Qian Jin desired to reach sainthood more than ever. Having understood the unique capabilities of the Soul Domain, he grasped the reason for Qian Zhanxuan’s dominance; according to Uncle Enlake, every Soul Domain was an overwhelmingly formidable presence.

Qian Zhanxuan’s ability to stand at the apex among those powerhouses clearly indicated that his strength was not solely derived from his formidable Dou Qi and Dou Techniques. It was likely that his rarely known Soul Domain was even more potent.

What could it be? Qian Jin was intensely curious. Following Uncle Enlake’s words, most Soul Domains maintained a connection with the practiced Dou Techniques and Secret Dou Qi Arts, though it wasn't strange for completely unrelated Soul Domains to appear.

How potent was the Gravity Dou Technique of the Qian Family? Qian Jin knew very well. Could Qian Zhanxuan’s Soul Domain be Gravity? The gravity unleashed by a Gravity Soul Domain combined with the Kun Dou Technique—how devastating would that be? Could an elephant be instantly crushed into a meat patty?

Could it be anything other than gravity? Qian Jin frowned. If he assumed Qian Zhanxuan possessed a Gravity Soul Domain, then when practicing his Dou Qi in the future, the gravity magical device would probably need to be modified and strengthened to better adapt to the Soul Domain’s might.

Qian Jin pushed open his room door, squinting slightly to let his eyes adjust to the sunlight, and spotted several familiar figures waiting just outside the courtyard gate.

Duan Feng Bu Er, Fen Tu Kuang Ge, Chek, Lucifer Liushui, Mune Ne Zhen Ce, and even You Na La, were all there.

“This is…?” Qian Jin looked curiously at the group before him.

“Aren’t we supposed to be stealing something?” Mune Ne Zhen Lai walked forward, playfully fanning himself with a folding fan: “Today is the perfect opportunity!…”

“Today is the perfect opportunity?” Qian Jin was momentarily stunned.

Mune Ne Zhen Ce nodded again and smiled confidently: “Your injuries should be completely recovered by now, right?”

Qian Jin nodded. With this body’s rapid recovery, trying to conceal it further from these individuals would clearly underestimate their intelligence.

Everyone observed the same unspoken agreement: they would not pry into why Qian Jin recovered so swiftly. Instead, every time he went into seclusion, they would intentionally or unintentionally linger near his room, ready to intercept any suspicious figures or demons that appeared.

“But… besides us, who else knows you’re recovered?” Mune Ne Zhen Ce gazed at Qian Jin with a sly, cunning smile: “And who would believe that a half-blood demon, Master Jiliu Feijing, who was beaten to the brink of death yesterday, could fully recover overnight?”

Qian Jin nodded again. Even consuming an elite potion couldn’t grant instant, total recovery; it only drastically accelerated the process.

“Then,” Mune Ne Zhen Ce looked at Qian Jin again with a smile, “how much caution would the Crown Prince have shown toward you when you were severely injured?” He continued, “Everyone saw your ferocity yesterday. If you were at full strength, his defenses would naturally be tighter. But because you were gravely wounded yesterday, his vigilance toward you will be much lower…”

“Moreover,” Lucifer Liushui smiled at Qian Jin, “due to a certain matter, Serig left the City of Fallen Souls last night. He won’t be back here for at least seven days.”

“What matter?” Qian Jin was very curious. At this critical juncture, with Serig’s intelligence, he absolutely should not have left the City of Fallen Souls.

“What matter can’t be discussed…” Lucifer Liushui looked apologetically at Qian Jin: “This is a matter internal to our demon race…”

Internal to the demon race? Qian Jin’s brow furrowed. In the eyes of Lucifer Serig, nothing was more important than the Heart of Lucifer; he should never have left, not even for a tribal rebellion.

Could it be? Qian Jin’s eyes suddenly widened. Only an order from the Great Demon King could make the Crown Prince leave the City of Fallen Fallen Souls! Exactly!

If it was the Great Demon King’s order? Qian Jin was even more perplexed. Why would the Great Demon King command the Crown Prince to leave? What matter could be so important that it necessitated the Crown Prince’s personal attention?

War! Or preparations for war! Qian Jin stared blankly at Lucifer Liushui, who deliberately averted her gaze from his, refusing to meet his eyes.

“I fear…” Mune Ne Zhen Ce sighed: “A great war is truly approaching! In truth, how much have the Zhen Ce Dynasty’s forces been secretly preparing over these years?”

Lucifer Liushui remained silent. Large-scale warfare involving nations was not yet something she could intervene in, and Mune Ne Zhen Ce was in no better position.

Although they collaborated on many things, willing to shield each other with their bodies, this now involved national interests. Lucifer Liushui was a demon princess; no matter how much she loved Qian Jin, she could not reveal secrets concerning state affairs at this time.

Perhaps other women might disclose secrets, but Lucifer Liushui had always been an independent demoness. If she divulged classified information involving the demon race’s vast interests to Qian Jin, she would cease to be Princess Lucifer Liushui.

Mune Ne Zhen Ce understood this, and Qian Jin knew it too. Even with various conjectures forming in their minds, they would not press the issue—this was an established understanding between them.

Duan Feng Bu Er glanced at Qian Jin, then at Lucifer Liushui, and let out a sigh: “No wonder? Everyone in the demon world says that love between humans and demons never ends well. You two… ah… what can I even say?” Lucifer Liushui stared silently at the ground. Qian Jin concentrated, thinking deeply: If, one day, their respective races clashed due to conflicting interests, what would he do? What would Lucifer Liushui do? What if they met on the battlefield?

“Let’s worry about those troublesome matters later,” Mune Ne Zhen Ce shook his folding fan rapidly: “I suggest we focus on the immediate task at hand: how to obtain the Heart of Lucifer!” The others temporarily cast aside their concerns, their attention refocusing on Mune Ne Zhen Ce. This morning, while everyone else was still asleep, this flamboyant Sixth Prince of Zhen Ce had roused them all and gathered them here, waiting for Qian Jin to appear.

“The more complicated the plan, the more intermediate steps there will be,” Mune Ne Zhen Ce fanned himself: “The more steps, the higher the chance that a single issue in any link can cause the entire operation to fail…”

Fen Tu Kuang Ge nodded in strong agreement. This was very similar to army maneuvers and combat. Smart staff officers or generals would devise the simplest, most effective means of warfare. Only foolish individuals obsessed with ‘war artistry’ or ‘war aesthetics’ would draft cumbersome, overly detailed, and superficially magnificent battle plans.

“It’s actually quite simple,” Mune Ne Zhen Ce pursed his lips: “Yesterday’s Imperial Duel served as our best cover. My participation alongside Fen Tu Kuang Ge will make all the demons believe that under Princess Liushui, the strongest combat power consists only of Qian Jin, myself, and Kuang Ge.” You Na La nodded gently. If she hadn't known Chek’s true strength now, she too would have believed yesterday’s events reflected the reality.

“Now, Kuang Ge and I will be underestimated by the demons, Qian Jin is severely wounded and his fighting strength temporarily crippled, and Bu Er and Commander Che are considered useless by the demons.” Mune Ne Zhen Ce closed his fan and pointed at Lucifer Liushui: “Currently, the Princess is believed by all demons to be the strongest in our group…”

Lucifer Liushui nodded, not denying it. This seemed to be the case for the moment.

“Therefore, it is completely logical for us to be near Qian Jin, ostensibly protecting him due to his poor health and potential assassination threats,” Mune Ne Zhen Ce looked at Qian Jin: “As long as you adopt a sufficiently resolute attitude when leading us into the ruins, you can certainly bring us in. The demon warriors inside won't even suspect we plan to attack…”

“Snatch it and run!” Mune Ne Zhen Ce flashed his fan: “Then immediately head for the Eight Desolations Family. This won't arouse any suspicion from the demons. We’ll retrieve the item Eight Desolations Wusheng requires, and then leave immediately. We absolutely cannot wait for Lucifer Serig to return! I have a persistent feeling that he is incredibly powerful—powerful enough that even our combined strength might not win.”

Qian Jin nodded repeatedly. He had experienced this feeling more than once himself; Lucifer Serig was definitely more formidable than he appeared on the surface.

“Since it’s decided,” Duan Feng Bu Er looked at Qian Jin with a chuckle, “shall we begin?”

“Let’s move.”

“Qian Jin…” Lucifer Liushui murmured softly, looking at him: “Could you lend me the Dark Demon Armor? Only those with pure Lucifer royal blood can avoid being manipulated or drained by it. Commander Che might not be able to use it safely. If I wear it, I can unleash greater combat power…”

“Done!”

Lucifer Liushui took the Dark Demon Armor, her one eye curving into a crescent moon smile. With a flick of her wrist, the armor vanished into her Dou Realm: “Finally retrieved. Don’t think I’ll ever give it back.”

The Dark Demon Armor was one of the sacred artifact sets belonging to the Lucifer lineage.

Qian Jin had always been troubled over how to handle this artifact. He wanted to give it to Chek but feared he might run into trouble wearing it, as a half-blood and a pure Lucifer were fundamentally different concepts.

“You take it,” Chek spoke up: “Without the set, I am still Chek…”

“I won't lie to you; there will definitely be issues if a half-blood wears this set.”

Lucifer Liushui summoned the Dark Demon Armor from her Dou Realm again, tapping a point on it lightly with her finger. The black armor suddenly lifted into the air and split apart, reforming into several equipment fragments. Lucifer Liushui stepped into the space, and the fragmented pieces automatically adhered to her body. The solid metal unexpectedly writhed and molded itself to fit her voluptuous figure.

The sacred artifact seemed alive, automatically adjusting its form according to the user's body.

Draped in the black Dark Demon Armor, Lucifer Liushui’s curves were sculpted even more enchantingly. Beautiful magical fluctuations subtly flowed through the inscribed runes, like small streams meandering across plains and mountains.

“Qian Jin, do I look beautiful now?” Lucifer Liushui approached him, gracefully turning her body to display her captivating figure. Her firm, long legs, accentuated by the cinched waist of the Dark Demon Armor, appeared even longer and more alluring.