Xiao Feng suppressed his desire to pluck the red lotus and took a few steps back with great difficulty.

The red lotus seemed to sense Xiao Feng's retreat, and it swayed even more violently.

In a daze, Xiao Feng seemed to see the red lotus transform into a woman with a bewitching figure and charming appearance.

The woman stood on lotus flowers, smiling radiantly at Xiao Feng like a fairy princess, seemingly tempting him to share in bliss.

However, Xiao Feng retreated even faster.

A look of surprise flashed across the woman's face, as if she had been hurt by Xiao Feng's venomous attitude.

She looked at Xiao Feng with a mournful gaze.

Xiao Feng had already retreated back to Long Gu and the others.

Xiao Feng turned to look at Zhao Yuwei, grabbed her shoulders with both hands, and stared intently at her.

Zhao Yuwei couldn't understand what serious illness Xiao Feng had suddenly developed.

"I saw a woman! She's seducing me!"

Xiao Feng suddenly accused Hong Lian of creating an illusion in a very aggrieved voice.

As Xiao Feng finished speaking, the woman standing on the red lotus in the distance suddenly disappeared.

A cloud of black mist appeared out of nowhere above the pond and rushed directly toward Xiao Feng.

Xiao Feng reacted quickly, immediately grabbing Zhao Yuwei and dodging away.

The black mist failed to hit Xiao Feng and immediately changed direction, rushing back into the red lotus.

"That thing is... demonic energy?!"

Having suffered from demonic energy before, Xiao Feng immediately recognized what that black energy was.

What Xiao Feng didn't expect was that the demonic energy actually flew back into the red lotus.

The red lotus also shed its previous appearance and returned to its original form, swaying before everyone.

That wasn't a red lotus at all, but a dark demonic flower.

The demonic flower, having shed its red lotus disguise, grew to an enormous size.

In just a few seconds, the water had become so abundant that the entire pond could not hold it all.

A continuous stream of demonic energy surged forth from the demonic flower, seemingly threatening to corrupt the entire courtyard.

Demonic energy is the most terrifying thing; once you come into contact with even a little bit, you are very likely to be corroded.

The crowd was terrified and immediately retreated.

Long Gu remembered that Xiao Feng had almost been hit by demonic energy just now, and subconsciously stepped forward to protect Xiao Feng.

"You just said that something inside was calling to you. Are you sure it's this demonic flower that's calling to you?"

Longgu stood beside Xiao Feng, watching warily with him as the evil, swaying demonic flower appeared before them, and asked a question.

"How could I have known it would be a demonic flower? I thought it was a real red lotus!" Xiao Feng was on the verge of tears.

It's all that damned system's fault. If that damned system hadn't said there was an opportunity for him in the City Lord's Mansion, he wouldn't have made up an excuse to come in.

Xiao Feng did indeed feel something calling to him, but it wasn't as mystical as he described.

He never expected that, unknowingly, he would be bewitched by that thing and lead everyone into the courtyard where the demonic flower grew.

"No matter what, let's try to get out of here first. Be careful, this demonic energy is probably aimed at you."

Xiao Feng naturally knew this as well.

Thinking of the death he had experienced before, Xiao Feng was speechless. Why did he have to get involved with things related to the demon race?

Despite his words, as the demonic energy above the demonic flower grew larger and larger, Xiao Feng still hurriedly shouted for everyone to run away immediately, lest they be contaminated by the demonic energy.

As soon as Xiao Feng finished speaking, the demonic energy rushed towards them.

Seeing how agile the demonic energy was, Xiao Feng seriously suspected that it might possess sentience.

These demonic energies must have mistaken Xiao Feng for food.

Even if Xiao Feng and his companions escape from the City Lord's Mansion, these demonic energies will not give up their pursuit.

Fortunately, Xiao Feng wasn't foolish enough not to know that he should use spiritual power to deal with demonic energy.

But it's useless. The demonic energy will reassemble after being dispersed, and it may even pollute the spiritual energy they release, thus strengthening itself.

Xiao Feng and his companions were suffering terribly from this demonic energy and could only scatter and flee.

The demonic energy was chasing after them relentlessly.

Just as they were about to reach the city lord's mansion gate, a great deal of demonic energy suddenly appeared from nowhere.

The demonic energy transformed into black mist, blocking Xiao Feng and his companions' path and relentlessly closing in on them.

There was demonic energy both in front and behind, and no one could dodge it in time.

They could only rely on their own abilities and mobilize their respective forces to attack the demonic energy.

They tried to disperse the demonic energy and create an opening in the encirclement so they could leave.

However, Xiao Feng and his companions found that it didn't work after trying it!

These demonic energies were even more troublesome than the ones Xiao Feng had encountered before.

The endless stream of demonic energy was impossible to penetrate.

Even if a small portion is scattered, more demonic energy will re-condense.

They were like turtles trapped in a jar, unknowingly falling into the jar formed by demonic energy.

As the demonic energy continued to approach, Jinpeng was the first to be tainted by it.

The Golden Roc, which had already transformed into human form, collapsed to the ground instantly, and a painful howl escaped from his mouth.

His form began to switch back and forth between ferocious beast and human form, which can be considered as enduring great pain.

"Jinpeng! Jinpeng! Don't let the demonic energy control you!"

Xiao Feng immediately squatted down and poured his spiritual power into Jinpeng's body to prevent him from being completely corrupted by demonic energy.

"There's something in my head, there's a sound! Ah—get out! Ah—get out of my body!"

Seeing Jinpeng's pained appearance, the others and the ferocious beasts became even more afraid of the restless demonic energy around them.

Just as Xiao Feng was at a loss, the system suddenly spoke up: "Host, you can use the Star Absorbing Technique to reverse spiritual power and force the demonic energy out of his body."

"Your power is special. By reversing it using the Star Absorbing Technique, your power can be transferred into his body, forcing away that demonic energy!"

Upon hearing the system's voice, Xiao Feng immediately asked, "Won't I be corrupted by demonic energy?"

"Of course not! You are special, but only you can do it!"

With the system in hand, Xiao Feng felt completely at ease and immediately took action.

As instructed by the system, expel the demonic energy from Jinpeng's body quickly.

Jin Peng quickly regained consciousness.

The moment Jinpeng got up from the ground, everyone present, whether human or beast, was shocked.

"Xiao Feng, you actually managed to force out demonic energy?" Dragon Bone spoke first.

Seeing everyone's disbelief at his ability to fight against demonic energy, Xiao Feng had no way of explaining to them that it was because of the system.

Xiao Feng avoided answering and said directly, "I will find a way to use my spiritual power to send you all out. I can deal with this demonic energy, and I absolutely cannot let it leave from here!"

Before anyone else could speak, Xiao Feng immediately mobilized the spiritual energy in his body and, following the method instructed by the system, quickly enveloped everyone with new spiritual energy, preparing to break through the demonic energy directly.

"Since we can go out, you should come with us. This demonic energy is too dangerous; what if something unexpected happens..."

Zhao Yuwei didn't want Xiao Feng to take the risk alone, so she held Xiao Feng's hand.

"Senior sister, be good and wait for me outside!"