Xin Xiaoqi steadied himself, channeling his true energy to stop from toppling over.
From afar, Dian Huihui, Wen Qingya, and Miyue were watching the fight clearly. Miyue clenched her tiny fists, her big round eyes curving into crescent moons as she cheered sweetly:
"Go, Little Qi! You got this!"
Xin Xiaoqi suddenly felt a little… happy. Maybe even… blessed?
The Pig Demon King, on the other hand, was absolutely fuming.
Glancing down at the bloody gash on his left arm, he gritted his teeth and growled toward the girls:
"Don't get cocky! None of you are getting out of here alive!You killed the Jiao Dragon-Serpent—and once the Senior Brother of Huangmen finds out, you humans will be wiped out, not a single one left!"
"Huangmen?" Xin Xiaoqi asked, puzzled. "What's that? A noodle shop?"
The Pig Demon King snorted with disdain. "You don't even know what Huangmen is? One of the Five Sects and Three Clans of the Southern Wilds? And you dare enter the Million-Mile Demon Mountain?"
"I thought you were disciples of some great sect. Looks like you're just nobodies. All the more reason to kill you here—no one will care, hahaha!"
Xin Xiaoqi raised a hand. "Whoa, whoa—could you finish your villain monologue first? What's all this about Three Clans Five Sects? You're losing me."
But the Pig Demon King didn't bother answering. He just roared, lifted his tree-trunk-sized club, and charged.
Not far away, Dian Huihui asked curiously, "Big Sis, do you know what those Five Sects and Three Clans are?"
Wen Qingya shook her black-veiled bamboo hat. "Nope. Never heard of them."
Miyue nodded thoughtfully. "Probably just some local powers."
Dian Huihui tilted her head and looked up at the sky. "Sounds interesting though… Three Clans Five Sects… I'm intrigued."
Meanwhile, Xin Xiaoqi and the Pig Demon King were locked in battle—blade against club, neither giving an inch.
But soon, the demon king realized something was off.
Xin Xiaoqi's sword was razor sharp. Though it couldn't break the club, every time it stabbed into the demon's flesh, it left a deep, bloody hole.
On the other hand, the demon king's club barely fazed Xin Xiaoqi. His body was ridiculously tough—stronger than most demon beasts!
What the hell is this kid made of? Steel?
Elsewhere, in the northwestern region of the Million-Mile Demon Mountain, a massive floating mountain hovered in mid-air.
Halfway up the mountain, it split into three lofty peaks. On each stood ancient stone halls, grand yet simple, arranged in perfect symmetry.
Atop the tallest peak, inside a stone chamber, sat an elderly man—frail, hunched, with white-and-black hair and a wispy goat beard.
His eyes, though sunken, were sharp with wisdom.
Across from him stood a dainty teenage girl with phoenix-shaped eyes, a delicate oval face, and an energetic presence. She was staring intently at a large mirror showing Xin Xiaoqi's battle with the Pig Demon King.
This place—was Huangmen.The old man was its sect master—Bai Ze.And the young girl, his granddaughter—Bai Ling.
"This Pig Demon King is such an idiot," Bai Ling muttered. "All those years of cultivation, and he's still losing to a mere Spirit Refining kid?"
Bai Ze chuckled, eyes twinkling. "That human isn't ordinary."
Just then, a figure stepped into the room.
Tall and broad-shouldered, with sword-like eyebrows and piercing eyes, the young man's square-jawed face radiated determination and intensity.
Bai Ling beamed. "Senior Brother! You're here!"
This was none other than the "Senior Brother of Huangmen" mentioned by the demon earlier—Dongshan.
Dongshan bowed respectfully. "Master, you summoned me?"
Bai Ze pointed at the mirror. "Did you organize the Pig Demon King, the old pig, and those ox monsters to hunt those humans?"
Dongshan didn't flinch. "Yes."
But seeing Bai Ze's disappointed look, Dongshan's expression hardened.
"Master, with respect, why should we fear a few humans? Why do demons always have to be hunted, killed, and driven away?They aren't disciples of any major sect. Look at that skinny kid—he doesn't even know proper sword technique!"
Bai Ze shook his head. "You're missing the point. That Jiao Dragon-Serpent—they didn't just kill it. It disappeared silently.Even I would struggle to kill it that cleanly."
"And look at that boy's body—it's tougher than a demon beast's. Do you, a Spirit Refining cultivator, have that kind of physique?"
Dongshan's jaw clenched. "So what? That's exactly why we should act now! Why should humans, gods, and ghosts always trample on us? Are we less than them?"
Bai Ze sighed, his goat beard swaying as he slowly spoke. "You're not wrong. But the truth is—we are lesser. Humans were created directly by the Goddess.We exist under her indirect protection, barely scraping by.And though humans live short lives, their cultivation speed is terrifying. That boy's already at Spirit Refining in under half a month. The Pig Demon King? A hundred years—and he's still at Essence Training."
Dongshan scoffed.
Bai Ze gave him a long look. "Your temper and pride will get you in trouble one day."
"And you missed something else. That black-robed girl… Her aura is stronger than anything I've seen in a thousand years.She might be a powerful demon herself."
Dongshan finally looked serious.
Bai Ling nodded. "I thought the same. She's spooky."
Bai Ze nodded slowly. "Remember, the 荒镜 isn't just for spying—it's for maintaining balance in the demon mountain.A power shift is coming… Mark my words."
A heavy silence settled.
Then Bai Ze spoke again. "Ling'er, keep watching them. When the time is right, make contact. Find out what they're really after."
Bai Ling nodded sweetly. "Got it, Grandpa!"
Dongshan remained silent, deep in thought.
Back at the battlefield, the Pig Demon King was boiling with rage.
He had smacked Xin Xiaoqi with his club countless times—yet the human was still standing. Bruised, maybe. But not broken.
Meanwhile, he was leaking blood from three different stab wounds.
From the sidelines, Miyue wrinkled her nose in sympathy. "Poor Little Qi… taking so many hits."
Dian Huihui nodded thoughtfully. "He's weak, yes—but his body's pretty sturdy. That pig's club could crush boulders. And he's fine? No internal injuries at all."
Wen Qingya crossed her arms. "Taking a beating builds character."
Dian Huihui grinned. "Yeah. I got whacked plenty myself."
Suddenly, Xin Xiaoqi shouted, "Hold it! Time out!"
The Pig Demon King blinked, panting. "What now?"
Xin Xiaoqi furiously rubbed his chest. "Give me a second! That last hit really hurt!"
The Pig Demon King howled in fury, "You dare MOCK me?!"
He raised his club and swung it down at Xin Xiaoqi's head.
Xin Xiaoqi twisted his body, narrowly dodging—still trying to massage his bruised ribs.
But the Pig Demon King pulled a sneaky move—jerking the club back and jabbing its tip into Xin Xiaoqi's chest.
WHAM! The force knocked Xin Xiaoqi several steps backward.
And the duel was far from over.