"Human? Oh, I'm certainly not human."
The mysterious woman fluttered her massive wings with a playful smile. "Have you ever seen a human with wings like these?"
"What I meant was—" Ling Feng paused, realizing the pointlessness of his question. Knowing her identity wouldn't help his current predicament.
So he changed tactics: "Why are you imprisoned here?"
The stunning woman's lips curled into a sly grin, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Shouldn't you first tell me why you're here?"
Sensing no immediate malice, Ling Feng exhaled slowly. "Bad luck, I suppose. That damned stone monument sucked my soul into this hellhole. I came here searching for a way out."
"A way out?" She laughed melodiously. "There is no way out. None at all."
"I refuse to believe that."
Ling Feng tightened his grip on the Slaughterous Sword, warily eyeing the woman. Beautiful as she was, trust didn't come easily—especially when friend or foe remained unclear.
"You're overly cautious." The woman smiled. "I'm Ke Weili. Your kind would call me Devils from Beyond, though I prefer 'Devilkin[1]'."
"Devils from Beyond?"
Ling Feng's breath hitched. Historical records described them as grotesque, fanged monsters—nothing breathtaking creature before him.
"The nobler our bloodline, the more... human we appear."
Ke Weili gestured gracefully. "If you'd like, I could show you where I live."
Ling Feng studied her, baffled by her motives. If she was truly a high-ranking devil, she could obliterate him with a flick of her finger.
"Relax." Her smile deepened. "I mean you no harm. In fact, I propose a trade. Fulfill certain conditions for me, and not only might you leave this place—you could gain tremendous benefits."
After a long pause, Ling Feng nodded. "I'm listening."
With a flutter of her wings, Ke Weili soared toward the luminous crimson barrier.
Ling Feng's pupils contracted. "Wait! There's a—"
"Monster? Pfft." Hovering midair, she waved dismissively. "Eboregth is just my devil pet."
Ling Feng's face paled. Though he didn't fully understand the concept of a "devil pet," the word "pet" could only mean one thing: that colossal, three-headed, six-armed monstrosity was nothing more than... this devilkin woman's pet?
How powerful must this woman be then?
"Hehee~ I'm a summoner-type highborn demon. Eboregth handles the fighting." She tapped her chin thoughtfully, muttering to herself. "Personally? I'm barely at your so-called 'Immortal Lord' level. Maybe slightly stronger? Mm-hmm. It's been ages since I last fought."
Ling Feng's gut twisted in disbelief.
What kind of bullshit humblebrag is this? Oh, I'm just a lowly Immortal Lord?
Sure, Ling Feng didn't know the exact ranks, but that was still an Immortal!
An immortal being towering above the nine heavens!
"Don't worry." She descended, effortlessly scooping Ling Feng. "Eboregth behaves when I'm around."
Ling Feng's face burned crimson. Never had he been manhandled—quite literally—by a woman. And the way her generous curves pressed against him...
"You're too slow." Unfazed, Ke Weili flew onward while Ling Feng desperately avoided staring at her cleavage, her intoxicating scent making his ears burn.
Resisting was pointless. One wrong move might anger this devil woman.
As they neared the nine-colored rune-suppressed Three-Headed Colossal Monster, the beast merely glanced at them before lazily dozing off—just as Ke Weili promised.
At least I'm safe for now.
Their destination was a cave mouth where Ke Weili gently set Ling Feng down. "Welcome, honored guest."
With a sweep of her arm, ghostly green flames illuminated the tunnel, casting eerie yet mesmerizing patterns.
Taking a steadying breath, Ling Feng followed. Well, I'm stuck here anyway. Guess I'll try my luck.
The cavern inside was surprisingly spacious—stone furniture arranged neatly, including a stone table, stone bed, and stone stools.
"Please, sit." Ke Weili gestured gracefully before settling herself.
Ling Feng remained standing. "Who are you really?"
"A devil imprisoned here, obviously." She shrugged, then conjured starlight that bathed the chamber in soft glow. "Humans prefer light, no?"
"Thanks." Ling Feng finally sat. "Earlier you said there's no exit, yet offered to help me leave. Which is true?"
"Both." Her laughter tinkled like wind chimes. "Highborn devils don't lie."
"Then what's this trade you mentioned?"
Ling Feng's gaze turned steely. Beautiful or not, she was still a Devil from Beyond. Trusting her could be fatal!
1. Usually 妖族 (Yāo Zú) is translated as demon/monster race.
魔族 (Mó Zú) can be translated as demon, or fiend/devil race.
Up to 800++ chapters, 魔族 (Mó Zú) has never appeared. Silly me for not checking when translating 妖族 (Yāo Zú) if not, I would have used ""Monster Clan"".
However, every time the word 魔 (Mó) appears, I've translated it as ""devil"".
妖族 (Yāo Zú) = Demon Race (usually for demonic beasts/monster etc)
魔族 (Mó Zú) = Devil Race/Devilkin (a new race in this novel, we'll find out soon)