Starting from the imperial palace guards, his clones spread all over the world.

Chapter 697 Vampire Armor
Upon hearing this, Liang Jin's heart stirred slightly, as if a pebble had been thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples to spread outwards.

He is currently at a crucial stage in his attempt to break through to the second rank, and he has a great desire for any opportunity to improve his strength.

The "choice" that Feng Wu is presenting at this moment is undoubtedly a very tempting possibility.

Although deep down he still harbored a lingering doubt about whether fusing with the blood essence of a third divine beast was truly safe—after all, the almost curse-like warning from the witch spirit still echoed in his ears.

However, huge gains are often accompanied by corresponding risks, and this risk seems worth taking!
If one can successfully fuse with the legendary Xuanfeng blood essence, the resulting increase in strength will be immediate and revolutionary!
This was undeniably attractive to Liang Jin.

Feng Wu was incredibly intelligent; she immediately and keenly caught the fleeting glimmer of interest in Liang Jin's eyes.

She immediately stood up. Although her colorful clothes were somewhat disheveled, they only accentuated the poignant beauty of her resolute expression.

Almost without thinking, she said in a reckless tone:

“Great and wise teacher, if you… are in urgent need, we can find a quiet room to begin immediately… I, I am ready.”

Her beautiful face was filled with unwavering determination.

Clearly, in order to seek revenge and to gain the opportunity to make a move, she had placed her most precious innocence and dignity in Liang Jin's hands.

Upon hearing this, Liang Jin couldn't help but chuckle, a chuckle carrying an indescribable meaning.

He turned his head, his gaze calmly meeting Feng Wu's, revealing neither lustful greed nor feigned refusal, but only an almost cold honesty:

“Miss Fengwu, I don’t deny it, I do want the Xuanfeng Divine Power within you.”

"This power is invaluable, and its worth is indeed worth my effort."

Upon hearing Liang Jin's admission, Feng Wu's tense heartstrings suddenly relaxed, and a surge of immense joy and hope welled up within her, causing her delicate body to tremble slightly with excitement, and even her voice to choke with emotion.

"Really? You agreed?!"

Judging from her anxious expression, it seemed as if she wished Liang Jin could rush out immediately and kill the Demon Lord of Wuxu.

However, Liang Jin casually waved his hand, signaling her to calm down, his tone remaining composed:
"There's no rush. Sit down and have something to eat."

"It's far too early for me to take action."

The Demon Lord of Wuxu is Liang Jin's potential enemy, not only in the future but also in the present.

After all, the Lightning Strike Fruit is about to ripen, and the Demon Lord of Wuxu might come to snatch it.

Therefore, Liang Jin's attack on the Demon Lord of Wuxu was also in his interest.

especially……

It's possible to kill two birds with one stone!
If the Demon Lord of Wuxu dies, Liang Jin will not only be able to obtain Feng Wu, but will also have the opportunity to recruit Wu Ling into his ranks.

The value of that Demon Kingdom's Grand Tutor is in no way inferior to that of Feng Wu before them, and may even surpass it by a great deal.

However, Liang Jin does not plan to personally intervene for the time being.

He was happy to sit back and watch the tigers fight, letting the powerful Wuxu Demon Lord fight to the death with the unfathomable Yaoshui Queen, resulting in both of them being severely injured.

Perhaps that mysterious Queen possesses extraordinary abilities and can directly kill the Demon Lord of Wuxu, saving him the trouble of even lifting a finger and allowing him to reap the benefits.

Feng Wu was also a decisive woman. Seeing that Liang Jin had made up his mind, she stopped pestering him.

She took a deep breath, suppressing her excitement and trepidation, and was about to speak to express her determination:
"Owner--"

However, before she could finish speaking, Liang Jin abruptly interrupted her by raising his hand.

Liang Jin looked at her, his gaze clear and calm, carrying an unquestionable principle:

"There's no need to rush to change your tune; I don't have the habit of 'receiving the goods' in advance."

"We'll talk about everything after things are settled."

Upon hearing this, Feng Wu swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue, and simply gave a soft "hmm" before obediently sitting down again in the seat opposite Liang Jin.

However, she was clearly unable to calm down. Her hands were on her knees, but her fingers were unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes. Her eyes would sometimes look at the fierce battle outside the window, and sometimes look down blankly, showing that she was restless and uneasy.

I wonder if she felt a pang of regret for her bold and desperate decision, or if she was worried about the final outcome of the deal.

Just as the atmosphere in the restaurant became delicate—

"boom!!!!"

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Several incredibly powerful auras suddenly erupted in the sky above the battlefield!
Like a ferocious beast that has been asleep for thousands of years suddenly awakening, the terrifying pressure made people's hearts tremble even through the doors and windows!

Immediately following was a series of extremely violent energy collisions and explosions!

The sound was no longer the clanging of metal against metal from ordinary soldiers fighting, but a clash of powerful energy containing terrifying true essence. Each collision caused the energy of heaven and earth to become disordered, the air waves to roll, and even the different colored lights in the sky could be seen flashing and disappearing wildly!
The top experts hidden within the Yaoshui Kingdom and the Demon Army camp finally lost patience and officially joined the battle, beginning a decisive showdown that would determine the outcome!
Liang Jin's gaze sharpened as he peered through the window crack at the airspace where the energy burst was most concentrated.

"Oh? That old monk Beikong has actually joined the Yaoshui Kingdom's camp?"

"I wonder what irresistible conditions the Queen of Yaoshui Kingdom offered him?"

The first thing Liang Jin saw was a familiar figure – the old monk Bei Kong from Wanfo Temple.

At this moment, he appeared solemn and dignified, and his palm strikes were powerful and fierce, making him stand out among the experts of Nanzhou.

This decisive battle between the Yaoshui Kingdom and the Demon Kingdom has brought together almost all of the most elite martial artists in the Southern Continent.

To Liang Jin's surprise, the number of third-rank martial artists in Nanzhou was unexpectedly large!
On the Yaoshui Kingdom's side, besides Beikong, there were actually two other third-rank martial artists with powerful auras and ancient moves. Judging from their attire and martial arts style, they should be guardians of the Yaoshui Kingdom or top combatants of affiliated tribes.

On the demonic side, they were equally formidable, boasting three Rank 3 martial artists! Their auras were either chilling and eerie or violent and fierce, and their attacks were ruthless and merciless, resulting in a fierce and evenly matched battle with the experts from Yaoshui Kingdom.

With so many third-rank martial artists gathered together, and such profound knowledge and experience, if they hadn't lived in seclusion in the vast mountains of Nanzhou for generations, isolated from the Central Plains, they would probably have already become famous throughout the world and attracted the attention of major forces.

However, after observing calmly for a while, Liang Jin keenly discovered the common weaknesses of these local third-rank martial artists from Nanzhou.

Their situation is quite similar to that of the witch spirits they had fought before.

That is, although their realm is high, their martial arts are rudimentary and not refined enough. It seems that the development of martial arts in the South is lagging behind that in the Central Plains. It seems that the martial artists here do not have good secret manuals for cultivation.

Furthermore, the warriors of Nanzhou are indeed relatively "poor." They lack divine weapons and armor, and especially lack powerful weapons like Soul Jade.

Recalling the third-rank martial artist Zou Cifeng whom I met in Dongzhou, he always carried a blue soul jade as a trump card to save his life.

The fierce battle between these three third-rank martial artists from Nanzhou, with their energy colliding in a way that shook the heavens and earth, had yet to produce even a single burst of light from their Soul Jade.

This also means that although the martial artists of the Southern Continent have strong cultivation levels and solid foundations, their overall combat ability, especially their explosive power and decisive methods in life-or-death battles, is somewhat lower than that of martial artists of the same level in the Central Plains.

For this reason, Monk Beikong, who came from Wanfo Temple and possessed the authentic Buddhist skills of the Central Plains, performed exceptionally well in this chaotic top-level battle. He was even able to temporarily fight two opponents at once with his exquisite palm techniques and profound Buddhist cultivation, showing signs of overwhelming the enemy and turning the tide of the battle!
Liang Jin only briefly observed the fierce battle between these third-rank martial artists before paying no further attention.

What he was waiting for was the ultimate showdown between the two people at the pinnacle of power and force in the Southern Continent—Queen Yaoshui and Demon Lord Wuxu!
However, for the ordinary wounded people and the restaurant owners, the scene of the third-rank martial artists fighting was as terrifying as a battle between gods and demons, as if the entire world was about to be shaken and overturned by their power.

"It's...it's snowing?"

"No...it's golden snow...red snow..."

Some injured and disoriented civilians huddled in a corner, muttering unconsciously.

Indeed, at this moment, it seemed as if a strange and poignant "fire snow" was falling over Yaoshui City.

Countless burning, red-glowing sparks drifted down from the sky.

That was the raging fire of the giant trees, the violent energy generated by the fierce battle between the masters, like an invisible giant hand, swirling and tearing apart the burning wood, charcoal, and flames themselves, scattering them in all directions, ultimately forming this "golden snow scene" of death and destruction that enveloped the entire city.

Liang Jin's attention, however, bypassed the chaotic rain of fire and the fierce battle, and was firmly fixed on the top of the Thunderwood tree, on the three Thunderstruck Fruits that still shimmered with a purple glow under the firelight.

Fortunately, although the fire was raging in the lower part, it had not yet spread to the highest area where the lightning-struck fruit was located.

In the sky, the thick, dark clouds, which seemed to weigh down the city, grew even darker, and the muffled thunder rumbled more and more frequently, while the frequency of lightning flashes in the clouds increased noticeably.

A restless and powerful energy permeated the world.

Thunderstorms are coming!
………………

outside the city.

In front of the main tent of the demon army camp.

In front of the largest, most luxurious tent, which resembled a moving palace, a massive bronze drum was erected.

This bronze drum is enormous, estimated to weigh over a thousand catties, and its height is astonishing, at least over six zhang!

Such a massive object could not be supported by ordinary wooden frames, and was instead placed firmly on a sturdy base made of huge stones.

A wizard, his face painted with bizarre paint and wearing a robe of colorful bird feathers, is wielding a pair of heavy bronze drumsticks, striking the huge drumhead with all his might and in a wild, rhythmic manner!
"Thump—!! Thump—!!!"

The deep, powerful drumbeats, like the heartbeat of a savage beast, carried a primal wildness and oppressive force, spreading far and wide, even overpowering the sounds of battle on the battlefield to some extent.

Around the giant drum, a group of naked women, wearing only magnificent feather headdresses and snow-white velvet rings on their wrists and ankles, were dancing a mysterious and frenzied witch dance to the beat of the drum.

Their young and vibrant bodies are adorned with intricate and ancient totems painted with special oil paints. Their dance moves are distorted and exaggerated, full of the most primal tension of life, yet carrying an inhuman, eerie feeling that seems to communicate with the underworld.

This is no longer like a human dance; it is more like a sacrificial ritual performed by some mysterious creature from the depths of the wild earth.

Inside that luxurious tent.

The atmosphere was completely different from the frenzied noise outside; an almost frozen silence permeated the air.

Inside the tent, two people sat facing each other.

One was a petite witch spirit, and the other was the demonic Wuxu Demon Lord with double pupils.

At this moment, the two were in an extremely strange state.

Their eyes were deathly white, devoid of any life, and their bodies were twitching slightly and uncontrollably.

On the back of their necks, each of them had a hideous and terrifying Gu worm lying on it!

The worm was about the size of a palm, with a semi-transparent grayish-white body. Its body was soft and limp, and its shape was somewhat similar to a snail magnified many times over. No obvious facial features could be seen.

But what is most terrifying is that dozens of slender, sharp limbs that gleam with a cold, eerie blue light extend from the edges of its soft body!
These sharp limbs are now deeply embedded in the skin and flesh of Wu Ling and Wu Xu Demon Lord's necks, even penetrating the gaps in their bones and precisely piercing their spinal nerve centers!
This is an ancient form of Gu poison – the Memory Worm.

Through these two special symbiotic Gu worms, the caster Wu Ling can directly transmit specific memory fragments from her mind, like images and feelings, into the brain of Wu Xu Demon Lord, allowing him to "personally" experience the scenes that Wu Ling had gone through.

At this moment, the Demon Lord of Wuxu is "watching" and sensing...

He "saw" that atop the gloomy and magnificent palace in the Demon City, the Witch Spirit was fiercely fighting a humanoid monster of indescribable terror!

The monster was covered in black scales, its hands and feet had turned into ferocious claws, and a dragon tail swung behind it. The aura it exuded was violent, ferocious, and full of destructive desire!
Even with her profound understanding of witchcraft and her endless array of unorthodox methods, she was still forced to retreat in a series of defeats and faced constant danger in the face of that terrifying humanoid monster!
Her attacks felt like tickling her opponent, while every claw strike and every impact from her opponent carried a terrifying power that could tear everything apart!
Finally, the memory is frozen on the most humiliating and shocking scene—the witch spirit was even slammed to the ground by the monster's incomparably sharp dragon claws from high in the sky, like swatting a fly!

The enormous impact created a shockingly deep crater in the ground, sending dust billowing into the sky!

Wu Ling's petite and exquisite body was like an insect nailed to amber, writhing and struggling in pain and helplessness under that terrifying dragon claw that seemed capable of grasping mountains... That absolute suppression of power, that despair and fear on the verge of death, was clearly transmitted to the perception of Wu Xu Demon Lord through the Memory Insect.

The sharing of memories came to an abrupt end here.

Inside the tent, Wu Ling and Wu Xu Demon Lord shuddered almost simultaneously, breaking free from their immersive and terrifying memories.

The pale light in their eyes quickly faded, and their original radiance returned.

Almost simultaneously, the two reached out and grabbed the memory insects clinging to the back of their necks with precision and ruthlessness, pulling hard!
"Pfft!"

With a slight cracking sound, the two precious memory insects were instantly crushed, turning into a pool of viscous liquid that dripped from between their fingers.

"Your Majesty, this is my true experience of fighting against that Great Teacher of Wisdom in the Demon Palace... or rather, being unilaterally crushed by him."

Wu Ling's voice, tinged with a barely perceptible hoarseness and lingering fear, respectfully reported to the Demon Lord of Wuxu.

Far from showing fear, the demon lord of Wuxu's four-pupiled eyes blazed with intense interest and a thirst for exploration, as if he had discovered some priceless treasure.
"As expected... he is indeed a person who possesses two different divine powers! Moreover, these two divine powers seem to have formed a strange balance within his body, and even... produced some kind of unknown fusion and sublimation!"

He muttered to himself, his tone filled with the excitement of spotting a prey:
"This child has too many secrets! At such a young age, he has already reached such an unfathomable level. It is truly unheard of and unseen!"

"Especially since his true combat strength has far surpassed the limits of his apparent realm! In my opinion, even among the second-rank martial artists in the world, those who are qualified to fight him are extremely rare!"

As he said this, a determined glint flashed in his double pupils:

"Furthermore, I've also heard that the second half of the legendary 'Yin Fu Long Tui Jing'... seems to have fallen into his hands..."

Wu Ling's heart stirred slightly; this was the first time she had ever heard the Demon Lord of Wuxu praise someone so lavishly.

But deep down, she had to admit that Liang Jin truly deserved such praise.

After all, even she, a witch spirit who had roamed the Southern Continent and encountered countless extraordinary people, had never before encountered a monster like Liang Jin who was completely beyond the comprehension of ordinary reason. "Your Majesty..."

Wu Ling hesitated for a moment, but still voiced her concerns:

"If that Great Teacher chooses to join forces with Queen Yaoshui at the crucial moment, then we..."

Upon hearing this, the Demon Lord of Wuxu seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world, and couldn't help but burst into laughter, his laughter filled with arrogance and confidence that looked down on everything.

When his laughter abruptly ceased, only an intense, almost tangible, contempt and disdain remained on his handsome yet pale face:

"The Great Teacher of Virtue? He is indeed unexpected, a dark horse, an anomaly!"

"but--"

His tone suddenly turned stern, and a chilling light flashed in his double pupils:

"His strength might make you despair, but it's far from worthy of my attention!"

"How could the might of this sovereign be conceived by a mere ant alliance!"

He slowly rose from the softly leather-covered chair.

As he moved, two beautiful maids standing to the side immediately came forward, holding a set of strangely designed armor that shimmered with a dark metallic luster.

What's strange is that the armor worn by the Demon Lord of Wuxu doesn't seem to be an inanimate object!

It's more like a bizarre fusion of some living creature and cold metal!

Or rather, this is not armor in the traditional sense at all, but a special kind of systematic Gu worm!
These worms have a dark, metallic exoskeleton that seems to absorb light; they are incredibly hard and can form the various parts of an "armor": helmet, breastplate, shoulder armor, leg armor...

However, inside, there is soft and resilient active muscle tissue that can greatly cushion the impact.

Most remarkably, the tiny segments extending from the inside of these "insect flesh" can, like living things, steadily embrace and fit into the torso and limbs of the Demon Lord of Wuxu, allowing the entire "insect armor" to fit his body perfectly, like a second skin, without affecting any of his movements.

After the Demon Lord of Wuxu fully donned this bizarre and ferocious "demon armor," he exuded an inhuman and terrifying aura that inspired awe!
Like a giant, steel-clad demonic insect crawling out of an ancient abyss, it exudes power, eeriness, and misfortune!

Wu Ling stood aside, admiring her masterpiece with satisfaction, a hint of pride in her voice:
"This demonic armor is made by using the 'Thousand-Refined Iron Wire Gu' as its core, supplemented by the fusion of seven different metals. It is not only impervious to blades and spears, but also immune to water and fire. Most importantly, it can resonate subtly with your meridians, enhancing your physical strength and explosive power!"

"With the magic armor protecting him, Your Majesty's strength will increase by at least 30%!"

"If, at a critical moment, one is willing to sacrifice the spiritual essence of the demonic armor to ignite the inner poison and unleash its potential, it could even increase the ruler's strength by 50% in a short period of time!"

As the national advisor of the Demon Kingdom, Wu Ling possesses a wide array of bizarre and forbidden techniques that are truly unpredictable and far beyond the imagination of ordinary people.

At this moment, the demonic armor on the Wuxu Demon Lord seemed to sense its master's surging battle intent and killing aura, and began to wriggle slightly, like breathing. In the gaps between the armor plates, a faint dark red light flashed, exuding a bloodthirsty restlessness.

The spirit understood and explained:

"The armor sensed the impending fierce battle; it... was 'hungry' and wanted to drink blood."

With a wave of her hand, the two maids who had just dressed him in armor immediately brought over two large basins of steaming, pungent-smelling fresh cow's blood.

As the ox blood drew closer, the demonic armor on the Wuxu Demon Lord writhed more violently, even emitting a faint "humming" sound, like metal rubbing together, mixed with a sucking anticipation.

However, the Demon Lord of Wuxu didn't even glance at the two basins of ox blood, merely letting out a cold snort, his tone conveying both disdain for inferior blood and a pursuit of ultimate power:
"Bull blood? Such mortal blood! How could it possibly satisfy my demonic armor!"

"If you're going to drink, drink the best—human blood!"

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly stretched out his hands and grabbed the heads of the two blood-carrying maids with lightning speed!
"what--!"

The two maids only had time to let out a short, terrified scream, their eyes filled with extreme fear and disbelief.

The next moment, a sudden change occurred!

Suddenly, two thin, sharp, scarlet straws, like the mouthparts of a mosquito, shot out from the joints of the writhing demonic armor on the Wuxu Demon Lord's body!

The two straws moved so fast they were almost invisible to the naked eye, piercing the hearts of the two maids with unparalleled precision!

“Gurgle…Gurgle…”

A chilling, clear sound of liquid being sucked out echoed in the silent tent!
The two maids' voluptuous bodies withered away rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye!
Their fair skin turned ashen, and the light in their eyes completely dimmed and disappeared.

In just a few breaths, all the blood in their bodies was greedily sucked out by this strange "magical armor" through its two mouthparts!

When the Demon Lord of Wuxu coldly released his grip, the two maids had already turned into two pale, withered corpses, slumped softly to the ground, and lost all vitality.

The demonic armor, now soaked in fresh human blood, had an eerie and bewitching crimson sheen on its originally dark exterior, as if blood were flowing beneath the armor plates.

The aura emanating from the entire armor became even more violent and ferocious, like a bloodthirsty beast that had just had a full meal!

The Demon Lord of Wuxu slightly moved his neck, feeling the surging power and bloodthirsty desire emanating from the demonic armor. His eyes revealed an intense arrogance and confidence that almost materialized:

"Queen Yaoshui? Great Teacher of Virtue?"

"Two worthless chickens and dogs! I can wipe them out with a flick of my hand!"

"Today, the Yao River will surely perish! The divine tree will surely fall!"

"Those three rare treasures of heaven and earth—the Lightning Strike Fruit—are also destined to fall into my hands, becoming stepping stones on my path to the highest realm!"

His imposing presence and booming voice, like the clanging of metal, carried an air of domineering arrogance and unwavering resolve, as if he were the only one worthy of the throne.

Looking at Wuxu Demon Lord in this state, who resembled a demon god descending to earth, Wuling's eyes were filled with trust.

This is the ruler she chose to follow at all costs!
This is the chosen one who can lead her to revenge and even to a brighter future!

Many unruly experts in the Southern Continent, but those who truly came into contact with the Demon Lord of Wuxu and witnessed his inhuman power and terrifying potential, were all eventually subdued by him and willingly served him.

Because this man himself is a living miracle!
Or rather... it's a miracle that walks among humans!

It was precisely because of this trust that Wu Ling remained unmoved despite Liang Jin's great strength and his repeated attempts to recruit him.

Because deep down she firmly believed that although Liang Jin was strong, the Demon Lord of Wuxu was even stronger!
With her assistance, it's not impossible for the Demon Lord of Wuxu to not only unify the Southern Continent, but also march north, conquer the Central Plains, and unify the world!
Immediately, Wu Ling suppressed the myriad thoughts in her mind, respectfully knelt on the ground, and pleaded in an extremely earnest tone:
"Your Majesty's divine might is beyond my wildest belief!"

"However... that great teacher Liang Jin did indeed have the opportunity to take my life in that demon palace that day, but he ultimately... spared my life. This is a fact."

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that if you are able to win today, could you... spare the life of that great and virtuous teacher?"

"Let your subordinates feel at peace with this debt, so that they will not develop inner demons in the future, which would affect their cultivation and prevent them from better assisting the sovereign."

The witch spirit crawled through darkness and conspiracy throughout her life, her heart was as hard as stone, and she had almost no extra feelings for anyone except for the thought of revenge.

But Liang Jin was indeed a person who surprised her and made her feel very complicated.

Since Liang Jin had helped her before, she didn't mind doing what she could to help him get a chance to live, so that she could have a clear conscience and a clear conscience.

however--

"presumptuous!"

Upon hearing this, the Demon Lord of Wuxu's face darkened abruptly, and a flash of anger at being offended appeared in his eyes!
He suddenly waved his hand, and a vast, cold, and terrifying power, almost tangible, instantly condensed into an invisible giant hand that slapped hard across Wu Ling's face with a shrill sound that tore through the air!
"Snapped--!!!"

A crisp, extremely loud slap echoed inside the tent!

Before Wu Ling could react, she was thrown off the ground by the force and flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily onto the carpeted floor!

The beast-patterned mask that concealed her face shattered instantly upon impact, scattering fragments and revealing her pale, beautiful cheek, which was now rapidly swollen and bore a clear handprint.

The voice of the Demon Lord of Wuxu was icy cold, filled with undisguised contempt and rebuke:

"In the land under my rule, there are only two kinds of people—those who submit, and the dead!"

"The only one who isn't forgiven!"

He slowly turned his head, his eerie four eyes fixed on the witch spirit curled up on the ground, his gaze as vicious as if he were staring at a disobedient ant:
"Who do you think you are? You're nothing but a lowly slave who submits to me, begging for power to take revenge! What right do you have to dare make choices for me?!"

In the Demon Kingdom, only three identities are openly permitted: soldiers, craftsmen, and slaves.

However, these three identities are only relative.

For the supreme and all-powerful Demon Lord Wuxu, who regards all things as straw dogs, he is the ruler of the Demon Kingdom who is above all else. Under him, everyone, regardless of their status, has only one identity—that is, a slave who can be killed or taken away at will!
"Your subordinate...this servant...I know I was wrong. This servant...I understand."

Despite the burning pain on her face and the churning blood in her chest, Wu Ling struggled to get up from the ground, knelt down again, lowered her head deeply, and answered in a trembling but submissive voice.

All the pleas and struggles were shattered by that resounding slap, leaving only cold humiliation and the cruelty of reality.

The Demon Lord of Wuxu snorted coldly and no longer glanced at the witch spirit on the ground.

He abruptly flung aside the cloak-like active tissue extending from his demonic armor and strode out of the tent.

Outside the tent, a magnificent giant night owl had been waiting for a long time.

Although there are many giant night owls in the owl army, this one is the only one whose size far exceeds that of its peers, resembling a small mobile fortress!

Its feathers were jet black and glossy, without a single blemish, gleaming with a metallic sheen in the dim light. Its sharp owl eyes flashed with a cold, ruthless light, and its every glance carried the imposing and arrogant aura of a king among owls.

No other night owl or soldier dared to approach within ten feet of it, otherwise they would be mercilessly torn to shreds by its terrifying claws that could tear metal apart!
However, when the Demon Lord of Wuxu, exuding overwhelming demonic power, stepped out of the tent, this proud Night Owl King finally restrained its arrogance, obediently lowered its proud head, folded its broad wings, and made a low "cooing" sound to indicate submission.

With a swift movement, the Demon Lord of Wuxu leaped lightly onto the specially made saddle inlaid with gems and bones on the back of the Night Owl, and grabbed the reins made of tanned cow sinew.

He raised his head, his double-pupiled demonic eyes staring directly at the thick, churning, lightning-streaked clouds above Yaoshui City.

The destructive energy contained within has accumulated to its peak, and a violent thunderstorm is about to descend upon Yaoshui City!

"The Lightning Strike Fruit... is about to ripen. Is this Queen Yaoshui's last glimmer of hope?"

A cruel and cold smile curled at the corner of Wuxu Demon Lord's mouth.

"Just when she thought she could grasp at this last straw and turn the tide... I personally took action and utterly crushed her, along with all her hopes!"

"Let her witness the collapse of the sacred tree and the end of her kingdom in endless despair!"

His terrifying killing intent, so concentrated it was almost tangible, erupted out with a thunderous roar. The Night Owl King beneath him seemed to sense its master's overwhelming fighting spirit and destructive desire, and suddenly raised its head, letting out a sharp cry that pierced the clouds and split rocks, filled with violence and excitement!

"唳——!!!"

The Demon Lord of Wuxu slowly swept his gaze across the surging demon army below, which resembled a black tide. Then, he took a deep breath, his voice booming like thunder, echoing across the entire battlefield:
"All troops—attack!!!"

The mournful cries of night owls and the increasingly urgent and violent beating of bronze drums conveyed the Demon Lord's final, unquestionable command!
"Waaaaah—waaaaaah!!!"

"Thump! Thump! Thump! Bang bang bang!!!"

All the demonic forces, whether they were the vanguard attacking the city or the rear guard as reserves, were now like completely frenzied beasts, letting out deafening roars. Like a black flood bursting its banks, they launched their final and fiercest siege against the crumbling Yaoshui City!
Meanwhile, the Demon Lord of Wuxu suddenly jerked the reins in his hand!
"Oh!"

The Night Owl King's enormous wings suddenly spread out, whipping up a whirlwind of flying sand and stones, carrying its demon-like master, transforming into a black lightning bolt, soaring straight into the thunderous, fiery sky!

At the edge of the sky, where dark clouds hang low!
A pale bolt of lightning tore through the night sky!

Like a spear of judgment hurled down by the creator god!
In an instant, the entire battlefield of Shura was illuminated!

A torrent of thunder is rolling in!

Inside the tent.

Only Wu Ling remained, still kneeling and motionless.

Only after the aura of the Demon Lord of Wuxu had completely dissipated and disappeared into the distant horizon did she slowly, extremely slowly, raise her head.

The submissiveness and humility that had been present on her half-swollen face were gone.

Instead, deep within his eyes lay a sinister ruthlessness as unmeltable as ten thousand years of ice, and a bone-deep humiliation and resentment as venomous as a viper!

She too had crawled out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, amidst countless conspiracies and intrigues. Her hands were stained with no less blood than anyone else's, and her tenacity and ruthlessness far surpassed that of ordinary people. How could she... how could she be treated like a pig or a dog, casually beaten, scolded, and wantonly humiliated?!

"The Demon Lord of Wuxu..."

She practically spat out the name—once a symbol of hope and strength, but now filled with hatred—from between her teeth.

"I... I'll put up with you one last time!"

"After I use your power to kill Queen Yaoshui and avenge myself..."

Her clenched fists, her knuckles white from the excessive force, trembled slightly.

"We have nothing to do with each other anymore!"

(End of this chapter)