Chen Tong's Misery

"Since we've searched the area and found nothing, the sound most likely came from inside the cave."

"But... but the two ancestors said the forbidden area behind the mountain was off-limits. Commander, shouldn't we notify them first?"

"Hmph, if we have to bother the ancestors over every little thing, what use are we? Enough. Wait here. I'll go take a look."

Feeling the aura flowing in and footsteps drawing near, Chen Tong knew someone had entered. Judging by the aura, it was at least a powerful demon at the Golden Demon level.

"Damn it!"

Chen Tong cursed and quickened his pace, but without divine essence to protect him, even at his fastest, he was no more than a slightly speedier snail.

"Hmm... I smell a human?"

"Oh no!" Chen Tong had only enough time to think the words before a dark figure flashed in front of him!

Chen Tong flinched. Before he could make out what the other looked like, the figure flicked a finger. Chen Tong let out a scream and shot backward toward the cave entrance like a rocket!

"Boom!!"

Chen Tong slammed into a huge boulder with such force that he shattered it, sending clouds of dust billowing into the air.

The many little demons guarding outside were stunned. Curiously, they looked toward the billowing dust. The next moment, their commander—the demon who had sent Chen Tong flying—was hovering in the air, staring impassively at the dust cloud.

"All demons, heed my command! Surround that area!" He pointed to the spot where Chen Tong had landed.

"Yes, sir!"

The demons had all been taken aback, but at their commander's order, they didn't hesitate. They quickly surrounded the area.

"Cough, cough! Cough, cough!"

When the dust settled, half of a dirt-covered face emerged, while the other half remained buried beneath the rubble! Chen Tong struggled to his feet, looking utterly wretched. His once snow-white clothes were filthy with dust, his gleaming black hair was as wild as a bird's nest, and his handsome face—one that could have outshone all of creation—was bruised and swollen. A thin trickle of blood stained his lips. He looked utterly miserable.

"A human?"

Seeing Chen Tong and sensing his human aura, the demons exchanged stunned glances. None of them had expected to find a human behind the mountain.

"Lowly human, you destroyed our mountain gate and trespassed behind the mountain. You deserve to die."

The commander descended from the air one step at a time, his aura filled with fury and malice. Chen Tong had finally caught his breath. He looked up and got a clear look at the demon who had knocked him out of the cave.

"You're the one who deserves to die!" Chen Tong was getting angry, too. When he felt the state of his body, his anger only grew. "You've done this to me. Are you ready to face my wrath?"

"What?" The Green Pattern Humanoid Demon froze, then burst into laughter, as though he'd just heard the funniest joke in the world.

"Did you hear that, my children? This lowly mortal says I should get ready to face his wrath! Heh..." The Green Pattern Humanoid Demon leaned over to look at Chen Tong, his face full of mockery and disdain. His voice was shrill and strange. "Then I'd like to see how you, a lowly mortal, plan to make me face your wrath!"

The demons gathered around exchanged glances. Every so often, one of them let out a mocking cackle. They were ready to enjoy the show.

"Hmph!" Chen Tong met his taunts with a cold stare, not taking him seriously at all. The demon simply wasn't worthy. Even though Chen Tong had lost his divine essence, his pride as a Grand Unity Divine Immortal remained.

"I'll say this once. If you don't want every last creature on West Phoenix Mountain wiped out, you'd better stop asking for trouble."

"Hmm...?" The Green Pattern Humanoid Demon narrowed his eyes. Faced with this human's threat, despite there being not a trace of divine power about him, he actually felt a flicker of fear! He studied Chen Tong carefully for a moment, and only after confirming he was just a mortal did he relax.

"Hmph. You're just a mortal. You think you can wipe out every last creature on West Phoenix Mountain? What an outrageous claim!" The Green Pattern Humanoid Demon reached out and patted Chen Tong's cheek with his demonic hand. "If you're so capable, try punching me."

When Chen Tong didn't reply, the Green Pattern Humanoid Demon grew even more arrogant. "If you can't back it up, don't make such grand claims. You could easily get yourself killed."

"Commander, should we capture this mortal first?" asked a one-horned demon who looked like a squad leader.

"Why the rush? I haven't had my fun yet! Besides, a mere mortal couldn't have made it here on his own. He must have accomplices." The Green Pattern Humanoid Demon stretched his limbs and looked at Chen Tong. "Boy, tell me the truth and I might spare you some pain."

Chen Tong took a deep breath and closed his eyes! It looked like he was in for a beating. Damn, I never thought I'd end up like this. Just my luck... Chen Tong felt miserable and frustrated.

"Looking to die!" Chen Tong's silence—and the fact that he'd closed his eyes—was an outright provocation to the Green Pattern Humanoid Demon. His fury erupted, and Golden Demon-level power burst forth. Layer upon layer of black energy surged around his body as he charged at Chen Tong!

A punch crashed into Chen Tong's face, sending him flying dozens of meters before he slammed into the dirt. The earth shook. Before he could recover, the Green Pattern Humanoid Demon was already upon him. He kicked Chen Tong hard in the head. With a boom, the earth split apart for dozens of meters.

Then the Green Pattern Humanoid Demon kicked him in the stomach. Chen Tong, along with the rocks and dirt around him, slid dozens of meters away. His path carved a deep trench through the ground. The sight was truly horrific.

"Heh!" The Green Pattern Humanoid Demon snickered as he walked toward Chen Tong. "A mortal is still just a mortal. A few blows and you're already on your last legs. What a letdown."

"Boy, I suggest you tell me everything I want to know. Otherwise...!" The Green Pattern Humanoid Demon's expression turned vicious as he planted a foot on Chen Tong's face. "If I so much as press down a little, your head will burst like a firework, spraying bright red blood everywhere."

"H-How would I... know what you want to know?" Chen Tong was bleeding from every orifice and could barely breathe. Honestly, who could have imagined that this was the mighty Grand Unity Divine Immortal?

"Why did you trespass behind the mountain? Who else came in with you? Are they in the cave?" The Green Pattern Humanoid Demon asked three questions in a row.

"Heh... How would I know?"

The Green Pattern Humanoid Demon narrowed his eyes. "Looking to die!" Just as he was about to crush Chen Tong's skull with his foot, he sensed something. As a Golden Demon, he immediately turned toward the cave entrance.

"Big Sister, did a Grand Unity Golden Immortal really save you?"

"You little rascal, you've asked me that four or five times already. Aren't you satisfied yet?"

"Wow, I've never seen a Grand Unity Divine Immortal in my life. I can't wait!"