Upon hearing Lei Xing's words, everyone couldn't help but nod silently.

Not to mention thousands of years, even just a few hundred years of accumulation would gather a terrifying number of people here.

Moreover, those qualified and capable of coming to the Outer Battlefield are all genius powerhouses from various parts of the Nine Provinces of the Yuanwu Continent, almost all of them being the elite of their time.

Everyone could imagine the countless genius powerhouses that must have accumulated over thousands of years in this Outer Battlefield.

Many even suspect that the number of powerhouses in this Outer Battlefield may exceed that of the Imperial Capital by a large margin.

At this moment, almost everyone felt a surge of passion in their hearts, knowing they would spend the next year in this great city teeming with strong warriors.

However, some felt heavy at heart because they realized that despite so many powerhouses stationed at the Outer Battlefield, they had engaged in a protracted war lasting thousands of years against the demon army from the Evil Land.

This indicates that the strength of those demons might be on par with or even superior to theirs.

This also means that out of these thousands, only a small portion will return alive to the Great Yu Imperial Dynasty a year later, while the others will remain forever in this other world.

"The Ninth City."

Wang Ruoxie looked up, seeing three flamboyant characters on the city gate.

"Lord Lei Xing, why is this city called the Ninth City?"

At this moment, someone asked Lei Xing.

"I previously told you all that the Nine Provinces of the Yuanwu Continent send genius powerhouses to the Outer Battlefield to resist the demon army."

Lei Xing chuckled lightly and said, "For this reason, nine cities established by human Martial Cultivators exist in the Outer Battlefield, named First City, Second City... and our Yun Province's Ninth City based on their merit rankings."

Upon hearing Lei Xing's words, everyone's eyes momentarily dulled, understanding that their Yun Province's city ranks at the bottom among the nine cities.

"Lord Lei Xing, does this mean that our Yun Province's genius powerhouses are weaker than those of the other eight provinces, thus earning less merit than them?"

Yet another person asked.

"Although I am reluctant to admit it, the truth is indeed so."

A hint of bitterness appeared on Lei Xing's face as he continued, "Perhaps many of you already know, our Yun Province only has five domains, whereas the other provinces have at least nine domains, sometimes even more than ten."

"With vast territory comes abundant cultivation resources and naturally more genius powerhouses, therefore, the number of powerhouses in the other nine cities is much greater than in our Ninth City."

"Especially at the highest levels, their numbers are several times ours, so the number of demons they hunt and the merit they earn far exceed what we can compare."

As Lei Xing finished speaking, everyone's faces reflected some uneasiness.

"You need not despair too much, though our Ninth City ranks last and earns less merit than the other eight cities, we have our advantage: the region we are in has a large number of demons, though their strength is much weaker than those near the other eight cities."

Lei Xing looked at everyone and said, "This is another reason why we can't compare with other cities in terms of earned merit. After all, hunting powerful demons yields more merit than weaker ones."

"However, compared to the other eight cities, we are much safer. With caution, we can continuously hunt weaker demons to acquire enough merit and exchange them for cultivation resources, quickly increasing our strength."

Lei Xing's words made everyone's hearts silently nod in agreement, as this indeed was a significant advantage for their Ninth City.

Especially beneficial for those newcomers to the Outer Battlefield like them.

After all, with their current cultivation power, they can only hunt demons equivalent to the Early Stage of the Acupoint Condensation Realm. If they encountered Middle Stage or even Late Stage demons of that realm, it would undoubtedly spell death for them.

"In that case, it's certainly good news for me."

Wang Ruoxie pondered silently. With his current strength, he might have a chance against an Early Stage Acupoint Condensation Realm demon, but facing stronger ones without using the Soul Boat was beyond his capability.

In the Outer Battlefield, he dared not easily use the Soul Boat, lest he invite enormous trouble.

Of course, if the opportunity arose, he wouldn't mind leveraging the Soul Boat to quickly earn merit.

Imagine him standing atop the Soul Boat, with just a few rounds of cannon fire, acquiring a large amount of merit easily and effortlessly.

"Let's go, we'll settle in the city first, and afterward, I'll show you what the demons are truly like."

Lei Xing smiled at everyone before stepping forward, heading toward the city interior.

Everyone immediately followed Lei Xing, entering the Ninth City.

Upon stepping into the Ninth City, everyone was stunned, discovering that those walking on the streets were at least at the Early Stage of the Acupoint Condensation Realm, and most of them were beyond their discernment.

This meant, these individuals' cultivation realms were higher than theirs.

"No wonder it's the Outer Battlefield that gathers genius powerhouses from the Entire Yuanwu Continent; the overall cultivation power of Martial Cultivators is even higher than that of the Imperial Capital in the Great Yu Imperial Dynasty."

Wang Ruoxie also narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking to himself.

He naturally could see that among the passing people, most possessed the Early Stage of the Acupoint Condensation Realm. Many were in the Middle and Late Stages of the same realm.

Occasionally, he could even spot some Martial Cultivators at the Purple Mansion Realm.

Just walking through the city, he spotted no fewer than two hundred Martial Cultivators at the Purple Mansion Realm. As for their specific cultivation realms, his current power and Soul Power made it difficult to determine.

"Looks like I'll have to find a way to quickly break through to the Acupoint Condensation Realm."

Wang Ruoxie thought to himself, realizing that with an Essence Pill Realm cultivation coming to the Outer Battlefield, few others were like him.

Nearby onlookers gazed at him with amazement and sympathy, a Essence Pill Realm fighter in the Outer Battlefield wasn't even qualified to be cannon fodder. Even encountering the weakest demon would likely lead to his death.

However, many, upon noticing Wang Ruoxie's Three Dragon Battle Armor, couldn't help showing a hint of a different kind of admiration.

They naturally recognized the Black Dragon Guard's armor and knew what wearing the Three Dragon Battle Armor signified.

This person becoming a Chiliarch of the Black Dragon Guard must have some extraordinary aspects. Achieving this with an Essence Pill Realm cultivation was likely unprecedented in the history of the Black Dragon Guard.

About half an hour later, the group followed Lei Xing to a vast palace in front of them.

"Dragon Guard Office."

The plaque above the palace doors displayed three characters glowing faintly.

"We're here."

Lei Xing said to everyone.

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