Surviving in a world of demons and monsters to achieve martial arts sainthood

"Grandma, we are night patrolmen from the Demon Suppression Division. West Street has been quite unsafe lately. You live alone in such a remote place, so please be careful," Li Hu said.

The old woman smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, sir. I've lived here for decades and know this place very well."

A gust of cold wind swept up, making the courtyard gate creak.

Shen Lian subconsciously gripped the knife hilt, staring at the wooden bucket in the old woman's hand. The dark red liquid was too viscous, unlike chicken blood, but rather... human blood.

[Combat Strength]: 14~22

He secretly checked the old woman's combat power data, and when he saw that the old woman's combat power data was '14~22', alarm bells went off in his mind.

Even when he broke through to the Body Tempering Realm, he never had such high combat power data.

Clearly, the old woman in front of them was no ordinary person.

Shen Lian nodded to the old woman and said, "In that case, we won't disturb you any longer. It's late, please get some rest."

"Alright, gentlemen, take care."

The old woman glanced at Shen Lian, then picked up her wooden bucket, turned around, and retreated back into the courtyard, closing the door behind her.

After the courtyard gate closed, Chen Yun lowered her voice and said, "Something's not right. The smell of blood is too strong, and... her steps are too steady, unlike an ordinary old woman."

Li Hu subconsciously looked at Shen Lian: "Brother Lian, then we..."

Shen Lian raised his hand to stop him, staring intently at the tightly closed courtyard gate: "Leave here first."

The three immediately turned around, their figures flashing, and quickly left the area of ​​the abandoned house.

Only after turning two street corners and confirming that no one was following them did the three stop and relax a little.

Li Hu, panting, asked, "Brother Lian, what did you find?"

Shen Lian said in a deep voice, "That old woman's blood and energy were very vigorous, and her steps were steady. I just saw that there was a layer of fine gray-black down on the back of her right hand that was carrying the wooden bucket. Moreover, the blood in the wooden bucket smelled pungent and was definitely not poultry blood."

Chen Yun's face turned pale: "Could it be... a demon in human form?"

"We can't rule out that possibility," Shen Lian nodded. "Mr. Zhou said that some demons can transform into human form in a short time, but they will retain their original characteristics. We are no match for her. The most urgent task is to warn Chen Xiaoqi and gather more people."

He had already discerned the old woman's combat strength data and knew that she was no ordinary being; with their current strength, they would find it difficult to contend with her.

Li Hu quickly said, "Then let's send the signal quickly!"

The Demon Suppression Division's night patrols are each equipped with a specially made whistle, which, once blown, can carry for hundreds of meters.

Shen Lian shook his head and said, "That's not a good idea! This place is very close to that old house. If we sound the whistle, it will indeed alert Chen Xiaoqi and the others, but it will also alert them."

If that old woman were a demon, seeing that her whereabouts had been exposed, she would either flee immediately, or... in desperation, she might harm innocent people.

"What should we do?" Chen Yun asked.

Shen Lian looked at her and said, "Chen Yun, go find Chen Xiaoqi now and report that a suspicious old woman has been found in the old house, and that a suspected demon has appeared. Request backup."

Tiger and I will keep watch on the old house from a distance. If the old woman makes any unusual moves, we will signal her immediately and try to delay her.

Chen Yun nodded slightly, knowing that this was the safest option, and did not refuse.

"Be careful!"

After saying that, Chen Yun sprang into action and dashed away at an extremely fast speed.

After Chen Yun left, Shen Lian and Li Hu quietly returned and hid under a low wall about twenty feet away from the old house.

From this angle, you can see the gate of the old house.

The moon was obscured by dark clouds, and the area around the old house was eerily quiet, with only the occasional bark of a dog in the distance.

Time passed little by little.

Li Hu's palms were sweating nervously as he whispered, "Brother Lian, it seems like there's no movement. Could that old woman have run away?"

Shen Lian held his breath and focused on the subtle changes around him. He shook his head: "It's still here, and there's still the smell of blood coming from inside, and... listen."

Li Hu pricked up his ears and listened carefully.

At first he only heard the sound of the wind, but gradually he heard a series of intermittent chewing sounds coming from deep within the courtyard.

The sound sent chills down Li Hu's spine: "What...what is she doing in there? Could it be...she's eating someone?"

Shen Lian said softly, "Whatever she's doing, we'll talk about it when Chen Xiaoqi and the others arrive. Our task now is to keep watch here and make sure she doesn't realize we're here, lest she escape and harm people."

The chewing sounds inside the old house stopped for a moment, followed by a dragging sound, as if something was being moved, and a strong smell of blood wafted out.

Li Hu couldn't help but gag, but quickly forced it down.

He looked at Shen Lian, but saw that the other man remained calm. He couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Brother Lian, aren't you... afraid?"

"I am afraid," Shen Lian answered decisively. "But being afraid is useless. When facing demons, one must never be afraid. If one's mind is disturbed, it will be difficult to unleash one's full strength."

As demon-suppressing envoys, it is our duty to stand in front and protect them.

However, we do not yet know what kind of demon the old woman is; her true form and weaknesses are unknown.

Therefore, we must not act rashly; we should wait here for reinforcements.

Li Hu nodded, took a few deep breaths, and focused his attention.

squeak-

Just as the two were holding their breath, the gate of the old house suddenly opened.

Shen Lian's pupils contracted, his right hand gripped the hilt of the knife tightly, and all the muscles in his body tensed up.

Li Hu subconsciously held his breath and became much more cautious.

The old woman came out empty-handed, but her faded coarse cloth clothes were now stained with blood.

She stood at the doorway and suddenly turned her head.

Their gazes were fixed on the low wall where Shen Lian and Li Hu were hiding.

"Gentlemen, why haven't you left yet?" the old woman's chilling voice rang out, a sinister smile playing on her lips. "Are you... waiting for me?"

It was discovered!

Shen Lian felt a chill run down his spine, knowing he could no longer hide it.

The old woman's posture immediately changed; her hunched back straightened instantly, her joints cracked, and something wriggled under her skin.

The wrinkled face quickly collapsed and deformed, the corners of the mouth splitting open to reveal sharp, interlocking teeth.

In just a few breaths, a terrifying, half-human, half-beast monster appeared not far away, emanating a strong stench.

[Combat Strength]: 20~35

That monster's combat power stats skyrocketed!

Shen Lian felt a chill run down his spine. This combat power was something that the two of them could not possibly contend with head-on.

"Tiger, back off!"

"Send the signal!"

Shen Lian shouted sharply, simultaneously stomping his feet on the ground, unleashing the full power of his Body Tempering Realm cultivation, and charged towards the demonic creature with his sword, buying time for Li Hu.

Li Hu was so frightened that his face turned ashen. Upon hearing Shen Lian's shout, he immediately blew his whistle, the sound echoing through the silent night.

The monster locked its cold gaze on Li Hu, let out a shriek, and pounced on him with astonishing speed!

"Your opponent is me!"

Shen Lian's blood and qi surged, and he slashed down with his long sword from top to bottom, unleashing the full power of the "Mountain Splitting Strike" as he struck the demon.

A full-force attack from a Body Tempering Realm martial artist, enhanced by the beginner-level "Demon Subduing Blade Technique," is a force to be reckoned with.

The monster seemed to sense the threat of the strike, its attack halted, and its sharp claws slashed at Shen Lian's longsword.

clang!

A loud crash resounded.

Shen Lian felt a tremendous force coming from the blade, his tiger's mouth trembled violently, the long sword almost flew out of his hand, and he was shaken backward, his entire arm going numb.

The monster let out a low roar, and its gaze toward Shen Lian became even more ferocious.