After guarding the two sisters for three days, the cave end where they sat suddenly had an eruption of bright lights. Two golden lights on top of the sisters’ heads vanished from sight. Meanwhile, the Yuan Qi from their body started to revolve in unison, causing the cave walls to hum.
Yang Kai looked at the two. Their Yuan Qi seemed as one. A line of light connected between Hu Jiao Er and Hu Mei Er. Gradually, their Yuan Qi balanced out.
Over time, the Yuan Qi subsided, returning the cave back to its tranquil state.
The two sisters simultaneously took deep breaths and opened their eyes at the same time. Their two pupils looked towards each other, unable to hide their surprise.
“Congratulations.” Yang Kai spoke out. He had defended the two girls for three days now and still could not figure out how they obtained the inheritance left here. The only thing he knew was that this inheritance did not belong to Old Demon.
According to the Old Demon, the war had caused countless high cultivation levelled experts to fall. Hence, the Heaven’s Cave Inheritance should have more than one type of inheritance. It was The Hu sisters’ luck that they were able to obtain one of them.
After hearing Yang Kai’s voice, the two girls turned their heads at the same time to look at him and said with almost exactly the same voice, “Thanks!”
After both of them spoke, they each looked at each other and pursed their lips into a smile.
Yang Kai seemed confused as he looked at the two beauties before him. He couldn’t tell which sister was which. It was as though the two turned into duplicates, without a single sliver of difference.
“Can you guess who I am?” the woman on the left spoke with a smile as her eyes twinkled with complacency and cunningness.
Yang Kai chuckled, “Lady Jiao Er.”
The woman’s playful smile fell apart almost instantly. “Did you blindly guess?”
“Lady Mei Er would never ask me this sort of question.” Yang Kai replied.
Hu Jiao Er pouted, “It seems as though you understand my little sister very well.”
On hearing what he said, Hu Mei Er’s cheeks flushed with red as she avoided eye contact with Yang Kai.
Hu Jiao Er’s smile reappeared and she resumed to speak, “I really have to thank you for allowing us this opportunity.”
Yang Kai had defended the sisters for the entire time their minds were completely indisposed. If Yang Kai wished to do anything to them, he would have been able to get away with it. Instead, Yang Kai had dutifully stood guard for three whole days, making sure not to disturb them. His actions only made Hu Jiao Er admire rather than spite him.
Hu Jiao Er thought that maybe Yang Kai isn’t as bad as she thought.
“Don’t worry about it. We should leave.” Yang Kai had been wanting to exit since three days ago, but was delayed by the two sisters. Protecting them only made him more impatient to leave.
The two sisters simultaneously nodded and stood up.
As the three ambered slowly to the exit, the sisters would pick as many herbs as they could. Yang Kai kept to his word and did not take a single one. Having the Yin Yang Monster Ginseng was more than sufficient for him.
During the three days, Yang Kai had inquired about the Yin Yang Monster Ginseng. He found out that the Ginseng was extremely helpful for his cultivation. Due to its speciality in containing both Yin and Yang Qi, the Ginseng could actually be used for Alchemy. However, it was most efficient to use it to promote one’s cultivation. Unfortunately, Yang Kai would need to find a female cultivator who cultivates Yin and marry her to share and fully utilise the Ginseng’s drug efficacy.
When Yang Kai is in love and cultivates with this female, the Yin Yang Monster Ginseng would separate its two energies and enter their bodies. As their hearts become one, they would both simultaneously rise in cultivation together.
The unfortunate part is having to search for such a girl to cultivate with.
The only reason why the Yin Yang Monster Ginseng is labeled as a Mystery Rank is the difficulty in finding an opportunity to cultivate with another partner who fits the requirements. If the two cultivators manage to meet these conditions, the real value of this herb cannot even be calculated.
Since the Yin Yang Monster Ginseng contains Yin and Yang energy, it was naturally attracted to sources of said energy. As such, it was attracted to Yang Kai, who practices the True Yang Secret Art.
In those three days, Yang Kai had fed 1 drop of his Yang Liquid to the Ginseng. Tasting the Yang Drop gave the Ginseng a look of enjoyment. It was then attracted to him more than ever, like a magnet to steel.
After picking the herbs, the Hu sisters discussed a little and presented half of their harvest to Yang Kai.
Yang Kai immediately rejected, “I took your stuff. It is only fair that you take all of this in penance.”
Hu Jiao Er smiled at him. “Silly boy. Knock it off. Who said it was yours?”
Yang Kai smiled back. “Can you two ladies tell me how it is like outside?”
Yang Kai had been stuck here for quite some time knew nothing of the situation outside. Out of curiosity and precaution, he had to ask.
“Do not call me lady. You sound so strange.” Hu Jiao Er knitted her brows, “We both have names. Call us Jiao Er and Mei Er. If you feel a little sorry for your actions, you can address me as sister Jiao Er.”
Yang Kai nods, “I think calling you by your name will be better.”
Hu Jiao Er puffed a little in fickle anger in her eyes and changed the topic, “Let’s start moving. We can chat while we walk.”
The three conversed while they strolled, giving Yang Kai an idea of the atmosphere outside.
Although all three disciples began in different positions, in the time that has passed, they have managed to travel to the center.
Some people have obtained benefits, but many others have died.
The three school disciples all united their strengths under the top disciples to fight a few powerful Monster Beasts around. There were 9 Monster Beasts in total and each has achieved the cultivation level of 6th step/realm. It was fortunate that these Monster Beasts had only just awoken from their slumber and were weakened. Otherwise, the price to take them down would have been much higher, leading to more deaths.
The Yin Yang Monster Ginseng was actually one of the treasures that the Monster Beasts protected. It was capable of sensing trouble and escaped, only to be pursued by the Hu sisters and finally settling its home in Yang Kai.
“Before we left, we managed to kill 8 of the 9 Monster Beasts. The last one is the strongest. It is probably in 6th step/realm peak. Temporarily, nobody has dared to engage it.” Hu Jiao Er smiled. “Just for the treasures that were protected by these Monster Beast, many disciples have gone practically insane.”
Hu Mei Er fiercely nodded in agreement, “Yes. I never knew of such people, who were able to steal things so easily…”
The three continued to chat as they slowly paced out of the cave.
When they exited, a ferocious roar could be heard from far, causing a small, insignificant quake. The three were stolen from their conversation and seriousness overtook their faces.
“Which brave idiot provoked it?” Hu Jiao Er sighed.
According to her, this Monster Beast was in the 6th step/realm peak. That is equivalent to an Immortal Ascension Boundary Peak cultivator! Even if it had been sealed for thousands of years, it was a far cry from what the school disciples could handle.
When the three school disciples united to eliminate the other 8 Monster Beasts, it cost them heavy numbers. Now, provoking such a powerhouse was going to be a much bigger massacre!
“I’m going to take a look!” Yang Kai’s vision quickly moves to the direction of the roar and ran with his quickest speed.
Hu Jiao Er and Hu Mei Er were a little slower to react but they launched forward right behind Yang Kai.
The two sisters were unable to keep up with Yang Kai!
When Yang Kai turned around to check on the two sisters, he was surprised. He discovered that both of them were breathing in at the same time. Moreover, Hu Mei Er had no problems keeping up with Hu Jiao Er, who had problems running though she had asthma.
Yang Kai questioned, [Just what kind of inheritance did they obtain to cause such an effect?]
Yang Kai stared at the woman on the left for a long amount of time, turning her red, “What are you staring at me for?”
“Are you Jiao Er or Mei Er?” Yang Kai asked as he could not distinguish between the two sisters at all.
The beauty chuckled, “I’m Mei Er.”
The other beauty quickly interrupted, “No, I am Mei Er. Elder sister, please do not lie right now. We don’t need any more trouble.”
“Who are you calling elder sister? You are the elder sister!” the woman on the left anxiously asked.
“Please elder sister, he cannot recognize us.”
“I’m not the one misleading anyone, elder sister!”
Yang Kai felt dizzy from the confusion.
The two sisters look at Yang Kai and laughed together, which made him realize that he was being taken for a fool.
“We were just joking. You aren’t angry right?” Yang Kai could not tell which sister was speaking.
Yang Kai shook his head, “I’m not.”
“Then why the long face? Give us a smile.”
Yang Kai coughed and looked away, ignoring the two sisters.
After a few kilometers of running, the three had finally arrived close to the source of the roar. They looked at the Monster Beast and were dumbfounded, freezing on the spot as if a blizzard swept through them.
At a viewable proximity, it was a Giant Tortoise Monster Beast, about a hundred meters in length. Its body was comparable to that of a hill. As it walked, each step was nothing less than a stomped and caused the ground to shiver. Its carapace had deep outlines, highlighting its thick, impenetrable figure. Its tail was long and widened towards the tip, looking like a gigantic hammer. Although it was not very fast, each step it took covered a lot of ground. With its sheer size and incomparable power, a swing of its tail was enough to produce a strong gale of wind.
Whoosh! The sound of movement was constant as more than a hundred disciples were in mid-air, attacking the Monster Beast, but even with the endless barrage, it remained indomitable. With its unrestrainable power, each attack and roar made the disciples terror-stricken.
When Yang Kai looked up into the sky, he recognised many of the disciples.
Su Yan, Xie Hongchen, Lan Chudie and many other familiar faces were all grouped together, flying up in the sky. These people were all High Heaven Pavilion disciples!
Meanwhile, Blood Battle Gang and Storm House disciples were all watching the battle unfold by the side, eyes filled with pleasure.
Although Su Yan was the strongest in High Heaven Pavilion, she was unable to afflict any damage on the Monster Beast. As each movement she made was followed by wind and snow, she could only slow down the Monster Beast with her Cold Yin Yuan Qi, so as to prevent more casualties in the High Heaven Pavilion.
Unfortunately, the defence of this Monster Beast was too strong. Covered by an almost impenetrable hard tortoise shell and thick, resistant skin, it was similar to a walking Defensive Sacred Treasure. Although it was sluggish, anyone under Immortal Ascension had no chance against it.
On the field, there were numerous corpses. It could easily be deduced that they were High Heaven Pavilion disciples.
“To think that the High Heaven Pavilion would actually dare to provoke it.” Hu Jiao Er’s brows wrinkled. “However, it can’t be Su Yan who did it. She is not that stupid.”
Meanwhile, a youth was running towards the two girls, his eyes filled with affection. However, his brows immediately wrinkled once he spotted Yang Kai mixed with them.
“Jiao Er?” the youth came to a halt as he looked for Jiao Er amongst the party of three.
“Long Jun. What happened here?” the real Jiao Er opened her mouth to ask.
Long Jun did not hide his glee in watching other’s misfortune. “That idiot actually dared to gather a group of people to steal the treasure that Monster Beast was guarding while it was still asleep. They did not seem to care or think that they would come back with many dead.”
Yang Kai immediately asked, “What did Xie Hong Chen obtain?”
If that Xie Hong Chen did not obtain anything, why would that Monster Beast bother chasing him down?
Long Jun looked towards Yang Kai and couldn’t bear but to speak to assert his authority, “And who are you?”
Hu Jiao Er immediately rolled her eyes. “Just answer him. I would like to know too.”
Long Jun restrained himself. “I am not exactly sure what he took. According to the man himself, he does not have anything on him.”
Hu Jiao Er responded in disbelief, “It is impossible that he did not steal anything! It only looks to draw his blood, how is it possible that he does not possess anything the Monster Beast seeks?”
Long Jun bowed slightly. “I agree. However, since Xie Hong Chen refuses to hand it over, High Heaven Pavilion can only face the Monster Beast’s anger. It is only because Su Yan intervened and is slowing down the Monster Beast right now, otherwise I estimate that many of them would be dead by now.”
Mei Er snorted, showing her despise for Xie Hong Chen. “To think that he would be able to hide behind a woman and use her as a shelter. Despicable!”
“I concur wholeheartedly.” Long Jun nods continuously. “Storm House’s Fang Zi Ji and I actually wish to help High Heaven Pavilion, but we cannot support Xie Hong Chen knowing his deeds.”
In reality, the two sects do not wish to be involved in the fight. Even Su Yan could do nothing but slow the Monster Beast down. The others would contribute very little if they jumped in the fray.
Not to mention, why should they aid Xie Hong Cheng to protect what he had obtained? It was he who provoked the Monster Beast, so this is his responsibility.
They can surely help when all’s said and done, but only on the condition that Xie Hong Chen delivers to them what he obtained!
Another reason as to why the two sects have not made any moves was to make sure that High Heaven Pavilion was in a direr situation. Once they are desperate, giving up what Xie Hong Chen is hoarding would be such a small price to pay to save what little they have left.
Yang Kai’s gaze was fixed onto Su Yan. She was pale and looked exhausted as she had consumed a lot of her Yuan Qi, but with several High Heaven Pavilion disciples fighting alongside her, how could she possibly retreat and abandon them? It would only mean the doubtless deaths of dozens of High Heaven Pavilion disciples.
The only reason that some of them are still alive is because of her slow.
Ice seemed to conjure out of thin air as Su Yan danced around gracefully like a butterfly. In a flash, flowers made of ice shot towards the Monster Beast and grew on its flesh. Those attacks lowered the surrounding temperature, causing a layer of ice to form on the Monster Beast, further slowing it down.
Meanwhile, countless fireball attacks were pelting the giant tortoise’s shell, but to no avail.
“Xie Hong Chen! I ask you one last time! What did you take?” Su Yan’s beautiful eyes stared at the tortoise, unwilling to let her concentration wander.
Hearing her ice-cold words made Xie Hong Chen tremble in fright. He had enraged Su Yan.
Su Yan never loses her temper, but this time was vastly different. In front of her were numerous High Heaven Pavilion disciples, killed for absolutely nothing. As the most senior apprentice of the sect, how could she remain uncaring?
Xie Hong Chen hesitated. His face was filled with fear and panic. He quickly snapped out of it and said, “Su Yan. Why do you also suspect me? If I did take anything, how is it possible for me to keep it from you?”
Su Yan burned with hatred and loathing. With her sharp voice, she yelled, “High Heaven Pavilion Disciples fall back!”
There was no point sieging the tortoise. They could only escape. None of them could tell if the Monster Beast would pursue them, but their of surviving would drastically increase by retreating.
With Su Yan’s command, many High Heaven Pavilion Disciples scattered for their lives, fleeing from the Monster Beast.
The bolts and attacks that shot around the sky started to fade along with the number of people. A few remained to hold the tortoise off.
Su Yan aggressively repeated herself, “Go! Now!”
As she yelled, the layer of ice that covered the Monster Beast exploded. With the shackle now taken off, the Monster Beast restored its agility once more, regardless of how little it may be.
Its giant tail swept across the sky towards the High Heaven Pavilion Disciples who persisted in battle. A few were hit square in the body, resulting in bursts of viscera and red. The lucky ones the tail missed were swept with the wind current it caused, causing them to lose their balance and fall.
The Tortoise gave out a ferocious roar, as its eyes turned to Su Yan and charged forward.
Su Yan did not falter and kept slowing it down. Naturally, it would be irritated by her and prioritised killing her first.
Su Yan moved both of her hands and drew peculiar hand signs, chilling everything that surrounded her. It was as if the entire world entered an ice age. An icy blue hue replaced the heat as the ground was laminated with frost and snow started falling from the clouds.
Everyone was now watching Su Yan. At this moment, her pale cheek turned ruddy again, as she now looked like a floating fairy maiden. It was as though she was a being that descended from the heavens, untouchable and unattainable by the mortal world.
The Tortoise gave another loud, intimidating roar and dashed forward. The distance between the two rapidly closed up but Su Yan remained unfettered.
The coldness that spread the landscape was now gathering on Su Yan, as a huge pure form appeared behind her. The form was like a much bigger version of Su Yan; in fact, several times larger than her.
This almost ethereal form wore white, which highlighted its exquisite and graceful body. It was womanly, seemingly capable of causing the downfalls of nations. Each of its features was enlarged by the same ratio, without the slightest defect. It was so beautiful that it could suck the souls out of people.
The huge frozen body shot its eyes open, encasing the area in frost once again. This time, it was much colder. Those who watched could feel their body freeze up as shivers took control of their senses.
With a wave of her hand, Su Yan made the menacing frozen form fly forward towards the Monster Beast. When the two beings collided, the frozen body entered the Monster Beast. Almost immediately, another layer of ice started to form on the Monster Beast’s skin. This time, it was much thicker. Its limbs quickly froze as it slowly came to a stop.
Blood started to appear around Su Yan’s lips. She had consumed a precariously excessive amount of Yuan Qi. Her slender body started to sway in midair as she tried to resist falling, but her efforts to stay were in vain.
Although the Monster Beast could no longer move, its inertia caused it to continue moving towards Su Yan. Its sheer size made it impossible to stop their collision.
Su Yan watched helpless as the Monster Beast approach her. As she fell, her initial emotions faded. She could only feel a lingering regret.
Suddenly, people started to scream.
The cultivators who observed the magical altercation had only just reawoken from being stunned by awe in seeing a goddess, but Su Yan was now going to fall to her death and perish.
While the cultivators screamed, a small figure was darting towards to Su Yan. As the person ran, a small trail of fire emerged in his footsteps
The figure burst into a ball of flame as he turned into a red flash of light with his ever more increasing speed.
The youth ran directly under Su Yan, to where she would land. He jumped up, and with his two arms, caught the falling goddess. When the youth landed back on the ground, he bent his back and his knees to make it as soft a landing as possible. With haste he brought the goddess to safety, leaving the Monster Beast behind him.
In that moment, time didn’t seem to move.
Several hundred people were still vacant and shocked. There were still screams echoing in the battle’s wake.
For now, a shadowy figure engulfed in red can be seen dashing at high speed. The figure left a trail so obvious that his start point and path of travel could be deduced, from where he stood to where Su Yan was falling.
The huge Monster Beast was still sliding fast from inertia. A few feet from it, a man and a woman could be seen in each other’s arms, as though they planned to stay together through life and death.
In that instant, Yang Kai and Su Yan’s eyes met.
Su Yan looked with terror, but in eyes of Yang Kai there was sadness, as if he took pity on her.
That kind of look gave Su Yan an undescribable, unfamiliar feeling. No one has ever looked at her like that. It was always an elder who looked with respect, her colleagues and friends with admiration, her juniors and disciple with respect and worship and perhaps, a few others who stared with envy.
But this pitying and sad look, it was actually the first ever for Su Yan.
She is so beautiful and talented that no one has ever found the need to look at her the way Yang Kai does right now.
Why is he taking pity on me? Why does he look so sad? Those eyes were like a needle, piercing Su Yan’s heart and mind, still feeble from the aftermath of her move. She felt unbearable pain.
And yet, she could feel why he would look that way.
Her focused changed, and she noticed how warm and comfortable she felt. The body of the one who held her is very warm. It has been a very long time since she last felt like this. She cultivated Ice Heart Secret Art which froze her heart and mind to all emotions. In her world, everything is frozen. There was nothing else there but the cold for any of the damned who would find himself there.
Warmth and cold are opposite elements, they repel each other. She should loathe this feeling but why does she feel the most comfortable in a long time? She wanted to forget everything in the warmth. She laid in his arms and thought that even if seas were to dry and mountains were to crumble, or even if the sky fell, she would never want to leave the mysterious person’s embrace.
Su Yan couldn’t help but hug him tightly again.
As people came back to reality, time moved once again.
“It’s Yang Kai!” Hu Jiao Er called out snappily. She didn’t notice that it was Yang Kai who moved to catch Su Yan. She was too shocked by the method he used. When she came out of her trance, Yang Kai was no longer by her side.
Hu Mei Er covered her mouth in shock. With shivering eyes as she looked upon the turtle Monster Beast, she could not see straight from fright.
“He is seeking death!” Long Jun commented loudly.
Yang Kai’s back was hit by the frozen turtle Monster Beast. Yang Kai tried to dodge as he was far from being able to follow up with Su Yan and continue attacking the beast, but he could not evade it even if he wanted to. His strength was still not up to par.
When the turtle Monster Beast and Yang Kai were about to collide with each other, Yang Kai bent his back like a bow and took advantage of this opportunity to face forward to draw support to reduce as much damage as he could like a cushion.
Inevitably, Yang Kai and Su Yan crashed with the turtle’s chest and were sent flying dozens of feet. As they rolled from the impact of the landing, they still held each other tumbling and bumping until they came to a stop.
Yang Kai was in a bad position. His face was pale white, but Su Yan, who remained in his arms was unharmed. Only her clothes and hair were dishevelled.
Yang Kai lost all of his strength and spat blood onto Su Yan’s chest.
Su Yan’s eyes quivered. There were mighty waves filling her inner emotions and this movement was something she could not calm. She slowly and gently placed her left hand on Yang Kai’s forehead, to stroke and to comfort him as they both laid motionless.
Yang Kai protected her with his own body when they tumbled. Almost all of the impact was absorbed by him. She remained unscathed and untouched.
The frozen Monster Beast slid along the ground, making a screech like scratching glass with a sharp object, leaving a deep mark. It then gradually came to a stop, not too far from Yang Kai and Su Yan.
The world became deadly quiet. Everyone muttered nothing. They looked at where Yang Kai and Su Yan were, witnessing a tired and
hurt couple embracing.
If it was somewhere else it would have caused public criticism and jealousy.
Who dares to be intimate with Su Yan? Every inch of her flesh is sacred and noble. A common person can only look but never touch.
But right now, not only is a man is hugging her, he is also burying his head in her chest, smelling and touching her soft and fragrant body.
Even with all of that going on, nobody thought of it as improper. Could you be angry at a dead person?
Is there any use in being mad at the deceased? He sacrificed his life to protect Su Yan. He could have enjoyed paradise instead of dying.
Everyone had little doubt that Yang Kai had died under the direct impact of such force.
Only Xie Hongchen’s eyes turned after seeing this.
The last time he saw Yang Kai holding hands with Su Yan he almost went mad with jealousy. That is a scene that he cannot forget, like a nightmare. Remembering it is akin to a hot knife cutting through his skin. But now, this person has crossed the line in making a move on her in front of so many people. How could he be expected to endure this?
The sight of them made his emotional floodgate open and reveal all his resentfulness and anger as he huffed like an angry bull, losing all sense of reason. He glared lividly at Yang Kai, full of murderous intent from the bottom of his heart.
Su Yan who is lied under Yang Kai, both a thousand feet away from Xie Hongchen, lifts her eyes slowly and looks at him with an ice-cold look.
Xie Hongchen twitched at her stare and pulled himself together. He turned his gaze to the floor as he was filled with chagrin and remorse.
If he had been bold instead and rescued Su Yan, he would have been the one enjoying all of this, wouldn’t he? He was much stronger than Yang Kai, meaning he would have likely avoided death should the turtle Monster Beast collide with him.
If all he had to do was to get severely injured to receive Su Yan’s favour, he would have looked like a winner as Yang Kai does right now.
So, why? Why is it that at that moment he was unable to react? Why was he so immersed in Su Yan’s illusionary shadow, neglecting her crises? Why was Yang Kai not immersed himself?
He missed such a great but unexpected opportunity… He missed it!
A strong wind blew and the world stayed silent.
Su Yan’s beautiful hair swayed in the win. Yang Kai’s clothes fluttered, too.
None dared to go forward. Everyone stood in their places like statues.
Su Yan looked up towards the chaotic sky. A gentle sound came from her mouth, a singing that could not be heard by anyone but Yang Kai.
The singing voice had a trace of longing for a person she yearned for. Her hands continued to pat Yang Kai’s head like a loving mother, like she was fulfilling her duty to coax her child to sleep in peace.
Nearby, the giant turtle Monster Beast raised a forelimb, a ferocious expression frozen and framed in ice as if he was getting ready to turn Yang Kai and Su Yan into little more than a bloody pulp.
The song was like a picturesque story of a tragedy suffered by a beautiful but bleak woman.
As the song ended, Su Yan stopped and exhaled. The wind blows apart Yang Kai’s fringe as Su Yan says in a soft voice, ”Let’s get up.”
“What song is that?” Yang Kai asked in a soft and a weak voice still staying motionless in the same spot.
Su Yan remained silent for a long time, then slowly replied, “I don’t know, it is a song from my memories.”
“It’s a good song.” Yang Kai sat up slowly. The corner of his mouth was still dripping with blood, face still pale and body still shivering as he supports himself with a little strength.
Su Yan looked at him lightly as a variety emotions which welled up in her settled down and vanished, leaving behind only coldness.
Yang Kai sighed. He knows that Elder Sister forcefully suppresses emotions in her heart, making her tranquil like a frozen lake.
He puts out a hand to ask for her support. Su Yan helps Yang Kai with her strength and both of them got on their feet.
Su Yan was covered in dust, her hair ruffled. But she still gave out a sacred aura and hasn’t lost her imposing manner.
“How is this possible?” People called out in alarm. Everyone looked at the pale young boy with disbelief.
The person who they thought had just died, is now standing like it was nothing, though he was clearly injured. Though he seemed frail and miserable, his life was no longer in danger.
Is his body made of iron or something similar? He bore that enormous hit and still lived. How is that possible? On the side of the Bloody Battle Gang, Long Jun’s jaw was wide open. The shock robbed his speech away from him.
Even Hu Jiao Er and Hu Mei Er could not calm down; they were taking deep heavy breaths. Hu Mei Er was hanging a wide, light smile like a heavy load was been lifted off her chest. The corner of her eyes glittered with her tears while she muttered to herself quietly, “Good, good.” In saying this, she covered her mouth and sobbed.
Hu Jiao Er who was also staring at the pair hurriedly lifted her hand to her own tears.
What is going on with her? Hu Jiao Er was startled. Yang Kai was no longer repugnant to him, but for a moment there was a sharp pain in her heart. But Hu Jiao Er also knows that no attention would be paid to her in the climax of such a moment.
It is possible for her to weep for a person who she doesn’t even know well? Besides, though she no longer hated him, she still did not harbour positive feelings about him.
Looking at her own younger sister, the sisters felt relief in their mind after such great tension. This relief from anxiety and weight was filled with ecstasy, and it came from the bottom of Hu Jiao Er’s heart.
Hu Jiao Er’s eyes were traced with respite and confusion.
Storm House’s Fang Ziji’s eyes gleamed with comfort and said slowly,” Elder sister Du, he is alive!”
Du Yishuang felt a rush of excitement as her cheeks flushed beet red. Patting her chest, she says,” He frightened me a moment ago. It would have been a great pity should he have died. He is a good person.”
On the High Heaven Pavilion side, Xie Hongchen looked defeated and lifeless.
If only he had seized that opportunity. Now that Yang Kai had basically become a loved one to Su Yan, he became green with envy to the point of dread. He had never suffered such a painful and costly defeat. He couldn’t think properly.
Lan Chudie’s eyes shone at Yang Kai’s face as if she was lost in a dream.
When she fought with the Tortoise Monster Beast some time ago she received some wounds. Her clean clothes were stained with her own blood. She was breathing heavily and shortly, almost like she was hyperventilating. Looking at the man and woman standing under the foreboding shadow of the Tortoise Monster Beast, she felt a surge of emotion.
The man who rescued Su Yan did so in disregard of his-starlight-life, leaving a deep impression in the hearts of all women present. Lan Chudie was no exception.
If a man is willing to pay for a woman’s life with his own, even if he’s weaker than her, then why can’t she be with him? Women’s requests are sometimes tall, and sometimes small, and sometimes a few words or a little action can open up their heart and leave a beautiful image of him behind.
Now that the woman who is standing under that Monster Beast has found her ideal man, won’t she be happy?
But on remembering that incident, Lan Chudie felt dejected. She forced herself to smile.
“Do you still have the strength to fight?” Yang Kai asked Su Yan, pointing towards the Monster Beast.
“I do not have any strength left.” Su Yan shook her head slowly. “We need to hurry; this monster is too strong. I can only freeze it for half a minute. If we don’t leave now, we will never even dream of escaping alive.”
“Even if we were to leave, where will we go?” Yang Kai chuckled. “It was pursuing Xie Hongchen, but now it will pursue you without a doubt. We can only escape if you alone leave.
“In that case, I will leave. I can’t allow High Heaven Pavilion to suffer anymore for me than it already has.”
“What can you do?” Yang Kai said ominously. ” Senior Sister, you think too highly of yourself.”
Su Yan looked at Yang Kai with surprise.
[Is he reproving me? He actually dares to reprove me?]
Even the elders in the sect have never done so, but Su Yan was not angry as she did not disagree with him.
“Take a look at the High Heaven Pavilion disciples.” Yang Kai said, directing at the disciples; some breathing heavily in the atmosphere, others sitting cross-legged on the ground, all seizing the valued time-out to recover and regenerate. “Even if you were to leave, can you guarantee that this Monster Beast will not kill them? Without you, they will only die a quick death!”
“Then what do you think we should do?” Su Yan questioned.
“It’s simple. We just need to kill it.” Yang Kai cracked into a smile as his forehead emitted droplets of cold sweat.
“Kill it?” Su Yan was startled by Yang Kai’s brazen and voracious appetite for feats that few others would try. To be able to flee with their lives from the face of this Monster Beast is a bargain few would contest, but to kill it?
As Yang Kai and Su Yan spoke, a flicking movement could realize from the Monster Beast from under the thick layer of ice. “How has it already passed?”
“Looks like we don’t have time for more discussion!” Yang Kai said to Su Yan while waving his hand. ”You need to draw back now! We will try and kill it, but if we fail we will hopefully still have time to run.”
The sound of ice disintegrating and cracking grew louder and louder. the still frozen Tortoise Monster Beast slowly rotated his body and turned its scarlet eyes toward Su Yan and Yang Kai. To it, the two were as small and insignificant as ants.
“Retreat!” Yang Kai roared at Su Yan, who showed no signs of movement from her spot.
Su Yan’s body jerked and she quickly moved a distance away from the Monster Beast. The remaining injured disciples of High Heaven Pavilion did the same.
Yang Kai kept his foot stationary in front of the Tortoise Monster Beast. The thin figure of Yang Kai standing in the shadow of the giant made it look nothing short of mighty.
Yang Kai stood looking like a confident wall blocking the Monster Beast. He was like a shield that could shelter the onlookers from wind and rain.
He started raising his hand up slowly. Those who watched did not see anything unusual, but they could feel the power of one thousand, ten thousand hands emerging and combining to contain the force of a five thousand kilogramme sledgehammer.
*Crack*. The sound of a bone dislocating could be heard.
Starlight began to sparkle and a frightening momentum erupted from Yang Kai. His clothes flapped and his hair danced as a strong wind began to orbit around him.
“Everyone!” Yang Kai screamed with his inexhaustible strength, detonating from his body.
Finally, his right hand came to a stop and with a roaring sound, he turned his palm into a fist.
Yang Kai’s place brightened up as if it has become a beautiful starry night sky. His right fist was also covered in the dazzling light. Slowly, his hand began to move inch by inch, back from its position and ballooned with strength with each passing moment.
“If you are willing…”Yang Kai muttered unhurriedly as his eyes became red. He controlled the energy contained in his fist with all his might.
“What kind of Martial Skill is this!?” Fang Ziji’s face changed greatly. Even though they were thousands of feet from Yang Kai, they could still easily feel its fearsome vigour, all concentrated in this one, solitary, minute fist.
What’s more, the fist was still poised in building strength. It did not show any signs of stopping. It was already scary, what would happen once it discharges? What kind of terror would it cause?
“So beautiful…”Hu Mei Er and Hu Jiao Er uttered in unison. There were stars littered and twinkling everywhere like a night sky. The people watching the scene felt engrossed in its beauty, almost forgetting the imminent danger they may face.
The earth underneath Yang Kai’s foot began to quake, unable to withstand such colossal strength. Cracks in the dirt formed around him and slowly, his body began to sink in the ground and his legs started to bend.
As the Monster Beast continued to thaw rapidly from his icy prison, his scarlet eyes no longer saw resentment and hatred, but instead filled with panic and fear with an overwhelming urge to flee. It just wanted to run. It feared Yang Kai’s fist more than anything else. The tortoise was sealed for many years. It was weak. It was not easy for it to regain its consciousness, but it cannot even enjoy its short amount of time out from its slumber. It did not want to be hurt and fall into boundless, deep sleep again.
But the ice that bounded it hindered its movement.
“Then give me a hand…”Yang Kai opened his mouth a third time. He was only able to say a few words at a time and needed to concentrate on accumulating energy. Those few short sentences made people know of its meaning and the concentration required to control his accumulated power.
With those words, Yang Kai jumped into the air with an accelerated speed, bringing the starry sky with him.
The Starlight sparkled with boundless radiance and power to overcome everything.
Within a few seconds Yang Kai was a hundred feet high in the air and as he came to hover, he immediately moved towards the direction of the Monster Beast’s head.
Suddenly, the layer of ice cracked apart and a loud roar pierced the eardrums of everyone around. “Roooooaaaaarrrrr….” Although ear deafening, its roar did not contain the subjugating power it once had. It was now filled with dread; a roar of panic.
“Help me!” Yang Kai roared. Even with his voice was going against the roar of the Tortoise Monster Beast, it was no weaker. With utmost clarity, his voice managed to reach everyone’s ears.
His fist was quickly wrapped in a thick coat of star light. As the starlight gyrated around his hand, it was fluctuating in speed. For a second, it was fast and bright, in another, it was slow and dull. This was an erratic light show presented to everyone present.
*Bang!* Yang Kai’s fist made contact with the head of the Tortoise Monster Beast.
It blared out like a burst of loud thunder. Such a tiny fist going against something the size of the Tortoise Monster Beast seemed laughable. However, a single pound from his fist sent tremor in everyone’s heart, as if this fist disintegrated their mind and soul.
A halo erupted, engulfing the entire head of gigantic Tortoise Monster Beast. The force of the meteor-like fist made the Monster Beast stagger back; wind and dust were brought forth from its wake. [A miracle!], the thought ran through the minds of spectators in awe.
The force was so strong that Yang Kai flew back, rotating in air, to only staggered and fall down. His right hand was soaked in blood, shivering uncontrollably. It took him some time to steady himself. With a look of disdain towards the Tortoise Monster Beast, a few meters away from him, his weak body emitted a bloodthirsty aura.
Meanwhile, the audience could not help but gasp in awe. Everyone’s eyes were shivering with disbelief. No one could have imagined such a sight; a Monster Beast that even Su Yan could only slow down had been forced back by a boy. Not to mention, the Martial Skill that made it possible. When they recalled their first impressions of this Martial Skill, no one would have thought that such a majestic starry sky would wield such terrifying power.
Looking his frail back facing against the Monster Beast, Su Yan’s heart cannot help but violently palpitate. She was well aware that this scene would be burnt into her mind, unforgettable. The back of a boy younger than her, that managed to accomplish what she could not.
Hu Mei Er face turned flush red. she looked at Yang Kai of panic struck expression. Meanwhile, Hu Jiao Er’s heart began to accelerate.
[What is this?] Hu Jiao Er became restless. The feelings she had right now were not her own. They were produced by her younger sister and transmitted to her. The thought of her own will being twisted like this made her heart drop in fear.
Lan Chudie’s heart also palpitated in excitement but unlike the Hu sisters, she showed a despondent look. The instant she felt a burst of emotions, she recalled her own relations with Yang Kai to only end up in disappointment.
A back to rely on was something every woman seeks. Watching Yang Kai exhibit such traits made all the women’s hearts set aflutter. It could even be said that such a reliable back melted into their hearts as a brandmark.
“Amazing!” Fang Ziji spoke from his heart. However, many were not as optimistic as him. They realized their meager strength and muttered in a low-spirited voice, “To think that there is this kind of Martial Skill in this world and there is someone who can also display it…”
“Why, why, why?”Xie Hongchen muttered with a lifeless voice, ”Why wasn’t it me to obtain the Martial Skill? Why was it not me? If I had that Martial Skill, everyone’s focus would be on me and I would be bathing in their admiration! Why does it have to be him? He is merely lucky.”
“Why aren’t you helping? If this thing doesn’t die now, the only chance you have to survive is to run!” Yang Kai spoke in a loud voice, reverberating within the ears of everyone around. When they could finally digest his words, everyone realised the gravity of the situation they were in.
Su Yan immediately shouts, ”Help us!!”
This made all High Heaven Pavilion disciples ready to fight.
“Elder sister!”Hu Mei Er turned her face eagerly towards Hu Jiao Er for her approval.
“Jiao Er, let’s not mix in this turbid water. Who knows if that monster beast still has the strength to counterattack. It will be better for us to watch the disciples of High Heaven Pavilion from the side,” Long Jun suggested.
“You shut up! Coward!” Hu Mei Er wickedly stared at Long Jun.
Long Jun became speechless.
Hu Jiao Er forced a smile on her face. Looking at her younger sister and then at Yang Kai, a tender feeling beat in her heart. She then shouted, “Disciples of Bloody Battle Gang, go forth and aid them!”
Then, she dashed forward to be first in line to assist.
On the other side at Storm House, Du Yishuang looked at Fang Ziji and said anxiously in a soft voice, “He rescued my life.”
Fang Ziji pinched her nose then said, “Then what will you do if I said we should sit at the foot of the mountain?”
“I will despise you and look down on you for the rest of my life!” Du Yishuang protested boldly to her elder fellow apprentice.
“Hey…” Fang Ziji uttered with helplessness. “Since you put it that way, what else can I do?”
He smiled widely. “Today I have experienced the boldness of a hero, so how can I, Fang Ziji fall behind? Storm House men obey and follow the order, so now come and kill along with me. Let’s let everyone see how masculine Storm House males are!”
“Yeah!” Storm House disciple roared.
“Senior brother, what about us, the female disciples? What are we supposed to do?” Du Yishuang asked without forgetting.
“Sit on the sideline, and obediently observe. So long as you females help your husbands bear strong children, you do not need to think of anything else.” Then, he musters a group of disciples and herds it towards the Tortoise Monster Beast.
“Hmph!” Du Yishuang puffed. ”I know that you think of men to be superior to women, but when it comes to strength I am not any less powerful than you.” With saying this, she tagged along.
After these many past days, only seven hundred to eight hundred people were remaining from three sects. Some were killed by the turtle monster beast, but eighty percent of the ones remaining still had the strength to fight.
As for the remaining 20%, some were either injured and would not be able to contribute anything or their strength was too low, so even if they came forward to help it wouldn’t matter.
The enthusiasm was shocking. Three main disciples of three sects, three forces, three directions but the target was only one crawling on the ground: the Tortoise Monster Beast.
Yang Kai’s Star Mark injured it acutely, which is significant enough to incapacitate it even if it did not lose its life.
The first to rush in happened to be the High Heaven Pavilion disciples. They displayed their most powerful Martial Skills and attacked relentlessly. The scene looked like they were matches throwing fire at it.
The next to follow through was the Bloody Battle Gang and the last was Storm House.
Of all those people, only a few have achieved True Elementary Boundary. Su Yan did not have any strength to continue fighting, and Xie Hongchen hadn’t gotten back his composure. So the only ones remaining were Fang Ziji, Long Jun and Hu Jiao Er.
However, they were in the first or second boundary of the True Element Boundary. It was very difficult to inflict any effective damage to the almost impregnable Tortoise Monster Beast.
Their attacks were small and trifling, causing an inconsequential effect.
This was such the for disciples still circling the Monster Beast. Though they saw that their attacks did not bear any results, the disciples of the three sects did not retreat in discouragement. They continued to release barrages of killing strikes that tickled the Tortoise. From its position, there were still sounds of dings and dongs from the inconsiderable impacts pelting its shell.
Yang Kai stood in the same spot grinning.
He thought that it was the perfect time to use Star Mark. Inspiring everyone to unite and resume their siege was more than worth it.
Su Yan looked upon the majestic scene as if it was a miracle.
All the disciples from the different sects always used to battle against each other, particularly and especially in the Heaven’s Cave Inheritance, constantly struggling with each other. She was always unhappy with the internal conflicts, so she took to traveling alone, separate from the noisy fighting, but with her status and prestige she would only need to say a word and all disciples of the High Heaven Pavilion will gather to be by her side.
With the imminent slaughter of High Heaven Pavilion Disciples, Su Yan had no choice but to fight back. Even if it was Xie Hongchen who brought forth this catastrophe, she simply could not allow her sect’s Disciples to be massacred. Never would she have expected such a turnabout, a reversal that was only possible due to the man in front of her.
No one could make the disciples of the three schools cooperate with each other to this degree. Everyone present didn’t battle with each other, they didn’t mistrust each other, but they all are holding a single thought and that is to kill this Turtle Monster Beast.
This event in itself is a miracle!
Looking at his right arm dripping with blood, Su Yan’s heart ached a little without even realizing it.
She wanted to help him treat his injury, but she held herself back.
What this man represented at that moment were strength and determination. If she went forward to help, there would be emotions and feelings involved and he didn’t need those feelings, not at this time.
But at this moment from the corner of her eye, Su Yan saw the girl Hu Mei Er from the Bloody Battle Gang approaching Yang Kai with an anxious expression and enquiring about his injuries, then taking out few bottles of medicine and applying it on his injuries. She then tore her sleeve and wrapped his arm with the cloth.
On seeing this, Su Yan’s eyes dimmed a little and she turned her face in the other direction.
Perhaps because of the joint attack of three sects, the Turtle Monster Beast showed signs of awakening. Slowly but surely, its eyes were beginning to refocus and its huge body began to move. This only instilled haste and a tinge of fear in the attackers, who then ramp up their attacks to try and quicken the process.
Suddenly a female voice sounded, “Hit its head, it has wounds there!” This was the voice of Du Yishuang from Storm House.
Fang Ziji and Hu Jiao Er listened and hastily moved to above the head of the Turtle Monster Beast and sucked their tongues in.
They discovered that on its head, there were large cracks and fresh red blood can be seen flowing from it. Since his head was hidden in the shell, one would have to look carefully to discover the wounds.
“Damn it!” Fang Ziji could not bear it and cursed. He had been fighting for a long time but to no avail, and here is a ready-made foot long wound.
This was the effect of Yang Kai’s attack. How mighty was his fist to cause such a serious wound?
Although his mind was in shock he still cooperated with Hu Jiao Er and started redirecting their attacks against the wound. It made the Monster Beast violent with its movement.
“Women, get out of the way.” Fang Ziji shouts to Hu Jiao Er who was attacking with him.
“Only in eyes of idiot males is a girl is inferior to a boy, so I will not lower myself to your level.” Hu Jiao Er snapped coldly.
In all of the three sects’ disciples, Fang Ziji has a male superiority complex, thinking that only males can be decision makers when it comes to important matters, not caring to even consider women. In his eyes, only Su Yan is a female who he sometimes looks up to.
According to rumours, once when he was with his teacher, the sect Master of Storm House, Xiao Ruohan, he advised him to not recruit female disciples in the future, and naturally Xiao Ruohan ignored Fang Ziji, but the matter is that they discussed it together in Black Plum Village’s Spring Breeze Drizzle Building and this talk became an extremely embarrassing thing for the pair when they finally got the news of it.
After that, Fang Ziji never mentioned this matter further, but his mentality has not changed.
It’s not that he disliked females, but in his opinion men and women were two different species, where the former was nobler than the latter.
I am a man and I am proud of it, I am a man and I am proud! Those type of thoughts.
Those were his moral ideals. Fang Ziji thought that females should not do what they were not meant to do.
He was quite young and dashing, still. He was tyrannical and always serious about everything. Therefore, he never had a lack of female admirers.
Unfortunately, he was frequently contradictory.
Hu Jiao Er’s reply made Fang Ziji furrow his eyebrows, then he sent a fierce attack towards the head of the Turtle Monster Beast while shooting back angrily,
“Bitch,”
“who are you calling an idiot?”
Hu Jiao Er follows with another killing strike against the same spot without faltering and replied, “Stinking brat! If you so dislike females, why don’t you go to your fellow male apprentices to make happy love with them?”
Her remarks turned Fang Ziji pale and gave him a strong urge to vomit.
To do it with his Fellow Male Apprentice……
Just imagining such a scene gave Fang Ziji a bout of dizziness.
Hu Jiao Er laughed lightly, as she took pleasure in his misfortune.
“A lady who is not concerned about her words and impressions on others.” Fang Ziji said with a unendurable feeling, ”Anyone who marries you would have terrible luck.”
“Nobody needs your concession!” Hu Jiao Er blushed slightly and rolled her eyes.
“I don’t want to bicker with you. Let’s see who can strike this Monster Beast fatally.” Fang Ziji said.
“Hmph, you are not my match!” Hu Jiao Er sneered.
Without waiting for them, a pure white form suddenly appeared in front of the Monster Beast. The form was surrounded by an ice cold mist, and she pointed her jade finger towards the Monster Beast’s wound an ice cold white energy was presented.
The ice cold energy was absorbed by the gashing wound and suddenly, a bright burst of scarlet red blood spouted out of it, looking beautiful.
The scarlet blood changed into shards of icicles and drilled into the skull of Monster Beast.
“Roar….” the Turtle Monster Beast suddenly got on his feet and facing upward, it gave a loud roar. Its huge body became unsteady and began to sway. Its red eyes began to weaken as its eyes were filled with unwillingness.
Fang Ziji and Hu Jiao Er turned their heads to see a pale-faced Su Yan, who had exhausted what little strength she had been able to accumulate to provide the killing blow.
After exhausting her last scrap of strength, Su Yan tried to turn her head but fell. She didn’t have any more strength to fight again.
Fang Ziji and Hu Jiao Er felt the chilling aura that Su Yan was sending out, noticing its difference from her usual aura.
In the past, that coldness was pure through and through with no attribute attached to it.
But now, this chill seemed to be much different, making it hard to endure.
“ Who annoyed her?” Fang Ziji asks doubtfully.
“How would I know?” Hu Jiao Er replied impatiently. She was from the Bloody Battle Gang and she thought that the disciples of other two schools were no good.
With Fang Ziji himself being a perfect specimen, she didn’t need to look any further for reference.
Looking at the other side on High Heaven Pavilion’s Su Yan was now emotionless like an ice baby. She always remained indifferent and unapproachable. She didn’t even look at Xie Hongchen, a person who was willing do anything for fame and power.
Her Bloody Battle Gang, though not the strongest were at the very least normal. Only when both sisters grew up could they then give a helping hand to their father in managing the Bloody Battle Gang.
“If nobody annoyed her, why would she attack with the just restored Yuan Qi?” Fang Ziji couldn’t understand her motive, shaking his head looking at Hu Jiao Er, who was still attacking the Turtle Monster Beast while he was distracted. He shouts angrily, ”You… you…woman, even if you won like this it wouldn’t be counted as a victory!”
Announcement coming up soon!
Hu Jiao Er laughed slyly, “Since you said that you want to have a bet with me a victory is a victory no matter how I obtain it. Also, let me remind you that I am a female and since you believe men are above us, what is the point of competing with me in the first place?”
After hearing this Fang Ziji became speechless, and when he came to his senses he said, “No man can ever win against a woman in a debate.”
Of the fate of the Tortoise Monster Beast, half of it was decided when the three sects came together to defeat it, and the other half was decided when Su Yan used her remaining strength to destroy its crippled life. The Tortoise no longer had the strength to fight back, its death was only a matter of time.
All of this was made possible by the overpowering punch from Yang Kai. It motivated the disciples of the three sects, igniting their will to fight and giving them the courage to overcome this colossal difficulty.
However, the punch ruptured the blood vessels in his right hand. Hu Mei Er was helping him wrap it with a bandage.
Yang Kai never imagined that the Star Mark was this powerful. He was on the verge of losing control when using it, and the recoil of that punch left him paralysed, leaving him temporarily disabled.
If it was not so, why would he have remained unmovable like a pole at this time? The adrenaline that was running through his body settled down and only now was he was able to feel the pain from the damage his body had sustained.
Looking at the several hundred disciples that were attacking, Yang Kai did not see Xie Hongchen among them. Instead, he was somewhere else staring at the sky with a blank face. After Yang Kai attacked the Tortoise Monster Beast, Xie Hongchen was stupefied and he was only able to compose himself after a little while.
He knew that Yang Kai had obtained a top-grade inheritance, otherwise his strength would never let him wield such power.
That punch gave a Peak Sixth Realm Monster Beast such heavy injuries.
Yang Kai cannot be given the opportunity to grow further. If he does, not only will Xie Hongchen be unable to woo Su Yan, he himself would be in very big trouble.
So, as his crisis needed solving, a ruthless gleam flashed across Xie Hongchen’s eyes. He looked at the person who was standing quite a distance from him.
That person was Nie Yong.
He was also injured in the fight alongside Lan Chudie, and right now he was rejuvenating not far from Yang Kai.
Nie Yong was in a confused state. He was unable to judge what his heart was going through at this moment. He and Yang Kai had clashed many times when they entered the cave. He had even caused many obstacles and made people chase him down.
But they were unable to locate his hiding place, so that matter came to an end at that time. However, the existence of Yang Kai was like a fish bone stuck in his throat, neither able to stomach it nor cough it out.
He still remembers the words that Yang Kai spoke when he escaped from him.
After such a short time, Yang Kai had already become strong and formidable. This almost made Nie Yong piss in his pants. If that punch were to land on him he would have certainly met a short and cruel death.
Now, what should I do? What the hell should I do? Everyone’s attention was focused on that Monster Beast and nothing else, but when that Monster Beast dies how would I be able to bear his anger?
The nervous and anxious Nie Yong saw Xie Hongchen give him a signal with his eyes.
He clearly understood the meaning of the signal his brother was giving him, but he was startled by it.
On seeing this, he turned serious. He understood that if he wanted to live, the only way was to kill Yang Kai. Otherwise, he would surely exact his revenge. Moreover, his brother also wanted Yang Kai dead. Once he has killed him, with his brother shielding him everything would turn out just fine.
After seeing Yang Kai’s punch, Nie Yong had lost his ability to assess the situation calmly and had pinned all his hopes on Xie Hongchen.
Standing up, Nie Yong slowly walked toward Yang Kai step by step.
Yang Kai acted as if he was unaware of the impending doom. He simply stood at the same spot without moving a finger.
Nie Yong was increasing his pace step by step. The only person near Yang Kai right now was Hu Mei Er of the Bloody Battle Gang. As long as he moved fast enough he can surely make a killing strike.
As for the matter of killing at a more suitable time, it was already out of consideration.
Everyone was focused on the Tortoise Monster Beast and no one had noted the movements of Nie Yong, except for one person.
That person was Lan Chudie.
Yang Kai crossing the sky to rescue Su Yan followed by his punch to severely injure the Monster Beast.. those scenes were replaying in her mind over and over, causing a feeling of loss in her heart.
She had not thought that the person who had followed her for days and did as he was told would show such fearsome strength. If she had known earlier…
Ed note: (Well if you only saw him as a goffer what did you expect?)
This feeling was like discarding a hunk of jade because she thought it was a normal stone. This mistake made Lan Chudie extremely regretful.
Everyone was still watching the battle unfold, but she was looking at the back of Yang Kai, a dazzling back that was taken from her. Comparing Xie Hongchen’s character and his was like comparing excrement to diamond.
This disaster was brought about by Xie Hongchen to be solved by this person standing in front of her, so such a standard was understandable.
The movement of Nie Yong quickly brought the attention of Lan Chudie. At first, she thought that Nie Yong had restored his injuries and was going to enter the battle but observing for a few more moments, that didn’t seem to be the case. The target of Nie Yong was unexpectedly Yang Kai. Moreover, Nie Yong was also using his World Qi while walking, and she was able to feel its slight fluctuation.
Lan Chudie is an intelligent woman. She immediately understood what Nie Yong wanted to do. When she was about to shout to warn Yang Kai, she saw him turn his head to look at Nie Yong mockingly.
He smiled like a sly devil.
Nie Yong came to a halt. He fearfully looked at Yang Kai. He didn’t know that Yang Kai realized his motive but, being his stare terrified him.
His look was like looking at a dead person.
“Brother Nie.” Yang Kai turned around slowly and maintained his smile.
“Brother Yang.” Nie Yong gulped, unable to move even though he clearly wanted to.
“Do you want to kill me?”
Those words made Nie Yong so frightened he took a few steps back and waving his hand own hands quickly, he said with a smile, ”Brother Yang, why would I do such a thing? We are from the same sect and we are brothers, how can I commit such a deed?”
Nie Yong felt the skin on his face twitch because of the nonsense pouring out of his mouth, but he couldn’t help it as he was panic-stricken.
That one fist can cause such heavy damage to a Peak Sixth Realm Monster Beast, how could he not panic? And to make things worse, they had such recent burning enmity.
While speaking, Nie Yong slowly moved back step by step while laughing awkwardly. Presenting himself as harmless as possible, he moved almost like a pendulum.
“Nie Yong!” Yang Kai screamed angrily, his face twisted with such anger he looked like a maddened evil spirit.
Nie Yong was afraid, so afraid he could not bring the guts to utter any sound. He turned around and ran for his life. He had not even taken ten steps before he heard howling and sobbing voices following him.
When he turned around to look, he felt his soul leave him. He noticed a dark awl, coming from Yang Kai, flying towards him with eerie laughter.
This laughter was so strange and evil it reduced Nie Yong’s courage to nothing.
Even after taking some distance from Yang Kai, Nie Yong refused to sit and wait for his death. When he turned around to fight, Nie Yong discovered that it wasn’t as bad and as terrifying as he had expected. With his current strength, although it was difficult to resist, it was insufficient to kill him.
Nie Yong felt relief as he knew that at present Yang Kai’s situation was not as good as he was letting on. However, he would still need to expend some strength to escape.
With this surprising discovery, Nie Yong began to fight back while still retreating. He was somehow able to deflect the attacks but was still unable to escape from the evil awl that was chasing him. It made laughing sounds that no one would ever forget, especially him.
What is this ghost? Even if it is a secret treasure, it can follow a target? Yang Kai is standing motionless in the same place. Why won’t he attack me?
He heard footsteps emerge from nowhere behind him and was once again shocked. Nie Yong turned to see Lan Chudie supporting her injured body, coming towards him with a calm expression.
Nie Yong suddenly became happy as he shouted, ”Sister Lan, please save me!”
Lan Chudie looked at him lightly which gave Nie Yong a very bad premonition. Looking uncertain, he suddenly felt a palm hit him violently on his chest.
“Aaahhhh!” Nie Yong howled pitifully and suddenly came to a stop. Suddenly a wild laughter transmitted from the black fog. Was it an accident? Nie Yong was unable to understand what was going on.
“Why did sister Lan…….” Nie Yong’s body shivered fiercely and before completing his sentence, both his eyes slowly lost their light as his body fell over softly.
Lan Chudie took heavy breaths in big gulps. She stared at Nie Yong and discovered that his chest did not have the slightest signs of injury. I couldn’t even penetrate his flesh? That’s awful…
Seeing this, she became flustered.
Vaguely, Lan Chudie heard Nie Yong’s whining voice, making her go numb. Her face lost all colour.
She looked at Yang Kai on the side and saw him looking at her coldly.
As Lan Chudie’s heart suddenly became chaotic, she replied, whilst clenching her teeth, “He wanted to kill you.”
Yang Kai remained silent. He lifted his hand and the black awl that he released suddenly became a beam of light and entwined on his finger, then vanishing without a trace.
They looked at each other for a long time, then he slowly shifted his vision, not saying a word. Looking at this Lan Chudie smiled mockingly herself. She felt that she had become as fragile as a vase and if she fell she would break into pieces.
“Hahahahaha!” Within Yang Kai, the Old Demon laughed wildly like a madman while he chewed on something.
Yang Kai knew that what he was chewing was Nie Yong’s immortal soul. But for Yang Kai, this was unexpected as he did not know that Soul Breaker Awl had such a strange function.
“I want to kill more. I want to kill!” The Old Demon was shouting while chewing on Nie Yong’s immortal soul. “It has been a long time since I have heard such a sweet sound, since I have tasted such a freshness and softness. Little Master, if you want to kill some more you can send this old servant without any hesitation.”
Yang Kai’s thoughts moved and the laughter of Old Demon turned into shouts of misery and begged for mercy.
After some time when Old Demon recovered slightly but, was still out of breath as he asked cautiously, “Little Master, why did you punish me?”
“Why did you not tell me about the real function of the Soul Breaker Awl?”
“You never asked me about it, Young Master.” Old Demon said accusingly, then flatly continued, “Moreover, this thing is too evil and I thought if Young Master knew, he would be discontent about it.”
“I, at this moment, am very discontented.” Yang Kai adds. ”I am extremely unhappy about it.”
After hearing this Old Demon started to shiver.
After waiting for a good long while, Yang Kai said, “This will be the first and last time. Remember, it’s the last time. If you dare to conceal anything ever again, you know the consequences.”
Official Chapter Title: The Death of Nie Yong
“This old servant would never dare to do so!” The Old Demon said submissively and promptly. “Young Master, that little girl who helped you a moment ago, has got quite a decisive personality, she gave a good blow.”
“What are you implying?”
“This old servant has taken a liking to her. If Young Master gives his permission, this old servant can train her for a few years and she will be a big boost to Young Master for sure!”
“I do not like her!” Yang Kai said coldly.
“Everything will be as Young Master decides.” Old Demon didn’t dare say anything else and just sighed, thinking how it was a pity.
The death of Nie Yong took Hu Mei Er by surprise, and the disciples of the High Heaven Pavilion recovering on the side were also surprised. They only heard the angry howl of Yang Kai and saw the desperate run of Nie Yong, who was being followed by a black fog, and while Nie Yong retaliated, Lan Chudie gave him a sneak attack which stopped Nie Yong from escaping.
It was almost as if everyone had a question mark hanging over their heads, unable to react to such a bizarre situation.
At this moment, the huge Turtle Monster Beast gave out its last cry of misery and dropped to the ground. All the disciples surrounding its lifeless body gave a loud cheer.
Hu Jiao Er chuckled with satisfaction, then said, “Fang Ziji, looks like the final strike was dealt by me.”
Fang Ziji replied in a depressed voice, “You were so shameless, so what was the point of that bet?”
Hu Jiao Er smirked and taunted, “Looks like someone can’t accept his loss.”
Fang Ziji flared up. “Who can’t accept a loss?! If you did not attack it when I was in shock, you wouldn’t have won this easily. You’re a woman, I will not lower myself to your level!”
“Well, it seems to me like you just don’t want to accept your loss.” Hu Jiao Er commented.
On hearing this, Fang Ziji’s face turned red from shame. He replied and changed the topic, “I don’t want to argue with you, the main priority is acquiring the Monster Core.”
While speaking, Fang Ziji inserted his hand into the forehead of the Monster Beast, searching for its core. In just a few moments, he fished out a brown coloured Monster Core dripping with blood.
Staring at the Monster Core in his hand, Fang Ziji felt thrilled and exclaimed, “The Core of a Peak Sixth Realm Monster Beast, how much would it sell for?”
Long Jun looked at him lightly then said in a soft voice, “Elder Brother Fang was not thinking of having sole possession of it, was he?”
The Core was the most precious object in the body of a Monster Beast. For this one, its shell also had a very high value because it could be used as a refining material, but the shell was huge, so at present who would be capable of carrying it out of here?
At this moment everyone was focused on Fang Ziji. “I was just thinking of doing so.” Fang Ziji said lightly and calmly.
Long Jun took a fighting stance in response. On the contrary, Hu Jiao Er looked at him with a face full of smiles.
“But I do not dare to do so!” Fang Ziji said curling his lips, “If I took it all for myself would you let me leave?”
Hearing this Long Jun contemptuously smiled, “Elder Brother Fang is a sensible person after all.”
“Does anyone have any idea how we will split this Monster Core amongst ourselves?” Fang Ziji turned his head to look at everyone who helped fight this Turtle Monster Beast. All the other Monster Beasts were hunted separately by everyone, so it wasn’t a problem, but everyone had collaborated to kill this Monster Beast, so everyone having a share was natural.
Everyone became silent and started to ponder on how they would divide the Monster Core.
Perhaps the only way was to turn it into cash, then dividing it equally between all three Sects.
Long Jun thought about it and wanted to present his idea when Fang Ziji suggest, “This victory was all thanks to the help of junior brother Yang, how about we let him decide about it?”
Yang Kai was pleasantly surprised to hear that from Fang Ziji, so he himself, standing a few feet away, started to ponder it himself.
Long Jun said in dissatisfaction, “He may have been the one to damage the beast heavily, but in this fight the Bloody Battle Gang also helped, and a lot of disciples were injured by it, so it is only given that we will need some type of compensation, don’t we?”
Fang Ziji said pointing at the body of the Tortoise Monster Beast, “If you want, you can take the shell. My Storm House will not stop you.”
Hearing such words Long Jun became speechless and was exasperated. That tortoise shell was almost pristine despite all the attacks that pelted it, so it was no doubt that it would be an excellent raw material, but at present who would be able to cut it to carry it out away?
During the debate, Fang Ziji’s complexion changed suddenly and he threw the Monster Core. Instead of falling to the ground, the Core started spinning in mid-air.
With the spin, a strange suction was activated and it started attracting things from all directions. From Fang Ziji’s inner upper pockets, two more Cores flew out.
It was same for Hu Mei Er and Long Jun.
The Monster Core that was hidden in Xie Hongchen’s chest pocket also flew out.
These Cores were collected when the three sects killed the other eight Monster Beasts. They had obtained them with great difficulty and with the help of many people. They were not even able to look at them properly since their efforts were now being taken away.
The eight Monster Cores formed a strange pattern and were all spinning around the newest one, which belonged to the Turtle Monster Beast. With its revolution, a dark strength was pulled from the entire Heaven’s Cave Inheritance. This pull caused everything to shake violently. Within all the chaos, a giant dark vortex appeared in the sky. It’s sudden arrival made everyone present tremble with fear.
Nobody knew what was happening, except for the Old Demon, who was exploding in excitement. His cheery voice was heard in Yang Kai’s mind, “The Grave of Beast Souls!”
Yang Kai suddenly realized that the Old Demon knew about this place, so he hurriedly asked, “Tell me about it.”
Old Demon said, “Young Master, I finally understand. Originally, this place was sealed with nine Monster Beasts. They were all only a test. If all of them were not killed, then this phenomenon would not be triggered. Now that all the Monster Beasts have died, the requirement has been met for the phenomenon to occur. This formation will absorb the cores of these nine Monster Beasts and will give you a reward.
“A reward?”
“It’s the thing that is hidden in the clouds above!” The Old Demon said slowly. “Yes, it looks like that, and according to this old servant’s estimate, that is the genuine inheritance hidden here!”
“The inheritance!” Yang Kai’s heart skipped a beat. He turned his head to see that the vortex that appeared in the sky was getting bigger and bigger. That place looked like it was in chaos, and whoever dared to enter it would be swallowed whole.
The disciples of the three sects ran away like mice, and none dared to stand underneath it.
“Yes, that should be the case.” The Old Demon continued, “After all, this place was the host of a humongous war, and many experts died here and left behind many inheritances. But it looks like there might have been a supreme expert, and he has probably hidden his inheritance in the sky.”
Yang Kai became enlivened.
“Young Master, you need to hurry away from this formation. It can affect you.” The Old Demon warned.
Yang Kai did not heed the Old Demon, but instead looked at Hu Mei Er who was still standing beside him and said, “Tell your elder sister to make everyone move as far as they can away from the vortex.”
Hu Mei Er nodded her head and dashed towards Hu Jiao Er.
Then Yang Kai shouted at the disciples of High Heaven Pavilion, “If you don’t want to die, then move at least five kilometers away from here!”
Many people ignored him despite his loud warning.
Yang Kai didn’t care about them. He had already warned them, it is now up to them to decide whether they want to listen or not. Without worrying any further, Yang Kai himself started to retreat quickly.
Su Yan glanced at him, then turned around to order without hesitation, “Disciples of High Heaven Pavilion, withdraw to a five-kilometer distance from here!” Her words had a heavier weight. Everyone hurried to retire in the same direction as Yang Kai.
At the other side, Hu Jiao Er had received her little sister’s message and also issued the order of retreat.
Fang Ziji looked at Yang Kai like he was measuring him, then said while laughing, “We will also move back!”
The disciples of the three sects ran with lightning speed and stopped at a distance of five kilometers.
They turned around to see that the nine Monster Beast cores were exuding a dazzling light. It looked like there was a mysterious relationship between all of them. With the continuous revolution of the Monster Cores, the vortex in the sky did not stop expanding.
A huge suction was still spreading from the vortex, such that the corpse of the Turtle Monster Beast had started floating in the air, the vortex rapidly pulling it. When the corpse flew into the vortex, it left behind no trace.
This caused everyone to be struck with fear.
If they had not withdrawn to the suggested distance, they would have suffered a similar fate to the Tortoise Monster Beast’s corpse.
Rejoicing, many people turned to look at Yang Kai, their faces filled with admiration.
A strong wind blew, flapping everyone’s clothing violently. Many people were still frightened. A lot of the group who had entered for the inheritance were from the younger generations and did not have much experience. There were many people who hadn’t even left their sects for a long period of time, so how could they see such a scene without flinching?
“Do we need to draw back more?” Su Yan came beside Yang Kai and queried.
Yang Kai looked at her then shook his head. Su Yan sighed with relief on Yang Kai’s confirmation.
“About Nie Yong, you don’t need to worry. I will report it personally to the Elder Assembly.”
“Thanks,” Yang Kai nodded his head.
Yang Kai had only killed Nie Yong just a few moments ago. It happened very quickly, but how could Su Yan miss such a scene? There was nothing more on the matter to investigate.
“There’s something in the sky!” Suddenly, shocked voices were heard from everyone.
Yang Kai turned his gaze quickly to the sky alongside everyone else, only to find a golden light glittering from within the vortex. That golden light was dazzling, illuminating everything around it. It was like a hand that tore the sky open, showing the treasure hidden within.
Amongst the sea of people and widespread confusion, someone could be loudly heard yelling, “What is that?!”
Yang Kai narrowed his eyes and looked closer at the light in the sky.
At the top of where the light originated, he thought he saw the shadow of an angel standing at the corner of a house. From within, something was gradually descending.
A little more time passed, and Yang Kai discovered that it was not the corner of a house, but stairs; golden stairs that shimmered with the brightest hint of value.
These stairs were very long, with landings in between them. These stairs gradually came into everyone’s view.
The descent of the golden stairs was sluggish. Along with it, the vortex also began to fluctuate.
After waiting for a few minutes, more steps appeared in the vortex, but after some time they were unable to discern the difference between them.
“Old Demon, is this the inheritance which you mentioned?” Yang Kai asked in his mind.
“Young Master, I do not know what inheritance is hidden in there. It can only be obtained if you are able to pass its test. Looking at those steps, if it is what this old servant thinks it is, then they are at least ten thousand in number, which means that climbing them would be the final test. Since ten thousand is only this old servant’s estimate, it is possible that there would fewer or more than expected.”
Yang Kai started to mull over it. Although the inheritance had revealed itself, they would need to start climbing to know how long it will take to get to the top. He stopped thinking about it after a while as there was a more pressing matter.
Currently, Yang Kai’s strength would be in the lower range among these 700-800 disciples, so would he even have a chance at claiming the inheritance?
Almost as if he knew Yang Kai’s doubts, the Old Demon said slowly, “Young Master does not need to be extremely worried about it. If you are destined to claim the inheritance, your strength will matter very little, but if the method to acquire it is otherworldly difficult, strength would contribute nothing. Young Master, did you forget the chance that the two little girls stumbled upon?”
A happy feeling emerged in Yang Kai’s heart.
He saw with his own eyes the chance the Hu sisters received. He had discovered that cave first and had even been inside it for several days, but they were the ones that were able to obtain the inheritance because they were destined for it.
“Yes, that seems to be the case.” Yang Kai let go of his worries. He glanced back at the sky another time, then turned around. Since he knew that it would take some time for the stairs to completely descend, he simply looked for a secluded corner, and then sat cross-legged in that spot.
Since he needed to snatch this inheritance, he decided that the first step was to restore his strength.
According to Yang Kai’s estimate, the process of the stairs setting up would take at least two to three days, so he would have that much time to recuperate.
Su Yan looked at him in slight surprise, thought about it, then she also left the crowd and found herself a place to sit down not too far away from Yang Kai.
The younger generation looked at the calm disposition of Yang Kai and Su Yan helplessly. Since they were nowhere close to being experts, they were unable to detach themselves from their worldly desires and display the kind of composure Yang Kai and Su Yan showed. Therefore, they looked quite immature compared to the two.
When someone coughed lightly, they began to gather their thoughts with a tinge of embarrassment, then scattered to find a place to meditate. Some ordinary disciples also formed a group, and started to talk and made noise. Amidst the noise, there was still a lingering overtone of shock and awe.
The two Hu sisters ran to and sat on either side of Yang Kai. No one knew what they were thinking.
Yang Kai opened his eyes slightly to peek at their faces. The sisters were both smiling at him sweetly, making him unable to distinguish who was who.
Yang Kai’s eyes turned a little hesitant to open any further.
“What?” looking at Yang Kai’s disposition, Hu Jiao Er asked immediately. “Us sitting beside you is your good luck. Why are you giving us such a dirty look?”
Yang Kai didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry, so he smiled and commented, “It’s an honour to have such beautiful flowers by my side. How could I give you two a dirty look?”
After all, they had cooperated several times and had come to know each other quite well. They were no longer strangers like before. With their bond, jokes accompanied their regular conversations.
Hearing Yang Kai’s words, Hu Jiao Er replied with a sweet anger, “You have quite a sweet mouth on you!”
Hu Mei Er also added, “I thought you were a simple person, I hadn’t thought that you could also say such cheesy lines.”
Yang Kai says with a serious face, “Those words came from my heart. It was not simple flattery.”
The two sisters smiled pleasantly. It was like the blooming of two very beautiful flowers bringing colour and joy to the world.
After thinking a little, Yang Kai pointed out, “It looks like the people on your side don’t like me very much.”
Both of the sisters looked at each other and then said in one voice, “Do you fear them?”
Yang Kai grinned and said, “I am actually quite fearful of them, but they don’t have the qualifications to become my enemy, so you don’t need to be bothered about it.”
Hu Jiao Er then replied, “You have already offended the male disciples of High Heaven Pavilion, so what can the disciples of my Bloody Battle Gang count for?”
She was talking about the incident where he saved Su Yan and was able to occupy some advantage.
Immediately, Yang Kai grimaced as if in great pain.
Hu Jiao Er laughed in a playful manner then gave him a coquettish look, “Do you want me to give you a kiss so that others can envy you?”
Yang Kai peeked at her again, leaned then extended his face near her, “I wish for it with all my heart.”
Hu Jiao Er blushed immediately then exclaims angrily, “You want a beauty like me to kiss you?”
“Elder sister, you need to stop your teasing! Let him rest first. He has quite a few heavy wounds.” Hu Mei Er shook her elder sister’s arm. She was having a hard time enduring the flirting.
Hu Jiao Er then adjusted her position beside Yang Kai and closed her eyes obediently.
Yang Kai and Hu Mei Er looked at each other and smiled. Then they also adjusted their position and started meditating one after the other.
Along with the passage of time, the disciples of the three sects also lost their initial curiosity, and begin to restore their Yuan Qi, occasionally opening their eyes to check for changes in the sky above.
Two days of meditation, silence, the occasional noise and complaints passed.
Yang Kai felt someone stand in front of him. He opened his eyes, only to meet Storm House’s Du Yishuang and another handsome man.
This man was Fang Ziji who had proposed to give Yang Kai the Core of Tortoise Monster Beast.
“Yang Kai, how are your wounds?” Younger Sister Du asked with serious concern.
“Well, it doesn’t look that bad.” Yang Kai’s lips beamed, then he looked at Fang Ziji who cupped his fists and asked, “Who might this brother be?”
Yang Kai didn’t recognize Fang Ziji, but during the negotiations two days before he had shown goodwill toward Yang Kai, therefore, he didn’t have too large a sense of revulsion towards him.
“I am Fang Ziji.” He said returning the courtesy, then he gives a light laugh then continued, “Brother Yang’s punch from two days ago was forceful, and made me feel heartfelt admiration towards you. I’m also jealous of the public attention you’ve been getting.”
“Brother Fang is overpraising.” Yang Kai chuckled.
Fang Ziji continued, “Brother Yang has an indomitable spirit and I, Fang Ziji, have always admired that kind of people. If we weren’t from different sects, I would want to become actual brothers with you, sharing hardship as well as weal and woe together.”
Hu Jiao Er twisted her face and mumbled just loud enough for him to hear, “Disgusting.”
Fang Ziji looked at her in contempt.
Du Yishuang pulled the arm of Fang Ziji, then said with a forced smile, “Sister, you are not helping.”
Then she looked at Yang Kai and said, “Please don’t mind him, my fellow brother has issues.”
“What… Sister, what did you just say?” Fang Ziji immediately turned to stare at Du Yishuang.
“Let it be, Brother Fang, you have a big heart, so why bother with such small matters?” Yang Kai’s lips curled upwards. He did not imagine the number one from Storm House to have such an interesting personality.
“Brother Yang, only you understand me.” Fang Ziji said emotionally.
Hu Jiao Er interrupted with a casual sentence, “Yang Kai, you should be careful. This person doesn’t like females and thinks of them as akin to mud, and they are never able to get his approval. If you become too friendly with him, perhaps he will develop a special fondness for you.”
She covered her mouth and giggled wryly. Her words could very easily be misunderstood.
Yang Kai’s complexion immediately turned blue and he tried to edge away.
Fang Ziji said in a panic, “Hey, don’t slander me as you like. Brother Yang, don’t listen to her nonsense. I am not that kind of person.”
Yang Kai gave a slight cough and gave a complicated look.
Fang Ziji became anxious, then, with a spark of inspiration, he pulled the hand of Du Yishuang close to his chest, gave her a hug, and then kissed her on the lips.
Yang Kai looked thunderstruck.
Hu Jiao Er and Hu Mei Er looked at this scene with their mouths wide open.
Struggling, Du Yishuang gave a light moan; both sisters’ faces became crimson.
After an awkward amount of time in silence, Fang Ziji let go of Du Yishuang, wiped the corner of his mouth and then grinned, “So, Brother Yang, you should believe me now.”
Yang Kai looked at him full of surprise, then gave him a thumbs up saying, “Brother Fang showed the boldness of a real man. Really admirable.”
Hearing this praise, Fang Ziji gave an exaggerated laugh. While he was laughing, junior sister Du was blushing, then she suddenly slapped Fang Ziji in the face.
“You bastard!” Du Yishuang stomped her feet, then covered her face with both hands and ran away.
“Run slowly or you might slip!” Fang Ziji shouted while rubbing his burning cheek.
“Brother Fang, will… will you not pursue her?” Yang Kai said while staring at Du Yishuang’s back.
“You don’t need to worry, she is just throwing a noisy tantrum. She will come back when she has settled down.” Fang Ziji said without a care.
And accurately, after only a few moments, Du Yishuang walked back, her face still blushing. Her head was lowered and her hands kept twisting the hem of her clothes. She had a delicate, embarrassed look.
“Hey.” Fang Ziji gives Yang Kai a wink with a self-satisfied look.
“Fellow Brother…” Du Yishuang pulled Fang Ziji’s arm without shame.
“What are you doing?” Fang Ziji raised his eyebrows and gave a smug look, still looking satisfied.
Du Yishuang lifted her hand and with an incomparable speed, flung her palm against his other cheek, then clenched her teeth and lashed out, “You are a very big bastard.”
Firing her second palm, junior sister Du looked like she had removed a foul taste from her mouth. She then turned around and stomped away arrogantly.
Fang Ziji rubbed his cheeks and looked at her with eyes wide open.
*giggles*… Hu Jiao Er and Hu Mei Er giggled uncontrollably. They didn’t expect circumstance to develop in that direction. They were now filled with admiration for Du Yishuang.
“Fellow sister, this… this…” Fang Ziji was stuttering. No one could tell how he felt, then he turned to look at Yang Kai and clumsily smiled and said, “When I meet her again I will straighten her out. She has acted against the heavens.”
Hu Jiao Er clapped her hands and said, “That was a really good play. Very comfortable to watch. Ohhhh Fang Ziji you, are now heaven..”
Fang Ziji twitched, then heaved a great sigh and recited, “A rose is not a rose without its thorns.”
Yang Kai coughed lightly interrupting Hu Jiao Er’s retort, then asked Fang Ziji, “Brother Fang, did you come to me for something?”
Fang Ziji turned stern and turned to look at the spot ten li away from them, then asked earnestly, “I came here only to ask brother Yang if he knows something about what is happening.”
His question also piqued the interest of Hu Jiao Er and Hu Mei Er. The both of them looked at Yang Kai with full attention
Yang Kai’s vision glittered, he didn’t reply immediately. Fang Ziji then continued, “Brother Yang doesn’t need to hide, everyone can see you know something. But if Brother Yang is not comfortable with publicising his knowledge, I can understand.”
Yang Kai considered as he looked at him. He understood where this was coming from. Before when he had notified everyone about being ten li away from that place, he made everyone aware of the potential disaster. If he didn’t know, how was he able to notify everyone?
However, it didn’t matter if he told them what he knew. Either way, they would discover what it is when the cloud layers have finally descended. Someone would nose around it and eventually understand.
He looked at Hu Jiao Er and Hu Mei Er, who still looked at him attentively.
A few seconds passed and Yang Kai lets loose his thoughts, “I don’t know too much about it. After the steps in the sky come down, I will inspect it.”
Fang Ziji continued to ask, “Will it be dangerous?”
Yang Kai smiled yet again. “Brother Fang, even I am not too clear about it.”
Fang Ziji nodded obediently, cupping his fists as he soberly replied, “Many thanks, brother Yang. If someday when you have the time, I invite you to visit Storm House as a guest. Us brothers will have a good chat over a cup of wine.”
“Thank you!”
After Fang Ziji left, Yang Kai looked at the Hu sisters then said with a smile, “I know that you also want to know about it, otherwise you wouldn’t be sitting beside me just to make the disciples of the Bloody Battle Gang jealous.”
“Do you think we are here to gather information?” Hu Jiao Er disputed.
Hu Mei Er said hurriedly, “We are not here because of that! we’re just…”
Hu Jiao Er abruptly interrupted without letting her finish her sentence, “Did you think we approached you to squeeze secrets out of you??”
She did not like how Yang Kai thought of them. [Does he actually think that we approached him with an ulterior motive? I thought he had a better impression of us.]
Realising he enraged her, he decided to keep silent.
Hu Jiao Er continues, “Since we will climb those steps together once they reach the ground, I will take it upon myself to be responsible for your protection should any problem occur. At the same time, you need to tell us everything you know. How does this deal sound?”
“Protection?” Yang Kai looked at the girl with one eyebrow raised.
“In your current condition, don’t you think you need protection?” Hu Jiao Er chuckled. “Well, I guess you could always find Su Yan to protect you. Although after you saved her, she seems to have been ignoring you these past few days”.
Yang Kai did not argue. He was well aware that when the time came, they would have to move together, which means they might as well help each other.
Hu Jiao Er snorted and pulled her own sister away from Yang Kai.
After waiting for a whole day, the thing hidden in the sky was finally exposed and showed a complete picture of what was behind it. All the people that were waiting stood up and looked at the thing five kilometers away.
Cultivators who were standing below watched a huge palatial construction emerge from the sea of clouds down directly in front of everyone. In front of it was a huge number of steps, which were so numerous that everyone thought that they would not be able to climb them.
[Is the inheritance located there?] Yang Kai thought as his breathing became heavy.
All the disciples of the three sects became anxious and excited at the same time. Although they did not have as much information as Yang Kai, they could all easily tell that this colossus building must hold great treasures. Now, everyone was just waiting for the flight of stairs to reach the ground so they can start climbing.
Finally, under the attentive gaze of countless of people, the flight of stairs made contact with the ground. A loud pounding could be heard as the ground trembled. The clouds and objects in the sky then vanished into obscurity.
The pounding and trembling continued for quite some time before settling down. The flight of stairs also stably landed on the ground.
Suddenly, one scream after another sounded out and several hundred people rushed to the flight of stairs.
Yang Kai also started to walk to its side. He was not as anxious as the rest because he knew from the Old Demon that obtaining the inheritance was based on chance and not speed.
In front of him was a pure white figure. When he carefully looked at it, he noticed that it was Su Yan. The sleeves of her clothes were fluttering about as she moved. She was neither running like the rest nor taking a stroll like Yang Kai. Instead, she was traveling at a walking pace, emitting a noble aura.
When she turned her head back to look at Yang Kai realizing that his vision was locked onto her, her long eyelashes slightly vibrated as she opened her mouth to speak. However, no words came out.
In the next moment, their vision was blocked out by the running crowd of disciples. Yang Kai’s flirtatious smile turned to that of sadness.
Meanwhile, the two beautiful Hu sisters came beside him once again with one on the left and the other on the right. They displayed winning, coy smiles that could even charm a ghost.
Hu Jiao Er then spoke out, “Since I said that I will protect you, I will keep my word. You don’t have to worry. The both of us have already received an inheritance, so we will not compete with you on this one.”
Yang Kai regained his composure when he could no longer see Su Yan.
“Hey, you brat! I’m talking to you!” Hu Jiao Er angrily scolded Yang Kai because he completely ignored her.
“Yes. I heard.” Yang Kai responded.
Hu Jiao Er snorted and muttered to herself in a soft voice, “Like you actually paid any attention to what I said…”
After walking for 5 kilometers, the three arrived in front of a lavish, green and golden jade step.
In front of the gigantic flight of stairs was a dim screen of light. It faintly resembled multiple gates placed next to each other.
The disciples from the three sects tried to find a way through the screen of light. Over time, the number of people that were present was reduced. The disciples were either going in groups or one by one into the gate of light, reducing the population at the bottom of the steps.
The entire scene was extremely bizarre. Although there was a screen of light in front of them, they were able to see the flight of stairs behind it. How was it that when people managed to find a way past the screen of light, they were completely invisible? Did the screen of light consume them?
Watching this scene, the Hu sisters could not help but back off with trepidation.
“Yang Kai, where did they go?” Hu Jiao Er anxiously asked.
Yang Kai shook his head, “I do not know…”
Then Yang Kai arrived in front of the screen of light and placed his hand on it. As his hand passed through, ripples on the screen could be seen, but his hand completely disappeared on the other side.
“Are we going in?” Hu Mei Er, who was less courageous than her sister voiced with fear.
Yang Kai looked up into the sea of clouds and entered without scruple.
Watching him enter, Hu Jiao Er ground her teeth. Holding her sister’s hand, she shouted, “Let’s go in as well!”
Once they stepped through, Yang Kai was surprised to find that the place looked exactly the same from the other side. Numerous flights of stairs led up towards the sky.
After looking around, he did not see anyone else’s trail. Yang Kai thought to himself and concluded, [each gate must have led to an independent space. It seems that the people who go through the same gate will stay together.]
When Yang Kai turned back, the ripples on the screen of light completely disappeared. When he blinked his eyes, the screen of light also vanished.
Without feeling too much concern about it, Yang Kai placed his foot on the first step of the flight of stairs and clenched. His brow wrinkled as he felt his body suddenly suppressed.
“What happened?” Hu Jiao Er asked after seeing Yang Kai’s expression.
“Come here and try for yourself.” Yang Kai spoke gently.
The two sisters did not hesitate and went forward. Both of them walked around to the sides, finally lifting their feet and placing them on the first step.
“How do you feel?” Yang Kai asked.
“There is energy invading my foot.” Hu Jiao Er replied.
“It is hot energy!” Hu Mei Er continued to elaborate.
“This is probably a test.” Yang Kai showed a faint smile which was completely different from the two Hu sisters’ expression. He had discovered that this energy was Yang attribute energy!
By revolving True Yang Secret Art, Yang Kai could absorb the energy from the platform. Thus, instead of damaging him, the platform was actually fuelling him!
This was entirely different for the two Hu sisters. For them, they would need to direct Qi to resist the Yang Energy from burning their feet.
“If this is a test, then it is too easy. This level of energy is too weak to do much.” Hu Mei Er could resist the energy penetrating her foot with ease.
“Don’t underestimate this test.” Hu Jiao Er looked at her sister. “The steps here may not contain a lot of energy but could we say that for certain about the steps on top? It is likely that the higher we go, the more energy we will have to resist. This will probably last until we can resist no longer…”
“Let’s not be hasty and jump to conclusions. Let’s test it out.” Yang Kai took another step, and another step, till he reached the fourth step.
Meanwhile, the two sisters followed behind.
After walking without rest for more than a hundred steps, they had discovered that Hu Jiao Er’s prediction was right. The higher they went, the more Yang Energy drilled into their foot, and the more Yuan Qi they had to use to resist it.
After a whole day of endless climbing, the two sisters could not help but bottle up their complaints about the hardships they had to face.
On the other hand, Yang Kai was enjoying his time climbing the steps. By climbing his first hundred steps, he had managed to acquire one drop of Yang Liquid and stored it within his Dantian.
After their three-hundredth step, Yang Kai and the Hu sisters could tell that they were starting to slow down. Since they had to resist the Yang Energy, the Hu sisters felt their whole body slowly turn stiff. However, it was still not strong enough to stop them.
It was surprising that Hu Mei Er managed to pass through their three-hundredth step with relative ease. This was despite her cultivation level being only Initial Element Stage 2.
Once they passed the four hundredth step, the toll on the sisters was becoming obvious. The two of them would need to about three breaths to climb another step. Not to mention, they were already starting to perspire.
On the other hand, Yang Kai was still extremely relaxed. However, instead of chatting with the girls, he was more concerned about this test. It was unlikely that the test only consisted of climbing stairs. That would be way too easy. He suspected that unknown dangers lurked somewhere and was trying to remain alert.
At their four hundred and ninetieth step, the two sisters looked towards Yang Kai, who had a face full of satisfaction. They were convinced that the boy was simply putting on a strong front. How was it possible for him to pass through these steps and still be so joyful? These steps were extremely tiring to climb. To think that they even swore that they would protect him. The irony…
Yang Kai looked at them and proposed, “Let’s take a break first.”
“No!” Hu Jiao Er clenched her teeth and took a step in front of Yang Kai.
Once Hu Jiao Er climbed up ten more steps to the five hundredth step, she suddenly fell. Fortunately, Yang Kai was quick enough to pull her back to a lower step.
They looked at each other and Hu Jiao Er said in surprise, “It changed!”
Yang Kai’s brows wrinkled but he did not bother to question her. He took a step up to the five hundredth step and could feel that the energy penetrating his foot was no longer that of Yang Energy, but ice cold.
The sudden change must have startled Hu Jiao Er, causing her to fall.
“Is this also part of the test?” Yang Kai had a weary smile. He had hoped that the steps were all going to deliver Yang Energy. In this case, being a Yang attribute cultivator makes it easy for him to arrive at the top of the stairs. However, now with the energy changing to that of cold. it was drastic enough to be an opposite of the Yang Energy.
When the cold energy drilled into Yang Kai’s body, the boy had two choices. He could either revolve True Yang Yuan Qi and resist the energy or he could revolve True Yang Secret Art to build up this cold energy into his bones. Regardless of the technique he chose, he would need to use up his Yuan Qi. However, the latter was definitely going to take a bigger toll on him.
If Yang Kai did not have so much Yang Liquid within his Dantian, he would have chosen the first option. With a reserve of more than 100 drops of Yang Liquid, he would be able to use True Yang Secret Art without much worry.
When the boy started revolving True Yang Secret Art, he allowed the cold energy to penetrate directly into his Golden Bones. With the circulation of his Yang Yuan Qi, he resisted the cold energy from spreading throughout his body.
“Let’s go.” Yang Kai turned around and smiled at the two sisters, showing the way forward.
Hu Jiao Er was irritated by Yang Kai and whispered to her sister, “Why is he being so smug?”
Hu Mei Er bitterly smiled back, “He isn’t…”
Disclaimer: we are note responsible for any smashed phones!
“He’s definitely being smug! He dares to show such attitude to me!” Hu Jiao Er clenched her jaw and revolved her cultivation technique alongside her sister to resist the cold energy slipping into their bodies. Step by step, they pursued Yang Kai.
After the first day, all three of them had finally reached the thousandth step. When they arrived, Yang Kai took another step upwards and was delighted and surprised. The energy that emitted from the steps had now completely changed to Yang Energy.
With the change of energy types every five hundred steps, more than 90% of disciples had given up by the time they reached the thousandth. The sudden changes of energy made it unbearable for those disciples, forcing them to stop.
Those that had surpassed the thousandth step were all the elites of their respective sects. They all managed to surpass the milestone only due to their cultivation levels.
In actuality, Hu Mei Er should not have been able to climb so high due to her limited cultivation level. However, she managed to do so without much hint of exhaustion. On the other hand, her sister Hu Jiao Er was pale with exhaustion.
The three rested for half a day before continuing.
At that point in time, past the three-thousandth step stood a figure clad in pure white. She was taking her time climbing each step. Even at that level, she continued to climb almost effortlessly. From the start, her demeanour remained calm as she scaled the stairs, similar to taking a leisurely stroll.
Even as the sleeves of her clothes fluttered about, she remained indifferent. Occasionally, she would use her hand to gracefully comb the hairs on her face back behind her ears.
The energy from the ground invaded the soles of her feet, but before it could even hurt her, the energies seemed to vanish.
Her entire face was flawless still, with skin as delicate as a baby’s. Obviously, this was Su Yan.
Su Yan cultivated Ice Heart Secret Arts. Similar to Yang Kai, she had a superior advantage within this test. She could easily climb without much effort.
Of course, out of the three sects, Su Yan and Yang Kai were not the only ones that cultivated Yin and Yang-based cultivation techniques. There were approximately 700-800 disciples who cultivated Yin and Yang, but even when they realized the advantages they had in this test, they simply could not hope to compare with Su Yan. The cultivation techniques that each person held had different ranks. Naturally, Su Yan no doubt had the highest ranks of cultivation techniques.
There were only a handful of people that made it above two thousand steps.
Xie Hongchen was sitting cross-legged, gasping for breath with a sinister and vicious look on his face. He was trying to restore his Yuan Qi with Pills.
“With me here, the inheritance is mine! So long as I have obtained the inheritance, who cares about the disciples from the three sects? I will make High Heaven Pavilion strong enough to dominate the other two sects, and make them bow down to us! Those that question or defy me will die! And Yang Kai, you are going to be the first! This day will mark me, Xie Hongchen, as the overlord!”
Xie Hongchen seemed crazy. The Yuan Qi within his body was chaotic and not flowing normally. With such erratic fluctuations in his Yuan Qi, Xie Hongchen’s strength seemed to be comparable to those in the Qi Transforming Stage.
The incident pertaining to the fight against the Tortoise Monster Beast was still flashing through his mind constantly. What was circulating within his thoughts were not the scenes where the three sects colluded to bring down the beast, but instead were of the people’s spiteful gazes towards him. It was mainly due to him that the Monster Beast became enraged. However, it was not him who took it down. It was Yang Kai’s attack that gave the opportunity for the three sects to strike, finally killing the Monster Beast.
Although no one had spoken directly to him about this incident, Xie Hongchen could detect their spite and hatred from their gazes. Even his Junior Sisters looked at him with apprehension.
This made Xie Hongchen burn with rage.
[No one is allowed to look at me like that! No one!] Xie Hongchen thought to himself.
In front of Xie Hongchen by several hundreds of steps was Fang Ziji. He was gasping for breath while each of his steps seemed to cause his body to shiver.
“… It’s time to rest.” Fang Ziji was patient. He knew that the inheritance depended on an opportunity, and the flight of stairs was merely a front. Climbing up should not be the determining factor for the successor. Thus, even if he had a strong desire to obtain the Inheritance, he was not as crazed as Xie Hongchen.
“It seems that this test is specifically meant for cultivators that cultivate Yin and Yang.” Fang Ziji took out a Medicine Pill from beneath his clothes on his chest and ingested it. “ What’s the point of me actually continuing? Could this all be a simple waste of time? I might as well explore more of the Heaven’s Cave Inheritance with a few Senior and Junior Sisters. There is a much greater chance of getting something.”
The more he thought about it, the more Fang Ziji felt what he was doing was pointless. Before long, he stood up, but only to descend.
Once he reached the ground level, he saw Du Yishuang low-spiritedly sitting crossed-legged as well.
“Junior Sister Du, why did you come out?” Fang Ziji accidentally asked.
Du Yishuang coldly moved her gaze away from him as she recalls his frivolous attitude. Her cheeks flushed a little as she turned her head and snorted.
“Junior Sister, I was just looking for a person to be with, only to find you here.” Fang Ziji walked up to Junior Sister Du and hugged her without a second thought.
“What are you doing!?” Du Yishuang struggled, but in vain because of Fang Ziji’s strength. With his burning hot, iron-like hands wrapped around her waist, Du Yishuang felt her heartbeat speed up.
“If you don’t release me, I will bite you!” Du Yishuang seemed like a small tigress and opened her mouth ready to bite.
“When a man is doing something, a woman just needs to shut up and wait!” Fang Ziji aggressively forced his actions on.
Du Yishuang felt even worse as she failed to break free of his invasive grasp.
Close to the two-thousandth step was Long Jun from the Bloody Battle Gang. He was also sitting cross-legged restoring his energy. Since the three sects’ strongest disciples did not differ too much in terms of strength, it was only normal that the height they were able to reach was about the same.
Unlike Xie Hongchen and Fang Ziji, Long Jun was extremely anxious. He was not confident in his ability to obtain the inheritance. Even when his strength was considered to best out of all the three sect disciples, if one were to take into consideration his age, he would not seem to be as impressive as the others.
Besides the few disciples who’ve managed to climb close to the two-thousandth step, the remaining few elite disciples were mostly above and around the one-thousandth step.
At this point, many people were already struggling to progress any further. After the one-thousandth step, they needed to rest for a long period of time before being able to climb up again. Some people actually considered those as opportunities. With the difficulty of climbing, it would add another set of criteria that would allow them a chance at the Inheritance. As long as they persisted a little bit longer and further and were more determined than the rest, they would have a chance to reach the top and obtain the Inheritance.
Lan Chudie, on the other hand, was struggling to climb anymore after her first few hundred steps. Normally, she would stand tall and proud but all of her hair was covered in frost. Her whole body was shaking with her uncontrollably jittering teeth, but she still pushed on and refused to give up.
On occasion, she thought of Yang Kai’s indifferent gaze towards her and could not help but feel upset.
With both her fists clenched, her breathing ragged, she took another step up.
She was an ambitious girl. She was willing to attach herself to any powerhouse, but was that a mistake? She was merely a girl without much talent. She has been laboriously cultivating the whole time in High Heaven Pavilion to only reach Qi Transforming Stage 7. Compared to the genuinely powerful cultivators, what significance could she possibly be in their eyes? Thus, she had to follow another powerful cultivator, to be protected under their wing. That was her only choice for survival.
She was not Su Yan. She was not strong. The only thing she had were her wits. Maybe one could include her body which made men drool, but Lan Chudie never regarded that as a strength. If she would classify her beauty, it was more of a burden. Only capable of flaring up men’s desires, while provoking the dangerous envy of women.
Several days before at Yang Kai’s moment of crisis, she just stood there silent. She did not wish to get drawn into the conflict. Maybe if she had added a few words of assistance, he would not have held such a gaze of unfeeling towards her.
Lan Chudie thought to herself, [ Why can’t you forgive me? If anyone was in such a situation, would they have chosen to support you? If only you were stronger…]
After climbing up a few steps, her whole body seemed to change. When she turned her head to check herself, her pale cheeks suddenly had dimples on it.
While she was indulging in her own thoughts, she had suddenly broken through to the next stage. Qi Transforming Stage 8!
When she closed her eyes to feel her newfound power circulating through her body, her eyes glimmered in delight. She continued upwards, to discover that the path was now much easier to climb. Her mood had rapidly changed to that of joy as she pressed on.
After half a day of rest, Yang Kai and the two Hu sisters finally continued their journey.
After the one-thousandth step, they could feel that the difference in energy produced by each step was increasing over the last. At first, the Hu sisters could climb without the need to rest, but the more they climbed, the more rest they required.
Yang Kai was also the same. Although he had an extremely strong cultivation technique, True Yang Secret Art, his cultivation level was still too low. It was impossible for him to climb the stairs with ease like Su Yan.
Therefore, the three had to take their time to move. Finally reaching the two-thousandth step with their vision blurred from exhaustion, they sat down to rest once more.
The climb that changed energies every five hundred steps forced the trial challengers to adapt. This not only made them have to consume more Yuan Qi, this was also a test of their mental endurance.
While the two Hu sisters huffed as their bosoms swayed up and down, Yang Kai was still relaxed. Although he had also used large amounts of Yuan Qi, the Yang Liquid in his Dantian made it much easier for him to cope.
“Aren’t you tired?” Hu Jiao Er could not bear but ask Yang Kai, whom after so long, did not seem to be the slightest bit tired. If Hu Mei Er did not obtain the inheritance with her, Hu Jiao Er highly doubted that her sister could continue past the thousandth step. Right now, Yang Kai who was also in the Initial Element Stage was able to surpass the two thousand step mark. Furthermore, she had not seen him take any Medicine Pills along the way. How was it possible for him to have so much Yuan Qi?
“Fortunately…” Yang Kai sat on the steps and waited for the two Hu sisters.
“You monster!” Hu Jiao Er exclaimed while smiling bitterly.