The Relic of the Three Realms Ruler

Chapter 9

Now that he had strengthened his defensive skills, Lin Jiang decided it was time to leave the cave where he had fallen from the Middle Realm.

"Now that I can wield the Demon Staff, I should be much safer out here," he said as he ventured deeper into the forest.

Lin Jiang knew this was no ordinary forest.

It was inhabited not only by ferocious beasts but also by demons. From the moment he entered, he had already sensed countless sinister demonic auras surrounding the area.

His vigilance reached its peak.

Even from the very first step into the unfamiliar forest, he felt as though unseen eyes were watching his every move.

"Am I really in the Spirit Realm?" Lin Jiang murmured.

The eleven-year-old boy found it difficult to believe.

Everything he had ever learned told him that the Spirit Realm was the final destination of human souls—not a place where one could continue cultivating and adventuring.

Rustle...

Lin Jiang's sharp hearing caught the sound of movement from the bushes on his left.

Immediately, he tightened his grip on the Demon Staff.

He was certain it wasn't an ordinary sound.

"Who's there?" he shouted, pointing the tip of the Demon Staff toward the source of the noise.

Silence.

No one answered.

Instead, the quiet only made the atmosphere even more tense.

Squeak!

A tiny mouse suddenly darted out from the bushes.

Lin Jiang let out a sigh of relief.

"So it was only a mouse... damn it."

His eyes followed the little creature as it ran away.

Screeeech!!

Without warning, the mouse released an ear-piercing shriek.

The sound was so sharp that Lin Jiang felt as though his ears were about to burst.

Boom!!

He slammed the Demon Staff into the ground, creating a powerful shockwave that shook the surrounding earth.

Screeeech!!

The mouse screeched once again, its voice clashing directly against the vibration released by Lin Jiang.

"A Demon Rat..."

Lin Jiang stared at it in disbelief.

The insignificant creature he had ignored moments ago was actually a ferocious demon that intended to devour him.

Before his eyes, the mouse revealed its true form.

Its tiny body rapidly expanded into a gigantic beast, while its crimson eyes locked onto Lin Jiang with murderous intent.

"I am the Soul-Devouring Rat, and you shall become my next meal!" the demon rat roared.

"Are you sure about that?" Lin Jiang replied calmly.

Whoosh!!

The Soul-Devouring Rat lunged toward him with its enormous jaws opened wide.

At the same moment—

Whoosh!!

Lin Jiang thrust the Demon Staff straight into the beast's gaping mouth.

Clang!!

The demon rat clamped its razor-sharp teeth onto the staff, preventing it from advancing any farther.

Lin Jiang had to struggle with all his strength just to keep the weapon from being torn away.

"You think you can devour me, you fool?"

"Haaaah!!"

He roared as his inner energy surged through the Demon Staff.

"Hah!!"

With a powerful stomp, Lin Jiang launched himself forward.

Crash!!

The Soul-Devouring Rat was forced backward until its massive body slammed against a huge tree.

"Die!"

Slash!!

The Demon Staff pierced through the monster's mouth, driving straight through its skull before emerging from the back of its head.

The Soul-Devouring Rat died instantly.

Even in death, it could hardly believe that the young boy it had intended to hunt had become its executioner.

"You should've chosen another target."

Lin Jiang pulled the Demon Staff free from the demon's corpse.

Just as he relaxed, something unexpected happened.

A crimson light emerged from the dead rat's body.

It was pure spiritual energy.

The red light floated toward Lin Jiang and circled above his head several times.

"What is this?"

Whoosh!!

The crimson energy suddenly descended through the crown of his head and merged into his body.

Instantly, Lin Jiang felt his inner energy increase.

"Is this... real?"

The phenomenon was completely beyond his expectations.

A smile slowly spread across his face.

"Does this mean... every demon I kill will leave its power to me?"

The more he thought about it, the more excited he became.

If his assumption was correct, then the fastest way to increase his cultivation was to hunt demons and absorb the spiritual energy they left behind.

"I'll find out for myself."

With renewed determination, Lin Jiang ventured deeper into the forest.

He was convinced that stronger demons lurked farther inside.

At the moment, this seemed to be the only path available to increase both his cultivation and his combat strength.

Just as he had expected, the deeper he went, the stronger the demonic aura became.

"I can't fight them all at once. I'll have to lure them out one by one."

Judging by the overwhelming concentration of demonic energy, Lin Jiang was certain there was a settlement of demons somewhere deep within the forest.

If he charged in recklessly, he would become nothing more than prey.

"Don't go any farther if you still value your life, boy."

A voice suddenly came from behind him.

Startled, Lin Jiang immediately leaped away and turned around.

Standing there was a dark figure radiating an extremely powerful demonic aura.

"Who are you?" Lin Jiang asked.

"I am a Monkey Demon. Come with me."

"Where?"

"Stop asking questions and just follow."

With little choice, Lin Jiang followed the self-proclaimed Monkey Demon.

The two eventually arrived at a deep and narrow valley hidden within the forest.

"Why did you bring me here?" Lin Jiang asked.

"Why?" the Monkey Demon laughed mockingly.

"Are you really that stupid?"

"What do you mean?"

Lin Jiang tightened his grip on the Demon Staff.

"Hand over your inner energy, human," the Monkey Demon demanded greedily.

"Hand it over?" Lin Jiang burst into laughter.

"Take it... if you're capable."

"I like your spirit."

The Monkey Demon grinned as an overwhelming surge of inner energy erupted from its body.

"Damn... it's already reached the Sky Realm."

Lin Jiang muttered under his breath as he instinctively took several cautious steps backward.