Chang Tian's words were rather startling, and Yang Kai genuinely didn't know how to respond for the moment.
Honestly speaking, he had no desire to agree. He had come to the Demon Realm with his own mission, and sooner or later he would return to the Star Boundary. No matter how much friction Chang Tian had with those Demon Holy Sovereigns, he was still a creature of the Demon Realm. The two of them would inevitably end up on opposite sides, becoming enemies. How could he possibly agree to such a proposal?
His first reaction had been to wonder whether Chang Tian had lost his mind, or whether he had some ulterior motive — otherwise, why would he say such a thing? But after a moment's thought, he realized that probably wasn't the case. Given Chang Tian's current cultivation and standing, there was no need for him to resort to such tactics to deceive him.
So the only possibility was that Chang Tian truly meant what he said, and Yang Kai could sense the sincerity behind his words.
Was it really because he was considered half a member of Chang Tian's clan that he deserved such regard? Wasn't that a bit too hasty? They had only just met for the first time, neither of them truly knew the other's background — was it really wise to be this open and earnest so soon?
The twin sisters on the side clearly harbored similar reservations, but given Chang Tian's long-standing authority, they didn't dare speak up to dissuade him.
Just as Yang Kai's thoughts churned, Chang Tian suddenly spoke again. "There's no need to rush your answer. You can take some time to think it over before giving me your reply. In the meantime, you're welcome to look around here as you please. The Hundred Spirits Continent is home to all Sacred Spirits, and you are, after all, one of them. So regardless of whether you ultimately agree or not, the Hundred Spirits Continent will not be your enemy. However, if your Sacred Spirit bloodline were to be exposed, the other Demon Holy Sovereigns would likely think very differently."
Yang Kai started in alarm, only then realizing that in the Demon Realm, Sacred Spirits were an extremely unique group — quite different from the Star Boundary. Because of the Hundred Spirits Continent and Chang Tian's existence, the relationship between ordinary demons and Sacred Spirits was not particularly good.
If the truth of his Dragon Clan bloodline were exposed, it could very well trigger some very unpleasant consequences.
Moreover... Yu Rumeng already knew about his Dragon Clan bloodline. He had once used his Dragon Transformation technique right in front of her.
"Thank you, Senior..." Regardless, the fact that Chang Tian hadn't forced him to give an answer on the spot allowed Yang Kai to breathe a sigh of relief.
Chang Tian chuckled softly and raised his hand in a casual gesture.
The twin sisters, who had been standing off to the side, immediately stepped forward in unison and bowed. "What are your orders, my lord?"
Chang Tian looked at Yang Kai and said, "Sisters Lian will accompany you. If you need anything, just tell them."
Both sisters looked visibly surprised upon hearing this. They hadn't expected Chang Tian to assign them both to look after Yang Kai — he must truly think highly of him. Otherwise, why would he have two Half-Saint-level powerhouses perform such a task? It seemed their lord genuinely intended to cultivate this human as his future successor. Neither dared show any negligence, and both quickly voiced their assent.
"Go," Chang Tian said, then waved his hand dismissively and closed his eyes.
Yang Kai's mind was brimming with questions, but he didn't dare press further. He could only suppress all his confusion, rise to his feet, bow to Chang Tian, and withdraw from the cold, dark hall.
Outside the corridor, he encountered the massive lion once more. Its majestic eyes gazed down at him from above, and as they brushed past, its deep, resonant voice rumbled: "Boy, don't let the lord down."
It seemed the creature knew exactly what had transpired inside, otherwise it wouldn't have said such a thing.
Yang Kai paused mid-step, turned, and cupped his fists in a brief salute. Without making any particular declaration, he flew out alongside the sisters Lian.
Beyond the castle lay a range of mountains — peaks rising and falling in rugged succession, strange rock formations jutting from the slopes, and waterfalls cascading down in silvery streams.
On a mountaintop about a hundred li away stood a palace — this was where the sisters Lian made their home. Chang Tian had handed Yang Kai over to their care without giving any specific instructions, so the two sisters had naturally brought him back here.
It was only on the way back that Yang Kai learned their names. The elder sister was called Hei Lian — Black Lotus — and the younger, Bai Lian — White Lotus. Simple enough to remember. Their names were undoubtedly tied to their Sacred Spirit identities, though Yang Kai couldn't for the life of him recall which Sacred Spirit matched them.
His mind preoccupied, he didn't press the matter. After the sisters settled him into his quarters, they both vanished before long, off to who knew where.
Yang Kai paced around the room for a while, still unable to make sense of the day's events. The sisters' residence was fairly spacious, but there didn't seem to be any servants around to attend to things. What there were in abundance were all manner of birds and beasts, some frolicking and some curled up at rest throughout the palace grounds.
He quietly cracked open the window and peered outside. No sign of anyone, but lying in the courtyard was a creature resembling a horse — an exotic beast with a single horn atop its head, its entire body a deep, lustrous black, strikingly magnificent.
He had no idea where it had come from. At the very least, he hadn't seen it when he arrived earlier.
As if it had heard the sound of Yang Kai opening the window, the creature suddenly raised its head and looked directly at him. Then it rose to its feet and let out a snort through its nostrils.
Yang Kai quickly raised a finger to his lips in a shushing gesture, worried the creature's noise might attract the sisters back. But he had to admit — once the beast stood up, it looked even more impressive. It stood nearly ten meters tall, with a ring of gold around each of its hooves as though it stood upon golden flames, and beneath the horn on its forehead, a crescent of moon-white gleamed. As it rose, a fierce and savage aura radiated outward.
Yang Kai felt a sudden chill. Only now did he realize that this horse-like creature possessed a terrifying level of power. At such a cultivation level, even if it couldn't take human form, it must surely possess considerable spiritual awareness. Seeing Yang Kai's gesture, it indeed stopped making noise, merely tilting its head to study him.
Yang Kai glanced around, confirmed that no one was nearby, then agilely flipped out through the window. Treading lightly, he crept outward.