Chapter 26: Not Worth Fearing

Three months passed in an instant, and the Demon Race began to notice something amiss. Though they were numerous, they could not withstand the Human Race's relentless assaults. Gradually, the disappearance of many demon soldiers drew attention.

In the massive hall at the center of the Demon Race's stronghold, a commander bearing celestial authority raged, questioning his subordinates.

"Why have so many soldiers vanished?" No one dared to speak; finally, a hesitant commander suggested it might be the work of the Human Race. That answer shocked everyone.

Lately the Human Race has been on a soaring streak, even Taiyi was forced to retreat; perhaps they intend to seize this momentum for revenge.

"General, since our opponent is the Human Race, we must proceed cautiously. The Human Race has many experts; perhaps we should first keep our distance and observe."

The suggestion enraged the fish‑headed general with a human body even more. He slammed his hand onto the table on the left; the table shattered instantly, splintering wood everywhere.

"Would I ever fear a mere Human Race foot soldier? Avoid him? If a true Human Race powerhouse strikes, casualties will exceed this, and even our lives won't be safe." He declared, "It must be another faction's doing; the enemy's strength won't be great. Issue the orders—prepare the entire army for battle!"

Meanwhile, the Human Race side displayed a completely different scene.

After the baptism of demon blood, the physiques of over a million members of the race were vastly enhanced.

Xiao Ling'er and Shan's hunting squad grew larger by the day.

However, because they absorbed only low‑grade demon beast essence, most members only reached the Golden Core realm, with only a few managing to break through to the Human Immortal realm.

Below the Immortal realm, they could refine their bodies with beast blood to strengthen the foundation. As cultivation progressed, the demand for demon beast blood grew steadily.

According to protocol, a hundred‑person unit stealthily approached the Demon Race's territory under cover of night.

"Sister Ling'er, I think I'm about to breakthrough again!" Shan excitedly showed Xiao Ling'er his muscles.

"First solidify the foundation; don't rush the breakthrough." Xiao Ling'er looked at him with a hint of helplessness.

Since she reached the pinnacle of the Human Immortal realm, Shan seemed inspired, training relentlessly each day; although his cultivation advanced greatly, in Xiao Ling'er's eyes his foundation still appeared weak.

The others behind watched their interaction and couldn't help but smile affectionately. Though quiet, the collective chuckles were unmistakably audible.

Xiao Ling'er turned and glared, sighing inwardly; many among them were older than she, yet in some respects they seemed especially naive.

Soon they reached the outskirts of the Demon Race camp, all hidden in the dense jungle, eyes fixed on the large encampment ahead.

These over a hundred were seasoned veterans who had repeatedly succeeded in the past three months, no longer fearing the Demon Race as much.

If their cultivation were sufficient, they all longed to face several demon soldiers alone like Shan; that would be true bravery.

"As usual, I'll strike first; then you each split into groups of ten to enter. Once we slay ten demons we'll withdraw." Xiao Ling'er whispered commands; everyone understood and followed the prior grouping plan.

Xiao Ling'er and Shan crouched low, tiptoeing cautiously toward the Demon Race camp.

In the blink of an eye, the two surged into the enemy formation like meteors. Moments later, the Human Race behind them also moved, forming a half‑encirclement that gradually closed in on the camp's edge.

When everyone stepped into the camp, the lights flared brilliantly in an instant.

Blue flames encircled everything, the brightness like daylight.

At that moment they realized it wasn't the two's superior cultivation, but that they were already surrounded.

With the arrival of these hundred, the encirclement closed completely.

From behind, many demon soldiers emerged, their long spears flashing, sealing the area airtight.

"The Human Race truly has the nerve!"

The celestial pressure surged like a tide, and everyone knelt down.

Xiao Ling'er and Shan's faces turned pale, fully aware the opponent's strength far exceeded theirs.

They had acted stealthily before precisely because they feared this power, yet they were eventually discovered.

"Shan, I'll blaze a path; you lead everyone to escape!" Xiao Ling'er said decisively.

"Sister Ling'er!"

Shan's face showed pain and resentment.

"Do as I say!"

Xiao Ling'er's gaze was firm, her tone resolute.

Shan said no more, while the fish‑headed general watched with keen interest.

He hadn't expected them to still try to resist even in a dire situation.

"General, let's settle this quickly; after all, there are several quite troublesome ones among the Human Race."

A few demon generals sensed something amiss and cautioned.

"What are you afraid of? Two mortals are worth fearing?"

The fish‑headed general cursed in displeasure.

He was enjoying toying with his prey and would not tolerate interruption.

At that moment, a tiger's roar rang out, followed by bird calls.

Before anyone could react, a firebird and a fierce tiger surged toward him like flames.

The deputy tried to block them but was repelled by the heat, crying out in agony.

The fish‑headed general startled, retreated a few steps, and shielded himself with a water veil.

But Xiao Ling'er and Shan's target wasn't him; they turned and attacked the demon forces behind them.

The Demon Race couldn't evade; amid the explosions, a gap appeared in the encirclement.

"Quick, follow me, don't delay!"

Shan rushed to the gap, keeping watch while shouting.

"But…"

The others hesitated, not expecting things to unfold this way.

"Run!" Xiao Ling'er roared. The group gritted their teeth and sprinted toward the gap.

"Think you can run? It's not that easy!"

The fish‑headed general had originally thought the Human Race was not worth fearing, treating it as a joke. Yet, after witnessing their clever feint to cover the tribe's escape, he felt deeply embarrassed, for he was stunned by this very strategy.

Those Human Race members who thought they'd fallen into a trap actually broke through the encirclement, leaving him utterly humiliated.

"Your opponent is me!" Xiao Ling'er shouted, leapt from the sky, spitting flames that instantly formed a massive firebird, charging at the fish‑headed general. The firebird blazed with fierce flames, as if to incinerate everything.

"Even a mortal immortal dares to challenge me?" the Fish-Head General sneered, and with a wave of his hand the black water coalesced into a pitch‑black cloud‑tooth spear, which he hurled forcefully to collide with the fire bird.

In an instant, water and fire met, and steam billowed all around.

The two nearby generals tried to seize Xiao Ling'er, but the fire bird knocked them straight into the air; the flames on their bodies caused them excruciating pain as they rolled on the ground, howling.

The Fish-Head General scolded them for their incompetence, and simultaneously unleashed a powerful water force to help extinguish the flames.

Xiao Ling'er quickly assessed the situation, realizing that the Fish-Head General was the strongest here, having reached the Heavenly Immortal Realm, while the other foes were far weaker. She was about to chase the fleeing crowd when she saw a cloud‑tooth spear, formed of water, lodged in the ground, blocking her path.

"Don't even think of escaping; now it's your turn to duel me," the Fish-Head General said coldly. "You ruined my plan, and I will make you suffer slowly."

Before his words finished, the Fish-Head General closed in like a shadow, each hand gripping a cloud‑tooth spear, hurling them wildly.

Even though Xiao Ling'er strained to dodge, her arm was still wounded, and the water at the wound seemed to crawl into her body as if alive.

Soon, the wound on her arm swelled rapidly, turning a strange bluish‑black.

"This is my unique poison technique; a few more hits and your whole body will swell to death. Enjoy this cold water poison!" the Fish-Head General cackled triumphantly.