Volume One: "The Nature of the Devil Does Not Change"
Arc: "The Devil Finally Leaves Earth"
Mist rose around Scarlet King and swallowed him as he stepped into the ruined house. When he emerged on the other side, he found everyone waiting. Ikalat stretched and sighed:
"Hah… damn it. I can finally rest after this mission."
Scarlet King glanced at Mo Sheng and signaled for him to follow. As they walked, their voices sounded only in each other's minds.
(Where are we going?)
Scarlet King replied.
(I lived on this planet for thirteen years. In that time, I created a pocket world—a miniature universe where I am the ruler. We can talk there.)
Mist wrapped around the group and carried them away, delivering them to the trio's wooden house—Scarlet King's, Ikalat's, and Lin Yuan's.
Scarlet King led the way, with Mo Sheng behind him. They climbed to the second floor. Doors lined the hallway—bedrooms, storage, even a bathroom—but at the far end stood a plain black wooden door, no different from the others.
Downstairs, Lin Yuan muttered:
"Hah… I want to know what's behind that door, but it only opens for Scarlet King."
Scarlet King opened it and stepped inside with Mo Sheng.
Beyond it lay the pocket universe: rolling grasslands, a river, a small lake, and countless trees spilling down a mountain and across its slopes. The sky above was black, dusted with violet cosmic haze and scattered stars.
To Mo Sheng, it happened in the blink of an eye—a table and two chairs appeared at the center of the world. Scarlet King sat in the left chair. The other chair slid back slightly, inviting Mo Sheng to sit.
Mo Sheng's expression held mild shock. A thin sheen of sweat formed on his skin—because here, in a world Scarlet King ruled absolutely, Scarlet King could kill him in an instant.
Mo Sheng hesitated… then finally sat across from him.
"This world is small—only a hundred kilometers across," he said. "But it's excellent for someone who didn't even have enough primordial stones to cultivate properly before entering the Sealed World. Still…"
His eyes narrowed.
"When was the last time you died?"
Scarlet King answered as a cup of tea formed in his hand—and another appeared in front of Mo Sheng.
"I died three hundred years ago. I was reborn thirteen years ago." His voice was flat. "I was hunted down and cornered in Hell… killed… then reborn in some random corner of this vast world."
He exhaled, the boredom in him almost heavier than the words.
"It's unbearable. Death and rebirth, death and rebirth. Watching everything collapse and return. Dying billions of times… living through the same patterns millions of times… with no end in sight."
He leaned back slightly.
"But tell me… did the names of the cultivation realms change?"
Mo Sheng shook his head.
"No. They didn't change. The realms are the same."
He started to explain anyway:
"In the First Dimension: Qi Gathering, Qi Refining, Qi Condensation, and Path Initiation. In the Second Dimension: Bone Tempering, Body Tempering, Spirit Tempering…"
Scarlet King cut him off.
"I know. I know the realms. No need to go on."
Mo Sheng let out a cold laugh.
"Then tell me… what do you think of Yu Ru Meng?"
As he swallowed, Mo Sheng thought to himself:
(Yao Yan is arrogant and proud. She'll compete with Scarlet King… and knowing his nature, he might kill her without hesitation. As for Yu Ru Meng—she's gentle, seductive, easy to speak with… but there's a problem. She likes women. She doesn't like men.)
Mo Sheng smiled calmly—then said something that made even Scarlet King freeze.
"What do you think… about becoming my son-in-law? You and Yu Ru Meng get engaged."
Scarlet King spat tea onto the grass in shock. Wiping his mouth, he thought:
(Hah… this cunning old man knows I'll need his support later because he's the Demon King, so he's trying to squeeze benefit out of me. If I refuse, he'll refuse to help. If I accept, I'll be forced to stand with him in every crisis—as his daughter's fiancé. Filthy old fox… I'm cornered.)
And Mo Sheng, watching him with a crafty gaze, thought:
(I have no choice. The Demon Ancestors are trying to push me out of my position as Demon King—which would make Yu Ru Meng the Queen. Then every Ancestor will try to marry his son to her, turning her into a political toy… and making a "hidden Demon King" behind her.
Better to bind her to Scarlet King. He isn't a demon—so the clans will refuse to accept him as Demon King. That forces them to keep me as the ruler, or chaos erupts. And I gain a powerful ally—the devil shaped by life—while my daughter gains a fiancé no one dares to bully.)
Scarlet King's voice turned cold as a crushing aura leaked into the air.
"Mo Sheng… you know I can kill you right now if I decide to."
Mo Sheng answered with a mocking laugh.
"Do it if you can. You and I are both cunning. You won't kill me just because I proposed a political engagement." His gaze sharpened. "And I won't provoke the Devil of Rebirth… while you won't provoke the Demon Dimensions—not right now."
A thin film of sweat formed on Scarlet King's skin.
(He won this round… I'm forced to accept.)
Finally, Scarlet King spoke.
"Fine. I accept. But you owe me a heavy favor."
Mo Sheng nodded, raised a hand, and closed his eyes—as if to say he had no problem paying that price.