Chapter Forty-Eight: A Hard-Fought Battle

At the command of Crimson Eyes, everyone surged toward Demon Night and his group, leaving the languishing Doom Mirage Crocodile Beast sprawled on the ground, ignored and forgotten.

Crimson Eyes and his cohorts swept down upon Demon Night, Zhao Mu, Xiao Xiao, and Liu Xin, plunging them instantly into a bitter struggle. Demon Night, wielding the Skyscar and stepping upon drifting petals, managed to intercept a great portion of the attacks. Zhao Mu faced off against the senior brother of Fire Dance Academy, their blows exchanging fiercely. Even as Demon Night contended with the assaults of Li Qin, Crimson Eyes, Bear Minister, Sun Kaide, and others, he remained composed and undaunted.

Yet Xiao Xiao and Liu Xin, both of lower cultivation and not suited for battle, could only barely withstand the remaining attackers, struggling desperately.

Zhang Wei, having withdrawn from the main fray and observing the stalemate, decided to target the weaker Liu Xin and Xiao Xiao first. Seizing an unguarded moment, he struck Xiao Xiao with a palm, sending her hurtling through the air. She crashed to the ground dozens of meters away, coughed up blood, and fell unconscious.

Liu Xin, seeing her friend flung aside, cried out, “Xiao Xiao! Are you all right? Can you hear me?” In her distraction, she was wounded—her arm slashed by one of Bear Minister’s men and then kicked away. Liu Xin landed not far from Xiao Xiao, spat blood, clutched her chest, and, though she struggled with all her might, could not rise.

Upon witnessing Xiao Xiao’s ambush and Liu Xin’s collapse, Demon Night and Zhao Mu shouted their names in unison. “Brother Zhao Mu, protect Xiao Xiao and Liu Xin. I’ll hold them off alone!” Demon Night called. Zhao Mu nodded amid the onslaught and broke away, dashing toward the fallen girls.

Zhang Wei, delighted at the sight of his wounded prey, bore down upon them to finish the job. Demon Night, disregarding the danger to himself, turned to intercept Zhang Wei. But as he spun, Li Qin seized the chance to land a heavy blow upon his back, which, though painful, propelled Demon Night ahead of the others and allowed him to reach Xiao Xiao and Liu Xin first.

“Brother Zhao Mu, use your power to heal Xiao Xiao. Don’t worry—with me here, no one will disturb you.” Demon Night wiped the blood from his lips, faced the encroaching enemies, and gripped the greatsword Skyscar with both hands, his gaze unwavering and resolute.

Behind him, Liu Xin gazed at Demon Night’s broad back, her heart quivering. His imposing figure was seared indelibly into her memory.

Crimson Eyes raised a hand, signaling a halt. He spoke, trying to persuade Demon Night, “Demon Night! If you join our Demon Clan, I can spare your lives. You’ll achieve great things with us, and we could call each other brothers. What do you say?”

Demon Night sneered at the offer. “Betray humanity? You’re dreaming. Why would I surrender to a defeated foe?” Bear Minister strode swiftly to Crimson Eyes’ side, pointed his sword at Demon Night, and said, “Young master, why waste words? Let’s kill him.” He then turned toward Demon Night with a mocking laugh. “You don’t know what’s good for you. Today, let’s see how you withstand us all.”

Crimson Eyes lifted his demon claw. “Hmph! Demon Night, you had your chance. Now prepare to die. Everyone, kill Demon Night first!”

“Parade of a Hundred Ghosts! Earth Shatter! Sword Howl to the Ninth Heaven!” Crimson Eyes, Bear Minister, Li Qin, and the others unleashed their mightiest techniques upon Demon Night. “Devour the Waves, Consume All Things!” Demon Night did not yield, clashing head-on with his foes. As their powers collided with his greatsword, his spiritual armor shattered. Demon Night was hurled skyward, then crashed heavily to the ground.

He rose slowly, leaning on his sword, his back now a mass of blood and torn flesh. Demon Night knew that he alone could not withstand so many enemies; he considered using the power of the demon core to fight back.

“Demon Night, stop! If you use the demon core’s power again, you’ll be ruined forever! It hasn’t been long since you last used it—you can’t risk this. If you must, escape for now. You are our hope against the Demon Clan’s future onslaught. Don’t do anything foolish!” The old master in the cauldron could not help but cry out in warning.

Demon Night looked at Liu Xin, Xiao Xiao, and the others, then shook his head. “You would have me abandon my companions and flee? No, I cannot. Since entering the academy, they have treated me as family. Even if I die here today, I will not forsake my family and run.” The old master tried anxiously to dissuade him, but his voice was abruptly cut off.

Demon Night had blocked the master’s voice with his own will. Brandishing his sword, he glared at his foes. “As long as I draw breath, none of you shall lay a hand on the Earthheart Lotus!” With a mighty roar, Demon Night sheathed Skyscar, transformed back into his beastly form, stood upright, gripped the Bloodcry blade, steam snorting from his nostrils, and with a powerful leap, charged into the fray once more.