Chapter 64: The Tower

Chapter 64: The Skyscraper

Wen Ying, deeply affected by the mental blow, floated back to his room like a wandering spirit. Little Bai, indeed, had thick skin; he was now awake and energetically darted around Wen Ying's feet as soon as he saw him. Then, he swiftly climbed up Wen Ying's body like a tree, settling down quietly on top of his head.

Wen Ying lifted his hand to take the cub off his head. As Little Bai met his gaze, he revealed a delicate face with large, round ice-blue eyes that showed no signs of aggression. He was gentle and obedient.

If it weren't for the speed and ferocity with which he had just attacked Perseus, Wen Ying might have believed he was truly tame. Indeed, flags were meant to be broken. Wen Ying lifted the cub and said earnestly, "Little Bai, you can't attack other demons randomly."

Little Bai tilted his head, looking innocent. He stretched out his little tongue to lick the scratch on Wen Ying's hand from before.

Wen Ying almost softened and let the matter slide, but thinking about the possibility of taking him out to play in the future, he hardened his heart. He put Little Bai down on the ground. The cub wrapped his ears around Wen Ying's hand, but Wen Ying pulled them off his arm with a stern expression.

Little Bai seemed a bit uneasy. His ears flattened back, and since birth, Wen Ying had always been gentle and accommodating towards him, never adopting such an icy demeanor.

"Ji?" Little Bai extended a front paw and placed it on Wen Ying's calf, attempting to climb up again.

Wen Ying held onto his restless front paw, "I know you understand." Claw-Ear beasts were high-level magical creatures. Their intelligence as adults could rival that of ordinary demons. At its current juvenile stage, it would be comparable to a four or five-year-old child who could already comprehend instructions.

Little Bai's eyes flickered, still trying to climb up Wen Ying's leg.

Wen Ying pushed it away indifferently, setting it aside. "If you ever attack other demons or magical beasts carelessly again, I won't be able to take you out. As Beros said, you'll have to stay at home as a guard beast."

"Chirp!" Beros! Little Bai was agitated, remembering this name. Back when it was still an egg, Wen Ying had constantly mentioned how terrible and evil this demon named Beros was.

Truly terrible! He made Wen Ying abandon it! Little Bai's large ears slapped the ground wildly, its eyes filled with anger.

Confused by Little Bai's sudden agitation, Wen Ying saw the creature swiftly climb back onto his shoulder, rubbing its face against Wen Ying's chin. Its ice-blue eyes were moist, and it let out a whining sound, seeking forgiveness.

Wen Ying scratched its chin, and Little Bai raised its chin, squinting its eyes in pleasure.

"You understood, didn't you?" Wen Ying wasn't sure, but he could only assume that it did. "If you do this again, you'll have to live in the backyard with Little Hong and its family."

"Chirp!" Little Bai clung tightly to Wen Ying's hand with its ears.

Wen Ying soothed it. "Alright, alright. Not now. As long as you don't attack other demons without reason, I won't make you move to the backyard."

Wondering why it was suddenly so worked up, Wen Ying pondered while stroking Little Bai.

Not daring to take any chances, Wen Ying decided to test bringing Little Bai into the surrounding forest over the next few days to observe its reaction to encountering other magical beasts. Initially, it indeed charged forward, but Wen Ying had learned his lesson. This time, he used a slender vine to wrap around Little Bai's neck, pulling it back the moment it tried to rush out.

Little Bai noticed Wen Ying's changing expression and grumbled affectionately against her.

After several consecutive days, Little Bai was finally less prone to immediately charging at unfamiliar magical beasts due to its racial instinct. Although it still regarded them with hostility, it now obeyed Wen Ying's command not to rush forward, which greatly relieved Wen Ying. As a reward, she made many nutritious blocks for it.

Wen Ying would then secretly train with Little Bai, taking it for bowel movements in the forest while also teaching it not to rush out carelessly. Whenever they encountered suitable magical beasts, she would use them for her own practice as well.

The attack patterns of magical beasts were more primal than those of demons, making them ideal for training reaction speed and developing evasion instincts. The forest was also an excellent place to utilize vines.

Wen Ying schemed to defeat Lan Jiaying without his knowledge, aiming to make him sleep in the school infirmary during the next ranking match while she walked out of the arena unscathed.

In this week, Muershi's factory had completed the items Wen Ying requested: non-magical limited edition blind draw cards and a selection of seven badges. Finally, Wen Ying shifted her attention away from Little Bai and returned to her work.

... Mainly because the reduced production of cards lately had led to a noticeable decrease in income.

Wen Ying tied a vine around Little Bai's neck, with the other end coiled around her upper arm, ensuring that even if Little Bai wanted to charge at a demon, it wouldn't be able to cause harm or inconvenience to others. Thus, she took it for a stroll around the school.

On this day, almost every demon who entered the academy turned their heads, with some glancing casually at the popular white demon on top of Wen Ying's head, pausing in confusion before turning back for a closer look.

Claw... Ear Beast?! Some demons immediately moved a meter away.

This forest assassin might not be powerful among high-ranking magical beasts, but its speed was ridiculously fast, and its claws were abnormally sharp. Even they wouldn't be able to defend against a sneak attack with complete certainty.

How dare that magic mirror demon let it perch on his head and wrap its tail around his neck? Was he courting death?

In the classroom, Muershi and the others looked at Wen Ying in surprise when they saw that he had actually brought the Claw-Eared Beast over. "Aren't you afraid it might suddenly scratch you? This kind of magical beast is notorious for its volatile temper."

Wen Ying raised his hand to stroke Little Bai, who obligingly tilted his head to allow for an easier touch.

Seeing how casual Wen Ying was being, Scarlet also wanted to give it a try. But as soon as he reached out, the cub's eyes snapped to him, baring its teeth silently, ruining its docile demeanor.

"Indeed," Scarlet withdrew his hand and sat down. "It's still a Claw-Eared Beast. You should be careful, after all, your skin is quite fragile."

Wen Ying took Little Bai down from his hand. The cub cuddled and rolled around in Wen Ying's embrace, causing the surrounding demons to question their understanding of demonic life.

Essence was puzzled. "Why is it so close to you?"

Muershi chuckled and said meaningfully, "Because Wen Ying is its father."

"Who am I to it?"

"Daddy."

"Hmm?"

Muershi: "..."

Wen Ying laughed recklessly. The tricks that children in the human world found mundane seemed to hold no immunity for those in the demonic realm.

Muershi's lips curled downward as he lazily extended his palm. Purple electric arcs danced across his fingertips. Before his hand could even touch Wen Ying, Little Bai, who was cuddling in Wen Ying's embrace, raised one of its ears and swatted Muershi's hand away with a snap. It was incredibly swift, and the electricity barely caused any harm to it; its fur remained sleek and untangled.

Scarlet and Amethyst laughed heartily, while Essence watched the Claw-Eared Beast with great interest. With a pinkish hue, her nails condensed a small orb of magic, which she tentatively extended towards the creature.

Little Bai glanced over, and Essence's eyes softened gently, shimmering with a captivating allure, exuding a lazy charm.

Little Bai gently opened his mouth, softly biting the finger that emanated a hint of magic power. He gently sucked on the magic, his ear cuddled against Wen Ying's arm, while his idle forepaw lifted to grasp Essence's hand, quietly savoring the magic power released by Essence.

The unintentional allure of the succubus had ensnared Scarlet for three seconds. When he snapped back to reality, he trembled from head to toe. Muershi also shivered, somewhat speechless. "You even fell for a magical beast?"

Essence lifted his gaze. "I didn't do anything deliberately. You're all just too weak, not even comparable to a Claw-Eared Beast."

He spoke with a light and tinkling laughter, his male voice not at all effeminate but rather magnetic. Even a casual glance or smile from him exuded a flirtatious charm.

Even if one wasn't fond of him, they might still fall under his spell without realizing it. Scarlet, the unlucky fellow, often fell victim to Essence's tricks. His fear of incubi had been escalating. That uncontrollable attraction was terrifying.

Muershi believed that the Clawear must have been charmed by the incubus. He twirled his eyes and said to Scarlet, "I think the Clawear must be under a spell. What do you think?"

Scarlet snorted at Essence and extended a finger, releasing a bit of demonic aura. He placed it in front of Little Bai. The ice-blue-eyed creature glanced at Scarlet's finger, then let go of Essence's hand and suddenly opened its mouth to bite.

Scarlet quickly withdrew his hand, still shaken.

"Ha! Hahaha," Essence chuckled.

Wen Ying lowered his eyelids. "How childish are you two? Stop teasing it. It took me a lot of effort to make it less reactive to unfamiliar demons."

Indeed, incubi were impressive. Even the Clawear seemed to like them. Wen Ying stole a few glances at Essence as Little Bai extended its front paw, attempting to hug Essence for more magic.

Perseus watched the shameless Clawear with a hand propping up his chin. The more he looked, the more annoyed he became. Its ear was still wrapped around Wen Ying, yet now it wanted to hug Essence too.

Essence playfully teased Little Bai, drawing circles with his slender, pale fingers in front of the creature. The ordinary gesture somehow held a different aura when performed by him.

The bell signaling the start of class rang, and Essence reluctantly withdrew his hand.

For the sake of propriety during class, Wen Ying refrained from allowing Little Bai to perch atop his head, sensing that it might be perceived as provocative. Instead, he gently placed Little Bai on his lap, bidding him to remain quiet.

Perched on Wen Ying's thigh, Little Bai shifted continually to find a comfortable position to sleep. Sensing a cold gaze, it turned to see the detestable demon, Bellerophon, coiling his tail around Wen Ying's waist and baring his teeth provocatively.

Boros: "??! ?" He almost slammed the table in astonishment. How dare that little rascal!

Boros had tangled with countless magical beasts over the years, but this was the first time he'd been provoked by a fledgling beast cub. To make matters worse, he couldn't vent his anger in the middle of class, leaving him feeling stifled and frustrated.

Feeling the increasingly tight grip of the tail around his waist, Wen Ying didn't look down but reached to stroke Little Bai's hand, gently moving the tail aside.

The warmth around his waist grew closer, and Wen Ying lowered his head. Little Bai wrapped its two front paws around his waist, using its ears for an additional embrace, with its face nestled against his abdomen.

"Sigh," Wen Ying murmured, a mix of annoyance and sweetness. "You're too clingy."

Beros' anger simmered inwardly, his red eyes resembling molten lava trapped within a volcano, scorching and menacing. His black nails dug into the tabletop as if they were piercing through the audacious young Claw-Ear Beast.

The proud self-esteem of the three-headed dog would not tolerate a young magical beast's provocation! Beros was focused on this, but his gaze couldn't help drifting towards Wen Ying's waist, embraced by the Claw-Ear Beast.

The cub's earlobes could completely wrap around, and so could his arms.

Beros suddenly found himself wondering: What on earth was he thinking?

Finally, the class ended. Beros snatched the cub out of Wen Ying's embrace. The cub was still small, and its claws couldn't scratch through Beros's magic-protected arm, leaving it in a fit of futile rage.

Wen Ying irritably pried Beros's hand open to reclaim Little Bai. "What are you doing?"

All the other demons looked over.

Lan Jiaying gazed at the cub, the culprit that had kept Wen Ying from the arena lately. Apart from its white fur, there didn't seem to be anything special about it.

Feeling all eyes on him, Beros opened his mouth but couldn't bring himself to directly mention how the little beast had provocatively hugged Wen Ying's waist. It just felt... humiliating and odd.

Beros harrumphed and left the classroom.

What had possessed him today? Wen Ying comforted Little Bai, who was burrowing into his arms. "There's no need to be afraid."

Once again, someone plucked the cub by the nape of its neck out of Wen Ying's arms. Looking up, Wen Ying saw Lan Jiaying. He angrily tiptoed and pulled the cub back from her grip.

"Don't you have your own magical creatures? Why do you all have to snatch mine?" Wen Ying said irritably, he could even see the floating white fur in the air!

Lan Jiaying folded his arms. "You skipped the arena for this?"

"It has a name, Little Bai," Wen Ying said, sensing the surrounding noises quietening down.

Lan Jiaying erupted into laughter, covering her mouth as she looked up, "Little Bai? Your taste is truly peculiar."

Little Bai bared its teeth at him, eliciting an amused snort from Lan Jiaying. She teasingly prodded it with her finger, watching as the creature clamped down on it in a fit of mock anger, yet causing no harm nor breaking the skin. Her eyes sparkled with delight, as though this claw-eared beast were Wen Ying, left to rage impotently.

Wen Ying turned sideways, creating a barrier between Little Bai and Lan Jiaying, his brows knitted. "Let's head to the arena in the evening."

Lan Jiaying curved her lips, looking down at Wen Ying with a triumphant glint. "I've been waiting for you to say that."

Wen Ying gazed at Little Bai's nape with concern. Those two rascals were too rough, leaving a bald patch on his neck.

Muershi waved at Wen Ying. "Come discuss the business matters. Don't be too engrossed with your Little Bai."

Wen Ying dismissed Lan Jiaying, as much as she was a cash cow, she was currently an eyesore. He returned to his seat and whispered with Muershi about selling cards and badges.

Sales began today, with a small advertisement posted on the forum, accompanied by attractive images of the non-magical cards and badges under sunlight. Demons started trickling into Class One to purchase from Wen Ying, mostly for the magical blind draw cards, while some out of curiosity bought a few non-magical blind draw cards.

Muershi and Wen Ying displayed samples of the non-magical cards and badges for their customers. The exquisite craftsmanship captivated many female demons, but the sales were still not as high as those of the magical blind draw cards.

By the end of the school day, Muershi counted their sales and commented to Wen Ying, "The magical blind draw cards are still more popular."

"Wait a bit longer."

Lan Jiaying, fearing that Wen Ying might leave again, rushed to his side the moment the bell rang, keeping a watchful eye on him.

Muershi looked up and said, "Your Highness, we're discussing business secrets here. Perhaps you should give us some space?"

Lan Jiaying laughed through his anger, tilting his head with an elegant yet sarcastic tone, "I'm a major client, you know."

How much revenue had he contributed to these two rascals? Now they were selling new items, and Lan Jiaying was determined not to fund their pockets anymore. Feeling wronged after being scolded by the Demon King, Lan Jiaying clenched and unclenched his fingers, suppressing the urge to hit Wen Ying right then, urging him to hurry up.

Upon reaching the arena, Wen Ying placed Little Bai on Muershi's shoulder, instructing it not to bother Muershi, before turning around and flying onto the platform.

Lan Jiaying had assumed that Wen Ying had neglected physical training due to his obsession with the magical creatures. Surprisingly, Wen Ying engaged in a close combat that surpassed his previous average level. His instinctive evasion speed and the agility of the vines exceeded what he had demonstrated before raising his magical creatures.

Lan Jiaying almost believed that raising magical beasts equaled increasing one's strength.

Being a native demon, Lan Jiaying was experienced and quickly realized from Wen Ying's movements that he was seeking magical beasts for sparring. He found Wen Ying even more shameless, using tricks to deceive him.

Wen Ying didn't get his wish fulfilled that day; he still ended up lying in the school infirmary with Lan Jiaying, just like before.

The non-magical collectible cards and badges didn't sell much on the first day, but their sales gradually increased. As an enthusiast of merchandise himself, Wen Ying understood the psychology behind collecting; once you have one, you want more, especially when you're newly hooked.

Sure enough, the sales experienced a sudden surge one day.

Lan Jiaying indeed didn't contribute to Wen Ying's sales. He was focused on preparing for Magic Day, which was this coming Sunday. Many expenses were involved, and money was flowing out like water. He finally managed to restrain himself from sending money to both Wen Ying and Muershi for the sake of his pride.

Wen Ying secretly regretted losing that income source, but he planned to find other channels. The card designs had been on sale for a month, and people were likely getting tired of them. After pondering, Wen Ying decided to draw in a chibi style for the next batch.

He created a series of chibi magic cards with the same background and poses. Muershi arranged for the factory to change the packaging, making it a new product line. They also used the chibi illustrations to make inflatable hangers. Wen Ying and Muershi discussed that since it was Magic Day on Sunday, they should wait until then to start selling, as there would be more customers during the holiday.

In the demon world, the holiday lasted a solid ten days without any adjustments, so Saturday was still a day off. Wen Ying wanted to wait until Saturday to explore suitable shops in the capital city with Muershi. It wasn't convenient to have demons constantly come to him to buy.

The market within the academy was almost saturated, so this time, Wen Ying planned to lift restrictions on buyer identities and expand his business to the capital.

Wen Ying was fully engrossed in making cards for Magic Birthday, but Lan Jiaying, that rascal, insisted on challenging him to ranked matches with the three-day limit. Wen Ying now felt an ache all over his body just at the sight of him.

As days passed, Friday finally arrived, and after school, there would be an eleven-day break stretching through Saturday! With such a lengthy holiday ahead, Wen Ying's heart was already yearning for adventure. If there were no assignments, he would have considered going on a trip.

Upon arriving home, Aruda's attire clearly indicated that she was planning to go out, dressed more formally than her usual stay-at-home clothes.

"Grandma, are you going out?" Wen Ying asked, peering at the dining table, which was devoid of food.

Aruda replied, "Yes, I'm taking you shopping for clothes. You don't have any traditional garments made from beast hides in your wardrobe, and everyone usually wears ancient-style beast skin outfits during Magic Birthday."

"Let's eat out for dinner," Aruda produced a flyer. "This restaurant has recently launched some delicious new dishes."

Wen Ying enthusiastically agreed, temporarily setting aside his homework in favor of some leisure time.

Little Bai lounged on Wen Ying's head as they stepped out, and the surrounding demons instinctively kept their distance upon seeing the paw-eared beast. An invisible buffer zone formed around Wen Ying and Aruda.

"Whoever is raising that paw-eared beast must be very brave."

"Poor neighbors, having to live in constant fear."

"Wait, wait, I've seen that white demon in a documentary about Lucifer Academy. It's a Mirror Demon, and I recall its caretaker being..."

The chattering demons suddenly scurried away, afraid that Aluda would recognize them. They dashed into the crowd, leaving an even larger empty space.

Aluda chuckled as if he hadn't noticed, leading Wen Ying to their target restaurant.

After their meal, Aluda took Wen Ying to various antique leather shops in the capital, specializing in beast hides. After visiting over ten stores, Aluda finally found a suitable garment.

White beast hide clothing was hard to come by. Wen Ying's feet ached from all the walking, and he was on the verge of giving up. To his surprise, they actually managed to find a white one. He looked at the shopkeeper with a mix of curiosity and bewilderment. What kind of mindset did this shopkeeper have when making this white beast hide? Did they really believe a demon would buy it?

Next, they needed to purchase masks.

Aluda led Wen Ying to a town at the foot of the Flame Mountain to buy masks. As they arrived, Wen Ying was reminded of his disappointing assumption, so he left the mask selection entirely up to Aluda.

The Flame Mountain town was bustling with activity that night. Demons crowded every corner, enveloping the area with a festive atmosphere. They were purchasing various items for the celebration, laughing and chatting, creating a lively scene that reminded Wen Ying of New Year's Eve from his childhood, evoking a strong nostalgic feeling.

Aluda remained determined to find a white mask, but after browsing through the stalls, he couldn't find a pure white one. The only option he saw was a black and white one, which he reluctantly bought.

Upon returning home with the new clothes and mask, Wen Ying didn't do his homework. Instead, he worked overtime to make cards. Little Bai wrapped his ears around Wen Ying's arm, playfully clinging to him. Wen Ying had to pause periodically to remove Little Bai's embrace.

On the following Saturday, Wen Ying woke up early in the morning, had breakfast, and then continued his diligent work on crafting cards. His card-making process had become as mechanical as an assembly line, devoid of any emotions; his fingers moved with robotic precision.

If not for his dedication to his career, Wen Ying would have quit long ago. Despite being in the Demon Realm, he felt as if he was working in a factory, tightening screws all day.

In the afternoon, he arranged to meet Muershi to view some shops within the capital. Initially, Wen Ying wanted Muershi to come to his place first, and then they could head out together. However, upon hearing this, Muershi stubbornly refused. Even after Wen Ying assured him that Aruda was now amiable, Muershi adamantly declined to visit.

With no other choice, they agreed to meet in front of the iconic Devil Tower, a landmark in the capital.

Wen Ying arrived first and waited at the entrance. From a distance, he spotted Muershi strolling over in loose casual wear, holding an ice cream cone. He waved at Wen Ying as he approached.

"You're early, it's not even half past two," Muershi finished his ice cream in a few bites. Pointing at the Devil Tower, he said, "Come on, let's go inside."

"Here?" Wen Ying looked up at the black, twenty-story building. "The rent must be expensive. It wouldn't be cost-effective."

Muershi had already reached the door and turned his head. "I have a store here. I think it'd be suitable to allocate a section specifically for these cards. What do you think?"

"You've already thought this through, huh," Wen Ying joined him. "Let's take a look, then."

He saw the Devil Tower every day during his commute to and from school but had never entered it since arriving in the Demon Realm.

The exterior of the towering building was black, adorned with a colossal clock at its apex and majestic beast statues at each corner. The walls were decorated with various engravings along its four sides.

Inside, it resembled an earthly shopping mall, with gleaming tiles and ceiling reflecting bright lights. However, the store aesthetics starkly contrasted with those on Earth, bordering on bold and eerie, reminiscent of Halloween-themed decorations.

One shop was predominantly black, with hanging vines and magical plants adorning the ceiling and walls. Initially, Wen Ying mistook the contents of the glass cabinets for jewels, but upon closer inspection, they turned out to be potions.

The enchanting potion bottles shimmered under the cabinet lights, exuding a luxurious vibe.

"Over here," Muershi strolled forward with his hands in his pockets, a casual smile gracing his face.

On the first floor, there was a shop specializing in imported goods from the human world. As Wen Ying surveyed the area, he noticed most items were snacks. Familiar milk brands caught his attention.

He picked one up and asked Muershi, "Do demons really buy this? There's no magical power in it, yet you price it so high."

For a 250ml bottle of milk, Wen Ying recalled that it cost around three yuan in human supermarkets. Yet, Muershi, with his exploitative nature, was selling it for thirty yuan here.

Leaning against the shelf, Muershi tilted his head and said, "Don't look at me like that. The transportation cost is high. Apart from the logistical difficulties, we have to avoid detection by exorcists in the human world. Naturally, the price has to be set accordingly."

As he spoke, his eyes narrowed slightly, and his nonchalant demeanor vanished, replaced by an unfamiliar intensity. "Why do you think my prices are high?"

Wen Ying's heart skipped a beat. He calmly placed the milk back on the shelf, his expression and tone natural. "You're selling this non-magical milk for much more than the locally produced magical milk."

"Hmm?"

Muershi's eyes curved, erasing any previous tension. He chuckled. "I thought you were quite knowledgeable about the human world."

"I do have some understanding, thanks to the books about humans in Aruda," Wen Ying looked at Muershi. "What is it?"

Muershi shook his head. "Nothing." His familiar, unserious smile appeared on his face. At first glance, it seemed harmless, but it always concealed a complexity that other demons couldn't penetrate. His purple eyes already held an air of mystery, and with Muershi's enigmatic nature, his expressions could be both genuine and deceptive.

Muershi waved, and the shop assistant, who had been hesitant to approach due to the beast with claws on Wen Ying's head, cautiously came closer. Muershi spoke to him and pointed to a shelf selling cotton candy. "Wen Ying, right here will do. It's visible from the entrance. Punch a hole in the packaging and hang it up. It can hold quite a few."

Wen Ying nodded. "Alright, we'll deduct the rent from your share of the profits later."

Muershi had no objections and instructed the assistant to move the products and clear the shelf. The assistant nodded repeatedly.

As Wen Ying observed Muershi, the malevolent bird now seemed to have a completely different personality. His serious side felt entirely distinct from his unserious one – one was unreliable, while the other was perilous.

After finishing his instructions, Muershi turned to face Wen Ying, wearing that familiar flirtatious expression. "What? Have you fallen for me? Staring at me like that? But I don't fancy demons with white wings."

"You're not within my romantic interest range," Wen Ying pushed away the magnified face in front of him. "Even if I didn't chase after Boros or Phileas, I wouldn't come to you."

Muershi's curiosity was piqued by the mention of XP. He said gloomily, "What exactly is your XP? Do you know how it feels to be curious but not knowing?"

"I'm not interested in telling you."

Wen Ying sensed danger from Muershi. In all his time in the Demon Realm, Muershi was the first demon to display such a sensitive reaction.

Wen Ying beckoned with his finger, and Muershi eagerly leaned in, his eyes shining.

"My XP is... someone who can make my heart skip a beat at first sight."

Muershi: "..." His gaze was filled with resentment.

Wen Ying walked ahead cheerfully, planning to explore this iconic demonic skyscraper in the capital. Muershi followed behind, sighing from time to time, shooting resentful glances at Wen Ying's back.

Little Bai turned his head to look at the resentful demon behind them. After a few glances, he turned back again.

Tomorrow was Demon Day, and many shops in the building had signs advertising the best gifts. As Wen Ying strolled along, his pace slowed down. Should he prepare a gift?

Muershi suddenly leaned in and put his arm around Wen Ying's shoulder. "Tell me about your preferences, and I'll tell you what Perseus likes as a gift, how about that?" He winked wildly.

Perseus...

Wen Ying expressionlessly pushed Muershi away. "It's impossible to give gifts." It was unclear whether he was referring to himself or Perseus.

Muershi stood still, watching Wen Ying's retreating figure with anger and confusion, tilting his head thoughtfully.

Feeling that Wen Ying was unhappy, Little Bai jumped from Wen Ying's head to his shoulder, rubbing its head against Wen Ying. Wen Ying picked it down from his shoulder and stroked it from head to tail. Little Bai didn't resist, seemingly allowing any sort of affectionate gesture.

Wen Ying sighed, looking away, wishing that if only Perseus were as obedient as Little Bai.

Forget it, he should still prepare a gift. Turning back, Wen Ying saw the confusion in Muershi's eyes. With a serious expression, he patted Muershi's shoulder and asked, "What does Perseus like?"

"It feels...so serious," Muershi said. "Three-headed dogs are often irritable. They would surely appreciate something calming."

After saying that, Muershi rubbed his hands together, looking expectantly at Wen Ying. "I've told you, now it's your turn."

Wen Ying nodded and held up Little Bai. "This is included in my preferences."

Little Bai obligingly waved its front paw. "Chirp."

Muershi: "??!"

Struck by surprise, Muershi's eyes widened in astonishment, resembling someone who had just been struck by lightning.

A Claw-Eared Beast? Wen Ying liked such a creature? Wait, did that mean he was open to liking magical beasts as well? Why would he prefer a magical beast over a Bird Clan demon? No, that wasn't the main point...

It took some time for Muershi's stunned mind to reboot and grasp Wen Ying's meaning. Perhaps there was something about the Claw-Eared Beast, whether it was a trait or its personality, that Wen Ying found appealing – something that could be likened to a demon.

Well, regarding the Claw-Eared Beast...

Muershi stroked his chin in deep thought. When it came to Claw-Ear Beasts, one would typically associate them with forest assassins, ill-tempered creatures, and something to keep at a distance. The assassin part could somehow align with the Cat Demon, while the ill-temper and keeping one's distance could relate to Boreas. But what about Phaethon?

Do creatures with elongated claws have proportionally lengthy ears, much like how Phelios is known for its extended tail?

Muershi, being unfamiliar with human intricacies, remained perplexed and wore a gloomy expression.

Wen Ying searched for soothing items within the grand edifice, finding much of what was offered to be little more than an exercise in extracting one's intelligence tax. The genuinely efficacious magical potions, though reliable, carried exorbitant price tags. A calming incense imbued with such potent magic did pique Wen Ying's interest momentarily; however, upon inhaling the composition of its aromatic constituents, he disdainfully returned it to its place.

A male devilish sales attendant approached with a smile, asking, "May I ask if you're looking for soothing incense?"

Wen Ying nodded. "Do you have any made from more substantial ingredients?"

"The answer is yes. You can take a look at this signature product of our store," the devilish attendant led Wen Ying to another counter. "This one here, Forest's Breath. It contains..."

"Even this is made from scraps, just high-grade magical plant scraps." Wen Ying interrupted before the devil could finish his introduction. He sighed and left the shop amidst the other devil's confused gaze, wondering how Wen Ying knew.

"Mm? Didn't find anything you liked?" Muershi couldn't figure out the reason after pondering for a while. Just as he approached, he saw Wen Ying emerge from the incense store with a disappointed expression.

"They all use scraps, even the high-grade ones," Wen Ying explained. "The effects are much weaker."

Scraps from magical plants were worlds apart from their cores. The difference in magical energy content alone was significant, let alone the inherent benefits of the plants themselves.

Muershi glanced at the store. "This is considered quite a high-end shop around here. Generally, good quality incense needs to be pre-ordered. With your standards, I doubt you'd be able to buy it directly from the store."

"Then I'll make it myself." Wen Ying sighed. It was such a hassle. He had initially wanted to take a shortcut, but his temperament, refined by Aruda, couldn't tolerate subpar magical potions.

Let alone when it was meant to be a meaningful gift. Wen Ying, as an aspiring alchemist, wouldn't settle for anything less than perfect.

"Indeed?" Muershi probed. "Aluda has already started teaching you potion-making?"

"It's been going on for a while," Wen Ying checked the time on his phone. "Let's end here today. If I rush back now, I might just make it in time to send it tomorrow."

With that, he hurriedly left Muershi's sight. In her mind, Muershi began pondering again over the similarities between Berlos and the Claw-Eared Beast.

When Wen Ying arrived home, it was still before six. He immediately headed for the laboratory on the first floor.

In addition to the basement, there were several potion-making labs on the first floor. Relying on his memory, Wen Ying found the ingredients needed for a calming potion. The laboratory was filled with various magical plants, and he managed to gather all of them.

Aluda entered and asked, "Why did you rush straight here upon your return?"

Spotting what Wen Ying held in his hands, she could tell at a glance that he was preparing a calming potion. She chuckled. "This potion is for Berlos, right?"

Wen Ying was taken aback, feeling slightly bashful. "I'm preparing it in case any demon sends me a gift tomorrow, so I can reciprocate promptly." Although he said that, Berlos was currently the only demon in the entire Realm of Devils who seemed to have feelings for him.

Suddenly, Wen Ying felt pitiful. How did he end up like this? White was such a beautiful color. Why weren't there any demons in the Realm of Devils who were fond of white hair?

"Alright," Aluda's smile held a hint of flirtation. "I won't disturb you. Remember to come out for dinner later."

"Alright."

Wen Ying hastily began the preparations, given the time constraint and his limited skills, he chose to make a relatively simpler intermediate potion that could be completed by the next day.

He worked late into the night and fell asleep as soon as he returned to his room.

Lying on the bed, Wen Ying rested his cheek on the pillow, gazing sideways at the white silk ribbon on the bedside table. Despite knowing better, his heart couldn't help but wander in fantasy once more.

Let's hope Perseus won't disappoint me tomorrow, Wen Ying muttered to himself, sighing deeply. He realized he was still foolishly hoping for Perseus, just as the saying goes, one should strive to be loved, not to be the pursuer. Wen Ying found this principle very sensible.

Hugging Little Bai tightly, he mumbled, "You're still the best." If only Little Bai could turn into a human.

Little Bai's sturdy front paws wrapped around Wen Ying in return.

...

After spending the previous night brewing potions until late, Wen Ying woke up near eleven o'clock the following morning, dazedly hearing unusual commotion coming from the direction of the capital. He got out of bed and went to the window for a better view.

In a few leaps, Little Bai landed on Wen Ying's shoulder and stood upright.

From the window, the capital couldn't be seen, but its silhouette was discernible. Ordinarily, sounds from the capital wouldn't reach this place, yet today they did. It was bustling over there, with music and an unusual melody that, despite being faint after traveling such a distance, gave Wen Ying the initial impression of tribal ritual music, though not entirely.

He descended to the laboratory, where the magical potion in the mold had solidified into a mass. Wen Ying removed it, sliced it into small pieces with a wind blade, and poured them into a specialized inner container for preserving potions. This wooden box, too, was crafted by Wen Ying himself the previous night.

Closing the lid, he gazed at the gift in his palm, lost in thought.

Little Bai approached to sniff the residual scent of the potion on the box, its eyes narrowing in pleasure. Wen Ying stroked its head before turning to leave.

Breakfast appeared ordinary. Wen Ying asked, "Grandmother, is there anything special we eat on Demon Birth Day?"

On the plate were red, blueberry-shaped fruits, alongside a slice of meat topped with what looked like slices of ginger-like magical plants.

Aruda now wore a garment made of animal hide. Half-dried vines coiled around an unknown dark green hide, giving it a distinctive style that was very Aruda.

"There is," Aruda said, holding up one of the red fruits. "Legend has it that these were the first meal consumed by the first demon upon its birth."

Wen Ying: "..." The legend was quite specific.

Intent on visiting the capital, he hastily finished breakfast. Changing into an animal hide garment, Wen Ying then donned a mask in front of the mirror. Instantly, he sensed a difference in the aura of the person reflected within.

The black-and-white mask was cold and concealed his pure, untainted appearance, erasing the initial impression of an innocent angel.

Wen Ying took off the mask to look at himself, appearing kind and harmless once more. Lost in thought, he put it back on, instantly exuding an aura of dominance.

No wonder villains in TV dramas wore masks; they indeed intensified their wickedness.

Suddenly, Wu Fei called.

"Wu Fei, what's up?"

"I'd like to invite you to hang out with us. Are you busy today?" Wu Fei chuckled. "We're at the Devil King's Castle in the Capital."

The Devil King's Castle in the Capital was semi-open, divided into inner and outer areas. The exterior resembled a tourist attraction, while the interior required an identity pass. It served as the workplace for many official devils, and some visiting devils would stay there on business trips.

Rumor had it that during Devil's Birthday, the castle would be open to the public, filled with food, and the night festival would take place there as well.

"I'm free. I'll head over now."

"Grandma, I'm going out to play with Wu Fei."

"Mind your safety," Wen Ying soared into the air, with Little Bai on his head and a small dragon perched on his shoulder. Upon landing in the bustling capital, they cleared a one-meter radius around them.

The city streets were adorned with antique items reminiscent of those in Flame Mountain Town. The castle was packed with demons, and the festival music Wen Ying had heard earlier in the morning was being performed by a symphony of musicians within. Among them, a demon dressed in furs as a priest danced elaborately on a massive stone platform in front of the castle, the sound of bells ringing continuously.

Upon closer inspection, Wen Ying cursed, "Lai Yehua."

Lai Yehua usually dressed conservatively, but today he was adorned in flashy attire that left little to the imagination. Bells hung from his feet, and he held a circular frame embedded with numerous bells, which jingled with every move. He even wore a mask, almost making Wen Ying fail to recognize him.

Behind him, Beros spoke, "This is in honor of the birth of the first demon." He continued, "Each year, the Great Demons draw lots to take turns performing this ritual. Some of them don't particularly enjoy this traditional ceremony; you can tell by Lai Yehua's stiff movements that he's not overly enthusiastic about it."