Chapter 22 Leaving Rosalinda and Etio

After saying goodbye to Rosalinda and Etio, Lan Qi and Tata left the magnificent office.

"Tata, return to your original form."

Lan Qi said to Talia beside him.

Talia had spent the whole afternoon taking the Platinum Card Maker exam, and Lan Qi needed her to return so he could slowly recover his mana.

Talia glanced at him without a word.

But she still disappeared on the spot, merging into Lan Qi's soul space.

She felt that this guy seemed to really treat her as his magic card.

After a corner in the staircase, only Lan Qi was left.

He walked along the corridor. The walls on both sides were covered with murals of the Lost Empire that stretched for dozens of meters and old plaster niches. The sound of footsteps was swallowed by the thick carpet. The whole corridor was quiet.

"Then I'll rest first. Call me if you need anything."

Talia's telepathic voice came.

"Okay, okay, rest well."

Lan Qi responded in his heart.

Talia had just enjoyed a feast, eating a whole box of coconut酥 (sū, crispy pastry), and now it was time to sleep.

Talia wanted to say something but hesitated.

After listening to Cat Boss's words, she didn't know whether to scold Lan Qi as punishment or reward.

Although she felt uncomfortable not messing with Lan Qi, she would try changing her strategy first to see how it worked.

Occasionally, the clamor of tourists could be heard in the distance.

As he reached the end, the heavy walnut doors opened wide to both sides, revealing a straight staircase leading outside the building.

Lan Qi, who had now turned into a brunette with green eyes, walked down the stairs. The lights in the dim night became brighter, and he finally arrived at the outdoor square of the Saint Silver Vine Arena.

He looked around and soon spotted a black-clothed figure standing in the square.

The man was wearing a well-tailored black礼服 (lǐfú, formal suit) with a light overcoat. His neat dark brown short hair framed a face with distinct features and a firm jawline.

He stood slightly sideways, one hand in his coat pocket and the other holding a straight-handled black long umbrella.

Tonight, the Executioner Nigel was not wearing his military uniform, but was dressed more appropriately, as if he were going to a formal banquet.

Seeing Lan Qi approaching, he nodded slightly in greeting.

"Where's Tata?"

Nigel knew that Tata had been in the Saint Silver Vine Arena just now.

In the blink of an eye, only Lan Qi was left. Of course, Lan Qi had now turned back into Rocky.

"She's nearby, but we can't see her. She'll appear if there's any danger."

Lan Qi came to Nigel's side and replied.

"That's good."

Nigel was very confident in Tata's strength.

Now he even suspected that Lan Qi and Tata were actually the same person, like one soul with two bodies, or one body with two souls.

"There might be some uncertainties tonight. Could you please keep this safe for me for one night?"

He thought for a moment and handed a crystal key pendant to Lan Qi.

"No problem."

Lan Qi held the crystal key and muttered to himself.

He could feel that this was a key-type magic-conducting device that could open or close certain things, but even as a magic craftsman, he couldn't figure out its specific meaning for a while.

Since Nigel didn't explain what this key was, he didn't want to inquire too much. Nigel probably felt that it would be safer to leave it with him, so that Nigel could go all out without any worries in case of uncertainties.

"Have you encountered that Curse Distributor again these past two days?"

The two set off for the Bosen Demon Realm to the north, and Lan Qi asked Nigel.

When Nigel found him and Tata after the second round of the Platinum exam a few days ago, they only speculated that the Curse Distributor was likely to act tonight, but seeing Nigel's solemn expression today, it seemed that he was no longer sure whether he could win.

"Many colleagues have been killed in the Bosen Demon Realm again. He is very strong and very good at curses and disguises. The dark blue flames are also quite dangerous. Once infected, the attached curse is difficult to purify."

Nigel found it difficult to analyze the true strength of the Curse Distributor.

It was very difficult to catch his whereabouts because he could disguise himself as anyone, human, demon, male, female, old or young. Only when he attacked could his unique magic power be detected.

Each hunt was accompanied by a large number of sacrifices.

But the other party was completely teasing them, and the mocking look in his eyes seemed to be telling them that the formal confrontation was coming soon.

"Is there any reference? For example, do you feel that the other party is stronger than your teacher?"

Lan Qi watched Nigel's clenched fist, feeling Nigel's anger towards the Curse Distributor.

"The sense of oppression from the other party is quite comparable to that of my teacher... Perhaps my teacher can deal with him, or if even my teacher can't deal with him, then he is completely unscrupulous in the Bosen Demon Realm."

Nigel pondered for a moment and replied.

"What about the strength of the leaders in the Bosen Demon Realm?"

Lan Qi had only met Astros, the leader of District 7, and Etio, the leader of District 9, so far.

But Lan Qi didn't know anything about Nigel's teacher, Pearlman, the leader of District 10.

"I don't know how to describe and compare it specifically. When I fought my teacher before, I hadn't reached the seventh rank yet. I felt like he was a god. No matter how many of me there were, I couldn't fight him. And I haven't been back to the depths of the Bosen Demon Realm for a long time. I'm only sure that my teacher is the strongest, followed by Etio, and then the leaders of District 7 and 8."

Nigel shook his head.

Lan Qi thought for a while.

He needed to roughly estimate the overall strength of the Bosen Demon Realm, otherwise, even if he encountered the Curse Distributor, he might make misjudgments in his tactical choices.

Then he took out a communication magic card and started contacting the intelligence supplier.

"Today is the weekend, so this intelligence supplier should be open."

Lan Qi said to Nigel.

Nigel was slightly surprised. He didn't expect Lan Qi to know an information dealer in Pariere, the City of Flowers.

They were now getting closer and closer to the border of District 6.

The Saint Silver Vine Arena was only one kilometer away from the entrance to the Bosen Demon Realm.

Gusts of wind swept across, stirring up the sand and gravel on the ground, causing the patrolling guards to squint their eyes from time to time, wary of the sandstorms.

In late August in Pariere at night, the sky was covered with layers of dark clouds, and the air was a bit humid and stuffy.

At this moment, the communication was finally connected.

"Mr. Zephyr, do you know the strength of the demon leaders in the Bosen Demon Realm now?"

Lan Qi asked immediately.

There was no sound on the other end of the communication.

And Nigel stared at Lan Qi in shock.

The information dealer you're talking about is the police chief?

The Pariere Police Headquarters, a historical institution responsible for maintaining public safety and order in Pariere and its suburbs, is directly under the Bosen Kingdom's Ministry of Interior as one of the most important security agencies in the Bosen Kingdom. Its work content is completely different from that of the Senate's enforcement forces, and it can indeed grasp a lot of information.

But the communication magic card was always dim, and there was no response for a long time.

The梧桐 (wútóng, Chinese parasol tree) leaves on both sides of the street had already begun to turn yellow, and a rainstorm might make them all fall. People wrapped their coats tightly and hurried down the street, seemingly wanting to get home before it rained.

"Mr. Diviner, can you help me divine the level of the demon leaders in the Bosen Demon Realm now?"

So Lan Qi asked again.

The other end of the communication only gave him four numbers.

Lan Qi didn't ask any more questions, but he understood what Chief Zephyr meant.

This was based on the grading system that had been circulating from the Haddon Kingdom a year ago, which could divide the strength under the same rank more clearly.

Astros, the leader of District 7 who fought them last time, should be level 73.

And Etio, the leader of District 9, was level 80, having just been promoted to the eighth rank.

According to another division of combat power, 80 to 81 belonged to ordinary eighth rank, 82 to 84 belonged to stronger eighth rank, 85 to 86 belonged to quasi-archbishop level eighth rank, and 87 to 88 were called the strongest in the world, the archbishop level. The realm of 89 and approaching 90 may be considered super-archbishop level.

"By the way, if you want to travel to the Bosen Demon Realm, it's best to cover up the human aura on your body, otherwise you may run into demonstrating demons or extreme demons. In the past two days, several violent conflicts have occurred at the border of District 6 of the City of Flowers."

The communication magic card flashed again, and Chief Zephyr reminded.

"Why is this happening?"

Lan Qi brought the card closer and asked.

"Because the Senate's search in the Bosen Demon Realm is getting heavier and heavier, it has caused dissatisfaction among many demon residents who believe that the Senate is directing and acting on its own. There is even a saying that the Palroni's Grudge Record magic device is actually in the hands of the Senate. The reason why the curse has not been cut off for nearly a hundred years is that the Senate is doing unspeakable things."

Hearing the chief's revelation, Lan Qi couldn't help but look at Nigel.

Nigel was silent and clenched his fists.

A hundred years ago, after the Great Wizard Palroni was executed, the whereabouts and information of his curse magic device were gradually erased, but the curse had never disappeared in the past hundred years, only the frequency had dropped to a very low level.

For the demons living in this land, it was like a terminal illness, and anyone who contracted it would surely die.

Many years ago, he would personally kill his teacher's second daughter because she was cursed and went berserk.

"That's right, why are only the demons of the Bosen Kingdom cursed? The demons of Helrom don't have this kind of disease."

Lan Qi murmured in his heart.

"Indeed, in the past hundred years, whether it is in the North or South Continent, I have not heard of any demons in other places who have gone berserk because of this curse. According to my analysis, it should not be contagious."

Talia affirmed his thoughts.

Although the North Continent does not have an autonomous demon territory like the Bosen Kingdom, there are a few remaining demons and mixed-blood demons, such as the Protos Empire that Lan Qi had visited.

It seems that they all agree that this curse-induced madness does not exist in the North Continent.

It is not like a contagious disease, but more like a pollution source that cannot be cut off.

"I'm sorry, I don't have any reward to pay this time."

Lan Qi came back to his senses and said to the communication magic card.

"It's okay, just consider it selling Countess Rosalinda's favor."

Chief Zephyr said and hung up the communication.

He was originally a acquaintance of Countess Rosalinda. The favor of a Platinum Card Maker is always worth exchanging.

"Your teacher Pearlman Quilesdon is really strong."

Lan Qi didn't expect there to be such a strong demon in Pariere.

Sir Pearlman could even face off against quasi-archbishop level powerhouses.

Generally speaking, the biggest advantage of long-lived species is time, which allows them to cultivate slowly. If they have enough talent, challenging the Shadow World, which can be quickly achieved but requires gambling on life, is very unprofitable from a return curve perspective.

With a long time, it is better to rely on self-cultivation and research spells, or develop magic devices and earn resources to exchange for magic cards, which is expected to be better than obtaining natural magic cards from the Shadow World.

Of course, if it is a long-lived species that urgently needs to become stronger or is extremely ambitious, they will also choose to enter the Shadow World.

Lan Qi couldn't help but think of a demon senior.

Even the new generation of demons is almost stronger than her, the old senior.

Talia immediately responded to him with a non-verbal message.

Even if Lan Qi didn't need to speak, she could hear Lan Qi's high-intensity, uninterrupted thoughts—

We are all demons, why is there such a big gap?

Although it is true that the higher the level, the more difficult it is to practice.

But you can't stay in the same place for a hundred years.

Among the great demons who are still alive, you are only a little stronger than Antanas. But let's not talk about Antanas being suppressed in prison for a hundred years. She is a noble shield nanny. Even if she is one level lower than you, she is more useful.

"Iphathia is definitely not stronger than me."

Talia endured her anger and said with certainty.

She kept thinking in her heart that she would spare Lan Qi for now, considering that Lan Qi had drawn a picture for her today.

Back then, the demon ministers all said that as long as Iphathia could become a great demon, they would no longer bother her with the princess's style, responsibilities, and other matters.

So Iphathia reached the eighth rank, easily advanced to become a great demon, and never cultivated again.

Therefore, according to Lan Qi's level theory, Iphathia must still be a level 80 gatekeeper after a hundred years and is not as strong as her sister at all.

"What if she suddenly feels like cultivating one day?"

Lan Qi questioned.

Talia thought about it and felt a little crisis.

It seemed that she was about to become the weakest great demon without realizing it.

"Impossible, Rosalinda said that Iphathia has become even lazier since coming to the human kingdom. She is definitely not stronger than me."

Although Talia admits that she has been a bit decadent in Ithaca for more than a year.

But it is conceivable that Iphathia, who was already very decadent in the demon world, will only become more decadent. She even got married and started a family. She should never cultivate again in her life.

Just thinking about it this way, Talia's guilt disappeared.

"Stop talking, Tata. In some ways, your sister has already won too much."

"What do you mean?"

"Tata, Haddon Kingdom recommends candidates, unmarried, age 25."

"You're dead! Lan Qi!"

While Lan Qi was communicating with Talia in his heart, he was also walking and talking with Nigel, getting closer and closer to the entrance to the Bosen Demon Realm.

"My teacher was not part of the demon army a hundred years ago, but a demon scholar from the North Continent. After the war between the demon world and the human kingdom began, he was anti-war. He wanted to research and pursue the peaceful coexistence of humans and demons. So later, after the demons were defeated, he was also treated favorably by the Bosen Kingdom."

Nigel replied to Lan Qi, his voice barely concealing the respect hidden within.

A long time ago, his teacher was still a demon scholar who survived the era of war, and he was an orphan adopted by his teacher.

Although the teacher and disciple are now somewhat estranged, he still does not deny that many of his views were influenced by his teacher.

They passed through the narrow alleys on the edge and came to the side of an old church.

Through the door made of weathered oak, peeling away the fine vines covering it, the view instantly brightened.

At this point, the two also walked into the indoor hall of the wide station gate, and they would be in the Bosen Demon Realm as long as they passed through the inspection gate.

"I see, no wonder."

Lan Qi felt that he could understand why Nigel was different from ordinary demons.

Nigel can treat humans and demons equally, always maintaining a clear and firm mind.

It turns out that it was because of such a teacher's teachings from childhood.

"It seems that after building the demon world, Pearlman and the Bosen Kingdom have achieved each other. He has not only reached the eighth rank after a hundred years, but also is a stronger existence in the eighth rank. And the current prosperity of the Bosen Demon Realm must be attributed to Pearlman's contribution."

Talia commented in Lan Qi's heart.

The harmonious coexistence of humans and demons is an incredible ideal situation, even in Talia's eyes.

However, after a hundred years of effort, Pearlman has indeed done it to a certain extent.

"Yes, this kind of belief that can persevere and implement goals for a long time is really amazing. In contrast."

Lan Qi sighed as if he didn't want to say any more.

"In contrast, what?"

Talia's voice began to get colder.

"Sometimes learning to let go is also a kind of wisdom. The more obsessed people are, the more terrible and extreme they will become once their obsessions are shattered. So I said that in contrast to a princess whose outlook on life is very mature, her wisdom is more worthy of our learning."

Lan Qi said to Talia very seriously.

"Are you mocking me?"

Talia can now understand what Lan Qi, the old阴阳师 (yīnyángshī, literally "yin-yang master", sarcastic term for someone who is passive-aggressive and speaks with hidden meanings), is saying.

"How could I?"

Lan Qi's thoughts were full of innocence.

"...When the demons really restore their country one day, I will at least give you the title of Grand Duke. Then see how they will evaluate you in human history books."

Talia sneered and fell asleep, no longer paying attention to him.

"You really are an optimistic girl, Tata."

Lan Qi let out a happy laugh.

Don't say, Tata's optimism can always bring him endless happiness and make him laugh heartily.