The Demon Realm's Great Powers

The Triangle Rhino plodded along slowly. Chen Rui and Athena were both lost in their own thoughts and said nothing, making the atmosphere strangely awkward.

"Athena," Chen Rui's question broke the awkward silence. "I'm human and know almost nothing about the Demon Realm. Now that I'm considered a member of Darkmoon City, I'd like to learn about the Fallen Angel Empire. Can you tell me?"

The request was perfectly natural, and Athena began explaining without a second thought.

The Demon Realm had originally possessed seven great royal families. After countless struggles and eliminations, only three remained: the Lucifer Royal Family, which ruled the Fallen Angel Empire; the Mammon Royal Family, which ruled the Blood Fiend Empire; and the Asmodeus Royal Family, which ruled the Shadow Empire. These three great empires of the Demon Realm had waxed and waned against one another, standing in a three-way balance for tens of thousands of years.

The barrier between the human world and the Demon Realm weakened every five hundred years, marking the beginning of war between the two realms. Emperor White Night of the Fallen Angel Empire, Bai Ye Lucifer, was the strongest being in the Demon Realm and revered by all sides. More than three hundred years ago, during the war against humanity, he served as commander of the demon allied forces and personally killed three great human powerhouses, giving the demon army hope of returning to the bright world aboveground. However, Emperor White Night was suddenly ambushed and killed by a mysterious powerhouse, leaving the army leaderless. In the end, the demon forces suffered a crushing defeat and were forced to retreat to the Demon Realm.

After Emperor White Night's death, Crown Prince Green Lucifer was too young to handle state affairs, while the two foreign enemies, the Blood Fiend Empire and the Shadow Empire, watched like tigers eyeing their prey. For a time, the Fallen Angel Empire faced troubles both within and without.

At that time, Prince Heiyao, White Night's younger brother and Green's uncle, stepped forward and temporarily took charge of state affairs, becoming the Regent. Though Prince Heiyao's strength and military talent were far inferior to Emperor White Night's, his political methods were brilliant. Using his elder brother's heroic sacrifice for the demon race as justification, along with White Night's remaining prestige in the Demon Realm, he signed non-aggression pacts with the Blood Fiend Empire and the Shadow Empire.

However, after resolving the external crisis, Prince Heiyao did not return power to his nephew Green. Instead, he monopolized authority, purged dissidents, and showed every sign of intending to replace him. Yet because Prince Heiyao had not gained the recognition of the Lucifer Clan's divine artifact, the Sword of the Fallen Angel, and because Emperor White Night held immense prestige within the military, two of the empire's three great generals supported Crown Prince Green. Thus, Prince Heiyao could only continue bearing the title of Regent. Still, he confiscated his nephew's Sword of the Fallen Angel, enfeoffed him to the barren Darkmoon Territory, and secretly sent people to monitor and control him.

The Darkmoon Territory had a harsh environment, scarce resources, rampant bandits, and many terrifying Demon Realm creatures. It was simply impossible for it to develop and grow. Green eventually died in frustration under such adversity, leaving behind two daughters in his later years: Eldest Princess Shea and the younger princess, Alice.

From childhood, Shea had been raised on Green's belief that the throne must be reclaimed. She developed a cold, tenacious personality, remained calm in handling affairs, and acted decisively. Unlike her comparatively weak father, she faintly possessed the bearing of her grandfather, Emperor White Night. At only sixteen, she took over Darkmoon City and immediately established her authority through a series of measures, putting the city in perfect order.

Yet even though Shea was extraordinarily capable and ambitious, she could not fundamentally change the Darkmoon Territory's dire circumstances. After Green's death, another imperial general defected to Regent Heiyao. The only military force still supporting Dark Moon was General George Wells, the First General and Athena's father.

General George was currently stationed at Warlock Fortress on the northern border, where it met the Blood Fiend Empire. Three years ago, Athena had come to Darkmoon City at her father's instruction, which was also a declaration to the outside world that General George continued to support the crown prince's line.

Over the years, Prince Heiyao had constantly been studying the Sword of the Fallen Angel, which rightfully belonged to Shea. Once he unlocked the artifact's mysteries and gained its recognition, he could rightfully become the true emperor. At that point, even the opposition led by General George would have no choice but to submit.

"Her Highness Shea has it very hard. She's practically supporting the Darkmoon Territory all by herself," Athena said with a sigh. "The crown prince was extremely strict with her. She has always borne immense pressure, which gradually shaped her cold personality. Even Alice is afraid of her. But according to Alice, the Eldest Princess was actually very gentle when she was little..."

Only then did Chen Rui realize just how unfavorable Darkmoon City's situation was. Suddenly, he thought that if Regent Heiyao figured out the Sword of the Fallen Angel and launched a war against Dark Moon, no one could guarantee the Poison Dragon's safety. Once he was exposed, Lord Pagliu would likely become a dragon slayer's prize, and Chen Rui would be finished as well. It seemed he had to first help the Poison Dragon undo the Lock of Light and Darkness, then find a safe territory to settle in. He still did not know what abilities the Super System possessed, so for now, he could only sacrifice his looks and rely on Athena's strength.

As Chen Rui calculated, he probed casually, "I heard Master Aldas mention that royal families have special bloodline talents. What talents does the Lucifer Royal Family possess?"

Athena replied, "I once heard Father say that the higher a royal family member's awakening level, the more talents they can use, and the stronger those talents become. The Lucifer Family's most powerful talent is the Heart of Light and Darkness, which can devour all forms of power. Even human light power is no exception. Then there are Black Flame and Holy Light Wings. Back then, Emperor White Night used these three powers to become invincible throughout the Demon Realm. Even Emperor Leizen of the Blood Fiend Empire, the current strongest being in the Demon Realm, could only concede defeat before him."

When Athena mentioned Emperor White Night, her face was filled with reverence. Chen Rui secretly thought that this girl truly was the type who worshipped brute strength. If he really used a handsome-man scheme as Pagliu suggested, he probably would not be her type at all. Keeping his expression calm, he tested further. "Aside from those, are there any other talents? For example... Mind Reading?"

"Mind Reading?" Athena had no suspicions and decisively shook her head. "Impossible. The Lucifer Family only has three great bloodline talents in total. Everyone in the Demon Realm knows that."

Chen Rui finally understood. That Mind Reading Alice had mentioned had been nothing but a bluff. It was like a frog on one's foot—it did not bite, but it gave one quite a scare.

After thinking it over, he decided not to expose Alice. Otherwise, who knew what tricks that little loli would come up with next? As for the hole he had dug with Primordial World, he would slowly find a way to fill it later.

"Athena, those questions I asked just now might have touched upon royal family taboos. Please keep them secret, especially from the younger princess."

"No problem! I absolutely won't say anything!" After talking with Chen Rui for a while, Athena had shed much of her psychological burden. Hearing this, she habitually slapped her chest, instantly setting off a surging wave that made a certain normal man's eyes nearly sway along with it.

The two continued talking, and Chen Rui coaxed plenty of useful information from Athena. The demon race's power levels, from lowest to highest, were Low-tier Demon, Mid-tier Demon, High-Rank Demon, Demon King, Great Devil King, Demon Emperor, Devil Emperor, and Demon Venerable.

Every level was equivalent to a watershed. Not only was there a vast difference in strength, but there was also a certain degree of rank suppression. For example, a Mid-tier Demon would find it difficult to display their strongest combat power before a High-Rank Demon.

Although there was no rank suppression between individuals of the same level, differences in strength still existed. For instance, an established High-Rank Demon who had reached the peak of their power could defeat at least ten newly advanced High-Rank Demons.

Demon Venerable was the legendary highest realm. It was said that its power could make even gods wary, but no demon was ever known to have become a Demon Venerable. Emperor White Night, three hundred years ago, had possessed unparalleled talent and cultivated to the peak of the Devil Emperor realm, just one step away from becoming a Demon Venerable. Unfortunately, he perished in the war against humanity.

Today, Emperor Leizen of the Blood Fiend Empire and Emperor Catherine of the Shadow Empire were both veteran Devil Emperors with many powerhouses under their command, but neither matched Emperor White Night in his prime. As for the Fallen Angel Empire's strongest figure, Prince Heiyao, he was merely a peak Demon Emperor with one foot in the Devil Emperor realm, making him somewhat weaker. Perhaps only after gaining the power of the divine artifact, the Sword of the Fallen Angel, could he truly contend with the other two empires in strength.

Athena herself belonged to the Greater Devil race, also known as Scythe Demons. Scythe Demons were born powerful warriors, adept at using all kinds of weapons and not limited to their signature great scythes. Athena was skilled in swordsmanship. At only nineteen, she had already reached the peak of Mid-tier Demon, just a step away from High-Rank Demon. Among demons, she was an outstanding genius.

Not every demon could cultivate all the way to the peak. For example, the upper limit for Scythe Demons was High-Rank Demon, while Lesser Devils remained at the low tier for their entire lives unless some rare mutation occurred.

Chen Rui's performance when facing the Poison Dragon had made Athena see him in a different light. Their conversation grew smoother and smoother, and she felt that though this human lacked strength, his courage and wisdom were worthy of respect. He was not the irritating sort after all.

"Athena..." Alice's lazy voice interrupted their conversation.

"Alice!" Athena happily helped Alice sit up. "You're awake!"

"Where are we?" Alice rubbed her bleary eyes. "It seems the picnic isn't over yet."

"It's already over. You and Jia got tired while listening to the story and fell asleep. I carried you onto the Triangle Rhino, and we're heading back to Darkmoon City."

Alice thought back for a moment. That did seem to be what had happened. She stretched lazily, then said to Chen Rui, "You tell stories well. This princess commands you to tell me one every day. And that roast meat..."

Chen Rui hurriedly said that he truly could not think of any more—Snow White had suffered enough today. He could not torment other characters anymore.

Athena also chimed in, "Alice, that story wasn't very interesting. Let Chen Rui make that Kongming Lock again instead."

"Athena, you called him 'Chen Rui'? Haven't you always called him 'human'?" Alice revealed a suspicious look. "I remember you liked listening to stories, and you were quite enthusiastic when Snow White began. So why now..."

The little loli looked Chen Rui and Athena up and down, her big eyes narrowing. "Something's wrong. There must be something wrong!"

Alice's sensitivity made Chen Rui's scalp tingle, while Athena felt even guiltier. The little loli asked again, "Athena, where's your sword?"

Athena showed a regretful expression and lowered her head. "Earlier, I saw a Wyvern flying past. I used Cross Whirlwind and scared it away, but my sword fell into Blue Wave Lake. Even if we fished it out, it would be ruined."

Although Athena had not told the truth, her regret over the sword was entirely genuine. Alice knew she had a killer move involving throwing her greatsword, so she did not doubt her. Two clear eyes landed on Chen Rui's face. "I don't remember how I fell asleep. Could I have been poisoned?"

Cold sweat immediately broke out on Chen Rui. He picked up the waterskin and took a drink to conceal his nervousness. If he had not been so confident in the Poison Dragon's venom and strength, he might have suspected Alice had been pretending to sleep all along. This little loli's deductive ability was terrifying.

Then Alice's voice suddenly rose. "Chen Rui! You must have coveted this princess's beauty and drugged the roast meat with improper intentions. Athena discovered you, so you used the Lucifer Royal Family's honor to threaten her, forcing her to keep silent and even submit to your lecherous tyranny. Isn't that right?"

"Pfft!" Chen Rui had not managed to swallow the mouthful of water, and it nearly shot out through his nose—his earlier assessment had been wrong! This little loli's deductive ability was not terrifying. It was earth-shattering and ghost-weeping!

Athena was likewise stunned by Alice's wild hypothesis, but she was already accustomed to her friend's personality and instead relaxed. Chen Rui had barely stopped coughing when Alice put on a resentful expression, touched her lower belly, and said, "Heavens, could I be carrying a human child?"

Chen Rui no longer had the energy to criticize Alice's superficial acting. The line itself knocked him flat, leaving him spitting three liters of blood.

Athena had already carried the still-unconscious Jia onto another Triangle Rhino and pretended not to hear anything.

Meanwhile, Alice was still pitying her own reflection. "When the child grows up and asks who their father is, how am I supposed to answer?"