Ghostly green firelight snaked through the entire city, spreading with wild chaos.

Outside the city, Yang Chenxu heaved a sigh of relief. An hour ago, he had been led out of the city and had divulged everything he knew.

"I can leave now, right?"

"Well done." Wang Linchi was somewhat satisfied. This young man was quite cooperative. "This time, I'll spare your life out of respect for the compensation your elder brother gave me."

Yang Chenxu showed little reaction; such actions from his elder brother were almost routine for him. Although the two had a good relationship, they also knew they couldn't reveal it. The more you care, the more leverage the other side has over you. That's why he hadn't gone back to his elder brother. Doing so would only ensnare himself and invite disaster for his brother.

"I'll take my leave first then. If you want to join the Demon Slaying Army, head north to Xuanzhou State; that's where one of their bases is." With an expressionless face, Yang Chenxu limped away after his words.

Wang Linchi kept his promise and let him go this time. But if there was a next time, he would slaughter him for rewards. This should have been the final reward for Yang Chenxu's storyline, though the way Wang Linchi accomplished it was somewhat unique. The normal procedure would have involved an investigation; the Game System hadn't anticipated Wang Linchi would resort to burning the city. As for Yang Chenxu, upon completing this storyline, he was supposed to follow the Player and act as a sort of early warning system.

However, Wang Linchi didn't need this alarm. Instead, he first squeezed every bit of knowledge from Yang Chenxu's mind. The other party was definitely hiding something. Otherwise, why would Wang Linchi mention a "next time"? Wang Linchi had merely made some simple deductions about The Demonic Rite of Fusion and already identified several issues. While these problems might seem minor in isolation, they would become terrifying hidden dangers if the rite were actually used. If Yang Chenxu had truly given him all the information, Wang Linchi would never have mentioned a "next time."

The timing just wasn't right. He first needed to eliminate everyone in the Qing State branch of the Demon Suppression Alliance.

"Damn it, who dares to stir up trouble in the Demon Suppression Alliance!" An angry voice echoed out.

This was the Elder who planned to use the Ten Evil Demon to become an Abyssal Demon. He had performed The Demonic Rite of Fusion with an Abyssal Demon known as the Red Blood Demon, thereby obtaining some of its abilities. Although these abilities were a watered-down version, they were still considered high-level among Demon Suppressing Sorcerers.

A torrent of blood-red flames erupted, attempting to consume the ghostly green fire, but with little effect. The entire city was already burning; their limited power offered no hope of extinguishing such an inferno.

Seeing things were beyond their control, the Elder of the Demon Suppression Alliance had no choice but to flee with the Demon Suppressing Sorcerers. While he could resist the flames, the other Demon Suppressing Sorcerers couldn't.

Fortunately, the Abyssal Demons they nurtured were powerful enough to shield them during their escape. The downside was that every Demon Suppressing Sorcerer had aged by about ten years. This was clearly the Abyssal Demons making exorbitant demands. The sorcerers could refuse to sacrifice their lifespan, but the Abyssal Demons wouldn't die anyway. If not for the concern that their death would mean no more sustenance, these Abyssal Demons would have likely demanded more than just ten years of life—perhaps even a taste of their flesh and blood. They essentially saw the sorcerers as little more than convenient meals. If one died, it was no great loss; the Demon Suppression Alliance would simply provide a replacement. The only inconvenience was that the Abyssal Demons might have to forage for themselves in the interim, which was a hassle.

Wang Linchi was already waiting for them at their escape route. It was simple to deduce its location: the principle was simple: surround them on three sides, leaving one open, and the enemy would inevitably flee towards that gap. Whether they anticipated an ambush there was another question entirely.

"It seems you are the mastermind behind all this." The leading elder, his body exhibiting numerous Abyssal Demon traits, glared at Wang Linchi, who blocked their path. His voice was laced with extreme displeasure.

"Judging by your ruthless methods, you're unlikely to be from the Demon Slaying Army. It's more probable that you're a Demon Suppressing Sorcerer from another branch of our Demon Suppression Alliance."

"You're trying to hijack the rewards of Lord Ten Evil Demon, aren't you?"

The elder spouted his own lengthy analysis, and Wang Linchi simply confirmed with a look that seemed to say, You're absolutely right.

This elder hadn't aged due to lifespan depletion like the other Demon Suppressing Sorcerers. He had genuinely lived for a very long time, indicating a long tenure in a high position, affording him privileges like restoring his own lifespan or negating the corrosive effects of nurturing an Abyssal Demon.

"You're right, that's exactly what I was thinking." Wang Linchi adopted an expression that seemed to say, Amazing, you've actually seen through my grand plan!

This gave the elder pause, his expression turning even gloomier. "You are audacious indeed, but you are ignorant of the vast differences in power even among Demon Suppressing Sorcerers! You've only just become one, yet you dare..."

Wang Linchi didn't bother listening to the rest of the threat, but he found the elder's words strangely familiar, as if he'd heard them somewhere before.

Ah, I remember now. A certain unfortunate, brainless fool once said something similar to Yan Ming King. The moment he finished speaking, he ceased to exist. Wang Linchi recalled the incident vividly; it had been during his first transaction with Yan Ming King.

With these words out, the elder's threatening speech was cut short.

"Attack! Kill this boy! I will apply to Headquarters for reimbursement of your consumed lifespan!" The elder was almost driven mad with rage.

The surrounding Demon Suppressing Sorcerers grew agitated and, without hesitation, began to channel their lifespan to their Abyssal Demons.

"Think carefully. He said he would *apply*. Whether that application is approved or not is an entirely different story," Wang Linchi quipped. He had experience with such hollow promises, hence his reminder to these unfortunate souls.

Regardless, his words had a noticeable effect. The Demon Suppressing Sorcerers all turned to look at the elder, their expressions clearly asking for a definite assurance.

The elder grew even more irate. It was exactly as Wang Linchi had pointed out: he could only submit an application; its approval was far from guaranteed. If the application were approved, he intended to embezzle the full amount. If it were denied, well, that would probably make everyone else secretly happy.

"Of course, it will be approved! I am an Elder of the Demon Suppression Alliance!" Under the circumstances, he could only grit his teeth and confirm. They would deal with the fallout later.

"You're certainly no elder with real authority. Otherwise, why would you be assigned to a mere branch? Wouldn't you be better off at the main headquarters?" Even as Wang Linchi spoke, the Saint Master launched into action.

The Abyssal Demons nurtured by this group of Demon Suppressing Sorcerers were, frankly, mediocre, mostly hovering around level 50. Only the elder's Red Blood Demon had reached level 70. The Saint Master charged into their midst like a tiger pouncing on a flock of sheep, unleashing a brutal slaughter.

"You dare to launch a sneak attack!" The elder was practically apoplectic. Having been pampered and adulated for so many years, this was clearly the first time he had encountered someone so utterly unscrupulous.

"That's right, why wouldn't I? You lot can use superior numbers to bully the few, so why can't I launch a sneak attack?" Wang Linchi retorted. He's so accustomed to his privileges, he probably thinks the whole world revolves around him.

"Quick, protect me! If I die, none of you will fare any better!" The elder hastily retreated, scrambling to hide behind the Red Blood Demon.

This time, however, the other Demon Suppressing Sorcerers completely ignored his command. They were on the verge of death themselves; why would they bother protecting him? Their immediate instinct was to flee for their lives, showing no concern whatsoever for the elder.

But their escape speed was no match for the Saint Master's. The Saint Master didn't target these Demon Suppressing Sorcerers directly. Instead, he went straight for their Abyssal Demons—the true bosses here. Killing an Abyssal Demon would cause its nurturing Demon Suppressing Sorcerer to die as well—a buy-one-get-one-free deal. Most of these Demon Suppressing Sorcerers held little value. Only this elder from the Demon Suppression Alliance was a worthwhile target.

Witnessing the Abyssal Demons topple like cut wheat, the elder finally panicked. In his desperation, he rashly ordered the Red Blood Demon to attack, only to regret it instantly as the creature began siphoning his lifespan.

"Damn you! Do you have any idea who my son is? How dare you treat me this way?!" Seeing his life force drain, the elder couldn't stop himself from roaring at Wang Linchi.

"Well, now... I've met plenty who brag, 'My master is so-and-so!' or 'My father is so-and-so!' But this is the first time I've heard someone try to use their son as a threat. What are you trying to do, drag your son into this mess?" Wang Linchi found it genuinely novel.

"You can't kill me! Spare me, and I'll... My son is one of the Demon Suppression Kings of the Demon Suppression Alliance! If you kill me, the entire Demon Suppression Alliance will hunt you relentlessly, never resting until you are dead! They will mobilize fully to pursue you!" The elder desperately clung to his connections as a lifeline.

"Impressive words. But tell me, would the other Demon Suppression Kings really agree to the entire Demon Suppression Alliance mobilizing just to come after little old me?" Wang Linchi mused, finally understanding. So, he's just an old, muddled fool who happens to have connections. That explains his bizarre behavior. Any sensible person in his shoes would be trying to escape by now, not making threats. Given the Red Blood Demon's capabilities, there was actually a decent chance it could get away.

"Don't worry, I'll be careful. I won't let you die," Wang Linchi said reassuringly. Even as the words left his mouth, the Saint Master reached out, tore off the Red Blood Demon's head, and ripped out a long, trailing section of its spinal column.

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