"Brother Song, it seems I was shallow-minded and judged wrong." Third Brother Huang transmitted through Demonic Energy to Song Shuhang. "That Blood Refining Pill wasn't something a transport team had dropped."
Only now did they realize that the Blood Refining Pills they had been picking up all along had actually been casually spat out by a frog perched on a young man's shoulder.
"Isn't that perfect? We can just follow along and keep picking them up. Stay farther away, so they don't notice us." Song Shuhang's face also lit up with delight. He simply failed to notice the cold glint that flashed through Third Brother Huang's eyes.
Unlike Song Shuhang, who had spent years mingling among humans, Third Brother Huang was a "social demon" who had taken the wild roads. He had done no shortage of things that could not see the light of day. Otherwise, how would he have known the black market's location so well?
"Brother Song, what are you afraid of?" Third Brother Huang chuckled. "Look, that human doesn't have a trace of aura on him. He's just a mortal. That frog probably only gained intelligence recently. It's still in the Pure Blood Realm—at most, it's reached the Pure Blood Realm's peak..."
Third Brother Huang's words grew increasingly tempting. "I'm in the Blood Refining Realm, and you're in the Pure Blood Realm. If the two of us join forces, we can pull off this job together."
"Look at the little bag on that frog's back. It's definitely a treasure. Who knows how many Blood Refining Pills—or other rare treasures—are inside? Maybe after we finish this job, we can find a place to be kings and ancestors ourselves!"
Song Shuhang frowned slightly and said cautiously, "Brother Huang, that won't do. If we take a human life, we'll become tainted with Human Blood Light. When that happens, Great Xuan won't have any place for us."
"What's so difficult about that? As long as we have money, we can buy a Heart-Cleansing Pill and get rid of the blood light."
"But look at that frog's little bag. Since it's a treasure, that's enough to prove the other party has a deep background. The two of us are lone operators—how could we afford to offend them?"
"Young brother, you're mistaken. Where are we? Floating Cloud Mountain! There's no village ahead and no inn behind. We'll finish the job quickly and leave at once. Who could find out we were the ones who did it?"
"But what if they ask a Great Scholar of the Confucian School or a Daoist True Man to divine the truth?"
Third Brother Huang's expression gradually grew impatient. He looked coldly at Song Shuhang. "Brother Song, this fortune has come knocking at our door. Why are you dragging your feet? At worst, we can hide in the northern barbarian lands or the southern demon territories. We'll still be free and carefree."
"But..."
"No buts!" Third Brother Huang cut Song Shuhang off. "I only called you along because I wanted to give you a share. Did you think I couldn't deal with them alone? How about this—you don't want to act, fine. Stay here and don't move. Once I get it done, I'll give you a portion of the spoils!"
Song Shuhang was about to persuade him again when a flash of blood-red flickered through Third Brother Huang's eyes. His tail swayed, and a long sword flew out from its fluffy mass. He caught it in his hand. "Then it's settled. I'm carrying out this job no matter what!"
With that, Third Brother Huang stealthily advanced with his sword, creeping forward.
Watching Third Brother Huang's back, Song Shuhang grew anxious. He had originally been a squirrel in a tree at an academy. After hearing the Master explain "benevolence," he had gained intelligence and become a demon. He had also served as a human guard for more than a decade. He truly could not bear to see humans harmed. Although Third Brother Huang was considered weak even among Blood Refining Realm beings, he had refined his Innate Demonic Art, "Stinking Heavens," into a Divine Ability. Ordinary people would be poisoned the moment they smelled it, leaving them utterly unable to fight back.
"Forget it. I have to stop him. At worst, I'll give Brother Huang the ten Blood Refining Pills I picked up along the way as an apology!" Song Shuhang made up his mind and was just about to charge over when the situation before him suddenly changed.
Third Brother Huang had crept to a spot not far from Chen Luo and thrust his sword straight at Chen Luo's back. Yet Chen Luo seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. He shifted slightly and avoided the sword. The blood markings on Third Brother Huang's back flickered, and a stream of gas rapidly dispersed from his body, enveloping Chen Luo and Frog son together. Third Brother Huang gripped his sword again and stabbed into the gas cloud.
"Brother Huang, stop! I..." Song Shuhang shouted. Before he could finish, a hand suddenly reached out from the foul-smelling gas cloud. Its fingers formed a sword hand, knocking aside the long sword in Third Brother Huang's grip. Then that human emerged from the gas cloud completely unharmed, changed his hand into a claw, seized Third Brother Huang by the throat, and lifted him into the air.
"L-Lord, spare me!" Only now did Third Brother Huang realize that he had kicked an iron plate. Although he was in the Blood Refining Realm, the most important standard by which the Demon Race judged strength was still bloodline. His previously invincible stench had actually failed, and he had lost his greatest reliance.
"Give me one reason to spare you!" Chen Luo said coldly. To guard against Lian Ai, Chen Luo had never undone his fusion with Dai Zong. He had already sensed something when the two demons began discussing an ambush. As for this poisonous gas... What a joke. Chen Luo had now entered the Meridian Opening Realm and had no need to breathe through his mouth or nose.
Still, Chen Luo glanced somewhat unexpectedly at Frog son, who was still "BJ-sprawled" on his shoulder. The frog seemed completely unsurprised by what was happening before him, and the stench had not affected him in the slightest.
"I...I..." Third Brother Huang's thoughts raced as he tried to persuade his opponent to spare his life. Just then, he suddenly felt his heart pounding wildly, while the blood inside his body seemed about to burst through his skin...
Frog son, who had been "BJ-sprawled," abruptly sat upright. He stuck out his tongue and licked the air. "Ribbit... (The smell of bugs!)"
At that very moment, Chen Luo suddenly noticed that the Weasel Demon in his hand had blood-red eyes and that his entire body had begun to swell.
"Ribbit! (Throw him away!)"
Chen Luo swung his arm and hurled him away with all his strength. At the same time, Frog son lowered his head slightly, and a huge Turtle Shell flew out of the backpack on his back, shielding him and Chen Luo behind it. By the time all this was done, Third Brother Huang's body had only been thrown less than three meters. With a howl, his entire body suddenly exploded, transforming into a rain of Flesh and Blood. The enormous blast shattered the Turtle Shell summoned by Frog son. The shockwave struck Chen Luo, who instinctively turned around and shielded Frog son. A wave of force slammed into Chen Luo's back and sent him flying. He only stopped after crashing into a giant tree.
At that moment, a burst of clapping came from the distance. Chen Luo struggled to his feet and looked toward the sound, only to see a slender figure slowly walking toward him.
"Lian Ai!" Chen Luo's heart jolted. Although she had changed into another outfit and covered her face with a veil, Chen Luo recognized her at a glance. It was Lian Ai!
"You're really impressive, little brother!" Lian Ai walked past Song Shuhang. Song Shuhang had been completely stunned by Third Brother Huang's explosion and stood motionless where he was. Lian Ai did not spare him a glance as she passed, as if this Pure Blood Realm Squirrel Demon were nothing more than an ant by her feet.
"The body of a Blood Refining Realm demon combined with my Explosive Gu still didn't injure you. I'm becoming more and more interested in you..."
Lian Ai's gaze fell on Frog son in Chen Luo's hand. She smiled disdainfully. "Looks like you've made a new friend. Aren't you going to introduce him?"
"Ribbit? (An enemy?)"
Chen Luo looked at Lian Ai, drew a deep breath, and abruptly turned around—
Run!
In an instant, he had dashed dozens of meters away.
Lian Ai was in no hurry. A cat-playing-with-a-mouse satisfaction appeared on her face...
Chen Luo fled at full speed with Frog son and asked, "Master Frog, do you have any powerful treasures that can deal with that demoness?"
"Ribbit! (No!)"
"Damn it, this is a matter of life and death. Don't be stingy, or I'll throw you out as a shield!"
"Ribbit! (I really don't have any!)"
"You're the young master of a prestigious demon clan. You don't have a single protective item on you?"
"Ribbit... ribbit... (I ran away from home. All the powerful treasures have restrictions on them. If I brought them out, wouldn't I be leading my family straight to me?)"
"You..."
Chen Luo looked back and saw Lian Ai following close behind with her hands clasped behind her back, a teasing intent shining from her eyes. Light radiated from her feet, and each step carried her several meters. She was not slow in the slightest.
"We can't get away!" Chen Luo's heart sank as he understood the situation. He grabbed Frog son and swung his arm high.
"Ribbit! Ribbit! Ribbit! (You rotten thing, she's your enemy! Put me down!)"
Chen Luo swung his arm hard and hurled Frog son forward, shouting, "Run!"
The little frog flew through the air and looked back at Chen Luo, an unfathomable meaning in his eyes...
Chen Luo stopped paying attention to him. Since the little frog could not help much, he would not drag him into this.
Chen Luo turned around, picked up a wooden branch from the ground, and faced Lian Ai head-on.
Lian Ai had come after him because of the Literary Heart, while he had gained martial arts because of the Literary Heart.
Every peck and sip was fate's own weaving of fortune and disaster.
What was meant to come would always come.
A Sixth-Rank Gu Master?
Then he would stake his life and fight!
Do not worry about the road ahead lacking a kindred soul—through literature, I have met you, my friend!
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