Chapter 28: Four-Eyed Moth Demon

According to intelligence, the Four-Eyed Moth Demon is a common low-level demon in the Hengyun World, with a cultivation level in its larval stage roughly equivalent to the third layer of Qi Refinement.

Upon reaching maturity, they generally reach the fourth layer of Qi Refinement, with variations depending on their wing color. Gray wings are the lowest grade, white wings approach the fifth layer, and if they undergo a metamorphosis into red wings, they reach the sixth layer.

The one in Zhao Chun's mission was a most ordinary Four-Eyed Gray-Winged Moth Demon, intended merely as a trial object for disciples and thus not overly powerful.

Furthermore, Tu Cunchan, who was also at the fourth layer of Qi Refinement, was accompanying her. With their cooperation, killing the moth demon would not be difficult.

Zhao Chun felt slightly relieved and took out the second volume of the *True Consciousness Method Scripture* to continue reading.

She had not neglected her cultivation during the journey; she had long since deciphered the cultivation mantra for the middle stage of Qi Refinement. Only then did she learn that a person possesses two Dantians: the lower Dantian, where the spiritual root resides, and the upper Dantian, located at the center of the brow.

The fourth layer of Qi Refinement involves gathering spiritual energy into the lower Dantian; once the lower Dantian is full, one breaks through to the fifth layer, after which the upper Dantian is opened. Once both the upper and lower Dantians are filled, one reaches the sixth layer.

When two more Dantians connect through the convergence of spiritual energy as if they were one, one reaches the seventh layer and enters the late stage.

Every time Zhao Chun cultivated, her lower Dantian acted like a whale swallowing the sea; if left uncontrolled, it would drain all the spiritual energy surrounding her. Strangely, only a portion of this energy was stored in her Dantian, while the other part was actually being devoured by the spiritual root itself.

Though she found it strange, she did not stop her cultivation. Fortunately, this anomaly had not caused her any harm, so Zhao Chun decided to let it be for now to see what changes might arise.

After a day of cultivation, the full moon day mentioned by Tu Cunchan arrived.

The ink-colored mist was as soft as gauze, yet it did not obscure the moonlight in the slightest.

Zhao Chun gripped the Crimson Edge Dagger in her hand and walked into the mountain forest alongside Tu Cunchan.

Perhaps because the moonlight was so intense, even the layered leaves could not completely block the light, allowing the pure white moonlight to scatter mottled patterns across the woods.

The deeper they ventured, the more they felt the presence of chilling winds. Zhao Chun's palms grew slightly sweaty; this would be her first time facing a demon like those found in ghost stories. Amidst the tension, she felt a hint of excitement.

"We're here," Tu Cunchan said, intentionally lowering his voice. His voice was naturally raspy, making it sound even more hair-raising now.

Zhao Chun focused her senses and saw a cave entrance ahead, partially obscured by layers of withered branches, with a faint light shimmering from within. This must be the place.

"I have been here before and know the way. I must trouble Fellow Daoist to follow behind me," he said. He pulled a small banner from his sleeve, signaled to Zhao Chun, and stepped inside.

Zhao Chun followed closely behind into the cave.

The interior was quite peculiar; though called a cave, the four walls were not made of rock. Zhao Chun leaned in to look and saw that they were uneven, composed of soil with small, granular textures.

The earthen walls were not thick, and many holes of varying sizes had been chiseled into the ceiling to allow moonlight to enter.

Their footsteps grew lighter, replaced by an unfamiliar sound—the rhythmic fluttering of wings.

Zhao Chun's breath hitched slightly as she raised her dagger to her chest.

"I will cast a slowing spell on the moth demon. Fellow Daoist, seize the opportunity and strive to cut off its right limb first."

With that, the two exchanged a glance and stepped forward simultaneously.

Zhao Chun finally caught sight of the moth demon's true form. It was as large as a water buffalo, with four crimson eyes and thick limbs. Two pairs of serrated large wings grew from its back, enveloping a round, fleshy, cylindrical abdomen.

Before the moth demon could react, Tu Cunchan raised his hand. The small banner in his hand waved, emitting a white light. With his other hand performing a hand seal before his chest, the white light flashed and shot straight toward the moth demon!

A demon's perception is naturally superior to that of a cultivator. Seeing Tu Cunchan move, it let out a piercing shriek and prepared to pounce on them!

It was fast, but the white light was faster!

As the light struck the moth demon's head, its shriek turned into a wail filled with resentment, and its movements immediately slowed.

Now!

Zhao Chun performed a serpentine step, reaching the moth demon's side in the blink of an eye, and swung her dagger to hack at its right limb!

The Crimson Edge Dagger lived up to its reputation as a Yellow-grade Dharma tool; its sharpness far surpassed others. Zhao Chun felt a slight resistance when the blade first touched the outer carapace, but as she exerted force to slash downward, the resistance vanished.

The moth demon's right limb was severed and sent flying into the air, causing fluids to splatter instantly!

Fearing the substance might be toxic, Zhao Chun hurriedly turned to avoid it. Looking back, she saw the emerald-green fluid hitting the ground, corroding the soil and producing white smoke.

Before she could rejoice in her quick reflexes, the moth demon had already broken free from the slowing spell.

Possessing a degree of intelligence, it knew Zhao Chun was not easy to provoke and was wary of her sharp weapon. It shifted its target to Tu Cunchan, intending to flap its wings and fly away.

Before setting out, Zhao Chun had learned about Tu Cunchan's previous encounter with a moth demon. She knew he was not skilled in offensive spells and could only provide support, which was why he had failed to kill the demon and had instead suffered minor injuries.

Zhao Chun was different. After practicing the *Tiger Strength Manual*, her strength had increased tremendously, and her *Swift Sword Technique* had also received a significant boost.

From the very beginning of her cultivation, she had intended to follow the path of offense and slaughter. There was no other reason than her refusal to depend on others; she wished only to be strong and independent, to carve out her own destiny.

Thus, even after becoming a cultivator, she chose swordsmanship, which is the most lethal among all weapons and most suited for heavy offense.

As the sole combatant of the pair, Zhao Chun naturally would not leave Tu Cunchan to fend for himself. His slowing spell was one of her keys to victory and could not be lost.

She immediately changed her footwork, using the dagger as a sword to charge at the moth demon!

Her speed was extreme, far surpassing even the fluttering moth demon. She flipped and soared, landing on its back, and with a flash of sword light, she hacked off the left limb as well!

The moth demon howled in pain and attempted to ram her into the earthen wall.

Zhao Chun took the opportunity to roll away, avoiding the impact.

The earthen wall was not thick, but it was extremely tough; the impact only shook loose some clumps of soil without causing it to crack.

Having lost both limbs, the moth demon's strength plummeted. Its two pairs of crimson eyes stared at the perpetrator, filled with both rage and fear, not daring to move recklessly.

Zhao Chun was not about to let it go; she swung the Crimson Edge Dagger to strike again!

The difference in their speeds was vast. As the moth demon tried to dodge, Zhao Chun threw the dagger directly, turning it into a flying blade that pinned its watermelon-sized head against the earthen wall!

The Four-Eyed Moth Demon was thus killed on the spot!

Tu Cunchan had not expected the battle to be so easy today. He thought to himself that as expected of a disciple from a superior sect, she was truly an exceptional talent.

Zhao Chun pulled out the dagger and used spiritual energy to wash away the filthy fluids on its surface before sheathed it.

Just as she thought the matter was settled, she noticed movement in the moth demon's abdomen.

Leaning down slightly, she saw that the cylindrical abdomen was still pulsating, rising and falling as if breathing.

"Fellow Daoist, is something wrong?" Tu Cunchan asked, seeing her hesitation.

It was as if something inside the moth demon was rapidly sucking the round abdomen into a shriveled state. Sensing danger, Zhao Chun hurriedly retreated, stopping Tu Cunchan as he tried to step forward to investigate.

The water-buffalo-sized moth demon ultimately became a dried corpse, only for a dark shadow to burst from its abdomen, transforming into a black arc that lunged straight at the two of them!