He really had no other options. He didn't know if saying this would help, but it was a lifeline all the same, so he might as well grab onto it first.
Unexpectedly, Yang Kai's movements actually stopped.
The demon beast commander, having survived a brush with death, immediately realized his gamble had paid off and spoke up: "Rest assured, Lord. As long as you spare my life, I will not disappoint you. Besides, I still have some subordinates under my command. If I send them out to search, they can certainly be of some help."
That actually made sense!
Yang Kai hadn't expected to run into Ice Heart Valley's Third here in the Primordial Wildlands. Since they had already crossed paths, he couldn't very well just walk away, but Third's movements were elusive and her concealment techniques were formidable. Searching for her with just Zhang Ruoxi would likely prove beyond their ability.
If he could get this demon beast commander's help, it would save some time at the very least—the sheer number of his forces was an asset in itself.
To put Yang Kai at ease, or more accurately to save his own life, the demon beast commander gritted his teeth and took the initiative to suggest: "If the Lord is amenable, I am willing to offer up my soul seal and serve the Lord faithfully, body and soul. I will hold nothing back."
Offering up a soul seal meant becoming a soul slave. His life and death would rest entirely on a single thought from Yang Kai. This was exactly how Yang Kai had brought Hua Qingsi under control before.
But Hua Qingsi had been forced into it, while this demon beast commander was proposing it of his own volition.
Then again, this demon beast commander had never possessed much pride to begin with. Now that his life was on the line, what did any of that matter? The only question was whether he would come to regret it later.
"Hand it over!" Yang Kai extended a hand toward him.
"You really want it..." The demon beast commander's mouth twitched, but meeting Yang Kai's frigid gaze, he didn't dare resist. He obediently closed his eyes, focused his mind, and activated his secret technique. In short order, a wisp of golden light drifted out from the center of his forehead, and Yang Kai snatched it up.
The demon beast commander grunted, his face turning deathly pale.
Only after Yang Kai had sealed the soul seal within his own sea of consciousness did he sheathe the Million Sword. He said flatly, "Stand up."
Though the demon beast commander felt bitter inside, he knew that at least his life had been preserved. He scrambled to his feet and brushed the dust from his body. His gaze drifted to his mount not far away, now cleaved in two, and he let out a long, melancholic sigh.
"My Lord, please have that young lady... stop. I'm afraid she might get hurt!" The demon beast commander pointed toward where Zhang Ruoxi was still fighting numerous demon beasts.
Yang Kai nodded and sent a voice transmission to Zhang Ruoxi's ear.
At the same time, the demon beast commander bellowed: "Everyone, stop!"
It was clear he still held considerable authority among these demon beasts. With a single command, they all pulled back, distancing themselves from Zhang Ruoxi. Two corpses lay on the ground behind them.
Though that side had been fighting intensely, relatively few had actually died. The main issue was that Zhang Ruoxi, fighting one against many, had been somewhat hampered—after all, she was only at Dao Source Stage Three.
Yet in this brief time she had already killed two demon beasts without suffering a single scratch, which had shaken the others to their core.
Thankfully, the commander had ordered them to stop. If a few more had died, they might not have had the courage to continue fighting.
Both sides turned to look at the demon beast commander and Yang Kai. Seeing that the two of them appeared to be getting along peacefully, curiosity filled their faces—they had no idea what had just happened.
The demon beast commander coughed lightly and said, "It was all a misunderstanding. This gentleman is one of us. There's no need to keep fighting."
He was too embarrassed to tell his subordinates that he had become Yang Kai's soul slave, since he still wanted to preserve some dignity. As he spoke, he surreptitiously glanced at Yang Kai's expression. Seeing that he didn't seem bothered, the knot of anxiety in his chest loosened.
The group of demon beasts exchanged bewildered glances, wondering what their commander was playing at. That man and woman looked like humans, didn't they? How had they become "one of us" in the blink of an eye?
But having tasted the prowess of Yang Kai and Zhang Ruoxi, none of them dared to say a word, afraid of inviting further slaughter.
"From now on, when you see this gentleman, it is the same as seeing me in person. Is that understood?" The demon beast commander pointed at Yang Kai and barked another order.
Though the group of demon beasts was completely confused, they nodded. Fear was their primary motivator. None of them were harboring thoughts of avenging their fallen comrades.
The demon beast commander then turned around with an ingratiating smile: "My Lord has had a long journey. Perhaps you would like to come up to the mountain and rest a while?"
"Rest? There's no time for rest!" Yang Kai gave him no courtesy, waving his hand dismissively. "Get them searching for the person immediately. If they can't find her, you're dead."
The demon beast commander's face fell into a bitter grimace: "My Lord, there's something you should know. That woman is unlikely to show herself anytime soon. Searching would be useless."
Yang Kai's expression darkened: "What do you mean?"
The demon beast commander cupped his fists: "She's extremely timid. Every time she's frightened, she hides herself away for a month or two. During that period, no one can find her. So if you want to locate her, we'll have to wait. Once the storm blows over, she'll naturally reappear." Seeing the skepticism on Yang Kai's face, the commander looked as though he were swearing an oath. "Every word I've said is the absolute truth, my Lord. You can ask them to verify it."
Third's timidity was something Yang Kai had already experienced firsthand, likely related to her mental condition. So he didn't think the demon beast commander was lying to him. Besides, with his life firmly in Yang Kai's grasp, the commander wouldn't dare.
"If you can't find her, you search anyway. Notify me the moment you have news." Yang Kai let out a cold snort.
Though he knew the demon beast commander wouldn't lie, Yang Kai still clung to a sliver of hope.
"Yes, yes, yes!" Unable to dissuade Yang Kai, the demon beast commander could only order those demon beasts to spread out and search, with instructions to report back immediately if any news surfaced.