The comments said I was deeply affectionate, I just added points by using an alternate account.

A short, suppressed groan came from the pocket.

The leopard curled its body into a tight ball of fur, its paws gripping the fabric of its trench coat tightly, even hiding its head, which it usually loved to turn around on its own.

Clearly, even a leopard has been punished.

"We've arrived. Welcome to my world." Baal's voice finally rang out, exuding authority.

Chen Guan stood up straight under the heavy pressure. The movement of just a few seconds had depleted his mana bar, and the power was being rapidly stripped away from every muscle.

He turned to look at Guan Jinyue beside him. Guan Jinyue had landed lightly and silently and was now standing steadily, raising his hand to brush the dust off the hem of his trench coat.

The relentless hot wind tousled her signature long silver hair, a few strands brushing against her cheek. The bizarre sights around her, enough to drive an ordinary person mad, meant nothing to her.

Guan Jinyue's gaze swept quickly across the distorted terrain around him, finally settling on his palm. He frowned slightly: "The spiritual energy is draining too quickly."

Chen Guan chose to take practical action to cope with this harsh environment by covering his skin with an invisible protective film.

I don’t know if it’s because there’s a difference between gray energy and spiritual energy, but although the rate of leakage has slowed down significantly, it’s still like a faucet that’s not turned off properly and is constantly leaking.

Directly activating the demonization of his arm should allow him to fully adapt, but using it would come at the cost of his sanity being deeply eroded.

Chen Guan would never want to touch this dangerous high-voltage line unless he was in a desperate situation.

"Heh heh, you're quite clever, knowing to put up a shell to cover yourself up first. But all those tricks are a waste of effort on my turf."

Baal's tone regained its mocking tone, the domineering aura he had just displayed vanished instantly, and he reverted to his usual irritating manner.

Chen Guan didn't want to waste any more time in this terrible environment, so he simply went straight to the point and asked the local guide a question.

"Where exactly is your seal located?"

Baal answered fluently: "At the very bottom of the Demon Realm, in a dilapidated place that those worthless demons call the City of Ashes."

"The straight-line distance from where we are now isn't far."

Baal's voice echoed in Chen Guan's mind: "But in between, there are a few insignificant little guys who built cities."

"Can we go around that?"

Chen Guan wondered to himself, "Simply barging through sounds like a stupid idea."

"There's no way around it."

Barr's answer was crisp and decisive, extinguishing any lingering hope he had.

"Kid, you need to understand, the Demon Realm isn't a two-dimensional plane."

"It's a vertical world, layer upon layer, like an inverted abyss. We're on the upper level now, and the City of Ashes is at the very bottom."

Baal's explanation allowed Chen Guan to instantly understand the geographical structure of the place.

If they want to go down, they must take a specific path.

"Between each floor, there are fixed passages, usually teleportation arrays, and these teleportation arrays are basically controlled by those demon gods or great demons."

Barr's tone was full of disdain.

"To get from one level to the next, you have to go through their territory and use their teleportation array."

Chen Guan's brow furrowed.

"However, you don't need to worry too much."

Baal's voice, though tinged with laughter, carried an air of self-righteous arrogance.

"Most of the demons here aren't stupid enough to dare to provoke Lord Baal's contractors."

"If you show me your mark, they'll at most collect a token toll or make things difficult for you, but they won't dare do anything to you."

"After all, even if Lord Baal is sealed away, not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can come and trample on him."

He might not remember who gives him face, but who doesn't... Hmph, a tornado will destroy the parking lot!

Chen Guan turned to look at Guan Jinyue and found that the other person was also looking at him.

"Did Baal tell you which way to go?"

Guan Jinyue nodded slightly.

Her gaze swept over the twisted rock pillars in the distance again: "Let's go to the nearest city first, we don't have much time."

She made a decision.

Every minute they stay here, their spiritual energy will be depleted. Finding a place to stay and the teleportation array to the next level as soon as possible is the most sensible choice at the moment.

Chen Guan had no objection.

"Baal, give me directions."

"Hehehe, okay."

Baal's voice was cheerful, filled with anticipation for the show that was about to begin.

A direction clearly appeared in Chen Guan's mind.

He looked in that direction, and the horizon was a chaotic gray-black expanse, where nothing could be seen clearly.

Without further hesitation, Chen Guan took a step forward.

Guan Jinyue silently followed half a step behind him, the two of them walking one after the other into the unknown depths of the wilderness.

Chen Guan walked on the black gravel, the soles of his feet feeling rough and hard. With each step, he could feel the gray energy pouring out of his body.

The rate of leakage is alarmingly fast. The membrane can block some of the leakage, but it still needs to be consumed to maintain its function.

This was a math problem involving water inflow and outflow, and Chen Guan did the math in his head.

At the current rate of loss, he'll lose 20% of his blue bars before even reaching the first city.

This deal is not worthwhile.

He stopped, and Guan Jinyue stopped as well. Chen Guan glanced at him and found that Guan Jinyue's control over his spiritual power was very precise.

She forcibly locked all her spiritual power within her body, a method that requires extremely high personal skill, something Chen Guan knew he couldn't learn.

However, he has his own ways of being lazy.

He reached into the inside pocket of his trench coat and touched the shriveled ball of fur.

The leopard let out a short cry and gripped the edge of the pocket tightly with its four paws, unwilling to come out.

Chen Guan increased the force in his hand, lifting it into the air.

The leopard twisted its body in the air, its tail swishing back and forth in protest.

Chen Guan took out a piece of dried beef from his storage space with his free hand.

The dried meat was hard and gave off an enticing meaty aroma.

The leopard's nose twitched immediately.

It gave up struggling, its golden vertical pupils staring longingly at the jerky.

Chen Guan waved the dried meat in front of it, thinking, "I've raised a leopard for a thousand days, but I'll use it for one."

"I've chosen you. Grow bigger, leopard."

Leopard opened its mouth, bit into the jerky, chewed it haphazardly a few times, and then swallowed it.

Then, it landed on the ground, and its body began to expand incredibly.

Its body, which was originally only the size of a cat, grew taller and longer in just a few seconds.

Its purple fur appeared even darker under the dark red light, and in the blink of an eye, it transformed into a gigantic beast.

It snorted and exhaled a stream of scorching air.

Chen Guan grabbed the soft fur on its neck, flipped over, and mounted it.

He turned to look at Guan Jinyue beside him: "Want to come up?"

Guan Jinyue shook her head and refused; she didn't trust wild monsters.