Late at night, the forest's restless creatures began to emerge, scattering in search of food.
The wild grass rustled as though something were darting back and forth through it. Probably just Tutu Beasts or other small animals. Nothing to fear.
Before long, a violent scuffle erupted in the grass, followed by an animal's piercing scream. It was impossible to tell what kind of creature had made it.
Now and then, something beat its wings and flew over the siblings' heads with a loud flutter. Abyssal Birds, perhaps, or something else. Smaller creatures perched on nearby branches, their pairs of faintly glowing eyes watching the camp from the darkness. Low growls drifted in from afar, plainly rising from the throats of some large Abyssal beasts...
It was another lively "night" in the Abyss.
Time crept by.
Three hours later, Er Dongsheng suddenly opened his eyes and swept a suspicious gaze around him. Nothing. There was nothing there.
Then why do I feel so uneasy?
Am I imagining things?
He shook his head, carefully surveyed his surroundings again, and listened closely. Still nothing.
No problem, then...
No!
Er Dongsheng, who had already sat back down, sprang to his feet, his expression grave.
Something's wrong with the atmosphere. It's too quiet. The insects and birds have all fallen silent! A faint smile slowly appeared at the corner of his mouth.
How interesting. It knows there's a First-Level Demon here and still dares to attack. Is it that confident in its strength?
Looks like I won't be bored tonight!
Er Dongsheng bent down and gently draped his hide over Little Succubus, concealing the little one. He also leaned close to her ear and murmured a few words. She was awake now, too!
Hidden beneath the hide, Little Succubus would be hard to spot unless someone was looking for her, and most attackers would leave her alone. Er Dongsheng, meanwhile, stood boldly beside the campfire, drawing their attention!
Time passed slowly. Little Succubus prayed silently for her brother beneath the hide, while Er Dongsheng turned as if by chance, presenting his back to the fire!
The next instant, a dark shape plunged from above, bringing a fierce gust with it. Its shriek as it split the air sounded like a keen blade slashing down. It was upon him in a heartbeat!
There was no time to dodge!
Bang!
Boom!
As though he had eyes in the back of his head, Er Dongsheng lashed out without looking. His powerful tail whipped the airborne attacker straight into the fire!
Awooo!
Sparks flew in every direction.
By the firelight, Er Dongsheng saw his attacker clearly. It was horrifying!
It appeared to be a humanoid Demonic Beast, about as tall as an ordinary adult human. Its frame was lean and agile, with taut, well-developed muscles like those of an elite sprinter. Fine, sandpaper-rough scales covered its dark green skin.
The creature leaped out of the fire completely unscathed. Er Dongsheng's blow seemed to have done it no harm at all, making him take a second look.
It crouched there, howling ferociously. Each of its four limbs ended in huge claws, every digit like a sharp black dagger of horn. It seemed to have no protruding nose, lips, or ears—only nostrils, earholes, and an enormous mouth packed with razor-sharp teeth!
That mouth took up nearly a third of its head. It looked utterly revolting.
What is this?
His database held no information on such a monster, and he had never seen one in his memories, either. Er Dongsheng froze for a moment. That was rare—perhaps it had never happened before! He knew the creatures of this part of the forest quite well, after all!
Whatever it is, I'll bring it down first!
Boom!
Er Dongsheng unleashed the full force of his aura. The immense pressure of a First-Level Demon—one that could even rival a Second-Level Demon—burst forth. His leather clothes snapped and billowed as though caught in a gale!
They stirred though there was no wind!
Whoosh! A figure flashed forward and reached him in an instant!
He raised a hand to block, then stumbled back several steps!
So the monster had attacked first! It had charged straight in, undaunted by the aura of a First-Level Demon. Its tremendous strength was more than Er Dongsheng could withstand!
Interesting. Looks like I'll have to get serious!
Boom!
The two figures collided and sprang apart in an instant. The air kept exploding across the little clearing!
Er Dongsheng stepped forward, and the ground shuddered. He shot ahead like an arrow loosed from its string. Seen from above the forest, he carved a straight path across the ground, scattering dead branches and grass!
Their claws met, one large and one small, and strained against each other for a moment. Er Dongsheng retreated half a step. The monster flew backward with a thunderous crash, plowing up the earth beneath its feet like a bulldozer!
Blue blood scattered through the air!
Er Dongsheng glanced at the blood dripping from the airborne monster, his expression turning disdainful. He stamped a foot and leaped, sailing past a falling leaf. Then he twisted, drove his foot down as though stepping onto solid ground, and surged higher with a bang, hurtling diagonally toward the still-flying beast!
The leaf he had stepped on shot into the soil like a tiny cannonball with a thunderous crash!
Cloud-Ladder Leap—Second Turn!
It was a new martial art he had developed recently. Drawing on his tremendous strength, speed, and explosive power, he could borrow force in midair and step on the air itself!
He closed in and clamped one hand around the monster's neck before it could react. Ink Spirit Flame flared along his arm and began pouring into its body! Twisting from the waist, he drove himself and the beast beneath him into the ground like a falling star!
Another earthshaking crash rang out, and dust billowed everywhere!
Ah!
Oh no!
Before you continue