Chapter 228: I Want to Go Home

Monk Banchi and the others felt their scalps tingle. As they ran frantically, they saw the mountains violently shaking, countless boulders flying, and numerous black tentacles emerging from among the stones – these were the roots of the Dried Ridge Root Demon.

The Demonic Sect had used demon-suppressing black steles to pin down its roots. The many black steles around the lake and the withered trees, however, were suppressing its main body.

Now that the demon-suppressing steles at its main body had been toppled by Monk Banchi and his companions, the root demon was able to unleash its terrifying power, causing the surrounding mountains to tremble violently.

As its power erupted, the steles suppressing its roots flew up and were shattered by its dreadful force!

"How can an ordinary tree demon possess such immense power?" Monk Banchi exclaimed, "Did the Demonic Sect intentionally suppress this tree demon here to harm people?"

Suddenly, several thick roots coiled towards them. Each root had beautiful women dangling from its front, giggling, "Trying to leave? You saved me, and I haven't repaid you yet. Why don't you stay and become one with me?"

Qiu Yue waved her sleeve, and countless insects flew out, rushing towards the roots. These insects grew in size against the wind, becoming over ten feet long, and latched onto the roots, gnawing with a crunching sound. However, their sharp teeth shattered, unable to bite through.

Qiu Yue was startled to see tiny roots sprouting from the navels of the women hanging on the roots. These roots pierced through the gu insects, and in an instant, the insects were reduced to mere shells, their flesh and blood completely gone.

"My gu insects can even bite through spirit weapons, but these roots are even harder!" Qiu Yue cried out.

A root approached them from behind. Yuan Shan leaped, gripping his sword pellet. He jumped and stabbed, piercing the woman on the root. His sharp sword spun, severing her head.

The woman's head shriveled upon hitting the ground, turning into a head-shaped lump of charcoal. Meanwhile, the headless woman on the root immediately grew a new head.

Yuan Shan was also surprised and tried to sever the root. Suddenly, another root shot out like lightning, piercing him from behind and entering his body.

Yuan Shan hastily activated his sword pellet, intending to cut off the root embedded in his back. However, his body rapidly withered, and in an instant, his flesh and blood vanished, leaving only a hollow skin.

The others, who had intended to rescue him, immediately bolted towards the canyon exit upon seeing this. Behind them, countless black tentacles thrashed in the sky above Dried Ridge. Roots gripped the peaks on both sides, lifting the demon's true body from underground.

It was a colossal, tangle-like entity, with countless roots dangling beneath it. The creature's movements were so massive that they activated the Xuangui Crossbows on the mountain peaks. Sensing the demon's aura, the crossbows automatically drew their strings, and two incredibly thick beams of arrow-light shot through the air, striking the Dried Ridge Root Demon, which resembled a giant black sphere.

The demon let out a horrifying shriek, like countless voices superimposed, shaking the surrounding mountains and causing continuous avalanches.

Long Jiaonan and the others were nearly caught by the tentacles. Fortunately, the Xuangui Crossbows' attack caused the demon pain, forcing it to withdraw its tentacles and allowing them to escape.

"These Xuangui Crossbows can even shoot down Celestials; they're sure to kill this demon!"

The group breathed a sigh of relief. Suddenly, the Dried Ridge Root Demon swung its tentacles at the Xuangui Crossbows on the mountain peaks. With a deafening roar, one crossbow was smashed to pieces, its massive bronze arm tumbling down the mountain.

Then, the Xuangui Crossbow on the other mountaintop was also shattered by the Dried Ridge Root Demon.

Long Jiaonan and the others turned ashen-faced. They quickly jumped onto the back of the large red snake Long Jiaonan had raised and frantically fled forward. They finally escaped Dried Ridge. Looking back, countless roots in the canyon, like giant black pythons, were constantly climbing towards them, and a heavy rolling sound echoed through the valley.

It was clear that the terrifying root demon's body was too large and heavy to fly. It could only drag its colossal body forward by gripping the cliffs with its roots.

The demon was so immense that its body collided with the mountainsides as it moved, causing the peaks to shake.

"The Demonic Sect has truly committed heinous sins, raising such a monstrous demon to harm people!" Monk Banchi, trembling either from anger or fear, raged, "How many people must they have killed to nurture this demon to such a size! It's regrettable that my power is too shallow to vanquish demons and protect the righteous path!"

The others knew he felt guilty for releasing the demon, so they shifted the blame to the Demonic Sect. Without explicitly pointing it out, they all said, "It's fortunate that we lured this demon into the Great Ruins, preventing it from harming the people of Yankang."

"The Great Ruins are home to outcasts and desperate evildoers. This demon causing havoc there can be considered vanquishing evil and upholding justice."

Monk Banchi's expression softened. He said, "The Demonic Sect Master deliberately made a commotion to lure us into the valley, likely intending to use this demon to harm us. We are fortunate souls blessed by heaven; we escaped, so he must be greatly disappointed, wouldn't he?"

No sooner had he spoken than the colossal body of the Dried Ridge Root Demon squeezed out of the canyon, rolling down from a height, its countless roots thrashing.

The group quickly took to the air. Scholar Lan Yu said in a deep voice, "This demon cannot fly, so everyone can rest assured..."

Just then, a bird's cry echoed, and a strong gust of wind swept over them. A giant golden-winged bird flew in like lightning, its talons gripping Lan Yu's shoulders, lifting him and flying away.

Scholar Lan Yu cried out in pain as the bird's talons pierced both his shoulder blades. Just as he was about to unleash his divine ability to save himself, the golden-winged bird suddenly lowered its head, pecked him on the head, crushing his skull, and then flew into the depths of the vast forest, carrying his headless body.

The Great Ruins. They had arrived.

A lawless wilderness.

The exotic beasts here didn't care if you were a disciple of a prestigious sect. In their eyes, there was only what could be eaten and what could not.

Qiu Yue exclaimed in panic, "Don't fly in the sky, walk on the ground!"

The group quickly landed. The Dried Ridge Root Demon was pursuing them from behind. They ran for their lives. As they passed a pond, a large fish suddenly leaped out of the water, bit one person, and violently thrashed, killing the young expert and dragging him into the water.

As the Dried Ridge Root Demon charged, countless roots also plunged into the pond. The strange fish in the pond promptly leaped out of the water and followed behind Qiu Yue and the others, incredibly running as fast as flying. It quickly overtook everyone and sped ahead, leaving them stunned.

They ran for over ten miles, only to see a row of trees also uproot themselves, sprinting wildly and whistling past, fleeing from the Dried Ridge Root Demon pursuing them.

"Demon King, the Great Ruins are very dangerous. If you have nothing urgent, never fly in the sky." Qin Mu, sitting relaxed on the back of the Dragon Qilin, smiled and said, "Our Great Ruins have their own unique rules. You can fly if you wish, but fly low and don't be too ostentatious. If you feel you have enough strength, you can fly higher, but if the exotic beast lords here are displeased, they will shoot you down and eat you."

The Dutian Demon King sneered, "Isn't it just survival of the fittest? I understand that rule; my Dutian also follows the same principle."

"Also, don't go out after dark." Qin Mu's expression grew solemn. "Unless you possess the abilities of a god or demon, never venture into the darkness, or it will be a dead end."

The Dutian Demon King chuckled, "What's so scary about darkness? My Dutian has been destroyed to the point of complete darkness; only a few places still have light and can sustain life. In the darkness, I feel even more at home. At night, I'll wander around and show you."

Fox Spirit rolled her eyes. In the little fox's eyes, the Dutian Demon King was already dead.

Qin Mu continued, "There is no law in my Great Ruins, so no matter whom you encounter, you must be courteous. If you lack manners and offend someone, you could easily be killed. The more lawless a place is, the more important it is to be respectful. Also, there are some terrifying gods and demons in the Great Ruins; some are sealed, some are suppressed, and some live quite comfortably. Don't wander around aimlessly."

The Dutian Demon King was startled. "Are there still gods and demons in this world?"

"Many of them. I've encountered a few before," Qin Mu said. "As long as you understand the rules of the Great Ruins, it's actually much safer than Yankang Kingdom. If you don't believe me, ask Ling'er."

The Dutian Demon King looked at Fox Spirit, who nodded repeatedly in agreement, saying, "Yankang is much more dangerous than the Great Ruins. Young Master came out this time specifically to train in Yankang Kingdom. Our time in the Great Ruins isn't even considered training, which shows how perilous Yankang Kingdom is."

Suddenly, a tremendous sound of mountains collapsing and earth rending came from behind them. Qin Mu looked back to see countless tentacles flying everywhere and a colossal, dark, mountain-like entity rushing towards them.

Naked women hung from those tentacles, cackling eerily.

"How did that demon from Dried Ridge get released? Who's so foolish?" Qin Mu shivered. The women hanging from the Dried Ridge Root Demon had already spotted him and were rushing towards him, along with countless other exotic beasts.

"This demon is truly asking for death, rampaging through the Great Ruins like this will quickly lead to its demise." Qin Mu shook his head. "Even the village chief wouldn't dare to be so reckless."

Just as he spoke, the ground suddenly shook violently. A colossal hand covered in golden fur emerged from beneath the earth, flames burning around its palm, and forcefully slammed down on the Dried Ridge Root Demon.

The root demon was swatted away like a black ball, its landing unknown.

The exotic beasts, previously fleeing for their lives, each stopped, looked back, and then individually returned the way they came, heading back to their respective territories.

The Dutian Demon King stared wide-eyed, speechless for a long moment.

Qin Mu comforted him, "It's nothing, nothing. That's just how the Great Ruins are. Some ancient ruins often hide strange deities and spirits. As long as you light incense at a temple and worship the gods, you'll be fine. That demon probably accidentally disturbed some relic and provoked the spirits within."

The Dutian Demon King's body stiffened. After a while, he exhaled a murky breath and said, "This place of yours is too dangerous. I want to go back to Dutian..."

The Demon King suddenly became agitated. His four faces and four mouths spewed out a few broken parts. "This broken world of yours, how is it the mortal realm? It's filled with demons and monsters everywhere! I won't invade anymore, okay? Let me go, I want to go home!"

Fox Spirit persuaded him, "Our Great Ruins are actually very safe, much safer than Yankang Kingdom. If you stay with Young Master, you'll be fine."