Chapter 57: The Gathering

Chapter 57: Gathering

Wen Ying thought to himself, Muershi did say that the Flame Mountain's hot spring villa was quite rare. Why does it seem now that every demon has one except for him? It's rather heartbreaking when everyone else possesses something you don't.

He wondered how expensive those Flame Mountain villas were. He'd have to work hard and save up to buy one.

Wu Fei had come over at this moment with an ulterior motive. He didn't dare to speak to Beros alone. The giant demon's imposing presence was too overwhelming. Those red eyes scanning over would make Wu Fei stumble over his words. So, taking advantage of Wen Ying's presence, he decided to directly invite this more approachable white demon, thus indirectly informing Beros as well.

Perfect, but what did Beros mean by his words? Wu Fei felt a bit dazed, and the atmosphere became a little awkward. After much deliberation, he said, "Uh... it's not some rare place, just a casual dinner invitation for everyone."

Wen Ying looked at him pensively.

Wu Fei: What now?

"Thank you for the invitation. I'll be there," Wen Ying smiled. "Can you send me the address via my phone?"

Wu Fei nodded happily. "Sure, sure." One KPI down!

Wen Ying understood Wu Fei's motive for coming over at this time. Glancing at Beros beside him, he tugged on Beros' sleeve, pulling him a meter closer, and asked, "Will you be joining us too?"

Boros was taken aback but nodded indifferently. After all, he had a place to stay near the Volcano of Flames. If he didn't want to stay there, he could always retreat to his villa.

What a devil! Wu Fei was inwardly grateful. One of the most challenging KPIs was accomplished! As Wu Fei walked back, he couldn't help but skip a little.

Watching Wu Fei leave, Boros pulled up his sleeve and turned to Wen Ying. "You want to soak in the hot springs at the Volcano of Flames?"

Wen Ying nodded. "I've never done it before." The hot springs in the Realm of Devils sounded great. Their effects were likely superior to many ordinary hot springs in the human world, given that they contained genuine magical artifacts.

"But you're so thrilled over just a hot spring."

Wen Ying nearly lost his smile. He pouted and said, "During this practical training, I'll probably rank above you. Muershi and I will take the lion's share of the points for destroying the stones."

Boros was displeased, and his lips pressed tightly together, much to Wen Ying's delight.

The school medic had arrived and was now examining Wen Ying from head to toe. "Where are your more severe injuries?"

Wen Ying exposed his arm, which was covered in a horrifying black burn. There were also several cracked bloodstains on the burnt skin.

The school medic understood and began treating him.

Wen Ying had previously used a few ordinary healing magic cards on himself, but the effects were not as good as those of a professional demonic doctor. The piercing pain and burning sensation in his arm gradually subsided, and he sighed in comfortable relief.

Another school medic arrived to assist with Belos's treatment, accompanied by a demonic teacher to record the scores.

Wen Ying glanced at Belos's scorecard and chuckled, but the sound turned into a gasp as it pulled at his abdominal wound.

Belos looked at Wen Ying's scorecard and said expressionlessly, "Serves you right."

After all the fuss, about seventy percent of their wounds were healed. The remaining would have to heal on their own at home to avoid slowing down their natural recovery rate in the long run. The school medic left some for Wen Ying to recuperate on his own; it was manageable but painful.

Another reason was that he needed to conserve his magic power to treat other demons. Healing magic was notoriously draining.

When Wen Ying flew to his doorstep, he caught a tantalizing aroma that made his stomach rumble. He quickened his pace and rushed to the dining table upon entering, staring at the feast spread before him with delight and longing.

"Great-Grandma, did you make so much delicious food today?"

There were giant lobsters, crabs as big as basins, honey-glazed golden meat, sashimi, curry beef, fresh vegetables, fried delicacies, and more, all exuding irresistible aromas.

Wen Ying happily scrutinized the dishes on the table, a curiosity flickering in his mind. Today's dishes seemed less dark in appearance. He looked towards Aruda, who had just emerged from the kitchen.

Aluda wiped his hands on a towel hanging on the wall and approached, saying, "The restaurant I ordered from today was supposed to be prepared by me personally. But since I was out today, I had to send the ingredients there for them to process it in time."

No wonder the dishes on the table didn't seem dark today. Wen Ying curved his eyes. "Great-Grandma, today, Muershi and I teamed up to take down..."

Aluda gave him a thumbs up. "I saw your performance, and it was excellent! Although you weren't the first, Great-Grandma rewards you with a villa by the hot springs on Fire Mountain!"

Wen Ying's smile faded slightly. He sensed that Aluda's words carried a lot of meaning. He hadn't paid much attention to the hot spring villa. He asked in puzzlement, "Great-Grandma, you saw my performance?" He emphasized the pronunciation of "saw."

Aluda pushed Wen Ying into a chair and, with a smile, served him food, saying, "Yes, there are surveillance cameras on North Mist Mountain. We watched the whole thing."

Wen Ying's smile almost cracked. "I, we? Great-Grandma, who with? Where did you watch it? I didn't hear anything about any surveillance." Despite his shameless actions, he still cared about his public image. The thought of the entire scene being witnessed, especially by numerous demons, left him feeling utterly uneasy.

Aluda placed the meal in front of Wen Ying and picked up a succulent piece of lobster meat for him before taking his own seat.

"His Majesty the Devil King installed many monitors in the North Mist Mountain," Aluda said with a chuckle, seemingly oblivious to Wen Ying's expression. "It was truly magnificent. Old Mirror would have been very pleased to see your growth. You've come in second place."

"As for what I did..." Wen Ying hesitated, not daring to be straightforward. "Did everyone see it?"

Aluda propped his chin on his hand. "Hmm... Before I left, His Majesty mentioned that the Fox Clan Chief, who was dealing with the extremist faction, regretted missing his children's performance. So, he plans to edit the surveillance footage into a documentary and upload it online for everyone to witness your brilliant battle."

Wen Ying's eyelids twitched wildly. "Grandma, why do I feel like His Highness the Devil is taking out his personal grudge?"

Aluda didn't deny it. "Yes, that's right. Lan Jiaying will stop there. The footage won't show him being cut by you, but it will show what you and Muershi did."

Wen Ying: "Then you…."

"I think your performance was excellent!" Aluda was like an elderly person with a hundred layers of filters, only caring about her grandson. "Everyone should see how great you are!"

Wen Ying: "…" Grandma needed new glasses.

Holding his face in one hand, Aluda was extremely delighted. "His Highness the Devil seems to be planning on releasing DVDs. I must buy plenty for my collection."

Wen Ying: "..." Lan Jiaying's revenge was so damn swift. Did the mighty First Prince of the Demon Realm have no pride? He actually asked his parents for help.

Wen Ying chose to ignore how he was using Aluda to intimidate others.

No, he had to divert public attention. When the Devil released that, he would release Scarlet's blind box cards. There were still some missing, so he had to rush to complete the set. He'd have to work harder with Beros. For the rest, he would think about it.

Suddenly, Lan Jiaying's image flashed through Wen Ying's mind. He paused, pondering carefully. It might not be impossible. Lan Jiaying definitely wanted everyone to see his handsome and composed appearance. Muershi said he loved to put on airs and act cool. This time, he could use magic against magic.

Thinking of Lan Jiaying, Wen Ying took out the golden tresses from his spatial bracelet and said to Aruda, "Grandma, I got this from Lan Jiaying's head. It seems to be rich in magic power. Can you make any kind of magic potion with it?"

Aruda's hands were greasy at the moment, so she didn't touch the well-bound golden locks directly. Instead, she gazed at the hair in Wen Ying's hand and pondered for a while before saying, "It's abundant in fire attributes. It could be made into a high-quality magic potion that resists ice poison."

She paused and continued, "Merfolk often need extremely cold magic materials for their cultivation, and over time, they can develop symptoms of cold poison. They would definitely be willing to purchase a magic potion made with such pure fire attribute magic power. If you need it, you can use this magic potion to trade for some benefits from them."

This was like someone sending a pillow when he was sleepy. Wen Ying's eyes immediately lit up. Just as he was wondering how to convince Felix to make him a card, the solution had presented itself!

Aruda looked at Wen Ying with great satisfaction. "You've indeed grown a lot. You're learning to pay attention to magic potion ingredients around you. Rest well tonight, and help me tomorrow. Watch me closely and learn attentively."

Wen Ying asked cautiously, "Grandma, I don't have to do anything special tomorrow, right?" The last time Aruda said something similar, he had been thrown into the cauldron used for brewing magic potions.

Aruda chuckled. "Don't worry. The herbs in that pot were precious, and it won't be easy to gather them again. We'll see when I've collected them."

"..." He should have kept quiet.

Wen Ying put the golden tresses back and began to devour the meat and vegetables. The delicious food burst with juices in his mouth, and it was incredibly flavorful, especially the crab roe baked in its shell. The crab meat was already infused with flavor, leaving a lingering aroma in his mouth. Paired with a mouthful of rice, the sensation was so delightful that he wished he could bury his face in the bowl.

After finishing his meal quickly, Wen Ying now had a much larger appetite than before. He ate until his belly was rounded before stopping. As he sat peacefully on the chair to rest, Wen Ying suddenly remembered something, causing his heart to race with anxiety.

He rushed into the kitchen and asked anxiously, "Grandma, does that surveillance camera... have sound?"

Just now, he had recalled how he had been led by Muershi to talk about quite a lot of... embarrassing things back in North Mist Mountain, such as who was in his 'XP'.

He carefully recollected that if there was no sound, he shouldn't be exposed.

Wen Ying looked at Aruda with immense tension, feeling more nervous than ever before in his life. He was afraid that Aruda might deliver the devastating news of social death, which might drive him to seek revenge on Lan Jiaying in the middle of the night.

Aruda gazed at Wen Ying profoundly for a long time, making Wen Ying's heart almost leap out of his throat before he spoke leisurely, "One can only hear it if they're very close to the camera, so it's mostly ambient sounds, a lot of wind."

Wen Ying instantly felt reassured to the point of wanting to lie down right there; it was as if he had narrowly escaped death. He said calmly, "That's really great."

Aluda teased, "Did you say something in the competition that you don't want others to hear?"

"Grandma," Wen Ying spoke softly, "I'll go apply nutrient fluid to the egg first."

"Go ahead, get some good rest."

Wen Ying returned to his room, held the white egg in his arms from the bedside table, and stroked it while rambling complaints about Lan Jiaying to it. He also grumbled about Perseus' words that had made him feel stifled again, and mentioned the hot springs in Flaming Mountain.

He smiled at the egg and said, "Grandma gifted me a private hot spring villa. If you hatch, we can go soak together. No one will bother us there, and pets are allowed too."

Then, he described the delicious feast from that night, getting hungry all over again. The egg wobbled in response to Wen Ying's words.

"Wonder what you'll look like. I'm really looking forward to it," Wen Ying said with a curved smile, gently cradling the egg. Even a Muggle would want a magical pet like this!

The next day, Wen Ying entered the basement with trepidation. Aruda was stirring a large cauldron with a long stick. Steam billowed upward, and the heat washed over Wen Ying.

Wen Ying swallowed hard.

Seeing him, Aruda put down the stick, stepped away from the pot, and beckoned, "Come here. Take out Lan Jiaying's hair. Watch how I handle it."

Following Aruda to a nearby table, Wen Ying noticed that despite its seemingly chaotic appearance, with no empty space on the surface, everything was actually neatly categorized.

Wen Ying retrieved the blonde hair from his spatial bracelet and handed it to Aruda. Aruda took a small clay jar from the table and motioned for Wen Ying to put the hair inside.

Untying the rope binding the hair, Wen Ying carefully placed it into the jar.

"Materials obtained from demons first require the removal of their original owner's aura. This is to prevent any traps set by the demons."

Alruda fetched a bottle from the side and poured out a clear, liquid substance. Like seasoning for cooking, she opened a nine-square grid box beside her, pinching various powders in with her thumb and index finger while explaining to Wen Ying.

Wen Ying took out a small notebook to jot down notes.

After adding all the ingredients, Alruda started pounding with a pestle. The hair astonishingly melted into a gel-like substance. Then, she added a green pill, turning the mixture into a beautiful, non-stringy, white-golden liquid.

"Place your hand on it and try."

Wen Ying extended his hand, surprised to feel a burning sensation. The liquid was continuously emitting heat.

"This is the fire attribute magic power inside. The purer the heat, the stronger it is."

Alruda stirred slowly. After a while, she covered the pot and stretched out her hand. Suddenly, one of the vines growing on the ceiling reached out. Alruda tossed the sealed jar towards it, and the vine coiled around the jar once before spreading out and clinging to the wall on the other end.

In this manner, the jar was suspended above the steaming cauldron.

"Let the medicinal properties in the pot infuse the original liquid in the jar. This will increase the purity of the fire attribute. It should take roughly two hours."

Alruda returned to the long table filled with various materials and said to Wen Ying, "Now, we need to prepare other ingredients. Grind the blood and bones of a fire attribute magical beast. You give it a try."

Wen Ying gazed at the bone Aruda had placed before him, its scent of lingering blood causing him to subconsciously frown.

Aruda noticed and said, "These ingredients are relatively ordinary. There are even more extravagant ones."

Wen Ying’s face fell. "Grandma, this smell is disgusting."

"You'll get used to it."

After grinding the blood and bone into powder, Aruda taught Wen Ying how to remove impurities and extract the purest medicinal properties. The red powder eventually transformed into a few small pills, which Aruda sealed in a jar after two hours.

The subsequent processes were a series of intricate refinement and purification. Wen Ying recorded over a hundred raw materials, feeling as if his brain was insufficient for the task.

Entering in the morning and eating hastily before returning downstairs, he did the same at night. By the time he came up around eleven, Wen Ying felt like his entire mind wasn't his own, reaching a state of emptiness. He collapsed onto the bed the moment he returned.

The magic potion didn't take shape until the following morning. Since Wen Ying had told Aruda that he had a date with Wu Fei that day, she hastened her pace.

The finished product was a white-golden pill, about half the size of a thumbprint. It was adorned with delicate, red lines that resembled magical runes, tightly packed in two concentric circles on the white-golden surface.

To prevent the loss of its medicinal properties, each high-grade magic pill in this form was stored separately. The small, square box used for storing them was specially crafted to preserve the essence of the medicine. Inside, a soft cushion acted as padding, making the pill appear like a displayed pearl.

Lan Jiaying's long hair proved advantageous to Wen Ying, as it allowed Aruda to refine ten high-grade Fire Poison Nullifying Magic Pills.

Wu Fei's invitation included the time, 5:30 in the afternoon. Wen Ying figured it was perfect for having dinner and then taking a bath, with some extra time left for chatting.

He only took five pill boxes; the rest were given to Aruda. Before leaving, Aruda handed him the key and address to the hot spring villa he had gifted him, suggesting he take a look and see if he liked it. If it got too late at night, Wen Ying shouldn't rush back and could just sleep there.

Wen Ying was deeply touched. Aruda was truly warmer than his unreliable great-grandfather. He felt unworthy of such a precious gift, but how could he not accept it? He was ecstatic!

Putting on a more formal attire, he skipped out the door, "Great-Grandma, I'm off!"

"Be careful on your way. If you don't know where to go, call a carriage."

The Demon Realm didn't have online maps, but physical ones. After leaving the forest, Wen Ying bought a map in the capital city. The location of Flame Mountain was directly opposite that of the Eternal Forest. The Eternal Forest was to the west of the capital, while Flame Mountain was to the east.

Looking at the map in his hand, a carriage with a "For Hire" sign happened to pass by. Wen Ying flagged it down and hopped on, curious.

There were no cars on the streets of the Demon Realm, only carriages pulled by various magical beasts or beasts used as mounts directly. The carriage Wen Ying stopped was pulled by a horse-like magical beast, its body pure white and its feet shrouded in black mist, as if treading on fog itself.

"I need to go to this address." Wen Ying showed the driver Wu Fei's address on his phone, who nodded and drove off.

Wen Ying settled into a chair within the carriage, which was likely designed to accommodate the larger physique of certain demonic races. The carriage was spacious, with long benches hugging the walls on three sides and a table not much taller than the seats placed in the center, all made of wood.

Two windows were positioned on either side, fitted with one-way glass and a small curtain that could be drawn when the sunlight became too intense.

Seated on the right bench, Wen Ying gazed out the window at the passing scenery.

The capital was vast; he had only explored a portion of its streets and there were still many areas left unvisited. As the carriage headed east, Wen Ying soon caught sight of an enormous city gate. The stones seemed to hold countless stories, exuding a strong sense of history and an imposing aura. It stood tall, silently narrating the passage of time to all who passed by.

The carriage quickly passed through the gate, venturing outward. Contrary to his expectations, it was not a barren wilderness outside but rather resembled a human suburb. Houses began to appear sporadically, some grand like castles, others humble and dilapidated.

Castles were mostly separated from other structures, while smaller dwellings clustered together, resembling tiny villages. Neatly arranged vegetable gardens, fruit orchards, and various monster farms surrounded them.

Wen Ying also noticed gatherings similar to markets where demons of diverse appearances bought and sold goods. Here, the customs and lifestyles of the Demon Realm were more vividly displayed beyond the capital's borders.

As the carriage crossed a river, the surroundings took on a distinct style, completely different from before. Suddenly, the scene ahead became bustling, revealing a vibrant village with an untamed, primitive charm. Stalls and demons encountered along the way gave Wen Ying a sense of entering another world.

Shopkeepers and vendors donned clothing made from animal hides, while the architectural style of the village homes featured irregularly shaped stones. Shop names hung from long, fluttering banners, and many walls adorned with monster heads.

Numerous food stalls offered unique snacks that defied description. As the carriage passed one stall, a demon customer sat on a stone chair outside while the seller presented a bowl that appeared to contain blood, accompanied by a plate of orange-red meat and a side of jam.

Having spent some time in the Demon Realm, Wen Ying realized how little he actually knew about this world. Leaning against the window, he gazed outside with curiosity, his expression akin to that of Liu Nainai visiting the Grand View Garden for the first time.

As they ventured further, the ground around them gradually turned red.

"The guest, it's not feasible for the carriage to proceed on Fire Mountain. We can only go this far," the coachman announced from outside.

Wen Ying paid and alighted, looking around with great interest. Everything seemed novel to him. He glanced ahead and understood why the coachman mentioned the difficulty of navigating a carriage on Fire Mountain. The path up the mountain was narrow, lined with stalls on both sides, creating a lively scene. It would be challenging for a carriage to pass through such a crowded area of demons.

Fire Mountain was tall, and Wen Ying studied it with his head raised. There were artificially or demonically crafted flat terraces on its slopes, adorned with numerous structures. The entire place felt warm, and Wen Ying thought it would be an ideal winter retreat when not enjoying the hot springs.

Checking the time, he realized it was still early. He decided to first visit the villa Aluda had gifted him.

As he climbed up, each villa was labeled with numbers, making it easy to locate. After a moderate effort, Wen Ying found the villa Aluda had given him. No two villas were identical; each had its unique style. Some resembled castles, while others appeared like cozy country cottages. The one Aluda had chosen for Wen Ying carried a touch of castle-like charm.

Excitedly, he retrieved the key and approached the door, which he opened to inspect the interior. Fully furnished and elegantly decorated, the living room featured a sunken square space with a sofa and table, accompanied by two steps. It seemed well-maintained, free from dust.

Ascending to the second floor, Wen Ying discovered that the place resembled a hotel. It was empty, devoid of personal belongings. At the back of the villa was a small courtyard housing a steaming hot spring. Next to it stood a pavilion for afternoon tea.

He selected a room to serve as his bedroom. Inside the wardrobe, there were several new sleepwear sets in different sizes, unisex and loose-fitting. Using magic, he tidied the place, transferring the bedding from the closet to prepare for a comfortable night's sleep.

Having finished his tasks, Wen Ying glanced at the time; it was almost half past five. He opened the door and stepped out. As he locked the door, he heard a similar sound coming from next door. Glancing casually in that direction, his gaze lingered as he noticed the devil locking the door was Beros.

"Beros?" Wen Ying was surprised. "You..." He had been about to ask how Beros ended up here, but quickly realized something.

"Is this the villa under your name?" How coincidental? Wen Ying suddenly doubted if Aruda knew Beros' villa was right next door.

Beros was also a bit surprised. "Yes, what about you?" The owner of the house next door was Aruda.

Wen Ying swung the key in his hand, proudly saying, "My great-grandmother gave it to me, this villa." Finally, he had something that other devils didn't.

Beros reacted indifferently and walked off in a certain direction after locking the door. Wen Ying, realizing that Beros knew the way, jogged a few steps to catch up.

"Are you staying here tonight?" Wen Ying asked.

"Yes," Beros glanced sideways. "You too?"

Wen Ying thought that if he was lucky, he might get to see Beros in casual clothes. Although he kept telling himself he had given up on Beros, his heart and his... preferences seemed to have a mind of their own. Unable to resist, he still couldn't help but draw closer.

Beros had also changed into more formal attire, typical of the Devil Realm. Male devilish attire often carried a sense of severity, related to their instinctual reverence for power and historical context. Female clothing, on the other hand, was often designed for swift movement.

Wen Ying couldn't help stealing glances at Belos on their way. Devils were also enhanced by their attire, and Belos, handsome to begin with, was further accentuated by his black and red ensemble. The outfit not only emphasized his divine physique but also created an illusion that his legs extended from his neck down.

The black leather gloves added a touch of sophistication.

"Want it? Train harder," Belos said nonchalantly without breaking his gaze. "As long as you don't get killed by me before I come of age."

Wen Ying: "..." He wanted to pin Belos to the ground when he turned eighteen.

A hint of a smile tugged at Belos's lips.

They arrived precisely at five thirty, neither too early nor too late. The villa gates were open, and Lilith, who was closer, approached with a smile. "You're right on time."

Wen Ying smiled back and inquired, "Is everyone here?"

"Not all the devils have arrived yet."

Lilith paused and suddenly leaned in, whispering into his ear, "The High Prince is here."

Wen Ying was slightly startled and peeked inside. Spotting the back of a blond devil, he commented, "I thought he wouldn't come."

In terms of appearance or his relationship with Wu Fei, Wen Ying had thought Lan Jiaying would wear that robe for quite some time. He didn't expect him to have taken it off today.

Wu Fei approached with a somewhat troubled look on his face. "I think the same too." Lan Jiaying had come specifically to make him feel uneasy. Upon entering, he criticized Wu Fei's arrangements as not luxurious enough, the dishes not high-end enough, and the number of servants being too few. After a barrage of complaints, he then calmly went to socialize with the other students.

Next to the golden-haired devil, Wen Ying spotted Wu Shaluo.

Lan Jiaying was facing away from him, so all Wen Ying could see was his back. The long golden hair had been cut to his neck. After that day, Lan Jiaying probably went to a barber to smooth out the frizzy hair. However, the length couldn't be restored, so he trimmed it. Today, he provocatively tied a few small braids at the back of his head.

Suddenly, Lan Jiaying turned sideways to speak to a devil who had just approached. Wen Ying caught a glimpse of his forehead. The middle part of his hair was slicked back with gel, while two slender strands fell softly on the sides, giving off an elegant vibe. His face was radiant, his expression calm and composed. As he spoke confidently with the other devils, his sharp gaze was concealed, exuding an extraordinary demeanor. Today, he wore a white gown with golden edges. The exquisite fabric accentuated his youthful and robust physique, with a golden flower pinned to his chest and a ring on his finger. Anyone who saw him would undoubtedly praise him as a charming nobleman.

Comparing this to Wu Fei in front of him, who possessed a more domineering physique and appearance than Lan Jiaying, but lacked the corresponding aura. Instead, his looks were overshadowed, drawing attention to his affability and ordinariness.

Wen Ying pondered for a moment. After all, they were fellow countrymen, so he said, "I think you're better than him."

"Huh?"

Wen Ying patted his shoulder. "Does he get on your nerves? Next time, if there's an opportunity, I'll invite you along."

Wen Ying finished speaking and walked inside.

Wu Fei was stunned. What opportunity? The chance to be taken down by Lan Jiaying?! Thinking about what Wen Ying had done the previous day, his eyelids twitched violently. He extended his hand in an "Eh, don't" gesture, which was utterly unnecessary!

After Poros entered and spoke briefly with Levimo, he noticed Wen Ying heading straight for Lan Jiaying, which surprised him. Levimo also caught sight of this and was ready to step in to prevent any potential conflict.

"Your Highness," Wu Shaluo whispered beside Lan Jiaying, indicating that Wen Ying was approaching.

Lan Jiaying glanced sideways, his eyes landing on the approaching white demon. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he walked over, saying brightly, "Good evening. How are you feeling now?"

Looking at him, Wen Ying let out a faint sigh. "You lack composure. You're too impulsive."

Lan Jiaying's smile dimmed slightly, and the uplift in his tone dropped marginally, but his expression remained pleasant. "Because I enjoy doing this." His revenge was always swift, precise, and ruthless! And it wouldn't stop at just one instance; this was only the beginning.

Wu Shaluo, with a sour look towards the despicable Wen Ying, said sternly, "Be careful lately. I'm tempted to give you a good beating in the middle of the night."

Wen Ying turned to him, his grin widening. "I'll be staying in that villa not far from here tonight. Feel free to come find me." The villa next door belonged to Poros.

Wu Shaluo had been traumatized by Wen Ying's antics before, and upon seeing this grin, though unsure of the specifics, his eyelids involuntarily twitched.

"Your reputation as a shameless one will likely spread as swiftly as the Infamous Raven," Lan Jiaying's words echoed like a playful caress. From a nearby table, she picked up a glass of wine and gently swirled its contents, her dark eyes narrowing with pleasure.

"Do you know? In the human realm, there exists a type of individual known as celebrities. The most adored among these, occupying the pinnacle of popularity, are referred to as 'top streamers.' I wonder if Your Highness's level of adoration in the Demon Realm would be considered that of a top streamer?" Wen Ying picked up a glass of juice from the table beside her and took a sip.

Lan Jiaying looked at Wen Ying and asked, "What do you mean?"

"It's quite literal. I'm curious if your popularity can surpass that of other demons, like Beros and Phlegethos," Wen Ying chuckled, raising a glass filled with juice to create a barrier between them. "In the human world, stars' fans would buy products endorsed by their idols. The more popular the star, the higher the product sales. Would you like to give it a try?"

Lan Jiaying scoffed. "What you're saying is sheer nonsense. Of course, my popularity surpasses theirs."

"Would you like to give it a try?" Wen Ying's voice was soft and deep, his five-word question carrying an enchanting rhythm that captivated Lan Jiaying's attention.

"Hmph," Lan Jiaying crossed his arms and glanced at him sideways. "How do we try?"

Wu Shaluo, who had been indirectly or directly tricked by Wen Ying several times, grew worried. "Your Highness, he... "

Lan Jiaying lifted his hand slightly to his ear. "I'm curious to see what tricks he has up his sleeve. I'll play along."

Looking at the self-assured Lan Jiaying, Wu Shaluo couldn't shake off a foreboding feeling. He then turned to the similarly calm and smiling Wen Ying. Now, whenever he saw Wen Ying, he viewed him through a lens of cunning. That expression on Wen Ying's face could only mean trouble.

Boros observed them from a distance, intrigued by their animated conversation. Drawn closer, he heard Wen Ying say, "Alright, I'll visit your hot spring villa tomorrow."

"I'll be afraid you won't dare to come," the other replied.

Boros was puzzled.

Wen Ying turned to see Essence approaching, startled by the latter's attire. He couldn't help but glance a few more times. The low-cut collar of the gown exposed half of Essence's chest muscles, with hints of abs visible. His rosy eyes exuded an alluring depth even in their casualness.

The crucial point was that Essence was a demon, and his innate charm and allure as a succubus stirred Wen Ying's heart, a young demon who had only been in the Realm of Demons for about a month.

After a few more glances, Wen Ying's initial fascination subsided. He silently chanted 'Amitabha, form is emptiness' to regain composure. Opening his eyes, he found Boros peering down at him closely, almost causing him to stumble backward.

"What are you doing?" Wen Ying asked irritably, annoyed by Boros's sudden appearance.

Silent, Boros walked away, leaving Wen Ying's lips twitching. He never seemed to grasp what was going on in Boros's mind.

Muttering a few complaints about Boros in his heart, Wen Ying glanced at Essence, who was radiating joy like a peacock displaying its feathers. Despite this, he still decided to go get something to eat.

Tonight's feast resembled a buffet, except waiters circulated through the living room carrying various dishes, ready to serve guests at any moment.

Wu Fei found himself surrounded by Lilith and Levimo, each taking turns to introduce him to various demons. Seated on the sofa with a plate of food in hand, Wen Ying scanned the room, noticing that apart from the witch fairy, Koroy, all their classmates seemed to have arrived.

Wen Ying's gaze wandered from one person to another. Everyone was dressed in more formal attire, both men and women looking like stars on a red carpet, with impeccable elegance and beauty. Compared to his frustrating experience of spending hundreds at home trying to draw a single SSR character illustration, this felt like paradise. The walking demons before his eyes transformed into exquisite trading cards.

He couldn't help but think of his collection of demon dolls that had been burned, mournfully savoring the substitute experience offered by the scene.

"Look at that Nekomata, her off-shoulder gown!"

"And that ghost-faced doll, wearing a blue-purple Gothic Lolita dress!"

"How about that Nine-Tailed Fox in a school uniform!"

"Not to mention that butterfly-winged mermaid in exotic attire!"

...

Appreciating the sights purely for their aesthetic value, Wen Ying felt a deep sense of joy. So many beautiful 3D demon illustrations; how wonderful it would be if he could own cards bearing their likenesses.

Muershi approached and sat beside him, asking, "Are you scouting for new targets? Does Beros know?"

"It's simply admiration," Wen Ying said. "Did you know about the surveillance?"

Muershi nodded, adjusting the collar of his garment adorned with Pengsong feathers with his gloved hand and smiled. "My mother mentioned it. It doesn't matter to me; my reputation was set since birth. Besides, that surveillance footage only made the demons in my clan worship me more."

"My mother even praised me, saying I inherited our family's superior genes."

Wen Ying: "..." The Wicked Bird race truly lived up to its name.

"But I can't let them get away with it," Muershi rubbed his chin. "I have to scheme a retaliation; otherwise, it'd be too much of a loss."

With a plate in hand, a sly glint flashed in Wen Ying's eyes. "Don't worry, I'm already prepared."

He beckoned with his finger, signaling for the Wicked Bird to lean closer. Muershi eagerly pressed his ear against Wen Ying, who whispered his plan.

Listening, Muershi's expression shifted through a range of emotions. "I knew it, Wen Ying. You have a talent for this. Were you born into the wrong body?"

Wen Ying swatted Muershi's head away.

Muershi chuckled mischievously, his gaze lingering on the radiant Lan Jiaying, a wicked grin playing on his lips.

The buffet in the living room lasted until eight o'clock. After a brief respite, the attendants led everyone to the changing rooms to prepare for the hot springs.

Wen Ying undressed and put on a bathrobe. Suddenly, he recalled the hot spring he had seen in Aluda's villa – there was only one, with no privacy. Would they bathe together here, with girls around?

Wen Ying had underestimated the situation. Wu Fei's hot spring villa had a larger garden, with two separate hot springs – one outdoor and one indoor – conveniently designated for males and females respectively.

Next to the hot springs were several clothes racks for hanging their bathrobes.

Wen Ying approached the hot spring, pausing halfway through removing his bathrobe as he caught sight of the physiques around him. Suddenly, he didn't feel too keen on stripping down and joining them.

Among all these male demons, he was the shortest and least muscular. After being steamed by Aluda, he did develop some muscles, but his original frame remained. He was no longer a scrawny chicken, that was for sure.

Wen Ying glanced at Beros, who was standing about three meters away. Beros maintained an unwavering gaze as he removed his bathrobe, and a servant promptly took it from him. Without hesitation, Beros stepped into the hot spring.

The water rose with his entry, submerging him up to the firm muscles of his chest, as the tall and languid demon half-closed his eyes in enjoyment.

Lan Jiaying suddenly appeared, raising his eyebrows in delight. "Let me help you." With these words, he reached out and gently pulled off Wen Ying's half-off bathrobe, followed by a soft chuckle.

Wen Ying: "..." He turned his head and noticed Lan Jiaying's impressively muscular chest. The corners of his mouth twitched. "It's quite an honor for you to do this job, considering I'm just a low-ranking demon."

"Literally, I admit your strength is commendable, worthy of my assistance," Lan Jiaying said with refined grace. He casually tossed the bathrobe to a nearby attendant before leisurely stepping into the hot spring.