"Wait here for me!"

The demon, with its hoarse voice, coldly uttered these words. Its massive bat-like wings then trembled gently, and its tall body instantly vanished.

"What's going on?"

"Why did Lord Demon leave?"

"It was almost my turn, how could he..."

"..."

Everyone present, without exception, had committed crimes so numerous they could fill endless volumes. Yet, at this moment, they only dared to mutter under their breath, terrified of angering the omnipotent Lord Demon.

The villain ranked second was especially filled with a surging rage, but he suppressed it with all his might, not daring to vent. He could only secretly clench his fists.

Damn it, I was so close!

「In the northwest of San Francisco, on a seaside street」

Chu Feng had just emptied his handgun's magazine.

This place... the environment is actually quite nice, he thought, looking at the distant azure sea. The oppressive feeling that had clung to him since he landed dissipated considerably. That's why! When one feels oppressed, going to a quiet place to see the ocean is indeed a good idea!

A smile unconsciously touched Chu Feng's lips under the caress of the sea breeze.

"Human whelp, it was you who killed my... wait a minute! It's you?"

Just as Chu Feng was somewhat leisurely enjoying the seaside scenery, an abrupt, hoarse voice from behind snapped him back to his senses.

Turning his head, Chu Feng looked at the demon, whose expression had changed dramatically. He tilted his head with interest.

"Have you seen me before?"

Though Chu Feng's face betrayed no emotion, he sneered inwardly, I finally lured you out!

This demon had, of course, seen Chu Feng before.

Back then, in Portland, while it hovered in mid-air, a mere glance downward had left it with an extremely profound impression of Chu Feng.

Looking closely at the demon, Chu Feng vaguely recalled seeing this particular one in Portland.

"Oh~ I think I remember you now! You're the one who fled right after emerging from the Gate of Breaking Boundary, aren't you?"

The demon didn't answer Chu Feng's question. Instead, it growled in a low, furious tone, "Why do I run into you wherever I go? Don't you human Exorcists have your own territories?"

Chu Feng wasn't bothered by the demon's anger, but he did vaguely catch another meaning in its words. He pointed towards the city center.

"Territory? You don't actually consider this place your private property, do you?"

The demon remained silent, but a bizarre smile slowly spread across its savage face.

From its reaction, however, Chu Feng knew he had likely guessed the demon's thoughts correctly.

"Is this how territories are managed in Hell?" Chu Feng asked, gesturing towards the chaotic scenes in the distant city.

"In a demon's territory, humans... are merely livestock to be reared," the demon stated, its playful tone underscoring a cruel reality.

The demon's answer made Chu Feng's expression instantly turn icy. With a flip of his palm, the Demon Hunting Blade appeared in his hand.

"Livestock? I'd like to see what kind of power allows you to make such audacious claims."

"Coincidentally, I was also thinking of getting rid of you, you annoying fly!"

The demon, wanting to complete its promotion before the true masters of Hell arrived, naturally wouldn't allow Chu Feng, this troublemaker, to continue existing. If Chu Feng's interference caused its promotion to fail, by the time the powerful figures from Hell arrived, it would never find such an unguarded treasure trove again. Apart from those truly loyal to the Demon Gods, which of the demons who had risked their lives to break through the dimensional passage didn't harbor the same ambition? To complete the final step of their power advancement in this Human World, devoid of Demon Kings and Demon Gods. By then, even if it returned to Hell, it could claim a place for itself based on its strength! In Hell, however, it was utterly impossible for a demon like it to advance any further. Everything there was controlled by the Demon God and Demon King-level overlords. Why would they ever allow a new contender to join them at the table?

I've come this far; I absolutely can't let you ruin it! the demon thought, a sinister grin spreading across its lips as it recalled the foolish humans kneeling devoutly on the ground.

Purple energy slowly materialized between the demon's claws. A bizarre aura enveloped them, instantly silencing the chirping insects and birds. Except for the sea breeze, which suddenly grew colder and howled fiercely, only silence remained.

The next second, both figures vanished simultaneously, leaving behind only two deafening blasts and a shattered cement pavement.

CLANG!

After a terrifying clash of metal and a shower of brilliant sparks, the two figures who had suddenly appeared were both sent flying backward.

Indeed, very strong!

Not a weak opponent at all!

The human and the demon, thrown back simultaneously, flew over fifty meters before landing. As they touched down gracefully, their eyes narrowed, pupils flashing with acknowledgment of their opponent's power.

I don't have time to waste on this damn Exorcist! the demon sneered inwardly, then focused its will.

The weeds and trees on both sides of the road suddenly began to grow wildly. Countless leaves and branches, as if imbued with life, pulsed with a faint purple glow as they converged and intertwined.

In the blink of an eye, four giant pythons formed from plants, each as thick as an adult human, bared their sharp fangs and lunged straight at Chu Feng.

Damn it, there are plant Magicians among demons too?

Chu Feng forcefully stomped his right foot, leaping back over ten meters and narrowly dodging the four pythons' attack.

The pythons that missed their target smashed into the cement road, gouging out a pit over half a meter deep.

The first python to pull its head from the crater shook its massive head, sending a shower of concrete fragments and gravel clattering down.

The relentless plant pythons raised their bodies high, fixed their sights on Chu Feng's position, and lunged again.

Spiritual Power converged within the blade. A scorching aura enveloped it, and a streak of red light slowly emerged on its edge.

The instant the first python reached him, a dazzling red light slashed across its neck. Countless gouts of flame erupted the moment the long blade made contact with its body.

BOOM!

The fierce flames instantly ignited the python's neck and spread rapidly along its body. Aided by the biting sea breeze, the entire python soon resembled a gigantic, snake-shaped torch, belching black smoke as it crashed heavily to the ground.

Chu Feng certainly didn't remain idle; three more pythons were lunging from behind, waiting to be dealt with.

In the distance, the demon controlling the pythons was not in a good mood.

Damn it, this weakness to fire... once I'm promoted, I'll definitely get rid of it.