The next morning, Chu Feng awoke feeling exceptionally refreshed and energetic after a sound night's sleep.
It even felt as if the circulation speed of his Spiritual Power had quickened slightly.
Unable to sleep any longer, he gripped his Longsword and went to the base's training field, meticulously practicing his forms.
As he slowly swung the Longsword, a powerful sword intent suddenly descended, causing everyone in the training field who had risen early to practice to freeze instantly.
"Uh..."
Struggling, the crowd turned their heads to look at Chu Feng, who was practicing with his Longsword in a corner of the training field.
Even a few Exorcists of slightly lesser strength collapsed to the ground with a thud.
"Er...!"
Noticing their distress, Chu Feng quickly stopped circulating his Spiritual Power.
Only then did his men let out a collective sigh of relief, slumping to the ground.
"Mr. Chu Feng, I think it's time we built a separate training field just for you!" said Bob, a brawny man sitting nearby, a wry smile on his face.
"I was thinking the same thing," Chu Feng said helplessly, spreading his hands.
At that moment, Bob suddenly pressed a hand to one of his ears, as though listening to something.
Chu Feng narrowed his eyes slightly, a premonition stirring in his heart.
Which little rats could they be?
The brawny Bob lowered his palm and looked up at Chu Feng.
"Sir, our men have discovered traces of the Holy Advent Society in the New York suburbs!"
A faint smile appeared on Chu Feng's face as he commanded, "Notify everyone to prepare a welcome for these little rats!"
"Yes!"
At his command, the underground base in the New York suburbs buzzed with activity.
All combat personnel collected their weapons and equipment, quietly awaiting the enemy's arrival.
Meanwhile, Chu Feng went to the room where the Blood Demon was imprisoned. He watched the crimson figure still struggling, a sudden laugh escaping him.
How had he suddenly come to understand the mindset of those anglers!
...
"Haven't those wastes from Oregon State arrived yet?"
"Lord Hafeez, they haven't arrived. After all, those fools are an entire continent away!"
Inside a luxurious RV, Aiko·Weber, a thin, pale-skinned cultist, was kneading the plump shoulders of his High Priest.
"Sirio, that fool! The people he trains are just as idiotic! They'd already become Blood Demons, yet they were still caught by a bunch of Exorcists who popped up from who-knows-where... Heh!"
The portly figure on the bed chuckled derisively, shaking his head with obvious scorn for someone far away in Oregon State. Although they had come to New York at that person's request, it didn't stop them from holding him in contempt.
Despite his somewhat effeminate appearance, Aiko's desire for battle was surprisingly strong. Standing behind Hafeez, he massaged his shoulders while eagerly egging him on.
"My lord, they're just a bunch of ordinary Exorcists. Do we really need to wait for those fools?"
Upon hearing this, Hafeez's figure stiffened. He slowly turned his head, a cold glint flashing in his narrowed eyes.
"Aiko, have I been too good to you?"
Hearing High Priest Hafeez's sinister voice, Aiko's face turned deathly pale. Realizing his mistake, cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
"High Priest... High Priest Hafeez, I... I was wrong! Please forgive me..." Aiko's legs trembled, and he fell to his knees, begging pitifully.
"It was only because that damned Exorcist, Chu Feng, ran into trouble that I dared to come to New York myself..." Hafeez whispered, his plump hand slowly covering the top of Aiko's head.
Feeling the large hand on his head, Aiko trembled like a leaf. A stream of pale yellow liquid trickled down his thigh, and a faint, foul odor quickly spread.
"Since that idiot Sirio can't make it, his men will be perfect cannon fodder to help me take New York."
With that said, his five plump fingers gently tightened.
With a CRACK, blood streamed from Aiko's seven orifices. His body went limp, about to collapse.
But Hafeez's fingers, still gripping tightly, held Aiko's head up, preventing it from slumping.
He then twisted the neck, lifted Aiko's corpse, and opened his massive mouth in a sneer.
"Why are humans always like this? As time passes, they always forget their lowly status!"
His massive mouth stretched impossibly wide, nearly to his ears, revealing rows of fine, sharp teeth.
CRUNCH... CRUNCH...
Amidst the sounds of chewing, Aiko's corpse soon vanished without a trace.
Only the puddle of pale yellow liquid on the ground proved he had ever existed.
Finished, Hafeez didn't stop. He licked the blood from his fingers, then glanced down at his belly.
His already swollen stomach writhed continuously, as if something alive were inside.
When the bloated stomach swelled to its limit, his mouth gaped open once more.
Muscles and bones rippled across his chest. A moment later, he vomited out an intact body.
Gazing at the body—an exact replica of Aiko—a faint smirk touched Hafeez's lips.
"Aiko, get up and clean this place."
The new Aiko·Weber opened his eyes, disoriented by the call. Seeing the source of the voice, he scrambled to his feet and knelt.
"Ah... High Priest Hafeez!"
"Hmm. Get up and do what you're supposed to," Hafeez ordered indifferently. He wiped the mucus from the corner of his mouth with a plump hand, then turned away and closed his eyes to rest.
The new Aiko responded, "Yes, sir," and without another word, immediately fetched cleaning tools and began to tidy the mess on the floor.
Everything proceeded as if nothing out of the ordinary had just occurred.
Listening to Aiko cleaning nearby, the corners of Hafeez's mouth curled up slightly.
This time, I must eat more Exorcists!
And... perhaps I should take this opportunity to visit that Exorcism Agency?
Those two women must taste delicious!
Thinking of Lin Qiu and Taran, a sliver of drool inadvertently flowed from Hafeez's thick lips.
...
Inside an underground base on the outskirts of New York,
"Dio, put that damn Longsword away!"
Bob shoved aside the person blocking his way and irritably slapped the head of the figure intently wiping a blade.
"Oh, shit! Bob, you're too rough! How can you treat my beloved like this?"
Dio complained. He took the silk cloth and carefully wiped the spot on the blade where Bob had touched it.
"Damn it, Dio, you really should hold a wedding with this sword!"
Bob's sarcastic retort made Dio's eyes light up. "I like that suggestion!"
Not expecting such a reaction from Dio, Bob slapped his forehead speechlessly.