Chapter 274: Dante's True Identity
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--- Chapter 271 ---
"Dante?" The ladies were confused.
They aren't familiar with this foreign name.
However, Yu Long didn't. His golden eyes widened for a split second before returning to normal.
Thankfully, no one noticed his reaction.
He looks calm outside, but a storm is brewing inside him. He fell into deep melancholy after hearing 'Dante' from Huan Caiyi's mouth.
"What a unique name for a genius," said Yu Long casually. "No wonder this guy's personality is shrewd."
Huan Caiyi nodded, "Dante is a master Blacksmith and Array Formation, which helped him make Demonic Weapons. Both professions synergized well and created this small miracle.""Even Sovereign Profound Weapons fell short compared to Demonic Weapons."
"The difference is just too big."
"But you also have to pay a huge price." Yu Long eyed Huan Caiyi's blood energy dropping slightly.
Huan Caiyi shook her head gently, "I can always recover 5% of blood energy, so it's not a bad price to awaken Demonic Weapon to its true form."
"After that, the weapon didn't consume much."
"Have you ever thought about what happens when you don't have enough blood energy?" Yu Long commented, causing Huan Caiyi to ponder.
"The weapon won't just consume your blood, but also your bone and flesh."
"At some point, it might swallow your life, too."
"Aih, such an unorthodox path."
Huan Caiyi took Yu Long's words seriously. After all, he wouldn't make a half-assed comment about her situation if he didn't know about something.
They spent little to no time together, but Huan Caiyi trusted Yu Long more than anyone. Truthfully, she's the only man she could rely on after several years of loneliness.
"I will use Demon Weapon less then." Huan Caiyi said, convinced.
Yu Long chuckled, "You don't have to take that far. Give me the stick."
Huan Caiyi handed the small stick to Yu Long, and he observed it slightly before setting it ablaze with altered Phoenix's flame. A bright crimson-gold flame burns in Yu Long's left hand.
Huan Caiyi was startled, "This flame..."
Under everyone's gaze, Huan Caiyi's Demonic Weapon becomes smaller and smaller, like that of a pencil. Yet they also felt the demonic energy within it has increased by tenfold.
Huan Caiyi couldn't believe her sense for a moment.
Strength, resource, skill. What Yu Long didn't have?
After a few minutes, Yu Long finally nodded and returned the Demonic Weapon to Huan Caiyi.
Huan Caiyi accepted it graciously and gasped in disbelief, "What have you done to the Demonic Weapon exactly? I can feel my strength soaring by holding it alone."
"I haven't even used my blood energy."
"I improved it." Yu Long replied with a smug look.
"This little thing couldn't even scratch 10% of Demonic Core's power, so you don't even harness it properly. I also make it so you don't have to use blood energy by purifying its bloodthirsty nature."
"You can activate it with profound energy."
"You don't have to sacrifice yourself for a minuscule strength. Treasure your life."
Huan Caiyi's eyes become glassy for a moment. She hurriedly looked away so they couldn't see her eyes.
She calmed herself, "Thank you."
"Thank you, Yu Long."
"Oh, yeah. Also," Yu Long suddenly grabbed Huan Caiyi's fair hand, making her cheek flush in surprise.
'He's holding my hand!' Huan Caiyi felt her heart beating like no tomorrow.
Unfortunately, she was bound to be disappointed because Yu Long released her hand after three seconds.
"Done. I've calibrated the Demonic Core's ability so they wouldn't clash with your body."
"I don't know what to say..." Huan Caiyi sighed. "Just earlier, you're giving me the Heavenly God's Spiritual Veins, and now this."
"I owed you too much favor."
"You can pay it slowly." Yu Long flashed a playful smile.
"Let's start with visiting the Flickering Candlelight."
'Very well." Huan Caiyi stood up, telling the servant she would be out with Yu Long and others again. After making a notice, they went to the big castle south of Demon Imperial City.
The building is mainly blue with a greenish ceramic finish. It also fused Eastern and Western cultures, such as the mansion-like entrance yet traditional japanese rooftop with carved koi fish.
They stood before the building and stared at the ancient plaque above the entrance's door. The characters of 'Flickering Candlelight, number one under the sky' are boldly carved onto the ancient plaque, releasing a faint white light.
They entered the building without alerting the guards.
"Hmm?" The guard at the Sky Profound Realm felt a slight wind passing by. "What was that, wind?"
"Achoo~! Brr, probably the weather. The season will change soon."
Huan Caiyi led Yu Long and others into Flickering Candlelight's higher level, walking past several rooms.
Yu Long peeked into every room, seeing many decent blacksmiths and alchemists doing their jobs.
He walked steadily, 'It seems this floor is an exception because the lower floor used to display items and exchange. This place is much better than Black Moon Merchant Guild.'
'The qualities are also better.'
'They didn't make many mistakes.'
They arrived at the end of the corridor, facing an empty brick wall.
'Dante, I know you're there!" Huan Caiyi stared at the brick wall and knocked on it as if it was a door.
"Open the door, I want to talk."
Chu Yuechan and Tempest stared at Huan Caiyi in awe, 'As expected of the empress. She's a tough nut!'
'Heh, no wonder only my hubby could handle her.'
As if responding to Huan Caiyi's comments, the bricks on the wall reassembled themselves and revealed a path to a light.
"Let's go. We are lucky Dante is here." Huan Caiyi walked into the path of light, casting a shadow over Yu Long and others.
Yu Long shrugged and followed Huan Caiyi inside, finding himself in a peaceful-looking backyard. The sound of windchimes hit his ears.
He glanced to the left and right, seeing Tempest dazed. This green bird is unreliable.
Meanwhile, Huan Caiyi and Chu Yuechen have recovered from the sudden change. That's right, Yu Long and others are currently inside a pocket dimension.
Yu Long looked around and saw a small cottage not far away. A middle-aged man in rag-like clothes is sleeping in his rocking chair. He has long white hair and a wild-looking beard.
"Dante, I know you're awake. Stop pretending." Huan Caiyi huffed, making the middle-aged man stop snoring.
He opened his eyes and rubbed them lazily, "What time is it?"
"Lunch? Dinner?"
"Breakfast-!" He froze because Huan Caiyi released an intense killing intent and focused it on his body.
"O-Oh, I didn't expect the empress to visit this old man."
"Haha, sorry for not noticing."
"As you know, I'm very old and getting tired easily."
"Then, go retire." Huan Caiyi snorted, which made the middle-aged man chuckle.
Dante quickly stood up and stared at the artificial sun above, "Retire? I won't retire until I make the strongest Demonic Weapon!"
"Hehehe, this time, I will succeed!"
"I only need a rare, high-grade Demonic Core."
Huan Caiyi frowned, "I'm not here for business. I only wanted to introduce you to someone."
"Huh?" Dante stroked his beard and looked at the three people behind Huan Caiyi.
One is a beautiful woman in white.
One is a tribal beauty with an innocent vibe.
But the last person made Dante freeze on the spot.
Yu Long similarly looked at Dante, meeting with his gaze.
The backyard becomes awfully silent.
"It seems you never change, Dante." Yu Long finally opened his mouth after some time. "Or should I say... The Child of Hephaestus, Thalia."
The middle-aged man's eyes widened in shock.
'I-Impossible! H-How did he know my true name?'
'No one in this dimension should know it!'