Chapter 115: Nowhere to Run, Rescued by the Yellow Wind, the Path to Human Immortality Within Reach! [Requesting Subscriptions]

Above the Great Desolate Mountain, within the layer of endless gale winds, fierce and razor-sharp currents whipped relentlessly, indifferent to the passage of time.

On one side stood the Great Desolate Mountain faction, led by the Great Demon King Yuan Zhang, a figure in green robes, flanked by his second-in-command, Golden Eye, and his third, White Face. Opposite them, at a short distance, stood the Wind and Cloud Ridge faction, led by the Swallowing Tiger Demon King, with four other demon kings stationed by his side.

The two forces stood in a tense standoff. For a time, their monstrous demonic auras surged high into the gale, gathering and manifesting like tangible, snarling beasts, locked in a ferocious confrontation.

"Old Ghost Yuan, you’ve been waiting for this day for a long time, haven't you?" The lean Swallowing Tiger Demon King glared at Yuan Zhang and spat coldly. "I knew you were a wolf that could never be tamed. It is a pity that Old Ancestor White never listened to my warnings."

Yuan Zhang merely sneered. "Enough with the nonsense. For all these years, I have served the Old Ancestor with loyalty. When he told me to go east, I dared not go west. As for you, despite the Old Ancestor protecting you for so long, you remain a useless wretch."

"Enough talk. Let me see if you’ve only grown in age and not in cultivation, you foolish rat."

With these words, Yuan Zhang’s aura erupted. In an instant, the vast, ocean-like pressure of a late-stage Demon King surged, causing the demonic aura above to swell and immediately suppress the combined presence of the five demon kings from Wind and Cloud Ridge.

Just then, the second-in-command, Golden Eye, sensed something. His expression darkened in fury. "How could this be?"

"What is it?" Yuan Zhang, who was about to strike, held his position and tilted his head to listen to the telepathic message.

"Big Brother, I sent three commanders to tail that wolf demon. The leader was a leopard demon at the late stage of Demon Commander, and I had placed a tracking mark on him. Just now, his aura suddenly vanished!"

Yuan Zhang’s eyes narrowed. "It seems that little wolf’s strength is truly extraordinary. That makes his cultivation method all the more worth obtaining. Fortunately, I was prepared; I left a mark on the wolf himself."

Yuan Zhang calculated briefly and announced, "That little wolf is running fast. Wait here; I shall return shortly."

Golden Eye protested, "Big Brother, without you, the third brother and I cannot handle the Swallowing Tiger and his four brothers."

"Do not worry," Yuan Zhang replied. "I have summoned Steel Tooth and the others to come out early."

Golden Eye pressed, "Is it worth it, Big Brother? For just that one little wolf?"

"Whether it is worth it remains to be seen," Yuan Zhang said coldly. "I only know that if I do not secure that wolf now, I will certainly regret it. That is all."

With that, Yuan Zhang sent a silent message. Soon, two more formidable figures appeared beside the Great Desolate Mountain leaders. Seeing this, the five demon kings of Wind and Cloud Ridge paled.

"Old Yuan, calling us out now does not align with our plan, does it?" The leader, an old man in white robes, glanced at the five figures from Wind and Cloud Ridge before turning to Yuan Zhang.

Yuan Zhang bowed and smiled, "Brother Steel Tooth, forgive me. An unexpected event has occurred, and I must step away for a moment. I am willing to concede more on our previous agreement. How does that sound?"

The white-robed Steel Tooth laughed. "In that case, go ahead, Old Yuan. Everyone has their pressing matters. Just do not be too long; it would be unfortunate if the Swallowing Tiger escaped."

"Naturally," Yuan Zhang replied. "I shall return immediately and will not delay in finishing off those old ghosts."

He leapt downward, transforming into a streak of light that vanished toward the horizon.

Below, the mountain range had become a battlefield where countless demons clashed in a chaotic, grueling struggle.

Far to the west, beyond the reach of the sounds of slaughter, a white wolf raced through a dense forest.

*Further, I must go further.*

Lu Wufei sprinted wildly through the wilderness. He had already experienced the terrifying power of an Earth Immortal-level demon king. The Great Demon King of the Great Desolate Mountain was far more powerful than the third-in-command, White Face. Lu Wufei did not know the extent of these old demons' perception, but reason told him to get as far away as possible before taking to the sky; otherwise, if caught, he was doomed.

He felt a pang of regret. He had thought that his background in a prestigious Immortal Sect would add to his prestige upon returning to the mountain. Instead, before he could taste any glory, disaster had arrived. He was certain that it was his connection to the Immortal Sect that had drawn the greedy gaze of the Great Demon King.

As he ran, he realized that without sufficient strength, a sect background was not a protective charm, but a death warrant.

Suddenly, a violent sense of dread seized his heart. *An instinctual warning!*

Lu Wufei, who had experienced this before, turned pale and stopped, scanning his surroundings nervously. A moment later, a massive, overwhelming terror descended from behind.

*Oh no! The old demon has caught up!*

He realized instantly that against such a foe, Earth-Escaping Arts were useless. Only the "Golden Light of Earth-Crossing" might offer a chance.

With no other choice, Lu Wufei shot into the sky. No sooner had he ascended than he saw a blue light hurtling toward him from the distant horizon.

*Too late!*

He recited the incantation in his mind and lunged forward, his body transforming into a streak of golden light, desperate to escape.

"Where do you think you're going, little demon!"

A thunderous roar echoed from behind. The blue light transformed into a towering ape, which lunged at the golden streak. The giant figure blotted out the sky, and Lu Wufei had nowhere to hide.

*Boom!*

He crashed into the ape as if hitting a colossal wall. Dazed and battered, his golden light shattered, and he plummeted toward the earth. A furry hand snatched at him; Lu Wufei narrowly dodged, clouds manifesting beneath his feet as he dove downward.

But the giant ape simply swatted at him with its massive palm. Lu Wufei was struck like a fly.

*Boom!*

He was slammed into the forest floor, creating a crater several meters wide. He coughed up blood, his internal organs displaced and severely damaged. He struggled to rise, his mind racing, and he dived into the earth.

"Stubborn, aren't you?" the giant ape sneered, raising a massive leg and stomping down.

The earth erupted in a shockwave of thunderous force. His Earth-Escaping Art was shattered. Lu Wufei was forced back to the surface. He shifted into his white wolf form, sprinting desperately in another direction.

"Futile struggle."

The ape raised its leg again. One stomp, and Lu Wufei would be crushed into paste.

At the last second, Lu Wufei shifted back into his human form and veered to the side. The giant leg smashed down, sending debris flying. A jagged rock struck him, sending him tumbling through the air. Before he could recover, a gargantuan hand snatched him from behind.

"Caught you!"

Yuan Zhang held Lu Wufei up to his eyes. Lu Wufei recognized him as the Great Demon King of the Great Desolate Mountain.

"Little one," the ape growled, "you have quite the talent for running."

"Great King," Lu Wufei said, suppressing his pain and rage, "how have I offended you to warrant such treatment?"

Yuan Zhang laughed. "I have no grudge against you, little demon. I merely covet the cultivation method you possess."

Lu Wufei felt a chill. "That technique is a legacy of my sect. I cannot pass it on, nor can I change my cultivation without destroying my own foundation. Is your cultivation not already vast? Would you truly risk your own path for a mere technique?"

"I don't need you to teach me," Yuan Zhang replied. "I only need your body."

The giant ape opened its maw to swallow him. Lu Wufei, desperate, shrieked, "Old demon! I am a disciple of the Great Immortal Zhenyuan of the Five Villages Temple on Longevity Mountain! If you harm me, do you not fear being wiped from existence!?"

Yuan Zhang paused, his giant hand hanging in mid-air. "The Five Villages Temple? Is your master the Great Immortal Zhenyuan, he who is titled 'Equal to the World'?"

Seeing the old demon knew the name, Lu Wufei felt a glimmer of hope. "Exactly! If you let me go, we can forget this ever happened."

Yuan Zhang burst into laughter. "I only wanted to find an Immortal Sect disciple to steal a technique, but I never expected to catch a disciple of Great Immortal Zhenyuan! Now I cannot let you go at all. If I learn his immortal arts, I may even glimpse the realm of the Great Sage!"

"Do not worry, little one. I dare not harm a disciple of the Great Immortal, but I can certainly keep you locked away for a few thousand years. Once my cultivation is complete, I will release you. Cooperate, and you won't suffer."

As the ape moved to swallow him, Lu Wufei shouted, "My master’s power is absolute! You dare steal his teachings—"

"Stop."

A voice rang out from the sky. Yuan Zhang paused, looking up. Lu Wufei looked up as well, seeing a small, golden-robed old man with mouse-like whiskers floating in the air.

"Old Ancestor Yellow Wind!" Yuan Zhang transformed back into his human form and bowed respectfully.

Lu Wufei, meanwhile, was bound by a glowing rope. The golden-robed old man ignored Yuan Zhang’s salute and looked at Lu Wufei. "Are you a disciple of Great Immortal Zhenyuan?"

Lu Wufei recognized him instantly: the Yellow Wind Demon. "Yes, Ancestor! I am!"

The Yellow Wind Demon stroked his whiskers. "Pure aura, clear spiritual power. It is not a lie." He turned to Yuan Zhang. "I met the Great Immortal once at the Ullambana Festival long ago. You have good fortune, little wolf, to have been taken in by him."

He waved his hand, and the ropes binding Lu Wufei vanished. Lu Wufei bowed in gratitude and turned to leave.

"Wait," the Yellow Wind Demon called out. He reached out and plucked a golden hair from Lu Wufei’s head with a gesture. "Go."

Lu Wufei bowed once more and, without a word to the trembling Yuan Zhang, transformed into a streak of golden light and vanished into the horizon.

"Ancestor," Yuan Zhang ventured, watching the wolf disappear.

"You wonder why I let him go?" the Yellow Wind Demon asked.

"I would not dare," Yuan Zhang replied.

"You are truly bold, daring to steal from the Great Immortal and imprison his disciple," the Yellow Wind Demon said, shaking his head. "If you had succeeded, the Great Immortal's disciples would have been at your doorstep within three days. Not only would you and your brothers be dead, but the entire Great Desolate Mountain would be razed, and I would not be spared from the fallout."

Yuan Zhang turned pale. "I... I had no intention of harming him..."

"He is the Ancestor of Earth Immortals," the Yellow Wind Demon warned. "He is an equal to the Buddhas. You dared to scheme against him. His disciples are spread across the Three Realms; even the Immortals treat them with respect."

The Yellow Wind Demon sighed, knowing the wolf would likely return for revenge. He turned and vanished, leaving Yuan Zhang standing in the wind, filled with regret and dread.

High above, Lu Wufei raced toward Longevity Mountain. After the initial relief, he felt a surge of regret and anger. He had been a fool, arrogant and careless, thinking his background made him untouchable.

*Lu Wufei, you are no longer just a common demon. You are a disciple of the Five Villages Temple. You are not meant to wallow in the mud with wild beasts. If you are to be a demon, be a great one, like the Monkey King himself.*

As he flew, his mind entered a profound state. He saw his own journey unfold in his mind—the mistakes, the near-deaths, the arrogance. He realized that cultivation was the only path to true freedom.

When the sun finally set and darkness swallowed the world, Lu Wufei awoke from his reverie.

*An epiphany... and I have reached the threshold of an Earth Immortal.*