"Oh? What kind of trouble has my Lan'er run into? Your father actually thought that with those two little brats keeping you company, my little Lan'er wouldn't need an old man's help anymore!"
Agares spoke with such performative grievance that he looked for all the world like an abandoned, empty-nester father. Anlan watched him, her brow twitching with irritation.
"Father, please, could you stop doing things so beneath your status while wearing that face? It's incredibly jarring."
"Hehe, is that so?"
Agares shed his sudden dramatic act with a radiant smile, returning to his usual demeanor. "Very well, tell me then, what is it you need your father to help you with?"
"My cultivation has hit a bottleneck. It feels like there's just a thin veil between me and the Fifth Tier, but I can't seem to break through. I believe it's because I lack practical combat experience, so I want to go out and train."
Upon hearing this, Agares frowned slightly.
"You are still too young, and your strength is not yet fully grounded. Wouldn't it be better to slow your pace? To have reached the peak of Tier 4 at only nine years old already makes you a peerless genius of the Demon Race. Cultivating too quickly is not a good thing; it would be better to suppress it for a while, otherwise, your foundation will be unstable."
Agares was truly looking out for Anlan, but he was describing a typical situation. How could Anlan be considered typical?
"No, Father. I can feel that my foundation is very solid. Besides, if it were truly unstable, wouldn't that be all the more reason to train and solidify it? Staying cooped up will only hinder my progress further."
Agares was silent for a moment.
"You have a point. Very well, I agree. I will choose a suitable place for your training, but promise me: be careful in everything you do! And when you are out there, do not be headstrong and try to shake off the hidden guards I have arranged for you."
This made Anlan sheepishly scratch her cheek. It seemed her previous track record was a bit too notorious. But she couldn't help it; as the free-spirited Half-Demon Ancestor in her past life, Anlan truly loathed having tails following her around.
"I understand, Father!"
"Also," Agares seemed to think of something else. He extended his hand, and terrifying spiritual power began to condense, causing Anlan's breath to hitch.
Is this... a Ninth-Tier Forbidden Spell?
As it turned out, it was. After some maneuvering, Agares compressed that terrifying power and sealed it into a scroll. Once everything was properly secured, he handed the scroll to Anlan.
"This contains a strike of my full power. Keep it safe. If you encounter a powerful enemy that even your guards cannot handle, you can use it to fight back."
"Father, this really isn't necessary. Although a Ninth-Tier Forbidden Spell is powerful, it’s not only time-consuming to activate, but the sheer amount of spiritual energy it requires would drain me dry. It’s not worth it."
"No matter how 'not worth it' it may be, it’s better than losing your life!"
Agares ignored her protests, took Anlan's reluctant hand, and placed the object in her palm before affectionately patting her little head.
"Father just wants you to remember that, above all else, your life is the priority. The Demon Race—myself included—could not bear the blow of losing you. Be a good girl and keep it safe! I hope you never have to use it."
His tone, heavy with both profound meaning and deep expectation, made Anlan swallow the rest of her refusal.
Fine. She would treat it as a trump card. Whether she used it or not would be up to her in the end. Besides, this feeling of being cared for by a relative wasn't so bad.
"Your daughter understands. I will be careful and prioritize my own safety."
Anlan offered a sweet, obedient smile in response.
But in her heart—
Agares, what kind of person are you, really? A loving father? A peerless husband? Yet, why is it that I see such a different side of you through my mother?
Anlan sighed inwardly, but in the end, she said nothing. Everything was still too early, and she was still too green.
And so, under Agares's arrangements, Anlan eventually set off, accompanied by a group of hidden guards, all of whom were at the Seventh Tier.
The destination was the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest.
This was the habitat of numerous magical beasts, filled with Tenth Grade beasts and many members of the Demon Race. However, that was in the core of the forest, not where Anlan was going, so she didn't have to worry about running into such terrifying adversaries.
She was headed for the outer perimeter, where the beasts' strength would not exceed the Sixth Tier—the equivalent of a Fifth Tier Demon—which was the perfect place for Anlan to practice.
Anlan entered the forest without hesitation. Perhaps because it was deep within demon territory, the beasts here were incredibly ferocious. As soon as they sensed an unfamiliar demon like Anlan intruding, they immediately attacked.
Anlan was thrilled.
"Good! This princess has been waiting for you!"
As she spoke, pale purple spiritual power gathered in her palm, and she struck out.
"Boom!"
"Awoo—"
With a howl, a Tier 4 beast was sent flying. Anlan didn't let it go; she flashed above its head and delivered a crushing blow.
"Boom!"
The unlucky beast was instantly pulverized, blood splattering everywhere, leaving behind only a Demon Crystal.
Seeing this, Anlan’s beautiful face nearly twisted in disgust as she dodged with incredible agility.
"Ugh, that blood stinks! Yuck—my hand!"
This was the first time she had killed a beast in this world. She hadn't realized that not only were these beasts hideous, but their blood was so foul. She had been careless! She should have brought a weapon.
Anlan felt like she was going to be sick.
Even so, more beasts kept rushing out, which made Anlan’s temper flare.
"Damn it! You interrupted my mental preparation—I’ll wipe you all out!"
"Moonlight Slayer of Demons!"
Anlan leaped into the air, her hands weaving seals at lightning speed. Suddenly, a crescent moon projection appeared behind her. Under its influence, hundreds of pale purple light orbs manifested around her. With her robes fluttering and bathed in moonlight, Anlan transformed into a Goddess of the Moon.
The beautiful girl pressed her right hand downward, and the light orbs surrounding her descended instantly, bombarding the attacking beasts until they were obliterated.
Watching from the sidelines, Shenshang was left speechless. He stared blankly at the scene, his heart hammering in his chest.
After this vent, Anlan’s anger had completely dissipated.
"Hmph, you lack eyes to see—you asked for this!"
After saying that, Anlan gestured, and the various Demon Crystals flew toward her, which she promptly stored in her spatial ring.
Then, instead of looking for new targets, Anlan turned to look in a certain direction.
"You've been watching for quite a while, Excellency. Aren't you going to show yourself?"
Shenshang blinked, then broke into a smile as he slowly revealed himself.
"A clever trick, Miss. I had completely suppressed my presence, yet you still sensed me. You truly are no simple person! But then, why have I never heard your name before, Miss?"
Shenshang smiled with a bright, handsome air, showing no discernible traits of the Demon Race, which made Anlan narrow her eyes.