He was just about to grab the key when the Netherflame on it erupted instantly, setting Lu Luo's fingertips ablaze.

Fortunately, Lu Luo immediately activated his own Nether Source Seed, which allowed him to absorb this burst of Netherflame!

This key requires Netherflame to be held. This means if I don't obtain the Netherflame reward, even if I find the key, I can't take it. It's truly one link after another!

"Alright, let's go find Ling Jia now!"

Lu Luo walked up to Ganmu. Seeing it continuously stuffing things from the bookshelf into its mouth, he went over and cautioned it.

"Stay here by yourself and don't run around. The situation in Nightmare Castle is unclear right now. If you leave the safe area, you might get attacked, understand?"

Ganmu nodded its head clumsily, though it was uncertain if it had understood.

Then it resumed eating the bookshelf. What abysmal intelligence, sigh!

Lu Luo was somewhat helpless; he didn't know what conditions Ganmu needed to assume that girlish form. But looking at its current state, transforming into that girlish form seemed highly unlikely. The environment inside Nightmare Castle was fraught with too much unpredictability.

While Fifth Tier Lords were quite dominant, they seemed somewhat inadequate inside Nightmare Castle. Thus, Lu Luo couldn't guarantee Ganmu's safety. After the 19th, Lu Luo would most likely abandon Ganmu here.

Although discarding a Doomsday Factor was a pity, Lu Luo had no other options. At least Ganmu was currently safe. If another battle arose, it should still be able to help.

When Lu Luo returned to the first floor, he found the old lizardman, Kuding, sitting at the main table in the dining room, pouring himself glass after glass of wine.

Upon seeing Lu Luo, Kuding smiled and said, "Oh, our brave warrior who defeated the evil witch has returned."

Lu Luo hesitated for a moment. Kuding's implications were clear—the lizardman knew he had killed Witch Ellie on the second floor. However, Kuding hadn't attacked him for this reason, which was quite intriguing.

What exactly is the relationship between the Lords inside the castle?

"Mr. Kuding, do you have something to say to me?"

"Ah, there are indeed some things I would like to say to Mr. Lu Luo. Killing a Lord within the castle is indeed permissible. However, this is, after all, the domain of the great Nightmare Demon. Excessive killing... beware of drawing the Nightmare Demon's attention! Mr. Lu Luo, do not forget the original intention of your visit; never forget. If you forget your purpose, what you'll face will be far from simple."

Was Kuding's reminder meant to make me reduce my killing? No, it couldn't be that simple. There must be other implications.

"If someone else had killed Witch Ellie, would Mr. Kuding still have offered a reminder?"

"Of course. Reminding the candidates is my duty!"

Indeed, Kuding's reminder was likely triggered by him killing the first Lord. So, killing Lords is permissible, but does it lead to other consequences?

Lu Luo nodded. "My sole intention has always been my bride, Qi Xinzhu."

"That's good. After all, this is the Nightmare Demon's Castle. What might ultimately happen here... no one can say for sure! Don't you agree, Mr. Lu Luo?"

This tone... was it a warning, or something else?

Lu Luo looked at Kuding for a while and, in the end, just nodded.

"Thank you for the warning, Mr. Kuding. I will remember it. But I also want to repeat: my purpose here is Qi Xinzhu, no matter what!"

"No matter what, huh! What firm will!" Kuding laughed but did not continue speaking.

Lu Luo turned and headed towards the kitchen corridor, and Kuding did not stop him.

However, after this conversation, Lu Luo crossed Kuding's name off his kill list. Kuding's identity might be somewhat different from the other Lords. If he rashly attacked Kuding, a terrible situation might occur.

Never mind that for now. Let's go to the kitchen and find Ling Jia first.

...

Lu Luo once again used visual cover and stealth, arriving at the deepest part of the corridor where the kitchen was located.

Reigniting the Netherflame, Lu Luo approached Ling Jia.

"Ling Jia, is this the key you want?"

Lu Luo extended his finger, a key made of the same material as the shackles around Ling Jia's neck hanging from the tip.

Be careful; the adversary harbors intent to attack.

Upon seeing Lu Luo's key, Ling Jia's body moved instantaneously.

Ling Jia possessed an extreme agility of 395. Coupled with the Exotic Species' special force-generation techniques and anatomical structure, its speed could, in some respects, even completely overwhelm Lu Luo in his Thunder Fourth Gear.

WHOOSH!

It moved with the swiftness of wind and lightning, gone in an instant.

But shackles were shackles, and Lu Luo himself had never been a pushover.

Steam and lightning already crackled around his body. While he might not match Ling Jia in offensive speed, maintaining a defensive posture from his superior position was easy.

Lu Luo's hand seized Ling Jia's fingers.

He had already stored the key inside Noah's Star. At this moment, the man and the beast faced off.

"So it's true! Not a single clever Exotic Species is honest. You all think you're so great, feeling like you can control everything. Bold enough to strike at me the moment a deal is made! But have you ever considered what humans rely on to contend with Exotic Species for so many years, despite being far inferior in physical stature? It's human intellect that far surpasses that of Exotic Species! Your petty schemes and cunning ploys have appeared countless times in the human world!"

CRACK!

Lu Luo suddenly snapped Ling Jia's fingers. The creature's speed was outrageous and its strength formidable, yet its Constitution was merely in the tens.

A monkey is still just a monkey. Although Lu Luo in his Fourth Gear wasn't as fast as his opponent, his attacks could now inflict permanent damage on Ling Jia, this mischievous monkey.

AHH!

Ling Jia's fingers broke in Lu Luo's grasp. It kept screaming in agony, but Lu Luo did not let go. Instead, he delivered a kick charged with lightning directly at it.

BOOM!

The kick squarely hit Ling Jia's stomach. The monkey spat out a large mouthful of blood and knelt before Lu Luo.

The surrounding chefs looked at each other in confusion. As Humanoid Species, they were now somewhat unclear as to what the conflict between Lu Luo and Ling Jia was really about.

One chef, seeing Ling Jia's pitiable state and pushed forward by others, tentatively approached Lu Luo.

"Sir, Head Chef Ling Jia is already very weak; it hasn't eaten in a long time. If you continue to beat it like this, Lord Ling Jia will die, and the Master will be displeased."

The Humanoid Species chef spoke with grave sincerity. Lu Luo found this somewhat strange. It addressed him as 'Sir'! Can one gain the recognition of the Nightmare Demon's servants merely by controlling Netherflame?

Lu Luo didn't release Ling Jia; instead, he directly questioned the chef, "Why hasn't Ling Jia eaten? If it doesn't eat, don't you feed it?"

"It was an order from another Lord, Witch Ellie: Ling Jia was not to be fed."

Lu Luo nodded. He found it strange to see these Fifth Tier Exotic Species acting so subserviently before him. However, he realized he needed to reassess his approach to Ling Jia. The trade had to continue, but first, he needed to disable Ling Jia to prevent any trouble at this juncture.

Lu Luo grabbed Ling Jia's fingers and violently slammed the creature to the ground.

THUD!

Netherflame began to burn slowly on the shackles. Ling Jia twisted in pain as the flames continued to consume it. As the Netherflame burned, Ling Jia's life force dwindled, making it seem as if it could perish at any moment. At that moment, it truly resembled a decrepit monkey, one on the verge of death.

"Wouldn't it have been simpler just to trade honestly? Why do something so foolish? If you just gave me what I want..."

Lu Luo had only gotten halfway through his sentence when Ling Jia, enduring the pain, cut him off.

"If I give you what you want, you'll just kill everyone here! Do you think I can't see the murderous intent in your eyes? Kid, only humans kill Exotic Species without reason! You consider yourself human!"

Lu Luo narrowed his eyes. Actually, Ling Jia wasn't wrong—his original plan had indeed been to get what he wanted, advance to the Fourth Tier, and then kill all the chefs here. After all, a regular Fifth Tier Exotic Species also yielded 2,000 energy, which was a significant energy supplement for him. It was even more cost-effective than killing Lord-level Exotic Species!

Yet Lu Luo had believed his intentions were well-concealed, as he hadn't outwardly shown any killing intent. Unexpectedly, despite his restraint, Ling Jia had still detected something.

This old monkey is truly perceptive!

Lu Luo pondered for a while. At this moment, the importance of advancing to the Fourth Tier far outweighed the benefits of killing Ling Jia and the others. So, if Ling Jia could provide him with sufficient benefits, Lu Luo could indeed spare it.

"I can spare your lives. However, you also have to tell me everything you know, such as the Nightmare Demon's objectives."

Ling Jia frowned slightly, not believing a word Lu Luo said.

"In my current state, how could I possibly trust you? Trust someone who considers himself human?"

What's wrong with humans? Lu Luo thought carefully. Indeed, from an Exotic Species' perspective, humans weren't anything special.

"I can release you first, and then we can proceed with the trade."

"Release me first?"

"Of course!"

"Aren't you afraid I'll escape?"

Even in its current state... sigh. Do Exotic Species also have such overconfident individuals?

Lu Luo shared the same thought but certainly couldn't say it aloud.

"Kuding is at the door. Do you think that even if you escape from here, you can escape Nightmare Castle? Ling Jia, you're a Sixth Tier Lord. Don't be so naive. The only way out for you is through me; only I can lead you to freedom."

Having said that, Lu Luo didn't bother negotiating further, nor did he give Ling Jia any time to think. He simply took out the key and unlocked Ling Jia's Netherflame shackles!

CLICK!

Surging Netherflame burst forth, but all of it was absorbed by the Nether Source Seed in Lu Luo's left hand.

Although the Netherflame had scorched Ling Jia bald, upon being freed from the Netherflame shackles, it still jumped up excitedly.

"You really released me? I'm finally... I'm truly free!"

UH!

Suddenly, Ling Jia shot Lu Luo a ferocious look, but Lu Luo remained motionless before it, his expression indifferent. If Ling Jia truly dared to run, he truly would kill it!

If I don't get what I want, obtaining a Sixth Tier Doomsday Factor isn't a bad alternative!

"Think before you act, Ling Jia. Remember your reputation as an Exotic Species sage. If you attack me now, let's not even discuss whether you could beat me in your current condition. Even if you could escape from my grasp, Kuding at the door and the endless soldiers would be more than enough to deal with you."

Ling Jia gradually softened its menacing expression, replacing it with a smile.

"Don't take it seriously, don't take it seriously. I've been trapped for far too long and felt somewhat oppressed. I was just savoring the air of freedom a moment ago. I wouldn't do something as foolish as you described. After all, Ling Jia is a sage, a sage among Exotic Species!"

Lu Luo smiled as he watched Ling Jia, and Ling Jia smiled back at him.

In truth, Lu Luo was quite certain that if Ling Jia weren't so weakened, a Sixth Tier Exotic Species would never have compromised so easily. But no matter, taking advantage of a monkey in peril doesn't weigh heavily on my conscience.

"Alright, I want something like the Bride's Tears, something that can greatly enhance Dark Energy. Can you give it to me now?"

Ling Jia looked at Lu Luo once more. It still couldn't understand how a mere Third Tier being like Lu Luo could possess such absurd power. But now that a decision had been made, there was no need to ponder these matters further. If it didn't comply, Lu Luo would definitely kill it. And he would also kill these dozen or so chefs! Although these chefs weren't much, Ling Jia had grown fond of them after their time together and didn't want them to die because of it.

"I hope you will keep your promise."

"Naturally."

"Wait for me for a moment."

Ling Jia retrieved some treasured ingredients from the Nightmare Demon Kitchen's storage, items it had been saving. Then it instructed a nearby chef to start a fire for it. Meanwhile, it held a stick, standing before a stone pot.

Lu Luo watched Ling Jia with the stone pot in its hands, a strange expression on his face. This isn't for stir-frying, is it?

This is Exotic Species alchemy. Some Exotic Species races do indeed possess such abilities. They can refine different types of Exotic Species materials into new items. These new items might be stronger or weaker.

Ling Jia kept rubbing its fingers into the pot, an action Lu Luo could only describe as grinding dirt.

Is it grinding dirt? Am I expected to eat this later?

To grow stronger, one must endure.

Dammit!

Grinding dirt was just the start. Lu Luo then saw Ling Jia flick snot into the stone pot, along with a generous amount of monkey fur.

Lu Luo almost couldn't bear it. Is this concoction really meant for human consumption?

As Ling Jia concocted the food, it started chatting with Lu Luo.

"Alright, this will take quite a while to brew. Now, what do you want to know? I'll tell you anything I can. As for what I can't say, don't bother asking."

What can and can't be spoken of? At this point, what could still be unspeakable? While Lu Luo was puzzled, he voiced his most pressing question.

"You said I don't know what the Nightmare Demon truly wants? Then tell me, what does the Nightmare Demon really want?"

Ling Jia looked at Lu Luo, grinning and revealing its rotten teeth.

"The first time I saw the Nightmare Demon, it was clear to me that it wasn't a typical Exotic Species. Its desires and thinking differ from those of other Exotic Species. How should I put it? Its way of thinking is somewhat similar to yours. It looks down on us. The Nightmare Demon has always considered us mere beasts, while it regards itself as a superior species."

This perspective from Ling Jia piqued Lu Luo's interest.

"You say the Nightmare Demon thinks of itself as a superior species?"

"Yes, the Nightmare Demon has never considered itself a mere Exotic Species and has never truly accepted that classification internally."

"How do you know all this? Are you very familiar with it?"

Ling Jia rolled its eyes and looked disdainfully at Lu Luo.

"I'm not familiar with you either. Yet, the moment I first encountered you, I could sense your desire to kill us—to exterminate all the Exotic Species here."

"Er... that's all in the past now."

Noticing the skeptical looks from the surrounding chefs, Lu Luo had no desire for a fight at this moment. They had come this far; damaging the stone pot now would be a greater loss than gain.

Ling Jia continued, "The Nightmare Demon's way of thinking is very close to that of humans. Its goals are also quite strange, exemplified by its construction of this castle. Normally, when an Exotic Species Monarch builds a castle, it's typically for pleasure or to serve as a well-managed stronghold. But the Nightmare Demon is different. It seems to have built this castle merely to understand the underlying concepts of its creation: to comprehend craftsmen, to understand the etiquette of soldiers, and to grasp the mindset of superiors. Every detail of the castle was pondered by the Nightmare Demon itself. It indulges in fine food, gathers knowledge, learns about human societal structures, and attempts to comprehend human interactions. The entire castle exists solely to facilitate this understanding. Take Witch Ellie on the second floor; her role is precisely to help the Nightmare Demon gather sufficient human knowledge. The Nightmare Demon can then, through its own power, absorb the knowledge she collects, thereby growing closer to humanity. We don't understand the meaning behind its actions. However, I, old Ling Jia, have a suspicion about the Nightmare Demon's true intentions."

Lu Luo narrowed his eyes. "What's your suspicion?"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.