Chapter 7: Calmness

With no demon to test the effects of his Seduction Card, Wen Ying was troubled until a new idea flashed through his mind. His eyes lit up as he rubbed his hands together; it wasn't entirely impossible.

He patted the large flower head of the Venus Flytrap and happily returned to his room to continue crafting the Seduction Cards.

In the end, he produced three Rare (R) cards and six Normal (N) cards.

Wen Ying's expression was a mix of emotions. He had initially thought that R cards were the lowest tier, but to his surprise, there were even N cards.

The skill description on the N cards read: "Trash-grade Seductive Spell of an Upper-class Succubus."

When he used the trash-grade spell on the Venus Flytrap, it fell for it again. Satisfied, Wen Ying put away the remaining cards.

Aluda called down to inform Wen Ying that dinner was ready. Only then did Wen Ying realize that he had overlooked a demon who could assist him – the only one he could rely on at present.

"Grandma, can I ask you for a favor?" Wen Ying asked with a well-behaved smile after finishing his meal.

Aluda promptly replied, "Of course, anything you need, just tell me. Even catching that three-headed puppy for you is within my capabilities."

Wen Ying: "..." His smile froze for a few seconds, and he vaguely realized that this elegant and majestic old lady's capabilities might far exceed his imagination.

"Wenniang, I really have no interest in him," Wen Ying hurriedly explained. "I just want to replicate some of your skills for the third exam."

"Is that all?" Aruda seemed a bit disappointed. She looked intently at Wen Ying, her voice still kind and gentle. "Are you sure there's nothing else you need help with? I've heard that other grandchildren ask for the sky and the earth."

There was a hint of envy in her words.

If he really let Aruda fetch that three-headed dog, Wen Ying felt that his days in the demon world would be numbered. He pretended not to understand her underlying meaning and specified the type of skill demonstration he wanted.

Wen Ying's room was illuminated all night long.

The third round of the entrance exam took place in the Eternal Forest.

Located to the west of the capital, this vast ancient forest was filled with interconnected mountain ranges. Even when flying high above, one couldn't see the end of the green expanse, though towering peaks could be seen piercing through the clouds.

It was also the forest where Aruda's castle resided.

With a bewildered look, Wen Ying listened to the demonic teacher describing the horrors and history hidden within the Eternal Forest. He suspected that he had gotten lost on his way out this morning, as he seemed to have come from here and was now returning.

Due to the non-elimination nature of the first two tests, not many demons had been eliminated. As a result, those who lagged behind in the previous rounds were eagerly looking forward to the third test, hoping to seize their chance to turn things around.

To demons like Wen Ying, who appeared weak and inexperienced, he was seen as a "hot potato." They were all wary of each other, fearful that the points they coveted would be snatched away.

Receiving stares from all directions, this time the pricking sensation finally snapped him out of his self-doubt. He scanned the area and noticed many demons standing quite close together, seemingly forming teams. Most of them seemed to have average strength, while the stronger ones he observed were standing alone.

... Like Perseus, who had an empty space surrounding him.

It had to be said that despite their arrogance and conceit, the demons were undeniably good-looking. In the human world, most of them would be considered handsome or beautiful.

Wen Ying fingered the thick stack of cards in his pocket and, facing the demons eyeing him like hunters, he put on a timid and vulnerable expression.

Perhaps he truly looked too inexperienced, because no one approached him to form a team.

"Everyone, pay attention! The rules for the third test are simple. Our Lord Devil has taken inspiration from the human world's 'name-tearing' activity. Each of you will receive a numbered badge. You must affix it to your body. Once inside, your task is to avoid opponents and tear off their badges. The test will last for two days, ending at six o'clock tomorrow evening. At that point, you must return to the entrance."

"Those whose badges are taken by others can continue to compete and won't be eliminated. Those who fail to gather at the entrance before six will be considered to have forfeited. A fireworks display will serve as a reminder at five o'clock."

"A point is earned for obtaining a number tag. You may engage with the demons but under no circumstances are you to kill them! Remember, no taking demonic lives!" The demonic staff member shouted through a megaphone, emphasizing the prohibition against fatal encounters.

Despite the demon's warning, Wen Ying felt even more endangered.

As they lined up to enter the forest, the staff used a peculiar projector to display clips from human world reality TV shows where participants removed each other's name tags, providing a reference for the demons on the rules.

Wen Ying: "..." If he ever had the chance to meet the Demon King, he would definitely explain that 'Sprint for Love' and 'Name Tag Ripping' were not supposed to be played this way.

Attaching his number tag to his arm, Wen Ying entered the forest alongside his nine teammates. Upon entering, those without established teams quickly dispersed within the designated safe zone.

Wen Ying pulled out a Speed Card from his pocket, slapped it onto himself, and vanished in a flash.

His fellow team members, who intended to strike as soon as they left the safe area: "???" How could this guy fly so fast? He didn't even seem to cast a spell.

The Eternal Forest was vast, and some staff had already ventured in to mark the boundaries of the test area. Yellow ribbons served as warnings at the edges, indicating that Aruda's castle was not within these bounds.

Wen Ying darted swiftly, wary of potential ambushes from demons who had entered earlier. After nearly crashing into a tree, he managed to stop just in time as the effect of the Speed Card wore off.

He sensed no demons nearby nor any large magical beasts. The occasional chirping of birds echoed pleasantly throughout the forest.

Despite this, Wen Ying still felt uneasy. He flew onto a tree and nestled at the intersection of two thick branches, counting the cards he had crafted throughout the night.

His target had always been ordinary demons. If he encountered someone like Essence or Bellerophon, he would have to take a detour.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed from afar. The dry twigs cracked continuously under someone's feet.

Either the approaching being was powerful or it was a trap. Looking at the cards in his hand that resembled poker cards, Wen Ying pondered for a moment before drawing one out.

He initially planned on using the plants for assistance, but testing its effect on a demon beforehand wasn't a bad idea either.

Wen Ying also drew a Speed Card, ready to make a run for it if needed. He concealed his aura and waited quietly for the demon to approach.

Soon, he spotted the demon. It was strolling through the forest as if taking a leisurely walk after a meal, completely relaxed with its hands swinging casually by its sides.

Wen Ying's gaze darkened slightly. The horns on the demon's head resembled dragon horns.

Not a good start, huh? Wen Ying put away the Charm Card and held his breath, hoping the demon would leave on its own.

A haughty snicker escaped the demon's throat. Lifting its gaze, its golden vertical pupils instantly locked onto Wen Ying, causing Wen Ying's heart to plummet.

"It's impossible to pretend I didn't notice." The demon waved its hand nonchalantly, swishing its thick tail behind it. Its eyes flicked up, catching sight of Wen Ying attempting to flee. It immediately flapped its wings to chase after him.

Wen Ying slapped a Speed Card onto himself.

Scarlet was taken aback but quickly increased his flying speed with interest.

Numerous censored words flashed through Wen Ying's mind. Without time for a sigh, he darted away at breakneck speed. As one Speed Card expired, he slapped on another without pause, not daring to stop for a moment.

At first, Scarlet chased effortlessly, maintaining a safe distance behind. But as time went on, he began to feel fatigued. Just what did that demon in front eat to grow up, how could it still fly so swiftly?

He frowned and chanted a spell under his breath. His speed slowed momentarily due to the incantation, but once the speed enchantment was cast, his velocity surged to new heights, catching up to Wen Ying. His robust tail whipped forward directly.

Wen Ying turned his head. His silver-gray, faintly dilated eyes widened. He didn't have time to curse as his reflexes surpassed his thoughts, pulling out several cards from his pocket and throwing them at Scarlet.

"Bang!"

"Boom——"

"Hoo hoo——"

Scarlet: "????"

With a stunned expression, he examined his tattered clothing and the wounds inflicted by various spells – burns, ice spikes, and gashes from gusts of wind.

As pain registered in his brain, Scarlet's face contorted. Though the spells were of low levels, their concentrated impact at close range was still excruciating. He gasped, his tail swishing fiercely; after being lashed by wind blades, it was now dripping with blood, a gruesome sight.

Wen Ying blinked, locking eyes with the incredulous Scarlet. A light bulb illuminated in his mind.

Abundant in magic power and cards, Wen Ying's demeanor grew increasingly audacious. He offered Scarlet an innocent smile.

A million expletives raced through Scarlet's mind. He roared in fury, "What did you do?!" His voice was laced with profound shock.

How could he, a mighty Wyvern, be reduced to such a pathetic state by an unfamiliar, weak demon he had never seen before?

His injuries weren't deep, but numerous superficial wounds made him appear quite disheveled.

Anger ignited within Scarlet, his golden vertical pupils shimmering with icy malice. The air around them grew sharp and fierce.

Drawing on his previous experiences, Wen Ying remained calm. Swiftly, he fished a Charm Card out of his pocket, ensuring it was an R card and not an N card. Then, he infused it with magic and unleashed its power at Scarlet.

Scarlet's eyes momentarily glazed with fury, the emptiness in his golden vertical pupils quickly fading. Wen Ying realized that R Cards were not effective against this kind of demon. He greased his heels and drew a Speed Card, using the brief seconds to snatch Scarlet's number badge and slip away.

Scarlet was only dazed for three seconds. When he snapped back to reality, the despised white demon was nowhere to be seen. He lifted his arm, only to find his upper arm bare, the number badge gone.

"I swear, if I see you again—!!!"

A roar of rage echoed through the forest, startling flocks of birds into flight.

The demons in the forest were startled.

"That voice belongs to Lord Scarlet?"

"He seems really angry. Who could have provoked him?"

In an amber-colored mountain pool, a merman leaped out of the water, casually pushing aside the hair that had fallen over his eyes. He gazed in the direction of the sound, unapologetically relishing in someone else's misfortune as he muttered to himself, "Just listen to how furious he sounds."

In another part of the woods, a demon with blue-purple wings blinked, lightly hopping onto the top of a giant tree. He stood there nonchalantly, gazing into the distance. His playful wickedness seemed ingrained in his bones, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who laid eyes on him.

As Wen Ying used his Speed Card to swiftly dart forward, he caught sight of the demon ahead and immediately detoured around him.

Seeing clearly now, this aura didn't seem ordinary either. Wen Ying had expended quite a bit of energy earlier and had no intention of engaging in a conflict with another powerful demon right now.

"…White?" Muershi stroked his chin, his eyes filled with curiosity as he watched the swiftly flying white demon. He instinctively felt that the royal city was about to gain a new source of amusement.