Once again in that same damp, dark dungeon, Yang Kai was led here and locked into a different cell.
Inside the cell was another figure, looking rather desolate, curled up in a corner. A soft, weeping sound drifted from there.
Hearing the noise, the person looked up and out. In an instant, a spark of joy burst forth in her beautiful eyes as she cried out, "Yang Kai?"
Calling his name, she scrambled to her feet and stumbled over to him, her gaze fixed intently on him. When she saw that his injuries were essentially healed, she looked quite astonished.
An Ling'er had been separated from Yang Kai ever since she was brought here. Like those others, she had assumed that with the injuries Yang Kai sustained, if he wasn't dead, he'd at least be crippled. Yet here he was, perfectly fine.
Yang Kai shot her a look, signaling her to stay calm. Only after the two non-human guards who had escorted him departed did he pull her over to the cell's corner.
"How are you?" Yang Kai glanced at her, noticing the girl's clothes were intact, though her eyes were a bit swollen from crying.
An Ling'er shook her head. "I'm fine. They didn't bother me. And you?"
"I'm fine too!" Yang Kai chuckled.
"What is this place? Do you have any idea who those people were? Why did they capture us?"
"Not entirely clear. But they don't seem to be human, and they seem to hold a deep grudge against the Demon Race!" As he spoke, Yang Kai cast a glance toward the neighboring cells. There, pairs of eyes were curiously watching him and An Ling'er, and from their bodies emanated a demonic, sinister aura.
They were all likely captured members of the Demon Race.
"Just out of the wolf's jaws, only to fall into the tiger's den," An Ling'er said, her face dim with a somber mood.
"Relax. At least that Grandma Nan won't find us here for a while," Yang Kai sat down. Compared to being hunted by the previous generation's Saintess, this place felt relatively safe. At least he felt his life wasn't in immediate danger.
Hearing this, An Ling'er's mood lightened slightly. She sat down beside him, leaning close.
Yang Kai paid her no more mind, instead studying the Demon Race members in the cells on either side. Their True Yuan and Divine Sense were likely sealed as well. Moreover, in a place brimming with Yang-attributed energy like this, their demonic aura would be suppressed to varying degrees.
There were at least a dozen or so Demon Race prisoners held here, of varying strength. Yang Kai couldn't sense their exact cultivation levels; his own sea of consciousness was under restriction, and he dared not lightly use his Divine Sense to probe others.
While he was observing, someone suddenly arrived outside the cell.
Yang Kai's expression turned serious, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at the newcomer.
He recognized this person—one of those seated prominently in the main hall earlier. He was likely a powerful figure among these captors.
The man stood outside the cell, his gaze indifferent and cold as he regarded Yang Kai. Shortly after, several of his clansmen approached, carrying various items.
"Open the cell door!" the man ordered. Immediately, someone unlocked the chains.
The clansmen filed in, bearing mouthwatering aromas. Yang Kai was utterly astonished—he realized they were carrying in exquisite delicacies and several jugs of fine wine.
"Boy, you're lucky. The Chief ordered us to take good care of you," the man snorted coldly, then waved his hand, sending a stream of True Yuan surging into Yang Kai's body.
In the next instant, Yang Kai felt the restrictions on his physical body vanish. True Yuan once again flowed through his meridians, restoring his original strength.
However, he made no rash move. The fact that they so easily lifted his restrictions meant they were unafraid of him causing any trouble.
The wine and food were placed one by one before Yang Kai. The powerful figure simply stood in place, looking down at him with cold detachment.
"What's the meaning of this?" Yang Kai frowned. These people's attitude toward him was poor. There was no reason for them to not only lift his restrictions but also provide him with such excellent treatment. It made him wary.
Unprovoked kindness is either treachery or theft!
"Nothing particular," the man sneered, walking slowly closer. He turned his palm over, revealing a pale yellow, roughly fist-sized fruit. The moment this fruit appeared, Yang Kai sensed a rich Yang-attributed energy and a fragrant aroma filling the air.
He raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on the fruit.
"Hmph, this is also a boon for you. Digest it well!" The man casually tossed the fruit over. Yang Kai caught it easily, looking at him with suspicion.
The man said nothing more, turned, and left with his clansmen, relocking the cell.
A moment later, the group vanished.
Staring at the fruit in his hand and the feast before him, Yang Kai was filled with confusion, utterly unable to fathom what was going on.
From the cell to his left, a strange laugh suddenly echoed: "Human boy, you're quite lucky. Before you die, you get to enjoy a final feast. It seems you hold great value for their purposes."
Yang Kai's brow furrowed as he cast a sidelong glance in that direction. The light was too dim, and he couldn't make out what the speaker looked like.