Mo Fan was currently entangled with three demons, each at the peak of the Demon Soldier level.
Besides the Blade Demon from Black Nether Mountain and the Snake-Headed Demon, a new demon clad in black armour had joined them.
This demon hailed from Black Cloud Mountain. Mo Fan didn’t know its true form, but its defence and strength were astonishingly formidable, especially its defence, which surpassed even that of the bear demon Blind, whom Mo Fan had slain.
Mo Fan suspected the black armour was a treasure comparable to Mountain Armour, as even his golden brick attacks couldn’t pose much threat to it.
It was precisely this demon’s presence that prevented Mo Fan from quickly defeating the trio.
This made Mo Fan frantic with anxiety.
He had long sensed the situation unfolding among the distant demon horde but was unable to assist, held back tightly by the three Demon Soldiers.
It wasn’t until the arrival of Mr. Pig, Sparrow Chirp, and Beetle Demon Old Six that Mo Fan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
With his worries eased, Mo Fan gradually calmed down and began fighting fiercely.
Outside these two battlegrounds, a group of demons gathered, seemingly facing off against another group from Black Cloud Mountain.
This group was sizeable, numbering in the dozens, led by two figures: Big Horn, who had parted ways with Mo Fan earlier, and a robust man with golden hair.
“Diamond, aren’t we going to act?” Big Horn glanced at Mo Fan’s battle, his brows slightly furrowed.
“What’s the rush?” Diamond, the golden-haired man, sneered. “The king tasked us with winning the Three Mountains Trial, not saving every demon from Black Wind Mountain.”
“A mere Demon Soldier? If we lose one, so be it.”
Diamond’s gaze shifted back to the eerie blood-robed youth opposite them, a trace of wariness in his eyes.
As for Mo Fan and those lesser demons, he didn’t care about them at all.
“Diamond, Brother Laibao is no ordinary demon. His strength is on par with ours. I say we act and save him,” Big Horn said gravely, a flicker of concern in his eyes.
Though he and Laibao had some differences, he admired the Demon Soldier and respected his strength. He didn’t want to see him die like this.
“Big Horn, you’ve been cultivating for years and still haven’t made much progress. Don’t compare yourself to me. You know nothing of my power,” Diamond said, his lips curling. “As for that Laibao, he’s got some skills, but the braver he is, the more I like it. Such a fierce demon is perfect for wearing down the Two Demon Mountains’ forces. Wouldn’t it be a waste otherwise?
“So relax. The longer we wait, the better it is for us. As for Laibao and those lesser demons, they’re fighting for Black Wind Mountain, for the king. Even if they die, it’s a worthy death.”
Diamond’s calm words silenced Big Horn.
Before setting out, Second General White Demon had instructed him to obey Diamond in all matters during the trial.
In a sense, Diamond was the trial leader appointed by the Demon King.
Even Big Horn had to follow his orders.
On the other side, the timely arrival of Mr. Pig and the other three demons lifted the spirits of Rabbit Demon Red Eye, who had been in despair.
But facing overwhelming numbers, he knew holding on would only lead to more demon lives lost.
So, enduring the excruciating pain across his body, Red Eye stood and shouted to Mr. Pig and the others, “Don’t waste time. Dali’s almost gone. He’s already had a last surge of strength. Hurry, take him to the master. Let the master save him.”
The three demons were shocked and turned to look at Dali. Sure enough, he was barely breathing, his expression dull, his eyes lifeless, and his face ashen.
But when they looked at Red Eye, they gasped.
He wasn’t much better off than Dali. His entire body was blood-red, covered in wounds, some exposing bone.
The worst were the gash on his head, so deep it nearly revealed his brain, and the slash on his shoulder, which almost cut into his chest.
How Red Eye endured such severe injuries was beyond them.
The sight moved the three demons. Mr. Pig took a deep breath and said urgently, “Old Six, you’re the biggest. Hurry, carry Dali and Red Eye to the master.”
“Chirp, you go too. Escort them.”
Old Six nodded but then asked, “What about you?”
“Someone needs to stay and draw their hatred. Old Pig’s got plenty of meat and tough skin. I can hold out longer than this rabbit,” Mr. Pig said with a grin, holding a shield in one hand and a shovel in the other, exuding a formidable aura.
He stepped forward, standing before the demons, facing the hundred or so charging from Black Nether Mountain.
“But… you’ll die,” Old Six said through gritted teeth, unable to bear leaving Mr. Pig behind.
“Stop whining like a woman. We’re demons,” Mr. Pig roared. “Chirp said it well last time: demons die with their butts to the sky, fearless. Now go.”
With a furious shout, Mr. Pig charged forward, aiming to hold off the Black Nether Mountain demons alone.
“Mr. Pig…” Old Six gritted his teeth, then transformed into a giant beetle and called to the three demons, “Get on.”
Red Eye shook his head, grabbed the immobile Dali, and leaped onto the beetle.
Buzz—
With the sound of flapping wings, Old Six took off, carrying the two demons into the sky, trying to bypass the horde.
“Stay here,” a Demon Soldier from the ground snorted, spitting out a spear and hurling it into the air, commanding, “Where are the flying demons? Bring those Black Wind Mountain scum down.”
“Yes,” came the reply.
Soon, over a dozen figures took to the air.
Clang.
At that moment, a spear struck Golden Armour, sending him flying back. He nearly fell but was saved by his armoured artifact, sustaining no major injuries.
But in that brief delay, the dozen flying demons closed in.
“Hey,” Sparrow Chirp shouted, transforming into a black shadow and darting toward the enemy demons.
“Hold tight,” Old Six roared, pushing his strength to the limit, charging like a heavy machine into the demon horde.
“Kill.”
“Stop them.”
The Black Nether Mountain demons shouted, their battle cries shaking the sky as they attacked.
In a single clash, they blocked Old Six but couldn’t breach his defence.
“Damn it,” Old Six cursed, forced to fly low, dodging attacks in a perilous dance.
“Is this the best your speed can do?” Red Eye asked, frowning anxiously.
“I could go faster, but carrying you both, I can’t push harder,” Old Six replied with a bitter smile, evading attacks.
“I see… Would you be faster without me?” Red Eye asked.
“Of course… Wait, what do you mean?” Old Six said, alarmed.
Red Eye didn’t answer but asked, “Can you break through with just him?”
“Forty percent chance,” Old Six replied.
“Forty percent… I’ll take that bet,” Red Eye said, taking a deep breath. He looked at the half-conscious Dali and gave a wry smile. “Dumb ox, you’ve always protected me. This time, it’s my turn to protect you.”
“You better live.”
“Live with my share of hope.”
Red Eye roared, then leaped off Old Six’s back.
“Grandkids, your Rabbit Grandpa’s here.”
“Come on, let’s bet our lives.”
