Reopening the Demon Sealing Well

Eric Lan grinned and said, "We’re already demons."

The Eternal Wishfish rolled its eyes.

...

Kieran Xiao, supported by his wheelchair, tried to stand up.

Then, awkwardly, he walked a few steps. "I have legs! I really have legs!" Overcome with joy, he burst into tears, suddenly turned, and dropped to his knees in front of Evan Lan. "I’m sorry! I’m sorry... Little Ev..."

Evan Lan helped him up and said, "You should leave here first."

Then he said to Uncle Ernie, "Second Uncle, you shouldn’t stay here for long either. Please take him away."

Uncle Ernie nodded. Lily Bai led them back, with Eric Lan following.

She asked Eric Lan to help Uncle Ernie keep an eye on Kieran Xiao, then Lily Bai returned to the Divine Realm.

Now, only Evan Lan and her remained here.

When she arrived, Evan Lan was kneeling beneath the Elder Spirit Tree, his hands pressed to the trunk, face full of reverence.

Lily Bai didn’t disturb him and quietly drifted to his side.

About ten minutes later, he finally opened his eyes and withdrew his hands.

"What were you doing just now?" Lily Bai asked.

"Seeking guidance," Evan Lan replied.

"Guidance about what?"

"Take a guess," Evan said.

"Let me guess... You were asking what to do now that your wife turned out to be the Demon-Spirit Empress?"

"She couldn’t give me an answer," Evan Lan said. "The only one who can is you."

Lily Bai looked at him. "The answer I can give you is... I came here to reopen the Demon Sealing Well."

Evan Lan didn’t say anything.

"You and I are destined to clash. And since it’s just us here, why not now?" Black demonic energy coiled around Lily Bai.

Evan Lan suddenly stepped forward, stopping just a breath away from her. "You want to fight me?" he asked.

Lily Bai: "..."

"Do you really want to fight me? Fight to the death?"

Lily Bai: "..."

"Is that it? Hm?" He gazed at her, his eyes gentle.

Suddenly, Lily Bai struck—by throwing her arms around his waist.

She hugged him tight.

"Evan, I missed you so much..."

Evan Lan held her close, kissing her hair, her forehead, her eyes, her lips...

Beneath the Elder Spirit Tree, spirit and demon intertwined...

...

"Evan Lan, the Spirit Realm is already depleted, and the Demon Realm is in even worse shape—on the verge of extinction.

If the Demon Realm falls, your Spirit Realm won’t be far behind.

We have to reopen the Demon Sealing Well and revive the Yuan Lotus—only then do we have a sliver of hope." Lily Bai lay in his arms as she spoke to Evan Lan.

Evan Lan asked, "Can you keep the demon army from attacking?"

Lily Bai replied, "I’ll try. Honestly, my situation in the Demon Realm is about the same as yours now. Most demons don’t even know I exist. And with the end times atmosphere, some demons are practically insane—they might not listen to me at all."

Evan Lan frowned.

"Evan Lan, it’s not just about whether the demons attack or not. As the Spirit and Demon of the Lotus Realm, we have to change if we want to survive." Lily Bai sat up, speaking to him earnestly.

Evan Lan said, "If the Yuan Lotus can reappear, maybe things will get much better. But every time the Demon Sealing Well is fully opened, countless lives are lost. I can’t ignore that."

"If it comes to that, I’ll fight by your side," Lily Bai said. "Evan, I’ll protect what you protect."

Evan Lan pinched her cheek and said, "Let’s go back. Everyone’s waiting for us."

Lily Bai nodded, and together they left the Divine Realm.

She handed the Spell Stone to Evan Lan.

Evan Lan sealed the area with a barrier, then led everyone back to Dragon City.

...