Crisis in the Dead of Night (Part 1)

Late at night, some of the forest's active creatures began to emerge, scattering in search of food.

Rustling friction came from the wild grass, as if something were constantly darting through the brush. It was probably only small animals such as Tutu Beasts—nothing to fear.

Before long, fierce sounds of scuffling came from the grass, followed by an animal's shrill scream. There was no way to tell what kind of animal was crying out.

From time to time, something beat its wings and flew swiftly overhead with a "whoosh-whoosh," perhaps an Abyssal bird or something else. Other small creatures perched on branches not far away; in the darkness, only pairs of faintly glowing eyes could be seen examining the camp from the trees. Low roars drifted indistinctly from afar, clearly coming from the throats of some large Abyssal beasts...

This was yet another lively "night" in the Abyss.

Time passed bit by bit.

Three hours later, Er Dongsheng suddenly opened his eyes and swept his gaze around suspiciously. Nothing. There was nothing.

"But what is this repeated sense of unease?"

"Am I just overthinking it?"

Shaking his head, he carefully inspected the surroundings again and listened intently, but still found nothing.

There was no problem...

"No!"

Er Dongsheng, who had already sat down, suddenly rose to his feet again, his face grave.

"The atmosphere here is wrong. It's too quiet. The chirping of insects and calls of birds have all vanished!" A faint smile slowly appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"How interesting. Knowing there is a First-Level Demon here, it still came to attack. Is it that confident in its own strength?"

"Looks like tonight won't be lonely!"

Er Dongsheng bent down and gently covered the little Succubus with his hide, concealing the little one. He also leaned close to the little Succubus's ear and muttered a few words. The little one had awakened by then!

Hidden beneath the hide, the little Succubus would be difficult to notice unless one paid close attention. Generally, no one would attack it. Meanwhile, Er Dongsheng stood openly beside the campfire, drawing the firepower!

Time slowly passed. The little Succubus hid beneath the hide, quietly praying for her brother, while Er Dongsheng seemed to casually turn around, putting his back to the fire!

The next second, a black shadow descended from above, carrying a fierce gust. The howl of air being torn apart was like some sharp bladed weapon cleaving down in a savage slash, arriving in an instant!

There was nowhere to dodge!

Bang!

Boom!

It was as if Er Dongsheng had grown an eye on his back. Without even looking, his powerful tail whipped out like a lash, sending the leaping ambusher flying into the fire with a single strike!

Awooo!

Sparks scattered everywhere.

By the firelight, Er Dongsheng finally saw the ambusher clearly. It was terrifying and horrifying!

It appeared to be a humanoid Demonic Beast, about the height of an ordinary adult human. It looked remarkably agile and lean, its developed yet elastic muscles like those of an American sprinting champion. Its finely scaled skin, rough as sandpaper, was dark green.

The creature leaped out of the fire, completely unscathed. Er Dongsheng's previous blow had apparently caused it almost no harm, making him give it a second look.

It crouched there, roaring viciously without pause. Its four limbs ended in enormous claws, every finger like a black, sharp keratin dagger. It seemed to have no prominent nose, lips, or ears—only nostrils, ear holes, and a huge mouth full of sharp teeth!

That mouth took up nearly a third of the monster's head, looking revoltingly horrifying.

"What is this?"

There was no information on this monster in the database, and he had never seen it in his memories either. Er Dongsheng froze for a moment. This was a rare occurrence—or perhaps something he had never encountered at all! By all rights, he was quite familiar with the animals in this forest region!

Never mind that. He would take it down first!

Boom!

Er Dongsheng completely unleashed his aura. As a First-Level Demon, with an aura even comparable to a Second-Level Demon, his immense pressure burst forth. The hide clothing on his body flapped loudly, as though swept by a gale!

It moved without wind!

Whoosh! A figure flashed past, instantly charging before him!

He raised a hand to block. After several stomping steps, Er Dongsheng was forced back several paces!

What a fellow! It turned out this monster was the one to attack first. It actually did not fear a First-Level Demon's aura and had launched the first strike! Its tremendous strength had even left Er Dongsheng unable to hold his ground!

"Interesting. Looks like I need to get serious!"

Boom!

The two figures collided, then instantly separated. Explosions of air rang out continuously across the small clearing!

Er Dongsheng stepped forward, and the ground gave a slight tremor. His entire body shot out like an arrow loosed from the bow. From above the forest, a straight passage could be seen carved across the ground, dead branches and leaves scattering in every direction!

Two claws met—one large, one small—and collided. After holding for a moment, Er Dongsheng retreated half a step, while the monster shot backward with a boom like a bulldozer, dragging the earth beneath its feet along with it!

Blue blood scattered through the air!

Watching the monster's blood drip from the air, Er Dongsheng grinned. He stomped down and sprang upward. After vaulting over the falling leaves in midair, he twisted his body again and exerted force beneath his feet, as if stepping on solid ground. With a bang, he rose higher still, shooting diagonally upward toward the monster that was still falling!

The leaf he had stepped on in midair smashed into the soil like a tiny cannonball with a boom!

Cloud Ladder Step—Second Turning Form!

This was a new martial art he had devised recently. Relying on his immense strength, speed, and explosive power, he could borrow force in midair for an instant, stepping on the air!

Flying close, he seized the monster's neck tightly with one hand before it could react. Ink Spirit Flame ignited along his arm and began pouring into the monster's body! He exerted force through his waist, carrying both the monster beneath him and himself down like a meteor into the ground!

Another earthshaking crash rang out, and dust flew everywhere!

"Ah!"

"Not good!"