To avoid harming innocent bystanders, Chen Shuo and Su Xiyan chose a less crowded location.
Sure enough, before long, a young man dressed in hip-hop style emerged.
Although his cap was pulled low, it still couldn't hide his ghastly green face and protruding fangs. The disgusting, stringy saliva dripping from his fangs made anyone who saw him feel nauseated.
"Xiyan, get behind me. I'll handle this."
Chen Shuo pulled Su Xiyan behind him with his arm. Although Su Xiyan had reached Gold Tier 3 in strength, the opponent was a half-step Demon King, far surpassing a high-level vampire.
Even if Su Xiyan could defeat him, she would likely pay a heavy price.
If it were an ordinary vampire, Chen Shuo wouldn't have chosen to intervene. But facing a vampire with power close to a Demon King, Chen Shuo wouldn't easily let Su Xiyan take such a risk.
"I don't want to. You always take charge. When will I ever get a real chance to improve? Besides, since he's not a true Demon King, I want to try my hand at this."
Su Xiyan said excitedly. At first, she thought the opponent was at Demon King level.
But upon closer contact, she had figured out the opponent's true strength - infinitely close to a Demon King, but still with a gap.
Sometimes the difference in strength is just like that - seemingly only a small gap, but in reality, an immense, unbridgeable chasm.
The vampire before them was exactly like this. Although powerful, it wouldn't be easy for him to defeat Su Xiyan effortlessly.
Considering these factors, Su Xiyan decided to take action herself.
Since her breakthrough, she hadn't faced anyone in combat. She had originally planned to ask Chen Shuo to spar with her when they had time, to let her experience the changes after becoming stronger.
But they had been busy constantly, and in the little free time they had, she only wanted to rest quietly.
This idea had been shelved for a while, and now this rare opportunity presented itself. Although this wasn't within her jurisdiction, the vampire would be the one to attack first.
According to the relevant rules and regulations, if a vampire initiated an attack, even if it wasn't in her geographical jurisdiction, Su Xiyan would have the right to engage.
All she needed to do now was wait for the opponent to make the first move, then she could justifiably act.
"Xiyan, don't be stubborn!"
"I'm not being stubborn. As a Demon Hunter, it's my mission to eliminate all vampires. If I can't personally fulfill my mission, isn't that too pathetic?"
Su Xiyan retorted, ignoring Chen Shuo's words.
She had been a Demon Hunter for many years, aspiring since childhood to become a legendary Demon Hunter, the pride of her profession.
For this goal, she had made many sacrifices, giving up much of her childhood.
While others were playing, sharing time with friends, or pursuing their hobbies and interests, she had dedicated her childhood to training.
From spells to cultivation, to learning how to deal with various types of vampires. These alone had consumed her joyful childhood years.
As she grew up, aside from her studies, she spent day and night fighting for Su City, striving to become an excellent Demon Hunter.
Perhaps in others' eyes, Su Xiyan's life seemed miserable. But Su Xiyan didn't see it that way. From the moment she made her choice, she firmly committed to everything.
Becoming a legendary Demon Hunter was her life's pursuit. Although Chen Shuo's help could allow her to take many shortcuts in life,
What she hoped for more was to take shortcuts while still being able to do some things herself.
If she couldn't even do this, what was the point of all her years of perseverance?
"Chen Shuo, listen to me this time."
Su Xiyan's eyes flickered as she looked at Chen Shuo, but they were filled with absolute seriousness.
Chen Shuo's lips twitched, he had wanted to say something, but when he saw Su Xiyan's determined expression, the words caught in his throat.
"Alright then, I'll leave this to you. Be careful, and don't overdo it." Chen Shuo was also prepared to step in immediately if Su Xiyan faced any danger.
"Don't worry, I'm not a fool. Don't forget, you were once defeated by me. Am I really that incapable?"
Su Xiyan said with a hint of pride, leaving Chen Shuo awkwardly frozen in place.
Her reminder brought back memories of their embarrassing first encounter to Chen Shuo's mind.
"Ahem, let's not bring up past events." Chen Shuo coughed dryly to cover his embarrassment.
"But it's the truth! Alright, step aside and let me show what I can do." Su Xiyan waved Chen Shuo away while summoning her Demon Hunting Crossbow.
The crossbow, which used to glow with blue flames, had undergone significant changes. The blue luster had transformed into a pale gold, shimmering with formidable power under the light.
Chen Shuo also sensed Su Xiyan's transformation. He hadn't realized that a Demon Hunter's weapon could change along with their strength.
Just from what he could perceive, this Demon Hunting Crossbow was several times more powerful than before.
Earlier, Chen Shuo had worried that this battle would be difficult for Su Xiyan, but now he had a different perspective.
Given the power she was displaying now, Su Xiyan's chances of victory had increased significantly.
"Wait! You've misunderstood. I didn't come here to fight you."
The hip-hop styled man's words caught both Chen Shuo and Su Xiyan off guard.
Not here to fight? A vampire actively seeking out Demon Hunters, if not to cause trouble, could they possibly be here to form an alliance?
It sounded like a joke.
"Stop playing these tricks. They might work on three-year-olds, but not us. Since we've met, show your true strength."
Su Xiyan was no pushover, not one to easily believe whatever others said.
Moreover, given that the other party was a vampire, trusting a vampire would make her a laughingstock among Demon Hunters.
"I won't attack. I know you're not from Rong City, but from Su City, right? And you, you're Su Xiyan, the outstanding representative of the younger generation in Su City!"
Hearing this, Su Xiyan and Chen Shuo were somewhat surprised.
They had just arrived, yet Su Xiyan's identity had already been thoroughly uncovered.
This was somewhat illogical, and during their brief exchange, Chen Shuo could sense that the other party hadn't shown any killing intent.
Not only that, but to demonstrate his sincerity, the vampire had intentionally suppressed the chilling aura typical of his kind, maintaining a friendly expression.
Among vampires, this was a sign of non-hostility.
However, what Chen Shuo couldn't understand was why this vampire had sought them out specifically, instead of approaching others.