Follow the path of Dao from infancy

"Here they come."

Li Hongzhuang's eyes narrowed slightly, and although she had anticipated their arrival, when the demons really showed up, her fingers gripping the sword hilt involuntarily tightened.

The overwhelming demon aura came without any attempt to conceal it, covering the area like dark clouds.

Four towering figures stood outside the camp, and the cold wind swept through, dissipating a hundred paces from them, making it impossible to get close.

Li Hongzhuang and Li He's eyes were grave as they stepped forward, subtly shielding Li Hao behind them.

Despite the earlier disputes, Li He wouldn't forget his duty.

And Li Hongzhuang, feeling responsible as Li Hao's younger aunt, believed protecting Hao was her rightful duty; she couldn't let harm come to the boy.

Li Hao didn't intend to rely on their protection; he handed over the cultivation technique he was holding to Ren Qianqian beside him, then gently patted the little white fox's head to stop it from getting nervous.

He picked up the pig fang sword by his foot, the massive sword taller than him, resembling a crescent gate.

"Two from the Unwithering Realm, two from the Indestructible Realm!"

Li Hongzhuang, sensing the undisguised demon aura of these four demons, identified their realms. She had encountered two of them before when they had attacked the camp.

"Li He, can you handle one from the Unwithering Realm?" Li Hongzhuang asked.

Li He was only at the Indestructible Realm, not yet reaching the Unwithering, but he had practiced the Li Family's top cultivation technique, refined his True Qi with numerous resources, and his cultivation level was slightly higher than that of demons at the same realm, unless the demon had a significant family background, that would only make him wary.

"I can hold one off, but killing might be difficult," Li He said seriously.

"Alright."

Li Hongzhuang glanced at Li Hao, who had moved beside her, "Li He and I will lure away the two from the Unwithering Realm. Do your best to hold them off, and when I've killed one, I'll come to reinforce you. Also, be cautious — there might be ambushes hidden in the dark!"

"There are two lying in ambush in the dark."

Li Hao said, astonishingly.

Shadows filled his eyes, and ever since he had practiced the Bright Jade True Demon Skill, this body refining technique had tempered his entire body, even refining his eyes. With dark, deadly energy contained in his pupils, he could see through some demon illusions and lock onto some hidden figures with the malevolent aura.

Upon hearing Li Hao's words, both were startled, then their expressions abruptly changed.

Six demons?

In that case, they couldn't afford to disperse; otherwise, they would be defeated one by one.

Li Hongzhuang turned and looked at the distant graveyard with a glimpse of sorrow in her eyes.

She had foreseen a day like this; she just hadn't expected it to come so quickly.

She was no longer able to... stay here and be with her brothers.

"Prepare to retreat."

Li Hongzhuang took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "I'll cover you. Li He, look after Hao."

"Yes!" Li He acknowledged.

"There's no need."

But Li Hao shook his head, dragging the pig fang sword on the ground as he walked forward, its coarse edge carving a deep straight groove:

"I've come here to hold this city. You can go, but I'm not leaving."

"Hao Er!"

Li Hongzhuang's expression changed, she exclaimed angrily, "At a time like this, are you still bearing a grudge? Your life is what's important!"

Li He also wanted to persuade the obstinate master, but at that moment, the four demons outside the camp were already growing impatient and made large strides toward the camp behind the pass.

"Hong Zhuang, I came to you last time offering you to be my wife. Today, you have another chance. Will you refuse me, or will you accept?"

One of the demons, a massive cobalt blue peacock, shifted naturally into a graceful young nobleman as it crossed the gate, walking fluidly.

He was tall and slender, suave, walking with a folding fan in hand.

Yet behind him, the dense demon aura had not dissipated and was swirling above his head, faintly showing the original colossal peacock shadow.

Li Hongzhuang's eyes were cold as she took a step forward, "I might consider being your wife, but first, kill that ugly creature next to you as your betrothal gift!"

Next to the Peacock Nobleman stood an enormous toad, like a mountain, with a tail like a long worm or a scorpion's hook, swinging as though it could strike at any moment.

Hearing Li Hongzhuang's words, the giant toad with flesh-covered bumps slightly cracked its mouth open, saying viciously, "You're dead for sure, I must crush you into pieces!"

Its mouth was full of sharp, densely packed fangs.

The Peacock Nobleman looked with interest and then said, "I find Hong Zhuang's proposal interesting, Brother Tu, could you possibly be persuaded to go ahead?"

"Get lost!"

The giant toad roared, its saliva spraying on the Peacock Nobleman, who deftly flicked his sleeve and shook it off.

"No more dawdling."

Next to them, another giant, a black-furred creature with hair like long whiskers, said in a deep voice, "I heard that the one who killed Chi Hu Jun was a Human Race youngster, that little one there perhaps, even managed to kill the Lightning Pig too."

Li Hao suddenly felt the gaze of several demons locked on him, bearing an intense oppressive force.

But a red shadow flashed in front of him, and Li Hongzhuang's figure stood in his way, the slender figure in her tattered, bright red battle armor standing firm like a straight spear.

"Chi Hu Jun was severely wounded by me. He just scavenged for military exploits. If you've got the guts, come at me!" Li Hongzhuang said coldly.

"Don't rush; none of you will escape today," the giant toad revealing its ferocious teeth said, "After I break her limbs, then I can make you my wife, with your long arms and legs, so ugly!"

"You're short yourself, don't call my wife ugly," the Peacock Nobleman said with a smile.

The giant toad glared at him but didn't waste any more words and suddenly opened its mouth to spit out a scalding red shadow, hurtling toward the three at great speed.

Li Hongzhuang's pupils shrank, and she swung her sword down fiercely.

The Sword Qi struck the twisted, veiny tongue, sparking a metallic clang as if it had hit metal.