"Hello, my name is Chu Liang."
A young man in a brocade robe sat upright in his chair. He was slender, with hair falling over his shoulders, fair complexion, clear features, and a somewhat childish face. He wore a friendly smile as he introduced himself in a gentle tone.
"Hello, Master Chu. I am called Yi Nianhong," replied a delicate woman sitting opposite him. She had cloud-like hair adorned with a golden hairpin, a complexion like a peach blossom, and a shy smile, revealing a pair of winsome eyes.
In the middle was a table full of sumptuous dishes, both colorful and fragrant. The place they were in was an elegant and brightly lit attic, with a folding screen depicting landscapes and a light red curtain hanging loosely.
"Miss Yi's name sounds very elegant," said Chu Liang with a smile.
"Is this your first time in a place like this, Master?" Yi Nianhong asked softly, observing his expression.
"Yes," Chu Liang nodded. "My elders never allowed me to come before, saying I was still too young..."
"How old are you, Master?" Yi Nianhong asked immediately.
"Seventeen," Chu Liang replied.
"That's not too young. You should have tried it yourself much earlier," Yi Nianhong chuckled. "Once you try, you won't be a child anymore."
"Well, I actually used to try quite frequently before, but it was always near my home, and they were all rather small..." Chu Liang chuckled, feeling a little embarrassed. "Encountering someone as mature as you is indeed my first time."
"Hehe," the lady's eyes were charming. "Young people never appreciate their older sisters, do they?"
Chu Liang said earnestly, "If I lack experience in any aspect later, Miss, please be patient with me. I hope you can... cooperate more. Thank you in advance."
"Don't worry, there's no need to be so polite," Yi Nianhong said, raising her fair hand and poured a cup of wine, pushing it in front of Chu Liang. "I promise to give you an unforgettable experience later."
"Uh...I should be the one saying that. I promise to send you to heaven," Chu Liang blinked.
"Heh," Yi Nianhong turned her eyes playfully. "Such confidence in your own skills, are you?"
"Perhaps my skills are not that refined, but I can try to compensate with props," Chu Liang said.
"Oh? You brought props?" Yi Nianhong raised an eyebrow. "I didn't expect you to be so serious. Show me what you've got."
"Alright, let's start early then." Chu Liang nodded, then reached into his waist and pulled out an object, placing it on the table with a clang.
It turned out to be a half-golden brick, shimmering with a radiant luster, unlike anything ordinary.
The woman's expression changed, "I really don't know how to use this thing... I won't play along if you want to do something weird."
"Uh…" Chu Liang pondered for a moment, then suddenly pointed behind the woman, "What's that?"
"What?" Red turned to look.
The gentle young man opposite suddenly grabbed the brick on the table and struck the woman's head with it!
Thud.
As the brick fell, a ripple of golden light spread out, and then black mist burst out from the area where the woman's head was hit!
"Ah—" Red clutched her head in pain, screaming loudly, "You... you deceived me!"
As she screamed, she took two steps back, and then black mist spewed out from her head like a fountain, exuding a terrifying aura! In an instant, she transformed into a giant spider over ten feet long, with a human face on its abdomen, exactly the same as Red's. However, the beauty of her face was gone, replaced by a monstrous and furious expression.
This seemingly harmless young man had actually struck so ruthlessly; the anger of the spider demon was visibly intense.
Under the brick, the truth was revealed!
At this point, Chu Liang had already put away the golden brick and calmly faced the horrifying monster in front of him, smiling, "I didn't lie to you, I really am here to exterminate demons for the first time."
"Hmph," the giant spider roared, "Where did this brat come from? I'll tear you to pieces!"
"I am a disciple of the Shu Mountain Sect. Someone reported that there was a monster causing trouble here, feigning a brothel and secretly harming people. I have come under orders from the sect to slay demons and protect the people!" Chu Liang's voice was resolute.
"A disciple of the Shu Mountain Sect?" The spider demon was instantly filled with fear upon hearing this. Even though the Shu Mountain Sect had declined somewhat in recent years, its accumulated power still made ordinary demons shudder!
Seeing it spit out a red glow, turning into a large web in mid-air and lunging towards Chu Liang, while its main body turned and rushed towards the door, using its eight spider legs to escape.
Unfortunately, its escape plan was futile. Chu Liang swiftly evaded the web, simultaneously pointing his left hand forward and shouting, "Sword Control Technique! Go!"
With a flash of light on his left wrist, the bracelet he was wearing suddenly transformed into a flying sword!
Shing—
With just one strike, the massive body of the spider demon had nowhere to hide from the sword's light and was pierced through on the spot.
"Ah!" The giant spider let out a miserable scream and fell, crashing through the floor of the first floor, revealing a pile of white bones underneath.
It was evident how many lives it had taken here previously.
Faintly, a golden light, invisible to ordinary people, drifted out from the spider demon's body and merged into Chu Liang's body.
Satisfied, he sheathed the sword, which transformed back into a bracelet and worn around his wrist.
The dust had settled.
Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.
Chu Liang was indeed undertaking the task of exterminating demons alone for the first time. Although he appeared calm on the surface, he was actually a bit nervous inside.
Although the spider demon's cultivation was not high, she was skilled in deception and illusion, often taking on human form that was difficult to distinguish. Without accurate intelligence and his unique magic weapon, Chu Liang might not have been able to handle her so easily.
...
After the battle, Chu Liang did not rush to leave, but instead sat down in place, closed his eyes and meditated.
His consciousness sank and he found himself in a dark space. It was empty except for a tall white tower standing in front of him.
Nine levels, six sides, towering majestically, the tower was covered with complex and cryptic inscriptions and drawings, ancient and solemn.
As Chu Liang entered the white tower, he saw that it was filled with black-barred iron cells, resembling a prison! Countless cells, all empty except one.
That particular cell housed a golden shadow, resembling a large spider...
There was no door to the cell, only a wall with a red character "Refine". Walking up, Chu Liang gently pressed it.
Boom!
A red light flashed, and the golden shadow vanished instantly.
A white light then floated out from the cell.
Every time Chu Liang slayed a demon, a shadow would appear in the tower. Refining this shadow would yield a treasure, like a reward for slaying demons.
Chu Liang caught the white light and found that it turned into a bundle of red rope, prompting a sensation in his heart.
【Demon-Binding Rope】:
When activated with true energy against enemies, this rope will automatically bind them tightly, crippling their combat capabilities, breaking down their psychological defenses, and even uncovering their hidden personalities. It wields tremendous power.