Chapter 80: A Surge in Danger
Li Shuang frowned as he faced the Winged Lion Beast. His voice was as cold as a sharpened blade: “You are not one of the native Demonic Beasts of the Langya Secret Realm.”
“What are you talking about? How can any Demonic Beast be anything but native?” Chang Le An roared with anger as Li Shuang ignored him. [This is absurd!] He continued, “Li Shuang, there is no time to run. The only way to survive is to join forces with us!”
The Winged Lion Beast fixed its gaze on Li Shuang and replied in a thunderous tone, “You are indeed sharp.” Its words carried a hidden confession—Li Shuang’s insight was not mistaken.
At that, Chang Le An and the others stared in surprise. Not a native Demonic Beast? Then what manner of creature are you?
Li Shuang’s clear, steady voice rang out: “The gateway to the Langya Secret Realm has long been guarded by the Six Great Righteous Sects. Who would have thought that your Demon Race now possesses a way to enter this secret realm? Surely many of your finest warriors have already stepped through?”
At this, the Winged Lion Beast’s expression froze, as if shocked that Li Shuang had seen through its mystery at first glance. But such thoughts mattered little now.
With a vicious sneer and bared ivory fangs, the beast declared, “You are clever, indeed. The gateway has been breached, and this time my Demon Race has sent many of our brilliant young warriors inside. It is a pity you learn this too late!”
Then it laughed maniacally: “For three whole months, the secret realm shall be sealed to all but us! You Humans have long enjoyed exclusive access. Now, it is time you paid the price.”
The beast licked its lips and added, “Forget your so-called geniuses from the Six Great Righteous Sects. This time, you will become the prey of the Demonic Beasts. If you wish to live, teleport away at once; if not, prepare to leave your lives behind!”
Li Shuang remained calm as his companions’ faces turned from shock to dread. This Winged Lion Beast—could it truly be an outsider? The native Demonic Beasts of the Langya Secret Realm were unique beings, born from the secret energies of the realm—a mix of spirit and matter. Even if these native beasts were slain, they would be reborn when the realm was entered again. They were tests set by the secret realm, challenges that, once overcome, would yield great rewards.
But now, the Demon Race had discovered the hidden gateway too, and who knew how many brilliant warriors they had sent in! These Demon Race disciples were not here to test their strength—they were rivals, hungry for resources. Worse still, once they left the Outer Region they could not teleport away with a Command Token. They would likely unleash a bloodbath upon any who crossed their path. As the Winged Lion Beast had warned, they had turned this place into a grand hunting ground.
If the Langya Secret Realm originally held a danger level of 10, with the Demon Race’s arrival, that danger now neared 99.
Ye Zhao Zhao’s face fell. Her greatest task in this realm was to eliminate Li Shuang. Now, with the sudden intrusion of so many Demonic Beasts, her carefully laid plan was thrown into chaos. Could her brief ten breaths of unsealing time handle such turmoil?
“System, System…” Ye Zhao Zhao silently invoked the voice of her inner system. “I need to make further exchanges!”
She felt panic rising; ten breaths were not enough time.
The System’s voice replied coldly, “Host, let me remind you: all that has come before was deferred. If you wish to make further exchanges, wait until Li Shuang is dead!”
Her heart pounded with fear. She had never faced such a perilous situation. Yet the promise of more exchanges after Li Shuang’s demise brought her a small measure of relief. Kill Li Shuang, and she could continue trading with the System to gain the strength to protect herself.
“Senior Sister Li! The Demon Race has been scheming in the shadows for a long time,” growled the remaining Disciple from Spirit Void Peak. Clenching his teeth, he stepped beside Li Shuang and vowed, “I will fight by your side, Senior Sister!”
The Winged Lion Beast, with its mighty wings, was far too swift to be outpaced. In the Outer Region they still had the Command Token to retreat, so facing the beast here was the best option. Otherwise, letting it loose in the Inner or Core Regions would only bring calamity.
Li Shuang glanced at the Disciple and raised an eyebrow. “Yan Xiao, stand aside. He is not yet an opponent you can handle.”
Yan Xiao looked uneasy. [Senior Sister Li speaks plainly, and her words are not to be questioned.] He reluctantly stepped back.
Chang Le An’s face shifted as he helped Ye Zhao Zhao to her feet—and then he fled without a backward glance.
“Senior Brother Chang, you all…” Yan Xiao muttered, staring after their retreat in disbelief.
Li Shuang’s eyes were cold as he watched them run. They had led her into this storm, yet now they tried to escape? How could they abandon their own kin?
Without a moment’s hesitation, Li Shuang leaped into the air and swung his sword at the Winged Lion Beast. The beast, which had once underestimated Li Shuang, narrowed its eyes.
This swordplay… it was a dance of life and death.
Dismissive of its earlier mockery, the beast spread its claws and sent forth blasts of fierce wind. Li Shuang fought with measured steps, striking and retreating with calm precision.
“Third Senior Brother, the Winged Lion Beast is closing in…” Ye Zhao Zhao cried out.
Damn Li Shuang! How could she both distract the beast and charge at them at the same time?
“She is doing it on purpose!” Chang Le An roared in anger.
Another sharp gust from the beast’s claws swept past. Within the Sword Domain, Li Shuang controlled every move; she dodged the deadly wind well in advance. Yet the gust struck Chang Le An instead. A streak of blood marred his back, and he winced in pain as he shouted, “Senior Sister Li! What are you doing?”
Li Shuang feigned surprise. “Oh? Junior Brother Chang? Why do you hide behind me? Are you planning to flee? Would you truly abandon your comrades? The Command Token records every move!”
The faces of Chang Le An and Ye Zhao Zhao paled. With effort, Ye Zhao Zhao murmured, “We thought you could handle it on your own.”
Li Shuang smiled lightly. “Perhaps I can. But be cautious—the Winged Lion Beast is not under my control. Its attacks…”
Even as she spoke, a fierce claw descended.
She dodged again, but the claw struck Chang Le An a second time, causing him to spit out blood in pain.
Li Shuang wore a look of regret. “I have dodged every blow. Why can’t you do the same? I have no other way to deal with this Winged Lion Beast!”
Enraged, Chang Le An spat another mouthful of blood, his anger burning like fire in his eyes.
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation