As Mo Fan stepped through the doorway, the scene before him instantly changed.
When he regained his focus, he realised he was back in the dilapidated mountain god temple. Turning around, the headless clay statue was still there.
“Move aside, don’t block the way!”
Suddenly, a figure appeared before Mo Fan, speaking with noticeable impatience.
Mo Fan was stunned but was quickly pulled aside by Lu Tantang, making way.
“New here, huh? Next time, don’t bloody stand in the middle of the doorway. You think you’re some seductive beauty?”
The figure grumbled and hurried off.
Mo Fan didn’t respond, merely frowning as he noticed the pair of black horns on the figure’s head, confirming they were a demon like himself.
“Stop staring. That guy’s rushing off like he’s late for his own reincarnation!”
“But we’d better hurry and leave too. If those human cultivators catch us, it’ll be trouble!”
Lu Tantang spoke urgently, then quickly headed back the way they came.
Mo Fan followed, turning to instruct Mr. Pig, “Keep up!”
Then, as if remembering something, he spat out two Swift Travel Talismans and handed them to Mr. Pig. “If something unexpected happens, stick these talismans on your legs, activate them with spiritual energy, and head west. Wait for me once you’re safe!”
“Understood, Master!”
Mr. Pig nodded, nervously clutching the talismans.
The three demons pressed on without stopping, heading deep into the Demon Spirit Mountain Range. After travelling over twenty li, they suddenly halted, spotting something hanging from a large tree ahead.
When Mo Fan saw it clearly, his pupils shrank!
It was a bloody severed head—the head of the horned demon cultivator he’d just seen, now dead.
Lu Tantang’s earlier jest had come true.
“Be careful. It looks like human cultivators have made a move!”
Lu Tantang frowned, and in the next moment, his demonic energy surged, transforming into countless black wisps that drifted into the dense forest ahead.
Soon, the demonic energy returned, and Lu Tantang’s face darkened. He sneered, “As expected, a trap!”
With that, he spat out an object. A flash of light shot out, disappearing into the forest, followed by a series of explosions.
“Let’s go!”
Lu Tantang gave a low shout and hurried forward.
Mo Fan and Mr. Pig followed. Soon, they found shattered beast traps and large nets scattered in the forest.
Not far off, a headless, towering corpse was pinned to a tree by a spear.
From the clothing, Mo Fan recognised it as the horned demon cultivator.
*Whoosh!*
A streak of light returned to Lu Tantang’s sleeve. Mo Fan glanced at it but looked away.
Lu Tantang likely knew this market well, having visited multiple times, so it was no surprise he had some artifacts.
Instead of leaving immediately, Lu Tantang looked up at the surrounding trees and called out loudly, “I am a demon subordinate of Black Wind Mountain. I have no wish to feud with you. Please let us pass, and we’ll keep the peace!”
“Hahaha… a mere demon subordinate, no wonder you’re so arrogant!”
A loud laugh echoed from all directions, followed by a cold sneer, “We could’ve let you go, but you destroyed our carefully set traps. This can’t be overlooked!”
“Then what do you propose?” Lu Tantang’s eyes narrowed.
“Leave the two demons beside you, cut off one of your arms, and hand over all the treasures in your storage bag. Then we’ll let you go. Otherwise, this day next year will be your memorial!”
“So, no peaceful resolution then!”
Lu Tantang snorted, raising his hand. A streak of light shot from his sleeve into his palm.
Only then did Mo Fan see clearly—it was a black needle, unremarkable but exuding a chilling aura.
“This artifact, called Soul-Seizer, is a high-grade artifact I took from a human cultivator—along with his life.
Let me tell you, human cultivators’ heart-blood is truly sweet. It’s been a while since I tasted it. Since you’re so eager to die, you can all stay!”
Lu Tantang sneered, and the Soul-Seizer shot into the distance!
“Beast, you’re courting death!”
The earlier voice roared again, shaking the entire forest.
*Boom!*
The ground exploded, and a figure was forced out.
“You thought you could hide underground and I wouldn’t know?”
Lu Tantang snorted, stomping the ground and lunging forward, throwing a punch at the figure.
“Master, this lord is incredible!”
Mr. Pig watched in awe, having never seen such a formidable demon, unafraid of human cultivators.
Mo Fan didn’t respond, a slight smile curling his lips.
Lu Tantang wasn’t an ordinary demon subordinate but a trusted aide of Shan Feng, one of Black Wind Mountain’s three generals!
And which trusted aide wasn’t a fierce character?
“Remember what I told you earlier?”
Mo Fan looked at Mr. Pig.
“Uh… I remember, Master. You said if something happens, I should stick these talismans on and run west,” Mr. Pig replied earnestly.
“Then what are you waiting for? Run!”
Mo Fan roared the last two words, then turned and threw a punch!
*Boom!*
A loud crash rang out. Mo Fan’s body trembled, and a figure opposite him was knocked back, leaving deep grooves in the ground, retreating several zhang.
“Such strength! Are you a demon subordinate too?”
The figure’s face darkened, his right arm trembling slightly, with faint swelling visible on close inspection.
Mo Fan didn’t answer, watching Mr. Pig disappear into the forest before turning back with a smile, “Not bad yourself, taking my punch!”
“You dare underestimate me?!”
The cultivator’s face grew uglier.
“No, I never underestimate anyone. No matter your cultivation, I’ll go all out. So, don’t die too quickly—I’d like to see what human cultivators are capable of!”
Mo Fan grinned and charged at the cultivator.
“Hmph! Just a demon with some strength, still a beast in the end. Underestimate me, and you’ll die miserably!”
The cultivator snorted, forming hand seals. A flying sword appeared before him.
“Ha!”
With a shout, the foot-long sword glowed gold and shot towards Mo Fan with a piercing sound, as if slicing through space itself, its power astonishing.
“An artifact, huh?”
“Perfect chance to test my Sky-Devouring Technique and see if it can swallow it!”
Mo Fan’s heart stirred, and he activated the Sky-Devouring Technique.
*Whoosh!*
In an instant, the formidable flying sword vanished from the world.
“What?!”
The cultivator’s eyes nearly popped out.
He’d only seen Mo Fan open his mouth, and his flying sword artifact disappeared without a trace—terrifying!
“This demon is horrifying, swallowing even artifacts. I’m no match!”
The cultivator’s heart raced. He turned and fled, no longer daring to fight.
“Sorry, you’re within five zhang of me!”
Mo Fan grinned wickedly, and a scarlet object shot from his mouth, like a snake lunging or a spear thrusting!
Technique: Tongue Arrow!
