Lucifer Seirig’s foot, poised to leave, hung suspended in mid-air. He had long heard that this "Jiliu Flying Mirror Master" was incredibly arrogant, but he hadn't expected him to be arrogant to this degree.
Leave? Lucifer Seirig’s face was a mask of bitter defeat. How could that be possible! Setting aside the profound inscription techniques of Jiliu Flying Mirror, just his forging skill—which could craft equipment surpassing that of a Doubing—was enough reason for him to recruit… no! To cooperate with him!
Qian Jin sat confidently in the rattan chair provided by the Mamo tribe, eyes closed, basking in the sunlight, utterly unconcerned by Lucifer Seirig’s feigned departure.
The materials required for a single Super-Doubing far exceeded the Mamo tribe’s imagination. This time, Qian Jin had even diverted some of the benefits he had obtained from the Mamo tribe to forge this Super-Doubing.
But Qian Jin knew it was all worth it.
Even if he raised the price for the materials fivefold in the future, Qian Jin was certain that many devils would still request him to forge Super-Doubings.
Even knowing they were being fleeced for materials, they would throw themselves into the flame like moths, regardless of the cost to their lives.
“Heh heh… Master Jiliu Flying Mirror is indeed as proud and confident as the rumors suggest.” Lucifer Seirig halted his steps and turned. The bitter smile of defeat on his face transformed into one of admiration. “Usually, only devils of true power possess such pride. I respect your pride. Very well! I agree to your terms!”
A victorious smile spread across Qian Jin’s face. He pushed off the armrests of the rattan chair and stood up. “Then, I will assist Your Highness the Crown Prince in completing this magnificent project. Your Highness must also honor your promise.”
“Naturally, what kind of devil am I?” Lucifer Seirig’s face showed self-satisfaction and pride. Only the tip of his right index finger twitched slightly. Dare to threaten this Crown Prince! Once the project is complete and verified, I’ll have you slain!
In this world, any devil or person who dares to threaten this Crown Prince must die!
Want to kill me? Qian Jin looked at Seirig, smiling. Wait until I obtain that so-called truly existing special Sacred Artifact, and then you can go weep in a corner!
The man and the devil burst into hearty laughter in the courtyard. Lucifer Seirig raised his voice. “Enough! Our negotiations are concluded. You may all enter now.”
The many devils waiting outside crowded into the courtyard, gazing curiously at Qian Jin and Seirig, eager to know how these two proud devils had managed to reach an agreement.
“My dear relative, the sister yearned for by countless male devils.” Lucifer Seirig looked at Lucifer Liushui as she entered the courtyard. “The annual Imperial Martial Competition is about to begin again, do you remember? Seeing the retinue you’ve gathered this time, you must be planning to sign up as well, right? Rest assured, brother has already registered you…”
“You…” Lucifer Liushui glared fiercely at Seirig. If not for the numerous constraints, she would have rushed forward and torn this Crown Prince to shreds.
The Imperial Martial Competition was an incomparably brutal contest, a special tradition upheld by the Lucifer Royal Family.
Any royal of age, possessing a retinue, and aspiring to compete for the seat of the Great Demon King, could participate in this Imperial Martial Competition.
The reason it was called brutal was that this Imperial Competition disregarded life and death! There were only three ways to stop a fight: first, if His Majesty the Great Demon King favored a participant greatly and feared injury, demanding the fight cease.
Second, if the participant chose to surrender and withdraw, but such an action would cause the master royal to lose considerable face and potentially forfeit their chance to compete for the Great Demon King’s throne.
And the third way was if the attendant’s master royal demanded the fight stop. In this case… they would also fail to gain much respect from the devil populace.
It could be said that if the True Counsel Dynasty’s Newcomer King Competition was a selection battle among all the young elite warriors and mages across the entire dynasty, then the Lucifer Clan’s Imperial Martial Competition was an internal contest among the Lucifer royalty. It might not gather the strongest young generation of the entire nation, but its cruelty arguably surpassed that of the True Counsel Dynasty’s Newcomer King Competition.
Even the warriors of the True Counsel Dynasty knew just how brutal the Lucifer Royal Family’s Imperial Martial Competition was.
Since Lucifer Liushui’s Jiliu Flying Mirror was currently enjoying great fame, no one would be surprised if she signed up. In the eyes of other devils, she must have been afraid of missing the registration deadline, which is why she asked the Crown Prince to help register her. If she chose to withdraw now, she would truly amount to nothing in the eyes of the Great Demon King.
Lucifer Seirig smiled at Lucifer Liushui. It was all her own fault for not knowing what 'low profile' meant. She had just recruited a few outstanding attendants and was already acting so high-profile!
This time, he must manage to destroy all of her attendants! Seirig smiled confidently. Lucifer Liushui would surely not bear to see Jiliu Flying Mirror suffer any harm and would certainly not send him into battle. Then, she would only be able to send out her other attendants, which would result in all of them being killed.
If it came to that… Seirig’s gaze fell back on Qian Jin. This Jiliu Flying Mirror Master would likely realize that following Lucifer Liushui had no future and would actively pledge allegiance to this Crown Prince. Then, he could properly teach him a lesson.
“My dear sister, you don’t need to thank me.” Seirig’s face was alight with smugness. “This Imperial Martial Competition might be the grandest one in recent years. Father Emperor will wait a few days for us outlying princes, but he cannot wait forever. Why don’t we set off now?”
“Tomorrow would be better,” Qian Jin stretched languidly. “I’ve been busy forging these past few days and am very tired. I need some time to rest.”
“Very well! We depart tomorrow!”
Seirig waved his hand and strode out with his retinue.
The watching devils once again felt the preciousness of time. This Flying Mirror Master was about to enter the City of Corruption. Once he met the Great Demon King there, forging a connection with him would become even more troublesome and arduous!
Must, must! Before the Master enters the City of Corruption, they had to forge a relationship with this Flying Mirror Master and extend an invitation for him to visit their respective clans…
Every devil felt that those around them shared the same thought, and they began contemplating the conditions that would best highlight their clan’s sincerity to move this Master.
Qian Jin walked toward the slightly dejected-looking Boxly. “Esteemed Clan Heads, even if we go to the City of Corruption, I am still an honored elder of the Mamo tribe, and I can forge items there as well.”
The anxiety on the faces of Boxly and Sabonis Guang lessened slightly. They secretly rejoiced that securing a connection with Jiliu Flying Mirror early on had indeed proven effective.
“I imagine that upon arriving at the City of Corruption, I will be staying there for some time.”
The two Mamo clan heads nodded. If Jiliu Flying Mirror had said he would return immediately, then his previous words would have been mere flattery. Now, he was clearly speaking with genuine consideration.
“You gather those elders, and any devils who wish to commission me for forging Doubing. Record their advantages, specialties, and the type of Doubing they hope to forge, and give it to me. Also, the materials…” Qian Jin paused, then added, “And! That one devil who wanted to trade his daughter for a Sacred Artifact a few days ago—do not collect anything for him for me. Even if he gives me his order form and materials, I will not make it for him! Does he take me for a fool? Trading a daughter for a Sacred Artifact?”
The two Mamo clan heads simultaneously shrank their necks. Which Mamo elder hadn't entertained such a thought? Previously, they had some worries—what if they provided the materials and this devil refused to forge? Now, it seemed…
If there was too much hesitation, then… the fate of that elder who tried to trade his daughter for a Sacred Artifact might become their own! Whoever hesitated, whoever offered too little… probably…
It was clear! Both Mamo Clan Heads understood that the reason Jiliu Flying Mirror Master specifically mentioned that elder was also a warning issued simultaneously: If you dare play games with him, the Mamo tribe will never see another top-tier Doubing for the rest of your lives.
As for top-tier Doubing sets? Super-Doubing sets? Don't even dream about it!
One full day, plus one entire night.
Qian Jin had no time to sleep. Elders and clan heads from the major devil races rushed into his room one after another to secure their commitments, fearing they would be late with their gifts and miss the chance to form a bond with this Master.
Duan Fengbu’er watched the elders and clan heads leaving Qian Jin’s room with satisfied smiles, shaking his head repeatedly. “In this day and age! Being severely fleeced, yet looking so happy about it—I truly cannot comprehend it.”
Chekfulite rarely nodded in agreement. Not only did Qian Jin reap immense rewards this time, but he himself, merely pretending to observe, had also received considerable benefits from the gifts sent by the elders and clan heads.
The news that Duan Fengbu’er had enjoyed the company of a beautiful Mamo devil for a night and secured the guarantee of a Super-Doubing forging was already circulating among the Mamo high-ranking members. The discerning devil leaders realized that this Jiliu Flying Mirror Master treated his few companions who were also attendants with considerable respect.
Adhering to the principle of rather offending a great devil beast than carelessly offending a minor devil, the elders and clan heads were also extremely generous toward Duan Fengbu’er and the others, terrified that they might run to Jiliu Flying Mirror and speak ill of them in their absence.
Lucifer Liushui watched the stream of high-ranking devils queuing up to be fleeced—and being fleeced so joyfully—and couldn't decide whether to feel heartbroken or happy. Vast amounts of high-grade rare materials flowed into Qian Jin’s Artifact Realm.
In one day and one night, Qian Jin not only directly accumulated a wealth of rare materials but also, leveraging the name of Jiliu Flying Mirror, signed various cooperation agreements with numerous devil races.
“Truly incredible.”
Lucifer Seirig stared at Qian Jin’s brightly lit room and shook his head repeatedly. “Lucifer Liushui, you truly picked up a treasure this time. In the Imperial Martial Competition, kill every devil except Jiliu Flying Mirror! Leave not one alive!”