Lin Rusong said, "Commander-General, this old man is well advanced in years, and after so many years of seclusion, I've lost my drive for advancement. Though I've been fortunate enough to qualify for entry into the Profound Heaven Temple, even if I were to enter, I likely wouldn't have many opportunities. I would like to offer my qualification to Lord Yang instead. Lord Yang is a rising talent, a brilliant young man, and has inherited the legacy of Lord Mingyue. If he enters the Profound Heaven Temple, he will surely accomplish great things. Commander-General, please also enter the Profound Heaven Temple to oversee the overall situation."
The moment these words left his lips, every powerhouse stared at him in astonishment. Slowly, that hint of surprise gave way to respect.
Lin Rusong was indeed quite old, but nowhere near as decrepit as he made himself out to be. Though he appeared frail and withered on the outside, he was still a Pseudo-Emperor with many long years ahead of him. The fact that he was willing to give up his hard-won qualification at a time like this was clearly a bid to smooth things over and avoid conflict.
But the price of doing so was enormous.
Everyone acknowledged that they simply didn't have his resolve, and how could they not feel respect for him? Even Cang Mo, who had been the one to lodge complaints against Yang Kai, furrowed his brow, a flush of shame coloring his face. He had been pursuing a personal grudge against Yang Kai, while Lin Rusong had been willing to sacrifice his own interests for the greater good. The contrast made Cang Mo look petty by comparison.
Fu Chun, whose gaze had been cold and frosty the entire time, softened considerably as she looked at Lin Rusong. At a time when every Pseudo-Emperor was tearing his head off competing for a single spot, here was someone who voluntarily stepped forward to relinquish a qualification he had already obtained. Such magnanimity was beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Li Wuyi smiled and said, "Lord Lin, I appreciate your kind intentions, but this matter was decided long ago in consultation with the two Elders. There are many affairs in the Star Boundary that the two Elders cannot directly involve themselves in, and someone needs to remain behind to oversee and coordinate. So in any case, I cannot leave." He paused, then cupped his fists solemnly. "Regardless—thank you, Lord Lin!"
Lin Rusong sighed upon hearing this. "Your righteousness is truly admirable, Commander-General. This old man is deeply impressed!"
Li Wuyi replied, "Lord Lin's magnanimity is something I admire greatly as well."
What had begun as a confrontation directed at Yang Kai suddenly evaporated thanks to Lin Rusong's intervention. The old man was willing to give up his own qualification just to keep the peace—if Cang Mo kept harping on the matter, he would only be proving himself ungrateful.
"Does anyone else have objections?" Zhu Yan swept his gaze across the crowd. None of the assembled powerhouses spoke up.
"Very well. Once we enter the Profound Heaven Temple, we must support one another and avoid internal friction. I'll be waiting out here for your good news." Zhu Yan nodded lightly. He understood, of course, that once they were inside, completely avoiding internal conflict would be impossible. Even if the Star Boundary's Pseudo-Emperors managed to wipe out every last Demon Half-Sage, there would inevitably be a fierce battle among themselves in the end.
This opening of the Profound Heaven Temple offered only one path to the Emperor Throne. The road to claiming that single position was a road paved with bloodshed.
But until the Demon Half-Sages were all dead, the Star Boundary's Pseudo-Emperors still needed to maintain their alliance and camaraderie as comrades-in-arms.
While the Star Boundary side held their discussions, the forces from the Demon Realm were gradually gathering as well. Behind the three Demon Saints, figure after figure wreathed in sinister demonic energy materialized.
Yang Kai looked over, and his brow furrowed involuntarily. The Demon Realm had clearly fielded more Half-Sages than the Star Boundary had Pseudo-Emperors. This was to be expected. In terms of top-tier combat strength, the Demon Race had always held an absolute advantage—Emperors and Demon Saints alike, and it was the same with Pseudo-Emperors and Half-Sages. The fundamental reason was that the Demon Realm was simply more vast than the Star Boundary, with a greater capacity in the vessel of heaven and earth. Moreover, the Demon Race had the Myriad Demon Pills; consuming those, demonic cultivation became far easier and faster.
Fortunately, the Demon Race shared the same concerns as the Star Boundary and didn't dare to send out every last Half-Sage. Though their numbers this time were somewhat greater than the Star Boundary's, it wasn't outrageous—roughly forty or so, which fell within an acceptable range. They had likely calibrated their force based on the Star Boundary's own strength.
"Watch out for that Corpse Demon," Li Wuyi suddenly sent a private transmission to Yang Kai.
Yang Kai followed his gaze and saw that among the Demon Race Half-Sages on the opposite side, the one leading them—a Corpse Demon—was baring a vicious grin in their direction. His skin had taken on a dark, ashen-blue hue. Fangs jutted from the corners of his mouth, and bristling from his exposed flesh were countless quill-like spikes, each about three inches long, resembling steel needles.
At a glance, the Corpse Demon looked like some manner of walking corpse, ghastly in appearance and terrifying to behold.
"Jia Long?" Yang Kai raised an eyebrow.
He had spent many years operating in the Demon Realm and knew more about their intelligence than anyone. He had either met or heard the names of every Demon Half-Sage. The moment Li Wuyi spoke, he guessed the Corpse Demon's identity.
"Precisely," Li Wuyi nodded lightly. "Among all the Demon Half-Sages, this one's strength ranks first. I've clashed with him twice, and he's exceedingly troublesome. If you encounter him, you must be careful."
Yang Kai nodded quietly.
Time was running short. Li Wuyi continued transmitting into Yang Kai's ear, pointing out several Demon Half-Sages who required special attention one by one. These were the ones Li Wuyi believed could pose a genuine threat to Yang Kai's life.
Yang Kai committed them to memory.
Meanwhile, Jia Long appeared to harbor an enormous grudge against Li Wuyi. From the moment he appeared, his gaze had been locked on Li Wuyi without wavering. It was only when he noticed Li Wuyi privately communicating with Yang Kai that Jia Long shifted his attention to Yang Kai, then bared his fangs in a wide grin and drew a finger across his own throat in a slitting gesture.
Yang Kai let out a derisive snort and paid him no mind.