"What's this supposed to mean—are we fighting one-on-one?" Fang Han stared at the Asura commander standing a hundred steps away. The creature's head was strikingly handsome, almost ethereal, like a noble immortal—but below the neck, its body was covered in black-blue scales that gleamed with demonic light. The combination of an elegant human face and a monstrous, hulking physique was grotesque—a fusion of angel and devil.
If that outer shell were shed and it took on human form, Fang Han thought grimly, it would be an extraordinarily handsome man. How ironic—that a demon in disguise could outshine a mortal in beauty.
He raised his voice, steady despite the tension coiling in his chest. "I am Fang Han, an outer disciple of Yuhua Sect. May I ask if this Asura commander intends to face me in battle?"
"You're from Yuhua Sect?" The Asura tilted its head slightly, voice deep and resonant. "Yet your body—powerful, unyielding—carries the strength of five horses, flesh and bone tempered beyond that of many Spirit Transformation cultivators. Your foundation is solid—stronger than some ranked disciples. You expect me to believe you're merely outer sect?"
Fang Han didn't answer. His gaze sharpened, studying the creature's aura instead.
Yan's words echoed in his mind: An Asura's strength rivals that of thirteen horses. A normal Spirit Transformation expert has five.
Even the Desert Bandit Prince—who had gained the power of seven horses by drinking the blood of a thousand-year Six-Winged Bat—would stand no chance against this being. Fang Han had seen the Asura's movements earlier; it had dodged Fang Qingxue's lightning blades like a streak of shadow. If it came for him, even his flying sword might not activate fast enough.
Only his Blood Cotton Demon Armor might save him—if even that.
If I'd already reached the tenth stage of Spirit Transformation, I'd have the strength of eight horses… maybe I'd stand a chance. But now? It's certain death.
"Not necessarily," Yan hissed in his mind. "Can't you see? This Asura isn't attacking yet. It doesn't want you slaughtering its army either. Otherwise, you'd already be a corpse. Asura are born killers—they don't hesitate like this."
Fang Han's eyes narrowed. "He wants to capture me alive—to use me against Fang Qingxue. He must think I'm important to her."
"Exactly," Yan replied with a sly chuckle. "Which means he won't kill you outright. That gives us… opportunity."
"Opportunity? You mean we can kill him? His scales are harder than the Flying Yasha's hide. Even a flying sword might not cut through."
"I have my ways," Yan said darkly.
The Asura's voice cut through their exchange. "Whether you're outer or inner sect means nothing. Put down your sword and come with me. I'll spare your life."
Even among demons, his confidence was absolute. With his strength, he could contend with Divine Ability experts. An outer disciple like Fang Han should have been beneath his notice.
"And if I refuse?" Fang Han's lips curved in a thin smile. He pointed toward the distant Demon God Altar, where purple lightning tore through the sky and the colossal idol trembled under Fang Qingxue's assault. "When my senior sister destroys that altar and slaughters your demon sect allies—you'll die anyway."
The Asura's smile twisted, a chill flashing in his eyes. "Then let's see who dies first."
A cold dread struck Fang Han as a claw of pure darkness ripped through the void, straight for his heart.
So fast!
The Asura hadn't moved a step, yet its strike was already upon him. His eyes couldn't even follow it.
Without thinking, Fang Han brought up his sword, slashing across his chest—Iron Lock Across the River!
Clang!
Sparks and purple lightning exploded. The impact hurled him backward like a rag doll. He tumbled across the stone floor, rolling more than ten paces before slamming to a stop, limbs tingling from the electric shock.
He'd blocked the blow—but the force behind it was monstrous. His arms shook violently; his right hand split open at the tiger's mouth, blood running down the hilt.
The Asura paused, arcs of purple lightning dancing briefly across its scaled body. It twitched—paralyzed for the briefest instant—then the light faded. Barely a scratch.
That heartbeat of paralysis, though, was all that had saved Fang Han's life.
This… this power…! Fang Han gasped, staggering to his feet. His insides felt as if they'd been turned upside down.
"You're too weak," the Asura said flatly, bloodlight flickering in its eyes. "I don't want to kill you. Put the sword down. The purple lightning's bite is faint—it can't harm me."
Fang Han sneered and sprang backward, retreating twenty paces toward the underground river, hoping to use the rushing current to mask his movement.
"You think you can run?"
The Asura's body blurred—turning into a streak of black light that tore through the air with a sound like a screaming flute. The wind pressure alone toppled giant mushroom-like growths along the cavern floor, uprooting others in a storm of dust.
Too fast!
A sharp wind screamed behind him—death approaching. Fang Han spun, flying sword slashing in a defensive whirl, wrapping around his head like a coiling dragon—Entwining Head and Neck!
Bang!
The blow sent him flying twenty paces. Blood spattered the ground as he crashed and rolled, barely catching his breath. The Asura's scales flashed again, the last traces of purple lightning fading harmlessly.
"Falling Star Pursues the Moon!"
Fang Han's body and sword became one, thrusting forward in a desperate counterattack, his full strength concentrated into the blade aiming for the Asura's eye.
He's not running—he's attacking?
The Asura laughed, a low, cruel sound. Its body blurred again, splitting into countless afterimages. Fang Han's sword stabbed through shadow.
He knew—this was the razor's edge. One slip, and he was dead.
His entire consciousness sharpened to a single point. Every bone in his body glowed under inner vision, reflecting light like crystal. His skin tingled with sensitivity—each whisper of wind, each scent of blood, feeding instinctive reaction.
He moved faster than thought—darting, spinning, slashing. Lightning burst from his blade as he parried strike after strike, the cavern filled with crackling thunder and sword-light.
Serpent and Crane Struggle!
Seven Stars in Line!
Spirit Flash!
Dragon's Essence, Tiger's Ferocity!
Autumn Rain Enfolds Silk!
Every technique he'd ever learned erupted in a storm of motion, his body and sword blurring into a single tempest.
The ground split under the weight of their battle. Dozens of craters cratered the cavern floor as the Asura's blows crashed down like meteors. Each impact sent shockwaves that hurled Fang Han back—but each time, the Asura's body shuddered under a jolt of purple lightning, momentarily stiffening, giving Fang Han seconds to recover.
Thank the heavens Qingxue reforged this sword, Fang Han thought through gritted teeth. Without its lightning, I'd be dead ten times over.
"Impressive," the Asura said, halting midair. "You've survived my Thirteen Flying Demon Strikes. You should be proud. I almost regret wasting you." His eyes gleamed. "How many more can you take? Two? One? Once that sword falls from your bloody hand, you'll be nothing but prey."
"Fang Qingxue!"
A thunderous roar split the air. On the distant altar, Wang Molin—the Sirius Adept—was engulfed in fire. The sevenfold wolf-smoke around him ignited, disintegrating into burning motes.
Qingxue broke his defenses!
Boom!
The Sevenfold Fiend Gourd flew from his grasp, split in half by a single slash. Fang Qingxue's hand snapped out, seizing the falling treasure.
"Without your gourd," she said coldly, "what power do you have left?"
Twin serpents of yin and yang lightning coiled around her, striking at the massive demon elephant idol.
But the statue moved.
The stone flesh rippled—alive. A monstrous pressure rolled outward, drowning the cavern in choking demonic energy.
Fang Qingxue's face tightened. "The Demon God… is manifesting!"
The Asura turned as well, eyes narrowing. The ground beneath him collapsed with a boom as he launched himself forward—his speed beyond sight.
"Now!" Yan's voice roared in Fang Han's mind. "The Demon God's awakening will consume everything. Fang Qingxue can't protect you now. We strike together—kill the Asura!"