Kill him? Why kill him? Bahuang Wusheng shook his head, recalling the moment he first showed this young man the martial arts secrets. Wasn't there a flicker of hope in his heart that the boy might learn them?

Yes! The expression on Bahuang Wusheng's face grew increasingly solemn. Whether it was one of the three ultimate bloodline clans from the Demon Realm or the three legendary houses under the Zhence Imperial Dynasty, none aligned with his philosophy. No matter which clan achieved absolute dominance and became the strongest warrior among the six ultimate bloodlines, Bahuang Wusheng exhaled a heavy sigh—the victor would inevitably lead their nation to destroy another.

Only this young man! Yes, only this young man! Bahuang Wusheng's eyes gleamed with sudden brilliance. Only this youth remained uncorrupted by the bloodline power, still harboring his own ideals and despising these ultimate bloodline families.

May his path be smooth sailing from here on.

Bahuang Wusheng silently resolved to continue observing Qianjin. If the young man progressed steadily without encountering any stagnation in martial cultivation, he would pass him the position of Chieftain of the Bandit King.

Then... Bahuang Wusheng clenched his fist tightly, I'll make another journey to the Endless Horizon Sea to find that phantom ship glimpsed once long ago—and destroy it!

Qianjin watched intently as the overlord's expression shifted dramatically in mere moments.

"Kid, you've been causing quite a ruckus lately,"

Qianjin sighed and returned to his seat with an air of resignation. "I was forced into this."

"Forced? Bahuang Wusheng mused over the response with a sly smile.

"Not forced?" Qianjin leaned forward slightly, staring at Bahuang Wusheng. "Someone took what belongs to my family—shouldn't I go reclaim it?"

Bahuang Wusheng nodded approvingly.

"If something becomes my shadow, shouldn't everything about that shadow belong to me?" Another nod of approval from the overlord.

"So I'm merely collecting what rightfully belongs to me."

Bahuang Wusheng chuckled again. "Shadows also carry enemies."

Qianjin smiled grimly. "Then when I have the strength, I'll collect those as well."

The overlord's laughter rang clear and joyous. "If you keep helping with his old friends and enemies... perhaps the entire frontier..."

Qianjin finally grasped Bahuang Wusheng's meaning. Human connections were endless; if left unchecked, such entanglements would never cease.

"Your antics are enough. The frontier needs peace now." With that, Bahuang Wusheng extracted a yellowed scroll from his battle realm and tossed it to Qianjin. "Remember this map. I suppose your memory is good?"

Qianjin unfurled the parchment with careful scrutiny, nodding repeatedly. The architectural style was entirely different from Zhence Imperial Dynasty's—and distinct from the savage tribes' constructions as well. Clearly demon-realm architecture.

Vast buildings formed a sprawling cluster resembling an enormous village, perhaps even qualifying as a city.

Qianjin looked up at Bahuang Wusheng with curiosity. "Is this the Demon King's palace?"

"Not quite," Bahuang Wusheng smiled faintly, "But close enough. This is the terrain map of the Eightbound Clan under the Undying Monarch."

Qianjing studied the intricate map, whispering in quiet bewilderment, "Are you... sending me to steal from the Eightbound Family?"

Bahuang Wusheng struck his palm with a resounding slap, nodding vigorously. "Conversation with clever people is always delightful!" Delightful? Qianjin couldn't find where that came from. The Eightbound Clan was one of the demon realm's core strongholds, teeming not just with demons but also Undying Monarch bloodline warriors.

Stealing there? Even approaching would summon swarms of those elite warriors who'd reduce any intruder to dust within seconds.

Qianjin wasn't afraid of death—but dying pointlessly? Better join the human-demon suicide squads or storm his own family's estate, setting it ablaze until they dreamed in torment. Stealing from a demon stronghold? Even Zhanxuan Qian would have his bones buried forever among the Undying Monarch bloodline.

"Your trial," Bahuang Wusheng pointed at the scroll in Qianjin's hand, "is to steal something for me. There's a red mark—the item lies there."

Qianjin let out a dry chuckle. "What an amusing test. Can that red dot move any closer to the center of this map?" The crimson mark occupied nearly the central coordinates—positions at the heart of such powerful families signified utmost importance.

"What do you think..." Qianjin straightened up, examining his own attire with a grimace. "Do I look like someone who can survive near the Undying Monarch's stronghold?"

While humans could conduct trade with demons, approaching these strongholds was sheer madness. Any human within range would be instantly labeled a spy and executed on sight by any demon with authority.

The same applied to Zhence Imperial Dynasty—if a demon dared enter Qian City, even if they claimed to be the invincible Demon King himself, their corpse would remain buried in the capital while the demon realm elected a new ruler.

"No problem," Bahuang Wusheng twisted his wrist and snatched something from his battle realm. "I've researched thoroughly. There's a girl named Yuan Xinyu at your side." While others might not recognize her identity, he knew the princess well—her hairpin was even gifted by him.

Qianjin began to understand the rings' purpose. These were likely special magic artifacts similar to the hairpins, certainly lacking other functions but definitely possessing shape-altering abilities.

"Armed with these," Bahuang Wusheng continued, "your group should have no trouble entering the demon realm."

"Our group?" Qianjin's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Of course your entire group," Bahuang Wusheng adjusted his posture. "I've already dispatched guards to protect the Luo family. In a few days, Mujui Wuxin will return to the Tidesurge Fortress—nobody will dare threaten them anymore. So I've called over that girl..."

"Lusi Fa Shiliu!" A sweet voice laced with coquettishness suddenly echoed through the chamber's entrance, followed by a rush of fragrance as her sensuous form glided into view. The demoness's captivating curves and alluring beauty filled Qianjin's vision.

In an instant, Lusi Fa Shiliu leapt into Bahuang Wusheng's arms, pressing her red lips against his cheek with a resounding kiss before erupting in tinkling laughter.

The transition was too swift for Qianjin to adapt. He'd just returned from his mission and been summoned by the overlord about this demon realm trial—only now did Lusi Fa Shiliu appear right here, seemingly intimately acquainted with Bahuang Wusheng.

"Your eyes..."

Bahuang Wusheng's smile instantly froze upon seeing her, a faint aura of ferocity emerging on his face. "So it's truly as the rumors said—one eye missing? Who did this? I'll hunt them down!"

Killing intent hung thick in the chamber.

Qianjin stood awkwardly. He remembered when this demoness was their mortal enemy—killing her had crossed his mind, but strength was lacking at that time. Now with sufficient power, he hesitated, having discovered she wasn't so bad after all. At least personally...

"You won't kill him," Lusi Fa Shiliu spun gracefully from Bahuang Wusheng's embrace, landing like a drifting feather beside Qianjin. She wrapped her arms around his biceps, pressing against her plump curves with an endearing pout. "I claim him—debt owed for life, memories held for eternity."

"Is it you?" Bahuang Wusheng glared darkly at Qianjin before turning to Lusi Fa Shiliu with confusion. "Yet why did you secretly write praising him? Why make me want to test him?"

What kind of 'wanting' was this? Qianjin felt utterly perplexed by the demons' exchange—clearly acquainted yet behaving suspiciously.

"You forbade me from entering the frontier," Lusi Fa Shiliu rested her head against Qianjin's shoulder in a small womanly gesture, voice unusually tender. "I feared something would happen to you..."

Lusi Fa Shiliu's crimson lips pouted with complaint and jealousy. "I know—he came to save another woman. I was jealous, so I wanted him to suffer. I even asked Uncle Wusheng to kill that woman named Huayan Bu Jian."

A chill ran through Qianjin's spine at this revelation—this demoness truly would do it!

"But when you met him," Lusi Fa Shiliu shot Bahuang Wusheng a glare, "you changed your mind and spared her!"

For the first time, Bahuang Wusheng's usually authoritative face bore an awkward expression.

"To be honest," he continued while reading Qianjin's letter, "I once feared you had mistaken someone. I went with intent to kill him—if his performance disappointed me even slightly..."

Bahuang Wusheng's eyes flashed with regal decisiveness as he slashed the air. "I would have slain him instantly! Yet this boy's bearing was truly impressive—better than what your letters described, so..."

"Of course!" Lusi Fa Shiliu's lone eye gleamed proudly, "After all, this is my future husband in the imperial palace!"

Qianjin chose to ignore further arguments with the demoness. He felt a quiet relief that Bahuang Wusheng hadn't killed Huayan Bu Jian—otherwise things certainly wouldn't have reached this point today.