An Unexpected Visitor at Dark Moon Residence

The blue gate of light gradually faded, and Chen Rui's figure appeared upon land he had been away from for far too long.

The Demon Realm, a room somewhere within the Fallen Angel Imperial Palace.

The instant the Stellar Gate vanished, a childish voice suddenly rang in his heart. "Daddy! Dodo is asleep!"

Chen Rui shuddered and instinctively called out, "Dodo!"

But the voice did not sound again. Chen Rui shook his head hard. It was an illusion, wasn't it? Dodo was already gone, and this was the Demon Realm—how could it possibly...

That cry of "Dodo" had already alerted the guards outside. One was a beautiful woman wearing a veil, her skin azure-blue. Though Chen Rui had not changed his appearance back, the unique aura of his spiritual imprint had allowed this Lamp Spirit to recognize her master. She immediately bowed in salute.

Not long afterward, a familiar, graceful figure appeared before Chen Rui. Upon her long golden hair rested an exquisite crown inlaid with gemstones. This crown symbolized the pinnacle of power in the Demon Realm. Countless people coveted it, yet only three people in the entire Demon Realm truly possessed it.

The instant she saw Chen Rui, her beautiful face stirred slightly. She retained her usual composure, but the icy frost that normally filled those amethyst-like eyes had melted beneath blazing warmth.

"You're back." Still that simple sentence, in that very familiar style.

"Mm." Warmth rose in Chen Rui's heart. He walked straight over and pulled her into his arms. The Lamp Spirit guards at the door quietly withdrew. This moment belonged to the two of them alone.

The woman's body trembled slightly. Closing her eyes, she wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed close to that long-missed embrace. No matter how exalted an Empress she