Human-Bullying Demon

Human-Bullying Demon

The floating bridge stretched widely before them, with a single path leading the way. Every participant embarked on the journey, their footsteps resonating along the solitary route.

As they ventured forth, their chosen bridge gradually diverged from the others, heading in a distinct direction. Perhaps they would reconverge later, but for now, they had to complete their own path before discovering if they would unite with the others at the end.

Fan Le couldn't help but express his frustration as they walked along. "Cultivation base suppression and mandate limitations, this feeling is miserable." He sighed deeply, acutely aware that his true strength far surpassed his current state. It was a disheartening sensation to know you possessed greater power but were unable to wield it.

"In the Immortal Martial Realm, these are the rules. Initially, the realm provides a level playing field for all participants. In reality, this works to our advantage. Once the suppression is lifted, countless geniuses here will have the power to easily overpower us," Ye Lingshuang explained in hushed tones. Fan Le grumbled for a moment but ultimately concurred with her assessment. They were among the weaker participants in the realm.

Fan Le possessed exceptional intelligence and had already noticed the unwavering determination emanating from everyone. Each individual sought to eliminate their rivals and emerge as the sole survivor within the Immortal Martial Realm. They were fully aware of the elite presence from the Royal Sacred Region and the ambitions harbored by those from the major powers. Though the surface seemed calm, a simmering fire of competition burned within each participant's heart, ready to erupt at any moment.

"What are those things?" Fan Le exclaimed as he spotted eighteen silver puppets blocking their path. Not only that, they were arranged in a formation.

"The first trial of the Immortal Martial Realm has begun," everyone realized. Dangers lurked everywhere in this realm, even the initial trial held tremendous peril.

Astral light manifested, coalescing into the shape of bows as arrows materialized and pierced through the space, targeting the silver puppets. However, an intense silvery radiance emanated from the puppets, and the long spears in their hands thrust forward. The combined aura of the eighteen puppets shattered the arrows to pieces.

"The individual strength of each puppet is approximately at the peak of the first level of Heavenly Dipper, with their Mandates also at the initial boundary of the second level. However, these puppets seem capable of merging their attacks, elevating their overall strength to the peak of the second level of Heavenly Dipper and advancing their Mandates to the advanced boundary," Qin Wentian observed with sharp perception. His explanation resonated with the others, who nodded in agreement, acknowledging the threat posed by these puppets.

"We can attempt a forceful breakthrough." Despite the suppression of their cultivation bases and mandates for this initial trial, their combined strength made it a trivial obstacle.

Their alliance consisted of eight individuals: Qin Wentian, Ye Lingshuang, Fan Le, Ouyang Kuangsheng, Chu Mang, Yun Mengyi, Qin Zheng, and Mu Feng.

"Ouyang and I will take the lead, with Qin Zheng and Yun Mengyi supporting from the sides. Fatty and Big Bro Chu Mang will guard the rear, while Sister Lingshuang and Mu Feng will remain in the center to handle any unforeseen situations," Qin Wentian assumed the role of commander and issued orders. It was a logical arrangement. Although the first test in the Immortal Martial Realm might not be overly challenging, it was always prudent to err on the side of caution.

"Agreed," everyone concurred. Those behind them were delighted that Qin Wentian's group was willing to take the initiative to probe the situation. They didn't mind waiting.

"Charge!" Qin Wentian commanded once their formation was in place, and the eight of them rushed toward the eighteen silver-colored puppets. The suppressive energy prevented them from summoning their astral novas, forcing them to rely solely on their astral souls.

Qin Wentian's body underwent Demon Transformation, enveloped in demonic armor, while Ouyang released his astral souls, creating a dazzling display of thunderfire that formed an armor around him. Both of them charged forward.

The eighteen silver puppets simultaneously launched an attack on Qin Wentian and his alliance. Their spear strikes were formidable, piercing through everything.

Buzz!

Qin Wentian and Ouyang Kuangsheng unleashed their attacks, creating a formidable force. The shockwaves from Qin Wentian's hammer strike reverberated through the space. Although their cultivation bases and mandates were suppressed, the strength of their physical bodies and the augmentation from innate techniques remained unaffected.

The two groups clashed head-on in mid-air, with Qin Wentian and Ouyang Kuangsheng pushing into the midst of the puppets, gradually forcing them backward. Yet, the puppets seemed invulnerable, launching a second round of ferocious spear strikes toward the two at the forefront.

This was when Qin Zheng and Yun Mengyi sprang into action. Spatial and freezing energy surged simultaneously, blocking the spear light from the puppets' combined attacks. Fan Le and Chu Mang, prepared for this moment, unleashed their stored power. During the clash, all eight of them entered the puppet formation and pressed onward.

"They can't be killed, only forced to retreat," the onlookers realized as they watched. Qin Wentian and his group might appear at ease, but it was only because their teamwork had created a synergy greater than the sum of their individual strengths. If a lone cultivator faced this formation, they would almost certainly perish, unless they were an absolute prodigious genius.

The onlookers could see the Immortal Martial Realm's trials were indeed challenging. The first test was formidable, and only with collaboration could unaffiliated cultivators hope to pass.

"Hurry, let's move on." Those behind saw Qin Wentian's group advancing and didn't want them to gain the first benefits in this realm. They began their attempts to break through the puppet formation as well. As time passed and the trials grew more difficult, the death toll would inevitably rise.

Qin Wentian and his companions paid little attention to those behind them, pushing forward with determination. Soon, they encountered a checkpoint, where an enormous demonic beast lay coiled before them. To pass this checkpoint, they had to walk directly beneath the massive head of the beast.

"What kind of demonic beast is this?"

The beast was entirely jet black with a sinister appearance and scaly armor. It resembled a snake demon, yet there was a faint aura of a flood dragon (jiao) about it.

"It's a Black Jiao Python. The black mist it emits is corrosive," Ye Lingshuang warned.

"A Black Jiao Python at the third level of Heavenly Dipper. The corrosive mist it exhales could easily kill us." Ye Lingshuang's expression soured. Why was the second test proving to be so difficult?

The Black Jiao Python stared icily in their direction, its baleful eyes seeming to understand Ye Lingshuang's words.

"There must be a solution. The Immortal Martial Realm wouldn't set an impossible test," Qin Zheng said quietly, eyeing the Black Jiao Python. "Brother Python, can you explain the rules?"

The Black Jiao Python fixed its gaze on Qin Zheng, its eyes gleaming with coldness as it replied, "I am the rule here."

The others weren't surprised that the Black Jiao Python could speak human language. Demonic beasts at the Heavenly Dipper Realm possessed the ability to communicate in the human tongue. Moreover, some demonic beasts who desired to experience human life could transform into humans themselves. However, the demonic path had its own rules, and many demonic beasts detested taking human form, just as humans would loathe taking the form of a demonic beast. Qin Wentian had gone to great lengths to regain his human form.

"This demonic beast is incredibly arrogant," Fan Le muttered.

The Black Jiao Python turned its attention to Fan Le and grinned. "You should be more careful."

"Come on, Brother Python, I was just joking. Don't take it so seriously," Fan Le muttered, cursing silently. This third-level Heavenly Dipper python had the audacity to be so arrogant? If not for his suppressed cultivation, Fan Le would have charged up and shattered the guardian of this checkpoint into pieces. Why waste time talking to it? However, he couldn't afford to offend it now.

The Black Jiao Python remained silent, simply regarding Fan Le. After a while, other participants began to arrive.

"Brother Jiao, I have a treasure for you." A figure emerged, tossing a massive pearl exuding a dense demonic aura to the Black Jiao Python.

The Black Jiao Python swallowed the pearl in one gulp, its triangular eyes glowing with satisfaction as it looked at the giver. "I'll use the standard rules to test all of you. Watch carefully."

After these words, the Black Jiao Python began to emit black mist in rhythm with its breath. This mist was incredibly corrosive, and even those standing far away felt the intense danger it posed. If anyone came into contact with this mist, not a trace of their flesh would remain.

"This won't be easy," everyone thought. When it spoke of the standard rules, it meant it would follow its regular breathing pattern to create the test. As the checkpoint's guardian, the Black Jiao Python wouldn't make things easy for anyone. At most, it would apply the usual rules when assessing participants.

"Thank you, Brother Jiao. These are all from my Supreme Demon Sect." The young man gestured to a group of people behind him as the Black Jiao Python nodded in acknowledgment.

"So, they're from the Supreme Demon Sect. That explains their familiarity with demonic beast personalities. It's rumored that snake-type demonic beasts are all quite lustful and greedy. This person from the Supreme Demon Sect not only gave it a gift but also addressed the Black Jiao Python as 'Brother Jiao.' 'Jiao' certainly sounds better than 'Jiao Python,'" everyone thought silently as they observed the supplicant from the Supreme Demon Sect prepare to face the test.

As the Black Jiao Python exhaled, the prepared supplicant immediately pushed his speed to the limits. His body was surrounded by demonic energy that formed into protective armor as he swiftly dashed beneath the head of the black python. The corrosive mist exhaled by the Black Jiao Python only grazed him, but it still managed to eat through the protective demonic energy armor. This display of corrosiveness left everyone awestruck. However, it was evident that the Black Jiao Python had gone easy on him.

The second person from the Supreme Demon Sect rushed over and also managed to pass, although his leg was slightly injured. The third person faced even greater danger, barely escaping with his life intact. The fourth person wasn't as fortunate; the corrosive mist consumed one of his legs entirely. The fifth person, unfortunately, mistimed his attempt and was completely dissolved by the poisonous mist halfway through the checkpoint, reduced to a gruesome pile of melted flesh before vanishing completely. Witnessing this horror sent shivers down everyone's spines.

"Brother Jiao, I have a treasure for you too." Ye Lingshuang stepped forward, holding an exquisite-looking little sword in her hands. While this realm rejected the use of divine weapons, it was permissible as long as one refrained from actively tapping into the divine inscriptions within them to unleash their power. Otherwise, breaking this restriction and using a divine weapon would instantly trigger a tribulation in the realm.

The Black Jiao Python remained silent but looked at Ye Lingshuang with a lascivious gleam in its eyes. This sight angered Fan Le, and he cursed, "This beast is actually lusting after women."

"Snake-type demons are notorious for their lustfulness," everyone sighed inwardly, realizing the truth of this saying. Was the Black Jiao Python truly harboring intentions toward Ye Lingshuang? Qin Wentian and the others frowned at the revelation, but they watched as the Black Jiao Python shifted its gaze to Fan Le, a venomous glint in its eyes.

Here, it was the law!