23: With the departure of the Green-winged Mosquito Demon, Chen De's chance has come.

Vortex Forest West.

A giant lizard, covered in bronze scales, was restlessly flicking its tail, saliva dripping from its serrated teeth, corroding the ground into wisps of green smoke.

And on the rock face above its head, a nine-petaled demonic lotus, entirely crimson, was slowly blooming, each petal flowing with magma-like patterns.

This giant lizard Demon Beast looked at the spiritual medicine, which was about to mature, with immense excitement.

Little did it know, there was an even more excited entity waiting nearby.

The moment the spiritual medicine matured, a sky-blue figure made the first move.

Before the giant lizard could react, it grabbed the spiritual medicine, roots and all, and took off.

The giant lizard just blinked, and when it opened its eyes again, the spiritual medicine was gone.

It paused, rubbed its eyes, and looked again at where the spiritual medicine had been.

The spiritual medicine was gone, and the giant lizard instantly froze. Where was its spiritual medicine?

Where was the spiritual medicine it had painstakingly guarded for several months, the one that was about to mature?

It couldn't believe it; its spiritual medicine was just gone!

The giant lizard broke down, tears flowing uncontrollably from the corners of its eyes.

Moments later, an angry roar echoed through the valley!

...

By this time, Chen De had already traveled a great distance from that place.

Hearing the roar behind him, Chen De shook his head helplessly.

The Demon Beasts of Vortex Forest West were too enthusiastic; Chen De had taken their spiritual medicine, and they still wanted to see him off.

After all, this time, Chen De could be said to have bestowed a great favor upon that giant lizard.

Firstly, this spiritual medicine ripened neither too early nor too late; it just happened to mature after Chen De arrived.

Doesn't that mean this spiritual medicine was fated for Chen De, practically born for him!

Chen De accepting the spiritual medicine was in accordance with the will of Heaven; to reject a gift from Heaven would invite calamity.

There was a great karmic cause hidden within, which the giant lizard couldn't handle. Fortunately, a virtuous person like Chen De took it on.

Isn't there also a saying, 'The treasures of the world belong to the virtuous'? That's surely talking about Chen De.

So Chen De had every reason to believe that the giant lizard had clearly understood this point and was about to express its gratitude.

Unfortunately, Chen De performed good deeds without seeking recognition; this is what a moral person should do.

Pity his compassionate heart; no one understood it even now.

At this moment, Chen De saw a low-grade spiritual medicine about to mature not far away.

Similarly, a Demon Beast was guarding it.

Seeing this, Chen De slowly shook his head; he, Chen De, only accepted great karmic causes!

Such minor karmic causes should be left to the younger generation for their training!

This was truly Chen De, always considering everything comprehensively.

Moreover, Chen De felt that he had a strong affinity with the future gifts of the Azure Winged Mosquito Demon.

Because ever since Chen De stepped into Vortex Forest West, his heart had been pounding wildly.

Clearly, something that rightfully belonged to Chen De was calling out to him.

This made Chen De restless, eager to rush in immediately and reclaim his belongings.

However, Chen De also knew he couldn't rush. He had traveled all the way from the east.

He was the one with first-hand information; the Demon Beasts here probably didn't know what had happened in the east yet.

He couldn't reveal himself now; if the demons discovered him, he would be in big trouble.

So Chen De could only keep an eye on the west for now, and casually look around to see if there were any spiritual medicines fated for him.

However, Chen De felt that the time was almost right. Demon Spirit Realm Demon Beasts like the Shadow Wolf King and the Silver Scale Rhino King would most likely have sensed the fluctuations from the explosion.

Moreover, there must be Silver Scale Rhino King's informants in the territories of these stationed Demon Beasts.

The Silver Scale Rhino King must have already known most of what happened in the east.

Now, Chen De just needed to wait.

...

"What?"

"The Windtail Boa King is dead!"

"And all of its subordinates are dead without a trace?"

The Azure Winged Mosquito Demon was shocked.

It looked at the Demon Beast Messenger who had come to inform it.

Because the news the messenger brought was simply unbelievable to the Azure Winged Mosquito Demon!

The Windtail Boa King's strength was even slightly greater than its own, yet it died so inexplicably, not even leaving a complete corpse.

What if it targeted the Azure Winged Mosquito Demon? It couldn't even imagine; this news sent chills down its spine.

At this moment, the Demon Beast Messenger suddenly spoke, "Lord Mosquito Demon, with this incident, the Silverscale Rhinoceros King is furious. He has urgently summoned you all to discuss countermeasures."

This Demon Beast Messenger did not mention the fact that among the major stationed territories, only the Azure Winged Mosquito Demon's territory was safe and sound.

After all, compared to the Shadow Wolf King, they dared not underestimate this Azure Winged Mosquito Demon. In fact, all this might even be the Azure Winged Mosquito Demon's doing, so they had to be cautious.

If the Azure Winged Mosquito Demon found out that they had already discovered that only its western territory was unharmed, it would alert the enemy and make them desperate, and then those who came to deliver the message would be in trouble.

The Azure Winged Mosquito Demon, however, quickly nodded in agreement, as if grasping at a life-saving straw.

Then, it looked eagerly at the Demon Beast Messenger, "Yes, yes, I must go see the Silverscale Rhinoceros King. I'll leave now to seek protection."

In its opinion, the Windtail Boa King, who was at its same level, was already finished, reduced to a pile of dust.

It might be its turn next, and it probably was already being targeted.

Since the opponent had such capabilities, then in the entire Vortex Forest, the only one who could protect it was the Silver Scale Rhino King.

Suddenly, it didn't want to stay in Vortex Forest West at all. Sitting here felt like sitting on pins and needles, how could it possibly stay put?

What was that human saying again?

Like sitting on pins and needles, yes, that's exactly it, that's the feeling it described!

The opponent could do such brutal things in the east, not even sparing those Demon Qi Realm Demon Beasts, so there was no reason they would show mercy to it!

It just wanted to leave quickly. As for the Demon Qi Realm Demon Beasts in the west, let them face their fate.

It had protected them for so long; this time, it would just be a little willful.

The Demon Beast Messenger was stunned by the Azure Winged Mosquito Demon's frantic appearance. Was it really that smooth?

How did it suddenly feel that this Azure Winged Mosquito Demon was even more cowardly than the Shadow Wolf King!

It had originally thought it would take a lot of persuasion, even threats and inducements, to finally convince it to leave, but this is what it got.

I used a basic attack and you just surrendered?

So the Demon Beast Messenger seemed somewhat disbelieving and tentatively asked, "Aren't you going to prepare, pack some things or something?"

"For example, bring your collection of spiritual medicines?"

To its surprise, the Azure Winged Mosquito Demon impatiently and eagerly said, "What the hell is there to pack and prepare? They're already at our doorstep; those things are just a hindrance! They're all external possessions; how can they be as important as life!"

"Stop talking, let's go!"

Saying that, it grabbed the Demon Beast Messenger with one hand, without even a moment's pause, and dragged the Demon Beast Messenger towards the Silver Scale Rhino King's territory.

It ran as fast as it possibly could!

What did its Azure Winged Mosquito Demon rely on to dominate here for so many years?

Strength?

No, no, no!

It relied on its ability to strike hard internally, sweeping away disobedient subordinates and colleagues, and to retreat completely when facing external dangers.

The Demon Beast Messenger was in disarray in the wind. Didn't it say all my lines!

Moreover, if you don't want those things, you can give them to me! I can say a few good words for you in front of the Silver Scale Rhino King then.

However, the Azure Winged Mosquito Demon ran forward, deaf to everything around it, and soon disappeared from sight.

After a while, Chen De crawled out from the side.

Chen De looked at the retreating figure of the Azure Winged Mosquito Demon and was also somewhat silent; this was the first time Chen De had seen such a Demon Beast.

Isn't this a typical case of being an expert at internal strife and an amateur at external conflict? When facing the Shadow Wolf King, it was aggressive and incredibly brave, but when encountering external threats, it immediately withered, becoming timid and submissive.

Chen De even suspected that its position was gained through flattery.

In Chen De's opinion, among these three stationed Demon Beasts, the Azure Winged Mosquito Demon was probably the most cowardly.

The Shadow Wolf King might be faking it, but the Azure Winged Mosquito Demon didn't even bother to pretend.

However, Chen De had no particular thoughts; everyone had their own way of living.

He, Chen De, lived by his virtues!

Then Chen De went to search for the Azure Winged Mosquito Demon's spiritual medicines.

Upon finding the spiritual medicines, Chen De couldn't help but exclaim, "This Azure Winged Mosquito Demon is truly something!"

Its ability to accumulate wealth was surprisingly strong, allowing Chen De to find fifty-four mid-grade spiritual medicines, more than twenty more than the Windtail Boa King.

Adding the fated spiritual medicines Chen De had acquired in the west during this period, his trip to the west yielded a total of fifty-seven mid-grade spiritual medicines.

Nearly sixty mid-grade spiritual medicines were almost enough for Chen De to advance two minor realms.

However, Chen De still felt that the fattest among these Demon Beasts should be the Shadow Wolf King.

This made Chen De suddenly feel that the call of the inheritance was even more intense; it seemed that inheriting the legacy could not be delayed.

So what Chen De had to do now was to quickly improve his strength, and thus Chen De looked at his attribute panel.

Realm: Demon Origin Realm First Layer

Race: Celestial Crystal Armored Rat (Possesses a trace of...)

Talent 1: Giant Force (Every ant-type...)

Talent 2: Heaven Crystal (Can condense demon power...)

Talent 3: God Shield (Naturally immune to...)

Speed: 39 (1:1)

Defense: 19 (1:1)

Strength: 24 (1:1)

Attribute Points: 0 / 30

Skill 1: Divine Crystal Armor (Activated)

Skill 2: Tianjing Extermination Slash (Activated)

Skill 3: Heavenly Revelation Aurora Seal (Activated)

Cultivation Method: Celestial Light Scripture

So Chen De first consumed fifteen spiritual medicines, adding all fifteen attribute points to attack.

At this point, Chen De had reached the limit of his cultivation in the Demon Origin Realm First Layer.

Then Chen De pondered for a moment. If he were to break through to the Demon Origin Realm Second Layer now, then Demon Qi Realm Demon Beasts would no longer be able to provide him with attribute points.

If Chen De waited a bit, using the Demon Qi Realm Ninth Layer existences to accumulate attribute points to the maximum, it would also be a maximization of benefits.

However, Chen De thought about it and decided against it. The upcoming battle had somewhat high demands on his own strength.

Moreover, there should still be Silver Scale Rhino King's informants in Vortex Forest West, so there was no need to take such a big risk.

So Chen De consumed another thirty spiritual medicines, successfully breaking through to the Demon Origin Realm Second Layer, and moreover, reaching the limit of the Demon Origin Realm Second Layer.

Finally, he ate the remaining twelve spiritual medicines, but this time Chen De chose not to add them.

Because twelve attribute points did not provide a significant boost to the current Chen De.

On the contrary, these twelve attribute points could be two direct upgrade opportunities, serving as two trump cards for Chen De to save his life.

Thus, the attribute panel became:

Realm: Demon Origin Realm Second Layer

Race: Celestial Crystal Armored Rat (A Demon Beast with a trace of ancient bloodline)

Talent 1: Giant Force (A talent possessed by every ant-type Demon Beast; ancient bloodline, higher bonus, strength permanently increased by 50%)

Talent 2: Heaven Crystal (Can condense demon power onto ordinary crystals, granting crystals functions such as hardness, energy storage, and image retention)

Talent 3: God Shield (Naturally immune to 20% of mental attacks)

Speed: 49.9 (1:1)

Defense: 29.9 (1:1)

Strength: 49.9 (1:1)

Attribute Points: 12 / 30

Skill 1: Divine Crystal Armor (Activated)

Skill 2: Tianjing Extermination Slash (Activated)

Skill 3: Heavenly Revelation Aurora Seal (Activated)

Cultivation Method: Celestial Light Scripture

With Chen De's current attack power and the boost from his talents,

In terms of skill power alone, it was probably already comparable to Demon Origin Realm Fifth Layer or even Sixth Layer Demon Beasts.

Coupled with Chen De's speed, which was close to the Demon Origin Realm Fifth Layer, although Chen De's defense was a bit weaker,

He could still rival Demon Origin Realm Fifth Layer Demon Beasts with his formidable attack power.

Now it remained to be seen how much he would gain in the great battle; breaking through to the Demon Spirit Realm was unlikely.

But if he was lucky, Demon Origin Realm Seventh Layer might be possible.

And he was still quite interested in his cheap godfather's bloodline.

However, Chen De was not entirely sure if he could obtain it in the end. He could only say that it was foreseeable that after this battle, only one of the Shadow Wolf King and the Silver Scale Rhino King would survive.

And the one who lost would be Chen De's target to beat while they were down.

There's a saying, 'A wise man knows when to adapt,' and 'A gentleman does not stand beneath a crumbling wall.'

He, Chen De, was both a wise man and a gentleman.

Therefore, this kind of 'beating a dog in the water,' 'kicking someone when they're down'… was most suitable for him, Chen De.

The entire Vortex Forest had been under the tyrannical oppression of the Silver Scale Rhino King for too long; all of this should be changed by him, Chen De.