When Li Chen climbed back to the surface and returned to the stone forest where he had hidden before, it was already broad daylight outside.
The Demon Domain's sun hung high in the sky, scorching the earth like an enormous ball of fire.
Li Chen checked his dwindling supplies of dry rations and fresh water. Since the days and nights here were far longer than those on the Eastern Victory Continent, nearly a month had passed since he entered, and these supplies were almost exhausted.
Yet he still did not return. Instead, he silently packed his belongings, summoned the Fang Tiger and Flying Disc, and left the stone forest.
Along the way, Li Chen searched for water while keeping watch for Demons.
After searching for roughly six hours, he finally discovered a small river about thirty feet wide in a secluded valley.
Apparently, several rains had fallen in recent days. The river here ran full and clear to the bottom. Li Chen hurried over and filled every usable container he had. Some time later, he built a campfire and began cooking Meat Soup.
He used the last of his reserves, slowly simmering large chunks of meat together with dried ingredients over a low flame until a mouthwatering fragrance filled the air.
Li Chen lifted a large bowl and ate his fill with relish. Then he extinguished the campfire, concealed his tracks, and draped a carefully crafted Servant Demon Skin-Painting over himself.
As he performed the Transformation Art, his body hunched and his appearance abruptly changed, turning him into a living Servant Demon. He swaggered downstream along the river.
When he had sent out the Flying Disc to scout the surroundings earlier, he had discovered what appeared to be a Servant Demon settlement there, with roughly a hundred adult Servant Demons