Ling Xiao noticed Shangguan Lei’s expression. This person could still be saved. Besides, without a helper, it would be tough for him to deal with both the Plague Demon King and the Demon General at the same time.
As for Wanyan Jun and Chen Zui, those two were utterly useless, less reliable than the ants on the ground.
With this in mind, Ling Xiao communicated with the Ancient Golden Dragon in his Mountain and River World. A majestic, ancient aura instantly merged with his soul force, enveloping Shangguan Lei’s body. In that moment, Shangguan Lei felt a sudden relief, slowly standing up and wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
Freed from that trembling fear, his mind cleared, and he sensed something amiss. Ling Xiao also had his martial soul clone stand up. It was time to fight back. He even had a plan in mind.
“Ignorant humans, daring to stand before His Majesty the Plague Demon King, truly courting death!” The Demon General’s cold killing intent surfaced, marking Ling Xiao and Shangguan Lei for death.
“Gaga gaga!” The Plague Demon King let out another piercing, eerie laugh, grating like horrific noise, making everyone uncomfortable. Wanyan Jun and Chen Zui felt like spitting blood, their vision doubling.
“Wanyan Jun, Chen Zui! Since you wish to serve me, you must prove your loyalty. These two dare defy me, refusing to submit. What do you think should be done?” The Plague Demon King was sowing discord again. Up above, the Demon General had nearly succeeded—if not for Ling Xiao’s intervention, Shangguan Lei might already be dead at their hands.
The Plague Demon King’s voice was hoarse yet commanding, laced with immense pressure, solidifying Wanyan Jun and Chen Zui’s resolve. The pressure on them lessened, and they turned toward Ling Xiao and Shangguan Lei with ferocious killing intent.
“Senior Brother Wanyan! Senior Brother Chen Zui! Don’t listen to that old monster. Have you forgotten what happened above? This guy doesn’t dare act because he lacks the strength. He wants us to kill each other!” Shangguan Lei shouted anxiously.
“It’s no use, Senior Brother Shangguan. Those two are already enthralled. You think they’re just scared? Maybe deep down, they truly believe this demon can offer them more than the Yuehua Sect,” Ling Xiao said, having long seen through Wanyan Jun and Chen Zui’s nature. To put it kindly, they liked clinging to the strong. To put it bluntly, they were spineless opportunists, bullying the weak and fearing the strong.
“Gaga gaga! I seek to revive the True Demon Emperor, so I need many subordinates. If you serve me, I won’t mistreat you. The True Demon Empire’s martial arts are unrivalled. I hold two top-tier Gold Grade martial arts manuals. Kill those two, and they’re yours,” the Plague Demon King said, seeing Wanyan Jun and Chen Zui hesitate, tempting them with top-tier Gold Grade martial arts.
Top-tier Gold Grade martial arts! In the Yuehua Sect, only the top three core disciples could learn such techniques. Now, they were within reach. Wanyan Jun and Chen Zui’s eyes turned red—not from pain, but from greed.
Yet they hesitated to act, wary of Ling Xiao’s methods. “What idiots,” Ling Xiao cursed. “Why does this old demon keep pushing you to kill us? Because he hasn’t regained his strength, likely not even as strong as the Demon General. Kill them, and those manuals are still yours, without the stain of betraying your sect.”
His scolding cleverly exposed the Plague Demon King’s bluff. Sure enough, Wanyan Jun and Chen Zui wavered, their red eyes clearing. Shangguan Lei fully woke up, puzzled—if the Plague Demon King were truly that powerful, he could’ve killed them outright. Why all this trouble?
“Heh heh, such foolish confidence!” the Demon General sneered. “True, His Majesty hasn’t fully recovered, but even now, his strength could easily crush you all. He’s only sparing you because he needs helpers, yet you don’t appreciate it?” His words, logical and convincing, confused Wanyan Jun and Chen Zui again.
“These spineless opportunists are hopeless,” Ling Xiao noted their expressions, realising further debate was pointless. He secretly transmitted to Shangguan Lei, “Take on the Demon General. I’ll help you. Leave the Plague Demon King, Wanyan Jun, and Chen Zui to me.”
“Can you handle it?” Shangguan Lei asked.
“Don’t worry. Wanyan Jun and Chen Zui are already terrified. I have ways to deal with them. The Plague Demon King is trickier. Though not fully recovered, he’s likely slightly stronger than the Demon General, or the General wouldn’t be loyal,” Ling Xiao said, stopping the transmission. Too much talk risked detection.
He deduced the Plague Demon King was slightly stronger because the True Demon Empire revered strength. A weaker superior would be overthrown or killed. “Kill them, or must I act myself?” the Plague Demon King unleashed a chilling aura, shattering Wanyan Jun and Chen Zui’s will to resist.
As Ling Xiao suspected, the Plague Demon King was indeed stronger, having recovered to Mortal Realm Fourth Layer. While stronger than Wanyan Jun, Chen Zui, Shangguan Lei, and Ling Xiao, he lacked overwhelming dominance. Like the Demon General, he hoped to make them kill each other, a tactic he’d used successfully many times.
But today, facing a half-step master and a warrior below Mortal Realm, his plan was seen through. Luckily, Wanyan Jun and Chen Zui were spineless opportunists, or this would’ve been tricky.
“Attack!” Wanyan Jun and Chen Zui exchanged a glance, seeing resolve in each other’s eyes. They’d always survived this way, never failing, so they believed this was the right move. They charged at Ling Xiao and Shangguan Lei.
