Chapter 417: Chapter 413: Super Big Boss
After looking the man up and down, the Bull Demon King had a sudden realization and immediately reined in his urge to act tough.
A person needs self-awareness, and so does a bull. If he weren’t smart enough, he probably wouldn’t be standing here as an Awakened Creature. He’d be plowing a field somewhere.
Tu Xiao’an didn’t need the bull’s reminder. The man had appeared without a sound and defeated him in an instant. This was definitely someone at the Demon King Level.
No, the being hovering above the villa wasn’t a Demon, but a human Martial Cultivator. That much was obvious.
Suddenly, an image flashed through Tu Xiao’an’s mind: a strange old man in a prison cage, sucking the blood of a Spirit Monster tiger.
A chill ran down his spine. He called out in a clear, loud voice, "Are you the Director of the Demon Management Bureau?"
Tu Xiao’an had witnessed the shocking scene of him absorbing a Spirit Monster’s blood to become younger, but right now, he looked forty at most. He hadn’t expected the man to be able to reverse his age to such an extent.
He looked young, but he was without a doubt an old monster.
"So it was you, little one, who pulled the wool over my eyes." The middle-aged man’s seemingly murky eyes were sharp and spirited, containing a soul-stealing pressure that made it impossible to meet his gaze. Then, with a hint of surprise, he added, "To think you’re just a Snake Spirit."
He sounded a little disappointed.
But Tu Xiao’an had confirmed the man’s identity, and his heart sank.
Even back at the prison, Tu Xiao’an had determined that this old monster was not someone he could hope to match. He was far more terrifying than the Bai Family’s Snake Demon.
Just by standing there in the air, he gave off the feeling of a towering mountain one could only gaze up at. He wasn’t releasing any aura, yet his presence alone felt overwhelmingly powerful.
Seeing his current appearance, he must have absorbed the Essence Blood of many Spirit Monsters. His Life Force was vigorous, and his power was unparalleled.
When the Bull Demon King heard that the man above was the Director of the Demon Management Bureau, his heart shattered. He sucked in a sharp breath, his face turning pale. ’This isn’t just a boss, this is a damn super boss!’
"Master, you’re really moving up in the world. The enemies you provoke just get more and more monstrous," the Bull Demon King said, his face a mask of misery, looking as if he were ready to die.
Tu Xiao’an gave a wry smile. ’People strive to climb higher, just as water flows downward. It’s only natural that the opponents I make are more powerful than the last.’
’So why does it feel so bitter?’
This old monster was so powerful that Tu Xiao’an didn’t even have the will to fight.
"Come with me to the Demon Management Bureau."
The middle-aged man’s cold gaze swept over the Demons below. His murky yet shrewd eyes made everyone’s heart skip a beat. The three creatures that had been wrestling in a tangled mess instantly fell silent.
When the Blackbird saw the middle-aged man above, it felt a sense of dread. ’It’s over, it’s over! Was I only let out for a day trip?’
’I’m going to be dragged back again. The Director of the Demon Management Bureau coming in person... he’s really giving me a lot of face.’
Inside the villa, no one spoke. An unnerving silence fell.
"What, do you need me to personally escort you back?"
The middle-aged man’s nonchalant words fell, and though he hadn’t released any terrifying aura, everyone was overcome with a sense of despair.
Tu Xiao’an’s face was expressionless as he stared at the man above, his brow knitted as if layered with unmelting Frost.
"Not bad, not bad at all. All first-rate Awakened Creatures. It seems my harvest this time won’t be small."
The middle-aged man stood in the air as if taking a leisurely stroll. His gaze fell upon Golden Pupils, Azure Owl, the Blackbird, the Tree Spirit, and the Bull Demon King. The more he looked, the brighter his murky eyes became.
Wherever his gaze landed, the Battle Companions trembled.
As the Director of the Demon Management Bureau, how could he fail to recognize the bloodlines of these Spirit Monsters?
"Return!"
Before an absolute powerhouse, numbers were meaningless. With a grand wave of his hand and a turn of his will, Tu Xiao’an made Golden Pupils, Azure Owl, the Tree Spirit, and the Bull Demon King vanish in the blink of an eye.
This time, Tu Xiao’an didn’t even leave the Bull Demon King, a Rank Three Demon Spirit, out to help.
Seeing them all disappear, the middle-aged man’s gaze snapped to Tu Xiao’an, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
Now, only Tu Xiao’an and the pitch-black Blackbird Crow remained in the entire villa.
The Blackbird looked utterly dumbfounded. It suddenly felt very lonely. "Where’d they go?" it asked Tu Xiao’an. "How did they disappear?"
"I’ve sent them somewhere safe to avoid pointless casualties."
The Blackbird nearly swore at him. "Then why didn’t you take me too? What, you want Uncle Hei to accompany you to the Demon Prison?"
’You can’t play favorites like that!’
Tu Xiao’an’s face darkened. "You’re not my Battle Companion. I can’t take you with them. Who told you not to accept me as your master earlier?"
The system was the safest place possible unless Tu Xiao’an himself died. The problem was, this Crow had not acknowledged a master, so he couldn’t bring it into the system even if he wanted to.
The Blackbird was at a loss. ’Is that really how it works?’
For a moment, it secretly wondered if Tu Xiao’an was trying to trick it.
"Blackbird," Tu Xiao’an asked, "will your Curse Power work on that man up there?"
"What do you think?" the Blackbird retorted.
’If it worked, would anyone dare act so smug in front of Uncle Hei? I’d have cursed their entire family to death long ago.’
"Snake Spirit, you have quite a few tricks up your sleeve," the Director said. "Although I don’t know how you did that, it’s irrelevant. Once we’re at the Demon Management Bureau, all of your secrets will be laid bare."
Having stored his Battle Companions in the system, Tu Xiao’an felt slightly more at ease. He said, "Sorry, I was just there today. I don’t plan on visiting the Demon Management Bureau again."
"Heh... That’s not up to you."
The middle-aged man chuckled. His body moved like a clap of thunder, and with overwhelming might, he shot down and appeared in front of Tu Xiao’an in an instant, a hand landing on his shoulder.
Tu Xiao’an’s expression changed. He tried to retreat, but he couldn’t move. The hand on his shoulder felt heavier than a mountain.
"It’ll take more than a few words to take me away."
Tu Xiao’an was not one to be slaughtered at will. His eyes narrowed, and his entire body was wreathed in Flame. The scorching temperature instantly vaporized the surrounding air.
"Hm?"
The middle-aged man showed a flicker of surprise, but he didn’t pull his hand back. Instead, a layer of blue light washed over it, rendering it impervious to the searing Flame.
"Not bad, not bad. The Flame Element," the middle-aged man chuckled, his eyes full of mockery. "But your Realm is too low. Its power is far too weak."
Tu Xiao’an’s heart sank. The man’s blue light completely nullified his flames, preventing them from even touching his skin.
CRACK...
A heaven-shaking bolt of massive Thunder engulfed the middle-aged man. The air filled with the sound of CRACKLING electricity, and the entire villa was bathed in a blinding white light.
But even so, Tu Xiao’an’s expression grew even more grim, because the man’s hand was still on his shoulder, not having budged in the slightest.
"The Thunder Element. No wonder my team leader died at your hands."
The calm voice sounded again. The middle-aged man, who had been submerged in Thunder, was revealed once more before Tu Xiao’an. He was looking at him as if he were some priceless treasure.
