Luli was elated at this moment, appreciating the value invested in the ferocity points. Without it, how could a mere white deer, with at least Transcendent Realm cultivation, fear him?
Amidst his joy, Luli had no intention of ending the life of the white deer with a single stroke. "What is your cultivation level?" he inquired.
"Reporting to the celestial being, this young deer has just reached the Seventh Realm beyond the Mundane!"
Celestial being? Luli was bewildered. This deer could indeed speak. Legends of immortals had persisted in the Snow Moon Continent, though they were mere myths. In these tales, immortals represented the pinnacle of martial cultivation. Yet, the warriors in the Snow Moon Continent had never encountered true divine beings.
As the white deer spoke, it referred to him as a celestial being, genuinely terrified. It was only to appease Luli that it displayed such servility.
"Seventh Realm beyond the Mundane; not bad," Luli remarked, concealing his disbelief. If anyone knew that a Seventh Meridian martial artist like Luli regarded the cultivation level of a white deer as 'not bad,' they would be perplexed.
"The little deer's cultivation is humble, only seeking mercy from the celestial being!"
The white deer, still trembling, pled for mercy. Observing this, Luli had other considerations.
Having been abducted by the fox demon into the depths of Tianmang Mountain, he was unfamiliar with this place—more precisely, unfamiliar with this demon's territory.
If he could control this articulate white deer, he could gain insights into the situation within Tianmang Mountain, at least concerning the native inhabitants. To successfully navigate and leave this mountain, understanding the surroundings was crucial.
Know thyself, know thy enemy; that was the strategy.
"I may spare your life, but it depends on your cooperation."
Upon hearing these words, the quivering white deer calmed slightly. Its deer eyes, previously filled with fear, now exhibited a glimmer.
"Should the celestial being have any command, the little deer is willing to devote heart and soul to fulfill it!"
The white deer hastily expressed loyalty, fearing that any delay might cost its life.
Watching the white deer, Luli contemplated to playfully manipulate this deer demon. However, the thought of the potential information it could provide made him reconsider.
"Can you truly accomplish any command, devoting heart and soul?" Luli asked.
"The little deer dares not deceive the celestial being!"
"I heard that deer antlers can enhance... vitality!"
"Celestial being, I am a female deer!"
Luli was dumbfounded. At this point, he had no interest in teasing this deer demon.
"What is the cultivation level of the wolf demon pursuing you?"
"Reporting to the celestial being, the wolf demon is at the Sixth Realm beyond the Mundane!"
"Dizzying! A Seventh Realm cultivator like you is being pursued by a Sixth Realm cultivator, seeking refuge here!"
"The little deer has a natural fear of wolves, its legs turning weak and trembling at the sight of them!"
"Alright, you win!"
Luli sighed. Truly a timid deer demon, humiliating—not the right word—more like embarrassing!
Putting away the Red Sleeve Blade, Luli proceeded towards the valley. The wolf demon continued its ceaseless howls, irritating Luli. Furthermore, Luli was curious to test if the Red Sleeve Blade, embedded with a Demon-Sealing Stone, could indeed daunt demonic creatures.
This white deer was excessively timid, and Luli was somewhat concerned.
"Stay here. If I return and don't find you, I'll turn your deer hide into boots!"
The white deer lay on the ground, not daring to move.
As Luli walked outside the valley, he indeed spotted a red wolf. This wolf differed significantly from the wolves he knew—larger in size, vibrant red in color, unlike the gray or white wolves he remembered.
Approaching the valley's entrance, the wolf demon noticed Luli and lunged towards him. At that moment, the Red Sleeve Blade emerged, and as it did, the wolf demon, mid-pounce, emitted a mournful howl. It seemed as if struck by a thunderbolt in mid-air, shivering like chaff. Its tail tucked between its hind legs, the creature fell to the ground, front limbs already kneeling.
Dizzy! Who told me that only dogs tuck their tails tail!
The once fierce wolf demon, now tail-tucked, lay prostrate.
The wolf demon howled pitifully, whimpering as it gazed at Luli.
Surprisingly, this wolf demon couldn't articulate. Luli wasn't astonished; in the demonic realm, usually, Transcendent Realm demonic creatures could speak. However, it varied based on the individual creature. Some could speak early, while others could only do so after reaching the Transformation Realm.
Like Luli's Ironclad Rhino, a Transcendent Realm demonic creature that couldn't articulate.
At this moment, the once ferocious wolf demon, now with its tail tucked, shivered and groaned, confirming that the Red Sleeve Blade embedded with a Demon-Sealing Stone indeed had a daunting effect on demonic creatures.
Luli took the demon core from the wolf demon and, thinking of the timid white deer, collected the wolf's corpse.
Returning to the valley, he found the white deer still on all fours, cowering. Seeing the wolf's corpse, the deer hastily retreated, hooves shuffling.
"You're useless. To survive, bite and tear at this wolf demon's corpse all day!"
Luli unsheathed the Red Sleeve Blade, and the white deer, glancing at Luli and then at the wolf's corpse, approached hesitantly.
"I'm doing this for your own good. As a demonic creature, you should be different from wild beasts!"
As Luli practiced his swordsmanship, suddenly, his aura changed—Eighth Meridian.
After the battle that night, where he slew many bandit warriors and a Transcendent Realm fox demon, and with the Red Sleeve Blade supplying abundant energy, Luli's cultivation had nearly reached the Eighth Meridian. Breaking through to this realm now felt like a natural progression.
Sheathing his blade, Luli sensed the transformation in his body. With abundant spiritual energy, he executed the first three strikes of the Breaking Waves Seven Strikes. Surprisingly, after these strikes, he still retained almost half of his spiritual energy. In contrast to the Seventh Meridian, where three strikes would deplete him, he now had enough energy for more.
As the day waned, Luli observed the white deer still gnawing and tearing at the wolf's carcass. The wolf's body was now in tatters, blood and flesh scattered—a testament to the white deer's industrious day.
Looking at the white deer and catching its gaze, Luli declared, "Become my demonic companion, or face death!"
The small deer willingly pledged allegiance to the celestial being.