Yang Kai reached out a hand and patted Mu Lu on the head. "You've worked hard."
Mu Lu's eyes immediately narrowed with pleasure.
Mu Zhu watched from the side and sighed. "You might be our master, but in terms of actual age, we sisters are far older than you. Could you stop treating us like children... What are you—"
Yang Kai reached out his other hand and rubbed her head too. "You've worked hard as well."
Mu Zhu fell silent at once...
After meditating to settle his breathing, Yang Kai finally left the Small World.
The moment his figure materialized, six pairs of eyes turned toward him — Yu Rumeng, Bei Li Mo, Changtian, and the others. Seeing him appear, Yu Rumeng hurriedly asked, "How is it?"
Yang Kai smiled faintly. "Nothing to worry about."
Yu Rumeng wasn't reassured. She grabbed his hand directly, channeling her Demonic Qi to conduct a thorough examination. Only after confirming there was nothing seriously wrong did she relax. Bei Li Mo sneered from the side. "You got lucky this time. You might not have such good fortune next time. Be more careful."
Yang Kai nodded slightly, took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, feeling at ease.
He was finally back in the Star Boundary. It had been roughly five years since he had "betrayed" the Star Boundary and followed Yu Rumeng to the Demon Domain. The war between the two worlds had likewise dragged on for five years, with countless casualties on both sides. But from the look of things, this protracted war had only just begun.
Regardless, returning to the Star Boundary filled Yang Kai with joy. Though he had fallen into demonic cultivation, at his core he was still a human. How could he ever have liked a place like the Demon Domain? The Star Boundary was his true home. Here were his family, friends, loved ones, his Sect — all manner of ties and bonds that even the barrier between worlds could not sever.
The area where Changtian and the others had landed was a stretch of jagged, barren rock. Everything around was parched and brown, without a hint of green. One could even see the remnants of fierce battles, though those traces were old — it seemed a large-scale conflict had once taken place here.
Dry, howling winds whipped up sand and dust, obscuring the view. The blazing sun beat down, hot and stifling.
This was likely still somewhere in the Western Region, not far from the Demon Race's main encampment. After arriving in the Star Boundary, Changtian and the others hadn't ventured deep inland — they had simply put some distance between themselves and the Demon camp and settled here.
"What are your plans going forward?" Changtian looked at Yang Kai and asked.
Yang Kai pondered for a moment, then spoke. "First I'll deal with the Small World's problems. Then I'll rally the Star Boundary's forces — advance steadily, take it step by step, and devour the Demon Domain bit by bit!"
Changtian remained noncommittal.
"But I'll need your help with this."
Only then did Changtian speak. "Things have come to this — we have no choice. Of course we'll lend you a hand."
Yang Kai expressed his gratitude. "Thank you. I'd like you all to come with me to meet the Great Emperors. Once we're all together, we can work out a proper plan."
Changtian smiled and slowly shook his head. "I'm afraid that won't do."
Yang Kai frowned, a hint of suspicion in his eyes. "Why?"
"We are demons, after all. The two worlds are locked in opposition. If we rashly go with you to see those Great Emperors, there's no telling what might happen." Seeing Yang Kai about to speak, Changtian raised a hand to cut him off. "I trust you, but that doesn't mean I trust those Great Emperors. You might want to ask Saint Sovereign Bei Li Mo and Saint Sovereign Yu Rumeng about this."
Yang Kai turned his head. He saw Bei Li Mo nod with a serious expression, and though Yu Rumeng gave no outward sign, her face spoke volumes.
"Ming Yue was trapped in Zhou Tian and ultimately perished — body destroyed and Dao extinguished. We have no intention of following in his footsteps."
Yang Kai frowned in thought. It was only natural for Changtian and the others to harbor such concerns. He hadn't considered this issue before — he had assumed his plan was sound enough. But now that Changtian had put it to him, he realized he had been far too naive.
What if those Great Emperors saw these three and immediately launched an attack? What if things didn't go the way he expected? The Great Emperors were reasonable people who understood human sentiment, but Ming Yue's death was a grievance too deep to easily set aside. During the Battle of Zhou Tian, both Yu Rumeng and Bei Li Mo had been involved. Though neither had directly harmed Ming Yue, the Twelve Heavenly Demon Formation had borne their participation.
Ming Yue's death was, to some degree, connected to them.
"Then how does the Senior think this should be resolved?" Yang Kai asked.
Changtian replied, "During the days you spent recovering, we discussed the matter at length. We've come up with a potential solution — you can judge whether it's viable."
"Please, Senior, go ahead." Yang Kai cupped his fists in salute.
"Your own plans remain unchanged — do what you must." Changtian extended his arm in a sweeping gesture that encompassed both Yu Rumeng and Bei Li Mo.