Chapter 68: The Transformation Orb

Chapter 68: The Transformation Orb



The fading sunlight slowly sank below the horizon, casting an eerie and desolate hue across the land as dusk approached.

Outside the sewer exit northwest of Hammerstone Fortress.

Lu Heng gripped the Aurora Blade, silently counting to himself, "3, 2, 1..."

As he reached three, a blood shadow burst out of the sewer exit like an unleashed wild horse.

The blood shadow began writhing in mid-air, quickly regaining its original form—the hideous and terrifying body of a Blood Shadow Demon.

Horns grew from its head, and it was about to let out a proud, sky-piercing roar to mock the weak defenses of Hammerstone Fortress.

In that fleeting moment, Lu Heng swung his sword, and the sharp blade flashed like a silver dragon, slicing through the Blood Shadow Demon's body and splitting it in two.

Caught off guard, the Blood Shadow Demon was severely wounded by the strike, its arrogant roar turning into a piercing shriek as its body split open, falling to the ground in two pools of filthy blood.

However, the Blood Shadow Demon did not die. One of the blood pools began to writhe, reforming into its upper body.

It let out an angry roar, writhing its body to drag the severed lower half towards itself, fusing the two halves back together.

In an instant, the two blood shadows merged into one, standing up once more.

Lu Heng rushed forward and attacked again with his sword.

This time, the Blood Shadow Demon was prepared. It condensed a blood-and-shadow arm blade on its arm to block Lu Heng's strike.

The sword blade clashed with the arm blade, emitting the sound of metal on metal and showering sparks.

A fierce battle ensued between the two.

After several exchanges, Lu Heng had gauged the Blood Shadow Demon's approximate strength.

It was indeed a powerful Blood Shadow Demon, at least level 18, with attributes like Strength and Agility around 40 points.

Three days ago, Lu Heng would not have been a match for it.

But now, having reached level 18, Lu Heng possessed an extraordinary Agility of 43 points, matching the Blood Shadow Demon in speed and reflexes.

Moreover, his previous strike had split the demon in two, causing severe damage, though not fatal.

Blood Shadow Demons excelled in their elusive Blood Shadow Dash and possessed formidable vitality, making them difficult to kill with conventional weapons. However, direct combat was not their forte.

Additionally, Blood Shadow Demons had a critical weakness: they were vulnerable to lightning and fire.

As Lu Heng assessed the Blood Shadow Demon's strength, the demon also realized that Lu Heng was a formidable opponent.

Therefore, after forcing Lu Heng back with its blood-shadow arm blade, the demon transformed into a blood shadow once more and fled along the ground at high speed.

Just as Lu Heng was about to activate Gale Step to give chase, a piercing eagle's cry echoed from the sky.

The reconnaissance eagle dove down, colliding with the blood shadow and transforming its energy nature. Dark thorns grew from the void, entangling the Blood Shadow Demon.

The demon struggled to break free from the binding thorns, managing to escape the Dark Thorn Trap, but its Blood Shadow Dash was interrupted, preventing its escape.

It could only turn and swing its arm blade at Lu Heng, engaging in a brutal melee combat.

After ten rounds of combat, Lu Heng retreated with a backstep, dodging the demon's arm blade slash. He then countered with a powerful leg sweep, executing the Mountain-Stabilizing Technique, and unleashed the skill Thunder Strike.

A thunderous roar filled the air!

The sword slashed down, unleashing a torrent of thunder.

The ferocious current ravaged the Blood Shadow Demon's blood-formed body.

The demon let out a painful howl as its blood-composed body was scorched by the lightning, emitting a nauseating burnt odor.

Its blood-formed face contorted in fear, and it turned to flee.

However, the lightning's scorching energy had paralyzed its body, significantly reducing its speed, preventing it from escaping Lu Heng's grasp.

Lu Heng raised the Aurora Blade and struck again, imbuing it with the power of lightning to annihilate the demon.

[Blood Shadow Demon killed, absorbing 180 Demon Energy.]



[Source Energy Level increased to 18, all attributes +2, Agility attribute +0.6.]



The demon's blood curled up, crystallizing into a Skill Crystal Core and a pearl.

Lu Heng picked up the two items and quickly glanced at their attribute data.

[Blood Shadow Arm Blade: Condense Source Energy on the arm to form a blood-shadow arm blade. When attacking, it absorbs the target's blood, dealing X points of bleeding damage. The wound cannot be stopped. Damage coefficient = 2 x Strength attribute. Skill Cost: 20 Source Energy. Skill Grade: C-Class.]



[Transformation Orb: When the orb approaches a living being, it can reflect their form. Using the orb allows the user to transform into the reflected being's appearance. Item Grade: B-Class.]



Upon seeing the Transformation Orb, Lu Heng finally understood how the Blood Shadow Demon had transformed into Mia.

Subsequently, Su Muyu, carried by the reconnaissance eagle, flew out and witnessed the end of the battle. She gently landed and asked, "Are you hurt?"

"She could tell that the Blood Shadow Demon was of a high rank, so she was still a little worried."

"It's fine, let's head back," Lu Heng said, leading her back the way they came.

On their return journey to Hammerstone Castle, Lu Heng couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss about the day's events.

"How's Mia doing?" Lu Heng thought of Mia, unsure if the brave Banser warrior had come to harm.

"She's fine, and she wasn't injured either," Su Muyu replied, having checked on Mia before rushing over.

"I still feel like something's not right," Lu Heng said.

Lu Heng pondered, then turned back to look at the spot where the Blood Shadow Demon had fallen, his pupils narrowing as he exclaimed, "Wait! The one who triggered your trap wasn't the Blood Shadow Demon!"

Su Muyu instantly realized the reason, "There's another demon in Hammerstone Castle!"

The two quickened their pace towards the castle's entrance, understanding the implications.

Why didn't the Blood Shadow Demon trigger the trap?

The reason was simple—the blood on the ground.

Even when the Blood Shadow Demon's body was severed, it could reassemble itself, as its blood was part of its body.

If blood dripped onto the ground, it could still be reabsorbed into its body.

Therefore, if the Blood Shadow Demon had triggered the Dark Thorn Trap, it wouldn't have left blood at the scene.

There was only one possibility—someone else had triggered the trap.

Lu Heng's thoughts became increasingly cautious, and he corrected himself, "It might not be a demon; it could also be a human."

"But Mia said those few drops of blood were from a demon," Su Muyu said, her face filled with confusion.

"Mia said it was demon blood because it had the scent of a demon. If a human metahuman accepts the Dark God's energy infusion, their blood will also carry the scent of a demon," Lu Heng continued, feeling that the day's events were becoming more complicated.

"If that's the case, then things are even more complex," Su Muyu frowned, trying to find a way to untangle this puzzle.

Indeed, human metahumans could produce blood with the scent of a demon.

Especially those who had triggered the 'Traitor Task' and fallen to become Abyssal Executors, their blood typically carried the scent of demons.

Upon returning to Hammerstone Castle, Lu Heng headed to the Council Hall and met with Mia, finding her unharmed and even unaware that a demon had taken her form.

"You really saw a demon that looked exactly like me? Is that true? I'd love to see it," Mia said, intrigued by everyone's claims.

"Do you know when the demon copied your appearance?" Lu Heng asked the crucial question.

Mia shook her head, looking perplexed, "I don't know. I've been leading the team to search for demons, and I haven't noticed anything."

The Iron Arm Leader asked with concern, "Mia, think harder. That Blood Shadow Demon took your form, and even I almost couldn't tell the difference."

Mia shook her head again, "No, I haven't encountered any demons today."

Lu Heng suddenly realized something and said, "It wasn't copied today. The Blood Shadow Demon copied your appearance, but you gave your crossbow to Muyu. This means the demon copied your appearance before you gave the crossbow to Muyu."

Mia nodded vigorously, "Yes, why didn't I think of that?"

Lu Heng continued, "Then, when do you think it was copied?"

Mia furrowed her brows in thought but shook her head again, "Ever since I came back, I've been with everyone..."

Lu Heng immediately understood, "Then it was copied when we were in the dungeon."

"In the dungeon? But that was days ago," Mia exclaimed, her eyes widening.

Lu Heng turned to the Iron Arm Leader and shared his suspicions, "Leader, there's something else suspicious. The Blood Shadow Demon could have used Blood Shadow Dash to escape directly through the sewers, but it chose to pass through the square instead."

"You were in the square at the time, and its route was questionable, as if it was deliberately trying to attract your attention."

"I suspect it was covering for other demons or traitors to evacuate."

"And considering the demons copied Mia's appearance several days ago, their actions today must have another purpose."

"Is there anything in the castle that's especially important for tonight's resurrection ritual?"

The Iron Arm Leader hesitated, then suddenly understood and slammed his fist, "I get it! Those damn demons are after our tribe's treasure!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end