Huh? Isn't this an adventure kingdom building game?!-Chapter 694 - 678: Is There Really a Demon Mirror?

Chapter 694: Chapter 678: Is There Really a Demon Mirror?

"Benefactor, how come we... Isn’t this the City Lord’s Mansion?" Song Zhi looked at the familiar building, completely baffled.

The Lord City Lord has always been devoted to the people, living extremely frugally, and even the City Lord’s Mansion isn’t much different from an ordinary household, except the courtyard is a bit larger and there are a few more guards at the entrance.

He never imagined, not even in his dreams, that his benefactor would seek stable employment for him in the City Lord’s Mansion.

Thinking about his lack of skills and how, even as a Demon Cultivator, his transformed appearance was overly ordinary, Song Zhi glanced at the distinguished Jiang Yuan beside him. A sense of inferiority enveloped him again, and his spine involuntarily bent down.

Swallowing a mouthful of saliva, he hesitated and softly suggested, "Or maybe... let’s forget it. I can’t do anything well and might embarrass my benefactor..."

Jiang Yuan twitched his mouth, agreeing with the system’s verdict—an honest person through and through.

If it were any other Demon Cultivator with a bit of scheming, wouldn’t they hurry to cling to this golden opportunity and climb up?

But it’s not a bad thing; for work like in the underground caverns, which requires a good degree of confidentiality, someone as cautious and decent as Song Zhi is needed.

"Have a bit of confidence, you are actually quite excellent." Seeing the other gesturing awkwardly, it was evident he lacked confidence. Thinking about how his life indeed lacked positive feedback, he decided to offer some encouraging words.

So, Jiang Yuan casually painted a grand vision: "Last time we stumbled across each other, I listened to you recount your experiences, and I was quite impressed even then. Life is challenging, but you’ve never complained or blamed fate, and that alone makes you stronger than many Demon Cultivators.

Just now, you weren’t dazzled by beauty, nor did you exploit a friend who got rich, and you didn’t let greed cloud your judgment. Daoist You, you are diligent and self-disciplined, and with time, you will surely achieve greatness!"

Song Zhi listened, dumbfounded, having lived so quietly for so long, no one had ever praised him so sincerely before.

"Is... it true?" His heart pounded, his face flushed uncontrollably, "I’m actually... not as good as you say, it’s just... I happen to know myself well."

"Knowing others is intelligence, knowing oneself is enlightenment. Being able to see oneself clearly, that’s true openness." Jiang Yuan, having often been subjected to motivational speeches, found encouraging an insecure little demon quite a breeze.

Thus, he vividly narrated the story of the ugly duckling turning into a swan.

Having listened, Song Zhi was bewildered, "How can a duck give birth to a swan? So... it was a swan from the very start, but ended up among duck eggs."

Jiang Yuan: ...

Darn it, Demon Cultivators are indeed clever, can’t be fooled with motivational talks.

Luckily, this one wasn’t nitpicking or being difficult. After all, he wouldn’t painstakingly share stories and wisdom if it were just some superficial duck and goose tale?

"I understand now." Song Zhi pondered for a moment and then realized, "Whether it’s a duck or a swan is not important; what’s important is to stay true to one’s heart and not be affected by the external environment. You wanted to tell me, there’s no need to be too self-deprecating; being dull means being hardworking and earnest, not comparing myself to others, and doing my tasks well is just fine."

The motivational talk almost failed, and Jiang Yuan feared adverse effects, so he nodded, "Do your own tasks diligently, avoid greed and impatience, maintain your inherent good nature, and believe that the Heavenly Dao rewards the diligent. I believe you will achieve something!"

Originally, Song Zhi felt his studies were fruitless, martial arts unsuccessful, unable to match others, living in vain, and thinking that if he died quietly someday, no one would be saddened.

But encountering noble people twice, they both were so kind.

Tonight, seeking a livelihood for him, even finding his way to the City Lord’s Mansion!

Anyone with connections to the City Lord’s Mansion is certainly no ordinary cultivator; perhaps he really has a discerning eye, noticing strengths that even Song himself was unaware of.

"Song Zhi deeply remembers the teachings of his benefactor and will not disappoint, endeavoring to advance and achieve something great!" He performed a grand gesture, and when he stood up, his spine, over two meters tall, was upright and straight.

Although still thin and bony, Song Zhi feared looking menial and shifty-eyed would disgrace his benefactor, so he worked hard to appear more composed and dependable.

He stepped forward and presented his waist badge, as the Chief Steward of the City Lord’s Mansion, already informed, personally came to welcome him.

[Ban Jingqi: Cloud Prairie Yak Demon, Demon Cultivator in Seventh Level of Void Refinement Realm (super advanced monster), Chief Steward of Cloud City City Lord’s Mansion, Grade Eight Talisman Master. Assists City Lord Yuan Man in managing city affairs; holds significant responsibilities during her slumber, characterized by steadiness and integrity, righteous conduct.]

Facing them was a slightly chubby old fellow with a gentle smile on his face. Jiang Yuan glanced at the system’s detailed assessment, noting that this was the shortest health bar he had ever seen amongst super advanced monsters.

Could it be that Talisman Masters are the most fragile among all professions?

Recalling his last interaction with Qian Duoduo, the Grade Four Talisman Master, he realized the health bar did seem relatively short.

After brief pleasantries, the two were invited to sit in the simple City Lord’s Mansion living room.

Ban Jingqi, smiling broadly, said, "The City Lord has already instructed everything. It’s considerate of Mr. Jiang to personally bring someone over. I’ll take Daoist You to the back to ask a few questions, so we can know the best placement for him. Please, Mr. Jiang, wait momentarily, we’ll be back soon."

Jiang Yuan, watching the system prompts, nodded in agreement, waiting for the chubby old man to use the Truth-Telling Talisman for the "interview."

Although there is rune assistance, it will certainly be able to screen out some unreliable people. However, the problem is that as time goes by, people’s mental state may change, and demon cultivators who were once not greedy or vain might have their thoughts altered after working in underground caves for some time, tempted by various spirit medicines.

In his opinion, after initial screening and work arrangements, one cannot feel entirely at ease. Occasional spot checks are necessary to detect and root out any pests early.

A moment later, Song Zhi emerged following behind Ban Jingqi, with an irrepressible smile on his face.

"Thank you, benefactor, for your support!" He bowed deeply and expressed gratitude again, then explained joyfully: "Senior Ban personally inspected and inquired about me; he said my Earth Escape technique is very suitable for working in the Underground City.

Today, I will report to register my name, and from now on, I’ll work one day and rest the next. I’ll have a dedicated room assigned, and can receive two thousand Spirit Stones every month. If the work is done well, I may take on more important tasks and earn even more! Oh, and the most important thing is confidentiality; I cannot disclose any work-related situations."

Song Zhi didn’t know what the "Underground City" was, but since the Chief Steward of the City Lord’s Mansion personally inquired, it must be extremely important!

Thinking of the heavy responsibility he could bear, ensuring a worry-free life in the future, he was so happy he didn’t know how to thank his benefactor.

Ban Jingqi received instructions from Lord City Lord that there was no need to deliberately conceal matters regarding the underground caves.

So he smilingly added: "The Underground City has many areas in need of loosening and clearing, and Daoist You Song’s Earth Escape technique is perfectly suited for this work.

Earlier, I said quite a bit, and perhaps he was too excited and forgot a very important point — just by working diligently in the Underground City for half a year, one can receive the corresponding cultivation technique. Being diligent provides the opportunity for promotion; after advancing realms through cultivation techniques, one can also get promoted or receive better treatment, ensuring seamless cultivation corresponding to each Realm."

"Yes, yes, yes! I am indeed too happy, and felt like dreaming, to the point that I forgot such important things." Song Zhi’s face flushed instantly, chuckling: "Rest assured, I dare not say there will certainly be achievements, but I promise even if I am shattered into pieces, I’ll do my duties properly."

Rescued and provided Spirit Stones for livelihood, they even assured him a lucrative post, and if one can’t even eat the food fed into their mouth, how could they have the face to live?

He resolutely decided to excel at his work, to add glory to his benefactor’s face!

Ban Jingqi gestured for a guard to come over, whispered a few words, then instructed Song Zhi to go with him via the teleportation array to the underground caves, to first adapt to the environment tonight, and officially take office tomorrow night.

Seeing them off, Jiang Yuan was just about to bid farewell when he suddenly heard a loud "thud" followed by tremors of the earth, and some dust fell from the simple stone house.

"What happened?" he asked, bewildered;

Little chubby old man Ban Jingqi stunned for a moment; then dashed outside!

Jiang Yuan hurriedly followed him, then saw a huge pit smashed into the yard, at the bottom of which lay a worn-out mottled "big iron disc."

[Severely Damaged Heart Mirror: A supreme divine artifact left in Cloud Prairie from the period of the Wilderness World’s initial opening during the divine and demon wars, forged personally by Demon God He X."ummary after restore, gods and demons exposed with nowhere to hide; activating it can amplify opponent’s inner flaws, trapping them in their own heart’s confinement, unable to escape...

Obtained later by Cloud City Lord Yuan Man, it was hung above the city to identify loyalty and treachery, aiding in city governance with some remaining capabilities.

After countless years of ineffective maintenance, the Treasure Mirror, which lost its Artifact Spirit tens of thousands of years ago, finally completely dissipated its Spiritual Energy and fell from the sky. It needs repairing, upgrading, and maintenance at the Treasure Forging Workshop.]

[Sub-quest: Daughter of Fortune]

[Quest 3: Conduct preliminary maintenance on the severely damaged Demon Mirror at the Treasure Forging Workshop and infuse it with sufficient Spiritual Power. Reward: Demon Mirror upgrade blueprint +1]

Staring blankly at the rusty large iron disc with a diameter of about three meters in the pit, Jiang Yuan couldn’t help raising his eyebrows; is there really a mirror?

The first time he met Song Zhi, and he mentioned the legend of the City Lord possessing a divine mirror artifact, Jiang Yuan thought it was just a made-up story from the streets.

Unexpectedly, even the origin wasn’t wrong!

Wilderness World’s initial opening, divine and demon wars, tsk-tsk-tsk, truly a supreme divine artifact, able to last until now before losing its Spiritual Energy.

"What, what should be done? It’s terrible!" Ban Jingqi turned pale upon seeing the destroyed Demon Mirror in the courtyard.

He secretly felt relieved it fell into the courtyard of the City Lord’s Mansion, not onto the street causing casualties, while simultaneously feeling terrified, as such an artifact suddenly falling is not a good omen!

As the Demon Mirror tottered, Yuan Man had already sensed it.

She hastily settled shop matters, attempted to fly over to catch it but failed. Thankfully, she blocked it somewhat so the Demon Mirror could accurately fall within the City Lord’s Mansion, preventing any harm to innocent people and avoiding panic among the city’s citizens.

Thus, as Jiang Yuan and Ban Jingqi were staring dazedly at the pit, she also descended gracefully from the sky.

"No wonder so many traitors appeared in the underground caves, yet we detected none." Yuan Man didn’t maintain any patronizing air of a City Lord or high-realm senior, sighed as she sat by the edge of the pit, frowning at the Treasure Mirror, "Daoist You Jiang, do you know any ninth-grade Artifact Refiners with superb skills?"

Pausing a moment, she added: "Ordinary ones won’t do; it must be an Artifact Refiner capable of forging and repairing divine artifacts."