Yuna L’a leaned happily in Czekelvit’s embrace, curiously observing the others in the carriage. Though her sister, Liushui, had detailed them over the past few days, this was the first time she had truly met them, and even the words clearly meant to provoke carried a quality named warmth.

Like, like, Yuna L’a thought for a long moment before breaking into a smile, fairer than a thousand blooming flowers: “It’s just like… like a common family in the villages…”

Qian Jin stiffened momentarily, instantly grasping the Demon Princess’s meaning.

“Indeed! I plan to ask my own demoness about it too,” Duan Feng Er Bu replied with absolute seriousness. “When it’s time to leave, I’ll go see her. .”

“And what if she doesn’t agree?” Fen Tu Kuang Ge stared intently at Duan Feng Er Bu.

“This…” Duan Feng Er Bu pursed his lips. “I’d really like to say I’d just kill her to silence her. But, I probably really can’t do it. If it truly came to that point… Czek! You’ll have to back me up then…”

“Alright, we’ll discuss this issue later…” Lucifer Liushui glanced at Czekelvit. “You two, stop being so clingy; we’re at the palace now. Time to get out of the carriage…”

Yuna L’a pulled away from Czekelvit’s hold, a faint blush finally creeping onto her face.

Lucifer Liushui shot her older sister a look. “You only remember to be shy now? Thinking about how you two were gnawing on each other right in front of us earlier—did you even consider how we felt…?” Yuna L’a buried her head even lower. Czekelvit was currently being teased by Duan Feng Er Bu, and out of gratitude to Lucifer Liushui, he didn't feel he could step up to shield his demoness at that moment.

The carriage door slid open, revealing the Royal Guard standing before the palace gates. Every one of them was staring at Qian Jin with eyes full of envy and admiration.

Master Jiliu Feijing! This was the famed Master Jiliu Feijing, who had been making waves recently!

The Demon Race’s imperial palace possessed an architectural style distinctly different from the Zhen Ce Dynasty. Nearly every rooftop jutted out with a pair of horns on either side, resembling the small golden horns that seemed to sprout from the heads of many demons. The main structures conveyed no sense of opulent splendor; rather, they exuded a palpable pressure.

Even without seeing Emperor Li Xia, merely gazing upon the massive complex was enough to feel the majesty and aura of His Great Demon King Majesty—silent, yet utterly lethal!

Qian Jin curiously surveyed the surrounding architecture. Mu Ne Zhen Ce observed his surroundings with calm detachment. Czekelvit remained expressionless. Duan Feng Er Bu continued his carefree demeanor, a non-lit cigarette dangling from his lips. Fen Tu Kuang Ge observed his surroundings with a solemn face, mentally mapping out how he would breach the palace if he were leading an army to attack it.

Passing through layers of courtyards, Qian Jin finally arrived at a vast circular arena. It was shaped uncannily like a giant bird’s egg, perfectly rounded in the middle and tapering sharply at both ends—somewhat similar to the arenas of the Zhen Ce Dynasty, places where warriors fought fiercely for money and fame.

Qian Jin had never held any fondness for the arenas. Warriors should not exist merely to entertain others; they should possess the honor of a warrior. Even if starving enough to resort to banditry, they shouldn't stoop to being clowns, engaging in deadly duels with other warriors, using their blood and glory to amuse wealthy merchants.

“Her Highness Princess Lucifer arrives with her retinue…”

A Demon Martialist guarding the entrance to the grand arena shouted, and the massive doors slowly parted. Looking inside from the threshold, Qian Jin immediately saw a huge, circular fighting platform.

Black stone.

A massive, round stage made of black stone, the edges smeared with speckled blood, radiating an atmosphere of true, grim carnage.

Black Adamantite? Qian Jin’s eyelid twitched violently. This stone was an incredibly rare material, possessing a hardness tougher than metal.

In meetings with many clan leaders and elders, Qian Jin had asked more than once if they possessed any Black Adamantite, yet every leader had shaken their heads, claiming not to collect such stone—it was difficult to gather and clearly marked on all guild ledgers as useless.

Black Adamantite: The hardest of all stones! One of the materials for Holy Artifacts, applicable in inscriptions, equipment, and mysterious elixirs… elixirs…

Information regarding Black Adamantite flashed rapidly through Qian Jin’s mind. This material, considered waste by both the Demon Race and perhaps even the Zhen Ce Dynasty, possessed uses unknown to anyone, being applicable in nearly every field.

Qian Jin recalled that even Uncle En La Ke had once said Black Adamantite was a treasure for warriors and mages to increase their strength. In the West Mountain region of the Endless World, there were vast deposits of Black Adamantite, but that area was reportedly inhabited by thousands of Chimera beasts—monsters only spoken of in legends.

Qian Jin suspected that even Qian Zhan Xuan might not withstand the 'affectionate greeting' of a thousand Chimera beasts. After all, the Chimera was a legendary creature, never before sighted in the territories of the Zhen Ce Dynasty or the Demon and Barbarian tribes.

At the center of that massive fighting ring, the princes of the Lucifer line, the princes of the great clans, and the clan leaders of those groups stood flanking a single Demon, forming a unique passage.

This Demon wore a light azure warrior’s uniform, with exceptionally broad shoulders and a narrow waist, sharp sword-like eyebrows, exuding an ineffable aura with every movement. A kind smile graced his face, yet that smile also held a distinct flavor of pride. Upon his head rested a purple-gold crown—a Holy Artifact! The Crown of the Sovereign!

No Demon needed to offer an introduction; Qian Jin knew that the single figure seated nearby was the Demon Race’s current strongest entity, His Great Demon King Majesty: His Majesty Lucifer!

Lucifer! Every emperor of the Demon Race abandoned their given name the moment they ascended the throne, retaining only their surname; the name became the surname, and the surname became the name.

“Father Emperor…” Lucifer Liushui walked to the front and knelt first. “Liushui pays respects to the Invincible Great Demon King.”

Qian Jin felt various gazes upon him, recognizing a few—for instance, the two Great Demon leaders of the Mammon Clan were offering him benevolent smiles.

Upon hearing the news that Jiliu Feijing would participate in the Imperial Trial, the two leaders had conferred and decided they absolutely had to show up to support and cheer for Master Jiliu Feijing. Thus, they no longer sent just a representative as they had done before, offering only a perfunctory nod.

Lucifer Jin Si made no effort to conceal his displeasure toward Qian Jin and his companions. Everyone knew about the previous conflict, and trying to hide anything now would only earn disdain from His Great Demon King Majesty. What future could a Demon have who dared not reveal their true feelings?

Lucifer scrutinized Qian Jin closely, a faint surprise flickering in his eyes. The young Demon was indeed tense, yet not the slightest bit fearful.

Kneel? Or not kneel? Not kneel!

Qian Jin decided everything in an instant: his knees would only bow to the stars, to his parents, and to his master! No one else, whether emperor or king, was worthy of his kneeling!

Not kneeling? Lucifer’s pupils widened slightly with more surprise. A teasing smile curved his lips. What an interesting young Demon, openly communicating through his gaze that he would not kneel today.

Interesting! Lucifer’s brow furrowed slightly. If any other Demon had acted this way, a swarm of guards would have rushed out to break the young Demon’s legs. Yet, no one moved. This suggested the young Demon possessed greater capability than the rumors suggested; it was not easy to earn such broad tolerance from these highly discerning leaders of the great Demon Clans.

The Demon Race had never been a place that truly valued kneeling.

Compared to the Zhen Ce Dynasty, the Demon Race did not place much emphasis on the act of kneeling. Only within the royal court was it slightly more emphasized than elsewhere, but only slightly.

These clan leaders of the great clans never needed to kneel before His Great Demon King Majesty either; a simple bow sufficed.

“You are Jiliu Feijing?” Lucifer raised his hand slightly. “Approach a little closer, young Demon. I have heard many rumors about you…”

This seemingly casual gesture brought a long sigh of relief from many of the Demons present. Although the Demon Race did not highly value kneeling, a symbolic gesture should have been offered upon this first meeting. Fortunately, His Great Demon King Majesty did not mind.

“Not bad, truly not bad…” Lucifer looked at Qian Jin with a smiling gaze. “Young Demon, do you know what I admire about you?”

Qian Jin paused. Lucifer continued musing aloud, “I detest the Zhen Ce Dynasty, especially their useless regulations. Kneeling? What use is it? Does kneeling at your feet truly signify submission, or have you merely conquered his knees temporarily, planting a seed of resentment in his heart?”

“Well said.”

“His Great Demon King Majesty is wise!”

“His Great Demon King Majesty’s wisdom shines like the stars!”

The Demons surrounding them burst into cheers. Mu Ne Zhen Ce nodded repeatedly. The current Great Demon King was certainly no idiot preoccupied only with singular combat; not only could he utter such words, but he also tolerated his subordinate rudely interrupting him before he had finished speaking.

“A kingdom like that—they think they can conquer our Demon Race? Make the knees of our Demons bow to them? Is that possible? Do you agree? Would you agree to see your kin kneel to such a nation?”

“We do not agree!”

All the Demons present roared the answer in unison, their suppressed indignation and killing intent soaring to the heavens.

Mu Ne Zhen Ce clicked his tongue repeatedly. Impressive! Even though some of the Demons were merely putting on a show, he had undeniably stirred up considerable hostility toward the Zhen Ce Dynasty among many.

“Young Demon, our Demon Race is a place that values strength above all else,” Lucifer raised his hand and pointed at Qian Jin. “You! You govern several major guilds and possess formidable power in specialized areas. You are qualified not to kneel to Me!”

Mu Ne Zhen Ce regarded Lucifer anew. For the subjects of a nation not to bow to their Emperor, even in the Demon Race where kneeling was less important, was not exactly a glorious matter. This Great Demon King had openly acknowledged the entirety of the situation.