Chapter 473

Twilight descended as city lights flickered to life.

Sophia Laurent stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of a skyscraper, her stiletto heels clicking against the marble. She swirled the crimson wine in her glass, the liquid catching the light against her sharp profile.

Her phone vibrated.

A cold smile curled her lips as she glanced at the caller ID.

"Ms. Laurent, we've confirmed it," her assistant's voice came through the line. "The Lockwood Group has been secretly acquiring our shares."

The crystal glass clinked against the marble countertop as she set it down.

"Keep monitoring them," she commanded, her voice icy. "And prepare a financial report on Lockwood Group for the past three years."

Ending the call, Sophia turned toward her desk. The black bodycon dress swayed with each step, accentuating her curves.

The computer screen illuminated as she typed her password.

An encrypted file appeared.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard before clicking open a photograph. A well-dressed man laughed with a blonde woman at some high-society event.

Sophia tapped her manicured nail against the desk.

"Leonard Lockwood, some things never change."

Neon lights glittered beyond the windows, the cityscape holding its secrets close.

She snapped the laptop shut and grabbed her car keys.

Her stilettos struck the marble with purposeful clicks.

Tonight, she would pay an old friend a visit.

"My Lord, I truly don't know!"

Black Demon wiped his tears, voice trembling. He curled up in the corner like a frightened child.

"After being enveloped by the demon sword fragments, I lost all awareness." He glanced around fearfully. "This place is too sinister!"

His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.

"The space keeps changing unpredictably—sometimes vast beyond measure, other times so cramped I can't even turn around." His hands shook. "There's no discernible pattern."

Chen Zongheng arched an eyebrow. "How long have you been here?"

"I've been counting." Black Demon pouted pitifully, counting on his fingers. "In two more minutes, it'll be exactly ten years."

Chen's pupils constricted. He'd assumed mere days had passed, not a decade!

Was time flowing differently here?

He instructed Black Demon to keep counting while he stepped into an adjacent space. Returning one minute later, he found Black Demon holding up a single finger.

"One minute?" Chen exhaled in relief.

"One year!" Black Demon nearly wailed. "My Lord, you were gone for an entire year!"

Skeptical, Chen conducted another experiment. This time he had Black Demon time his absence while holding the demon sword.

The results were more absurd—Black Demon claimed another decade had passed, while Chen experienced only an instant.

"My Lord, please stop toying with me!" Black Demon collapsed to his knees. "Even if I was unreliable before, this torment is too much!"

Chen stroked his chin thoughtfully. The anomaly clearly stemmed from himself.

His gaze fell upon the demon sword in his hand, and realization dawned. Each space here was an independent prison cell—with Black Demon serving as the key.

A key still incomplete, however. Chen Xin had mentioned Black Demon needed to evolve to his second form to unlock full functionality.

"Let's go." Chen extended a hand to help Black Demon up.

The demon recoiled. "My Lord, your smile terrifies me..."

With an exasperated shake of his head, Chen grabbed him by the collar. "Stay here another decade if you prefer."

Black Demon immediately scrambled to his feet, trotting obediently behind.