The Grey Rat's Demon Path

Chapter 166: Chapter 154: Life and Death Struggle (Part 2)

’The other party isn’t a Quasi-Demon King, but a true Demon King!’

Furthermore, judging by her ruthless methods and impeccable timing, her experience in Magical Combat was on par with his own!

He had dared to investigate because he had just broken through, his combat power enough to suppress an ordinary Quasi-Demon King. His other advantage was the Magical Combat experience from his past life.

But now... Xu Chang’an made a split-second decision, not daring to hesitate.

He shot backward!

BOOM!

At the same time, the Great Seal slammed down, burrowing deep into the ground. It left behind a massive crater, a hundred zhang wide.

The earth shook and the mountains trembled as boulders shattered and split apart.

The surrounding ancient trees were pulverized into dust.

A flash of light flowed.

Xu Chang’an channeled his Demon Power, rapidly recalling his Talisman Treasure, Jade Ruyi, and Long Sword Magical Artifact.

In that instant, he decided to abandon the Golden Jade Hairpin!

"Retreat!"

SWOOSH!

Xu Chang’an’s figure transformed into a streak of light, fleeing into the depths of the ancient forest.

’This was a huge loss!’

Xu Chang’an smiled bitterly to himself.

’I thought I’d get some kind of benefit, but who would’ve thought it would end like this!’

’I thought that becoming a Top-tier Great Demon would be enough to suppress a Quasi-Demon King!’

’I was feeling elated, free-spirited, and I let my guard down.’

’But I never expected to face a veteran, ruthless Demon King!’

’The Demon Path is truly difficult. You never know when disaster will strike. I must always remain vigilant.’

’I was too arrogant this time!’

’Unless victory is guaranteed, I can never take a risk like this again!’

’Even when victory seems certain, I must keep a few tricks up my sleeve to guard against the unexpected!’

Xu Chang’an constantly reminded himself of this lesson.

Since he began cultivating again, despite a few minor bumps, it had been smooth sailing for the most part.

He knew he had to be vigilant, to understand sacrifice, and to know when to advance and when to retreat, but he had yet to suffer a true setback.

As his power grew, he had repeatedly fought and won against stronger opponents.

He’d even gotten the idea of taking on a Quasi-Demon King!

He had forgotten that he was only at the Late-stage Foundation Establishment Realm!

The man who hunts birds all day will one day have his eyes pecked out.

’I’ll just consider the Golden Jade Hairpin the price for today’s lesson!’

"My, my, little lion, you can really run!"

A teasing voice, as clear as a silver bell, drifted from behind Xu Chang’an.

Xu Chang’an’s expression froze, and his heart lurched with shock.

’When did she get behind me!?’

Xu Chang’an’s eyelid twitched violently.

BOOM!

A blast of rainbow light shot down.

’Jade Ruyi, go!’

A flash of emerald light fiercely collided with the rainbow blast.

At the same time, the Great Seal descended.

’Talisman Treasure, go!’

The Golden Ring shot out to intercept it.

Using the force of the recoil, Xu Chang’an unleashed a burst of Demon Power, abruptly halting his flight to look back.

There, a stunningly beautiful woman in Colorful Palace Attire floated in mid-air, her black hair cascading over her shoulders. Her beautiful eyes watched him with a cold gaze.

"Senior, it was an unintentional mistake. I hope you will not hold it against me."

Xu Chang’an said, lying through his teeth.

After hundreds of years of experience, he didn’t believe for a second that a simple apology would make her let him go.

He was just trying to buy time to find a chance of survival.

His opponent was a ruthless veteran with astonishing combat power; she was no ordinary Demon King.

Given the gap of a full Great Realm between them, it would be difficult for his Magical Combat techniques to have any miraculous effect.

The only thing he could rely on now was his tough and powerful Demon Body.

"And a fake lion, at that!"

the woman’s melodious voice rang out.

Apparently, she had seen through Xu Chang’an’s disguise.

However, thanks to the combined effects of the Transformation Pill and the Concealment Spell, Xu Chang’an wasn’t worried about her discovering his true origins.

The woman had barely finished speaking when Xu Chang’an had a sudden realization.

’Wait a minute!’

’Something’s wrong!’

’She’s injured, and very badly at that.’

’Considering how decisive and ruthless she was just a moment ago, there’s no way she would be wasting time talking to me like this.’

’If she wanted to talk, she would have subdued me first to gain the upper hand.’

’I’m using words to stall for time and find an opening to survive.’

’And she is clearly doing the same thing—stalling to buy time to recover!’

’That burst of Demon Power just now must have been a huge strain on her.’

In a flash, Xu Chang’an made his decision.

SWOOSH!

A Longsword, gleaming with Spiritual Treasure Light, shot straight toward the woman.

"You’re courting death!"

The woman raised a slender hand.

A cyan blast of light appeared and shot forward.

Jade Ruyi!

Abandoning its defense against the Great Seal, at Xu Chang’an’s command, the Jade Ruyi transformed into a streak of emerald light and shot straight at the woman.

"You fool!"

A vibrant, multi-colored light appeared in front of the woman.

’Just as I thought!’

Xu Chang’an understood perfectly.

’If she were uninjured, given her earlier aggression, she would never have taken a defensive stance.’

The emerald light slammed into its target.

The light flickered wildly!

But it couldn’t break through!

The multi-colored barrier in front of the woman had an extremely powerful Defense.

Even a full-powered strike from a Quasi-Demon King would struggle to break it.

Xu Chang’an’s attack was ineffective!

However... since he had already committed to this course of action, Xu Chang’an naturally had a plan.

"Explode!"

Xu Chang’an activated a Secret Technique and roared.

A Quasi-Magical Treasure was filled with Spirituality and contained immense power.

If he could detonate it, the resulting power would certainly reach the level of a Demon King.

However, the quality of a Quasi-Magical Treasure was extremely high, making it incredibly tough. An ordinary burst of Demon Power wouldn’t be nearly enough to detonate it.

But Xu Chang’an possessed a Secret Technique from his past life that could do just that.

The Jade Ruyi’s emerald light flickered wildly, reaching a blinding crescendo.

And then...

BOOM!

An annihilating aura, accompanied by a visible shockwave, swept out in all directions.

Caught at the epicenter of the Jade Ruyi’s explosion, the multi-colored light barrier in front of the woman began to flicker violently.

In the next instant, the barrier shattered!

The powerful force of the blast sent the woman stumbling backward.

The moment the Jade Ruyi exploded, Xu Chang’an lunged straight for the woman.

In terms of sheer Demon Power, he was no match for her.

In terms of Magical Combat experience, they were evenly matched.

In terms of Demon Sense, he was at a slight disadvantage.

In terms of Guarding Methods, he was far inferior.

But his Demon Body was tough and powerful. His claws, fangs, and Dragon Bone Scales were comparable to a Quasi-Magical Treasure.

Even though she was a Demon King, she likely wouldn’t gain any advantage against him in a physical confrontation.

He had to concentrate his strength on this one point to break through and find a sliver of hope for survival!

For that, he was willing to sacrifice a Quasi-Magical Treasure!

He had brought this encounter upon himself.

But now that he was in this situation, regrets were useless. Complaining would do nothing to help.

In fact, it would only make a terrible situation even worse!

What he needed to do was give it his all, use everything at his disposal, and find a way to break this stalemate!

As long as he could survive, he would pay any price!

The woman in the palace attire apparently hadn’t expected Xu Chang’an to react this way.

After all, a Top-tier Great Demon’s body should be no match for that of a living Demon King.

"You’re digging your own grave!"

The woman’s beautiful eyes flashed with murderous intent.

The force from the Quasi-Magical Treasure’s explosion had aggravated the injuries she was struggling to suppress.

But the injuries were the least of her worries!

The real problem was that after that bout of Magical Combat, the Power of Restriction within her body had begun to erode her Demon Power again.

And this time, it was clearly much faster than before.

The Power of Restriction was incredibly stubborn. Despite her best efforts, she had been unable to purge it.

Any Demon Power it consumed was essentially lost forever!

After a full day of recuperation, she had barely managed to stabilize the corrosion from the Power of Restriction.

But this Magical Combat had caused it to flare up once more!

If her Demon Power was eroded, it meant her years of bitter cultivation would all be for nothing!

If her Demon Power was completely consumed, then even the heaven-sent opportunity she had found in this Secret Realm would be impossible to absorb and make her own!

She had been hesitant before, not daring to rashly unleash her Demon Power for fear of worsening the erosion from the Power of Restriction.

This had severely hampered her in the fight!

But now!

This fake lion before her had made a fatal mistake!

"Die!"

The woman didn’t dodge or evade, but met him head-on.

CLANG!

Xu Chang’an and the woman collided violently.

The two Demons clashed like metal striking stone!

The impact sent a jolt of shock through both Xu Chang’an and the woman.

’The other’s Demon Body is so incredibly tough and strong!’

The woman in particular was stunned. It was almost unimaginable that a mere Top-tier Great Demon could possess such a physique.

’His body is as tough as a Supreme-grade Magical Artifact!’

’If this fake lion were to become a Demon King!’

’How powerful would his body become then!?’

’Is he trying to...’

’...walk the path of the Ancient Demon Race!?’

Xu Chang’an was also shaken.

He had only achieved such a tough physique by using the panel to achieve a perfect breakthrough and improving his Bloodline twice.

He never would have thought that the woman before him was not the least bit inferior to him in this regard.

With the power of his physique, not even a top-tier Demon King would necessarily be this tough.

’Who is this woman!?’

But now was not the time to think about that!

After the brutal collision, Xu Chang’an didn’t dare let his guard down for a moment.

He swung his massive claws, launching another attack.

CLANG!

The woman didn’t give an inch.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Xu Chang’an’s nerves were stretched taut as he desperately stayed on top of her. He couldn’t let her create any distance between them.

Relying on his tough body, he could fight her on equal terms. But if she pulled away, his defeat was certain!

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