Chapter 2042: Brilliant Fireworks

Hydrogen bombs typically require an atomic bomb for detonation. Zu'an, however, had not anticipated the immense power of the demon's punch, which generated such an incredibly high-temperature and high-pressure environment that it bypassed the need for an atomic bomb, directly detonating the hydrogen bomb.

A dazzling white light erupted at the epicenter of the demons. Many people in Monte City, who had been watching the scene, immediately covered their eyes in agony if their cultivation level was lower.

Immediately, a colossal mushroom cloud ascended, and the fireball that erupted momentarily outshone even the sun in the sky.

The greater demons, who had initially scoffed at Zu'an for attempting to use such a crude device against them, suddenly blanched. Feeling an immediate and profound sense of danger, these powerful beings swiftly employed their most formidable skills to flee.

Alas, the destructive power at the hydrogen bomb's core was absolute; they screamed as they witnessed their own bodies reduce to ash.

In contrast, the arrogant Heavy-Punch Mantis met the most peaceful end, as it was instantly and completely vaporized.

A massive fireball engulfed an area spanning several kilometers, incinerating nearly all demons within its radius.

Following this, terrifying shockwaves radiated outward. Demons on the periphery immediately caught fire and were violently hurled into the sky by the force of the blast.

The shockwave swiftly reached Monte City in the distance. The city's highest-level defensive barrier flared brilliantly, but countless cracks immediately appeared, and in the next instant, the shield shattered completely.

The entire city reeled as if struck by an earthquake. Numerous buildings collapsed, and even the previously repaired and rebuilt city walls crumbled once more.

Fortunately, thanks to the attenuation provided by the highest-level defensive formation, most of Monte City's walls remained intact. While many citizens sustained injuries from the shock, few were in life-threatening condition.

Nevertheless, everyone instinctively sought cover, gazing in horror at the terrifying mushroom cloud in the distance.

By now, the cloud had fully expanded, soaring endlessly into the heavens and encompassing an area tens of kilometers in radius.

What kind of power was this?

The Little Demon Queen, her face drained of color, stared at the epicenter of the explosion, wondering if such terrifying power meant a grim fate for Ah Zu.

As if sensing her anxiety, Aunt Xiao offered reassurance from beside her: "Your Majesty, there's no need to worry. The Regent has always been both brave and resourceful; he will surely be safe."

The Little Demon Queen nodded slightly, finding solace only in these words, yet she still questioned if he could truly have survived such a horrific explosion.

Gritting her teeth, she steeled herself and directed her subordinates to rebuild the collapsed city walls. The oppressive hot wind made every task arduous, melting even much of the millennia-old ice encasing the city walls.

Fortunately, the demon ranks were now in complete disarray, scattering like headless flies, with no thought of continuing their siege.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, the Second Prince was leading his army towards an exit. Suddenly, many of the mounts in his army grew restless. Everyone instinctively turned to look, spotting a colossal fireball on the distant horizon, clearly visible even from their remote location.

Everyone was stunned. What was this terrifying phenomenon?

A subordinate approached to ask the Second Prince if he wanted to send someone back to investigate. The Second Prince's expression shifted several times before he finally waved his hand, declaring, "Everyone, forced march! Leave the sealed land as quickly as possible."

Yu Yanluo's delicate brows were initially furrowed, but after discreetly observing the Second Prince's demeanor and reaction, her mind felt somewhat at ease.

If even he didn't know, it likely wasn't a demon's doing; more probably, Ah Zu was responsible.

Ah Zu, please be safe.

Meanwhile, Zu'an was observing the demon forces from several kilometers outside Monte City. He had just used his "Shapeshift and Teleport" abilities, narrowly evading the direct impact of the hydrogen bomb's epicenter at the last possible moment.

Light emanated from his body, and the faint outline of the Pure Buddhist Bell was discernible, indicating that with his current cultivation, these aftershocks could not harm him.

Gazing at the scene in the distance, Zu'an couldn't help but frown internally. "The hydrogen bomb's power is less than I imagined," he muttered.

While many greater demons at the blast's epicenter were instantly obliterated, and all demons within a few miles were annihilated, the sheer number of demons was immense. Those on the outskirts, though wounded to varying degrees, were not in mortal danger.

This was, after all, a demon army; they possessed their own defensive formations, and their numbers were truly vast. The demons eradicated in the recent blast accounted for, at most, only about a fifth or a sixth of their total force.

Zu'an recalled how, in his previous life, the destructive power of tsunamis and earthquakes equated to an untold number of nuclear warheads. Ultimately, humanity's fear of nuclear weapons stemmed from its inherent fragility.

These demons, with their tough hides and formidable strength, naturally possessed a certain degree of resistance.

Observing the remaining scattered demons, Zu'an understood that once they regrouped, they would once again become a terrifying force. Even another hydrogen bomb wouldn't catch them as unprepared as this time.

With this thought, he gritted his teeth and manifested another hydrogen bomb, hurling it towards the densest concentration of demons.

Upon witnessing this, the demons shrieked in alarm, pointing at the hydrogen bomb as if issuing warnings.

Having learned from Mantis's demise, no demon dared to attack directly this time. Instead, several demons activated their abilities, attempting to divert the hydrogen bomb towards nearby Monte City, causing Zu'an to break out in a cold sweat. He quickly reasserted control over the bomb.

However, in that brief moment, the demons below had already begun scattering in various directions.

Observing their dispersed positions, Zu'an realized that if this hydrogen bomb detonated, the resulting casualties would be significantly fewer than the previous attack.

The energy required for him to manifest a single hydrogen bomb was immense; to only eliminate a small number of demons would be entirely unacceptable.

Was there any way to make them regroup as they had been before?

Zu'an gave a wry smile. Although these demons weren't highly intelligent, they certainly weren't foolish. After the recent lesson, there was no way they would gather together to be bombed again.

Wait...

Suddenly, an idea struck him. He directly yelled at the scattering demons: "Didn't you claim you would invade and conquer our world? Why are you all running now? Are demons cowards? If you have the courage, come fight me honorably! Come here!"

With his current cultivation, his voice boomed across the entire sky.

The Little Demon Queen on Monte City's walls, relieved to see him safe, quickly became puzzled. She understood that Zu'an intended to gather the demons, but demons weren't fools; how could mere taunts possibly make them rush back to their demise?

She wasn't alone in her thoughts; many within the city were perplexed. "The Regent is usually so wise and formidable," they wondered, "why is he being so... naive now?"

However, their eyes soon widened in disbelief. The very demons they thought would never turn back were now, one by one, spinning around and charging back towards Zu'an.

Everyone was dumbfounded. Had these demons gone mad?

At that moment, every demon felt on the verge of madness. They knew they should flee the terrifying iron lump as quickly as possible, yet to be ridiculed by a mere human was utterly preposterous.

Humans were merely their food; when did food ever get to be arrogant in their presence?

Furthermore, as brave and fearless demons, for the glory of their kind, they absolutely had to kill that human!

Watching the demons howl and charge towards him, Zu'an smiled. It seemed his "Eloquent Insult" skill was effective even against these extraterrestrial demons.

Once the "Eloquent Insult" skill was activated, the targets would relentlessly pursue him until either he or they perished.

Seeing the dense horde of demons gathering, Zu'an once again employed "Shapeshift and Teleport," swapping places with a demon at the furthest edge of the group. Simultaneously, he executed several consecutive teleports, fleeing to a distance of over ten kilometers.

The demon that had been swapped looked utterly bewildered, watching the dense mass of its comrades charging towards it, a group that included several greater demons it wouldn't dare provoke on a normal day. It was instantly terrified out of its wits.

However, the charging demons were equally terrified, for they discovered that the hateful human had vanished, and the terrifying iron lump had now fallen directly into their midst.

Outside Monte City, another spectacular display of fireworks erupted.