Chapter Twenty: Calling You Little Demon

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"I know you are not in league with those two from earlier... Are you here for this Crimson Phoenix Blood Ganoderma?"

Gazing at the human before it, the Heavenly Demon Tiger seemed to reach a decision in its heart.

Lin Cheng hurriedly shook his head. "No, no... I would not dare harbor such intentions..."

The Heavenly Demon Tiger spoke, "As long as you agree to one condition, I will give you this Crimson Phoenix Blood Ganoderma."

Lin Cheng was stunned, then quickly asked, "Please, senior, tell me your condition. So long as it is within my ability, I will do everything in my power."

The Heavenly Demon Tiger replied, "From this day forth, help me take care of this young cub. When it comes of age, take it to the Heavenly Demon Clan..."

Lin Cheng exclaimed, "Ah! Senior, why don't you care for it yourself? It must be your child. I imagine it would rather have your company..."

Looking down at the cub lying beneath it, the Heavenly Demon Tiger's eyes filled with reluctance, helplessness, and unwillingness—and, deep within, a faint glimmer of awe.

When it lifted its gaze to Lin Cheng, it reverted to its former imposing appearance, yet now it was barely clinging to life. Drops of black blood seeped from its fur, reeking with a pungent metallic stench, and all traces of its former majestic might had vanished.

The Heavenly Demon Tiger said, "I have burned away my demon blood; my life is nearly at its end... This is not my own offspring, but it is the hope of the Heavenly Demon Clan..."

"If I die, the only thing I cannot let go of is this cub. I see that you are not an evil man. At this moment, I have no choice but to entrust it to you..."

"But you and it must treat each other as equals—you must not let it recognize you as its master... If you agree, the Crimson Phoenix Blood Ganoderma is yours, and I will bestow upon you a further fortune..."

Though the Heavenly Demon Tiger sensed the human before it was not wicked, it would not have chosen this path unless there was no other recourse.

Looking at the frail beast before him, Lin Cheng stepped toward the young cub. Though the little one bared its fangs at Lin Cheng, it did not react violently.

Leaning down, he examined the cub more closely, discovering its body was shrouded in jet-black fur, no different from the Heavenly Demon Tiger, save for a small bump at the center of its forehead, surrounded by a tuft of crimson fur. Coupled with its diminutive form, it was actually quite adorable.

He reached out and gently stroked the cub, who did not resist. A subtle smile curved Lin Cheng's lips.

"Senior, rest assured. I will treat it as I would my own brother. As long as I, Lin Cheng, draw breath, none shall ever harm it..."

"From now on, your name will be Little Mo, all right?" Lin Cheng affectionately patted the cub's head as he gave it a name.

"Roar... roar..."

Perhaps sensing the sincerity in Lin Cheng's words, or perhaps pleased with the name, Little Mo let out a soft growl and nuzzled Lin Cheng's palm.

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Witnessing such harmony, the Heavenly Demon Tiger felt even more at ease entrusting Lin Cheng with this task.

With a sweep of its paw, the Crimson Phoenix Blood Ganoderma landed in Lin Cheng's hand.

The Heavenly Demon Tiger said, "Within a hundred miles of this place, there are no more high-level spirit beasts. Head seven hundred miles northeast through this forest, and you will find a mine. I sense that within it lie many fire-attributed spirit stones..."

"I have long sought a way into that mine, but a powerful formation guards its entrance. Even with my strength, I could not force my way in... Now, the volcano above the magma veins has erupted for no apparent reason..."

"I do not know the cause, but I suspect this upheaval has weakened the formation... My original plan was, once all quieted down, to go and investigate myself... but now..."

Hearing this, Lin Cheng realized that the recent uproar among the spirit beasts was not caused by the Heavenly Demon Tiger, as he had thought.

The Heavenly Demon Tiger gazed solemnly at Lin Cheng, a glint of resolve in its eyes.

"Young man... I will lend you my strength, break open a corner of the formation, and send you into the mine... Whether you gain anything inside depends on your own fortune."

"Senior, you trust me so deeply, entrusting Little Mo to my care and helping me so... I... what have I done to deserve such kindness?"

In that moment, Lin Cheng felt a deep warmth, truly regarding the Heavenly Demon Tiger as an elder.

The beast replied, "You need not be so humble. I, too, am not without selfish motives... Only if you become strong will you be able to take Little Mo to the Heavenly Demon Clan one day..."

A man and two beasts walked through the lush forest.

By rights, with the Heavenly Demon Tiger's strength, seven hundred miles would be covered in an instant. Yet now, the tiger moved with heavy steps, traversing the land it had known for years, passing trees as tall as the clouds, and glancing up at the familiar surroundings. It occasionally raised its head.

That once-mighty head now gazed toward the distant horizon, where the sun was about to sink behind the western mountains. In its ancient eyes, it seemed as if its entire life passed in review.

Sensing something, Lin Cheng turned to look at the Heavenly Demon Tiger, a faint ache stirring in his heart.

When they reached the mine, Lin Cheng felt as though he had entered a furnace—waves of scorching heat and dizziness assailed him, and sweat drenched his body.

It turned out that this place lay directly beneath the volcano at the foot of the magma veins.

He hurriedly activated his Five Elements Sword Body, and at once the searing heat vanished, replaced by a coolness that refreshed his mind and body.

"Young man, you can actually ignore the fire fiend energy of this place... It seems I underestimated you..."

The Heavenly Demon Tiger was surprised to see that, despite Lin Cheng's humble cultivation, he could disregard the fire fiend energy that even the tiger itself had to resist. Its regard for Lin Cheng grew.

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Only Lin Cheng knew that this was all thanks to his Five Elements Sword Body.

The fire fiend energy here was nothing more than a toxic, fire-elemental force. As long as it was related to the five elements, he had nothing to fear.

If converting such poisonous energy were of any benefit, he would have considered absorbing it.

He chuckled awkwardly, offering no explanation.

He then glanced at Little Mo, to his surprise finding that the cub, too, was unaffected by the fire fiend energy. Lin Cheng looked inquiringly at the Heavenly Demon Tiger.

"Its bloodline is special. Mere fire fiend energy cannot harm it," the tiger explained, pride shining in its eyes.

It seemed this little one was no ordinary creature either!

Before the mine, a transparent, watery veil of formation shrouded the entrance.

Curious, Lin Cheng reached out to touch it, setting off ripples, but his hand could not penetrate the watery barrier.

The Heavenly Demon Tiger studied it for a moment and motioned for Lin Cheng and Little Mo to step back.

"Roar..."

With a thunderous roar, the tiger struck the formation with its paw. Though this sent ripples cascading across the watery veil, the barrier held firm. Cold resolve glinted in the tiger’s eyes.

"Young man... remember, when you are strong enough, take Little Mo to the Heavenly Demon Clan and seek out an elder named Hu Ao. Tell him... Hu San did his utmost..."

"Promise me, you must find him..."

Heaven... Demon... Transformation!

As the Heavenly Demon Tiger’s bellow shook the air, its once-black fur turned ashen gray, aging before their eyes.

Only its eyes remained—black as ink, shining with a deep and terrifying light.