Chapter Seven, Demons and Monsters [1]

I am thirsty, could you please feed me some water? Also, I am a bit hungry; you still have some provisions left, right? Please share half with me. The girl's voice remained soft and gentle, but compared to last night, it seemed to carry a bit more spirit, and her tone was much more natural, as if she were conversing with an old friend.

Hu Qian pondered without answering, as if unsure how to respond. Xia Xia, of course, did not know either, and he remained silent. After a moment of silence, he began to turn and carve a fire symbol on a piece of dry branch. In the distance, the snoring of the big man from Yunzhou was still as loud as ever, unchanged in the slightest

Xiaoxia did not smile

The young girl listened attentively, but after hearing it all, she smiled and said: "I am who I am. I am not some demon or monster." Suddenly, she gently hummed and said: "Look, the demon has come."

"The path we have walked today remains unchanged." After saying this, the monk Mie Nu fell to the ground and began to close his eyes, sitting cross-legged to regulate his breath.

Then... what should we do? Li Yutang's expression grew increasingly grim

The moon has risen, yet Xia Xia still has not fallen asleep

Now, with just a swing of the sword, that slender neck would effortlessly snap in two like a piece of paper, and the delicate, soft skin would be no more difficult to cut than tofu under the Rainbow Shadow Sword. Xia squinted his eyes. He was almost certain that the reason they were trapped in this forest was because of her. Although the renowned hero Li was not very bright, some of his words were indeed not wrong.

Xiaoxia pondered for a moment and said: "When something deviates from the norm, it becomes a monster. Whether it is flying birds, running beasts, or the spirits of plants, when they are nourished by the sun, moon, and the earth over time, their intelligence gradually awakens, and they cultivate power, becoming different from their kind, they become monsters. However, if they cannot overcome their inner desires and use the wisdom and power they have gained to satisfy their own selfish desires, thereby violating the pure nature of all living beings as ordained by heaven and earth, they fall into demonic ways. The two are often referred to together, known as monsters and demons." But if they cannot overcome their inner desires and use the wisdom and power they have gained to satisfy their own selfish desires, thereby violating the pure nature of all living beings as ordained by heaven and earth, they fall into demonic ways. The two are often referred to together, known as monsters and demons.

Xia did not feel dissatisfied with this arrangement; he believed that even if he were to guard this girl in white alone, it would be more comfortable than being with others. From a certain perspective, it might even be safer.

The young girl licked the crumbs off her lips and smiled at him, still captivating to the utmost degree, her smile pure and joyful, tinged with a hint of gratitude. If it weren't for the certainty that even at night, under the Qian Tian Locking Demon Talisman, there could be no fluctuations of magical power, Xiao Xia would absolutely think she had fallen under a spell of charm or illusion.

With a clang, the sword's edge sliced into a nearby tree trunk to a depth of at least half a foot. It was not that Li Yutang's eyes were deceived, unable to distinguish between the girl and the tree; rather, a small stone that flew in struck the descending sword, causing it to veer off course.

"You mentioned demons; I have heard people say that before, but I do not understand what demons are," the young girl suddenly said

This means that the forest maze has not undergone any changes, or rather, even if there were changes, we would not be able to perceive them. Hu Qian's voice remained cold, devoid of joy or sorrow, as if indifferent yet somehow already aware that it would be this way

Before the sky turned completely dark, Master Mian Nu finally returned. His entire body was enveloped in white steam, and his sweat had nearly soaked through his monk's robe, as if he had just spent the entire day steaming in a steamer. He made a round trip in just one hour, which was an extremely exhausting task even with the supernatural abilities granted by the Buddha.

The text appears to be incomplete or consists solely of symbols. Please provide a complete sentence or phrase for translation.

Xia Xia remained expressionless as she sat there without moving, while the young girl looked at him with a smile that was neither here nor there. During the day, she had completely fainted, but at night, she seemed to come back to life, although she still could not move. Even without looking at her unparalleled beauty, the delicate and gentle aura emanating from her words and expressions was captivating enough.

"What exactly are you?" Xiao Xia couldn't help but ask. In fact, he had wanted to ask this for a long time. There were simply too many things about this girl in white that were difficult to understand.

The heroic figure from Qingzhou, with a sword in hand, approached the young girl with an imposing presence, taking two steps before raising his long sword and striking down towards the arm of the girl in white.

On the other hand, there must be someone by the girl's side who can notice any changes immediately and raise the alarm. Xia is undoubtedly the most suitable and indeed the only candidate for this role. He is the one who has used the Qiankian Demon Locking Talisman, so he is most aware of any changes. Moreover, according to the words of the great hero Li, these matters should naturally fall within the responsibilities of someone like him, an unknown junior. Hu Qian also affixed a reporting talisman firework to him, so even if the changes occur too quickly and violently for him to issue a warning, this firework can automatically explode to inform those at a distance. These matters should naturally fall within the responsibilities of someone like him, an unknown junior. Hu Qian also affixed a reporting talisman firework to him, so even if the changes occur too quickly and violently for him to issue a warning, this firework can automatically explode to inform those at a distance.

The one who flicked this small stone is the monk Mianru. He has already opened his eyes, and the white mist surrounding him has also receded into the pores of his body. His voice remains filled with anger, yet is still powerful: "Hero Li, please do not be anxious. The absence of change does not necessarily mean that changes are not observable; it is also possible that this demonic formation has simply ceased to change. After all, it is merely a remnant formation from thirty years ago, and without anyone to oversee it, it cannot continue to operate indefinitely."

This time, there was no Li Daxia jumping out to accuse Xiaoxia, nor was there Hu Qian. They all slept scattered at a distance, conserving their energy for the journey ahead. The Qiantian Demon Locking Talisman could not draw upon the Qi of Heaven and Earth during the night, and its sealing power was inevitably weakened. It was possible that unforeseen events could occur, so sleeping a bit farther away would at least provide some reaction time in case of any changes

Perhaps this talisman was indeed not crafted by Zhang Tianshi himself, but it is undoubtedly the most authentic Daoist Qingxian talisman. Moreover, the young girl before me cannot be compared to the leader of the demonic sect. In other words, this girl, appearing to be around fifteen or sixteen years old, is her true form

Xiaoxia's gaze fell upon the girl in white beside her, who still appeared as if she were asleep, resting peacefully. The delicate and charming face bore a tranquility that could only be seen on an infant. Her slender neck rested against her elbow, and the soft moonlight illuminated her skin in that spot, so gentle and beautiful that one might feel it would be an unparalleled enjoyment to die in such a place

After saying this sentence, the young girl closed her eyes, seemingly falling into a deep sleep just as before

It is not that he does not want to sleep; in fact, he is very tired and quite drowsy, yet he simply cannot fall asleep. It is very difficult for a person to sleep when they are worried and anxious.

This... this... By the way, perhaps this monster knows!" After reaching the limit of his patience, the hero Li suddenly shouted loudly, his bloodshot eyes glaring at the white-clad girl on the ground not far away. "When we came here before, there was nothing unusual about this forest. It was only after capturing this monster that strange things began to happen. It might be related to this monster! We only need to report to the old leader Bai to spare her life. Why be so cautious?" When we came here before, there was nothing unusual about this forest. It was only after capturing this monster that strange things began to happen. It might be related to this monster! We only need to report to the old leader Bai to spare her life. Why be so cautious? Just cut off her limbs and interrogate her slowly!"

With a shout, the branch in hand, inscribed with the fire-starting talisman, ignited, and the roaring flames, filled with warmth, began to dispel all the encroaching darkness around. Xia Xia tossed the branch into the already prepared pile of firewood and turned around. Perhaps due to the interplay of light and shadow, under the flickering firelight, the furious expression of Monk Mie Nu appeared even more distorted and terrifying than it did during the day

"Why do you say that I am a demon?" The young girl raised her arched eyebrows and asked

Are you still human?

But how could a girl of fifteen or sixteen years old possibly skin more than a dozen people alive? How could she kill a group of martial experts as easily as one would slaughter chickens or even insects? Xia, who prided herself on having a sufficiently capable mind and having seen enough of the world, truly could not comprehend what was happening here

Tomorrow morning, when the sun rises, this humble monk will fully utilize the wisdom eye of Avalokiteshvara. Even if this demonic formation can indeed obscure the sun and moon, with this great Buddhist method, we will still be able to discern the direction of the true fire of the sun, and perhaps we may find a way out of this forest. Tonight, everyone should rest well to restore their spirit and strength, so that we can make plans for tomorrow. The Angry Monk smiled slightly, and amidst his furious expression, there seemed to be a hint of solemnity and compassion. Tonight, everyone should rest well to restore their spirit and strength, so that we can make plans for tomorrow. The Angry Monk smiled slightly, and amidst his furious expression, there seemed to be a hint of solemnity and compassion

Hu Qian remained still, not making a sound, as if she had already curled up and fallen asleep inside that suit of armor. Xiao Xia, who was carved with withered branches, turned around to take a look, opened her mouth hesitantly, but before she could utter a word, Li Yutang's sword had already descended.

Today he confirmed something, something very unpleasant, but he cannot share it with others. He is not sure if anyone else has noticed these things, nor is he certain how others would think or act upon discovering them. The only thing he can be sure of is that if things continue this way, they will never be able to escape this forest, at least not before they all perish.

After a while, Xiao Xia finally seemed to concede with a long sigh, taking out a water pouch from her waist and bringing it to the girl's lips. Once the girl had taken a few sips of water, Xiao Xia then took out the remaining half of the food package, crushed half of it in her palm, and offered it to the girl's lips.

There is no change? What does this mean? Li Yutang's expression was quite unpleasant, indicating that he probably understood what this meant.

So it is! The master truly has profound insights! Li Yutang was both astonished and delighted, disregarding even his trembling wrist.

Xiaoxia did not move either

The young girl suddenly opened her eyes. It seemed she sensed Xiaoxia's gaze, awakened, and smiled at Xiaoxia, as if the moonlight filling the sky had also become charming.

The young girl sighed and, in a tone reminiscent of addressing a clueless child, gently said: "Since you are too afraid to take action, then just feed me some water and give me something to eat. Sitting there sulking is of no use."

This is indeed the only apparent possibility. The Qiankian Demon-Restraining Talisman ranks among the Upper Clear Immortal Talismans, drawing upon the purest and most righteous innate Yang energy between heaven and earth. All the demonic energy, true essence, and divine consciousness acquired through postnatal cultivation, regardless of how high the realm or how strong the magical power, cannot be utilized in the slightest. Two years ago, the leader of the Demon Sect, who had dominated the world for decades, was stripped of nearly a hundred years of cultivation under this talisman wielded by Master Zhang. His mastery of the Heaven-Defying Creation Technique, which had already reached the innate realm, was completely lost. In just half a day, he transformed from a robust and majestic young man into a stooped and withered centenarian. There was hardly any need for others to intervene; with just a cough, he broke four or five bones under the pressure of his own black iron armor. Two years ago, the leader of the Demon Sect, who had dominated the world for decades, was stripped of nearly a hundred years of cultivation under this talisman wielded by Master Zhang. His mastery of the Heaven-Defying Creation Technique, which had already reached the innate realm, was completely lost. In just half a day, he transformed from a robust and majestic young man into a stooped and withered centenarian. There was hardly any need for others to intervene; with just a cough, he broke four or five bones under the pressure of his own black iron armor.

But what would really happen if one were to draw the sword and strike? Could one truly walk out, or would it lead to a quicker death? Xia Xia did not know; he did not dare to take the gamble, for he was well aware that he was the one among all here who could afford to lose the least.

The soft and warm tip of the tongue glided across Xia Xia's palm, a wave of sweet, soft, and tingling sensation surged from the depths of every bone marrow, flooding to the tips of every hair, nearly causing him to lose his balance. Retracting his hand, he brushed off the crumbs of dry food stuck to it, and Xia Xia shot a fierce glare at the girl.