Chapter 127: The Demon Tribe

“My mind is filled with hunger—after starving, do they see me as weak prey to be hunted?” Seeing the demon bull before him, its form drastically changed, Chen Ming paused briefly, pondering silently.

These demonic beasts, originally primitive creatures transformed, though infected with demonic nature, remain flesh and blood and thus require nourishment. For such beasts, slaughter is the quickest form of sustenance; besides that, feeding also replenishes and even slightly enhances their strength.

However, through Chen Ming’s investigation, when demonic creatures from the same origin slay each other or consume the flesh and blood of their kind, they lose that strengthening effect—such feeding becomes ordinary consumption.

In the next moment, tiny sparks gradually flared, and before Yadis, the demon bull’s massive body was enveloped in flickering crimson light that suddenly burst forth, illuminating the area ahead with a brilliant glow.

A deep roar echoed.

The demon bull’s towering frame rose, resembling a small mountain, emanating an ancient, primeval aura and emitting eerie low growls that carried a powerful, intimidating force.

“That roar, that size... no matter how you look at it, it’s no longer just a bull,” Chen Ming said to himself, watching it charge, stirred up dust trailing behind. This was the influence of a mighty life force.

In truth, the more powerful a creature is, the more it impacts its surroundings, reshaping nearby beings and the environment. That is why dragonkin arise where dragons dwell, and why formidable sorcerers inhabit remote, seldom-trodden places.

When the essence of life reaches an extraordinary level—like this fallen demon god of the world—even a mere trace of its aura, if not sealed by the realm, could corrupt vast swaths of life into demonic forms.

Even now, if Chen Ming did not deliberately conceal his presence, natural domains would form where he lingered, activating surrounding elemental forces and generating certain effects.

Ahead, the demon bull slammed into Chen Ming’s position, casting a massive shadow. Its jaws opened wide, revealing rows of fierce, razor-sharp teeth as it lunged to bite.

Clang!

A loud crash rang out. At the critical moment, Chen Ming retracted his horse beneath him and instantly moved to another spot.

“My divine power can’t be used here, or it’ll attract a horde of demonic beasts,” he murmured, glancing at the thick demonic aura around him.

This region was already influenced by a different set of laws, undergoing a strange transformation that bred countless demonic beasts. Using divine power here would be like a beacon in darkness—too conspicuous—drawing overwhelming hordes.

“Then, let’s try this,” he thought.

Observing the strange, ever-present demonic energy swirling around, Chen Ming focused his will. A powerful true spirit emerged, swiftly grasping aspects of the local laws.

For someone like him, semi-independent from the world’s fabric, understanding crude laws was effortless, though deeper comprehension required time.

Without hesitation, supported by his mighty true spirit, he drew out the immense demonic energy nearby. Guided by his understanding, it gradually condensed and slammed downward.

The massive shockwave struck the demon bull’s back, shattering scales and tearing flesh, splattering blood across the ground.

The demon bull growled fiercely. Though grievously wounded, its eyes burned with intensified fury, and instead of retreating, it charged Chen Ming with alarming speed.

But in the next instant, an even grander shockwave gathered, dozens of times stronger than before, flinging the beast away. Its sturdy body exploded into fragments of blood and flesh, a grisly sight.

With the demon bull’s death, countless smaller demonic beasts swarmed out nearby, their eyes glowing fiercely as they voraciously devoured the scattered remains.

“This power rivals divine might—an expression of ultimate force bearing traces of the world’s primal energy,” Chen Ming observed silently, carefully discerning the laws embedded within the foreign demonic power.

“If normal world energy represents order and vitality, then this force is its antithesis—pure chaos and destruction. Different, yet oddly similar.”

He pondered thus and ignored the dead beasts behind him, focusing ahead as he walked in silence.

After an unknown time, a plain appeared in the distance, dotted with small villages.

Within, many demon men with fierce features and dark skin moved about, some carrying hunted prey.

Chen Ming watched quietly.

These demon men were immensely powerful. As an intelligent race, their corruption by demonic godly power was most thorough—though still humanoid in appearance, their essence had nearly transformed into another species.

Even ordinary demon men could single-handedly challenge a knight, and among them appeared revered tribal elders and warriors, identifiable by feathers adorning their heads, moving slowly amid their kin.

“Though infected by demonic nature, their intelligence remains intact, only their aggression is greatly heightened,” Chen Ming noted, observing demon men performing coordinated movements under the elders’ direction, some clad in beast skins and teeth, dancing strange rituals.

On scattered ritual items, he clearly saw a grotesque depiction of a three-headed, six-armed demonic god carved thereupon.

At this sight, Chen Ming’s gaze sharpened, his eyes narrowing slightly.

After a moment’s observation, his mind stirred, and his form began to change. As the radiance faded, a dark-skinned, resolute-faced demon man appeared where he stood.

Now, the divine light that once enveloped him receded, replaced by a profound demonic aura. Coupled with his residual godly majesty, this formed an imposing presence that commanded respect without anger, making it impossible to meet his gaze directly.

Once transformed, he bowed his head in thought, then feathers sprouted atop his head.

“This should do,” Chen Ming said with satisfaction, releasing his previous protective concealment.

As he ceased hiding, demon men within the distant tribe suddenly shuddered, their keen senses instantly locking onto Chen Ming’s position far away.