Chapter 62: One Man Surrounded by a Horde of Spirit Beasts

The Demon-Subduing Bureau’s meals were excellent. Aside from Li Hao, even Li Yuanzhao—who was used to feasting on rare mountain delicacies—devoured his rice with gusto, eating until his belly was full.

As Cui Fan put it: We demon hunters face life-or-death dangers at any moment. Can we really let ourselves die as half-starved ghosts?

Quite reasonable.

After finishing their meal, they rested for a quarter of an hour. Cui Fan then pulled out the area they’d be inspecting that afternoon, pointing it out to Li Hao and the others. He instructed them to prepare and meet outside.

The region had previously seen signs of Spirit Beast activity—already dealt with—but this time, they were conducting a follow-up sweep to check for any overlooked threats. Perfect for training newcomers.

When the group gathered, however, Cui Fan only saw four people: Li Yuanzhao, Ren Qianqian, and two others. He blinked, surprised.

“Where’s the fifth one?”

“Master Hao said he went to the restroom,” Li Yuanzhao relayed, “and told us not to wait. As for the task evaluation, just give him whatever score you think fits, Master Cui.”

Cui Fan fell silent.

A bitter chuckle rose in his chest.

Of course. Another noble family’s young master, treating this like a sightseeing trip. Good thing I didn’t take it seriously.

In these times, those who take things too seriously end up losing everything.

“Fine,” Cui Fan said, not pressing further. He led the four forward, all the while mentally scrambling for a way to justify giving the absent young master a perfect score.

Low scores? Absolutely out of the question.

Even if he had to admit fault himself, he’d never dare give that man a bad mark.

After all, the consequences for the boy were just a poor grade in school.

But for him? That would mean losing his job.

…

…

Cangyu City was a perfect square, surrounded on all sides by mountains.

Thirty miles east of the city, a vast mountain range stretched across the great river leading into Cangyu, extending for dozens of li. Towering peaks rose in jagged succession, dense with ancient trees.

Sunlight struggled to pierce the thick canopy, leaving the forest floor damp and heavy with mist. Even in broad daylight, the place carried an eerie, ghostly chill.

Scattered like specks of mud across the foothills were small villages. Each had a few hunter families, living off the land, surviving by hunting.

As the saying goes: The ducks know the water is warm first.

The hunters, who spent their lives deep in the wild, knew better than anyone whether the mountains were safe.

Ever since a few reckless hunters returned—missing limbs, their bodies torn apart—no one had dared enter the forest again. Even gathering firewood had become limited to the lower slopes.

Yet now, a lone figure shot through the sky above the mountains, streaking forward at blinding speed.

Dressed in the dark robe of a Demon-Suppression Officer, this was none other than Li Hao.

The “restroom” excuse? A lie.

This inspection wasn’t his kind of work. Cui Fan had no real intention of taking them into actual demon territory—just a chance to test green hands on minor demons.

As for academic credits? He didn’t care.

The Black and White Hall could exchange academic credits for rare treasures, but the Li Clan had access to even greater things.

That ultimate martial art? Not something you could buy with a few credits.

Li Hao had come to the Black Wind Mountain Range for one purpose only:

To find the whereabouts of the Tiger-Robe Immortal.

…

As he flew over the forest, Li Hao noticed flickers of Spirit Beasts moving through the undergrowth, and traces of Mountain Spirits and Ghosts lurking in the shadows.

All were minor demons—weak in Demon Qi.

Only those who had reached the Continuation of Soul Realm could perceive Demon Qi.

Through the eyes of his Soul Form, he could see the flow of energy in the world—the invisible currents like snowflakes settling on mountains, rivers, trees, stones, and animals.

Each was coated in a faint, pure layer of Qi—like a thin, colorless mist.

But to a cultivator who had taken the path, their Aura burned bright as a furnace.

Depending on their cultivation scripture, the color of their Aura shifted—those in the Divine Travel Realm or even the Fifteen Li Stage glowed like starlight.

Without刻意 concealment, such a glow could be seen from miles away.

Spirit Beasts were no different.

Yet true, powerful Spirit Beasts usually hid their Demon Qi, blending into the crowd, nearly invisible.

Now, however, the Black Wind Mountain Range pulsed with a variety of misty auras—some faint, some deep, swirling like fog through the trees.

Above Li Hao’s head, a golden light burst forth from his crown.

His Spirit Soul surged forward, scouting the terrain.

…

Deep within the mountain, in a cave formed by jagged, weathered rocks, a massive figure leaned against a boulder.

The creature stood nearly five zhang tall—half-man, half-bear—its massive frame draped in coarse fur.

At its feet lay a pile of bleached bones.

On a relatively flat stone beneath its rump, scraps of wrinkled, tattered human skin were piled like trash.

A thick, foul stench hung in the air.

Around it, other monstrous forms gathered—some in twisted postures.

A long serpent with a seductive female upper body coiled lazily.

A gaunt, crawling thing with a skull-like head.

A grotesque monster with white infant legs and a centipede’s waist.

“The True God of Great Strength,” the Serpent Lady purred, her head swaying in the air, “we’ve gathered over twenty thousand minor demons, eight hundred Spirit Beasts, twenty-five with shape transformation. We’re ready to act at any moment. Chimei Daoist, devour the city of Cangyu!”

Her eyes gleamed with hunger. She flicked her tongue, eager to begin.

“Once we’re done,” a withered elder with sparse hair chuckled, “we retreat. The path through Wangchuan Mountain is clear. We can leave anytime.”

“Wait for the right moment,” growled the bear-like demon, its voice calm despite the savage aura radiating from its form.

“Let Chimei Daoist and his northern allies strike first. Then we move in. That scoundrel Yue—half a month ago, he secretly sent word to the Xia Family. But Chimei Daoist uncovered it. The Xia Family won’t be coming.”

“After all this time… finally, a proper feast. Wonderful,” another sneered.

“The meat vessel he sent lately? Quality’s been declining. This time, I’ll eat him myself.”

“Ha! Not so fast,” the bear rumbled, glancing coldly at the Wolf Demon. “The tiger robe has already claimed him.”

“I was just joking!” the Wolf Demon laughed nervously. “How could I ever steal from the tiger robe’s meal?”

As they spoke, the bear suddenly lifted its head.

It had sensed something.

In the forest below—

A young man in a dark robe, sword at his waist, stepping carefully through the weeds by the roadside, walking slowly toward this peak teeming with powerful demons.

At once, the other Spirit Beasts snapped to attention.

Someone’s approaching… and they’re so close. How did we miss them?

“…So many Spirit Beasts…”

Li Hao swept his gaze across the scene, scanning each towering demon.

Their Auras were only partially concealed—barely hidden, like candles burning in the dark.

When he fully took in the gruesome spectacle before him—the bones, the skin, the stench—his expression darkened.

He could only imagine how many lives had been brutally slaughtered here.

“Demon-Suppression Officer?”

The demons stared at Li Hao’s attire—dragon patterns on the sleeve, markings on the robe.

A mere Demon-Suppression Officer?

And yet… he had come here, into their midst?

“Hmm? Are you the one delivering the meat provisions?” a shriveled, grinning old man croaked. He hopped forward, short and hunched, but his eyes remained sharp.

Li Hao understood what the demon meant by “meat vessel.”

Delivering provisions?

He froze.

A chill ran down his spine.

The words carried an unimaginable implication—something deeply horrifying.

His mind raced.

He scanned the crowd of demons.

Then, slowly, he spoke.

“…Which one of you is the Tiger-Robe Immortal?”

“Looking for the tiger robe?” The demons exchanged glances, surprised.

The withered old man grinned, revealing yellowed teeth.

“Kid… you’re bold. Don’t you fear us?”

“Fear?”

Li Hao drew his Demon-Slaying Waist Sword slowly.

“You’re the bold ones.

Surrounded by me… yet still not fleeing.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end