Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies

```

The verdant mountains stretched endlessly, shrouded in mist and clouds.

Demon Jiu Li stood atop the winding ridge, her sheer veil billowing in the wind. She slowly swept her gaze across the scene before her.

"It seems those old foxes are absent from this gathering of Spirit Essence today."

A sly smile played at the corners of Jiu Li's lips, her voice tinged with a barely perceivable sense of relief, "That means the competition for this rare Spirit Essence is left to this little fellow here. I must say, our luck is extraordinarily good."

Great Demon Chang Junzi's black robe fluttered in the wind. Standing beside Jiu Li, his deep eyes flickered with a complicated light as he looked at her with a cryptic smile, "Since the situation is set, what are you hesitating for? Join me and make the move."

Upon hearing this, Jiu Li took a light step forward but immediately, as if realizing something, she retracted.

She turned, a brilliant smile blossoming at her lips, and said, "Oh? I'm curious, were you really just plotting to seize the Spirit Essence earlier, or... do you have other intentions, like towards me?"

Her words seemed to freeze the air for a moment.

Chang Junzi's expression shifted slightly but soon returned to normal. He laughed softly, his voice deep and magnetic, "Your imagination is truly vivid. I merely wish to conclude this matter swiftly to avoid any unforeseen complications. As for anything else, you might be overthinking it."

"Really? I don't believe it," Jiu Li's tone carried a hint of playfulness and provocation.

Before her voice had faded, she had silently braced herself, Spiritual Power surging around her like a flood about to burst forth, ready for anything. Discover stories at empire

Chang Junzi feigned nonchalance, "Stop talking, those two have already noticed us. They've taken quite a bit of Spirit Essence, gotta leave their flesh and blood, otherwise, it'd be a real waste."

Seeing Jiu Li's defensive posture, Chang Junzi ceased any further thoughts.

His expression turned solemn, and he bolted forward like a blade of icy wind, charging directly towards Shen Qing's location with such speed that not even a shadow was left.

Nearby, Jiu Li's sharp intuition sensed the change in his intent. With a slight smile, she followed closely, seeming to put aside the earlier discord.

In the world of demons, strength reigned supreme, a realm without etiquette or shame, where everything spoke through might.

While Chang Junzi harbored intentions toward her, she too wished to strike him down to monopolize this patch of Spirit Essence.

But with the Human Clan present, now was not the time.

Jiu Li looked ahead at Shen Qing, who stood ready and waiting. For some reason, his gaze unsettled her, as if something ominous was brewing.

"I must be overthinking it. A nameless figure from Yongzhou City wouldn't cause much of a stir."

She was well-versed in the elders of Yongzhou City, but the man and woman before her did not match anyone noteworthy from memory.

Judging by their attire and age, they seemed to be younger members from a government office.

Such people were as insignificant as ants to them, easily crushed without a second thought.

"That said, we demons have always been keenly aware of danger. Nothing is absolute. I should be cautious, let that foolish snake scout ahead, and if things go wrong, I'll retreat. As for the Spirit Mechanism... it's not more important than my life."

Understanding the critical nature of every step taken in the outside world, especially in matters of opportunity where any oversight could result in total loss, she considered carefully.

With this in mind, Jiu Li's figure flickered like a swift swallow skimming the water, slowing her pace slightly to create a strategic distance from Chang Junzi, allowing her a position from which to either advance or retreat.

From this vantage point, she could both react promptly to any threat and seize the advantage.

As the two great demons, Jiu Li and Chang Junzi, advanced like a dark cloud hanging overhead, a formidable pressure enveloped the area.

The fierce wind whipped past, rendering the very air heavy and viscous.

Faced with an almost engulfing terror, Huang Fu Rou's breath quickened.

"Crack!"

A faint yet distinct sound resonated through the air as the mountain began to fracture under the weight of the terrifying power exuded by the two great demons.

Huang Fu Rou clenched her fists tightly, her face whitening with fear evident in her eyes, though it vanished swiftly as her expression hardened.

Internally, her Spiritual Power boiled, resonating with the roars of dragons and tigers, readying herself for a desperate fight.

Yet such actions appeared laughable in Chang Junzi's eyes, akin to an ant trying to stop a chariot.

"Hmph, mere ants. Do you really think this can stop me? Truly pathetic!"

Chang Junzi's voice was icy as if laced with chilling ice, his eyes glowed with a demonic red light.

Behind him, Jiu Li remained silent, merely raising her hands slowly. Her fingertips danced lightly, gathering countless strands of pink demonic power.

Shen Qing drew a deep breath, feeling the surging power within him, stepped forward to stand beside Huang Fu Rou.

"Leave it to me!"

"Let me see what these so-called demons are capable of, and test the worth of my Innate status. True gold needs to be forged in fire!"

As his Spiritual Power surged, brilliant streams of light erupted around Shen Qing, propelling him straight towards Jiu Li and Chang Junzi.

He unsheathed his dagger, slashing forward.

"Kill!"

Where the knife light passed, it left a clearly visible crack.

Jiu Li and Chang Junzi's faces changed slightly in shock at the sight.

"This power... it's an Innate!!!"

Before they could think further, the light of the blade was upon them.

Seasoned in countless battles, Chang Junzi quickly adjusted his status.

He swung his arm, transforming into a sweeping black tail that collided with Shen Qing's blade light.

"Boom!"

The forces clashed fiercely in mid-air, erupting in deafening roars.

Shen Qing's blade light was swept aside by Chang Junzi's black tail, falling into the mountains, slicing half of a mountain top away in an instant.

Boulders exploded, and the entire mountain seemed engulfed in chaos and destruction, with stones tumbling down continuously.

Chang Junzi retracted his arm and looked down only to see a bloodied wound, flesh split open, and blood flowing freely.

The intense pain sparked fury within him, making him erupt in rage.

"How dare you, mere foodstuff!"

Without any hesitation, Great Demon Chang Junzi's body twisted, revealing its gruesome true form.

His thick body like a massive vat pressed down on Shen Qing, boundless demon energy enveloping the heavens and earth.

The Big Snake Demon lunged viciously at Shen Qing, "Die for me!"

With a solemn expression, Shen Qing clasped his hands together, channeling all his Spiritual Power at this moment. Gathering it before him, it coalesced into a golden Sky Flipping Seal.

In an instant, a dazzling brilliance erupted from his palms, as the Sky Flipping Seal descended like a hanging galaxy, akin to the first light of creation, pressing down on the Snake Demon.

Its potent force seemed capable of moving mountains and seas, annihilating everything.

Even with the strong physical body of Chang Junzi, he felt the terror of the Fan Seal beneath his scales as it peeled away his forceful aura piece by piece.

"Ah!"

Chang Junzi let out a wretched scream.

The Sky Flipping Seal exploded, its radiance engulfing everything like the sun.

The Big Snake Demon's cries abruptly ceased.

As the light faded, only a black Demon Core floated in the air, radiating with a dark brilliance.

Once towering above other Innate beings, the Snake Demon was slain by Shen Qing in a single move, leaving it utterly powerless to resist.

Seeing this, Jiu Li's eyes narrowed to pinpoints, rendered speechless.

Shen Qing stepped forward, seizing the Snake Demon's Demon Core. He looked calmly at Jiu Li and smiled, "Alright, you're next!"

```