What's going on? Ye Lanshan's expression grew increasingly grave as she watched the blood-red snake emerge from the thinning mist, its body completely unscathed.
"Thick fog, snakes pouring out, the mist clears and they arrive, the snake dies and revives—it's a demon, a demon awakened in this misty forest." Chu Tiankuo's voice carried a hint of terror, his eyes filled with despair, his face ashen, his hands hanging limply at his sides, as if he had given up all resistance.
"Why would this demon awaken at this time?" The old man's voice trembled with panic, yet a staff materialized between his hands, signaling his readiness to fight to the death.
"Demon, what demon are you talking about?" Ye Lanshan had never heard of a demon here before, and a flicker of curiosity stirred within her.
"A demon is a creature of the demon race, neither fully human nor fully demon, possessing human intellect and demonic strength, yet despised even by demons themselves. They are usually hunted down without mercy. But since the demon race has been annihilated, it's astonishing that a demon could appear in a lower world. Could there be other surviving demon clansmen?" Wu Jiao, hearing Ye Lanshan's question from within the space, explained to her.
Ye Lanshan nodded slightly, her gaze darkening as she fixed her eyes on the fully healed blood-red snake, still harboring many doubts.
"Let me out. This demon is beyond your current ability to handle." Wu Jiao's tone in the space was equally serious, indicating that the demon was not to be underestimated.
"If I don't try, how will I know I can't handle it? Besides, you're my trump card. It's best not to come out unless absolutely necessary." A dagger appeared in Ye Lanshan's hand, her muscles tensed, and her eyes vigilantly scanned the surroundings, waiting for the demon to emerge.
"Who dares to disturb my rest?" A deep, commanding voice rose from the pond in the forest.
Everyone's gaze instantly snapped to the source of the sound. The mist dissipated bit by bit, revealing the spirit beasts hidden within the woods.
All the spirit beasts had encircled them in layers, clearly under control, and it went without saying who was behind it.
Ye Lanshan's eyes darkened as she looked at the pond, a smirk curling at her lips. She launched a "Flying Fire Meteor" straight toward the pond.
But the technique vanished without a trace before it even reached the water.
Ye Lanshan's heart skipped a beat. Since arriving in this world, she had never faced such a formidable opponent. Should she really call Wu Jiao out? She wrestled with the decision, reluctant to expose him or risk the Heavenly Dao detecting him through battle. Yet, if she didn't, could she truly defeat this demon?
"You mere humans dare to disturb my rest here—utterly reckless." A figure rose from the lake, a human with two horns on its head, purple eyes, and even a purple tail trailing behind.
"Such beautiful eyes." Ye Lanshan was struck by a flash of admiration upon seeing them.
The being, originally radiating deadly intent, paused at her words, and even its murderous aura diminished somewhat.
"You think these eyes are beautiful?" The demon caressed its own eyes, its voice soft and tinged with confusion.
"Yes, as enchanting as violets." Ye Lanshan's admiration was genuine. She had once heard that the most beautiful eyes in the world were purple but never believed it. Now, she truly did—those purple eyes were so dazzling and captivating, as if one could be drawn into them with a single glance.
"Hmph, do you think flattering me like this will make me spare you?" In an instant, a flicker of pain passed through the demon's eyes before it regained clarity, and its killing intent resurfaced.
"Do you really think you can take my life?" Ye Lanshan suddenly produced several talismans and hurled them at him like the wind.
She expected them to stick to him, but just as they were about to make contact, a sudden gale erupted around him, shredding the talismans to pieces.
"Wings of Carnage." Ye Lanshan activated her technique instantly, yet it failed to harm him in the slightest.
The spirit beasts surrounding them stirred restlessly and launched an attack. Ye Lanshan couldn't spare attention for the others below, as she was now locked in combat with the demon.
"Devour." The demon's pupils widened in shock. How could this ancient killing tool be in her hands? But he quickly realized that the Devour was not fully unsealed—it was merely a dagger, slightly stronger than an ordinary one.
"So you recognize this dagger too? It seems you don't belong to this continent. I'm curious how you managed to evade the laws of heaven and earth." Ye Lanshan's voice was ethereal and mysterious, as if she knew many things she shouldn't.
"It seems you know quite a bit. Yes, I'm not from this continent, but so what?" The demon's tone was dismissive, showing no regard for her.
"What if the laws of heaven and earth discover you don't belong here? Would they expel you?" Ye Lanshan smiled, toying with the dagger, appearing fearless.
"So what if they do?" The demon's voice remained arrogant, as if it held no fear of the heavenly laws.
"I'd wager you have a powerful enemy in that continent. Why else would you hide here, sleeping so long without fully recovering from your injuries? Let me guess just how strong that enemy is." Ye Lanshan stood calmly, upright in midair, completely unyielding to his pressure.
"You." The demon's eyes flickered with uncertainty. After a long pause, he finally asked, "What do you want?"
"Let us go. If you release all of us, we won't cause you any trouble, nor will we spread word that you're here. Naturally, the laws of heaven and earth won't find you." Ye Lanshan wore a confident smile, as if certain the demon would agree.
"Fine, I'll spare you this time. But next time, I'll devour every last one of you." The demon's voice seethed with fury, yet it sank back into the water.
At that moment, Ye Lanshan plummeted straight down from the sky, as if her spiritual power had been completely drained.
Ye Yuntian's heart jolted, and he immediately flew to catch her.
"Ye Lanshan, are you alright?"
"Lanshan." Through the haze, she seemed to hear someone calling her.
It took a while for her to recover. When she opened her eyes, she saw Ye Yuntian's pained, anxious gaze and Yun Di's flustered face.
Ye Lanshan struggled free from Ye Yuntian's embrace and gently reassured them, "I'm fine."
"Don't push yourself like that again. If you can't handle it, let me. A mere demon is something I can manage." Ye Yuntian grasped her arm, his eyes brimming with deep affection, his voice uncharacteristically soft.