Just now, Charles Baker had already learned that the young man was called Benjamin Thompson, and the young woman was called Lucy Thompson. They were the twin children of the Li family patriarch, Peter Thompson, both exceptionally talented. At a young age, they had both attained top-grade True Fate Dao Fate, making them outstanding among the younger generation of the Li family.

"Alright, Young Master Bai, we'll clear the way for you."

Benjamin Thompson responded, calling on the members of the Li family's demon-slaying squad to lead the way for Charles Baker.

The island at the center of Mirror Lake was formed by a protruding mountain range. The winding mountains occupied most of the island, dividing it into sections. The demons that burst out from the demon scar landed on the other side; one had to cross the ridge to see them, or wait for them to cross over themselves.

Charles Baker and his group couldn't wait for the demons to come out, so they decided to cross Jade Comb Mountain directly to hunt them. But as soon as they reached the summit, the scene before their eyes made everyone widen their eyes in shock, their faces changing color.

Chapter 15: The Arrival of the Demonfolk

Beneath the demon scar, which looked like a giant black eye suspended in the air, black demonic energy surged out, forming a funnel-shaped vortex below. Within that vortex, a massive black stele was slowly descending. Beside the black stele, demon beasts as tall as ten feet, resembling both apes and lions, were pouring out. In the valley, there were already over a hundred of them, and more were still rushing out from the demon scar.

"The Demonfolk Stele...

It's the Demonfolk Stele...

Retreat...

Retreat immediately..." The captain of the Li family's demon-slaying squad, Clark Thompson, shouted, snapping everyone out of their daze.

Without any hesitation, everyone who came to their senses—whether members of the Li family's demon-slaying squad or Charles Baker and his companions—turned and ran desperately down the mountain.

But those ape-lion-like demon beasts had already spotted them, letting out strange roars and chasing after them on all fours with wild abandon.

In the Demon Realm, demon beasts were nothing more than servants. The true masters of the Demon Realm were the demonfolk. The demonfolk looked no different from humans, but they were not born of parents; instead, they were born from the Demonfolk Stele itself, with even their demonic names predestined. They possessed divine power, were ageless and immortal, and had boundless demonic might.

The demonfolk were also divided into five ranks: Soldier, General, King, Emperor, and Sovereign, corresponding to the five human ranks of Scholar, True Person, Sage, Supreme, and Saint. Even at the same rank, an average demonfolk was far stronger than a human of the same level.

Although Charles Baker and the others didn't know what rank the demonfolk descending from the demon scar this time were, even if they were only Soldier rank, combined with the overwhelming number of Soldier-rank ape-lion demon beasts, they were absolutely no match.

The Li family disciples traveled back and forth across Jade Comb Mountain almost every day and were more familiar with it than anyone. Each of them ran at lightning speed, and even Harvey Grant and the others displayed their movement techniques, each faster than the last.

Only Charles Baker and Michael Carter lagged behind, as they had just advanced to the Scholar rank and had not yet learned any movement techniques. They could only rely on brute strength to run down the mountain, unfamiliar with the path and falling to the very back.

"Young Master Bai, get on my back, I'll carry you down the mountain."

Benjamin Thompson and Lucy Thompson noticed that Charles Baker had fallen behind and was about to be caught by the ape-lion beasts. They turned back and ran to Charles Baker's side, intending to carry him down the mountain.

"If you carry me, neither of us will make it. You should hurry on ahead," Charles Baker said with a bitter smile.

"Don't worry, I have the True Fate Dao Seal of the Mighty Divine Ox. Carrying you is as light as nothing. Besides, I know this mountain path best and have trained in the Thousand Rivers Flowing movement technique. I can definitely get you out.

These ape-lion beasts can't swim and are afraid of water. As long as we get to the boat, we'll be safe."

As Benjamin Thompson spoke, he picked up Charles Baker without waiting for a reply and dashed down the mountain.

Charles Baker saw that Benjamin Thompson's steps were light and agile, and carrying him didn't slow him down at all. He quickly caught up with the group ahead. Even Lucy Thompson, running beside him, was as light as a swallow, moving effortlessly, showing no sign of strain. Secretly envious, he thought, "When I get back, I must find a movement technique to train in, no matter what."

"Help...

Help...

Young Master Hai...

Save me..." Michael Carter, running at the very back, screamed in terror. An enraged ape-lion beast had already caught up to him, its iron-like arm with clawed hand swinging down at his head.

A miserable scream rang out. Michael Carter, after all, was too young and had no experience fighting demon beasts. He had only just begun to practice techniques and had no time to resist. His head was smashed to a pulp by the ape-lion beast, blood gushing as he collapsed to the ground.

Harvey Grant, who had always been closest to Michael Carter, didn't even dare to look back, running for his life down the mountain.

Harvey Grant was already an eighth-grade Scholar and had mastered the Gong family's secret techniques, making his movement the fastest. Before long, he was ahead of everyone, followed closely by Henry Miller and the other Gong family members.

Henry Miller and the others were already scared out of their wits. With the arrival of the demonfolk, countless demon beasts would be born. If they didn't escape Mirror Lake quickly, even if the ape-lion beasts couldn't swim and couldn't leave the island, once the demonfolk emerged, they would be doomed all the same.