A pitch-black portal materialized in midair without warning. Moments later, Li Rong emerged with the four demonkin and Meng Wuya, took her bearings, and descended toward the ground below.
Yang Kai, still holding Xia Ningshang, shot out right after them.
The instant the two of them cleared the void corridor, a flash of light flickered behind them. The entire corridor writhed and twisted, then contracted into a tiny black dot before vanishing without a trace.
Yang Kai broke into a cold sweat. Had they been even a fraction slower, he and his little Senior Sister would have been trapped inside forever.
He looked down. Below lay a dense forest alive with birdsong and the scent of flowers. The mountain wilderness stretched out, lush and verdant, a pleasant sight.
Li Rong stood on a clearing down below, waving up at Yang Kai. "Master, over here!"
"Mm." Yang Kai acknowledged her and flew downward.
At the same time, he expanded his Divine Sense, remaining vigilant for any movement in the surroundings.
He had assumed they were still somewhere within the Beast Sea Dense Forest — after all, that was how they'd entered — but after a careful sweep, he found that not a single demon beast lurked within several dozen li.
Puzzled, he retracted his Divine Sense once he'd confirmed there was no danger nearby.
He set Xia Ningshang down to one side and hurriedly asked, "How are they?"
"Not too serious. They weren't bound for very long, so they just need some time to recover. But this old gentleman..." Li Rong gazed with pity at the haggard Meng Wuya — nothing but skin and bones — and let out a soft sigh.
According to Lei Long, this man had once been the strongest human in existence. Now he'd been reduced to this wretched state. Without treatment, with the little vitality he had left, he wouldn't live much longer.
"It's fine. As long as I'm here, he won't die." With that, Yang Kai moved to Meng Wuya's side and helped him up.
Manager Meng's wretched appearance made Yang Kai's heart ache. In all the time he'd known him, he had never seen Manager Meng look so destitute.
Meng Wuya painfully extended a hand like a withered claw, summoning every last ounce of his strength to grab onto Yang Kai's clothes. His cloudy, lifeless eyes locked onto Yang Kai's. His cracked lips moved.
"Don't say anything. I understand what you mean. I'll take care of Senior Sister." Yang Kai nodded gently.
Meng Wuya's eyes brightened for an instant — grateful that Yang Kai had seen through to the concern weighing on his heart. The faintest hint of a smile seemed to appear at the corner of his mouth.
Yang Kai had already produced a jade bottle. It contained Spirit Milk of Ten Thousand Medicines, and he gave Meng Wuya a small amount to take.
The Spirit Milk was remarkably effective for treating severe injuries. Although Meng Wuya's breath was barely a thread, this would at least keep that last spark of life from guttering out.
Next, Yang Kai took out the Blood Essence Stone.
A powerful, rhythmic thudding pulsed from within.
It was as if Meng Wuya's eyes instantly grew brighter upon sensing the vast Blood Qi stored inside the stone.
The stone pillar had the ability to drain the flesh and blood essence of those bound to it. Meng Wuya's entire reservoir of Blood Qi had been nearly siphoned clean. What he needed most right now was to replenish that Blood Qi.
As long as he had Blood Qi, vitality could be born anew.
And the Blood Essence Stone was, without question, the best option.
Spirit Milk of Ten Thousand Medicines and the Blood Essence Stone — a dual approach. Yang Kai refused to believe he couldn't save Manager Meng.
He channeled Zhenyuan into the Blood Essence Stone, drawing out the Blood Qi within and guiding it into Meng Wuya's body.
As the Blood Qi flowed in, Manager Meng felt his vitality returning. He cooperatively closed his eyes, leaving himself to Yang Kai's care.
Time passed slowly.
Visibly, Meng Wuya's body underwent a dramatic transformation.
Like a deflated balloon being blown back up, his flesh gradually filled out. His withered frame grew full once more.
The countless wounds covering his skin healed at a visible rate, and his complexion grew smoother, no longer as wrinkled as before.
A full hour later, Meng Wuya finally opened his eyes. His gaze was deep and lucid as he looked at Yang Kai and spoke in a hoarse voice, "Let me handle the rest. Go take care of Ningshang."
Yang Kai nodded, placed the Blood Essence Stone in Meng Wuya's hand, and turned to check on the others.
The four demonkin were all sitting in meditation, recovering. Motionless, after an hour of rest, their complexions had improved considerably.
Yang Kai thought for a moment, then concealed a drop of Spirit Essence of Ten Thousand Medicines inside the pills he carried with him and offered one to each of them.
The four demonkin powerhouses didn't hesitate — they swallowed the pills immediately.
Only then did Yang Kai go to Xia Ningshang's side.
Li Rong had been standing guard the whole time. She seemed to understand that this veiled woman was important to Yang Kai, so she hadn't stepped away for even a moment.
Xia Ningshang's condition was far better than Meng Wuya's. She had merely overexerted her power and was now suffering from exhaustion.
Yang Kai gave her a drop of Spirit Essence of Ten Thousand Medicines, then sat nearby to wait.