Chapter 203

Chapter 203: The Lord Calls Hongmo Zhen

Li Hui retrieved the Ice Silkworms and Abyssal Wood, leaving the other items untouched, and silently thought, “Am I too aggressive? Just taking two Ice Silkworms, and I was ready to pay any price for a life—how could I be so impulsive? At the time, it felt like a fierce Vajra was hiding in my heart. What could have been solved using half of my magical items ended up with all of them being destroyed. This won’t do! I need to be cautious; I can’t be swayed by the monk fruit. It’s fine to act like a fierce Vajra on the path of cultivation, but I must control the extent of it.”

Even Qian Qiu Yue felt fear, demonstrating just how volatile his aura was. But it was just a moment of gratification, using up the talismans collected from the Yin-Yang Nine Heads was like a last desperate struggle of a grasshopper in autumn.

Now, knowing that drawing cause-and-effect talismans consumes a massive amount of energy, it nearly rivals that of a monster-conjuring talisman. If conditions allow, I should stock up on more supplies.

As the walls of the bug nest cracked, a light blood mist poured in. Qian Qiu Yue examined the damage and, with a grave expression, said, “After Hongmo Xi’s death, the power of the formations has weakened by at least three folds. If we withdraw the magical items from the formation platform, we can still hold them off for three to four hours; after that, we need to find a way to rush to the entrance of the Purple Fortress. This is precisely what the enemy wants us to do.”

“They’re trying to flush us out like a rabbit in a trap,” Li Hui said pessimistically, “There are so many powerful experts out there; those who go out will be in trouble.”

Suddenly, Hongmo Zhengfang spoke up, “We won’t die; as long as we hold on for a few more hours, it’s a success if Hongmo Jiu and Hongmo Chu survive this.”

“What do you mean by that?” Li Hui and Qian Qiu Yue both turned to him.

“Ha ha ha, it’s all about intrigue! Hongmo Xi has already sent word out; it’s obvious that the old man’s men will come. Anyone can guess, just like the mantis stalks the cicada, with the yellow oriole waiting in the back, while true disciples from both sides are waiting to be devoured. Do you know about raising worms? Wan Nest Island is the jar for raising worms, and only the most vicious, the most ruthless, and the strongest disciples can make it out.”

Hearing this, Li Hui felt a chill run down his spine. The Hongmo Sect truly is a demonic sect, not even sparing their own disciples.

“Cough, cough…” Hongmo Zhengfang drank too heavily and choked, lamenting loudly, “Damn the Hongmo Sect; all they cultivate are twisted perverts. In the end, the old man was right; the current Hongmo Sect has long departed from the true path of demon cultivation, only understanding how to torment the living. Demon paths are a way too; one must conquer their inner demons to rise up. I refuse to harm living beings—no, no! I want to subdue both external demons and my inner demons; I want the demons of this world to submit at my feet…”

“Boom…” The air tremored, filled with overwhelming demonic intent!

“How is this possible?” Qian Qiu Yue stared in disbelief.

“What’s Zhengfang doing? Senior Sister?” Li Hui swayed slightly. Just then, following Hongmo Zhengfang’s words, he felt himself entering an extraordinarily profound realm. But it was a fleeting experience, and before he could deeply comprehend it, that feeling slipped away from him.

“The true path of demons: as the Dao diminishes, the demons grow stronger!” Qian Qiu Yue explained, but Li Hui did not comprehend.

In just a moment, Hongmo Zhengfang’s hair and eyebrows grew out, becoming red—not the fire-red of Fire Family cultivators, but a striking blood-red that could stun anyone.

His eyebrows were like swords, his hair flowed like blood, and the demonic realm existed from time immemorial…

“Damn it, this wine is losing its flavor with every sip.” Hongmo Zhengfang slapped his hand, causing the bug nest to resound with explosions, large sections of barriers crumbling to dust, creating huge holes in the outer walls, with red air flowing in.

He threw the wine jar, and upon being struck by the red air, it immediately released its wine aroma.

Opening his mouth to inhale, the fragrance filled his throat, and he exclaimed from genuine appreciation, “Good, good! The wine aromas bursting forth from Blood Surge are truly refreshing; I love drinking it.”

Li Hui walked over, picked up a wine jar, and said, “Meat and Egg! Drinking alone isn’t fun; don’t think those eyebrows and hair make you look cool in front of the beauty of the Jade Symbol Sect.”

“You little brat, I haven’t settled the score with you yet!” Hongmo Zhengfang raised his hand to strike the red air, actually pushing the Blood Surge back.

“Ha ha ha, what you owe me, I owe you. Give and take is how friends are made,” Li Hui, unafraid, sat down freely with the wine jar, saying, “We’ve known each other for a while. Allow me to introduce myself; I am Li Yingjun of the Jade Symbol Sect, known as Master Yingjun. Today, seeing your wild and carefree attitude, I can’t help but want to befriend you.”

“You’re willing to befriend a Demon Cultivator?” Hongmo Zhengfang shot out another palm, using Blood Surge to impact the wine jar, creating a misty aroma of wine.

“No, I’m here to enlighten you.”

Li Hui, with a charismatic presence, laughed and said, “I intend to appoint you as the abbot of Dalong Guangxiao Temple, with the monk name ‘Zheng Fang.’ As long as you don’t succeed in becoming a demon, I won’t cease to guide you. This is the grand Dao, full of merit and good deeds; let’s see who dares to twist the matters of the righteous and the Demonic.”

“Is that allowed?” Hongmo Zhengfang was taken aback.

“Why not? Alas! My Li Yingjun is not only strikingly handsome but also possesses superior wisdom. Many issues can be resolved more easily with a change of approach than through violence!” Li Hui drank deeply, exhaling the aroma of wine, “Once my cultivation rises, I’ll visit the Jin Tian Sect for a round. Who knows, I might help you secure a righteous identity. The difference between righteous and demonic is trivial. Times have changed; we must look at the cultivation world with shifting perspectives.”

Qian Qiu Yue shook her head, smiling wryly. If the sect elders heard such rebellious words, they wouldn’t hesitate to bash this kid’s skull in.

“Ha ha ha, interesting! From the moment I met you, I found you intriguing.” Hongmo Zhengfang patted Li Hui’s shoulder firmly, causing a loud thud. If it weren’t for the Ideal Body, Li Hui wouldn’t be able to handle that strength.

This red-browed rascal said, “I reluctantly accept you, this rogue, as a friend. Remember, I am the beauty of the Hongmo Sect. When I return, I’ll see who’s handsomer than me and take care of him. Cough! From today on, I’ll go by Hongmo Zheng.”

“Zheng Fang Junior Brother, do not joke around! I am wholly devoted to leading you to Buddha,” Li Hui imitated a teasing tone, chuckling, raising his wine cup to shout, “Cheers!”

“Good! Drink all this wine!” Hongmo Zheng, in a fit of passion, repeatedly struck into the Blood Surge, and as his cultivation reached the Bosa stage, only the essence of the Blood Surge could intoxicate him. Yesterday’s encounters felt like passing clouds; today he saw clearly, wandering freely, evolving into a Demon Lord.

As the lord calls, Hongmo Zheng sang boldly and drank deeply, the coiled dragon awakened from its slumber, laughing and defying the true teachings!

Li Hui sat beside Hongmo Zheng, joyfully laughing and indulging, continuously refining his heart of Dao. Qian Qiu Yue looked at the two in astonishment, her heart swirling in tumultuous waves as she murmured, “Between heaven and earth, where there is yin, there is yang; where there is justice, there is quirkiness. These two, being complementary forces, actually invoke great fortune, manifesting the might of a roaring tiger and a howling dragon. Strangely, Hongmo Zheng, a Demon Cultivator, is righteous, while Li Hui, a righteous cultivator, is quirky. How fascinating!”

“Ha ha ha, regardless of right or wrong, after so many years, only you meet my tastes. Come, call me ‘Big Brother’—I’ve never had a younger brother!”

“Get lost! I’m here to lead you to enlightenment. You must shave off that distinctive red brow and hair and call me ‘Senior Brother,’” Li Hui said with a flushed face, gleefully grinning, “Meat and Egg Junior Brother—no, Zheng Fang Junior Brother! I really worry for your mind! The Buddhist path is far easier than the Demonic. I’ll ensure you live richly and splendidly.”

The two, having found friendship through conflict, resonated with each other, with Hongmo Zheng’s demonic nature releasing the Dao, only to encounter Li Hui, whose heart of Dao was pure. Just a drink led them through the danger of becoming demons. At this moment, he felt it in his heart, born from intention, having broken free from shackles—how could a future Giant of the Demonic Path be constrained?