Disarming Zila of her weapon was the key to Xue Yu’s victory. There was no doubt—Zila’s immense power came solely from the demonic blade “Jue Mo” in her hands.
Shifting the balance of power hinged entirely on that blade. Knock it from her grasp, and victory was certain.
Moreover, Zila’s complete failure to react to his earlier “pommel-to-wrist” feint proved she was no different from an ordinary eight- or nine-year-old child. Her combat instincts and reflexes matched a normal kid’s—this only strengthened Xue Yu’s confidence.
“Oh dear, don’t oversimplify things~” Zila smiled faintly. “I know exactly what you’re thinking. Do you really believe disarming me means winning? Hehe.”
One phrase snagged Xue Yu’s attention. “You… know what I’m thinking?” he asked, puzzled.
“Of course! Because I am you, and you are me. That’s why I know your thoughts!”
“Bullshit! I’m not you! I have no idea what *you’re* thinking—that alone proves it!” Xue Yu snapped irritably.
Though Zila claimed to read his mind, Xue Yu was certain he felt nothing of hers.
“Mm, true,” Zila replied with a gentle smile. “You just haven’t accepted me yet. That’s why you can’t hear my heart.”
“Accept? Hah. Ridiculous. I don’t need *your* acceptance.” Xue Yu cut off the conversation. To him, her words implied *she* accepted *him*—a notion he’d never admit.
Seeing Xue Yu ready to strike again, Zila didn’t wait. She raised her right hand high and cried, “Return to me, Jue Mo!”
Answering her call, the blade Xue Yu had knocked aside rose from the ground and *whooshed* back into her palm.
“Here I come! Watch out, ‘me’!” Zila chirped playfully, as if giving a friendly warning.
Gripping Jue Mo’s hilt with both hands, she raised it skyward. Violet demonic energy surged into the blade in an instant.
Even from a distance, Xue Yu felt its crushing pressure. No time to hesitate—he charged.
Infused with power, Jue Mo blazed violet. From the glow, a massive energy blade—identical to Jue Mo but many times larger—materialized.
Eyes crinkling with a smirk, Zila swung the blade down hard.
Trained in battle, Xue Yu never wasted energy blocking avoidable strikes. Sensing the blow’s danger, he twisted aside.
But the strike slammed into the violet dreamscape beneath them—a surreal realm, not reality.
Jue Mo’s impact shattered the space like glass. Spiderweb cracks spread violently from the strike point.
The destructive force was terrifying. Xue Yu couldn’t imagine the devastation this would cause in the real world.
Defeating this Succubus Curse would be a desperate fight. Xue Yu steeled himself, refusing to yield.
With a light flick of “Sudden Sever,” he whispered, “Split!”
His golden sword blazed, then split into four identical blades—each noticeably smaller than the original. One stayed in his grip; the other three orbited it slowly.
Instead of charging, Xue Yu aimed the tip at Zila and thrust sharply.
The three orbiting blades shot forward like slingshot stones, spiraling toward her with golden light tails trailing behind.
Zila barely glanced at them. Without dodging, she casually swung Jue Mo sideways—as if playing.
Just before impact, a violet barrier flared between blade and sword, blocking the attack.
But Xue Yu’s blades pressed on relentlessly, grinding against the barrier like drills, sparks flying nonstop.
Suddenly, Zila’s playful expression tightened. She glanced behind—and there stood Xue Yu, blade already descending toward her neck. Unavoidable. Fatal.
Confident of victory, Xue Yu committed fully.
“Hehe~”
Zila giggled softly. Violet energy enveloped her. In less than a blink, the little Succubus Curse girl dissolved—along with Jue Mo—into a swirling swarm of countless violet light butterflies.
They effortlessly evaded the three swords and Xue Yu’s sneak attack. Then, the swarm darted straight at him.
“Aaah!” Xue Yu raised his arms to block, but the butterflies scraped past, each impact searing with pain.
After passing him, the butterflies regrouped behind him and reformed into Zila’s original shape.
Xue Yu collapsed to his knees. It felt like a powerful demon had landed over twenty brutal, bone-deep punches across his entire body.
*How…? She’s just a little girl!*
She’d been toying with him all along—treating their fight like a child’s game, letting him vent his rage. Her true strength was horrifying. Had she fought seriously, he’d have suffered the same fate as his loss to the Succubus Empress.
“Eep! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to—! Are you okay, ‘me’?” Zila’s voice trembled. She dropped Jue Mo and rushed to him, genuine worry in her eyes. She took his hand, trying to help him up.
“Hah… being cared for by a demon…” Xue Yu shoved her away and forced himself upright, clutching his aching chest. He stepped back, face twisted in contempt.
Even though this place felt unreal, the pain, despair, and rage were sharper than reality—like standing at the source of his own soul.
“‘Me’… are you alright? I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry.” Zila clasped her hands to her chest, voice thick with guilt, like a child apologizing to an adult.
“Do you really hate demons that much?”
“Obviously! They’re humanity’s enemies—the ones who killed my brother!” Xue Yu shot back.
“Then why did you take in Tongxi?”
“…”
The question struck deep. *Why? Hatred… yet compassion?* He no longer understood his own heart.
“I… I…" Xue Yu stammered. “Tongxi… she wouldn’t hurt humans like you. She *promised* me!”
“Mm. Then ‘me’ must protect her well!”
In a flash too fast to follow, Zila lunged and tackled him to the ground. Cold sweat broke across Xue Yu’s brow.
Her small, soft hands gently patted his cheeks. She smiled warmly. “Wake up now. Tongxi is about to be hit by Sister Xia Mo!”
“What?!”
Xue Yu’s eyes snapped open.
He was back. In the living room.
“Demon, die!” Xia Mo’s voice rang from the corner.
Tongxi cowered against the wall. Xia Mo advanced, sword blazing with fire, blade swinging down.
“Hold your blade!”
Xue Yu shot forward. Hands clapped together—he caught the flaming sword barehanded.
“Master! How could you—! Your hands!”
“Hm?” He’d blocked it… but gripping a burning blade barehanded was another matter.
“Aaah! My hands!”
