.....

Especially that youth seething with demonic energy.

His hatred for Lu Ding was particularly bone-deep.

Although he was bewitched by Luan Ji and used by her.

To put it bluntly, it was simply a case of one being willing to beat, and the other being willing to take the beating!

He even still somewhat savored the feeling of being like a dog.

Although Luan Ji wouldn't give it to him, this feeling of being one step away from bliss was worth savoring, yet also maddeningly frustrating.

Now that Lu Ding had killed Luan Ji.

The demonic youth would never have another chance to obtain it.

The joy of freedom, the regret of a severed fantasy, a power comparable to Spirit Refinement, yet even more difficult to deal with than Spirit Refinement.

All these factors forged the demonic creature's current, resolute decision to kill Lu Ding!!!

His form transformed, thousands of skulls swirled and flew, demonic nature thickly concentrated, converging into a massive black face.

It even surpassed the height of the Yama's Gate that Yan Yage had opened wide.

Logically speaking, encountering this situation, as a 749 Bureau investigator, she should set aside personal grudges and join forces with Lu Ding to deal with the demonic creature.

After all, this triggered the 749 Bureau's emergency containment regulations.

Unless she had the ability to handle the demonic creature alone.

But clearly, not only was this thing something she couldn't handle alone.

She didn't even spare a glance at the demonic creature.

The wide-open Yama's Gate blew out gusts of Yin wind and ghostly energy.

"Lu Ding, go die!!!!"

The Yama's Gate stood wide open.

Pages flew out, a massive, deathly pale ghostly hand clenched a Judge's Pen, writing characters, with strokes like iron and silver hooks, inscribing the characters 'Lu Ding' upon them as they settled.

Countless chains flew out from within the Yama's Gate.

This was Yan Yage's killing move.

Once an enemy's name was settled in the past, these chains would drag them into the Yama's Gate.

But today.

The chains flew out, yet could not select a target. Chains emerging from the Yama's Gate flailed wildly in the air like headless flies.

Lu Ding swept a glance over them and couldn't help but sneer.

Trying to capture him with this method?

Don't even think about it with just one God Ascension cultivator; even if a Spirit Refinement cultivator came, it wouldn't work!!!

The non-stick characteristic of [White Snake Shakes Scales] is one of the peak-tier mechanics!

"Hahahaha, so your name is Lu Ding, good, good, Lu Ding, you go die!!!"

The demonic youth also picked up this crucial information.

Amidst his maniacal roar, he raised his hand.

Little did he know, he was Lu Ding's primary target.

The Twelve Zodiac Dog Method's [Tian Gou Eats the Moon] pressed down, enveloping everything. All things fell silent, a great dark black heaven descended.

Color, sound, all were simultaneously devoured into the dark world.

At the center of this world, where Lu Ding stood, the darkness was most profound.

The shadow spreading from the [Fear-Killing Asura] behind him, accompanied by the darkness of [Tian Gou Eats the Moon], seemed to dictate that however vast the darkness was,

the manifestation of the [Fear-Killing Asura] would be equally vast.

Viscous darkness, like a swamp, enveloped, pulled, and sought to devour the demonic youth.

Its face contorted, twisted, it roared furiously, yet not a single shred of sound reached Lu Ding's ears.

Instead, it was Lu Ding's voice that rang out throughout the entire expanse of darkness.

"Demon?"

The first word was spoken in a normal tone.

But then, a sharp, twisted, excited, ferocious, reverberating voice followed.

"Putting on a demonic act in front of me? Cut the crap!!!"

The heaven-and-earth-devouring darkness exploded, revealing that one-horned great demon with a blue face, crimson hair, no eyes, no nose, and a bloody maw centered in its face!!!

With one bite, it swallowed into its mouth both the demonic youth and the 749 Bureau building behind him.

The ground instantly emptied, leaving a crater large enough to form a lake.

Crunching, chewing sounds echoed.

Sharp fangs pierced the demonic youth's body, while molars like millstones wantonly crushed and ground its form.

Lu Ding walked within the darkness.

On his back was that one-horned demon king capable of devouring heaven and earth.

He strode forward slowly.

Walking amidst chains that danced like ten thousand snakes, yet dared not cling to him.

His mouth moved slightly.

With each chew Lu Ding made, the 'Asura' phantom mimicked the action.

The *crunch-crunch* sounds were horrifying to hear.

The rising and falling cheek of the demon king's massive face showed the struggle contained within, yet Yan Yage did not hear the slightest scream.

This was skill synergy.

It was like one skill called [One-Hit Kill with 100% Natural Enemy Supremacy Against Someone Named Zhang Wei]

And another skill called [Can Randomly Change People's Names]

Individually, they seemed useless, but once combined, they became invincible!

[Fear-Killing Asura] created slaughter, resided within shadows. [Tian Gou Eats the Moon] created darkness.

Under their combined synergy.

Lu Ding didn't understand why this guy was putting on a ferocious act in front of him.

He walked up to Yan Yage, who was currently straining with all her might, vainly trying to control the Yama's Gate to attack, only to find the Yama's Gate simply wouldn't obey her commands.

Lu Ding raised his hand.

And swung a slap.

*SMACK!!!!*

Just one hit tore the skin and flesh open on Yan Yage's face, blood dripping down.

"Trash, even when given the chance, you're useless. From start to finish, I've been giving you chances, letting you cast your spells, letting you unleash your moves, and this is the result?"

This slap, along with Lu Ding's words, brought a degree of clarity back to Yan Yage.

She knew she couldn't control the Yama's Gate. This spell was profound and mysterious, of extraordinary origin, and possessed immense power. With her ability, she could at most serve as a guide.

But even so.

Yan Yage, possessing the Yama's Gate, had forged a not-insignificant fearsome reputation.

Even Spirit Refinement cultivators wouldn't dare claim they would stand within her attack range when she fully opened the Yama's Gate.

Once dragged into the Yama's Gate, it was a guaranteed death sentence.

But today...

The Yama's Gate had actually failed, as if it couldn't see Lu Ding.

This was simply unbelievable.

After regaining clarity from the slap to her face, Yan Yage, fueled by the burning sting on her cheek, flew into a humiliated rage!!!

She swung her hand back.

Did she actually want to slap him back?

Lu Ding laughed.

You might not be able to react in time, but could I?

He blocked the attacking arm with one hand, grabbed it, and twisted.

*Crack......*

"Hmph......."

Yan Yage grunted in pain.

Lu Ding glanced at her.

With a pull of his hand!!

*RIIIP!!!!*

The entire arm, along with the sleeve, was instantly torn off by his tremendous strength.

The pained grunt turned into a scream.

"Ah!!!!"

"If you have the guts, kill me!!!!"

The pain caused Yan Yage to lose control of her expression. With her remaining hand, she reached out and summoned the greatsword she had been forced to abandon earlier.

The greatsword, left behind in the ruins, sensing its master's call, immediately shot out from the debris and flew over.

Little did she expect, Lu Ding intercepted it mid-air, grabbing it in one hand!!

Seeing the greatsword tremble, trying to struggle and escape.

Lu Ding held the sword with one hand, raised his other fist high like a hammer, and smashed it down.

*CLANG!!!!!!*

Just one hit. The greatsword suffered a heavy blow, instantly bending.

"Move one more time, and I'll snap you in half."

The greatsword trembled slightly, emitting a sword hum, like a scream, or a plea for help, or perhaps like being forced to submit to Lu Ding, this powerful enemy, right in front of its owner, Yan Yage.