Hu Mei Er was also a bright and intelligent girl, and although Yang Kai only glanced at her, she still understood the reason for his gaze.
“Grandpa forbade you from entering the mine, and I am unable to not give him face. How about this, I will go and buy those seeds in your place. So, could you wait for me here?” Hu Mei Er suggested.
“Okay.” Yang Kai knew this was the only way, and immediately went to give all of his valuable possessions to her before telling her the names of the Disciple who possessed the seeds. That time in the Black Wind Trade area, he had gotten all the relevant information from the booth owner.
Hu Mei Er entered the underground mine, while Yang Kai’s eyes swept over the holes in the ground. When Long Zai Tian had left, he had entered one of the houses, and Yang Kai could sense that within that house a pair of eyes was staring at him intently, on Yang Kai’s position.
The stare had watched when Long Zai Tian had struck out at Yang Kai earlier; the source of that stare was a boy about the same age as Yang Kai, Long Zai Tian’s grandson, Long Hui!
Long Hui was currently looking at Yang Kai coldly and was discontent. “Grandpa, why didn’t you kill him back then?”
Long Zai Tian coldly laughed. “With Mei Er’s protection, how do you expect me to kill him?”
“All the more reason to kill him! I have never seen little sister, Hu Mei Er spend so much effort for any man and that youngster’s relationship with Mei Er isn’t shallow. To allow him to live, will only cause problems!”
“*En,* we have never seen Hu Mei Er protect someone like that. And for him, she actually dared to go against me, which is very unusual.” Long Zai Tian’s eyebrows creased.
Long Hui was extremely jealous. “Now that Mei Er has entered the mine, how about grandpa attacks again?”
Long Zai Tian looked at Long Hui resentfully, he wanted to comply but knew of the consequences. “Killing him is no hard task. But, if he died, it will cause Mei Er to harbor resentment towards you. Do you think that it’s worth it?”
Long Hui looked on blankly before shaking his head. “It’s not worth it, but are we really going to allow him to continue his relationship with Hu Mei Er? I can’t bear it.”
“You!” Long Zai Tian couldn’t help but let out a breath, “Learn more from your older brother and watch how he treats the women that he likes. If you want Mei Er, you must use more of your mind. Grandpa can help you kill people, but I can’t possibly help you acquire a female’s heart right? Hu Man does not have any sons, only his two daughters, Jiao Er and Mei Er, so if you and your older brother able to obtain these two, then in the future, the Blood Battle Gang would belong to my Long family! In all three generations of my Long family, we have put decades of work into helping Blood Battle Gang so we deserve the taste of being the Sect Master!”
Hearing this caused Long Hui to become hot-blooded as he nodded his head. “It should be time for my Long family to become the Master Family! Relax grandpa, Mei Er won’t be able to escape and over on big brother’s side, Hu Jiao Er will definitely be captured.”
*En* “It’s good to see that you have Some, resolve” Long Zai Tian smiled at him.
Long Hui was full of venom; he blamed things on the distant Yang Kai. With a bit of restlessness, he tried to speak his worries. “Grandpa, that person…….”
“You go find the opportunity yourself. His strength isn’t high, so you should be able to cope.”
“Yes!” Long Hui laughed sinisterly.
Although he couldn’t do anything now since Hu Mei Er would return shortly, Yang Kai was still a High Heaven Pavilion Disciple, so he wouldn’t be able to run far.
Yang Kai waited outside for a short while before Hu Mei Er came out, sweating all over. Her face filled with smiles as she stuffed four seeds into Yang Kai’s hands. “Fortunately, it wasn’t life threatening.”
The young lady of the Blood Battle Gang wanted to purchase some things, so which Disciple dared to not sell?
“Many thanks!” Yang Kai very carefully placed the four seeds within his chest area pocket.
After standing in his original position for a while, Yang Kai struggled before speaking. “You have helped me this time, so I owe you a favour.”
Hu Mei Er held a strange look as she stared at Yang Kai. “What do you mean?”
Waving his hand, Yang Kai explained. “Why don’t you follow me!?”
Although Hu Mei Er didn’t know what he wanted to do, she obediently followed him over.
After walking about thirty feet, Yang Kai unexpectedly stopped and stomped his foot. “I want you to remember this place. About 35 meters below here, there should be some unusual objects.”
Hu Mei Er eyes widened in doubt. “How do you know?”
Yang Kai muttered a bit indistinctly. “The martial skill that I am practicing, within a certain distance, I can sense all Yang attributed things. Underneath here there should be a Yang attributed treasure and its Yang energy fluctuations are many times purer than the Bright Yang Stones.”
Before coming here, Yang Kai had already sensed that in this area was a bit unusual and after considering it, he decided to tell Hu Mei Er. One reason was, due to this area belonging to the Blood Battle Gang, even if Yang Kai wanted these treasures, he couldn’t obtain them. Secondly, he still owed Hu Mei Er a favour and Yang Kai saw everything she did as she helped him today.
“Ah?” Hearing Yang Kai’s words, Hu Mei Er became frightened.
“Do you believe me?”
“I believe!” Hu Mei Er replied very frankly, making Yang Kai feel a bit moved.
“That’s good then.” Yang Kai lightly smiled. “Even though I do not know what is below, its value definitely isn’t low. Also, apart from that, there seems to be something else too, for the specifics, I can’t sense it. But from my guesses, the secret hidden below should be the peculiar mystery that your Blood Battle Gang has been trying solve regarding the mine. It’s extremely possible, that because of its existence, this ore vein exists.”
Hu Mei Er couldn’t help but be moved. If what Yang Kai said was true, then the secret hidden underneath was extremely important.
“You are an intelligent girl, so you should know what to do.” Yang Kai solemnly urged her.
“I understand.” Hu Mei Er kept on nodding her head.
“Okay then, let’s go.” He smiled began moving off.
*En.* Walking through the forest, Hu Mei Er and Yang Kai didn’t speak but instead enjoyed the warmth of the forest together.
Hu Mei Er was extremely joyful because Yang Kai had told her such important information. It was evident that his impression of her had changed greatly, unlike last time when he had simply disregarded her and ordered her around.
This time was different, he was much gentler and softer with her.
“We shall part here.” Abruptly, Yang Kai stopped his steps, while Hu Mei Er looked distracted, showing her unwillingness. In the blink of an eye, the two people had arrived at the four-way intersection; [time passed by so quickly!] Hu Mei Er was slightly grieving.
“Goodbye.” Yang Kai hurriedly said this and rushed back to High Heaven Pavilion.
[He really isn’t an easily swayed man!] Hu Mei Er laughed out bitterly, trying to cope.——————————————————————————————-
Next to the Coiling Dragon Stream, was Yang Kai concentrating on his training.
Not too far from him, there were the three Three Sun’s Fruit trees growing healthily, the biggest of the three already had three fruits growing, all on the verge of ripening. While the smallest of the three had only just emerged from the ground was still a tiny sapling.
Ever since the day he had left the Battle Blood Gang mine, he had been cultivating non-stop day and night at the Coiling Dragon Stream; even forgetting to eat. Long Zai Tian’s capricious attacks had motivated him to become stronger. With regards to that event, he wanted to extract revenge with his own two hands.
After ten days of training, he had reached the peak of the Tempered Body Ninth Stage and was on the brink of breaking through. But he seemed to be unable to grasp certain key points, causing to feel hopeless.
He knew that a realm breakthrough required an opportunity, and wasn’t easy like breaking through the various sub-stages. Even if he has enough Yuan Qi, he must have a chance encounter and understand what needs to be understood.
But if you thought about it, these days of training went by quite smoothly. He no longer needed to go and sweep, so he had more hours to train, the Three Leaved Chaos Spirit Flower and the Dead Jedi Tree Grass herbs had long since been finished. Without the incense’s pressure, the results from activating the True Yang Secret Art were clearly faster, allowing him to absorb the Yang Yuan Qi, more easily from the earth.
But all of the Yang Liquid drops that had been condensed were used as catalysts to transform the Three Sun’s Fruit seeds. Within his Dantian, there was not a single drop that remained.
The world’s essence congregated around, who was about to break into the Initial Element Stage and filled his body with new energy but unfortunately it did not succeed.
Even after a day and night of contemplation, he was still stuck at this bottleneck. Although he didn’t feel worried, or impatient, he was unable to free himself of the shackles that bound him; it was so very strange.
Another night under the starry sky next to Coiling Dragon Stream, Yang Kai’s emotions had sunken into an anxious state. All of his Yuan Qi seemed to become chaotic, and on his face was an extremely painful expression.
Not too far away, Xia Ning Chang who was watching couldn’t help but cry out. Though they were quite a distance apart, she could still sense the unusual Yuan Qi fluctuations; within those Yuan Qi fluctuations, there was a cold and evil Qi.
[How could it be? This was a clear sign of walking into the dark arts. He was only breaking into the Initial Element Stage from the Tempered Body Ninth Stage, so how could there be a chance of accidentally walking into the dark arts?] [Although it might be rude to say this, a martial practitioner with such a low level of cultivation doesn’t have the qualifications to cultivate the dark arts. Only when he was at a higher stage, would he have a chance to start to cultivate in that direction.] [But that doesn’t explain this situation right now.]Xia Ning Chang’s pretty eyebrows furrowed together in confusion.
The reason why she was there, was because she had watched over Yang Kai for more than two years, so… it had become a habit. Over these past few days, the sudden disappearance of Yang Kai had left her a bit lonely. With everything, she did she could not muster even a single bit of interest. Searching for him, she had found him next to Coiling Dragon Stream and the big stone in her heart had been lifted.
After arriving, Xia Ning Chang knew that he was about to breakthrough. After waiting for a day, he had unexpectedly not managed to breakthrough, and now this strange thing had arisen, so how could she not be in doubt.
Just as Xia Ning Chang was feeling anxious inside, a pure and blistering hot energy burst from within. With that blistering hot energies appearance, the demonic traces of energy were gradually being burnt away and the Yuan Qi fluctuations immediately became steady.
“True Yang Energy!” Xia Ning Chang’s small mouth gaped open and her charming face displayed her amazement. Nearly crying out, “How could it be so pure!”
That pure and blistering hot energy was clearly Yang type energy. Many High Heaven Pavilion Disciples cultivate fire or Yang type martial skills and possessed this type of fiery Yuan Qi. But no matter which Disciples Yuan Qi was compared, it wouldn’t be as pure as his.
This blistering hot energy wasn’t very dense, because ’s strength wasn’t very high. But it was abnormally clean, without the tiniest bit of impurity; like a water source that hadn’t been contaminated by the outside world.
Before she could recover herself, Xia Ning Chang saw that the demonic energy which was being suppressed by that blistering energy was also being replaced by it while it scattered inside.
After a short while, another burst true Yang Yuan Qi came out and suppressed the remaining dark energy. This repeated a few times, leaving Xia Ning Chang dumbstruck! She had never seen or heard of such a bizarre occurrence when a martial practitioner broke through into the Initial Element Stage.
In other words, although breaking through to the Initial Element Stage one would suffer some restrictions because the stage was still fairly low. As long as one used some effort they could break through, but this was not the case for him. She could clearly see that the restrictions he suffered were far greater than anyone else’s, and were, in fact, comparable to those she suffered when she was breaking into the higher stages.
[He must have suffered bitterly, but just then he had managed to pry into the next stage. He already had a foot into the Initial Element Stage, but at that moment from within his bones came out an evil energy causing him to lose his concentration. Fortunately, his Yang Yuan Qi allowed him to clear his mind.]Currently, inside his body, the two energies were fighting a ferocious battle with one being the Yang energy that he cultivated and other one being the evil energy that came from his bones. Each side struggled endlessly, treating his body like their battlefield. The evil energy occupied the upper part of his body, making his mind a bit muddled and elicited bloodthirsty emotions from within his mind. He wanted to go find a person to kill.
This was similar to when he was injured by others during a battle, while also being different. Although when he was injured he felt bloodthirsty during battle, his mind was still clear.
While his Yang Yuan Qi occupied the lower part of his body, leaving his body extremely clear and free.
Circling around without end, leaving one unable to determine a clear winner and loser; felt most uncomfortable.
Xia Ning Chang dashed around High Heaven Pavilion wearing her tight, black clothes which displaying her wonderful figure. A slender waist, with long slim legs that made people lose themselves in their fantasies. With an uneasy feeling and a black veil covering her face, she rushed back to her place.
She had watched from her position for quite a long time and felt really concerned for Yang Kai. Thinking it over numerous times, she still decided to go over and help him. Usually, when someone was breaking through, they could not be disturbed, but Xia Ning Chang could clearly feel the chaotic battle occurring inside. It was like a bloodthirst for a battle type of baptism.
[Only a battle could help relieve him. Only that could help him escape from that endless cycle]That’s why Xia Ning Chang returned to her residence to change her clothes before going back to him. Otherwise, he might be able to recognize her. After all, they had met face to face before.
Returning back hurriedly, she saw that the boy was still suffering and his movements seemed to be bigger than before.
Without the slightest bit of hesitation, Xia Ning Chang directly pounced in, as murderous intent shone in her charming eyes. Raising her hand, she struck down to initiate the attacked.
Since she had already decided to help him, Xia Ning Chang didn’t want to expose herself and show any flaws. Only once she helped, by fighting Yang Kai, would he be finally able to breakthrough.
That’s why her first strike was infused with killing intent.
Yang Kai’s strength was only at the Tempered Body Ninth Stage, so Xia Ning Chang only used the strength that was around the Initial Element Second-Third Realm.
Yang Kai who was at a critical juncture sensed something was amiss and felt a cold pressure around him. Without ample time to react, he felt that he was in a life or death situation.
Just as he was in doubt about this sense, the sound of a palm came from the side of his body.
[Someone is launching a sneak attack against me!] Yang Kai immediately woke up, he wasn’t scared, but rather he was happy as he lept to the side. Creasing his eyebrows, he swiftly threw out a fist.His fighting spirit had been woken when he was trying to break through, and just as he was pondering how to discharge the energy in his body, who would have imagined that somebody would come and present themselves like that! As to who had come to mount this sneak attack on him, Yang Kai no longer cared because he only wanted to fight, to fight a fulfilling battle!
Hearing the enemy’s sounds and the beating of their Yuan Qi, Yang Kai hastily retreated a few steps. Xia Ning Chang’s attack hit empty space so she calmly slowed her pace, while a flash of surprise went through her eyes.
Even though she had only used strength at about the Initial Element Third Stage, it wasn’t enough to match him.
Retreating back a bit, Yang Kai used the moonlight to view his opponent’s build. It was a female, but her face was covered with a black veil so he was unable to see her face.
“How could it be a girl!” Yang Kai eyebrows wrinkled as he mumbled discontentedly.
As soon as Xia Ning Chang heard those words, she was trembling with rage! Clenching her teeth, her body lightly flew over while Yuan Qi gathered in the palm of her hand and covered with sky with images of her palm directed towards Yang Kai’s head.
Those words had angered her too much!
Yang Kai howled out and released all of his strength along with his boiling hot Yuan Qi, matching up against Xia Ning Chang. Although the opponent was a female, Yang Kai wasn’t lenient. Their strength was clearly higher than his by a level, whilst also containing killing intent, so he didn’t dare to be careless.
Lightning and fire intercrossed, both Yang Kai and Xia Ning Chang were tightly locked in battle, but it was clear that it was unfavourable for Yang Kai. His style of combat was bursts of heavy strength, and although his killing power was ferocious, it couldn’t match up with Xia Ning Chang’s nimbleness. If he attacked twice, Xia Ning Chang would attack trice, coupled with Xia Ning Chang’s agile movements that allowed her to move in all directions it was like a monkey was playing tricks on Yang Kai.
Yang Kai was beaten all over, making him furious! He could sense that this opponent’s strength was higher than his by quite a bit, but he would have never guessed that his opponent was hiding her true power while fighting him. Fighting these types of opponents, to manage to land a hit on them would actually be a miracle.
Face blackened, Xia Ning Chang who was seething with rage was suddenly smiling. She thought. [Who told you to spout nonsense. You deserve to be beaten black and blue!]
It was just in a few moments, the aches and sores that Yang Kai had received, awoke his blood’s excitement. Energy surging like a gushing river, he listened carefully; he could even hear the waves crashing down, as the familiar warmth spread throughout his body while his strength gradually returned.
Xia Ning Chang repeatedly showed signs of shock, because she sensed that this Junior Brother’s Yuan Qi undulations were getting bigger and bigger as his strength gradually started to breakthrough from the Tempered Body Stage to arrive at the Initial Element Stage. Not mention that it had yet to stop and was slowly but steadily still increasing.
The fist carried with it a hot Yuan Qi became bigger and stronger, bigger and heavier. Xia Ning Chang started to feel that she could not hold on, so she increased her strength a bit more and clenched her teeth whilst enduring.
“Who made you come and try to kill me?” In the middle of this fierce battle, Yang Kai suddenly asked her with a gloomy face, his voice was deep and tinged with dispiritedness.
Xia Ning Chang didn’t answer and instead used all her focus to repel Yang Kai’s moves.
Up until now, Yang Kai’s strength would just match up with hers without either side having the slightest bit of an advantage. As long as she was targeted by his fist, she had to use some effort to repel the pure Yang Qi that invaded her body.
Xia Ning Chang was quite fearful and was afraid she had underestimated this pure Yang Yuan Qi’s might. This level of pureness was not something an ordinary martial practitioner could reach.
Just as Yang Kai and Xia Ning Chang’s hands crossed again neither of them retreated.
Narrowing his eyes at the opposing female, Yang Kai’s gaze was pulled to her forehead and on it, there was a faint imprint. Slightly startled, Yang Kai asked, “Your appearance……you appear to look just like my Senior Sister!”
Xia Ning Chang was currently defending against the invasion of Yang Kai’s Yang Yuan Qi, so when she heard those words, it startled her. She thought, [When was it exposed] She would never have imagined it was the faint imprint on her forehead that aroused Yang Kai’s suspicions.
Yang Kai remembered Xia Ning Chang’s forehead had a blue gemstone in the area of that imprint.
Xia Ning Chang’s eyes nervously blinked her eyelashes quivered nonstop. Meanwhile, Yang Kai grinned widely.
It suddenly hindered her attacks, so he firmly pulled her into his embrace and tore off her veil.
Up until that moment, Xia Ning Chang had only just recovered and wasn’t willing to reveal who she was. Firstly, she wanted to increase the pressure on Yang Kai, and secondly, she was a bit embarrassed. After all, last time’s meeting was far too awkward, so how could she possibly take off her veil?
In a moment of desperation, she failed to suppress her strength so a ferocious burst of Yuan Qi lashed out. Yang Kai cried out strangely and flew backward quite a distance. When he landed, he continued to roll some more.
When he managed to crawl up, how could that female still be there? She had long since escaped to god knows where.
“Could it really be?” Just then, he had casually asked the question, but who would have thought she would react so badly. That final Yuan Qi infused attack allowed Yang Kai to know of the great disparity in their strengths. If she truly wanted to kill him, it would be as simple as raising her hand. Was it really necessary for her to initiate a battle with him?
Whether it was the case or not was no longer important, because under that battles stimulation, the shackles that bound him were broken. He immediately sat down and carefully started to cultivate again.
In the next hour, the Yuan Qi around him started to flow violently towards Yang Kai’s direction.
Breathing in deeply, all of Yang Kai’s pores opened and gladly absorbed the world energy into his body. The pulled in Yuan Qi started to roam around Yang Kai’s body and cleansed his entire body.
This was an opportunity given to every martial practitioner that broke through to a higher Realm. As for the results of the cleansing, it depended on how much effort a practitioner put into it.
A hundred feet away, Xia Ning Chang panicked, while she hugged her chest. She didn’t think that Yang Kai would recognise her. Though she had finally helped him breakthrough, so she hadn’t wasted her efforts.
Just as she was panicking, a person’s figure appeared. A simply dressed old man suddenly appeared. This old man was completely white with a friendly appearance.
After she saw his face, Xia Ning Chang respectfully greeted him, “Greetings to the Sect Master.”
The old man kindly smiled back. “You are not one of my High Heaven Pavilion Disciples, no need for the formalities.”
Xia Ning Chang softly explained, “But you are a close friend of my master, so naturally you are my senior.”
When the Sect Master saw Xia Ning Chang’s clever and sensible behaviour, he couldn’t help but smile, “Meng Wu Ya really is fortunate to have accepted such a well-behaved Disciple.”
Recalling his own two disciples, the Sect Master secretly sighed.
Xia Ning Chang was very clear about his past, and seeing his dim expression, she didn’t know how to comfort him. She could only sink into silence.
Without speaking, the Head raised his hand to the sky and then pushed in the direction of Yang Kai. In that moment, Xia Ning Chang felt that the heaven and earth in that area had been sliced in half; like an enormous invisible palm was shielding that area from all prying eyes.
“This youngster’s breakthrough should have caused quite the ruckus, so it would be best to hide this first. So as to avoid investigation by others.” The Sect Master started to explain.
Xia Ning Chang was at a loss. Why was this Sect Master, someone who often did not show himself to others all year round, treating Yang Kai with such interest? But although she was puzzled, she didn’t dare to ask.
One old, one young, the pair remained at this one hundred meter distance as they watched over Yang Kai’s situation.
The Yuan Qi that entered the Tempered Body Staged Body of Yang Kai and spread through every inch of it. Even though one could not sense the Initial Element fluctuations, they could see that in a ten-meter radius, a large gale of wind was circulating with Yang Kai as the origin, the commotion around Yang Kai really wasn’t small.
[This was only a breakthrough into the Initial Element Stage. How could it be like this?] Xia Ning Chang really didn’t understand it.With the passing of time, a drumming sound slowly began in Yang Kai’s body. He felt his body was like a balloon expanding because there was quite a large amount of Yuan Qi around him was pouring in.
Just as Xia Ning Chang was secretly worrying for him, his body reverted to how it was previously. Even under the Sect Master’s barrier, she could still feel the sinister Yuan Qi fluctuations.
What was even more shocking was that the immense amount of Yuan Qi had all been completely absorbed by Yang Kai. And unexpectedly, a blazing hot, red stream of energy came gushing out from Coiling Dragon Stream.
These strips of energy were like red ribbons, rising from the bottom of Coiling Dragon Stream, they entered Yang Kai through his pores.
[Yang Qi!] Xia Ning Chang realized, the energy Yang Kai had previously absorbed was Yuan Qi, and this time it was Yang Yuan Qi. Although it could still be considered Yuan Qi, it was energy with a single attribute.Only after this Yang Yuan Qi had been completely absorbed by Yang Kai, did the commotion cease.
“Not bad.” The Sect Master lightly smiled and snapped his fingers to remove the barrier he had erected. In a split second his figure had disappeared leaving only his voice near Xia Ning Chang’s ear, “Please ask if your master is well in my place.”
“Understood!” Xia Ning Chang respectfully replied, before going to investigate the results of Yang Kai’s breakthrough.
With only one look, Xia Ning Chang was stunned.
[Initial Element Second Stage!]She actually thought she had sensed incorrectly, so she checked again and confirmed that Yang Kai really had reached that stage.
His breakthrough this time had not only involved him breaking into a higher realm but also breaking through one of the sub-stages. Was she dreaming?
Xia Ning Chang’s own physique was special and even with her meticulous cultivating and training, when she broke through she didn’t directly break through two stages. So today when she saw Yang Kai in front of her achieve this feat, how could she not be stunned?
Just as she was staring at him flabbergasted, Yang Kai who was sitting down cross-legged suddenly muttered to himself: “So it was like this!”
That being said, the World Qi fluctuations from his body became denser, he broke through to the Initial Element Third Stage!
“Monster!” Xia Ning Chang didn’t know how to react, as she once again felt a blow to her confidence.
After holding her position for a while, and confirming that Yang Kai wouldn’t increase in strength again, Xia Ning Chang finally let loose a sigh of relief, then left sorrowfully.
Yang Kai sat next to Coiling Dragon Stream for the entire night but didn’t cultivate his True Yang Secret Art at all, rather he set about understanding the insights he had gained during his breakthrough.
During his breakthrough, two different types of energy had entered Yang Kai. One was the Yuan Qi, this had not been absorbed into his Dantian. This had been absorbed by his bones, apart from a portion of Yuan Qi used to temper his body.
The second type was the Yang Yuan Qi from within the Coiling Dragon Stream which had fully become his. This energy had condensed into five drops of Yang Liquid and was calmly residing within his Dantian. After thinking for the entire night, Yang Kai had finally achieved a vague understanding.
The Golden Skeleton was able to sense when he sustained injuries or pain and restore his stamina, but this boost required energy to work and energy by nature can’t come from nothingness, so absorbing Yuan Qi was not something hard to comprehend.
The Yuan Qi absorbed by it this time would be given back to him later when he needed the stamina boosts. This was also one of the Golden Skeleton’s profound uses and the reason why it could supplement his stamina when needed during battle.
Yang Kai had also thought that he could only take in Yang type Qi because he was cultivating the True Yang Secret Art. But it looked like now, this theory ought to tested to determine its merit.
If he really could absorb energy that wasn’t Yang attributed, then his training speed would be even faster than before.
That made Yang Kai a bit joyful. Even though the True Yang Secret Art was powerful, it still had limitations. However, if his theory was correct, then he would no longer need to worry about finding adequate training environments.
Breathing out deeply, Yang Kai stood up. Using all of his concentration to sense that he truly had broken through and that he was at the Initial Element Third Stage.
Thinking back to the size of the two energies that had entered his body last night, Yang Kai felt at ease.
With his internal Yuan Qi stabilized, arriving at the Initial Element Stage, even if his Yuan Qi amount was small, this breakthrough was clearly out of the ordinary.
The Yuan Qi in his body had succeeded in increasing his heaven cycle, connecting his heaven and earth bridge and thereby increasing the speed at which his True Yang Secret Art worked.
Not to mention that after reaching this stage, to a certain extent, training was easier. But of course, the prerequisites were that you had a suitable cultivating environment.
Walking back from Coiling Dragon Stream, Yang Kai only felt happiness. With a new realm increase, his view on the world had changed a bit, resulting in his eyes becoming a bit clearer.
In a fifty-foot radius, he could even sense a person’s breathing.
Just as he was walking to his wooden hut, Yang Kai suddenly heard a familiar cry of agony. Stopping in his tracks, Yang Kai went to listen but couldn’t resist the urge to laugh.
How could Su Mu be beaten by someone again?
But this was inside the Main Gate’s territory. So if he was being beaten by someone, it was probably because of a duel. If he couldn’t match up with others, then he couldn’t blame anyone but himself.
No matter what, Yang Kai decided to go over and see what was going on.
Inside High Heaven Pavilion, as soon as people started to duel, any place could become a battlefield. The distance from where Su Mu was getting beaten up and where Yang Kai was actually wasn’t that far, and you only needed to walk a short distance before arriving.
Over there, quite a number of people were spectating and as Yang Kai swept his eyes over the scene, he clearly saw two main groups of people. About ten feet away from where he was standing were the familiar Li Yun Tian and Zhao Hu and assorted other underlings. But their expressions were full of wrath as they confronted the people opposite them.
[This doesn’t seem quite right…] As Yang Kai watched his eyebrows furrowed. The comparing of notes between the Sect Disciples, no matter who lost or won, it wouldn’t escalate to such a degree. Li Yun Tian and the others clearly looked like they were feeling indignant at some injustice and like they wanted to start a gang war.——————————-
Apart from these two groups of people, there were quite a few High Heaven Pavilion Disciples encircling the fighters to view the theatrics. The number of these unrelated bystanders was not little, as they pointed with their fingers at the ongoing duel.
Bringing with him a few doubts, Yang Kai broke through the crowd to slowly walk over to Li Yun Tian.
He saw that Su Mu had a bloody nose and swollen face; he was cutting quite the sorry figure as he was facing a youngster who couldn’t be much older than him. The youngster was very calm and composed, without a single sign of injury on his body as he smiled at Su Mu with a contemptuous look. He effortlessly blocked Su Mu’s attacks; while also provoking him. Su Mu yelled loudly as he jumped forward but his attack was easily countered.
After watching for a while, Yang Kai’s eyebrows creased because he saw that it wasn’t because Su Mu’s attacks didn’t hit that youngster, but rather Su Mu’s attack had no effect even when they hit. When Su Mu’s fist landed, that youngster didn’t even bat an eyelid, while Su Mu, on the other hand, received some light injuries.
Between the two, the difference in Yuan Qi fluctuations was quite small, in other words, their strengths were about equal. How could there be such a large disparity when they battled?
“What’s going on?” Yang Kai patted Li Yun Tian’s shoulder as he asked.
Turning around, Li Yun Tian’s face turned joyous as he replied, “Senior Brother Yang!”
Hearing this shout, Zhou Hu and the others saw Yang Kai and went to greet him before turning around to re-face the people facing them.
“How come Su Mu is not his opponent?” Yang Kai voiced his puzzlement, “Their strengths should be about the same?”
Li Yun Tian immediately nodded his head, however his expression fell. “*En,* Young Master Su is currently at the Initial Element Second Stage while that person is at Initial Element Third Stage. If you really wanted this to be fair, then you would have to say Young Master Su is not exactly his opponent, so he would not have an easy time. But this person is despicable to the extreme. As fellow Disciples when we are exchanging notes and during our duels, we do not use any treasures or artefacts, however, he actually dared to wear a Defensive Artefact. How can Su Mu’s attacks show their might?”
When he heard this, Yang Kai expression showed his contemplation. “A Defensive Artefact?”
“Right.” Li Yun Tian clenched his teeth. “He is the Grand Elder’s flesh and blood grandson, he is called Wei Zhuan. His Defensive Artefact was given to him personally by the Grand Elder.”
“Another second generation master?” Slowly things became clear. Behind Su Mu, there was an Elder and this Wei Zhuan was the grandson of the Grand Elder. Both had powerful backings, their positions were about the same, so if others didn’t dare to fight Su Mu, that did not mean that Wei Zhuan didn’t dare. But wearing a Defensive Artefact was a bit unfair.
“The Grand Elder and the Second Elder were never on good terms, so much so that even Su Mu and this Wei Zhuan held unfavourable impressions of each other. Now that he has this opportunity, he definitely plans on teaching Su Mu a ruthless lesson.” Li Yun Tian was secretly worried.
“So, it was just some boring and senseless internal strife.”
“Senior Brother Yang, please think of a way to save Young Master Su. You know his character! If he continues like this, then he will receive heavy injuries. ”
Yang Kai remained calm. “This is an exchange of notes between Disciples, so what if you are not up to par with them, and end up being beaten up? Are you saying that High Heaven Pavilion Disciples are afraid of this?”
“But this duel wasn’t fair from the start, and Wei Zhuan is hiding behind the might of his Defensive Artefact.”
Yang Kai coolly laughed, “This world was never fair! The strong prey on the weak, the strong are respected. You guys should already know all of this.”
Li Yun Tian became speechless, left at a loss for words.
In the exchange of notes between High Heaven Pavilion Disciples, they weren’t able to intervene. Although Yang Kai’s actions were fierce in the past, even he couldn’t disobey school rules, so how could they expect him to go and save Su Mu like last time?
On the battleground, Su Mu was already on the verge of collapse and his attacks no longer had much strength behind them. Meanwhile, Wei Zhuan was laughing out loud, exceptionally pleased with this outcome. Hitting his chest proudly while he spoke, “Su Mu don’t be polite, please come over. This young master is feeling very generous today, for I will not move from this spot at all. And if you are able to hurt me, then it will be my loss.”
Su Mu’s eye’s blurred; both his fists had smears of red blood over them. The Defensive Artefact that Wei Zhuan wore not only had defensive properties, it could also deflect Yuan Qi imbued attacks, causing Su Mu’s every attack to rebound back on him with at least half the original strength. The injuries on his fists were caused from this.
Hearing Wei Zhuan’s arrogant words, Su Mu spat out some blood as he retorted full of contempt. “If you have the guts then take off that turtle shell you’re wearing. If this young master doesn’t beat you until you can only crawl, then you aren’t my grandson!”
Wei Zhuan’s expression became frosty and sinister. Laughing evilly, he continued to mock his opponent. “That’s no small amount of courage! You actually dared to take advantage of me! You will pay for your words!”
Wei Zhuan was clearly enraged, three steps, two steps, he rushed towards Su Mu. Throwing out a punch at Su Mu’s cheek, Su Mu could only attempt to block with his hands. But his strength was already incomparable to his opponent, so he couldn’t defend against it. As the punch landed, it immediately caused his cheek to swell up, and his head to turn one hundred and eighty degrees.
Wei Zhuan was imposing like a tiger, walking forward he kicked out and kicked Su Mu to the ground before throwing both his fists down.
Su Mu used all his strength to resists but to no avail. The Defensive Artefact that Wei Zhuan wore clearly held many uses and wasn’t something Su Mu could contend against with his current strength.
“Call me grandfather and this Young Master will spare you!” After hitting him for a while, Wei Zhuan paused to say this.
Su Mu coolly looked up, smiling with disgust evident in his eyes.
Last time, Su Mu narrowly avoided Cheng Shao Feng smashing a stone into his head, but he still hadn’t yielded. How could he surrender this time?
“You make me laugh!” Wei Zhuan didn’t hesitate and resumed hitting Su Mu, Su Mu’s teeth went flying and his nose started to overflow with blood causing his appearance to be quite pitiful.
This Wei Zhuan’s hands were very fierce, even more so than Cheng Shao Feng’s had been.
“Young master Su!” Li Yun Tian and the others could no longer bear it, but as they took a step forward they realised they couldn’t do anything more because the Main Gate rules could not be violated.
Wei Zhuan didn’t continue but instead turned to sneer at Li Yun Tian and the rest, *Hee… Hee*, “You want to save him?”
Li Yun Tian and the others didn’t reply but took in deep breaths, full of resentment.
“I asked, do you want to save him?” He slapped his hand across Su Mu’s face as he asked again evilly.
Seeing Su Mu being attacked again, they nodded their heads but were afraid that he was scheming something.
“Then kneel down! Obediently kowtow a few times and if this Lord is feeling good, then I shall spare him today!” Since Wei Zhuan couldn’t deal with Su Mu completely, he turned towards Li Yun Tian and the others. Since they were Su Mu’s underlings, if they were humiliated, then it was equal to humiliating Su Mu.
Hearing this, the people there went into an uproar while Li Yun Tian and the rest became ashen faced, humiliated to the extreme.
Su Mu struggled to look towards them, and with his broken teeth he roared, “Do not listen to him!”
*Pa* it rang out as Su Mu received another slap.
Li Yun Tian and the others turned pale in fright because they knew that if they hesitated any further, Su Mu would only suffer more. Faces full of despair, they slowly knelt to the ground.
Yang Kai looked at them in astonishment, because he would never have imagined that they would go to such an extent for Su Mu. Was there gold underneath their knees, if their relationship wasn’t close, who would do this for someone?
Originally Yang Kai thought that Li Yun Tian and the others followed behind the second generation Su Mu to earn some benefits, but that was clearly not the case.
Wei Zhuan’s eyes narrowed and he suddenly laughed loudly. Towering over them, he looked down at Su Mu, “You couldn’t tell that these dogs you trained were so obedient.”
From the corners of Su Mu’s eyes, leaked out two strands of tears, tears of humiliation! Even when he was beaten by Wei Zhuan to such an extent, he had yet to shed any tears, but now when he saw Li Yun Tian and the others kneeling on the ground, he couldn’t restrain those tears.
——————————
Seeing Li Yun Tian and the others kneeling on the ground, Wei Zhuan’s look of arrogance became even more pronounced. Laughing out heartily he further taunted them, “But kneeling alone doesn’t show your sincerity!”
Li Yun Tian and others became ashen faced as they clenched their teeth together before saying, their voices full of grief. “We ask that Senior Wei please be lenient.”
Wei Zhuan narrowed his eyes and his smile gradually disappeared. Li Yun Tian and the others had shown great courage, making him slightly moved.
“Wei Zhuan!” Su Mu called out as a belly full of blood rose up, “Between you and I, we cannot exist together!”
“You really are resolute!” Wei Zhuan clasped his two hands together and smashed down towards Su Mu’s abdomen.
With a loud bang, Su Mu spat out a mouthful of blood before fainting from the pain.
“Young master Su!” His followers bellowed out because they hadn’t predicted that Wei Zhuan would break his promise in front of such an audience.
“Don’t spare a single one!” Wei Zhuan cruelly commanded his men. Then he stood up beside Su Mu and kicked him like he was kicking a dead dog to the side.
The High Heaven Pavilion Disciples that were previously facing Li Yun Tian and the others, sneered out and rushed over to them issuing challenges!
Just as they were going into a rage, not knowing how to vent their anger, their enemy came knocking. Was there any reason to reject the challenges?
This was an open and wild group fight, but each person had a set opponent. Wei Zhuan stood to the side as he watched and mocked, “Whoever refuses to comply, beat him to death. You might as well kill him to avoid a fuss!”
He clearly wanted to teach a good lesson to the people following Su Mu, to show them what lay in store for them when they followed the wrong person.
Because Yang Kai had been standing close to Li Yun Tian, he was also targeted by a Disciple under Wei Zhuan. This person scuttled in front of Yang Kai, stated his name and, without waiting for Yang Kai to respond, he attacked.
Yang Kai sent out a kick accompanied by a thunderous sound into that person’s stomach causing them to immediately crouch down.
It was only because of his bad luck, with his cultivation at only the Tempered Body Eight-Ninth stage, and according to rules, he didn’t have the necessary qualifications to even challenge Yang Kai. But since he had asked for a beating, he could only blame himself.
Dodging through the battlefield, Yang Kai walked step by step to Su Mu.
*En?* Squinting his eyes towards Yang Kai, Wei Zhuan sized him up and a flash of suspicion passed through his eyes.
How many people were under Su Mu, what were their names, Wei Zhuan naturally knew all this. But Yang Kai he had never met, so he temporarily didn’t know Yang Kai’s identity.
Yang Kai silently approached Su Mu with a stoic face. Moving his hand, he went to feel for Su Mu’s breathing and found out that Su Mu had only fainted; leaving him at ease.
“Who are you?” Wei Zhuan wasn’t happy. With the differences between Su Mu and himself, when this person appeared to check Su Mu’s condition, it clearly showed that they didn’t put him in their eyes.
Standing up, Yang Kai calmly looked at Wei Zhuan.
“This master asked who you are.” Wei Zhuan lifted up his chin and stated in a stern voice.
“Trial Disciple Yang Kai, please teach me!” Yang Kai cupped his hands at Wei Zhuan because this was the battle etiquette between High Heaven Pavilion Disciples.
“Yang Kai?” Wei Zhuan looked blankly before quickly recovering himself, “You are the Yang Kai that won against Storm House?”
“I don’t dare to claim such credit, but if there are no other Disciples called Yang Kai in this entire Sect, then guess that must be me.”
“What a joke! An insignificant Trial Disciple dares to come and challenge this master! Do you have the right?” Wei Zhuan sneered.
“The Main Gate rules state that as long as the difference in cultivation between Disciples doesn’t surpass three stages, then they are able to duel!”
“This master is at the Initial Element Third Stage, what can you be considered as?” Wei Zhuan looked at him with contempt. A Trial Disciple, he was only a Disciple that had yet to breakthrough into the Initial Element Stage. Since he had yet to breakthrough, then their stage difference would naturally have surpassed three stages already.
“I am also at the Initial Element Third Stage!” Yang Kai replied indifferently.
A sound of bewilderment echoed.
“That can’t be possible. Yang Kai has already reached the Initial Element Third Stage?”
“Didn’t they say it took him three years to reach the Tempered Body Third Stage? Was it because he had said the wrong thing? Or did I just remember incorrectly?”
“That’s strange, Yang Kai only just recently challenged me. When he did so he was still at the Tempered Body Eighth Stage, so how could he reach this stage in less than a month?”
All types of questions, by no, means few in number arose.
Wei Zhuan was also full of suspicions regarding Yang Kai, constantly wondering if he was lying or not. If he had reached the Initial Element Stage, then why was he still a Trial Disciple?
What he didn’t know was that it was only last night that Yang Kai broke through. Furthermore, he had gone from the Tempered Body Ninth Stage directly to the Initial Element Third Stage.
“Don’t I have the right to challenge you now?” Yang Kai narrowed his eyes as he asked; there was an ominous glint in them.
“If you really have this level of cultivation, then you have the necessary right to challenge me.” Wei Zhuan nodded his head and laughed maliciously, “Only if you are not afraid of death!”
Yang Kai laughed indifferently. “I hope that you are also not afraid of death!”
“Your words are quite big!” Wei Zhuan was angry as he thought about the fact that he was still wearing his Defensive Artefact. So even if he was an Initial Element Staged martial practitioner, he still wouldn’t be able to break through his defences; this made him practically invincible. While only being at the Initial Element Third Stage, how could he possibly win against me?
“Come. I’ll allow you to punch me as a test!” Wei Zhuan waved his hand towards Yang Kai, full of arrogance and anger.
Would Yang Kai be courteous? Rushing forward, he directly sent a fist straight into Wei Zhuan’s chest.
Boiling hot Yang Yuan Qi erupted. Not only was Wei Zhuan unharmed, Yang Kai’s body instead shook as he retreated quite a few steps. Lowering his head, he saw that his hand was red; it was clear that he had been injured by his own Yuan Qi.
“Hehe! You overestimated yourself!” Wei Zhuan was very proud of this outcome, but his face soon fell because he discovered that this Yang Kai’s eyes had become red in colour. He started to emit a violent boiling hot fluctuations of Yuan Qi from his body.
In his eyes, there wasn’t the slightest hint of a desire to retreat or fear, rather only excitement beyond compare. His eyes were like those of a terrible beast, looking at its prey; the slightest bit of movement would make him pounce.
Without warning, Wei Zhuan started to move but Yang Kai had already pounced on him. Within his Dantian, a drop of Yang Liquid disappeared and appeared in his fingers. With a simple thought, it became a blade as thin as a cicada’s wing and as red as blood.
A blood red ray of light flashed by, accompanied by slicing and cutting sounds as Yang Kai and Wei Zhuan exchanged blows.
Wei Zhuan only felt his stomach turn cold. As he looked down, his heart dropped and he shrieked out, “My Embroidered Cloud Locking Mail!”
This Embroidered Cloud Locking Mail was a Mid-Ordinary Grade Artefact. Although it’s rank wasn’t high, it was very suitable for someone at his level. He didn’t know where the Grand Elder obtained it from, but he had given it to him. Back then, the Grand Elder had said very clearly that normally, an Initial Element martial practitioner would be unable to break through this Defensive Artefact’s Defences, unless they used a great killing weapon.
But now, this treasure that he had such faith in, had been cut by a fellow Disciple in a duel; one who was only at the Initial Element Third Stage.
[What martial weapon did he just use! Was that red blade also a secret weapon? And its grade should also be higher than the Embroidered Cloud Locking Mail? Impossible! Impossible! But if that was not the case, could something like this happen?]————
At that moment, you could even say that Wei Zhuan was in deep regret.
He was shocked that his Embroidered Cloud Locking Mail was unable to block even a single blow from his opponent, and was crying over the destruction of his Defensive Artefact.
He was extremely angry. Turning his body around, Wei Zhuan jumped towards Yang Kai and bellowed, “You dared to break my Defensive Artefact! I want you to die!”
Wei Zhuan was also at the Initial Element Third Stage, so when his strength burst out, it didn’t lose to Yang Kai’s. But, unfortunately for him, when Yang Kai was still at the Tempered Body Stage, he could already kill someone at the Initial Element Fifth Stage. How could an insignificant person at the Initial Element Third Stage gain any advantage?
When Wei Zhuan reached Yang Kai, the blood red blade crisscrossed through the air, slashing Wei Zhuan multiple times, leaving various wounds.
Wei Zhuan’s body immediately froze, his fist stopping three inches away from Yang Kai. No matter how much he struggled, he couldn’t move a step further because he felt a scalding hot feeling.
Shuddering, his eyes turned to face the ground. Only to see the blood red blade in Yang Kai’s hand, like a quick snake attacking incessantly.
“A Defensive Artefact isn’t all it’s made out to be.” Yang Kai sneered as his eyes swept over the Embroidered Cloud Locking Mail on Wei Zhuan’s body; it was full of holes and tears.
Yang Kai was also shocked because he also hadn’t predicted that his Yang Liquid blade would be this powerful and this sharp.
Speaking of which, Yang Kai really wanted to fight Wei Zhuan. Originally he thought he would have to use some power, but currently he had only used one drop of the Yang Liquid, to dominate him.
Since the opponent used the Embroidered Cloud Locking Mail, why couldn’t he use Yang Liquid?
“Come and try to injure me!” Wei Zhuan’s cheeks trembled, looking at Yang Kai with a bit of resentment. Even though his life was in the hands of Yang Kai, he wasn’t the least bit afraid because he was the grandson of the Grand Elder! With a person holding such an honourable position backing him, no one in High Heaven Pavilion would dare injure him.
“Brat, you probably don’t know but my grandfather is the Grand Elder so if you dare injure me, you are looking for death!” Full of confidence, Wei Zhuan looked over at Yang Kai threateningly.
Yang Kai did have a reaction when he heard this, the blood red blade between his fingers becoming more menacing and the red glint in his eyes appeared more ferocious than before.
“I don’t know whether it’s you who dies first or me?” Yang Kai said to Wei Zhuan, his voice full of interest. On his face was a strange smile, and he slowly exerted strength with his fingers.
Slowly, a trickle of dark red blood dripped down from Wei Zhuan’s chest and he couldn’t help but let out a groan. In the moment that he got injured, Wei Zhuan felt a rush of boiling hot Yang Yuan Qi enter him, burning his skin and flesh painfully.
“You actually dared………” Wei Zhuan looked at Yang Kai in disbelief. He couldn’t believe that there were still people in High Heaven Pavilion who dared to injure him.
“Whether I dared or not, I have already done it. Do you say I don’t dare?” Yang Kai continued to exert strength and pushed the blade half an inch deeper, causing the blood to continuously flow out. Showing his cowardly inside Wei Zhuan cried out, “Aren’t you afraid that my grandfather will kill you!”
“In the comparing of notes between Disciples, one is responsible for their own life and death!” Yang Kai sneered out coldly, “If you can’t compare to others, you can’t blame others for killing you. What can the Grand Elder do? High Heaven Pavilion does not belong to him.”
Wei Zhuan, was frantic by the craziness of this Disciple, he felt shivers and cold all over.
Just as he was about to speak, Yang Kai suddenly interrupted him, “If you say I concede, these two words, I will kill you. So don’t even think about it.”
Wei Zhuan became deathly white because he had just thought of conceding. In a battle between Disciples, if one felt that they were unable to match up against their opponent, they were able to concede. Then their opponent could not pursue them or attack them any further.
But now he didn’t dare to say these two words because he couldn’t see any hint that Yang Kai was joking in his crazy but serious eyes.
“What do you really want to do?” Wei Zhuan clenched his teeth as he asked this.
“I don’t want to do anything. I’m just thinking how you can’t compare to Su Mu because you relied on your Defensive Artefact to win against him!” Yang Kai said as he slowly shook his head.
“I can’t compare to him?” Wei Zhuan was like a cat that had its tail stepped on. Lowly shouting, “How can I not compare to him? My strength is higher than his, my status is also higher, so how am I not comparable to him?”
Yang Kai shifted his head to the side, “You don’t believe me? I’ll show you.”
Stopping his words, Yang Kai exerted some strength with his fingers causing Wei Zhuan face to contort and shiver uncontrollably.
Yang Kai turned around to size up Wei Zhuan’s underlings. Previously they were fighting against Li Yun Tian and the others with all their might. But as soon as they saw Wei Zhaun fall, they stopped fighting and didn’t dare to do anything other than stare stupidly.
“Do you want to save your Young Master Wei Zhuan?” Yang Kai asked them.
No one dared to reply because they were all terrified at Yang Kai’s craziness. After his display of ferociousness, how could any of the ten or so young men dare to confront him?
“If you want to save him, then obediently kneel down and admit you were wrong! If I feel merciful, I will spare him!” Yang Kai coldly laughed out.
Their faces paled, this……didn’t Wei Zhuan just say this to Su Mu’s underlings?
After Su Mu’s underlings heard this, they had kneeled without hesitation and kowtowed to Wei Zhuan. Did that mean they had to do the same?
These people just stared, because if they kneeled, then they would lose a great amount of face. Without face, how could they continue to stay in High Heaven Pavilion? But if they didn’t kneel and Wei Zhuan blamed them, what would they do?
Each person’s face was different, each contemplative and unsure as to which decision to make.
“It looks like you want him to die.” Yang Kai sighed out softly, and pushed the blade a bit further into Wei Zhuan’s body.
Wei Zhuan cried out in fright, because he could feel that if the blade in Yang Kai’s hands were to penetrate even deeper, then it would stab his heart.
That was a fatal attack!
Wei Zhuan didn’t want to die and shouted out in desperation with a hoarse voice at his underlings, “Why are you still dawdling? Hurry up and kneel down! If I am to die, then none of you shall be spared!”
Only then did the underlings under Wei Zhuan shake their bodies and kneel down.
Watching this scene, Li Yun Tian and the others were overwhelmed with emotions, because the previous injustices they had suffered were being washed away by their actions. They were much more carefree.
Yang Kai turned back to Wei Zhuan, enthusiastically saying, “Now do you know the difference between you and Su Mu?”
Wei Zhuan looked on blankly before his face suddenly changed and he looked at his underlings with a gaze full of malice.
In order to save Su Mu’s life, Li Yun Tian and the others threw away their pride. But how about his underlings? Only when he had bellowed out and threatened their lives, did they grudgingly obey Yang Kai’s request.
When comparing the two, the difference between Wei Zhuan and Su Mu became clear. In personal charisma, Wei Zhuan couldn’t compare to Su Mu.
“Are you satisfied now?” Wei Zhuan asked, looking at Yang Kai coldly.
Yang Kai narrowed his eyes, his expression unreadable.
Wei Zhuan turned pale with fright and said in a shrill voice, “You can’t possibly…..”
But before Yang Kai could reply, from afar, a voice bellowed out in rage: “Detain them all!”
Immediately after this order, a row of people appeared in front of Yang Kai and without waiting giving an explanation, one of them attacked Yang Kai. Groaning out, he flew backwards.
“Senior Brother Yang!” Li Yun Tian and the others turned in pale in fright and quickly rushed forward to help him up.
Yang Kai struggled to stand up, and while sighing out exasperatedly, he looked at the new youth. He stood beside Wei Zhuan, supporting Wei Zhuan with one hand and directing a look filled with maliciousness at Yang Kai, he spoke out, “Young master Zhuan, are you alright?”
Wei Zhuan looked over at Yang Kai, his gaze full of poison. His body appeared a bit unstable and he shook his head. “I’m fine.”
“It’s good that you are fine. I have come late.” The youth spoke again. Although his strength was above Wei Zhuan’s, he was still a person under the Grand Elder so his position was naturally below Wei Zhuan’s.
“You are quite late you know?” Wei Zhuan laughed out, and peculiarly asked, “Senior Brother Cao, ever since you became a Disciplinary Disciple, you should understand school rules better than any of us. So I ask u, if one was to murder another in the Sect, what would their punishment be?”
Cao Zheng Wen sneered, booming out. “This is very serious. We would first break their arms and legs, then expel them from the Sect and then kill them. This also acts as a warning for others!”
Wei Zhuan hehe laughed and pointed his finger at Yang Kai, “Just now, this person threatened to kill me! Senior Brother Cao, punish him as you see fit!”
With someone backing him now, how could Wei Zhuan possibly continue to act as submissively as before?
Cao Zheng Wen sternly asked, “You are serious?”
Wei Zhuan coldly nodded non-stop. “Senior Brother Cao, when you arrived, didn’t you see everything that happened with your own two eyes?”
Cao Zheng Wen nodded his head, “That’s right, when I arrived, I truly saw this person, with a lethal weapon, pointing it at your chest. If I had not hurriedly blocked his attack, then you would have long since fallen under his poisonous hands. This person actually dared to act so brazenly during the day while breaking school regulations!”
These two sang the same tune well, in sync with each other, and managed to put Yang Kai under suspicion of attempted murder.
“Nonsense!” Li Yun Tian hissed out, “Just then, Senior Brother Yang and Wei Zhuan were only duelling and exchanging notes. How could it be as serious as the way you guys are presenting it?”
Cao Zheng Wen coldly snorted, “It was as simple as exchanging notes?”
Zhao Hu quickly answered, “If you don’t believe it, then you can ask any of the Disciples here who came to watch the fun. They were all witnesses to this. Furthermore, this entire thing was first started by Wei Zhuan. Senior Brother Yang was dragged into this.”
“There are witnesses, who are the witnesses?” Wei Zhuan tilted his head, chuckling as he looked around.
The High Heaven Pavilion Disciples that were watching immediately scattered like birds and disappeared. They had naturally heard how it involved the Grand Elder and didn’t have the courage to involve themselves. No matter which side they offended or sided with, their future days in High Heaven Pavilion would be painful.
Li Yun Tian saw this and became speechless and wanted to cry out, but he steadied himself enough to speak. “This entire event has been witnessed by us. Each and every detail was seen clearly. We are the witnesses!”
Cao Zheng Wen shooked his head, “You guys were gathered together and brawled, so you were preoccupied. How are you able to testify?”
“Gathered together to brawl?” Zhou Hu jumped up and bellowed, “It was clearly Wei Zhuan commanding his underlings to challenge us! How could it be described as a group brawl? Cao Zheng Wen, don’t think that just because you are a Disciplinary Disciple you can do whatever you want. It hasn’t reached the point where you can freely make decisions in High Heaven Pavilion.”
“Impudence!” Cao Zheng Wen reprimanded, “The Disciplinary Hall represents the school’s rule and upholds the regulations, so they are always just and impartial. You! actually, dare to question the Disciplinary Hall’s authority? Your crimes are increased by one!”
“If you want to condemn me, then no need to worry about the pretext right?” Yang Kai waved his hand to silence Li Yun Tian and sneered at Cao Zheng Wen, “Just and fair? Today, I truly experienced what is just and fair.”
*Humph!* Grinning coldly, Cao Zheng Wen walked forward and ordered, full of grandeur, “Arrest them all! After discussions with the Grand Elder, the punishments will commence!”
*Sou sou!* The sound of clothes swishing and rapid movement rang out, and out of nowhere appeared more than a dozen Disciplinary Disciples from all directions. The weakest of them were at the Initial Element Fifth Stage, so how could Li Yun Tian and the rest be their opponents? In three steps, two moves, they pressed them down to the ground in a kneeling posture. Yang Kai didn’t resist because he knew nothing would happen even if he resisted.
“Let’s see in the future!” With the cowardly Wei Zhuan accomplishing his goal, he walked in front of Yang Kai grinning smugly.
“Take them away!” Cao Zheng Wen ordered, and the Disciplinary Disciples took them away.
Looking over at Su Mu who was lying unconscious, Cao Zheng Wen wrinkled his eyebrows because apprehending Yang Kai, Li Yun Tian and the rest was a simple matter but apprehending Su Mu wasn’t. He didn’t dare act and thought for a while before speaking, “Take junior brother Su to the Second Elder’s place.”
“Yes!” Someone replied, and went to pick up Su Mu from the ground before carrying him away.
“Young master Zhuan, you have suffered much…” Cao Zheng Wen softly said.
Wei Zhuan narrowed his eyes and gnashed his teeth, “That person called Yang Kai, you definitely must not let him off easy! He has humiliated me today and made me suffer endlessly! You should know what to do!”
Cao Zheng Wen looked a bit hesitant. “Young master Zhuan, today’s event was somewhat big and Grand Elder Hui will definitely be notified. If we were to act now, it would be somewhat inappropriate. Why don’t we act after the Grand Elder has made his decision.”
“But I can’t swallow this rage!” Wei Zhuan’s face revealed his evil intentions.
“Don’t worry, I will help Young Master Zhuan relieve a bit of your anger and teach him properly. I shall teach him what the consequences are for offending young master Zhuan.”
“Don’t kill him, I want to personally deal with him!”
“It shall be as you say!”
Yang Kai and the rest were currently being imprisoned in the High Heaven Pavilion Forest Prison. It was very dark and damp, with dense cold air; they were accompanied by many rats and mosquitos. From all directions a hideous stench wafted towards them, making one want to puke. Overall, it was an uninhabitable environment.
The Forest Prison was the place where High Heaven Pavilion imprisoned Disciples who committed mistakes. Li Yun Tian and the rest never thought that they would one day be imprisoned here, it left a bitter aftertaste.
“Senior Brother Yang, we have dragged you into this.” Li Yun Tian sat next to Yang Kai and softly apologised.
Yang Kai smiled and comforted him, “This isn’t related to you, I just couldn’t hold back and jumped into the situation. I couldn’t bear to see our people bite each other like dogs.”
“Bite each other like dogs…….” Li Yun Tian felt like choking, wasn’t he including them when he was cursing Wei Zhuan’s people?
“Putting it in a better light, it would be a family quarrel, but if you put it bluntly, isn’t it dogs biting one another?” Yang Kai asked as he chuckled.
“I guess you’re right. But Senior Brother Yang, don’t worry! Young Master Su definitely won’t abandon us. We only need to wait a few hours here, and young master Su will come and rescue us.” The way Li Yun Tian thought was relatively simple.
Yang Kai turned his body and repositioned himself so he was in a more comfortable position. “I need to ask you, why are the Grand Elder and the Second Elder so against each other?”
Li Yun Tian sighed out as if he expected this question: “This is related to the Sect Master…”
“What? Let me hear the details.”
Li Yun Tian began, “Last time Young Master Su told you about the Sect Master’s Disciples’ affairs right? Ever since the Sect Master left to capture his second Disciple and trap him in Coiling Dragon Stream, he has rarely appeared in public. He doesn’t even pay much attention to the internal affairs of the Sect. So, for these past few
So, for these past few years, they have been all managed by the Grand Elder. Maybe it’s because of ambition, but regardless, the Grand Elder now acts like he is the Sect Master. Seeing this, the Second Elder has become displeased and thinks that the Grand Elder has thoughts of usurping the Sect Master’s position, and because of these things, there is naturally friction and disputes between them.”
“Currently in High Heaven Pavilion the Grand Elder, Fourth Elder, and Fifth Elder have all banded together, with the Grand Elder leading them. Meanwhile, the Second Elder and Third Elder are opposing them, representing and supporting the current Head. In these past few years, the Second Elder and Third Elder have suffered much in this bitter battle.”
Listening to Li Yun Tian, Yang Kai immediately understood the situation much more clearly then he had previously.
Since the elders did not get along, then the younger generations naturally wouldn’t get along. Su Mu and Wei Zhuan’s disputes were probably a result of this.
Zhao Hu sneered. “It’s only because the tiger doesn’t leave its cave, so the monkey is acting like the king. If the Head decided to reappear, what importance would the Grand Elder and others hold?”
Li Yun Tian glared at Zhao Hu. “Don’t gossip behind other’s backs. Us younger generation can’t disrespect our elders, even if we disapprove of their ways.”
Zhao Hu poked out his tongue and muttered: “Don’t you also have the same thoughts?”
Li Yun Tian rebuked. “But I won’t say it out loud.”
At the Contribution Hall, Xia Ning Chang hurriedly, panting with exhaustion ran over. Seeing her like that, Old Meng laughed at her, “My Disciple, you have come to visit your master again? En, such a filial Disciple, I am happy.”
Xia Ning Chang impatiently said: “Master, big news, bad news.”
“What happened?” Meng Wu Ya was a bit puzzled because he had never seen his Disciple this flustered before.
Xia Ning Chang immediately started to narrate the things that happened between Yang Kai and the others, along with Wei Zhuan.
Meng Wu Ya became quite gloomy when he finished listening. “You’re saying that brat Yang Kai has already reached the Initial Element Third Stage? He also defeated Wei Zhuan?”
“That’s right!” Xia Ning Chang kept on nodding her head, whilst thinking that she had also assisted him in breaking through.
“Looks like that lucky encounter he had in the Black Wind Mountains last time wasn’t small. Such an astonishing rate of growth.” Meng Wu Ya said, slightly shocked.
“Master don’t sigh away your sorrows, please hurry up and think of a method to save him.” Xia Ning Chang impatiently said.
Meng Wu Ya looked at her blankly and said in a strange voice to his Disciple. “My dear Disciple, why are you this nervous?”
At a loss, Xia Ning Chang stammered out, “am I?”
“En, you are currently very nervous.” Meng Wu Ya nodded his head. In all these years, although she was as clear as ice and as pure as jade, he still understood her best, but he had never seen her like this before. In all the years he had known her, there had been countless male Disciples who chased after her, but she didn’t pay much attention to them at all. She maintained a respectful distance from them all. Yet, just today, she had asked him for help for saving a mere person at the Initial Element Third Stage; how very queer.
Xia Ning Chang continued. “I just don’t want his fruitful cultivation journey to suffer such a major setback.”
“You are very close with him?” Meng Wu Ya immediately became alert.
“We are not close, but I have watched over him for two years already. Master, you know that I am a Dark Hall Disciple and have been assigned to watch over his area.” Xia Ning Chang honestly said and after this, she continued to plead. “Master please think of a way to save him. This time he has offended the Grand Elder and if there isn’t someone powerful there to save him, then I’m afraid he will meet a calamity. Not to mention, that the Second Elder may not necessarily care about his life or death! But master, you more than powerful enough to save him!”
Meng Wu Ya’s face was full of pleasure, because no matter if there were a thousand flatteries or even ten thousand flatteries, they would not affect him. But this time, it was his beloved Disciple who was flattering him.
After his wave of excitement passed, Meng Wu Ya frowned. “My Disciple, this matter isn’t easily intervened in. No matter how you look at it, it is an internal situation within High Heaven Pavilion involving the Elders, whereas I am only a caretaker, what would it mean if I intervened.”
This was the truth. Although his impression of Yang Kai wasn’t bad, how could he, an outsider dare to interfere in the internal affairs of the Sect?
Xia Ning Chang didn’t reply, but only lifted her head and directed her watery eyes at Meng Wu Ya. Although there was a veil covering her face, Meng Wu Ya could still see her fiery cheeks.
This was the type of face he could not resist, bitterly, Meng Wu Ya said. “Ai~yo wei! My dear young lady, please don’t be stubborn. I will mention it now, the Second Elder will definitely go and save him. Yang Kai was only involved because he went to save Su Mu, so if he doesn’t help him, then how would he be able to recruit more people in the future and gain their respect and trust?”
“If it isn’t so?” Xia Ning Chang asked angrily.
“There shouldn’t be any situation in which he doesn’t.” But Meng Wu Ya wasn’t certain because in a high-level battle, to sacrifice one or two unimportant, low leveled Disciples wasn’t uncommon.
“Humph!” Xia Ning Chang turned her body and walked up to the seat next to him, sulkily responded. “Master, if you don’t go to save him, I will stay here forever. I’m afraid that your Disciple’s cultivation will stop here.”
Hearing these words, Meng Wu Ya turned pale in fright and submissively rushed out from behind the counter. Bending his waist, he waited on Xia Ning Chang like he was waiting for his master. “Why did you say this?”
Xia Ning Chang turned her head to the side, not speaking a word.
Meng Wu Ya changed his position again so he was once again facing Xia Ning Chang. “Please tell me. If I don’t help him, you won’t leave with me?”
“Since you already don’t care about his life or death, you won’t care about my life or death either. Master, it appears you are this type of untrustworthy person regarding justice!”
These words were like a sharp arrow, they pierced straight through Meng Wu Ya. Then it was like he was struck by lightning, shaking all over before shattering into a thousand pieces.
“My lady, my dear lady, if we need to discuss things, let’s discuss them in a peaceful manner? My old bones can’t bear the burden of your tricks.” Meng Wu Ya repeatedly bowed to her with his hand in front of him in a petty and low manner.
How was this treatment fitting towards a Disciple? It was clearly treatment saved for an ancestor.
Only then did Xia Ning Chang turn her head back and softly say to Meng Wu Ya. “He trains in a Yang attributed Martial Skill, and his Yang Yuan Qi is highly pure and dense!”
“Yang attributed Yuan Qi?” Meng Wu Ya’s expression changed greatly, “Highly pure and dense?”
“It is at least five times better than that last person you found!” Xia Ning Chang answered.
“You have tested this?” Meng Wu Ya impatiently asked for confirmation regarding this.
“Yes!”
“If it’s like this, then he definitely can’t meet any accidents!” Meng Wu Ya suddenly straightened up. After thinking for a while, he started to walk outside.
Walking to the entrance he stopped, and to turned to ask Xia Ning Chang. “My Disciple, do you reject him?”
“I don’t reject him!” Xia Ning Chang slowly replied.
“Then you like him?”
“It’s not like either, I just don’t hate him.” This line of questioning made Xia Ning Chang turn quite red.
“Okay, okay, okay. You should also know what you need to do if you go there. But you must promise your master that you won’t develop feelings for him, only then will I go and save him!”
“Master what are you talking about!” Xia Ning Chang was full of shyness, “I still haven’t even spoken to him.”
These words caused Xia Ning Chang to become less confident and she couldn’t help but think about the events that night.
“The reason why I am stopping your affections is because……..this small place isn’t where you truly belong. There also aren’t any people here who are qualified for your love, and sooner or later you will reach a place no one can imagine. By then, you will be able to live for hundreds of years, even thousands of years, meanwhile the people you love will slowly age and die in front of you and your master doesn’t want you to suffer that pain. My Disciple, you must remember, the martial peak is a lonely and solitary journey, an extremely high peak full of coldness!”
________________________________________
As Meng Wu Ya said these words, he also sighed like he was a in a constant state of sadness. Listening to him explain himself, Xia Ning Chang could hear the sadness and grief in his words.
Could it be that her master had experienced this before? Just as she wanted to asked him further, Meng Wu Ya had disappeared from her sight.
Right at that moment in the Black Wind Trade in front of one of the High Heaven Pavilion wooden houses, a youngster dripping with sweat was standing. Knocking lightly on the door, he calmed his breathing and called out: “Senior Sister Su!”
“What’s the matter?” A pleasant but cold voice rang out. This voice was nice to hear, but it was permeated with a frostiness that didn’t allow anyone to come close.
That youngster’s sweat had condensed into droplets and quivered as he spoke. “Young master Su Mu has been beaten unconscious, meanwhile the people under him have been detained by the Disciplinary Hall and locked in the Forest Prison.”
Just as these words left his mouth, the wooden door abruptly opened and the white clothed Su Yan appeared.
That person quickly retreated two steps and lowered his face because he didn’t dare to look into her unblemished and flawless gaze.
“Say it clearly, what’s the matter?” Su Yan coldly asked, spreading a frosty air around her and the wooden house. ‘Ka ka’ sounds could be heard as ice appeared on the floor around her.
The youngster immediately began narrating the story from beginning to end in the most concise way possible. After finishing his report, he waited for quite a while, but after hearing no response, he mustered the courage to ask. “Senior Sister Su?”
After calling out with no response, this person courageously lifted up his head to look at her, but there wasn’t even a hint of her figure; she had left before he could react.
“My lord!” That High Heaven Pavilion Disciple collapsed on the spot and fell butt first onto the ground.
This Senior Sister Su is too cold! In the future, the person who takes her as their wife, will need a quilt in the hot summer, in order to not freeze to death. But for someone cold and mighty like Senior Sister Su, there shouldn’t be any man that can match her?
No one could have imagined that the friction between the younger High Heaven Pavilion Disciples would cause such huge waves.
Inside the High Heaven Pavilion Forest Prison, Yang Kai, Li Yun Tian and the others were still trapped. They had been locked inside for an entire hour already, without the slightest hint of motion outside.
Li Yun Tian and the rest had started to become anxious, wondering why Su Mu had yet to come and rescue them. But after thinking for a while, they remembered that Su Mu had been knocked unconscious. So if he wasn’t conscious, how could he come and save them.
Just as they were feeling anxious, the prison doors were suddenly opened and they heard the echo of footsteps. A Disciplinary Disciple came up to the cell where Yang Kai and the others were locked up and yelled, “Who is Yang Kai?”
Yang Kai called out in reply. “I am!”
“Follow me!” That disciplinary Disciple very impolitely ordered him so, “Someone wants to see you.”
Yang Kai’s expression shifted and he laughed out coldly. Without any fear, he stepped out and followed.
“Senior Brother Yang, don’t go. Wait for young master Su to come and save us.” Li Yun Tian cried out in great alarm, pulling on Yang Kai.
“Let go!” That Disciplinary Disciple bellowed in anger, “Anyone who dares to block even a step would be making a direct challenge to the Disciplinary Hall. You should be clear regarding the consequences.”
Yang Kai said to Li Yun Tian, “I’m just going to have a look, no need to be alarmed.”
Li Yun Tian helplessly let go and said in a sunken tone, “Senior Brother Yang, please be careful!”
“Humph!” That Disciplinary Disciple sarcastically laughed, “You overestimate yourself.”
Walking out of the cell, the Disciplinary Disciple locked up the doors once again and then took Yang Kai outside.
Not long after, they had arrived at a wooden room and a strange laugh came, “Please come in.”
Yang Kai turned to look at him and also laughed out as he walked in.
The Disciplinary Disciple followed closely behind and then closed the door behind him.
In the instant the door was closed, Yang Kai swivelled around and sent a palm directly into the stomach of the Disciplinary Disciple behind him. Boiling hot Yang Yuan Qi rushed into him, causing him to let out a bloodcurdling scream as he slammed into the wall.
He didn’t think that Yang Kai would actually strike him, causing him to receive the attack in its entirety and leaving him momentarily paralysed.
“Such courage from a dog!” A voice full of anger sounded and immediately three-four human images appeared, pouncing on Yang Kai.
Yang Kai could reaction only allowed him to block one attack as the others landed, pushing him to the ground. Them he began to receive a thorough beating.
In the midst of that chaos, Yang Kai snarled as he spat out a mouthful of blood. The fishy yet sweet smell of blood, only caused to excite him and heat up his blood, the True Yang Secret Art started to work at an unimaginable speed within his meridians. The scalding feeling from his bones travelled throughout his whole body, causing Yang Kai’s skin to become fiery.
This energy seemed to be many times stronger than it had been previously.
Roar!!! The Yang Kai that was being kicked was suddenly disturbed, then his frenzied actions became several times more ferocious. Jumping into the air, he kicked out and hit two Disciplinary Disciples on the head, this was followed by two cries of pain as they stumbled back.
But before he could continue, another person, emitting killing intent, had managed to grab onto his leg. Then, tossing him like a rag bag, they threw Yang Kai, slamming him into the wall. Groaning in pain, he felt his 5 viscera turn over.
Struggling up, Yang Kai wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and sized up the situation in the dimly lit room.
This was a closed private room with five Disciplinary Disciple in it. From their exchange just now and their Yuan Qi fluctuations, Yang Kai could tell that their strengths were about Initial Element Stage. But the one that had thrown him into the wall, his Yuan Qi aura clearly showed that he had entered the Qi Transformation Stage.
One vs. five! Not to mention the differences in their cultivation levels was also immense, that this battle was doomed to end in failure.
But Yang Kai only smiled. In this hopeless situation, his heart only became more ferocious, raging with emotion.
“You actually dared to injure someone on your own accord!” The Qi Transformation Stage Disciplinary Disciple sneered out, “You have no lack in courage!”
The other four people were standing behind him, looking at Yang Kai mockingly.
They had received orders to properly teach Yang Kai a lesson, as long as they didn’t kill him. Unexpectedly Yang Kai had attacked first and injured one of them by catching him unaware, making them lose a great deal of face.
“He he.” With his back facing the wall, Yang Kai’s blood red eyes swept across the five of them as he said in an icy cold voice, “You guys are allowed to attack, so why can’t I retaliate?”
That Qi Transformation Stage Disciplinary Disciple couldn’t stop his evil laughter. “You are actually quite smart, since you already know what we are thinking about. Why don’t you obediently allow us to beat you up, so we can help young master Wei Zhuan vent his unhealthy anger? If you dare to resist, you might lose an arm or leg!”
“You can come and try!” Yang Kai looked at them coldly.
“Stubborn headed pig! Go beat him!”
Under that command, the five of them went out again! Their hands pierced through the wind without the slightest bit of hesitation. With their cultivations, they would have more than enough energy, with some to spare as they took care of Yang Kai. So as the five leaped forward to teach Yang Kai a lesson, it was naturally an easy thing to do!