The Earth Fiend Asura emitted a low, hoarse laugh as it chanted a series of eerie incantations, causing the air around them to grow dense with a heavy atmosphere. Apart from Lu Benben, the others could not understand the long string of spells, but from the Asura's shifting gaze, it seemed that it was making some sort of deal with Lu Benben.
Then, the Asura's crimson demonic eyes locked onto Brother He, whose face instantly turned pale. He staggered back a few steps, and the Black Blood Divine Needle spun in the air. The surrounding space was so heavy it felt suffocating. Brother He felt an indescribable terror, his instinct to flee igniting, but the Earth Fiend Asura's attention seemed more focused on Lin Tian.
The massive Asura's footsteps were like the blows of a hammer, and in an instant, it was closing in on Lin Tian as if it intended to devour him. Just as Brother He attempted to break through the walls of the wooden hut to escape, Lu Benben suddenly took action. The White Bone Spirit Wheel's power was unleashed again, blocking Brother He's path. No matter what, there was no chance left to flee.
The Asura didn't glance at Brother He again. It swung its giant bone blade, and a sinister demonic aura spread through the air. The black blade descended in a slash. The Black Blood Divine Needle didn't even manage to block the violent force and was instantly sent flying, while Brother He's entire body was torn apart by the impact of the demonic energy, his flesh and blood scattering. Not even a scream escaped him.
As Brother He's remains fell, a blurry image rose from his head. A blood-colored talisman shot out from his head with a loud crash, and then a cold middle-aged ghostly figure appeared in the air, staring at Lu Benben with a chilling gaze.
"Well done, Lu Benben," the ghostly figure said coldly. "I've memorized your aura." The figure's words barely ended before it dissipated, turning into a massive blood-red hand that struck toward the White Bone Spirit Wheel. The Spirit Wheel struggled violently in the air, but seemed unable to escape the overwhelming force.
A cold shiver ran down Lu Benben's spine. He knew he couldn't afford to waste any more time. He quickly retracted the Spirit Wheel into his sea of consciousness. But just as he did, the Asura let out an enraged roar and swung its bone blade once more, smashing the blood-red hand, allowing the White Bone Spirit Wheel to finally break free. Lu Benben seized the opportunity to pull the Spirit Wheel back, but he didn't dare release it again.
The Asura turned its colossal body, and the terrifying hand, which was nearly ten feet tall, reached for Brother Zhou, who stood nearby. Brother Zhou was crushed by the overwhelming aura and could not move. He was immediately lifted from the ground, and it seemed that the Asura was going to devour him. With a low grinding sound, the Asura opened its massive, blood-filled mouth and tore off Brother Zhou's head, the sound of cruel chewing echoing through the air.
Blood sprayed, bones shattered, and even Brother Zhou's last scream was barely audible. The Asura swallowed the "delicious" morsel, a satisfied, sinister grin spreading across its face.
It then turned its gaze to Lin Tian, its eyes gleaming with a hungry thirst. The Asura muttered, "Such pure flesh and blood... Should I devour you, or offer you to the Lord of the Demon Gods?"
Lin Tian's heart tightened. He realized that the Asura, having consumed Brother Zhou's head, had absorbed his memories. In that moment, Lin Tian understood that the Asura was no longer just a mindless beast; it now possessed human thoughts and language.
"The Lord of the Demon Gods was right," the Asura's eyes glimmered with greed. "Human brain matter is the most delicious food in the world…" It then continued, "The Heavenly Silkworm Sect? This memory is a little disordered… Hmm? That person, is he even stronger than me?"
Lin Tian's heart skipped a beat. Was the Asura planning to find stronger human flesh to devour?
"Lord Asura, if you can allow me to find a purer constitution, I will be able to offer you the perfect sacrifice," Lu Benben suddenly said in a low voice, a glint of calculation in his eyes.
The Asura lowered its head and pondered for a moment, as if intrigued by Lu Benben's words. "The purest human constitution... the virgin body," it murmured. "But the seal of the Outer Demon Realm has not yet been loosened. The only Asuras that can be brought back are lower-tier ones. And, I cannot use higher powers just yet."
"Lord Asura, if you break the seal, you will be able to bring back more sacrifices," Lu Benben quickly added, continuing to flatter the Asura.
The Asura gave a sneer. "If you break through to the Blood Prison Asura realm, perhaps you can help my kin more."
The Asura then removed a skull-sized necklace from its neck and tossed one of the skulls to Lu Benben. "This is a reward from the Lord of the Demon Gods. Absorb the Asura's demonic energy within, and it will speed up your cultivation."
Lu Benben held the skull, his heart filled with wild joy. He thanked the Asura profusely, taking it with great care. The Asura then bent down, grabbing Lin Tian from the ground and sneering, "You will become food for the Lord of the Demon Gods. Feel honored."
With the Asura's words, a fierce black demonic aura erupted from its body, and the spatial rift in the air fluctuated again, as if it were about to tear open at any moment.
Above the wooden hut, a massive spatial circle, nearly nine feet in diameter, appeared again. The Earth Fiend Asura began to walk toward it, dragging Lin Tian with it, and it seemed like he was about to be taken into the Outer Demon Realm.
At this moment, Lin Tian finally realized that his life might end as a sacrifice for this monster. Yet, a small part of him still clung to hope — perhaps, there was still a chance to fight back.