Chapter 7: The Illustrated Guide!
Demon-Slaying Compendium
Compendium Owner: Li Mu
Current Tier: One
Number of Demon Illustrations Collected: One
Collected Demon Illustration: Azure Ox Demon
Azure Ox Demon: Accidentally consumed the mystical herb ‘Demon Spirit Grass’ and became a demon, cultivation of six years.
Special Effects Activated: Strength of the Azure Ox; cultivation speed for ‘Ox Form Technique’ doubled.
Current Number of Demon Illustrations Available for Activation: One
...
A sudden influx of information made Li Mu’s head ache, swelling with confusion. It took some time before he slowly recovered, then his eyes widened in disbelief.
Previously, he only understood the general method of using the Demon-Slaying Compendium—slay demons, collect their illustrations, and acquire a portion of their power. But now, after collecting the Uncle Ox, the information became much more detailed.
Summing it up...
“After collecting a demon, you obtain its illustration. Each illustration can be considered a piece of equipment? Once activated, you gain the corresponding attributes?”
“For now, it seems only one can be activated. But apparently, the Demon-Slaying Compendium... can be upgraded? After upgrading, the number of illustrations you can activate increases?”
Just as he pondered upgrading, another piece of information surfaced.
Current Upgrade Requirement for Demon-Slaying Compendium: One demon heart with ten years of cultivation.
A demon heart with ten years of cultivation?
Seeing this, Li Mu was reminded of the description of Uncle Ox on the compendium—six years of cultivation.
‘Demon Spirit Grass’... So, it was six years ago that Uncle Ox unknowingly ate a Demon Spirit Grass somewhere and thus became a demon? No wonder... he stayed with the original owner’s family all this time...
Li Mu had always been puzzled—Uncle Ox was a demon, so why did he willingly remain with the original owner’s family? Why was he so attentive and caring? He had even imagined a tale of vengeance and affection spanning centuries.
Never expected... the reason was so simple.
He became a demon only six years ago. As soon as he attained intelligence, he lived with the original owner’s family. If he didn’t stay here, where else could he go? This was his home.
At this thought, Li Mu’s tears flowed once again, though he quickly wiped them away, taking a deep breath.
Grief is the most useless emotion. Instead of wallowing in it, he should study further, devise a plan to avenge his mother and Uncle Ox! Only then could he comfort their souls in heaven.
“Cultivation... It seems the depth of cultivation determines a demon’s strength. Uncle Ox fought that tiger demon to a standstill, so the tiger’s cultivation must not be much higher... Otherwise, Uncle Ox would have been killed instantly.”
Thinking of this, Li Mu pursed his lips. This was unlike the legendary demons he’d heard of in his previous life—those were often hundreds or thousands of years old, like the hundred-year fox or thousand-year white serpent.
But here, six years of cultivation sufficed to be called a demon.
Still...
“Perhaps it’s only a minor demon? This world is vast—perhaps there are demons with hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of years of cultivation.”
He mused, examining everything carefully.
For now, that was all.
“Activate the compendium...”
At this, he looked at the Azure Ox illustration, took a deep breath.
“Activate!”
Upon his mental command, a seal-like character appeared at the bottom right of the Azure Ox illustration.
In the next instant...
Li Mu felt his entire body tremble, and then, without warning, a surge of power burst forth from his very bones, flooding through him. The force was terrifying, sweeping through his body in an instant.
Crack, crack, crack, crack!
His bones made audible sounds. The overwhelming strength flushed Li Mu’s face red.
‘Crack!’
The transformation in his body made him grab the edge of the bed unconsciously. In that moment, the solid wooden bed rail crumbled to sawdust under his fingers!
Li Mu stared blankly, then came to his senses, gazing at the wood fragments in his hand, drawing a sharp breath.
This was a solid wood bed rail! He’d crushed it with just a squeeze?!
He sat up instinctively, but as he moved, the bed creaked ominously, as if it might collapse at any moment. Alarmed, he stopped moving, and the bed quieted.
He swallowed, carefully shifted, finally getting off the bed without dismantling it entirely.
Standing on the floor, he stared at his hands in disbelief. Gritting his teeth, he took a deep breath and flexed his arms.
Crack, crack, crack!
His muscles swelled, terrifying power surged through his arms, growing stronger and stronger.
But before Li Mu could revel in his newfound strength, his expression changed and he quickly relaxed his arms.
Looking down, he saw bruises forming on both forearms, followed by a sharp pain.
Li Mu sucked in a breath, bewildered.
“What’s... happening?”
He felt he hadn’t used the power to its fullest, yet his arms were already at their limit?
Did wielding this strength require special conditions?
Stunned, Li Mu closed his eyes, seeking answers in the Demon-Slaying Compendium.
But, the compendium offered nothing.
Puzzled and full of questions, he pursed his lips, feeling this state too dangerous—not only to his surroundings, but to himself as well.
Faced with this power, he felt as fragile as a stick figure—one wrong move and he could kill himself.
Thinking this, he quickly deactivated the Azure Ox illustration in his mind.
As the activation seal vanished, the power dissipated instantly.
With its disappearance, Li Mu was suddenly overwhelmed by dizziness and a profound weakness from deep within, sweeping over him.
His face turned pale, unable to utter a word, he collapsed onto the bed, passing out...
...
When Li Mu regained consciousness, he didn’t know how much time had passed. As he woke, he heard Uncle Nine’s grave voice.
“Uncle Three, how is he?”
“This child’s vitality is so depleted—he’s nearly emptied his body...”
An elderly, solemn voice replied.
“What happened? Wasn’t he fine yesterday? Why now...”
This was Aunt Nine.
“Heaven help us, let nothing else happen to this child... If something happens again, Brother Three’s line will truly be ended...”
That was Aunt Six.
Listening, Li Mu’s mind cleared completely, and he slowly opened his eyes.
“Ah, he’s awake! Mu’s awake!”
As soon as he opened his eyes, a flurry of anxious voices sounded before quieting.
Li Mu looked around in confusion...
Still in the side room at Uncle Nine’s house, but now there were many people present. Sunlight streamed in through the window, and the day was already bright.