Luo Ling’s steps suddenly halted.
The golden battle aura surrounding him seemed to waver, growing unstable.
He felt as if his consciousness had been submerged in warm water. The tension in his nerves began to loosen, and the exhaustion from fierce combat surged over him like a tidal wave.
‘Hehe… Brave warrior, you’re already so tired…’
A delicate, melodious female voice echoed deep in his mind, laced with a strange magic.
‘Look at you, covered in wounds, bleeding so much. For those unrelated people, is it worth it?’
Luo Ling’s heart trembled.
He shook his head violently, trying to drive away the eerie voice.
‘Who? Who’s speaking? Show yourself!’
‘Who I am isn’t important…’
The voice laughed softly, as sweet as wind chimes, yet carrying a deadly temptation.
‘What matters is—why are you fighting so hard? War, slaughter… What do they bring you? Put down your sword. Stop moving forward. All pain will end…’
As the voice sounded, the scene before Luo Ling began to twist and shift.
Sunlight warmed the air, flowers filled it with fragrance, a clear stream trickled by, and the chorus of birds and blossoms intertwined.
The battlefield, with all its slaughter, felt like a distant memory.
The wounds that had once tormented him now caused no pain at all.
The stench of exhaustion and blood vanished without a trace, replaced by a tranquil, peaceful garden—a paradise untouched by conflict.
Warm sunlight draped the garden like a golden veil, casting a dreamlike glow over everything.
The air brimmed with the enchanting aroma of flowers. Unfamiliar blossoms burst forth in brilliant reds like fire, pinks like dawn, and whites like snow, competing in dazzling splendor that made it impossible to look away.
Clear water flowed gently through the stream, producing a melody as if nature itself played a beautiful symphony. Along the banks, colorful butterflies danced among the flowers, their delicate movements mirroring the vibrant blooms.
Above, birds sang joyfully. Their crisp calls echoed through the garden, infusing the tranquil world with vitality and life.
All weariness vanished from Luo Ling’s body, replaced by a surge of new strength.
He closed his eyes slowly, inhaling deeply of the fresh air, savoring the fleeting peace.
At that moment, a figure emerged from the depths of the garden.
Her form was graceful, each step imbued with a unique rhythm.
As she approached, Luo Ling gradually made out her appearance.
She possessed long, fiery red hair that shone like blazing flames under the sun.
Two delicate dragon horns adorned her head, mysterious yet cute, adding an air of intrigue.
Behind her, a bright red dragon tail swayed gently, dancing as if with the breeze.
She wore a semi-transparent silk gown, light as cicada wings, that traced her elegant silhouette.
Her skin was flawless and smooth, pale as jade.
Gentleness and compassion shone in her eyes, as if she could see through hearts and dispel all troubles with a single gaze.
‘See? Here, there’s no war, no pain—only peace and happiness…’
Her voice was clear and sweet, like an oriole emerging from the valley, carrying a magic that could not be resisted.
The red-haired woman stopped before Luo Ling.
She extended a slender, jade-like hand, her fingers graceful as green onions, softly brushing his cheek.
Her touch was warm and gentle, like a current of warmth flooding through Luo Ling’s body.
‘Stay, Luo Ling… Here, you can find eternal peace. I’ll stay by your side, soothing all your scars…’
Expectation and longing filled her gaze as she waited for Luo Ling’s reply.
Yet Luo Ling didn’t realize—the woman before him, who appeared so kind and gentle, was actually one of the Four Generals of the Demon King, a dragon maiden famed for spiritual enchantment and illusions—Qiqi, second only to Liliya.
She had hidden in the shadows, a hunter in the darkness, waiting for the perfect moment to strike a fatal blow.
Now, with Luo Ling deep behind enemy lines and weakened after his desperate breakthrough, it was the perfect opportunity for her to act.
Qiqi gazed at Luo Ling, her lips curving into a barely noticeable sly smile.
Pride flashed in her eyes, as if she already saw Luo Ling falling under her charm and becoming a soldier of the Demon King’s army.
‘Luo Ling, think about it.’
‘In the outside world, you face cruel war and endless suffering every day. Here, you can live without worries, enjoying all these beautiful things.’
Qiqi continued weaving her charm without pause.
Her voice was like a gentle spring breeze, slipping into Luo Ling’s ears and carrying an irresistible allure.
‘You’ve fought for so long, endured countless hardships and struggles. Look at yourself—so tired, covered in wounds. Don’t you want to stop and rest, even for a moment?’
Warmth and pity filled Qiqi’s gaze as she drew closer.
Her translucent silk gown drifted with each step, resembling a blossom swaying in the breeze.
Luo Ling’s eyes grew dazed.
Qiqi’s beauty was breathtaking; her graceful figure resembled a fairy descended to the mortal world.
Her soft whispers at his ear felt like a mother’s comfort—soothing and gentle.
All around, the peace, sunshine, and fragrance created a paradise on earth.
All of it hammered against his resolve, waves threatening to shatter the defenses he’d built inside.
He truly was exhausted.
The relentless struggle on the battlefield against the Demon King’s army had left him drained in both body and spirit.
Each fight was a struggle of life and death; every swing of his sword sapped his strength.
Now, in this tender illusion, he glimpsed a new possibility—a life without war, without pain, filled only with everlasting peace.
‘Yeah… So tired…’
He murmured, his voice heavy with weariness and resignation.
The sword in his hand, “Dawnbringer,” began to droop, as if even it felt its master’s fatigue, losing its usual sharpness.
Qiqi instantly sensed Luo Ling’s change.
A glint of triumph flickered in her eyes.
She knew her enchantment was taking effect.
Her voice grew even softer, sweet as honey.
‘That’s right… Let go. Put down your sword, forget your mission, forget those heavy responsibilities… Come with me. I’ll give you everything you desire. Here, there’s no smoke of war, no bloodshed—only endless beauty and tranquility.’
Luo Ling’s consciousness felt like it was sinking into warm mire, deeper and deeper, falling into the abyss known as the Paradise of Tenderness.
His eyelids grew heavier, pulled down by an invisible force.
The “Dawnbringer” in his hand seemed to weigh a thousand pounds; his fingers were losing strength, unable to hold on much longer.