Cyric stared fixedly at Qian Jin, attempting to ferret out even a sliver of worry or self-doubt in his eyes to confirm his suspicions, but found that confidence to be like the pillars rumored to uphold the stars—utterly unshakable.

Qian Jin possessed ample self-assurance; this type of inscription extraction was not new to him. On the contrary, the existence of the Death Queen's Crest had led him to delve deeply into its intricacies.

According to Teacher Aknash, the undead represented a profound branch of inscription mastery, one where extraction and transformation existed simultaneously—a specialized state pursuing eternal life, an immortality coexisting with the stars!

Or rather, it was a developmental path for deification through inscriptions, though Aknash regarded that direction as a flawed one, and furthermore, an excessively fanatical misstep.

Qian Jin realized that whether it was Aknash’s inscription mastery or Eulala’s mysterious alchemy, both pathways aimed at transforming any living being into the legendary gods spoken of.

Even Teacher Adams, after prolonged contact, discovered that while this teacher wasn't as fanatical as Eulala in trying to concoct a potion that could instantly turn a pig into a rumored god, Adams’ alchemy had already deviated far beyond the scope of general potionology; he, too, was crafting the elixir of creation for gods.

It was just that Adams’ method was incremental: first, select a vessel possessing the innate potential to become a so-called god, and then, bit by painstaking bit, use the elixir to deify that vessel.

Because of his research into the Death Queen's Crest, Qian Jin’s inscription mastery had improved far more rapidly than ever before. He himself was unaware of this progress, particularly in the areas of extraction and transformation, where his refinement had become swift and precise.

The moment Cyric’s inscription diagram appeared, Qian Jin instantly understood the flaw within it. When he had first begun his research, as a complete novice, he had considered a similar method, but quickly grasped through the foundational runes that this approach was not only unworkable but could potentially lead to his own power being siphoned away.

If the vessel had once been alive, it might result in an inscription crest forming on its forehead, possibly even birthing a so-called undead entity.

“What appears to be extraction at first glance here, but then toward this point…” Qian Jin pointed to a section of the inscription: “This section seems intended to increase the extraction force, ensuring completion within the specified time, correct? Yes! Theoretically, this is sound, but…”

Qian Jin gestured to a spot on the subsequent inscription diagram he had drawn: “This area also looks like acceleration for extraction. But if these two—each being used for extraction alone, combined with magic arrays that assist in acceleration—were coupled together, they would… form a specialized circuit.”

Cyric intently scrutinized the two magic arrays. Such a thing existed? Could it really be true?

“This circuit, while still extraction, however…” Qian Jin smiled chillingly: “It ceases extracting from the initial target source and forcibly siphons power from the receiver. Within five minutes, I guarantee you will be sucked dry into a husk.”

A chilling coldness surged up from Cyric’s marrow, and the image of his own skin clinging to bone flashed through his mind—a horror indescribable.

Unconsciously, Cyric crossed his arms and gently rubbed his palms against his biceps, as if trying to physically rub away the bone-deep chill and dread.

Qian Jin continued drawing on the ground without sparing Cyric a glance. Cyric watched the magic arrays materialize one after another, finding that no matter how vigorously he rubbed his arms, he could not wipe away the icy current on his skin; instead, the cold intensified. The arrays appearing were identical to the ones he had designed!

If this were not their first exchange, Cyric would even suspect this Blood Demon had somehow witnessed his deeply concealed inscription research.

“Here, here, here, here, and here, as well as here and here…”

Qian Jin tapped the ground inscriptions repeatedly with his long rod, adopting the air of a professor: “Extraction becomes output. You’d only need four minutes to become a husk. This part simulates a feeling of comfort; even though it’s actively draining your essence, it gives you the illusion that you are receiving something…”

Cyric’s initial chill transformed into cold sweat beading on his forehead. If what this Blood Demon said were true, he was truly in grave danger!

“This thing was likely not completed by you alone,” Qian Jin said, pointing out several spots. “Though they form a cohesive whole, this particular section was clearly not conceived by a single demon’s mindset.”

Impressive! Cyric began to shift from initial suspicion to a degree of belief that the diagram was indeed not entirely his own creation. Even with his considerable inscription skills, he could not have managed such a vast undertaking alone; completing it required the assistance of other demons.

The locations Qian Jin pointed to were precisely where the assisting demons with the strongest inscription prowess—the ones who truly guided the design of the diagram—were located: demons of the Flash-Thought Clan.

The Flash-Thought Clan was a minor demonic tribe, their combat strength ranking near the bottom of the demonic races. Yet, they possessed their own unique value; they were exceptionally adept at contemplation, learning, and research. This innate talent gave them strong capabilities in fields like inscription mastery, architecture, jurisprudence, sociology, and economics.

Qian Jin abruptly stopped pointing and crouched down, staring intently at the inscription array, his brow furrowing deeper and tighter.

This… looks somewhat familiar…

Qian Jin instinctively sniffed the air. Although he could detect no physical scent, he nonetheless inhaled instinctively, as if he could truly smell something emanating from the magic array.

The scent of conspiracy! The scent of the undead!

Qian Jin shivered suddenly. Yes! There was a trace of conspiracy hidden within, and a potent smell of the undead!

This inscription… this inscription… Qian Jin touched the bridge of his nose. This was absolutely not an inscription created by accident; it was a premeditated design!

The scenes of Hai Qing’er in the Ancient Barren Sand Sea and Lucifer Ni-Han rapidly replayed in Qian Jin’s mind—that indescribable coldness, the piercing chill that conveyed no sense of living presence whatsoever!

“This inscription is highly problematic!” Qian Jin looked up at Lucifer Cyric and stated firmly, “A demon is trying to harm you!”

“Harm this Crown Prince?” Cyric blinked, looking at Qian Jin with some doubt. As a former retainer of Lucifer, his words required careful scrutiny, yet he could detect not a flicker of deceit in Qian Jin’s eyes.

Authority! Cyric only perceived an aura of authority in Qian Jin’s gaze, similar to the authority he’d seen in the eyes of Flash-Thought Mingxiang when presiding over the inscription diagram project.

If there was any difference between the two auras of authority, Flash-Thought Mingxiang projected the authority of one standing at the pinnacle, receiving the worship of many demons, whereas the authority emanating from this Blood Demon was imbued with unyielding resolve—an authority that even if the Great Demon King placed his hand upon his head could not shake his decisions.

“Yes, a demon wishes you harm,” Qian Jin said, dusting off his hands and rising. “You may choose to believe me or not. But this inscription will certainly kill you in a very short time. When that happens, perhaps some ancestor of Lucifer currently lying in a coffin might crawl out of it.”

Crawling out of a coffin? Cyric shuddered, the bizarre, legendary scene flashing in his mind. To witness it firsthand would likely leave him stunned for a long time.

“If you wish for my participation in the solution,” Qian Jin smiled, “after I help you achieve your desired outcome, you must lend me that holy artifact to study for several years.”

Cyric showed little surprise. For inscription masters and blacksmiths, while wealth held great value, given the opportunity to study a holy artifact, they would willingly forgo monetary compensation.

“You can choose to assist this Crown Prince, or you can choose not to,” Cyric countered, a confident smile spreading across his face. “But… this Crown Prince will absolutely not hand over the holy artifact to any demon.”

“Is that so? Please take the exit to your right,” Qian Jin said, raising his hand and pointing outside. “Go in peace, I won’t see you out.”

Cyric’s confident smile instantly froze. What was happening? No inscription master, upon learning they could participate in such a grand and magnificent undertaking, had ever refused.

That’s right! Cyric recalled instances where inscription masters, upon learning of this project, had begged to join. When he refused them, they had knelt and repeatedly kowtowed, simply for the chance to witness that great, mysterious runic art.

No demon had ever refused! Even the humans under Cyric’s command—several human inscription masters—could not resist the inherent summoning pull of that mystical inscription craft.

The more Cyric engaged with inscription mastery, the clearer it became: the more powerful the inscription master, the greater the attraction this project held for them, the harder it became to resist its instinctive call.

Now, here was a demon, clearly proficient in inscription mastery, who refused without a second thought? Was he feigning? Cyric glanced into Qian Jin’s eyes and immediately knew the Blood Demon was not pretending; he was genuinely indifferent.

Indeed, Cyric was witnessing for the first time an inscription master showing absolutely none of the basic reactions expected when confronted with such a monumental engineering feat.

“Prince Cyric, remember one thing,” Qian Jin said, addressing Cyric as he pretended to sulk and prepare to leave. “When you walk out of this courtyard, if you return to ask for my help again, even if the Great Demon King himself issues a direct royal decree, I will still defy it and refuse. My 'Jiliu Flying Mirror' [telepathic communication tool] has never yielded to coercion! If you seek aid, you must treat me as an equal partner in cooperation.”