The Grey Rat's Demon Path

He had thought it would be a relaxed and pleasant meeting, a chance to recruit a Quasi-second-rank Alchemist.

Who could have known it would come to this?

’What should I do! I’m no match for her in a direct fight, but I can’t seem to escape either!’

Cyan Eagle desperately searched for a way out.

Among demons of his level, his combat strength wasn’t weak. But a single clash of Magic was all it took for him to know he was no match for the demon behind him.

’Qing Er! Right, I’ll go find Qing Er. With his help, we should be able to put up some resistance! And if that’s not enough...’

A flicker of delight appeared in Cyan Eagle’s eyes.

He knew full well that even with Qing Er’s help, they were no match for the demon chasing them.

But who said you had to defeat your pursuer to escape?

Sometimes, to save your own life, you don’t have to be stronger than your enemy.

You just need to run faster than your ally!

He and Qing Er had a bond forged over many years, but right now, he couldn’t afford to care about that.

His mind made up, Cyan Eagle spread his wings and flew toward Qing Er’s stronghold.

The pursuing demon drew ever closer, and the pressure on Cyan Eagle mounted.

Thankfully, he managed to reach Qing Er’s stronghold just before he was overtaken.

"Qing Er, run! A Great Demon from Peacock Demon City is after me!"

As he approached a small mountain ahead, Cyan Eagle suddenly roared.

The sound, like crashing boulders, echoed through the sky.

After letting out the cry, Cyan Eagle didn’t dare to linger for a second. He shot past the mountain peak and continued to flee.

"Boss! What’s happening!?"

A muffled voice called out. With a flash of light, a Snake Demon appeared in the sky.

Before he could react, a rainbow-colored beam of light shot toward him.

"How dare you ambush me!"

The Snake Demon’s expression turned vicious as he sent his Magical Artifact to intercept the attack.

BOOM!

The sound of a violent collision echoed.

The power of the rainbow light was beyond his imagination. The exquisite Top-grade Magical Artifact he had spent years refining was sent crashing to the ground.

’This is bad—Mid-stage Foundation Establishment! I have to run!’

The Snake Demon’s vicious expression instantly twisted into one of terror.

Just as he was about to command his Magical Artifact and flee...

...a Longsword, shimmering with Spiritual Treasure Light, shot straight for him.

"Dammit!"

The Snake Demon’s Demon Power erupted from his body. He slapped a Tier Two Defense Demon Talisman into the air, trying to block the attack.

But the sharpness of the magical artifact Longsword was beyond belief, and the Demon Power it contained was immensely dense.

SHINK!

The Demon Talisman shattered, its halo of light bursting!

"The boss... has doomed me!"

The Longsword pierced through his Demon Body, knocking the Snake Demon from the sky and pinning him to the earth below.

Fresh blood splattered everywhere. Blood gushed from the Demon Body, mixing with the dust on the ground.

The Snake Demon’s vertical pupils were wide open; he was unable to rest in peace.

’This Cyan Eagle is certainly quick-witted and ruthless.’

The Peacock Princess glanced at the Snake Demon, who could not rest in peace, her expression impassive.

VMMM!

With a flash of light, the Longsword that had pinned the Snake Demon flew back to the Peacock Princess’s side.

’Now that I’ve made my move, there’s no escape for you.’

The Peacock Princess was stunningly beautiful. Her dark hair was draped over her shoulders, with some of it coiled into an intricate bun. A glittering golden Hairpin was tucked into the bun, making for a lovely sight.

The Peacock Princess raised a delicate hand and removed the Hairpin from her bun. Her coiled hair immediately cascaded down, partially obscuring her gorgeous face.

"Release!"

The Peacock Princess uttered a soft command.

The golden Hairpin, already glittering, suddenly flared with an unimaginably brilliant radiance.

"Go!"

The Hairpin tore through the air, shooting toward the distant sky.

Its speed was too fast for the naked eye to follow.

’Qing Er, my apologies! Consider this your repayment for my years of favor!’

As Cyan Eagle soared through the sky, he began to relax slightly.

Thanks to the time Qing Er had bought him, he had successfully widened the distance between himself and his pursuer.

His chances of escape had increased dramatically!

’I, Cyan Eagle, have dominated for years. I won’t die so easily!’

Cyan Eagle’s expression was filled with confidence.

Fighting his way up from a lowly Little Demon, seizing every opportunity and treasure, to finally become a Great Demon—Cyan Eagle had been through far too much.

He had faced hopeless situations countless times, yet he had always survived in the end!

He was confident in his own cunning and believed he was destined for greatness.

He had founded his own faction, designed a strict organizational structure, established numerous channels, and accumulated resources.

All in the hopes of one day advancing even further!

To become a Top-tier Great Demon!

No, to attain the status of a Demon King!

A blazing Flame of ambition burned in Cyan Eagle’s eyes.

’He, Cyan Eagle, would not die so easily!’

’But I have been too hasty in recent years. My strides have been too wide, attracting the attention of Peacock Demon City.’

This encounter had Cyan Eagle reflecting on his successes and failures.

’Constantly summarize, review, and reflect. Only then can one’s Demon Path be smooth and unobstructed.’

This was a habit Cyan Eagle had cultivated over many years.

Even now, with the situation still critical, he was able to keep thinking and summarizing.

’Once I escape with my life, I must lie low and go into hiding. I’ve accumulated plenty of resources over the years, enough to support my cultivation for a long time. Once I break through to the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment and become a Veteran Great Demon, I’ll reassess my plans!’

A fierce Gale howled against him.

Cyan Eagle spread his wings and hurtled onward.

Though he had suffered a major setback this time, it had forced him to see himself more clearly.

’A blessing in disguise!’

’The Demon Path is long. A temporary gain or loss means nothing!’

’Despite setbacks and low points, my Dao Heart remains firm!’

’All the trials and tribulations I face today are but the foundation for the day I, Cyan Eagle, ascend to the throne of a Demon King!’

’He who wishes to wear the crown must bear its weight!’

’Therefore, when Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility upon a demon, it must first fill his heart with suffering, toil his sinews and bones, starve his body, empty him of his possessions, and confound his every endeavor. In this way, it stimulates his mind, toughens his nature, and enhances his abilities.’

’I, Cyan Eagle, will remember what happened today! The day I become a Demon King, I will surely avenge this!’

A vicious glint appeared on Cyan Eagle’s face, and his gaze grew ever more resolute.

SHIIING!

A peculiar sound traveled from the distance, growing closer.

Cyan Eagle turned his head and saw a sight that made his scalp crawl.

A Hairpin, glowing with a brilliant light and trailing a slender tail of energy, was shooting toward him.

Its speed far surpassed his own!

’What is that thing?!’

Cyan Eagle’s face was a mask of terror.

...

’These two demons are certainly fast runners!’

Xu Chang’an, who had been concealing his presence while giving chase, had finally managed to catch up.

If not for the perfect breakthrough granted by his panel—which made his Demon Body powerful and his Demon Power dense—and the memories from his past life that allowed him to cast several speed-enhancing spells, he never would have been able to catch them.

He arrived just in time to see the Peacock Princess pin the Snake Demon to the ground.

’She really is incredible!’

A Foundation Establishment Great Demon, killed by the Peacock Princess in a single exchange. That little lady’s combat prowess was truly impressive.

’What’s this?!’

Xu Chang’an’s eyes narrowed as he saw the Peacock Princess send her Hairpin shooting through the air.