not to burden you with worry. Instead… as your brother, my potential is exhausted; no matter how much I cultivate, this is my limit.

But you, you still have unlimited possibilities, and Thirty-First of the Xuan List is only your starting point.

Your foolish brother hopes, through storms, to see you soar like a rainbow, across the vast ocean, with the mighty Kun and Peng."

It turns out, Feng Yuanbai came mainly because a demon incident recently within Yunjiang County required his handling.

In the coming days, he would be busy with official duties and wouldn't have time to meet Chen Xu again.

Worried that Chen Xu would soon be leaving Yunjiang for Pingyang City for his exam, Feng Yuanbai came early to say goodbye.

Chen Xu immediately asked with concern, "Brother Feng, since you have complicated matters, is there anything I can assist you with?

If so, please feel free to command me!"

Feng Yuanbai shook his head, saying, "It's not difficult, just a bit troublesome. Before it's resolved, I can't disclose specific details to the public."

Then he changed the topic, saying, "Although Yunjiang Prefecture is somewhat remote, we're fortunate to have you, Xu. Qinglin Prefecture has Tao Jibai, Linchuan Prefecture has Su Wangzhou, Pingyang Prefecture has Jiang Xing…"

He listed some of the most famous talents in the Seven Prefectures of the South.

Most of these individuals would be Chen Xu's rivals in this autumn's provincial examination, and Feng Yuanbai advised, "Each of these people has their own encounters and origins—don't underestimate them. Xu, be cautious in opposition, boldly move forward, and after achieving success, don't forget your foolish brother."

Finally, he teased Chen Xu a little.

This Brother Feng, who suddenly wanted to be playful, had quite a humorous character.

At dusk, Feng Yuanbai left the residence, and indeed, didn't return for several days.

Chen Xu, on the other hand, immersed himself in cultivation, feeling an urgent motivation in his heart, cultivating with remarkable speed.

[Cultivation: Meridian Passage Realm Late Stage 41%]

[Meridian Passage Realm Late Stage: 47%]

[51%]

...

Within a few days, Chen Xu's cultivation advanced to fifty-one percent in the Late Stage of the Meridian Passage Realm.

Seeing that his training in the Late Stage of the Meridian Passage Realm was more than halfway through, it seemed that all was left was the accumulation of time or a pivotal opportunity.

During these days, although Feng Yuanbai didn't come again, many others came to visit the residence.

Chen Xu received visits from Cui Yunqi, Ning Xing, Ningyu Studio, and others, and also received many other invitations and cards.

The influence of Thirty-First of the Xuan List seemed to finally ferment, gradually leading to a thriving momentum.

Yet, Chen Xu declined most invitations to banquets, preferring dedicated cultivation to many meaningless social interactions.

His Literary Qi was also increasing daily, and significantly so.

This indicated that the spread of Great Li's Splendor Record was strong, and this momentum should continue for a while.

Ironically, the better things were going, the more Chen Xu needed to keep calm.

Half a month flew by, and May 15th arrived as expected.

According to Chen Xu's new plan, he was set to leave Yunjiang Prefecture on this day, heading alone to Pingyang for his exam!

At the same time, the Ghost Market would open again on this day.

Early in the morning, Chen Xu did not disturb anyone, only leaving several letters in his room.

Then, exhibiting his Divine Power, he traveled through the Netherworld, leaving the residence.

He was first going to find the little hedgehog Wei Yuan in the wild, then embark on a long journey.

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