Volume One, Chapter 11: A Demon Beast Appears

In a splendid display case, a pure white ring intricately carved with a lifelike white snake rested inside.

Below it was a brief description:

【Venom Fang: Crafted from the venomous tooth of a second-tier demon beast, the Beauty Snake, this E-grade accessory grants the wearer a certain paralysis effect. Priced at 28,000.】

“This thing seems pretty suitable for me,” he thought.

In Sanctuary City, Spirit Masters were strictly forbidden from fighting each other, but the city patrol’s capacity was limited; they couldn’t monitor every street.

Therefore, brawls frequently broke out in many places.

However, as long as there were no fatalities, the patrol usually turned a blind eye.

After purchasing this ring, Jiang Huan could either attach its power to his spirit weapon to boost combat strength or embed it into his fists to avoid accidental casualties when striking.

At this moment, Jiang Huan eagerly anticipated encountering some classmates looking for trouble.

With a physique of 395 and a ring that induced paralysis, he was confident he could knock those ill-intentioned fellows down punch after punch until they were utterly humiliated!

He decisively bought the ring.

As he toyed with the ring while leaving the shop, a sudden news broadcast interrupted.

“Attention citizens: Unidentified personnel have appeared near the Third Steel Factory in the western suburb of the city. The possibility that they are humanoid demon beasts cannot be ruled out. Citizens are advised to minimize travel and report any suspicious individuals to the City Patrol immediately.”

Jiang Huan furrowed his brows slightly. “No way... such bad luck…”

Though his home wasn’t near the Third Steel Factory, it was less than two kilometers away in a straight line.

If a high-tier demon beast had infiltrated nearby, his home could easily be in danger.

With this thought, Jiang Huan decided to hurry home.

He quickened his pace, passing shops that had already lowered steel defenses.

The closer he got to the west side, the fewer pedestrians he met.

Occasionally, members of the City Patrol rushed past him, hurrying toward the Third Steel Factory area.

“Tsk tsk, looks like if they don’t catch this suspicious person, the patrol is going to get scolded by the city lord,” he muttered.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, Jiang Huan chose a seldom-used alley.

But barely a short distance in, he heard a familiar voice.

“Hey, Jiang Huan, you’re something else! If we hadn’t been watching you all along, we’d still be waiting for you tonight.”

Ahead, five boys blocked his path—all his classmates. Leading them was Wang Teng.

“Move aside, don’t block the way. I’m in a hurry to get home,” Jiang Huan said.

The five burst into laughter as if hearing a joke. Wang Teng turned to a slightly chubby, squinty-eyed boy beside him.

“Fatty Sun, keep an eye on the intersection. If the patrol’s coming this way, let us know immediately.”

Sun Fatty nodded and ran toward the intersection behind them.

Before leaving, he gave Jiang Huan a meaningful smile.

It was as if he already envisioned Jiang Huan getting beaten so badly he wouldn’t be able to walk.

Wang Teng strode toward Jiang Huan, shaking his head and muttering, “Jiang Huan, you know what I hate most?”

Jiang Huan ignored him, but Wang Teng went on.

“I hate those useless guys who always love to show off.”

He slapped Jiang Huan’s shoulder, grinning with his head tilted.

“How did you, a useless F-grade spirit weapon, manage to place second in the Puppet Trial?”

“Why don’t you just behave in class instead of being the last to arrive, making Old Zhang suffer with us?”

“And why, a poor boy living in a city slum, are you so close to Liu Zhiyue?”

As he spoke, he suddenly pressed down hard on Jiang Huan’s shoulder.

His spirit weapon was a B-grade meteor hammer warrior, known for immense strength.

Though only a first-tier, three-star spirit master, he had a physique of 140.

With spiritual power added, even most first-tier, five-star Spirit Masters wouldn’t stand a chance.

He didn’t believe a useless guy like Jiang Huan could withstand his slap.

Yet, his smile froze halfway.

“Hey, done slapping? If so, it’s my turn.”

He first saw Jiang Huan’s eyes, black as onyx, then a white-ringed fist slammed into his cheek.

Boom!

The tremendous force sent Wang Teng spinning 720 degrees in the air.

Dizzy and disoriented, he struggled to get up but couldn’t find his bearings.

Three of Wang Teng’s cronies rushed forward.

“Teng, you okay?”

Wang Teng’s mouth twitched.

“Damn! What the hell did you just do to me…”

His left cheek was numb, making it hard to speak properly.

He slapped his own mouth twice to clarify his words before angrily shouting at Jiang Huan.

“You bastard! How dare you hit me! My dad said I’m destined to be a ninth-tier Spirit Master! How dare you hit me!”

“Brothers! Get him! Finish him off!”

Four of them summoned their spirit weapons: meteor hammers, large swords, long staves, and a guy wielding a shovel.

Their attacks were chaotic and uncoordinated, as if their school training had nothing to do with real combat.

Jiang Huan scorned their moves.

He didn’t even manifest his spirit weapon, relying solely on the agile footsteps granted by his [Concealment] skill to evade and counterpunch.

The narrow alley negated their numerical advantage.

They were like moving punching bags, passively taking Jiang Huan’s blows.

【Host’s one-against-many battle has triggered Spirit Weapon No. 9’s memories; it grows increasingly interested in you.】

【Spirit Weapons No. 13 and No. 5 agree with this suggestion and cast disdainful looks at the host.】

Jiang Huan was utterly speechless.

Putting aside whether they had hurt him or not…

If he truly wanted to take someone out, he wouldn’t be stuck in Caiyun City—he’d have fled overnight with his mother!

The spirit weapons’ sarcasm annoyed Jiang Huan.

His irritation soon poured into his fists, striking the four relentlessly.

The paralysis effect caused some to clutch their arms, others to collapse on the ground, gnashing their teeth.

Wang Teng, the main target of Jiang Huan’s attention, now had a swollen face resembling a pig’s head, drooling uncontrollably.

After a while, only the heavy breaths of Wang Teng and his men remained in the alley.

Jiang Huan approached Wang Teng slowly.

Terrified, Wang Teng backed away and accidentally fell.

“Don’t come near me!”

Jiang Huan chuckled softly.

“You’re right—those useless guys who like to show off really are annoying.”

Moans continued from the alley.

Outside, Sun Fatty smoked leisurely, a smirk spreading across his face as he listened.

“Damn it, Jiang Huan! You wanted to show off? Serves you right!”

“Too bad I couldn’t step in—otherwise, I’d show Jiang Huan what it means to be crushed like Mount Tai!”

“Hope Wang Teng and the others remembered to record a video!”

Sun Fatty wanted to intervene but was only an E-grade talent, usually just a lackey for Wang Teng’s gang.

The screams continued in the alley.

He imagined Jiang Huan pinned down, begging for mercy.

“Serves you right! Low-grade spirit weapons should be as low-key as me! Stop pretending to be something you’re not!”

Leaning against the corner, he once again felt satisfied with his usual strategy of clinging to powerful allies.

Suddenly!

He sensed a vaguely human but unnatural figure rapidly approaching.

In the dark night, the figure moved with alarming speed.

Its blood-red eyes stood out vividly against the night.

Sun Fatty’s eyes widened, fear flooding his legs.

He turned and fled into the alley.

“Run! There’s a demon beast!”