Chapter 998: One Finger Shatters the Void

"Doesn't look like it to me!"

"Brother Dog's right! Look at them—one's neither human nor ghost, the other's a literal minotaur. How could trash like this be friends with Big Bro?"

"Yeah, Big Bro's a man of refined tastes. No way he'd know these thugs who come barking at the gates!"

...

Several black-robed figures muttered among themselves, eyeing the duo like they were idiots.

The skeleton lounged at the center of these bizarre creatures, basking in the attention, utterly ignoring the two demons as if they were mere background extras.

The scene grew painfully awkward.

The Skeleton Venerable and Ox Demon were high-ranking demon lords, beings of immense power. To be dismissed as street thugs ignited their fury. The half-skulled Skeleton Venerable unleashed his oppressive aura, aiming to crush these freaks beneath his might!

"Insolence!"

"You, a mere demon servant, dare consort with these lowlifes? You’ve forgotten your station and purpose. Today, you die!"

Before his aura could fully manifest, one of the black-robed figures flipped back its hood—revealing a dog’s head!

Not only was it unafraid, it stared right back, shaking its head in exasperation.

"Tsk tsk!"

"Definitely not Big Bro’s friend. Big Bro’s like a thousand-mile steed—destined to be as dashing as the wind. This guy’s half-human, half-ghost, impure as a mule, neither horse nor donkey. Probably a eunuch too."

The other hoods dropped, revealing a giant centipede nodding vigorously.

"Second Bro’s right! This thing’s a mutt. Unworthy of knowing someone as legendary as Big Bro!"

A bear chimed in, dumbly agreeing.

"Ohhh, now that you mention it, they’re way out of their league."

The insults kept coming, growing even cruder. The Skeleton Venerable’s rage boiled over, his original purpose forgotten—now he just wanted blood.

His bony fists clenched with a sickening crackle, death energy swirling around him.

Ox Demon, however, stayed calm. Watching these oddballs mock them so brazenly, his bull-like eyes flickered with suspicion. Then he studied the cocky skeleton, who hadn’t even glanced their way. Something felt off...

He spoke up first, urging caution.

"Skeleton Venerable, hold your hand!"

"These creatures aren’t normal. That ‘demon servant’ acts too arrogantly, unlike any we’ve seen. What if... just what if, this skeleton isn’t from the Demon Realm at all?"

"Let’s not jeopardize our mission. We should gather intel first."

The dog, centipede, and other chuckleheads were too busy critiquing appearances to notice this loud "whispering."

But the half-skulled demon was beyond reasoning. He snarled:

"Mission my ass!"

"I, who’ve dominated for millennia, have never been humiliated like this! Today, I’ll—!"

His words froze mid-sentence.

Both demons disintegrated into dust, erased from existence without a trace—as if they’d never been.

The dog gazed adoringly at the skeleton, who’d merely lifted a finger.

"Big Bro’s mighty! Big Bro’s invincible!"

The centipede and bear joined the cheer, stars in their eyes.

"Big Bro’s unbeatable! Unbeatable!"

Oddly, Lu Benwei didn’t bask in the praise this time.

He just seemed annoyed, his mood clearly soured.

"Where’d these trash come from, yapping in broad daylight? Didn’t even find any cute girls, just these losers. What a buzzkill..."

He turned seriously to Ao Qing.

"Qing, you said this place was open-minded, with pretty girls everywhere. Why’ve we only run into these clowns?"

"Big Bro, the dung-haulers swore it’s true! Maybe we’re in the wrong spot. Let’s try further ahead..." Ao Qing awkwardly rubbed his paws.

The group muttered among themselves, moving on like nothing happened, the demons already forgotten.

The world returned to peace, as if untouched.

A fleeting moment...

Meanwhile, atop a distant peak—

Hidden within a magical artifact, Gu Taiyuan was drenched in cold sweat!

That single finger flick, annihilating two demons—it nearly stopped the old man’s heart. His eyes bulged as wide as Ox Demon’s!

Gah!

Thankfully, Gu Taiyuan clapped a hand over his mouth, stifling his gasp.

Ignoring the sweat on his temples, he peeked through his fingers, his aged eyes trembling, breath held to a whisper.

He’d seen it all too clearly!

Those two demons were at the Saint Realm, their demonic physiques making them nigh-invincible to ordinary Saints.

Yet they’d been obliterated in an instant, not even ashes left.

Sweet heavens!

What kind of monster had he just witnessed? This power defied reason!

At the very least...

a True Saint, one who’d mastered the Heavenly Dao itself!

Gu Taiyuan’s face paled. He redoubled his caution, knowing beings of this caliber were beyond reckoning. Friend or foe? Best not to find out.

His only hope was to wait silently until this entity left.

Thankfully, his ancestral artifact ensured even such a powerhouse couldn’t detect him. Otherwise, today might’ve been his last!

A revered ancestor of the ancient Gu Clan now cowered like a novice, shaken to his core.

Back at the forest’s edge—

The odd squad continued plotting their "find the girls" operation.

Just as they began doubting Ao Qing’s intel—

The air rippled. A "frank and open" middle-aged man materialized, dignified in face but stark naked.

Dan Chenzi, back from his unexplained vanishing.

During the earlier crisis, a mysterious force had yanked him into another dimension. Now, he found himself blinking at the bizarre assembly.

Still disoriented and wary, he scanned the area with his spiritual sense.

No demonic energy—just these... peculiar beings.

They stared at each other in silence until a chilly breeze blew past.

"Whoosh..."

The centipede rubbed its countless legs, sighing meaningfully.

"Huh... Second Bro’s intel checks out. This place is open-minded. A bit too open, if you ask me."

The group nodded sagely, eyes full of judgment.

"Eww! Eye bleach!"

"Qing! Never took you for this type! ‘Facing masculinity’ is a niche taste—girls are the universal truth!"

The wind howled louder. Dan Chenzi finally noticed his state, flushing crimson as he hastily conjured robes.

Once dressed, he bowed, mustering his dignity to ask:

"Honored ones, did you encounter two mighty demons?"

The dog, still embarrassed, snorted and changed the subject.

Ahem!

"This lord’s seen no demons—just two morons! A cow-headed freak and a half-breed, both dusted by Big Bro’s finger!"

Cue another round of fawning.

Watching the skeleton being surrounded by flattery and looking utterly pleased—despite having no detectable cultivation aura—and sensing no trace of demonic energy in the vicinity, it really seemed as if what the dog had said was true...

Dan Chenzi’s eyes widened in shock.

A single poke, and it was gone? That was just too absurd.

If there existed someone in this world who could annihilate a demonic entity so effortlessly, what kind of cultivation level would that require?!

His heart filled with doubt, Dan Chenzi expanded his divine sense, but indeed, there was no trace of demonic energy left. This couldn’t possibly be faked.

This seemingly bizarre existence possessed terrifyingly profound strength...

Dan Chenzi gulped, no longer daring to show the slightest disrespect.

Suppressing his astonishment and relief, he bowed even more reverently and expressed his gratitude: "Many thanks for your assistance, Senior! This humble one is Dan Chenzi, eternally grateful!"

Faced with such sincere thanks, the group of simpletons barely reacted.

Only Lu Benwei watched with eager anticipation.

Dan Chenzi waited respectfully, expecting some profound instruction from this mighty figure.

Who could have guessed that the question posed would be so... peculiar?

"Do you know where to find some girls?"

Huh...?

Dan Chenzi looked up, utterly dumbfounded, completely unprepared for such a question.

Lu Benwei sighed, then casually reached out with his skeletal hand, clawing into the void.

In an instant—

A familiar figure was yanked out, crouching stiffly on the ground, hands covering his face with slight gaps between his fingers, his eyes wide and fixed on the group.

He gaped in shock, not daring to move an inch.

The sight was as if he were playing hide-and-seek, trembling with fear, fully immersed in his own delusion—his face practically screaming the words:

"You can’t see me... You can’t see me..."

At the sight of this man, $2an Chenzi’s fury erupted instantly, and he roared in outrage—

"Gu Taiyuan...! You scoundrel!!!"