"Man Deng Dui?"

These three words instantly piqued Cang Xiaoxi’s curiosity.

Though Jikuhir was among the few in this world who understood this power far better than him, pretending he wasn’t tempted to consult her would’ve been a lie.

"If you don’t understand, ask. Pretending to know leads nowhere." Cang Xiaoxi knew that well.

But could he truly ask her? And if he did—could he trust her answer?

For these reasons, he paused his work.

His gaze drifted, fixed blankly on Jikuhir beside him.

"What’s wrong? Why stare at me like that?" Noticing his look, Jikuhir instinctively hugged her shoulders, a trace of wariness in her eyes.

They were barely acquaintances—nowhere near friends, allies, or even proper rivals.

And since Jikuhir deeply disliked humans, her guard around him stayed high.

An awkward silence settled between them.

Neither spoke. Eyes locked. A silent, stubborn standoff.

"Fine. I’ll ask first." Curiosity won. Cang Xiaoxi decided to humble himself and consult this dragon loli.

"Your Dragon Sovereign Majesty," he began carefully, "if I share details about myself and why I possess the Dragon’s Eye… would you answer a few of my questions in return?"

In negotiation, you offer value. Years of business with his father taught him that. It was the price of getting what you want.

He saw it—Jikuhir wasn’t uninterested. Her lingering presence likely meant she wanted to confirm his identity.

Seizing the moment, she didn’t hesitate long. "Hmm… alright," she murmured, pursing her lips. "One question each. If someone refuses to answer, the other must switch—no pressing further. Fair?"

"No problem. Sounds perfectly fair," Cang Xiaoxi agreed smoothly.

And so, their unusual Q&A began.

"Ladies first. Please, Your Dragon Sovereign Majesty," he gestured politely.

"Hehe, suddenly so gentlemanly? You’re still just a kid," Jikuhir chuckled lightly. Cang Xiaoxi simply waved it off.

He disliked women—but that didn’t mean he disrespected them. Besides, letting the little loli reveal her intent first helped him plan what to share… and what to hide. His mind raced with quiet schemes.

Unaware, Jikuhir felt a slight shift in her impression of him. Another tiny step forward in "winning over the loli."

"Ahem. My first question’s simple: What exactly are you—"

"Sorry. Off-limits."

"Hey!" Jikuhir’s goodwill plummeted instantly.

"You said it yourself—if someone won’t answer, move on," Cang Xiaoxi countered calmly, then smirked. "Or does the great Dragon Sovereign break promises?"

"Don’t underestimate me! This Dragon Sovereign *always* keeps her word!" She huffed proudly, swallowing frustration for dignity. "Fine. Then… are you from the Mosiri Kingdom?"

"No. My turn."

"Eh?! You’re really not Mosiri royalty?"

"I’ve already answered two beyond agreement. Still continuing?" Cang Xiaoxi raised a brow.

*Nani?!* That counts as two?! Such a cheap question?! Her turn vanished just like that?

Jikuhir blinked, baffled. She’d hoped to link him to that ancient kingdom founded by a summoned Sage—but his blunt replies revealed nothing.

Cang Xiaoxi, though unaware of Mosiri’s significance, sensed her question wasn’t random. *Perhaps its people resemble me.* He filed it away: *Visit later.*

"Mmm… fine, fine. My bad. Ask already. Next time, I’ll pick better," she grumbled, cheeks puffed.

Cang Xiaoxi smiled silently at her pout. After a pause: "Are you *really* 233? You’re so tiny—surely not five?"

"THAT’S IT! LET’S FIGHT! I won’t stop till you’re crying for Mommy! Then I’m not the Dragon Sovereign!" Jikuhir’s temper flared.

Of all things, she hated age and height comments. Every loli secretly dreams of becoming a graceful onee-san.

"Hehe, kidding. Don’t mind it. That question meant nothing," Cang Xiaoxi raised hands in mock surrender. He couldn’t afford to anger this walking intel source yet.

"Meant nothing… so my figure means nothing either… Mmm…" She muttered, then retaliated: "I *am* a genuine 233-year-old adult! Satisfied? One question used. Only one left."

"No way! You actually answered? What a waste!" Cang Xiaoxi feigned deep regret—though he’d lost nothing. The real loss? All on Jikuhir’s side, who thought she’d won.

"Hehe, yes! I win!" Oblivious, she beamed. "Hurry! While I’m in a good mood, this *adult* will solve your little problem."

*Pitiful. Truly pitiful,* he thought with amusement. "Alright," he scratched his head casually. "Not much to ask. My Dragon’s Eye has a slight issue—magic control feels off. As a great~ *adult*~ Dragon Sovereign… could you demonstrate its use? Let this ignorant little person witness your magnificent power?"

"W-Well, it’s not *that* magnificent…" Flattered, Jikuhir puffed her chest proudly. "Since you’re so eager—I’ll show you. Perfect! This dagger you made holds enough magic to showcase my Dragon’s Eye."

She’d stepped straight into his trap.

Unaware, she lifted the freshly crafted dagger—brimming with potent magic—and activated her Dragon’s Eye.

Frigid energy surged. Her eyes shifted silvery-blue. Power rivaling Cang Xiaoxi’s flooded the blade.

Feeling the dagger’s transformed aura—a leap into another dimension—Cang Xiaoxi froze. This shattered his calculations.

"Oh? It actually worked!" Jikuhir blinked in surprise. "No wonder… it’s a Boundless Realm artifact. Of course it withstands my power."

But this time, Cang Xiaoxi was genuinely lost. "Wait—what did you do? Did you imbue the dagger with an attribute?" he asked urgently, pointing at the frost-coated blade.

"Of course!" She nodded. "My Dragon’s Eye infuses my elemental power into an Arcane Artifact, refining it into a unique, attribute-enhanced version. Impressive? This Dragon Sovereign *is* amazing!"

*More than impressive. This ruins everything.* He could mass-produce Arcane Artifacts—but never add attributes. His creations already rivaled imperial Arcane Cannons. But if *others* could enhance them with elements…?

"I’ll need to rethink my entire strategy," he murmured.

Just as doubt crept in about his power’s place in this world, Jikuhir added softly: "But… this is my first time using it. No Arcane Artifact ever held my power before. I never knew enhanced ones could be this strong… Hey. Can I keep this? As a memento of my first success."

Her eyes held pure, unfeigned sincerity. *If she’s truthful… what’s the world’s true power level? Where do I stand?*

"Alright. Decision made."