Chapter Eleven: Earth's Ghost Seventy-two Transformations – Master the Winds

    The entire Wolf Stream Cave was thrown into chaos. Bird demons with wings took to the skies, their sharp falcon eyes scanning for any trace of the missing bride. But the night was too dark, revealing nothing unusual. Hound demons sniffed vigorously, yet the air was thick with mixed scents of alcohol and demonic aura, making it impossible to track anything concrete.

    Wolf Wuji's face burned with humiliation. Before everyone's eyes, the bride he was about to ceremoniously wed had vanished in the blink of an eye. This public embarrassment was unbearable. He stormed into the bride's chamber only to find several female demon corpses - clearly, his forcibly taken bride had seized the chance to kill her captors.

    "FIND HER!" Wolf Wuji roared through gnashing fangs that gleamed coldly, "Turn every stone in Wolf Stream Cave!"

    The lesser demons scattered in panic while the assembled guests wore varied expressions - some shocked, some gleeful, others contemplative, and a few even considering reclaiming their wedding gifts. Most simply enjoyed the spectacle.

    "Where's Brother Jiangliuer? He went to vomit but never returned," Snake Third Brother wondered aloud while searching for both the missing bride and their companion.

    The usually silent Snake Fourth Brother offered, "Perhaps he's still recovering from the drink."

    Little did they know, the bride they sought lay at Jiangliuer's feet!

    ......

    "Could she be... the escaped bride of the Wolf Demon King?" Jiangliuer gaped, "Did she fight her way out?"

    Her grievous injuries spoke of terrible battles. Noticing his snake scales fading to reveal human skin beneath, and seeing the frenzied demons in the distance, Jiangliuer knew they couldn't stay. Exposure would mean a fate worse than the bride's!

    Just then, responses came from the chat group elders:

    [Huang Mei Ancestor]: "Heh, that Zhu Ganglie who ended up in a pig's body never did master his craft."

    [Altar Cleansing Envoy]: "Says the ugly gong-beater! I was Heavenly Marshal, pilgrimage disciple, and now Buddha's Altar Cleansing Envoy! Don't worry little master, I've sent another breath of Heavenly Gang transformation to maintain your disguise."

    [Ding! "Altar Cleansing Envoy" sent a regular red packet!]

    Jiangliuer hurried to claim it, only to find it already taken.

    [Altar Cleansing Envoy]: "Oops! Had too much wine. Meant to send a private red packet."

    [Altar Cleansing Envoy]: "@Great Sage Equal to Heaven Sun Wukong, Brother Monkey! Stop joking - the little master's about to be demon food!"

    The Great Sage had swiftly claimed the packet. Before Jiangliuer could react:

    [Ding! "Great Sage Equal to Heaven Sun Wukong" sent a private red packet!]

    [Ding! Obtained: Earthly Fiend Wind Control Mantra!]

    Before Jiangliuer could inquire, a demon shouted: "My King! Found the bride! She's here!"

    Disaster struck. As Jiangliuer turned, he met Wolf Wuji's emerald eyes locking onto him - far more conspicuous in his nearly human form than the unconscious bride.

    Never had Jiangliuer seen such terrifying eyes. Frozen under that gaze, he heard the roar: "THIEF STEALING MY BRIDE! YOU COURT DEATH!"

    The wolf demon king came charging through swirling miasma with two hundred demons in tow - a force that would scatter armies. Yet...

    A gentle breeze lifted Jiangliuer's hair. He stumbled, not from wine but rising winds lifting him off his feet. Remembering the Great Sage's gift, he grabbed the bride's bloodied fox tail just as Wolf Wuji closed within a hundred paces.

    Whoosh! The gale carried them hundreds of feet skyward. Wolf Wuji gave furious chase but soon lagged, panting like a dog, forced to watch his prize disappear while roaring impotent threats.

    ......

    Hearing distant roars of "Wife-stealer!", Jiangliuer muttered: "She wasn't even officially wed yet!"

    Initially terrified by the high-speed flight, he gradually adapted. Peering down at landscapes blurring past - faster than any horse - he marveled at immortal magic.

    Jiangliuer: "@Great Sage Equal to Heaven Sun Wukong, Thank you! Escaped demons and saved someone! Though... not exactly human."

    Jiangliuer: "[Image] What kind of demoness is this?"

    [Altar Cleansing Envoy]: "Hmm? A fox demon! Young one too, all bloodied up."

    So she was a fox spirit?

    [Muscular Tang Sanzang]: "Demon flesh makes good nourishment. Eating her would accelerate Buddha Torment Lotus refinement."

    ......