As the competition ended and the arena began to empty, I turned to my companions.
"Dragon Xuan, Fang, Ruo, Shen," I said, "the competition is over now. I'm leaving with Shu Yan."
Xuan raised a brow. "Oh? So you're leaving us already?"
I nodded. "Yeah. It's time."
Ruo stepped forward with a playful smile. "Brother Luo, if you ever need something refined, don't forget about me."
I chuckled lightly. "I won't. Let's go, Shu Yan."
"Yes," Shu Yan said softly, walking beside me as we left the arena grounds behind.
Once we were far from the others, I stopped. "Shu Yan, wait."
She looked at me curiously. "What is it?"
"We'll teleport from here."
Her eyes widened. "You can teleport?"
I nodded. "Yes. But you'll need to hold on to me."
She blushed faintly, then stepped forward and hugged me. Without another word, I activated my spiritual energy, and in an instant, we vanished.
---
We reappeared in the Moon Realm, a land bathed in silver light beneath an eternal twilight.
Shu Yan looked around, startled. "Why are we in the Moon Realm?"
"I need to bring back my first wife," I replied calmly.
Her eyes widened. "First wife...? Who is she?"
"The Goddess of the Moon—Luna."
Shu Yan gasped. "Wait… didn't the Demon King kidnap her?!"
I gave her a wry smile. "Ah, right. I forgot to mention... I am the Ruthless Demonic King."
As I spoke, I transformed—my aura shifting, my appearance changing. My demonic form took shape, dark and regal, the air vibrating with my suppressed power.
Shu Yan's eyes went wide. "W-What?! You're the Demon King?!" And with that, she fainted.
I caught her with my spiritual energy and gently levitated her beside me as I flew straight toward the Moon Palace. Hovering above its gates, I roared, my voice echoing through the heavens.
"I am the Ruthless Demonic King! I've come for Luna! Hand her over, or I will reduce this palace to dust!"
A Moon Elder stepped out, his eyes blazing with contempt. "You filthy demon! This will be your grave!"
He raised his hand, summoning dozens of Moon Realm warriors. They surrounded me, weapons drawn.
I encased Shu Yan in a protective spiritual barrier. "You should have chosen peace," I murmured.
Then, I unleashed my wrath.
Energy exploded from my body, a dark inferno sweeping across the sky. One by one, the warriors fell before my blade, their bodies dropping like wilted petals under the weight of my power.
"Last chance," I warned. "Send her out—or I'll kill you all."
The elder charged at me, but I met his assault with a single punch.
His face caved in, and he dropped lifelessly to the ground.
I stormed into the palace, cutting down every attacker who dared stand in my way. My spiritual eyes scanned the floors.
There. Second floor. Her aura.
I blasted through the hallways and stopped in front of a sealed door. My rage surged.
I raised my hand and shattered the door with a burst of spiritual energy.
Inside, Luna was curled on the bed, sobbing quietly.
"Luna," I said gently, "I'm here."
She looked up, her eyes red and filled with pain. The moment she saw me, she ran and leapt into my arms, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I don't want to be here anymore," she cried. "They tortured me… said I was impure for loving you."
I held her tightly. "They'll never hurt you again. Let's go home."
Lifting her into my arms, I flew outside, collected Shu Yan with my spiritual energy, and then glanced back one final time.
"Let this be a warning," I said, gathering dark energy in my palm.
A beam of destruction shot toward the Moon Palace. Seconds later, it exploded into ruins behind me.
---
We arrived at my palace in the Demon Realm—an obsidian fortress surrounded by black flame and crimson skies. Inside, I gently placed Shu Yan in a guest chamber.
"Luna," I said, "could you take Shu Yan to your room and watch over her? Let me know when she wakes."
Luna tilted her head. "Who is she?"
"My second wife," I said with a small smile.
Luna blinked. "Wait, did you go to that competition just to find another wife?"
I laughed and kissed her forehead. "Of course not. She's from the Golden Crow Clan… and she's special."
Luna's eyes lit up. "Really? That's amazing! She's cute, too."
"She's as cute as you," I teased. "Now go."
Luna giggled. "Okay, okay."