One more catty, one more attribute point

"Ah... When Tower Master had just assumed his position, I was on a mission outside and failed to come and pay my respects at once, for which I sincerely apologize. Please forgive me, Tower Master."

Ma Youcai raised the wine cup in his hand and bowed deeply to Su Heng.

Then, he lifted his head and drank it all in one gulp.

"No worries, I have heard about you from Elder Li, saying that you handle affairs reliably and are adept at resolving hidden dangers before they arise," Su Heng said with a smile. "I don't care much for formalities; doing your duties well is already admirable."

Having said this, he lifted the huge bronze wine vessel in his hand and gave a distant toast to Ma Youcai.

"You are right, sir," Ma Youcai chuckled obsequiously.

He lowered his head and stealthily wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.

On the day Su Heng killed Hong Wendao, Ma Youcai was not present at the scene. In other words, although this man had always been scheming against Su Heng, this was their first actual meeting.

Before this meeting,

Ma Youcai had already learned something through many channels, both actively and passively.

The new Tower Master of the Demon Suppression Tower was a rather imposing giant.

Initially, Ma Youcai had been somewhat dismissive in his mind.

Being overly large didn't necessarily mean stronger, but surely meant less agility.

At the very least, most of the large-bodied Martial Artists he had seen could be described as "big and dumb."

But it was only upon seeing him with his own eyes that he realized his grave mistake.

The man before him was definitely not a "big and dumb" type, but a War King who could conquer the world and slaughter deities.

He stood at least two meters and fifty centimeters tall, and possibly even close to two meters seventy.

If it wasn't for the high ceilings of the Demon Suppression Tower.

In an ordinary room, he reckoned that just standing up would puncture the ceiling.

Furthermore, he was remarkably strong, beyond imagination. Each muscle on his body was well-defined, rough, and barbaric. Stay immersed with m_vl_em_p_yr

When he tried to approach,

Ma Youcai could feel the temperature of the air rising due to his presence.

There was also that primal, wild scent that emanated from him.

He sat in a specially made big chair – not of wood, but of bronze.

Not for luxury or uniqueness,

but simply because no wood could fully support his body.

Many sharp protrusions were present on the huge bronze throne, along the back and the armrests, looking as though they could scratch someone.

Ma Youcai guessed that this feature was deliberately preserved.

To avoid comfort.

Even temporary ease was not allowed.

A person with both roots and wisdom is frightening enough, yet if they also possess resilience and barbarism,

they would become a complete monster, an unbeatable deity.

Ma Youcai was now feeling some regret.

He felt that the plan by the Song brothers, Song Ting and Song Yingchun, would hardly succeed.

But regret was useless now, as the plan had already started, and he had no way out.

The only consolation he had was,

once he led Su Heng out of the Demon Suppression Tower, his task would be completed.

"You seem a bit distracted. Are you thinking about something?" Su Heng asked pensively after taking a bite of food and setting down the wine vessel.

To accommodate Su Heng's physique,

the long table in front of him was also custom-made, thicker and higher.

Ma Youcai was eating standing aside, devoid of any majesty of a seasoned demon. He looked like a mere henchman.

"What's the matter,"

Ma Youcai chuckled and toasted Su Heng once more.

His face was full of smiles, but inside, he was cursing, "What is Wang Bingquan that idiot doing right now? Why has there been no movement for such a long time."

If time dragged on too long,

and if the guy in front of him became suspicious, they would both be doomed.

...

...

...

Meanwhile, on the other side,

things were unfolding just as Ma Youcai had anticipated; Wang Bingquan's actions were not going very smoothly.

"If it's a demon from the sixth floor, even if it's sneaked out, it wouldn't cause much of a stir. As for a demon from the eighth floor, it might just eat me alive."

Wang Bingquan shuddered, "Indeed, a demon from the seventh floor is most suitable."

With this thought,

Wang Bingquan cautiously observed his surroundings.

Seeing that he hadn't attracted any attention, he breathed a sigh of relief and jogged to the seventh floor.

Then, Wang Bingquan was stunned.

Turning the stairs, passing through a short, dim corridor.

Wang Bingquan held a candle in his hand, its dim light scattering the darkness around him.

"The environment here is as pitch-black as ever, but why doesn't it feel as chilly as before?" Wang Bingquan was puzzled, "Has the Demon Suppression Tower's sealing formation been improved? Or has its connection with the ley lines been strengthened?"

He wasn't the type to delve into matters deeply.

He just thought of quickly completing the task Ma Youcai had entrusted to him.

Just grab any demon from the seventh floor, take it out, and then lure the new Tower Master out and that would be fine.

He arrived at the first prison door.

He was about to break the seal when he suddenly froze.

He remembered that the prison held the Elder Venom, a demon personally captured by Li Daoxuan, with considerable strength.

However...

The prison was empty.

"Gone," Wang Bingquan was stunned for a moment, muttering, "Was this guy killed? That would be normal; after all, he was rather arrogant."

He continued to check the second cell, but still found no one, only a bunch of residual bloodstains.

Then the third, fourth, fifth cells, all the same!

"Hiss..."

Cold sweat formed on Wang Bingquan's forehead.

The situation had developed to this point, and even with his slow-witted nature,

he immediately realized that something was wrong with the seventh floor's prison – most demons had been wiped out.

"Who did this, and why?" Disruptions in the planned scheme threw Wang Bingquan into confusion,

and as time trickled by.

The longer he delayed here, the more likely his flaws were to be discovered.

By then...

Thinking of the traitor's fate,

Wang Bingquan's dark face, which resembled charcoal, vaguely turned a shade paler.

Shivering violently with fear, he forced himself to concentrate and continued forward, searching for a suitable target.

"Phew…"

Finally, when he inspected the ninth cell,

there was a living monster inside, and Wang Bingquan heaved a huge sigh of relief.

However, this creature,

inside the cell was a blood-red tiger, over five meters in length, with well-developed muscles and a large patch of blood-colored tentacles wriggling on its back. It opened its mouth, crimson vertical pupils fixed on Wang Bingquan, emitting an annoyed growl from its mouth.

"Forget it, this one is just too big, it won't be easy to take out of the Demon Suppression Tower," Wang Bingquan felt reluctant but had to give up helplessly.

Moving forward...

He searched another seven or eight cells.

Just like before, the cells were either empty, or the creatures were too large or too fierce and difficult to control.

It wasn't until the eighteenth cell that Wang Bingquan finally stopped, his eyes lighting up.

Inside this cell,

stood a beautiful girl clad in red with black hair flowing loose.

The girl had her arms crossed, burying her head in her knees, appearing very petite.

Upon hearing the noise from outside,

the girl raised her head.

A pale, pitiable face appeared before Wang Bingquan.

As an elder of the Demon Suppression Bureau, though Wang Bingquan spent most of his time in the Demon Suppression Tower, he also had his outings to indulge himself.

He had encountered many rare beauties.

But upon seeing the young girl,

he felt his heart thumping violently.

Especially in such a hostile environment, under such a dangerous atmosphere,

he felt even more so,

that this girl before him seemed to be glowing.

"Heaven truly favors me," Wang Bingquan felt that the tides had turned in his favor, not only could he complete his mission, but he might also get a chance to enjoy her charms.

"What's your name, I'll take you out of here," Wang Bingquan manipulated the formation.

With a rumbling sound,

the isolation gate descended, and the Shining Stone Chains shackled on the girl's hands clicked open.

To Wang Bingquan's surprise, upon gaining freedom, the girl's face showed no happiness but was instead ice-cold.

"I will not leave this place," Li Hongxiu said coldly.

"Have you gone mad, why would you want to stay here?" exclaimed Wang Bingquan in surprise. "Those people could kill you at any time, and might not even grant you a quick end."

Li Hongxiu did not speak again,

but using her legs, she shifted her buttocks, hiding herself in a corner of the room.

One surprise after another made the already irritable Wang Bingquan even more impatient.

"No matter what you think today, you have to leave with me, and it's not up to you," Wang Bingquan said fiercely, his demeanor growing more ferocious.

He had not noticed any demonic aura on the girl.

Wang Bingquan found it somewhat strange.

But there wasn't enough time to think more, only subconsciously believing that such a frail and slender girl shouldn't pose much of a threat.

Thus, Wang Bingquan chose to act immediately.

He spread his five fingers, and his large hand reached forward to grab Li Hongxiu's arm.

Hiss!

A handful of crimson foxfire ignited.

"Why!" Li Hongxiu suddenly looked up, her face stern, her sharp fangs bared, and her fluffy fox ears perked up.

"I had already braced myself for death, why must you force me!"

Accompanied by a roar.

The crimson foxfire erupted explosively, sending Wang Bingquan's massive body flying backward, smashing heavily against the wall behind him.

His chest was a mangled mess of flesh and blood, and his eyes showed stark horror as he looked at Li Hongxiu.

"Damn it, it's a fierce ghost!"

Wang Bingquan, holding his chest, leaned against the wall and staggered to his feet. He didn't dare to stay any longer and quickly vanished from Li Hongxiu's sight.

Li Hongxiu withdrew her gaze and resumed squatting in the corner, hugging her knees.

The foxfire on her body swayed, gradually extinguishing and disappearing.

…

…

…

"Then… I will take my leave." Ma Youcai wiped the cold sweat off his forehead, glanced at the robe hanging on the coat rack in the corner, and at the token on the robe.

He sighed in relief and bowed to Su Heng.

"Hmm." Su Heng's face was slightly flushed, showing an obvious sign of intoxication.

Hearing this, he merely waved his hand, continuing to drink by himself, as if he hadn't noticed anything.

Seeing this,

Ma Youcai no longer lingered, turned, and quickly left, disappearing from view.

In the slightly disheveled room, Su Heng's drunken expression rapidly faded, his previously hazy eyes now carrying a hint of coldness.

He stood up, hands clasped behind his back, and walked to the window.

"Creak."

The door was pushed open.

A figure walked in from outside and spoke softly to Su Heng.

"I know," Su Heng nodded.

"But…" Li Xunhao looked astonished, momentarily stunned.

"Don't you think this matter is a bit suspicious?" Su Heng asked in return.

"That said, it certainly is suspicious," Li Xunhao frowned, "Two elders, just sneaking in and taking a small demon from the sixth floor, if this is considered betrayal or defection, it seems too much ado about nothing."

"Their real intention must be to lure me out," Su Heng stated calmly.

"Then you still…"

"Since the opponent has willingly set a feast, how can there be a reason not to go?" Su Heng sneered, extending his hand and with a flick, the coat from the rack draped over his shoulder, "Besides, there's an old saying about being a thief for a day but not being on guard for a thousand."

"I indeed want to see who would use such mediocre tactics to attempt to harm me."

"Shall I accompany you there?" Li Xunhao volunteered.

His nature was rather arrogant and lazy, but ever since the incident that day, Li Xunhao's attitude towards Su Heng had changed significantly.

At this moment, he even proposed to take the initiative, and his voice contained a hint of tremor.

Not out of fear, but out of excitement and anticipation.