With a resounding clang, the Mountain and River Bell descended, and both Yang Kai and Lie Kuang vanished without a trace, sealed together within.
Lao Ke, Kosen, and Yin were all struck dumb, staring blankly into space. Lie Kuang's subordinates steadied themselves and then furrowed their brows, eyes fixed on the Mountain and River Bell with expressions of bewilderment.
Judging by the situation, that human was apparently… trying to fight Lord Lie Kuang one-on-one? Otherwise, why would he deploy a treasure like this right from the start?
But… where did he get such confidence? Lie Kuang was a High-Rank Demon King, only a single step away from the Half-Saint realm. Given the right opportunity and enough time, he would undoubtedly ascend to the exalted station of Half-Saint.
Even Lao Ke and the others, all High-Rank Demon Kings themselves, believed they were no match for him. For a mere mid-rank Demon King level human to be this brazenly audacious? He must have a death wish.
Anyone could predict how this would end — that human would be cut down on the spot by Lord Lie Kuang. There was no other possible outcome.
One of the mid-rank Demon Kings glanced coolly at Lao Ke and his group, then waved his hand. Lie Kuang's twenty-odd subordinates immediately surged forward, fanning out around the Mountain and River Bell and encircling the entire area, clearly determined not to let anyone disturb Lie Kuang before the fight concluded.
Lao Ke and the others' expressions darkened slightly — not because they were worried about Yang Kai. Yang Kai was seeking his own death, and there was nothing they could do about it. It was just that this mid-rank Demon King's swaggering, dismissive attitude, as though they were beneath notice, was rather irksome.
But that was all there was to it — no further response. They exchanged glances with Kosen and Yin, and all three could only sigh. That human prince had barely arrived a few days ago before being killed by Lie Kuang — they would have some explaining to do to the Sacred Venerable. And more pressing than that, they were actually worried about whether Lie Kuang would come after them afterward.
In a moment, all were filled with dread, feeling that Yang Kai had truly dragged them into a catastrophic mess.
…
Inside the Mountain and River Bell, within a space of barely twenty zhang across, Yang Kai and Lie Kuang faced each other. The former was cracking his neck and stretching his limbs, loosening his joints and bones, while the latter stared with eyes that shot flames, glaring in fury.
Having suffered a terrible blow by accident — though nothing life-threatening — Lie Kuang was seething like a volcano on the verge of eruption, his expression savage.
Angry as he was, his mind remained clear. He turned to survey his surroundings, extending his divine sense to probe the area, and quickly gained a thorough understanding of his predicament. He couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. "Human, you've got quite the nerve, daring to pull something like this!" Truthfully, what Yang Kai had just done was entirely beyond his expectations.
Yang Kai replied flatly, "Your nerve isn't small either. I have been appointed to oversee Yun Ying. Now that you've entered the city, why didn't you come to pay your respects?"
"What kind of thing are you, to merit my respects?" Lie Kuang sneered. He flexed both arms, glared, and bellowed, "You've offended Lord Yue Sang — do you really think you still have a way to live?"
Yang Kai chuckled lightly. "That fellow Yue Sang has already been banished by the Sacred Venerable to the Two Realms Battlefield. Didn't you know?" Now he could confirm it — Lie Kuang was indeed closely connected to the Blue Plains Continent. Bai Zhuo had said as much before; the Blue Plains Continent was Yue Sang's territory.
Lie Kuang froze at this, a dazed look flickering across his eyes.
Yang Kai scoffed. "Looks like you really are completely in the dark."
If he had known anything at all, he would never have reacted this way.
Lie Kuang waved his hand in fury. "Spare me your lies! Lord Yue Sang enjoys the Sacred Venerable's deepest trust and is regarded as his right hand — how could he possibly be banished to the Two Realms Battlefield? As for you… if you're willing to submit to me, I may well spare your life today."
"Right back at you!" Yang Kai replied with a grin, gazing at him cheerfully. "I'm new here with a shallow foundation, and I could use some capable allies. Your cultivation is impressive — it would be a shame to simply kill you. If you open your Sea of Consciousness and let me brand your soul, I'll spare your life today!"
Lie Kuang burst into roaring laughter. "Brat, what empty boasting." He glanced around and said, "This treasure is what you're relying on? Hmm, it is rather impressive. I've never tried it myself, but I know breaking out of it won't be easy. However, your mistake was bringing me in here with you. In this twenty-zhang space, if I want to kill you — where exactly do you think you can hide?"
Yang Kai slowly shook his head, a mocking smile on his face. "One last chance — submit, or die!"
Lie Kuang's face turned cold. "I want you dead!" he roared. The words had barely left his mouth when demonic energy surged in torrents. His body blurred as he lunged toward Yang Kai, like a fierce tiger released from its cage — unstoppable.
But Yang Kai seemed entirely unfazed, standing in place and smiling at the charge.
Lie Kuang's brow creased — he couldn't tell what the man was playing at. There wasn't the slightest hint of resistance. An instinctive sense of unease pricked at him, but at this point the arrow was already on the string and had to fly. He poured even more power into the blow, his fist now carrying his full force.
In the next instant, he saw Yang Kai casually raise a hand, and a towering figure materialized before him with eerie suddenness, blocking his path.