Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Chapter 592: Encounter with the Holy Maiden

Su Han had already figured out the pattern of the Natural Maze Formation and quickly returned to his previous position, but by then, the Zi Mansion Holy Son and the others had already left.

Without the white demon python, only the original threat of the Poison Erosion Mist remains.

Su Han understood that the Zi Mansion Holy Son and his company must have already left the Poison Erosion Mist, so he turned and headed toward the middle layer.

On a mountain range, someone exclaimed in a low voice, "Someone else has come out!" their gaze drawn over.

A figure was seen fleeing from the Poison Erosion Mist in a sorry state. It was indeed Su Han, but he now looked panicked, injured, and utterly disheveled.

Atop this mountain range, about fifty or sixty people were gathered, all Martial Artists from Ji State, with the Zi Mansion Holy Son among them.

Su Han had sensed his presence beforehand, so he deliberately feigned his current state to avoid suspicion.

How is that the Fire Crow Sect Master? I thought he’d died in the belly of the demon python!

Upon recognizing Su Han, someone couldn’t help but mutter under their breath, clearly filled with jealousy. The Zi Mansion Holy Son, however, had delight in his eyes as he stepped forward to Su Han’s side.

"Fire Crow Sect Master, are you alright? What danger did you encounter?" the Zi Mansion Holy Son asked with concern. Su Han had already prepared an excuse, so his replies flowed smoothly without raising any of the Holy Son’s suspicions.

"This is the Purple Qi Healing Elixir from my Zi Mansion Holy Land. It is a Supreme Grade Dao Elixir, capable of healing injuries and restoring one’s body."

An Elixir brimming with purple qi was passed to Su Han, further fueling the jealousy of the others.

"Thank you, Lord Holy Son, for bestowing this Elixir! Your humble servant will die for you without regret!"

Su Han paid no attention to the others’ gazes, his excitement flawlessly feigned.

Taking a moment to use the Elixir and heal, Su Han observed his surroundings and noted that only sixty-eight people remained. The rest had either fallen to the white demon python or had been lost in the Poison Erosion Mist.

They were currently healing and resting on the mountain range while also waiting for others to emerge from the Poison Erosion Mist.

After a long time passed with no one else emerging after Su Han, the Zi Mansion Holy Son, unwilling to waste any more time, stood up and gave the order. "We’re not waiting any longer. We’re leaving!" he commanded, leading the group into the middle layer zone.

The Spiritual Energy in the middle layer zone was even richer than in the outer layer. A single breath was invigorating and refreshing, making it an excellent Cultivation Treasure Land.

Treasures were also more abundant here. Spiritual Medicines and Dao Medicines could be found easily, and even Holy Medicines could be spotted, though they were not yet mature and could only be marked for later.

ROAR!

A ferocious roar echoed as a black demon tiger burst out of the forest, instantly killing a middle-aged man and dragging him away.

"A Supreme Realm Seventh Level!" the crowd exclaimed, having identified the black demon tiger’s strength.

The environment of the middle layer zone was better, but the demonic beasts living here were also more terrifying. That black demon tiger had struck suddenly and without warning, making it impossible to guard against.

THUD!

The ground beneath someone’s feet suddenly cracked open without a sound, like the gaping maw of an abyss. It swallowed the person whole, and they vanished without a trace.

"It’s a man-eating Demon Flower!"

Someone spotted a garish Demon Flower scurrying away underground. Clearly, that was its camouflage. Having achieved its goal, it fled so quickly that there was no chance for pursuit.

"Everyone, be on your guard!" the Zi Mansion Holy Son called out. He was shrouded in a hazy purple qi, which faintly took the shape of a dragon coiling around his body. His eyes sparkled, able to detect even more dangers.

SWOOSH!

The Zi Mansion Holy Son suddenly made his move. His purple qi transformed into a dragon, resembling a sharp spear that tore through the air and struck a specific spot.

"ROAR!"

A tiger’s roar shook the heavens and the earth. The dragon formed of purple qi had struck the black demon tiger. The beast had succeeded in its first hunt and was about to attack again, but the Zi Mansion Holy Son discovered it and took the initiative.

Although the black demon tiger was also at the Supreme Realm Seventh Level, its cultivation method was shoddy, and its techniques were simple. Its Domain was also relatively weak. It could only bully those weaker than itself. Faced with a prodigy like the Zi Mansion Holy Son, it was no match.

The black demon tiger was entangled by the dragon of purple qi. Its black fur began to split open, revealing a bloody mess of flesh.

"ROAR! ROAR!"

The black demon tiger let out continuous furious roars as its Evil Qi surged to the sky, forming its Domain. It tore with its claws, breaking free from the purple qi dragon. Then, it transformed into a black lightning bolt and fled into the depths of the forest.

"You think you can escape from me?"

The Zi Mansion Holy Son snorted coldly and reached out, a Purple Gold Holy Spear materializing in his hand.

This Purple Gold Holy Spear was a Low Grade Holy Artifact forged from Innate purple gold. It was crafted specifically for him by the Zi Mansion Holy Master. When propelled by his Purple Qi Emperor Body, it could unleash even greater power.

WHOOSH!

The Zi Mansion Holy Son hurled the Purple Gold Holy Spear. It instantly shone as bright as the sun, its splendid purple radiance illuminating half the sky, like a giant purple star falling from the heavens to crash into the mortal realm.

The Purple Gold Holy Spear was faster than lightning. It pierced through space wherever it passed, turning grass and trees to dust. Nothing could withstand it. It seemed capable of punching a hole through the world itself.

The black demon tiger was terrified, running for its life. Seeing that escape was impossible, it flooded its body with Evil Qi and reinforced itself with its Domain Power. Its claws, dense with Evil Qi and glinting with a cold light, shot out to meet the incoming Purple Gold Holy Spear.

SPURT!

Although the black demon tiger’s Physical Body was strong, the Purple Gold Holy Spear was a Holy Artifact and far sharper. It pierced straight through the tiger’s paw, stabbed into its body, and pinned it to the ground.

"Lord Holy Son is mighty!"

Seeing this, the crowd cheered excitedly, quick to offer their flattery.

This black demon tiger was extremely powerful. Aside from a few Martial Artists at the Supreme Realm Eighth and Ninth Levels, only the Zi Mansion Holy Son could have slain it so effortlessly.

"Fire Crow Sect Master, this is a reward for you!"

The Zi Mansion Holy Son wanted to win Su Han’s loyalty, so he gave him the black demon tiger’s corpse. It wasn’t precious to the Holy Son, but it was a good way to make someone loyal to the death. He was well-versed in the methods of the powerful.

If it had been the real Fire Crow Sect Master, he might have truly been won over. Unfortunately for the Holy Son, he had encountered Su Han. Although Su Han appeared exceedingly grateful, as if he had met a great benefactor, it was all an act.

"Let’s go, keep moving!" The Zi Mansion Holy Son led the group onward. Their target was not the middle layer zone but the Inner Layer Zone.

Along the way, they encountered many dangers but also found many opportunities. Everyone was wounded, but their gains were immense.

"Ahead is the Death Marsh, the boundary between the middle layer zone and the Inner Layer Zone!" the Zi Mansion Holy Son announced, gazing into the distance.

The Death Marsh was even more terrifying than the Poison Erosion Mist. It was precisely because of its existence that so few people managed to venture into the Inner Layer Zone, let alone find the Life Spring Water.

However, the Zi Mansion Holy Son’s goal on this trip was the Life Spring Water. He would not be deterred by any difficulty.

"Hm?" Suddenly, the Zi Mansion Holy Son’s gaze sharpened. He saw people already struggling through the Death Marsh. On the near shore, a familiar figure was covering their retreat.

It was none other than the Vermilion Holy Maiden of the Earth Demon Holy Sect.