The rain grew heavier and heavier. Bolts of lightning flashed across the pitch-black sky, briefly driving away the endless darkness.
Over a hundred demons and monsters roared as they halted thirty yards before the mining district's gates, their blood-red pupils filled with greed.
Suddenly,
The demons and monsters parted to form a path. A Golden Tiger Prince, three yards long, with golden fur streaked by black patterns and a blood-red character for "King" branded upon his brow, slowly emerged.
A terrifying aura spread through the entire area, and the surrounding demons and monsters whimpered as they knelt on their forelegs.
Two slightly weaker demons and monsters followed behind the Golden Tiger Prince.
One was humanoid with a fleshy tumor atop its head, while the other was tiger-shaped and black as ink from head to toe.
Bai Tianhei stepped forward with a grave expression, blocking the aura radiating from the Golden Tiger.
Tie Wuqing's eyes remained calm and unruffled. She tipped back her head and took a fierce swig of wine, then hung the Wine Gourd at her waist and stepped forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with Bai Tianhei.
"Humans, allow me to introduce myself. I am Golden Tiger, crown prince of the Mountain Lord Mountain Range. I have come tonight for only one person."
A human-like smile appeared on Golden Tiger's ferocious face as he swept his gaze over the crowd, eventually stopping on Ye Xiaofan.
Ye Xiaofan felt a chill shoot from the base of his spine straight to the crown of his head.
This Golden Tiger demon, who called himself the crown prince of the Mountain Lord Mountain Range, was terrifyingly powerful. Just one look from him made Ye Xiaofan unable to summon any will to resist.
This was a demon whose strength rivaled Tie Wuqing's.
"Hand over Ye Xiaofan, and I will not make things difficult for you."
Golden Tiger paused before speaking indifferently.
The moment those words fell, everyone was first stunned. Then, one after another, they all turned their gazes toward Ye Xiaofan.
The silent crowd instantly erupted like a morning marketplace.
Some had flickering eyes, while others glared furiously at Golden Tiger.
Ye Xiaofan furrowed his brow, suppressing the boundless fury in his heart. Just as Tie Wuqing had said, evil had set its sights on him.
Golden Tiger's words were vicious and struck straight at the heart!
Bai Tianhei glanced at Ye Xiaofan without leaving a trace. He did not know why this powerful demon had specifically named Ye Xiaofan, but if it truly only wanted Ye Xiaofan and would leave afterward, that would not be a bad outcome.
Thinking of how they had been constantly attacked by demons and monsters these past two days, how his comrades had died one after another, and how he himself had been severely wounded—
For a moment, he was tempted.
Ye Xiaofan noticed Bai Tianhei's sidelong glance, and his heart sank. A deep sense of helplessness flooded his entire body.
"I'm still not strong enough."
Ye Xiaofan clenched his fists and ground his teeth. Ignoring the gazes cast his way, he met Golden Tiger's eyes without the slightest fear, Baleful Intent burning in his own.
Luo Ming likewise noticed Bai Tianhei's hesitation. His expression turned icy as he stepped in front of Ye Xiaofan.
Sun Zhixiang sneered at Ye Xiaofan. If they handed Ye Xiaofan over, he would raise all five limbs in approval.
Thus, Sun Zhigao Xiang composed himself and quietly walked behind Bai Tianhei.
"Elder Bai, sacrificing only Ye Xiaofan to preserve all our brothers—I believe Ye Xiaofan certainly would not refuse. To die for the Demon Suppression Division is the highest honor of a Demon Suppressing Guard."
Already tempted, Bai Tianhei found Sun Zhixiang's words reasonable, and his heart wavered even more.
Though Sun Zhixiang did not speak loudly, everyone present was a powerful cultivator. His words entered every ear with perfect clarity.
Ye Xiaofan looked coldly at Sun Zhixiang. He wanted to see how Bai Tianhei would choose.
The demons and monsters wanted him, and Bai Tianhei wanted to hand him over.
It would depend on whether they had sufficient strength. He was not someone who would stretch out his neck and wait to be slaughtered.
Killing intent rose within his chest!
Sun Zhixiang had already made it onto his kill list.
If Bai Tianhei decided to hand him over, then Ye Xiaofan would not mind betraying the Demon Suppression Division and adding another name to that kill list.
Golden Tiger took in everyone's expressions, his eyes filled with mockery.
He had merely spoken on a whim and casually used his innate divine ability.
He had not expected such an unexpected delight. Many among these humans whose wills were weak had been bewitched by him.
Especially that old man at the Ninth Level Body Refinement—he too had been bewitched. Golden Tiger gave a disdainful sneer.
If he could easily seize Ye Xiaofan, he could return sooner.
As for his promise not to make things difficult for these humans, he had never said the demons and monsters under his command would not attack.
Once he caught Ye Xiaofan, he would leave. That did not count as breaking his promise.
At this thought, a smug smile appeared on Golden Tiger's ferocious tiger face.
"Hmph! Demonic words that beguile the masses. All demons and monsters deserve death! Ye Xiaofan, get behind me. This gang leader will ensure you come to no harm."
At that moment, Tie Wuqing gave a heavy cold snort. Her only exposed pair of deep, beautiful eyes was filled with solemnity.
This Golden Tiger was very strong. He was very likely a Ninth Level Body Refinement expert who had already undergone the Second Blood Replacement.
Although she had cultivated the Qi and Blood Wolf Smoke phenomenon, she had only replaced her blood once. She was not confident she could kill Golden Tiger.
Tie Wuqing's cold snort carried the power of her qi and blood, as though it had shattered some invisible momentum.
The eyes of those who had flickered with anticipation, hoping Bai Tianhei would hand Ye Xiaofan over, instantly cleared. What followed was endless fear.
They had actually been bewitched by a demon.
Humans and demons were locked in an endless struggle unto death. How could they have believed a demon's words?
Golden Tiger must have used some mysterious method.
Bai Tianhei also suddenly came to his senses. His old face flushed red. If Tie Wuqing had not been here tonight, he would have committed an unforgivable sin.
Ye Xiaofan did not put on airs and immediately walked behind Tie Wuqing.
Bai Tianhei looked at Ye Xiaofan, his lips moving, but in the end, not a single word came out.
What could he say? He truly had been considering whether to agree to Golden Tiger's proposal.
Even if he had fallen victim to Golden Tiger's trick.
"Thank you, Gang Leader Tie."
"No need for courtesy."
Tie Wuqing replied blandly.
Bai Tianhei gave two awkward laughs and turned his head away, too ashamed to face Ye Xiaofan.
"Looks like you intend to use your lives to protect Ye Xiaofan."
Golden Tiger sounded somewhat regretful. His innate divine ability had been broken by the woman wearing the bronze faceless mask before him.
But he still wanted to try again. In any case, he had nothing to lose.
Having awakened, everyone saw that Golden Tiger was trying the same trick again. Filled with rage, they glared at him, wishing they could hack him to death with a thousand blades.
Sun Zhixiang, who had been immersed in the fantasy of Ye Xiaofan being handed over, clearly had not noticed any of this.
"Elder Bai, stop hesitating. Hand over Ye Xiaofan. Tonight, we won't have to risk our lives against the demons and monsters, and tomorrow we can take the blood copper back—"
"Shut up!"
Bai Tianhei roared. His terrifying aura shook Sun Zhixiang until his face turned deathly pale and he staggered backward again and again. He stood frozen in place, unable to understand what had happened.
Whispers reached Sun Zhixiang's ears, and he finally came to his senses.
His pale face turned even whiter.
He knew he was finished. There would no longer be a place for him in the Demon Suppression Division, and even the Sun Family could not protect him.
If there had not been a second time, it would not have been much of an issue.
But...
Bai Tianhei quickly regained his composure. His expression hardened as he berated Golden Tiger.
"Hmph, beguiling people's hearts. Such lowly, underhanded tricks are all you know."
"Hehe, if such thoughts did not exist in your hearts, how could this prince have bewitched you?"
Golden Tiger laughed loudly, utterly unconcerned.
The next moment,
His laughter abruptly stopped.
"Roar—"
The tiger's roar shattered the darkness. Golden Tiger threw back his head and howled. The little game was over; he had lost his patience.
At the sound of that roar, the many demons and monsters could no longer suppress the endless greed in their hearts. Roaring, they charged forward.
"Kill!"
Watching the black mass of demons and monsters rush toward them, Bai Tianhei hesitated no longer. With an angry roar, he took the lead and charged forward.
"Kill!"
Everyone roared in unison and followed Bai Tianhei as they charged at the demons and monsters.
"Xiaofan, follow your heart in everything. No matter what choice you make, I will not blame you."
As Luo Ming passed Ye Xiaofan's side, he paused briefly and gave Ye Xiaofan a deep look. Leaving those words behind, he rushed out.
Ye Xiaofan's eyes flickered, and hesitation rose in his heart.
Should he trust Tie Wuqing and Bai Tianhei to hold back the powerful demons and monsters and keep him safe?
Or...
Before you continue