Chapter 27: The Demon Lord

The appearance of the Demon Lord differed from his actual age, but not by much; therefore, Bai Zongnan’s first reaction upon seeing him was one of astonishment. Yet, after the initial amazement, another thought came to his mind: why had the demons brought him into the Mythic World? What possible benefit could it bring them?

Unable to contain his curiosity, Bai Zongnan asked, “Senior, did you capture me to make me participate in the Celestial Martial Apprentice Examination?”

It was true that the demons had the right to send people into the Celestial Martial Apprentice Training Camp, but Bai Zongnan couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss.

“Indeed,” replied the Demon Lord Rakshasa. “Your cultivation far surpasses the ordinary. Thus, you must undergo the Celestial Martial Apprentice’s test.”

“I…” Bai Zongnan’s face flushed, on the verge of tears. “I’m just an ordinary man… I can sing, dance, and rap, but I’m not a fighter at all…”

Rakshasa said, “Don’t worry, you don’t need to lift a finger.”

“No fighting?” Bai Zongnan was dumbfounded.

“You only need to dodge their attacks. If you survive, you pass the test.”

“But what if I die?” Bai Zongnan asked anxiously. At his current level—barely a beginner—any random beast could kill him!

“In that case, I’ll slaughter every last one of you as a funeral offering!” The Demon Lord’s words were as cold as ice.

A shiver ran down Bai Zongnan’s spine.

Heavens, how terrifying.

“But I won’t kill you,” the Demon Lord added. “I’ll only toss you into the midst of those demonic beasts.”

Bai Zongnan’s face drained of color. “Wouldn’t that be terribly painful?”

Rakshasa raised an eyebrow. “Exactly. Extremely painful. If you’re frightened, you can withdraw from the test.”

Bai Zongnan gritted his teeth. “I’m not afraid!”

He, Bai Zongnan, had never known fear or retreat!

Rakshasa nodded. “In that case, let us begin.”

“Begin?” Bai Zongnan’s eyes widened.

“Yes,” said the Demon Lord. “This is your only chance—your sole chance to survive.”

“What do you mean?” Bai Zongnan pressed.

The Demon Lord cast him a haughty glance. “Have you forgotten? Every few millennia, Celestial Martial Apprentices must fight against outsiders for the right to advance. If you die, you cannot participate, and I will abandon you.”

Bai Zongnan’s mouth twitched.

This was practically forcing him to compete!

He drew in a sharp breath. “Then how do we compete?”

The Demon Lord pointed toward distant mountains.

“Those are the Demon Abyss Mountains. Within, there are three hundred and sixty-five Early Eighth-Tier Beasts. You may choose one to face alone, or join forces with me to slay all three hundred and sixty-five.”

“Eighth-Tier… Early stage?!” Bai Zongnan’s legs went weak. As a mere Second-Tier Warrior, how could he possibly defeat such a monster?

“Of course, this is a fair contest,” the Demon Lord said. “If you admit defeat, you may live.”

“I…” Bai Zongnan hesitated. “Can I refuse?”

The Demon Lord’s eyes glinted with approval. “Very clever.”

Bai Zongnan was silent.

“But I advise you to accept. Otherwise, you may not even have the option to refuse,” the Demon Lord continued.

After a long pause, Bai Zongnan spoke with difficulty, “Then… I choose…”

His words stopped abruptly, and his pupils widened in shock.

Behind him, a surge of flames erupted, instantly engulfing his body!

A chilling hiss filled the air.

The Demon Lord smiled. “Good luck to you.”

With those words, his form grew indistinct and faded away completely.

Only after Rakshasa departed did Bai Zongnan’s body slowly return to normal.

Looking down, he realized his left arm was gone.

He stared, his expression flickering with uncertainty.

Moments before, he had been under the Demon Lord’s control, yet he had heard everything spoken between the two Rakshasas with perfect clarity.

The brutality and might of the Demon Emperor Rakshasa were beyond question; he disdained to even deceive Bai Zongnan. Thus, the Demon Lord had been telling the truth—he really would kill all the Celestial Martial Apprentices if Bai Zongnan died.

Bai Zongnan’s face was ashen.

For days now, he had been working desperately to grow stronger, hoping to avenge his past humiliation. Yet now, on the verge of his dream, he realized his strength was woefully insufficient.

Had he truly been an ordinary man, those three hundred and sixty-five Eighth-Tier Beasts would have left him no hope of passing.

Bai Zongnan closed his eyes.

A trace of resolute determination flickered in their depths.

No more cowardice. He would become stronger!

Roars and howls echoed all around him.

When he opened his eyes, he saw that he was surrounded by vicious monsters, their eyes glowing crimson, fur bristling, gaping maws ready to devour him alive.

“What… what’s happening?” In the Baron’s Mansion, Roland exclaimed in alarm.

He had never witnessed such a scene.

“They’re demonic beasts!” the Baron replied grimly. “They’re wreathed in black smoke—clearly poisoned.”

Roland was astonished. “Is the Demon Lord Rakshasa truly this powerful?”

Roland’s mother, a noblewoman, had once trained in the Demon Abyss Mountains and knew well their dangers.

Those mountains lay at the edge of the Demon Realm, home to not only beasts but countless bizarre entities. Among them grew the Black Mist Herb, which induced hallucinations when consumed.

Normally, as long as one avoided the Black Mist Herb, the beasts posed little threat.

Yet now, all the beasts had gone berserk, like rabid hounds. Clearly, the Demon Lord had tampered with them.

“We must flee!” the Baron cried.

He seized his wife’s hand and dashed for the castle gate.

A massive boulder crashed down, blocking their escape.

“It’s no use,” the Baron said, brow furrowed. “We can’t leave the castle.”

“Then what…” his wife whispered, pale and trembling.

“We fight to the death,” the Baron replied, clenching his fists. “This is our only chance.”

His wife nodded.

They steadied their breathing, channeling energy into their palms, ready to unleash it.

A chorus of ghastly howls filled the air as a peak Seventh-Tier tiger beast leapt at them. The Baron bravely intercepted it, locking it in deadly combat.

“Wife, find your chance and escape!” he called, even as he fought for his life.

Though the Baron possessed Ninth-Tier strength, his body and power matched only the peak of the Seventh Tier, making him nearly equal to the tiger beast.

It was a savage battle. Claws and fangs tore through his defenses, leaving a gaping wound in his chest, blood pouring forth.

But the Baron’s reflexes quickened, his body growing more agile, adapting to the beast’s attacks. His strikes grew sharper, more cunning, giving the beast no respite. Soon, he pierced its neck and belly, and the creature collapsed, dead.

Panting, the Baron wiped blood from his lips and turned to the side.

The Demon Lord Rakshasa stood shrouded in shadow, watching the battle with a detached air, making no move to interfere, as if he were content to watch Bai Zongnan die amid the beasts.

There was no pity, no remorse on his face—he regarded Bai Zongnan’s corpse as one might an exquisite work of art, his gaze appraising.

The Demon Lord had no need to act; Bai Zongnan truly had no chance of survival.

All knew that upon reaching the Eighth Tier, one’s body underwent a transformation: nearly impervious to blades and boasting monstrous regenerative powers. Even with only four limbs remaining, a beast could survive months unless beheaded.

But Bai Zongnan’s body was still unrefined, far from the Eighth Tier. He’d need to abandon this broken form and seek a stronger vessel.

Alas…

“You have not succeeded yet,” the Demon Lord murmured.

Even if the beast was crippled, so long as Bai Zongnan lived, his plans would always fail.

“I’ll tear you to pieces!”

Suddenly, an enraged woman’s voice rang in the Demon Lord’s ear—the heroine’s voice.

The Demon Lord’s expression froze.

A sly smile played upon his lips. He swept his gaze around, paused for an instant, and then dashed deeper into the castle.

In the blink of an eye, he reached the wall.

He raised his right hand and struck the wall with a heavy blow.

It did not budge.

Narrowing his eyes, he struck again. This time, with a crack, the bricks shattered, revealing a pitch-black opening. Without hesitation, he leapt inside.

A scream echoed from the stairwell.

The Demon Lord followed the sound and saw Bai Zongnan desperately dodging a beast’s attacks.

His face, arms, legs, and shoulders were all riddled with wounds, blood pouring freely. But Bai Zongnan’s eyes burned with resolve as he endured.

The Demon Lord snorted and continued forward.

As he ran, he inspected his surroundings. Upon seeing a hole in the wall, he smiled faintly and leapt in.

Inside, all was darkness.

Feeling his way forward by moonlight, he found a narrow, winding tunnel, twisting like a maze. After a while, he heard the sounds of battle ahead.

Quickening his pace, he reached a bend and saw a young man locked in combat with an Eighth-Tier beast.

This monster was even mightier than the last—nearly twenty meters tall, each step shaking the earth, its claws gleaming with a deadly light.

Bai Zongnan exchanged a few blows before being forced to the brink of defeat.

The Demon Lord watched with amusement.

He recognized this beast.

The first boss from “Heaven’s Origin.”

In the original story, this boss only appeared after Bai Zongnan had leveled up. But now… why was it here so soon?

A flurry of blows landed, and Bai Zongnan finally collapsed to the ground, unable to rise.

The beast loomed over him, watching its prey die.

At that moment, the Demon Lord stepped from the shadows, eyes red, veins standing out, a cruel smile on his lips—a bloodthirsty specter.

“You… how…” Roy stared wide-eyed.

The Demon Lord licked his nails leisurely. “Oh, I just woke up.”

Roy gaped in horror. “You… you’re fully awake?”

“Not quite,” the Demon Lord replied indifferently. “It will be some time yet before I am fully restored.”

“What?” Roy exclaimed. “You’ll be asleep for much longer?”

The Demon Lord shrugged with a light tone: “I think it’s time I left.”

Roy was dumbstruck. “Where to?”

The Demon Lord smiled. “My homeland.”

Roy was left speechless.

Without another word, the Demon Lord leapt from the castle and vanished into the night.

…

With a crash, Bai Zongnan hit the ground, convulsed twice, and lost consciousness.

“Brother…” A familiar voice called out, identical to Li Sikai’s, but in this world, she was Lin Sitong.

She stumbled toward Bai Zongnan, supporting him as tears streamed down her face.

Bai Zongnan opened his eyes, seeing his sister’s tear-streaked cheeks.

“Tongtong,” he managed to whisper.

“Brother, I’m sorry,” Lin Sitong choked. “It’s my fault you’re hurt.”

“It’s all right, Tongtong,” Bai Zongnan shook his head, gently stroking her hair. “You’re not to blame. Who could have foreseen the demon clan’s sudden attack?”

Lin Sitong’s eyes were downcast, tears flowing freely.

“Brother, will you die?” she asked.

“Don’t be afraid, Tongtong. Even if I die, you still have our parents,” Bai Zongnan consoled her softly.

She nodded, but her guilt only deepened. She should have known the demons would target her family, but her greed and unwillingness to leave her warm home had led to this. She would rather be selfish, letting her parents and brother bear the pain.

She sobbed uncontrollably, grief overwhelming her.

“Silly girl, don’t cry,” Bai Zongnan wiped her tears away. “We’re human. We won’t be devoured so easily.”

“Brother, what about the future…” she choked.

“The future?” Bai Zongnan was momentarily taken aback, then smiled in understanding. “Are you worried about me?”

“Brother…”

“Don’t worry, Tongtong.” He squeezed her cold hands. “I promised to stay by your side all my life. No matter what happens, I won’t leave you.”

She nodded through her tears, hugging his waist and burying herself in his arms.

Bai Zongnan gently stroked her back, his eyes deep and unreadable.

Not far off, the Demon Lord Rakshasa watched in silence, neither interrupting nor averting his gaze. He observed the youth with great interest—despite his tender age, the boy was calm and steady, not flustered in the least.

He was curious how far this youth could go.

The Demon Lord watched patiently.

He then noticed the look on Roy’s face—an expression of shock and disbelief.

The only son of the Rakshasa King gazed at the Demon Lord as if seeing a ghost, wondering how he could have infiltrated the demon heartland and still be alive and well.

The Demon Lord smiled, offering no explanation.

Soon enough, the prince would know the truth.

He glanced at Roy and spoke, “I remember you.”

“Who are you?” Roy asked warily.

“You needn’t know who I am,” the Demon Lord replied with a sly grin, “but I can tell you this: I want you to draw out your father, the Rakshasa King. If he won’t appear, then make him.”

“What?” Roy’s eyes bulged. “Are you mad?”

“Don’t be hasty,” the Demon Lord smiled. “I know what you worry about. Rest assured, I won’t harm your countrymen. I simply wish to ask the Rakshasa King about something.”

“Ask?” Roy was puzzled.

“Yes, I’m searching for an item.”

“What item?”

“An egg.”

“An egg?” Roy was stunned.

The Demon Lord nodded with a smile. “Indeed. A dragon egg.”

“Huh?” Roy was dumbstruck, eyeing the Demon Lord with suspicion. “What do you want with it?”

“To hatch it, of course.” The Demon Lord grinned. “I want to raise a dragon.”

Bai Zongnan nearly spat blood, gritting his teeth. “You want to raise a dragon?”

The Demon Lord cocked his head. “Is there a problem?”

“If you want a dragon egg, just take it. Why involve me? Are you playing with me or do you think I’m easy to bully?” Bai Zongnan glared.

The Demon Lord clicked his tongue. “You misunderstand.”

“Misunderstand?” Bai Zongnan frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I truly want to hatch the egg,” the Demon Lord explained. “But it’s not in my possession, and the hatching process is dangerous—a single mistake, and the shell will break. If you’re willing to help, I’ll grant you a fortuitous opportunity.”

“An opportunity?” Bai Zongnan’s interest was piqued. “What kind of opportunity?”

“Come with me,” the Demon Lord said, seizing Bai Zongnan’s wrist and leading him into the depths of the forest.

After a while, they heard a thunderous noise ahead.

Turning, Bai Zongnan saw that trees had been snapped clean through, and the ground was strewn with the corpses of demonic wolves.

Huge and numerous, the wolves were soaked in blood, lying dead on the earth.

Bai Zongnan gasped and stumbled back. “What… what happened here?”

The Demon Lord’s eyes glinted with mirth as he explained, “Let me show you what is truly the most powerful creature in this forest.”

He casually grabbed a demonic wolf, unsheathed his saber, and sliced its throat without mercy.

Blood sprayed, and the wolf’s dying cries pierced the air.

Bai Zongnan’s heart pounded wildly, sweat beading on his brow as he clamped a hand over his mouth, struggling to suppress a scream.