Yang Kai slowly shook his head. "Perhaps there could have been another outcome."
Yu Rumeng regarded him with an odd expression. "Don't tell me you're thinking the beings of both realms could coexist in peace?"
Yang Kai laughed despite himself and shook his head. "If not for the countless casualties, perhaps that might have been possible. But now, whether it's the Demon Realm or the Star Boundary, the dead are beyond counting. With such deep blood feuds, how could peace ever be achieved?"
"Then what is this other outcome you're talking about?"
Yang Kai's eyes burned with intensity. "The conflict between the Star Boundary and the Demon Realm, at its core, boils down to two words: survival! What the Demon Realm seeks is nothing more than another world where it can live, and what the Star Boundary seeks is to preserve the ground it stands on. Why do you think the Great Emperors and the Demon Saints never act rashly? It's because they fear shattering the world. And if the war between the two realms is allowed to continue, even if the Demon Realm truly wins in the end, how many will still be alive? Setting aside the low-ranking demons in the masses—even you Demon Saints, I'm afraid few would meet a peaceful end."
Yu Rumeng looked at Yang Kai with some surprise. "You're actually able to see so far ahead."
Yang Kai smiled. "I've been staying in the Demon Realm for quite some time now. If I couldn't even see something this obvious, I would have come for nothing."
"Even if what you say is correct, so what? Every sentient being with a mind is seeking its own path to survival. The war between the two realms will never end until one side claims victory."
Yang Kai looked at her and said, "What if there were a place that could accommodate every last demon?"
Yu Rumeng furrowed her brow, thoughtful. "You mean... another great world?"
"Exactly!" Yang Kai nodded, his gaze deep and profound. "That world's territory would be no smaller than the current Demon Realm, and its laws of heaven and earth would be no worse. Whether it's the lowest-ranking demons or you Demon Saints, all could live there in peace. That world could be called a brand-new Demon Realm!"
"Do you know where this world is?" Yu Rumeng raised her elegant brows.
Yang Kai was silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "Not yet. Perhaps I will in the future."
Yu Rumeng studied him for a good while, then laughed softly. "What exactly are you trying to say?"
Yang Kai said solemnly, "If such a place existed, Rumeng—would you lend me a hand?"
"How would you have me help?"
"Convince the other Demon Saints to migrate the entire Demon Race there."
"A pipe dream!" Yu Rumeng scoffed. "Perhaps at the very beginning, the Demon Realm started this war out of the need to survive. But by now, it's hard to say how many still cling to that original intention. Don't forget—the demons are bloodthirsty, war-loving creatures."
Yang Kai frowned, conceding the point. Putting aside the question of others, he asked, "I'm only asking you—if that time truly came, what would you choose?"
Yu Rumeng stared blankly for a moment, murmuring, "If such a place really existed..." Then she flicked her sleeve abruptly. "We'll talk about it when the time comes."
Without giving Yang Kai a chance to speak again, she declared, "I'm returning to the Sacred City, and you're coming with me. Until Boss Huang has his say, it's not safe for you to stay here. Gather whatever you need to pack, and I'll wait for you outside."
As she spoke, she strode toward the exit. But after only two steps, her elegant brows knitted together, a flash of pain crossing her face. She pressed a hand to her lower abdomen, then glared viciously at Yang Kai.
Yang Kai stood by the bed, completely nude, hands on his hips, admiring her sultry figure and slightly uneven gait with a mischievous grin.
Though Yu Rumeng hadn't given a clear answer in the end, Yang Kai had caught the hint of interest in her eyes. This greatly encouraged him, making him feel that the idea that had suddenly sprung to mind had a very real chance of coming to fruition.
Moreover, after she had glimpsed the myriad thoughts in his mind, she hadn't done anything to him. Instead, she was taking him to the Sacred City for refuge. This proved that Yu Rumeng still cared for him—perhaps because of the Heart Imprint Secret Art, or perhaps because of their intimate affair, or perhaps both. But regardless, this was a good start.
Yang Kai also felt a sudden wave of relief wash over him. No longer having to put on an act in front of her had significantly eased the burden on his shoulders.
In short order, Yang Kai was fully dressed. He stepped out, found Lao Ke to give him some instructions, and then flew off into the sky alongside Yu Rumeng.
He hadn't brought his Dharma Body, leaving it behind to hold down the fort at Cloud Shadow in case anything went wrong.
Throughout the journey, Yu Rumeng gave Yang Kai the cold shoulder, acting as though the pleasures of the past few days had never happened at all. She was probably still stewing inside, and Yang Kai had no intention of stepping on a landmine, so he simply closed his eyes and rested.
This only made Yu Rumeng grit her teeth even harder, and on several occasions she nearly threw Yang Kai out of the sky.
A Demon Saint's flying speed was incredibly fast. In less than half a day, the two had arrived at the Phantom Continent. Upon entering the Sacred City's palace, Yu Rumeng dumped Yang Kai in the courtyard where he had stayed before and vanished without a trace, giving him no chance to say a word.
The maids in the courtyard were naturally the same ones from last time. With the exception of Xiao Wu, whom Yang Kai had taken to Cloud Shadow, nothing about the rest had changed. They recognized Yang Kai and served him with attentive care.
Once inside his chambers, he left orders that he was not to be disturbed. Only then did Yang Kai settle down cross-legged. After a quiet sigh, his figure flickered, and he entered the Small Mysterious Realm.