Taking the Path of Hell

A whirlpool began to form at the bottom of the river. Out of sheer curiosity, Han Feng and Jian Hong stood at the edge of the cliff, watching the phenomenon unfold. At that exact moment, black smoke emerged from the water, gradually shaping itself into a new entity.

Yes, it was the skull-headed demon, now hovering in midair. The shattered stones from before floated up, slowly assembling and wrapping around the demon, reconstructing its entire body. Jian Hong even ducked when one of the stones nearly struck his head. "How are you alive again? I already ended you!"

"Hahaha! Did you really think you could kill me so easily? Foolish human. I admit you're cunning, but your wit isn't enough to outsmart a demon like me."

Moments later, a fierce wind began to howl as the demon attempted to merge its soul with something—or someone. Han Feng, unprepared for the force, lost his balance and plummeted from the cliff. "Ahh!" Fortunately, he managed to grab onto the edge, leaving him dangling precariously.

Shielding his face from the violent gusts, Jian Hong finally spotted Han Feng clinging for dear life. "Senior Han!" he shouted, rushing to grab his hand. "Hold onto me tightly!"

The cacophony around them heightened the tension, and the dark clouds swirling above added an ominous backdrop, lightning flashing sporadically. Han Feng, pale with fear, struggled to maintain his grip. "Jian Hong, do something! I can't hold on much longer!"

"Senior Han, try using your power!"

"I can't! My energy is suppressed—I can't use my inner strength!"

Gritting his teeth, Jian Hong glanced up at the demon, who continued reconstructing its protective form. Seeing this enraged him further. Tightening his jaw, he grabbed Han Feng with both hands. "I'll pull you up! No matter what happens, don't let go!"

Han Feng's larger frame made it a herculean effort for Jian Hong, whose feet dug into the ground as he strained with all his might. Meanwhile, Han Feng, glancing down at the chasm below, swallowed hard. Loose rocks tumbled into the abyss, and the cliff's edge began to crumble. "Jian Hong, hurry! The cliff is collapsing!"

"I'm trying!" Jian Hong gasped, sweat pouring down his reddened face. The winds intensified, pulling Han Feng's body in the opposite direction. "This wind is too strong. If this continues, it won't just take Senior Han—it'll take me too."

As he fought to pull Han Feng up, Jian Hong's mind raced for a solution. But before he could think of anything, a sudden force struck Han Feng's body, breaking his grip on Jian Hong.

"AAAA!!!"

Jian Hong could only watch in horror as his senior fell. Ignoring the pain as his own body was thrown backward, Jian Hong crawled to the edge, his heart shattered. "SENIOR HAN!"

His gaze was blank, tears welling in his eyes. His disheveled hair and tattered clothes reflected his despair. "NO!"

Jian Hong's scream echoed throughout the forest, sending animals fleeing. His bruised fists pounded the ground in anguish, his shoulders trembling violently. "Senior Han was the crown prince. If they punish me for this failure, so be it. But even my life couldn't replace his. If he's gone, I fear no one can take his place in all of Sheng Shi."

As despair consumed him, Jian Hong suddenly felt his body lift off the ground. When he turned, he was confronted by a creature with a centipede-like body, a bull's head, and skulls dangling from its neck as grotesque ornaments. Its blood-red body oozed a foul liquid that stung Jian Hong's nose. "What is this? I've never seen a demon like this before," he muttered internally.

"You've never seen me before because this is the culmination of my cultivation over millennia—the technique of soul fusion."

Jian Hong's eyes widened. "You can read my thoughts?"

"I can even predict your moves!" the demon bellowed. One of its elongated legs lashed out, wrapping around Jian Hong's neck with a crushing grip. "You dared to destroy Kulou Emo by shattering the lava stones he claimed from Mount Xueyue. Now, you must pay for my brother's death."

Struggling to breathe, Jian Hong clawed at the leg constricting his throat. "H-How did... you find out... about my plan?"

"Didn't I tell you? I can read your mind," the demon said, its voice a thunderous echo. "Before I kill you, do you have any last words?"

"You... won't... kill me!" Jian Hong gasped, his determination unyielding even as his breath faltered.

The demon laughed, its voice booming. "Because you're no coward, I'll grant you a quicker death."

Just as one of its legs ignited with flames, aiming for a killing blow, Jian Hong shouted, "Wait!" The demon paused, intrigued. "I admit you're strong, but wouldn't it be shameful to kill someone who can't fight back? Look at me—I can't even cultivate because of my damaged meridians. Won't it tarnish your reputation if word spreads that a mighty demon killed an injured boy?"

"You're trying to trick me? Never forget—a demon is always two steps ahead of a human."

Jian Hong gripped the demon's leg tighter, still struggling for air. "I propose a wager. If you defeat me, you can do whatever you want with me. But if I win, you must leave Tian Ba Sect forever and never bother us again."

"You dare insult me? Even a hundred humans of your level wouldn't stand a chance against me, let alone a cripple like you!"

The demon's fiery leg struck, but Jian Hong shut his eyes tightly, bracing for impact. Yet nothing happened. After a few moments, he cautiously opened his eyes to find the demon frozen in place. "What's happening? Why can't I move?"

"Ah, it's reacting now," Jian Hong said calmly. He released the demon's leg and landed lightly on the ground. Dusting off his hands, he explained, "That's a Soul-Binding Needle I slipped into your bloodstream. It activates when you try to use inner energy. Luckily, you didn't notice while I kept you talking. The effect is temporary, but it's enough for me to escape."

"You dare trick me? Release me at once!"

"No." Jian Hong turned to leave, but Wu Hao and several sect members arrived, their faces filled with worry. Wu Hao rushed to Jian Hong, who was disheveled and bloodied. "Jian Hong, what happened? Did your plan work?"

Seeing the towering demon immobilized, Wu Hao stepped forward, shielding Jian Hong. "Did this demon hurt you? I won't let it go this time."

Before Wu Hao could attack, Jian Hong grabbed his arm. "Elder, we don't have time. The Soul-Binding Needle won't hold it for long. We must leave now."

"Leave? Have you forgotten it destroyed Tian Ba Sect and injured our members?" Wu Hao took two steps closer, glaring at the demon. "If I don't defeat it today, don't ever call me Elder again!"

"Elder!" Jian Hong shouted, but it was too late. Wu Hao leaped toward the demon, his expression blazing with fury.

When he was face to face with the demon, Wu Hao's expression was filled with rage. "Today, I will teach your demon clan a lesson. I will prove that humans are never weak!"

Wu Hao moved his hands in intricate formations, summoning a complex elemental array. As he closed his eyes, the Divine Golden Tower appeared behind him. Towering and radiating a blinding light that illuminated the entire forest and even pierced through the river below, its presence was overwhelming. "This time, I don't just want to kill you; I want to obliterate you!"

Slowly, the formation descended until it was right above the demon's head. With its body still immobilized, the demon could only move its eyes to look at the glowing structure. "You will never be able to kill me."

The golden light from the tower poured into the formation. As Wu Hao moved his hands again, the centipede demon let out a thunderous roar. "HAAAHHHH!" At that moment, the invisible barrier created by Jian Hong's Soul-Binding Needle shattered into pieces.

The demon's body was freed from its constraints. Without hesitation, it struck Wu Hao, sending him crashing to the ground. "Elder!"

"Wu Hao!"

The other sect members rushed to Wu Hao's side. "Elder, are you alright?"

Meanwhile, Huang Bo glared at the demon, his fury uncontainable. "How dare you harm Wu Hao!" Enraged, Huang Bo leaped into the air and attacked the demon relentlessly.

But no matter how hard Huang Bo tried, his strength was merely a fraction of the demon's power. The centipede demon laughed wickedly and swung its tail effortlessly, sending Huang Bo plummeting to the ground as well. "Elder!"

Jian Hong hurried to catch him, cradling the elder in his arms. "Elder, what were you thinking? How could you be so reckless? We're all angry, but we can't act impulsively. Its power surpasses that of a thousand Body Refining Stage cultivators."

Wracked with pain, Huang Bo sat up and coughed up blood. His entire body felt as if it had been flayed. "Listen, Jian Hong. No matter what happens, humans must never lose to demons."

"That's right!" Liu Yang chimed in.

Jian Hong and Huang Bo turned to see Liu Yang standing nearby. His determined gaze was fixed on the demon. "I've never fought a demon directly before. But this time, seeing the people closest to me hurt by one—I can't accept it. Even if I die on this battlefield, my soul will rest in peace."

"I agree!" another member added. "Even though we're just junior disciples, we won't run like cowards. Today, whether we live or die, we'll fight to the very end!"

The declaration was echoed by the other sect members, their voices resolute. Jian Hong, moved by their determination, felt a surge of emotion. He helped Huang Bo to his feet, and together they joined the others who were ready to fight.

Jian Hong's gaze sharpened as he stared at the demon with unrelenting fury. His fists clenched tightly at his sides. "Today, no one will die. We will fight together in the name of our sect and all of humanity. If anyone is to perish, it will only be the demon clan!"