While Bai Ye kept an eye on the demon Krumeit, he was also watching Li Jiayi.
Regrettably, neither of them appeared, but…
Rimuru had arrived!
A violent roar suddenly erupted on the battlefield, followed by a colossal, nearly transparent dome of light that enveloped a large area.
Then…
*BOOM!*
Within the immense light dome, an explosion echoed, and terrifying black flames detonated.
In an instant, vast numbers of pig-headed men were consumed and incinerated by the black flames!
They were utterly defenseless!
"Who are you?"
Some pig-headed men looked back in panic. From the lingering smoke, figures slowly emerged.
"Hey, hey, hey, that really hurts me. Didn't you devour our village? Now you claim not to recognize me."
Benimaru spoke as he stepped out of the smoke, black鬼火 (oni-bi) reappearing in his open palm.
"Those demon horns… are they survivors of the Great Oni tribe? Why have they become like this? Have they evolved?"
"Who knows?"
In response to the pig-headed men's astonishment, Benimaru threw the鬼火 in his hand forward again.
*BOOM!*
Another explosive roar sounded, and the giant light dome once again enveloped the battlefield. The black flames then burned fiercely, instantly engulfing the pig-headed men.
On the other side, the other Oni people also made their moves.
The elder Hakuro leaped forward, appearing behind over a dozen pig-headed men in a flash. Intersecting sword lights appeared, and the pig-headed men were all bisected.
Shion charged forward, shouting loudly, then leaped high and smashed her greatsword downwards.
*CLANG!*
The ground continuously shattered, and the immense impact transformed into layers of shockwaves that pushed outwards, sending the pig-headed men flying.
"Hmm?" Bai Ye raised an eyebrow and said, "They've grown stronger again."
Bai Ye wasn't entirely sure of Benimaru and Hakuro's strength, but he had interacted with Shion more and knew her abilities quite well. When she was following him, Shion hadn't been this strong. While she could handle a dozen pig-headed men, she certainly couldn't have defeated them with a single sword strike.
"As expected, the Great Jura Forest and the Demon Country, this region has significant room for growth."
Bai Ye murmured, then looked into the distance.
Since Rimuru's capable subordinates, the Six Oni, had appeared, Rimuru must be here, right?
Meanwhile…
At the edge of the forest, the demon Krumeit glared at the crystal ball with immense anger.
This was because the crystal ball was displaying the scene of the ongoing battle, and with the arrival of the chosen ones and the Six Oni, the pig-headed men were starting to retreat.
Then…
Suddenly, a black tornado swept across the battlefield. Each tornado could connect heaven and earth, incredibly terrifying. As they swept forward, they utterly shredded the surrounding pig-headed men!
Black Storm Tempest!
A wolf's howl echoed from the center of the battlefield.
Rimuru's mount, Ranga, roared upwards, then its body was enveloped in a halo of light. It instantly grew much larger, its single horn on its forehead becoming two!
It had evolved!
With the battle, Ranga evolved into a Black Tempest Star Wolf!
This became the straw that broke the camel's back. The Black Tempest Star Wolf's ability to control wind currents was too terrifying. The more than ten black tornadoes that erupted from the ground were unstoppable, and thousands of pig-headed men were instantly shredded.
"Damn you!"
Krumeit furiously smashed the crystal ball onto the ground, shattering it.
"This cannot continue!" Krumeit said anxiously. "If this continues and the plan fails, that esteemed person will not forgive me, absolutely not!"
Krumeit gritted his teeth, then shot upwards into the sky, transforming into a red streak of light and soaring towards the heavens.
Bai Ye squatted on a low mountain, watching the spectacle unfold.
Because the Pig-headed Emperor had arrived!
The Pig-headed Emperor was taller than any other pig-headed man, wearing a gem-encrusted helmet and wielding a cleaver.
Aside from being taller and more robust, the Pig-headed Emperor looked no different from an ordinary pig-headed man.
But…
"Pig-headed Emperor!"
Enemies meeting again, their eyes burned with hatred!
Shion roared in anger, then charged towards the Pig-headed Emperor. She leaped high, her greatsword descending towards him.
However…
*CLANG!*
That seemingly imposing sword had no effect whatsoever against the Pig-headed Emperor. With a casual swing of his cleaver, he deflected Shion's greatsword, and the immense force sent Shion flying.
Hakuro, one of the Six Oni, intervened at this moment, leaping forward and instantly brushing past the Pig-headed Emperor.
Silver sword lights suddenly erupted in the air, and then…
*CLANG!*
The Pig-headed Emperor stood there motionless, while Hakuro looked at his short sword in horror. The sword had inexplicably broken into several pieces.
"As expected…" Bai Ye murmured. "This guy is probably meant for Rimuru to deal with!"
Just then…
A red meteor streaked across the sky, capturing everyone's attention.
*BOOM!*
The meteor that streaked across the sky smashed a black tornado to pieces with a deafening sound, then plummeted downwards.
*RUMBLE!*
Upon impact, a second thunderous explosion occurred. The ground was gouged out, and layers of shockwaves spread outwards like a passing typhoon, forcing those nearby to instinctively raise their hands to shield themselves.
A moment later, Krumeit emerged from the dust, looking enraged and shouting into the surroundings.
"You damnable scoundrels, why did you ruin my plan?" Krumeit yelled, raising his staff. "Die, all of you, and become nourishment for the Pig-headed Emperor…"
The staff suddenly emanated a red glow.
"Today, I will show you the might of a high-level demon!" Krumeit shouted loudly. "No one can stop the birth of a new Demon Lord!"
The red light suddenly exploded, transforming into countless red magic bullets that shot forward, their target precisely Shion, who had been knocked down earlier.
Fear flashed in Shion's eyes, and she reached out to her side, only to find emptiness. Her greatsword had been knocked away earlier!
As the magic bullets were about to descend…
Suddenly…
A figure fell from the sky!
*BOOM!*
Accompanied by silver sword light, a terrifying blade cut downwards. As the roar of the explosion occurred, the magic bullets were instantly shattered!
Bai Ye grinned, resting his sword on his shoulder, and turned towards Shion.
The next instant, Bai Ye smiled and said, "I will fight for those who cannot fight!"