This problem had always troubled Lu Luo. Ludie had already been a Sixth Tier master many years ago, hailed as the King of Hunters.

So his talent must have been of the most top-notch variety, right?

Even if he was constantly under surveillance, he still went beyond the wall after three years. And even if he stayed at home, he should have been able to cultivate.

Then why hadn't he broken through to the Seventh Tier?

Apart from Ludie, there was also Qiao Xing. Many years ago, others had said that Qiao Xing would definitely become a Sword Saint.

Lu Luo knew that the Church's Sword Saints referred to Seventh Tier masters. So, the question arose: had Qiao Xing, who could have been the youngest Sword Saint, really been doing nothing but twiddling his thumbs in the Fourth Ring all these years?

Were they unable to break through, or did they simply not want to? Or perhaps, they *couldn't*?

Hearing this question from Lu Luo, Ludie chuckled.

"I haven't reached the Seventh Tier, so I don't know and can't answer your question."

I feel like he just doesn't want to tell you.

"Is it that you don't know, or that you don't want to tell me?" Lu Luo asked, somewhat dissatisfied.

"I don't want to tell you!"

"Damn, then what did you come here for today?"

Ludie's expression turned serious as he pointed at the red envelope.

"Originally, I wanted to ask you for a favor, but now that I see you also have an envelope, it's no longer necessary. I will come find you before December 19th. You should be ready by then."

The earnestness in Ludie's demeanor carried much more authority than usual, making Lu Luo feel somewhat daunted.

"Understood," Lu Luo said. "But why don't you ask the Hunters for help? Yang Liya just called me to look for you. Do you have some kind of relationship with her?"

When Yang Liya was mentioned, a nostalgic look appeared in Ludie's eyes.

"Yang Liya, eh? She was my little fan back in the day. It hasn't been easy for her to grow to this point. Better not to get her into trouble. Alright, just remember to be inside the wall by then. I'll contact you myself."

"Understood."

"Then I'm off. I revised Dust Devil a bit. Practice well."

Ludie dropped a new booklet. Lu Luo picked it up just as Ludie's figure dispersed like mist right before his eyes.

_Dust Devil II_

"Proactively asking for my help? And then giving me an improved secret manual," Lu Luo muttered. "I feel like I would have preferred cash instead."

Do you think he has money?

"True," Lu Luo conceded.

Rain began to fall, and a restaurant server came out with an umbrella. He considerately brought Lu Luo an umbrella as well.

"Sir, it's raining. Try not to get wet!"

Lu Luo glanced at the waiter and didn't reject the thoughtful offer; there was no point in inconveniencing an ordinary person, so he accepted the umbrella.

But after receiving the umbrella, the waiter didn't leave.

"Is there something else?"

"The gentleman who was here earlier ordered some food, drinks, and cigarettes. The total comes to 15 yuan and 6 jiao, sir. How would you like to settle this?"

Seeing the apologetic look on the server's face, Lu Luo was thunderstruck.

Ludie, that bastard, dodging a bill of 15 yuan? He's even less human than I am!

「...」

Inside the Red Carpet Fortress, Qi Xinzhu slowly came to her senses.

She wanted to sit up straight away, but her body was just too stiff.

Her entire body ached with severe pain, nearly immobilized, leaving her only able to rely on a Healer to recover.

Fortunately, her physical condition wasn't too bad, and the Dark Energy here was very abundant—as long as there was sufficient Dark Energy to restore her Holy Radiance.

With the aid of the Healer and the power of Holy Light, her injuries soon began to recover.

As she was healing, Qi Xinzhu glanced around: red carpet, white walls. This place... it feels like I've been here before! The Nightmare Demon's castle? Why did it bring me here?

"Awake already?"

A little girl's voice suddenly sounded by Qi Xinzhu's ear, startling her because she hadn't sensed anyone nearby.

"You..." Qi Xinzhu began, turning to look toward the source of the voice. She saw a seven- or eight-year-old girl in a purple lace dress with black leather boots.

Her delicate face was honestly much prettier than Qiao Xiao Mi's, like a porcelain doll.

However, some details of her attire still made Qi Xinzhu furrow her brows slightly, such as the girl's hair.

Although it was apparent that effort had been made to style it, the way it was tied was messy, with several braids tangled together, completely lacking in aesthetics.

In general, her appearance was chaotic: clearly cared for, yet perfunctory—a contradictory sight.

"Are you human, or an Exotic Species?" Qi Xinzhu asked uncertainly.

However, the little girl suddenly disappeared from Qi Xinzhu's sight and then abruptly reappeared sitting on the edge of the bed.

That speed was comparable to teleportation.

"I'm obviously human! Can't you tell? Your eyesight must be terrible!"

The little girl's tone was somewhat odd—as though she was being sarcastic—but her expression was dead serious.

Qi Xinzhu, although she often dealt with Qiao Xing and was accustomed to Lu Luo's sarcasm, felt a bit at a loss as to how to respond to this girl.

"If you are human, why are you in this place?"

"That's a strange question to ask. You're human too, aren't you also in this place?"

The little girl looked as if it were the most natural thing in the world, while Qi Xinzhu wore a look of astonishment.

"But I was captured!"

"Maybe I was captured too?"

"But..." Qi Xinzhu faltered, "Uh!"

She didn't know how to describe the little girl in front of her; she was completely unreasonable.

She struggled to sit up, leaning against the red bed.

Her clothes had been soaked through by the blood from the pool she was in, clinging stickily to her skin and making her uncomfortable.

And these clothes, they didn't seem so torn before. How did they get so many holes? It's as if someone intentionally ripped them.

"I wonder how Lu Yu is doing!"

"Lu Yu stabbed you, and you're still worried about her? Aren't you a bit too forgiving?"

The little girl looked surprised, but Qi Xinzhu was even more astonished.

"How do you know about that? Were you there?"

"No, no, I was just guessing, yeah, guessing!"

Qi Xinzhu looked at the girl. Alright, her lying skills are even worse than Lu Luo's!

Though the little girl was strange and eerie, being inside the Nightmare Demon's castle, Qi Xinzhu couldn't help but feel curious about having what seemed to be a human girl by her side.

"What is your name?"

"Me? My name is Da Tian," the little girl said, standing up straight.

Qi Xinzhu fell silent for a moment. Da Tian... Is that name serious?

"The 'Tian' as in 'field'?"

"No, no, the 'Tian' as in 'sweet.'"

"Alright then, Da Tian, why are you in this place?"

Although Qi Xinzhu was asking this question for the second time, Da Tian still hesitated as if it were a difficult question.

But she quickly came up with a rather reasonable answer for Qi Xinzhu.

"Boo hoo hoo, I've been alone and wandering since I was a child, and in the end, I was captured by a monster and brought here. It's so scary!"

While she said it was so scary, not a single trace of fear was visible on her face; she even seemed a bit inclined to laugh.

She doesn't even put any effort into her lies, was the impression Da Tian gave Qi Xinzhu, who could only manage a wry smile.

"Is that so? Your life story really is quite dramatic, Da Tian."

"Yeah, yeah, as long as you understand my hardship, that's good. Here are some clothes I prepared for you; try them on! I have other things to do, so I'll be going now!"

The purple-dressed little girl, Da Tian, gave Qi Xinzhu an exaggerated smile, revealing a set of pristine white teeth, and then vanished from Qi Xinzhu's presence.

Qi Xinzhu still didn't know by what kind of ability she had disappeared.

This should be the Nightmare Demon's castle, no doubt, but this little girl...

Qi Xinzhu was somewhat at a loss for words and didn't immediately reach for the clothes, instead continuing to treat her injuries with Holy Radiance and as a Healer.

Under the dual healing power, the wound on her abdomen healed quickly and left no scars.

The absence of scars was somewhat important to Qi Xinzhu.

Looking at her own clothes, which were now tattered, Qi Xinzhu found it strange how they had ended up like this.

It feels as if someone deliberately tore them.

Qi Xinzhu put her hands together and slightly closed her eyes.

"Disperse!"

The bloodstains and grime on her body were cleaned up in an instant, but the reddish stains and holes in the fabric could not be removed.

After treating her injuries and cleaning her clothes, Qi Xinzhu finally got out of bed to check the clothes left by Da Tian.

When she unfolded them, her expression suddenly turned odd.

What are these? A wedding gown? And this, a cheongsam? And what is this supposed to be? A dress with cutouts? Isn't this a bit too revealing? Even Lu Luo probably wouldn't let me wear this!

Qi Xinzhu looked conflicted. Even though the clothes were new, they were quite indecent.

But my own clothes are torn in many places, and if I don't change...

Qi Xinzhu glanced at the door, went over to make sure it was locked, then came back to the pile of clothes and began to pick and choose.

A wedding gown wouldn't be suitable. These clothes with cutouts aren't for me either. It looks like I have no choice but the cheongsam.

However, when she picked up the cheongsam, she realized it wasn't much better than the garment with cutouts.

The red cheongsam was decorated with transparent lace embroidery along the leg lines. With leg lines like these, wouldn't I be exposed when I walk?

Besides the legs, most of the back was also bare.

Around the chest was a heart-shaped lace embroidery, and the entire cheongsam appeared very light and thin. Yes, very light and very thin!

After hesitating for a while, Qi Xinzhu still chose to put on the cheongsam, because at least it was better than what she was currently wearing.

Qi Xinzhu took off her old clothes and slipped into the cheongsam left by Da Tian.

The cheongsam fitted her as if it had been tailor-made, perfectly outlining Qi Xinzhu's always hidden but very impressive curves.

But while she was halfway through changing, a muffled voice suddenly came from the wardrobe.

"Wow! I didn't realize you were so big!"

"Who?" Qi Xinzhu's face stiffened. Wasn't I just seen naked?

At that moment, Da Tian pushed open the wardrobe door and walked out.

"No problem, no problem. I just forgot something. I'll leave immediately. You carry on. I promise I won't peek."

Da Tian grabbed the clothes Qi Xinzhu had not chosen and scurried out stealthily.

Watching her leave, Qi Xinzhu's expression grew even stranger.

What she's holding in her hand... could it be a camera?

In the corner by the doorway, Da Tian squatted on the ground, her eyes gleaming as she flipped through the photos in the camera.

"Wow, wow, wow! This one's good! This is the ideal figure!"

While she was still browsing the photos, a dark shadow slowly emerged behind her.

The shadow suddenly reached out for the camera, but Da Tian easily dodged.

"You took photos of me without permission?" Qi Xinzhu said with some anger.

But after a moment's hesitation, Da Tian promptly replied, "That room is clearly my room. I'm taking photos in my own room. That's not illegal, right? You changed clothes in my room and suddenly burst into my shot. How can that be called taking photos without permission?"

If it were acceptable to scold a child, I would have done so long ago. Besides, this Da Tian isn't exactly normal to begin with, Qi Xinzhu thought.

"To argue that way is a bit far-fetched, don't you think? And you say this is your room, but if I'm not mistaken, this should be the Nightmare Demon's Red and White Castle. How do you live here?"

Qi Xinzhu wasn't confident she could handle Da Tian. But lacking confidence was one thing; failing to act was another.

"Because the Nightmare Demon is my master! It was my master who instructed me to have you change clothes!"

"The Nightmare Demon is your master?"

Qi Xinzhu immediately adopted a combat-ready stance, spreading her legs, balling her fists—one in front of the other—and watching Da Tian with grim determination.

And then, Da Tian suddenly pulled out her camera...

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!

"You!" Qi Xinzhu exclaimed.

She threw a punch in an instant, her Holy Radiance converging and piercing through, shattering the wall behind Da Tian.

However, Da Tian's figure had already vanished without a trace. When she reappeared, she was already standing on the other side.

"Good, good, good! Just keep that pose."

By then, Qi Xinzhu had confirmed one thing: this little girl's speed, or rather, the bizarre nature of her abilities, was far beyond her imagination.

With that kind of speed, I have no way to deal with her.

"Boring! You're going too far!"

"Hey, hey, don't get mad. I'm just taking some nice pictures! My master is still waiting for you. Come with me and see."

"Your master, the Nightmare Demon?"

Da Tian nodded her head like a bobblehead doll.

"Yes, yes! It's very fierce. If you behave, you might just save your life."

Qi Xinzhu took a deep breath.

"I won't let it use me to threaten Lu Luo."

"Ah? This..." Da Tian faltered, suddenly unsure what to say.

"Lead the way."

"Oh, okay!" Da Tian agreed.

Qi Xinzhu followed Da Tian, who was dressed in purple, towards the higher levels of the Red and White Castle.

They arrived at the top level of the castle where Lu Luo had once been. Unlike the last time Lu Luo visited, the place was now grandly decorated.

Due to the many ancient-style items prepared, this hall was decorated to be even more luxurious than the best church inside the wall.

On both sides of the path, various animal-shaped clocks stood, dressed in red soldier uniforms just like Lu Luo had previously worn.

When they saw Qi Xinzhu, these animal-shaped clocks naturally bowed in greeting.

Even though their sizes and heights varied greatly, their saluting posture was very standardized.

It was clear that they had spent a considerable amount of time training these manners.

"This is the place."

At the end of the hall, a huge double door stood.

When Qi Xinzhu approached, the soldiers at the door proactively opened it for them.

It was the same room without walls, offering a view of the outside. The Nightmare Demon, as always, lay on the soft couch at the very edge.

Qi Xinzhu's expression became serious. The scene before her was quite imposing!

Next to the Nightmare Demon was a woman in red wearing a mask. It was apparent that her status here was the most transcendent.

Besides this red-clothed woman, there were two figures hidden within dark cloaks, their forms obscured.

Last but not least, Qin Wanyu, who had wiped out their group in the street, was now standing quietly in a corner of the room.

She hung her head low, a stark contrast to the dominant presence she had displayed on the street earlier.

After Qi Xinzhu arrived, Qin Wanyu briefly looked up and then bowed her head again, extremely subdued.

Looking at all the Exotic Species in the room, Qi Xinzhu had an indescribable sense of weirdness in her heart.

"My master, I have brought her here," Da Tian said softly.

The Nightmare Demon on the soft couch finally stood up, turned around, and walked towards Qi Xinzhu.

Rolling Netherflame burned around its body, and the intense oppressive presence almost made it hard for Qi Xinzhu to breathe.

But facing the Nightmare Demon directly, Qi Xinzhu finally understood what was so odd about this place.

It was that, besides the Nightmare Demon, all other beings here, whether human or Exotic Species, were humanoid.

"Nightmare Demon!"

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