"Not only was Demon Saint Rumeng injured — most of the other Demon Saints are wounded as well."
Before Yang Kai could fully digest the first piece of news, Bai Zhuo dropped an even more shocking one.
Yang Kai stared at him, jaw agape, his expression one of utter disbelief. Instinctively, it seemed impossible.
If Ming Yue had managed to injure a single Demon Saint under the current circumstances, that would have been somewhat plausible. But injuring two, three, or even... that was simply out of the question. Not that Yang Kai looked down on Ming Yue, but the Demon Saints weren't exactly pushovers either — how could they fall so easily?
Yet Bai Zhuo spoke with such conviction that there was no room for doubt. Yang Kai pressed immediately: "What exactly happened?"
Bai Zhuo shook his head slowly. "I don't know the details either. The Saint didn't elaborate — only ordered us to seal off the battlefield, assist Demon Saints Xue Li and Huo Bu, and prevent that Great Emperor from making any desperate moves!"
Xue Li and Huo Bu... Yang Kai quietly committed those names to memory. If he wasn't mistaken, those two were the ones currently engaged in battle with Ming Yue — which aligned with the information he'd sensed earlier. But what on earth had transpired in those half-months before his arrival, that Ming Yue had managed to grievously wound the majority of the Demon Domain's Saints in one stroke?
To possess such overwhelming power even while trapped and surrounded — truly worthy of being called a Great Emperor.
"Brother Bai Zhuo, do you know how the battle is going over there?" Yang Kai asked, mastering his shock.
Bai Zhuo smiled bitterly. "I don't, but with Demon Saints Xue Li and Huo Bu fighting together, that Great Emperor certainly can't be having an easy time of it."
This was precisely what Yang Kai found hardest to understand. So many Demon Saints had been injured by Ming Yue, yet just two of them could keep him contained? Had Ming Yue unleashed some devastating secret technique that left himself severely wounded as well, leaving him without the strength to fight back? But even that didn't quite add up...
Suddenly, another question struck him. "Has Demon Saint Rumeng still not arrived here?"
Bai Zhuo shook his head to confirm.
She hadn't come here in person, yet she'd still been injured — that could only mean one thing... Understanding dawned on Yang Kai. It seemed to be connected to the Soul-Splitting Technique! Most likely, it was the Demon Saints' split souls that Ming Yue had destroyed, which was what had wounded so many of them.
Unable to extract any more information from Bai Zhuo, Yang Kai could only make his way back, his mind in complete turmoil. Logically speaking, this should have been the perfect opportunity to rescue Ming Yue. Most of the Demon Saints were still recovering from their injuries, and only Xue Li and Huo Bu remained on the entire Zhoutian Continent to contend with him. But with his own meager strength, charging in would only burden Ming Yue further.
Yet if he waited any longer, once those other Demon Saints arrived, there would be even less chance.
In a daze, he returned to the encampment, only to find a scene of utter chaos. Something had clearly happened, and in addition to the two million troops he'd brought along, another group had appeared — their numbers no smaller than his own. Where they'd come from, he had no idea.
At that moment, both sides were locked in a standoff. Lao Ke, Yin, and the other Demon Lords left to hold the position wore expressions of tension and unease. Lao Ke had a diplomatic smile plastered on his face, repeatedly clasping his fists toward the opposing group in greeting.
But the opposing Demon Lords were clearly not receptive. One of them bellowed: "I'll give you the time it takes for an incense stick to burn — pack up and get out, or don't blame us for getting rough!"
What in the world? Someone was actually trying to steal his territory? What was there worth fighting over here? Yang Kai's eyes went wide. He had no idea what was going on, but he was already in a foul mood, and all his unease and frustration instantly erupted into fury. He squeezed his legs, and Zhui Feng charged straight into the crowd of newcomers, Yang Kai shouting: "Out of the way! Move!"
The opposing army blocked the road, heads packed tightly together, but Zhui Feng was ferocious. Paying no heed, it plowed forward like a hot knife through butter, carving out a path. Several demons who tried to resist were swatted aside, their bones cracking and shattering as they screamed in agony.
The suddenness of the charge caught the other side completely off guard. By the time Yang Kai led his squad back to the front of his own army, every one of the opposing Demon Lords was glaring at him with rage.
Yang Kai swept a cold gaze over them, dismissing the lot of them. His eyes settled on a figure — a female demon with a voluptuous frame and an alluring face. She, too, was studying him. Their eyes met, and Yang Kai raised an eyebrow. The corner of her lips curved upward in a smile laden with meaning.
A Half-Saint! The moment he'd seen this large group appear, Yang Kai had guessed a Half-Saint was leading them, and sure enough, that was the case. Moreover, this Half-Saint appeared to be of the same race as Yu Rumeng — a Succubus. She spoke no word and showed no trace of employing any secret technique, yet she continuously radiated an intoxicating charm that left many of the male demons under his command wearing looks of utter bewitchment.
Though he knew he couldn't really blame them — a Succubus Half-Saint's allure was not so easily resisted — Yang Kai still felt a prickle of irritation.
He beckoned, and Lao Ke immediately came over.
"What's the situation?" Yang Kai asked, his gaze never leaving the female Succubus, his eyes unwavering, radiating a deep, cold menace.
Lao Ke's face twisted in a grimace. "My Lord, this lady claims this area falls under their jurisdiction for garrison duty and wants us to relocate."
Yang Kai couldn't help but scoff. "Oh? Is that so?"
A Demon Lord from the opposing side immediately stepped forward and barked: "By order of Lord Di Li — a thousand-li perimeter around this area is to be sealed off! All unauthorized parties are to withdraw immediately!"
So now they were "unauthorized parties"... Yang Kai was practically speechless. He narrowed his eyes at the female Succubus. "And what shall I call you, miss?"