After some time passed, the situation on the Lanyuan side grew increasingly dire. Aside from the High-Rank Demon King still clinging to life under the combined assault of Lao Ke and Yin, the rest had either fled beyond all trace or been picked off by Bo Ya from a distance, or intercepted by reinforcements from Cloud Shadow.
The High-Rank Demon King locked in combat with Yang Kai was also showing signs of being unable to hold on, nearly dying on several occasions, blood streaming down his body.
He had already realized how badly things were turning for him. Setting aside the fact that he was no match for Yang Kai, Bo Ya would be free to lend a hand at any moment — and once that woman set her sights on him, he would have no hope of survival. With that thought, he hastily sent a mental transmission to Yang Kai: "Lord, please show mercy. Tuqiaro is willing to defect to your side and offer you his loyal service."
Yang Kai raised an eyebrow, though his hands showed no sign of slowing. Every strike remained lethal as he sneered: "So you're Tuqiaro?"
Earlier, Lao Ke had reported that when Lie Kuang led his forces toward Cloud Shadow City, the Myriad Demon Cave had been left in this Tuqiaro's charge. This Demon King was also a High-Rank from the Lanyuan continent. But when Lao Ke and Yin brought their forces in, he had slipped away.
So it was this guy. Quite the coincidence.
His surrender at this point clearly stemmed from his inability to keep fighting — if he didn't beg for mercy now, all that awaited was death.
Yang Kai regarded him lightly and chuckled: "Give me a reason to spare your life."
Tuqiaro continued to fend off attacks with all his might while transmitting: "After this battle, Lanyuan will certainly lack the strength to resist your might, my lord, and the Lanyuan continent will inevitably come under your control. But as far as I know, you currently command only three High-Rank Demon Kings. How can three High-Rank Demon Kings possibly oversee the territories of two continents? This Tuqiaro may be of modest ability, but I am willing to share your burden."
Yang Kai let out a laugh: "That does make a fair amount of sense."
Hearing this, Tuqiaro's face lit up with hope, thinking Yang Kai might agree. But then he saw Yang Kai turn a cold, mocking gaze his way: "Aren't you worried about Yue Sang coming after you later? Switching sides in the middle of a battle — that tends to make people rather resentful."
Tuqiaro's face went pale. This was precisely what he feared most. Begging Yang Kai for mercy at this point was one thing — the real question was whether Yue Sang would settle the score afterward. Yue Sang was a Half-Saint. If he were truly determined to take Tuqiaro's life, Yang Kai might not have the power to protect him.
But he had clearly anticipated this objection already and came prepared with his rebuttal: "Lord Yue Sang has been exiled to the Two-Worlds Battlefield, which means he must have done something to offend the Holy Sovereign. Setting aside whether he can return at all — even if he could, who knows when that would be. Moreover, my lord has been granted the title of Prince, which clearly shows the Holy Sovereign holds you in high regard. Swearing loyalty to you is tantamount to serving the Holy Sovereign — Lord Yue Sang would surely think twice about that."
He paused, then continued with a bitter smile: "The most important point is this — if you don't spare me today, then right here, right now is where Tuqiaro meets his end. So I implore you to show mercy. From this day forward, I will faithfully follow in your footsteps and obey your every command without exception!"
Yang Kai's eyes flickered. "You certainly know how to read the situation."
The man's words were earnest, and every last one was the unvarnished truth. If he couldn't move Yang Kai to spare him today, he was dead for certain. Rather than worrying about whether Yue Sang would come after him later, staying alive took priority.
Besides, Yang Kai had never intended to wipe everyone out anyway. Though he wished the Demon race would lose as many as possible, the truth was, as Tuqiaro had pointed out, that after today the Lanyuan continent would fall under his control as well. With only three High-Rank Demon Kings at his disposal, how could he possibly guard such vast territories across two continents? Taking this one in would help alleviate the manpower shortage.
This was precisely why Yang Kai had held back from delivering a killing blow all along. Otherwise, even though Tuqiaro was a High-Rank Demon King, Yang Kai could have ended his life long ago with his current abilities.
After a moment's thought, Yang Kai said: "I suppose letting you live isn't out of the question. But you'll need to open up your spiritual sea and allow me to place a Soul Imprint upon you."
Tuqiaro was not like Lao Ke and the others. Lao Ke, Kerson, and Yin — their backgrounds were relatively clean, and with Yu Rumeng's decree backing him, Yang Kai had no reason to fear they would act against his interests. But Tuqiaro had been Yue Sang's subordinate. Without a Soul Imprint, Yang Kai could never rest easy about him.
Once a Soul Imprint was placed, Tuqiaro's very life would be in Yang Kai's hands, and he would never be able to rebel again — a fate even more wretched than the Soul Puppet restraint that bound Bo Ya.
As soon as these words left Yang Kai's lips, Tuqiaro's expression changed dramatically. With a bitter look, he said: "My lord, surely there's no need for a Soul Imprint. I am willing to swear by the Great Demon God's name that I will never harbor disloyalty toward you."
Yang Kai scoffed: "If oaths were worth anything, who would bother with Cultivation? Take your time and think it over — I'm not in any particular hurry."
Tuqiaro's face twitched. He thought, you may not be in a hurry, but I certainly am. At this very moment, the Feather Demon some dozens of miles away had already freed her hands — she had drawn her bow, nocked an arrow, and had him locked in her sights, ready to loose that killing shot at any instant. Even across that distance, Tuqiaro could clearly sense the deadly threat bearing down on him from miles away.
He wanted to dodge and maneuver, but Yang Kai had him pinned down so completely that evasion was impossible.
And in the short span of his hesitation, that killing intent from miles away grew ever more focused, as though the arrow might fly at any heartbeat.
Knowing that further delay would be too late, Tuqiaro gritted his teeth: "Fine. We'll do as you say, my lord. From now on I will follow your lead in all things, and I only ask that you treat me in good faith."
"You'll learn soon enough what manner of person I am!" Yang Kai gave a light laugh, then turned his body slightly, casually blocking the line of Bo Ya's attack. Only then did Tuqiaro feel both body and mind ease. He stared at Yang Kai for a long moment, let out a slow sigh, and opened his spiritual sea.
Yang Kai did not hesitate. His spiritual sense surged forward, and in the blink of an eye, he had planted his own brand within Tuqiaro's spiritual sea.