Chapter 1024: Demonic Qi Emanates

Chapter 1024: Chapter 1024: Demonic Qi Emanates

Ye Qingchen was even more cautious because he knew that the palace city might be hiding numerous formidable figures, and any slight misstep could reveal his identity. The two exchanged glances, each harboring their own thoughts, yet neither showed it outwardly.

Chen Rui walked to the palace city gate and took out a shimmering golden Token from his sleeve. The Token was shaped in an ancient, majestic style, with exquisitely carved cloud patterns on the edges. At the center of the Token was the character "Chen," written powerfully and exuding a sense of deep authority and presence.

The material of the Token was extremely rare, with a subtle flow of spiritual light hinting that it was a symbol of identity.

The guards’ expressions changed immediately upon seeing the Token, and their originally stern faces instantly relaxed, with a hint of reverence in their gaze.

In unison, they bowed their heads and knelt on one knee, saluting Chen Rui while loudly proclaiming, "Greetings, Young Master Chen!" Their voices were filled with respect and admiration, as if Chen Rui before them was their supreme commander.

With this greeting, the gates began to slowly open. The heavy bronze doors slid across the ground, emitting a low rumbling sound, as if announcing the regal majesty of Jiang Qi’s palace to the world.

The view behind the gates gradually revealed itself; the grand and magnificent group of palaces appeared even more majestic and spectacular under the sunlight, with each building gleaming brilliantly, seemingly showcasing unparalleled power and glory.

Chen Rui looked at the guards’ respectful postures, his lips slightly curling, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes.

He lifted his head, puffed his chest, and strode forward as if the palace was his own territory, moving with ease and composure as if returning home.

Ye Qingchen followed closely behind, outwardly calm and undisturbed, yet secretly observing everything around him. He noticed Chen Rui’s demeanor lacked the slightest hint of restraint typical of an external visitor, instead carrying the air of a master, making Ye Qingchen even more vigilant.

Chen Rui secretly delighted, as if the splendor and nobility were something he was born to deserve.

He led Ye Qingchen all the way deep into the palace, his steps brisk, gaze proud, with each step conveying an overwhelming presence.

Meanwhile,

Xiao Xiao stood far from the pigsty, feeling quite bored. The surrounding area was desolate, with only a few withered weeds swaying in the breeze.

The sky was overcast, seemingly about to rain, and the air carried a gloomy atmosphere.

Xiao Xiao aimlessly kicked the stones at her feet, her gaze sweeping around, secretly thinking about Ye Qingchen’s progress on his end.

She sighed softly, finding this guard duty monotonous and dull.

Just as she was lost in thought, suddenly, the air around her seemed to change.

Xiao Xiao’s brows furrowed slightly, keenly sensing a strange fluctuation.

Instinctively, she looked toward the pigsty, where a faint black aura was slowly rising, carrying an eerie coldness that chilled to the bone.

Startled, Xiao Xiao immediately focused her gaze on the pigsty.

She saw the Filthy Pigs, which appeared to be drowsy, suddenly open their eyes, each pair glowing with a dark red light that revealed a hint of bloodthirsty ferocity.

The pigs’ bodies began to writhe uneasily, their heavy forms shifting through the filth and muck, dragging up a repugnant stench.

These Filthy Pigs were hideously misshapen, with coarse skin covered in numerous pus-filled blisters. At this moment, wisps of black aura emerged from their bodies, as if some inner power was awakening.

The temperature inside the pigsty seemed to drop abruptly, the cold aura enveloping the area.

Their tusks shimmered coldly in the black aura, each step carrying a heavy sense of oppression.

Xiao Xiao instantly realized that these Filthy Pigs were far from ordinary animals; they harbored a profoundly evil Demonic Qi within.

The Demonic Qi appeared to be gradually awakening, spurring the pigs’ agitation and ferocity.

Her gaze sharpened, swiftly discerning that the Demonic Qi was unusual, likely triggered by some sort of force.

Feeling the Demonic Qi growing stronger in the pigs, Xiao Xiao’s heart tensed, recognizing the situation had become dangerous.

She quickly scanned the surroundings, contemplating her next move.

The awakened Filthy Pigs had clearly transformed beyond ordinary pigs; their internal Demonic Qi unsettled Xiao Xiao, and some among the herd even began growling lowly toward her direction.

The pigs’ actions turned peculiar; contrary to Xiao Xiao’s expectations, they did not attack Da Hei and Old Liu within the pigsty but slowly advanced toward her.

Their eyes, glowing with dark red light, were fixed on Xiao Xiao as if she were their sole target.

Each Filthy Pig appeared exceedingly heavy, their massive bodies dragging the muck within the sty, producing deep "rumble rumble" noises.

As their hooves landed in the dirty mud, they stirred up the filth and sewage, the pervasive stench nauseating.

With the Filthy Pigs gradually drawing nearer, the air became increasingly suffused with Demonic Qi, as though the entire space was enveloped by this sinister aura.

Xiao Xiao furrowed her brows tightly, her heart full of surprise and puzzlement. She couldn’t understand why these Filthy Pigs ignored Da Hei and Old Liu, instead fastening their gaze on herself.

Their low growls made Xiao Xiao’s eardrums vibrate, and the magic-filled gazes unsettled her. It baffled her why the Filthy Pigs acted so strangely—could they perceive some form of a power within her?

Or perhaps there was a secret hidden within the pigsty that she hadn’t detected?

As Xiao Xiao pondered, the Filthy Pigs had already drawn closer to the sty’s fence. The leading Filthy Pig suddenly roared, charging head-first into the defensive barrier.

"Boom!" A loud crash ensued, causing the entire fence to shudder violently, emitting an ear-piercing "creak creak" noise.

The wooden fence seemed unable to withstand such impact, and it cracked almost instantly, as if it might be completely demolished at any moment.

The other Filthy Pigs appeared irate, and they collectively started ramming the barrier, their massive bodies and sharp tusks repeatedly smashing against the wood.

The fence trembled frantically, accompanied by the sound of wood splitting, its defenses on the verge of collapse.

The Filthy Pigs’ bearing grew increasingly intimidating, as though their very presence oppressed the entire space, creating an extreme sense of suffocation.

Xiao Xiao noticed this, her heart immediately filled with shock.

She understood that if the Filthy Pigs breached the barrier, she’d face inconceivable danger. She quickly took a few steps back, her mind rapidly calculating a strategy.