In terms of flight speed alone, Yang Kai might not match Lei Gu — after all, his cultivation was an entire realm behind — but Yang Kai possessed spatial divine abilities that allowed him to disregard the barriers of space. No matter how desperately Lei Gu tried to pull ahead, Yang Kai closed the gap in an instant. How could he ever shake him off?
After a few failed attempts, Lei Gu gave up on the futile effort.
Still, he was cautious enough. While flying, he continuously changed direction, even deliberately circling the same area multiple times, all to guard against anyone tracking him from behind.
Yang Kai let him do as he pleased, not saying a word, merely following close behind.
Lei Gu could never have imagined that Yang Kai had the Dharma Body at his disposal. He didn't need to deliberately leave any markers — the soul-deep connection between himself and his Dharma Body was the best guide there was.
The Dharma Body could sense his presence, and he could sense the Dharma Body's presence, but outsiders could never grasp this invisible, intangible link.
After two full days, Lei Gu finally confirmed that no pursuers were behind him. Only then did he unleash his full speed, hurtling in a certain direction.
They flew for another two days before a vast marshland suddenly appeared ahead, stretching as far as the eye could see.
They had arrived at the Southern Marsh. Yang Kai didn't know whether Lei Gu had come here by accident or by design, but the Southern Marsh was where the first demonic abyss had appeared. Since Lei Gu had come here, it was clearly not without purpose — either he had other accomplices lying in ambush, intending to use those demons against Yang Kai, or he planned to use the terrain here to completely conceal himself.
Either way, Yang Kai couldn't afford to let him go deeper.
So before Lei Gu could actually enter the Southern Marsh, Yang Kai shifted his position and blocked his path.
Lei Gu halted, his large hand still pressed firmly on Gao Xueting's crown. He snorted coldly, "What do you want?"
Yang Kai sighed leisurely. "Escort someone a thousand li, and still you must part ways. I've fulfilled my promise — now it's your turn."
Lei Gu replied flatly, "Not enough!"
Yang Kai curled his lip. "You've been running for days now, and no one besides me has come after you. Release Senior Sister Gao, and I'll let you go!"
Lei Gu snorted. "When I release her is for me to decide — it's not your place to tell me what to do."
Yang Kai grew impatient. "If you refuse to release her, am I supposed to follow you forever? Lei Gu, don't push too far, or you'll only make me doubt your sincerity. If I run out of patience and you still refuse, then we'll just have to fight until one of us is destroyed."
Lei Gu furrowed his brow, glancing around at their surroundings. After a moment's consideration, he said, "Very well. We've come this far — surely no one is following anymore."
"Then give me back my Senior Sister Gao." Yang Kai extended a hand toward him.
Lei Gu bared his teeth in a savage grin. "I give her back to you — and you'd actually dare take her? I don't know where your confidence comes from, but right now it would be two against one. Aren't you afraid I'll join forces with your Senior Sister Gao and kill you?"
Yang Kai's expression remained calm. "You're welcome to try!"
Lei Gu threw his head back and laughed. "Brat, you've got real skill and real nerve — I admire that. Why not join my demon race? With your abilities and courage, if you pledged yourself to us, your future would be wide open. Becoming a Great Emperor wouldn't be just a pipe dream."
Yang Kai looked thoroughly disgusted. "Enough nonsense — release her already. My patience is running thin. Don't make me take action!"
Lei Gu's smile vanished, and he snorted coldly. "Since you insist, then catch!" With those words, he gave Gao Xueting a gentle push on the back, sending her flying straight toward Yang Kai.
In an instant, Gao Xueting was before Yang Kai — but before he could act, the demonic aura on her body suddenly began writhing and swelling in a frenzy. An overwhelmingly dangerous aura radiated from her entire being. She even spread her arms open, as if about to embrace Yang Kai.
"Despicable!" Yang Kai roared in fury. He had known Lei Gu wouldn't release her so easily — as Lei Gu himself had said, he might even control Gao Xueting to join forces against him. But Yang Kai had never imagined that Lei Gu would go so far as to force Gao Xueting to self-detonate.
If Gao Xueting actually self-detonated, all their efforts would be for nothing. Moreover, at this close range, there was no way Yang Kai could emerge unscathed. The self-detonation of a Second-Order Emperor Realm powerhouse would be absolutely devastating, and Lei Gu would seize the opportunity to strike the killing blow.
Fortunately, Yang Kai was not without preparation.
In the flash of an instant, Yang Kai's left eye transformed into a golden vertical slit. His soul power surged forth, pouring out like a tidal wave and enveloping Gao Xueting entirely. At the same time, he opened his palm, gripping the Mysterious World Pearl tightly, and channeled his energy into it to open a gateway to its internal world. A massive vortex materialized before his palm.