Wan Lei looked at Xia Dayu, then at Han Fengxue, with suspicion, before adopting a solemn and composed demeanor.
He was aware of the animosity between the two, and knew there was no possibility of reconciliation. If not for their current states where neither could defeat the other, they would surely have fought to the death.
However, as supreme deities of their respective universes, couldn't they speak more subtly? Couldn't they maintain a superficial harmony while plotting in secret?
Why resort to immediate bickering and vying for verbal superiority upon meeting?
It was unbecoming of deities.
"Little fellow, your thinking is flawed."
Han Fengxue chuckled.
Wan Lei immediately felt a surge of exasperation. What was with these deities? Did they feel entitled to be unrestrained simply because they could read others' minds, leaving no privacy whatsoever?
"Many people advocate for concealing their emotions, admiring the composure of old foxes, and deeming those who are boastful and showy as unsophisticated.
However, if one truly achieves a state where few can restrain them in this world, where they hold sway over the life and death of most beings, who are they being composed for? Who are they being cunning for? Are they merely performing for themselves, then feeling moved by their own act, and then feeling self-satisfied?
Hypocritical."
"Makes sense."
Wan Lei nodded.
"Hahaha, right? This is also a realization I've had. You and I are quite compatible, little fellow. Are you interested in coming to our negative plane? We demons need talent like you."
Good heavens, what kind of thought process is this? Brother, is it appropriate to poach someone from under the nose of our Celestial Venerable?
"Uh... Your humble servant is untalented and shallow, and I fear I am unable to bear great responsibilities. It is better to remain in the positive plane."
Wan Lei guiltily hid behind Xia Dayu.
He hadn't expected that by accompanying a big shot to a battlefield, he would encounter the most formidable figure in the demon race.
Han Fengxue continued to look at Wan Lei with a smile.
"Oh, your name is Wan Lei, from..."
At this point, Han Fengxue suddenly glared at Xia Dayu.
"What are you doing? I'm just a little curious about this kid, and you have to directly block my inquiry?"
"You can probe anyone from our positive plane just because you want to? On what grounds?"
"Look at what you're saying. Aren't you also from the positive plane? We're even fellow townsfolk from the Southern Border."
"Oh? Is that so? If Demon Lord Jealousy has any intention of returning to the positive plane, our Celestial Venerable would welcome him with open arms.
Of course, if you don't wish to return, that's also fine. Brother Han, if you ever wish to visit your old home, we would also be welcoming."
"Hahahaha, I fear that if I entered the positive plane, I would never be able to leave. The negative plane would lose a Demon Lord."
Han Fengxue was very frank; there was no need to hide his fears.
"Speaking of which, what brings you to the Sea of Suffering this time? And why did you bring such a young child along?"
"Just an interesting junior. I impulsively brought him to the Sea of Suffering battlefield to gain some insights into dao laws."
"Gaining insights into dao laws? I'm skilled at that. Tell me what kind of dao law he cultivates, and perhaps I can offer some pointers. I do love to mentor juniors."
"What pointers can you offer? Pointers on how much you envy me?"
Han Fengxue shook his head and stopped paying attention to Xia Dayu, turning his gaze back to Wan Lei.
"Tsk tsk tsk, in these fifty thousand years, I've never seen Xia Dayu value a junior this much. Not only teaching him dao laws personally but also protecting his divine consciousness from inspection. I'm growing increasingly interested in you."
Han Fengxue leaned forward slightly, a sly smile on his face.
"Little fellow, who exactly are you?"
"Uh... Demon Lord."
Wan Lei clasped his hands and said,
"In the positive plane, I often argue with people. I cultivate the supreme dao, the dao of argument. However, the Celestial Venerable says my arguing skills are too low.
So, the Celestial Venerable wanted to show me what true arguing skills are. But no one in the positive plane dares to argue with the Celestial Venerable. Therefore, the Celestial Venerable said he would bring me to the Sea of Suffering, where I could find someone truly worthy of arguing with him.
Your humble servant never expected that person would be you."
Han Fengxue was taken aback. He had considered several possible answers from Wan Lei, but never expected this. He felt a twinge of annoyance, as if he had come all this way just to help with an argument.
"Are you cultivating the dao of annoying people?"
"Uh... I dabble in both, dabble in both."
"Do you have something to say, or should you just leave? A dignified Demon Lord bullying a child like this, what is the meaning of this?"
Xia Dayu coldly glanced at Han Fengxue.
"Xia Dayu, that's where you're wrong. Although we are sworn enemies, we have known each other for fifty thousand years. After so many years apart, it's only natural to chat when we meet.
There's an old saying, 'A friend from afar...' "
" '... is to be executed,' "
Xia Dayu retorted coldly.
"Hahahaha."
Han Fengxue burst into laughter and turned to look at the armies below, locked in a bloody battle, sighing.
"Alas, why do our two sides keep fighting? Wouldn't peaceful coexistence be better?"
"Stop your crocodile tears of false pity."
"It's 'cat weeping for a mouse,' false pity."
Han Fengxue corrected him.
"I'm happy to say it, and it's none of your business. If your negative plane didn't constantly send troops to attack us and invade our positive plane, would this war have lasted fifty thousand years? If you truly cared for them, you would simply order a full retreat to the positive plane."
"You see, this is why this war keeps going on. It's precisely because your positive plane can only be passively beaten, can only defend.
Because your positive plane is too weak and easily bullied. If I don't attack such an opponent, wouldn't I be disrespecting your frailty?
The demon race is warlike, we prosper through war, we improve through war, and our entire populace is militarized. They are inexhaustible. As the fighting continues, your positive plane grows weaker with each battle, while our negative plane grows stronger. By the time of the final offensive, your positive plane will collapse like a crumbling wall. At that time, both the positive and negative planes will be under my control."
"And then? You'll still be a Demon Lord, won't there be any difference?"
"Alas..."
Hearing this, Han Fengxue sighed again, a faint smile on his face.
"It's boring talking to you. Your intelligence is too low. If only Wan Li were here. With just that one sentence I just uttered, he would understand that I have found the true path to transcendence."
"Transcendence?"
Xia Dayu scoffed.
"You and I are both Venerables. Our strength and authority stem from our respective plane-universes. Our lives are bound together; we rise together, and we fall together. How can we transcend beyond the plane-universe?"
"That's why I say you're stupid. The plane-universe grants you authority and power, but it also binds you with a firm鎖."