C24 Sorry My Hands Are Shaking

[Ding! The second phase of the undercover mission has been activated: rescue the Great Demons captured by the Green Lion Demon King. Rewards will be based on the number of individuals rescued. If all perish, the mission will be deemed a failure. Rewards will vary depending on the number of Great Demons saved.]

Previously, the Green Lion Demon King had compelled other nations to target children, likely as a means to cultivate his Spirit Devouring Technique. Now, with his cultivation having made significant strides, he has started preying on Great Demons. In the aftermath of his feasting, his danger level has ticked up slightly. As he continues to digest his prey, it's certain that his danger level will climb even higher.

What would become of the world if the Green Lion Demon King were allowed to continue his rampage unchecked?

In just a few years, he could evolve into a Great Demon King with a danger level exceeding a thousand. By the time the other Demon Kings uncover the Green Lion Demon King's secret, perhaps in a year or two, he might already be on the cusp of reaching the Great Demon King realm, rendering them no match for him.

Chen Ming now realized why the mission to obliterate Pitfall Mountain was classified as D-level; the Green Lion Demon King was no ordinary Demon King.

After conducting a sweep of the dungeon, the Green Lion Demon King departed on his cloud.

Chen Ming fluttered his wings and made a reconnaissance loop around the dungeon. The majority of the Great Demons imprisoned here were at the first or second level of the Dao Entering Stage. The Green Lion Demon King, in the midst of a power surge, clearly didn't want his fellow Demon Kings to stumble upon his secret, targeting only those Great Demons of lower stages.

Perched on the iron bars of a cell, Chen Ming peered into the dungeon. A white fox, ten feet in length, lay on the ground, murmuring to itself, "The Green Lion Demon King has mastered such a sinister art. If I don't escape and alert the White Fox King, the Green Lion Demon King's power will surely soar. Then, all the demons of White Fox Mountain will become his prey!"

"But how can I possibly escape, trapped as I am in this dungeon?"

Constructed entirely from cast iron and fortified with enchantments, the dungeon was impregnable. For these Great Demons, breaking free from their prison was an insurmountable task.

Chen Ming spread his wings and touched down next to the Great Demons guarding the dungeon, members of the Green Lion Demon King's kin, all Azure Lions themselves.

Upon noticing the departure of the Green Lion Demon King, the four Azure Lion Great Demons seized the opportunity, "The Demon King's gone. Now's our chance to drink. Once he's done with his cultivation, there'll be no chance left for us!"

The head Azure Lion cautioned, "Remember, we're guarding a critical spot. What if something goes wrong?"

The Great Demon who had proposed the idea of drinking dismissed the concern, "What's there to worry about? This is the forbidden zone of Pitfall Mountain. No one but the Demon General and Demon King can get here. Plus, we've got the key. What are the odds of a crow snatching it and managing to lead a group out of here, bypassing all the checkpoints?"

Chen Ming thought back to the intel provided by the Black Eagle Great Demon. He was well aware of Pitfall Mountain's defenses.

In the usual course of events, these Great Demons would be reduced to a drunken stupor, allowing Chen Ming to effortlessly secure the key and liberate the imprisoned Great Demon.

With half an hour to go before the changing of the guard and dawn approaching, there was a brief window to make a move.

Chen Ming bided his time, waiting for the Great Demons to succumb to the alcohol. However, as the minutes ticked by, it became clear they had no intention of getting inebriated. Frustrated, Chen Ming flapped his wings, muttering, "Damn, I should've known better. These lucky breaks are reserved for protagonists. Looks like I'll have to take matters into my own hands."

He sized up the four Great Demons, gauging their threat level at around 120, not even on par with Gongsun Zhi.

Chen Ming squawked and beat his wings, drawing the attention of the Azure Lions. The leader commanded, "Fourth, grab that crow. It'll make a fine addition to our drink!"

At the mention of food, Fourth's mouth watered, "Being on duty here has left me craving something different. A crow would make a fine meal."

In the abyss, the mist lingered. Chen Ming took to the air, with the Azure Lion in pursuit. Once they were shrouded in the fog, out of sight from the others, Chen Ming reverted to his human form and silently descended behind the Azure Lion. With the Prince Su Sword at the demon's throat, he whispered eerily, "No screaming, or I might 'accidentally' cut something you'd rather keep."

The Azure Lion whirled around. They had been steadfast guardians of the abyss and had never encountered Chen Ming before. Now, beholding Chen Ming clad in a black feathered robe, they mistook him for a Demon King.

The robe, a gift from the Great Demon of Flying Eagle Ridge upon Chen Ming's arrival, was crafted from the purest black eagle feathers—a true mark of prestige.

Who would dare defy the might of a Demon King?

The Azure Lion shuddered, nodding meekly, careful not to utter a superfluous word.

Chen Ming's Prince Su Sword grazed the Azure Lion's neck, drawing a thin line of blood. "Now, call over one of your brothers."

After a brief pause, the Azure Lion called out, "Third brother, hurry over here. There's a swarm of crows."

At this, the third brother burst into laughter. "Fourth brother is so pathetic. Let me handle this."

As the third brother's voice reached him, Chen Ming, with a flick of the Prince Su Sword, cut his throat. "Oops, my hand slipped."

"Ding! You have slain a Level Two Dao Entering Stage Great Demon and earned 20 Spirit Sense points."

Fourth brother collapsed at Chen Ming's feet. As the third brother approached through the mist, he inquired, "Fourth brother, where are those crows?"

The mist cleared, revealing a black figure to the third brother, who had no time to react before a pristine white sword impaled him.

Chen Ming withdrew his blade, and the third brother fell. No reward was announced, prompting Chen Ming to glance down and chuckle, "Playing dead? Too bad that trick won't work on me."

With a reverse grip, Chen Ming plunged the Prince Su Sword into the earth, piercing the third brother's throat.

“Ding! You have slain another Level Two Dao Entering Stage Great Demon, earning 20 more Spirit Sense points.”

Sword in hand, Chen Ming turned to the last two demons, still indulging in their drink. In his right hand, the Prince Su Sword, and in his left, the Fire Cloud Sword—long nurtured in the Fire Crow Spell Dao Palace—both swords soared towards the demons. As the mist dissipated, a white and a fiery red sword flew at the unsuspecting demons, who scrambled to block with their maces.

But how could their current magical powers stand a chance against the might of a Demon King, whose strength is now on par with theirs in quality?

Indeed, Chen Ming had successfully formed a Dao Seed, elevating his magical prowess to a level comparable to that of a newly advanced Demon King in terms of quality, though not in quantity.

Otherwise, his highest achievement in cultivation, the Fire Crow Spell at the fourth stage of the Dao Entering Stage, could not possibly have reached a danger index of 180.

The Prince Su Sword and Fire Cloud Sword sent the two Great Demons reeling, cleaving their wolf tooth clubs in twain.

Chen Ming persisted in wielding the Flying Sword against the two Great Demons, who, of course, would not resign themselves to defeat. They summoned their full strength, conjuring a spherical shield around themselves to fend off the incoming Prince Su Sword and Fire Cloud Sword.