This unforeseen disaster left Xiao Baiyi and his two companions feeling helpless while simultaneously filled with quiet worry.
They had no way of knowing how Yang Kai and Xia Sheng had fared, whether their lives were in any danger.
Just as the three were exchanging silent glances, a hulking figure suddenly appeared not far off to one side. The figure was extraordinarily imposing, sporting a mane of wild, flame-red hair, and as he strode forward, he was dragging a cultivator along in his grip.
Xiao Baiyi and his companions focused their gazes, and their expressions shifted.
They recognized the person being carried — it was none other than Xia Sheng. And the one who had seized him was almost certainly the man they had heard about: Lian Yan.
Even with Xia Sheng's considerable strength, he had been unable to escape the clutches of an Emperor Realm powerhouse who had personally intervened. He had been captured and brought here along with the rest of them.
Moreover, judging by his condition and expression, he had clearly put up a fierce struggle before being subdued. He was now nursing no small number of wounds.
Over on that side, Lian Yan carried Xia Sheng over and unceremoniously tossed him into the crowd, instructing his subordinates to keep watch before striding directly toward Zhou Dian. He took his place behind the man and stood in silence, awaiting orders.
Murong Xiaoxiao and the others had been about to ask after Xia Sheng's condition and the extent of his injuries, but when they saw him slowly shake his head at them, they quickly closed their mouths.
At a time like this, it was better for them not to reveal that they knew each other. If they kept that fact hidden, they might catch their captors off guard and find an opening to do something…
A gentle breeze brushed across their faces, pleasant and soothing. But behind Zhou Dian, Lian Yan's expression was taut with tension and unease.
He could feel it — the fighting intent rolling off Zhou Dian in waves so thick they were nearly tangible. It was the primal, instinctive craving for battle that only a true powerhouse could emanate.
Lian Yan knew what Zhou Dian was yearning for…
Since the founding of the Divine Kingdom and the unification of the world, there had been no more war. As a Third-Order Emperor Realm cultivator, Zhou Dian had virtually no rivals left under heaven — save for a scant handful of warriors of comparable stature.
And one of that select few resided right here within the Heavenly Demon Mountain.
Zhou Dian's bloodlust, dormant for two thousand years, was awakening once more.
Lian Yan understood how dangerous Zhou Dian was in a state like this, which was why, even as a direct subordinate, he dared not disturb him in the slightest. The consequences would be unthinkable.
As time trickled by, the fighting intent shifted and fluctuated unpredictably.
Then, at some indeterminate moment, that dense aura of battle abruptly withdrew, and not a trace of it could be felt anymore.
Lian Yan let out an involuntary breath of relief, his entire body nearly going limp with the release of tension.
"How goes it?" Zhou Dian asked without turning his head.
"Reporting to my lord — fairly well," Lian Yan replied with a bow.
"Fairly?" Zhou Dian turned his head slightly, casting a sidelong glance at Lian Yan.
That look, that tone of voice — Lian Yan's face drained of color. He hurriedly clasped his fists and said, "Only Ban Qing… has lost contact."
Hearing this, Zhou Dian raised an eyebrow. "How did that happen?"
"I don't know either," Lian Yan admitted, looking genuinely bewildered. "He was sending me updates from time to time, but then at some point, he simply vanished without a trace. I have no idea whether he was tracking someone formidable."
Zhou Dian nodded. "Hmm. Ban Qing's concealment arts are unrivaled under heaven. For him to exercise such extreme caution, the target must be no ordinary figure. In any case, I've rested long enough. Since I have His Majesty's orders, I may as well make the trip myself!"
As he spoke, he urged the Nine-Faced Kui Dragon Beast beneath him and began to advance into the depths of the Heavenly Demon Mountain.
"My lord!" Lian Yan called out urgently upon seeing this.
"What is it?" Zhou Dian turned back with an impatient expression.
Lian Yan said, "Further ahead lies the territory of the Heavenly Demon Covenant. If we encroach recklessly, the Demon Clan will…"
"As if I would fear the Demon Clan?" Zhou Dian let out a savage laugh, looking at Lian Yan with open mockery. "Lian Yan, your nerve has gone rather soft."
Lian Yan's expression flickered several times before he abruptly gritted his teeth and declared in a low voice, "Your subordinate will accompany my lord."
Zhou Dian regarded him for a long moment, then nodded with satisfaction. "Very well. Keep up!"
With that, he pressed onward. The Nine-Faced Kui Dragon Beast's movements appeared leisurely, yet its speed only increased with each stride. In moments, it had transformed into a streak of light, covering thousands of zhang in the blink of an eye.
…
Deep within the Heavenly Demon Mountain — the Valley of Heavenly Demons.
This was the very heart of the Heavenly Demon Mountain, the seat of the Mountain's lord and the center of all Demon Clan power here.
The architecture followed the Demon Clan's characteristically bold and uninhibited style. Every structure was grand and imposing, entirely distinct from the dwellings of the human world.
Outside the valley, an elite guard detachment of Blood Wolf Clan warriors — all at the peak of the eleventh rank — stood vigil, ensuring that no unauthorized parties entered.
Yuan Fei and Bailu had brought Yang Kai here without encountering the slightest obstruction. After all, even within the Heavenly Demon Mountain, these two were renowned figures — trusted lieutenants of the Demon King himself. Who would be foolish enough to stand in their way?