Though he didn’t actually need assistance, Li Xi still asked Duan Zhen to help him search for high-quality gemstones.
“I need them to create a magic array,” Li Xi said. “The higher the quality of the gemstone, the purer the energy. Rubies are the best, but other stones can work if necessary.”
Duan Zhen readily agreed.
Over the next week, they gathered people and made preparations. With their efforts, they were finally ready.
“I will now dissolve the game world,” Li Xi said. He hadn’t paid much attention to Duan Zhen’s side of the preparations, only occasionally listening to updates.
Of course, he didn’t plan to show himself to humans too often, even though he intended to live with Duan Zhen on Earth for a few hundred years.
For humans, avoiding contact with the Demon King was beneficial.
“We are ready,” Duan Zhen nodded.
Li Xi looked at him and smiled slightly. “Don’t worry, nothing bad will happen. It’ll be like waking up from a dream.”
Duan Zhen was momentarily stunned, and Li Xi lightly kissed the corner of his mouth.
The young man’s voice was as sweet as honey: “Don’t worry, I’ll find you.”
“Will we be separated?” Duan Zhen frowned.
“I need to deal with some loose ends,” Li Xi winked at him. “And when you first return, things will likely be chaotic. It wouldn’t be suitable for me to join in immediately.”
Duan Zhen wanted to say more, but Li Xi shook his head: “I’m starting now.”
Dissolving the world sounded like a big deal, but watching Li Xi, it seemed very simple. After all, destruction is much easier than creation.
The ground beneath them began to vanish. People screamed and tried to avoid it, but they found themselves standing in the void instead of falling.
Soon, their bodies began to fade, quickly and painlessly. In just a few breaths, before many could even start to panic, the process was complete.
When Li Xi opened his eyes, he was met with a vast emptiness.
The enormous game world they had built in this void was now gone. Originally, it was just something to do for fun. Who could have predicted the system would steal the show?
But now it was all over.
He let out a small sigh and turned around: “I hope we can resolve this peacefully.”
Clemens smiled as usual: “Of course.”
Li Xi looked at him: “Maybe I can hope you’ll just stay here and do nothing?”
“I would be very lonely,” Clemens sighed.
Li Xi shivered, suppressing the urge to rub his arms: “After all these years, I still can’t get used to the way you talk.”
Clemens’s smile faded slightly: “Do you really want to trap yourself in that developing world where most people hate the Demon Kings?”
“Being with my lover doesn’t feel like being trapped,” Li Xi raised an eyebrow. “Besides…”
“Human love doesn’t last long,” Clemens interrupted.
“You have no right to say that,” Li Xi sneered. “With love so twisted in you… Actually, I doubt you’ve ever felt love. The warmest thing a cold-blooded creature like you has ever experienced is probably human blood.”
He smiled. “You said that to me when we first met.”
“It seems I left a terrible impression back then,” Clemens sighed. “If I had another chance, I would have turned you into one of us right away or kept you in my precious collection room forever.”
Li Xi didn’t even want to maintain a fake smile: “Talking to you was a mistake. I’ll remember this useless lesson.”
Without another word, he began preparing an attack.
“If possible, I really don’t want to be your enemy,” Clemens said with regret.
“Yes, you just want me to stay in your exquisite collection room,” Li Xi retorted.
Their battle caused spatial tremors. Because they were so close to Earth, people on the blue planet also noticed the disturbance.
“The ground is shaking,” a soldier in uniform rushed in. “We can’t find the source.”
“Is it another fight between ability users?” someone in the command room asked.
“Not sure, but if this continues, it could cause earthquakes or even volcanic eruptions,” the soldier struggled to keep his balance and shouted. “There’s an extinct volcano a few hundred miles from the base. If the tremors continue, it might become active again.”
“Evacuate immediately,” the commander decided.
At that moment, another person entered, holding a small precision instrument: “Detected demonic energy. Likely a fight between Demon Kings.”
“Is it Li Xi?” the commander frowned. It was Duan Zhen.
“Can’t be sure, but the frequency suggests it might be him and another Demon King,” said Dan Zuo, who had modified his instrument to detect energy more accurately. But this time, the distance was too great, and only residual waves were picked up.
Duan Zhen placed a hand on the cold table, deep in thought: “Why are they fighting again…”
He muttered to himself, suddenly realizing the truth.
Li Xi dissolved the world. The other two Demon Lords wouldn’t let it go. To ensure Earth’s protection, Li Xi needed to deal with any ‘uninvited guests’ first.
His hand clenched into a fist, regretting he hadn’t thought of this earlier.
“Take all collected gemstones and materials and evacuate immediately,” he instructed. “I’ll carry the gemstones myself.”
The situation was set. He needed to ensure Li Xi received the necessary materials immediately after his victory.
His orders were broadcast, and the entire base began an orderly, rapid evacuation.
“Is Li Xi coming soon?” Xia Qirong asked, carrying a bag of gemstones. “Will he help with reconstruction or capture? With his help, things would go much smoother.”
“Probably not,” Duan Zhen efficiently packed his gear and headed out. “He won’t get involved in such matters, nor do I want him to.”
“He’s a Demon lord, or at least he was,” Xia Qirong muttered. “I’m not criticizing, just pointing out that people have prejudices against Demon Kings. If he helps, it might change their views…”
“Xia Qirong,” Duan Zhen interrupted, stopping in the shaking base to look at him. “Li Xi is fighting for Earth, protecting everyone.”
“I know,” Xia Qirong nodded, then shook his head. “But others don’t.”
“They will,” Duan Zhen said, turning away. “Let’s go. The helicopter is ready. We need to leave immediately.”
About a hundred moves into their fight, Li Xi realized the impact on Earth. One hand casting spells, he pressed his temple with the other.
Dealing with Clemens was always a hassle.
He retreated slightly, and Clemens didn’t pursue, smiling: “If I rush into that world now, how many people can I kill before you stop me?”
“Why should I care?” Li Xi replied coldly. “You don’t think I’d be swayed by the lives of strangers, do you?”
“Of course not. I mean you and your little lover,” Clemens smiled. “Even if those who died in the game come back, some will die for real. And many will hate us for the pain.”
Lowering his voice, he continued: “If I kill again, how do you think they’ll see you? A savior? No, they’ll fear and hate you, blaming you for the disaster.”
Li Xi responded indifferently: “That’s what makes a Demon Lord.”
In any world, he’d faced this treatment. Even if he stayed on his turf and avoided killing, people feared and hated him as a Demon King.
“But your human lover, who fights to protect his country, will face suspicion and hatred. He might endure losing everything, but he’ll start imagining a world without you,” Clemens said, his red eyes gleaming with malice.
Li Xi took a deep breath, feigning amusement: “Did you consult Moduna for this? This is not your usual style.”
“These are my true feelings,” Clemens smiled. “I pity you.”
“Enough talk,” Li Xi lost patience. “What do you want?”
Damn Clemens is sure being cruel with these words…
Thank you for reading