The two of them stood side by side on the mountain peak, gazing at the brightly lit demon city, speechless for a long time.
The mountain wind was cold, and Jian Lin couldn't stand it. She quietly moved closer to the Demon Lord, wanting to burrow into his cloak for warmth.
Her movement startled the Demon Lord. He turned his head to look at her, his eyes sharpening. He disdained her frailty, unable to withstand even this little wind.
Jian Lin gave a sheepish smile. She was indeed cold!
Speaking of which, ever since she started cultivating the Ming Yue Divine Skill, she had been earning points at a rapid pace. However, her cultivation progress had been slow, and she was still only at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment.
Originally, according to the Demon Lord, as long as she diligently cultivated the Ming Yue Divine Skill, she would definitely break through. After all, going from the sixth layer of the middle stage of Foundation Establishment to the seventh layer of the late stage of Foundation Establishment was not a difficult task.
But Jian Lin just couldn't do it. The Demon Lord was also surprised. After much thought, he attributed the reason to her lack of focus in cultivation.
However, Jian Lin knew that she was not unfocused in her cultivation, and the Demon Lord was not one to speak carelessly. Therefore, the problem could only lie with her own body.
One was related to the gradual dissipation of spiritual energy in her original body, and the other was related to the lack of progress in her攻略 mission.
These two reasons were intertwined, influencing each other like a tangled mess, and Jian Lin didn't know where to start to solve them.
Speaking of which, she had been following the Demon Lord for so long that they were quite familiar with each other. Moreover, the Demon Lord treated her well. Apart from his disapproval of her reluctance to cultivate, they got along harmoniously in other aspects.
But her affection points remained stubbornly still.
Jian Lin analyzed and reviewed the reasons. At this stage, the Demon Lord's attention was focused on tracking down Zhan San Dao. As someone from the Guan Lan Sect, she was merely a clue and evidence in the Demon Lord's eyes.
It wasn't that there weren't opportunities for ambiguous contact. That time in the spider demon's human cocoon, they were in close proximity. Jian Lin flirted awkwardly, while the Demon Lord remained unfazed, his expression calm.
Regardless of the Demon Lord's reasons for keeping her by his side, or even teaching her the Ming Yue Divine Skill, Jian Lin was certain and sure that it had nothing to do with romantic feelings.
As her thoughts wandered, Jian Lin suddenly heard the Demon Lord speak. The mountain wind was strong, making his voice sound ethereal and scattered.
"Jian Lin, have you heard of the demon city?" the Demon Lord asked.
Jian Lin leaned closer and shook her head. "Never. I grew up in the Guan Lan Sect, how could I have had the chance to hear about the demon city?"
"Then I'll tell you. Listen carefully, and don't take it lightly. The difference between the inside and outside of the demon city is greater than the difference between the demon realm and the human world," the Demon Lord described calmly, his gaze distant and profound. "The demon city is a vessel for raising蛊(gu), a danger and terror beyond your imagination. It's completely different from the situations you've faced before."
"If you don't take it seriously, and still want to wander around to broaden your horizons, or intervene in unrelated matters," the Demon Lord paused here and said very seriously, "I truly won't manage you. You'll have to find a way to solve it yourself."
So he was giving her a heads-up. Jian Lin nodded solemnly and agreed, "Don't worry, Young Master. If I really meddle too much again, and you abandon me and pretend not to know me, I will understand and respect you, and I will absolutely not resent you."
Jian Lin knew herself best. She had loved upholding justice since she was young and couldn't stand to see honest people bullied. When she should act, she would act. As she grew older and was beaten by society, she learned to save the country through indirect means, but her original intention remained unchanged.
She couldn't be cold-hearted and turn a blind eye, but at the same time, she understood the Demon Lord's thoughts. Why should a great villain and demon lord like him uphold justice with her? She understood, truly understood.
The Demon Lord stared fixedly at her, his eyes reflecting the lights of the demon city, like two small flames. "Are you genuinely stupid or pretending to be stupid? I mean you should cause less trouble!"
He dared to call her stupid! But she endured it!
"I understand. I was just talking about the worst-case scenario. My cultivation is low, and I can't defeat anyone. If something unexpected happens, Young Master, don't mind me. I absolutely won't have any complaints!" Jian Lin said with a smile, her skill in being shamelessly persistent being top-notch.
The Demon Lord felt like his efforts were in vain. He had intended to give Jian Lin a stern warning before entering the demon city, but since the conversation had reached this point...
Forget it! Let her be!
If someone wanted to die, no one could stop them. He was too lazy to care!
The Demon Lord stopped talking, flicked his cloak, and began to descend the mountain. Jian Lin stumbled after him, smiling and urging him not to be angry.
They chased each other all the way. As dawn broke, they reached the foot of the mountain. Looking up, they saw the towering, dark, and heavy city walls, and the tightly shut city gates.
Surprisingly, the terrain outside the city gates was open and flat, but it was messy with many tents erected. From their vantage point on the mountain peak last night, they had only noticed the dazzling city and hadn't paid attention to what the outside was like.
Jian Lin strained her eyes and found that there was no end in sight. Tents of various shapes and sizes were crammed together, as if they had arrived at some refugee camp.
As the sun rose in the east, casting its radiance, the tent area gradually quieted down. Many demons hurried back into their tents. Occasionally, a few conversations and howls could be heard, and then it quickly became quiet again. The demon city was asleep.
At this hour, it was rather awkward. The Demon Lord and Jian Lin stood at the outermost edge, truly out of place.
The Demon Lord gestured, leading Jian Lin to slowly retreat into the bushes, preparing to wait until the demons woke up at night to observe.
The two returned to the foot of the mountain and found a place with dense bushes for concealment. The Demon Lord spotted a clean stone, walked over, and sat down cross-legged. Jian Lin was less particular and sat on the grass next to the Demon Lord. At this moment, she had many questions and wanted to talk to the Demon Lord. Suddenly, she saw him take out an exquisite crystal ball from his embrace.
The small ball was just the right size to be held in the palm. The outer layer was transparent material, and inside there seemed to be a mass of smoke. The smoke appeared to have life, constantly swirling and changing within.
Jian Lin was shocked. This thing looked like something witches used!
The Demon Lord handed the crystal ball to her and said solemnly, "Alright, we have now arrived at the demon city and need to start preparing for the real business. Granny Saint Fox said the Dragon Pill is in the demon city. Whether it's true or not, if it is, once the presence of the Dragon Pill is sensed, the smoke inside the Dragon's Roar will turn into the shape of a flying dragon. You hold it and pay close attention. Help me find the Dragon Pill seriously."
Jian Lin carefully took it and examined the smoke curiously. "Why is this thing called Dragon's Roar?"
"Because inside is a dragon's roar," the Demon Lord seemed to say something redundant, then explained the reason. "Dragons have been extinct for thousands of years. Dragon flesh, scales, and blood are all extremely precious things. Frenzied profit-seekers made this kind of thing, trapping a dragon's roar in crystal to sell. In those days, these things were playthings for the powerful. Breaking the crystal ball would release a dragon's roar. Later, when the last Azure Dragon fell, these things also became rare and precious. Keep it well, and take it out to look at occasionally, but don't be too ostentatious."
So that was it. Jian Lin carefully put the crystal ball into her Qiankun Bag and then another question arose. "Young Master, since the last Azure Dragon has fallen, why has the half-demon carrying the Dragon Pill appeared now?"
"Perhaps there was a descendant of the dragon race left outside who combined with other demons, and their offspring inherited the Dragon Pill," the Demon Lord closed his eyes and began to meditate, saying faintly, "Actually, this question is not important. What's important is finding the Dragon Pill."
Seeing the Demon Lord's indifferent tone, Jian Lin didn't ask any more questions. She also began to circulate her energy to cultivate, but she couldn't help but think about the half-demon carrying the Dragon Pill.
She wondered what kind of demon it was, how it would face the pursuit and killing intent of the entire demon realm, whether anyone would help and protect it? Or would it rely on its own strength to survive?
Jian Lin glanced at the dark and heavy walls of the demon city, feeling that in the demon realm, anything that defied common sense could happen. She really hated all of this. When would she be able to escape?
As the sun gradually set in the west, dyeing the sky and earth a beautiful orange, the tent area began to stir. Demons started to come out and move around, with various sounds of bumping and shouting, chaotic and noisy.
At the same time, lights began to be lit inside the demon city. Suddenly, the sound of flapping wings came from the sky. Jian Lin looked up, her heart tightening. It was the Demon Emperor's guards, those black birds. They had set out again...
She wondered which tribe would disappear tonight.
The Demon Lord was not particularly concerned. He stepped forward, urging Jian Lin, "Stop looking, let's go."
Jian Lin lowered her eyes, let go of her thoughts, and followed the Demon Lord's pace.
As night fell, the tent area became more lively. Demons gathered in groups, seemingly chatting and exchanging information. Some demons set up small stalls at the entrance of their tents, selling spiritual medicine, magical artifacts, or wine and food, doing small businesses.
Jian Lin was dazzled by the sight. The demons' small lives were quite exciting.
The Demon Lord observed for a long time, then walked to a small stall selling wine, threw a few spirit stones at the demon, and then began to inquire for information.
Question: When will the city gates open?
Answer: It depends on the Demon Emperor's mood. We don't know. Everyone is waiting.
Question: Is there a way to get in?
Answer: Yes.
Question: Who should I ask for help?
The little rat demon selling wine stopped talking, its eyes darting around, tossing the spirit stones in its hand, the implication very obvious.
The Demon Lord took out another handful, without counting them, and threw them directly to the little rat demon, his demeanor潇洒(xiāosǎ) and generous, exceptionally charming.
The little rat demon greedily took them, pointed towards the more central area, and lowered its voice, saying, "Those who don't want to fight, find Boss Snake. Those who want to fight, find Boss Leopard."
"What's the difference between the two?" the Demon Lord asked.
"Those who don't want to fight all want to preserve their strength to fight again inside the city. It takes a long time and costs a lot of money. Just wait slowly. For those who want to fight, they sign a life-and-death pact, and are willing to forfeit their demon cores if they lose. The final winner each night, Boss Leopard has a way to send them in, one per day."
The Demon Lord and Jian Lin exchanged glances, simultaneously realizing a serious problem. The Demon Lord would definitely choose the fighting option. Then what about Jian Lin?
The two continued to walk further in. The Demon Lord asked her in a low voice, "What are your thoughts?"
At this moment, Jian Lin was talking to the system. Her first reaction was to use the teleportation talisman, but she had never entered the demon city before, and she had no mental image, so the teleportation talisman couldn't be used.
"How about I wait for you outside the city?" Jian Lin could only think of this solution.
The Demon Lord glanced at her, criticizing mercilessly, "You really have no fighting spirit at all."
Jian Lin wagged her big tail, acting cute to show goodwill. "Don't scold me. Scolding won't change anything. Young Master, do you have any ideas?"
"Let's go scout the path first. If there's a way, there will be a way," the Demon Lord said confidently.