The western desert had already become demon soil, thick with demonic energy, where evil things festered. Tens of millions of demon soldiers had gathered here, marching in an endless stream into the depths of the Star Realm, conquering cities and seizing territory, spreading death and slaughter wherever they went.
Beneath the tainted land, even the sky had turned grey and lifeless, as though the entire world had lost its vitality.
Two streaks of light—one trailing the other—swept across the sky, drawing countless demons who craned their necks upward, baring their fangs and growling low in their throats.
In the end, Yang Kai hadn't deliberated for long. After being chased down and injured by Li Wuyi yet again, his fury drove him to make the decision on the spot: he would head for the Demon Realm.
The Star Realm no longer had any place for him.
And to enter the Demon Realm, one had to pass through the Two Worlds' Passage in the western desert—the only gateway connecting the two great worlds.
Along the way, Yang Kai's expression shifted ceaselessly, his face etched with worry. Yu Rumeng, by contrast, wore her usual smile, showing not the slightest fear or apprehension about the Demon Realm—if anything, she seemed rather looking forward to it.
Both of them were incredibly fast, but flying so brazenly through the open sky inevitably attracted the attention of numerous powerful demons who gave chase. At first only a handful trailed behind them, but by the end, several hundred Demon Kings had joined the pursuit, each radiating overwhelming demonic energy that shook the soul.
Yang Kai's face twisted in disgust.
Fortunately, the entrance to the Two Worlds' Passage was not far ahead. He gripped Yu Rumeng's hand tightly and whispered, "Don't get separated from me when we reach it. I'll try to charge straight through. If that doesn't work… we'll figure something out."
Yu Rumeng clasped his large hand in return and flashed him a radiant smile. "Don't worry. Leave the rest to me."
"To you?" Yang Kai frowned and turned to look at her.
"Trust me!" Yu Rumeng said.
Yang Kai pondered for a moment, then gritted his teeth. "Fine. I'll leave it to you then."
Yu Rumeng giggled and took the lead, pulling him forward at breathtaking speed. In the blink of an eye, they arrived before the passage.
The Two Worlds' Passage was a matter of immense strategic importance, and the demons naturally had it heavily defended. Dozens of Demon Kings guarded the entrance alone, and several Demi-Saints were stationed here as well—all to guard against the Star Realm sending powerful cultivators to destroy the passage.
The Demon Kings and Demi-Saints protecting the area sensed Yang Kai and Yu Rumeng's auras and looked up. Many of them immediately bared cruel grins.
Yu Rumeng, however, strode forward with utter nonchalance, leading Yang Kai down to land right in front of the passage entrance, her luminous eyes surveying the surroundings with idle curiosity.
Yang Kai stood beside her, his gaze sharp and predatory, his Emperor Qi flickering unpredictably—the posture of a man ready to slaughter at any moment.
The several hundred Demon Kings who had chased them all this way finally caught up, touching down and encircling the two so tightly that not even water could pass through. Many of them let their greedy eyes roam over Yu Rumeng's alluring figure, leering with obscene expressions.
Across from them, a massive Demon King carrying a great axe lumbered forward. Every step he took made the earth tremble. He halted ten zhang away, leveled the axe—which was taller than a man—at them, and bared his teeth in a savage grin. "Humans, seeking death, are we?"
This Demon King's aura was extraordinarily dense. Though he appeared somewhat clumsy in movement, he was clearly a being of immense strength, and likely among the most powerful of all the Demon Kings. When he spoke, the others nearby let out low, mocking chuckles.
Ever since the Two Worlds' Passage had opened and the demons had invaded, not a single human had ever shown up here. Yang Kai and Yu Rumeng's arrival left the demon experts baffled—wondering whether these two had lost their minds.
Yu Rumeng pressed her lips together in a smile and flicked her slender fingers. A streak of light shot toward the massive Demon King.
He caught it with one hand and shot Yu Rumeng a frowning glance before examining the object in his palm.
The moment he saw it, his expression changed dramatically. He snapped his head up to stare at Yu Rumeng, his jaw dropping in sheer disbelief.
Yu Rumeng remained perfectly composed, smiling serenely.
The Demon King's attitude underwent a complete one-hundred-and-eighty-degree reversal. He actually became flustered and obsequious, bowing and scraping as he said, "Please wait here for a moment while I consult the Demi-Saint Lords."
Yu Rumeng gestured for him to go ahead.
The Demon King hastily turned and hurried off in a particular direction—it was clear he really was going to consult the Demi-Saints stationed there.
This bizarre scene left all the Demon Kings completely bewildered. They exchanged glances, each seeing the same confusion reflected in the other's eyes.
Yang Kai was equally baffled. He sidled closer to Yu Rumeng and whispered, "Rumeng, what did you show him? Why did he suddenly start acting like a dog?"
Yu Rumeng burst into laughter. "He was always a dog!"
Yang Kai couldn't help rolling his eyes. If a Demon King this powerful was a dog, then what did that make him?
Yu Rumeng said, "Alright, don't ask so many questions. You'll find out soon enough."
Yang Kai nodded, then tilted his head and said, "I've discovered you're hiding some enormous secret."
Yu Rumeng winked at him playfully. "A woman with secrets is far more beautiful. Want to know what that secret is?"