Back in the mortal realm, Lingye had been cultivating the Heartstopper in secret. She had spent countless hours meditating, focusing her energy, and channeling the divine power within her.
Finally, after weeks of intense cultivation, Lingye had finished. She felt a sense of accomplishment and pride, knowing that she had succeeded in creating a powerful artifact.
But as she stood up, stretching her limbs and taking a deep breath, Lingye realized that something was off. She felt a strange sensation in her chest, a fluttering in her heart that she couldn't explain.
And then, it hit her. She had fallen in love with Jiǎo Lóng.
Lingye's eyes widened in shock as she stumbled backward, her mind reeling with the implications. She had been so focused on her mission, so determined to stop the Demon King's return, that she had never considered the possibility of falling in love with the very person she was trying to kill.
For days, Lingye hesitated, torn between her duty and her heart. She knew that she couldn't let her emotions get in the way of her mission, but at the same time, she couldn't bear the thought of hurting Jiǎo Lóng.
One day, Lingye decided to put her doubts aside and spend the day with Jiǎo Lóng. They went to the city market together, laughing and chatting as they browsed the stalls.
But their happiness was short-lived. As they were admiring a beautiful silk fabric, two men approached them, their eyes fixed intently on Jiǎo Lóng.
"Greetings, Your Highness," one of the men said, bowing low. "We have been searching for you everywhere."
Jiǎo Lóng looked at them in confusion. "Who are you?" he asked.
The men exchanged a glance before answering. "We are Xiao Ming and Da Ming, trusted servants of the Demon King. And you, Jiǎo Lóng, are the Demon King's offspring."
Lingye's eyes widened in shock as Jiǎo Lóng stumbled backward, his face pale.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Jiǎo Lóng said, his voice shaking.
But Xiao Ming and Da Ming just smiled. "Don't play dumb, Your Highness," Xiao Ming said. "We have brought you the artifacts that will help you reclaim your rightful place as the Demon King."
And with that, they presented Jiǎo Lóng with the Sceptre of Light and the Crystal of Heaven. Jiǎo Lóng's eyes widened as he took the artifacts, feeling their power coursing through his veins.
As the artifacts submerged into Jiǎo Lóng's body, he felt a sudden surge of energy and power. He stumbled backward, his eyes wide with shock and fear.
But then, he heard the Demon King's voice, echoing in his mind. "Awaken, my son," the voice said. "It is time for you to reclaim your rightful place as the Demon King."
Jiǎo Lóng's eyes flashed with anger and determination as he tried to control himself. But it was too late. The Demon King's power had already taken hold, and Jiǎo Lóng was consumed by a fierce and primal energy.
With a fierce cry, Jiǎo Lóng launched himself at Xiao Ming and Da Ming, his powers clashing with theirs in a spectacular display of energy and magic.
The battle was fierce and intense, with both sides trading blows and neither gaining the upper hand. But Jiǎo Lóng was determined to emerge victorious, and he fought with every ounce of strength he possessed.
As the battle raged on, the city market around them began to suffer. Stalls were overturned, and people ran screaming as the two sides clashed.
Just then, Xiao Ming and Da Ming stopped and approached him, their eyes gleaming with malice.
"Sooner or later, the Demon King will be awakened," Xiao Ming sneered. "Don't forget that you're just his offspring. If you were anyone else, we would have killed you by now."
Da Ming nodded in agreement. "You're lucky that you're the Demon King's offspring. But don't think that you can escape your fate forever."
And with that, the two servants turned and retreated, leaving Jiǎo Lóng to ponder their words.
Lingye watched them go, her heart heavy with sorrow. She knew that she had to act fast, before Jiǎo Lóng was completely consumed by the Demon King's power.
With a heavy heart, Lingye reached into her sleeve and pulled out the Heartstopper. She had been saving it for this moment, knowing that it was the only way to stop the Demon King's return.
As Jiǎo Lóng looked at her in confusion, Lingye plunged the Heartstopper into his chest. Jiǎo Lóng's eyes widened in shock as he stumbled backward, his body trembling with pain.
"Why?" Jiǎo Lóng whispered, his voice barely audible.
Lingye's eyes filled with tears as she looked at Jiǎo Lóng. "This is the only way to stop you from awakening," she said, her voice shaking. "You were destined to be the Demon King, but I couldn't let that happen."
As the music swelled, a sad and melancholic tune, Lingye's body began to weaken, her life force ebbing away. Jiǎo Lóng's eyes filled with tears as he looked at her, his heart heavy with grief.
🎶In your eyes, I see a love so true,🎶
🎶A love that shines, and forever will shine through,🎶
🎶In your touch, I feel a flame that burns so bright,🎶
🎶A flame that guides me, through the darkest of nights.🎶
(Emotional music playing)
As Lingye's body slumped forward, her head falling onto Jiǎo Lóng's chest, Jiǎo Lóng's eyes filled with tears. He held her close, his heart shattered into a million pieces.
"No," Jiǎo Lóng whispered, his voice barely audible. "Why did you do this to me?"
As the music continued to play, Jiǎo Lóng's body began to tremble, his powers surging out of control. The air around him began to distort, and the ground began to shake.
And then, in a burst of energy, Jiǎo Lóng's powers exploded, causing a massive earthquake that shook the entire city. Buildings crumbled, and people ran screaming as the earthquake raged on.
As the earthquake subsided, Jiǎo Lóng stood up, his eyes filled with tears. He looked down at Lingye's lifeless body, and his heart shattered into a million pieces.
With a heavy heart, Jiǎo Lóng picked up Lingye's body and held her close. He walked slowly, his eyes fixed on her face, as the music continued to play in the background.
The city was in ruins, but Jiǎo Lóng didn't care. He had lost the one person he loved, and nothing else mattered.
As Jiǎo Lóng stood up, his eyes filled with tears, he looked down at Lingye's lifeless body, and his heart shattered into a million pieces.
🎶In the shadows, I see your face🎶
🎶A fleeting memory, a distant place🎶
🎶My heart is breaking, my soul is torn🎶
🎶Without you, I am lost, forever forlorn🎶
(Sad emotional music playing)
With a heavy heart, Jiǎo Lóng picked up Lingye's body and held her close. He walked slowly, his eyes fixed on her face, as the music continued to play in the background.
🎶Time stands still, as I hold you tight🎶
🎶A moment's peace, in the dark of night🎶
🎶But like a dream, you slip away🎶
🎶Leaving me with nothing, but a fading ray🎶
(Sad emotional music continues)
The city was in ruins, but Jiǎo Lóng didn't care. He had lost the one person he loved, and nothing else mattered.
🎶In your eyes, I see a love so true🎶
🎶A love that shines, and forever will shine through🎶
🎶In your touch, I feel a flame that burns so bright🎶
🎶A flame that guides me, through the darkest of nights🎶
(Sad emotional music still continues)
As he walked, the music swelled, a sad and melancholic tune that echoed through the empty streets.
And Jiǎo Lóng wept, his heart shattered into a million pieces.