The Life of Lust Demon

To Oscar's surprise, Anos didn't bat an eye upon learning that Zoey was a Stage-Nine Elemental Foundation Realm cultivator. Most people would be stunned to hear she'd achieved such an Advanced level at such a young age! But Anos remained calm—he'd already sensed her strength with his spiritual sight.

"Don't think you're getting out of it. We already agreed—when we get back, it's you and me," Zoey declared with a self-assured grin. Did he think he could intimidate her just because of her age? This was her chance to finally show him up, and she intended to make the most of it. After all, he'd been asking for a lesson ever since he dared to eye her friend Nora a little too closely!

Zoey, however, couldn't shake her doubts about Anos's supposed strength. If he was truly so powerful, why would he bother joining them in a risky place like Chillwater Valley? His age didn't quite fit the profile of someone who'd reached the upper cultivation levels. Most who attained the Spirit Core Realm were older and battle-hardened, having spent years honing their abilities in the Beast Domain. She felt sure Anos was likely no higher than the Elemental Foundation Realm, just like herself. And if that was the case, there was no way she'd let him get the upper hand. Victory was hers to claim.

"Fine then," Anos replied with a confident grin. "Let's settle this when we get back."

The others glanced at each other, sensing the rising tension, but said nothing.

"Oh, and let's get one thing straight," Anos added, his grin growing. "When I win, don't go saying I took advantage of a weaker opponent."
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Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't have been drawn into something like this, but he saw it as a perfect chance to both test himself and break through Zoey's guarded nature. Whether this challenge would bring them closer or set them at odds, he didn't know—but he was eager to find out.

Zoey raised an eyebrow, surprised at how quickly he'd agreed. He knew she was at the Elemental Foundation Realm, so his confidence could only mean one of two things: he either believed himself stronger or, worse, thought she'd be an easy opponent due to her age. That assumption alone lit a fire in her.

"Alright, Anos," she thought to herself. Let's see who's underestimating who. She was determined that by the end of this, he'd see just how capable she truly was.

Anos chuckled, stepping closer. "Oh, really? Well, let's raise the stakes a bit then, shall we?" His voice held a teasing edge, and he watched her, clearly entertained by her reaction.

Zoey's eyes narrowed. "What kind of stakes?"

"Simple," Anos replied with a sly grin. "If I win, you have to call me 'Big Brother Anos' three times. Loud enough for everyone to hear."

Zoey rolled her eyes, unimpressed. "And if you lose?"

Anos shrugged casually. "Then I'll call you 'Big Sister Zoey' like everyone else. But think about it—I'd have to keep calling you that if I lost. You, on the other hand, would only have to call me 'Big Brother Anos' three times. So really, you're getting the better deal."

Zoey's lips curled into a slight smirk, clearly intrigued by the challenge. "Alright then," she said, her tone steely. "You've got yourself a deal."

Anos suppressed a grin, knowing he'd already pulled her into his game. For all her defiance, Zoey's pride made her easy to bait—she'd never back down from a challenge. This would be his chance to see that self-assured attitude crumble, even if only a little.

Bodhi, watching from the sidelines, gave a small chuckle and shook his head. "Ah, you two," he muttered, amused. "Let them go ahead. They'll settle it one way or another."

....

As they made their way deeper into Chillwater Valley, their breaths began to fog, each exhale visible in the biting cold. Their footsteps echoed against the ice-coated ground, which reflected an unsettling bluish gleam under the muted light filtering through the valley.

With each step forward, Anos could feel the temperature drop further, the cold seeping in like a living presence. He smirked slightly—this place would have been unbearable for an average person, but thanks to his Elemental Foundation Realm level, he could handle the extreme chill. Even if he were stripped down to his bare skin, he'd be unaffected. The cold here was nothing compared to the energy he could channel within himself.

As they rounded a bend, they found themselves between towering cliffs that stretched so high above that they seemed to close in on them, like giant, frozen walls. Just a short distance ahead, the path split into several winding forks, each disappearing into the icy unknown.

"Keep your guard up!" Bodhi called out, his voice carrying a tense edge. "This place doesn't feel right."

No sooner had he spoken than glinting ice shards suddenly shot out from the shadows, hurtling toward them at high speed.

Crash! Smash!

Reacting instantly, Bodhi lunged forward and intercepted the shards with his bare fists, smashing them apart mid-air before they could reach anyone. The sound of splintering ice filled the valley as fragments fell to the ground, scattering like broken glass.

Before they could even catch their breath, two pale, ghostly creatures dropped down from the icy cliffs, landing softly on the frozen ground in front of them.

The creatures were roughly a meter in length, their bodies resembling enormous, frost-covered rodents with muscular limbs and a low, creeping stance. Yet, unlike any typical beast, each of them bore a prominent, camel-like hump on its back. This hump was no ordinary mass—it was a crystalline bulge, translucent and pulsing faintly with the cold energy of the valley. The crystals seemed to glow, as if resonating with the chill surrounding them.

"Looks like they're not here to give us a warm welcome," Anos muttered with a dark smile, sizing up the strange creatures as they circled, their eyes glinting with an unnatural, frosty intensity.

"Frostfang Rodents," Bodhi announced grimly. "Be wary of the ice crystals they shoot. While their cultivation level isn't particularly high, those crystalline projectiles are deadly. Even the most seasoned cultivators will be injured if they're caught off guard."

Without hesitation, Bodhi raised his hand, summoning a radiant golden broadsword. He charged forward, his movements swift and precise, an expert at dealing with creatures of the cold.

Anos narrowed his eyes, activating his spiritual sight. These two creatures were at the Elemental Foundation Realm , a level that still posed a challenge. It was remarkable that such powerful beasts lurked so close to the entrance of Chillwater Valley. Anos's instincts were on edge—there was no telling what other threats lay deeper within.

"Be careful!" Anos warned, his voice tinged with urgency. "These two are just the beginning!"

Owen, surprised by Anos's early warning, turned his attention to the surroundings. His cultivation level was at the Spirit Core Realm, which should have given him an advantage in sensing danger. Yet, Anos had noticed the approaching threats before he did. How had he detected them so quickly?

Pushing aside his confusion, Owen readied himself for the coming battle. Time to face the Frostfang Rodents—whatever else this valley had in store would have to wait.

....

Anos didn't dwell on the disparity in cultivation levels. He didn't understand why, logically, the higher the cultivation, the faster one should notice the danger. For him, it was simple: his Spiritual Force was higher than most. The higher one's Spiritual Force, the sharper the Divine Sense. It wasn't just his physical body that had been enhanced by the lightning Element—his other Attribute, like his Spiritual Force, were at levels far above that of an average person.

Of course, he assumed this was the reason he had perceived the threat first. His cultivation and sense of awareness were naturally in sync. He hadn't given much thought to the details of others' Spiritual Force before. His only concern had been the cultivation levels of his companions. He had, however, done a quick check of their attributes in passing, only to find them roughly equal. He didn't think much of it. But now, looking back, things didn't add up. He hadn't paid attention to the fact that Owen's Spiritual Force, despite being in the Stage-Three Spirit Core Realm, was actually lower than his own. Anos's Spiritual Force outclassed Owen's, and this wasn't just a small difference—it was significant. The gap was almost on par with someone like Bodhi, who was at the Stage-Five Spirit Core Realm. This revelation would no doubt surprise him later, if he ever thought to check again.

The Frostfang Rodents, though formidable to some, were no match for Anos. With his enhanced Spiritual Force, he could easily sense their approach and prepare accordingly. For others, however, particularly those like Oscar, the rodents' attacks could prove dangerous. The ice crystals they shot with precision could penetrate even the sturdiest defenses if one wasn't careful. To those who didn't possess the same enhanced spiritual perception or protective power, the consequences of a direct hit could be devastating, leaving them vulnerable to serious injury.