Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Chapter 593: Heavy Casualties

The Vermilion Holy Maiden was a semi-demon with the Vermilion Bird Bloodline, possessing formidable strength. Moreover, Ji State bordered Yuezhou, so there was frequent friction between the Zi Mansion Holy Land and the Earth Demon Holy Sect. The Zi Mansion Holy Son and the Vermilion Holy Maiden were not only acquaintances but also rivals who had battled many times.

It was unexpected for them to meet here. At that moment, many demon beasts from Yuezhou were already struggling to advance within the Death Swamp. This swamp not only harbored deadly poison but could also drag people in at any moment, causing them to sink forever. Therefore, even Supreme Realm experts had to be extremely cautious.

The Vermilion Holy Maiden stood alone at the edge of the swamp, covering the rear. With her strength and personal treasures, she was confident she could cross the Death Swamp, so she was not worried about her own safety. She had also spotted Su Han’s group. Turning her head, her face filled with scorn as she unabashedly mocked the Zi Mansion Holy Son. "I thought you had already entered the Inner Layer Zone, but to my surprise, you’re actually behind me. It looks like the Poison Erosion Mist has cost you dearly!"

The disciples of the Earth Demon Holy Sect were all demon beasts who had gained sentience. Within this Peach Blossom Paradise, they had a natural advantage, so the losses on the Yuezhou side were minimal; they still had ninety-one members.

"It’s too early for such talk. The victor has yet to be decided!" the Zi Mansion Holy Son snorted coldly. Their target this time was the Life Spring Water; everything else was unimportant.

"Oh, is that so? In that case, allow me to give you a grand gift!" The mockery on the Vermilion Holy Maiden’s face deepened. Elsewhere, she truly could not do much to the Zi Mansion Holy Son, but here, she had a way to make him suffer, perhaps even get him injured.

WHOOSH!

The Vermilion Holy Maiden’s body erupted with Demon Qi. Crimson flames wrapped around her as she spread her wings, which resembled vast clouds obscuring the sun. A sacred, high-pitched cry escaped her lips, carrying a special cadence.

BOOM! RUMBLE!

The earth began to quake violently, the tremors growing stronger and stronger. At the same time, unfamiliar and powerful streams of Demon Qi gathered from all directions.

"So many demon beasts!"

A cry of alarm rippled through the crowd as countless demon beasts emerged from all sides: majestic black bears, ferocious demon wolves, and crafty fire foxes. All of them were indigenous to Peach Blossom Paradise. Not only that, but thorny briars lashed out like long whips, while vines crept silently toward their feet, seeking to entangle and strangle them.

Peach Blossom Paradise contained not only demon beasts but also sentient plants and trees. They were all drawn by the Vermilion Holy Maiden’s cry. At a rough estimate, their numbers exceeded a hundred. This was the Intermediate Layer Zone, and all the demon beasts and sentient plants were experts at the Fifth or Sixth Layer of the Supreme Realm. Combined with their sheer numbers, they were an absolute disaster.

"Enjoy yourselves." The Vermilion Holy Maiden gloated, then spread her wings. Engulfed in a dazzling blaze, she flew directly into the Death Swamp, leaving the hundred-plus demon beasts for the Zi Mansion Holy Son.

"You bitch! How dare you set me up! I’ll kill you!" The Zi Mansion Holy Son’s expression soured at the sight of the attacking horde. He roared at the Vermilion Holy Maiden’s retreating figure, but she had already gone. He could not possibly abandon his people to chase her alone, so he could only seethe with impotent rage.

"Charge into the Death Swamp!" the Zi Mansion Holy Son quickly ordered. With so many demon beasts, a direct confrontation was unwise. Their only option was to enter the Death Swamp, a place so dangerous that the demon beasts would not dare tread.

BOOM!

By then, the demon beasts had already pounced. They had come to hunt intruders, and now, lured here by the Vermilion Holy Maiden, they showed no mercy.

"Ah, I don’t want to die, please save me!" A woman at the Supreme Realm Third Layer had been captured by a black bear demon beast and was frantically calling for help. But before anyone could come to her rescue, the bear smashed her head to a pulp with a single slap.

"What is this foul thing? Let go of me!" someone cried out in terror as a blood-red vine pierced through their Domain and impaled them. Their body then shriveled at a visible rate, as if the vine had sucked away all their flesh and blood.

"I’ll take you down with me!" A man, gravely wounded by a demon wolf, self-destructed at the brink of death. With a thunderous blast, he perished alongside the wolf, leaving not even an intact corpse behind.

It was a brutal battle. The Zi Mansion Holy Son’s group was smaller and weaker, suffering several casualties in an instant. The survivors lost all will to fight and fled desperately toward the Death Swamp. The perilous Death Swamp had, ironically, become a safe haven in their minds.

"Die!" Holding his Purple Gold Holy Spear, the Zi Mansion Holy Son pierced through and killed a snow-white demon eagle. "Let’s go!"

With no time to collect the bodies, the Zi Mansion Holy Son waved his hand, and a rainbow of purple qi surged forth, carving out a bloody path. Su Han was right beside the Zi Mansion Holy Son, who had paid him special attention multiple times, reducing the danger he faced.

Soon, they cleared a bloody path and fled into the Death Swamp.

However, the Death Swamp was also a place of great peril. It was filled not only with poisonous gas but also treacherous bogs that could easily drag a person underground.

"Save me... GURGLE... GURGLE..." A Supreme Realm expert unleashed their full power, struggling desperately with their Domain wide open, but they were still unable to break free. They sank continuously until they disappeared completely.

There was a special energy in the swamp that interfered with space, preventing anyone from using Teleportation. The only way forward was to rely on luck and rush through as quickly as possible.

"Fire Crow Sect Master, stay close to me!" the Zi Mansion Holy Son’s voice rang in Su Han’s ears. His Holy Robe began to glow, and purple qi billowed out, resisting the strange energy of the Death Swamp. He then formed a dragon from the purple qi, protecting several people, including Su Han.

Su Han remained silent, following the crowd and struggling forward. He did not reveal too much of his own strength, occasionally using his Fourfold True Fire, which did not arouse any suspicion.

With the Zi Mansion Holy Son’s protection, Su Han made it through the Death Swamp unscathed and successfully entered the Inner Layer Zone of Peach Blossom Paradise. However, the attack by over a hundred demon beasts and the dangers of the swamp had caused heavy casualties among the Zi Mansion Holy Son’s followers. From the original sixty-eight, only eleven were left alive to reach the Inner Layer Zone.

If it had only been the Death Swamp, their losses would not have been so devastating. This was all thanks to the Vermilion Holy Maiden.

Fury blazed in the Zi Mansion Holy Son’s eyes, his hatred for the Vermilion Holy Maiden bone-deep. "Vermilion, you bitch! I’ll make you suffer a fate worse than death!" he gnashed his teeth with intense malice.

SWOOSH!

Just then, a gleam of spiritual light burst forth from the deepest part of Peach Blossom Paradise. It surged out like a tide, bringing with it a rich vitality that nourished all living things.

Su Han’s eyes lit up. The Life Spring Water! I have finally found this sacred item!