Stronger with Crimson Modifier

「Half an incense stick later.」

As the night deepened, Hu Qi stood motionless by the riverbank.

He watched as Jin Ling’er’s figure gradually vanished into the night, transforming into a streak of Flowing Light that sped toward the Wang Family.

"Big Brother, are you really going to let our little sister be with that man?"

At that moment,

Hong Yuan, who stood to the side, could no longer hold back and finally asked.

"What other choice is there?"

Hu Qi’s tone was flat.

"Should I kill that man and have our little sister hate me for the rest of her life? We should respect her choice."

"But he’s just an ordinary person! There’s no benefit to our little sister being with him, only harm. She’s clearly been fooled by his sweet-talking..."

Hong Yuan’s expression was conflicted; he wanted to say more but held his tongue.

"Don’t worry."

Hu Qi glanced at Hong Yuan and waved his hand dismissively.

"She is my sister, after all. I would never harm her. It’s just that the time isn’t right."

’Jin Ling’Er falling for Wang Zhiyuan is a matter of fate. It cannot be changed.’

’Unless both of them are utterly annihilated, any attempt to stop them will only strengthen Jin Ling’er’s feelings for Wang Zhiyuan.’

’That is the terrifying nature of fate. It manipulates everything unseen, and it is nearly impossible to defy.’

’Even one’s own preferences and choices are not truly their own.’

’And the most terrifying part is that the people involved believe these are their own thoughts and desires.’

However, Hu Qi had no intention of explaining these principles to Hong Yuan.

He finished his thought and turned to Hong Yuan, his tone placid.

"Alright. Now, take me to see this River-Devouring Demon Monarch."

Hearing this, Hong Yuan’s heart skipped a beat. He collected his thoughts and asked tentatively,

"Big Brother, are you going to...?"

"It’s nothing. Just paying a visit,"

Hu Qi said.

His expression betrayed no emotion.

Hong Yuan didn’t press the matter.

The two of them flickered, transforming into two streaks of Flowing Light that plunged straight into the depths of Tai Ze Lake.

...

The waters of Tai Ze Lake were vast, a web of crisscrossing currents. The distance from their position to the River-Devouring Demon Monarch’s residence was at least several hundred miles.

But at Hu Qi and Hong Yuan’s speed, it was a journey of mere moments.

Before long, the Swallow River Palace appeared in Hu Qi’s line of sight.

In the sunless depths of the lake, the Swallow River Palace resembled a colossal, slumbering beast.

It stood silently on the murky lakebed. The surrounding water flowed slowly, drawn by an unseen force into gentle currents that swirled around the palace.

The palace roof was high, its spire embedded with a giant white pearl that emitted a soft, bright radiance.

Like an underwater moon, it illuminated the surrounding domain.

Strange aquatic creatures swam all around. Schools of fish darted past, their scales glinting like silver, resembling a flowing river of stars.

Before the main gate stood two enormous statues, carved in the likeness of ferocious stone dragons.

"You wait here,"

Hu Qi ordered casually.

Before the words had even faded, he took a single step and vanished from Hong Yuan’s sight.

Seeing this, Hong Yuan’s expression grew solemn.

’I have a vague suspicion about the true purpose of Hu Qi’s visit.’

’After all, this is no way to pay a friendly visit.’

’What kind of guest doesn’t use the front door?’

’Although I know Hu Qi is incredibly powerful, I still feel a deep sense of unease.’

’I am no longer the naive and ignorant Spirit Monster of my youth.’

’I know that the current River-Devouring Demon Monarch is a mighty being who has engaged in Cultivation for nearly a thousand years. His power has reached the Nascent Soul Realm, making him far superior to any Demon King at the Nascent Element Realm.’

’My big brother possesses extraordinary Talent and incredible power, but with only eighteen years of Cultivation, I’m not sure if he can truly stand against the River-Devouring Demon Monarch.’

...

Hu Qi moved as if through an empty realm, striding directly forward.

The powerful barrier of force enveloping the Swallow River Palace seemed not to exist at all.

He passed through it with ease, not causing the slightest ripple.

The Swallow River Palace was vast, but under the sweep of Hu Qi’s Demon Sense, nothing within its walls could hide.

In a single instant, he located the River-Devouring Demon Monarch.

...

Inside a great hall, its domed ceiling inlaid with Jade that filled the room with bright light.

A middle-aged man in a Dragon-Embroidered Black Robe sat cross-legged upon a Jade Bed.

Suddenly, the middle-aged man, who had been cultivating with his eyes closed, snapped them open. His pupils were vertical slits, and a light like molten gold glinted within them.

"Who are you? What is your purpose in trespassing in my Swallow River Palace?"

The River-Devouring Demon Monarch’s voice was low and icy.

His gaze shifted to the side. Not far in front of him, a figure had appeared at some unknown moment.

Demon Power began to roil faintly around his body, as if he were ready to strike at any moment.

’For someone to appear before me so silently, they’re clearly no simple character.’

"And here I was, wondering what you were. Just a Fifth Layer Nascent Soul Realm Black Crocodile, and you dare call yourself ’River-Devouring’?"

Hu Qi chuckled.

His gaze seemed to pierce straight through the man’s body.

"Hm? You..."

At his words, the River-Devouring Demon Monarch’s pupils contracted. ’He saw through my cultivation level and my true form with a single glance!’

’This is clearly a hostile visitor.’

At that thought,

a vicious glint flashed in his eyes.

His body abruptly swelled, tearing his black robes to shreds.

In an instant, his upper body transformed into that of a ferocious beast, its eyes flashing with a baleful light.

It opened its cavernous maw, which seemed large enough to devour heaven and earth, and lunged straight at Hu Qi.

The giant maw carried a monstrous, ferocious power. A foul stench washed over them as the water itself was torn asunder, forming a heart-stopping vortex.

However, in the face of this sudden assault,

Hu Qi’s expression remained indifferent.

SQUELCH!

The next moment, the sickening sound of tearing flesh rang out.

The River-Devouring Demon Monarch’s entire upper body had vanished into thin air. All that remained were his waist and two legs, which swayed for a moment before crashing heavily to the floor.

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