“Let us enter Earth,” Clemens said. “Don’t glare at me like that. Your seal can’t keep us out forever. Why not let us in directly? It would be like this world now, wouldn’t it?”
“Absolutely not,” Li Xi sneered. “If that’s your plan, give it up.”
With a swift motion, he extended his hand, and a powerful gust of wind blew Clemens far away from Earth. Their battle resumed with renewed intensity.
The tremors on Earth subsided. Duan Zhen looked up at the sky, but even with his vision enhanced beyond human limits by energy, he couldn’t see the scene outside Earth.
He pressed his lips together tightly, remaining silent.
“Don’t worry. Li Xi will be fine,” Dan Zuo said, approaching him. “You know his strength.”
“I know he will win,” Duan Zhen replied, still gazing at the sky, as if he could see the young man flying back at any moment. “But he will get hurt, and I should be by his side right now.”
“You will be by his side from now on,” Dan Zuo reassured.
“Yes,” Duan Zhen agreed, lowering his gaze.
He would never let Li Xi face danger alone again.
The waiting was excruciating. Even after the tremors completely ceased, Duan Zhen remained on a high ground, watching the darkening sky until night fell, but the person he longed for did not appear.
At this moment, Duan Zhen almost wished the tremors would continue, at least indicating Li Xi was still safe.
Suddenly, the device in his arms vibrated violently—an indication that a demon lord was approaching!
He stood up abruptly, one hand clutching a bag full of gemstones, the other on his gun handle. However, when someone pounced on him from behind, he didn’t move. Instead, he shifted the bag aside to avoid hurting the other person.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Li Xi circled around to face him, a smile on his face. “I wasted some time, but it’s all settled now.”
Duan Zhen silently scrutinized him. When Li Xi showed a puzzled expression, he pulled him into a tight embrace.
He said nothing, but his arms squeezed hard, as if trying to merge Li Xi into his own bones.
Li Xi was confused at first, but soon understood. He opened his arms and hugged Duan Zhen back, gently patting his back. “It’s okay, I’m back.”
“You can’t put yourself in danger alone anymore,” Duan Zhen said, recovering and gripping Li Xi’s shoulders to lecture him. “The demon lords are dangerous. You even tried to take on three of them…”
Li Xi interrupted him with a raised finger, “One-on-one, the twins didn’t come.”
Duan Zhen flicked his forehead, “That’s not the point!”
“Alright, alright,” Li Xi hugged him, nuzzling his neck. “I know you’re worried about me, but I’m a demon king myself. I can handle these situations. Besides, it’s my responsibility to deal with them.”
Duan Zhen felt he hadn’t grasped his mistake, but the soft tone made it hard for him to stay angry. He bent down and captured those lips that kept chattering in a fierce kiss, silencing him.
The kiss was unlike any before, almost devouring. Li Xi felt as if he might be swallowed whole, his tongue numb from the force. Yet, soon, the pressure eased, and their tongues entwined gently.
When Duan Zhen finally released him, Li Xi, lips red and swollen, saw the calm return to Duan Zhen’s eyes. He leaned in and kissed Duan Zhen’s cheek. “I need to set up the seal now. I don’t know why the twins didn’t join this time, but we need to hurry before they change their minds.”
He had just fought a battle and truly didn’t want another. Setting the seal would require significant magic, and if it weren’t urgent, he’d prefer to rest before proceeding.
“Here are the gemstones.” Duan Zhen handed him the bag. “Anything I need to do?”
“Guard the area,” Li Xi said solemnly. “This seal consumes a lot of magic. If I’m interrupted, it will all be for nothing.”
“No problem.” Duan Zhen immediately understood the gravity, radioing his team below with instructions, then turning back to Li Xi. “We’re ready.”
Li Xi arranged the gemstones on the flat ground in a complex pattern. The bag wasn’t enough, so he pulled more finely cut rubies from his space.
The gemstones on the ground represented a staggering fortune, enough to buy a small country. Yet, Li Xi felt no regret. To him, gemstones were just to be used as a hobby. If they ran out, he could collect more.
“This will take about half an hour. Afterward, I’ll likely be exhausted. Support me then,” Li Xi said, not looking up.
Duan Zhen grunted an acknowledgment, standing watch nearby.
Once the formation was ready, Li Xi stood in the center, holding a golden wooden staff inscribed with mysterious symbols and topped with a dragon head carving.
He raised the staff towards the sky, closed his eyes, and began chanting.
At first, he chanted silently, then aloud, in a melodic, unfamiliar language, filled with solemn mystery.
Red light gathered around him, spreading through the staff into the sky. As time passed, the world was bathed in red.
Everyone heard the mysterious chant, stopping their tasks to gaze at the crimson sky, instinctively sensing something monumental.
In the ensuing silence, some prayed, while others, driven by malice, rushed towards the source of the light.
Duan Zhen, closest to Li Xi, felt the overwhelming energy, a force so immense it could destroy the world if mismanaged. Yet, he remained unafraid, vigilantly scanning for threats.
His vigilance paid off when some intruders, aiming to disrupt the process, approached. Most were captured by the soldiers below, but a few slipped through, only to be swiftly neutralized by Duan Zhen.
As the designated time approached, no more intruders appeared, leaving only Li Xi’s voice echoing in the vastness.
Li Xi, entirely enveloped in red light, seemed almost translucent, as if he might vanish. But soon, he opened his eyes and thrust the staff into the ground, sending the red light spreading rapidly.
A profound sensation resonated within everyone.
“The seal is complete,” Li Xi said, leaning on the staff.
Duan Zhen rushed to support him.
Li Xi’s body was ice-cold, his grip on Duan Zhen’s wrist like a block of ice. He felt Li Xi’s weight pressing down, his eyes dull and lifeless.
Duan Zhen, fearing he was dying, held him tightly, his hands trembling. “Li Xi… can you hear me?”
“Of course,” Li Xi replied weakly, resting his head on Duan Zhen’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I just need time to recover.”
“Your eyes…” Duan Zhen trailed off.
“The energy from Senafel was drained, so they lack brightness,” Li Xi chuckled softly. “Better than what happened to the gemstones.”
The collected gemstones had turned to dust, scattered by the wind. After a few more words, Li Xi grew tired and stopped talking.
Sealing, or protecting, was far more challenging than destroying a planet. To reinforce the energy barrier, he had exhausted all his magic. Even the top-tier gemstone array couldn’t keep up with his consumption. However, the result was worth it. He believed even three demon kings together would need centuries to break his seal.
“I’ll take you back to rest,” Duan Zhen said softly.
He felt Li Xi’s faint breath on his skin, weak and shallow. Cradling him, Duan Zhen quickened his pace down the slope.
He intended to drive Li Xi home, but an unexpected figure blocked their path three meters ahead, staring at them with sinister eyes.
“Shen Su?” Duan Zhen frowned. “Did you escape?”
When they returned to Earth, they quickly restored order in the region. Surprisingly, the country had maintained stability thanks to early preparations and efforts to ensure public safety, only occasionally disturbed by rogue superhumans.
Shen Su was one of them.
Transformed into a vampire by Clemens, his powers surpassed most early risers. He wreaked havoc, secretly killing several people, using his family’s influence to cover up his crimes until Duan Zhen captured him and imprisoned him in the new superhuman prison.
“Escape?” Shen Su’s face twitched into a distorted smile.
His skin was deathly pale, no longer the warm, kind man they once knew, now filled with twisted madness. “I walked out openly. Do you really think everyone will bow to the demon lord like you?”
“I don’t understand,” Duan Zhen said, narrowing his eyes.
“A demon king is a threat to this world,” Shen Su hissed. “He must die for true safety.”
“Who let you out?” Duan Zhen didn’t believe him but knew someone must have released Shen Su. He named a few of his political adversaries, and Shen Su didn’t deny it.
“Just power struggles,” he muttered, though it was more for Li Xi’s understanding.
“This time you have a burden. Victory isn’t certain,” Shen Su snarled.
Before Duan Zhen could respond, Li Xi, who had been quietly resting in his arms, moved. Despite his cloudy eyes, he flicked his wrist, sending a blast that flung Shen Su away.
Shen Su hit the ground and lay still.
Duan Zhen, still holding Li Xi, hadn’t fully processed the turn of events. He looked down at Li Xi. The youth pouted, nuzzling Duan Zhen’s chest, eyes closed, mumbling, “I’m not a burden.”
Duan Zhen chuckled, adjusting his hold and kissing his forehead. “You’re not a burden. You’re the greatest sorcerer in the world.”
That was embarrassing for Shen Su not going to lie lmao
Thank you for reading