Chapter Eleven: The Great Demon

After his physical strength recovered, Xu Cheng's complexion looked much rosier. At this moment, Cheng Yue, Cheng Kun, and Cheng Jin seemed to have finished their discussion.

“So, how is it? Have you three reached an agreement?” Liao Yi spoke languidly, half-reclining on a stone.

“Yes, we also need to investigate the strength of that serpent demon, so joining forces with you isn’t out of the question,” Cheng Yue replied, her face veiled, making her expression unreadable, though her voice carried a trace of icy coldness—she was, after all, a sword cultivator.

“Then it’s settled!” Liao Yi sprang up in an instant, straightening his body.

Xu Cheng wanted to stop them, but there was nothing he could do now. Having obtained his opportunity, it was best to return early, but Liao Yi was always restless, eager to wander through the mundane world and see more of this vast universe.

The five rested for a day, replenishing their energy, then set out toward the village where the serpent demon resided.

The village was only about twenty li from the mountain stronghold, and with the five’s pace, it took them a morning to arrive. Yet the nearer they drew, the darker the sky became, and small snakes slithered constantly through the surrounding woods.

“Senior brother, do you feel a chill?” The oppressive cold in the air made Xu Cheng deeply uncomfortable.

“Not at all!” Liao Yi replied, his hair flickering with sparks.

Xu Cheng thought, that was a wasted question—this fellow practiced fire spells, how could he fear the cold?

“Brother Liao Yi, judging by the surroundings, the demon’s strength is likely far from simple. Perhaps we should retreat,” Cheng Kun wavered; it would take more than an ordinary rune-stage master to summon such a scene.

“Then… perhaps we should withdraw,” Liao Yi was no fool; to so easily influence the environment, the demon must be at the Unity Realm, and a master at that.

As they hesitated, a rustling sound arose nearby.

“The demon’s spotted us! Run!” Cheng Yue shouted urgently, her figure already retreating at lightning speed. Xu Cheng glanced around; the woods were now swarming with countless snakes—some small but brightly colored, doubtless highly venomous.

With danger imminent, Liao Yi unleashed a sheet of flames, hoping to stall the demon for a moment. He then grabbed the still-stunned Xu Cheng and fled toward the edge of the woods.

But as the five retreated, a graceful silhouette suddenly appeared—a beautiful woman draped in sheer gauze. Yet none of them had the leisure to appreciate her beauty.

The woman parted her crimson lips: “What’s this? You’ve come to my domain, and won’t even rest awhile? Are you in such a hurry to depart?”

Her voice carried a seductive power, causing Cheng Kun, who had been focused on battle, to lose himself in an instant.

In that brief moment, the beauty’s upper body transformed into a giant python, swallowing Cheng Kun whole before he could react.

“Careful!”

Xu Cheng managed only those words, but Cheng Kun was already gone, devoured by the serpent demon.

The demon reverted to her maiden’s form, licked her lips, and said slowly, “He tasted quite good, hahahaha!”

“Southern Blaze of True Fire!”

“Sword Sweeps Across the Nine Provinces!”

“Divine Elephant Suppresses the Prison!”

“Heavenly Eye Radiance!”

...

The remaining four hurried to unleash their signature techniques.

“Such little tricks? How dare you show them to me!” The demon swept her sleeve, and sword-light, fire, elephant, and divine radiance vanished.

“So this is the strength of the Unity Realm?” Xu Cheng couldn’t help but wonder.

“I was just hungry, and you all delivered yourselves—Heaven surely favors me! Hahahahaha!”

The demon laughed wildly, her maiden body sprouting snake scales and in the blink of an eye transforming into a giant python tens of meters long.

“Go!” Cheng Yue had no will left to resist; the four alone were no match for the demon.

But would running help at this point? Xu Cheng thought bitterly, then aimed his palm at the serpent demon, activating the Underworld Wind Mouth Technique. He shouted to the three behind him, “Run! I’ll hold her off!”

“Junior brother!” Liao Yi hadn’t expected Xu Cheng to stand against the serpent demon.

“Go! Do you want your junior to die in vain?” Cheng Yue dragged Liao Yi away, unleashing her full power out of the woods.

“Such a tiny bug, yet you know this technique!” The demon spoke disdainfully. Yet even a Unity Realm serpent demon had to fear the Underworld Wind Mouth Technique, so she was held in place, giving Liao Yi, Cheng Yue, and Cheng Jin a chance to escape.

The technique consumed Xu Cheng immensely. Within half a stick of incense, his true energy was completely depleted, but he had achieved his goal—to stall the demon and give his companions time to seek help. As for his own fate, he did not know.

Now, Xu Cheng collapsed from exhaustion.

The serpent demon rapidly shrank back into maiden form, her expression icy. She spoke coldly, “You’re quite selfless, but your friends won’t look back for you.”

Seeing her demeanor, Xu Cheng said nothing, closed his eyes, and prepared for death.

“Not speaking? Then you won’t need your legs anymore.”

The serpent demon produced a blade and promptly severed Xu Cheng’s legs at the roots.

“Ah!” Xu Cheng cried out in agony, sweat pouring down like rain.

“My, still stubborn! You won’t need your arms either!” The demon’s blade flashed silver, and Xu Cheng’s arms were severed. After such torment, he fainted.

“Little thing, I thought you’d be more resilient.” Seeing Xu Cheng lose consciousness, the serpent demon spoke angrily. “Still, I’ll keep you alive; my plan isn’t finished. If those three bring reinforcements, I’ll use you as a shield!”

The serpent demon dragged the mutilated Xu Cheng, picking up his severed limbs, and returned to her lair.

When Xu Cheng awoke, he found himself in a damp, dark cave. His shoulder blades were pierced by massive iron hooks, causing him unbearable pain—the demon had truly been ruthless. The wounds on his arms and legs had stopped bleeding; apparently, she didn’t intend for him to die.

His life was spared, but only barely. Who knew if the serpent demon would torture him further before finally devouring him?

“Handsome boy, want something to eat?” The serpent demon approached with a bowl of soup.

The aroma was enticing, but Xu Cheng dared not drink it; who knew what tricks she’d played?

The demon blew gently on the soup, letting its fragrance waft into Xu Cheng’s nose, stirring his appetite.

Yet the pain from his pierced shoulder blades kept him alert.

“Really won’t eat? It’s delicious!” To prove it was safe, the demon took a large gulp, wiping her mouth afterward.

But Xu Cheng noticed several fingers floating in the soup—on closer inspection, they were his own.

The demon was truly cruel, trying to make him eat his own flesh!

Xu Cheng simply closed his eyes and feigned death.

“Oh dear, you noticed! Your fingers are quite chewy!” The demon popped a finger in her mouth, crunching it audibly.

Xu Cheng pondered desperately for a way out, runes flashing through his mind.

“Technique of Rebirth from Broken Limbs! Requires five thousand six hundred talisman runes!”

He had only studied the Underworld Wind Mouth Technique’s runes, but now the rebirth technique’s runes were etched deeply into his mind. Enduring the pain, he began to commune with heaven and earth, gathering talismans.

Seeing no reaction from Xu Cheng, the serpent demon lost interest in tormenting him further and turned away to her own affairs.