111: Unusual movement in the pond

In the vast mountain forest, Lu Ming moved through it. Qingfeng Mountain truly lived up to its reputation as the headquarters of the Hundred Weapons Sect. Upon careful observation, the Spiritual Qi permeating the heavens and earth was much more abundant than in other places.

Looking around, ancient towering trees grew luxuriantly everywhere, and sunlight filtered through the dense branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows. If it weren't for the numerous traces of battles and scattered corpses along the way, Lu Ming wouldn't mind exploring it thoroughly.

Following the guidance of Zhou Tong's map, Lu Ming headed towards the main peak.

In the quiet forest, occasional shouts of battle could be heard from afar. Under the overwhelming offensive of the Royal Palace, the Demon Suppression Division, and the Government Soldiers, the Hundred Weapons Sect was in full retreat. However, many Martial Artists still attempted to resist, using the mountainous terrain to obstruct the advancing forces.

As Lu Ming gradually approached the treasure location, the surrounding lush trees seemed to thin out, and a hint of coolness permeated the fresh air.

Stepping out of the dense forest, Lu Ming's vision immediately broadened. This was an area off the main path, where a secluded pond appeared before him.

Many vibrant flowers bloomed around the tranquil pond. Looking beyond the pond, a towering rocky cliff face appeared, and although covered by vegetation, Lu Ming, having roughly determined the location, still discerned what appeared to be a hidden cave entrance within it.

“It's truly well-hidden. I wonder what treasures are concealed within,” Lu Ming mused to himself.

Stepping closer to the hidden cave, he passed by the pond, and a faint, subtle fragrance wafted around his nostrils. The emerald green pond water was incredibly clear, and the scent seemed to emanate from a few lotus flowers floating on its surface.

Lu Ming suddenly stopped. His eyes flickered, as if momentarily entranced by something, but then quickly regained their clarity.

“Hmm?” Immediately sensing something was amiss, Lu Ming turned his head to look at the emerald green pond. He frowned slightly, his deep gaze fixed on the depths of the pond.

A sense of danger emanated from his heart, and Lu Ming instinctively gripped the hilt of the blade hanging at his waist.

Just then, ripples suddenly spread out from the center of the pond. As the water expanded, a dark shadow could vaguely be seen rapidly surging towards the surface.

“Something's happening!” Lu Ming felt the violent aura and immediately retreated backward, moving away from the pond.

However, just as he dodged, there was a loud bang, and the water surface exploded. A colossal creature burst forth, sending countless splashes of water flying.

“What is that?” Lu Ming's pupils contracted as he stared at the colossal creature that had suddenly appeared from the pond.

It was a gigantic demon resembling a toad. Its body, as it surfaced, was at least two stories high. Its massive skin was dark red, covered in dense, bumpy nodules, incredibly smooth, like a collection of tumors.

As if Lu Ming's appearance had awakened it from its slumber, its scarlet, jewel-like eyes flashed with ferocity, staring intently at Lu Ming.

Croak!

The Blood-Eyed Toad let out a deafening roar that echoed through the forest, causing the surrounding ground to tremble violently.

“You don't have the aura of the Hundred Weapons Sect, little thief. Although I don't know how you found this place, since you've trespassed into my territory, eating you shouldn't violate my agreement with the Hundred Weapons Sect,” the Blood-Eyed Toad spoke in human tongue. It stared at Lu Ming, its gaze as if looking at a delicious meal.

Suddenly, its wide, blood-red mouth spat out a scarlet, long tongue, covered in sharp barbs. It shot out like a flying arrow, hurtling towards Lu Ming at an extremely fast speed.

A cold glint flashed in Lu Ming's eyes. He hadn't expected that a demon was truly hidden within the Hundred Weapons Sect's mountain gate, and this demon seemed to have reached some agreement with the Hundred Weapons Sect.

However, these things meant nothing to him. All he wanted now was to eliminate this demon.

Facing the sweeping scarlet, long tongue, which was covered in corrosive mucus, Lu Ming didn't hesitate. He gathered Protective Aura into the long blade in his hand, and a chilling, cold light was unleashed with the strike of the blade.

Pfft!

The arc-shaped Blade Aura, carrying an incredibly sharp aura, sliced down, tearing a bloody gash in the scarlet, long tongue.

However, the Blood-Eyed Toad seemed to feel no pain. Its scarlet, long tongue continued its assault, and just as it was about to make contact, Lu Ming used his movement technique, narrowly dodging the attack.

Bang!

The scarlet, long tongue slammed heavily onto the ground, and the terrifying force actually created a deep gash in the earth.

The injured Blood-Eyed Toad became even more enraged. Its scarlet, long tongue suddenly whipped out, sweeping across like a long whip.

The thick trees nearby collided with the scarlet, long tongue, and upon contact, a large amount of pungent white smoke billowed out. Immediately after, the tree trunks were crushed as if by a destructive force, and amidst the flying wood chips, the scarlet, long tongue coiled towards Lu Ming.

Lu Ming's expression was cold. He chose not to continue dodging. The majestic True Qi in his Dantian erupted, condensing into a wild, scorching blood-fire. Facing the sweeping scarlet, long tongue, his blood-red, condensed palm slammed forward.

The Blood-Eyed Toad's intelligence was no less than a human's. Seeing that Lu Ming dared to directly confront its attack, it even showed a human-like look of amusement.

The Hundred Weapons Sect offered it fifty boys and fifty girls each year because of its extraordinary strength. As a great demon at Perfected Extreme Realm, its years of slumber had brought it very close to the Dao Realm. As a demon, how could its power be comparable to that of a human?

Just as this thought arose, the Blood-Eyed Toad could already envision the opponent being entangled by its scarlet, long tongue, their flesh corroded by the mucus, becoming its meal.

A Limit Realm Martial Artist full of vitality; the power contained in his flesh and blood should help it advance further.

The next second, the blood-fire-condensed palm struck the scarlet, long tongue, actually stopping it dead in its tracks. The coiling tongue attempted to entangle Lu Ming, but at that very moment, the violent, raging blood-red flames erupted, and the flesh instantly carbonized at a visible speed.

Enveloped in blood-fire, Lu Ming swung his blade, and the sharp blade strike descended, actually carving a deep mark in the scarlet, long tongue and the ground beneath it.

With its tongue severed, the intense pain from the blood-fire's burning caused the Blood-Eyed Toad to let out a tragic wail. Its mucus, potent enough to corrode steel, dripped onto Lu Ming's skin, but it was blocked by a round, white light and failed to take effect!

It had paid the price of a severed tongue, yet it had failed to inflict any damage on the human before it.

This greatly enraged the Blood-Eyed Toad!

“It seems you've Cultivated quite well in this mountain forest. I'm sure your demon core is very full,” Lu Ming's lips curled slightly, and a satisfied light flickered in his downcast eyes.