Chapter 132: Beat It Up!

Ji Junhong did not reply, merely casting a glance toward the east. Even with the sky continuously erupting in thunder and lightning, he could discern the state of the horizon at a single look.

"You say I can't kill you?" Ji Junhong’s eyes crinkled with a smile as he murmured, "I don't believe it."

With that, he lunged forward, sword in hand, and unleashed a flurry of wild slashes.

"Hey! Are you even listening to a word I say, you brat!"

The great demon growled, acting like a madman pushed to the edge, and charged forward with a barrage of wild clawing.

Man and fox clashed in the sky, their savage energy tearing the dark clouds and torrential rain asunder.

"Aaahhh!"

The spectators in the distance had thought themselves far enough away, but the sheer power of the shockwaves proved too much. In an instant, their tents were blown away, and the rain doused the charcoal fires, ruining their barbecue.

The weaker martial artists were caught in the gale, sent rolling through the air like tumbleweeds before crashing onto the ground.

"Ah! My chicken breast!"

Amidst the chorus of screams, the voice of a little girl, shrill with exasperation, stood out. Mr. Wen looked back suspiciously and saw Little Hongtang staring at the rain-soaked meat with tears in her eyes.

She was trembling with rage, and just as she grabbed her red paper umbrella to rush into the fray, she was firmly restrained by Kun Er.

"Don't! You mustn't!"

"Exactly! Let's stay back, I'll grill you some more!"

"Sister Hongtang, calm down! You have to stay calm!"

"It seems the people on the Second Young Master's side are just as eccentric," Mr. Wen muttered to himself.

Ji Huo and Xia Ningchang emerged from the barrier, looking up to see the intense battle raging above.

After observing for a while, Xia Ningchang remarked, "It is as I thought. Once this great demon leaves the barrier, it becomes linked to the entire destiny of the Great Zhou. With the power of the nation bolstering it, killing it is as difficult as killing an emperor."

Ji Huo nodded. "However, since Eldest Brother demanded this, he must have prepared for it. He likely wants to force the demon to bind itself to the Great Zhou's destiny."

Xia Ningchang observed them a moment longer, her expression turning strange. "Have you noticed? Since leaving the barrier, while Eldest Brother’s style looks fierce, he seems to be merely going through the motions?"

"Huh?"

Ji Huo watched closely and realized she was right. His brother was mostly just stalling. Since the demon couldn't hurt him and he couldn't hurt the demon, he was just coasting—much like a veteran employee slacking off on the job.

"I think you're right." Ji Huo rubbed his chin, noticing his brother had already looked toward the east several times.

The east...

Ji Huo turned his gaze eastward. There were no clouds or rain in that direction, only the deepest darkness, where nothing could be seen.

Is it dawn?

Ji Huo had a sudden realization. He looked up at the massive fox in the sky, flashed a grin, and held his hands high, lightning flickering between his palms.

As he channeled his mystical arts, the thunder in the sky instantly converged.

"Boom!"

A bolt of lightning struck the great demon. While it didn't cause significant damage, it stung intensely.

Then came the second bolt, the third...

Lightning struck the demon relentlessly. Maddened by the pain, it glared down, ready to dive.

Eldest Brother’s eyes lit up; he immediately understood Ji Huo’s intent. He channeled his Nine Dragons True Art, blocking the demon’s path and continuing the entanglement. He was in no hurry now, waving his hand to unleash golden sword qi that struck the demon lazily.

"What are you doing?" Xia Ningchang asked, confused.

Ji Huo grinned. "Stalling for time. It's all part of the game."

Xia Ningchang: "..."

Ji Huo added, "Why don't you try? Having a great demon as a training dummy isn't a bad deal."

"You say that, but..." Xia Ningchang hesitated.

Ji Huo laughed. "Don't worry, even if it dives down, I'll protect you. I don't even know how strong my body is right now."

"Then I won't hold back!"

Xia Ningchang’s eyes filled with excitement. She drew her Magic Dragon Spear, focused her aim, and instantly reined in her aura.

Standing close by, Ji Huo could feel the endless demonic energy flowing from the spear into her body and back again. The piercing, world-rending sharpness of the spearhead condensed into a single point.

The sheer terror of that point made Ji Huo’s scalp tingle. He had no doubt that if that spear pierced his kidney, it would go clean through.

He decided that if that happened, he would definitely collapse and pretend to be gravely wounded for half a year, just to make Xia Ningchang feel guilty enough to wait on him hand and foot—serving tea, fetching water, and washing his feet.

Xia Ningchang suddenly turned her head, expressionless. "What kind of impolite thoughts are you having again?" She emphasized the word "again" heavily.

Ji Huo: "..."

Wait, I was just thinking casually—how did she catch that?

Xia Ningchang refocused, her eyes locked on the fox. With a move like a Green Dragon Probing its Claws, her spear shot forth. It was so fast that Ji Huo barely caught a glimpse of it.

The attack began as a tiny black sliver, but in an instant, its power magnified, the cold glint at the tip tearing through the very ripples of space.

By the time the great demon realized it, the spear had already struck. It didn't even have time to look down before the Magic Dragon Spear impaled its lower abdomen!

"Roar!"

The spear transformed into a black dragon, punching through the demon's midsection. Blood erupted like rain, and the fox’s wail echoed across the wilderness.

Blood poured from the sky, as if the entire night was weeping a crimson downpour.

"Great spear work!" Ji Junhong’s eyes gleamed. He suddenly felt it was time to show his real strength.

He gripped his sword with both hands, and the Emperor’s Sword began to glow.

The great demon clutched its wound. Although its injury was healing rapidly due to the national destiny, it could feel a wild, ominous power gnawing at its insides.

It glared at the pale-faced Xia Ningchang on the ground, who had already recalled her spear. Driven by blind rage, it dove down, roaring, "You backstabbing little brat!"

"Well! It's your turn to protect me," Xia Ningchang said, swaying as she leaned on her spear.

"Are you serious? One shot and you're out of steam?" Ji Huo retorted.

"It went through it in one shot—what more do you want?" Xia Ningchang licked her lips, her eyes filled with satisfaction. "Still, it's the first time a demon has survived my spear and stayed standing. Worth it."

Ji Huo shrugged and jogged toward the distance. Just before the demon was about to crash down, he straightened his back and shouted at the fox:

"Magic Cape!"

The diving fox halted abruptly, turned its head toward Ji Huo, and asked calmly, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

Ji Huo maxed out his taunt level and shouted, "Granny! Magic Cape!"

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds...

The fox’s eyes turned blood-red, and a frantic, broken-down roar echoed across the world:

"Die, you little brat!"

Without hesitation, it lunged straight at Ji Huo!