Boya's mouth twitched at those words. He glanced back toward the direction of the battlefield and remarked languidly, "Brother Yang, you also received the Saint Sovereign's orders and came here to try your luck?"
Try what luck? What luck was there to try here? Yang Kai was completely baffled. Truth be told, he had received no orders at all—he had simply trespassed into this place on his own. Unable to press further on the matter, he went along with it: "That's right. Surely Brother Boya is the same?"
Boya shook his head with a bitter smile. "Naturally, I am too. It's just that I would honestly have preferred not to come. But when the Saint Sovereign gives an order, there's no refusing."
Yang Kai nodded. "This place is extraordinarily dangerous—certainly not somewhere anyone would willingly come. But since you're already here, why sigh about it? Fortune's wheel turns, and this year it may land on your doorstep. Perhaps Brother Boya will find himself blessed with incredible luck."
Boya let out an amused laugh. "I'd love to say I'll take your kind words to heart, but a man knows his own limits. If a real conflict erupts, I'm afraid my chances aren't all that great…" As he spoke, he suddenly turned to look at Yang Kai, his eyes brightening. "But as for you, Brother Yang… your chances are greater than anyone else's."
Greater than everyone else's? What on earth was this guy talking about? Yang Kai wanted desperately to ask for a clear explanation, but having already pretended to understand, he couldn't very well back down now. He could only feign puzzlement: "I'm afraid I don't quite follow, Brother Boya. If even your chances aren't great, how could mine possibly be?"
"Because you came from the Star Boundary—you share the same origin!" Boya replied as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.
What did coming from the Star Boundary have to do with anything? Same origin as what?
His mind itched like a cat scratching at it, and he nearly wished he could pry Boya's mouth open to get a straight answer. On the surface, however, he wore an expression of sudden realization: "Is that so? Ha ha, well then, I'll take Brother Boya's good wishes."
Boya's expression turned solemn. "That said, should the time truly come, I won't hold back. If I accidentally wound you, Brother Yang, please don't hold it against me!"
Yang Kai gave a hearty laugh. "Life and death are fated, wealth and honor rest with heaven. Since this king has already come here, I've naturally prepared myself mentally."
Boya nodded gently. "Brother Yang is quite the philosopher. Please, go ahead as you wish. The rest of us may still have to wait a while longer."
"Then I'll take my leave." Yang Kai reined in Chasing Wind and took a few steps, then looked back. "One question—where would be the most suitable place for me to go?"
Boya extended a finger and pointed. "That direction is held by the half-saints under Saint Sovereign Rumeng. Go and join the others there."
So that was how it was. Yang Kai glanced once more at the banner fluttering atop the peak, and a flicker of understanding crossed his eyes. It appeared the half-saints from the Demon Domain had already surrounded and divided up the battlefield—each Demon Saint's half-saints were responsible for a designated area.
He parted ways with Boya, rallied his two-million-strong army, and galloped in the direction Boya had indicated.
Half a day later, atop another mountain peak, he spotted another great banner. The pattern embroidered upon it was identical to the token Yu Rumeng had once given him. Without a doubt, this was where her half-saints had gathered.
Yang Kai rode Chasing Wind down and swept his gaze across the scene. He didn't spot anyone familiar.
In truth, he didn't know many of the half-saints under Yu Rumeng. The ones he was most familiar with were Bai Zhuo and Yue Sang—the former was friendly, the latter openly hostile. There were a few others he had crossed paths with, but only in passing—exchanged a few words when repairing the World Gates on their respective continents. The extent of those relationships could hardly be called deep.
And the half-saint presiding over this particular peak looked entirely unfamiliar. The man was enormously built, broad-shouldered and thick-limbed, of a stature that generally pointed to either the Strength Demon or Stone Demon clans.
Without having fought him, Yang Kai couldn't determine which race he belonged to.
What did catch Yang Kai slightly off guard was that the moment he landed, the half-saint shot him a cold, detached glance—and then his eyes filled with unmistakable disgust and loathing, as though he couldn't stand the sight of him.
Yang Kai was puzzled. He had no idea how he had offended this man.
But since this half-saint was in charge of things here, Yang Kai had little choice but to approach and inquire.
Drawing near, he clasped his fists: "Yang Kai of Cloud Shadow. May I ask your name, friend?"
The burly half-saint regarded him with frigid eyes, the corner of his mouth curling into a mocking smile. He showed no intention whatsoever of responding. Instead, his scrutinizing gaze lingered more on Chasing Wind.
Yang Kai repeated himself. Still no reply. Now he was certain—the man genuinely despised him. It left him thoroughly perplexed. He was positive this was their first meeting, and there had been no conflict between them. He couldn't fathom why this man was putting on such a sour face.
Moreover, he had his connection to Yu Rumeng. Her half-saints, even if they weren't exactly warm toward him, should at least maintain basic courtesy on the surface. This man's barefaced refusal to give even the slightest nod of acknowledgment was beyond odd.
Three strikes and you're out. After two attempts with no response, Yang Kai couldn't be bothered to try again. He looked around briefly, gave a small nod, turned his mount, gestured to his army behind him, and rode past the peak onward into the distance.
After Yang Kai departed, the burly Demon Saint beckoned a Demon Lord over and whispered in his ear: "Send word—tell them that human has shown up. If they want to make their move, they'd better do it before the Saint Sovereign arrives."
The Demon Lord took the order and vanished without a trace.
…
"My lord, that just now was Lord Dili." After they had traveled some distance, Yin spoke quietly at Yang Kai's side. She had witnessed his treatment back there and naturally felt she should explain the reason.