[TF?! 40%!? I can’t even sense your realm at all. Just how high is your realm?!]

Qing Yan said, eyes wide in shock.

[I am not that great at all. I’m merely at the peak of the Concept-Reaving Realm,]
he replied in a calm and respectful tone.

[HUH?! Then… can you sense my realm?]
Qing Yan asked, narrowing his eyes.

[Yes. It’s the Law Inversion Realm,]
he responded without hesitation.

[Mhm, that’s correct... but how? How can I not sense you at all? And not only that, you can even sense my realm — even though you're one whole realm below me,]
Qing Yan said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

[I was once called The Demon of Nothingness, because of my ability to hide my presence and sense others—even those far above my realm. It’s my specialty,]
Azrien answered with quiet pride.

[Then how come you didn’t sense the ambush from the four great families?]
Qing Yan questioned sharply.

[They used a powerful Artifact to mask their presence. One I’d only heard of in legends. I didn’t even know it truly existed. I wonder... where did they get their hands on something like that?]
Azrien muttered, a trace of confusion in his voice.

[So they were prepared, huhhh,]
Qing Yan exhaled slowly.

[If it weren’t for that damned Artifact...]
Azrien’s voice turned cold as dense demonic energy began leaking from his body, thick with killing intent.

[Hey. Are you going to control that killing intent, or should I remove its source—YOU?]
Qing Yan growled, his eyes flashing blood-red as they locked onto Azrien.

[I’m sorry, savior,]
Azrien quickly replied, bowing his head in apology. The demonic pressure instantly dispersed.

[Hmm. Good—]
Qing Yan began, but Azrien suddenly interrupted.

[May I ask something?]
he said, lifting his head and meeting Qing Yan’s gaze.

[What?]
Qing Yan replied, wary.

[Who—no, what are you?]
Azrien asked slowly, his eyes narrowing as if trying to pierce through a veil.

[Huhhh? Bastard, what the hell are you talking about?]
Qing Yan said, confused.

[You don’t have a divine form. Nor a demonic one. Yet somehow, you possess both divine and demonic energy. Something like that shouldn’t even be possible. Those energies are natural enemies. They should’ve annihilated each other long ago. But not only are they coexisting…]
Azrien leaned closer, his voice now a whisper filled with awe and dread.

[…they’re balanced. Equal. That means neither is ordinary. That demonic energy—I've never felt something so pure and destructive. Not even in the bloodline of the Demon Lord himself. And the divine energy... it stands as its equal. That level of harmony between opposing forces should not exist. So I’ll ask again—WHAT are you?]

[oho… to discover that much without even touching my body, you really are something,]
Qing Yan said, raising a brow with an impressed smirk.

[I’m the best in the Netherworld when it comes to this kind of sensing. So this much is nothing, sir,]
Azrien replied respectfully.

[Well, it’s quite a long story. Let’s save it for another time. We’ve talked too long already—how about we catch up with the other slaves?]
Qing Yan suggested, turning away.

[Yes, sir. Absolutely. But… if I may ask—why didn’t you enter with them?]
Azrien asked curiously.

[There’s no way those bastards were just broke scum. I’m sure they had money hidden somewhere. I stayed back to find it,]
Qing Yan said, scanning the room with calculating eyes.

[They have nothing here. All their wealth is stored in the vaults of the Thousand Jade Pavilion,]
Azrien replied casually.

[The Thousand Jade Pavilion…? The second richest merchant guild in the entire continent?]
Qing Yan said, lifting an eyebrow, a glimmer of interest in his eyes.

Author's Note:

This chapter marks the first real exchange between Azrien and Qing Yan where suspicion, awe, and subtle power dynamics come into full play. Qing Yan’s mystery continues to deepen—not only does he harbor immense power, but his very existence breaks the fundamental laws of divine and demonic balance. Azrien’s keen instincts and background as the "Demon of Nothingness" add a layer of tension and respect between them, but how long can this fragile cooperation hold?

Next chapter: Qing Yan’s secrets begin to stir… and the Thousand Jade Pavilion may become their next battlefield.

Stay tuned ⚔️