"Hmm, I'll go take a look."
Ye Ling could sense a unique aura emanating from the depths of the corridor, sparking his curiosity. It wasn't that the aura was particularly strong; in the Demon Locking Tower, there were countless demons with far more potent auras. The reason it caught Ye Ling's attention was its stark contrast to the other demonic beings within the tower, as if it didn't belong in this world. This peculiar aura made the creature emitting it seem quite bizarre.
Without wasting any more time at the entrance, Ye Ling took the lead, heading deeper into the corridor, with Ye You and Xu Xiaoqing following closely behind. The moment the three stepped into the corridor, the demons in the cages lining both sides became active. Most of the demons imprisoned in the Demon Locking Tower were those who enjoyed devouring humans and wreaking havoc, eventually captured and suppressed here by the disciples of Mount Shu.
Having not tasted human flesh for hundreds, even thousands, of years, these demons reacted as if they had smelled roasted suckling pig. Their eyes glowed green, fixated on the trio, their mouths watering.
"More humans have entered!"
"Such a delicious scent! I can't hold back! Hurry and let me take a bite!"
"Two-legged sheep, come here to this lord!"
The demons clamored from within their cages, their faces contorted in ferocity, their cacophony echoing through the space. Some demons, driven mad by their confinement, repeatedly slammed against the iron bars, attempting to break free and devour Ye Ling and his companions! They were ravenous for human flesh.
Under the intense gaze of countless powerful demons, Xu Xiaoqing, having never witnessed such a scene, could not conceal her fear as she walked down the corridor. She trembled uncontrollably. The pervasive demonic energy pressed down on her, making it difficult to breathe.
Noticing Xu Xiaoqing's fear, Ye Ling glanced at the roaring demons on either side and directly approached a bull demon that was clamoring the loudest.
The bull demon, seeing Ye Ling approach, bellowed, "It seems this two-legged sheep is sensible. Come quickly and let this lord have a bite!"
"This lord is starving!"
Ye Ling calmly looked at the bull demon, reached out, and gripped the iron bars, applying a slight force.
*Crack!*
The sealed cage was directly torn apart by Ye Ling! The bull demon froze in astonishment!
Ye Ling calmly swept his gaze over the bull demon and kicked it in the abdomen, forcing it to its knees. The bull demon clutched its stomach, its face contorted, "Human, you..."
Before it could finish, Ye Ling grabbed its horns with one hand and dragged it out of the cage.
"What are you doing? Let me go!"
The bull demon, stunned by Ye Ling's immense strength, began to cry out in panic, its eyes filled with terror. Who was this person?
"You scared my little friend," Ye Ling said calmly. Then, in front of all the demons, he grabbed the bull demon's head and slammed it forcefully onto the ground!
*Bang!*
The entire space vibrated, the floor shattered, and the bull demon's head was embedded in the ground! Its body, as tall as a small mountain, lay motionless on the ground.
The demons in the surrounding cages, witnessing the bull demon being crushed into the ground by Ye Ling, realized his brutality and fell silent. The corridor became utterly still, and not a single demon dared to breathe heavily. While the bull demon wasn't the strongest in the Demon Locking Tower, it was a top-tier demon and the de facto leader of the outer corridor. Yet, their leader was being beaten into the ground by Ye Ling. Ye Ling's actions had thoroughly intimidated them.
"Is there anyone else with a foul mouth?" Ye Ling asked calmly.
The demons in the cages shook their heads, not daring to retort.
"Senior..."
Xu Xiaoqing was also stunned by Ye Ling's display. She stared at him blankly, unsure how to describe her feelings. However, after Ye Ling's domineering act of protecting his companion, his image in Xu Xiaoqing's heart became infinitely grand.
Ye You also chuckled, teasing, "Brother, you're quite cool... I'm almost falling for you."
Hearing Ye You's teasing, Ye Ling responded with a helpless laugh, "Xiao You, where do you learn these things you say?"
"Isn't it human nature to admire strength? Does that need to be learned?" Ye You replied with a smile.
Ye Ling knew he couldn't win an argument with Ye You, so he said, "Fine, let's not talk about this. That aura is just ahead. Let's go see what it is."
Ye You covered her mouth and giggled, "Okay, my handsome brother!"
Ye Ling said helplessly, "Xiao You..."
"I know, I know! Hehehe..."
In the silent corridor, Ye You's melodious laughter, like silver bells, echoed all around. After Ye Ling's demonstration, the powerful demons on both sides dared not even look at him, retreating to the corners of their cages, fearing his attention. With the "killing the chicken to scare the monkeys" tactic, Ye Ling passed through the corridor unimpeded, arriving before a small bronze door.
"That aura is behind this door," Ye Ling stated, stopping before the bronze door. He scanned the surroundings with his divine sense. "It seems each level of the Demon Locking Tower is an independent space. Behind this door is the end."
"However, it's strange. I haven't found any teleportation arrays inside. Xiao Qing, how do you disciples of Mount Shu travel between the different spaces in this Demon Locking Tower?"
Hearing Ye Ling's question, Xu Xiaoqing was initially startled, then seemed to recall something and exclaimed, "I remember! My seniors mentioned that each level of the Demon Locking Tower is independent. To go to other levels, one needs a special Teleportation Jade."
"Teleportation Jade?"
Ye Ling's brow furrowed slightly, and he asked Xu Xiaoqing, "Do you have such a thing?"
Xu Xiaoqing shook her head with some embarrassment, "The Teleportation Jade has already been taken by the Second Elder..."
"In Xu Gui's hands?" Ye Ling was somewhat speechless. Xu Gui's cultivation had already been crippled by him and he had been handed over to the disciples of Mount Shu... Xu Gui had recently massacred Mount Shu disciples publicly, and the disciples' hatred for him had reached an extremely high level. It was likely that Xu Gui was already in dire straits, and retrieving the Teleportation Jade from him would be difficult.
"Never mind, we'll figure this out ourselves. Let's go meet the fellow inside first."
Ye Ling sighed slightly, no longer relying on Mount Shu. Although he lacked the Teleportation Jade and couldn't directly travel to other levels, it didn't mean Ye Ling had no other way. Even if these spaces were independent, they must have some connection. It wouldn't be difficult for Ye Ling to break through this space and search a bit to determine the coordinates of other spaces.
Ye You frowned, her voice solemn, "Brother, leave the matter of finding Xu Changsheng to me. You focus on dealing with what's behind the bronze door."
"I have a bad feeling about this."
Seeing Ye You's expression, Ye Ling was taken aback. "What's wrong?"
Ye You shook her head, "I don't know why, but as we get closer to this bronze door, I feel like something bad is hidden behind it. Once it's opened, something will go wrong."
"Premonition..."
Ye Ling murmured thoughtfully and became serious. Although Ye You was currently only at the True Martial realm, and Ye Ling could easily handle any ill omens, Ye You had also inherited the ultimate power of the Creator God. With Xiao You possessing such ultimate power, Ye Ling could not dismiss her unease.
Ye Ling nodded, "I understand. Rescuing Xu Changsheng and the other two will be your task, Xiao You. I will deal with whatever is behind this bronze door."
With that, Ye Ling no longer hesitated and pushed open the bronze door.