Chapter 137: Creatures of the Demon Realm

Two eyes, like dark red stars, flickered faintly among the treetops, silently trailing behind Yu Youwei as she swept across the river, heading deeper into the valley.

The sunlight filtering into the valley settled steadily about ten meters ahead, and Yu Youwei sensed nothing unusual. Her right hand remained raised in a loose grip, her body floating gracefully.

“This doesn’t feel like an epiphany,” muttered the little white bear, its intuition sensing no danger and thus giving no warning to Yu Youwei. A feeling of being watched crept over it, prompting a glance backward, but it found no trace of those crimson eyes above the treetops.

Yu Youwei weaved through the trees lining the riverbank, following the valley’s path toward where the earth met the sky. Sunlight streamed through breaks in the clouds, but branches filtered it into a dappled pattern that trailed behind her.

A pig-faced bat startled from its hollow as she passed, darting through the mottled shadows.

A black bird perched in a cluster of myrtle bushes, tens of meters ahead, flapped its short, stubby wings anxiously before shooting upward like an arrow, its piercing cries echoing through the forest.

The little white bear scanned nervously in all directions but still found no sign of those dark red, star-like eyes. “Something’s off!” it muttered, debating whether to rouse Yu Youwei. After a moment’s hesitation, it reassured itself: “She’s always been lucky. Maybe she’ll stumble upon some treasure again. Besides, with Master Bear and the dual Red and Azure Swords guarding her, few in this realm can truly harm her.”

The crimson eyes atop the treetops shimmered with an unusual gleam—mocking, yet laced with suspicion. Unfortunately, the little white bear remained oblivious, waddling along with its round rear, leisurely following Yu Youwei onward.

Rain had fallen during the night, washing mud and debris from the slopes into the valley. At the narrowest points, the river swelled onto the banks, turning the surrounding forest into a swamp. Only the hill-like tops of the tree canopies were visible in these low, soggy places. The little white bear’s plump body bounced like a white ball across the treetops. Unintentionally glancing back after a shaft of sunlight pierced the clouds, it caught sight of those large, dark red eyes and cried out in alarm, “What is that!”

Inside Yu Youwei’s mind-sea, a thunderclap exploded, rousing her fully awake. She spun around abruptly and met those dark red, starry eyes head-on, a chill surging through her heart. Humans always harbor a primal fear of the unknown. She blurted out, “Is that a ghost?”

“That thing’s sinister!” The little white bear leapt onto her shoulder, voice edged with suspicion. “Looks a bit like a demon from the demon realm.”

“What’s a demon from the demon realm?” Curiosity triumphed over fear. Moreover, those crimson eyes hovered unmoving, and Yu Youwei made no rush to flee. Instead, she studied those blood-red eyes carefully.

The wind howled across the horizon, unable to disperse the heavy clouds that hung low, dark and oppressive like a massive iron griddle. Below, the river’s flow was obstructed by hidden reefs, water rising and falling with a heavy, swirling current in the river bend, cloaked in shadow.

Amidst the rush of water, the little white bear spoke in a rare, solemn tone: “The universe divides into three realms: humans, demons, and monsters, each separated by spatial barriers. The monster realm is the weakest but most populous. The lower realm is a mix of humans and monsters; mountain spirits, tree demons, and beast spirits who have successfully passed tribulations enter the monster realm. Humans who achieve enlightenment ascend to the higher realm, also called the celestial realm, which is the most powerful overall. Demons exist only in the demon realm, few in number but formidable individually.”

Yu Youwei had never heard the little white bear speak so seriously. Though frightened and filled with questions, she dared not interrupt.

“Millions of years ago, the spatial barrier between the demon and human realms was shattered, unleashing a massive demon invasion. The monster realm exploited the chaos, and the human realm suffered grievous losses. Even the celestial realm was affected. Master Bear was struck down, barely escaping as a lingering soul to the lower realm.”

The young bear’s voice carried an unspoken weariness and sorrow, fading with the sound of rushing water.

After a pause with no further words, Yu Youwei tentatively called, “Little white bear?”

“Hm?” The bear turned its round head, cracked a wry smile. “Thinking Master Bear’s bluffing, huh?”

Trusting the bear’s words despite their incredulity, Yu Youwei felt a newfound respect for it. Shaking her head, she asked with curiosity, “You said the universe divides into humans, monsters, and demons, so where does the celestial realm fit in?”

In a sour mood, the little white bear cursed, “Foolish!” before explaining, “The gods have transcended the universe and no longer abide by its laws.”

Annoyed by the scolding, Yu Youwei snapped back, “You liar! If the gods have transcended the universe, why was the celestial realm affected, and why were you struck down to a mere wisp of a soul?”

The bear remained unruffled. “The supreme beings of humans, monsters, and demons coexist in the celestial realm. Should they ever go to war, it would destroy heaven and earth, so no battles occur there. Master Bear was young and curious, sneaking down from the celestial realm, which made him the most unfortunate divine beast in history—the white bear!”

“Your home is in the celestial realm?” Yu Youwei’s curiosity surged, pressing the little white bear for celestial myths.

After enduring several questions the bear deemed incredibly naive, it grew impatient and pointed toward the crimson eyes. “Better deal with that demon first, then investigate where it came from! If the lower realm’s barrier is broken again, tiny insects like you humans are doomed.”

“Couldn’t it be native here?” Yu Youwei asked.

“Demon creatures require demon energy to reproduce. If you want the spatial barrier broken so demon energy seeps into the human realm, then maybe that demon could be native.”

The little white bear’s sarcastic tone grated on her nerves, sparking an urge to tear its fur off in frustration. Yu Youwei lifted her alabaster wrist, and the Red Flame Sword blazed forth, streaking through the air.

The large, dark red star-like eyes narrowed sharply, emitting beams of crimson light that met the sword midair. Silently, crimson ripples spread outward.

A muffled grunt escaped Yu Youwei’s lips as she focused her mind, spinning the Red Flame Sword in a spiral to pierce through the crimson glow. With a light “puff,” the sword struck the demon’s left red eye.

A cloud of bloody mist exploded, swallowing the sword. Guided by her mental bond, Yu Youwei felt the sword wrestle against its control, dragged swiftly toward the valley’s end.

“Little white bear, chase it!” she shouted, springing into pursuit, but the demon quickly pulled ahead. She relied on the sword’s connection to keep relentless pursuit.

At the valley’s end lay a land loathed by gods and despised by ghosts, radiating an oppressive unease that made Yu Youwei deeply uncomfortable.

Rainwater had carved fresh gullies through the barren red soil. The ground was uneven, covered with low thorns and scrubby trees. Towering trees typical of downstream riverbanks were nowhere to be seen; occasional stumps the size of dining tables testified to once-mighty forests.

Landing on a stump that size, Yu Youwei fixed her gaze on the thicket ahead. A strong presence lurked within. She sensed the Red Flame Sword had been drawn into this tangled forest, coming to a halt somewhere inside.