Chapter 224

Chapter 224: The Female Demon and the Jade Comb

“Who says demons are cunning? We demons only seek self-preservation; you humans are the truly clever ones.”

The artifact demon roared in anger, but after a moment, it had to accept reality. A voice came through: “I can offer you ten artifacts. The Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng King is enormous. I found a rare stone at the edge of the wild, and I’m helping it transform into a demon, turning all its medicinal power into ginseng poison. No longer can it serve as the miraculous alchemy that cures all.”

Upon hearing this, Li Hui nearly fainted, thinking, “That’s the Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng King! Transforming it into a poisonous creature—how could you do that! Even leaving me a few roots of the rare ginseng would be good! What a waste of precious resources!” He continued, “Besides, the rare stone at the edge of the wild is a Heavenly Treasure and Earthly Treasure for cultivating demons. If you leave me some scraps, maybe the little tree demon could cause some trouble too. Why work so hard?”

“Here are your artifacts; take them.” Suddenly, ten points of light soared into the air, but before they could get close, the surrounding seven altars unleashed a massive sucking force.

“Buzz, buzz, buzz…” The eight altars released dazzling smoke and mist, and a voice echoed: “Newly crowned sacrifice, ten artifacts to present, may it go smoothly.”

“What’s going on?” Li Hui felt bewildered; those artifacts were clearly meant for him—why were they being taken by the altars?

The artifact demon shouted, “The restrictions are loosening. It turns out giving away artifacts works. I’ll need another ten! Once I break free from here, I’ll be sure to catch you, you little imp who dares to imprison our kind! I’ll flay your bones and suck your marrow!”

“See? You are cunning, yet you won’t admit it. You’re already showing your vicious side without even coming down!” Li Hui stepped back onto the corridor. No matter how powerful the demon was, as long as it was an artifact turned demon, it was restrained by the silver snake bracelet, so he felt no fear.

Suddenly, ten more points of light rose up, and a voice declared from the corridor: “Newly crowned sacrifice, adding another ten artifacts—good fortune is upon us!”

Li Hui was taken aback and murmured to himself, “Ten artifacts go smoothly, twenty artifacts mean good fortune? Why does this sound like I’m looking at an offering bill?"

“No, give it to me! Give, give, give…” What had triggered the artifact demon? It suddenly unleashed hundreds of beams of light, only to be drawn in by the altars.

The air trembled violently, and green light spread along the ground toward the corridor.

“Newly crowned sacrifice, two hundred thirty-two artifacts, one hundred seventy-nine treasures; good fortune has arrived, and you gain two hundred more steps.”

Just as that voice faded, Li Hui felt a surge beneath his feet; green light gathered. It was as if something swept past his body, sharpening his mind and making his thoughts clearer, while his reaction speed seemed to increase.

“Such benefits?!”

As the green light was about to reach the corridor, it appeared to be constrained. With a loud “boom,” it erupted with many beams of light that filled the terrifying sucking force released by the altar.

“Newly crowned sacrifice; over a thousand artifacts, five hundred treasures; good fortune upon good, turning misfortune into fortune, and granted a bamboo tablet.” The voice rang in his ears as Li Hui felt a bamboo tablet appear in his hand.

The bamboo tablet, also known as a hand tablet or court tablet, was an ancient tool used by officials when presenting themselves before the ruler, allowing them to record orders or intentions and to remember what they intended to relay to the monarch.

This bamboo tablet was made of jade, ivory, beast bones, but the bamboo version was the weakest. Li Hui sighed, having received only this bamboo tablet, with no idea how he could use it.

The green light arrived, and after such a hefty sacrifice, the artifact demon finally broke free from the altar. Its demonic energy turned into a giant hand reaching out, but unexpectedly, the small cultivator used claw techniques, and silver light flickered continuously.

“Ah! What is that?”

“What is it?” Li Hui laughed and declared, “Heaven has a path you refuse to take, while Hell has no door you’ll come knocking on. I am the ancestor of destroying artifacts and treasures!”

“No, no—don’t!” The demon wind howled as it forcefully escaped the "Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw Technique’s" pressure range. Losing its light, its true form became visible.

Guang Jin was right; it indeed was an artifact turned demon. However, it was somewhat surprising; it was a jade comb, looking lush and green.

“Oh? So you’re a comb!” Li Hui felt thrilled. Bullying such a great demon felt quite an achievement, but he couldn’t help but wonder where the jade comb had hidden so many artifacts and treasures.

“Human, what exactly do you have? You can actually absorb the power of creation granted to artifacts by heaven and earth.” The jade comb burst into green light, instantly transforming into a beautiful woman in palace attire, making one think of her delicate hands, smooth skin, elegant posture, and mesmerizing smile.

“Mother?” Li Hui remained unaffected; he disregarded her beauty since his life was most important.

The woman spoke in a bright, pleasant voice, “You possess quite a bit of demonic energy. Do you have a special fate with demons? No, I see you have a shortened lifespan, yet you are nurturing a peach tree demon, aiming to seize its vitality. I cannot let that happen.”

Two red beams shot forward; they were the secret magic spindles created by the Hongmo Sect.

“Crazy woman! Attacking from so far away, after I’ve put in so much effort to cultivate the peach tree demon, how could I possibly harm it?” Li Hui quickly activated the Spirit Motion mark, unleashing the Seize the Day Talisman, attaining seven times the speed to execute the Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw Technique, unleashing numerous dragon claw phantoms that snatched up light in an instant.

After all, it wasn’t a Demon Cultivator controlling the secret magic spindle; without magic power, its strength declined significantly, and with some distance between them, the jade comb demon was too intimidated by the silver snake bracelet’s might to approach.

Li Hui burst into laughter, stepping forward; with just the Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw Technique, he destroyed the two secret magic spindles in the air. The seven times speed boost was indeed remarkable.

“Damn it!” The comb demon stomped her feet in anger, realizing she was severely restrained. Despite having a few artifacts turned into demons that could exert power, she feared that sending out a meat bun to hit a dog would yield no return; this brat was basically her nemesis.

“Let the Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng King come out and let me see it!” Li Hui strode forward, not believing the demon’s words! Is it popular to cultivate demon plants these days? Even an artifact demon is nurturing a ginseng demon?

“I won’t! The Ginseng King has a debt of gratitude to its master. It was left on this island to repay it,” the demon said resolutely, backing away as Li Hui pressed forward.

“Fine, then. Until we meet again!” Li Hui turned and walked away. He had spent considerable time remembering the patterns on the stairs, and now he heard sounds from the entrance spiral, indicating pursuers were arriving; if he didn’t leave now, when would he?

“You…” The comb demon was taken aback. This person just decided to leave, and as she saw him storm to the end of the corridor, entering the stone wall she had previously been unable to approach, she called out, “Wait! Two roots of five-thousand-year ginseng, picked before the Ginseng King transforms into a demon. There is a chance to leave the island here!” The comb demon continued, “If you insist on taking the peach tree demon’s life, I’m willing to transfer some of my life essence to you, begging you to spare her.”

Li Hui remained silent, but Guang Jin exclaimed.

“Oh my Buddha! Does this female demon think she’s the holy mother of the demon clan? That’s her life essence she wants to give away to the yet-to-be-born little demon! What a twist of fate! Being blessed with good fortune before birth, what happens after? Pretty lady, how about we make a deal, and you give your life essence to me?”