I'm a monster in Demon King's Castle

As a transmigrator, Li Yue didn't feel his performance was flawless. This world had too many incomprehensible powers that couldn't be shielded against specifically. Furthermore, Mentor had been watching his actions in the Blood River, even harboring doubts.

Why not go deeper?

This was Mentor's first key question, and Li Yue's answer was actually quite simple: "I am human. Even knowing it's a simulation, I will subconsciously avoid slaughtering civilians to increase my advantage."

So, knowing this, knowing Li Yue didn't have the typical demon style, Mentor still bestowed a 'blessing,' even a six-in-one blessing…

What was Mentor's purpose?

Li Yue thought about it and concluded there was only one possibility: this Demon King instructor wasn't blindly pursuing brutality, nor did he care about Li Yue's combat methods or true identity, even finding it quite interesting.

Hence, the rhetorical question.

"You seem… very interested in me?" Li Yue knew Mentor had the ability to observe the demons in 'confinement' but didn't think he would bother communicating with Bosh or Finley.

Currently, Li Yue could only guess at two things that Mentor might be interested in: his identity as a transmigrator and the existence of the Demon Illustrated Handbook.

Which was it?

Combining it with Mentor's questions, Li Yue guessed the answer was the former, or at least related to it. Identity could determine choices, while the Demon Illustrated Handbook was just a tool, irrelevant to the so-called 'decision of path.'

"You are both clever and foolish," Mentor didn't answer Li Yue's question, but instead offered a comment.

Li Yue thought, 'Of course I'm foolish! Otherwise, I wouldn't be so strongly invested, enraged by the deaths of a large group of Mini Minis, and even thinking about retaliating against the demon legion commander Bosh…'

"You sympathize with the weak, fear not the strong, and dare to take risks…" Mentor finally stopped being cryptic and speaking in riddles, and slowly began to explain, "Skorlik… Budibog… Bosh… You resist them, impersonate them, searching for their weaknesses like a venomous snake, waiting for an opportunity…"

Li Yue momentarily lost his ability to speak. Mentor had completely seen through his every action since arriving at the library… How was this possible?

Before the start of the closed-door war training, the Demon King instructor had no reason to pay attention to a rebellious brain spirit.

"This is a space I created; the 'time' here is determined by me," Mentor seemed to see through Li Yue's confusion, emphasizing the word "time."

Li Yue gave up struggling, assuming Mentor could rewind time and find every "Li Yue" who had come to the library, naturally seeing all his actions.

"You are a very special demon," Mentor raised his head, his words heavily imprinted on Li Yue's mind.

Yes, according to this world's understanding, no matter what Li Yue did, his essence was still that of a demon.

"So, I think you have a lot of potential."

"The potential to become a Demon King."

"I want a very special Demon King."

"So, I will gaze upon you."

"Yes, gaze."

"I won't actually do anything, nor will I ask you to do anything, but rather point you in a direction."

"Whether you die on this path… that's your story."

"So, I ask you one more time, have you decided?" The worms on Mentor's chin parted to either side, "A path full of hatred and battle, or a path of concealment and unnoticed existence?"

Li Yue felt like he had transmigrated again, as if he could see two hands on either side of Mentor, each palm holding a red pill and a blue pill.

There was a lot of information. Li Yue could understand Mentor's words but couldn't discern a clear logic from them.

Mentor expected a very "special" Demon King, but why?

Why him?

Why not him?

With a perspective not limited by the era, plus a strange "ability…" Li Yue also acknowledged Mentor's "special treatment."

Mentor offered two paths, one like the abominable, conspicuous, and rebellious, the other like the concealed, absorbing, and completing, so low-key?

Correspondingly, Mentor would point out specific nodes on the path, impart some skills, allowing him to have a chance to reach the end?

The former was a Dragon Aotian, the latter was about making a fortune in silence?

If he didn't have the Demon Illustrated Handbook, Li Yue would definitely choose the latter, but now that he did, Li Yue wanted everything. At this moment, Li Yue wasn't sure if Mentor had noticed the Demon Illustrated Handbook.

"Regarding your ability of unknown origin… I'm not interested," Mentor saw through Li Yue's thoughts once again. "I am a teacher, not a thief. I hope every student has great potential. So, your ability of unknown origin, not belonging to a brain spirit… is one reason I am here, but it's not important."

Li Yue's mind twitched, finally hearing Mentor reveal his essence.

"Your choice is what matters," Mentor didn't care, circling back to the main point, "Which path?"

"I choose neither," Li Yue suddenly raised his head. "Which path I take, what I ultimately become, will have nothing to do with you."

Li Yue still remembered his conversation with Mentor when choosing a blessing: don't bargain with demons.

In Li Yue's understanding, one shouldn't make any deals with demons, even the kind that sounds most practical and beneficial, because the price behind it might be unbearable.

Mentor's worms flailed wildly: "Are you not afraid of death?"

"You won't kill me, at least not now," Li Yue had already confirmed this, and his words became more frank.

"You seem… very interested in 'Advancement Studies'?" The worms slowly twitched, like a demon beckoning.

Li Yue was silent, disliking this feeling of being seen through.

"You seem… very concerned about two Mini Minis?" The worms stopped, and Mentor gazed at Li Yue.

Li Yue's mind skipped a beat.

"You are both clever and foolish…" Mentor repeated his conclusion, "Your wariness is very naive, but I can understand…"

Li Yue indeed felt he was very naive. Perhaps the Demon King instructor could occupy his soul and do whatever he wanted with a mere thought, yet he was guarding a line he clearly couldn't hold, defying Mentor's will.

However, this was Li Yue's persistence, and Li Yue's best effort to maintain independence in his mind.

"I admit, you learn quickly," After a moment of silence, Mentor relaxed somewhat. "Knowing not to bargain with demons, nor to make deals with demons? It seems my blessing was somewhat useful…"

Li Yue knew Mentor was mocking him, having accepted all the blessings yet acting stubborn at this moment.

"Alright, this is not a deal, this is charity," Mentor clasped his hands together. "Like this, will you still refuse?"

"That depends on what you're giving away," Li Yue had been stubborn until now, so he would naturally be stubborn to the end.

"Hahaha… Hahaha…" Mentor laughed, paused, laughed again, then stared quietly at Li Yue, as if trying to remember the current scene clearly, to recall it repeatedly afterward.

"Don't you want to learn Advancement Studies? I can teach you now," Mentor spread out his palm.

Taking a small class? Li Yue's mind raced, unsure if Mentor was trying to trick him, and also unsure if he was worth tricking.

"This is not a secret," Mentor said with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. "Brain spirits are fragile and cannot compare to pureblood demons, shadow demons, and other naturally powerful demons. Furthermore, there are no known magical rituals or paths to advancement…"

Li Yue's heart sank. There wasn't a ritual that could alarm the heavens? Or a pie in the sky depicting the end point? There wasn't even a path to advancement? How could he be sure of the path he should take?

As if sensing Li Yue's disappointment, Mentor added, "However, as a brain spirit, you also have unique advantages…"

"And there has never been a brain spirit who could become a Demon King, so this is interesting…" Mentor sized Li Yue up and down. "Combining my experience and what I have seen, I can give you some advice on advancement. As for whether you believe me or not, you decide for yourself."

Arsenic or honey?

Perhaps all "choices" will eventually end this way.

"Teach me," Li Yue said sincerely, "Teacher."

As long as what he ate at the moment was sweet, filling, and could kill Bosh, he could figure out how to detoxify it later.