"Can't you see?" the Demon Marshal said, his face twisted in distress, facial muscles twitching as though someone had carved a few pounds of flesh off him, looking thoroughly anguished.
"See what?" Xiao Wu's brow furrowed even deeper.
The Demon Marshal raised a hand to his forehead, thinking that the situation was blindingly obvious — how could she not see it? This woman really was dense. He promptly explained: "Those guys' target is your master!"
"What?" Xiao Wu's eyes went wide with shock. She stared intently and indeed noticed something amiss. The Demon Kings flying out from that mountain peak were heading straight toward Yang Kai's position — at this rate, they would meet before long.
She had witnessed the deployment of those Demon Kings earlier — a group of ill-intentioned figures lurking in the shadows, setting an ambush atop the high mountain, while a single Demon King charged out as obviously being bait, meant to lure someone into a trap.
Now, reminded by the Demon Marshal behind her, she finally grasped the truth.
Yang Kai was their prey!
Whether by coincidence or by design. If it was merely coincidence, then so be it — it would simply mean Yang Kai had drawn the short straw. But if it was deliberate, that would mean his track record of slaughtering over a dozen Demon Kings along the way had aroused the wariness of the Demon Kings participating in the chaotic battle, which was why so many of them had banded together.
But regardless of the reason, their master was in serious danger now. Xiao Wu's two fists clenched tight, her heart crying out ceaselessly, hoping Yang Kai would change direction or see through the enemy's ruse before it was too late.
Unfortunately, things did not go as she wished — Yang Kai had no way of detecting the trap ahead.
The fleeing Demon King met Yang Kai head-on after a dozen breaths. Xiao Wu watched as the Demon King, without a word, launched a round of attacks first. After Yang Kai deflected them with ease, the Demon King immediately turned tail and fled, transforming into a streak of blood-colored light, moving at astonishing speed, with absolutely no intention of fighting Yang Kai to the death — clearly trying to lure him into the encirclement.
This was a mid-grade Demon King, and a Blood Demon at that.
Inside the blood arena, Yang Kai bared his teeth in a fierce grin and gave chase. The final moment had not yet arrived, and he was unwilling to reveal his trump cards, so he did not deploy the power of the Space Laws. Even so, his speed far outstripped the Blood Demon's — it would not be long before he closed to killing range.
But at that very instant, a sharp whistling sound tore through the air. A streak of light shot in from the side.
Yang Kai's charging figure came to an abrupt halt as a gust of wind grazed past his cheek, carrying a piercing whistle.
Thud. A feathered arrow had landed beside his foot. It was three zhang long, as thick as a child's arm, resembling an unstoppable spear. The arrow fletching trembled faintly, half its length buried in the ground, demonic energy swirling around its shaft, emanating waves of power that sent chills down one's spine — a testament to the formidable strength of the one who had loosed it.
Yang Kai turned his head with a cold expression and looked several li away, where a slender figure stood dressed in tight black garments, holding a powerful bow in her hands, its bowstring still vibrating without cease.
With this unexpected turn of events, the Blood Demon who had been fleeing ahead also halted his steps, turning to look, his brow deeply furrowed.
His objective this time was to lead Yang Kai into the prearranged trap. Who could have imagined a wildcard would appear midway, throwing a wrench into what had been a smooth operation? His mood soured instantly.
Glancing at the Feather Demon who had fired the arrow, the Blood Demon seemed to recognize who she was and felt a splitting headache coming on.
Lingering in place was not an option. After all, his role was to be chased by Yang Kai — staying put and watching for too long would only expose the ruse. After only a brief hesitation, he turned and streaked away through the air once more.
He had missed his chance this time, but there would be another. What he could not afford was making Yang Kai suspicious — that would be far worse.
The Blood Demon retreated decisively, and Yang Kai did not continue the pursuit. To him, it made no difference whom he killed — everyone in this blood arena was going to die, just a matter of sooner or later.
By now he had also recognized the identity of the one who had shot at him from a distance — it was the same Feather Demon he had glimpsed from afar when he first entered.
A female Demon King, and a Feather Demon besides. Who else could it be?
Reaching down, Yang Kai grasped the fletching of the arrow beside his foot and with a slight tug, yanked it free. He weighed it in his hand a few times to get a feel for it, then looked up toward the Feather Demon several li away and gave a slight smile.
The next instant, he drew his arm back and hurled the arrow toward her with tremendous force.
Whoosh! A sharp, glowing point of light appeared at the tip of the three-zhang arrow, as if capable of piercing through any obstacle in the world, carrying an aura of heaven-and-earth-shattering momentum as it roared toward the Feather Demon.
In the blink of an eye, it had closed to within striking distance.
The woman's expression did not change in the slightest — her face was calm and assured. She thrust her bow forward, swept it in a circle around the incoming arrow, her five fingers deftly caught the shaft, and in one fluid motion drew the bowstring taut. Her body spun around, and when she steadied again, the arrow Yang Kai had hurled was now nocked on her bowstring once more.
At this very moment, Yang Kai had already closed to within thirty zhang of the Feather Demon. The instant he had thrown the arrow, he had charged forward.
Seeing this, Yang Kai's eyes lit up, and he silently praised her skill — truly impressive technique!