"Why the silence? Scared witless by me?
Hahahaha, I must say, I do enjoy seeing the people of your so-called 'prime dimension' trying to maintain their stubborn composure while utterly terrified on the brink of death."
The demon general observed Hong Lian and the others with amusement.
"Don't rush me. Let me savor it for a while longer."
"Hmph, spare us the talk. Even if you kill us, we will never surrender."
Hong Lian deliberately adopted a defiant, unyielding posture, playing along with the demon's desire for an audience. His expression was akin to that of a prostitute, newly entered the trade, feigning shyness while trying to be more proactive.
"Why would I want you to surrender? I only need your corpses. Taking you back will bring this mission to a close."
The dialogue felt much like a villain overpowering a vulnerable maiden.
The maiden might say, "Even if you possess my body, you'll never have my heart."
The villain retorts, "What need have I for your heart? Your flesh is all I require."
This exchange almost made Feng Bing and Wang Fei burst into laughter. Fortunately, they were professionals and rarely laughed, unless they truly couldn't help it.
"Hmph, your demon race is utterly depraved, committing every atrocity imaginable. You've killed so many people, you'll surely face divine retribution sooner or later."
Hong Lian was performing the role of a simpleton with perfect conviction.
"Hahahaha, divine retribution? What a joke.
Tell me, what is heaven? Heaven is the Heavenly Dao, the will of heaven and earth, the rules of the universe.
Yet, we are here precisely to alter your Heavenly Dao, to make it serve our purpose.
If we feared divine retribution, would we even be here?"
"Don't be so arrogant. Our Thunder Emperor Hall will eventually destroy you."
Hong Lian was desperately trying to engage in awkward conversation to buy time.
"Hahahaha, Thunder Emperor Hall. A bunch of insignificant ants. If our demon race didn't deem you unworthy of our attention, we would have annihilated your meager alliance long ago.
Do you truly believe we can't deal with you?
It's simply that our demon race has more important matters to attend to currently."
Upon hearing this, the three of them felt a jolt of unease. Could the other side harbor some hidden agenda?
"I don't believe it. What more important matters could your insignificant demon race possibly have? You're just afraid of our Thunder Emperor Hall."
It was a rather clumsy attempt at provocation.
"Hahaha..."
The demon general chuckled, then his expression turned serious.
"Do you think I would tell you? Do you think I'm the kind of idiot demon who, upon seeing an opponent near death, would let their guard down and spill all their secrets to the very person they're about to defeat?
And then have that opponent suddenly turn the tables and escape with the secrets?
Hmph, Marshal Qiong Ku the demon often makes such mistakes, getting outplayed by your Hall Master. Do you think I would make such an error?
Do you think I'm a verbose demon?"
No... or, wouldn't you?
Seeing that his ploy wasn't working, Hong Lian's mind raced, frantically trying to devise a way to extract information. Although this villain was talkative, he still maintained some semblance of discretion.
"Alright, I've had enough of this chit-chat. Enjoy your death."
With that, the demon general raised his long saber, preparing to strike.
"Quick, dodge!"
The King paled with alarm, and his ministers descended into chaos.
"Don't worry. If nothing unexpected happens, then something unexpected is bound to happen."
Hong Lian had immense faith in his luck.
As expected, a bolt of lightning descended from the heavens, striking the demon general directly on the forehead. In an instant, the demon was scorched black and tender inside, his life extinguished. He collapsed to the ground, motionless.
Everyone looked up to see hundreds of warships approaching from the north, bearing the flag of the Thunder Emperor Hall.
Alliance Master Wan descended from the sky, landing before Hong Lian and the others.
"Greetings, Hall Master." Hong Lian and the other two immediately bowed.
The King and his ministers exchanged bewildered glances, astonished.
Was this young man before them the Hall Master of the Thunder Emperor Hall, Wan Lei?
The Hall Master had personally come to rescue them?
Holy cow!
Wan Lei nodded calmly.
"Hall Master, to what do we owe the honor of your personal presence? I am truly honored, deeply honored."
Hong Lian quickly stepped forward to flatter him.
Wan Lei felt a touch of awkwardness at the question. He couldn't possibly explain that the Thunder Emperor Hall had dispatched large armies to manage administrative affairs, leaving him with nothing to do, and out of sheer boredom, he had decided to lead an army on an expedition himself.
Did Hall Master Wan not have any pride?
"You did well this time, successfully protecting the King of this... Kingdom. You've earned a merit."
In truth, even if Hong Lian and the other two hadn't come, given the speed at which Wan Lei arrived, the King would most likely have been safe. Moreover, Wan Lei had no idea what purpose saving this particular King served; he was purely looking for something to do.
However, Hong Lian and his companions had come without hesitation, unharmed, and had successfully "rescued" the King, coincidentally being encountered by Hall Master Wan and thus successfully gaining his favor.
Such a series of coincidences was akin to defying the heavens with sheer luck.
"Thank you, Hall Master, thank you. This is merely my duty."
Hong Lian was overjoyed, feeling that his luck was indeed exceptional and that he could now rise to prominence.
However, Wan Lei's next words plunged him into an abyss of despair.
"I've heard that your luck has always been extraordinary. I have a great need for someone like you.
In a few more days, the Ghost Immortal Secret Realm will open. You three will accompany me there."
As he said this, Wan Lei casually cast a soundproofing formation, as their expedition was meant to be secret and should not be known to outsiders.
Under normal circumstances, being able to accompany the Hall Master on an expedition and serve by the supreme commander's side would be a rare and coveted opportunity. But the trio of good brothers did not see it that way.
It was a secret realm, and according to legends, the later the secret realm, the higher the casualty rate. In the Water Immortal and Fire Immortal Secret Realms, the casualty rate had reached a terrifying fifty percent. Even with their exceptional luck, they couldn't withstand such attrition.
Furthermore, did Hall Master Wan not have a clue about his own luck? Had he ever gone to a secret realm without being targeted?
While others faced a fifty-fifty chance of survival, he faced a ninety percent chance of death. Hadn't he always emerged months later than everyone else?
It was only in the Earth Immortal Secret Realm that he emerged immediately upon entering. Otherwise, he would likely still be trapped in there, and by the time he got out, the demon race would have already conquered the Thunder Wind Realm.
Regarding the Earth Immortal Secret Realm incident, as many people had witnessed it, Hall Master Wan hadn't intentionally concealed it. However, the subsequent demon invasion had overshadowed its dissemination. But the lucky trio, being staunch fans of Hall Master Wan, were aware of this matter.
"Uh, Hall Master, my meager bit of fortune is nothing compared to yours. You are the true Child of Destiny, the Son of the Plane, a fact even acknowledged by the demon race.
I am untalented and my luck is poor, so please, let me off the hook. My death wouldn't matter, but I cannot afford to jeopardize your important affairs."