Hsi Wu gazed out, yearning for that passionate arena of battle.
Pachu gazed out, longing for that lost city of Atlantis.
Pong Kong looked into the distance, dreaming of that glittering salt mine.
Tso Lan looked down from above, picturing that deep subterranean kingdom.
Xiao Feng looked up, dreaming of ascending that tower piercing the clouds.
Zorzal looked up, yearning for that mysterious lunar world.
During the days trapped in the Netherworld, everything had become history.
The Seven Demons were sealed deep within the Netherworld,
while Shendu enjoyed his rule in the mortal realm as they struggled in agony.
"Damn it!"
The Seven Demons roared in unison.
Their fury transformed into dark power, forming soul-torturing spells that violently assaulted Shendu like a raging storm.
"Ah? These incantations—please, stop!"
Shendu wailed.
"Don't be in such a hurry, we won't let you off easily!"
Dark Chi surged continuously around Zhongsu, though he cast few spells, seemingly hoarding his strength.
Zorzal said viciously.
"The Panku Box, the Panku Box... it can help you escape this place!"
Shendu said anxiously.
"Lies! Demons cannot touch righteous magic!"
Zorzal's eyes flashed slightly as he shouted.
"Let him speak."
The other demons chimed in.
All the incantations ceased, and Shendu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"My physical body has perished, leaving the position of a Great Demon vacant in the mortal kingdom,"
Shendu continued,
"As long as the Panku Box is used, the Portal to the Netherworld can be opened.
When that time comes, my brothers and sisters—that is, all of you—will be able to fill my vacancy!"
"You think we'd believe your nonsense?"
Zorzal challenged.
"I am not lying to you, this is the truth," Shendu explained anxiously.
"I swear, if I have lied to you, may I be forever trapped in the Netherworld," Shendu said solemnly.
"Hmph, so what?"
Zorzal sneered.
"Even if you aren't lying, we won't easily trust you."
"That's right, how do we know if this Panku Box can really help us escape from here?"
The other demons expressed their doubts.
Shendu was burning with anxiety; he knew that if he failed to convince these demons, he would never be able to leave the Netherworld.
"Please believe me, my brothers and sisters, this Panku Box truly possesses immense power and can grant our wishes,"
Shendu said sincerely,
"Provided I fulfill the specific requirements for using it."
"Hmph, we won't be fooled by your slick tongue,"
Zorzal said dismissively.
Shendu sighed helplessly.
He knew it wouldn't be easy to make these demons believe him, but he was determined not to give up.
"I am willing to use my life to prove the authenticity of this Panku Box,"
Shendu said firmly.
"Oh? And how do you plan to do that?"
Zorzal asked curiously.
"If you allow me to use the Panku Box, then please open the Portal to the Netherworld yourselves and witness it with your own eyes,"
Shendu said.
Pachu sneered, a cunning glint flashing in her eyes as she spotted the crucial flaw in Shendu's plan.
"Shendu, your plan has a fatal flaw,"
Her voice echoed through the vast hall.
"The Portal to the Netherworld imprisons all demons in endless darkness, and you are no exception.
That door can only be opened in the mortal realm—how do you expect to escape from the Netherworld?"
A trace of imperceptible tension flickered across Shendu's face, but he quickly recovered his confident smile:
"Pachu, you underestimate me.
I have now transformed into a spirit, no longer bound by a physical body, and can freely travel between the Netherworld and the mortal realm."
A hint of smugness leaked into his voice:
"I have already found a perfect plan.
I only need to find a suitable human in the mortal realm to open the Portal to the Netherworld for me.
And as for this person, I have already chosen him—my mortal enemy, Jackie Chan!"
Pachu's brow furrowed. She knew Jackie Chan was a formidable opponent, yet also a righteous warrior.
She realized Shendu's plan might be even more airtight than she had imagined.
"You think Jackie Chan will be so easily controlled by you?"
Pachu challenged.
"He is a brave warrior who will not easily submit to evil."
A flash of cunning gleamed in Shendu's eyes:
"Oh, Pachu, you don't understand humans.
Their desires and fears can be easily manipulated. Once I control him, the Portal to the Netherworld will open for me."
Pachu fell silent.
Zorzal and the other demons exchanged glances, beginning to weigh Shendu's proposal.
Zhongsu inherited the memories of his original self, and naturally could read the demons' silent communication.
"Fine, we'll give you a chance. But if you dare to deceive us, bear the consequences."
Zorzal finally agreed to Shendu's request.
Shendu rejoiced inwardly, knowing half his plan had succeeded.
Next, he needed to beguile and deceive the Seven Demons into granting him his freedom,
so that he might once again rule the world all by himself.
"Heh! Heh! Heh!"
"Ah! What on earth is going on here?"
Shendu snapped out of his daydream, his gaze instantly locking onto the Seven Demons.
He saw thick Dark Chi gathering in the hands of the Seven Demons,
surging like a black torrent carrying an endless aura of evil.
Xiao Feng was on all fours, a cunning smile curving the corner of his mouth, a sly glint in his eyes.
He chanted an incantation that, like a venomous snake, rapidly coiled around Shendu.
Zhongsu crossed his arms, his hands tightly clasped together, while the lightning crackled swiftly around him like wind.
His voice was deep and powerful, resembling a roar from the nether realms,
and the spell was unleashed with his words, forming a giant web that trapped Shendu firmly within.
Shendu glared furiously.
"What are you doing to me?!"
He tried to struggle, but the spell was as rigid as steel, rendering him completely immobile.
Xiao Feng smiled contemptuously, his wings beating slightly as the surrounding air seemed to quiver in response.
"We are simply taking necessary precautions to prevent you from doing anything out of line."
A cold gleam flashed in Pachu's eyes, her voice low and threatening:
"Your power has already been weakened. Before us, you are nothing more than a bound beast shorn of its claws."
Shendu took a deep breath, knowing he could not yield easily.
He had to find a way to break this spell, or else he would remain forever at the mercy of these demons.
Therefore,
right now—
"Very well,"
Shendu said slowly, trying to mask his panic.
"I will definitely save you all."
Xiao Feng sneered.
"You think we'd still believe your nonsense?"
"Once you've rescued every last one of us, we'll naturally lift this spell."