I'm so stupid I want to cry. After uploading the chapter this morning, I actually forgot to hit publish, and then I got dragged out. It wasn't until now that I got back — I've been absolutely swamped here at the Lu Academy, and I still have to head out again later.
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Within the boundless Blood Sea, in that tiny patch of pristine white, Mingyue's face was deathly pale, blood seeping from all seven orifices — a wretched sight to behold.
Half a day of fighting against Xue Li had pushed his already injured body well past its limits. Had it not been for the thing Yang Kai had given him beforehand, he never would have dared take such a gamble. He had been hoarding his strength for one final, desperate gamble at the very end — spending it early would mean all his prior efforts had been wasted.
Fortunately, Yang Kai had brought him new hope. He opened the jade box, retrieved a single leaf of the Unaging Tree, rolled it gently between his fingers, then placed it in his mouth and held it beneath his tongue, circulating his profound technique in silence.
Moments later, countless pores across Mingyue's body blazed with a faint green luminescence. Surging vitality flowed through his flesh and meridians, mending the hidden injuries within. The massive wound in his abdomen churned as flesh writhed and regrew, pitch-black demonic energy seeping outward as the hole gradually began to close.
Even Mingyue couldn't help but show a trace of joy at the staggering restorative power of the Unaging Tree's leaf.
While he had been locked in fierce combat with Xue Li, Yang Kai had suddenly appeared tens of thousands of miles away, his expression grim.
Hiding inside the Mysterious World Pearl and relying on Mingyue's power to launch it outward had carried no small amount of risk. If Xue Li had detected the Pearl's existence, Yang Kai would have been exposed for certain.
But at a time like that, Xue Li couldn't possibly account for everything. And with Mingyue calculating while Xue Li was caught off guard, he had finally found the right opportunity to send the Mysterious World Pearl away.
Tens of thousands of miles was no distance at all to evade the spiritual perception of a Demon Saint. After emerging from the Pearl, Yang Kai glanced back to see storms raging on the horizon, rumbling booms sounding one after another. He knew Mingyue was keeping Xue Li occupied, so he didn't hesitate — he turned and raced back the way he had come.
The journey back was uneventful. Two days later, Yang Kai had returned to Bei Li Mo's territory and rendezvoused with Tu Qialuo and the others.
The days that followed passed without incident.
Yang Kai's objective of infiltrating the Zhoutian Continent to locate Mingyue had been accomplished. He now knew his condition as well. All that remained was to wait a year, gather intelligence on Mingyue's situation, and then make his move when the time came. He saw no reason to stir up any more trouble. In handling the World Gates across Bei Li Mo's territory, he was thoroughly cooperative — repairing where repair was needed, performing maintenance where maintenance was due. Of course, if the chance arose to seek out those vanished continents and let the Mysterious World Pearl devour them, he wasn't about to waste the opportunity.
This continued for two more months, until every continent in Bei Li Mo's territory had been dealt with. Only then did the group finally set out for the Proud Snow Continent.
Yang Kai had little desire to meet Bei Li Mo again, but Bo Ya insisted on inviting him, and moreover, they were still on her territory — it was only proper to bid farewell before leaving.
They returned hastily to the Proud Snow Continent, and under Bo Ya's lead, entered the Proud Snow Ice Palace once more. After waiting in the side hall for quite some time, Bo Ya returned with a sheepish expression.
Yang Kai regarded him blankly.
Bo Ya said, "Brother Yang, the Holy Sovereign has pressing matters to attend to today and is afraid she won't have time to see you."
Yang Kai scoffed inwardly. What pressing matter could Bei Li Mo possibly have that she couldn't spare a moment to see him? She simply didn't want to see him — which suited him just fine, as he had no interest in seeing this woman either. They were perfectly on the same page. He clasped his fists and said, "In that case, I shall take my leave. Brother Bo Ya, no need to see me out!"
He had fulfilled his courtesies. After this, Bei Li Mo would have no grounds to hold any grudge against him.
"Brother Yang, wait!" Bo Ya quickly called out to stop him.
"What else is there?" Yang Kai asked.
Bo Ya said solemnly, "I'm afraid you can't go back just yet."
Yang Kai's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?" Surely Bei Li Mo wasn't planning to keep him here forever? That would be far too naive. If she actually tried something like that, Yu Rumeng would absolutely not stand for it.
Bo Ya could tell from his expression that he had misunderstood, but he couldn't really blame him. After all, Bei Li Mo had form — she had tossed the man into the Nether Cold Ice Prison for several days the last time. Who could say he wasn't still harboring resentment?
He hurriedly explained, "It's like this — Brother Yang's ability to repair World Gates is something the other Holy Sovereigns also need to draw upon. So you'll need to make a trip to the Crimson Flame Holy Sovereign's territory."
Yang Kai's mouth twitched at the news. Though he had long known that he wouldn't be getting any peace for quite some time, he hadn't expected the Demon Saints of the Demon Realm to not even give him a moment to rest. How desperate could they be? He had no idea what they were in such a rush about — if those World Gates were going to fail, they would have failed long ago.
He considered for a moment, then said, "Well, I should at least return to the Holy Sovereign's place first and report to Yu Rumeng about the situation here."
Bo Ya smiled. "That is precisely Yu Rumeng's wish as well. Her intention is that Brother Yang need not return — he should first take care of the World Gates across all the Holy Sovereigns' territories."
Yang Kai was somewhat speechless at this. He confirmed, "Yu Rumeng really said that?"
Bo Ya nodded. "The Holy Sovereign and Yu Rumeng have their own means of communication."