Imperial Flowing Nectar had an enormous reputation. To demons and monsters across the world, it was a rare treasure that could increase cultivation and dao-attainment.
But in truth, back in the age of the ancient Demon Court, it was something the great demon lords refined and scattered across the Primordial lands—awakening beasts and spirits, converting them into demon-kind, and building reserves for the Demon Clan.
To great demons, Imperial Flowing Nectar was basically useless—at most, a beverage.
But to lesser demons? Its enlightenment effect was astonishing. Any creature with even a trace of spiritual intelligence—fish, insects, birds, beasts—could leap in a single step into demonhood if it obtained Imperial Flowing Nectar.
And for small demons who already possessed a sliver of cultivation, a single thread of it could save them untold years of bitter practice.
The refinement method was included within the Heavenly Demon Treasure Refinement Art. It wasn't particularly complicated, and it didn't require Witch Clan essence blood either—only the ability to draw spiritual power from the sunlight, moonlight, and starlight.
Theodore's eyes lit up.
He possessed the Five-Element Reversal Origin Sea, which had a powerful attraction toward all kinds of spiritual energy—sun, moon, and star essence included.
That meant refining Imperial Flowing Nectar would be extremely easy for him.
And the effect was perfect.
To refine Demon-Refining Pills, what he needed was demons.
The stronger the demon, the better the pill.
If he could refine Imperial Flowing Nectar to awaken and strengthen demons…
Wouldn't that mean he could become self-sufficient—achieving Demon-Refining Pill freedom?
Theodore's gaze grew even hotter.
That night, Theodore first "harvested" several pots of Venomous Tentacula from the dungeon's challenge game, then headed straight for the Forbidden Forest.
Fluffy—the three-headed dog—still needed to guard the first trial. Theodore couldn't exactly throw it into the cauldron; at most, he could draw some blood, and the effect would never be that great.
But for a better source of flesh-and-blood demon-material…
Didn't the Forbidden Forest contain the colony of Acromantulas Hagrid had been raising?
Each one was larger than a carriage. All of them were Class XXXXX dangerous magical creatures—on the same tier as dragons.
And more importantly, compared to dragons or Fluffy, Acromantulas were far more murderous and vicious.
They could speak human language. They operated in groups. They adored human flesh and actively hunted people.
In the Primordial World, these were standard demons—no question.
And Demon-Refining Pills demanded exactly this kind of fierce, malignant demon. The more savage, the better the effect.
If he fed Acromantulas some Imperial Flowing Nectar and then used them to refine pills…
The results would far surpass anything he could get from Fluffy's blood.
And there were so many of them that he'd never run short of materials.
A perfect resource.
With anticipation surging, Theodore quickened his steps.
The Acromantulas' territory wasn't especially far. It was still within Hogwarts' protective enchantments, very distant from the region where that strange grey mist had appeared.
And Theodore's strength had risen again. His fortune was soaring. Even if he encountered the grey mist again, he could retreat calmly.
So he walked deeper without hesitation.
With the Microscopic Heavenly Eye open, he quickly spotted strands of webbing drifting between tree trunks—hidden but everywhere.
Theodore's lips curled.
He lifted a hand, and an eerie wind brushed across the webs, making them tremble violently—as if prey had been caught.
Instantly, across the clearing, the clacking of massive mandibles rose in waves.
The Acromantula colony was alarmed. They believed a large amount of prey had been trapped.
Carriage-sized black shadows surged through the forest toward him.
They had craved flesh for far too long.
In the blink of an eye, Theodore was surrounded, sealed in on all sides.
Emotionless whispers—nothing but hunger—echoed between the trees.
"Why is there only one? A little wizard?"
"He's too skinny. There won't be enough meat."
"But little wizards are tender. Especially the brain—suck it out and it's exquisite. I haven't eaten a human in ages… I'm starving…"
…
On Theodore's System Interface, blood-red warning lines appeared.
You arrive at the edge of the Jade Void Palace to search for cultivation materials, yet suddenly find demonic qi surging. A band of demons has laid an ambush and now surrounds you.
You have slain demons in the demon lair, staining yourself with countless grievances. They dare not charge the Jade Void Palace, but since you have stepped outside, they now dare to devour you to avenge their companions.
Host, be careful. These are rare great demons of the Primordial World. Do not linger—retreat at once to the Jade Void Palace!
Theodore looked at the Acromantulas in front of him and smiled.
"So you all came?"
"Waiting for the feast?"
"Good. Very good."
"I'll feed you something you've never tasted before."
He stamped one foot and spoke in a low voice:
"Go."
In an instant, the light overhead distorted, as if pulled by an invisible force.
Moonlight and starlight poured down like a funnel, focusing onto the region around Theodore.
He rose into the air, formed the hand seals of the Heavenly Demon Refinement Art, and chanted an ancient incantation.
The moonlight and starlight thickened, becoming tangible.
Then threads of milky-white liquid—like pale jade syrup—began to drip down.
At first, the Acromantulas were startled. They didn't understand what magic Theodore had used and tried to dodge the falling Imperial Flowing Nectar.
But they were too massive to avoid it all.
Soon, one Acromantula was splashed.
And to its shock—
There was no burning, no corrosion.
Instead, its bloodline began to boil.
Magic surged through its body. Its size increased visibly.
A heavier metallic sheen spread across its mandibles. The patterns on its body deepened in color. Even its eight eyes—already terrifying—tinted darker, more blood-red.
A fierce aura spilled out.
In mere moments, the Acromantula that absorbed Imperial Flowing Nectar was clearly stronger than before.
It stopped caring about everything else and began greedily sucking in the nectar falling from the sky.
The others, feeling an instinctive craving, even forgot about eating Theodore and started fighting each other for the nectar instead.
Rapidly, the entire colony became more ferocious at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The one that had tasted it first—and seized the most—changed the most dramatically.
Around its eight eyes, dense crack-like slits began to open, as if more eyes were forming within.
At that point, calling it an Acromantula felt inaccurate.
It was a new species altogether—
A Hundred-Eyed Demon Spider.
One Acromantula tried to sneak close and steal a strand of nectar.
The next instant, the Hundred-Eyed Demon Spider pinned its "companion" down and tore it apart effortlessly.
It let out a hoarse, vicious screech and glared at the others.
"Mine! These are all mine!"
"Whoever steals—ends like that!"
Then it raised its head, staring at Theodore, who was still drawing down Imperial Flowing Nectar. Ecstasy filled its many eyes.
"Human little wizard—your magic has saved your life."
"Don't worry. As long as you keep making this marvelous liquid for me, nothing in this world will be able to take your life."
"But to make sure you don't run…"
"I'll eat your legs first."
"Endure it. It won't hurt for long…"
[Danger!]
Among the demonic swarm, one demon's bloodline breaks its shackles—like a demon immortal. Terrifying beyond measure!
It looks upon you, wishing to skin you and drink your marrow, squeezing out every last shred of your flesh and soul.
Host, flee at once!
Theodore tilted his head, calmly watching the Hundred-Eyed Demon Spider.
Imperial Flowing Nectar still worked very well on it—but clearly, the higher it climbed, the more nectar it would require.
And once it reached this level, unless it underwent another true qualitative transformation, further strengthening wouldn't increase Theodore's pill results by much.
So Theodore calculated quickly.
The best profit was to spread the nectar as evenly as possible—creating more Hundred-Eyed Demon Spiders.
Just then, Theodore's figure flickered.
Golden light bloomed on his palm, a sacred aura suppressing all demonic evil.
A flame rose in his hand.
With a single palm strike—
The arrogant Hundred-Eyed Demon Spider was instantly refined into a crimson Blood Pellet.
The remaining Acromantulas froze, stunned beyond belief. They never imagined their evolved kin could be killed—by a mere little wizard—with some unknown "magic."
At that moment, Theodore lifted his hand again.
Imperial Flowing Nectar continued to fall.
He invited them warmly.
"Come, come—eat."
"Eat as much as you like."
"Don't be shy."
"Tonight, every one of you will eat until you're full."
But the spiders all shuddered.
Their eyes looked at the nectar no longer with craving, but as if it were a death warrant.
They wanted nothing more than to get away.
Theodore's expression sank immediately.
"What?"
"What do you mean you're not eating?"
"You're refusing to give me face?"
"Tonight, you'll eat whether you want to or not."
"If you won't eat—then I'll make you eat."
He walked over to the smallest spider, forced open its mouth despite its desperate resistance, and poured nectar straight in.
"Come on—start with you."
"You're so skinny. Malnourished, clearly."
"This is good stuff. Let me nourish you properly."
The spider shrieked in terror.
"No—no!"
"I don't like eating!"
"I don't like food at all, really! I was born small-boned, that's why I can't grow—"
"Ugh—mmph—stop!"
"It's going to overflow—I can't take any more!"
Before the horrified eyes of the others, that Acromantula was forcibly "fed" into becoming a Hundred-Eyed Demon Spider.
Then—refined instantly.
Another Blood Pellet.
System text scrolled again.
You seize the demons' moment of carelessness and strike with a killing move, using demon-slaying methods gained from the demon lair. You pour out all strength—one strike, complete success.
Yet demons still surround you. Though your killing move has intimidated them, they also see your qi is nearly exhausted, and all begin to stir.
At this moment, you laugh coldly—
"Tonight the moonlight is beautiful. Why don't I invite you all to die, and open peace for the world?"
"Everyone—who's first?"
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