Chapter 57

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Chapter 57: The Demon Tower

Yi Qianmo and Yu Xiu moved cautiously, finally reaching the edge of the lava pool. They stopped to catch their breath when, in the distance, a group of massive beasts appeared, running frantically as though something terrifying was chasing them.

Moments later, the cause of their panic revealed itself: a pack of enormous black wolves—seven or eight in number—pursuing the frightened creatures.

“Wilderness Sheep… And those behind them are… Grey Wolves!” Yi Qianmo muttered, his expression tense.

He recognized the spirit beasts immediately. Both the Wilderness Sheep and the Grey Wolves were above the first grade, fifth level, but among the wolves was a leader—a second-grade, first-stage wolf, equivalent to the Foundation Establishment Stage.

The Wilderness Sheep were quick, far too fast for the wolves to catch easily. The wolves worked together, their sharp instincts guiding them to hunt in a coordinated effort.

Yi Qianmo and Yu Xiu exchanged uneasy glances, then instinctively dropped to the ground, trying to stay unnoticed.

“Catching one of those sheep would be amazing…” Yu Xiu murmured under his breath.

Yi Qianmo turned to him, frowning. “Doesn’t your Buddhism preach kindness and forbidding harm to living creatures?”

Yu Xiu looked surprised, then chuckled. “Who told you that? Buddhism teaches compassion, but sparing every small creature is a kindness meant for women. Nature is a cycle. We must respect its balance.”

His earnest gaze and calm demeanor silenced Yi Qianmo’s retort.

Almost as if Yu Xiu’s words had been heard by fate, a lone Wilderness Sheep became separated from the herd. It bounded across the plain, pursued by the wolves, who ignored Yi Qianmo and Yu Xiu entirely.

“Let’s head for that mountain!” Yi Qianmo said quickly.

Without hesitation, Yu Xiu followed. The open plain offered no hiding places, and if they were noticed, their only fate would be to end up as the wolves’ prey.

They reached the mountain and immediately sensed something unusual. The spiritual energy in the area was incredibly abundant—far more than they’d ever experienced.

“This isn’t Green Dragon Mountain,” Yi Qianmo said, frowning.

Yu Xiu nodded. “If it’s not Green Dragon Mountain, then where are we? This level of spirit Qi shouldn’t exist there.”

Yi Qianmo shook his head. “Forget that for now. I need to recover my spiritual power. Keep watch!”

Finding a secluded spot, Yi Qianmo sat cross-legged and began absorbing the abundant spirit Qi. The flow of energy was so intense that not only did he fully recover, but his cultivation advanced from the second level to the third level of the Qi Refining Stage.

Just as he finished, Yu Xiu tugged urgently at his sleeve.

“What is it?” Yi Qianmo asked, irritated.

“Spirit… beast!” Yu Xiu stammered, pointing toward a nearby thicket.

Yi Qianmo turned to see a massive striped tiger, nearly ten feet long, emerging from the brush. Its glowing red eyes locked onto them, its enormous body radiating raw power.

“Run!” Yi Qianmo shouted, grabbing Yu Xiu and bolting.

The tiger was a first-grade, eighth-level Spotted Tiger, far beyond their ability to defeat. Its roar echoed through the mountain as it leapt in front of them, blocking their escape.

Yu Xiu froze, trembling, while Yi Qianmo unsheathed his black sword.

“Wind Word Sword Technique!” Yi Qianmo yelled, striking with all his might.

The tiger swatted the sword aside effortlessly, sending Yi Qianmo flying. He crashed to the ground, coughing blood and barely conscious.

As the tiger advanced, it suddenly turned toward Yu Xiu, who was paralyzed with fear.

The beast lunged.

“Splatter!”

A flash of light sliced through the air. The Spotted Tiger was cut cleanly in two, its massive body collapsing onto Yu Xiu, drenching him in blood.

Yi Qianmo struggled to his feet, stunned, as a figure emerged from the shadows.

“You jumped down too?” Yi Qianmo asked, recognizing Zhou Lanting.

Zhou Lanting ignored him, kneeling next to the tiger’s corpse. She uncorked a jade bottle and began collecting the beast’s blood.

“How did you two survive?” she asked casually, glancing at the unconscious monk.

Yi Qianmo explained their journey. Zhou Lanting, in turn, shared her story. She had entered the realm through a different route, ending up in the Fire Demon’s lair. When the Fire Demon awoke, she had narrowly escaped through a mysterious wall, finding herself in this strange mountain.

“That explains how you got here,” Yi Qianmo said, still processing her tale.

Zhou Lanting, however, seemed more interested in Yu Xiu’s belongings. She searched the young monk and quickly pocketed the Five Element Refuge Bead.

“That’s not right,” Yi Qianmo said, frowning.

“What’s not right? He’s a monk, and I’m a demonic cultivator. His kind are always trying to stop people like me. Taking this bead is mercy—I could’ve destroyed him.”

Their conversation was cut short as the bright sky above them darkened unnaturally. A chilling silence fell over the plains.

In the distance, a grey wolf abandoned its freshly caught Wilderness Sheep, retreating into the forest with its tail tucked between its legs.

Yi Qianmo and Zhou Lanting exchanged uneasy glances.

“What… is that?” Zhou Lanting whispered, her eyes wide with fear.

Yi Qianmo followed her gaze.

Far off on the grassland, shrouded in the encroaching darkness, stood a tower—an ancient, pitch-black structure glowing with a sinister red light.

“That… wasn’t there before,” Yi Qianmo said, his voice trembling.

Zhou Lanting’s unease deepened. “The Demon Tower… We’ve stumbled into something far more dangerous than we imagined.”