Chapter 14：Old zombies from 500 years ago

From the blood pool, a decayed, pitch-black hand emerged, seizing the red-furred zombie and sending droplets of blood scattering into the air. The red-furred zombie thrashed desperately but ultimately dissolved into the depths of the pool.

Even Tianfan was taken aback by this scene. From the moment he entered, he had sensed the presence of an ancient zombie lurking nearby, ever vigilant against a potential ambush. Yet, he had never caught sight of it—until now. It was clear that the old zombie lay concealed beneath the blood pool.

After devouring the red-furred zombie, the blood pool began to churn violently, bubbling as if boiling. A suffocating heat emanated from it, and an eerie aura started to seep into the air. The trio remained on high alert, swords drawn, cautiously backing away while fixated on the pool.

"Boom…"

Blood surged from the pool, erupting in massive bubbles, and then a burly figure shot forth, its body dripping with blood, staining the ground beneath it a deep crimson.

"Crash!"

The entire mountain cavern trembled as it landed, creating a small crater at its feet that cracked the ground, leaving Li Yunyang and the others wide-eyed in shock.

"Drought Demon!" Sun Yueying exclaimed in horror. According to the *Shen Yi Jing*, it was said: "In the south, there is a creature, two to three feet tall, exposed and swift as the wind, known as the Demon. Wherever it roams, drought befalls the land, rendering it barren." A transformed zombie, the Drought Demon could soar through the skies, slaying dragons and swallowing clouds, causing droughts.

The revelation that a Drought Demon resided here left Sun Yueying with a bitter expression, and Li Yunyang's face paled in disbelief. The Drought Demon's cultivation had reached the peak of the Spirit Concentration stage, rivaling an average cultivator at the initial stage of the Cloud Realm! Though the difference between the two realms might seem slight, the gap in power was immeasurable.

"Jiejie, little girl, you have some knowledge to recognize my existence! As a reward, I shall feast upon you! The flesh and blood of a cultivator must be exquisite!"

The Drought Demon's towering figure radiated an oppressive heat, mingled with an eerie chill, a bizarre juxtaposition of warmth and cold.

Without further ado, the Drought Demon lunged forward, extending its clawed, bristly hand toward Sun Yueying. She swiftly positioned her purple-clear sword before her in defense, while Tianfan and Li Yunyang leaped into the air, swords raised to strike down upon the monstrous hand.

"Clang!"

Their blades met the Drought Demon's hand, producing a metallic clash that sparked without inflicting any damage.

"Two crawling insects, begone!" the Drought Demon roared, its left hand sweeping toward the airborne duo, sending them tumbling in shock.

"Crash…"

The massive arm collided with their swords, producing a dull thud as they were hurled against the cavern wall. The Drought Demon, being a king among zombies, possessed an exceptionally tough body, and having soaked in blood for years, it had grown even more formidable.

"Pfft…"

Li Yunyang spat a mouthful of blood, having sustained injury from the creature's overwhelming strength. Seizing the opportunity, Sun Yueying surged forward, her purple-clear sword glowing brightly as she channeled her full power to strike.

"Shh!"

A deep gash opened on the Drought Demon's right hand, blood flowing from the wound, filling the air with a foul stench that corroded the earth beneath them. Upon closer inspection, they gasped in horror—its blood was black!

"Roar!" It howled in anguish, "Human, you dare wound me! You will pay dearly for this!"

Sun Yueying's attack had seemingly stripped it of its dignity. Enraged, the Drought Demon radiated a scarlet glow, its arms turning crimson as it slammed down toward her. She held her purple-clear sword in defense, engaging in fierce combat. Despite its overwhelming physical power, the Drought Demon appeared somewhat clumsy in its movements, while Sun Yueying danced lightly around it, launching swift attacks.

The purple-clear sword repeatedly struck, leaving a trail of wounds on its form. Yet, despite its tough physique, the weapon only grazed its surface, a testament to the Drought Demon's resilience. If anyone else had attempted such attacks, they would have surely perished by now. Each time it endured Sun Yueying's strikes, it grew more infuriated.

"Roar!"

The Drought Demon unleashed another ferocious cry, its body glowing a deeper red, the forceful wind generated by its fury sending Sun Yueying sprawling.

Li Yunyang quickly caught her as she fell. "Little sister, you're injured!"

Sun Yueying had blood at the corners of her mouth, her complexion pale from the earlier assault. She steadied her breath and replied, "I'm fine, Li Shixiong, but be cautious—this zombie is too powerful!"

The Drought Demon loomed in the center, its expression cold as it addressed the trio. "You dare intrude upon my domain with such meager skills? You're truly courting death. Five hundred years ago, an ancient cultivator far surpassed you in power. Back then, I was merely at the initial stage of Spirit Concentration. Though he defeated me, he could not kill me—only seal me away. Now, having broken through to the peak of Spirit Concentration, even that ancient one would not pose a threat. Hmph, you little clowns dare to challenge me? You are truly foolish!"

A powerful heat emanated from the Drought Demon, its blood-red aura pulsating as it regarded them with a sinister smile. What it hadn't revealed was that, upon reaching the peak of Spirit Concentration, ancient secrets had resurfaced in its mind, seemingly left there intentionally, promising greater rewards as its power grew.

"You… you… you are the Zombie King from five hundred years ago!?"

Li Yunyang's face turned ghostly pale, gripped by fear at the Drought Demon's words. He had read in the ancient texts of the Taifu Sect about the Zombie King's brutal legacy, claiming countless lives, including several cultivators. In that fateful battle, many at the Spirit Concentration stage had fallen, and it had taken an elder at the initial stage of the Cloud Realm to seal it away. Now, five centuries later, it had broken free and ascended to the peak of Spirit Concentration.

"Indeed, I am that king!" the Drought Demon proclaimed proudly.

"we're doomed!" With the confirmation, Li Yunyang's expression turned despairing. "Damn it, what terrible luck! Here I am, in my prime, handsome and charming, loved by all, yet I'm cursed with this misfortune! I haven't even found a wife yet; how is this fair?!"

Tianfan couldn't help but chuckle at his words amid the dire situation.

"Since you know my identity, you shall perish here!" the Drought Demon declared coldly, slowly advancing toward the trio.