Chapter 262

Chapter 262: In the Black Water...

Six crimson "lanterns" appeared beneath Ji Huan's feet!

They were abnormally large. When Ji Huan looked down from above, they were even bigger than his feet...

Something suddenly fell from his embrace. He had kept his belongings securely, so there shouldn't have been anything that could fall out. Therefore, it must have been something that Hei Dan was holding. At this moment, Hei Dan was in his arms, clutching a stone in his tiny paws – a keepsake the little monster had held tightly before leaving.

The stone dropped silently. After an extended period, Ji Huan finally heard a faint plop from far below his feet.

Below them was a watery dungeon – a rather deep prison...

Involuntarily, Ji Huan swallowed. Hei Dan's tiny claws clung tightly to his chest. Tightening his embrace around the little monster, he offered silent reassurance through the strength of his hug.

Heart against heart, Ji Huan felt the rapid thumping of the little monster's heartbeat against his own chest.

The dungeon was pitch dark until a sudden beam of light pierced through the darkness.

In his hand, Kalaxi held a flashlight-like tool, directing a powerful beam towards the cell beneath Ji Huan's feet.

A blinding white light was suddenly cast upon those "lanterns."

Ji Huan was struck repeatedly beneath his feet, nearly causing him to stumble. However, Kalaxi calmly flipped another switch. Ji Huan saw water jets burst from the walls and ceiling of the cage beneath them. The massive columns, as thick as an adult's waist, struck what was below, followed by two tremendous splashes. After deafening howls, the "lanterns" shrank until only two remained.

Kalaxi directed the intense light downward once more. Whatever was beneath no longer resisted, allowing Ji Huan to finally discern the appearance of the captive:

It was a monster identical to the three-headed Abyssal Beast he had once encountered in the Aputuo Hunting Grounds!

Black body, grotesque visage, and those distinctive three heads...

It was the same creature, even larger in size. The "lanterns" Ji Huan had seen previously were its eyes. At this moment, one of the beasts lay on its side, barely clinging to life with most of its body submerged in water. The other was in no better state, save for the central head, whose eyes remained open like two crimson mists, fixated on Ji Huan and the others outside the cage.

With most of their bodies underwater, Ji Huan couldn't see them, but what was exposed was covered in wounds. Thick blood oozed slowly from their injuries above the surface, some congealing halfway while more flowed into the filthy water they now found themselves in.

The water was disgustingly dirty, emitting a pungent, peculiar odor.

Through the cage, the monster's eyes stared unblinkingly at him—yes, despite the surrounding monsters, Ji Huan felt that it was him the creature was focusing on...

The creature that had disrupted Ji Huan's gaze with the monstrous beast was still Kalaxi.

He clapped his hands, and an eerie sound echoed from within the cage. Ji Huan could even hear the crunching of flesh and bone, a peculiar noise that sent shivers down his spine and made goosebumps rise on his skin.

It reminded him of the only time rats had infested their home when he was a child!

From that experience, Ji Huan deduced that something must have been thrown into the enclosure just now, and those "things" were currently feasting on the two beasts!

Kalaxi clapped again, and powerful water columns surged from the walls of the cell. Once they subsided, the munching sounds vanished. He aimed the light source in his hand downward once more, and Ji Huan forced himself to look down calmly. And indeed...

A dense layer of corpses emerged on the water's surface.

They were tiny and grotesque, and Ji Huan couldn't identify what kind of magical beasts they were. It was clear, however, that they had been killed by the recent water jets. Before their demise, they had indulged in a feast of the two monsters' flesh—Ji Huan noticed that the wounds on the creatures had visibly deepened! The blood that had ceased flowing now spewed out recklessly.

He forced himself to look for another ten seconds before lifting his head again.

As Ji Huan raised his head, his face appeared somewhat pale.

However, the dim lighting here would prevent ordinary monsters from discovering them.

"Merely two identical magical beasts don't quite meet Mr. Ji's standards," Kalaxi spoke up again.

Perched atop the watery prison, Kalaxi addressed them with confidence, facing them directly. "Strength is one of the fundamental requirements for a demonic foundation. However, to make a demonic foundation stronger, one needs willpower."

"The more pain one endured in life, the stronger their will, and thus, the more potent their demonic foundation becomes after death."

"The substantial sum you've paid, Mr. Ji, is a testament to your sincerity. In return, the greatest demonstration of my sincerity would be to refine the base further before you take the demonic foundation away."

Under the dim lamplight, Kalaxi smiled.

Without his dark formal attire, the slender young man appeared no more than a youth, but his words and actions betrayed a maturity far beyond his appearance.

Noticing Ajin's gaze finally shift towards him, he eagerly added, "I see that you hold great affection for that little monster in the gentleman's arms. Before turning those two magic beasts into magical foundations, how about using them as vessels for a hundred-day banquet first?

"They've never been used before, so they're very clean. If utilized as vessels, they might lose a bit of their potential as magical foundations, but it would amplify the pain they endured in life, strengthening the foundation from another perspective. Furthermore, it would ensure your little monster thrives healthily, growing livelier and stronger. This way, your investment would be put to even better use."

"Of course, this is merely a humble suggestion from me. Whether or not you choose to follow it is entirely up to your own will."

With unblinking eyes fixated on Ajin's face, Kalaxi spoke, determined not to miss even the slightest flicker of emotion on the young man's countenance.

Unfortunately for him, Ajin's expression remained steadfastly unchanged throughout.

Not once did he utter a single word.

It was only after Kalaxi finished his suggestion that Ajin finally broke his silence, speaking the first words since entering the cell.

"Can I pay with a card?"

The sincerity in Kalaxi's smile deepened, and a servant promptly handed over a machine. Kalaxi took it personally and, with a gentle grin, presented it before Ajin.

Beep.

The transaction was complete.

With a slightly immature face wearing a businessman's standard, somewhat incongruous smile, Kalaxi bowed slightly.

"Your payment of six hundred and ninety million gold coins has been processed. As a token of appreciation for your substantial purchase, we will gift you a pack beast. Thank you for your patronage, and we hope to see you again."

As Kalaxi finished speaking, all the servants behind him bowed simultaneously.

"May I ask what you would like to do with these two magical beasts? We can offer specialized containment tools as a complimentary gift. Would you prefer to take them now or leave them here temporarily until your departure?" True to his profession, Kalaxi presented Ajin with two considerate options. "Of course, as our honored guest, you're also welcome to stay in our VIP suite before you leave. It comes with luxurious suites for you and your staff, a children's room, and first-class hot springs."

Ajin decided to stay there.

The lavish suite was situated next to the prison cells. With a push of a button on the wall, it would slide upward, allowing them an unobstructed view of the two magical beasts through a sturdy glass barrier. They could even enter the cells themselves.

Naturally, this room had additional security measures in place – access was restricted to only the cage of the paid-for magical beast, preventing entry into other enclosures.

The moment Ajin entered the room, he activated his ability. A dim, translucent "Little Black Room" enveloped the entire space. Within his domain, he pressed a button, and on the opposite wall, two magical beasts found themselves face to face with them in an incredibly intimate encounter.

They could even witness the two magical beasts underwater, their limbs entangled by countless metallic chains that resembled waterweeds. The beasts struggled desperately, their efforts in vain.

Seated on the sofa, Ajin gazed expressionlessly at the colossal "screen" depicting the grim plight of the two battling magical beasts.

Ji Huan gently took a seat in front of him.

After a moment, his hand gently laid over Ajin's pale left hand resting on the sofa. Before he could even register what was happening, his hand was swiftly enveloped beneath Ajin's.

His hands were already cold, but Ajin's were even colder!

"Is... Is it alright to talk here... now?" Ji Huan looked around nervously.

As a human, albeit a slightly unusual one, he felt insignificant amidst genuine high-ranking monsters. All he could do was avoid making mistakes and causing trouble for Ajin.

Ajin suddenly turned his head, gazing intently at Ji Huan. Without warning, he pulled back Ji Huan's cloak.

Startled, Ji Huan tried to pull it back down, only to find that Ajin had already lifted the little monster clung to Jiujiu from under his cloak.

The tiny monster had its eyes tightly shut, with a damp bottom—it couldn't hold its bladder any longer. However, with so many layers of clothing, Ji Huan hadn't noticed yet.

Peering down at the small monster that had just been plucked from Jiujiu and now clung desperately to him, Ajin said, "Hei Dan, I'll take off your bracelet for a while."

Hei Dan extended his hand with the bracelet still on it.

Then, Ajin captured Ji Huan in his grasp once more.

"Follow me," Ajin said, his movement so swift that Ji Huan didn't even have time to blink before he found himself whisked across the "glass" and into the "screen" they had just been observing!

And within that "screen" was precisely where the two magical beasts were trapped!

Ji Huan's slender eyes widened in surprise.

Yet, the inky water didn't seep in. Ajin had kept the "Little Black Room" active, and the water was kept at bay in a miraculous state. From the outside, they might appear as an "ice cube" or even a "bubble" within the water.

Hei Dan couldn't resist peeking through his short fingers.

In that moment, Ji Huan saw Ajin toss something from his hand. Swiftly, Ji Huan recognized it as Hei Dan's golden bracelet.

Hei Dan recognized it too and let out a small "ah."

Under the tense gaze of the two cousins, the bracelet flew straight towards the monster on the right. Then...

As if pulled by an invisible force, the bracelet shot forward and firmly encircled the left forefoot... one of its toes!

Only then did Ji Huan notice that the beast had seven fingers, with the one farthest to the right being the smallest. The golden bracelet that Hei Dan wore on his wrist fit perfectly around that particular toe!

No... That's not right.

It wasn't a toe, but a finger.

In that instant when the bracelet securely encircled the other's digit, Ji Huan's mind was suddenly filled with a fairy tale from the Realm of Magic that he had read with Hei Dan in bed a long, long time ago.

"Once upon a time, there was a great demon king named Saroya. Possessing immense magical power, he was the most powerful demon king in history.

Then, he felt it was time for him to have an heir.

To sire a stronger offspring, he chose the strongest maiden from the Roim tribe.

This maiden from the Roim tribe had three heads – one symbolizing 'beauty,' another for 'judgment,' and the third for 'command.' She possessed a broad chest, slender waist, and immense strength.

The demon king was highly pleased with her.

To propose to this maiden, the demon king decided to commission Master Jacob to craft a ring.

For this purpose, the demon king meticulously refined magma from the River Styx deep beneath the earth.

With those molten rivers of crimson lava and millions of tons of pure gold, he eventually forged a single, integral ingot.

He also imbued a portion of his demonic power into the metal, intending to safeguard his future bride.

In the end, the Devil entrusted the material to Master Jacob.

The master crafted a beautiful... ring from the precious material.

An engagement ring."

Ji Huan had long suspected that the bracelet in Hei Dan's possession was actually the engagement ring from years past.

And now...

He believed he had finally found the ring's true owner.

In the safety of the dimly lit cabin within the dark, muddied waters, Ji Huan trembled as he gazed at the raven-haired man beside him.

The man turned his head almost simultaneously, his jet-black eyes locking onto Ji Huan's, darker even than the inky waters around them.