The Devil CEO’s Reborn Lover

The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a soft golden hue over the magical realm. Trees whispered in ancient tongues, their leaves brushing against each other like secretive murmurs. The group—Wu Mei, Qin Yanzhou, Mo Qing, Zhao Xi, and Shao Wei—moved carefully through the dense foliage. After the encounter with the enchanted ruins and Wu Mei's blood unlocking something unknown, the atmosphere was heavy with tension and curiosity.

Wu Mei kept her injured hand tucked beneath her cloak. Though Qin Yanzhou had wrapped it securely, it still throbbed. She could feel the pulse of the forest humming beneath her skin, as if it were responding to her.

Qin Yanzhou walked closely beside her, his arm brushing hers every so often in silent reassurance. Despite the danger they'd faced, he hadn't left her side—not once. His jaw was tight, and his hand never strayed far from the hilt of his sword.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked for the third time.

Wu Mei glanced at him with a faint smile. "I'll live. Besides, you're here, aren't you?"

His eyes darkened with emotion. "That doesn't mean I can't worry."

Ahead of them, Mo Qing and Shao Wei examined the map again. The glowing ink shifted faintly, as if alive, leading them to what the scroll had called "The Heart of the Forest"—the next clue in their search for the magical wand mentioned in Xia Yi Ling's letter.

Zhao Xi kept pace beside Shao Wei, stealing glances at her when she wasn't looking. Though he hadn't said a word about it, his fascination with her was becoming increasingly obvious.

"According to this," Shao Wei murmured, pointing at the map, "we're close. But there's something... strange here. The markings shift when I try to follow them. It's like the map doesn't want us to go in a straight line."

"That's because this forest protects its secrets," said Mo Qing. "We'll need to earn our way in."

Just as she finished speaking, a strange sound echoed through the trees—a deep, guttural growl that made everyone stop in their tracks.

"What was that?" Wu Mei whispered.

They turned, eyes scanning the shadows that crept between trunks. The glow from the map dimmed, flickering like a candle in the wind.

Then it appeared.

A beast stepped into the clearing, its body massive and covered in midnight-black fur. Its eyes glowed red, and twin horns curled from its head like those of a demon. Its growl was low, almost rumbling through the earth.

"A forest guardian," Shao Wei breathed. "It must be protecting the Heart."

Zhao Xi drew his sword. "Then we'll fight it."

"No," Shao Wei stopped him. "This isn't a beast we can defeat with brute force. It tests our hearts."

The creature advanced, slow and purposeful. It sniffed the air, its glowing gaze landing directly on Wu Mei.

Her pulse quickened. Her injured hand began to burn.

"Why is it looking at me?"

"Because your blood woke the ruins," Mo Qing said. "There's something about you that calls to this place."

The beast let out a growl and then—without warning—lunged.

Qin Yanzhou pushed Wu Mei behind him and blocked the creature's swipe with his sword. Sparks flew, and the force of the impact knocked him back several steps.

"Yanzhou!" Wu Mei screamed.

He hit the ground hard, rolling to absorb the impact, but the beast was already leaping again.

"No!"

This time, it was Wu Mei who moved.

She ran toward the creature, pain forgotten. As it turned toward her, ready to strike, she raised her bleeding hand and thrust it forward.

A burst of golden light exploded from her palm.

The beast froze midair, caught in the radiance. Its snarl died in its throat, and it dropped to the ground with a heavy thud, unmoving—but alive.

Everyone stared at Wu Mei.

"What… what did you do?" Shao Wei asked, her voice hushed with awe.

"I don't know," Wu Mei panted, stumbling. Qin Yanzhou caught her before she hit the ground.

"You used magic again" Mo Qing said slowly.

"But how?" Wu Mei murmured. " how I used magic again "

"You don't know " Shao Wei corrected. " Maybe it react when you want to protect someone."

Qin Yanzhou held Wu Mei tightly, his heart hammering in his chest. "You scared me again," he said, a mix of relief and frustration.

"I seem to be good at that," she whispered.

He leaned in, brushing a kiss against her temple. "You're good at making my heart stop, that's what you are."

Despite everything, she smiled.

The beast let out a low huff and began to rise. But instead of attacking, it bowed—deeply, humbly—before disappearing into the trees.

"The path is open," said Shao Wei. "You proved yourself."

As they pressed forward, the trees seemed to part for them. Golden light spilled through the branches, illuminating a narrow trail.

The deeper they went, the more alive everything seemed. Trees shimmered, flowers opened at their feet, and even the air shimmered with magic.

Qin Yanzhou still held Wu Mei's hand, not willing to let go. Her skin was warm in his, the blood on her fingers drying. Despite her injury, she didn't complain.

The trail led to a clearing with a crystal pond at its center. Floating above the water, encased in a bubble of glowing energy, was a wooden staff with a glowing blue gem embedded at the top.

"The wand," Shao Wei whispered. "Xia Yi Ling's wand."

No one moved.

"I thought the wand would be hidden in a cave or under a mountain," Mo Qing muttered.

"It's always in the last place you expect," Zhao Xi added.

Wu Mei stepped forward, her breath catching in her throat. The wand shimmered, its magic calling out—not just to her, but to the very air around her.

But before she could reach for it, a new voice echoed through the trees.

"Well, well. Looks like I'm not the only one searching today."

They all turned.

A figure stepped into the clearing, cloaked in black, his eyes glowing the same red as the beast's before. He smiled—cold, sharp, and dangerous.

"Who are you?" Qin Yanzhou demanded, stepping protectively in front of Wu Mei.

The man tilted his head. "You may call me Dracon. And that wand… belongs to me."

To be continued...

Like it add to library.