Near the edge of Cloudmist Swamp.
A fish demon with blackening scales, four limbs, and the ability to walk upright braced itself on a steel fork, struggling forward one step at a time.
But as they were about to leave Cloudmist Swamp and pass beyond the outermost reach of the Heavenly Demon Furnace's aura, their expressions twisted with unprecedented agony, as though they were drowning.
Under this almost suffocating torment, it could only retreat in the end, stepping back into the swamp's mud.
"We can't get out."
Behind it, a taller, stronger fish demon with crimson scales said, "Our entire lives are spent imprisoned in this little world, reduced to prey for Immortal Sect disciples to hunt. So it was for our fathers, so it was for our ancestors, and so it will be for every generation of our kind."
Its voice was grim. "The only thing we can do is use every ounce of our strength to kill more of those Immortal Sect disciples when they come in, to vent the resentment and fury in our hearts."
"Accepting your lot as prey-is that your resistance? Our fish demon race's fate should not be like this."
"You've tried for so long already. We have no other way."
The Red-Scaled Fish Demon replied, "Blackfin, you awakened a superior bloodline. Not only are you stronger, you also possess an innate ability to disguise yourself. You can kill more of their disciples, kill the geniuses among them, and inflict devastating losses. Only then will they truly feel pain!"
"Lord Heavenly Demon told me that a powerful will pervades this entire world. Killing true geniuses is far too difficult. Those who can be killed... aren't true geniuses."
Blackfin Fish Demon spoke.
"The immortal artifact's spirit."
The Red-Scaled Fish Demon knew whom he meant. "I