I Don't Like It When You Run Away

"We can win. We absolutely can win."

This was the thought running through the minds of the righteous faction at this moment. So the demonic alliance wasn't as formidable as they had imagined.

However, achieving an instant victory would still be somewhat difficult.

The demonic alliance did have some skill, after all. It seemed the battle ahead would be a tough one.

Soon, after suffering some losses, the demonic alliance broke through the traps and clashed directly with the righteous faction.

Lin Xuan casually cut down a few enemies and remarked, "Even you demons are forming alliances now? How unexpected."

"Though I am curious—do you truly trust each other enough to turn your backs on one another?"

After a few more taunts, seeing their expressions, he lost interest.

Lin Xuan pondered for a moment. These demons weren’t even worth wasting words on—weaker than expected, and they’d already fallen for so many traps.

There was no need for any elaborate schemes to sow discord.

One word sufficed: Kill!

Lin Xuan struck. Without a doubt, while his cultivation might not be the highest on the battlefield, his speed in slaughtering enemies was unmatched.

The demons were stunned. They had heard of Lin Xuan’s strength, but this was beyond belief.

"Su Fengmo, we need you to act!"

The demonic forces were already buckling. Of course, they simply didn’t want to face Lin Xuan—even the notoriously ruthless demons were terrified by his slaughterous demeanor.

But Su Luo was in no hurry to intervene. He would wait a little longer.

The demons, however, couldn’t hold out.

"I surrender! I surrender! Stop the killing!" one of them cried out, unable to endure any longer. Why should they sacrifice themselves for the Heavenly Demon Sect?

Miraculously, the plea spread like wildfire.

A surprising number of demons began surrendering.

Of course, surrender alone might not convince the righteous faction, so someone quickly proposed a new plan.

"Hold on! I have a suggestion—let’s join forces and kill Su Luo first. Then we can settle things between ourselves."

"Yes! We’ve had enough of Su Luo. He’s our greatest common enemy!"

"Exactly. He’s the strongest. If we don’t eliminate him, none of us will have an easy time."

The demons began voicing their grievances, venting their frustrations from these past days.

They had been living leisurely in their sects, only to be dragged into this so-called demonic alliance for no benefit at all.

The righteous faction was dumbfounded. They knew the battlefield was unpredictable, but this was absurd.

How long had it been, and already the demonic alliance was turning on its own leader?

Su Luo, what kind of leader are you, to fail so spectacularly?

Still, the proposal wasn’t bad. Using the demons’ own forces against Su Luo, making him suffer the consequences of his actions—now that would be satisfying.

Just imagining Su Luo’s expression when it happened was amusing. He’d probably look absolutely miserable.

But could the demons be trusted? Was this a trap?

Seeing the righteous faction’s hesitation and clear disbelief, the demons gritted their teeth and took action.

"I’ll prove it. Once Su Luo is dead, we’ll fight you properly!"

With that, a large portion of the demonic forces turned and unleashed a barrage of spells at Su Luo—proof of their sincerity.

Others, less confident, pretended to continue attacking the righteous faction, waiting to see how things played out before committing.

The disciples of the Heavenly Demon Sect, however, remained fully focused on assaulting the righteous faction. They wouldn’t indulge in this foolish rebellion—Su Luo was, after all, their sect’s titled Heavenly Demon.

The demons intensified their attacks, further demonstrating their commitment, hoping the righteous faction would join in and finish Su Luo off.

If Su Luo survived this, fleeing later would be impossible—he’d hunt them down without mercy.

Only by eliminating him first could they scatter and have a chance at survival.

Even Lin Xuan was baffled. He hadn’t even tried to sow discord, yet they had turned on each other on their own.

Su Luo, what did you do to them?

Su Luo felt wronged. He had merely killed a few too many of their comrades.

Who knew they’d betray him over it?

Fine. If that’s how it is, then none of you will live.

With a cold glance, Su Luo manipulated fire and water spells to form a seamless defense, effortlessly dissipating all incoming attacks.

Fire spells were common, and while water was rarer, it was still present.

"See? Su Luo is even stronger than you thought!"

"Keep attacking! He’s alone!"

The demons rallied, continuing their relentless assault.

Of course, none dared approach him—everyone attacked from a distance, ensuring the casualties wouldn’t be themselves.

Anyone foolish enough to charge forward would be the first to die.

"I brought you together to fight the righteous faction, not to turn on me."

Su Luo raised his hand slightly and flicked his fingers. A crimson light flashed, and a colossal fire serpent, dozens of feet long, materialized in the air.

Its twisted, hideous form radiated scorching heat, the very air around it seeming to ignite as it passed.

The serpent hissed, its gaping maw swallowing one demon after another who dared attack Su Luo.

As it advanced, the flames around its body intensified, forming a raging inferno that engulfed everything in its path.

The righteous faction, witnessing Su Luo’s power, paled. Wasn’t this excessive?

They couldn’t afford to let him be.

So they, too, joined the assault, no longer hesitating.

If they could use the demons’ forces to eliminate a powerful enemy, why not?

"Fire and water spells are useless against him! Switch tactics!"

"Don’t just rely on spells! Righteous cultivators, use your swords!"

"Why don’t you go first?"

"I’m not skilled in swordplay."

"Bullshit! That sword at your waist isn’t just for show!"

"Hurry! Su Luo is about to make his move!"

For the first time, the righteous and demonic factions united, treating Su Luo like a final boss.

But it was all futile.

Su Luo stomped his foot, and countless glistening water droplets materialized, coalescing into a vast, shimmering curtain.

Every spell that struck it dissolved harmlessly, their power nullified.

Su Luo swept his gaze across the battlefield.

The demonic alliance members shuddered—they knew Su Luo was furious.

Immediately, they scattered, fleeing in all directions.

In their hearts, they prayed: Hold him off, righteous fools! Buy us time to escape!

It happened too quickly. The righteous faction barely had time to react. One moment they were "cooperating," the next, the demons had abandoned them.

"Typical demons. Can’t trust a single one."

"What now? Keep attacking Su Luo, or chase the fleeing demons?"

"Lin Xuan, your call."

But Su Luo had already decided.

"I don’t like it when people run away from me."

He rose slowly into the air, hovering mid-flight as spells exploded around him—fruitless attacks from the righteous faction that couldn’t so much as scratch him.

In an instant, hundreds of thin black threads erupted from Su Luo’s body, streaking toward the fleeing demons.

A relentless, overwhelming barrage.

Each thread pierced through flesh with terrifying precision—thin enough to avoid immediate fatal wounds, but sharp enough to inflict excruciating pain over and over.

Screams of agony filled the battlefield, so horrifying that even some righteous cultivators gagged at the sight.

For a moment, it was as if hell itself had descended upon them.