An hour passed in the blink of an eye. But in this ever-changing valley, an hour was more than enough time for major events to unfold.

Above the colossal tree, three wisps of colored Qi swirled in concert with a majestic, serpentine shadow. The aura of the Snake King grew ever more intense, and in the distance, the White Demon King seemed to have been completely forgotten.

The presence of the mighty Demon King dwindled, and he was still forced to contend with a pestering hybrid monster.

The burgeoning aura of the Snake King made the White Demon King’s brow twitch, and a startling fear gripped his heart.

It was a feeling he hadn’t experienced in centuries.

The Profound Turtle’s words echoed in the White Demon King’s mind: ’If this Snake Spirit succeeds in its tribulation, you will be in deep trouble.’

He hadn’t truly taken those words to heart, acting only out of an abundance of caution. ’It’s just a snake,’ he had thought. ’I can kill it whenever I please.’

But now, this snake was proving to be increasingly extraordinary. The various phenomena were more than enough to prove how heaven-defying it was.

’Is this really just the tribulation for the Rank Three Dao?’

’No, this snake must die. I absolutely cannot allow it to complete its ascension.’ The White Demon King’s expression turned grim. The unfolding events, combined with the Profound Turtle’s warning, had made him a firm believer.

’Never mind anything else, the snake’s methods alone are unbelievable. A Divine Beast Azure Dragon born to act as its Protector, and three Super level Creatures forcibly fused into a freakish monster with power on the Demon King Level... It actually managed to hold me, the White Demon King, back for hours.’

’Looks like I truly have to use my full strength now.’

’Otherwise, if this Snake Spirit succeeds, my reputation as the White Demon King will be in tatters. A mighty Demon King, unable to kill a Snake Spirit that hasn’t even finished its ascension? If word of that gets out, what would become of my authority?’

BOOM...!

A massive explosion erupted from the White Demon King’s position. A pillar of Demon Qi shot toward the heavens. The Chaotic Beast, Huangquan, had just charged forward when it was blasted away by the surge of demonic power.

Instantly, the well-dressed White Demon King became a ferocious terror. His body swelled, and quills sharper than the finest swords sprouted all over him as he transformed into a horrifying half-man, half-beast.

The White Demon King now looked like a hedgehog. No one could approach him. His entire body was a mass of sharp quills, each one pulsing with destructive power.

"I am here! No matter how astonishing you are, this is where it ends for you!" The White Demon King’s Demon Qi roiled, shattering the very air around him. He casually plucked a long quill from his body, and as he did, a peerless, violent power surged forth.

The quill was as long as a sword, its cold light promising to destroy anything in its path.

"Go. It’s time for this to end."

The quill vanished the moment it left the White Demon King’s hand. A silver-white crescent of light flashed in mid-air, and a wave of razor-sharp Demon Qi spread out.

The aura of death suddenly intensified, hurtling toward the great, sun-like radiance beneath the colossal tree.

It moved so fast it was gone in a flash, leaving the air no time to react.

The Tree Spirit felt it most directly. It was so terrified its soul nearly flew from its body. A sudden, cold wind blew from the distance, and though it saw nothing, it felt as if death was upon it.

"You will not disturb my master’s ascension!"

A voice, like a mournful cry, suddenly rang out.

WHOOSH...

The Chaotic Beast, Huangquan, instantly intercepted the attack, blocking the long quill with its towering, powerful body.

CLANG...

The long quill, filled with destructive power, slammed directly into the black Snake Scales on the Chaotic Beast, Huangquan’s upper body. An ear-splitting shriek of grating metal filled the air.

The long quill spun and drilled, trying to pierce through Huangquan’s layer of Snake Scales.

But the layer of Snake Scales seemed harder than anything. Despite the quill’s destructive power, it failed to breach their defense.

However, the Chaotic Beast, Huangquan, still bore the brunt of the immense force. It was blasted backward through the air, struggling to neutralize the quill’s impact.

"I have no interest in playing with a freak like you! Go die!" the White Demon King sneered. He plucked another long quill from his body and hurled it.

CLANG...

The next second, the long quill slammed into Huangquan’s body. Its massive form was blasted back again and again.

ZING! Another quill struck home. The Chaotic Beast, Huangquan, roared in fury as it was sent flying uncontrollably out of the colossal tree’s protective range.

’What a damn monster,’ the White Demon King pursed his lips. Only he knew how terrifying the quills from his true form were. This was the first time anyone had ever blocked them.

’Now’s my chance. That disgusting thing won’t be getting in my way any longer.’

He drew another long, slender quill glinting with cold light from his body, aimed for the area shrouded in the great sun’s radiance, and prepared to hurl it.

ROAR...

A dragon’s cry pierced the heavens. The Cyan Dragon coiled around the colossal tree let out a roar that could swallow mountains and rivers. With a single twist, it appeared in the sky above the White Demon King.

Immediately, thunderclaps echoed and lightning flashed. Wild currents of electricity surged around the Cyan Dragon’s body as it prepared to unleash a heaven-shaking thunderbolt.

"White Demon King! This Divine Dragon is here. I will not allow you to run rampant!"

"Annoying."

Killing Intent flared in the White Demon King’s eyes. No one would stop him now. Not even the Cyan Dragon. The quill in his hand vanished.

WHOOSH...!

The quill disappeared in a flash, aimed straight for the Cyan Dragon. From an impossibly sharp angle, it sank between the Dragon Scales covering its body.

The Divine Beast Azure Dragon trembled violently, its eyes bulging as if they would pop from their sockets. The raging thunder and lightning surrounding its body instantly dissipated.

BOOM...

As if completely drained of its strength, the Cyan Dragon plummeted from the sky. The sight was utterly surreal.

"Hmph. Not just anyone can block my quills."

The White Demon King appeared casual, but he was holding nothing back with each attack. He had to end this as quickly as possible.

To think the mighty Divine Beast Azure Dragon was taken down by a single quill from his body. The White Demon King’s power was truly terrifying.

The White Demon King pulled another quill from his body, his eyes flashing with cold Killing Intent.

"Snake Spirit, both of your Protectors are gone now. Time for you to disappear."

The White Demon King’s ice-cold words echoed in Tu Xiao’an’s mind.

Huh?

Tu Xiao’an was aghast. The Chaotic Beast had been knocked away by three quills, and the Cyan Dragon had been defeated, losing its ability to fight.

’I still underestimated this White Demon King.’

’So close. I’m almost done shedding my skin. Just give me a little more time!’

’Damn it.’ Tu Xiao’an’s heart sank. ’This White Demon King won’t stop until I’m dead.’

’Fuck, did I dig up your ancestral grave or something?’

’Although I originally came to the Yaoling Mountain Range looking for trouble with the White Demon King, the problem is, I haven’t even done anything yet!’

"Protect the King!"

Beneath the colossal tree, a Snake Staff appeared in the hand of the half-human, half-snake Elder Snake. With a wave of his staff, swarms of Snake Species shot toward the White Demon King.

The sky filled with countless gaping maws and pairs of vicious Snake Pupils.

They faced death as if they were returning home, fearless even in the face of a great Demon King.