Little Demons Besiege, Fighting Back

I gripped the last talisman, my knuckles numb. The little demons didn't pause. The one in the lead swallowed, and all the demonic creatures surged forward simultaneously. They no longer attacked dispersedly but divided into three groups: a frontal assault, flanking maneuvers from the left and right, and a few had already circled around to the flanks, preparing for a surprise attack.

I couldn't wait any longer.

I let out a low shout, pushed off the ground, and charged towards the three little demons directly in front of me. The spirit beast reacted instantly, flicking its tail and lunging forward with me. We weren't fighting separately but advancing back-to-back; wherever I moved, it moved.

The first little demon swung its blade down. I sidestepped to avoid it and sliced the edge of my left palm into its wrist. It cried out in pain, its bone knife falling to the ground. The second one charged from the side. I lifted my knee and slammed it into its chest, then shoved it backward. It stumbled, knocking over another demon behind it. The spirit beast seized the opportunity, its horn flashing as it unleashed a shockwave that staggered all the little demons within five steps in front of us.

A gap had opened.

But before I could step through, two dark shadows lunged from the left. I didn't have time to block and could only lean back, falling to the ground and rolling. The spirit beast leaped into the air, twisting its body to block one of the attacks. The other demon missed, landed, and turned to pounce again.

I rolled to my feet, my breathing already growing heavy. That series of actions had taken a lot out of me, and the spiritual power circulating in my meridians had slowed. The old injury on my shoulder began to burn, feeling like fine needles were piercing back and forth inside it.

I didn't stop.

Taking advantage of the spirit beast fending off the enemies on the left, I suddenly charged to the right. Three little demons were stealthily approaching from that direction, intending to attack from behind. I raised my right hand and slapped the last defensive talisman onto the ground. The talisman exploded the moment it touched the earth, sending out a wave of spiritual power that flipped all the little demons within five steps onto the ground.

The spirit beast and I seized the chance, quickly retreating to the center.

Just as my breathing steadied, the lead little demon let out a roar. The remaining demons immediately changed their formation, abandoning concentrated charges for a rotating attack divided into four groups. One group would advance, two would wait on the sides, and one would circle around to the rear. They had learned to conserve their strength and cooperate.

The first wave attacked. I struck the joints of two demons' arms with my palms, incapacitating them. The second wave charged, and the spirit beast repelled them with a shockwave. As the third wave arrived, I felt my spiritual power struggling to keep up. Each exertion required a longer recovery, and my Dantian began to feel heavy.

I gritted my teeth and held on.

A little demon ambushed me from behind, its claws tearing through the back of my Daoist Robe. I spun around and struck its cheek with my palm, the sound of cracking bone echoing. As it fell, blood trickled from its mouth, and its eyes rolled back.

But as soon as I dealt with that one, another immediately replaced it. I was forced to retreat half a step, my heel landing on loose stones, nearly causing me to slip. The spirit beast sensed the danger and immediately shifted to the side, blocking my rear.

We were back to our original position – back-to-back.

I could feel its breathing growing heavy, the light on its horns much dimmer than before. It was struggling too. But it didn't retreat, nor did it show weakness; it simply stood guard behind me.

The little demons formed a circle, slowly tightening.

The leader stood on the periphery, the knuckles of its right claw, now missing fingers, trembling slightly. It no longer ordered charges but had its subordinates press closer bit by bit. Their footsteps were light, but each step carried killing intent. The foul smell in the air grew stronger, mixed with the scent of earth and decaying leaves, making my throat dry.

I looked down at my hands. My palms were slick with sweat, my fingertips trembling. It wasn't fear, but exhaustion. After fighting continuously for so long, my stamina and spiritual power were draining rapidly. I had used that last talisman too early, and now I had nothing left.

But I couldn't fall.

As long as I stood, the spirit beast wouldn't retreat. As long as we were together, they wouldn't dare to pounce recklessly.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to slow down. I stopped attacking proactively and stopped trying to block forcefully. Each evasion was controlled, each palm strike precisely targeted vital points. I wasn't aiming to kill, only to buy time.

But time was not on our side.

A little demon suddenly leaped from the side, aiming straight for the spirit beast's hind leg. I caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye and immediately raised my hand, unleashing a stream of spiritual power. The demon was hit in the shoulder, faltering, and falling to the ground. But it immediately got up and continued its charge.

More little demons began to imitate this suicidal tactic. They no longer feared injury, crawling forward even with broken legs. Some even rammed their bodies directly into the spirit beast's shockwaves, just to buy their companions a step's worth of distance.

The spirit beast's attack frequency had clearly decreased.

It had released another shockwave just now, its power only a third of what it was before. The light flickered out as soon as it appeared. It lowered its body, panting, but still stood in front of me.

I knew it was reaching its limit.

So was I. My legs felt weak, each step like wading through mud. My Dantian was empty, with only a sliver of spiritual power remaining. The pain in my shoulder grew sharper, as if something was writhing within my meridians.

The little demons had noticed our weakness.

The encirclement tightened again, leaving only a three-step distance. They stopped probing and all raised their weapons, fangs bared, low growls rumbling in their throats.

The lead little demon finally stepped out from the crowd.

It walked towards us step by step, its gait steady, its eyes fixed on me. Unlike the other frenzied demons, it exuded a sense of calm. It knew we couldn't hold on much longer.

It stopped five steps away, raised its left claw, and slowly pointed at me.

The next second, all the little demons charged simultaneously.

I poured all my remaining strength into pushing my palms forward, condensing the last bit of spiritual power into a barrier. The spirit beast also exerted its full strength, its horn flashing one last time as a shockwave swept out.

The impact collided.

Three little demons were thrown back, and five fell to the ground. But more trampled over their companions to surge forward. One lunged at my arm, its claws tearing through my sleeve. Another slammed into my side, causing me to stagger and nearly fall to my knees.

The spirit beast roared and charged into the enemy ranks, using its horn to flip two demons and its tail to swat one away. But it was also tackled by two demons, pinned to the ground, struggling.

I was forced back repeatedly by the surging crowd, my palm strikes growing weaker. A little demon seized the opportunity and slashed at my calf. The fabric tore, and my skin burned fiercely. I pushed it away with a backhand strike, but it had already opened a wound.

Blood began to flow.

Warm liquid trickled down my calf. I ignored it. This was not the time to tend to wounds.

But just then, the spiritual power within me completely vanished.

It was like a river drying up; my meridians suddenly became empty. I stood frozen, lacking the strength even to lift my arm. My vision darkened, and all I could hear were the roars and the sound of footsteps.

The little demons, smelling blood, intensified their assault.

They surrounded me, weapons raised, fangs bared. The leader slowly approached, a glint of cruelty flashing in its eyes.

Leaning against a rock, I slowly slid to the ground. My vision blurred, and my breathing became difficult. The spirit beast was pinned down by several little demons, its horn light completely extinguished, only able to whimper softly.

The lead little demon stood before me, raising its bone knife.

The tip pointed at my throat.

Its mouth split open, revealing black teeth.

I raised my head and looked at it.

Then I heard a voice.

It wasn't coming from outside.

It arose from within my heart.

[Ding--]