High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1636: Chapter 380: Parting Ways

The Black Prison World is devoid of light.

But today, the prisoners have revolted, and outside the Black Prison Castle, they’ve set up a hellish equation, channeling underground magma; the wizards have also lit countless sky lanterns, scattering a radiant glow over the land.

Both sides together raise a faint glimmer under the heavy curtain of night.

If this were in the Wizard World or Dreamland, such light would be insignificant, easily drowned out by the brilliant starlight overhead.

But in the Black Prison.

This light becomes the sole beacon in the darkness, clearly indicating the direction Zheng Qing and others need to head towards.

At this moment, the party stands on a small flat land atop a mountain on one side of the valley.

Behind them, the effect of ’the moon is bright’ has yet to fade, silver halo pouring onto the plain at the mouth of the valley. The assistants confront the short Black Mountain Goat, and the scene occasionally rings out with a crisp explosion, accompanied by the wails and roars of the giant mass still bound.

Before them lies a boundless darkness, intimidating at first glance. Zheng Qing struggles to describe his feelings upon seeing that darkness; up, down, all around—there is blackness. That faint moonlight behind him is both a reliance and a shackle, making it difficult to decide to shed this glimmer to venture into the darkness ahead.

It seems like a single step forward could plunge into bottomless water or sink into a thick swamp that swallows all. This oppressive feeling stifles.

Fortunately, at the end of this darkness, there is a tiny; bean-sized glimmer, wiggling, radiating a hint of color that seems constantly threatened to be snuffed out by the heavy nightfall.

Earlier, Thomas pointed Zheng Qing in this direction. That Paper Crane led the young wizards to the mountaintop, outlined that glimmer, then instantly transformed into firelight, dissolving into the Black Prison.

For some reason, seeing that tiny glow at the end of the darkness, the word suddenly surfaced in Zheng Qing’s mind.

Hope.

Perhaps for those in dire straits, spotting a glimmer of hope feels like seeing that light in the darkness now.

”That’s right,”

The Old Witch Demon stands beside the young cost student, looking at the glimmer at the end of the darkness, his expression somewhat grim but still honestly replies: ”That’s the direction of the Black Prison Castle...”

From its viewpoint, since Zheng Qing already knows the direction to the Black Prison Castle, there’s no longer a need to waste a Magic Potion hiring it as a guide, so it feels a bit deflated.

However, Zheng Qing thinks otherwise.

Indeed, they know the general direction, but in an unfamiliar world—especially a world filled with crises and lurking terrifying enemies—they need more than merely an accurate direction; they need a reliable guide and suitable cannon fodder.

”This is the deposit.”

The Warlock fished out that transparent Ampoule Bottle from the Grey Cloth Bag, stuffing it into the Old Witch Demon’s claw. The liquid in the glass bottle slightly rippled, sparking an enchanting magical glow and a string of fine bubbles: ”...once you lead us to the outside of Black Prison Castle, we’ll pay the subsequent fee.”

The subsequent fee mentioned is some ingredients for concocting Magic Potion, as previously agreed.

”Oh, may Merlin bless you, merciful sire!”

The Old Witch Demon clasped the Magic Potion, feigning a look of tearful gratitude, its blood-red eyes turning somewhat wet, growing increasingly unsettling, while muttering repeatedly: ”...may Merlin bless you!”

Zheng Qing quickly retracted his hand, fearing the excited Old Witch Demon might scratch him.

That would be too unlucky.

The Old Witch Demon didn’t continue with its pledge of allegiance; instead, it eagerly stuffed the Magic Potion, along with the Ampoule Bottle, into its mouth as if fearing the potion might vanish any second.

Crunch, crunch.

The crisp sound of glass shards shattered between its teeth, making listeners’ teeth ache.

Zheng Qing smacked his lips, turning away as though avoiding, looking back.

In the distance, on the valley plain, tumultuous magical fluctuations rise and fall, almost obscuring the small magical moon above. The surrounding air trembles under the magical power, even on the mountain top, fierce winds roar from all directions, making it hard to open one’s eyes.

Zheng Qing faintly sees a dash of blue flashing amidst the Magic Tide, flying sand, and deep night—that’s the Kunpeng Hunting Team.

Unable to take the hunting team’s trophies, Zhang Boren and his team eventually didn’t follow the arrangements of the Assistant Team and retreat with Zheng Qing and others. Instead, they’ve become a blue giant fish again, lingering near the battlefield, ready to respond to Zhang Yu and others.

The crunching sound beside him came to a halt.

Zheng Qing looked back, glimpsing at the Old Witch Demon. It crouched humbly at the edge of the mountaintop, half submerged in the darkness behind the mountain, half remaining in the dim moonlight on top.

The Black Cat squatted beside Zheng Qing’s feet, absentmindedly swinging its tail, looking ready to doze off at any moment.

Jiang Yu and Zhu Si were huddled together, whispering. Before them, a dozen bottles and jars floated, and in the light, Zheng Qing vaguely saw many containers filled with different magic materials, such as eyes steeped in wine bottles, dried rolls of thin skin, neatly cut roots, and liquid with apparent divine blessings, etc.

Noticing the Warlock’s attention, the two witches glanced at him.

”Ahem, time is running short; we should set off.”

Fearing being misunderstood as spying, Zheng Qing subconsciously touched the tip of his nose, turned slightly, and looked at the boundless darkness on the other side, sighing sincerely: ”...it’s pitch-black, can’t see the road, seems it will be tough.”

”It’s simple, follow me!”

The Old Witch Demon eagerly wished to prove its usefulness: ”I’ve been in the Black Prison for decades, thoroughly familiar with the environment...there’s typically no light here...as long as you stick close and follow my directions, though minor bumps still cannot be entirely avoided, you absolutely won’t tumble into Jinlunjiali.”

Jinlun is a famous abyss in the Wizard World, rumored to be connected to Hell, Purgatory, and even The Eye of the Wasteland. Countless Divine Spirits are buried within.

With the closed nature of the Black Prison World, it naturally doesn’t relate to Jinlunjiali.

The Old Witch Demon meant it could lead Zheng Qing and others to avoid similar perilous terrains and not fall into predicaments surrounded by Demons or dangers.

During its speech, its blood-red eyes always twirled towards where the two witches stood.

The bottles floating in mid-air and the pure magic rippling within made it drool. If not for having just eaten a whole Tiger Demon and afterward consuming a Magic Potion, it certainly wouldn’t hold such composure now.

Zheng Qing coughed heavily.

The Old Witch Demon reluctantly withdrew its gaze, once again wearing a fawning smile.