"Alex!" Luna called out, rushing down the corridor with urgency in her steps. "Come quickly—Shu Yan is awake!"
I stood from my throne, a faint smile touching my lips. "Alright. Let's go."
We walked together into the room where Shu Yan lay resting. As we entered, she looked up at me with slightly narrowed eyes, her expression still mixed with confusion and disbelief.
"So, Shu Yan," I said gently, "you're awake."
She sat up slowly. "I was just… shocked. Seeing you as the Demon King, and the way your appearance changed so suddenly…"
I chuckled. "Haha, yeah. That was just me altering my aura and appearance. Dragon Xuan asked me to join the competition, so I had to hide my identity."
Shu Yan frowned slightly. "Then why didn't you tell me from the beginning?"
"I didn't want to scare you," I said honestly.
Her expression turned slightly suspicious. "Then tell me… what kind of evil magic did you use to control Luna?"
I raised an eyebrow. "What? I didn't use any magic."
Luna stepped forward with a soft smile. "It's true. I became his wife after I lost a duel to him. But now… I love him. He treats me well—better than anyone ever has."
Shu Yan crossed her arms and huffed. "Hmph… okay, okay. I'll accept it."
I grinned. "Good. Now—let's have some fun."
Shu Yan blinked. "What do you mean by fun?"
Luna and I exchanged a look… and then we both leapt onto the bed with Shu Yan. In the privacy of the chamber, we embraced in the sacred practice of Dual Cultivation.
Hours passed in blissful harmony, the energy in the room glowing with spiritual resonance.
"Haa… haa…" Shu Yan gasped, her face flushed. "M-My cultivation… it increased!"
Luna smiled warmly. "Mine too… You're a powerful partner, husband."
I leaned back, satisfied. "That's because you two are exceptional."
Luna turned to Shu Yan with a mischievous look. "Hey, Shu Yan—call him 'husband.'"
Shu Yan blushed deeper. "A-Ah… Hus… Husband."
I stroked her hair gently. "Good girl. Now, you both rest. I have some work to do."
"Okay," the two said in unison, their eyes soft and trusting.
---
As I stepped out of the chamber, a powerful, unfamiliar aura suddenly pierced the atmosphere—violent, oppressive, at the Celestial Lord Peak level.
I narrowed my eyes. Who dares?
I teleported instantly to the origin point.
Hovering in the skies was a tall man in moon-white robes, his expression cold and righteous. His aura was immense, and moonlight flickered around him like blades.
"Who are you," I demanded, my voice sharp as ice, "and what are you doing in my realm?"
"I am Chen Hong, elder of the Moon Palace," he growled. "Return our Princess Luna immediately, or you die here, Demon King!"
I simply nodded, calm.
Chen Hong's expression twisted in rage. "You bastard!"
He ripped open the void behind him, summoning an army of over ten thousand Moon Palace cultivators.
"Attack!" he roared.
A dark wind howled as I stepped forward, eyes glowing with unrestrained power. My voice thundered across the battlefield—deep, cold, and final.
"I am Demonic"
I declared, my words laced with killing intent, shaking the very air with their weight.
I pulled my blade from its sheath, its edge blackened with death energy.
"Death Slash."
A colossal blade of death energy exploded from my sword, sweeping across the sky like a tidal wave of darkness. Screams filled the air as thousands were cleaved in an instant, their bodies disintegrating in its wake.
Silence fell.
I turned my gaze to the stunned Chen Hong.
"Now, it's just you left… Chen Chun or whatever your name is."
Chen Hong's face twisted. "It's Chen Hong!"
He launched himself toward me, powered by fury. But he never reached me.
I met him mid-air—and in a flash, he was dead. His soul, torn from his body, floated for a brief second.
I reached out.
"Soul Stealer."
A crimson vortex spiraled into my hand, consuming Chen Hong's soul. His power flowed into me, invigorating every cell in my body.
"Ah… amazing," I murmured, dark energy crackling around my limbs. "Their strength… is mine now."
With a satisfied breath, I returned to my palace.