A seventh-rank magical beast was already an extremely powerful existence to her. If not for the presence of Steven Scott, when Brian Carter and the others faced a seventh-rank magical beast, they would certainly have paid a price—if things got serious, it could even have resulted in death.

　　During the battle with that seventh-rank magical beast, even though she knew Hannah Grant was stationed at the center, hearing the beast’s ferocious roars still shocked Emily Grant greatly. As for Xuantian Sect, the only one present besides Hannah Grant who neither paid an entrance fee nor contributed to fighting the beast, she naturally felt a bit displeased.

　　“Heh…”

　　Xuantian Sect glanced at Emily Grant with a half-smile, but didn’t reply.

　　Seeing this, Hannah Grant asked with a hint of curiosity, “Young master Xuantian Sect, in that situation, weren’t you at all worried or afraid?”

　　“Why should I be afraid?”

　　“That was a seventh-rank magical beast. In terms of combat power, even a human seventh-rank martial artist would struggle to contend with such a terrifying being. A single seventh-rank magical beast has the power to wipe out an entire village.”

　　“Terrifying?”

　　Xuantian Sect still wore that same half-smile. After glancing at Hannah Grant, he shook his head with a gentle smile. “Magical beasts aren’t what’s truly terrifying. What’s truly terrifying is the human heart.”

　　“You talk as if you know everything and are so impressive. If you’re really that capable, then why did that seventh-rank magical beast sneak right up to our camp last night, and you slept like a log without reacting at all?”

　　“Ahem! Emily, mind your words!”

　　Seeing his daughter becoming increasingly rude, Matthew Grant quickly coughed a few times and cupped his hands to Xuantian Sect, saying, “My apologies, young master Xuantian Sect. I have failed in my upbringing, and my daughter has been rather disrespectful. Please don’t take offense. I offer my sincerest apologies.”

　　“It’s nothing. I wouldn’t get angry with a little girl.”

　　Xuantian Sect smiled faintly, clearly not taking the words of a young girl to heart.

　　“Tch!”

　　Emily Grant curled her lips, as if she had already seen through this man named Xuantian Sect—just an ordinary martial artist who only knew how to put on airs.

　　But when Matthew Grant shot her a stern glare, she didn’t dare say anything more.

　　“Hehe…”

　　Watching the exchange between Xuantian Sect and Emily Grant, Hannah Grant smiled gently, her smile radiating a contagious warmth and joy. “I quite agree with what young master Xuantian Sect said. The human heart is indeed often more frightening than magical beasts. To be able to say such words from the heart, young master Xuantian Sect must have had some related experiences?”

　　“Related experiences.”

　　Xuantian Sect’s face bore the same signature smile as always. “Does the Avici Hell count?”

　　“Avici Hell?”

　　Hannah Grant was slightly taken aback.

　　Avici Hell comes from the Buddhist saying: ‘Those who enter Avici Hell will suffer endlessly, never dying, enduring the great tribulation of Avici Hell for all eternity.’

　　This Avici Hell is the most painful of the eight great hells in Buddhist stories, and in folk legend, it is the lowest of the eighteen levels of hell.

　　As information and rumors about Avici Hell surfaced in her mind, Hannah Grant looked at this man, who clearly had a wealth of experience, and couldn’t help but grow even more curious.

　　Avici Hell?

　　Was he just making things up?

　　Or…

　　Had he truly experienced such a life of suffering?

　　But, it was probably just something he said casually.

　　Anyone cast into Avici Hell has no hope of release.

　　Looking at the man before her, his expression calm and composed, he didn’t seem to bear the pain and torment of someone who had been through Avici Hell.

　　Chapter Five: The Supreme Demon Sword

　　“Ah, we’ve finally arrived.”

　　“Mount Wenjian! Wenjian City!”

　　Beside a carriage, a girl of about fifteen or sixteen and a boy of about eighteen or nineteen gazed longingly at the majestic city built against the mountains before them, and at the vast mountain range behind the city, which spanned over a thousand square kilometers.

　　Even from outside the city, everyone could clearly see, atop the mountain peak, a colossal stone sword sculpture, nine hundred meters tall, piercing the clouds. Powerful waves of energy surged from the giant sword, like holy light cascading from heaven, purifying all evil and darkness in the world.

　　“Linmen Sword Sect! The number one sword sect of the Holy Light Empire!”

　　Beside the carriage, Brian Carter looked at the faintly visible giant stone sword atop Mount Wenjian, his expression full of emotion and awe.

　　To erect such a terrifying sword, over nine hundred meters tall, was a great miracle for any martial artist. Seeing that sword, and thinking of the group of peerless experts living atop that mountain, anyone in Wenjian City would feel a deep sense of reassurance.

　　“We’ve finally arrived at Wenjian City.”

　　“It’s so lively! Compared to our Qinghong City, Wenjian City is ten times, a hundred times more bustling.”

　　Even before entering the city, just looking at the various snack stalls at the entrance, and the crowds coming and going at the Hunter’s Guild and Mercenary Guild by the city gate, one could already feel the prosperity of this city.