Chapter 12: Subduing the Divine Mastiff
Defeat the Monkey King and seize the attributes. This was one of Yu Qiye’s objectives. Now that it was accomplished, Yu Qiye had no intention of lingering. “Monkey King, enjoy your life from here on out.” The Monkey King was born from a spirit stone and awakened by the wind—never having known childhood. This moment, though, could be considered his youthful days. Thus, Yu Qiye chose not to interfere further. Bonds had already been formed. Until next time, they could call each other “brother.”
...
Yu Qiye departed. As he left, he sent a dream to the Monkey King. Then, spreading his wings, he headed toward the Raven Cave. Several months had passed since he last left that place.
A roar of wind tore through the forest as a streak of black light cut through the dense trees, rushing deep into the cave. At the instant he neared a stone chair, he transformed into a young man bearing twin wings on his back.
“We pay our respects to the Great King,” came the voices. The Scorpion Spirit, the Wild Boar Spirit, and Qingqiu Xue arrived one after another to pay homage.
“No major incidents recently, right?” Yu Qiye inquired in order.
“Well...” They exchanged glances before Qingqiu Xue stepped forward. “Great King, during your absence, a formidable monster appeared north of Raven Cave. It calls itself the ‘Divine Mastiff.’”
“Divine Mastiff?” If his memory served, one of the seventy-two demon kings who followed Monkey Brother was named Jiao’er Divine Mastiff.
“That must be him.” Yu Qiye smiled lightly and spread the black wings behind him. He intended to meet this creature and see if there were any suitable attributes to acquire.
...
The forest was thick and shadowed, towering trees blocking most sunlight. Only sparse, mottled beams filtered through the leaves, casting an eerie gloom over the woods.
Suddenly, a long howl resembling a wolf’s cry echoed. From the forest burst a beast as large as a tiger or leopard, covered entirely with sleek black fur and radiating an imposing aura. This was a monster—an exceptionally powerful one.
Its entire being was suffused with overwhelming demonic energy. Its crimson eyes gleamed with untold ferocity.
At that moment, sensing something, the black creature lifted its gaze toward a large tree nearby. There, perched on a branch, sat a young man with twin wings on his back, his expression cold and sharp.
“You must be the Divine Mastiff?” the youth asked.
“Yes,” the beast replied in human speech, then abruptly shifted tone. “Who are you? Wait... You wouldn’t be...”
The creature’s face paled slightly as if it had guessed something. Black wings. Blood-red eyes. Could this be the legendary Raven King?
The Raven King—renowned as the most formidable demon lord in the vicinity. His strength was terrifying. It was said that upon breaking through a cultivation milestone, he slew the Tiger King. Now, after years of profound cultivation, his power was unfathomable.
[Species: Divine Mastiff.]
[Rank: Demon General.]
[Attributes: Loyal Devotion (Purple), Divine Speed (Purple), Brutal Strength (Purple), Ferocity (Purple), Black Claws (Blue)...]
Not bad at all. Although lacking red attributes, he possessed many purple ones. Especially one purple attribute that caught Yu Qiye’s eye.
“Loyal Devotion? That’s interesting.”
With a smile, Yu Qiye leapt down from the tree. A gentle breeze lifted him, feet not touching the ground.
“Make your move,” he said calmly.
“Howl... howl...” The Divine Mastiff growled low and deep, his expression shifting repeatedly.
He knew he had only one chance. Though the Raven King was also a Demon General, the pressure he felt from him far surpassed that from any demon lord he had glimpsed before.
Boom!
A terrifying surge of demonic energy erupted, swirling through the sky as the beast’s black fur bristled wildly. His cold claws spread menacingly.
“Howl...” With a sudden low growl, the Divine Mastiff lunged at Yu Qiye.
Fast. Very fast.
His whole body became a black streak, skimming the ground at lightning speed.
Yet he didn’t notice the golden light glimmering in Yu Qiye’s eyes. Time seemed to slow.
Yu Qiye clearly saw every strand of the beast’s fur, and the gradual raising of his right claw.
“Decent speed,” Yu Qiye murmured, spreading his black wings wide, forming a shield before him.
Bang!
A massive black claw slammed into Yu Qiye’s right wing with tremendous force, yet failed to tear through his defense.
His wings had been tempered for years by the aura of metal and spirit and fused with several powerful attributes—far from ordinary claws could rend them.
“What?” The Divine Mastiff’s face changed drastically.
Before he could react further, Yu Qiye’s right wing flipped outward suddenly.
Boom!
A mighty demonic wind crashed like a tidal wave against the Divine Mastiff.
With a spurt of blood from his mouth, the beast was sent hurtling backward.
But this was not the end.
Though he flew back quickly, another figure was faster still.
Yu Qiye, wings fully extended, pursued the retreating beast.
They faced almost directly, two parallel lines that would never meet.
His right foot lashed out like a whip.
Boom!
A thunderous blast sent the Divine Mastiff crashing into the depths of the forest, trees snapping in half like twigs.
[Ding: You have defeated the Demon General Divine Mastiff and seized the random attribute Loyal Devotion (Purple). Would you like to integrate it?]
Loyal Devotion (Purple): If one has a master, they will be fiercely loyal, willing to die rather than betray.
Integrate? How could this attribute be integrated? Yet it was a fine attribute to keep—one he could bestow upon those he trusted less, like the Wild Boar Spirit or the Scorpion Spirit.
“Unfortunately, these attributes are unique. Giving it to others means I lose it, making it harder to grant to other demons.”
As he pondered, Yu Qiye noticed the Divine Mastiff struggling to rise in the distance.
“Howl... howl...” The beast growled continuously, its crimson eyes fixed unwaveringly on Yu Qiye.
“I’ll give you a chance. Swear allegiance to me?”
Yu Qiye spoke calmly.
“Howl...” The beast growled again, then began to suppress its demonic aura, the fur no longer bristling.
“I submit!”
Three simple words brought a faint smile to Yu Qiye’s lips.
The world of demons was simple and pure, ruled by one primal law—the strong dominate the weak.
Had Yu Qiye barely defeated him, submission would be impossible. But crushing him utterly made it inevitable.
“Since you swear loyalty, I shall grant you a blessing.”
Suddenly, Yu Qiye raised his right hand.
Boom.
A black light shimmered on his palm, followed by a faint glow that leapt through space toward the Divine Mastiff.
“Howl...” The beast’s once-fading aura exploded with sudden growth, blood-red flickers flashing deep within his eyes.
His body underwent an unimaginable transformation, swelling in size, muscles coiling like dragons across his form.
“Even more exaggerated than I imagined,” Yu Qiye murmured in astonishment.
The blessing he bestowed was a purple attribute—Demonic Heart.
[Demonic Heart—A demonic heart within grants you the power to enter a demonic state, greatly enhancing combat ability, but at the cost of slight changes to your personality.]