Chapter Ninety-six: Captured

When the crowd witnessed this almost farcical scene, they surged toward Demon Night again, but this time, their intent was not to kill him—they wanted to capture him alive! For it had happened before on this continent: the owner of the Creation Cauldron was ambushed, the cauldron vanished into the folds of time and space, and no one could find it. Yet, if the owner willingly relinquished the bond, the Creation Cauldron would not disappear—it would simply choose a new master on its own! Even this slim chance was enough to drive people mad with desire.

“Hahaha! Out of my way, all of you! I’m in a good mood today—I won’t kill you. But if you don’t get out of the primeval forest, you’re as good as dead!”

Scarlet Lotus, flanked by Xuan Tiangang and others, flew to Demon Night’s side and stood guard. A wave of overwhelming power swept through the crowd, leaving them breathless, pinned beneath its weight.

Reluctantly, the crowd dispersed. Scarlet Lotus turned, gazing at the unconscious Demon Night, and burst into hearty laughter once more.

“Congratulations, Elder Chi! You have achieved a great merit!” Xuan Tiangang, ever deferential, kept his head low. Xiong Batian, witnessing Xuan Tiangang’s servility, snorted in contempt and dismissed him with a sneer.

“Hahaha! Excellent! This time, your contribution is undeniable. But let me warn you all—no one is to report the capture of Demon Night! I intend to make him bow to the Demon Clan!”

“Yes!” Everyone knew Scarlet Lotus’s nature well and hurriedly agreed.

“That’s enough. Xiong Batian, take Liu Xin and Demon Night. We’re leaving! If we delay any longer, Demon Night will have no hope of survival!”

And so, Xiong Batian and his group took Demon Night and the despondent Liu Xin, soaring into the sky.

By the time Peng Lei and Xiao Xiao rushed back to the academy, Liu Xin was nowhere to be found. Anxious, they found Zhao Mu, and the three of them sped west together.

But they were still too late. When they reached the forest’s edge, most of the people had already scattered. Peng Lei grabbed someone and learned that Demon Night and Liu Xin had been taken by the Demon Clan.

Upon hearing the news, tears welled up in Xiao Xiao’s eyes.

“Demon Night has been crippled—and by Senior Sister’s hand! How could this happen? Didn’t she care for him deeply? It must be a plot by the Demon Clan. It has to be!”

“Don’t be sad, Xiao Xiao! Let’s go back and come up with a plan!” Peng Lei urged.

“No! I must find Senior Sister. I have to save them!” Xiao Xiao wiped her tears and bolted into the forest.

Peng Lei dashed forward and grabbed her, “Xiao Xiao, can you stop being so reckless? Look at the situation we’re in! Do you want even more chaos?”

Zhao Mu gritted his teeth and drew his weapon. “I’ll go kill the people of Cloud Sky Sect! If not for them, Junior Brother wouldn't have left the academy, and he never would’ve been caught. This is all their fault!”

Peng Lei released Xiao Xiao’s arm, glaring at the two of them in frustration.

“Can’t you two think about the consequences? If the three of us go charging in, not only will we fail to avenge Junior Brother, we’ll lose our own lives as well!”

“I’m not afraid!” Xiao Xiao looked at Peng Lei with stubborn defiance.

Peng Lei sighed, gently patting the shoulders of Zhao Mu and Xiao Xiao.

“We don’t know if Demon Night is alive or dead. Liu Xin has been captured. I’m just as upset as you—after all, we’re like family, always looking out for each other, learning and growing together. But we can’t lose our heads; they’re counting on us to rescue them.”

Hope flickered back into Xiao Xiao’s stubborn eyes, and Zhao Mu lifted his head to look at Peng Lei.

“Think about it—the Demon Clan is only after the Creation Cauldron. They won’t let Demon Night die; at worst, he’ll suffer a bit. Besides, they’re still in the primeval forest. We know their whereabouts. Once Master returns, we’ll make a proper plan.”

Xiao Xiao and Zhao Mu exchanged a glance and nodded quietly. Seeing this, Peng Lei finally relaxed a little.

“Listen to me—don’t act rashly. Right now, Demon Night and Liu Xin’s hopes rest with us. If anything happens to us, they’ll have no hope left at all.”

Xiao Xiao nodded. “Senior Brother, I was wrong. I won’t be impulsive anymore. I’m sorry! I’ll train hard and do everything I can to save them as soon as possible.”

Peng Lei extended his hand. Xiao Xiao and Zhao Mu looked at him, and when Peng Lei gave them an encouraging nod, all three placed their hands together. Then, they flew back toward the academy.

After Liu Xin was taken to the Demon Clan, she seemed utterly lost—refusing to eat, drink, move, or speak, she was like a wooden puppet.

Xuan Tiangang entered her room. Liu Xin, as if suddenly awakened, rushed forward and tightly grasped his arm.

“Elder, Demon Night is safe, isn’t he?”

Seeing the hope shining in Liu Xin’s eyes, Xuan Tiangang’s heart softened. He nodded gently.

“That’s wonderful! I knew Junior Brother would be all right!”

Witnessing her joy, Xuan Tiangang snorted coldly. “Demon Night’s life was spared, but he’s still unconscious. Don’t celebrate too soon.”

With a sweep of his sleeve, Xuan Tiangang left, leaving Liu Xin alone in her room, lost in sorrow.