The white tiger spirit, Hulao, was the greatest humiliation Wu Yue had ever endured in his few hundred years of life.
From a young age, Wu Yue had been a troublemaker, constantly stirring up chaos. It didn’t matter if he could win or not—he respected no one and was quick to fight whenever he was displeased. He made plenty of enemies along the way, but his exceptional demonic power far surpassed that of other spirits his age. He could hold his own against many greater spirits, sometimes even gaining the upper hand, and thus had never been beaten into submission or taught any “lessons.” As a result, he swiftly became notorious as the most fearsome bully on Ninefold Mountain.
By the time he reached two hundred years old and officially came of age, his reputation had only grown. He’d long since dismissed the smaller spirits as beneath him and only picked fights with the great spirits of Ninefold Mountain. Ninefold Mountain was vast, home to countless spirits and demons, many of whom ruled their own corners of the mountain range. There were plenty of malevolent spirits who fancied themselves kings of their territories, but Wu Yue made it his mission to fight them all, one by one.
Wu Yue didn’t kill every spirit he fought. Some, trembling in fear, would beg for their lives and promise never to cause trouble again. For those, Wu Yue spared their lives, but not without taking something as payment: from the peacock spirit, a few precious tail feathers; from the rabbit spirit, a bunch of prized carrots; and from the fox spirit, he forced them to pluck the fur from their large, fluffy tail to weave him a fox-fur blanket. Satisfied, Wu Yue would return to his cave, his spoils in hand. But for the truly malevolent spirits, he showed no mercy, killing many without hesitation.
Among all these spirits, Hulao, the white tiger demon, was the most formidable. He had long dominated the eastern abyss, his cultivation deep and profound. Many weaker spirits dared not resist him and served under his command. Although there were other powerful demons around Ninefold Mountain’s eastern abyss who could potentially match Hulao in battle, the demon world was one where the strong ruled, and most avoided interfering in matters that didn’t concern them. As long as their territory wasn’t directly affected, even the most powerful demons would rarely intervene. Wu Yue, with his youthful arrogance and love for fighting, was the sole exception.
Wu Yue and Hulao had clashed in a fierce battle that raged from Ninefold Mountain all the way to the mist-covered marshlands of Wuyu. Though Wu Yue had just reached adulthood, still bearing the youthful features of his human form, and his demonic power was formidable, facing a thousand-year-old demon like Hulao was an enormous challenge.
Complicating matters was the fact that the demon realm was vast and dangerous. The remote, desolate lands at the fringes of the realm were unpredictable and perilous, with few spirits daring to venture there. Such places were considered death traps. Wuyu Marsh, located at the far eastern edge of the demon realm, was shrouded in perpetual fog and darkness. Light never penetrated its depths. Wu Yue, having spent most of his life within Ninefold Mountain, had never been to such a place, and his unfamiliarity with the terrain left him at a disadvantage.
Wu Yue and Hulao had battled in the mist-shrouded Wuyu Marsh for over a month, both sustaining grievous injuries. In the final moments of their fight, Wu Yue’s demonic energy waned. Just as he drove his claws deep into Hulao’s chest, blood spraying into the air, Hulao’s sharp claws pierced through Wu Yue’s chest in turn, crushing his core in a devastating grip…
Boom!
A deafening sound echoed across Chuanki Mountain, followed by an earth-shaking tiger’s roar. The entire mountain trembled beneath the force. In the pale night, a massive black wolf stood face-to-face with a towering white tiger, both bristling with hostility, ready to tear into each other.
Wu Yue struck first, his jet-black fur gleaming like sharp, luminous needles in the night. He leaped into the air, hurling himself toward Hulao. The white tiger let out a long, piercing roar and charged to meet him. Blackish-purple demonic energy clashed violently with golden energy, tearing through the night and sending shockwaves across Chuanki Mountain. The ground quaked beneath the force of their powers, and the rest of the creatures in the mountain were deathly silent, too terrified to make a sound.
As they clashed, Hulao sensed no trace of Wu Yue’s core and sneered darkly. “So you managed to survive after all, but I wonder, how does it feel to have your core crushed?”
Wu Yue’s golden eyes flared, the old memory fueling his anger. He let out a cold laugh. “Why don’t you find out for yourself?”
His attacks grew fiercer. Unable to dodge in time, Hulao collided with a mountainside, sending rocks and soil cascading down. While such impacts meant little to powerful demons, Hulao quickly stood back up, shaking the debris from his fur. The black-purple aura around him grew thicker, his violet eyes glowing like dark lanterns in the night as he glared at Wu Yue. “Without your core, you think you can kill me with just your remaining demonic power?”
Hulao launched a surge of black-purple energy at Wu Yue, who quickly swiped his claws, scattering it. Hulao followed with a direct strike, his claws swiping viciously toward Wu Yue. Though Wu Yue reacted swiftly, dodging the fatal blow, Hulao’s claws raked across his back, leaving a long, deep gash. Blood sprayed out instantly. This chapter was copied from novelping . com without permission.
Wu Yue landed on the ground, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. But instead of fear, his eyes gleamed with excitement. Ignoring the wound on his back, he lunged at Hulao again.
Hulao, having been gravely injured in their battle years ago, had spent centuries recovering in the depths of Chuanki Mountain. Yet, despite the time that had passed, he had not fully healed. His demonic power, while still formidable, was unsustainable in prolonged combat. Wu Yue, on the other hand, fought with increasing ferocity, his golden eyes burning with relentless determination. Bloodied and battered, he showed no signs of retreat, as if he were willing to sacrifice everything in this battle.
As dawn began to break on the horizon, the surrounding mountain peaks lay in ruins from their fierce battle. Hulao was slammed into the ground, his once-pristine white fur now marred with numerous wounds. Wu Yue hovered above him, glaring down with arrogance. Without hesitation, he leapt toward Hulao for the final strike. But Hulao, quick to react, darted out of the way. In an instant, thick black-purple mist swirled around Wu Yue, completely engulfing him.
When Wu Yue finally dispelled the demonic mist, Hulao had vanished.
Wu Yue prepared to give chase, but after taking a few steps, he staggered and was forced to stop. Shifting back into his human form, his black robes were drenched in blood, his face pale from exhaustion.
He pressed a hand to his chest, where his core had once been. Now, it was nothing but an empty void. Without a core to nourish his demonic energy, his power had nearly run dry. His entire body screamed with discomfort, as if every bone was hollow and aching from the strain.
Wu Yue stumbled, then straightened himself with great effort. He lowered his hand from his chest and carelessly wiped the blood from his face. His eyes, still filled with a fierce, unrelenting killing intent, remained locked on the direction Hulao had fled, his overwhelming bloodlust fully unleashed.
The rain that had lasted for days finally stopped. As dawn broke, the first rays of sunlight touched the peaks of Chuanki Mountain and fell upon Wu Yue. Without looking back, he turned and began walking back down the mountain.
When he reached the courtyard, Wu Yue didn’t bother with the main gate, instead leaping over the wall. The courtyard was still muddy from the rain, and, without using his demonic energy, Wu Yue stepped right into the mud. He glanced down at his dirtied shoes in annoyance, but when he lifted his gaze, his expression froze.
Under the veranda, Xue Zhao and Ah Fei were huddled together, fast asleep on a cushion. Ah Fei had covered himself with one wing, while Xue Zhao lay sprawled out, all four paws stretched out, pressing against Ah Fei’s wing, his body faintly glowing a soft pink in his slumber.
Meng Huaize was asleep too, his head resting against a pillar, his robes drooping down to the steps where the rainwater had soaked them.
Wu Yue walked over and sat down beside Meng Huaize, pulling him into his arms with practiced ease. He buried his head in Meng Huaize’s chest, the familiar energy of the man’s presence finally soothing him. Wu Yue closed his eyes, feeling at peace for the first time.
Meng Huaize, who hadn’t been sleeping soundly, stirred. His lashes fluttered, and he opened his eyes, disoriented for a moment before his gaze landed on Wu Yue. His face immediately lit up with joy as he grabbed Wu Yue’s arm. “You…” The source of this chapter is novelping.com.
“Shh,” Wu Yue interrupted, placing a hand over Meng Huaize’s mouth.
Meng Huaize glanced at the sleeping Xue Zhao and Ah Fei and understood. Though he kept silent, the happiness on his face was unmistakable. Wu Yue, still holding him, refused to move. Meng Huaize laughed quietly. “What’s wrong?”
The familiar presence of Meng Huaize’s energy, along with the warmth of his body, wrapped around Wu Yue like a comforting blanket. Wu Yue mumbled, “Tired. Let me rest for a while.”
Meng Huaize wanted to ask what had happened with the great demon on Chuanki Mountain, but seeing Wu Yue’s almost childlike demeanor, as though he were being a little clingy, his heart melted. He decided not to ask and simply let Wu Yue hold him. He slid his arm around Wu Yue’s waist and gently patted his back.
After a couple of pats, Meng Huaize’s hand froze. He looked down at his fingers in shock, finding them stained with bright red blood.
“You…” Meng Huaize’s fingers trembled. Wu Yue’s black robes had hidden the blood, but now that Meng Huaize looked closely, he realized that many spots on Wu Yue’s clothing were darker, soaked through with blood. Meng Huaize’s face paled. “You’re injured?”
Wu Yue’s demonic energy was nearly depleted, and he was utterly exhausted. All he wanted was to sleep. “Stop fussing,” he muttered.
Panic gripped Meng Huaize as he tried to push Wu Yue away. “Let me get you medicine. I need to bandage your wounds.”
He tried to stand, but before he could fully rise, Wu Yue impatiently grabbed him, threw him over his shoulder, and strode into the room, slamming the door behind him.
Wu Yue threw Meng Huaize onto the familiar bed, pulling him into his arms just like he always did, cradling him as if Meng Huaize were his own core. Only then did Wu Yue feel a deep satisfaction, his eyelids heavy with fatigue.
Exhausted beyond measure, Wu Yue’s voice came out muffled and with a hint of a nasal tone. “It’s nothing serious. Just let me sleep, and I’ll be fine.”
Meng Huaize, who had been frantic moments earlier upon seeing Wu Yue’s injuries, gradually calmed down. Deep inside, he knew that none of his medical skills could help Wu Yue. His human treatments were useless for a demon.
He stopped resisting. A while later, Wu Yue’s breathing became slow and steady, signaling that he had fallen asleep. Meng Huaize quietly watched him for a while before turning to face him, gently wrapping his arms around Wu Yue’s waist and burying his face in his warm chest.
The scent of blood mixed with the warmth of Wu Yue’s body, fermenting in the heated air around them. Despite the metallic tang, Meng Huaize didn’t move. He closed his eyes, listening to the steady beat of Wu Yue’s heart, and allowed himself to drift back to sleep.