: The Demon King's Invitation

At this moment, the little painter had not switched to the personality of the Demon King.

He was just an ordinary young man.

Coming from the countryside, he harbors a dream of art.

He was stunned after hearing Qiao Ye's words.

"You like...my painting?"

In an instant, countless thoughts exploded in the young painter's mind.

He felt like he had connected everything.

The little painter had wondered about this even before time was distorted.

Why does Qiao Ye keep bothering me?

Why would someone investigate someone who is clearly just an unknown person go to such lengths to do so?

Even after spacetime is distorted, they can still come knocking on your door.

Now that I think about it, everything makes sense—

Because he is a lover of his own paintings!

Qiao Ye has lost his memory and would never lie to him.

it is true!

The young painter was caught in a very complex emotional state.

He, an art student who failed the exam twice, actually managed to meet someone who appreciated him.

This is something to be overjoyed about at any time.

however--

Ironically, the person who appreciates him is a witcher.

Although he has lost his memory, his investigative abilities are outstanding.

Once you get to know yourself for a long time, you'll still discover your demonic side.

They were destined to be enemies.

"certainly!"

Qiao Ye said without changing his expression, "Aren't you selling paintings everywhere? I saw your painting style before and I thought it was very spiritual."

"You're sure to be world-famous in the future, so I wanted to buy a few pieces in advance as part of my collection."

He's not lying.

The young painter will indeed become world-famous in the future.

At this moment, Qiao Ye still couldn't recall what had happened before.

But the little painter's behavior just now made him 100% certain that all the strange things were definitely related to the little painter.

and--

The little painters recognized themselves; they had met before.

the other side.

Upon hearing Qiao Ye's evaluation, the young painter stood there, stunned for several seconds.

Then he lowered his head and wiped his face with his sleeve.

He remembered those afternoons when he was ridiculed at the entrance of the art academy, the landscape paintings that couldn't be sold, and the way the gallery owners looked at him every time he passed by.

And now-

He met someone who truly appreciated him.

Even though he knew the other party was a witcher, the little painter felt a surge of impulse.

He wanted Qiao Ye to see more of his work.

"Then come with me..."

The young painter said, head bowed.

He led Qiao Ye to his apartment.

Just then, a voice came from beside me.

"Are you crazy?"

A shadowy figure appeared beside the young painter. "You just fought him, and now you're acting like nothing happened?"

"He has no memory of it," the young painter said.

He now knows the true identity of the shadowy figure; it is merely one of his own personalities.

Their conversation took place internally.

No one else could possibly hear it.

"But you are destined to be enemies," the shadowy figure warned.

"Leave me alone."

The little painter won't listen to anything now.

Finally, he led Qiao Ye to his studio, which was also his room.

The room was very small.

A bed, a table, and a chair.

The walls were covered with paintings, the floor was piled with paintings, and even a few leaned against the window.

"Sit anywhere," the young painter said.

Qiao Ye didn't sit down, but walked to the wall and started looking at the paintings.

Even if you're going to pretend, you have to put on a show.

In fact, the young painter's artistic talent is only average.

The technique is also quite immature, with nothing particularly outstanding.

But Qiao Ye certainly wouldn't say it directly.

"Did you draw all of these?"

"Hmm." The young painter stood behind him. "The kind that can't be sold."

Qiao Ye looked at each painting one by one.

He stopped when he saw the fifth picture.

The painting was placed in the most inconspicuous corner of the wall.

The painting depicts a black shadow.

It had no facial features, only an outline, and stood amidst a pile of corpses.

There were many corpses, piled up into a small mountain.

The faces of the corpses were blurry, but their postures were painful.

The shadow stands on the mountaintop, with a golden sun behind it.

"this……"

"That's not for sale."

The young painter came over, intending to put the painting away.

Qiao Ye stopped him.

Why?

The little painter didn't say anything.

Qiao Ye stared at the painting for a long time.

"You drew... war?"

"You figured it out?!"

The young painter felt as if he had met a kindred spirit.

Because I drew it very subtly.

But Qiao Ye could still tell!

"So what do you think of this painting? Does it resonate with you?"

When it comes to artistic creation, the young painter becomes quite talkative.

He said, "This is my view on war. War creates sadness and misfortune, but it is also a way to change the world."

"The world is dark now, with too many evil people. Someone needs to stand up and purify the world!"

"Even if it comes at a price, I'm willing to pay it!"

As he spoke, the little painter's voice suddenly became softer.

Because he discovered that Qiao Ye did not express any agreement with this viewpoint.

"You...don't think so?"

I don't think so.

Qiao Ye shook his head; how could he possibly have anything in common with the young painter?

However, just a moment ago, when the little painter was talking about war—

Suddenly, some memories appeared in my mind.

Those are traces left behind when [Demon Hunter Knowledge] was activated.

The Demon King awaits his destined war.

Demon King...

Qiao Ye looked up at the little painter.

is it you?

The young painter wasn't angry at Qiao Ye's rejection; instead, he felt regret.

Why can't people who appreciate themselves in art appreciate themselves in many other areas as well?

Maybe……

Is it just because Qiao Ye can't figure it out for the time being?

The young painter was willing to give Qiao Ye a chance because he was the first person to appreciate him.

"The future will prove it to you."

The little painter murmured, "Qiao Ye, I've decided to give you a chance."

Suddenly, in Qiao Ye's eyes, the little painter's entire aura changed.

"Let's make a deal."

The young painter said, "Give me thirty years, and I will show you an absolutely beautiful world."

"What do you mean?" Qiao Ye frowned.

"Thirty years is enough time for a lot to happen."

The little painter said, "If you were still alive then, come and meet me."

As the Demon King, the little painter has absolute confidence.

He is on the right path, and he will be able to establish his own country within thirty years.

In return for appreciating himself, the young painter wouldn't mind reserving a spot for Qiao Ye.

Even though they had been at each other's throats before.

Even if the other party is a Witcher.

Qiao Ye wanted to find out exactly what had happened.

Just then, a system notification suddenly appeared in front of them—

You can no longer sustain this dream.

In an instant, everything in front of Qiao Ye turned pure white.

The little painter in front of me has also become a dream maiden.

"I'm back?" Qiao Ye couldn't help but ask.

This was completely unexpected; it was the first time something like this had ever happened.

"This situation is indeed rare, but it's not surprising."

The dream attendant said, "You currently possess two points of spirituality, which should allow you to move freely in dreams for five days."

"But you received a gift far exceeding your current level, which instantly exhausted your spirituality in the dream."

She reached out and handed Qiao Ye an envelope.

【The Demon King's Invitation】.

"What's so special about this?" Qiao Ye asked, puzzled.

It was just an invitation.

"Of course it's special."

The Dream Maiden said, "Because this invitation corresponds to the highest level of dream currently, and it has no requirements whatsoever."