CHAPTER 358: CHAPTER 358: THE THIRD TRIAL_1

With a slight hint from Shen Mo, the Sea Cucumber Monster understood where it had failed.

This magic sword that shattered its shield, whether for flight or executing sword styles, was inferior to an average profound-level middle-grade sword artifact. However, in terms of breaching defenses and penetrating barriers, even a profound-level high-grade sword artifact fell short in comparison! Of course, only those with profound accomplishments in the Forging Path could achieve such a feat. Others simply could not balance the various performance aspects of a magic artifact; a forced forging would most likely result in a defective item.

"Fellow Daoist, your Forging techniques are remarkable. I concede!"

The Sea Cucumber Monster moved its colossal body aside, clearing the way.

「...」

In a magnificent, dreamlike hall, Shen Mo finally met the Demon Lord Ming Cang, who possessed an extraordinary demeanor.

Perhaps because her banquet guest was a Human Cultivator, she had revealed her human form. She wore a luxurious, ornate robe with distinct Marine Race characteristics; two sparkling, crystalline clamshells, like wings, were arrayed on either side of her back.

Merely sitting there at the head seat, her aura, as vast as the sea and as profound as an abyss, pressed down on Wei Ye and the others, making them afraid to even lift their heads to look at her.

Having comprehended the Carefree sword intent, Shen Mo was not as apprehensive as they were.

The Clam Girls, Ming Zhu and Ming Yu, were seated to the left and right below Demon Lord Ming Cang, also in their human forms.

Throughout the banquet, members of the Marine Race continuously presented rare delicacies and exquisite wines unique to the Immortal Burial Sea...

"I heard from Ming Yu that recently... Shen, you have slain numerous Class III demon heads. On behalf of the myriad members of the Marine Race in the Immortal Burial Sea, I toast you, fellow daoist, to express my gratitude," said Demon Lord Ming Cang.

"Senior Ming Cang, you are too kind!"

They drank and conversed with considerable ease and spontaneity!

Since it was a private banquet, Demon Lord Ming Cang did not discuss much official business. Instead, she inquired extensively about Ming Yu’s performance on the battlefield and her aptitude for Forging.

Shen Mo answered each question, candidly stating that Ming Yu was quite talented in this field and possessed the potential to become a Grade V Forgemaster. Of course, this was predicated on her learning Forging skills from him. Otherwise, relying solely on the unsystematic Forging Path of the Immortal Burial Sea, her abilities would, at best, reach the level of the Treasure-eating Sea Cucumber.

Shen Mo wasn’t exaggerating to try and lure Clam Girl Ming Yu away; this was genuinely what he believed. With Ming Yu’s comprehension and her innate talent for producing pearls, if she dedicated herself to this path, she could one day become a Grade V Forgemaster, though she would most likely specialize only in refining pearl-type magic artifacts.

The ranking of Forgemasters is similar in principle to that of Alchemists, yet with subtle differences! A Grade I Forgemaster can consistently forge profound-level low-grade magic artifacts. The failure rate for middle-grade magic artifacts is extremely high, but success is possible if one is willing to expend a large amount of spiritual materials and encounters fortuitous circumstances. If blessed with extraordinary luck, forging a high-grade magic artifact is not impossible! A Grade II Forgemaster can consistently forge profound-level middle-grade magic artifacts... And so forth!

Shen Mo was currently a Grade IV Forgemaster, capable of stably forging profound-level top-grade magic artifacts. If he had enough high-class spiritual materials and spared no cost, he could also attempt to forge a spiritual-level low-grade magic artifact. However, it was more probable that he might exhaust his entire fortune and still fail to forge a single spiritual-level magic artifact.

In any case, most spiritual-level magic artifacts in the hands of the Riverside Sect’s experts were obtained through a long period of nurturing, allowing creatures to be born within top-grade magic artifacts, causing them to transform.

If Clam Girl Ming Yu could diligently study this path, and every pearl she produced contained a spirit, she would have reached the standard of a Grade V Forgemaster.

Praised by Shen Mo, Ming Yu became somewhat shy, her delicate face flushing crimson, as if she were drunk!

Demon Lord Ming Cang glanced at Ming Yu with considerable surprise, a thoughtful expression crossing her face.

「After three rounds of drinks」

Amidst the unique celestial music of the Marine Race, a dozen or so Maids surged into the banquet hall and began to dance gracefully to the music.

Where did the Marine Race get so many humanoid big demons? Could they all be Clam Girls? Shen Mo’s eyes were hazy with drink, but his mind was as clear as a mirror.

He calmly activated "Insight into All Beings." Looking at the information reflected on the panel, he couldn’t help but chuckle.

[Demonic Beast: Transforming Jellyfish]

[Realm: Class II middle-stage]

[Description: This demonic beast is a species from the Immortal Burial Sea, possessing the talent to transform into thousands of forms. It uses this ability to lure prey into its trap and can also escape predators by disguising itself. It is not very powerful on its own. Contact will result in being affected by its hallucinogenic venom, causing numerous illusions.]

[Weakness: Compared to demonic beasts of the same class, its demonic body is extremely fragile; even a slightly stronger attack can tear it to shreds.]

No wonder each one of them looks stunningly beautiful; they are all in transformed states. But to be able to deceive the five senses of a Spirit Sea Realm cultivator, this talent is truly remarkable!

Shen Mo glanced at Wei Ye and the others. Shi Hongyi, being a woman, was relatively composed, but the other three men were utterly entranced, completely lost in the "beauty" of the Transforming Jellyfish.

When the dance concluded, each "beautiful Maid" selected a guest and sat beside their table to serve wine.

Three "Maids" also approached Shen Mo, chuckling as they ingratiatingly offered him cups.

Shen Mo maintained his composure, eating and drinking as usual.

Wei Ye and the others, however, gradually began to lose their composure. They behaved like ordinary mortals who had consumed too much alcohol, starting to act without restraint.

Only the female cultivator Shi Hongyi, looking rather embarrassed, secretly tried to warn her Dao companion, E Xun, with her Divine Sense, but it seemed to have no effect.

As the Marine Race jellyfish, transformed into Maids, served wine, they inevitably brushed against Shen Mo’s hands.

Almost instantly, countless illusions surged before Shen Mo’s eyes, most of them alluring and sensual scenes.

However, his willpower was strong, and being prepared, he simply circulated his Carefree sword intent, instantly shattering all the illusions before him.

It seems this is Demon Lord Ming Cang’s third test! Could she be worried that I might harbor improper thoughts towards Ming Yu, and therefore decided to test me with these Transforming Jellyfish?

Thinking this, Shen Mo felt both amused and exasperated.

Then, he took out the profound-level middle-grade magic sword he had forged earlier and gently flicked the body of the sword with his finger.

CLANG!

A sword cry, like a dragon’s roar or a tiger’s growl, filled the hall.

Startled by this clear, piercing sound, Wei Ye, E Xun, and Gongsun Yan all woke up abruptly. Only then did they realize they had unknowingly been bewitched by illusions.

Consequently, they all became reserved and composed themselves, daring not make any further contact with the "beautiful Maids."

"Earlier, Senior Ming Cang gifted me a bushel of pearls. I have nothing of great value to offer in return, so I thought I would gift this sword to you..." Shen Mo found an excuse for his sudden action, managing to cover it up.

Demon Lord Ming Cang looked at him meaningfully and nodded with a smile.

「...」

"Ming Yu, your mother is truly... well. It’s fine to test Shen, but why toy with us?" E Xun couldn’t help but grumble after they left the Demon King Palace.

Before Ming Yu could speak, Shi Hongyi shot E Xun a displeased look and retorted, "As a Spirit Sea Realm middle-stage cultivator, your sense was clouded by a Class II demonic beast, and you still have the audacity to blame others? How come Shen was unaffected?"

E Xun merely grumbled a bit and didn’t harbor any real resentment.

Compared to the minor loss of composure at the banquet, their gains from this trip were quite substantial.

E Xun, Wei Ye, and the others had received Demon Lord Ming Cang’s promise that they could conduct trade in the sea regions under her control, and she had even arranged for a big demon under her command to discuss the matter with them.

Meanwhile, Shen Mo and Clam Girl Ming Yu, without having to do anything, each received a share and just had to wait for the dividends!